FRIDAY 25TH JANUARY 2019

Court Returns Duke as SDP Presidential Candidate INEC rejects Ezekwesili’s withdrawal from race

Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Alex Enumah and Adebayo Akinwale in Abuja The Court of Appeal in Abuja yesterday returned

former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, as the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

This came as the

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected the withdrawal of the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Dr. Oby

Ezekwesili, from the February 16 election.

The three-man panel of the appellate court in a judgment delivered on the appeal filed by Duke reversed the

judgment of an Abuja High Court, which had declared Prof. Jerry Gana as the party’s candidate.

Duke had emerged the winner at the SDP

presidential primaries held on October 6, 2018, where he secured 812 votes to Gana’s 611 votes.

Continued on page 8

NERC Moves against Foreign Dominance in Power Sector... Page 8 Friday 25 January, 2019 Vol 24. No 8682. Price: N250

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Finally, Appeal Court Suspends Onnoghen’s Trial at CCT CUPP: It’s victory for democracy, rule of law Alex Enumah in Abuja It was a great relief yesterday for the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, as the criminal charges filed by the federal government against him over alleged non-declaration of

assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), suffered a setback following an order by the Court of Appeal in Abuja that the tribunal should stay further proceedings in the trial, pending its ruling on January 30, 2019.

The three-member panel of

the appellate court gave the order after taking submissions from counsel in the application filed by the CJN seeking a stay of proceedings of the trial at the CCT. In a swift reaction to the ruling, opposition political parties under the aegis of the

Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), lauded the Court of Appeal for the restraining order, describing it as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.

Onnoghen had in the application filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Chief

Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), asked the Court of Appeal to restrain the CCT from going ahead with the trial slated for January 22.

He also asked the court to stop the suit requesting him to step down as the CJN. The federal government had

slammed a six-count charge on the CJN bordering on failure to declare his assets.

However, the CJN was not in court on January 14, the initial date set for his arraignment, citing improper Continued on page 8

US, UK: No Visas for Those Who Engage in Electoral Interference Segun James The United States and the United Kingdom yesterday announced sanctions, including visa restrictions and other repercussions for election interference and electionrelated violence in Nigeria.

In two separate statements issued yesterday, both countries described the elections as very important to not just Nigeria but Africa, demanding that the process be fair and transparent.

Nigeria's presidential and National Assembly elections hold on February 16, while those for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly are slated for March 2 this year.

The US, in its statement, said though the country does not support any specific candidate or party in the upcoming elections, it supports the Nigerian democratic process and genuinely free, fair, transparent, and peaceful electoral process.

The US mission in Nigeria added that it would in collaboration with other democratic nations, pay close attention to actions of individuals who interfere in the democratic process or instigate violence against

the civilian population before, during, or after the elections.

The statement read, “The conduct of the upcoming elections in Nigeria is important not only for Nigeria, but for the African continent.

“The United States government does not support any specific candidate or party in Nigeria’s upcoming Continued on page 8

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Nigeria Ratifies 40 IMO, ILO WELCOMING L-R: Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Professor Benjamin Ozurumba; Governor, Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; President Muhammadu Buhari; and Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, at Conventions on Maritime Safety... Page 12 Central the inauguration of the CBN Centre of Excellence, University of Nigeria, Enugu campus... yesterday At Last, Ohanaeze Endorses Atiku for President… Page 12

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NERC Moves against Foreign Dominance in Power Sector Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has commenced the implementation of a new law that will efficiently regulate the deployment of foreign equipment, workforce, and other services in Nigeria without allowing them to dominate operations in Nigeria's electricity market.

NERC explained that the law titled: ‘Regulation on National Content Development for the Power Sector,’ was enacted in 2014, but its implementation was started this month.

It explained that going forward, electricity distribution companies (Discos); generation companies (Gencos) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) would have to abide by the minimum local content standards in the regulation.

NERC’s implementation of a local content law in the power sector is modelled after the local content law in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Speaking yesterday at a workshop organised by NERC on local content regulation in Abuja, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, lamented that the electricity sector has remained vulnerable to the vagaries of foreign services, especially with regards to transactions often executed in the United States dollars against the naira.

Fashola said it was necessary for Nigeria to begin to develop local capacity in the power sector to cut down its dependence on foreign equipment and services.

He added that NERC’s local content law was also in line with the federal government’s Executive Order 5 enacted in

2018 to promote the use of Nigerian content in contracts and services in the country’s engineering and science sectors.

In his speech, NERC’s Chairman, Prof. James Momoh, said at the workshop that the implementation of the law would be immediate, adding that operators in the sector were expected to abide by it or risk regulatory sanctions.

Momoh noted that the expectations of the commission were contained in the schedule of the local content law.

According to the schedule, which was obtained by THISDAY, NERC expects Gencos to fully engage local manpower in the construction of foundations for power generation turbines, transformer plinths, control rooms and cable trenches as well as other civil works for power plants.

It added that 10 and 20 per cent of transmission equipment such as switchgears and sub-station equipment used by the TCN could be sourced locally between 2020 and 2024 respectively, while civil works for transmission projects would have to be wholly done locally starting from 2019.

Also for the Discos, the NERC explained that 25 per cent of the distribution transformers used by them would have been locally sourced from 2019, and 75 per cent by 2024.

Also, 40 per cent of meters the Discos install at users’ points would also be sourced locally while they will source for all of their meters locally by 2024.

It indicated that 75 per cent of the health, safety and environment (HSE) jobs in the power sector would be reserved for Nigerians starting

from 2019, while no foreigner would be allowed to take up any HSE job in the sector by 2024.

Also, 25 per cent of the operations and maintenance (O&M) jobs in the sector, the NERC stated would be reserved for Nigerians from 2019, while 75 per cent of O&M jobs in the sector would be for Nigerians by 2024.

NERC added that no foreigner would be allowed to take up the job of cable laying, accounting and auditing, haulage and cable jointing in the sector going further, while by 2024, no foreigner would be allowed to take up any administrative job in the sector.

Fashola explained that it was the job of the NERC to protect the power sector from external dominance, adding that if the regulation was diligently complied with by

operators, Nigerians would have more jobs from the sector which he also said would develop further. “The Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry is heavily dependent on imported human resources, material, equipment and services. It is consequently vulnerable to foreign exchange availability and rates, to the extent that contracts for gas and generation are denominated in foreign currency. “It is time to systemically develop Nigerian capacity and content in the industry for its long term growth and stability. The objective is to deliberately utilise Nigerian human and material resources, goods, works and services in the industry,� said Fashola, who was represented at the workshop by the Director of Procurement in the ministry, Mr. Ahmed Abdul.

partners remain committed supporters of Nigeria’s democracy. We do not support any party or individual and believe that the Nigerian people should be able to choose their leaders in an environment free from hate speech and insecurity. “We continue to provide significant support to Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission and to Nigerian civil society to

help them deliver credible elections. We also regularly engage with actors across the political spectrum to encourage them to respect electoral rules and maintain an atmosphere of peace and calm. We will be deploying an extensive observation mission for the forthcoming elections, including coordinating with the EU’s Election Observation Mission. “Our monitors will in

particular be looking out for any attempts to encourage or use violence to influence the elections, including on social media. We would like to remind all Nigerians that where the UK is aware of such attempts, this may have consequences for individuals.

These could include their eligibility to travel to the UK, their ability to access UK based funds or lead to prosecution under international law.�

recognises the former minister as its candidate or shares the same aspiration with Ezekwesili, and urged her to account for donations towards the party’s aborted presidential race.

In a statement issued by the spokesperson of her Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mr. Ozioma Ubabukoh, Ezekwesili was quoted as saying that her decision to withdraw from the race followed extensive discussions with Nigerians at home and the Diaspora.

According to her, the action was also prompted by an examination of the country’s electoral environment sequel to the 2019 presidential debate of Saturday, January 19, 2019.

Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, said that it was impossible for any presidential candidate to withdraw now. “It is impossible for any

presidential candidate to withdraw from the race now.

According to the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2019 general elections, the last day for withdrawal by candidates or replacement of withdrawn candidates by political parties was November 17, 2018 for presidential and National Assembly elections,’’ INEC stated. “Therefore, the deadline for Ezekwesili or any candidate in that category to withdraw or be replaced has passed.�

Having parted ways with the party’s presidential candidate, the National Chairman of ACPN, Abdulganiyu Galadima, said it had resolved to endorse the APC presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari.

While addressing a press conference yesterday, Galadima accused Ezekwesili of mismanaging the presidential ticket to achieve her selfish

interests.

He said the party was informed by an aide to the former presidential candidate that Ezekwesili withdrew from the race to lobby for the position of Minister of Finance in the incoming government.

Galadima asked Ezekwesili to return all the properties of the party, especially money she had received as donations on behalf of the party, threatening that the party may drag her to court if she fails to render account on the party’s funds in her custody.

"Every fund that was generated during her brief stay in the party is properties of the ACPN, and she should understand that as a political party, ACPN will expect her to render account to the INEC. "She must return whatever money she collected from

Koleoso, urged the Court of Appeal to dismiss the application for lack of merit, because if the appeal succeeds it will not terminate the case before the tribunal.

According to him, "The grievances that initiated the appeal are no longer there. If their request is granted, how then would their application be taken."

The CCT had adjourned to January 28, for the hearing of Onnoghen's motion on jurisdiction, after it rejected the orders of four different courts stopping the trial.

In a split judgment of two to one, the tribunal held that the orders of the courts stopping the trial at the tribunal were null and void, since the CCT is a unique creation of the constitution and as such cannot be subjected to the orders of the High Court and industrial court being

courts of equal jurisdiction.

Appeal which sat in Abuja and restrained the Danladi Umarled CCT from continuing with the trial of the CCT pending the determination of the main motion. “The opposition sees the ruling as victory for democracy and rule of law and a fatal blow to the All Progressives Congress (APC) political barbarians who are desperate to annex the Supreme Court to the list of their already destroyed national institutions. “We advise APC to build a private court for their members as the Nigerian court cannot be intimidated to submit to the leadership of the outgoing ruling party. “The opposition coalition stands for the independence of the judiciary and will fight with the last drop of its blood to protect such sacred institutions from being destroyed.�

US, UK: NO VISAS FOR THOSE WHO ENGAGE IN ELECTORAL INTERFERENCE elections. The United States supports the Nigerian democratic process itself.

We support a genuinely free, fair, transparent, and peaceful electoral process. “We, and other democratic nations, will be paying close attention to actions of individuals who interfere in the democratic process or instigate violence against the civilian population before, during, or after the elections.

“We will not hesitate to consider consequences – including visa restrictions – for those found to be responsible for election-related violence or undermining the democratic process. Under US immigration law, certain violations may also lead to restrictions on family members.�

On its part, the UK said it remains committed to free and fair elections in Nigeria.

It promised to support the

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in order to make the exercise credible. “Twenty-three days to the presidential and National Assembly elections and 37 days to the gubernatorial and state assembly elections, the British High Commission in Abuja would like to reaffirm our strong support for free, fair and peaceful elections in Nigeria,� the statement said. “We and our international

COURT RETURNS DUKE AS SDP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE But, Gana, citing breach of the SDP constitution, had approached the trial court seeking to void the election of Duke.

In his ruling, the trial judge, Justice Baba Hussein-Yusuf of the FCT High Court had held that the emergence of the former Cross River State governor, as SDP’s presidential candidate violated the zoning and rotation formula provided in section 15(3) of the party’s constitution.

He subsequently recognised Gana as the authentic candidate of the SDP and accordingly, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace the name of Duke with Gana as the SDP flagbearer in the February 16, presidential election.

Not satisfied with the judgment of the trial court, Duke, had approached the Court of Appeal, seeking to

upturn the judgment of the trial court.

But the three-man panel of the appellate court, led

by Justice Abdul Aboki, in a unanimous judgment, held that the amended constitution of the party which Gana relied on was not ratified as at the time the primaries that produced Duke was conducted.

He also held that any party constitution that allows for rotation and zoning is against the Nigerian constitution, and will disenfranchise citizens who have the right to vote and be voted for.

The court thereby held that the appeal has merit and it was allowed.

The court in the judgment ordered INEC to immediately recognise Duke as the authentic candidate of the SDP in the February 16 presidential election.

It also awarded a cost of

N500,000 against Gana in favour of Duke, the SDP and the National Chairman of the party.

INEC Rejects Ezekwesili’s Withdrawal from Presidential Race The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the withdrawal of the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, from the February 16, 2019 presidential election.

Ezekwesili, yesterday revealed that she was stepping aside from the presidential race to help build a coalition to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

But ACPN reacted swiftly yesterday, saying it no longer

Continued on page 12

FINALLY, APPEAL COURT SUSPENDS ONNOGHEN'S TRIAL AT CCT service of the tribunal’s summons, prompting the tribunal to adjourn to January 22 for his arraignment and the hearing of Onnoghen's motion, challenging the tribunal's powers to entertain the matter.

While various groups and individuals had approached the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court (NIC) to obtain interim orders stopping the trial, Onnoghen on his own approached the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, for an order of stay of proceedings pending the hearing and determination of his suit, challenging the tribunal's jurisdiction of the matter.

Delivering ruling on January 21 on the CJN’s application, the appellate court held that there was no need for another order and adjourned till January 24 for hearing of Onnoghen's motion on notice.

In a short ruling yesterday, the presiding judge, Justice Abdul Aboki ordered that, "this ruling is adjourned till Wednesday, January 30, the tribunal is ordered to stay all proceedings".

Earlier, while moving the application on stay of proceedings on CCT/ ABJ/01/2019 between the federal government and the CJN, Chief Wole Olanikpekun (SAN) had prayed the court to grant the stay pending the determination of the appeal against the order of the tribunal made on January 14.

Olanipekun informed the tribunal that the issue involved is jurisdictional, constitutional, and to save the judiciary.

He contended that there was an urgent need to preserve the subject matter (res), emphasising that the situation deserves the intervention of the court and added that "the

subject is strong, unique and needs to be preserved".

Olanipekun, who took time to narrate the history of the case and all that transpired at the tribunal, also informed the Court of Appeal that the tribunal had refused to obey the orders of four courts, including the National Industrial Court.

The tribunal, he added, had said it was not bound by the fact that this appeal is pending before the Court of Appeal, even as the Court of Appeal is ceased of the matter.

He, therefore, urged the court to order stay of proceedings on the matter at the CCT in the interest of the subject matter, constitution and the institution of the judiciary.

He also prayed the court for an accelerated hearing of the appeal.

Responding, counsel to the federal government, Oyin

CUPP Says It’s Victory for Democracy, Rule of Law Meanwhile, opposition political parties under the aegis of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), has lauded the Court of Appeal for the restraining order, describing it as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.

The national spokesperson of CUPP, Imo Ugochinyere, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, said the opposition parties stood for the independence of the judiciary and would fight to protect such sacred institutions from being destroyed.

The statement read, “The CUPP received with joy the news of the ruling of the threeman panel of the Court of

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NEWS

At Last, Ohanaeze Endorses Atiku for President Presidential candidate vows to bring prosperity back

Christopher Isiguzo, Gideon Arinze in Enugu and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday finally endorsed the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the February 16 presidential election.

Ohanaeze’s endorsement is coming as Atiku promised to bring back wealth and prosperity to Nigeria if voted into power in February 16 presidential poll.

According to a statement issued after the Ime Obi meeting of Ohanaeze and signed by its President General, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Ndigbo all over the country would support the PDP candidate who the organisation said had shown commitment to addressing the myriads of problems facing the country. “After a critical and dispassionate appraisal of the issues and the visible fault lines in our polity, including the analysis of the election manifestos of the various contesting parties, especially with regards to the restructuring of the federation and continued relevance of our people in the Nigerian geopolitical space, the meeting resolved as follows: “That Ohanaeze remains the apex socio-cultural organisation that works for the interest of the Igbo in and outside Nigeria. It

attempts to aggregate the views of all other Igbo platforms; “Ohanaeze notes particularly that a major political party (PDP) by the nomination of our son, Peter Obi, as the vice presidential candidate has given Ndigbo an opportunity for inclusivity. Ndigbo must seize the moment; “That the presidential candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has made an avowed commitment to restructuring of the federation and reconfirmed same during his recent visit to the United States in his meetings with high-level US officials; “In consideration of the above and other relevant existential factors pertaining to the treatment of the Igbo in our polity, the Ime Obi Ohanaeze, therefore, hereby ratify the decision reached at the Ohanaeze National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Enugu on January 22, 2019, to adopt the Atiku Abubakar/ Peter Obi ticket in the 2019 presidential election. Ime Obi therefore endorses and embraces fully, this ticket without equivocation, especially with regards to the position of Ndigbo at the Awka Declaration, which insisted on a complete restructuring of the Nigerian polity. “Ohanaeze urges Ndigbo to see their PVCs as their most potent tool to ensure a restructured polity and for a

Atiku better society. “The meeting further called on the international community to help to ensure a free and credible 2019 elections in Nigeria.

Ohanaeze also urged all Igbo to come out and vote.

I will Bring Prosperity Back to Nigeria, Says Atiku Meanwhile, as the PDP presidential campaign hits Kaduna yesterday, its presidential candidate, Atiku has promised to bring back wealth and prosperity to Nigeria if voted into power in February 16 presidential poll.

This was as the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, said that President Muhammadu

Buhari has tried, but he has lost the strength to lead a country of 200 million people.

Atiku who addressed a presidential rally in Hausa, in Kaduna, said there was no hunger and poverty among Nigerians when the PDP was in power.

He alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had failed to fulfill it’s 2015 campaign promises, urging electorate to vote the PDP back to power come February 16 to return the nation back to the path of progress.

The former vice president said the APC and President Buhari had promised to tackle security but failed, as the challenges continued in most part of the country.

He, however, said the APC and President Buhari must go, urging the people to vote the PDP from bottom to top. “The PDP is responsible for all the development in this country, but they came and deceived people, and lied to them and, asked them to vote for change, but where is the change. “The APC promised to tackle insecurity but the challenges are still here, ravaging the North-east, North-west and the North-central, have they fulfilled the promises, So why are we going to vote for them? “You know that when PDP was in power, there

was prosperity, wealth and development. “So let me tell you, if you vote the PDP we shall bring back prosperity, progress, employment and trades to the people. This is a promise we are making to you. “I am begging you to vote the PDP from top to bottom and bottom to top. So join me in chanting Buhari must go. APC must go. May God bless you.�

Earlier, the National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus had said that President Buhari has tried, but no longer have the strength to continue to rule over 200 million people. “It is time to ask President Buhari to go; he has tried, but let him go home and rest. His energy is no more there. We need somebody with a lot of energy that can work for 24 hours. “If you vote for APC, the Cabal will be in control of government because Buhari is weak, he cannot rule. “We want somebody who has the capacity to rule this country, and that person is Atiku. Atiku will provide jobs, food, security, etc for Nigerians. “Nigeria is 200 million people, so Atiku will not sleep until there is food on your table and security of lives and property all over the country. Atiku will not fail you.

“Don’t listen to APC deceit, Isah Ashiru is your next governor in Kaduna, and vote for all PDP candidates in Kaduna�.

The PDP national chairman said the era of election rigging is over, saying that nobody can rig election any longer.

He warned INEC to resist the temptation of rigging the election.

Earlier, the Director-General of the PDP and President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, had said, “They promised us security, but there is no security anywhere in Nigeria. “There is no security in the North-east, no security in the North-west, no security in the North-central, no security anywhere in Nigeria. “They promised us economic development but Nigeria is now the capital of poverty. “Come February, Nigerians should vote for the PDP in all the elections. We want a better Nigeria, not the propaganda of the APC.�

Former interim national chairman of PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, said the crowd has confirmed that Kaduna is a PDP state. “We in PDP, we don’t abuse whatever. The road, water supply, big educational institutions, secondary schools, health facilities you see in Kaduna State were built by PDP.�

Nigeria Ratifies 40 IMO, ILO Conventions on Maritime Safety Eromosele Abiodun The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, yesterday in Lagos disclosed that Nigeria had ratified 40 conventions passed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) covering maritime safety, labour and marine environment.

Dakuku stated this while speaking at the eighth Strategic Admiralty Law Seminar for Judges organised by NIMASA in conjunction with Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS).

He further stated that the non-implementation and enforcement of the conventions has been affecting investments in the country.

He said so far 19 of the

conventions have been domesticated by way of regulation, adoption or incorporation under the Merchant Shipping Act of 2007.

According to him, “It has been a herculean task trying to sell Nigeria to the international community for investments, because in some cases the investors had raised the issue of uncertainty in dispensation of litigation and implementations of laws. It is on the premise that the seminar titled: ‘Strengthening Nigeria’s Admiralty Regime through Effective Implementation of International Maritime and Labour Instruments’ was imperative.�

He added that the NIMASA is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Transportation under the auspices of an Inter-ministerial Committee to ratify an additional six IMO conventions before the end of

2019 to ensure that Nigeria as an IMO-member state fulfills its treaty obligation.

These conventions, he said, are; The Hong Kong International Convention for safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships 2009; Protocol Relating to Intervention on the high seas in cases of oil pollution casualties (Intervention Protocol) 1973; 1996 Protocol on limitation of liability for maritime claims (LLMC).

Others are: 2002 Protocol relating to the carriage of passengers and their luggage by sea (PAL) 1976; International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F) 1995; and the Protocol of 2005 to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Act against the Safety of Maritime Navigation.

He said NIMASA is working with relevant stakeholders

under the auspices of the IMO Mandatory States Audit Scheme (IMSAS) Corrective Action Plan Committee to ensure that all queries raised in the 2016 IMO Audit report on Nigeria’s maritime sector are addressed before the first quarter of 2019 in order to boost Nigeria’s re-election bid into Category ‘C’ of the IMO General Council.

In the area of maritime security, which is critical to actualising safe and secure shipping, the NIMASA boss informed participants that the draft suppression of piracy and other maritime offenses bill facilitated by the agency, aimed at criminalising piracy and other maritime offenses has been forwarded to the National Assembly, adding that the bill has passed first reading in both chambers of the National Assembly.

He also expressed optimism

that it would be passed into law before the end of the eighth assembly.

Dakuku, who reiterated the fact that the maritime sector in Nigeria has a lot of opportunities to become an economic driver and this can be fully actualised when the various arms of government work together collaboratively, urged the Nigerian judicial system to ensure efficiency and timeliness in the dispensation of justice in maritime related cases, as it will boost stakeholders and investors’ confidence in the system. “Timeliness in justice dispensation is very key to realizing the potentials in the maritime sector so that investors’ can trust our judicial process. The more time taken on a case, the more investment opportunities are lost; I therefore wish to use this opportunity to appeal to our judges to facilitate

timely resolution of dispute for maritime cases as we all have one role or the other to play in catalysing the Nigerian economy,� he said.

"NIMASA in line with its mandate of promoting the development of shipping and building capacity in the maritime sector, instituted the Strategic Admiralty Law Seminar for Judges with the initial target being judges of the Federal High Court who by provision of Section 251 (I) (g) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), are vested with exclusive jurisdiction over Admiralty matters. This scope subsequently expanded to include Justices of the Court of Appeal and the State High Court judges of the littoral states, mindful also of their strategic roles in the dispensation of justice," he said.

yesterday with Galadima, were members of the national executive of ACPN, including the Deputy National Chairman (North) who doubles as the Director General of Ezekwesili Presidential Campaigns, Alhaji Ibrahim Maikasu Goronyo.

Meanwhile, Ezekwesili has described the allegation by Galadima as baseless.

Her media aide, Ubabukoh, said Galadima’s claim that she was contesting to negotiate to be Minister of Finance was a

figment of his imagination.

He said the candidate’s decision to withdraw from the race was taken to sacrifice her personal interests for the country’s interest. “All these allegations are a figment of his imagination.

They are baseless. The decision to withdraw from the race is in the interest of the nation.

It should be the nation first before anything,� Ubabukoh said.

He added that it was curious

that Galadima, less than three hours after Ezekwesili’s withdrawal, endorsed Buhari and added that the action showed the ACPN Chairman had long had a personal agenda and never believed in the idea to disrupt the status quo in the country.

Ubabukoh said Ezekwesili would soon address a news conference where she would provide details about her withdrawal from the presidential race.

COURT RETURNS DUKE AS SDP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE people on behalf of the party, because whatever is given to her belongs to the party,’’ Galadima further stated.

On why he and other members of the party decided to endorse President Buhari, Galadima said the administration has not only impacted on the lives of Nigerians through agricultural development but has operated a more transparent contracting system.

The ACPN national chairman

described the move by Ezekwesili to withdraw from the presidential race as a preemptive one, aimed at evading her imminent suspension by the party.

According to Galadima, who also doubles as the ACPN's National Chairman, the leadership of the party had already reached a decision to withdraw support for her before she pulled out from the race.

He described Ezekwesili as an unserious candidate, who

did not have a campaign secretariat nor posters and bill boards.

"If you observe, Ezekwesili is the only presidential candidate who is so militant in her campaign, without any tangible thing on the ground to indicate any seriousness in the prosecution of her campaign.

No campaign secretariat, billboards or great commitment on the ground to indicate any seriousness," he said.

At the press conference

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COMMENT

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

RISING ABOVE PARTISAN POLITICS

Soyombo Opeyemi pays tribute to Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, at age 61

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est one is accused of invention, an afterthought or intellectual gerrymandering, I draw extracts from my piece, “Buhari and federal roads�, which was widely published in 2015: “A friend once told me a story that has stuck to my memory. His disciplined, prudent and industrious secondary school principal ensured those sterling qualities rubbed off on the academy, resulting in the students passing their exams with flying colours and a buoyant school till. However, within a few years of graduation, the principal was transferred and replaced by a footloose and spendthrift head. The treasury was emptied in no time, and indiscipline soon began to take its toll on the performance of the students. The school eventually became a shadow of its former self. As the saying goes, a man may leave behind a gargantuan fortune, there is no guarantee those coming after him will be wise.�

Therefore, every responsible leader should be interested in who succeeds him just like a father should be interested in the future of his children. The only caveat in a political community is that such must be done democratically. It must be based on free and fair adult suffrage. It is still part of democratic right to canvass votes for any candidate of one’s choice. “Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama for president,� reads the banner headline in The Guardian (UK) of Sunday, 19 October, 2008: “George Bush’s former secretary of state, today dealt his own party a major blow when he threw his weight behind the bid by Barack Obama to become the next president of the United States. “The four-star general spurned his good friend John McCain to heap praise on the ‘transformational figure’ of Obama, saying America needed a ‘generational change’... “Coming 16 days ahead of the US presidential election, Powell’s endorsement was the second of two important boosts to the Obama campaign today. “Speaking on the television programme Meet the Press, Powell, 71, offered an impassioned endorsement of Obama, and a harsh repudiation of the McCain campaign. “’It was not easy for me to disappoint Senator McCain in the way that I have done this morning,’ Powell said. ‘We need a transformational figure, a president who is a generational change, That is why I’m supporting Barack Obama. Because of his ability to inspire,’ Powell said, ‘because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities and you have to take that into account - as well as his substance, he has both style and substance, he has met the standard of being a successful

EVERY NIGERIAN HAS AN INALIENABLE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO DEMOCRATIC DECISIONS WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE LAW AND THAT MUST BE RESPECTED BY ALL CITIZENS AND INSTITUTIONS

president, being an exceptional president.� “Although he said race was not a factor in his decision, he added: ‘It will be an historic event for an African-American to become president, and, if that happens, all Americans should be proud.’�

Colin Powell was a Republican chieftain while Barack Obama was the candidate of the Democratic Party. Senator McCain emerged the candidate of the Republican Party through a free, fair and rancorousfree primary. Yet Powell saw a bigger picture and therefore rose above partisan politics.

Powell was not pilloried by his party on account of his decision to support the candidate of another party. There were no threats of expulsion, exclusion or ex-communication from the Republican Party.

To quote The Guardian report again, “Powell, who said that he had made up his mind over the last two months, was damning of McCain’s response to the economic crisis, of what he described as the Republican party’s drift further to the right during the campaign, and of the attack politics that have played out in recent weeks... “He criticised the McCain campaign for focusing on Obama’s alleged ties to the 1960s radical William Ayers. ‘Why do we keep talking about him and why do we have these robocalls going on?’ he asked. ‘This goes too far ... it’s not what the American people are looking for.

The party has moved even further to the right.’ “’The approach of the Republican party and Mr McCain has become narrower and narrower. Obama has been more inclusive,’ Powell said. “McCain said he was not surprised by the endorsement, but he was pleased he had the backing of four other former secretaries of state and scores of past and present military leaders.�

Admittedly, such cross-party endorsement is an exception, not the rule. Powell even criticized his own party openly. It happens once in a blue moon. This exception is also a human phenomenon. Exceptional circumstances usually throw up such and we’ve got to live with it.

So it was democracy at work in the US. It should be democracy at work in Nigeria, nay Ogun State.

On this occasion of the 61 birthday of the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, let us reiterate that every Nigerian has an inalienable constitutional right to democratic decisions within the ambit of the law and that must be respected by all citizens and institutions.

Congratulations to Senator Ibikunle Amosun on his 61st birthday anniversary. We wish you all the happy returns of this day. It’s forward ever, backward never!

Soyombo, public affairs commentator, sent this piece via densityshow@yahoo.com

TRUMP, GLOBAL STRONGMEN AND TECHNOLOGY What does 2019 have in store for the world? A mixed bag of fear and hope, writes Rajendra K. Aneja

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019 will be a tranquil year for me. My soul mate Patricia will not badger me to migrate to the USA, UK, Brazil, etc.

These countries do not welcome mundane citizens like me anymore.

Elsewhere, the world will continue to be turbulent and unpredictable. The “Big Four� leaders are assured of long innings. China’s Xi is President for life. Putin will stay till 2024, Japan’s Abe is ensconced till 2021.

President Trump will galvanise in 2019, for his re-election in 2020. He could romp home, considering the improvements in employment and growth in the USA. Trump has a rock-solid base of supporters, despite his exasperating the media with early morning tweets. So, the “Big Four� club may reign till 2024. Expect trade wars, mercurial decisions, political stalemates, refugee-resistance and ego-battles. Hopefully the leaders will not equate themselves or their parties with the state itself. A country is always bigger than any leader or party.

Britain will struggle with the Brexit divorce, made a wee vindictive by the European Union. PM Theresa May will have a torturous 2019. Chancellor Angela Merkel was the voice of reason in Europe.

However, her robust support of refugees, imposed cultural and financial burdens on her supporters.

She is losing her lustre. France’s Macron was hoping for a strong European role. Instead he is embroiled in dousing “yellow-vest� fuel protest fires at home.

Europe will be without a shining knight.

The war in Syria may continue. Perhaps the war in Yemen will conclude with well-meaning negotiators. The common people of these countries survive with malnutrition and cholera. New sanctions will bite Iran.

India’s poster PM Modi will seek re-election. His future is ambiguous. An unwarranted demonetisation, shoddily implemented Goods & Services Tax, pending promises on job-creation and terminating corruption have dented his image. Leaders must deliver. India could have a fractured future in the next five years, with no party in real command.

Pakistan’s new PM Imran Khan will bowl to stump terrorism and financial bankruptcy at home.

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi will maintain a subtle silence

on the Rohingya crisis. Her Western admirers wring their arms in ire. She lived 15 years under housearrest. If she is articulate, she may be nudged into oblivion again. What can the Lady do? Singapore will tantalise tourists with technology. Vietnam, Bangladesh will focus on productivity. Their people are greedy for growth.

Global growth will hover around three to four per cent. It has ranged around two to four per cent during the last decade. This is not good enough.

About 11 per cent of the world’s population sleeps hungry, living below the poverty line. About 844 million people do not have access to clean drinking water and 2.38 billion lack sanitation facilities.

World bank, IMF, United Nations must galvanise global growth rates to seven per cent. Hire business stalwarts like Bill Gates, Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos, if necessary. But, augment global growth.

The USA could lead global growth with around three-four per cent, bolstered by tax-cuts, stimulus and high spends. Fear no downturn or recession, even though the stocks markets are not on a bull-run. Tariffs-wars will slacken globalisation, but not strangulate it. European growth could remain dormant around 1.5 per cent. Brexit thorns may puncture the British economy to around one per cent growth.

Hemmed in by tariff wars with USA and Trump’s desire to boost local production, growth in China could decline to around 6 per cent. Nevertheless, China has reduced its poor from 750 million to 10 million in the last three decades. Asian and African countries could learn. India’s economy could hesitate at about six per cent, since reforms will slacken due to elections.

Nigeria could be the new growth-engine of Africa. With Lagos undergoing an infrastructural metamorphosis and the Dangote’s integrated oil and petroleum refinery to commence in 2020, the country could see better days. Currently, Nigeria exports its crude petroleum and then imports petrol for cars. Bizarre.

Oil prices will range between USD 55 and USD 60 a barrel, constrained by larger American shale oil production and lower demand across countries.

With major discontinuities becoming a daily

occurrence, do not expect overnight riches from the stock market. It will grow, not gallop. Gold will hold steady at around USD 42 per gram. The shiny material will allure.

The world must agonise about refugee-children from Syria, Yemen and Africa. They suffer malnutrition, but they are also missing schooling. What will be their future? Innocent children get victimised by the war games that leaders play, to pander to their constituencies and aspirations. The world is reduced to islands of affluence, with vast number of countries struggling to find food, water and jobs for billions of people.

Refugees from Middle East, Africa and Myanmar seek food and opportunities in other countries.

There are 65.6 million displaced persons globally.

However, receiving countries are shutting their doors, since they have to feed their own people.

Countries from which the refugees emanate, have the responsibility of improving their economies, so that their citizens do not leave. Happy people never abandon their countries.

Corporations will deploy digitisation to improve customer service. Companies also ponder how to survive oblivion in a fast changing world. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos has already warned his employees, “Amazon is not too big to fail, in fact, I predict one-day Amazon will fail. Amazon will go bankrupt. If you look at large companies, their lifespans tend to be 30-plus years, not a hundred-plus years.�

Corporations will also face talent shortages, as bright youngsters opt to become entrepreneurs and start their own technology ventures.

Disruptions in technologies due to digitisation are a way of life. Deployed creatively, digitisation can enhance communications, efficiencies and good health. However, in a war, artificial intelligence and robots could annihilate armies and nations. Around 200 million jobs are at risk, as robots make cars and even cakes.

Hopefully youngsters will spend more time playing football or cricket than on social media.

Perhaps, people will consume less antibiotics.

In 2019 online sellers like Amazon and Flipkart will flourish. Malls and shops will drop sales, as consumers, opt for their shopping from flour to

fashion, to be delivered at their doorstep.

The #MeToo movement may fizzle out. Nevertheless, it has alerted the groping fingers and roving eyes of men, to be wary of women. Dirty linen can tumble out, decades later.

Roger Federer, Tiger Woods and Virat Kohli will continue to dazzle. Hopefully another Bond film may enthral us.

Forget your privacy, as telephone, internet, cable and even electricity wires merge into one. Every time you touch they keyboard of your smart phone or computer or switch on your toaster, hidden systems record your words, searches and switches. Providers of various services, can collate your profile, nay life, from your clicks and keep or sell the information. If you value seclusion, avoid inordinate connectivity.

The planet will get warmer. Waste, in plastic and paper form grows and smothers canals, rivers and oceans. But world leaders are busy trying to win elections; they have little time for the environment.

We will eventually pay the price of our neglect.

Mother Nature can be vengeful.

Perhaps 2019 will also reveal the plight of the 239 lives on Malaysian flight MH 370, missing since 2014. Their families wait for answers. We cannot forget them. Hopefully governments will be more tolerant of dissenting writers and journalists. They are the conscience-keepers of mankind.

The most uplifting moment of 2018 was, when thousands of divers, soldiers, rescuers, doctors, volunteers, from all nations, forged to save the 12 Thai children and their coach, trapped in a dark cave for nine days. This multinational, selfless spirit could help the world to find solutions to poverty, wars, HIV and cancer.

As a commoner, I hope for some serene days, so Patricia and I can take long walks in a lonely park or near a frozen lake, surrounded by winter flowers like carnations and tulips or by mist. Perhaps Patricia might even let me hold her hand, as we walk. I hope, it is not too much to hope. Happy New Year!

Rajendra Aneja, an alumnus of Harvard Business School, was the Managing Director of Unilever Tanzania

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

EDITORIAL Respite For The Physically Challenged?

Everything should be done to ensure that the law is enforced

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ollowing its passage after more than a decade in the National Assembly and needless controversy on its transmission, President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018. The law makes provision for the prohibition of discrimination and harmful treatment towards the physically challenged persons in our country. It also provides for accessibility to physical structures and makes it mandatory for public buildings, roads, walkways and others to be constructed in such a way that a person with disability can access them.

According to Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Senator Ita Enang, the law guarantees the right to maintain civil action for damage by the person injured against any defaulter.

However, as positive a development as the presidential assent may be, it would take more than a new law to address the problems of the physically challenged in our country. From ATTEMPTS MUST the “Nigerians with BE MADE TO OPEN Disability” military decree of 1993 which UP EDUCATIONAL provides “a clear and AND EMPLOYMENT comprehensive legal OPPORTUNITIES protection and security SO THAT THEY CAN for Nigerians with disCOMPETE AND ability as well as EMBRACE LIFE WITH establish standard for enforcement of their MORE CONFIDENCE rights and privileges” to the several efforts by the National Assembly in the past 19 years, it is clear that the law is not the problem. The main challenge has been the attitude of Nigerians to the plight of this vulnerable group. Yet according to World Health Organisation (WHO) reports, there are as many as 25 million Nigerians living with one form of disability or another.

A recent news report stated clearly that about 98 per cent of public buildings in the country such as schools, hospitals, banks, even shop stalls, where some can make economic transactions, are still inaccessible to persons

Letters to the Editor

with disabilities. Yet the physically challenged persons constitute a significant percentage of the population.

Aside the law that compels the government to accommodate them in any major enterprise, Nigeria is a signatory to many international conventions that support equal opportunities for all their citizens. The United Nations defines equalisation of opportunities as “the process through which the general system of society, such as the physical and cultural environment, housing and transportation, social and health services, educational and work opportunities, cultural and social life, including sports and recreational facilities are made accessible to all.”

I 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

n Nigeria today, the physically challenged are most often denied employment opportunities and they are also subjected to discrimination and stigmatisation by both the society and the authorities. From transportation which allows movement and interactions, through health, recreations and even educational services which can make them compete effectively, people with one disability or another are most often deprived of their rights.

Everywhere and every day, obstacles are thrown on their paths. To worsen the situation, many are regarded by their families as a source of shame and treated as objects of charity. The few vocational training centres set up by government are ill-equipped and ill-maintained.

Many end up in the streets as beggars while others turn to drugs and other socially unacceptable behaviour to generate income.

Now that the disability bill has been signed into law, government at all levels must, as a matter of policy, create a conducive atmosphere for social, economic and political integration of the physically challenged in our society.

Even if old public institutional buildings cannot be modernised to accommodate them, new ones should be built in such a way that they provide access to the physically challenged. Attempts must also be made to open up educational and employment opportunities so that they can compete and embrace life with more confidence. The physically challenged in our midst must be empowered to help themselves and their families and contribute their bit to the growth and development of the society.

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.

SABOTAGE IN LAGOS APC

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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Edo State in a recent media interview noted that most members of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state are waiting for the governorship elections to sabotage the party at the polls. He attributed the development to the fact that many of such potential saboteurs felt cheated in the just concluded primaries to choose party leaders and representatives in the state. This antagonistic attitude of frustrated party supporters is not peculiar to Edo State in the APC. Indeed in Lagos State many APC supporters are bidding their time for vengeance against their party at the governor’s election in Lagos in March 2019.

The grievance of the party followers arose out of the directive from the party leaders that direct primaries would be the order of the day. This was a way of bringing democracy closer to the people and primaries were structured such that people lined up and were counted at the ward level and upwards. Yet when a list of winners from such transparent electoral process was released, those who lost featured and clear winners could not find their names on the list. A process that was expected to promote democracy and bring responsibility to the grass roots in APC had been hijacked and sabotaged by those who sold the idea to unsuspecting party followers who had applauded the move in the first place. This is the groundswell of resentment and frustration that is rocking the Lagos APC and its leaders are deeply suspicious it could jeorpadise the chances of their candidate Babajide Sanwo- Olu at the Lagos State governorship elections this March.

What is more worrying to APC party leaders however is the difficulty in finding out those who are loyal on the surface and planning sabotage in secret. It has been a daunting task trying to read faces of hitherto trustworthy party loyalists to know those who are transparently happy and those who are not. As the Yorubas have always said, all lizards lie prostrate and it is difficult to know what they are thinking. That is the major problem of apprehending the enemy within the APC leadership in Lagos State.

As usual in politics, one man’s food is another man’s poison. The beneficiary of the internal resentment in the APC is the main opposition PDP, and more especially its governoship candidate, Jimi Agbaje who is bound to reap bountifully, particularly from the shortchanged and embittered APC supporters. They are hoping to settle scores with their party by voting massively for Jimi Agbaje as the next Lagos State governor in the coming governorship elections.

Whilst many voters including both disenchanted and hitherto committed APC members cannot wait to vote forJimi Agbaje, there are those who are also campaigning on the line that voters should not waste their votes on many candidates who have no chances at the polls. They have asked Lagosians to limit their votes to only Jimi Agbaje as PDP governor of Lagos State. They insist he is the only well- known and credible candidate that can rescue Lagos and Lagosians from the tyranny of the “headmaster” as a way of bringing democracy to the grassroots in the APC. Indeed, Lagos needs to be free.

Jubril Gambo, Lagos

AMINA ZAKARI, INEC AND 2019 ELECTIONS

“

Amina Zakari has been retained as the chief collation officer of INEC in an election in which her uncle is a major contestant….”

Did INEC ever state that Amina Zakari is the chief collation officer for the 2019 elections as written above by Mr Sonnie Ekwowusi last Wednesday?

To put the records straight, Amina Zakari heads the committee to organise the logistics and administrative resources associated with the use of the International Conference Center which will be utilised by INEC to announce the results as they come in from the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. She is not INEC’s chief collation officer! Sonnie Ekwowusi should contact INEC for the detailed job description of Amina Zakari as head of the committee in question. He will notice that collation of results is not part of her job. And President Muhammadu Buhari is not an uncle to Amina Zakari!

For God’s sake, stop playing into the already written script of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The piece in question by Mr. Ekwowusi is unabashedly biased and does not reflect the truth.

Mukhtar Iriata, mohtarng@gmail.com

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18

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JANUARY 25, 2019

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG

POLITICS

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

PERSPECTIVE Understanding the Imo Guber Imbroglio in Imo State Greg Nwadike

settled upon and until he served out his tenure in 2007 insisted and handed over to Okigwe in line with the understanding of 1991. This was even when Owerri zone again paraded a number of aspirants to stop him.

Udenwa after his eight years in office handed over to Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Okigwe zone.

There were many litigations by Owerri through a son of the zone, Mr. Martins Agbaso that distracted that administration till almost three years in office.

During the Ikedi Ohakim’s era, political leaders of Owerri zone, including some of their religious leaders and industrialists mobilized fiercely to ensure that Okigwe zone had no peace and would not complete its tenure.

The world shouted, Orlu warned and we wrote several epistles reminding Owerri leaders the dangers in breaking the 1991 accord. All fell like water on a rock. Owerri zone politicians insisted that they do not need zoning. Mr. Agbaso later picked the APGAticket and curiously surrendered it to Mr. Rochas Okorocha who is from Orlu zone.

They re-negotiated power with Okorocha to hand over to them after four years. They mobilized forces and resources through APGAand truncated the zoning arrangement which would have seen the zone preparing for its second term in office this year. There is no doubt that Owerri zone murdered sleep. Owerri will have to now sleep standing upright as you cannot eat your cake and have it back.

I

mo, like every other state has three senatorial districts of unequal delimitations namely; Imo West (Orlu Senatorial zone), Imo East (Owerri senatorial zone) and Imo North (Okigwe Senatorial zone). Orlu zone has a total of 12 councils, Owerri zone has nine while Okigwe zone has only six bringing the total number of local government areas to 27.

Sometime in 1991; precisely the 9th of June at the Iwuanyanwu Glass House located at the Ugwuorji area of Owerri, elders of the state gathered and recommended that for equity, fairness and justice, democratic processes regarding to the office of the Executive Governor of Imo state shall be rotatory.

Some notable elders from Owerri zone who attended that meeting and appended their signature to the agreement included Chief E.C Iwuanyanwu, Chief Evan Enwerem, Dr. J.C Odunna, Barr. B.S.C Nzenwa, Chief Onyenso Nwachukwu, Chief R.O Onyenobi, Chief B.A Nwanne, Prof. Roland Anyanwu, Dr. F.U Ukoha, Barr. R.C Azuatalam, Chief Engr. R.O Ugorji. Dr. A.C Ohashiegbula and Chief (Mrs) Maria Eke. Okigwe zone had Chief Sen. Emeka Echeruo, Sir T.I Ozoemena, Dr. E.J.K Onyebuchi, Chief Tony C. Emeruom, Sen. B.C Agunanne, Chief Zeph Philips Nwosu, Chief Frances Anamekwe, Hon. Amaefula Ikoro, Mrs. Pat Ogueri, Prince C. Orike, Chief C.C Iwuala and Sir. O.U Ugochukwu.

Others from Orlu zone at that extra-ordinary convention were Chief Dr. B.U Nzeribe, Sen. Alhaji N. Maduagwu, Chief Walter Ofonagoro, Chief Anyaim Acholonu, Chief Greg Mbadiwe,

Ohakim

Okorocha

Chief Peter Mgbenewelu, Prince S.O Ukadike, Chief S.B.N Emejuru, Sir Obed Umelo, Chief R.O Ofoma, Nze Laz Ohakwe, Dr. Otuokere Njaka and Chief R.O Okoro.

The Charter of Equity as agreed resolved that power and ascendency to the position of Imo governor be rotated among the three zones of the new Imo (Abia state was just carved out then), beginning from Owerri zone by “merit”. “Merit” as quoted in the understanding implied that every zone be allowed to serve out its tenure and allow the next to start on “merit” without aspirants or contenders from other zones.

This was the understanding and premise on which the new Imo was built, with the sole aim of

reducing heat, pressure and unnecessary crises as is currently the case in Imo during guber elections.

The agreement resolved that Owerri be allowed to start while Orlu and Okigwe followed respectively.

Owerri actually took its turn till the end of that political era through Chief Evan Enwerem. Neither Okigwe nor Orlu zone opposed the zone’s reign.

But for the presence of some signatories with conscience, it is on record that at the dawn of the present dispensation in 1999 when Orlu was to take its turn, Owerri zone avariciously disregarded this gentleman’s understanding reached in 1991 and presented a number of aspirants who almost denied Orlu that merit offer.

ChiefAchike Udenwa from Orlu was eventually

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Atiku’s American Homecoming Muyiwa Gbadegesin

H

omecoming is an annual tradition in the United States, when colleges and their host communities welcome back former alumni with celebratory events that can include a football game, parades, gala nights and the crowning of a homecoming queen and/or king. Former VP Atiku seems to have joined this tradition by his recent visit to the US, a visit shrouded in secrecy and furtive maneuvers.

Atiku’s visit to the US is a homecoming because he is going back home to his alma mater, the illustrious International School of Corruption (ISOC), made up of bad elements in corridors of power in the US, Nigeria and many other long-suffering countries. Despite the hullabaloo in some circles in the ruling party and opposition in Nigeria, Atiku’s visit has no bearing on the coming elections. This is because the right to elect the president of Nigeria belongs only to the people of Nigeria.

So why exactly is Atiku coming to America?

The answer should be obvious to anyone who has followed his political career: Atiku is going to America to revive crooked channels for self-enrichment- the channels of institutional corruption that led to international scandals involving ISOC companies like Halliburton, Siemens and Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR).

The KBR scandal involved payment of

bribes to the tune of $180 million by KBR between 1994 and 2004 to Nigerian officials to secure $6bn in contracts for the Bonny Island Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project in the Niger Delta. These are not mere allegations- an interim report of a Presidential Panel of Investigation headed by former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro stated that Obasanjo, Atiku and former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Directors Gaius Obaseki and Funso Kupolokun jointly got $74 million from the KBR slush fund. As a matter of fact, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had once indicated their intention to charge former US vice-president Dick Cheney in this $180 million bribery case. Cheney was the chief executive of Halliburton before he became George Bush’s vice-president in 2001.

ISOC alumni companies like KBR had free rein in Nigeria because of Obasanjo and Atiku, and they are now paying Atiku back by organizing homecoming events for him in the American capital. Atiku could not have gone before now because the ISOC was on a long hiatus during the Obama years. With the rise to power of another prominent ISOC alumnus, Donald J. Trump, Atiku is once again welcome in Washington. Could it be that the US authorities are unaware that Atiku is scandal prone?

Why would they welcome the same Atiku that put American University into scandal

office. Nigeria is not comfortable enough for him. He prefers the opulence and creature comforts that are readily available abroad, without undue scrutiny. He doesn’t care that millions of his countrymen can never enjoy the same comforts because he has plundered their wealth. Atiku is running helter skelter because he knows that APC has changed this country for good. We have turned the ship of state around and are now facing the right direction.

And there is no looking back.

If Atiku is looking for vindication in Washington, he is looking in the wrong place. He will not get vindication but only vilification.

The real winner in all of this is not Atiku or Nigeria but the Washington DC lobbyists who are now millionaires because of Atiku’s loot. The alumni of the International School of Corruption will be swarming all over Atiku now. Afterall, they are his friends, and he has promised to sell off national assets like NNPC to enrich his friends. Atiku should enjoy his homecoming. We hope he took time out to visit his old friend Dick Cheney and reminisce about how they fleeced both countries at the same time. Perhaps they could dream about partnering once again. We hope they don’t fight over who gets to be the Homecoming King of the International School of Corruption.

through the wire transfers of $14 million to that university for consulting fees to help him establish his American University in Nigeria?

The American authorities are fully aware that whatever door Atiku enters, scandal is the next visitor. They are aware of his corrupt tendencies because the US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs published a report on February 4, 2010 titled “Keeping Corruption Out of the United States: Four Histories” in which Atiku and his wife featured prominently for bringing “over $40 million in suspect funds into the United States through wire transfers sent by offshore corporations to U.S. bank accounts”.

The American authorities were also witness to how a President and Vice President of Nigeria openly accused each other of corruption for eight years, and how they are once again best friends simply because they have been blocked from accessing the national treasury for three and a half years.

Why would Atiku bother trying to get chummy with a President who called Africa a ‘shithole’? Why would he try to curry favour by staying at Trump International Hotel, a violation of the emoluments clause of the US constitution? Atiku insists on going to America because of his well-known love for staying overseas in exotic, moneyed destinations like Dubai. He doesn’t like staying in a Nigeria that he failed to improve during his years in

Gbadegesin, Ph.D is former Commissioner for Health, Oyo State

OSUN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION TRIBUNAL UPDATE

INEC Fails to Defend Oyetola’s Declaration as Osun Governor

By Our Reporter The Osun Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Thursday in Abuja witnessed a stunning session as the Independent National Electoral Commission closed its submission without calling a single witness.

To the consternation of the legal teams of All Progressives Congress and Governlr Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, the commission, through its counsel, Adesina Agbede rose to apply for closure of their case.

The counsel had staked his reputation the previous day when he promised that the witnesses would testify at yesterday’s proceedings. The Tribunal Chairman quickly came to the aid of

the counsel by ruling that he did not have apply to close INEC’s defense, urging him to proceed with his case.

The INEC counsel eventually closed the case without canvassing any argument against the presentations, submissions and prayers of the petitioner that Senator Ademola Adeleke be declared the rightful winner of the election based on the results of September 22, 2018.

Speaking on the implication of INEC’s decision, lead counsel to the petitioner, Dr. Paul Ananaba, SAN said; “INEC has literally endorsed and conceeded to the PDP petition seeking declaration of Senator Adeleke as the winner of the election.”

According to the legal luminary, “our case is primarily against the actions and decisions of

INEC and if they cannot challenge our Petition, or provide any defence for their fraudulent actions that led to the declaration of Alhaji Oyetola as winner, then the commission has literally admitted that our petition is right and correct before the law and God. “A key pillar of our case is that the returning officer without legal powers cancelled results of seven polling units and proceeded to declare the election inconclusive. INEC failed to declare PDP and its candidate winner even after fulfilling all constitutional stipulations. We also complained that INEC altered result sheets and that the commission published results where there was no accreditation and ballot accounting.”

He continued; “We called 80 witnesses to

authenticate our pleadings and prayers and also tendered over 500 pieces of documentary evidence. By closing its case without any defense, INEC is saying we cannot challenge petitoner’s case. INEC has accepted that We are right in our prayers that the rightful winner of the election is PDP’s Senator Ademola Adeleke.

“INEC is the one that committed the infractions and it has literally accepted our pleadings and prayers . We will be surprised if APC and its candidate will challenge our petition in the light of INEC’s action. The honourable thing for APC to do is to throw in the towel and avoid wasting time,” the senior lawyer said.

The tribunal adjourned further sitting till Wednesday, January 30.

T H I S D AY Ëž FRIDAY JANUARY 25, 2019

19

NEWS

Emmanuel Agrees, Only God Can Save Him Okon Bassey

R

ecently, a political and social pressure group in Akwa Ibom State, the Justice and Development Initiative (JDI) cried out that the appointment of Mrs Amina Zakari as the national collation officer of the presidential election will equally influence elections in Akwa Ibom State, which has surprisingly come up in the indicators of many election monitors as one of the states to watch closely. A status that was previously alien to the state.

Put side-by-side with the revelation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, the JDI position supports the concerns of many that the 2019 elections in Akwa Ibom State will not be business as usual. In fact, observers posit that this is first time there will be an election in the state that will reflect a semblance of the wishes of the people. Since, the beginning of the current democratic dispensation in 1999, elections in Akwa Ibom has been largely tilted to favour the party in government, in this case, the PDP. However, with the switch of the political loyalty of Senator Godswill Akpabio, the immediate past governor of the state, whose immense political influence in the state cannot be denied, has assured a balance of forces. For the first time in Akwa Ibom State, the ruling party will be matched in strength for strength in each of the close to 3000 polling unites across the state.

Chairman of the PDP in the state, Mr. Paul Ekpo recently raised an alarm that the allegation by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed that the federal government had information that elements in the opposition parties were planning to disrupt the national elections, was only a ploy to arrest vocal and influential members in the opposition, in order to give the ruling party at the centre an easy path to victory.

Ekpo said that the party would base its campaigns on issues and achievements recorded by Gov. Udom Emmanuelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s administration in the last three and half years.

He urged opposition parties to also base their campaigns on issues as against intimidation and blackmail, stressing that only the will of Akwa Ibom people would prevail. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hereby state as follows, that we have not and will not send anybody to disrupt rallies or meetings of any other political party. We can assure the opposition

Emmanuel

that no amount of arrest and intimidation will bend the will of the people. The greater the opposition, the more resolute the will of the people will be to ensure their resounding failure. Our people will vote their choice and defend their votes,â&#x20AC;? Ekpo said.

The party state chairman denied allegation that the PDP in the state was buying Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from the electorate.

Ekpo, however, alleged that there were plans to frame up officials and financiers of his party with the aim of keeping them away from the elections.

The JDI concerns were particularly directed at Akpabio. This is because; a younger brother of Mrs Zakari is a close friend of the All Progressive Congress (APC) leader in the state, Senator Godswill Akpabio having been friends since their secondary education years.

The President of the group, Mr. Tom Chris Morgan and Secretary, Mr Henry Bassey said the appointment of Zakari is the beginning of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC rigging plot. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of concern for us in Akwa Ibom also is the fact that a younger brother of Zakari is one of the closet personal friends of our own Akpabio, who is also the leader of the APC in Akwa Ibom. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have been friends since their Secondary School years in Federal Government College in Port Harcourt. We are not losing sight of this and its implication on the outcome of the election in Akwa Ibom,â&#x20AC;? the

group stated.

The group insisted that â&#x20AC;&#x153;appointing a relative of the President and candidate in the presidential election into such a sensitive election position amounts to an apparent conflict-of-interest situation while INEC Chairman appears to have bowed to pressure from the Presidency and the APC in their desperate bid to ensure that the election result is manipulated in their favour.â&#x20AC;?

According to the group, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mrs Amina Zakari is not only a blood relative of the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari but also married to the Senatorial candidate for Bauchi South. Therefore by consanguinity and affinity, her hands are tied.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Having a brother of Mrs Zakari as a close friend of the APC leader in Akwa Ibom State could also influence and enable him to perpetuate his infamous â&#x20AC;&#x153;warsaw saw warâ&#x20AC;? threat against other parties during the conduct of the elections in Akwa Ibom.â&#x20AC;? the body stated The group stressed that the President must avoid actions that suggest he wishes to suppress the aspirations of the people in the 2019 elections.

Adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Any action of the President that aims at giving him an advantage in the February elections amounts to political corruption and abuse of power since he is using his political power for personal gain as a candidate.â&#x20AC;?

The body said Mrs Zarakiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s denial of any relationship with President Buhari also puts a huge question mark on her honesty, probity, and trustworthiness. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A person who can lie this casually about something as basic and as verifiable her relationships is disreputable and unworthy of the responsibility sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been entrusted with at INEC.â&#x20AC;? it posited.

To give all the candidates, a level playing ground in the interest of justice, equity and fairness and ensure peace, the group call on INEC to reverse the appointment of Mrs. Zakari as the chairperson of that crucial position. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We call on the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu to resign his appointment because his appointment of a relative of the President into such sensitive position has revealed his bias and lack of capacity to withstand influence and intimidation from vested interests in the 2019 election. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also call on the international community to join the Nigerian people and prevail on President Buhari to practice the

Peace Accord, with exemplary actions in order to build confidence in the process he is leading.â&#x20AC;?

These seeming advantage and fears do not deter Governor Udom Emmanuel at all, as he has displayed his implicit faith in God. One of the often advertised themes of the Emmanuel campaign is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Only Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Many observers have come to the conclusion and Emmanuel seems to agree that if his reelection was left in the hands of human beings, given the treachery that is second nature to many men and women, his fate would hang in the balance. Indeed, looking at the formidable array of opposition in the state, featuring the likes of Akpabio, the APC governorship candidate, Obong Nsima Ekere, Senator John Akpan Udoedeghe, Senator Ita Enang, Chief Umana Okon Umana and Chief Don Etiebet, it is the first time that men of this political stature are united behind one candidate-Nsima Ekere. And if the proverbial â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;federal mightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is anything to go by, Governor Udom Emmanuel is going up against a coalition of enemies united in their quest to stop his reelection. Therefore, thinking as a human being, the end of Emmanuelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reign is a matter of days.

But there comes the godly factor, which Emmanuel is holding on to tenaciously.

As can be gleaned from the another name which he calls his reelection campaign, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Divine Mandateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Emmanuel has acknowledged his human frailty and is seeking supernatural help from a collection of men who are too powerful for him. The Akwa Ibom State Governor knows that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Only Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; can save him from these terrible foes.

Everywhere he goes, while acknowledging the welcome and friendship of the people, Emmanuel never fails to make it known that God deserves the glory for giving him the privilege to preside over the affairs of Akwa Ibom State.

While the APC stalwarts have said that Emmanuel cannot say that God belongs exclusively to him, the governor is likely to get sympathy votes from many who are questioning the sudden turn-around of Akpabio. Indeed they say that whatever Emmanuel has become it was Akpabio who foisted him on the state. More people are increasingly queuing behind him for his perceived effort to break away from the apron strings of Akpabio and be his own man. They reason also that the governor should be allowed to carry through his advertised industrialization blueprint for the state, by serving a second tenure.

What Nigeria Can Learn from How China Eradicated Poverty â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wale Oluwade

T

he biggest Strategic Issue confronting Nigeria today is extreme poverty.

Currently, according to the World Bank, United Nations, and several reputable global Think Tanks, there are about 90 million Nigerians living on less than 1.25USD daily. First, what is a strategic issue? In broad terms, a strategic issue is defined as â&#x20AC;&#x153;an external development or trend which has the potential to impact on an organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s profitability and market share to such an extent as to threaten its survival, or any action by the organization which has the potential to threaten the survival of rival organizations.â&#x20AC;?

The evolution of corporate strategy as a core discipline in the business environment arrived at the determination of certain issues or factors which are considered strategic in nature. Likewise nations, certain factors have contributed to the failure or success of nations across the world. The humongous crises ravaging Nigeria from many fronts are all inexorably tied to extreme poverty ravaging more than half our population.The near-total state of anarchy, evidenced by; terrorism, gangsterism, kidnapping, armed robberies, murders, arson, lawlessness, ethnic violence and uncontrolled population explosion all derive from and are connected to extreme poverty.

Now the simplest way to end poverty is to put people to work. T his is where China becomes a case study. I choose China for the simple reason that as of 1990, it had a whopping 756 million of her population living in extreme poverty. What did China do to wipe out poverty among its about 1.5billion citizens? Very simple. First, Chinese leaders realized the quantum of its extreme poor population is a timed nuclear device and decided to confront this frontally. Second, the Chinese leaders also realized that the major existential threat confronting them was not foreign; U.S., Russia or Japan, but her own jobless hordes who would soon rise and wipe them away. What did they do? The action steps taken fall generally into the following four broad categories;

Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Action steps to Poverty Eradication The China Communist Party (CCP) developed a comprehensive poverty eradication plan and an implementation strategy of achieving same. The plan had a five-year renewable cycle, with measurable goals, timelines for attaining same, rewards or sanctions for responsible officers.

The CCP federal government owned and still owns,and is the main driver of the poverty eradication programme. The plan is developed by the central government decisionmaking organ (Politburo)and this is drilled down to the provinces, the counties and the rural villages. The nature of Chinese government system makes the workability of the plan a lot faster since it is a socialistsystem with a central authority at the Politburo.

There is a nationally appropriated budget for the program which has steadily increased every plan cycle of five years; current amount is Rmb282.2bn (US$41.7bn) in 2013â&#x20AC;&#x201C;17, more than double the level of the previous five years, with big jumps in 2016 and 2017.This figure is way above the entire fiscal budgets of several African nations including Nigeria.

The funds deployed under the poverty alleviation campaign cover several areas, including financing for rural infrastructure, agricultural subsidies and discounted loans. The broad goal of such assistance is to encourage self-development and empowerment of poor populationsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;rather than providing a handout from the government.

The central government has set poverty alleviation as a criterion on which officialsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; job performance will be evaluated, in addition to traditional indicators such as GDP and social stability. This in essence means that government workers have clearly set targets of fixed number of persons/families moved out of poverty and importantly how this impacts on GDP and HDI growth indicators. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Industrial poverty reliefâ&#x20AC;?whereby enterprises are encouraged to invest capital in development projects., and â&#x20AC;&#x153;mass entrepreneurship and innovationâ&#x20AC;? campaign has

also introduced additional market elements into the campaign, offering incentives and loans for rural residents to take on selfemployment and create small businesses in rural areas..

Another introduction is the Resettlement Plan as an approach to tackling poverty alleviation.

The strategy dates back to previous administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;new socialist countrysideâ&#x20AC;? policy, aimed at bringing rural residents to small towns, thus allowing for urbanization and agricultural modernization. The urbanization strategy released by Mr. Xiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government in 2014 had a similar focus on migration to smaller conurbations. The major difference, however, is in the scale of the ambition: during the 13th five-year plan period (covering 2016â&#x20AC;&#x201C;20), 10 million people nationwide are targeted for resettlement, up from 2.4m during the 12th five-year plan period (2011â&#x20AC;&#x201C;15).

Government bureaucrats have less discretion in choosing where to invest poverty alleviation funds and oversightby the CCPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s anti-corruption agencies has also been significantly enhanced.

Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Poverty Reduction Achievements As the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest developing country, China has always attached great importance to poverty eradication and human development. Some key Chinese achievements in its poverty eradication plan are; r "DDPSEJOH UP UIF HMPCBM 64% poverty line, from 1981 to 2013, China lifted 850 million people out of poverty, with the percentage of people living in extreme poverty falling from 88% to 1.85%. r $IJOB IBT DPOUSJCVUFE BCPVU PG UIF poverty reduced across the world, making itself a country with the most people lifted out of poverty in the world. r $IJOB JT UIF Ă STU EFWFMPQJOH DPVOUSZ reaching the poverty reduction goal. r6/ SFQPSU PG UIF BDIJFWFNFOUT made in the global poverty reduction cause come from China.

What Lessons for Nigeria?

The foregoing reveals quite evidently that what the current regime is engaged in is simply not a poverty eradication strategy. It is nothing but mere publicity stunts.Some more cynical have dubbed it â&#x20AC;&#x153;Advanced vote buying schemeâ&#x20AC;?. A few enquiries will suffice; where is the single verifiable register containing all the data of extreme poor persons/families in Nigeria? What is the budget currently being expended? When was it appropriated? How many people have been lifted out of poverty since they began this adhoc cash distribution? What informed the choice of beneficiaries? What impact has this adhoc system have on the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GDP?How has the one-off cash donation of less than $30 impacted on the beneficiariesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; living standards? Interestingly, there used to be an agency called the national Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), whatever happened to it?

However, for this country to make substantial impact in poverty eradication, the following steps are critical; first, there has got to be a plan, a simple but comprehensive master plan designed along similar lines of the Chinese, that is, targeted at those forgotten in the rural villages, to combat extreme poverty and eradicate it from our land.

This must have specific goals, timelines for attainment, impact on GDP and HDI. Second, there is an urgent need to conduct an evidenced based census of extreme poor Nigerian citizens; their age, gender, location, skills/vocation (If any), education level(if any), disability, (if any), etc. Third, the repositioning of NAPEP to make it a federal and states owned agency and funded directly from the federation account to which funds to be administered strictly for implementation of this master plan. Fourth, instead of borrowing billions of dollars from the Chinese, which we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t repay because the people are largely miserable and unproductive,and thereby threatening our national security,I would rather we invite the Chinese to assist in transferring their poverty eradication know-how to us. That is the essence of strategic alliances.

This writer can be reached at @WaleOluwade

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5 ) * 4 % ": t FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

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J A N U A R Y S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

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

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EXCHANGE RATE ͹͎ʹË&#x203A;͜ͳ˚ͯ ĚŠ ĚŠ

Quick Takes Ethiopian Airlines Honoured

DISCUSSING CLIMATE FINANCE

Lâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;R: Executive Director, African Incentive Partnership, Tunde Arogunmati; Minister of Environment, Suleiman Hassan Zarma; Deputy British High Commissioner, Lagos, Laure BeauďŹ ls; former Chairman of Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Mr Kyari Bukar and Head, Shared Services Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Bola Adeeko, during plenary of the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) workshop hosted by the NSE in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

Aviation Cabotage Policy to Resolve BASA Treaties, Says Legal Expert Chinedu Eze Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, has stressed that developing a cabotage policy in the aviation sector will resolve problems associated with the existing lopesided Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) the country signed with different nations whose airlines operate into Nigeria.

Agbakoba made this known in a presentation made available to THISDAY on Wednesday.

He explained that bilateral air service agreements are international trade agreements that permit the airlines of two countries to conduct air transport

AVIATION services between their respective territories and noted that currently, Nigeria has signed over 80 bilateral air service agreements with various countries, which have largely failed to benefit the country.

According to reports, Nigeria loses about N200 billion to unfavourable BASA treaties annually, as the country does not reciprocate many flight operations of many airlines that operate into the country.

Agbakoba, noted that aviation stakeholders had identified that the unfair imbalance created under Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bilateral air

service agreements could largely be attributed to an absence of government policy protecting the Nigerian airlines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Given this position, it becomes crucial to create a government policy to resolve the imbalance. It is these circumstances that warrant the consideration of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s imbalanced bilateral air service agreements and the ramifications of enacting the proposed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fly Nigeria Actâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, which aviation stakeholders have clamored for, as a viable solution to resolving the imbalance,â&#x20AC;? the renowned lawyer said.

He remarked that the imbalance of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bilateral air service agreements is the result of certain problems that are primarily

responsible for the inability of Nigeria to reciprocate its agreements with other countries and to maximize the opportunities flowing from such agreements.

These problems he said included the demise of national carrier, which negotiated commercial agreement with foreign airlines in the past and ensured that the country was not shortchanged besides reciprocating flight operations to other countries. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Previously, the Nigeria Airways was the national carrier that executed Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part of its bilateral air service agreements, Continued on page 22

FG Urged to Reform Import, Export, Transit Regulatory Procedures Eromosele Abiodun Following Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poor showing in the trading across borders on Ease of Doing Business ranking by the World Bank, Customs agents in the country have called on the federal government to urgently address the challenges encountered by in imports, exports as well as and transit regulatory procedures.

The National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), the umbrella body of customs agents in the country stated this in a petition addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The agents in the petition signed by the National President, NCMDLCA, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, said the federal government must urgently reform the import, export procedure to align with international best

ECONOMY practice.

The World Bank had in the report rated Nigeria lowest in Africa and 183 out of a total of 190 trading countries examined across the globe on the Ease of Doing Business in relation to Trading Across Borders (TAD).

Nigeria, according to the report, came last among a total of 17 African countries drawn across the various regions of the continent, having also came 183 out of a total of 190 countries in the world.

The World Bank had in its Ease of Doing Business report entitled, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Doing Business 2018: Reforming to create jobs, listed Nigeria on the 145th position out of 190 countries in the Ease of Doing Business index for 2018.

The report had indicated that Nigeria had moved up by 24

points from 169th position on the 2017 ranking and also 170th position on the 2016 ranking to 145 in the World Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2018 report.

Meanwhile, the customs agents pointed out that Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s import, export, regulatory and transit procedures are made up with lengthy, unnecessary delays, high transaction cost and increase of cargo dwell time, which make our port the most expensive in the globe based on verifiable information.

According to the custom agents, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The reform on importexport, regulatory and transit procedures, is to implement an integrated set policies and procedures that is globally accepted, which will ensure effective. Trade facilitation by the reduction of transaction cost, cargo dwell time and ensure safety and security of

our processes.â&#x20AC;?

They called on the federal government to as part of the reforms address the issue of breakdown of scanners at the ports. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The three scanning companies, Cotecna, SGS, and Global Scan entered into contract for the provision, installation, operation and management of X-ray scanning machines and computerised management for examination of goods on Build, Own, Operate and Transfer(BOOT) for a period of seven years from 2006 to 2012 extended for six months, which ended in June 2013. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The federal government subsequently entered into transition contract agreement with the service providers on the 1st July to 30th November for Continued on page 22

TheAfricaProjectAgainstSuicideinconjunctionwithSouthWestNigeria ExcellenceAwardsrecentlyhonouredEthiopianAirlineswiththeA â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; frica Outstanding Airline of theYearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; award.

A statement from the airline said the event took place in Osun State.

Ethiopia General Manager, Nigeria, Mrs. Firihiewot Mekonnen, while receiving the award on behalf of the Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines GabrielMariamTewolde thanked the organisers for the award. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ethiopian Airlines will always support great ideas that will uplift the standard of living for Africans. As this program will also be launched in different African countries including Ethiopia I am proposing that you take ETas the official carrier whenever you fly.

ETis a pan African carrier that supports any project, which aims for the betterment of Africa. Ethiopian Airlines is the biggest Airline in Africa and has been recognised as the African four-star Airline.

TheconferencecamejustasaUnitedStates-basedorganisation-Leadership in Obscurity Network, had officially entered into partnership with the AfricanProjectAgainstSuicide(APAS)inaone-year-longcrusadesbeing undertaken by the latter.

The Overall Coordinator of APAS, Pastor Honey Olawale; South Africa Coordinator,ReholegileMehlape,andEasternAfricaCoordinator,Daniel Madalangajointlystatedthatthetermsofthepartnershipincludetraining of selected African leaders on suicide prevention.

Accordingtohim,10countrieswithinAfricaareparticipatinginthefirst phaseofanti-suicideproject.ThecountriesareSouthAfrica,Kenya,Nigeria, Ghana,Ethiopia,Gambia,Rwanda,Zimbabwe,EgyptandMauritius.Asfor Nigeria, however,cities listed for the war-against-suicide crusades and concertsareLagos,Ibadan,PortHarcourt,Benin,Abuja,KadunaandEnugu.

HesaidthatEthiopianAirlineswastheofficialAirlinefortheconference as members from all over Africa travelled to Nigeria with the Airline.

Increased Accident Rate Worries IATA

Despite the low accident rate recorded in 2018, accident rates in four out of eight regions in the world has increased when compared to 2017, according to the International AirTransport Association (IATA).

The Africa-Indian Ocean Region (AFI) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) remained signiďŹ cantly above the global average. Operators of CIS and in the Latin America and the Caribbean region had the highest regional accident rates in 2018.They also had the greatest increases compared with 2017 according to IATA safety report of 2018.

IATA said the ďŹ ve-year trend showed a reduced accident rate in seven out of eight regions, North America being the exception. Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the report, continued with a strong progress on safety with zero hull losses and zero fatal accidents in the ďŹ rst half of 2018.

IATA also stated that the continent has had no jet hull losses for two yearsrunningandistwoyearsfreeofanyfatalitiesonanyaircrafttype.

Director-General of IATA, Alexandre de Junaic, in a statement recently, lamented that only 24 African states complied with at least 60 per cent of International Civil Aviation Organisation Standard Recommended Practices (ICAO SARPS). It also stated that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clear that progress was being made, but point out that there was need to do more to sustain the record. De Juniac urged governments to recognise the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) in their safety oversight programmes.

Qatar Celebrates Second Swedish Gateway

TocelebratethelaunchofQatarAirwaysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;newdirectservicetoGothenburg, Sweden,QatarAirwaysGroupChiefExecutive,HisExcellencyMr.AkbarAl Baker,hostedapressconferenceattheClarionPostHotelinGothenburg, where he highlighted the airlineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s robust expansion plans, as well as its commitment to bringing more visitors to Sweden and to connecting Gothenburgtoitsextensiveglobalnetworkviatheaward-winningHamad International Airport (HIA) in Doha.

Bakersaid:â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wearetremendouslypleasedtolaunchournewdirectservice to Gothenburg, our second gateway into Sweden. Gothenburg is both an important business centre and a growing tourist destination, which is becoming increasingly popular with visitors. This new gateway will offer our Swedish passengers even more convenience and enhanced connectivity to an extensive choice of destinations on our global route network. We invite all to experience the unique charm of Gothenburg, and look forward to welcoming passengers on board.â&#x20AC;?

Also, Swedavia President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jonas Abrahamsson, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sweden is Scandinaviaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest economy and one of Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strongest.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Training is vital to our operations as a regulatory authority. This is to ensure the Authority provides a robust regulation for the aviation industryâ&#x20AC;?

Director General, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),

Captain Murtar Usman

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BUSINESSWORLD AVIATION CABOTAGE POLICY TO RESOLVE BASA TREATIES, SAYS LEGAL EXPERT however, its regrettable demise meant that inevitable difficulties would be presented to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to continue to fulfil its own end of the agreements. It is also recalled that the defunct Nigeria Airways was replaced

by Air Nigeria (originally Virgin Nigeria), however, it is quite unfortunate that the latter suffered the same fate of the former. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The inevitable result is that there is no existing national carrier that would position Nigeria to reciprocate its bilateral air service agreements with other countries. This constitutes an unacceptable situation considering that a countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national air carrier boosts that countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s image and tourism. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Arguably, the current nonexistence of a national carrier is clearly an indictment on the past and current governments for their failure to sustain the continued existence and operation of the defunct national carriers,â&#x20AC;?

Agbakoba noted.

He said the concept of cabotage originated from the shipping sector and refers to the carriage of goods or passengers from one place to another place within the same country, by a transport service provider from a foreign country.

FG URGED TO REFORM IMPORT, EXPORT, TRANSIT REGULATORY PROCEDURES

transfer of scanners to Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) with the constitution of the Transition Implementation Committee on Destination Inspection scheme by the then Coordinating Minister of Finance on the 5th of July,2013, with specific mandate to ensure a seamless transfer of functional scanners from the Service providers to NCS,â&#x20AC;? they stated.

They added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Reevaluate the scanners to know the present state and update the scanners as recommended by Smith Detection the manufacturers of the scanners. Look into the main cause of the collapse scanners and if possible work out a PPP arrangement to maintain the scanners by releasing part of one per cent FOB provided for inspection under Pre-Shipment Inspection Act 11 Section 3.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; äĂ?

Comms/e-Business Editor

Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C; Capital Market Editor

Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x17D;ĂŁ Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?

Senior Correspondent

Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2022;Ă? (Labour) Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC; (Cap Mkt) Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2022;Ă? (Energy) Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2122; (Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Capital) Reporters

Ă&#x;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă? (Money Market) Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă? (Maritime)

NEWS

NCS Seme Command Raked in N6.2bn in 2018 Stories by Eromosele Abiodun The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it generated into the federal government coffers a total of N6.294 billion in 2018.

The command in a statement said its enforcement unitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aggressive anti-smuggling drive against smugglers and non-compliant stakeholders lead to a total of 1,119 seizures with a duty paid value (DPV) of N1.394 billion â&#x20AC;&#x153;The seizures include the following items: 37,568 bags of 50kg foreign rice which is equivalent to over 63 Trailers of rice with DPV of N876,085,760.

1,072 X 50litres Jerry Cans of vegetable oil with a DPV of N13,675,650, 169 vehicles with a DPV of N367,589,475. 1,570 X 50kg Bags of sugar with a DPV of N6,594,000, General merchandise (10,439 items) worth N100,773,668. 2,300 Cartons of Poultry Products with a DPV of N20,700,000, 168 pieces of used tyres with a DPV of N768,600, 3,954 litres of Petroleum Products with a DPV of N217,470. â&#x20AC;&#x153;119 parcels of hard drugs/ Narcotics: all successfully handed over to NDLEA. It will delight you to know that one of the suspects (Difo Kenneth Cornelius) who was transferred to the NDLEA Seme Command in August 2018 has been imprisoned for a term of 2yrs (on 30th November 2018) for unlawful possession of 7kgs of Cannabis Sativa,â&#x20AC;? he said.

In export, he said the total free on board (FOB) value of goods exported from January to December 2018 stood at N14,612,402,601.07 with

a total NESS payment of N73,061,986.42 â&#x20AC;&#x153;ETLS- 2, 744 Trucks were recorded for the period under review, and the revenue realized (1 per cent CISS) stood at N88,288,514.75, The revenue was generated from the importation of Cadbury hotchocolate, Unilever Blue band, Unilever BBM tub/lid, Binding wires etc. Baggage - a total of 1,078 vehicles were given Lasse Passe from January to December 2018; and e-payment realised stood at N569,411,002.00 under baggage assessment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Financing of

Terrorism- the grand total inward declarations for the year under review stood at 767,102,805CFA Goldbar worth, 2,455,600 Dollars, 25,000 Euros and 2,200,000.00 Naira; Thus providing statistical data to the Government as required by law. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Legal - seven cases are in various stages of prosecution at the courts for the period under review. There are three judgements given in the Commandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favour. The successful prosecution of the suspects will serve as a deterrent and in due course the command will be a no-go area for such illegalities by the economic saboteurs, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the

Commandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Comptroller, Uba Mohammed said.

The commandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s helmsman re-stated that the command would deploy more strategies to ensure that all revenue leakages are blocked and stakeholders who are ready to comply with proper procedures and guidelines are adequately sensitized to take advantage of the legitimate process in their transactions.

He affirmed that the command is ready to explore all avenues in order to ensure that the new target for the year is not only met but exceeded with the inauguration and

resumption of operations at the new Joint border post.

The Customs Area Controller reiterated his commitment to continue sanitising the border command to meet with other international standards. He further warned officers and men of the command not to compromise, but should be committed to the implementation of government fiscal policies.

Mohammed attributed the success to the commitment and dedication of the officers and men of the command who were ready to sacrifice their lives in the midst of intimidation and threats.

PRODUCT LAUNCH

L-R: Operations Manager, Ilupeju Vitafoam Comfort Centre, Mr. Toye Adegboye; Chairman Vitafoam Nigeria, Dr. Bamidele Makanjuola; Managing Director, Home and You, Mrs. Feyisayo Abiru; Group Managing Director, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi and Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Commercial Director, Mr. Sola Owoade at the launch of Vitafoamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovative products in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

Peterside: Unresolved Maritime Cases Scaring Foreign Investors Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside has said that unresolved maritime court cases were scaring away foreign investors.

He disclosed this at the 8th Strategic Admiralty Law Seminar for Judges with the theme: `Strengthening Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Admiralty Regime through Effective Implementation of International Maritime and Labour Instrument.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The seminar was organised

by NIMASA in partnership with the Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS).

Peterside suggested that the protracted maritime and

shipping disputes in the judicial system was scaring foreign investors away from the country.

He said one million jobs could be created within a short period in the sector if public confidence was boosted through a good and judicial system. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a maritime administrator, I have spoken to several people in other countries on coming to invest in Nigeria, who expressed disgust at our judicial system. Shipping and maritime disputes are business cases that have peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital attached to it. Such issues should be given quick response,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Peterside said.

Director-General of NIALS, Prof. Adedeji Adekunle, who was represented by Director

of Studies, NIALS, Prof. Emmaunel Okon, said one of the objectives of the event was to fine-tune legal administration concerning maritime.

Adekunle said that the bench would partner NIMASA to ensure quick dispute resolution in order to grow the sector.

NIWA Gives 14-day Ultimatum for Vessel Owners to Remove wrecks The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to owners of abandoned vessels, equipment and wrecks within its maritime domain in Rivers State to remove them or face severe sanctions.

The authority issued the ultimatum in Port Harcourt

through its Area Manager, Mr. Abdullahi Dabai, on behalf of the Managing Director, Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora.

The agency stated that the wrecks and abandoned equipment were constituting impediments to safety, security and smooth maritime operations in the Port Harcourt area.

Dabai also warned that the ultimatum which took effect from January 17 and would expire come January 31, would be vigorously pursued because the authority was determined to ensure that critical wrecks were evacuated and disposed to guarantee safety.

He warned that if owners failed to do so within the stipulated period they would

face sanctions.

Dabai said the abandoned equipment and wrecks on Rivers and Creeks were on the Right-of- Way of NIWA, spanning â&#x20AC;&#x153;100 metres perpendicular from the edge of both banks of the River and Creeksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

He also said that owners of such wrecks and equipment could approach NIWA Area Office at Marine Base for identification and certainty of ownership to facilitate removal and evacuation.

The law, he said, makes it an offence for any person to, without the consent of the authority to obstruct the waterways with rafts, nets, logs, pipelines, pylons and bridges.

NIMASA Pledges to Reposition Maritime Sector The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has stated that NIMASA, under his management, would intensify efforts to reposition the maritime industry in Nigeria, as the agency moves to become a leading maritime administration in Africa.

He stated this in Lagos during the Independent Newspapers Awards 2018, where the agency bagged the Federal Government Agency of the Year award.

According to Peterside, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are spurred by this award and we appreciate the fact that our efforts to revitalise the maritime sector through our medium term strategy plan are yielding results. We will redouble our efforts to ensure that the quest of the Federal Government to diversify the economy gets the required support from the maritime sector and its stakeholders, as it portends several opportunities for economic growth and development.â&#x20AC;?

The Director-General,

who was represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Bashir Jamoh, dedicated the award to the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stakeholders. He applauded the management of Independent Newspapers Limited for recognising the contributions of NIMASA to the economy.

Peterside appealed to the media to continue to spotlight the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to reposition the economy, adding that the media remain critical in the actualisation of the

governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quest for economic diversification and development.

The Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief of Independent Newspapers Limited, Mr. Ade Ogidan, said NIMASA had maintained a high level of transparency, particularly, in financial matters.

Ogidan said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before, the agency cut the figure of an organisation that was riddled with corruption and all kinds of underhand practices. But the recent report of a huge and noticeable increase in

revenue generation from NIMASA is a big testimony of its unalloyed commitment to playing a prominent role in the overall development of the country.â&#x20AC;?

Highlighting some of the reasons the agency was selected for the award, Ogidan noted that the significant contribution of NIMASA to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the federal government, its quest for excellence through capacity building and promotion of staff, and automation of processes in the agency, among others.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

NCAA Reiterates Importance of Training Stories by Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has assured that it will continue to ensure training and retraining of personnel in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aviation industry.

According to the Director General of the NCAA, Captain Murtar Usman, training is vital to the aviation industry because of the critical importance of the sector in nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic development.

Usman, who was represented at the occasion by the Deputy General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Joe Jimoh, made this known during the commencement of training of aviation correspondents at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria and noted that training was key for manpower development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requires all civil aviation authorities in the world to have requisite profession-

als in sufficient number. Therefore, our staff is exposed to relevant trainings all over the world.

This is to ensure the Authority provides a robust regulation for the aviation industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is against this background that the NCAA has continually endeavoured to extend similar trainings to the media corps over the years. You will agree with me that the media is critical to the growth of global aviation. To underscore the strength of the media, several decades ago, the press has been referred to as the Fourth Estate of the Realm. In other words, the fourth arm of government,â&#x20AC;? the Director General said.

According to him, as a result of its compliant with industry standards, NCAA had continually endeavoured to extend similar training to the media corps over the years, stressing that the media was critical to the growth of global

aviation.

Also the Rector of NCAT, Capt.

Muhammed Abdulsalami, called for accurate reporting of the sector by journalists covering the sector.

Mohammed noted that accurate reportage of the aviation sub-sector was key to ensuring all ground growth and project the industry better. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To ensure accuracy in the reportage of a sensitive and technical field as aviation requires training and so training the fourth estate of the realm is important to make sure they report right and help grow the sector. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unless journalists are trained adequately on the subject matter, they will not be able to properly and adequately report properly and accurately about the field. It is not everyone who can be an aviation correspondent and when you read headlines written by people who do not cover the beat or are untrained you will note.â&#x20AC;?

Enhancing Manpower Capabilities

Group Seeks Sack of NDLEA Chairman Concerned officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately sack and prosecute the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chairman, Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, over allegation of administrative recklessness, insensitivity, criminal neglect of officers welfare, impunity and corrupt practices.

But spokesman of the agency, Jona Achema, dismissed the allegation, saying that the chairman was being wrongly accused by some of the staff of the organisation, noting that most of the problems impeding the activities of the agency were inherited and the current administration is striving to improve the welfare of the personnel.

But in the petition signed by Sule Ali, the workers said that many of them had put up 10 years in the agency without promotion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The truth is that there has been no promotion in NDLEA

since you came in to office.

The incompetence, impunity and administrative witch-hunt under Abdallah have risen to a level where an implosion is almost inevitable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After series of agitations by officers over the criminal neglect of their welfare and career stagnation, Abdallah in a circular dated April 3, 2018 with reference number NDLEA/ ALS/ADM/100/V/90 admitted his failure and inaction. He also promised to correct his mistakes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In that circular titled Issues Relating to Promotion, Abdallah stated â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I have carefully considered all the issues relating to irregular and delayed promotion in the Agency and I am determined to put in place an enduring and sustainable promotion process and procedure. This is to enable the Agency achieve the desired morale for optimal productivity by the personnelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? the workers said.

The aggrieved workers said

the circular gave them some ray of hope but â&#x20AC;&#x153;this was only a hoax. Abdallah in a most irresponsible and dishonourable fashion reneged on his words in pursuit of his characteristic nonchalance and ineptitude.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Abdallah in that circular promised to conclude the promotion of staff on grade level 03 to 06 by June 2018 and continue up the ladder. In his words, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Director of Administration and Finance is to set up a committee to examine, review and make appropriate recommendations on the promotion of personnel on COMPASS 7, some of whom have been on this rank for ten years. The promotion of officers on COMPASS 8 to 15 shall commence immediately afterâ&#x20AC;?.

The workers said this also was a lie because â&#x20AC;&#x153;here we are in 2019 on the same spot.

The committee he constituted presented recommendations in less than a week yet he lacks initiative on what to do.â&#x20AC;?

FRSC inaugurates Special Marshals at MMA2 The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Command, has inaugurated a new body of Special Marshals at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), in Lagos.

The management of MMA2 said the development was hinged on the long-standing relationship that has existed between FRSC and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the MMA2.

In his welcome address, BASLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Group Executive Director (GED), Mr Rodger Whittle, said coping with the task of establishing and maintaining a safe and secure environment is a continuous duty that demands collective responsibility.

The challenges on the Nigerian road networks, according to him, are precariously enormous and without doubt, requires a lot of support beyond the confines of operations of regular marshals of the FRSC. He stated that this was why the initiative of establishing

the Special Marshal unit was indeed a laudable one and should be encouraged.

Whittle stated further that as a responsible organisation and a leading brand within the aviation sector, this presents yet another opportunity; amongst many, for BASL to contribute its quota to national development within the ambits of the mandate of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have professionals of diverse fields and capacities across the BASL company present here today, who have volunteered and are committed to be part of this commission; in order to contribute meaningfully to societal safety of lives and property. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At MMA2, the core of our service promise is to ensure seamless passenger facilitation and this ties very strongly as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative central to the fundamentals of our business mandate. We are ever willing and would continue to support

and champion initiatives that are geared towards making the society safe, secure, habitable and a better place for all,â&#x20AC;? he added.

While giving his opening remarks, the Sector Head of Special Marshal, Lagos Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC), Mr. Bashiru O. Adeyemi, reiterated the benefits of the initiative to national growth and development, highlighting safety as a critical index that underscores the growth potential of any developed/developing nation.

The Lagos State Coordinator of Special Marshal, Mr. Olusola Olojede maintained that the Special Marshal program offers opportunities for organisations and individuals to give back to the society; offering selfless service for the benefit of humanity. He charged the newly inaugurated Marshals to be good ambassadors, hinting further that this new assignment requires a great deal of responsibility, accountability, commitment and selfless dedication.

Captain Mohammed

Chinedu Eze Currently there is shortage of pilots for commercial aviation in many parts of the world. For example, it was reported that in the United States there is shortage of pilots, particularly at the regional airline levels.

The report indicated that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that there were about 827,000 pilots in the US in 1987.

Over the last three decades, that number has decreased by 30 percent.

Ironically reports also indicated that during this period, there has been a tremendous increase in the demand for air travel. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicted that over the next 20 years, air travel would double.

This global challenge has a peculiarity in Nigeria.

Currently there are about 500 pilots that are not employed, but Nigerian airlines still employ expatriate pilots. This contradicting reality, experts in the industry aver, was what has put the industry in such precarious situation where the domestic airlines spend so much money on expatriate pilots, while Nigerians who trained, as pilots cannot get jobs.

THISDAY investigations revealed that in the last 10 years, indigenous pilots trained by the defunct Nigeria Airways held sway by piloting majority of the planes in the country but in the last five years most of them retired, besides the many that travelled overseas to get jobs, so the indigenous carriers inevitably began to rely on expatriate pilots and engineers.

THISDAY also learnt that expatriate pilots take a huge chunk of money from airlines and they give half of the service that indigenous pilots can give. They work for only six months out of 12 months in a year. Almost all of them are paid in dollars.

This huge cost has made Nigerian airlines to think again and recently have started training some indigenous pilots.

In fact, airlines like Air Peace, which has about 27 aircraft had to engage many pilots in training and would type-rate them to fly their aircraft.

The major challenge with the about 500 Nigerian pilots that are unemployed is that many of them have not type-rated to particular aircraft types and they have not built up their flight hours that domestic airlines could engage them as flight officers.

The Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Captain Abdulsalami Muhammed, explained that despite the shortage of pilots globally; there is still pilots that are unemployed

in Nigeria and other parts of the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The issue of unemployment of pilots is not common to Nigeria. Some countries have different requirements for pilots. A lot of these countries, you need to have certain requirements of experience as a pilot before you can fly in the airline industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For instance, in the United States, you have to have a minimum of 1,500 hours as a pilot before you can fly and join the likes of United and American Airlines and others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, when pilots come out of school, they join commuter airlines they go into general aviation. Some stay to work in the flying school as instructors and build their experience to get the required hours before they are qualified to get the required hours to work in the airline industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Same thing applies to South Africa.

You need to have that flying hours,â&#x20AC;? the Rector said.

He noted in Nigeria, however, such law that a pilot must have 1,500 flight hours before he is employed by commercial airlines does not apply, but Nigerian airlines have their own requirements based on their own procedural manuals.

Most of the procedural manuals of Nigerian airlines, THISDAY learnt, stipulate that the pilot must have been type-rated to particular aircraft type and has gained some flight hours before he be employed as flight officer.

Many indigenous operators are sceptical that if they train pilots who just graduated with private pilot licence (PPL) and train and type-rate them, they may not stay after they have gained their aircraft operation licence. They usually go to the airlines overseas, especially in the Middle East where they are paid mouth-watering emoluments.

Captain Muhammed noted that it would be difficult for the College to provide the equipment, like simulators for the training of pilots for various aircraft types, so the airlines have to step in here to train the pilots to operate their different aircraft.

The rector also noted that there is a cap on how a Nigerian airline can employ expatriate pilots and engineers, as the federal government has limited the number of foreign pilots in the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the use of expatriate pilots, the government has said it several times that as long as a qualified Nigerian is here on ground, it would not approve a foreigner to do the job in Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For instance, if an airline introduces new equipment, there may not be local pilots to operate that equipment and as a stop gap, you have to bring in qualified people anywhere you can get them to come and start utilising the aircraft,â&#x20AC;? the rector said.

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Bankole: Aviation World Has Left Nigeria Behind The President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, Bankole Bernard, in this interview says poor policies have retarded growth of the aviation in Nigeria, stressing the need for government to take urgent action steps to save the industry and domestic airlines. Chinedu Eze provides the excerpts: What is your overview of the industry last year and your expectations for 2019?

It was a good feeling when we realised that we came out of recession in 2018. We were expecting better gain based on the fact that we had pulled out of recession so that we can count the gains in the aviation industry. But to our dismay, I can say that there is really no tangible gain as it were. I can say categorically that the aviation world has left Nigeria behind. When you look at the gains that have been made in other countries around the world and Africa in particular. The world is not going to wait for Nigeria, and this should be a wakeup call for us to start seeing how we can develop the most sensitive industry in the Nigerian economy.

You will all agree with me that aviation is not an industry that should be neglected in anyway or any manner; and I think to a very large extent that was why the federal government gave it a special portfolio under the Ministry of transportation, that aviation requires some level of attention and that was why a Minister was attached to it. But be that as it may, we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen that much growth as expected in the industry to the point that even the downstream sector is feeling the impact. In terms of policies, we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen any policy that enhances the growth of the industry. In terms of infrastructure, it is just of recent that new terminals at Port Harcourt and Abuja airports have been opened. But when we talk about infrastructure it goes beyond the terminals. As we speak, the runway in Enugu is so bad that it is a disaster waiting to happen. Flights cannot go to Owerri conveniently; otherwise the airport would have been shut before they get there because once it is past 5:00 pm the airport is shut down. What is happening to the biggest black race in the world where we have a population of over 200 million people? Air transportation is one thing I would have expected the government to lay a lot of emphasis on and make sure that, that aspect is developed to enhance the movement of people.

Year in year out we keep having local airlines die, a new one will come on-board; the old one will die. We have not had a sit down talk to really understand why constantly the domestic carriers are dying. We need to look into the policies and into the tax regime. Do they have comparative advantage as local operators? What benefit are they getting from the government to keep them in business?

We have to understand very well that the industry is a sensitive one and the profit margin is very tiny; recognising also that every aspect of the business is dollarised or in foreign exchange. And here we are using a weaker currency, naira, to fund the dollar. What manner of concession is given? We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just sit back and assume that things will fix itself, except we take it upon ourselves to say we have to fix this industry.

Are you saying that the government has not really paid attention to the industry?

I think the government has paid more of lip service than giving it the attention that it deserves.

I would have thought that with the kind of funds available to government we could have done a lot more than we are doing.

The president while commissioning the Abuja terminal said he was quite optimistic that very soon Nigeria would be the aviation hub for West Africa. Are you optimistic that with the way we are going this will happen?

This can never happen. It is not possible. It is going to continue to be a dream. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just become a hub overnight. Tell me the plans that are in place, even to transit from our international airport to our domestic airports? There is no proper transit system; there is not connectivity between our international airport and our local airport.

What sort of hub do you want to become? Is hub made by the word of the mouth? It is not made by just mouthing it; it is by conscious planning to ensure that the necessary facilities are put in place for you to become a hub. I can say to you that today a lot of airlines still prefer to go to Ghana to fuel up or to make repairs.

Why? Because they have made the processes of fuelling easy, they have provided infrastructure that will enable any airline that is coming to the

undermined; thanks to the advanced technology you see everywhere around the world; otherwise the travel agencies would have gone into extinction.

But rather they are still growing by the day not only in Nigeria but also even outside the country.

I can say to you categorically that most of the foreign airlines push their sales to us, the travel agencies to distribute on their behalf. And we have been doing that effectively and they have been getting their money. So their business is not threatened in any way and they are making their sales. So in a way they have been able to cut cost to a very large extent by pushing their businesses to travel agencies to handle. Even to the extent that some have even appointed our members as General Sales Agent (GSA) which reduces their cost of operation. So this critical sub sector of the aviation industry needs to be looked into. The government needs to understand what are the activities of these travel agencies? For example, our association has over 6,000 members with each of those members employing between five to 100 staff. Are we saying that such industry should be neglected? Shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t there be rules governing such industry? Shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t there be more intervention into the modus operandi of such industry?

Bankole country to do so. I can say to you categorically that it is not possible for Airbus A380 aircraft to land in Nigeria; even if they want to we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the infrastructure. That is one of the biggest aircraft in the world. But this same aircraft landed in Ghana. What makes Ghana better off than us?

This is not about politics; this is about doing the right thing. We have the capacity to do the right thing; we just choose not to do the right thing. The resources are there; we have a fantastic relationship with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). There are a lot of things we can tap into.

If the plan is to have Nigeria Air as our national carrier and it is not working out now are we saying, there are not alternative plan? In what way have we supported the local airlines? Because the same thing that happened to the local airlines is going to happen to the Nigeria Air and it will die within a short period. So it is just going to turn out to be another white elephant project. It is high time we wake up from our sleep and understand that the aviation industry is a sensitive one that requires the government full attention. Because it is the fastest and safest means of moving from point A to point B. and when foreigners are going to come to your industry that is the first entry point that showcase your worth as a nation.

The world is not going to wait for Nigeria, and this should be a wake-up call for us to start seeing how we can develop the most sensitive industry in the Nigerian economy. You will all agree with me that aviation is not an industry that should be neglected in anyway or any manner

The Calabar Carnival that just ended, when you look at the people that came from overseas to attend that event you will be telling yourself that inbound tourism has an opportunity in the country. How can this be enhanced with support from government and the travel agents?

Well, just like I have been saying, it takes a sound aviation industry to promote your tourism.

Without a sound aviation industry, your effort in growing your tourism will just be a waste. Because when we are talking about inbound tourism, we are saying that we want the rest of the world to come and see what we have in our country. If their very first experience is a nasty one and there is no connectivity from your international airport to whatever local destination they have to be, how will you be able to grow your tourism? If you take a flight here today from Lagos it takes you straight to Atlanta, from Atlanta airport you can take the Delta Air Lines into any of the other states. If that is not possible there are connectivity with other airlines. Tell me what connectivity the foreign carriers have with the local airlines? In what way has government enabled that synergy?

In what way has government formulated a policy that will help the local airlines as well as the local airports in those various states to develop? You and I know that as at today we have about 22 local airports, out of the 22 local airports only about three are profitable, not even to full capacity but you can say they are profitable to an extent.

Why do we have those airports? What policies do we have in place to enhance development and increase activities in those airports? So why are we making ourselves a laughing stock to the rest of the world? I think it is high time that we got serious. If we are not serious as a nation the world will leave us behind. The world is revolving and Nigeria cannot stay stagnant. So it is either we revolve with the world in terms of development or we will be left behind.

How critical is the downstream sector to the aviation industry and what can you tell us about the performance of your sector in 2018?

I can say to you that business in 2018 had a marginal growth based on the issues that we had in 2017 that spilled over to 2018. And even at that; we still had a marginal growth rather than experiencing a decline. Because by the second quarter all the airlines that had smaller aircraft had gone back into providing inventories for people to have. What I will say is that the travel agencies in Nigeria play a pivotal role in the aviation industry. The role of the travel agencies cannot be

In 2018 there was a bold move to sanitise the downstream sector of the aviation industry and this was done in partnership with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), how far have you gone with this effort to sanitise the system?

Well, we have been making frantic efforts on our part to bring some level of sanity to the industry. But just like I said, the neglect of the downstream sector from the government is quite obvious. Because they feel that they will make more money from the carriers than talking to the agents. And what they fail to understand is that the agents are employers of labour and 80 per cent of the airlinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; proceeds pass through these agents.

If 80 per cent of the proceeds pass through these agents then there is need for us to give special attention to the sub-sector, so that we can make sure that they capture every amount that is being sold. In 2017, I mentioned that we sold $1.4 billion; in 2018 we sold $1.4 billion with some fractions.

Are we saying that an industry generates about half a trillion naira should be neglected? Are we saying that, that is not an amount that is added to the GDP of this country?

So why is government not paying attention?

Why should it be private sector involvement alone? It is so bad that we are beginning to even see some institutions that shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t register as a travel agency registering themselves as travel agency. The last time I saw Nigerian Army travel agency wanting to be a member of NANTA. Is that how it should be? If there are proper rules should it be like that?

So the implementation of the law is not effective?

It is zero, it is not effective in anyway. Enforcement is zero.

Do you have the ďŹ gure of the ticket sales?

We are still waiting, you know the trading is done on the International Air Transport Association (IATA) platform and it is at the end of the year that they would collate everything, because they have changed their system a little bit, so we believe that by the end of January, 2019 we should have the exact figure of trading for 2018. But I can only have an estimate, which is about $1.4 billion.

Over the years we always have an estimate of the amount of persons that travel domestically and internationally. The international is about four million, while domestic is about 10 million plus. Why is passenger movement static and not going up?

It is static because if you look at it year-in-year out, you will see that as one airline is coming up to the forefront another one is taking the back sit and going to its early grave. What will give consistent growth in our local market is for us to have proper policies in place that will allow local airlines to grow. For instance, when you look at the computation of an air ticket, if the air ticket

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Bankole: Aviation World Has Left Nigeria Behind out? So what development are we going to say that we have at this point in time? So these are the things that we need to look into. Let us get our MROs up and doing, let us increase the level of infrastructure that we have at our airports. Let us give the relevant support to the local carriers by giving them some form of concession; it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be bailout fund.

Government has to give the airlines concession that gives them comparative advantage for operating in our economy. Let us see how we can tie aviation and tourism together to be able to make returns from people visiting other states aside Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

is N60, 000 out of that N60, 000, 60 per cent of it is full of taxes. When you have 60 per cent that means the airline is probably left with 40 per cent, but 40 per cent cannot take care of the cost of the airline. By the time the maintenance checks are due the airline will not have money to fulfil such. So they will constantly go bankrupt. Has the government looked into the fair composition?

We have units in NCAA that is responsible for all these. So if you have units that are responsible for all these then why do we constantly have a collapse of the domestic carriers?

If you look at what the government did to the banking sector, it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t only that the government was interested in them merging, it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the merger but the government came up with policies that enhanced the financial sector that gave them the possibility of trading globally. Because it was after the consolidation that we started seeing Nigerian banks having offices offshore in South Africa, London, New York. Why canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it be done in the aviation sector? If it is done that way, once the regulation is good, the right policies are in place, investors will be attracted to the sector.

Investors are attracted to a sector that they see favourable policies.

Such favorable policies are lacking in the aviation sector; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why everybody is being careful. And that is why you will see that the moneybags would rather patronise the chartered flights than scheduled operators. So we have graduated from saying that flying is luxury to making it look like the commercial â&#x20AC;&#x153;Molueâ&#x20AC;? and it shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be. Flying should be the safest and the easiest means of moving from point one to point two. And you are able to achieve as much as you can within a short period. We are not giving up on the government that is why we are saying let us have a round table discussion on the existing policies. Some of these policies are archaic and they are not suitable for this kind of operation in the aviation industry. What can we do? What policies are we putting in place first of

Bankole all to take care of our airport terminals in terms of infrastructures? What policies are we putting place to support the local carriers? What policies are we putting in places for the foreign carriers that are coming to our country? I can say to you categorically that Ethiopia Airlines went to Togo to establish a hub where they now use. Ethiopia airlines also established a national carrier for Togo, which is Asky. The same Asky comes to Nigeria.

So in whichever way, the government of Togo is benefiting from it as well as Ethiopia Airlines.

What are we doing even with our airport in Jos that we consider as a cargo airport? Most of the fruits that are being imported from South Africa and neighbouring countries are there in Jos because of the temperate weather. Which means that if there is availability or if government is giving concession to an operator that brings those fruit down south he will do it. So it boils down to the policies that are on ground. How far have we gone with the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MROs)? Do we have MROs for maintenance of the aircraft or they are still flying

How do you see the behaviour of the foreign airlines in 2018 for them to rake up this kind of revenue? Do you think they had more patronage compared to the previous years?

And is it a smooth ride for foreign airlines to operate in Nigeria now?

The foreign operators can see the huge vacuum and they will constantly capitalise on it. I will not call it exploitation, they are not exploiting us, they are into business and they can see an avenue for them to make money and they are making money. If you are speaking with any of them they will tell you it is as a result of demand and supply. For instance, if an airline comes into Nigeria and there is no aviation fuel, the airline is going to fly to Ghana and quickly go and refuel. But guess what, that cost is going to be on Nigerian passengers. So if the cost is going to be on Nigerian passengers definitely the cost of ticket to Nigeria or out of Nigeria is going to be more expensive than other places. Why? Because we have not made available infrastructures that will support smooth operation. If an airline comes to Nigeria and it develops a fault, if the airline will have to fly back to its country to go and import the parts to fix the aircraft as a result of us not having it in our country, whatever duties that we are charging on that aircraft, they are

going to pass it to the passengers.

So there are several reasons why the cost of tickets in Nigeria will be high. And movement is inevitable, Nigerians enjoy flying, they enjoy travelling from one point to the other. So they will continue to fly and that is why you even see the domestic carriers despite the fact that services have been poor, people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a choice, they still keep patronising them. So a lot depends on the government, if the government can help in the area of policy implementation that brings relief to the aviation industry then the economy has the tendency of even growing faster. If four aircraft should land on any of our terminals you need to see how rowdy the airport will be, it is almost unbearable. Why should it be like that?

The NCAA recently made plan to relocate to Abuja. Do you think its stay in Abuja will have any effect on regulation and managing the airlines better?

The question is, is Lagos not part of Nigeria?

Are we saying the government cannot operate from any of the states? Why must everything be centralised in Abuja? It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make economic sense. Most of the commercial airlines are operating from Lagos. So why must it be in Abuja? I really donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand the rationale. And I think it is high time we woke up and stop taking decisions based on sentiments. What it means now is that anybody that needs anything to do with NCAA will fly to Abuja. Is that not waste of resources? I think we need to make governance a lot cheaper than making it more expensive for people. It is a regulatory body and as a regulatory body it can be operating from anywhere. I do not see the sense in moving to Abuja. The Minister can stay in Abuja but the agencies can operate from wherever that has the largest traffic. So moving it to Abuja is just going to make things worse in Lagos. With them being in Lagos we have gotten little or no attention, now you are moving them to Abuja, it is just going to be a nightmare.

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BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

Baro Port as Gateway for Economic Growth Eromosele Abiodun writes that the Baro River Port project in Niger State will enhance intermodal transportation connectivity in the country

I

nland waterways are made up of navigable rivers, lakes, coastal creeks, lagoons and canals. The movement of goods and services along inland waterways is one of the oldest means of transporting goods and services from point to point.

This is largely due to the fact that inland water transport offers the most economical, energy efficient and environmental friendly means of transporting all types of cargo from place to place. It also offers safer and cheaper rates in areas where water exist naturally.

This facilitates commerce, promotes wealth creation, poverty alleviation, and creates job opportunities for youths within such regions.

The ancillary sector of boat building industry also generates employment through active engagement of the youths in welding and fabrication process.

Despite the immense benefit to the economy, inland water transport in Nigeria has had a long history of neglect by both government and the private sector.

Little efforts were made to develop inland water transport facilities prior to the 1980s.

This stems largely from policy inconsistency, limited private sector involvement, and conflicts between and among agencies involved in the management of inland water transport in Nigeria.

Since the 1990s, however, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has taken a number of initiatives, including capital and infrastructure improvement, channels dredging and maintenance and installation of safety facilities to turn the sector around.

Industry watchers and analysts have argued that with efficient control systems, the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) could function appropriately to make economic fortunes.

Their arguments, no doubt, stem from the efficient operations of the Inland Waterways Transportation of the United States (US) with about 25,000 nautical miles, out of which 12,000 miles have been commercialised and maintained by the government.

The American inland, intra-coastal and coastal waterways and channels, available statistics reveal, accommodates about 3,008 businesses and 24,908 employees as well as makes a whopping N8 billion dollars annually.

More than 60 per cent of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grain exports, about 22 per cent of domestic petroleum products and 20 per cent of the coal used in electricity generation is ferried via Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water transportation system.

The Nigerian Situation This is, however, not the case in Nigeria.

For years, the growth of water transport and other ancillary businesses have been impeded by numerous obstacles, chiefly the battle for control.

Virtually all the state governments with this geographical advantage are engaged in subtle regulatory or supremacy battle with the federal government.

The situation thereby flouts the dictates of the law, court rulings and as such cause distraction to major stakeholders in the industry.

Nigeria has 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) owing a land area of 924000skm with an estimated population of about 170 million. The country is blessed with a coastline of about 870km and about 3000kilometer of inland waterways.

Nigeria currently has six major ports (Tincan Island, Apapa, Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne and Calabar) and 10 crude oil terminals (Escarvos, Bonny, Sapele, Forcados, Tuma, Okrika, FOT, etc).

Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) official statistics showed that traffic into the major ports excluding tankers was estimated at appropriately 35, 000 vessels per annum and overall cargo throughout (excluding crude) was 222.23 million tons. The total number of passengers who patronises the sea ports is estimated at 35000 per annum. Statistics from NPA indicates that 4070 vessels with 121,350,844GRT visited Nigeria in the year 2000 alone, having an overall cargo throughout at 28,859,274 million tons.

Baro Port

Sequentially, container traffic at major ports was 119,458 (outwards) and 204,299 (inwards); however, several other ports dotted along the 300km of inland waterways includes Onitsha, Oguta, Opobo, Lokoja, Baro, Jebba etc. Nigeria being major oil producing and exporting country records about 2,000 petroleum tanker vessels calling at her ports annually, with an average tanker size of about 95000.

Industry analysts therefore wonder why the federal and states government cannot take advantage of the huge opportunity in the sector to create jobs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pause and reflect on the import and export statistics in terms of numerous trade opportunities and the never- ending operations on the Nigerian coastal ways nationwide.

Such transport or activities over waterways is especially effective when the source and/ or destination are a water front location, which is a main infrastructural advantage that regularly needed to be trained, maintained and upgraded, of which Nigeria is specially blessed with such infrastructure as waterways unlike the hinterland states. The Nigeria inland waterways operations and management has long since time immemorial been in service but are yet to meet with her states expectation seeing the various natural features on ground as tools to facilitate its operations.

Nigeria aspires to be amongst the top 20 largest economies by the year 2020 according to the economics policy at vision 2020.

And successful operations and management of the inland waterways by the actual implementation at the enacted cabotage laws in Nigeria are critical to the success or otherwise of the plan because of the indispensible role shipping plays in not just the movement of goods and services around the country and the revenues collected as tax from the various actors in the sector,â&#x20AC;? said an industry watcher.

Cabotage Act Impact Experts also believe the effective implementation of the Cabotage Act will catalyse the growth and development of the transportation sector and reduce the over dependence of the nation on road transportation operations and its consequent damage of the roads since the collapse of the railway system in Nigeria.

Others believe the growth of the sector is expected when the dredging activities on in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inland waterways are concluded. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, the initiatives and strategies forecasted for the future still does not move a foot if the problem of enforcement geometrically progresses due to the infallible and unchangeable management governing the corridors of power in this sector, seeing actually that most of them

still lack the rudimentary understanding of its existence and likewise its operationality,â&#x20AC;? said the industry analyst.

Baro Port Inauguration Meanwhile, all hope is not lost if the effort made by the new management of NIWA to develop the sector is anything to go by. After months of talking, a major step was talking towards the revolution of inland waterways transport in the country with the inauguration of Baro Port in Niger State. The inauguration of the Baro River Port came coming after the NIWA successfully concessioned Onitsha, Oguta and Lokoja river ports. Speaking at the event, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed personal and sentimental attachment to the Baro River Port project, indicating his satisfaction that a port complex he assisted in its design when he was the Petroleum Special Task Force (PTF) chairman was finally actualised and inaugurated under his charge.

The project is popularly recognised in Niger State as the peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;gate-wayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; towards economic liberation and massive employment, generally designed, to enhance intermodal transportation connectivity in the country.

Specifically, Buhari promised that his administration would do far much more, if re-elected into office during the forthcoming elections, for the overall success of the port, beyond the rehabilitation of roads leading to Baro River Port and its environs.

He was particularly glad that the port would reduce pressure of big trucks off the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roads, create huge employment opportunities for Nigerians, and help decongest other similar ports in the country.

Also speaking, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi commended President Buhari for directing all his ministers to focus and complete all abandoned projects of the past, of which Baro River Port happened to be one of them.

In his welcome remarks, the Managing Director, NIWA, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora thanked Buhari for personally inaugurating the Baro River Port Complex, noting that the port was indeed, the first colonial port in the country.

Emphasising his joy that the new port was completed under this present administration, he described the port as a veritable outlet to ensure transportation of goods, services and passengers in the country, pointing out that the Port will also help in the creation of intermodal transportation system across the country.

He was essentially happy that the port would facilitate socio-cultural relationships, commerce, trade and Agricultural development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Baro River Port was built by Chinese firm (CGCC Global Project Nigeria Limited)

at total cost of N6 billion and fully equipped with a Mobile Harbour Crane, Transit shed, Administrative block, fire hydrant system, water treatment plant, Reach stacker, 100KVA power generating set, and three numbers forklifts of various tonnages. Presently, the Onitsha River Port has already been rehabilitated while Oguta and Lokoja River Ports were in their final stages of completion,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Marina, Ido River Ports Meanwhile, aside the four river ports across the country currently at the stage of inauguration, the federal government has concluded arrangements to convert two major jetties in Lagos, Ido and Marina to river ports to facilitate the movement of cargo from Apapa ports to other part of the country.

The former Acting Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr Danladi Ibrahim had in a chat with newsmen in Lagos late 2018 disclosed that the river ports which will be developed in collaboration with Chinese consortium and the federal government will be able to receive ocean going vessels.

Ibrahim said NIWA is working a plan to drive water transportation from Nigeria to Ghana and other West African countries.

Ibrahim listed the three other river ports as Lokoja in Kogi State, Makurdi in Benue State and Uguta in Imo State which are between 75 and 85 per cent completed.

He also said the concession of Onitsha Port had been completed and the concessionaires would soon start operation.

He said there was need for NIWA to continue to engage in continuous maintenance of all the channels under its jurisdiction.

According to him, the authority has been calling on international organisations to partner with it. Ibrahim said NIWAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bill which had been before the National Assembly for the past 10 years had passed second reading. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This would help the organisation to be independent like other sister government agencies. The bill would increase the capacity of the authority and also create room for Public Private Partnership (PPP) and provide numerous jobs for unemployed Nigerians,â&#x20AC;?he said.

The NIWA boss said the agency had included the dredging of River Benue to complement the River Niger in its 2019 master plan.

He said the authority would start the dredging of Baro River soon adding that the dredging of Ajaokuta â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Onitsha waterways is ongoing.

Specifically, he added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;NIWA will purchase barges for transshipment of bulk cargoes from Lagos ports to Onitsha and Baro ports.â&#x20AC;?

Ibrahim said NIWA was employing public private partnership (PPP) approach for its channel management with some foreign partners.

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

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

Haleemat Busari:

I Intend to Run an Inclusive Cabinet with my Principal

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COVER HALEEMAT BUSARI: I INTEND TO RUN AN INCLUSIVE CABINET WITH MY PRINCIPAL Mrs. Haleemat Oluwayemisi Busari, running mate to the Lagos State Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, is certainly no figurehead. Having been a corporate lawyer with many years of outstanding success in her chosen field of enterprise, Busari in this interview with MARY NNAH, pledged to bring to bear all her experience in the corporate world to govern Lagos State in tandem with her principal Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talk a bit about your career in the corporate world I am a lawyer of almost three and a half decades. Up until about a couple of months ago when I was announced as a running mate of Mr. Jimi Agbaje, the Lagos State PDP gubernatorial candidate, I was the Group Head, Group Legal and Regulatory Affairs of the Honeywell Group, a Nigerian conglomerate. That is the role I have played for 20 years or more.

and so the sensible women in the course of growing up, would have grown on all these skills. Now, how do you now bring it to bear? In governance, you are constantly negotiating and lobbying to get things done â&#x20AC;&#x201C;policies, regulations or you want to build infrastructure or bring in a new education system- and I think that because women have all of these natural innate skills, it is going to be an advantage.

Naturally when a woman comes on the negotiation table, trust me, things change, especially a woman who knows her onions.

This is something that I have seen very often in the course of my 30 years in the corporate world. Women naturally have the ability to decipher things and we are able to see where things are going, which men canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sometimes. And when you have a room all filled with men negotiating, sometimes the ego allows negotiation to break down because everybody is at one anotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throat and feel that I am a better man. But women donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see things that way. We want to achieve and so we go in there ensuring that we connect with everybody and we get the best deal out of what is on ground, which is why I think in this situation, it is going to be an advantage because you even have an experienced corporate woman who has been a boardroom guru for many years and so all of these are what I am going to bring to bear in the governance of Lagos State.

That means you have never had any political appointment before now I was never a politician but I have always been somebody who is passionate about how we can change status quo; how we can improve our environment and how we can do things better. I think that is part of what has informed the personal charities that I have gotten myself involved in over the years. There is no way you can impact society from a position of authority unless you are empowered. However in your own little corner, you can do whatever it is you can to impact society and that is what I have always done. But I do not run an organisation because my time in terms of work has always been taken up but in my spare time, I get together with friends and do things within my personal capacity.

I have quite a number of people that I have seen through school and who are on my personal payroll but these are things I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like to talk about because they are personal things I do to impact lives. I recall there was a particular chap I used to see through school and every time he used to say to me that his mother wanted to come and thank me and I said to him, the day your mother sees me is the last time I will pay your school fees. I told him she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to see me but all she needed to do was that every time she remembers me, she should say a prayer for me. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all I require, I do not need her to come and say thank you to me.

Now, there are so many hindrances preventing women from making progress, especially in politics. How do you think women can survive especially in a male dominated society like ours?

I am very clear as to how women should do things and how we need to run our lives to survive in a society lie ours. Number one is that women should try and get away from this myth that we are â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;weakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

I think that should be the starting point â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you know feeling weak and helpless â&#x20AC;&#x201C; because that is where all the anxieties arise from, because you have already defeated yourself when you feel that you are a woman and then you are thinking, â&#x20AC;&#x153;How am I going to copeâ&#x20AC;?.

So, I think the starting point is that we need to understand that we are human beings endowed with God-given abilities.

And I think that we should learn how to harness and build our different abilities.

I also think that as women, we need to learn how to plan ourselves and our lives and put structures in place. I keep taking about financial independence for women.

I am a great believer of it. In as much as I am traditional, I also believe that women must work. Even the Holy Book says that women must work. The Quran gives me that mercy to work. So I think that as women, one thing we need to do, as multiskilled people, is to plan better. So you have children, yes; so you have to run the home, yes; and so you have to look after your husband, yes. But whatever happens to planning? You have the weekend, cook your food and freeze it; portion it, so that during the week, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brought out and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s warned so that during the week there is food at home all the time. So that is not an excuse for you not to work. You have children; get support. Some of us have mothers, some of us donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. Those of us that have mothers, use your family support.

If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have mothers, pay for it. Put infrastructures in place that keeps your

Busari

home going and allows you work. And most importantly, have your husband behind your back. You have to have your husband in your corner, if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have your husband in your corner, it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen.

That is the mistake a lot of we women make.

We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how to have our husband in our corners. So once you have your husband in your corner and you put infrastructure in place at home and there is always food at home, the man allows you fly and do what it is you want to do. So we need to think, plan and pray.

Do you know men also have confusions?

Yes, men do! They have confusions about taking some decisions. They are also scared because they are human beings and they are also vulnerable like we are. So it is all about planning and facing your reality. It is all about facing it through and asking yourself, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;okay, so what do I have to put in place to make this work? But a lot of we women like to have helpless situations, like â&#x20AC;&#x153;oh God, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so weak, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what to do or I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do anything.â&#x20AC;? So we just have to get a hold of ourselves and put our lives in order.

One of my issues when I was asked to serve was that I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just want to go to work in the morning and sit on fancy desk and chair and when it is 5pm I pick my bag and go home...I intend to run an inclusive cabinet together with my principal

Gender disparity is still a big issue in this clime. Do you think women are beginning to get the chance they deserve in terms of holding political ofďŹ ces in Nigeria?

I would like to look at it from the perspective of women presenting themselves for offices. Nobody will empower you if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t empower yourself. It is not a case of getting a chance, it is actually a case of are you presenting yourself. And how do you present yourself? You must be focused. You must know what it is you want in life and work toward it. And you must hold onto that which you believe in strongly and it is from doing all those things that leads you to wherever it is that you want to get to. So you want to be a senator, for example, and all your life you have done nothing with yourself and you wake up one morning and say you want to be a senator. How does that work? What skills do you have in you that assist you to achieve that objective?

When you get there what are you going to do? What do you understand that they are doing in the chambers? So it is actually preparing yourself and identifying what it is you want from life and working towards it and of course with Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help you wold be there. I mean, God is a big factor in my life, so, no matter what you do, there is also the God factor. You have to believe in Him, trust Him and hand things over to Him. Is being a female deputy governor an advantage? If so, how do you intend to take advantage of your position peradventure you get into ofďŹ ce?

I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an advantage and again, it depends on who is involved. A woman is a natural mother. A woman is so many things rolled into one and these are skills that some of them are innate. A woman is a natural diplomat, negotiator, an influencer and these are skills that are innate in women

How would you differentiate yourself from every other deputy in the past that were more or less ďŹ gureheads without real power?

One of my issues when I was asked to serve was that I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just want to go to work in the morning and sit on fancy desk and chair and when it is 5pm I pick my bag and go home. Or in the course of the day, the governor canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t attend a meeting and wants me to attend a function that I am not even aware of and have not even been briefed on. How do I perform when I get to such meeting? So that is not what I intend to be.

Now, I intend to run an inclusive cabinet together with my principal and we would work together. We would sit down and think together and we would agree that these are the things that we need to do; we would also agree on how they are to be done and who would do them. We would give ourselves timeline and we would monitor what it is we are doing and we would correct ourselves and would have conversations. We would change track several times if need be, which is why I say we would monitor and if we see that something is not working, we would speak to each other on the need to go back to the drawing table. So I am not going to be a deputy governor who merely sits and takes instructions and do only what I am told to do. Mark me; I am not saying we would have a government where we would be at each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throat. We would work together. We would have a cohesive government because we would engage and together we would run the state.

Personally do you have things you are bringing to the table, maybe things that would impact more on women in Lagos State?

Being deputy governor of Lagos State is not all about women, so I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think we should get it wrong. I am not going to be deputy governor of Lagos State just to fight womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;scourse. So we need to get that straight because we lose the essence of what we are trying to do when we think that way. We are trying to govern a state and do things properly, we are trying to make Lagos liveable for Nigerians and make life easy for people in Lagos; we are trying to make sure that we have an economy that is going in Lagos. We are trying to create a future for young Lagosians; it is not all about Lagos women, it is about Lagosians generally. So please donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t restrict me to women in Lagos State.

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XTRA

Tolu Okoro Launches â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dinner with Starsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; TvShow Peter Uzoho Screen products producer and entertainment ace, Tolu Okoro, last December, launched his television reality show, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dinner with Starsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, at an all-white affair of glitz, glamour and splendor at the exotic Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

Dinner with Stars is an enlightening television show which started in 2017 with the sole aim of fostering and nurturing Nigerian youths in the areas of entertainment, business and other career fields.

The TV show is anchored by AMVCA award winner, Chy Nwakanma.

Since inception, Dinner with Stars has produced 13 episodes that have featured notable names in the society, among them are the Chief Executive Officer, of Nairabet, Akin Alabi, renowned compere, Nancy Isime, music entrepreneur, Phyno, Gulder Ultimate Search winner and actor, Kunle Remi, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Social Media Expert, JJ. Omojua, and many others.

The season one episode of the reality show has been mastered and packaged for quality home viewing. All the episodes as produced by Okoro are set to be aired on both cable and local stations including TV Continental, Africa Magic, Silver Bird TV and Hip TV. Speaking at the launch, the Creative/Executive Producer of Dinner with Stars, Okoro, described the TV show as a noble show that will teach

Tolu Okoro with Japheth Omojuwa

and educate viewers in every sphere of life, adding: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dinner with Stars is an interview segment on television; it is about glamour, lifestyle and entrepreneurship.â&#x20AC;?

He noted that with the launch, Nigerians would begin to experience real content driven episode on television across the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are launching â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dinner with Starsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; today, the first episode will be on several television stations across the country.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;When it comes to content l am always excited, that is why we have decided to put together a content driven show that will inspire, teach and educate the society,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have been nursing the idea for many years ago and I am happy that it is coming to fulfilment,â&#x20AC;? he revealed.

According him, the interview show features a celebrity guest, and on every episode, a celebrity fan comes to the show to learn from the ce-

lebrity guest. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a guest, fan and an anchor. The guest speaks on a range of issues. l am really excited that everything has been put in place and working. I really want to do more for the society that is why you are seeing what is going on today. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The show is committed to growing the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in employment and entrepreneurial skill increase, among others,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Team 30 Drums Support for Sanwo-Olu Mary Nnah Support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Lagos State, Babajide Sanwolu, has received a shot of adrenaline with an endorsement from a group named Team-30.

The group is an exclusive body of businessmen and contractors committed to the survival of good governance and rapid development of Lagos State.

The acronym Team-30 is descriptive of a voluntary association of top contractors and employers of labour in Lagos, who created the group to add momentum to Sanwoluâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campaign ahead of other candidates.

The group came up with its position after careful study of the political environment and scrutiny of the profile and agenda of candidates from all contending parties.

The open declaration of support for the APC candidate was timed to coincide with the after effect of the mega rally to usher in the final push of the party for support from Lagosians.

The groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s philosophy is driven by the desire to sustain the enviable development trajectory that Lagos State has enjoyed since 1999.

At the same time, the group believes that Sanwoluâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience in public service and his level-headedness are invaluable prerequisites for handling the intrigues of governing a cosmopolitan mega city like Lagos.

The group also applauded the colossal contributions of

Sanwo -Olu

outgoing governor Akinwunmi Ambode, to the improvement of infrastructure and human conditions in Lagos State.

They noted that Ambode displayed exceptional commitment to the development of the state as Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eco-

nomic flagship and center of excellence.

They further pledged extensive material and human support for the APC candidate in the run-up to the polls.

According to the spokesman of the group Alhaji Bolaji

Lawal, members have been charged to draw from various spheres of influence across the socio-economic spectrum of the state to ensure the progressive legacy of development in the state is preserved through the election of Sanwolu.

Lzee Projects Wear Nigeria Campaign Vanessa Obioha As part of its mission to promote Nigerian fabrics, leading male fashion brand Luzol launched its new retail fashion label Lzee. Known for its unique artistic designs in fabric, the line is a mix of ready-to-wear designs made from a combination of Nigerian fabrics that cater to the upwardly mobile male and female.

For his first attempt at female clothings, the brand tilted to the playful side of female sexuality. Using a combination of Nigerian fabrics, the creative director and founder of the brand Austin Aimankhu created designs that blend sophistication and subtlety.

From lengthy gowns with bold statements to stripes, the green runway at the Roots Restaurant and Bar in Ikoyi, Lagos where the event held was a spectacle of patriotism.

The background was a mix of different fabrics such as batik, tie and dye, igbu from Esan tribe in Edo state.

Under the relaxed ambi-

ence dotted with good music, guests had the opportunity to purchase clothings from the runway.

Speaking on the significance of the Lzee brand to his Wear Nigeria campaign, Aimankhu said â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lzee is a way of reaching out to the females with our Wear Nigeria campaign. We cannot be talking about Wear Nigeria and thinking of only men. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every outfit we make must have a Nigerian fabric as a way of promoting our fabric within and outside the country.â&#x20AC;?

He described the collection as a union of the old and contemporary to capture the diversity of our culture.

The launch is also part of the lineup activities leading to the next edition of Fashion Art Fusion â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a celebration of fashion and alternative arts in the runway.

The revolutionary show has been lauded by many as a veritable platform that effortlessly showcase the beauty of art on the runway.

Lzee will also be available online for the smart individual who is always on the move.

Amstel Malta Dispels Existence of Fake Product Mary Nnah The Nigerian Breweries Plc., (NB), makers of Amstel Malta, has dispelled the rumours making the rounds about the existence of a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; malt belonging to the brand.

In a statement issued, the company said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The attention of Nigerian Breweries Plc., (NB) has been drawn to a video circulating on some social media platforms alleging the existence of a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Amstel Malta in the market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This claim is based on the fact that there are differences in the NIS Logo on the Amstel Malta packaging. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wish to clarify and assure all our valued consumers and lovers of Amstel Malta that there is no fake Amstel Malta in the market.â&#x20AC;?

NB explained further that it recently revised the packaging of Amstel Malta and incorporated the new NIS Quality logo from the Standards organisation of Nigeria, (SON).

They added that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;this change was approved by the relevant regulatory agencies, including

the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The claim, in the video under reference, that the Amstel Malta with the new NIS Logo is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;fakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is incorrect and misleading. â&#x20AC;&#x153;SON, the owners of the NIS Quality Logo, have variously confirmed the change in its certifying logo and had in fact commended Amstel Malta for being the first producer to incorporate the new NIS Logo in its packaging. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The false claim and video have been previously addressed by NB in 2017 when the video was first circulated.

A joint press conference was addressed by SON, and NB Plc affirming the packaging change with new NIS logo and correcting the false claims in the video. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are concerned that the same misleading video has resurfaced and is again being circulated on some social media platforms. We therefore appeal to the public to ignore this video and refrain from re-circulating this untrue information.â&#x20AC;?

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E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

â&#x20AC;ŚYour weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

Political Parties Woo the Creative Industry VANESSA OBIOHA writes that political parties are struggling for the support of the creative industry in the upcoming elections

A

s the general election draws near, the creative industry has become the toast of different contesting partisan groups. The past week saw the two dominant parties,Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) engaging select members of the sector while pledging to improve the sector.

The industry which is worth millions of Naira is considered a critical sector in influencing the choice of voters in the upcoming elections. The film industry, notably, is recognised as a major contributor to the national GDP and a great employer of the Nigerian youths, a demography that the PDPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has frequently courted.

Under the democratic era, Nollywoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commanding influence was fully exploited by former president,Goodluck Jonathan who hosted the industry during its disputed 20th anniversary of Nollywood in 2013. At that event, he unveiled a N3 billion package to help turnaround the industry.

Tagged â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Project Nollywoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, the package included grants for the best film scripts, a capacity development fund, and funds for supporting the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s infrastructure.

That grant would later be riddled with controversies as some members accused a segment of the industry of using the alloted funds to meet their selfish needs and that of their cronies.

Now in 2019, Atiku is vowing to do more for the industry not only financially but also in ensuring that policies regarding copyright and intellectual property is implemented. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am committed to providing enabling environment to promote this industry because if you read our economic plan you will find that creating jobs is our top priority and I have come to realise that this industry is one of the topmost to achieve that.

Moreso, your jobs will capture the right segment of our population, the youths.â&#x20AC;?

He continued, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we want to promote this industry, we have to make sure that they have access to funding either from the government or private sector because this funding can be refunded. This is an industry that has the capacity to make billions of dollars in the economy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I also agree that government should support tax incentives if they really want to grow and they need to grow so that they can supply as many jobs as possible. That incentive is necessary.

We will also see to the implementation of legislatures.â&#x20AC;?

That engagement had in attendance prominent Nollywood and music personalities like Obi Asika who presented a paper on the immense value of the music industry, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe who emphasised on the entrepreneurial spirit of Nollywood, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Ann Njemanze, Pedro Obaseki, and Charles Novia who moderated the session. Also present were the Senate President Bukola Saraki, former governor of Anambra state and Atikuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s running mate, Peter Obi, Sillverbird Group helmsman Senator Ben MurrayBruce and former governor of Cross River state, Liyel Imoke However, it was Norbert Ajaegbu, a lawyer and copyright activist who roused the packed hall at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos most.

He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have highly intellectual persons among us in this industry.

Most of the regulatory bodies in the film industry on the national level are headed by individuals who are not in the film industry, we want some of our

A scene from a Nollywood movie, The Wedding Party

intellects to be appointed, people we know,â&#x20AC;?he argued to a loud applause.

Ajaegbu also called for an executive bill that will bind the industry together, making reference to the Motion Picture Practitioners Council of Nigeria (MOPPICON) bill which is yet to see light of the day under the present administration.

Acceding to their request earned Atiku a sealed support in the election.

Being that a large percentage of the industry was at that gathering, Atiku was assured that he got the backing of the industry in his presidential bid.

The same cannot be said of President Muhammadu Buhari whose adminstration has done little for the burgeoning industry, accccording to some creatives. Moreso, ease of doing business has been cumbersome as a result of the hardship in the economy.

It was understandable then that a large group in the creative industry will pitch their tent with PDP. While Buhari has failed to woo the industry, the APCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lagos state gubernatorial candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has taken steps to win the heart of many in the industry. It is a known fact that the arts and culture ministry in the state provides regular support to stakeholders.

Consolidating on the efforts of the ministry, Sanwo-Olu elevated the creative industry recently while unveiling his development agenda for the state: Sanwo-Olu Pledges to Improve the Entertainment, Tourism Sector Sanwo-Olu promised to build an entertainment village for the creative industry. The creative industry according to his running mate, Obafemi Hamzat who made the presentation said that the creative industry contributes seven per cent to the GDP. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A study shows that the creative industry contributes seven per cent to our GDP. It is important to harness that seven per cent and see how we can increase it...Lagos is the capital of Nollywood.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;More production actually happens in Lagos than any other place. We promise that we will start an entertainment village, where they will have all the access they need so that they can actually do their trade and contribute to our GDP.â&#x20AC;?

Sanwo-Olu echoed similar thoughts at a town hall meeting with the women organised by APC Woman Leader in Lagos State, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas last week. He told the actress Kate Henshaw who asked about his plans for the film industry that his government will build a film village to enable the industry function properly.

Entertainment and tourism is part of the five pillars of development SanwoOlu will focus on if he wins the election in March.

Like the incumbent governor, Akinwunmi Ambode whose visions for the sector was promoted under the acronym T.H.E.S.E. (Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Sports for Excellence), Sanwo-Olu termed his own development project T.H.E.M.E. (Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism).

However, the plans for entertainment was detailed in a printed document.

Some of the plans listed include the collaboration with local and foreign experts and institutions to establish world class training institutions for all relevant skills and expertise required to improve the creative arts industry, seek the support of the private sector to develop well-distributed purposebuilt entertainment spaces around Lagos for music, plays, cinematic viewing and events over the next four years, and provide tax incentives, rebates and waivers on filming permits and streamline tax and approval processes.

Hamzat further said that there will be an entertainment and tourism calendar that will feature dates for festivals and events around Lagos. He said this was important so that tourists can have an annual guide of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events.

He pointed out that there were about

20 tourist centres in Lagos which can attract investors while emphasising on the need to preserve the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic sites. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have about 20 tourist locations.

In Badagry, we have the Slave Market, the Point-of-No-Return and so many others. This historic sites are very important. When we went there recently, people like Professor Wole Soyinka, were so passionate about these areas and they tasked us to ensure that these sites are preserved.â&#x20AC;?

Highlighting sports as part of entertainment, he disclosed that a Sanwo-Olu government will invest in grassroots sports as a way of galvanising the youths.

Should Artists and Entertainers be partisan?

With both parties fiercely vying for the support of the industry, the age long question on whether artists and entertainers should be partisan is revisited.

Prominent filmmaker and the academy Director of MultiChoice Talent Factory, Femi Odugbemi remarked that â&#x20AC;&#x153;artists are citizens too and they have every right in a democracy to support candidates and canvass on behalf of a political party or ideology. Of course politicians know how to take maximum advantage of the celebrity status of creative industry stars. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the same everywhere.â&#x20AC;?

Indeed, political endorsement by artistes was very copious in the 2016 US presidential election, where most Hollywood members voted for the Democratic candidate, Hilary Clinton.

The argument often advanced is that the artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s credibility is likely to be compromised by aligning to such acts. Odugbemi argued that it depends on the measure of the artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s integrity and his/her ability to understand that responsibility comes with their popularity and high public profile. â&#x20AC;&#x153;An artiste should not be denied their opportunity to air the beliefs or support anyone they choose as long as the support they get is voluntary. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s democracy.â&#x20AC;?

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E-TRENDS

Banky W Begins Door To Door Campaign

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Prefer Uber Than Buying a Carâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mr Eazi Sunday Ehigiator

Sunday Ehigiator Bankole Wellington aka Banky W who is contesting to become a member of the House of Representatives, representing Eti-Osa Federal constituency under the Modern Democratic Party (MDP), has begun his door-todoor campaign to canvass for votes.

In a video he posted on twitter, Banky W, who said nothing is impossible noted that he will move from door to door, street to street, markets to mansions, Ajah to Obalende to convince the electorates to vote for him.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;we will go from door to door, from street to street, from markets to mansions, from Ajah to Obalende; engaging with everybody.

Nothing is impossible.

Starting in Eti-Osa, we will fix Nigeria one community at a time.â&#x20AC;? In another development, the music producer and owner of

Banky W

EME music addressed Wizkidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s absence during his wedding ceremony last year. In an interview with THISDAY, he said â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think people unfairly judged Wiz and a lot of them were a little bit too harsh on him for missing my wedding. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many people forget that around the time of my traditional wedding was also when One Africa Music Fest was going on in Dubai. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, there were many other artistes at the event, who were struggling,

trying to make it back to catch up with the wedding. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In fact, Tiwa Savage had to take the last available economy seat in the plane, even though she had an upper-class ticket for a few days later, just to get her back in time for my wedding. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just Wizkid that missed it, a lot of people who were at the concert did. Either way, people should know that the relationship between Wizkid and I is deeper than any fame or fortune.

Roma, The Favourite Lead 2019 Oscars Nominations Vanessa Obioha 2019 is starting on a good note for the online streaming giant Netflix as its movie â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Romaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fetched the platform its first Big Picture nod. With only eight nominees in this category, Roma will be competing with Black Panther, BlacKkKlansman, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Favourite, A Star is Born, Vice and Green Book. The Alfonso CuarĂłnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s movie about life in Mexico in the 1970s also clinched 10 nominations including a nod for Cuaronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s direction, cinematography and Best Actress in a Leading role for Yalitza Aparicio.

Roma has a tie with The Favourite, a comedydrama which examines the relationship between two cousins vying to be court favourites of Queen Anne

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland in the 18th century. The Favourite is also nominated in Best Picture, Best Leading Actress, and Best Directing categories including Best Supporting Actress where two of its stars Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone are nominated.

A Star is Born which was highly touted to fetch the most nods only had eight nominations: Best Picture, Best Leading Actress for Lady Gaga, Best Leading Actor for Bradley Cooper, Best Original Song for Shallow, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, Best Supporting Actor for Sam Elliot. Bradley Cooper failed to clinch a nod in Beat Directing.

The Marvel/Disney film of 2018 Black Panther also

fared well, fetching seven nominations including Best Picture, Best Original Score and Best Original Song. It also marked a first for action thrillers to be nominated in the Best Picture category.

Vice also took received seven nominations including a directing nod for Adam McKay and Best Leading Actor for Christian Bale.

The nomination which was streamed live in YouTube was hosted by Kumail Nanjiani and Tracee Ellis Ross. The 91st Academy Awards will hold on February 24. The Academy is yet to find a host.

Other nominees include If Beale Street Could Talk, First Man, Avengers: Infinity War, Mary, Queen of Scots and Ready Player One.

Falz ExplainsWhy He Stopped Going to Church Sunday Ehigiator Popular Nigerian singer, Folarin, Falana, a.k.a Falz, has explained why he stopped going to church, days after being called out on that by his mother.

During the release of the much-anticipated album, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Moral Instruction,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Falzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother complained about her son not attending church services.

Femi and Funmi Falana were both present during their sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;album listening partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, which during the event, Falz mother used the opportunity to express her concern about the fact that her son hardly goes to church.

Speak about his new album, Funmi said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Folarin, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go to church and I am bothered. I hope you would start going to church this year.â&#x20AC;?

Addressing media men

after the event, the singer attested that his mother was right because he hardly went to church.

According to Falz, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have nothing against the church or going to church; everyone has the right to practice the religion they desire but personally, as a Christian, it has been a while that I have been to church. It does not make me less of a Christian. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The most important thing is spirituality and your personal connection with God. The reason I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t attended a church service in a long while is because I went to a few churches and during sermons, I was put under undue pressure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was a time that a pastor called me to the altar just to acknowledge my presence for being in church. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In my mind, I felt that the

Music rapper, Jude Abagapopularly kThis might come as a rude shock to many lovers of Oluwatosin Ajibade, a.k.a Mr Eazi, and his work; as in a recent interview, the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Leg Overâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; singer revealed that he did not own a car, but would rather prefer to ride on Uber.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If your self-esteem is based on how much you have in your bank account, then you have a serious self-esteem issue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Right from when I sang my very first song, someone offered me N80m record deal but I turned it down and at the time, I did not have N300,000 in my account. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My first record deal offer from the UK was ÂŁ356,000, I turned it down but at the time, I had done a tour and the total amount I earned was ÂŁ12,500. I used the money to shoot the videos of some of my songs. I was left with ÂŁ20; they were offering me ÂŁ365,000, but I turned it down. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The reason I did that was because my value was not dependent on what was in my account. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Till today, I use Uber but I do not care and by the way, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even pay for the ride because I was given Uber credit. But if you see me in the Uber vehicle and feel that Mr. Eazi is poor, what is my business (with that)?

Mr Eazi

â&#x20AC;&#x153;For instance, everybody around me has cars, and besides, I buy cars for people. If it makes sense for me to use an Uber, why should I drive? Why would I pay about N100m for a car that I would probably drive just five times a year? â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are better things to do with that money. In the short time, I have spent on earth; I have made a lot of money. While I was into mining, I had so much money that I was living at a place that was a stoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throw away from the airport in Accra and I was paying my rent in dollars. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was making a lot of money. That shows you how expensive it was but I went from there to squatting with my friend in a one-room apartment. I was sleeping on the floor in

his room. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Also, when I was doing the business of selling beverages. We started with a crate and in a short while, we began to import four containers every two weeks. From importing four containers every two weeks, we went back to nothing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In my life, I have had ups and down. If my self-worth was based on material things, I would have killed myself.â&#x20AC;?

The singer admitted that he had received a lot of backlash on social media simply because of his relationship with Temi, one of the daughters of a billionaire oil magnate, Femi Otedola. However, Mr Eazi said such things would never faze him.

Buhari is Weak Mentally, Physically â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Eedris Abdulkareem Sunday Ehigiator Nigerian singer, Eedris Abdulkareem, has opined that President Muhammadu Buhari is weak mentally and physically.

The controversial rapper was reacting to the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance at a town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and Daria Media with support from the MacArthur Foundation in Abuja on Wednesday.

Buhari had while responding to a question about the disability bill, called on the press and the elite to monitor the progress of the Disability Bill 2018.

He had said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I cannot honestly remember the plan being taken to the National Assembly and how much they have done on it and sent it back to the centre. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is the same with the Disability Bill. There are so many (bills) with the National Assembly and unfortunately, I expect the elite through the press to keep an eye on the activities of the bills between the

Idris Abdulkareem

executive and National Assembly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the executive sends a bill, they can hardly put it in the budget except it is returned to the National Assembly with their comments and recommendations.â&#x20AC;?

But, reacting, Eedris on his official Instagram page said that he was surprised Buhari denied that the disability bill has been transmitted to him.

He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fact CheckBuhari is weak mentally and physically. Buhari denied that the disability bill has been transmitted to him. Link

one: in October, after Buhari declined assent to the bill, NASS worked to address the concerns he raised. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Senate referred the disability bill 2018 back to the conference committee of both chambers of the National Assembly for a review. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Two: the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) who have been following this issue closely said the Disability bill was transmitted to President Buhari, on Tuesday, December 18, â&#x20AC;?18, by the Clerk of the National Assembly.â&#x20AC;?

Iconic Saxophonist, Saxtee Set for US Musical Tour

Vanessa Obioha Falz

service was not about me.

I felt that everybody was there to worship God, yet they were putting undue pressure on me. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The pastor gave me the microphone to address the congregation and I was puzzled; what did he expect me to say to the congregation?

These are some of the issues.

US-based music promotion company, Sammek Entertainment has announced that one of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foremost instrumentalists and saxophonist Tunde Balogun, popularly known as Saxtee, will storm the United States of America on an extensive musical tour. In a statement the musicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s company owner Samuel Ekundayo described Saxtee as a vibrant and versatile cultural musician-cum-ambassador who quite easily fits into the

aims and objectives of all of the events he will perform at, which are to promote the values and morals of the various Nigerian cultures and re-invent the thinking of the entire world about the intrinsic potential inherent in Nigerian showbiz and entertainment practitioners.

Ondo State-born Saxtee has been on the music scene for close to 25 years now, and he has taken his cultural musical prowess and group to different countries of the world. including the USA, alongside veteran Nigerian

musicians such as Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Sir Shina Peters, King Wasiu Ayinde, Queen Ayo Balogun and Adewale Ayuba, just to mention a few.

The first leg of the musical tour will see him and his band performing at the following events and carnivals: Alujo Nite at Atlanta Event Centre Opera; Annual AHBCA Award at Expo Event Centre, Houston, Texas; Ijoko Agaba Nite at Kings Banquet Hall, Milwaukee; Ankara Nite in Texas; Annual Yoruba Cultural Festival in Miami.

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NEWS

PR Expert Canvasses Recognition for Africans Propagating the Continent Stories by Mary Nnah PR Expert and co-founder of RED, Mr. Adebola Williams, has urged the international community to support the aspirations of young Africans changing the negative narratives about the continent.

He said this at the inaugural edition of the European Conservatives and Reformists African Summit which took place in Brussels, Belgium on Wednesday, 9 January, 2019.

According to a press release made available to THISDAY, the conference, witnessed by policy makers and thought leaders from across the world, was aimed at examining and strengthening opportunities for collaborative partnership between the European Union and Africa on democracy, security, economy, health related issues, emergent technologies, the use of development aid, developing a future relationship on trade cooperation, among other key areas.

Williams, during the conference, presented a paper to highlight the impact of youth culture on socio-economic development and the work of Statecraft Inc., the nation-building company

Williams speaking at the event

under RED, in advocating for democracy and good governance in Africa.

Speaking at the event, the media entrepreneur and youth advocate called on Europe to

discontinue its top-down foreign policy approach towards Africa while emphasising the need for a culture and citizen-driven engagement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Africa needs a citizen-driven,

culture-based approach to governance, and not the top-bottom, imported one that has been propagated for years without desired results. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With this understanding

Lagos-based Entrepreneur Donates Promotional Materials to Amadu Attai

Amadu (right) receiving a sample of the promotional items from the donor, Nnah

A Lagos-based serial entrepreneur and indigene of Ikot Otok in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Monday Akpan Nnah, recently donated a huge number promotional materials to Dr Amadu Attai, running mate to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom, Obong Nsima Ekere.

The entrepreneurâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;cum politician and philanthropist who stormed Akwa Ibom State to carry out some charitable exercises, which was aimed at celebrating the New Year with his people in Akwa Ibom State, made a surprise stop over at Attaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shelter Afrique residence during which he made the donation

of the items meant to support the APC campaign for the forthcoming elections scheduled for February 2019.

Items donated included T-shirts, hand fans, posters and various other promotional items bearing respective photograph of major APC candidates in the state, especially those representing the Oruk Anam constituency at various levels.

These included the candidates for governorship, Obong Nsima Ekere, Senator representing Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Godswill Akpabio; Rt. Hon, Emmanuel Ukoette, representing Ukanafun/ Oruk Anam in the Federal Constituency; Hon. Noah

Frank Noah for Oruk Anam State constituency in the State House of Assembly, among others.

Nnah who was accompanied by his friend and business partner, Mr. Jarret Ekehson, explained the motive behind his generous gesture. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m here to present these campaign materials in solidary to your candidacy in retrospect to the recognition done on us

by Obong Ekere.â&#x20AC;?

He explained further that that on receiving the information that Nsima Ekere had nominated an Oruk Anam son with proven integrity as a running mate, he decided to come all the way from Lagos to affirm his full support for the duo as well as identify with the progress that is

about to manifest in the state in the next couple of months.

Attai, an indigene of Oruk Anam, was overwhelmed by Mr. Nnahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gesture. While commending Nnah for his support and believe in Obong Nsima Ekereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision, he promised that every Akwa Ibomite irrespective of where they were residing will be carried along by Obong Nsima Ekere when he assumed office in May 2019.

Speaking further, the immediate past State Chairman of APC in Akwa Ibom assured Akaw Ibom people that God will use him along with his principal, Ekere, to develop communities that have been neglected and left untouched in the past 20 years by the precious governments.

and using media as a tool, StateCraft Inc. has captured the imagination of young people and governments across Africa and beyond by mobilising young

people to vote for credible candidates, designing effective policies, driving qualitative governance, and promoting citizen action and engagement,â&#x20AC;?

Williams said.

He also highlighted the corruption allegations surrounding millions of Euros in aids finance from donors to support African countries, explaining that such monies are re-routed to safe havens and personal accounts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the EU really wants to help Africa, it must assist those with their feet on the ground to make change. If the EU cannot achieve this, the youth of Africa will, because our passion is bigger than our problemâ&#x20AC;?, William noted.

Speaking further he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The European Union, more than ever in its history, needs to collaborate actively with these foot soldiers of democratic growth in Africa to promote good governance and demographic dividend. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It must focus on developing a new crop of young, talented Africans with the wherewithal to create value and change the fortunes of the continent. There is a willing, already active community of doers whose track records guarantee a return on such investments.â&#x20AC;?

Quicklaw Takes Legal Support Service to Next Level Navigating the Nigerian legal system can be incredibly intimidating for small business owners and individuals without the support of a lawyer; nevertheless, the importance of legal support cannot be over emphasised as it helps protect the business and individual in the long run.

With the operational cost of running a business, it is presumed that having a lawyer on retainer is an unnecessary expense and as a result, legal services are only patronised when serious legal problems arise. Taking into consideration the current wave of technological innovation across various industries of the Nigerian business climate, it is no surprise that the legal industry also acknowledges the effectiveness of technology in improving delivery of services.

It is on this note that an online legal support company, Quicklaw Limited has decided to simplify legal processes by leveraging technology to advance the Nigerian legal industry. Championing this cause is Quicklaw.ng by Quicklaw

Limited with the goal to redefine and modernise the legal industry in Nigeria.

This online platform aims to change the perception of the Nigerian legal system with its value offering of easily accessible, fast and affordable legal services.

Through the website, Quicklaw Limited fosters a community of increasingly legal-conscious individuals.

According to the QuickLaw Limited, CEO, Sade Michael, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This platform was founded with the focus of proactively helping people secure and protect the things they value.

Now, Nigerians can easily access lawyers all over the country via a 24-hour chat line to obtain free legal advice and get answers to their queries; they will be able to manage their legal affairs much more conveniently and at affordable rates.

In summary, Quicklaw Limited provides substantial value across a wide range of legal services, from registering a business, to creating contracts, to resolving property matters and much more.â&#x20AC;?

Rotarian Donates 5,000 Books to Students Vanessa Obioha Charity is not a word Esther Olasunkanmi is new to. It was a virtue she nurtured right from an early age, thus when she was availed an opportunity to join the Rotary Club of Nigeria, she leaped on it. Known for their overwhelming generosity, Olasunkanmi found herself in familiar waters. Her recent benevolent act was to support students from poor homes who go through psychological pressures in school through the Project 5000 initiative. The project is geared at providing free exercise books to over 5,000 students in select slum areas in Lagos state. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Project 5000 was something I embarked on because I wanted

to impact lives. Two things made me what I am today, education and exposure. The combination of these develop a child. So, it was important to me to give back and that is why we are supporting 5,000 students to get back to school.â&#x20AC;?

A better percentage of the project goal was realised within a week after its conception with a total of 4,500 exercise books.

With a wealth of knowledge in administrative works in various companies like Phillips Consulting Limited (PCL), Olasunkanmi hopes to push beyond the scope of Project 5000 unto a platform where she would be able to provide life coaching to over 400 select students each year through her yet to be established Limitless Academy.

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ART WEEKEND

â&#x20AC;ŚFor pure art enthusiasts

Afrocentric Music Hits Bogobiri Rooftop The spirit of Fela and nightlife will be revived in Lagos this weekend as Felaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former pianist, Duro Ikujenyo and other legends headline this inaugural all-night rooftop show at Bogobiri House, Ikoyi this weekend, say Yinka Olatunbosun

T

This year â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music package is loaded. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the inaugural performance to usher in the Afro Spot Music Nite Club on the Roof Top at the Bogobiri House, Falomo, Ikoyi Lagos.

This show will take place every Friday and Saturday commencing from January 25.

The Afro Spot tradition was pioneered by a popular highlife night club, Kakadu at Alagomeji, Yaba with Fela Anikulapo Kuti as one of the prominent headliners of the periodthe early 70s.

The likes of Sir Victor Uwaifo, Peter King and E.C. Arinze defined the cultural landscape of the period. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This venue lost it vibrancy as a highlife centre during the Nigerian civil war between 1967 and 1969,â&#x20AC;?

Duro Ikujenyo began as he travelled down memory lane to paint the mental picture of the nightlife in Lagos. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fela came back from his nine months performance tour in the United States of America when he discovered himself and became an emancipated pan African with messages of Black Power and the influence of Black conscious leaders like Marcus Garvey, Kwame Nkurumah, and the Black Panther movement in the United States of America, where he met Sandra Izsadore, Female Afro American Black power activist,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he recalled.

Fast-forward to present day, the harsh economic terrain in Nigeria has taken its toll on nightlife. There are very few known places where rich African music is performed live in Lagos.

Chike Nwagbogu, the curator

Duro Ikujenyo in performance

and the artist manager at Bogobiri thought of night performance at the Bogobiri and invited the highlife and jazz masters like Jimi Solanke, Prince Eji Oyewole, Duro lkujenyo and Femi Aribisala of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drop the Mic music crewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; to launch the Afro spot at Bogobiri towards promoting African music. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This new hub intends to create an awareness of Nigerian, African and world music entertainment. It is relaxational, cutting across music genres be it Afrobeat, Highlife, Jazz, Rap, Hip-hop,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ikujenyo said.

Jimi Solanke, the master storyteller and performer

The helmsman at New Age Production had been on hiatus earlier last year but insisted that he had not completely abandoned nightlife in Bogobiri, having been a consistent headliner for 16 years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;l didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stay off performance in Bogobiri completely. Being a venue that I like and have been for 16years, that was where I also developed my music and released four albums. There is no retirement for me as the younger generation get inspiration from my experience and are working with me as horn players.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;l will continue to play music until l canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play anymore. l only had to rest from an accident l had in February last year. l performed twice at Freedom Park in 2018 and Felabration 2018 at the New African Shrine in Ikeja,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he said.

Ikujenyo, who is famed for piano accompaniment in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Felaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Water No Get Enemyâ&#x20AC;? amongst other hits, is working on his next album titled, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Made in Africaâ&#x20AC;?.

For a city that hardly sleeps, Lagos deserves more afro-centric shows like this against all the economic odds.

Healing Power of Arts Yinka Olatunbosun The words of Pablo Picasso that were inscribed on the T-shirts sported by many in the hall read: â&#x20AC;&#x153; Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.â&#x20AC;?

It was the opening ceremony for the Arts in Medicine Fellowship in Lagos last weekend, kicked off at the Sickle Cell Foundation wing of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba as artists and medical practitioners found a common ground in the power of arts to heal patients.

From cancer to accidentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; victims, the sterilised smell of hospitals is all too familiar.

For those who have to live with terminal illness or incurable conditions, their humanity is under threat every day with the fear of the cold hands of death.

Thus, the Art in Medicine project is meant to bring some humanity where mere clinical proficiency had failed to heal.

The Founder and Executive Director of Arts in Medicine Fellowship, Kunle Adewale has been committed to this project since February 2018 as a multidisciplinary field to transform the healthcare experience through the arts.

The project integrates various art forms such as: storytelling, creative writing, music, dance and visual arts, into hospitals and healthcare communities in Nigeria, for therapeutic and educational purposes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Arts in Medicine is not a new phenomenon,â&#x20AC;? said Adewale

A view of participants at the Arts in Medicine Fellowship in Lagos

while addressing the audience. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The relationship between the arts and medicine dates back to the ancient Greeks, who believe that doctors and artists can both be healers and restorers of beauty and harmony of health.

The Greeks believe that healing potential is enhanced when doctors and artists share a common goal that is focused on nourishing the body and the spirit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today, arts in medicine is recognised globally as a discipline. In the UK, the term arts in health is commonly used in healthcare communities, where the use of art and creativity is encouraged. Universities also explore medical humanities in various medical schoolsâ&#x20AC;?, he said.

Arts in Medicine becomes such a successful intervention because of the positive feedback

from caregivers. During a Skype video call from the UK-based Arts in Health practitioner and Director, Arts in Medicine Fellowship 2019 Cohort, Mrs. Gbemi Abimbola Alao, a clearer perspective of this collaborative project was sought.

She revealed that creative writing and storytelling are useful non-pharmacological intervention in medicine.

Citing music and percussion as her tested tools of social engagement, she encouraged the young fellows to explore the workshop in developing requisite skills that have positive impact. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My intervention was an accident but it has taken over my life. This programme is like a dream come true. Allow your creative juices to flow as you engage with your tutors,â&#x20AC;? she declared.

A panelistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s session that followed was moderated by the poet and dental surgeon, Dr.

Dami Ajayi and it featured the studio artist, Dr. Dotun Popoola; the Founder, Video Art Network (VAN), Mrs Oyindamola Fakeye, Dr. Masudat Mojeed-Bello, Mrs. Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro who spoke on the theme, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Future of Healthcare Through the Lens of Arts.â&#x20AC;?

The maiden edition of Arts in Medicine Fellowship was witnessed by no fewer than 100 participants. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are glad to welcome another set of 2019 cohort which comprises doctors, nurses, dentists, occupational therapists, clinical psychologists, dancers, musicians, story tellers, writers, poets and painters and other clinicians. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is our pleasure to host another 100 students and professionals in arts and healthcare from Lagos, Abeokuta and Ibadan in Nigeria,â&#x20AC;? declared Adewale.

Meanwhile, the 13-week

Arts in Medicine Fellowship for 2019 focuses on arts on prescriptions, clinicians in arts, drawing, painting, movement, music, mindfulness, new media, mental health, hospital beautifications, bed-side arts, bed-side music, creative writing, grant writing, story-telling, visits to nature, art galleries, art studios, Professionalism and Ethics of Arts in medicine, Hospital tour and installations, leadership, Mentoring and Management of Arts in Medicine Programs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are honoured to have directors and lecturers, Center for Arts in Medicine, University of Florida as faculty members as well as crop of Professionals in mental health, performing arts, and visual arts from Nigeria and UK in this program and they will be engaging our fellows in 13 weeks.â&#x20AC;?

Arts in Medicine Fellows are expected to showcase their collaborative projects alongside

other art works produced by patients, clinicians and artists in various hospitals and healthcare centres.

Six of the Arts in Medicine Fellows have been shortlisted to participate in the annual Arts in Medicine Summer Intensive Program in University of Florida to learn the best practices of and professionalism in Arts in Health.

Arts in Medicine Fellowship is bridging the gap between the healthcare community and art industry in Nigeria thereby creating opportunities for research, education and best practices locally and internationally.

2019 Arts in Medicine Fellowship is supported by Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, Nigerian Healthwatch, Epic Africa, Federal-Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Association of Resident Doctors LUTH, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Sound Mind Africa, Video Art Network Lagos, Arts Health Early Career Research Network UK, Center for Arts in Medicine University of Florida, USA. It is endorsed

by Nigerian Medical Association and Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture.

Speaking on the varied illnesses that Art in Medicine had been recommended for, the Director and Head of Clinical Services at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. O.A. Owoeye said that both patients on admission and out-patients have benefited immensely from the project.

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FERTILITY

W

with DR. KEMI AILOJE Info@lifelinkfertility.com; Ă?Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ë? lifelinkfertility.com 08033083580

MENSTRUAL DISORDERS (Part 3)

e have been addressing the topic menstrual disorders in the past two weeks.

Today we will be discussing Disorders of

Ovulation.

Ovulation is a part of the menstrual cycle, which occurs when a matured follicle (fluid filled sac in the ovary containing the eggs) rupture and releases eggs. This process makes eggs available to be able to meet with sperm for fertilization to occur.

Understanding how and when ovulation takes place can help you achieve or prevent pregnancy as desired.

Disorders of ovulations can be classified as Oligoovulation and Anovulation Oligoovulation: Most normal periods, have an average cycle length of between 28 and 32 days. Anything shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days is considered to be irregular. Oligoovulation is when ovulation occurs infrequently or irregularly, and usually, is classified as having total 8 or fewer periods in a year. Normally, a woman ovulates or releases a mature egg once a month, about halfway through her cycle.

However because of hormone imbalance in some women, eggs donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mature or get released like they should be and can cause infertility. Oligoovulation is seen commonly in women with irregular cycles, or very long cycles (more than 50 days). This may make it difficult to track your fertile days if you are trying to conceive.

Anovulation: It is the absence of ovulation when it would be normally expected.

Anovulation usually manifests itself as irregularity of menstrual periods, that is, unpredictable variability of intervals, duration, or bleeding. Anovulation can also cause cessation of periods (secondary amenorrhea) or excessive bleeding (dysfunctional uterine bleeding). Abnormal uterine bleeding is a general category that includes any bleeding from menstrual or non-menstrual causes. Bleeding is usually heavy and occursat irregular times, especially outside the expected intervals of the menstrual cycle. If there is excessive menstrual and uterine bleeding other than that caused by menstruation other causes may be due to abnormal blood clotting, disruption of normal hormonal regulation of periods or disorders of the endometrial lining of the uterus(womb). Depending upon the cause, it may be associated with abnormally painful periods. All this will interfere with the process of ovulation and make trying to conceive very difficult.

Anovulatory cycle occurs when normal menstrual flow is without ovulation preceding it. In some cycles, follicular development may start but not be completed; nevertheless, estrogens will be formed and stimulate the uterine lining. Anovulatory menstrual flow resulting from a very thick endometrium caused by prolonged, continued high estrogen levels is called estrogen breakthrough bleeding. Anovulatory bleeding triggered by a sudden drop in estrogen levels is called withdrawal bleeding.Anovulatory cycles commonly occur before menopause(perimenopause) and in women with polycystic ovary syndrome Most women will experience anovulatory cycles during their reproductive lives- this is typically caused by a change in hormones as they approach menopause. About 12% of younger women may also experience occasional anovulatory cycles which are preceded and followed by normal cycles and therefore are unlikely to affect fertility.

However some women often suffer from chronic anovulation and this may generally be due to a condition called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Up to 90% of cases of anovulation are caused by PCOS and this syndrome is usually hereditary.

Causes of Ovulation Disorders r )PSNPOBM PS $IFNJDBM *NCBMBODF 5IJT is the most common cause of anovulation and is thought to account for about 70% of all cases. About half the women with hormonal imbalances do not produce enough follicles to ensure the development

of an ovule, possibly due to poor hormonal secretions from the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus. The pituitary gland controls most other hormonal glands in the human body. Therefore, any malfunctioning will certainly affect other glands under its influence, including the ovaries. This occurs in around 10% of cases. The mammary (milk producing) glands are also controlled by the pituitary gland, so lactation(breastfeeding) can also be affected. The pituitary gland is controlled by the hypothalamus. In 10% of cases, alterations in the chemical signals from the hypothalamus can easily seriously affect the ovaries. r 8FJHIU MPTT PS BOPSFYJB DBO BMTP DBVTF hormonal imbalance, leading to irregular ovulation (dysovulation). It is possible that this mechanism evolved to protect the motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health. A pregnancy where

the mother is weak could pose a risk to the babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health. On the other hand, excess weight can also create ovarian dysfunctions. Studies have shown that anovulatory cycles are quite frequent in women with a BMI (body mass index) over 27 kg/m2 Unfortunately, not only does excess weight have a negative impact on ovulation itself,but also on treatment efficacy and outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Technique and Assisted Conception Abnormal Ovarian Functioning: 10-15% of all cases of anovulation are due to abnormal ovarian functioning. The ovaries can stop working in some cases. This may be because the ovaries do not contain eggs.

However, a complete blockage of the ovaries is rarely a cause of infertility. Blocked ovaries can start functioning again without any medical intervention. In some cases, the

egg may have matured properly, but the follicle may have failed to burst or the follicle may have burst without releasing the egg. This is called Luteinized Unruptured Follicle Syndrome (LUFS). Physical damage to the ovaries, or ovaries with multiple cysts, may affect their ability to function.

This is called ovarian dystrophy There are other hormonal anomalies with no direct link to the ones mentioned above that can affect ovulation. For instance, women with hyper or hypo-thyroidism sometimes have ovulation problems. Thyroid dysfunction can halt ovulation by upsetting the balance of the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural reproductive hormones. Women with polycystic Ovary and hyperprolactinaemia may often experience anovulation due to hormonal imbalance.

t5P CF DPOUJOVFE OFYU XFFL

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COLLAGE EVENTS

FIABCIâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Nigeria Holds Annual New Year Dinner/ Awards

1) L-R: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Audu Ogbeh; Best Performing Farmer 2018 Farming Season, Yoila Hanabi; MD/CEO Guinness Nigeria, Baker Magunda; and Corporate Relations Director Guinness Nigeria, Viola Graham-Douglas, at the launch of Guinness Nigeria Agriculture Scheme themed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grow With Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;? in Abuja...recently

The International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI), the most prestigious real estate organisation in the world, through its Nigerian Chapter, will on Friday, January 25, hold its Business Forum and Annual New Year Dinner & Awards scheduled to hold at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The forum which has the topic, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ease of Doing Real Estate Business â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Nigerian Experienceâ&#x20AC;?, will have its business forum held by 10 am, while dinner will take place by 6pm same day.

FIABCI is the French acronym for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Federation Internationale des Administrateurs de Bien-ConselisImmobiliersâ&#x20AC;? which means â&#x20AC;&#x153;The International Real Estate Federationâ&#x20AC;?.

Membership cuts across all sectors of the Real Estate IndustryCommercial, Residential, Luxury, Retail, Industrial etc. With members in 65 countries including 100 Professional Associations, 65 Academic Institutions, and 3000 Individual members, FIABCI holds special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.

This Property Awards and Dinner, organisers say is an affirmation of FIABCIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s idea of providing our society with optimal solutions to its property needs and helping make their world a better place to live, work and enjoy.

This, we do, by converging major players in the real estate sector to discuss topical issues affecting the industry in a relaxed environment. We go a step further by showcasing and honouring real estate projects that embody excellence in all discipline involved in their creation such as Architecture and design, Development and Construction, Community benefits, Environmental impact, Financial and Marketing success.

Also, a Property Scorecard which will be used as a Model for Assessing Real Estate Transactions in Nigeria will be unveiled at this event.

Flavour,TISFoundationPartnertoDefendIDPsinAfrica

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), with Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (right) and his wife, Dr. Zainab (left) during the APC Presidential Campaign in Kebbi State, recently

Afro highlife star, Flavour (Chinedu Okolie) is switching on the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;charityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; part of his life as he has volunteered to work with TIS Foundation, to draw attention to the plight of displaced children in Africa. This came to the fore during a signing session that took place at Amber Suites, Eko Hotel, Lagos, recently.

To this end, series of activities will culminate in a grand concert, featuring Flavour slated on June 6, 2019 at Marriott Marquis in Washington as part of TIS Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 25th anniversary.

An enthusiastic Flavour said he got involved in the project out of his passion for uplifting the less-privileged in the society and vowed never to relent in his efforts towards this goal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone who knows me knows how passionate I am about giving and being involved in charity. Anywhere I go for tours, I make it a point of duty to visit such places with my team. I have this urge to put smiles on the faces of these people, because this brings a lot of hope to them. So Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m pretty excited to be part of thisâ&#x20AC;?.

With this partnership, Flavour will work with the TIS Foundation team on a series of projects to draw attention to the plight of displaced children around the continent of Africa.

Explaining, the President of TIS Foundation, Ogay Irono, said TIS Foundation is doing remarkably well in spite of the challenge of funding. â&#x20AC;&#x153;TIS Foundation, which stands for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;To Inspire Strong Families and Communitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, is a non-profit organisation that has helped train and nurture young people in the U.S. and Africa.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;TIS has trained at least 12,000 Nigerians in 24 years. In Nigeria (Africa) we have the African Community Bridge Foundation (ACBF) as the implementing arm of TIS. We have been working in DRC, Rwanda and Ghana. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We recently trained a good many of the IDPs, empowering 50 of them with capital to start up their businesses. Also we have food centres that feed over 3,000 people in the country.â&#x20AC;?

L-R: Groomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents, Pastor Johnson and Pastor (Mrs) Kehinde Odejayi; couple, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Odejayi; First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Olufunso Amosun; brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents, Mrs. Olubimpe A. Odubela and her husband, John Odubela SAN, during the wedding of Michael and Ibukunoluwa in Lagos ...recently

L-R: Regional Manager, Lagos, Globacom, Mr. Victor Kalu; winner in the ongoing GLOIN60SECONDS online talent hunt by the telecom operator, Adeuti Samuel Oluwatope and Gloworld shop Manager, Ikorodu, Mr. Adebayo Owosanya at the prize presentation to the winner in Lagos...recently

Flavour

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POTPOURRI

Accolades as Charkin Wins NIMASA Award Back to Back For the second year running, Charkin Offshore Training and Safety Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State has won the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) recognition award.

The centre owned by amiable maritime educationist and safety expert, Sir Charles Wami won in the maritime education and training institute of the year 2018 category.

It is on record that the company won the same award in the maiden edition of the programme in 2017.

The award was conferred on Charkin Offshore Training and Safety Centre at the just concluded NIMASA corporate dinner and merit awards which took place at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Chaired by the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retired) and attended by the representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and the Director-General of NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside among other dignitaries.

The award was presented to Wami by His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife to the delight of eminent personalities and stakeholders in the maritime industry who graced the occasion.

Since he received the award accolades and encomiums

Ayodeji Ake

Chairman/Chief Executive OďŹ&#x192;cer, Charkin OďŹ&#x20AC;shore Training and Safety Centre, Port Harcourt, Sir Charles Wami (right), being presented the award by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at the event

have continued to pour in for Wami and the centre that has trained hundreds of persons in various aspects of the maritime industry as well as oil and gas.

It is on record that Wami is also the promoter of Charkin Maritime Academy (CMA), Port Harcourt which has the first ever land ship in the country, MV Rivers Pride formally unveiled on February 9, 2017 by Governor Nyesom Wike. CMA presides itself as an indigenous and privately-owned maritime training institution.

Wami pointed out that the academy needs the encouragement of all stakeholders to continue to provide maritime education and training of international repute. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The school has a trend of

rendering and improving on high quality training to guarantee competence in a conducive and friendly environment. It is a one-stop-shop for marine, oil and gas trainingâ&#x20AC;?, he said.

The land ship comprises full mission navigational bridge simulator; ECDIS Simulation Room; GMDSS (Navigation) Simulation Room which conforms to the 2010 Manila Amendments by the global maritime watchdog, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO); and the basic dynamic positioning class.

Other components of the land ship are advance dynamic positioning and examination class; nautical institute examination room; and the drilling system crane simulator.

The school has the approval of local and international regulatory agencies across the globe. These include NIMASA, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), OPITO, United Kingdom, and the International Well Control Forum (IWCF), United Kingdom. Others are the Nautical Institute (NI), Oil and Gas Training Association of Nigeria (OGTAN), International Association of Safety and Survival Training (IASST), United Kingdom, and the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigerian (PETAN).

Besides the fact that it is a member of British Safety Council among others, it is also affiliated to the Regional Maritime University, Accra, Ghana.

Ashoka West Africa Gets Lagos OďŹ&#x192;ce Yinka Olatunbosun A global community of social entrepreneurs, Ashoka has opened its office in Lagos covering the entire West Africa network. This was necessary in creating a physical presence for the multi-disciplinary community of professionals who are solving problems using systematic solutions.

The choice of selecting Nigeria for the location of the office arises from the fact that Nigeria has the largest number of indigenous entrepreneurs in Africa.

The areas covered by Ashoka fellows include technology, innovation, breast cancer awareness, agricultural development, arts and culture, human rights activism amongst others.

Of the 3400 global fellows drawn from over 90 countries, 90 are from Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ashoka is physically present in 88 countries,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the Director, Venture and Fellowship, Ashoka Africa, Josephine Nzerem said.

Nzerem was elected as Ashoka Fellow in 2002 for her innovative work in the protection of women from disinheritance and other socio-economic abuses. In 2011, she became the Regional Director of Anglophone West Africa.

Her work involved inspiring various communities in Anglophone West Africa to take initiative in solving problems.

As the director, she is leading Ashoka Africa venture and fellowship team from curating to convening towards maintaining high standard of excellence, innovation and commitment.

One of the fellows, Debo Onafowora spoke extensively on his intervention in

CAC Approves Name for Edubox International Foundation The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has approved the name for non-governmental organisation called Edubox International Foundation.

Founder of the foundation, Tosin Sanusi said the aim of the NGO is to help position Nigerian students and youths to become relevant to the country and the entire world by supporting their academics and empowering them with the requisite skills needed for national growth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope the NGO will ensure students further their education without financial constraints and also serve as a centre for skills acquisition for youth,â&#x20AC;? Sanusi said.

Sanusi further noted that the foundation would provide a platform of sponsorship for destitute students who are intelligent and canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford education.

According to him, the proposed trustees for the foundation shall be Mr. Kelvin David; Mr. Sanusi Tosin Moses; Igwe Hephzibah Adaeze; Nwaigwe

Marilyn Chinwe; Joshua Christian Amuzie and Mr. Hassan Ahmed Adekunle.

Meanwhile, the CAC said technology has played a pivotal role in streamlining the inter agency partnerships between them and other government agencies.

The Acting Registrar-General of the commission, Azuka Azinge, told stakeholders in Abuja at the Technology As A Catalyst: Ease of Doing Business 2018 Conference.

Azuka Azinge, Acting Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), extol the benefits of using technology in running the commission.

According to her, technology has made it possible for applicants to do their company registration online without coming to CAC office. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Technology has made it possible for the commission to run 24 hours registration, which they were not doing before and online payment is now available at the commission because of technology. Technology has changed the face of how we do business now,â&#x20AC;? Azinge noted.

WIMBIZ Lauds Women Vying for Political Offices Mary Nnah Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) has commended the efforts of women vying for elective offices in the forthcoming elections, noting the increase in the number of women in the race for the office of president in the forthcoming elections is encouraging.

A statement by the management of WIMBIZ stated, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We salute all women who have offered themselves to serve across all tiers of governance to date. We congratulate them for having the courage to step out to ensure better representation for women in the decision making circles of our nation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We specially commend the courage of Angela Johnson, Presidential candidate for Alliance for United Nigeria (AUN); Eunice Atuejide, Presidential candidate National Interest Party (NIP); Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, Presidential candidate of Mass Action Joint alliance (MAJA); and Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Presidential candidate of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) amongst others.â&#x20AC;? WIMBIZ also salutes the efforts of all the past female presidential candidates like Dr. Sarah Jibril and Prof Remi Sonaiya, who were the forerunners to challenge the status quo and demonstrate that women can run for the highest office in the land. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These women have taken a

step we urge many women to follow as statistics show that women are largely underrepresented in the Nigerian political landscapeâ&#x20AC;?, it stated further.

WIMBIZ, through its committee on Women in Politics (WIMPOL), observed that in 2015, out of the 109 seats available in the Senate, only eight seats were won by women. In 2017 out of 108 seats, only seven seats were occupied by female Senators (6.5 per cent).

This poor level of representation is no better in the House of Representatives, where in 2015, out of 360 representatives, only 5.3 per cent, just 19, are women. In 2017 the figure rose marginally to 20 (5.6 per cent of available seats).

The numbers are equally very low across all other tiers of government. It is a proven fact that in countries like Rwanda and Norway where there is a significant proportion of women in government, development is fast-tracked.

Our clarion call is specifically to get more women involved in the electoral process. Eligible women must go out and vote for candidates of their choice, and not just be bystanders in the process of democracy and nation building.

WIMBIZ is, therefore, calling on all eligible female contestants and voters in Nigeria to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Run, Vote and Get Involved, adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;we must shun excuses and play our part in ensuring Nigeria moves ahead in 2019, and beyondâ&#x20AC;?.

Accelerate TV Premieres New Cooking Show Today Director, Venture and Fellowship, Ashoka Josephine-Nzerem

agricultural development by introducing farmers to soilless farming. Asides farmers, he had reached many youths with this new technique which makes farming more attractive to the younger generation.

He observed that soilless farming is created in tackling the problem of soil degradation and grazing.

Another fellow who is prominent for her effort at creating awareness and sup-

port for victims of vitiligo is Ogo Maduewesi.

Through her organisation, Vitiligo Support and Awareness Foundation (VITSAF), she has been on the mission to create awareness and support for persons living with vitiligo.

Technovation programme in Nigeria is Martha Omoekpen Aladeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contribution to problem solving ideas. The idea is to train young girls

on how to use the power of technology to solve a problem.

For instance, to report sexual assault, some apps have been developed for survivors to report and seek for justice. For young girls who may be interested in fashion, the technovation program has proved to be helpful.

In her remarks, Nzerem explained the void that Ashoka has filled in the spectrum of social entrepreneurship.

Each episode will see Bada engaging the celebrities in curating sumptuous recipes Access Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Accelerate off the menu as well as TV, will be premiering its whipping up delectable gists. new cooking show, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Off the Since inception in 2014, Menuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; today. The show will Accelerate TV has stayed be hosted by celebrity chef steadfast in using its platform Soliat Bada and will feature to provide opportunities music artistes like Omawumi, for budding talents whose Lynxx, Spesh, Seyi Shay, Boj, aspirations are in the fashion, and Ill Rhymz who will be music and entertainment displaying their culinary culture of Nigeria/Africa, both skills on the show. on the continent and beyond.

Vanessa Obioha

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F R I DAY Ëž Í°ÍłË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

ENTREPRENEUR

SamsonAlamu:ThrivingDespiteRepeatedSetbacks Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ě&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x203A; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁË&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă? Ă&#x;Ă&#x161;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁ Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x153;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;ĂŁË&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ë&#x203A; Ayodeji Ake ĂĄĂ&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;W

e gave up a couple of time but it was apparent that whatever business I embark on, the challenges in our country are the same, so, why not just weather the storm of the trade you know and have a passion for and develop a motivation and roadmap to succeed. The major bail out and sustenance for us was our two local partners that extended generous credit facility to us. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These helped us to stabilise and pay off some of our external debts that the banks were not willing to shoulder. We also had to restructure reducing our overhead, and as painful as it was reducing staff that we had given specialist skills and letting go completely those that offered ussupport services, hence, concentrating on our core business. We also had to take control of our running cost, if it is not important, it is not doneâ&#x20AC;? those were the measures put in place

by Chairman of Casbel Ltd, a one-stop shop for electrical engineering, Samson Alamu.

He however, didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t start his entrepreneurship journey until after 20 years of intellectual delivery and contributions to some companies, where he also gathered experience of innovation and management skills. His education qualifications of Bachelor of Science in Elect Elect and Masters of Business Administration (MBA), in Marketing, spoke for him, combining his marketing experience and electrical studies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I attended Baptist High School Jos; University of Lagos, BSc Elect Elect and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, MBA, marketing. I had worked at various times with Nigeria Associated Best Foods, Jos and two global companies; Cutler Hammer Nigeria Ltd and Schneider Electric Nigeria Ltd. These afforded me the opportunities of several training programmes and short courses in sales and Engineering. And also giving me broad ideas of establishing Casbelâ&#x20AC;? he said.

Challenges Reminiscing on the rough journey to limelight and pin-pointing what could have been the set back he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t call us successful but glad to still having a company to run. As with most businesses in our environment, the major challenges are similar- to have the right caliber of staff especially for specialist skills; energy or power to run the business, which has serious impact on our running cost; government unfavorable changing policies and the exchange rate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The value of our capital and assets have been badly affected. Today, we can hardly do one third of what we used to do several years ago with the same resources.

The ups for us have been the number of people that have passed through us, that we have trained and some lofty projects we are proud to be part of in the building, industry, power, oil and gas sectors, most importantly, staying afloat.â&#x20AC;?

Entrepreneurial Tips Speaking on various ways an entrepreneur can manoeuvre challenges, Alamu highlighted quality of staff, identifying the good ones with potentials, ready to learn, and train energy; power, identify and adopting the cheapest way to power business capital; funding, identifying and developing partnership; policies, the need for pressure groups to point government in the right direction to protect local investors like enforcing local content and also have a second look at the various taxes thrown at the investor, counterfeit and copy; and products, considering the standard organisation should be reenergised to perform above their call of duty.

Success Story Today, Casbel Ltd remains a success story as a giant in alternative power, renewable energy, consultancy and maybe other options outside the power sector. It has become a one-stop shop for Electrical

Alamu

engineering services covering panel manufacturing, servicing, maintenance, installation up to 33kV systems, commissioning and procurement with particular focus on Electrical distribution, Industrial controls and automation.

As with most businesses in our environment, the major challenges are similar- to have the right caliber of staff especially for specialist skills; energy or power to run the business, which has serious impact on our running cost; government unfavorable changing policies and the exchange rate

Empowerment As a way of giving back to the society, Casbel Ltd focuses on education, empowering the youths and grooming them of being self employed, most especially the power sector, where the company specialises.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the major challenges facing us as a nation is education. We are very passionate about education. Hence, we are involved at various levels of participating and educating as many people as our resources can accommodate as follows: provision of facilitators targeting unemployed youths to become self employed particularly in power sector, any related power program for which we have skilled personnel and support on others outside power verifiable and having a business plan to work with. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Provision of funding for identified few in primary and secondary schools that canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford the small stipend paid in these schools, sponsorship, provision of components and design tools for final year student in Electrical engineering particularly power bias projects. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sponsorship of post graduate student in business and theology, provide space for at least five students on Industrial training with a stipend attached. In our community of residence, we are always available to solely or co, sponsor any particular need- be it provision of equipment or components necessary for continuous power availability,

etc, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We make available Engineering books, power engineering design tools, testing equipment and our work shop for students or school interested in experiments or further practical knowledge. We are always interested in partnership for as long as it is targeted towards youth education and development.â&#x20AC;?

Appeal to Government Urging the government to swing into swift action of intervention, Alamu said the government has a lot to offer in terms policies development and implementation to make the environment market friendly.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, government intervention is urgently needed. The government is the single largest spender and the power resides with it to form, implement and control policies that affect all of us, private and government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You will agree that if the government drops the ball, we are all in trouble. Government should urgently wake up to its responsibilities in all sectors of the economy and infrastructural development.â&#x20AC;?

Charge to Budding Entrepreneurs In his message to young entrepreneurs, he added that they should be passionate, develop a thick skin, lookout for a shared partnership to reduce their cost, identify and approach the right audience.

38

F R I DAY Ëž Í°ÍłË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

METRO

â&#x20AC;ŚYour city life in print

Giving Back to the Needy

Sunday Ehigiator writes on the recent move by Sigma Pensions in giving back to the needy at Hikanos Orphanage Home

S

igma Pensions is one of the leading Pension Fund Administrators (PFA) in Nigeria. For over a decade, they have been dedicated to providing exceptional value to stakeholders through the delivery of pension administrative services, and bettering the lives of the people in the community they operate. Hence, the surprised visit to Hikanos Orphanage Home, IkoroduLagos; one of the top 10 most nominated orphanage home by members of the public during a poll, as conducted by Sigma Pensions.

While addressing THISDAY during the visit, Head of Strategy, Sigma Pensions, Adaora Ude, said during the festivities; in commitment to their cooperate social responsibilities, they decided to show love to the motherless, and in doing this, threw the doors open to members of the public to nominate their preferred home to benefit from these visits.

According to Ude, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we do at Sigma pensions is to try to engage not only our customers but the general public. In giving back to the society, we figured that we should have a campaign and let the public decide on whom they wanted us to show appreciation to in the spirit of Christmas. Therefore, we ran a campaign poll during the Christmas season and surprisingly we got a lot of responses. Initially we were anticipating about 100 or 200 responses, but we got 482 nominations. And since we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do all of that, we decided just to visit at least two or three orphanages in different geo-political regions i.e. the North, the East etc. So we are going to about 10 orphanages simultaneously this year. We have other of our colleagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s across the country, going to selected orphanages, and restoring hopes to the children because they are the future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t involved in the selection processes at all, we had the general public and our customers nominate the orphanages they thought deserved some kind gestures in this Christmas season and that is all this is all about. So itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really not about the business as well, we have to show some responsibilities to our environment which we conduct businesses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although, this is our first time of visiting orphanages, but this is not the first time of we giving back to the society. We have other things we do such as visiting the prisons to show love, and hospitals. Like the last time we did this it was a visit to hospitals in the North, to donate some eye equipment to them. Also, did we visit the Nigerian prisons in Maiduguri, by showing love to some of these ex-service menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s widows; we empowered their widows in several measures so they can become independent with a livelihood and be able to provide for their children. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The essence of this is that, you need to show some responsibility to the environment where you have been doing business, because if not for them, we wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be here. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just limit out hand of love to our customers only, but other residents within the community as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Significantly, it is really not about what you give to these children at the orphanage; because, even if you give a dozen bag of rice now, it will still finish someday, hence it is about the thoughts, kind gesture and love we have come to show to them, so they realise that they are not alone, and that there are kind humans out there who would show them love come what may. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hence due to this, when they get to position of power, they go with that mindset as well, and extend hands of love to another person. If we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

R-L: Head Business Development North, Mrs. NaďŹ sah M. Buba; Relationship Manager (RM) OďŹ&#x192;cer Public Sector, Mrs. Chinyere Okezie; Team Lead Relationship Management Public Sector, Mrs. Hauwa Kudla Satumari; Strategy OďŹ&#x192;cer, Mrs. Adaobi Akonobi; RM OďŹ&#x192;cer, Evelyn Osagie and Team Lead, RM OďŹ&#x192;cer Private Sector, Mrs. Bilkisu A. Ogirima at Amawin Orphanage Home in Abuja

Head Strategy Sigma Pensions, Mrs. Adaora Ude, at Hikanos Orphanage in Lagos

R-L: Head Business Development North Mrs. NaďŹ sah M. Buba; Team Lead RM Public Sector, Mrs Hauwa Kudla Satumari; Relationship Management oďŹ&#x192;cer Public Sector, Mrs. Chinyere Okezie and Team Lead, RM OďŹ&#x192;cer Private Sector, Mrs. Bilkisu A. Ogirima at Christ Treasured Royal Orphanage Home in Abuja

Sister Rosemary Okoma welcoming the Head Business Development North, Mrs. NaďŹ sah M. Buba to Amawin Orphanage in Abuja

show them this kind of kindness, there is no way they can grow up having those kinds of mindsets of giving in future, hence this is very important.

And we are hoping to continue doing this annually, though it might come in different measure. We might in the next phase decide to show love to the retires what matters most is the kind gestures or intentions and love. Hence, we will keep doing this, though on different bases. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we would still be visiting orphanages in subsequent years, be rest assured that our target would always be the poorest of the poor orphanages and people who are managing themâ&#x20AC;?.

Speaking on the yardstick of selection, she said aside the number of people that voted in favour of the home, they were also moved by the testimonies and appeal the organisation got from the members of the public, about the home.

According to Ude, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the testimonies we heard of this home which we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t knew from Adamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s before coming here; we heard that the people managing this home are so wonderful, despite having so little and in the worst situations, they still try their best to give these children comfort, take care of the children so well and even put them all in school and some other in vocation. One of the solicitors told us that the home is in a very far area, it is in an obscure environment, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think anybody gets to them as often as they should, so they actually need our help. Hence, those comments were one of the bases of our selection of this home and all other homes 9 homes we enlisted for this visitâ&#x20AC;?.

Speaking with THISDAY, The Manager, Hikanos Orphanage Home, Afolabi Oloyede who could not curtail his excitement, expressed his joy and gratitude for their visit.

According to Oloyede, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was highly surprised by their visit, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see it coming. Although, as soon as I realised it was Sigma Pensions, I remembered seeing a post from them during the Christmas season asking people to nominate Orphanage homes they would like them to visit. And I copied the link and sent to some couple of people to help solicit for our home. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay too much attention to it anymore as Christmas passed and it seemed we werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t among the selected. But seeing them now, I am so amazed and grateful to Sigma Pensions and everybody out there who nominated us. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The home has been in existence for over five years, and we have about 16 children under our care, with 13 of them still in school, and the remaining three on vocational training. The journey has not been easy, but we bless God for his faithfulness. And we so believe that by the advent of Sigma Pensionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit today with its pedigree, I believe this is going to open doors for the home for more volunteers and well-meaning Nigerian to come to our aid, especially with the advantage of social media and the conventional media. I will like to say a very big thank you to Sigma Pensions, May God continually bless and uphold them in their daily endeavours in Jesus Nameâ&#x20AC;?. He said.

Also speaking with THISDAY, a Social Worker of the Home, Akinbode Adedayo, equally expressed her surprise, before going on to show prayers on the Pension Giant.

According to Adebayo, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a big surprise. We never knew we could win. But we are grateful to have Sigma Pensions in our home, for the gifts, and recognition. We thought we were small, and unnoticeable, and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know that so many people knew us. We are grateful to everyone that nominated us.

May God bless you all, thank you so muchâ&#x20AC;?.

39

F R I DAY Ëž Í°ÍłË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

CRIME&SECURITY

Lagos FulďŹ lls N10M Promise to Deceased LASTMA OďŹ&#x192;cerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Family

CRIME SITUATION REPORTS

SECURITY TIPS (PART 46)

..How to make complaints against the police (i)) The question is, what can you complain about?

You can make complaints for unprofessional conduct carried out by police officers. The complaints must be against a police officer in his/her official capacity or personal capacity, or against actions carried out by the Police generally.

This includes when police officers request for people to pay for bail (police bail is free in Nigeria â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or at least should be), to demanding bribes and extortion, issues of police officers being inappropriately used as debt collectors, to even more serious things like beatings, brutality and extrajudicial killing.

How to make a complaint?

Below are the steps you should follow when you want to make a complaint about the police: Step 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; This is the first and most important thing. DO NOTANTAGONISE THEM. If you are upset or unhappy do not get into an argument with them, you need to ensure that your safety is paramount.

Step 2- Be respectful, make your point, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t insult or abuse a police officer. Most police men are armed and getting into an argument with an armed individual is never a good idea.

Step 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Do not threaten them, even if you intend to make a complaint do not use it as a threat to goad them, you are doing the same thing we have just warned you against in (1) above.

Source: Lawpadi.com

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KNOW YOUR POLICE OFFICERS (PART 11) The delegation presenting the cheque to the bereaved family

The Lagos State Government has fulfilled its promise of compensating the family of late traffic officer with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adeyemo Rotimi Oke, who was murdered in a gruesome manner by a trigger happy policeman, Olukunle Olonade on December, 2018.

The incident happened at Iyana Ipaja area of the state while the deceased was performing his lawful duty of traffic management.

Presenting the N10 million naira cheque to the deceasedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family on behalf of the state government at their Ipaja residence, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Taiwo Salam paid a glowing tribute to the deceased.

According to him, the late Adeyemo was a dedicated, loyal and committed traffic

officer and servant of the state government that would not be forgotten for a very long time.

Salam said Adeyemoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death on duty was a testimony to his gallantry and commitment to restoring law and order to Lagos roads even though he paid the ultimate price in the process. While praying for the repose of his soul, the permanent secretary enjoined his family to put the deceasedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education and future on the front burner of their actions and decisions.

In his comments, the General Manager of the agency, Mr. Olawale Musa, described Adeyemo as a hero and someone that laid his life in the service of God and humanity.

Musa said the agency in appreciation of his contribution to freeing Lagos roads of lawlessness, chaos and impunity has instituted a merit award

to reward hardworking staff.

He said the award tagged â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bakare -Adeyemo Merit Awardâ&#x20AC;? was instituted two weeks ago to keep his memory and that of Late Siraj Bakare, who was also killed in similar circumstances, green in the hearts of colleagues.

He assured that these gallant officers have not died in vain as their good work will continue to be valued by the agency forever.

He enjoined the family of the deceased to take solace in his good work, while noting that he has left his footprint permanently in the sands of time.

The head of the family thanked the state government and Governor Akinwumi Ambode for living up to his word, adding that the family will not forget his swift response and huge compensation.

The new Force Public Relations OfďŹ cer (FPRO) is Assistant Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba. He took over from acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, who was redeployed to other national assignment.

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A product of the Nigeria Police Academy, Kano where he had his initial QPMJDF USBJOJOHT .CB JT B HSBEVBUF PG UIF QSFTUJHJPVT '#* /BUJPOBM "DBEFNZ 2VBOUJDP 64" )F BMTP IPMET B DFSUJĂ DBUF JO /BUJPOBM BOE *OUFSOBUJPOBM 4FDVSJUZ GSPN UIF )BSWBSE 6OJWFSTJUZ 64" " GPSNFS QPMJDF TQPLFTNBO CPUI BU UIF OBUJPOBM BOE UIF -BHPT 4UBUF $PNmand levels, Mba is an experienced communicator and image maker. A passionate and versatile police officer who has worked in multiple police units and departments across the country, Mba has attended some of the finest Law Enforcement trainings, both within and outside Nigeria.

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*CBEBO ;POBM 0GGJDF PO +BOVBSZ BSSBJHOFE POF "GPMBCJ 3JEXBO CFGPSF +VTUJDF 1 * "KPLV PG UIF 'FEFSBM )JHI $PVSU TJUting in Ibadan, Oyo State on a six-count charge bordering on money laundering and possession of documents containing false pretence.

One of the counts reads: â&#x20AC;&#x153;That ZPV "GPMBCJ 3JEXBO +PTFQI Ahmedu and others at large) in 2018 within jurisdiction of this 'FEFSBM )JHI $PVSU DPOTQJSFE

to directly take possession from persons unknown residing outside Nigeria of monies, which to your knowledge were proceeds of unlawful acts and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended by the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section

E BOE PG UIF "DUu He pleaded â&#x20AC;&#x153;not guiltyâ&#x20AC;? to all the charges preferred against him.

Prosecuting counsel, Harrison Ibekwute, thereafter, applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in prison custody. However, counsel for the defendant, Austin 'BKVHCBHCF JOGPSNFE UIF DPVSU that he had an application for the bail of his client.

While adjourning to Mach GPS iDPNNFODFNFOU PG USJBMu +VTUJDF "KPLV GJYFE +BOVBSZ GPS IFBSJOH PG the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded at Agodi Prison.

ACP Frank Mba

EME

40

F R I DAY Ëž Í°ÍłË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

LIFE

The Rear Admiralâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thankful Heart Sunday Ehigiator reports that it was with a thankful heart that the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft, Rear Admiral Okon Edet Eyo, led family and friends for his thanksgiving service at St. Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Military Catholic Church, Tamandu Barracks, Apapa to celebrate his recent promotion

â&#x20AC;&#x153;R

ejoice with those who rejoiceâ&#x20AC;?, is one popular scripture by Apostle Paul that keeps resounding. Recently, it was in fulfillment of this that friends, families, and all well-wishers gathered at the St. Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Military Catholic Church, Tamandu Barracks, Apapa, to celebrate the promotion of an exemplary leader, Rear Admiral Okon Eyo; whose humble lifestyle received accolades and recommendations from all; especially those aspiring for such measures of blessings in the military.

Speaking with THISDAY, the celebrant whom was commended for his role in ameliorating the Apapa traffic gridlock by his boss, former Military Governor of Osun State, Anthony Udofia, reminisced on some of his achievements on his way to stardom, while thanking God for the feat attained so far.

According to Eyo, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I feel very happy; which is why I have to pick an opportunity to thank God. This is not the kind of thing that happens in a manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life every day. And also friends, well-wishers, those who have been praying for a day like this to come and share in my joy and I also believe that by doing that, God would also look into their expectations and make it come to pass. I am really happy today for fulfilling the crowning attainment to build my career to reach the rank I have reached. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am privileged to have a mentor and somebody I have looked up to and who started me out very early . By strip of luck and natural occurrence he was appointed the military governor in the General Sani Abachaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regime. May his soul rest in peace. And I happen to become his ADC, he picked me from nowhere. We never met; we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t interact before that time. Even when I reported for the appointment, those who came to congratulate him were asking; where is your ADC? And even when I was there, he would say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is coming from port Harcourtâ&#x20AC;?. But he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know I was the one.

It was somebody that had to tell him that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is the ADCâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, I have been privileged, by the time I did that I was barely a year as an officer. I was a very young officer; a lieutenant. And after that, I have been privileged to occupy very challenging offices. I have also attended mandatory and other optional courses you know in the course of my career. It has equipped me with the kind of experience required of the status I have today, and without sounding self-praising, I think those who have been assessing us overtime; which is not one person, and is a progressive process, have always found me meeting the requirements and I think all of that counts at the end of the day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the end of the day, it will be a lot of things that brought me to this rank. Several people have done and they never climbed to it not because any special thing happened to them, just the dynamics of the system. I think it has come out well in my own case.â&#x20AC;?

Speaking about his achievements in managing Apapa traffic situation, he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think one of the significant legacies I will leave this place with when I leave my office is addressing the gridlock. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a perennial situation and it cost the nation a lot, and really it is not only material costs and all of that. There is a serious potential for total breakdown of everything we hold dear if this situation is not dealt with. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is not like I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have idea of how to permanently resolve it, but there are many factors, and some of them I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like to just come here and open up. But I have a blueprint right now, and I have not just developed it, but also presented it to Lagos State Government. I have also served it to the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) management. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At a time I was told they were processing it to present it to federal executive council for a national policy. It is simple without going to bother about structural requirement and all that because it will be a long term thing. You know the road. To open up other ports and bring in the rail system. The main problem right now that is driving these trucks crazy is the fact that the shipping agencies; those that they do business with, exploit them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They get them to pay while they are sitting on these roads. They also hold the responsibility to admit them. They made it difficult with all kinds of excuses and would not admit them until they paid the money. I say, that kind of money is not a just charge, it should be suspended. I had them suspended for three months. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I mean; if you do that these people will

Eyo and wife

Rear Admiral Eyo, family and priests of St. Michaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Military Catholic Church, Tamandu Barracks, Apapa

The couple with friends

have no reason to head on to the port at the same time. I could then talk to them and ask them to withdraw their containers, put them in their private premises, and then we will free the road, and the trucks themselves will be free. We will have the road and organise the limited holding, on the days that these shipping companies have. They evacuated the containers and they also promised to bring what they call sweepers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sweepers are empty ships that only load and go. They bring these sweepers and we have done this demurrage suspension, we will have the roads back, and we will have the trucks.

Because the same trucks we will use are the ones that are carrying these containers and sitting at one place. So we need to give, remove that ineffective and make sure that they are not driven and compelled in a way that they all head to the port at the same time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That way, systematically we can be moving them, and make sure that no one brings

more than what is taken out of the country.

That will just solve the problem but the grit of the shipping agency is the stumbling block and they have big money. They can really influence policy.â&#x20AC;?

Speaking on his security apparatus for the much awaited general elections, Eyo said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, that is our normal routine. In fact, that is why we exist. We have conducted the different orders, against crime and maritime breaches, piracy, smuggling, kidnapping, and illegal bunkering. All these things we have done, and even now we are still doing it, because it is a mandatory daily routine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not only in Nigerian waters that they have maritime crimes. Maritime crime is a global thing, and it is common sense to know that it because of the openness of water. We are like police on the waters.

But it is really not a simple thing to police water. In our command here, we have done a lot of arrests. We have been able to reign

in on many of these bad guys. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to start mentioning names here but many of them are undergoing further investigations.

Some of them have been charged to court. Some of these guys; because it is an international network from Senegal to Gabon, Beecroft have been able to apprehend a lot of these people.

Those we have taken out cannot operate again. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So it is what has stemmed especially this yuletide period. We have heard a lot of things, but we just pray that they face appropriate justice so they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t return back to the systemâ&#x20AC;?, he said.

In some goodwill messages rendered by some family members of the celebrant, they described the Eyo as a humble, peace loving and hardworking individual, who has contributed immensely in every duty post he had ever worked, and likewise prayed to God to keep nourishing him with more wisdom and understanding, especially in the discharge of his duties as required of his new office.

5 ) * 4 % ": t FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Take a leap at this offer to study in the UK, US, Canada, Ireland, Australia Education Advisory Service We are calling out to parents and secondary school leavers to attend this education seminar to learn more about studying abroad.

Lagos 31st January Lagos Commission Secretariat, Ikorodu 1st February Sheraton Hotel & Towers 30 Mobolaji Bank Anthony way, Ikeja.

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Abuja 5th February Sheraton Abuja Hotel Ladi Kwali way, Maitama, Abuja Port Harcourt 7th February Le Meridien Hotel Port Harcourt

10 am - 5 pm across venues

To pre-register, visit: https://www.fcmb.com/study-abroad or email: Educationadvisoryservices@fcmb.com

41

42

F R I DAY Ëž JANUARY 25, 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Development Bank of Nigeria to Boost MSMEs with N70bn Funding Goddy Egene The micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) space of the Nigerian economy will witness a major boost this year as the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) will channel N70 billion long term funding into the sector.

The DBN was set up with the aim of alleviating financing constraints faced by MSMEs and small corporate in the country.

This is achieved by providing financing, partial credit guarantees and technical assistance to eligible financial intermediaries on a market-conforming and fully financially sustainable basis.

The bank began operations October 2017 and set a target of N30 billion loan disbursement in the first year. Presenting the scorecard of the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance in the first year in Lagos yesterday, the Managing Director of DBN, Mr. Tony Okpanachi disclosed that the bank exceeded its projection and disbursed N31.36 billion to 35,000 MSMEs. According to him, the bank is targeting N70 billion disbursement this year. Okpanachi stated that the DBN formally commenced lending operations in October 2017 to its first two Participating Financial Institutions(PFIs), which were microfinance banks.

He explained that with a strong on-boarding exercise it carried out within the year, the bank currently has a total of 29 PFIs which include commercial banks at various stages of engagement.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our total disbursement-to-date stands at N31.364 billion thus exceeding our year end projection of N30 billion. Total number of end borrowers stands at 35, 000 which also exceeded our yearend target of 20,000 MSMEs,â&#x20AC;? he said, adding that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Women accounted for 73 per cent of the end-borrowers of the DBN loans and received 27 per cent of the total amounts disbursed.â&#x20AC;?

Encouraged by the achievement recorded in the first year, the DBN boss said the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disbursement target for the year 2019 is N70 billion, which he stressed would to help deepen the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s penetration in the MSMEs sector of the economy. Opanachi stated that the bank is not sector specific in its funding activities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are not sector-specific and as long as you have the potential to create employment, you have potential to empower and make development impact, DBN will fund you. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also know that some sector have more growth potential so as we go down we try to encourage those sectors,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Speaking on interest rate, he said with time, borrowers will enjoy a single digit interest rate.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anywhere in the world it is the sustainable financing of that sector that has brought down interest rates because once the funding is there, you create competition even among the financial institutions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So without being prompted, if you have option, you go to

bank A and if it is charging you so and so rate is high, you can switch to another bank and this will bring down the pricing on the long run.â&#x20AC;?

Opanachi, also disclosed that so far the bank has zero nonperforming loan(NPL), explaining that it has developed an in-house Credit Rating Model, which was validated by Dun & Brad Street. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have similarly put in place a number of risk management policies such as: framework for lending to finance companies and mortgage banks; related party credit policy; information security policy and business continuity policy,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Apart from the foregoing, the DBN MD said they just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give out money to PFIs but also know the MSMEs that are end borrowers and monitor their operations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just give the money to PFIs. What we do if PFIs bring their transactions, we know who the borrowers are, we have their details, who they are, what they do upfront. So by the time we give the money to PFIs and they on lend we go again to monitor,â&#x20AC;? he said.

He disclosed that the bank would be floating a subsidiary to guarantee the loans being given out. He added as a proof of the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professionalism, the DBN has been recommended for various ISO certifications such as Information Security- ISO 27001; Business Continuity ISO 22301 and IT Service Management ISO 20000.

Access, Diamond Merger to Be Finalised in April Access Bank Plc yesterday disclosed that its business combination deal with Diamond Bank Plc, which aims to produce Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest retail lender by customers will be concluded about two months earlier than initially expected.

The deal, which was set to close in June, would be completed in the second quarter, Bloomberg quoted the Lagos-based lender

to have said.

Access Bank has also canceled a planned N75 billion ($207 million) rights issue as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no longer needed to meet the central bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minimum capital thresholds, its Chief Executive Officer Herbert Wigwe said on an investor call.

Access Bank agreed last year to buy Carlyle-backed Diamond Bank in a deal worth about $200 million..

By the conclusion of the deal, Access Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s assets could swell to about $17 billion from $12.5 billion, according to Bloomberg calculations. Zenith Bank Plc is currently the largest Nigerian lender, with $15.4 billion of assets.

Access Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shares rose 6.2 per cent to N6 at close of trading in Lagos, while Diamond Bank climbed 0.5 percent to N2.10 yesterday.

SecureID Commissions Card Quality Management Test Laboratory Benneth Oghifo SecureID Limited, one of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s industry leaders in card manufacturing, personalisation and digital solution company has commissioned its fully equipped state-of-the-art Mastercard Card Quality Management (CQM) test laboratory at its facility in Lagos.

The launch took place in Lagos recently. This was described as another first for the company among the other achievements in the past which included the first EMV certified Personalisation Bureau in West Africa; first EMV smartcard manufacturing plant in Sub-Saharan Africa; first SIM card manufacturing plant in West Africa; first and only certified polycarbonate card manufacturing plant in Africa; and first Mastercard Card Quality Management (CQM) certified plant in Nigeria and in fact, Sub Saharan Africa.

The CQM is a separate Mastercard Global Vendor Certification Program (GVCP) that assesses card production quality and compliments the

L-R: Head of Operations, SecureID, Evans Agbamu; Vice President & Area Business Head for West Africa, MasterCard, Omokehinde Adebanjo; Managing Director, SecureID, Kofo Akinkugbe and Director of Sales and Marketing, Francis Ebuehi, during the launch of CQM in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS Broad Money (M2)

24,303,049.86

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,912,604.10

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,668,378.21

---- Demand Deposits

9,244,225.90

-- Quasi Money

13,390,445.76

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

15,619,134.18

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

8,683,915.68

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

2019 for companies to be CQM certified, SecureID achieved the certification late in 2017 in record time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;SecureIDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adherence to CQM standards gives our customers the assurance that our products would not fail in the field (shipment, distribution, usage). They would maintain functional and operational robustness during and beyond their expected or designed lifetime. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our products are resistant to electrostatic discharge, card bending or torsion, abrasion, chemicals, temperature and humidity, mechanical stress, chip module extraction and so on. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our customers can have peace of mind that the cards in the hands of their cardholders would not fail when they need it most.

Such reliability and quality is what SecureID is well known for. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Note that SecureID is already certified by Mastercard, Verve International, Visa International and ISO 9001/2015 for Smart Card Manufacturing and Personalisation. SecureID is also PCI Card Production and Provisioning complaint.â&#x20AC;?

26,267,136.53

---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,823,345.45

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

5,433,209.43

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

-1,609,863.98

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

22,443,791.08

--Other Assets Net

-17,583,220.85

Reserve Money (Base Money)

6,746,646.49

--Currency in Circulation

1,668,378.21

--Banks Reserves

4,357,551.58 Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

existing site security compliance.

CQM is mandatory for vendors that manufacture or personalise chip cards and it promotes high quality, reliability, and compliance with Mastercard card standards.

The objective of CQM scheme is to ensure that the quality of card products sold under the Mastercard brand is properly managed by vendors hence CQM requires compliance with ISO 9001:2015 standards. However, CQM defines requirements beyond ISO 9001, partially due to the fact that ISO is by definition a generic standard and CQM is more precise, as it has a much tighter and better defined perimeter.

The employed processes for qualification are predicated on two Quality Requirements â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Product Quality Requirements and Quality Assurance Requirements.

According to the founder and Managing Director of SecureID Limited, Kofo Akinkugbe, â&#x20AC;&#x153;SecureID is a forward thinking company with quality being in our DNA. Without waiting for Mastercardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deadline of April

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2018

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT TUESDAY, 22 JANUARY 2019

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $61.49 a barrel on Monday, compared with $60.90 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

43

F R I DAY ˾ JANUARY 25, 2019

MARKET NEWS

Equities Market Remains Upbeat on Gains by Bellwethers Goddy Egene The Nigerian stock market sustained its bullish performance yesterday as bellwethers recorded further price rally. Owing to this, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) appreciated by 0.36 per cent to close at 30,989.60, while market capitalisation added N43.2 billion to close at N11.6 trillion. More price gainers were

recorded in the market standing at 27, compared with 21 of the previous day. Bellwethers such as Dangote Cement Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc were among the price gainers.

However, Learn Africa Plc led the price gainers with 9.9 per cent, followed by Ikeja Hotel Plc with 9.8 per cent. Veritas Kapital Assurance Plc chalked up 9.0 per cent, while AXA Mansard Insurance Plc and

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

Royal Exchange Plc garnered 7.5 per cent and 6.9 per cent respectively.

Access Bank Plc gained 6.1 per cent as investors continued to buy into the bank that is expected to be leading retail financial institution in Africa after its merger with Diamond Bank Plc. The Group Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe had said the combination of the two businesses would create the largest retail bank in

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Africa by customer base and a very significant player in the Nigerian market.

“This is a huge step towards the delivery of our goal to bring the power of banking to millions of people across Nigeria and an exciting transaction for Access Bank and Diamond Bank’s customers, staff and shareholders,” he said.

Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc was also among the price gainers, chalking up 6.0 per

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

cent, while NPF Microfinance Bank Plc closed 5.3 per cent higher. Conversely, 20 stocks depreciated led by Medview Airline Plc with 9.7 per cent.

Resort Savings and Loans Plc trailed with 9.0 per cent, while Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and Linkage Assurance Plc went down by 8.8 per cent apiece.

Fidson Healthcare Plc and Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc shed 5.0 per cent and 4.7 per cent in that order among others.

O F

Meanwhile, activity level was mixed as value traded rose 6.0 per cent to N3.1 billion while volume of trading fell by 28.7 per cent to 268.3 million shares.

The top traded stocks by value were Zenith Bank (N806.5 million), GTBank (N411.5 million ), and Seplat (N280.4 million), while Zenith Bank (36.5 million shares), UBA (31.6 million shares) and FBN Holdings (29.0 million shares ) were the top traded stocks by volume.

2 3 / 0 1 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

40

Friday, January 25 2019

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index up 0.56% Yesterday, the Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index gained 56bps to

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

close at 1,502.31 propped by gains in GUARANTY (+1.8%), Ticker

ZENITH (+0.7%) and DANGCEM (+1.1%). These stocks ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϯϴ͘ϳй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

Current Price

Price Price Previous Current Change Change Price Weighting YTD Index to Change Date

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 1,502.31

P/BV

-2.6%

50.2%

20.7%

7.6%

5.8x

0.8x

5.2%

13.6%

1.8%

18.2%

-2.5%

-2.6%

34.1%

5.6%

5.0x

1.9x

8.0%

20.0%

22.15

0.7%

11.6%

-3.9%

-3.9%

23.7%

3.4%

3.8x

0.9x

12.5%

26.3%

192.00

1.1%

8.9%

1.2%

3.2%

20.1%

9.8%

20.0x

4.3x

5.5%

5.0%

1,450.00

0.0%

7.7%

-2.4%

-1.7%

85.8%

26.3%

26.2x

20.4x

3.3%

3.8%

79.90

-0.1%

5.5%

-6.5%

2.0%

13.8%

6.4%

26.7x

3.8x

4.7%

3.7%

7.60

2.7%

4.9%

-4.4%

-5.0%

6.6%

0.8%

5.4x

0.4x

3.3%

18.4%

24.00

-4.0%

5.4%

23.7%

23.7%

34.2%

19.6%

5.8x

1.8x

5.2%

17.2%

7.25

0.0%

4.0%

-5.8%

-7.1%

15.4%

1.8%

3.3x

0.5x

11.6%

30.4%

3.4%

-0.8%

-4.0%

-23.8%

-3.2%

Dangote Cement PLC

In today͛s trading session, the benchmark index maintained a

4

Nestle Nigeria PLC

ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ƚŚŝƌĚ ĐŽŶƐĞĐƵƟǀĞ ĚĂLJ advancing

5

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

6

FBN Holdings Plc

7

Cement Co Northern Nigeria PLC

(+1.1%), GUARANTY (+1.8%) and ^^ (+6.2%). As a result,

8

United Bank for Africa PLC

YTD loss improved to -ϭ͘ϰй ĂƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶ

9

International Brew eries PLC

30.25

0.0%

540.00

0.0%

2.9%

-15.6%

-15.6%

25.9%

15.3%

2.4x

0.6x

3.4%

42.2%

6.00

6.2%

2.9%

-11.8%

-7.7%

14.1%

1.7%

2.5x

0.4x

10.7%

40.1%

2.1%

14.4%

7.4x

10

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ďLJ Eϰϯ͘ϮďŶ ƚŽ Eϭϭ͘ϲƚŶ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ǁĂƐ

11

Access Bank PLC

mixed as value traded rose 6.0% to N3.1bn while volume

12

Ecobank Transnational Inc

14.10

0.7%

2.8%

0.7%

-1.4%

12.1%

1.0%

4.4x

0.5x

13

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

47.00

-1.1%

2.5%

-2.0%

-2.0%

35.7%

4.6%

7.0x

2.2x

17.2x

traded fell by 28.7% to 268.3m units. The top traded stocks by value were ZENITH (N806.5m), GUARANTY (N411.5 m), and ^ W> d (N280.4m), while ZENITH (36.5m units), UBA

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

33.60

2

0.4% to 30,989.6 points buoyed by gains in DANGCEM

P/E

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

3

ƋƵŝƟĞƐ DĂƌŬĞƚ ^ƵƐƚĂŝŶƐ tŝŶŶŝŶŐ ^ƚƌĞĂŬ͙ ^/ hƉ Ϭ͘ϰй

ROA

1

Zenith Bank PLC

0.56%

ROE

-1.2%

22.6%

14

Unilever Nigeria PLC

37.00

0.0%

2.4%

0.0%

0.0%

24.7%

11.5%

15

Lafarge Africa PLC

12.50

-0.4%

1.6%

0.4%

4.2%

-53.7%

-7.9%

16

Guinness Nigeria PLC

71.00

0.0%

1.3%

-1.4%

-1.4%

8.8%

5.0%

82.00

0.0%

1.4%

7.6%

7.6%

39.3%

29.7%

7.8x

2.7x

3.8%

12.8%

0.0%

1.2%

-3.9%

-3.9%

34.6%

7.5%

6.8x

2.2x

8.5%

14.7%

19.1x

2.6x

1.4%

5.8%

0.8x

11.7%

-50.4%

1.8x

2.7%

5.2%

17

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

(31.6m units) and FBNH (29.0 m units) were the top traded

18

Total Nigeria PLC

195.00

stocks by volume.

19

11 PLC

180.00

0.0%

1.2%

-3.0%

-3.0%

38.0%

16.8%

6.0x

2.0x

4.4%

16.6%

20

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

19.60

0.8%

1.0%

-15.2%

-11.7%

7.6%

2.3%

6.7x

0.5x

5.1%

14.9%

21

Oando PLC

4.75

1.1%

1.1%

-5.0%

-1.0%

10.9%

1.7%

4.0x

0.3x

22

Fidelity Bank PLC

2.29

0.0%

1.2%

12.8%

12.8%

11.3%

1.5%

3.0x

0.3x

4.8%

33.5%

ƵůůŝƐŚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

25.3%

23

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.26

-1.6%

0.9%

-4.5%

-2.3%

13.6%

3.0%

6.0x

0.8x

1.6%

16.7%

24

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

14.50

0.0%

0.9%

-4.9%

-2.0%

32.6%

16.4%

5.8x

1.7x

12.1%

17.3%

25

Diamond Bank PLC

2.10

0.5%

0.8%

-2.3%

-5.8%

-0.7%

26

FCMB Group Plc

1.96

2.1%

0.6%

3.7%

8.9%

8.4%

1.2%

2.6x

0.2x

5.1%

27

UAC of Nigeria PLC

8.60

1.2%

0.5%

-11.8%

-9.9%

0.4%

0.2%

67.6x

0.4x

7.6%

1.5%

KZE Z^dKE (+5.0%) while the Banking index trailed,

28

Sterling Bank PLC

2.16

0.9%

0.6%

13.7%

13.7%

10.6%

1.1%

5.7x

0.6x

0.9%

17.6%

rising by 0.7% on the back of gains in

29

Presco PLC

60.00

0.0%

0.3%

-6.3%

-6.3%

37.0%

24.8%

2.4x

0.8x

3.2%

42.2%

30

NASCON Allied Industries PLC

18.00

0.0%

0.3%

0.0%

0.0%

47.0%

17.5%

9.4x

4.2x

8.3%

10.7%

0.3%

2.8%

5.4%

84.6%

8.3%

12.1x

2.2x

11.2x

0.6x

17.3%

1.8%

7.8x

1.2x

Across sectors, performance was bullish as 4 of 5 indices under our coverage advanced. The Insurance index gained ϭ͘ϭй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ D E^ Z (+7.5%) and

^^

(+6.2%), GUARANTY (+1.8%) and t D (+3.2). The Oil and

31

Forte Oil PLC

29.50

0.0%

Gas index posted a similar performance, up 0.7% following

32

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

6.15

-8.9%

0.3%

9.8%

9.8%

ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ŝŶ OANDO (+1.1%) while the Consumer

33

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

28.00

-1.4%

0.3%

39.3%

26.7%

0.2x

-33.4%

8.3% 9.0% 3.6%

34

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

11.85

0.0%

0.2%

-2.1%

-3.7%

1.1x

1.3%

'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƫƐŚ ĂƐ ŝŶĐŚĞĚ ϭďƉ ƉƌŽƉƉĞĚ ďLJ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ

35

Chemical and Allied Products P

31.50

0.0%

0.2%

-9.6%

-9.6%

66.2%

30.2%

14.7x

9.8x

6.5%

, DW/KE (+2.6%) and ,KEz&>KhZ (+4.9%). However, the

36

Wema Bank PLC

0.64

3.2%

0.2%

1.6%

1.6%

6.6%

0.8%

7.3x

0.5x

/ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞĚ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞůLJ͕ ĚŽǁŶ ϭ͘Ϭй ĚƵĞ to losses in CCNN (-4.0%).

stocks that declined. The top performing stocks for the day were

> ZE &Z (+9.9%),

/< : ,Kd > (+9.9%)

and

D E^ Z (+7.5%) while the least performing stocks were D s/ t (-9.8%), Z ^KZd^ > (-9.1%) and UBN (-8.9%). We expect that today͛Ɛ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁŝůů ƉĞƌƐŝƐƚ ŝŶƚŽ ƚŽŵŽƌƌŽǁ͕ ƚŚĞ ĮŶĂů ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ǁĞĞŬ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕

Beta Glass PLC

55.00

0.0%

0.1%

-19.5%

-19.5%

17.7%

11.5%

6.7x

1.1x

1.9%

15.0%

Dangote Flour Mills Plc

6.50

-0.8%

0.1%

-5.1%

-1.5%

13.4%

3.8%

6.4x

0.8x

3.1%

15.6%

39

Transcorp Hotels Plc

6.10

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

6.9%

3.8%

11.9x

0.8x

2.0%

8.4%

40

AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

2.00

7.5%

0.1%

9.3%

9.3%

10.5%

3.3%

10.4x

1.0x

3.0%

9.6%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

LEA R N A F R C A

1.33

9.9%

Z EN IT H B A N K

36.5

0.7%

IKEJ A H OT EL

1.67

9.9%

UB A

31.6

0.0% 2.7%

T ic k er

term.

0.24

9.1%

FB NH

29.0

2.00

7.5%

FCM B

20.0

2.1%

R OYA LEX

0.31

6.9%

F ID ELIT YB K

19.3

0.0%

A C C ESS

6.00

6.2%

T R A N SC OR P

19.2

-1.6%

C A VER T ON

2.12

6.0%

D IA M ON D B N K

15.7

0.5%

NP FM CRFB K

1.58

5.3%

GUA R A N T Y

12.3

1.8%

C OR N ER ST

0.21

5.0%

A C C ESS

11.7

6.2%

H ON YF LOUR

1.29

4.9%

R ESOR T SA L

6.7

-9.1%

T ic k er

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

M ED VIEWA IR

1.85

-9.8%

Z EN IT H B A N K

806.5

0.7%

R ESOR T SA L

0.20

-9.1%

GUA R A N T Y

UB N

6.15

-8.9%

SEP LA T

LIN KA SSUR E

0.62

-8.8%

ST A N B IC

237.8

-1.1%

F ID SON

4.70

-5.1%

UB A

232.3

0.0%

SOVR EN IN S

0.20

-4.8%

N EST LE

228.6

0.0%

M B EN EF IT

0.20

-4.8%

FB NH

217.4

2.7%

R EGA LIN S

0.21

-4.5%

D A N GSUGA R

82.5

0.0%

24.00

-4.0%

A C C ESS

69.9

6.2%

0.53

-3.6%

D A N GC EM

61.9

1.1%

J A IZ B A N K

(A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

P ric e C hg %

M A N SA R D

CCNN

Afrinvest Securities Limited (RC 603 315)

Vo lum e

VER IT A SKA P

T o p 10 L o s e r s

we maintain our bearish outlook for the market in the near-

6.8% 13.7%

37

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

previous trading session as 26 stocks advanced against the 20

12.9%

38

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ tĞĂŬĞŶƐ

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĨĞůů ƚŽ ϭ͘ϯdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϯ͘ϭdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ

39.0%

411.5

1.8%

280.4

0.0%

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde |

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Jolomi Odonghanro | jodonghanro@afrinvest.com

romotunde@afrinvest.com

45

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

MARKET NEWS

NSE Restates Commitment to Promotion of Access to Quality Education Goddy Egene Head, Shared Services Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Mr. Bola Adeeko has the exchange has taken the responsibility of promoting access to quality education very seriously because it can stimulate economic growth.

Adeeko stated this while speaking at a ceremony to mark the International Day of Education at exchange yesterday.

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2018

adopted the International Education Day to bring together the voices of governments, the UN system, private sector, and youth organisations. The NSE, joined the rest of the world to commemorate with a special excursion programme and a closing gong ceremony on the floor of the exchange in Lagos in line with the commitment of NSE to enhance cooperation in supporting efforts towards the realisation of Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).

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

The event featured students from Slum2School Africa Initiative, Bridge Academies, and Dialogue School Otta, who visited the exchange to learn about the capital market, SDGs and interact with the stockbrokers. The event ended with a closing gong ceremony, to further draw attention to the collective effort to drive inclusive and equitable quality education.

Speaking at the event, Adeeko said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Promoting access to quality education is a responsibility we take seriously at the exchange, as

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 23Jan-2019, unless otherwise stated.

we have a resolute belief in its ability to unleash the potentials for individuals to stimulate economic growth through skilled labour and innovations that lead to the development of sustainable economies. It is this ideology that has driven us to donate books to schools, establish a learning and development centre in Oke Odo Junior College, Abule Egba, Lagos and donate the Maisandari Alamderi Model Nursery and Primary School to the Borno State Government in 2017, towards the

education revitalization of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). We are therefore excited to engage non-profits organisations in the educational space for this maiden edition of the International Day of Education.â&#x20AC;?

He disclosed that in the first year of operation, over 80 per cent of the pupils of the donated Maisandari Alamderi Model Nursery and Primary School recorded remarkable improvements in their reading abilities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many of the pupils that

had never attended any formal school before are now reading English texts unaided just within an academic session. All the 250 pupils have continued to demonstrate strong learning abilities and increased output, with no dropout. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Exchange is committed to deepening its educational intervention programmes, developing new initiatives and seeking partnerships to progress toward a more sustainable Exchange,â&#x20AC;? Mr. Adeeko added.

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 155.77 155.92 -1.61% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 278.70 278.95 2.05% 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 0.01% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 10.96% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.00% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.23 2.26 0.51% 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 100.20 100.90 -0.98% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.41% 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 14.13% Paramount Equity Fund 11.46 11.75 -2.15% Women's Investment Fund 100.55 103.12 -1.97% 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 13.17% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 96.53 96.80 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 99.27 99.69 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 12.78% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.76% 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 1,196.77 1,197.53 0.95% FBN Heritage Fund 142.45 143.65 -0.67% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.58% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $114.75 $115.33 0.76% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $114.74 $115.32 0.99% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 146.21 148.35 -2.53% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.19 1.21 -2.79% Legacy Debt Fund 3.27 3.27 0.73% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.03 1.03 0.30% 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 N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 12.56% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 106.92 107.30 6.39% 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 12.84%

Vantage Balanced Fund 2.13 2.15 -0.91% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 16.01% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 120.51 120.69 -3.53% 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 1.22 1.24 0.50% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,078.29 1,078.29 0.83% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.11 11.19 -3.43% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.70% 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 1.37 5.33% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.33 12.38 0.95% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.62% 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 120.25 120.75 -0.42% 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 1.01 1.01 0.90% 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 2,306.35 2,320.25 1.83% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 192.39 192.39 2.50% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.92 0.94 -2.11% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 248.77 248.81 2.67% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 161.48 163.28 -1.02% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.88% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,268.87 8,368.57 -0.83% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.11 1.11 3.10% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.19 1.19 -0.94% United Capital Bond Fund 1.61 1.61 0.92% United Capital Equity Fund 0.68 0.69 -4.92% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 14.32% United Capital Eurobond Fund 107.75 107.75 0.46% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.09 1.09 -1.02% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.98 11.13 3.38% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.29 12.41 2.46% Zenith Income Fund 20.93 20.93 8.70% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.44%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.95 117.98 51.79

-39.35% 0.00% 0.00%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.44 112.84 86.76

10.54 115.31 88.39

-1.05% -3.77% -2.14%

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

3.86 7.18 14.37 13.15 145.50

3.90 7.26 14.47 13.35 147.50

-3.46% -5.77% -3.89% 6.37% 1.36%

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.

46

FRIDAY JANUARY 25, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

DR Congo Ushers in New President in Historic Transition Opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi was sworn in on Thursday as president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, marking the country’s first-ever peaceful handover of power after chaotic and bitterly disputed elections.

Tshisekedi, 55, took the oath of office before receiving the national flag and a copy of the constitution from outgoing president Joseph Kabila, who is stepping aside after 18 years at the helm of sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest country.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as AGBOILE DORIS , now wish to be known and addressed as AGBOILE DORIS CHIKA . All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as FOLASHADE ADENIKE ADEYEYE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS FOLASHADE CHRISTIANA OGUNBIYI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ATAH LOVETH, now wish to be known and addressed MRS AMEDU LOVETH. as All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

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Thousands of Tshisekedi supporters, many of them dressed in white, celebrated the historic event outside the Palace of the Nation, the seat of the presidency.

“We hope that this will be a real change, especially as he has taken power without bloodshed,” said Saddam Kongolo, a member of Tshisekedi’s Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS).

One of Tshisekedi’s first tasks will be to appoint a prime minister in a

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move which will see him sharing power with Kabila’s supporters, who hold an overwhelming majority in parliament.

The ceremony caps more than two years of turmoil sparked by Kabila’s refusal to step down when he reached the constitutional limit on his term in office.

A country the size of continental western Europe, DR Congo has lived through two regional wars in 1996-97 and 1998-2003.

The last two presidential elections, in 2006 and 2011 — both won by Kabila — were marred by bloody clashes.

The ballot, which took place on December 30 after three postponements, surprised many by the lack of violence, but a political storm swiftly brewed over the vote count Tshisekedi was declared the winner with 38.5 per cent of the vote, over his opposition rival Martin Fayulu, who was credited with 34.8 per cent.

Fayulu branded the result a fix but lost a challenge to the Constitutional Court, and foreign support for his position ebbed as countries took comfort in a peaceful transition.

Among foreign nations attending the ceremony, Kenya and Zambia were represented by their presidents and Tanzania by its vice presidents, according to the RTNC state television, while China, France, Japan and the United States sent their ambassadors, AFP journalists saw.

“The opposition has run out of recourse to challenge the election results and the threat of widespread post-election violence is gradually subsiding,” said Robert Besseling of EXXAfrica, a business risk consultancy.

Tshisekedi took over the UDPS, DR Congo’s oldest and largest opposition party, after the death of its founder nearly two years ago, his

Tshisekedi father Etienne.

His ascent to the presidency surprised many, for he has never held high office and failed to match the crowd-pulling popularity of his father.

Analysts say Tshisekedi faces a raft of pressing problems after taking office.

He must defuse the anger of Fayulu’s supporters, carry out his campaign pledge of ending the “gangrene” of corruption after the Kabila era, and forge a power-sharing arrangement with the outgoing president’s bloc.

The pro-Kabila Joint Front for Congo (FCC) controls 337 seats in the 500-member National Assembly against 102 for Fayulu’s coalition, Lamuka, and 46 for his own coalition, Heading for Change (Cach).

“Tshisekedi will have little margin for manoeuvre,” said Stephanie Wolters at South Africa’s Institute for Security Studies (ISS) think tank.

According to a “political coalition

agreement” seen by AFP which outlines an arrangement for “powersharing” between the FCC and Cach, the position of prime minister “will be rotated every five years.”

The defence, foreign affairs and interior portfolios will go to “the president’s political family”.

Kabila himself will become a senator for life, a position reserved for outgoing presidents under the constitution. He is widely expected to wield influence through his supporters.

His family has acquired a wide range of assets during the many years in power.

Beyond the politics, Tshisekedi also has to deal with the brutal militias who control parts of the country’s strife-torn east where an Ebola epidemic is also unfolding.

He also has to meet the expectations of his supporters about easing poverty, which afflicts the vast majority of the country’s 80 million citizens.

Despite the poverty, DR Congo boasts a treasure trove of minerals, ranging from gold and diamonds to copper and coltan — a mineral essential for the batteries used in hand-held electronic devices.

Yet, in a country where the graft is entrenched, very little of the wealth trickles down to the poor. It ranks a mere 176th on the 189-nation Human Development Index compiled by the United Nations’ Development Programme (UNDP).

Meanwhile, Tshisekedi fell ill as he was delivering his inauguration speech on Thursday following the country’s first peaceful handover of power.

He returned to the microphone after 12 minutes, saying: “A famous president of our country said in his time: ‘understand my emotion’.”

He was quoting the late dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, who said those words in 1990 as he was announcing the end of single-party rule in the vast central African country.

“The campaign we had to run… got the better of me,” Tshisekedi added, apologising for the interruption as his predecessor Joseph Kabila looked on impassively through his trademark dark glasses.

State television had interrupted its live broadcast of the historic event after Tshisekedi said, “I don’t feel well”, and sat down as family members came to his side.

During the ceremony, Tshisekedi received the national flag and a copy of the constitution from Kabila, who is stepping aside after 18 years at the helm of sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest country.

Thousands of Tshisekedi supporters, many of them dressed in white, celebrated the historic event outside the Palace of the Nation, the seat of the presidency, in Kinshasa.

Pope Arrives Panama, Calls for Rejection of Corruption Pope Francis began his visit to Panama on Thursday with a call to political leaders to reject “all forms of corruption” in a speech to the diplomatic community.

Francis, in Panama for a global gathering of young Catholics, said those in positions of authority should “lead a life

that demonstrates that public service is a synonym of honesty and justice, and opposed to all forms of corruption.”

In a speech delivered to government ministers and diplomats at the foreign ministry, the pope said young people demanded a greater commitment

from politicians.

“They call upon them to live in simplicity and transparency, with a clear sense of responsibility for others and for our world.”

Young people demanded a commitment to “a politics that works to build a culture of greater transparency,” he said.

Franciswasspeakingatthebeginning of a visit in which he will celebrate two open-air masses for around 200,000 young pilgrims from around the world gathered in Panama for World Youth Day celebrations.

He was to formally open the jamboree at a prayer meeting later Thursday.

Two Men Suspected of Plotting Attack Arrested in Belgium The Belgian authorities have arrested two men suspected of plotting a terrorist attack and charged them with terrorism offences, federal prosecutors said on Thursday.

The main suspect was arrested in the Brussels neighbourhood of Molenbeek while his alleged accomplice was arrested near the northern Dutch-speaking city of Bruges.

The men were charged with “participating in the activities of

a terrorist group and preparing to commit a terrorist offence,” spokesman Eric Van Duyse said.

Van Duyse added that the pair were not believed to have been plotting a “mass attack,” but did not elaborate.

The prosecutor’s office said the pair were not Belgian nationals but did not give their nationalities.

It said the main suspect lived in the eastern French-speaking

city of Liege, although he was arrested in the Brussels neighbourhood of Molenbeek.

Molenbeek has been linked to terror activities in the past two decades, including to members of the cell that carried out the November 13, 2015 attacks in Paris that killed 130 people.

Police detained a third suspect in the eastern city of Leuven but released the individual after questioning.

Belgium has been on alert for extremist violence since the March 22, 2016 attacks on Brussels airport and a metro station left 32 dead and wounded hundreds of others.

Since January 10, Frenchman Mehdi Nemmouche has been on trial in Brussels on charges he murdered four people in a jihadist shooting spree at the Jewish Museum in the Belgian capital.

UN Expert to Lead International Inquiry into Khashoggi’s Murder The UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions said on Thursday she will travel to Turkey next week to head an “independent international inquiry’’ into the murder of Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi.

Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post and a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed at its consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, provoking an international outcry.

Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut

Cavusoglu and President Tayyip Erdogan said it was time for an international investigation and that Erdogan had ordered preparations to be made.

“I will be heading an independent international inquiry into the killing of Khashoggi, commencing with a visit to TurkeyfromJan.28toFeb.3,”independent UN Investigator,Agnes Callamard, said.

Callamardsaidthatshewouldevaluate the circumstances of the crime, and “the nature and the extent of states’ and

individuals’responsibilitiesforthekilling”.

“My findings and recommendations will be reported to the UN Human Rights Council at the June 2019 session,” she said.

There was no immediate word on what other experts would take part in the investigation or whether they had sought access to Saudi Arabia.

A Saudi public prosecutor’s spokesman said in 2018 that 21 Saudis were taken into custody in relation to the case, 11 of whom have

been indicted and referred to trial.

Earlier this month the prosecutor said it was seeking the death penalty for five of the 11 detained suspects.

Callamard, a French academic, who is director of the Columbia Global Freedom of Expression Department at Columbia University in New York, reports to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and has a global mandate to investigate executions.

˾ FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

47

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Can Man Ever Be Rich? - 2

Spahic Omer/IslamiCity (Continued from last week)

T

he Prophet (pbuh) also said: “Richness does not lie in the abundance of (worldly) goods, but richness is the richness of the soul (the heart)” (Sahih Muslim).

Realizing that authentic wealth, coupled with satisfaction and true happiness, is eluding him, a greedy materialistic person will seek solace and potential answers in accumulating extra possessions. He will be caught in a vicious circle; he will be in a state of despondency because of his avarice and insatiability, while his insatiable greed will grow ever larger because of his wish to overcome despondency. That situation is tantamount to a gradual spiritual suicide.

This will go on until his greed consumes him and he becomes its slave. It will go on until he stops controlling his wealth, becoming controlled by it instead, and until he stops keeping his wealth in bank accounts, wallets, bags and pockets, and starts keeping it in his heart. He will feel so much dependent on his wealth and in need of it for ostensibly satisfying his endless materialistic whims and needs, that he, in fact, will become a bona fide needy – not rich -- person. He will not take care of other needy individuals, such as orphans, the poor and the homeless, because, in reality, he is needier and more destitute than all of them.

He will need more help than them.

Bogged down and suffocated by rampant materialism, agnosticism and hedonism, the modern man’s lifestyle sways from one extremity to another. For example -- as nicely said by Bob Moorehead – today people spend more, but have less, they buy more, but enjoy less. They have bigger houses, but less warmth and smaller families in them, more conveniences, but less time. They own houses, but not homes. They have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment and wisdom, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. They have multiplied their possessions, but reduced their values. They have learned how to make a living, but not a life. They have done larger things, but not better things.

It goes without saying that being rich or poor is not about how much a person has or does not have, but how much and what exactly he needs.

In the physical and perishable world, there is no richness. There are only infinite and unquenchable need, indigence and want, each one of which denotes the antithesis of the true meaning and experience of richness and affluence.

Ontologically, man is not meant for such a world, nor does he belong to it. He is assigned to it temporarily -- like a traveler being in transit – with an aim to rise above it and transcend its drawbacks, dwelling then on a higher plane of existential certitude. It is therefore most unnatural, unreasonable, barren and so, painful for man to recognize the physical world as the ultimate and only reality and home.

The Prophet (pbuh) advised: “Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a wayfarer.”

The narrator of this hadith, Ibn ‘Umar, used to say: “In the evening do not expect (to live until) the morning, and in the morning do not expect (to live until) the evening. Take (advantage of) your health before times of sickness, and (take advantage of) your life before your death” (Sahih al-Bukhari).

The Prophet (pbuh) also said: “Verily, the example of this world and myself is that of a rider who seeks shade under a tree, then he moves on and leaves it behind” (Musnad Ahmad).

The similitude of a greedy materialistic individual is that of a bottomless pit. No matter what and how much is poured into it, it will always be empty; it will always ask for more. It is not a coincidence, therefore, that on the Day of Judgment, Hellfire (Jahannam), the abode of the faithless and evil, will be personified and asked: “Are you full?” It will reply: “Are there any more (to come)?” (Qaf, 30). It is both fair and expected that punishments correspond to crimes, including their type, scale and overall character. The Qur’an portrays the life of the misguided and wicked ones as “the mutual rivalry for piling up (worldly gains)” (al-Takathur, 1), and “play and amusement, a show and boasting among yourselves, a quest for greater riches and more children” (al-Hadid, 20).

Hence, for a person to reach the state of actual richness and experience its bliss, he must free himself from the fetters of materialistic worldviews, tendencies and practices, selflessly plunging himself into the spiritual realm with totally different outlooks, beliefs and traditions. He will then see that the spiritual kingdom is the only place for quenching his inborn hunger and greed, for making him rich and utterly satisfied, for pursuing his own “immortality” and permanence and the “immortality” and permanence of his assets, and for overcoming all those fears, doubts and uncertainties as accompany him on his existential journey.

All that will be possible on account of his soul, which, after it had been duly purified, was able to bring under control his body and its animal desires. The Qur’an says: “Truly he succeeds that purifies it (the self), and he fails that corrupts it” (al-Shams, 9, 10).

Having subscribed to and become a member in the spiritual kingdom, a person becomes relatively rich because he finds and “owns” his self and the truth. He also “owns” his ultimate destiny. He likewise knows that he has Almighty God, angels and all good men and women on his side. He and all his possessions thus belong completely to his Creator and Master -- the Originator and Owner of everything -- knowing that God takes care of what is His. A person feels rich because he gave up his self to the service of God. He feels that he owns because he is owned. He feels that he is given because he gives. He feels confident and “immortal” because he is assured that his spiritual legacy and spiritual possessions in the form of good deeds will not come to an end, nor will they be wasted.

A person further feels real, living in a real world with all the real things, experiences and dreams. There is no place in such a world for fiction, illusions and false hopes. Inasmuch as he essentially was meant for, and belongs to, the spiritual world, he feels at home while associated with it. That makes him avoid the agony of what could be called a spiritual homelessness.

However, in the sense that he will become a totally independent and self-sufficient being, man will never be rich. He will always depend on his Creator, Almighty God, needing Him for everything: His guidance, sustenance, provisions, sustainability of the earth and existence as a whole, and countless physical, spiritual, cerebral and moral laws based on which only can man discharge his honorable vicegerency mission.

Almighty God thus proclaims: “O mankind! It is you who stands in need of Allah (poor), and it is Allah Who is free of all wants, worthy of all praise” (Fatir, 15). People are called hereby needy or poor, needing at all times and for everything God and His grace and providence. It is only Him Who is Rich, in the sense that He is independent and does not need creation (free of all needs and wants). Hence, one of the beautiful Names of God is Ghaniyy, which means the “Rich” or Self-Sufficient One. But such a realization, undoubtedly, will constitute the best thing as far as man’s partial and regulated richness while in this world is concerned. The true reality of this type of richness is that the servant of God is independent of anything except God. He is only in need of Him. He does not seek richness by means of material things. Rather, he does so by means of shunning them. He does not need them; he only moderately uses them. The less he has of worldly possessions, the more he actually has. The more he has of spiritual bounties, the less he needs of material things. In other words, the less is more. Neither satisfaction, nor happiness, could be found in other than God. And it is in the spiritual sphere that man should exercise and foster his inherent “greed” and hankering for a higher order of meaning and purpose. It is there that man should stop at nothing legitimate so as to make sure he succeeds in that which he has been created for, hastening to all that is genuinely good and competing with others in serving and performing good deeds. Man should never feel he has done enough, resting on his spiritual laurels, for Paradise (Jannah), the abode of the faithful and righteous, is so splendid and real that striving for it should be accorded all attention, energy and dedication.

Finally, before he became a prophet at the age of forty, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was relatively well-off, living a comfortable life. However, following his prophet-hood, he devoted everything he had of time, possessions and energy to the purpose, rendering himself and his family rather poor.

Nonetheless, the Holy Qur’an depicts a different picture. It asserts that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) before his prophet-hood was poor, but after it, he became rich: “And He found you in need (poor) and made you self-sufficient (rich)” (al-Duha, 8).

Despite his reasonable wealth, the Prophet (pbuh) was poor before his prophet-hood because he was not a prophet, was not a cognizant servant of God, and wandered in quest of the ultimate meaning and truth of life. But after that, despite his material hardships, he became rich because he became a prophet, he found himself and the absolute truth in the form of the message of Islam, the Qur’an and heavenly wisdom (sunnah), and was enriched with God’s providence and care, with the presence and help of angels, and with the community of believers and its principled mission and goals.

Certainly, there could be no better prosperity than that.

Concluded

48

FRIDAY JANUARY 25, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Boko Haram: Buratai Cautions against Leakage of Battle Plans Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Chief of Army Staff, Lt.General Yusuf Buratai, yesterday restated the commitment of the military establishment to bring to an end terrorism and insurgency in the North-east and warned against the leakage of operational plans of the military in the media Speaking at the event organised by the Directorate of Army Public Relations in collaboration with Nigerian Guild of Editors, Nigerian Union of Journalists, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Guild of Corporate Online Publishers and Guild of Professional Bloggers of Nigeria in Abuja, Buratai said ending terrorist intransigence in the North-east was topmost priority.

“Let me use this opportunity to stress that the commitment of the Nigerian Army to maintain cordial and mutual relationship to enable it end terrorism and insurgency and enhance national security is our top most priority.

“Therefore, your effective reportage of the campaign against insurgency, restoration of peace in the North-east and protection of lives and properties in the country will go a long way to counter the terrorist narrative”, he said.

The army chief said the leakage of operational plans of the military in the media was inimical to national security.

“It is pertinent to note that not all information regarding military

operations will be made available to you, due to some obvious reasons.

“This is because we are also ‘gatekeepers’ in keeping secret of vital military operations for national security. “However, when such operations are conducted, relevant details will be made available to the media for public consumption.

“It is important to note that the leakage of vital information on military operation like the ongoing fight against the Boko Haram terrorists is inimical to national security as this will give our position to the terrorists and give them upper hand in their psychological war against the troops,” he said.

Buratai noted that there was the need to check the spate of terrorists’ propaganda, which was inimical to the successful implementation of the counter insurgency campaign, adding that “the effort of the military to ensure peace and security in our country is a constitutional responsibility which requires support from all sectors to make Nigeria safe from all forms of criminalities”.

The Special Guest of Honour and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also cautioned the media not to allow hate merchants to use their platforms to propagate fake news and hate speech.

“There are serious lessons to

be learnt from what happened in Rwanda, during the genocide.

Ask yourself if any journalist was able to practice journalism while that war lasted. Yet, the genocide was caused by inability of the Rwandan media to ensure their platforms were not used by hate merchants in propagating fake news and hate speech.

“Unfortunately, even in the mainstream media today, some of

our papers and broadcast houses allow that kind of thing,” he said.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, Deaconess Grace Isu Gekpe, the minister urged the media not to extend their alleged hatred of the incumbent administration to the security agencies, arguing that governments serve out their tenure but the security services remain.

The keynote speaker and former Director General, Nigerian Television Authority, (NTA), Dr. Tony Iredia, said the conference created a veritable platform for two great national institutions-the military and the media to rub minds on national security imperative, saying the only way out of media-military conundrum is not intimidation or isolation

but robust partnership that would dispel sensationalism and speculative journalism on military operations.

He counselled military information managers to desist from denial of obvious facts in the interest of credibility and openness, saying that the statement celebrating the recapturing of Baga by Nigerian army was self-indicting.

VICTORY ON THEIR MINDS…

I Tried to Be Fair, Buhari Tells Igbo Leaders Christopher Isiguzo, Gideon Arinze in Enugu President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday told Igbo leaders complaining of marginalisation that he tried to be fair with appointments, which he said were done based on merit.

The president was responding to complaints by the Igbo traditional rulers at the palace of Obi of Onitsha in Anambra State, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, where he had gone to campaign for re-election.

The royal fathers had alleged that the south-east states were being marginalised but the president said about five members of the federal executive cabinet are from the region.

“I think I tried to be fair. And you can ask these ministers. I never asked them how are they running their parastatals, the boards. I appointed them and I trust them. I allow them work,” he said.

“I don’t have to tell you what noise the other states are making, especially when compared to the votes I got in 2015. So, I think I try to be fair.”

“I think I tried to be fair. And you can ask these ministers. I never asked them how they are running their parastatals, the boards. I appointed them and I trust them. I allow them work.”

He said the same complaints from the South -east were also coming from other parts of

Nigeria, insisting that they did not reflect the truth.

“Those of you who were in the military even in the Biafran Army, know that the entry point is the same and you go for basic training, until you go to your formations or institutions whether it is army, navy, air force or the police. The most competent or senior person is the one that gets there.”

On appointment of service chiefs, Buhari said; “If there are half a million soldiers, only one man can be the Chief of Army Staff at a time. This is so for the rest of the troop.

“In recruitment, we make sure that by states, people are recruited. At least, this is what I do; people are recruited from each state. For those who manage to get recruited, it’s up to them to get to the top if they are professional and work for it.

“The present Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff - even the previous Inspector-General of Police that just left, I didn’t know them personally before I appointed them. I follow records.

“The same thing with the IG, that one was appointed last week.

I don’t think I have ever seen him, I follow records. So, appointments in the Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies depend on individual performance after recruitment not where you think you come. At least between me and God, this is what I do.”

L-R: Director General of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council and President of Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus; presidential candidate of (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; and former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, during the party’s campaign rally in Kaduna...yesterday.

Senate Adjourns Plenary to Feb 19, Minimum Wage Bill Scales Second Reading Ndubuisi Francis and Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday adjourned plenary to February 19 after the National Minimum Wage Bill transmitted to it on Wednesday

by President Muhammadu Buhari scaled the second reading.

Contrary to the N30, 000 approved by a 30-member Tripartite Committee put together by him, President Buhari had transmitted a N27, 000 Minimum Wage Bill to the National Assembly.

The bill scaled through the second reading in the Senate, which also set up an eight-man ad-hoc committee to study the provisions of the bill and make necessary recommendations to the Senate within two weeks.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over plenary, said the Senate was adjourning plenary till February 19 after listening to the motion moved by the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan , that the Senate should adjourn to another legislative day “having exhausted all the agenda on the day’s Order Paper.”

Commenting on the new minimum wage bill before the Senate, Ekweremmadu noted that the Senate decided to give the Bill an accelerated hearing due to its importance.

He added that this was the first time the 8th Senate would suspend its rules to take a First and Second Reading of an Executive Communication.

“This will be the first time

the 8th Senate is reading an Executive Communication and suspending our rules to take a First and Second Reading and assigning the Bill to a committee, all in one day. This shows how committed we are to this issue,” he said.

With the bill passing the second reading, Ekweremadu said: “Let me congratulate the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and all those who have brought this to this point. I would also like to thank my distinguished colleagues for the speedy consideration of this bill.

He, thereafter named an eight-man ad-hoc committee headed by Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, to do further legislative duties on the bill within two weeks.

Other members of the committee include Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour, Senator Abu Ibrahim; Senator Shehu Sani ( North West), Senator Sam Egwu (South-east), Senator Suleiman Adokwe (North-central), Senator Adeola Olamilekan, Senator Francis Alimikhena (South-south); and Senator Binta Masi Garba (North-east).

“I believe what we have said so far will suffice in guiding the Committee. Just to clarify: the new minimum wage brought to us is set at N27,000. There were news reports of N27,000 for state workers and N30,000 for the federal government workers, but this is a single national minimum wage of N27,000.

Again, House Postpones Budget Debate Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja The House of Representatives has again postponed the second reading of the 2019 budget proposals till next Tuesday.

Although the lawmakers were expected to commence their recess yesterday to enable them embark on their re-election campaign ahead of next month’s general elections, the Speaker of the House

of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, said the House will sit next Tuesday to conclude work on the budget.

The duo of Hon. Adamu Chika representing Shiroro/ Rafi/Munya of Niger State, and Hon. AhmanPategi representing Edu/Moro/ Pategi Federal Constituency of Kwara State had on Wednesday noted what was referred to as irreconcilable errors in the 2019

budget, making the House to direct the ministries to present an error-free document yesterday to enable lawmakers continue work on the document.

The discovery compelled Dogara to give a directive that relevant committees of the House should liaise with Ministry of Budget and National Planning, and the Ministry of Finance to urgently address the grey areas

presented in the 2019 Appropriation Bill.

However, since the correction could not be concluded, Dogara told members yesterday that “We have to sit on Tuesday so that we can give the committees the time to ensure that these errors are corrected,” adding that “members who want to speak on the budget should put down their names.”

FRIDAY JANUARY 25, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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FG Yet to Make Fresh Offer over Strike, Says ASUU Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The strike embarked upon by lecturers in the country’s universities may not end soon as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday said the federal government has failed to make fresh offer on funding for the revitalisation of public universities in the country.

The President of the union, Prof. Biodun Oduwole, who made the disclosure in Strike Bulletin 9 sent to branches of the union and journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State, also said the

government is yet to address the issue of renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement in its new offer made to the union last Monday.

Ogunyemi, who disclosed that the government had improved its earlier offers, maintained that there were still critical issues currently unresolved.

He called the public to disregard the misinformation being peddled through various media by agents of the government and haters of the principle of the union, charging members to remain

committed in the struggle to revitalise the education system.

According to him, “At the meeting held on January 21, 2017, between the union and the government agents (the Minister of Labour

and Employment and Representatives of relevant government agencies), the government improved its earlier offer. However, the government has failed to address the critical issues of

funding for the revitalisation of public universities in Nigeria and renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement.

“To confuse the public about our struggle, agents of the government and some haters of

our principled and purposeful struggle are peddling all sorts of misinformation through various media. Members must disregard any information unverified or not authenticated by the union.”

NiMet Forecasts ‘Below Normalto-Normal’ Rainfall Season Frequent, severe dry spell expected in far north KasimSumainainAbuja The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), yesterday inAbuja, stated that the country is expected to experience what it described as ‘below normalto-normal’ rainfall season.

The agency, in its public presentation of the 2019 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP), revealed that the rains are expected to start late, especially in the northern parts of the country while the south-eastern zone as well as the coastal areas will experience normal onset of the rains.

It noted that while most of the northern states will experience earlier-than- normal end growing season, shorter length of the growing season was predicted for most parts of the country.

The Director General (NiMet), Prof.

Abubakar Mashi, however, warned that, dry spells during the rainy season will be more frequent and severe within10-18 days in some parts of the extreme north around June and July, while the ‘Little Dry Season’ or (August break) in parts of the south is expected to be pronounced.

“And as such, put the country’s food security under threat due to the dry spell to be experienced in most agricultural producing states,” he said.

According to him, “these are risk factors for farmers in the affected areas andhavetobecarefullyandscientifically managed.”

“It is necessary to state that the

expected below normal--normal rainfall in parts of the country does not rule out the possibility of isolated flash floods due to high intensity rainfall at the peak of the season, especially in places that are naturally prone to flooding.

“It is also important to note that in every season, dry spells occur and in certain cases, it leads to crop losses.

“In this regard, I wish to urge our farmers and other stakeholders to get in touch with NiMet to access Meteorological advisories and updates within the growing season,” he said.

The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, while presenting the 2019 SRP, said: “It is imperative to note that the early release of this vital information before the beginning of rainy season every year is not only to ensure effective harnessing of the climate resource, but to also guarantee minimal losses from associated hazards, which are becoming quite devastating in this era of Climate Change.”

Hesaiditwasonrecordthatincrease of at least 30 per cent agricultural yields could be achieved if the relevant meteorological information is utilised.

“It is against the foregoing challenging background, that, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) embarks on regular weather and climate predictions to help the public mitigate the effects of extreme weather events through Early Warning Systems (EWSs),” he said.

Buhari Condoles Sokoto, Jigawa APC over Loss of Members in Accidents Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said he was deeply pained by the death of his supporters in Jigawa State in an auto accident on their way to attend campaign rallies.

The president also expressed his condolences to the families of two other victims who died in a stampede in Sokoto State, assuring that the sacrifices made by the deceased would not be in vain.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement, said four persons died and six others were injured in an accident involving party supporters who were going to attend All Progressives Congress, (APC) campaign rally in Jigawa.

“The death of any party supporter touches me because

these were poor Nigerians who made sacrifices to make Nigeria a better country by identifying with my change agenda.

“I would never forget the sacrifices of these ordinary Nigerians who travelled long distances to attend my presidential campaign rallies.

“These ordinary Nigerians were the pillars of our democracy because without them, we, the politicians, become irrelevant,” Shehu quoted the president to have said.

The statement also said following what he described as the unprecedented wave of the popularity of the president’s outdoor events, the presidency had ordered for increased structural integrity test of all erections and fabrications such as dais, tents, stages, including electrical and other equipment.

FREE, FAIR ELECTIONS IN FOCUS...

L-R: Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu; United Kingdom Ambassador to Nigeria and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Catriona Laing; Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of United States of America, David Young; and Ambassador, Head of Delegation, EU, Mr. Ketil Karlsen, during the visit of diplomatic corps to Adamu on forthcoming general election in Abuja...yesterday

N264.8m Gratification: Court Convicts Two INEC Officials Davidson Iriekpen A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday convicted two former officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Christian Nwosu and Tijani Bashir, charged with N264.8 million gratification and money laundering.

Justice Mohammed Idris handed down the conviction on the convicts, while delivering his judgment in the trial which spanned several months.

The court, however, adjourned the sentence of the convicts to today to enable the first convict (Nwosu) appear in court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had preferred charges against the convicts and one Yisa Adedoyin, who had already been convicted by the court after he pleaded guilty to the charges.

The convict were said to have accepted cash gratification from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AllisonMadueke, in the build-up to the

2015 general election.

The anti-graft agency accused them of accepting the said gratification, which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.

The convicts were re-arraigned after their co-accused (Adedoyin) had opted to change his plea by admitting to being complicit in the offences charged.

Conversely, Nwosu and Bashir maintained their respective pleas of not guilty, while they opened their defences on September 19 and 21, 2018, respectively.

After conclusion of trial, parties adopted their final addresses on November 8, 2018 and the court had adjourned until January 23 for judgment.

On January 23 (yesterday), the court was ready to read its judgment, but counsel to the first convict, Opara, informed the court of a sick leave certificate for Nwosu, from a hospital in Enugu, in which he was placed on bed rest.

He had urged the court to grant an adjournment to a further date,

to enable Nwosu appear.

In opposition, the prosecutor Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, vehemently urged the court to proceed with its “business” for the day, adding that such excuses was aimed at “arresting” the court’s judgment.

In the interest of justice however, Justice Idris further adjourned the case till yesterday for judgment and ordered that Nwosu be brought to court unfailingly.

When the case was called yesterday, Mr. Obinna Okereke announced appearance for Nwosu, and informed the court that the convict was immediately informed to come down from Enugu after the court issued the order yesterday.

He, however, said that after Nwosu arrived Lagos, he was informed that he fainted at the park and had been rushed to a hospital at Ajangbadi in Lagos, where his blood pressure was said to have read 200/140 He also urged the court to grant a short adjournment to enable his appearance in court, adding that there was also a subsisting

appeal in the instant case before the Court of Appeal.

Again, Oyedepo objected to the prayer for adjournment and citing the provisions of sections 305 and 314 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, he urged the court to proceed.

The prosecutor described the request as a gimmick to stop the judgment.

He added: “A defendant who was able to travel from Enugu to Lagos, suddenly fainted when he arrived his destination; he did not faint on the way, I urge the court to refuse this excuse and proceed with judgment,” In a bench ruling, Justice Idris dismissed the request for adjournment on the grounds that by the provisions of the law, his judgment ought to be delivered within 90 days after adoption of addresses.

Delivering his judgment afterwards, which lasted for 47 minutes, Idris gave a clear insight as to what constituted money laundering, conspiracy, as well as circumstantial evidence.

Stop APC from Threatening Election in Rivers, Wike Urges Buhari Ernest ChinwoinPortHarcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were threatening that there would be no elections in Rivers State and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the members of his party to order so as not to jeopardise the peace of the state.

The governor also accused Buhari of deliberately refusing to fund major projects across the Niger Delta.

Speaking during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Rally at Ahoada West Local Government Area at Akinima

yesterday, Wike said the alleged plot by the APC to disrupt the general election in the state would fail as they lack the capacity to stop polls from holding in the state.

His words: “APC cannot stop the elections from holding in Rivers State. They think they have monopoly of violence. They are engaged in in-fighting and they should face the consequences of their disrespect for the rule of law.

“I call on the President to call members of his party in Rivers State to order. They should stop threatening us that there will be no elections. If there is no election in Rivers State, then there will be no election across the country.”

Wike also said the APC would not be allowed to create cattle grazing routes in Rivers State.

The governor also decried what he described as the total neglect of the Niger Delta by the APC-led federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said: “Even though the Niger Delta produces the wealth of the nation, there is no funding of projects in the area.

“Look at the East-West Road, no serious attempt has been made to fund the project. All other projects in the area have been abandoned.

Instead, few projects are found in the north and south West “.

He charged the people of Ahoada West Local Government Area to vote for Atiku Abubakar so as to address the developmental challenges of the Niger Delta region.

He said unlike the APC, the PDP is built on the fulfillment of promises and the enhancement of the welfare of the people.

“When PDP makes a promise, it goes ahead to fulfill the promise.

Everywhere in Nigeria, people are voting for the PDP because they keep their promises “, he said.

Rivers State PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah, said the people are happy with the governor’s achievements in the area.

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IG Assures INEC of Adequate Security for General Election Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has assured the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of adequate security arrangements for the forthcoming general election.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Chief Press Secretary to the INE Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, the electoral body said Adamu while briefing the commission at the Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting, held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, assured that all polling units and voting points would be manned by at least three security personnel with the police taking the lead.

He added that units of mobile policemen would also be deployed to patrol all the country’s senatorial districts, to check unauthorised movements and potential trouble makers.

Adamu revealed that the federal government has provided the police with the required resources to carry out its duties during the general election.

According to him, “The federal government has already paid the allowances of the

personnel and every policeman will get his allowance before he moves to the field. The government has also provided us with the means of getting transportation.”

Giving an insight into how the Police designed the security strategy for the election, he said: “We went round the country and carried out threat assessments of the areas that are likely to be flash points and on those individuals that are likely to cause problems during the election. We have identified all those. Our pattern of deployment will be informed by the result of the threat assessments.”

The police chief stressed that all collation centres across the country, from the ward to state levels, would also be adequately protected.

“The location of the RACs (Registration Area Centres), polling units, voting points and collation centres will be adequately manned. There will be at least three security personnel at each polling unit.

Units of mobile policemen will be deployed to every senatorial district, where there will be constant patrols to check unauthorised movements and those who might want to cause trouble,” Adamu explained.

“We are deploying three

days before the election and after the election, we will remain behind for the next two days. All security personnel will remain behind after voting had taken place and they will accompany election officials as they move the results.

“From the ward collation

centre, they will move to the local government collation centre where they will meet other security personnel already stationed there.

“From there, they will all move to state collation centre.

So, as they are moving, the number of security personnel

keeps increasing up to the state collation centre.”

Meanwhile, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has welcomed the IG’s willingness to partner the commission for the successful conduct of the polls.

Those present at the

meeting include: National Commissioners, the National Security Adviser, Mr. Babagana Mungoro; Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. Muhammed Babandede; and Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi

Again, Kogi Govt Shuts GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY… Deputy Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc, Ms. Adaora Umeoji (left), and Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen.Tukur Buratai, during the presentation down MTN Service over oftheplanforafullyequippedultra-modernICTcentretobeconstructedbythebankinNigerianArmyUniversity,Biu,BornoState...recently N120m Debt Three Killed as Armed Robbers Attack Bank in Osun Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) yesterday shut down the telecom service provider, MTN, in the state over alleged refusal to pay N120 million debt.

Last November, the KSIRS, upon the order of the High Court in the state granted on the account of the fact that MTN in state has failed in her responsibility and legal obligation to discharge its tax obligations to the state.

The Director, Legal Services and Enforcement of the revenue service, Jamil Isah, who led his team to seal the facilities of the telecom service provider at Mount Patti, Obajana, and other places in Lokoja, disclosed that MTN refused to meet its obligation of over N120 million to the state government.

He added that following the intervention of the state Governor, Yahaya Bello, the restraining order was relaxed to allow for further negotiations, “only for MTN to offer settlement of N250, 000, the cheque of which was presented last Tuesday, but was rejected outright.”

He said: “MTN did not take any steps to redeem its tax obligations despite court orders, and has failed to make payment.

“The governor heeded the intervention of the National Communications Commission (NCC) when they came, and ordered the opening of the sealed MTN sites to allow for negotiations.

“Since then, MTN has engaged in various means to subvert

the order of the court. We were surprised to see the query of the NCC to question the restraining order of the high court.

“When MTN sought to respond in respect of this liability of N120 million, it decided to insult the state government by offering N250,000 as full and final settlement as its tax obligation.

“We received the cheque yesterday and we consider that as a serious insult on the people and government of Kogi State. It was a clear statement on the part of MTN that they have resolved not to be law-abiding member of the state.

“They have demonstrated that they have the capacity to influence other authorities and agencies of government to prevail on the state government not to carry out its duties properly under the law.”

He stated that because the state government had condoned this for a very long time in the spirit of providing conducive environment for businesses to thrive, MTN provider service is taking them for granted.

Isah stated that “we want to say clearly on behalf of the government that since MTN has legal department, it should know what to do if it is dissatisfied with the action of KSIRS. The era of using other authorities of the government to muzzle the state government and its people and evade statutory responsibilities is over.

“This informed our decision to continue our restraining order, and we will be there on ground to enforce it.”

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Suspected armed robbers yesterday reportedly killed three persons during an attack on a commercial bank in Ila-Orangun in Ila Local Government of Osun State.

The victims of the robbery, according to sources, include one policeman, and two civilians

THISDAY learnt that the robbers numbering about 15 were said to have launched attack on the bank and carted away unspecified amount of money during the raid, which was said to have lasted for about two and half hours.

An eyewitness informed our correspondent that the robbers announced their arrival with gun shots which sent residents

scampering for safety.

The bandits reportedly blew the bank’s security door with dynamite to gain access into the banking hall.

The heavy shooting by the robbers paralysed transportation, economic and social activities.

The state police command image maker, Mrs. Folashade Odoro, confirmed that at about

a gang of armed men attacked Polaris Bank in Ila-Orangun .

She added that the police are on the trail of the suspects who abandoned their vehicles and fled into the bush upon a hot pursuit She also confirmed that the injured police officer later died in the hospital while others injured are responding to treatment.

Otti, Ogah’s Kinsmen Back Ikpeazu’s Second Term Bid Ahead of the March governorship election, the people of Arochukwu and Isuikwuato Local Government Areas of Abia State have assured Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of their votes against their sons, Mazi Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who hails from Arochukwu LGA, and Mr. Uche Ogah of All Progressives Congress (APC) who hails from Isuikwuato LGA, respectively.

Speaking at the local government campaign rallies in Arochukwu and Isiukwuato areas of the state, leaders from both local government areas in Abia North senatorial zone of the state, said they would vote Ikpeazu for a second tenure in keeping with the spirit and letter of the Abia Charter of Equity, which allows the three senatorial zones of the state to take turns in the governorship seat of the state.

Addressing members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and supporters of Ikpeazu at the Aggrey Memorial School, Ibom Arochukwu, Senator Mao

Ohuabunwa, who is representing Abia North senatorial district in the Senate said the people of Arochukwu and indeed Abia north have decided to vote for Ikpeazu again, not just because he has done well, but because he deserves a second tenure, according to the provision of Abia Charter of Equity.

“My governor, it is true that two sons of Abia North, in the persons of Mazi Alex Otti who hails from Arochukwu and Chief Uche Ogah, who hails from Isuikwuato, are candidates of their various political parties for the governorship election against you, but you are here in Arochukwu, the ancestral home of Alex Otti and you have seen our people are here to receive you and your entourage. This goes to show that you have our vote. Our people will elect you for second term, not just because you have done very well, but also to allow equity and good conscience rule over selfish ambitions.

“Abia North did eight years

with Orji Uzor Kalu; Abia Central did eight years with Senator TA Orji, Abia South is concluding four years with you, and in the spirit of equity, Abia South deserves another four years to complete eight years. Therefore, we will support and vote you to complete your tenure like those before you.

“You have done very well despite the distractions that you faced from 2015 to 2018, from one court to the other, yet you proved yourself as the leader who cares for his people. I won’t bore the crowd here with your achievements in all sectors, but I must stress that your governorship since 2015 has brought peace and political unity to Abia. In the past, there was political divide of Abuja politicians and Abia politicians. But since you took over, our people are politically united under the PDP. Even those in other parties, also have a level-playing ground in the state. That is how it should be and we are proud of you and will support and vote you to win

again in 2019.”

Also speaking at the Isuikwuato High School Field, venue for the Isuikwuato Local Government Area rally, former State Chairman of the PDP, Senator Emma Nwaka, also said the people of Isuikwuato, which is the local government origin of Ogah, will vote massively for Ikpeazu and all PDP candidates.

“Governor, if anybody is telling you that Isuikwuato will not vote for you, it is a big lie because the entire people of isuikwuato have resolved to elect you for a second term and to vote for all PDP candidates, from the Presidential to the House of Assembly elections.

“Isuikwuato and, indeed, Abia north voted PDP in 2015, we will vote PDP again this 2019. We know that when you finish your tenure in 2023, the governorship seat of Abia will return to Abia North, and we know that you will support an Isuikwuato son to become the governor of the state after you.”

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Agbaje Alleges Unlawful Removal of Posters, Materials on Third Mainland Bridge Segun James The Jimi Agbaje Campaign Organisation has cried out over the continuous vandalisation of its campaign posters, materials and billboards by suspected agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the state government.

According to the Director of Media and Publicity of the campaign organisation, Ms. Modupe Ogunbayo, “The clandestine methods of removing campaign posters and political party signs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, have confirmed the APC ill motive to ensure that there is no level playing field.

“As the members of the public know, the PDP has on several occasions been victims at the barbaric hands of miscreants who have vandalised no less than

3,000 billboards and campaign materials in primed areas such as the Third Mainland bridge; and have also enjoyed continued support from the members of the ruling APC. The support received in the execution of these unlawful acts from the government led by the APC is evidenced by the surreptitious release of culprits without sanction, including officials within the Lagos State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), apprehended for these crimes.”

Ogunbayo lamented that this act has led to an increase in the unlawful activities, which have now been reported to be prevalent in over 35 constituencies across Lagos State. “Is this how the APC intends to conduct elections-by stifling the opposition?” She queried.

According to her, “Despite the best efforts of the state Police Commissioner towards thwarting

these illegal activities, the members of the ruling APC have devised other surreptitious strategies all in an attempt to silence and emasculate any opposition to their ‘anointed’ candidate for the position of governor of state.

“The continued use of state apparatus and resources to fund the political campaign of the APC’s candidate and the excessive use of federal might in a local election are few out of the many instances of

the ruling party’s arbitrary exercise of state power. Lagosians will not be cowed. The peoples of the state would not be intimidated.

“In a true democracy, one of the core tenets is the existence of a level playing field for every party without fear or favour.

Every citizen should be afforded the opportunity to consider the alternatives and not to be forced into making a decision. The acts by the ruling party are akin to a

dictatorship aimed at oppressing the law-abiding members of the PDP who do not possess the political might and/or the financial exuberance of the APC.” The campaign organisation reiterated the need to stand against what it called tyranny.

“We refuse to be silent and will not be oppressed or suppressed into a corner. It is time to deliver our great state from the shackles of bondage and deliver freedom to its

people who have been held bound under the whims and caprices of select individuals who have monopolised the resources of the state and accumulated public funds for their private benefit.

“We are undeterred by the illegal activities of the APC, and are assured that the wheels of justice, though slow, will eventually turn in the right direction, and the will of the good people of Lagos State will prevail,” it concluded.

Gunmen Kill Police Orderly, Abducts APC Candidate in Edo Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Pandemonium struck yesterday in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State following the reported abduction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) state House of Assembly candidate in the area, Mr. Michael Ohio-Ezomo.

Ohio-Ezomo, as gathered, was Kidnapped in the early hours of yesterday in his private residence at Eme-Ora and his police orderly killed in the process.

The assailants, who are three in number, according investigation, gained entry into his compound while the others laid guard outside the fence to forestall any escape.

One of the three was said to have worn a hood and hand gloves ostensibly to beat forensic investigation.

The incident as further gathered, led to youths in the area barricading the major roads in the community with heavy logs in protest against the kidnap which took the personal intervention of the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, who had to engage sawmill operators to cut the logs before they were cleared off the road.

Chairman of the council area, Frank Ilaboya, while speaking on the incident, said: “It happened around 1 a.m. this morning (yesterday) in his house in Owan West. We got the information early this morning that his police orderly was also killed. They shot him so that they would be able to get Mike out of his room. From what we heard from the driver, they shattered the window with bullets and entered into the room and they took him away, and up till now, we don’t know his whereabouts. No contact yet. He went out for campaign yesterday with Professor Julius Ihonvbere who is the House of Representatives candidate. They were supposed to continue the campaign today but for this unfortunate incident.”

Reacting, Police Commissioner Odumosu said: “It is a case of kidnap and murder. They broke into the compound and first went to the boys quarters where the police orderly was sleeping and killed him which is to first check any resistance, and then went into the four bedroom bungalow where the victim was and broke the window to gain entrance into the building.”

Sanwo-Olu Inaugurates Events Centre The gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will inaugurate an ultra-modern events centre on Sunday, January 27 along Lekki- Epe Expressway in Lagos State. The time is 4 p.m.

Known as Royal Oaks Centre, it is billed as one of the biggest and luxurious such edifice in the state with such features as 3,000 theatre-style seating, 1,200 banquet-seating capacity with ample parking of over 500 vehicles.

According to a statement by the Chief Executive of The Royal Oaks Centre, Augusta Ikpea-Enaholo, the event centre provides something for everyone.

The statement added that it will cater for weddings, exhibitions, product launches and activations,

fashion shows, funeral parties, conferences with a flexibility to adapt the large hall for small, intimate and big events with partitions.

“It is also friendly to the disabled from entrance gate to the toilet facilities.

“It is also convenient for mother and child in a party environment with appropriate toilet facilities,” she said.

“The Royal oaks Centre is complete with mobile stage, 1200 gold and silver chivalry chairs, 120 round banquet table and 15 rectangular tables with air-conditioning that allows events to operate for 10 hours on end.

“We combine safety with comfort,” Ikpea-Enaholo added.

CONJUGAL BLISS...

L-R: Sponsor of the wedding, Admiral Dele Ezeoba (rtd); the couple, Irene & Kenny; Chairman of the occasion, Dr. ABC Orjiakor; and father of the groom and Chairman of Embassy Pharm, Nnamdi Obi, at the wedding of the couple at Church of the Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi…recently

Adebutu Remains Our Ogun Guber Candidate, PDP Insists INEC asks candidate, party to stop campaigns Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Femi Ogbonnikan in Abeokuta The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu, to insulate the commission from unnecessary controversies by immediately obeying the judgment of the Court of Appeal of December 18, 2018, which affirmed Hon. Ladi Adebutu as the candidate of the party in Ogun state.

This is coming as the electoral body has cautioned the faction of the party backing Adebutu and the candidate himself to stop campaigns.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan had in December sacked Buruji Kashamu as the Ogun State governorship candidate of the PDP. The three-man appeal panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani unanimously agreed that the lower court was wrong in its decision and consequently set aside the order, saying it was null and void.

“Non-service of the originating summons on the applicants at the lower court rendered all the order given at the lower court against the applicants a nullity and this is an indication that the applicants were not given a fair hearing.

“In the interest of justice, the order of the lower court is set aside, null and void and an

academic exercise,’’ the judge said.

However, the Federal Capital Territory High Court had last month dismissed the suit filed

by Adebutu to challenge the nomination of Kashamu as the governorship candidate of in Ogun state.

In the suit, Adebutu asked the court to declare him the authentic candidate of the party for the March 2 governorship election.

But while delivering judgment, Ajoke Adepoju, the presiding judge, said the case filed by Adebutu cannot be maintained to declare him the governorship candidate of the PDP. Adepoju said although Adebutu was nominated by the National Working Committee (NWC) of

the party, the primary election where he emerged as candidate was conducted in violation of a subsisting court judgment.

The judge held that the PDP national working committee acted in bad faith by flouting a subsisting judgment of a Federal High Court delivered by Ibrahim Buba.

But the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, at a press conference yesterday in Abuja, insisted that Adebutu’s name was duly and statutorily submitted to INEC after he won the governorship primary conducted by the party’s NWC, the only body empowered by law to conduct such primaries.

SGF: Buhari Will Win by Landslide, Constitutes FCT Campaign Council Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, has tipped President Muhammadu Buhari to win the forthcoming February 16 presidential election by a landslide.

He made the assertion at the extraordinary meeting of the stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, where the high-powered campaign council of the party for the FCT was named.

The SGF urged party faithful to forge a united front during the

campaign season, saying it is only through unity and purposefulness that the party would be ensured of victory at the polls.

“The APC as a big family, we have already put behind us the sad chapter of what transpired during the primaries in a consolidated manner. It is going to be landslide victory for Baba Buhari and we are rest assured that God willing we are going to the next level,” Mustapha said.

The APC stakeholders who met at Lifecamp, appointed Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, to lead the party’s high-powered

campaign council to sweep the FCT for President Buhari.

Bello assured after the meeting that the party would go into the electioneering campaign as one family.

As Chairman of the APC Campaign Council, the FCT Minister will head the main policy-making and strategy planning body that comprises the APC State Chairman, Abdulmalik Ahmed Usman, who serves as his deputy.

Other members of the council include all National Assembly aspirants, Board of Trustees members, national executives

representing FCT, Area Council Chairmen and the Campaign Director-General among others.

The campaign structure includes, a Campaign Directorate, headed by a Director-General, Hon. Musa Yahaya Mohammed, former Chairman of Abaji Area Council. The Directorate has nine directors: Planning, Publicity, Contact and Mobilization, Special Duties, Inter-party, Security, Transport, Women and Youth.

The campaign will begin with tour of the Area Councils of the FCT and will culminate in a mega national rally of the party billed for Abuja.

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Buhari Vows to Restore Falling Education Standards Inaugurates CBN’s N9bn Excellence Centre in Enugu Christopher Isiguzo, Gideon Arinze in Enugu and James Emejo in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said his administration was determined to reverse the falling education standards in the face of dwindling resource.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Centre of Excellence at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu Campus, which is a N9 billion postgraduate studies facility funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the president said government attaches premium on education as it is the bedrock for societal development.

He lamented that facilities in universities and other institutions of higher learning had dilapidated but assured that “our administration is committed and determined to continue to reverse this situation even in the face of

dwindling resources”.

Buhari said the inauguration of the centre was part of his administration’s commitment to address the situation and represented a landmark for “our students as it provides them a conducive environment and well-equipped facilities in their educational pursuit”.

He said: “I want to note here that this administration places much premium on education as it is the bedrock of societal progress “The state of education in terms of outreach, quality and affordability is a direct bearing on our national aspirations and collective desire towards poverty reduction, securing the nation, narrowing the infrastructure gap and giving hope to our younger generation for a brighter future.”

He further promised that his government would “not rest until we deliver on these commitments.”

“I wish at this juncture to commend the CBN for this gesture, which goes beyond just providing this physical structure to include partnerships with the university administration, especially in terms of funding support.”

He added that the immense challenges in the education sector called for the type of partnership between the CBN and the universities, adding that the initiative will not only benefit

the CBN but the entire country.

Also speak on the project, the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele said the initiative was part of the bank’s determination to address the problem associated with dearth of skilled manpower, which tended to undermine the country’s potential for growth.

He added that the institution was also designed to among other things, curtail the pressure on foreign exchange occasioned

by educational tourism as well as check the brain drain syndrome.

“Basically it is the contribution of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) towards uplifting the standards of education in Nigeria.

“It is a centre of excellence mainly for postgraduate studies and finance and accountancy. We have these centres now in three places like University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and University of Ibadan.”

According to him: “Each of these projects costs nothing less than N9 billion. The second phase of these has about seven centres that is coming up and it is coming under the CBN endowment programme.

“The last administration in CBN did set up a N10 billion endowment programme about nine years ago. And as we speak, that endowment had grown to about N23 billion. “

SDP Disowns Opposition Parties’ Consensus Candidate The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its Presidential Campaign Organisation have distanced themselves from the purported endorsement of the PDP presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the consensus candidate of the Nigerian opposition parties for the forthcoming presidential election.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Director General SDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, the party said it was not a party to this arrangement.

“Although we were initially part of the CUPP, the understanding was that each member party having elected its presidential candidate would then sit in committee to select a consensus presidential candidate, running

mate and other officers of the campaign committee. Contrary to this spirit of understanding, one of the political parties, elected its presidential candidate and without consulting the CUPP went ahead to nominate its running mate and indeed all other officers of their campaign organisation,” the statement explained.

“This not only negated the understanding between the parties but also abrogated the agreement itself. We urge our members and the general public who have made up their minds to vote for the SDP candidate as the next president of Nigeria to stay true to their conviction about Donald Duke and the SDP as the best options to take Nigeria out of its present situation and restore the glory of our great nation,” SDP added.

N2.5bn Fraud: PDP Asks ICPC to Investigate Lai Mohammed, Others Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to go beyond the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Is’haq Kawu Modibbo and investigate the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and other top officials that played suspected role around N2.5bn NBC scandal.

In a press state by the party’s spokesman Kola Ologbodiyan yesterday in Abuja, PDP specifically demanded an open investigation into the alleged roles played by certain top officials of the Buhari Presidency, including the Minister of Information and Culture, around the matter.

Ologbondiyan said that ICPC’s investigation of N2.5billion NBC Digital Switch Over (DSO) contract further

exposed the inherent corruption in the Buhari Presidency and how Presidency officials and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been siphoning billions of naira from government agencies.

PDP added, “This scandal further exposes how corruption has become endemic at the NBC under the direct supervision of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who has not yet cleared his name on the N13.1 million NBC loan scandals since May 2016.

“We therefore urge ICPC to go beyond the N2.5 billon NBC fraud and investigate the allegations that Alhaji Lai Mohammed abused the privilege of his office by approving a letter from his office requesting the NBC, an agency under his supervision, to advance a loan of N13.1 million to his ministry for a purported official assignment in China.

TO WHOM HONOUR IS DUE…

L-R: Erelu of Lagos, Abiola Dosunmu; Director, Harriman Company, Mrs. lrene Harriman; Managing Director, Wealthstrings Consulting, Prof. Bridget Sokan; and Managing Director, Pacesetters Communications, Mrs. Omotayo Omotosho, at the conferment of a Lifetime Achievement Award on Erelu Dosunmu by Vanguard Newspaper in Lagos...recently ABIODUN AJALA

Ikeja Electric Commences Electronic Tagging of Poles to Enhance Operations Peter Uzoho To further optimise operations through adequate maintenance of installations and reduction of downtime, Ikeja Electric Plc (IE) has commenced the electronic tagging of electricity poles across its network.

The exercise known as E-Pole Tagging Project entails labeling of all 11KV and 33KV high tension (HT) poles with electronic Quick Response (QR) code stickers that will accelerate fault clearing, ensure proper record keeping for poles and feeders that need urgent maintenance in order to bring about stable power distribution to customers.

Speaking on the initiative, Head

of Corporate Communication, Ikeja Electric, Mr. Felix Ofulue, said: “At Ikeja Electric, we are consistent and committed to improving our operations in line with the best practice in order to give the desirable services to our customers.

We are engaging in activities that will provide significant outcome and impact positively on the sector.”

“This consistency shows that we are driven by commitment and passion to add value to the lives of our customers through exploring ways of improving the network.”

The project, according to the company, kicked off two weeks ago and is expected to end by December 31, 2019. It will cover

274 units of 11KV overhead feeders and 64 units of 33KV overhead feeders. The electronic stickers are designed in Quick Response Code (QR Code) format. Information about the feeders and poles are embedded into the fiber metallic stickers that are attached to the poles.

This information can be read by scanning the QR Code on the stickers pasted on the poles with any smartphone devices.

The scanned information will show the Index Number, Feeder Name, Pole Material Type (Wooden or Concrete), Pole ID, Longitude/ Latitude and Pole Structure (single or dual poles).

Accordingly, the initiative will enable the technical team to track work and maintenance history,

reducing human error in the upkeep of regular maintenance and speed up tracking times for new work orders. The project is a continuation of the CETAAM project contracted to KEPCO. Part of the recent improvement done by the Disco include the upgrading of the PTC undertaking at Ikeja GRA to offer a highly effective point-of-sales self-service, fully automated Electronic Queue Management System (EQMS) and well-trained executives sales representative.

Other projects executed to scale up supply across our network also include the inauguration of the Mushin 1x15MVA injection substation and the New Oworo 15 MVA Injection sub-station.

Igbo Diaspora Group: Why We Are Supporting Atiku Oluchi Chibuzor The Igbo World Assembly (IWA), an umbrella body of Ohanaeze Ndigbo organisation in 35 countries across the world, has disclosed reasons for endorsing the presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, after his recent visit to United States of America.

The group stated this in at world press conference granted recently by the association Chairman, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, and Vice-chairman, Christian Onuorah, saying they strongly supported and endorsed the candidacy of Atiku and Peter

Obi because of their commitment to matters of national interest.

IWA further added that the members believe that Nigeria needs a government that can fight corruption without victimising opponents as well as not borrow more money and avoid violent separation powers.

According to the group, “We strongly endorsed the candidates of the PDP led by Atiku and Obi because of their commitment to the core beliefs and principles, including respect for Nigeria constitution and rule of law; respect for human right and civil rights; respect for the Federal Character Commission rules; implementation of restructuring,

regionalisation, devolution of powers and merit-based appointment to government positions.”

IWA revealed that if the pair is elected, transform of the country is assured with their cumulative vast experience across all broader, spanning a total numbers of years in business and governance, adding that the nation will witness even spread of appointments across the different geopolitical zones in the country.

“We need a government that will fight corruption and not political opponents. We do not need a government that borrows more money in the history of Nigeria with nothing good to

show for it. Nigeria does not need a government that carries out fragrant violation of the principles of separation of powers. That is why we are endorsing Atiku as president.

“The Igbo extraction, Nigeria and the African continent want a true, sustainable democracy and freedom, and will continue to work tirelessly toward achieving this noble goal,” they said.

However the Igbo group said history in Nigeria clearly shows that Ndigbo have always stood for democracy and equality for all, adding that “we do not believe or promote religious-based politics and ideology.”

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F R I DAY ˾ JANUARY 25, 2019

ÜÙßÚ ÚÙÜÞÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ Duro Ikhazuagbe ×ËÓÖ duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

SPORTS AFCON 2019

Uzoho’s Club StatusWorries Rohr Femi Solaja

signed another goalkeeper meaning that the new signing will compete for second choice position with him.

“I will like to see him as number one goalkeeper and not a substitute in a Spanish second league. I know that the level is high in Spain,” he noted.

The newly wedded goalkeeper conceded four goals altogether at the World Cup without any meaningful saves in the three matches that could have convinced cynics to change their mind towards him.

Unfortunately when he returned to Spain in the ongoing season, he conceded many goals before he was relegated to second choice keeper for the lower cadre side in the league.

“We also have other players in Spain doing very well because I do monitor them to see how they are doing, their progress and fitness. I am positive about their ability when they return to the national team.

“Samuel Chukwueze and Kenneth Omeruo are leading lights in LaLiga. I have watched them closely and happy that they command respectable time on the field.

“When I first invited Chukwueze to the team, many were surprised with my action, but then, I knew his level, that he has lots of quality and he is

There are strong indications that Super Eagles goalkeeper to the last World Cup in Russia, Francis Uzoho is on the verge of losing his number one status for the team, if going by the body language of the Head Coach of the team, Gernot Rohr.

The Franco-German tactician, who was part of Wednesday’s Nigeria Professional Football League crowd at the Agege Stadium in Lagos said he is worried the status of the goalkeeper with Spanish Segunda Division club, Elche, where he has lost out in the pecking order.

Uzoho, whose choice as number one to the Mundial beats the imagination of most pundits, is being used sparingly by the Spanish second tier club and his matter reached the limit lately as the club engaged another top goalkeeper in the ongoing transfer window. A development, Rohr admitted he is not comfortable with.

Although he admitted that he still has him in his plans, he could not confirm the number one status considering the array of other ‘fringe’ keepers in the pool since the exit of Carl Ikeme from football two years ago.

“This development calls for concern and I feel for him but the interest of the team is more important than any personal interest or ambition. Elche just

already showing that.

“Same thing with Omeruo when he played the last game

for us in South Africa, he is a good central defender and I am happy he is being recognised

in his club.

“We also have Moses Simon who did very well in the game

Super Eagles Captain, John Mikel Obi, at the official presentation by his new club Middlesbrough yesterday in England

NFF Condoles Ahmed Musa on Mother’s Death The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has condoled Super Eagles’ deputy captain, Ahmed Musa on the death of his mother, Mrs Sarah Moses yesterday afternoon.

Early reports indicated that Mrs Moses died at a hospital in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja after a brief illness.

President of NFF Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, said the generality

of Nigerian Football fraternity was taken aback by the loss of the Super Eagles’ ace’s mum.

“This is a huge shock. It is always a thing of grief and pain to lose either of one’s parents, no matter how old they were before they passed on. We share in Ahmed Musa’s sorrow at this period and we pray that God will enable him to muster the courage

and give him the fortitude to bear the loss. We also pray for the repose of the soul of the departed.

“Ahmed Musa has always shown a high level of dedication and patriotism in all the matches he has played for Nigeria. Everyone is in sympathy with him at this period.”

On a day that Nigerian ball

NWPL SUPER 4

Battle for Women’s LeagueTitle Begins It will be outright fireworks today in Lagos among the four best teams in the land at the kickoff of the 2018 Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) Super 4 play offs at the Agege Stadium ‘Soccer Temple’ in Lagos.

The biggest prize at stake as always will be who takes home the coveted trophy of the 2017/18 Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL). The title has been resident in Lafia for the past one season courtesy of the City’s premier league side, Nasarawa Amazons’ triumph at the 2017 edition of the football showpiece in Benin City, Edo state.

The Al-Makura Girls are very much in the race to defence their hard earned title against equally ambitious sides, Bayelsa Queens, Sunshine Queens and multiple champions, Rivers Angels.

The quartet know each other inside out and that in its itself naturally elicit the type of fireworks, frills and thrills that

await the fans who will troop out enmasse to savour the best of women football in the land.

Unlike the immediate past edition of the annual football fiesta which was designed to be round robin the 2018 version is a straight knockout that takes the winners automatically to the final to be decided on Sunday, January 27 at same venue – Agege Stadium.

None of the teams has hidden their innermost interest to be the newest winner including the reigning champions, Nasarawa Amazons. You just have to be abreast of their individual buildup to the competition as well as the quality of players each of them is bringing to the party to agree rightly that perhaps for the first time the best of bookmakers will find it truly tough a task to firm their hands on the possible winner of the competition.

Of course, we know for certain that at the end of the four-day football extravaganza a winner

against Barcelona FC in their last game. We also have him in our plans too,” he concluded.

will emerge among the four and the trophy will reside in one of the cities for the next one year.

Bullish as always the head coach of Nasarawa Amazons, Chris Danjuma was blunt when he said his side are here in Lagos to successfully defend the NWPL title they won the last time in Benin City, Edo state.

“The 2018 Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) Super 4 title will return back to Lafia at the end of the days’ proceedings.

“Nasarawa Amazons are the defending champions of the Nigerian women topflight and we are coming to Lagos to show our stuff aimed at retaining the title.

“People are already expressing deep worries over our ability to defend the title due to the absence of our two key players, Anam Imo and Amarachi Okoronkwo.

“Yes, the two players were key members of the team and quite useful to the team’s past achievements.

fans were happy that Super Eagles’ captain, Mikel Obi had secured a return to England having agreed terms with Championship side Middlesborough, came the sad news of the passing of his deputy’s mother.

The electrifying forward, thenff. com learnt, was on his way to Jos, Plateau State on Thursday night to brief family members

and commence preparations for his mother’s final rites of passage.

NFF President Pinnick added: “I have spoken to the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung, who directed that I should ensure that the player was provided with adequate security at this period, especially his night movement to Jos.

Dominant Nadal Hits Final with Perfect Score Rafael Nadal maintained a perfect score of not dropping any set so far as he shut the door against one of the future of the game, Stefanos Tsitsipas, at the Australian Open and silenced his hordes of new fans.

Nadal, 32, was in devastating form as he beat the 20-year-old 14th seed 6-2 6-4 6-0 in one hour and 46 minutes.

The Spaniard cracked 28 winners, breaking Tsitsipas’ serve six times and only facing one break point himself.

He will play either top seed Novak Djokovic or France’s Lucas Pouille - who meet today - in Sunday’s final.

“It was a great match, it has been a great tournament and I have played very well every day,” Nadal said.

Nadal, who triumphed at Melbourne Park in 2009, is one more victory away from winning all four Grand Slams at least twice - a feat which no

other man has achieved in the Open era.

Serbia’s Djokovic is also chasing a slice of history as he bids for a record seventh men’s singles title, although he must first beat Grand Slam semi-final debutant Pouille.

After a number of injury problems, Nadal is playing his first tournament since losing in last year’s US Open semi-finals.

The world number two pulled out of the Brisbane International earlier this month with a thigh strain and the move has paid dividends for the 17-time Grand Slam champion.

“To start the season like this when a few weeks ago I was in Brisbane having to take a tough decision not to play there, it is difficult to imagine where I am today,” Nadal said.

“But I never stopped practising. That week of practice made me feel good.”

DStv, GOtv Set to Showcase Laliga Big Games Round 21 of the 2018/19 La Liga season will, again, offer Atletico Madrid the chance of putting pressure on leaders Barcelona, while Real Madrid will hope to bridge the gap between them and their table-topping rivals.

The matches will be live on DStv and GOtv. Atletico play at home to sixth-placed Getafe on Saturday evening (4.15pm on SS7 & SelGo4), while Barca will be in action away to Girona on Sunday (4.15pm on SS7 & SelGo4). Diego Simeone’s side will, on the evidence of the 3-0 thumping of Huesca last week, fancy their chances of picking up all three points and move within two points of Barcelona, who will seek to restore their five-point advantage againstGirona.

Real Madrid will hope to see their two rivals slip up, as they bid to revive their title hopes.

They moved to third on the table with a 2-0 win over Sevilla last weekend and will be favourites to build further momentum when they play away to Espanyol on Sunday night (8.45pm on SS7 & SelGo4). Elsewhere, Karl Toko Ekambi and Samuel Chukwueze’s Villarreal will seek to halt their slide toward the foot of the table when they head to the Mestalla to face Valencia on Saturday night (6.30pm on SS7A & SelGo4).

Villarreal are winless in their last seven matches across all competitions and have slipped into the red zone of La Liga.

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Friday, January 25, 2019

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MISSILE PFN to INEC

“Only members of the opposition are hounded for corruption charges, but allegations of corruption levelled against members of the ruling party are disregarded; this is not good. Injustice arises when equals are treated unequally or when the unequal are treated equally” – South-East Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Dr. Cosmas Ilechukwu, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies in the country to resist every form of temptation to compromise the general elections.

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

Still on Obasanjo “B

uhari has succeeded in deceiving us the first time and we will be fools to allow ourselves to be deceived the second time.

Even when figures, facts and statistics are made clear to Buhari, he keeps repeating what is untrue, either because he cannot understand or for mischief purposes and that places him on the level of a pathological liar. Buhari believes he can get away with impunity and deceit as he seems to have done on many occasions in the past.” Buhari’s….

It is clear from all indications that Buhari is putting into practice the lessons he learned from Abacha. Buhari has intimidated and harassed the private sector, attacked the National Assembly and now unconstitutionally and recklessly attacked and intimidated the Judiciary to cow them to submission… The derailment of Nigerian democracy will be a monumental disaster comparable to the disaster of the Nigerian first military coup...

Nigeria must not be allowed to slip off the democratic path nor go into anarchy and ruin”- Olusegun Obasanjo Where Sonala Olumhense, Farooq Kperogi, Ayo Adebanjo, Dangiwa Umar are speaking the same language with President Olusegun Obasanjo on any subject matter especially Mohammadu Buhari, there should be no need to look any longer for the truth or conflate the message with the messenger. Is any of this eminent company implicated in the embezzlement of the phantom 16 billion dollars spent on power? Are they culpable of bad faith or perhaps it is corruption fighting back? Was Obasanjo instrumental to the transformation of Olumhense from a long standing proponent of the mythical virtues of Buhari to a bitterly disappointed admirer turned foe? Could it be that he sought gratification from the Buhari caucus and was denied and ignored? Is there a consistent thread of logic tying the declaration of Mrs Aisha Buhari to the effect that her husband is taken hostage by a few malevolent usurpers and the physical evidence provided in the past two weeks of a mentally and physically unraveling Buhari?

In my reckoning, the only opinion leaders who presently have the legitimacy to criticize Obasanjo are those who will not call black as white in their assessment of Buhari or employ it as dissemblance for their covert Buhari partisanship. Regardless of how his views and positions sit with you, the one quality no one can take away from Obasanjo is that he has the courage of his convictions.

There is hardly any gap between what he whispers privately and what he proclaims at the rooftops. In a society steeped in hypocrisy, deceit and backbiting, such a quality is not likely to be appreciated in the short and medium term. For a personality who, within living memory, suffered the life threatening deprivations attendant on standing up to the Sani Abacha dictatorship-staking a similar defiance, with potentially the same consequences, is the hallmark of courage and statesmanship.

Relative to his traducers, Obasanjo’s

Obasanjo

public life has been more an embodiment of transparency and accountability. Confronted with collective peril, other leaders of eminent standing, whom he might have otherwise offended, are called upon to unpack this injury from the obligation of attending to the present public danger-not prioritize the injury over the larger public obligation to focus attention on the existential threat to our mutual interest and wellbeing. What purpose will the obsessive criticism of Obasanjo now serve other than deflect from the accountability of the Buhari Presidency?

The Meltdown If the allegations of corruption against the Nigerian armed forces leadership especially the one levied by the International Strategies Studies Association, ISSA (“the only significant engagement which the Nigerian military leadership – up to and including the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. (rtd.) Mohammed Babagana Monguno – seem to prioritize is the fight to stop the leakage of information about massive corruption, running into the equivalent of several billions) is true then it will be difficult to argue that by omission and commission such leadership is not invested in the recrudescence and resurgence of the ISIS affiliated Boko Haram insurgency.

Indeed in one of the most defining media engagements of the 2019 electoral cycle, the question was posed to the commander in chief, President Muhammadu Buhari at the commencement session of the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA/MarcArthur Foundation sponsored two hours long Town Hall meeting with Presidential candidates.

The presenter, Kadaria Ahmed pointedly sought the response of the President to the allegations of corruption in the management of the armed confrontation with the Boko Haram insurgency, of the President. Either by default of his trademark cognitive failure or complicity in the alleged corrupt practices (or both), Buhari sought to evade and deflect the question by focusing his

response on the professional misconduct of the victims. To properly highlight and situate the compelling ramifications of the allegations, the presenter pressed the issue by attributing the widely reported desertion and rebellion amidst the rank and file as a consequence of the deleterious effects of corruption on the welfare of the men.

Rather than respond to this specific allegation Buhari rambled, in circumlocution, on the disciplinary retribution awaiting the rebellious soldiers while glossing over the consequential graft and corruption attributed to the military leadership. Taken togetherwith the officially acknowledged occasional concession of truce and ransom payment to the insurgents there is sufficient ground to conclude that, in one form or another, the armed forces leadership have a relationship with the insurgents that is not always adversarial. So therefore when the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, sought to impugn the opposition as culpable in some sort of conspiracy with the insurgents-the evidence of the twists and turns of official engagement with the insurgents actually suggests that the more plausible culprits are within the ranks of those crying wolf.

The likelihood is that the diversionary dust being raised by the Minister is integral to a masterplan on working to the answer of stealing the 2019 Presidential election. According to President Olusegun Obasanjo, “It is also planned that violence of unimaginable proportion will be unleashed in high voting population areas across the country to precipitate re-run elections and where (Buhari) will be returned duly elected after concentration of security...” Yet even as a ruse, this is a no brainer and a further demonstration of a Buhari regime penchant for poverty of thought and imagination, in all matters, great and small, including giving the dog a bad name in order to hang it.

What does it say of the government, for instance, that when it finally felt sufficiently stung to substantiate the fabled allegation of corruption against the opposition candidate, they needed to go back 10 years to plumb the depths of dossier and come up with a meaningless 2009 bank investigation as the smoking gun! Rather than conscientiously apply itself to containing the widening theatre of anarchy and implosion marked by the incorporation of more states like Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna into the orbit of the advancing war zone (pungently illustrated in a Daily Trust report of Nigerians relocating from Katsina State to neighboring countries to escape the descent of Nigeria into the abyss) the government has become notorious for its ready disposition to weaponize the crisis as instrument of all manners of nefarious ulterior agenda.

You will recall the unprecedented request of the Zamfara State governor for the declaration of a state of emergency in that beleaguered state and the scream of the Katsina State governor that not even the precincts of the state government house is insulated from the armed banditry that has overtaken the state. And haven exhausted the limits of

hypocritical posturing and the demonization of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Borno State governor has finally come to terms with the reality of the deterioration the state has grappled with since 2015-and broke down in tears in front of media cameras covering his SOS visit to Buhari the other day. This is the reality and responsibility that this government has abdicated to launch into a stupid red herring of a non-existent opposition conspiracy.

And where the falsehood predicated career of the purveyor of deliberate disinformation (Lai Mohammed) is concerned, the morning that showed the day was the refrain that has persistently called to question the credibility of whatever claims the government would make on the prosecution of the fight against the insurgents-the self-deluding hollow retort that Boko Haram has been technically defeated. Yet here we are, three years after, still searching the dictionary to fathom the meaning of “technical defeat” in the face of an insurgency increasingly running wild and rampant.

What Ails Buhari At the last council of state meeting held earlier in the week and in furtherance of a weeklong auditioning turned sour, members of the select group were treated first hand to Buhari’s ailment. In fulfillment of a pretentious Nigerian religiosity, the President called on ‘Nigeria’s former Minister of Justice, Mohammed Uwais’ to give the opening prayer! The image cut by the President at the NTA town hall meeting encounter is not that of a man contesting for re-election. It is that of a man who should have heeded the advice of his London medical attendants to, in the words of Buhari himself, to eat more and sleep more-an understated euphemism for recommended retirement to a secluded old peoples’ home.

It is the image cut by the infirm oldest man in the village at the periphery of natural biological extinction- who is thereby entitled to the trials of dementia that is characteristic of one who is at the departure hall of earthly existence, knocking at the door of heaven or hell- depending on how well he has acquitted himself in the race of life-in the estimation of his maker. It is the image of God’s creature naturally fulfilling the inevitable and ultimate biological disintegration.

According to Olumhense ‘Buhari is clearly a sick man: he appeared unable to hear; or hearing, to comprehend; or comprehending, to offer decent, relevant answers. The man did not know when he took office, or often what he was doing or saying. Anyone who advocates Buhari as being capable of leading even a local government insults that council. In my estimation, we have reached the end of this road, irrespective of what the options are. Only a suicidal zealot places prescription glasses on a blind pilot and gives him control of an aircraft of 300 people, including his own family.”

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