MONDAY 4TH FEBRUARY 2019

Report: Relaxing CRR May Unlock N1.7tn Bank Deposits Obinna Chima Analysts at RMB Nigeria Stockbrokers have estimated that the normalisation of the effective cash reserve ratio (CRR) for six Nigerian banks, namely - Access Bank, FBN Holdings, Guaranty Trust Bank

Plc, Stanbic IBTC, United Bank of Africa and Zenith Bank Plc – has the potential to release N1.7 trillion of deposits into the banking system.

The analysts at the Lagos-based firm, which is a subsidiary of South Africa’s RMB Holdings, stated this

in their latest report that focused on the six banks, made available to THISDAY. Although the Central Bank of Nigeria pegged banks’ CRR at 22.5 per cent, the report revealed that effective average CRR for the aforementioned banks is 33 per cent.

CRR is a monetary policy tool used to set the minimum deposits commercial banks must hold as reserves rather than lend out.

To this end, the report pointed out that relaxing the policy for the banks, “has the potential to release N1.7

trillion of deposits (11 per cent of our coverage banks’ deposits), which could be used to generate interest income of N200 billion. This is assuming an effective interest rate of 12 per cent on government securities.”

It added: “Effectively, the

disparity between regulatory and effective CRR of our coverage banks implies that customer deposits are sterile and offer no immediate potential for conversion into interest-bearing assets. This Continued on page 8

Tinubu, APC Leaders Halt Plan to Remove Ambode... Page 44 Monday 4 February, 2019 Vol 24. No 8702. Price: N250

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APC Targets North-west, South-west for Bulk Votes

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

BACK-TO-BACK...

Pupils of St. Saviour’s School Ikoyi that retained the 2019 World School Games Trophy for the 2nd consecutive year, defeating 19 other schools, including Corona, Grange, LPS and CIS, in Dubai, UAE… yesterday

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has said the party and President Muhammadu Buhari are targeting bulk votes from states in the North-west and South-west zones of the country due to their strength and dominance in the areas, which have the largest number of voters in the country.

The campaign council has also insisted that contrary to fears being expressed by the opposition parties, the Continued on page 44

Northern, N’Delta Elders, Ohanaeze, Afenifere, Others Endorse Atiku Say younger candidates also capable to rule but lack machinery to win Gang up against Buhari will fail, says presidency APC: It’s fraudulent

Deji Elumoye, Omololu Ogunmade, Shola Oyeyipo and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Less than two weeks to the presidential poll, a forum of Nigerian leaders and elders yesterday resolved to back the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The third edition of the Summit of Nigerian Leaders and Elders with the theme: ‘The Search for Credible, Free and Fair Elections,’ which took place in Abuja, had in attendance the Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Prof. Ango Abdullahi; Leader of Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clarke; Leader of Afenifere,

Chief Ayo Adebanjo; President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo; and President of Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr. Bitrus Pogu.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the five-hour summit and read by the spokesman of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, the leaders emphasised that they adopted Atiku as the

consensus candidate for the office of president "as he has demonstrated the deep understanding of the critical needs of the country at this time and possesses the capacity to proffer clear solutions in that respect.”

They, therefore, called on all Nigerians, irrespective of religious or ethnic background to stand in unison and vote for

Atiku on Saturday, February 16 and ensure that they defend their votes.

The leaders stated that they settled for Atiku because he has a clear understanding of the nation's security challenges and a strong will and commitment to tackle them decisively and comprehensively as "he is also capable, intelligent, physically

and mentally alert person that will once more restore Nigerian international standing and respect.”

The forum noted that several of the younger candidates, who presented themselves for the presidential election, demonstrated great capacity and promise to lead this Continued on page 8

INEC: Foreigners Not Prohibited from Political Campaigns… Page 8

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INEC: Foreigners Not Prohibited from Political Campaigns Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that there is no law that prevents foreigners from coming to Nigeria to campaign for political candidates ahead of the forthcoming general election, noting, however, that they cannot contest or vote during the elections.

This is coming as the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Austin Agbonlahor, has warned that military personnel have no business around the polling units during the elections.

The Plateau State CP, however, clarified that all other security agents may be deployed in the voting

centres but not the Army, Air Force or the Navy.

Answering questions at an expanded stakeholders’ forum organised by INEC in Jos, the Plateau State capital, the electoral body’s Legal Officer, Ms. Carol Okpe, said there was no need for any agitation as the law is silent on whether or not a foreigner could participate in the campaign process for a candidate.

The INEC’s legal officer was responding to concerns raised by the presence of Governors Issa Moussa of Zinder State, and Zakiri Umar of Maradi State, both from the Republic of Niger, at the last Thursday’s re-election campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari in Kano.

"Our law is silent on whether or not a foreigner can campaign for a candidate during election. Since the law is silent about it you cannot hold it as an offence against any candidate or anyone,” Okpe said.

Also speaking at the forum, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in the state, Mallam Hussaini Pai, said the commission will follow the provision of the law to the letters in the election, warning that INEC will not permit more than one party agent per polling unit, as it will also not permit any supervising agent going around polling centres.

He said, “No moving around by candidates of political parties; they are only

allowed to cast their votes like every other voter, and thereafter go home.

“We would go to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to collect Sensitive Materials with party agents and security personnel, where they will take account of the total number of materials before they are moved out.

“Parties must submit names and passports of their agents to INEC a week before the elections, and parties must sensitise their supporters how to vote in order to avoid errors that could lead to cancellation.”

Pai, who said that he expects a hitch-free exercise across the 2,631 polling units in the state, however, added that the Situation Room will

be open for any complain such as problem with Card Reader machine and the like.

He said, “We have in the state 2,480,455 registered voters, and total number of 512,532 PVCs; of these PVCs, 311,483 have been collected, leaving a balance of 201,049 uncollected as at January 31, 2019. There are 2,631 Polling Units and 4,989 Voting Points.

For the IDPs still living in the camp, 26 centres have been created for them to vote so as to enable them exercise their franchise.”

Meanwhile, Agbonlahor, who disclosed that military personnel are not expected around the polling unit, also warned political parties against destruction of posters and billboards of opponents

as that could breed hatred and violence.

He said, “I advise politicians and political parties to educate their supporters to be orderly during elections.

“If eventually you are the winner, be careful the way you celebrate so that the loser will not feel too bad. The losers are also advised to take it as the decision of the electorate and prepare to do better in the next election.

“The command has taken proper control of the SARS and its personnel shall be used appropriately. A Joint Operation room has been put in place at the Police Command Headquarters and it shall be managed by the personnel of all security agencies.”

with religion and ethnicity playing no role in our elections.

I profusely thank our leaders across the country who have created this wonderful moment for us to come to the table of brotherhood. Once again, and in the words of our old National Anthem, we can proudly sing: Though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand.”

The former vice president assured the leaders that he would run a properly federated Nigeria through constitutional reforms to bring out the best from all sections of the country to make Nigeria work again like in the past when the Saudi Royal family came to Nigeria to access Medicare.

Atiku said: “Many countries of the world have been led into disintegration by strongmen (one in each country) and we have seen how individuals who understand the management of diversities have rallied their people for unity. I have been chosen to unite our people and exactly that I will.

“We will promote an inclusive Nigeria based on productivity that every section of Nigeria will bring out the best under their soil, and in their brain to make Nigeria assume its position in Africa and the global community.

It would be 100 per cent for every section of Nigeria as I would not understand any arithmetic outside that.

“I enjoin our people across Nigeria to come out en-mass to vote on February 16 to pull our country from the brink and propel it to greater heights so we can live a better life. Take my words as a covenant with Nigeria.”

At a different press conference yesterday, the spokesman for PDP, Mr.

Kola Ologbondiyan, also commended the groups for the endorsement, saying they have put the national interest above their personal interests, adding that history will be kind to them.

the Director of Strategic Communications of the APC Presidential Council, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, the Buhari campaign dismissed the endorsement and recent favourable ratings of Atiku as voodoo and fraudulent, saying its candidate is primed to win.

According to the party: “As regards the endorsements by the above-named socio-cultural groups, there is no fraud bigger than that of known PDP members and/or hardened PDP sympathisers wearing the apparel of socio-cultural groups, purporting to represent entire regions and endorsing their own political party.

“The impression given through these endorsements that PDP is expanding its support base is also an attempt to deceive Nigerians because these are groups that supported PDP in 2015 and lost the election along with PDP. “Therefore, their excuse that they are supporting Alhaji Atiku Abubakar because of the bogey called ‘restructuring’ is nothing but a subterfuge. In any case, Ohanaeze had said in its earlier release that the first reason they are endorsing Atiku Abubakar is that his running mate is an Ibo man.”

It said the leaders purporting to lead the peoples of the region missed the point that Buhari had managed to navigate his way directly to the masses, who they purport to represent, and that he is ensuring that the dividends of democracy reach the people directly.

bank repays the naira portion of these swap transactions,” it added.

It recalled that in recent times, there have been calls from Nigeria’s legislative arm for the cancellation of ATM card-maintenance fees, noting that the N65 ATM withdrawal charge has also been under scrutiny.

The N65 fee applies only after the third use of an ATM card at another bank’s ATM machine within a month. Over the past few years, e-banking has become an appreciable part of banks’ income.

“While we acknowledge that the composition of banks’ e-banking fees consists of more than ATM fees alone, based

on available data, we see a high correlation between the number of active ATMs, ATM cards and banks’ e-banking income.

“With FBN Holdings’ penetration at 70 per cent, there is a material risk to the bank’s annuity income if the fees are cancelled. A material devaluation of the naira has the potential to increase FCY loans, in naira terms, leading to higher risk-weighted assets and potentially to lower a capital-adequacy ratio for our coverage. A weakerthan-expected earnings and dividend could lead to a de-rating in share price and dampen market sentiment,” it stated.

NORTHERN, N'DELTA ELDERS, OHANAEZE, AFENIFERE, OTHERS ENDORSE ATIKU country creditably and ensure that it engenders proper social and economic development to its people.

"However, most of these qualified younger candidates do not, at present, have the machinery and structures to win a presidential election in Nigeria at present,” the groups stated.

According to the communiqué: "Having closely followed the competition for mandates within the various political parties as well as the campaigns for the votes of Nigerians so far, including four weeks of close interactions and interviews with nearly all the aspirants for the position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the various parties, we make the following observations: “The forthcoming elections are vital to our desire to live together in a democratic nation that reflects our aspirations, of peaceful co-existence, mutual respect, practice of true federalism.

"There is solid national and international consensus that the 2019 elections must be credible and improve on the quality of the 2019 elections; "There is assurance from INEC of its willingness and ability to conduct free and fair elections, but it must be watched very closely and supported to set new, higher standards in election management and that undue pressure from any quarters does not truncate its efforts.”

The groups explained that political and security environments are central to the conduct of credible and peaceful elections, saying so far, the pronouncements of major contenders regarding the use of violence and willingness to

accept outcome of credible elections is being severely tested in practice.

They said the disposition of state agents that have responsibility for securing the votes has also been a major source of concern.

They stated further: "Civil society in Nigeria and the international community have made commendable contributions towards improving the integrity and security of the ballot. It is vital that they continue to play the roles of informed vigilantes and partners in our nation’s search for deeper roots for our democratic traditions.

"The media need to do more to meet the expectations of Nigerians in terms of objectivity and capacities to set agendas and exercise effective oversight over all matters related to the forthcoming elections.

The Nigerian media has a rich history of rising to the occasion when the country faces the kind of situation we are in today.

"These last few days before the first set of elections will test the federal government’s undertaking and assurances to protect Nigerians as they prepare to participate in the elections, as well as create a level playing field for all parties and candidates.”

They advised the federal government to ensure that no one, no matter their roles or status should be allowed to behave as if there are no consequences for subverting the electoral process or threatening the rights of all Nigerians to participate in free and fair election.

The leaders also expressed their goodwill towards Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, "for surviving a helicopter crash

on 2nd February, 2019".

The communiqué further noted the continued drift of the country in the direction of insecurity, deep divisions, tyranny as shown in the recent unilateral suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, against all globally known democratic ethos.

Our Endorsement Loud Statement for Hope, Says Atiku Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar and his party have described his endorsement by the groups as a loud statement that there is hope for Nigeria.

Atiku in a statement yesterday said that the endorsement has buoyed him to lead a Pan-Nigerian team that would give practical interpretation to what has been done by the time he takes leadership of the country, by the grace of Allah, on May 29, 2019.

He stated: “I am moved to tears that in the midst of deep divisions and deliberate use of instrumentalities of state to set our people against themselves in the last three and a half years, responsible and respected leaders across Nigeria have agreed to come together for the purpose of endorsing my candidature for the February 16, 2019 presidential elections.

“The endorsement by the leading lights of our nationalities – Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Northern Elders Forum, Pan-Niger Delta Forum and Middle Belt Forum is a loud statement that there is hope for our country as we go to the polls in a few days.

“Today, we put aside all our prejudices to elect a president

Gang up against Buhari will Fail, Says Presidency Reacting, the presidency last night said that the gang up against President Buhari would fail.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement, added the PDP was hiding under the cloak of ethnicity to avoid imminent defeat.

According to him, the current scenario is a replay of what happened in 2015, which he said failed to stop Buhari from winning the election.

The statement read, "The PDP is hiding in the bunker of ethnicity to avoid their inevitable defeat but that won’t change anything. The current scenario resembles efforts to stop Buhari in 2015 by the same characters. It is an effort to repeat the old experiment that failed in 2015.

"They failed to stop him from coming to power in 2015 and they will fail yet again on February 16. If all these groups are ganging up against one person, that is President Buhari, it tells you who is the formidable candidate in the election. This gang up they forged, one more time will change nothing. It is for the people to decide."

APC: It’s Fraudulent But in a statement by

REPORT: RELAXING CRR MAY UNLOCK N1.7TN BANK DEPOSITS leads ultimately to a negative contribution to earnings, as banks incur funding costs on these deposit liabilities.

“Broadly, we find that Access Bank is the most impacted by the effective CRR arrangement, sterilising N420 billion of deposits, with Stanbic IBTC the least impacted.

“Consequently, Access Bank could benefit most from a relaxation of the effective CRR. We estimate the opportunity costs of the trapped deposits as N51 billion ‘lost’ incomes for Access Bank, assuming a 12 per cent effective interest rate.

On our estimates, a relaxation of the CRR is less beneficial to Stanbic IBTC relative to most of its peers that we cover.”

According to the report, the combination of a hike in CRR and an unchanged computation model, leading to an ‘effective CRR’ higher than the regulatory benchmark, was a major risk to its coverage banks’ earnings outlook.

This is in addition to other unanticipated regulatory directives might turn out to be counterproductive for the sector, the report stated.

The firm predicted sluggish loan growth of five per cent year-on-year for the banking sector in 2019 and 11 per cent by the end of 2020.

It anticipated that noninterest revenue (NIR) could also be under pressure from CBN swaps, stating that while

it had accounted for lower trading income year-on-year in its forecasts, “we point out that in the event of the CBN not renewing its swap with Nigerian banks, the NIR is likely to come under pressure.

“Also, Nigerian banks might struggle to deploy the resulting foreign currency (FCY) liquidity from the maturing swaps into risk asset creation. This, given the benign outlook for loan growth in 2019, on the other hand, the bank is likely to lose some of its naira liquidity at the maturity of these swaps.

This may further weigh on earnings as naira liquidity (usually deployed into fixed income instruments) or naira lending would decline as the

TOP GAINERS UACN FCMB FIDELITY MCNICHOLS LASACO TOP LOSERS UNIONDAC CORNERSTONE SUSNUASSURE

NGN NGN 0.80 9.20 0.18 2.15 0.20 2.40 0.03 0.36 0.02 0.31 NGN 0.03 0.27 0.02 0.20 0.02 0.22 CCNN 0.10 22.00 CHIPLC 0.02 0.29 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,440.00 Volume: 270.939 million shares Value: N4.418 billion Deals: 3,144 As at Friday 1 /2/19 See details on Page 35

% 9.5 9.1 9.0 9.0 6.9 % 10 9.0 9.0 9.0 6.4

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HEALING THE WOUNDS OF THE NATION - WHO BEST BUT BUHARI CAN DELIVER ON THIS TOUGH TASK? Healing a nation that has fought a civil war, gone through the pain of political crisis and witnessed years of terrorism can be a tough task, but not so for the Buhari-Osinbajo Presidency.

Under President Buhari, Nigeria’s wounds are being healed and a new society is emerging.

1. PAYING THE PENSION ARREARS OF BIAFRANS SOLIDERS – FIFTY YEARS AFTER

2. RECOGNISING THE WINNER OF THE JUNE 12 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS - 25 YEARS AFTER

It took over fifty years for the pension claims of soldiers and policemen who fought on the Biafran side, during the Nigerian civil war, to be settled, but alas Buhari did it.

It took 25 years for the winner of the June 12, 1993, Presidential elections to be granted due honour and an apology rendered for the annulment of the election, but alas, Buhari did it.

3. BRINGING BACK THE CHIBOK AND DAPCHI GIRLS Under President Buhari, over half of the 276 Chibok girls taken hostage by Boko Haram have been released while government is constantly exploring ways of getting more of the girls still in captivity out.

President Buhari also brought back almost all of the 110 Dapchi girls taken hostage last year.

SOME ARE MERELY TALKING ABOUT THE WOUNDS OF THE NATION, WHILE BUHARI IS ADDRESSING ITS ROOT-CAUSES. Buhari and Osinbajo recognize the fact that to make progress in society, government must work to create an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

Buhari has consistently kept faith with Nigeria. He is not about to join the bandwagon.

Vote for the team that is working for you!

CHANGE IS A PROCESS.

ote

Endorsed by

buhari OSINBAJO president / vice president

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í˛Ëœ 2019

COMMENT

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

WHAT’S THE MISSING SUBJECT IN THE SCHOOLS? What’s missing is digital literacy, writes David Mba

T

here’s an old saying in Nigeria, which roughly translates to this: you can’t plant okra and harvest cocoa. It’s a saying that could usefully be applied to Nigeria’s own education system.

An Education Act in 2004 resulted in the establishment of Nigeria’s Universal Basic Education (UBE) Commission, which formulated policy guidelines and a minimum standard of basic education. A National Policy on Education then promised to give every Nigerian child free education from age five to 15; a quality education relevant to the needs of the Nigerian economy. It reiterated the commitment of the UBE to ensure teaching in literacy, numeracy, basic science and technology, communication and life skills. But even in 2004 – and certainly in 2019 - there was something vital missing from this well-meaning curriculum: digital literacy. It has been widely supposed that the emergence of the 4th Industrial Revolution, powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), will increase the technological dependency of African nations and widen the economic gap between them and developed countries. This new era is expected to revolutionise production and services worldwide, with disruptive consequences for both white and blue-collar workers. And what did McKinsey Global Institute identify as critical elements for sustaining and driving this revolution? Digital skills and computer programming.

Of course, AI can bring significant benefits to Nigeria and Africa. In the health sector, for example, this new technology can enhance access to medical expertise through Google’s DeepMind Health in regions where access to highly skilled doctors is difficult. In the agricultural sector, AI can improve yield performance from arable fields by optimising irrigation and fertilization, consequently ensuring more income for farmers. AI can even monitor and combat illicit financial flows, a hindrance on the economic and social development of Africa.

So where does Nigeria fit into this new evolving Industrial Revolution?

How can it maximise the numerous opportunities offered by these new technologies and services? The answer lies in the nation’s Universal Basic Education. With the emergence of the 4th Industrial Revolution and the rapid expansion of the global digitised economy, it is now time to update the skills offered by Nigeria’s UBE and include digital literacy. It is vital to ensure the next generation of Nigerians are contributors to the national and global economy through their own digital expertise. It is vital that countries like Nigeria are not dependent on the western-driven economic machine that has for so long influenced the nation’s ability to sustain economic growth. It is vital that we give a generation of Nigerians the skills to adapt and compete in this new industrial era. After all, empowering our young people to contribute to the future national economy is exactly what the Act of 2004 intended. We cannot expect a harvest of digital experts in Nigeria if we do not plant the seeds in our schools.

We already know the potential is there. The recent Nigerian winners of the Junior Gold awards at the 2018 Technovation World Challenge showed the enormous contribution Nigeria’s young people could make to the

WE CANNOT EXPECT A HARVEST OF DIGITAL EXPERTS IN NIGERIA IF WE DO NOT PLANT THE SEEDS IN OUR SCHOOLS

digital economy. This particular group developed an app to identify fake drugs through barcodes. It is imperative that all young people are given similar opportunities to contribute to the emerging digital era. Looking beyond the 4th Industrial Revolution, it is conceivable that the 5th Industrial Revolution will to a large extent be dependent on a foundation of skills employed for the fourth. Failure to educate young people with coding skills now could set the nation back generations, particularly in terms of economic performance and prominence. Within this context, computer coding and a digital understanding is now just as important as literacy and numeracy, necessitating equal amounts of resourcing, rigour and expectation. How would the government fund and support this new initiative, with its need for equipment and infrastructure to support computer programming? The answer is either by an increase in the Federal intervention fund for UBE or the creation of a new ‘digital tax’, specifically aimed at providing basic education in digital literacy for primary and junior secondary schools. Such an increase in funding and embedding of digital literacy into the UBE curriculum can be phased, at least in the short term – we must, after all, start somewhere. Due cognisance must also be given to training of teachers, a critical element to ensure the subject’s sustainability. It should also be noted that the current levels of federal and state government funding for education (7.5% of the 2018 budget) are very low by international standards.

The question is whether digital literacy can be delivered while keeping infrastructure funding requirements to a minimum. The answer lies in the continent’s proven ability to leapfrog development - mobile banking and communication being the leading examples - and use mobile educational solutions to support the delivery of digital literacy. Africa is already, using SMS technology to deliver content to children and teachers. For example, Eneza Education uses such technology to provide students with mobile access to tests linked to the national curriculum in countries like Kenya and Tanzania. This innovative solution, along with other emerging technologies, can be tailored to support the delivery of digital literacy within a revised UBE curriculum. The infrastructure to support a SMS based system already exists. Educating the next generation of Nigerians in digital coding skills will ultimately drive innovation. It will help create a new, wealth-generating digital industrial sector, at a time when the nation needs to pursue income diversification and alleviate unemployment. The consequences of inaction, on the other hand, will certainly result in the nation’s dependency on other countries for its technology, losing potential tax revenue and limiting social mobility for the next generation. It is time to declare a ‘state of emergency on education’ and revise the current Universal Basic Education curriculum. As with all education initiatives, we should do it not just for our children, but for our country, and ultimately for ourselves. Child, we will say, pass me the cocoa!

Professor Mba, Pro Vice-Chancellor, De Montfort University, UK is a Visiting Professor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

GETTING NIGERIA TO WORK AGAIN Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi will manage the economy better, writes Grace Bunor

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he average Nigerian must have learnt something and forgotten nothing in these past three and half years that Muhammadu Buhari has held forte as the country’s president and commander-inchief of the armed forces. One needs not over-emphasize the fact that life has been nothing but tough on several fronts.

I am one that hardly likes joining issues with people who hold different political opinions from mine. Reason being that, there is no amount of argument I can put forward that would reverse whatever opinion they hold. However, in recent time I have come to realize that remaining indifferent or sitting on the fence when serious issues of national importance are in the public domain, I should take position and declare where I stand. It is therefore in the light of this, that I make bold to join those who are clamouring for the Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi presidency come February 16 election. The question is why Atiku and Obi and not Buhari and Osibanjo?

The answer is that we have had a test of Buhari and Osibanjo leadership and the bitterness of it leaves much to be desired particularly with respect to the ‘grounding’ of the economy.

We should not forget in a hurry that one of the three campaign promises of Buhari in 2015 was taking the economy to a higher level with the provision of employment for the teeming youths and other unemployed persons. Regrettably, in the last three and half years not only had the administration failed in providing reasonable number of jobs, but has precipitated massive layoffs in different sectors of the economy. In the banking sector, many commercial banks have had to disengage many of the staff. It is the same story in other sectors, such that the statistics of those out of job between 2015 and now are well close to 10 million across the sectors.

The resultant effect of this job loss is the increase in criminality as many jobless people easily resort to self-help including involvement in activities that are ordinarily illegal but cash rewarding. There is the tendency to argue that joblessness should not be an

excuse for indulging in criminality as a skilled jobless man can easily innovate or create some form of self employment. Yet for me, it should not largely be a defense for an administration that has promised to provide jobs for its citizens. The number of suspected criminals being paraded on weekly or daily basis by the various state police commands attests to the worsening scenario in our country.

President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice may have good intentions for the country by way of creating some sense of infrastructural development, yet their inability to create jobs alongside the infrastructure is like building blocks of flats with nobody occupying same. Whatever reason the Buhari administration could give as reason for the failure to fulfill the electoral promise of providing jobs was made worse by the inability of Prof. Yemi Osibanjo to carry the day when he had a public debate with Peter Obi in late 2018.

It was evident from the debate that even though Osibanjo is a learned man with professorship in law, his knowledge of development economics is incomparable with Peter Obi. From the debate, an average Nigerian who intellectually shared in the discourse would readily conclude that Obi brings to the fore more knowledge needed to transform the economy.

While Osibanjo was enthused by the ability of the Buhari administration to go after recovering some money from corrupt Nigerians, Obi would not see how the pursuit of suspected criminal elements would be regarded as economic development. To Obi, developing the economy for the good of the citizenry should go beyond chasing those who once looted the treasury because in an attempt to concentrate more in the chase of treasury looters, attention is diverted from potential looters capable of destroying the economy.

With his antecedents as a prudent manager of men and resources while holding sway as governor of Anambra State, Obi is a perfect combination with Atiku whose success as a businessman is evident.

With thousands of Nigerians working in different companies owned by him, Atiku stands miles apart

from President Buhari whose only credential as a businessman or entrepreneur is the ownership of about 130 cows.

The man Atiku is an expert job creator who has founded many successful and thriving businesses including the ABTI-American University of Nigeria, in Yola. He is also reputed to have created a microfinance bank that has moved about 45,000 families out of poverty just as his company Rica Gado, a livestock feed company has significantly reduced instances of herdsmen/farmers clashes by providing a business friendly solution instead of asking Nigerians to give up their lands for cattle ranching or face death as the Buhari government did.

Quite unlike President Buhari, the PDP presidential chieftain does not believe that Nigerian youths are lazy. Atiku is quite empathic with the aspirations of the youths and rather than cast aspersions on them like Buhari, Atiku has provided no fewer than 25,000 of them with employment. This forms part of the 50,000 work force in his group of companies. Also a good number of Nigerian youths who are in tertiary institutions both home and abroad are enjoying free tuition under the Atiku Abubakar Special Scholarship scheme.

With respect to security, which forms part of his campaign manifesto in 2015, President Buhari’s administration has performed below expectation.

With his background as a former military top brass, Nigerians had expected an easier combat against the criminal elements in our midst. Though officials of the administration keep telling us that the Boko Haram insurgency has been technically defeated, yet the country has continued to lose the precious lives of its military personnel and other security forces fighting the insurgents.

The issue becomes more frightening with the recent revelations by some of the soldiers in the terror zone that they are fighting with obsolete equipment, thereby becoming easy prey to the enemies. This ugly development which has exposed some agents of the administration to the fact that there may be a hidden agenda in some quarters for the insurgency to

continue unabated since some Buhari administration’s officials may be benefitting immensely from it.

Matters are not helped with the lopsided appointment of officers of northern extraction to head the security forces. Whatever good intentions President Buhari may have had towards creating a politically stable Nigeria are rubbished by the unpatriotic actions he has continued to take particularly in the appointment of his men of Fulani origin with a total disregard for the constitutional requirement of federal character in such appointments.

His penchant for the championing of his Fulani ethnic interest is legendary such that one begins at some point to ask if his own Fulani extraction is different from the likes of Atiku who consider other Nigerians as having equal stake in the affairs of the country. Buhari’s ethno-centrism has even misled him to the point that he longer sees anything wrong in the activities of his herdsmen brothers who keep killing innocent citizens of other tribes in the Middle Belt and other places where they are not easily given access to breed their cows.

Hundreds of Middle Belt citizens were slaughtered in 2017 and 2018 and the situation became quite worrisome that Buhari’s indifference to the spate of killings began to evoke some reactions even from his retired military colleagues like General Theophilous Danjuma and Lawrence Onoja.

It remains incontrovertible that the Buhari administration has failed woefully with respect to security in those areas where his Fulani herdsmen clash with farmers. Records show that nothing concrete has been done against perpetrators of the criminality simply because the President does not want to be in the bad book of his tribe. To the average Nigerian, he has taken ethno-centrism too far in a 21st Century Nigeria where the likes of Atiku, Obi and other well meaning Nigerians see the whole country as their constituency with little or no intent to play up ethnic card.

Now is the time for Nigerians to vote for a man with an all-inclusive agenda of making Nigeria to work again.

Bunor, a sociologist, wrote from Asaba

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T H I S D AY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019

EDITORIAL The Imperative For Public Toilets The provision of public toilets and conveniences is basic to a modern society

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ast year, the European Union financed the construction of public toilets in 14 towns in Ekiti, a state identified has having the highest number of residents who defecate openly. At about the same period, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) collaborated with the Sokoto State Government for the construction of 222 toilets and drilled 201 boreholes in selected schools, clinics and villages. Unfortunately, it is a common sight in many of our towns and cities to find people urinating or defecating either on the road side or in obscure corners, sometimes in the full glare of passers-by. People who are hard-pressed in the public often have to ease themselves in the most inappropriate places. The health hazards posed by this repugnant practice cannot be over-emphasised.

This culture is more noticeable at motor parks, public schools, markets, bus and train terminals, and public squares where THE ENTIRE COUNTRY there are either no IS FAST BECOMING ONE toilets or poorly kept one. Even some of HUGE FIELD WHERE the nation’s airports PEOPLE DEFECATE have no functional WITHOUT PUTTING toilets. Where such INTO CONSIDERATION facilities exist, they THE IMPACT OF THEIR are very poorly ACTION ON THE HEALTH maintained. It is amazing how we OF OTHERS spend so much on tourism propaganda when even such basic needs as toilets are not provided.

The urge to ease oneself most often comes without much warning. When such an urge arises, it should be conveniently responded to. At present, that is not so in most of our cities. The embarrassment that this could cause is better imagined than experienced. That is why the provision of public toilets and conveniences is an imperative in a modern society, not the least one wooing investors and tourists. Otherwise, where would a person, outside home, who suddenly feels

Letters to the Editor

the need to use a convenience, ease himself or herself without debasing his/her dignity?

What saddens is that the entire country is fast becoming one huge field, where people defecate, without shame, and without putting into consideration the impact of their action on the health of others. In many rural communities, people still build houses without provision for toilets, or as the case may be, latrines where waste can be emptied without others coming in contact with it. In the urban centres, the issue is pervasive. And experts have consistently warned that when large numbers of people are defecating outdoors, it’s extremely difficult to avoid ingesting human waste, either because it has contaminated the food or water supplies or because it has been spread by flies and dust.

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

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

greed that the government may not be able to provide every facility needed in a city, it must create the enabling environment to encourage the private sector to do so. The 774 local government authorities in the country have the primary responsibility of providing and maintaining such facilities. But currently, they are shirking that responsibility.

Beyond that, the government, at all levels, must initiate and sustain a re-orientation campaign to educate and enlighten the people on the need for observance of basic hygiene in our communities. It is the loss of this once cherished culture of cleanliness that has today made certain public places a no-go area because of indiscriminate defecation. We also believe that tourism agencies should not only contribute in the provision of public toilets but also spear-head the campaign to educate the citizenry on how to use such facilities.

The schools, churches, mosques and other agents of socialisation should join the campaign if the nation is to be spared the possible consequences of nonavailability and poor use of public toilets. Much more importantly, the National Assembly should come up with a comprehensive law that shall require every city council to provide well-kept public toilets.

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.

1999 - 2019: NIGERIA’S WASTEDYEARS Elections are referendums to test the gullibility of the people…Ena E. Orugbo n 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo was ushered into office by the Warri war. He underestimated it as an ethnic crisis. In 2007, when Umaru Yar’Adua became president, it had metamorphosed into a lucrative industry, militancy. Fast forward to 2015, the All Progressives Congress (APC) inherited Boko Haram and immediately went on a spending spree to eliminate Boko Haram. Boko Haram still lingers.

On the 29th of May 2019, Nigeria’s new president will be welcomed by old demons such as herdsmen, low crude oil prices and poverty. Isaiah 57:1 console the mourners. Who will console Nigerians? Dr. Tunde Bakare puts it plainly, “you are either a part of the problem or solution”.

In 2015, the APC rode into power with a sense of hope. A few months into their administration they abdicated and began to blame the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Nigeria’s demons. Prior to 1999, it was official for the politicians especially of Southwestern extraction like the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) to blame the military. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was a staunch member of NADECO and he had to flee when Abacha stopped smiling. Nigerians are fleeing overseas in their droves for a better life because the ruling APC is neither part of Nigeria’s problem or solution. In all sincerity, the APC has done their best and becoming poverty capital is an achievement.

The Collins dictionary defines poverty as “the state of being extremely poor”. A popular maxim by Rodolfo Costa says, “he is so poor that the only thing he has is money”. As Nigeria’s vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), an alumnus of the prestigious London School of Econom-

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ics goes about evangelizing Tradermoni, APC’s version of SURE-P, let it be known that posterity will not be kind to him for reinforcing poverty. Who is responsible for Nigeria’s wasted years? The military, No. The politicians, No. The religious cowboys, No. The intelligentsia are to blame for Nigeria’s wasted years. Luke 12:48 does not mince words, “to whom much is given, much is expected”. Professor Pius Adesanmi won the inaugural Penguin Prize for African writing in the non-fiction category and authored “Reparations: What Nigeria Owes the Tortoise”. In describing the book, Nasir El-Rufai said, “the genius of Pius Adesanmi. You can read now or read later but do not deprive yourself of this gem”. In 2018, Adesanmi authored an article titled “Apes Obey! 2019 Blues”. In that article, he tried to cheer youths to run for public office and offered tactic support to his friend, Sowore. Nigerian Professors are so smart, they always leave out the juice. Firstly, youthfulness is not a guarantee for success in public office.

Secondly, Sowore was a Buharist in 2015. Who is deceiving who?

After expending $16 billion under the PDP, Nigeria still struggles to generate and wheel 3500 MW. The same situation applies to the refineries and poverty alleviation. All hope is not lost. If Tinubu once fled Nigeria because of a blood thirsty regime and returned to a hero’s welcome, Nigerians fleeing this poverty thirsty regime will someday return to a hero’s welcome. Professor Adesanmi meant well for the youths, but in politics, you put things in perspective. The presidency is not the birthright of the youths. In football, it is common to see grandpas posing as under 23 and they go scot-free. Professor Kingsley Moghalu is 56 and Omoyele Sowore will be 48 on the 16th of February 2019.

Dr. Enameguolo Orugbo, jetageNG@gmail.com

THE MEANING OF ‘TECHNICALLY’ DEFEATED

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ommentators are still bemused about the meaning President Muhammadu Buhari was trying to convey when he said his government has “technically defeated” Boko Haram. I have also wondered what the person who wrote that phrase for the president to read in a speech had in mind. Not to worry anymore because we have a situation right now that would help us understand the context in which the adverb “technically defeated” should be used; by the very act of sacking the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, which is unconstitutional, and which has the effect akin to suspending and rubbishing the constitution itself, President Buhari has technically overthrown Nigeria’s democratic government even though he did not physically lead a posse of soldiers to chase Justice Onnoghen out of office. Now, in this context, how has the president “technically defeated” Boko Haram? Femi Adsina, Garba Shehu, Lai Mohammed, Adams Oshiomole, Nasir El-Rufa’i, Bola Tinubu, Abba Kyari, Abubakar Malami, Boss Mustapha, Abdullahi Ganduje, Chris Ngige, Rochas Okorocha, Rotimi Amaechi, Lanre Issa-Onilu, Yekini Nabena, Itse sagay, Festus Keyamo, Miyetti Allah, and others owe Nigerians clear and unambiguous explanation here.

Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

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5 ) * 4 % ": t MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019

5 ) * 4 % ": t MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019

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Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG

POLITICS

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

PRESIDENTIAL PODIUM

Facing the Stiffest Test of His Political Life Onyebuchi Ezeigbo

country.

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has the distinct reputation of being, perhaps, the only politician in the country who, out of share tenacity, was able to realise his presidential ambition at his fourth attempt. His victory at the polls in the 2015 general election was adjudged a water shed in the political history of the country. It was the first time an opposition party was able to defeat a sitting president.

Born on December 17, 1942, Buhari has served the country in different distinguished capacities including a stint as Military Governor of North Eastern State. He also served as the Minister of Petroleum Resources under the then military government of General Olusegun Obasanjo. He became Nigeria’s military Head of State between 1983 and1985. In the 2003, 2007 and 2011 general election, he ran for the office of president of Nigeria, but was not successful. The 2011 contest was particularly remarkable because, Buhari defied all odds, having entered the race late with a relatively young party, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

Though he failed to win, his performance was a big surprise to many as he got 12 million votes to place second behind the winner, Goodluck Jonathan. In all these elections that he fell short of realising his goal, the Daura-born retired General turned politician remained undaunted.

He challenged the outcome till the final judicial pronouncement at the Supreme Court. Just as everyone thought that he would no longer contest the presidency, Buhari was prodded to make a surprising U-turn by a coalition of seasoned politicians who saw in him a rallying point to snatch power from the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Once again, the Old Soldier made another bid for the highest office in the land. The coalition of opposition political parties formed a merger with the acronym, All Progressives Congress (APC). In December 2014, he emerged as the presidential candidate of the APC for the 2015 presidential election. Buhari won the election, defeating the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP. He was sworn-in on May 29, 2015. Key promises made by President Buhari and his party to woo the electorate included a willingness to tackle insecurity, corruption and the ailing economy. Almost four years after, Buhari is being tasked to show evidence of his good stewardship to Nigerians. He is facing, perhaps, one of the stiffest challenges ever in his political life, with a rebranded and refocused PDP fighting like a wounded lion to return to power.

Buhari and his party have laid claims to several achievements which include, curbing the activities of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents, fighting corruption and recovering monies allegedly stolen from public coffers by some officials of the previous administration. Despite the view of critics that he has not done well and that he has exhibited gross incompetence, Buhari insists that his administration has surpassed its targets. The President listed his achievements in the area of infrastructure, like rail and road projects, new power generating capacity and economic empowerment for youths.

The Agriculture: Part of the policy actions President Buhari is proposing to end the herdsmen/farmers clash is to execute the second phase of the Farmer-Herder and National Livestock Policy to end the decades-long conflict between farmers and herders.

Anti-Corruption Fight: The president further pledged to eliminate the scope of systemic corruption, but this time, his party said it will place emphasis on technology enabled e-governance.

Education: In order to achieve its aspiration of a knowledgebased economy, and to ensure that every child counts, the APC administration hopes to implement a roadmap to make primary and secondary school students digitally literate with ‘an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).’ “We will reinterpret the curriculum by imparting functional skills such as coding, robotics, animation, design thinking, collaboration, critical thinking, project management. We will also emphasis civic education. “All teachers in public primary and secondary schools will be retrained in their primary areas of teaching as well as to deliver digital literacy.�

The APC also said that 10,000 schools will be remodeled and equipped every year, including transforming classrooms, laboratories, workshops and collaboration centres.

Buhari

According to Buhari, the APC-led administration met a harsh economic situation, with the price of crude oil going down. These factors, according to the president, were responsible for some of shortcomings in the delivery of his campaign promises. However, the President and his party are very confident that Nigerians are satisfied with their performance in the first term and will vote to return him to power for a second term. Buoyed with this confidence, President Buhari and his campaign team launched the campaign slogan; ‘Next Level’ to highlight major milestones of the administration and targets to pursue if reelected.

Despite the view of critics that he has not done well and that he has exhibited gross incompetence, Buhari insists that his administration has surpassed its targets‌.

The President and his party are very conďŹ dent that Nigerians are satisďŹ ed with their performance in the ďŹ rst term and will vote to return him to power for a second tenure

In the ‘Next Level’ policy document, the president and his party have summed up what they intend to offer Nigerians given another mandate.

Infrastructure: One of the target areas of the APC-led federal government is development of infrastructural.

The administration has recorded and continues to advance its achievements in the revival of rail transportation. In the ‘Next Level’ document, Nigerians have been promised the completion of the Ibadan- Kano phase of the Lagos- Ibadan-Kano rail line. It also pledged to complete the Eastern rail (Port-HarcourtMaiduguri), taking the network through Aba, all South-east state capitals, Makurdi, Jos, Bauchi and Gombe. The completion of the Coastal rail (Lagos-Calabar) and the link on Itakpe-Warri rail to Abuja through Lokoja are also on the administration’s second term agenda.

Employment: President Buhari promises to take efforts at employment generation and youth empowerment to the next level by engaging 1,000,000 N-Power graduates, skilling up 10 million Nigerians under a voucher system in partnership with private sector.

Still on job creation, the president said he will pursue an aggressive agrarian policy by providing more funds for Anchor Borrowers Scheme to support input and jobs to one million farmers.

He also promised to pursue a programme of livestock transformation with a plan to create 1.5 million jobs along dairy, beef, hide & skin, blood meal, crops value chain. Another promise made by the president and his party is to put in place agriculture mechanization policy with tractors and processors to create five million jobs.

Roads and Bridges: On road projects, the APC government said it will complete the 2nd Niger Bridge connecting Anambra and Delta states and also complete the East-West Road connecting Warri, Delta to Oron in Akwa Ibom State, through Kaiama in Bayelsa and Port Harcourt in Rivers. Another major road project that APC pledged to complete is the AbujaKaduna-Zaria to Kano Road. The administration also pledged to finish works on all federal roads using Sukuk Bonds in each state.

Promotion of Technological Innovations: The president promised to provide $500 million innovation fund to technology and the creative sector in order to create 500,000 jobs. He plans to train 200,000 youths for outsourcing market in technology services and entertainment.

In the area of industrialisation, President Buhari promised to establish six regional industrial parks and special economic zones and 109 Special Production and Processing Centres (SPPCs) to spur production and value additive processing.

He also made a pledge to procure tractors and processors in each senatorial district.

Security: As part of his determination to further address the problem of insecurity in the country, President Buhari said he would decentralise funding of police operations and foster true community policing by Implementing direct transfer of funding to police divisions across the

OSUN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION TRIBUNAL UPDATE

Witness Controverts INEC, APC at Osun Governorship Tribunal

By Our Reporter The Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal may have established a pattern with the the lone witness summoned by the 2nd Respondent, All Progressive Congress (APC) unwittingly indicting the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and the party for altering election results sheets.

The lone witness, Rasak Adeosun, who functioned as the state collation agent and the star witness of the APC accepted under cross-examination that the cancellation of the seven polling units was not in consultation with various party agents. This validated the petitioner, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party’s

position that the cancellation was illegally done to deny its candidate victory at the poll in the September 22, 2018 governorship election.

Before the start of cross examination of the star witness, APC tendered some documents which included form EC8As and EC8Bs result sheets of some local government areas.

The documents were admitted as exhibits by the honorable tribunal. The state collation agent while being cross examined by PDP lead counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) admitted to discrepancies between the pink copies of form EC8A and certified true copies of the same results.

The star witness attempted to justify the alteration as a consequence of mistakes discovered

at the collation center but his defence could not stand the scrutiny of cross examination by the PDP counsel.

When the PDP counsel asked Rasak if the presiding officers and party agents were at the point of correction as he claimed, the witness said, “No�

When also asked if he knew the person who made the corrections, Mr Rasak did not hesitate to say, “No�, as well.

Mr Rasak was also asked if the party agents in the seven units where re-run took place were present at the collation centre when it was decided that supplementary election will take place in those units, again he said, “No.�

With this, Dr. Ikpeazu said he was satisfied with

the response and the witness was discharged.

While the tribunal was expecting the next witness to come in, APC decided to end witness presentation for the day. Their counsels sought for adjournment till Tuesday (tomorrow) for the continuation of their defense which was granted.

The petitioner, Senator Ademola Adeleke who was present for the hearings told journalists that he was satisfied with the proceedings, noting that, “Almighty God is in charge of restoring justice and the stolen mandate of Osun people.

I have been attending the sessions. The judiciary is the last hope of the poor, the cheated and the unjustly treated. I am seeking justice for the people of Osun state and I know justice will be served,� Adeleke stated.

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STATE OF THE POLITY

In Plateau, the Pendulum Swings in All Directions Seriki Adinoyi writes that the gubernatorial race in Plateau is characterised by factors that do not give a clear advantage to a particular candidate

Lalong

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he race for the Plateau State Rayfield Government House has expectedly gained serious momentum in recent weeks. With the contestants tackling one another in various gubernatorial debates to sell themselves to the electorate, who are now set to make their final choice.

Though it is generally believed that the direction of the gubernatorial election in the state will largely be determined by the outcome of the presidential election on February 16, there are qualities that stand out some of the candidates.

Indeed, there are factors that are likely to count against them in the exercise.

Senator Jeremiah Useni, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for instance, is believed to be too old for the vibrancy that the office of a governor demands. In this 21st century, when youths are being groomed for leadership positions, the likes of Useni should have served in an advisory role, rather than taking up the baton for the race. This is a major factor Useni and the PDP would have to contend with in the election.

Aside from age, he is believed to be battling with failing health that has made him contribute minimally in the Senate, where he has represented his people of Plateau South zone in the past four years. Many believe that if he is elected governor, his running mate, Dr. James Dalok, whose nomination was greeted with several controversies may simply be the one in the saddle.

The PDP is also believed to have made a major flaw in its primaries in the southern zone of the state by presenting the governorship, senatorial, and a House of Representatives candidates from the same local government area, making the other local government areas in the zone express dissatisfaction, and threatening to work against the party and Useni.

In the midst of all these, Useni seems to still command the love and support of majority of PDP members in the state when he won a landslide victory over other contests in the PDP gubernatorial primary. He seems to have some dogged followers that defy all reasoning to support his aspiration.

In addition, the party sent a reconciliation team from Abuja to mediate between members over grievances arising from the primaries. They seem to have adequately prepared the ground for a formidable contest with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Useni, a retired military general is also believed to have the backing of some Northern and Middle-belt Christians, especially those that have fallen out with President Mohammadu Buhari. They are said to have encouraged him to come up against the incumbent Governor Simon Lalong who is perceived to be playing politics with the lives of the citizens and

Useni

Temlong

Ladan

yielding to Northern agenda against his people of the Middle-belt. If that is true, the support will go a long way to boost Useni’s chances in the contest.

Lalong, who won in 2015 through protest votes is believed to have lost such massive support that came with the wind of change that blew across the country in 2015. The governor has forged a strong alliance with Buhari who is not particularly loved by the people of Plateau state.

Buhari has never won an election in Plateau state, not even in the 2015 exercise. He is seen by the people as an Islamic fanatic and an ethnic bigot who has a hand in the religious travails of the Plateau people. For this reason, Plateau people have never given him any support in all his contests.

In 2015, when the people protested against former Governor Jonah David Jang for not respecting the principle of power rotation in the state by bringing his kindred to take over from him after he had completed his eight years in office, Lalong of the All Progressive Congress (APC) became the beneficiary of the protest when even some members of the PDP mobilized votes for him against, Jang’s candidate, G.N.S. Pwojok in the election. Lalong won, but Buhari lost in the state.

On assuming power, Lalong, unlike his Benue state counterpart, Samuel Ortom, became so close to the President at the detriment of the people he governs.

On many occasions when Plateau farmers were attacked by Fulani herders, the governor tried to narrate away the incidents; not putting blames where they belong. This was the reason aggrieved Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) pelted his convoy with stones when he visited. Perhaps, that incident triggered him to act more decisively when over 200 persons were killed in Barkin Ladi local government area. Lalong began to threaten to deal with land grabbers terrorising the people of the area.

Political observers are worried that Lalong would rather take such a despicable position against his own people just to win the love of the President for the sake of winning re-election.

Lalong became one of the governors that hastened to accept creation of cattle colony in his state at a time the controversial policy generated heated debate across Nigeria. He had come on air to dismiss Anti-Open grazing policy, and chided Ortom for not having a second thought before passing the law in his state. This pitched him against the people, though his handlers tried to explain it away.

For a people who have suffered all forms of hardship, including gruesome killings in the hands of herders, the least Lalong would have done for them was not to leave them to their fate in pursuit of political gain. This may count

against the governor in the election, as the people have asked him to go and get his votes from the President who he owes his loyalty. For this same reason, he has been accused of governing from Abuja.

But the Commissioner of Information, Mr. Yakubu Dati tried to justify Lalong’s closeness to the presidency.

He said, while it was not true that Lalong governed Plateau from Abuja.

He stressed the importance of getting the support of the federal government to complement the efforts of the state government towards bringing development to the state.

Dati said: “Governor Lalong, well aware that the state stands to benefit from interfacing with other tiers of government has not shied away from taking the Plateau project to a higher level and exerting his skill of persuasion as a lawyer to attract attention and development to the state. “That is why in less than two years after he assumed office, Governor Lalong has been able to complete the projects abandoned by the former administration, clear the backlog of seven months salaries, pension and gratuity left by the Jang administration, reopened the fertilizer blending plant and Plateau State University, revived the Highland Bottling Company, Panyam Fish Farm, supply tractors and fertilizers to farmers and achieve sustainable peace in the state. “These are welcome departure from the tenure of Jang when, due to lack of capacity and inability to interface beyond clannish cleavages, the state was thrown into needless crises to the extent that many agencies and parastatals of the federal government with presence in the state were being relocated to other parts of the country.�

Though with minimal performance in terms of infrastructure, Lalong has been reputed as one of the few governors who have lived up to date with payment of workers’ salaries. Aside from also clearing the outstanding salaries left behind by preceding administration, he has also paid gratuity and pensions.

This has endeared him to civil servants which constitute a reasonable percentage of Plateau population.

The governor has also created chiefdoms and given first class stools to some deserving communities in the state. This will in no small measure promote his aspirations as the benefiting chiefdoms may vote for him in appreciation.

The governor also enjoys the support of the proverbial ‘federal might’, and that may come to play in the election.

It is generally believed that if President Buhari clinches the Presidential seat on February 16, Lalong’s victory is as sure as the sunrise.

On the flipside, Atiku’s victory would also definitely upset the governor ’s

calculations. So, the outcome of presidential election will impact directly on Lalong’s re-election.

General Jon Temlong, the gubernatorial candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), who is also a kinsman of Useni, is believed to have been sponsored by Lalong to ruin the chances of Useni by dividing the votes of the Tarok tribe. But a Tarok stakeholder has dismissed that as a poor calculation by Lalong as according to him, Temlong does not have the capacity to upset Useni’s victory.

On his part, Temlong has also denied being a tool in the hand of Lalong.

He said he has what it takes to be the Governor of the state going by his antecedents in the military. He also pledged to restore total peace to the state, particularly between the farmers and herders. Going by his testimony, Plateau people are gradually tilting towards him.

The candidate of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), Mr. Alex Ladan, a vibrant youth with much energy recently swept opinion polls on social media. Though a political greenhorn, Ladan appeals more to the youths in the state; they would rather go for him than following the old brigade who have not lived up to their promises.

It is believed that going by the increasing support he commands on the social media, and considering the population of the youths in the state, he might spring surprises in the election. Only time will tell.

Lieutenant Commander Jerry Ishaya Manga, candidate of the People’s Party of Nigeria (PPN) is about the only candidate from Plateau Central senatorial zone.

Going by gentleman agreement of power rotation on the Plateau, the Southern zone is expected to produce the next governor, but the retired Navy General sees power rotation as unconstitutional and breeding mediocrity.

He believes the quality of a candidate should speak for him and not the zone from where he hails.

His military background will count for him if he becomes governor, especially in tackling the hydra-headed crisis that has bedeviled the state in recent past.

Though he has a brilliant blueprint to tackle the challenges in Plateau, the tenacious belief of the Plateau man in power rotation may mar his laudable aspiration.

With the elections now a few weeks away, each candidate tries to outsmart the other with their campaign activities.

The electorate on their part are aligning and re-aligning with political parties, depending on the policies sold to them by the candidates and their supporters.

Their relentless cry, however, is that the process be allowed to go peacefully, and also for their votes to count.

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FEATURES

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

Power Restoration for Ondo Communities Ayodeji Oke writes that power supply in 10 out of the 21 distribution substations in the Igbokoda community in Ondo State was recently restored, thus illuminating the town, which had hitherto been plunged in darkness for years

Electricity powerlines

F

or residents of Igbokoda in Ilaje Ese Odo Local Government in Ondo South senatorial zone, who have resigned their fate to living without electricity for the past five years, their joy knew no bounds last Wednesday as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo commissioned the restored power project facilitated by the BEDC Electricity Plc. (BEDC) and Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), which jointly completed work on the rehabilitation of the power project in the town.

With the commissioning by the vice president flanked by Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu; Executive Director, Commercial of BEDC, Mr. Abu Ejoor; Chief Technical Officer, (CTO) Engr. Ashok Acharya and officials of NDPHC, 10 out of the 21 distribution substations in the Igbokoda community came on with power supply thus illuminating the town which had been out of supply for so many years.

Energised Substations The substations that were energised as at Wednesday include; Larada, General Hospital Secretariat road substation, Ikuomola, Ilara, Orioketilu, Church substation, Okoga College road/Omotehin, GRA1, GRA4/NDDC and Broadstreet substations.

The project which is an ongoing

exercise is expected to extend to Okitipupa and other parts of Ondo South senatorial zone in due course.

Therefore, it's a given that restoration achieved by BEDC with the speedy rehabilitation of the power project in conjunction with NDPHC under the National Independent Powder Project (NIPP) will bring positive effect on the social and economic activities in the area, given that it has always been the central town for inhabitants of the Ondo

South senatorial district of Ondo state comprising Okitipupa, Ireless, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/ Oke-Igbo local governments due to the presence of several amenities.

The belief by the communities is that if the availability of power supply is addressed, other improvements will follow given that outage has greatly affected social and economic activities in the area, just as people of the area had resigned their fate to living without electricity.

The belief by the communities is that if the availability of power supply is addressed, other improvement will follow, given that power outage has greatly affected social and economic activities in the area

Rehabilitation It will be recalled that the federal government had listened to the restive residents of communities under Ondo South Senatorial Zone over their power rehabilitation project as it directed the NIPP to join forces with BEDC for the speedy rehabilitation of the whole network across four local governments namely; Okitipupa, Ese-Odo, Irele and Ilaje local governments in four phases.

Indications to this effect emerged recently after the joint team of BEDC engineers and the NIPP officials worked on the Okitipupa 33Kv overhead line project which covered the aforementioned local government areas in line with the charted out the schedule for the commencement of the whole network rehabilitation.

For the Ode-Aye community in Okitipupa Local Government Area

of Ondo State, which had been without electricity supply for almost seven years, theirs was restored on Christmas day after a massive reconstruction jointly executed by NDPHC/NIPP and BEDC, representing the first phase of the Ondo South power restoration.

Expectedly, the restoration of power to Ode Aye attracted the commendation of the traditional, Oba William Akinmusayo Akinlade, who thanked the staff and management of BEDC for taking the community out of darkness.

This restoration was made possible because BEDC management, led by the Chief State Head, Ondo/ Ekiti states, Mrs. Kunbi Labiyi, had charged the field staff to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that Ode-Aye people enjoyed electricity beginning from the 2018 Christmas.

Another factor that played in was the charge by the Ondo State Governor, through his Technical Committee on Power that everything must be done to end the unacceptable darkness that had enveloped the region in the past 12 years.

Constraints BEDC it would be recalled, had commenced rehabilitation work on the network but slowed down due to constraints of thick vegetation, and lengthy feeder, which made the rehabilitation work prone to faults; a development which accounted for

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Chief State Head, Ondo/Ekiti state, BEDC Electricity Plc, BEDC Mrs Kunbi Labiyi (third from left), Head, Community Relations, Mrs Virginia Osineme(second from left) and the Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Felix Balogun (fourth left) and others at a town hall meeting held after the enenrgisation of Igbokoda by BEDC on Wednesday last week

the recent protests by youths of the affected communities.

As a step forward, BEDC and NDPHC had collected survey samples of other routes to be used in re-routing the affected lines for the areas under rehabilitation, as a permanent solution to hitches before the NIPP intervention support.

In fact, the BEDC had extended restoration work to Ondo North, South, Odo Aye and Okitipupa, while 19 communities had been connected to the grid in Ondo South including Ore, Odigbo, Adaja and Liyetu among others.

In Ondo North, 34 communities

In fact, BEDC had extended restoration work to Ondo North, South, Odo Aye and Okitipupa, while 19 communities had been connected to the grid in Ondo South including Ore, Odigbo, Adaja and Liyetu, among others. In Ondo North, 34 communities have been connected including Gedegede, Ikun, Eriti, OkeAgbe, Ikare, Arigidi, Oba-Akoko and Ikaram, among others

Chairman Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, commissioning a newly energised BEDC Electricity Plc (BEDC) transformer at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp ground in Issele-Uku, Delta state, during the Senate Committee on Power's oversight visit to BEDC recently

have been connected including Gedegede, Ikun, Eriti, Oke-Agbe, Ikare, Arigidi, Oba-Akoko and Ikaram among others.

Reconnectivity in Ekiti Prior to the reconnectivity in Ondo State, Ekiti first had a taste of BEDC's commitment to power communities. In December last year, in fulfilment of its pledge to the Ekiti State Government, BEDC had restored electricity supply to some communities in Ekiti state namely; Erinijiyan, Ipole-Iloro and Ikogosi.

Thus, it was a memorable Christmas will remain a memorable day for the Eka Meta communities

of Ekiti State, as BEDC restored electricity supply to the three communities, which are linked to the Ilawe/Aramoko feeder, and had experienced epileptic power supply for some years. However, in fulfilment of its mandate, the supply source for the community was changed, whilst the feeder and entire network was rehabilitated and restored on Christmas day. Again, this was done in collaboration with NDPHC under the NIPP. Also, BEDC during a meeting with the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, had assured that power would be restored before December end given the numerous

tourist destinations the state boasts of, which includes; Ipole-Iloro, Ariata Waterfalls in Ipole-Iloro and Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort. At that meeting, the Managing Director/CEO, BEDC, Mrs. Funke Osibodu, had hinted of the ongoing rehabilitation of Ikogosi/ Erinijiyan/Ipole-Iloro line on the Aramoko 33kv feeder, adding that communities in these areas would have more stable power soon.

It is imperative to state that at the moment, BEDC is presently partnering the Ekiti State Government for a more improved supply to enable it power its streetlights for about 10 hours daily, against the present three hours situation.

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IMAGES

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

R-L: Hon Member,Lagos State House 0f Assembly,Representing Eti-Osa Constituency 2,Engr.Gbolahan Yishawu,Representing Lagos Senatorial District,Senator Oluremi Tinubu,and Chairman Ikoyi/Obalende LCDA,Hon Fuad Atanda -Lawal,during the ag o Campaign Rally and street walk of Hon Gbolahan Yishawu at Obalende and Awolowo road Ikoyi, lagos...recently

L-R: Father: St Agnes Catholic Church Maryland: Very Reverend Anthony Fadairo: Chief Operation OďŹƒcer: Ocean Basket: Bimbola Olumartins and Executive Chairman: Ocean Basket: Mr Kayode Olumartins at the inauguration of Ocean Basket Restaurant in Lagos...recently Photo: Abiodun Ajala

L-R: A Member of the Marketing Communication Team, Ayobami Ekwenuke, the Managing Director Accion MicroďŹ nance Bank, Mr. Taiwo Joda, Physically Challenged Customer, Dennis Ifekanwa, the Chief Commercial OďŹƒcer, Nwanna Joel-Eze,at the annual customer forum in Lagos recently

L-R: Governorship candidate of the Oyo State All Progressives Congress, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; and the Oyo South Senatorial candidate of the party, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, during the APC campaign rally at Lagelu Local Government, in Lalupon...on Friday. Photo: Governor’s OďŹƒce

L-R: Partner, Enyo Retail and Supply Ltd, Alh. Folayan Olufemi; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Enyo Retail and Supply Ltd, Mr. Abayomi Awobukun; Partner, Enyo Retail and Supply Ltd, Dr. Bimbo Awobukun; and Mrs. Abimbola Alawemo, at the launch of Enyo Retail and Supply Ltd in Ibadan, Oyo State recently

Former Governor of Ondo State and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) candidate for Ondo Central Senatorial district, Dr Olusegun Mimiko speaking to supporters through the open roof of his car, during a campaign rally at Alade Idanre, in Idanre local government, on Friday.

L-R: PDP Governorship Candidate for Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Founder of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare and his wife, and Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, at the 70th Anniversary of Tribune Newspapers held at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos...recently

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Ͳ, 2019

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

A S

A T

REPO 11.86 % 11.07%

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

12% 12.60 % 12.75%

F E B R U A R Y S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

364.70% 0.21% 2.16%

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

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

2 0 1 9 2.16% 2.16%

EXCHANGE RATE N306.75/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Shipping Correspondents to Unveil Book

GUARDING AGAINST RISKS

L-R: Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Muda Yusuf; CEO, BAA Consult, Dr. Biodun Adedipe;Treasurer, LCCI, Mrs Bamidele Daramola; President, Mr. Babatunde Ruwase; CEO, Lead Capital Advisory, Bimbo Olahsore and Partner/Advisory Leader, PwC Nigeria, Cyril Azobu, during a seminar on emerging risk and opportunities in 2019 organised by the LCCI in Lagos‌recently ETOP UKUTT

Insurance Sector Records 35.7% Premium Growth in 10 Years Ebere Nwoji The insurance sector has in the past ten years achieved an average growth rate of 35.07 per cent in both life and non-life classes of business.

A breakdown of this showed that life business recorded a higher growth rate of 27.64 per cent, while non-life grew by 7.43 per cent in the last 10 years.

Available statistics from the latest edition of the Nigeria Insurers Association’s annual digest showed that life business witnessed highest increase in premium of 85.8 per cent in 2008m, but recorded poor performance in 2016 when it recorded -0.50 per cent increase in premium generation.

However, in 2011, life business premium grew by 37.21 per cent followed by 2014, when premium from life business grew by 35.02 per cent. In 2012, premium from

INSURANCE life business grew by 28.25 per cent while in 2017, it grew by 27.59 per cent.

For the non-life segment, the insurance sector witnessed highest increase in premium in 2008, when the sector’s premium grew by 22.1 per cent. This was followed by 2009, when the industry’s premium in non-life business grew by 19.6 per cent and was closely followed by 2011 and 2012 when it increased by 11.80 per cent and 11.63 per cent respectively.

Nevertheless, the sector recorded the worst performance in premium generation in 2015 and 2014 when growth stood at -3.50 per cent and -1.31 per cent respectively.

In motor insurance business segment, another class of non-life insurance business, the sector recorded a net written premium

of N33.859 billion. in 2017.

Among the underwriting firms that participated in this class of business in 2017, NEM Insurance earned the highest premium of N4.370 billion.

NEM was closely followed by Axa Mansard Insurance which recorded N3.080 billion and Leadway Assurance - N3.071 billion.

The least premium earner in the motor insurance class of business for the period was the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation(NAIC) which earned N49.351 million premium.

In fire insurance class of business, the industry recorded the highest premium in 2017, when it garnered N35.375 billion followed by 2016 when it earned N30.773 billion premium and 2015 when it earned N27.36 billion premium.

The least premium in fire insurance business was earned

Rahamaniyya Oil Bags IMS CertiďŹ cation

by the sector in 2008, when the industry realised only N15.618 billion premium.

Speaking on the sector’s performance the Chairman, NIA, Mr. Tope Smart, said the sector’s performance during these period was negatively affected by the economic recession experienced in 2016.

He, however, said despite the downturn in economic activities, operators continued to improve their drive and commitment for premium increase.

The immediate past Chairman, NIA and Managing Director Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Mr Eddie Efekoha, said the total quantum of businesses written by insurance companies grew from N315.96 billion in 2016, to an estimated N363 billion in 2017.

He said in 2017, insurance firms had to grapple with challenges Continued on page 24

FG Urged to Promote Local Content in ICT Sector Emma Okonji The federal government has been urged to as a matter of urgency, encourage the local content in terms of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) goods and services, both in the public and private sectors.

The call was made by stakeholders at a forum organised by the Association of Information Communication Technology Local Content (ICTLOCA) in Lagos.

They stressed the need to abide by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010.

The Act was enacted with the aim of providing for the development of indigenous

ICT content in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry by ensuring that priorities are given to indigenous companies. Section 12 of the Act stated that Nigerians are to be given first consideration for the provisions of goods and services in the sector, but industry stakeholders are worried that local content in terms of ICT goods and services are not being implemented in the oil and gas sector of the Nigerian economy and have called on the federal government to enforce the law.

The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), Mrs. Edith Udeagu, said the NOGICD Act, in recognising the importance of ICT to

the oil and gas sector, specifically in section 58 of the Act, mandated the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to set up Nigerian Content Consultative Forum (NCCF) in ICT, to provide platform for information sharing and collaboration in the oil and gas industry.

Udeagu also explained that the Executive Order 3 of the federal government mandated specifically all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government to grant preference to local manufacturers of goods and service providers in their procurement processes for a number of items including food and beverages, motor vehicles, ICT products, pharmaceuticals, construction

The Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) is set to unveil a new book detailing the achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in the maritime industry.

In a statement jointly signed by the President of SCAN, Yusuf Babalola and Chairman, Book Presentation Committee, Shulammite ‘Foyeku, the association said the book titled, “Footprints of President Muhammadu Buhari in the Maritime Sector,â€? would be presented to members of the public on February 8, 2019, at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos. According to the statement, the book highlights some of the bold measures taken by the present administration to address the numerous challenges and infrastructural deďŹ cits facing the sector, and how these eorts have helped in repositioning the nation’s maritime sector to grow the economy. “Over the decades, the Nigerian maritime sector has been beset with the challenges of both soft and hard infrastructure deďŹ cits. “To make the port and the maritime domain a hub of maritime activities, the present federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari has introduced the policy of ease of doing business in the port. “It has also embarked on the rehabilitation of Wharf Road, among others, which had been a nightmare to port users over the years; and procured speed patrol boats for the Nigerian Navy to combat oil thefts and other maritime crimes. The book presentation is expected to be attended by the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Hassan Bello; Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside; Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd); Chief of Naval Sta, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas, and Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Sen Olorunimbe Mamora, among others.

materials, furniture and fittings, among others. “The significance of the Executive Order is that preference would be given to locally manufactured ICT goods and services. It stated categorically that henceforth, 40 per cent of all ICT goods and services consumed by all MDA must be provided by Nigerian IT firms. “As at today, not up to 40 per cent patronage of local ICT goods and services consumed

by MDAs in Nigeria, has been achieved,� Udeagu said.

President, ICTLOCA, Mr. Adewale Akingbade, said the body has the mandate to ensure that all laws and policies of government are put in place Continued on page 24

Rahamaniyya Oil and Gas Limited has received the IMS CertiďŹ cates (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001) from the Professional Evaluation and CertiďŹ cationsBoard(PECB)basedinCanada.TheďŹ nalauditwasconcluded last November, and certiďŹ cation issued with eect from December, 2018, following an intense and rigorous process. A statement by the company said by the feat, it becomes one of the ďŹ rst companies to achieve multiple certiďŹ cation in one Audit in West Africa.

SimsIntroduces‘BurjKhalifa’Air-Conditioners

Sims Nigeria Limited, a foremost electronics and home appliances company in Nigeria has launched what it tagged the ‘Burj Khalifa’ of Air-Conditioners into the market. The product is the royal tower smart-inverter air-conditioner which comes with an unmatched 10year warranty on its inverter compressor. According to the Executive Director (Corporate Services) of the company, Mr Fab Uzor, the royal tower inverter air-conditioner is a best-in-class and the very ďŹ rst of its kind in the country, with several cutting-edge features and capabilities.

For instance, it cools in less than 30 seconds and could cut energy consumption by up to 70 per cent. “Interestingly, to cater for the interest of other customer segments, the company is also oering the beneďŹ ts associated with the Royal ‘Burj Khalifa’AC in its split-unit version which comes in a very attractive design with beautiful golden trimmings,â€? the statement added.

Africa Finance Shortlists Top 100 Brands

Leading brands across dierent sectors in Africa have been shortlisted for the 2019 edition of Africa Finance Award. The program is now in its sixth year. The top brands in dierent sectors namely ďŹ nance, marketing communications, oil and gas, security, packaging, real estate, power, manufacturing and others would feature in this year program.

According to a statement, some of the top brands shortlisted for this year program includes: KCB Bank Kenya Limited, Origin 8, Consolidated Bank Ghana, Nationwide Medical Insurance,Nampak Plc, Marina Trust, Ghana Union Assurance, Sigma Pension, Inland Containers, Phoenix Insurance Company Ltd, American Tower Corporation, Allianz Insurance Company Ghana Limited, Itex Intergrated Services Limited, IGS Financial Services Limited, Diamond Capital, Elvan Group, Unity Bank, Wetherhead Advertising Group, VFD Group, African Banking Corporation Limited, NIPOST, Suntrust Bank, Federal Housing Authority, Providus Bank among others.

“It’s bad that today the human capital index is out and we are still very low. But unless we begin to do some detailed backward integration value chain analysis that allows people to be employed along those work areas, unless we begin to pay attention to the issue of health and education, we wouldn’t grow. Whilst I say for government at the federal level, it is important to note that the DG, Nigerian Economic Summit Group,

Mr. Laoye Jaiyeola

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BUSINESSWORLD INSURANCE SECTOR RECORDS 35.7% PREMIUM GROWTH IN 10 YEARS

of epileptic power supply and dilapidated infrastructure such as roads and other public facilities, all which according to him, exposed the industry to increased cost of operations. “This coupled with a suffocating tax regime impacted the bottom line of insurance companies,� Efekoha said.

According to him, despite the challenges, the insurance industry, during the period under review continued to perform its role of financial intermediation and business restoration in line with its mandate. “The volume of business written by the market grew from N315.96 billion in 2016, to an estimated N363 billion in 2017, representing an expected increase of 15 percent over 2016 figure,� he said.

FG URGED TO PROMOTE LOCAL CONTENT IN ICT SECTOR

to promote local content in ICT in the oil and gas sector of the Nigerian economy.

But, Akingbade, who was represented by who was represented by the Vice President, Mrs. Busayo Balogun, however called for collaboration with industry stakeholders to ensure full implementation of local content policies in the Oil and Gas sector.

The Secretary, ICTLOCA, Mr. Adebunmi Akinbo, said with the signing of the Executive Order 5 by the federal government, ICTLOCA has moved into the development and execution of the convergence of Executive Orders 3 and 5, to promote Local Content 4.0. “The wealth of Executive Orders and Acts is the basic key to creating a strong foundation to build our advocacy, promote and protect the relevant creators, developers, entrepreneurs and business within the ICT Ecosystem. “The Local Content 4.0 is designed to be a convergence of all stakeholders, professionals and artisans in the ICT industry to come together to brainstorm on topical issues and chart a way forward for effective implementation of Executive Orders on Local Content, Local Content Laws and highlight challenges faced

by ICT,� Akinbo added.

NEWS

NIRSAL MFB to Commence Operations in February James Emejo in Abuja A new microfinance institution, NIRSAL Micro Finance Bank (NMFB) will commence operations this month.

The NMFB, with an extensive network of branches and planned presence in all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the federation and the FCT, is a brainchild of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), the Bankers Committee and the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).

It is a strategic partnership with NIPOST with a view to leverage on its widespread offices, while NIRSAL would bring to bear its expertise and experience in financing low income entrepreneurs and de-risking of credits originated by the MFB by providing guarantees in line with its mandate.

The Bankers Committee provided the set-up equity capital and owns 50 per cent of the bank, while NIRSAL and NIPOST own 40 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.

One of bank’s cardinal objectives is to expand available options and empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the country with structured microcredit to help them establish and expand their businesses.

The institution plans to utilise extant structures to reach the most financially excluded

Nigerians in rural communities.

According to a statement signed by the National Coordinating Consultant, NMFB, Dr. Steve Ogidan, the bank represents a game-changer which will complement and support existing structures and players in the sector to better serve the millions of small entrepreneurs in the country.

Reacting to the development,

Chairman, NMFB, Mr. Aliyu Abdulhameed, who doubles as NIRSAL’s Chief Executive said the proposed bank would complement and support the existing structures and players in the sector to better serve the millions of small entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers in the country.

According to him: “The mission and strategy of NMFB are

focused on making significant, sustainable and measurable impact on small businesses across Nigeria and, by extension, on the lives of millions of Nigerians dependent on them in the overall interest of the economy.

The bank will work with all relevant partners, stakeholders and players to achieve this.�

NMFB is expected to be launched simultaneously across

the six geopolitical zones in the country as well as at the flagship branch in Gwagwalada, FCT while other pilot locations are locations include Bauchi, Ibadan, Kaduna, Enugu, Port Harcourt and Lokoja NIPOST offices.

The rollout is expected to continue in other parts of the country eventually covering all 774 LGAs.

HONOUR WELL DESERVED

L-R: Chief Finance Officer, Coronation Merchant Bank, Mr. Chukwukadibia Okoye; Business Development Manager, Lagos and West, Association of Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA), Aderonke Adebule; Group Managing Director/CEO, Coronation Merchant Bank, Mr. Abubakar Jimoh and Head, ACCA, Nigeria, Mr. Tom Isibor, at the presentation of ACCA’s approved employer award to Coronation Merchant Bank in Lagos‌recently ETOP UKUTT

Fashola: Meter Asset Providers to Enhance Job Creation Peter Uzoho The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has said Nigeria will likely experience an economic renaissance in the country’s electricity sub-sector with the implementation of the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) policy of the federal government.

Fashola also disclosed that at the moment, a total of 108 companies have applied for license as MAPs, saying they are in the process of being certified by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and other relevant bodies.

The minister said this recently while inaugurating the

newly-upgraded/remodelled chemical and engineering laboratory of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) at Ijora Olopa, Lagos.

He explained that the MAP policy would relieve the pressure on the finances of distribution companies (DisCos) in terms of supply of meters, pointing out that the policy “does not discharge the DisCos of their contractual obligation with the nation.�

Fashola added: “At this moment, 108 companies have applied and they are going through the process of being certified by NERC. “Of course, we understand

the major economy underneath all of this policy. When those companies begin to operate, they are going to employ people: technicians, installers, who are going to be trained – many of them have been trained really, by our training institute (NAPTIN) and people don’t know that we have them producing certified and trained technicians within the value chain. “So as this policy kicks in, you are going to see a lot of employment opportunities, supply, installation, wiring and so on and so forth. “If you remember we were at our meter testing station in Oshodi a couple of months

back. So in essence we will likely see again an economic renaissance in the electricity sub-sector just like you saw in the telecom sector in terms of telephone sets, repairs, vending and so on. So this is going to happen in a matter of months.�

He, however, said the NEMSA laboratory would help the agency which is in charge of enforcing safety compliance in the electricity sub-sector do their job. “They now have the tools to now do their job and we hope that there will be improvement in all the operators’ compliance in conduct. And the agency now having the tools can enforce compliance and say you

comply or you don’t comply, and that should translate to a better service delivery in the entire value chain,� he added.

Earlier in his remark, the Managing Director of NEMSA, Mr. Peter Ewesor, said the laboratory was equipped with a wide range of world class test equipment, instruments, and devices which include: the Dissolved Gas Analyser (DGA) – a diagnostic equipment for detecting, identifying and evaluating incipient faults occurring within transformers and reactors and Dielectric Strength Tester – to determine the insulation levels; among others.

Proshare Partners AFEX to Boost Commodities Market Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (Maritime)

Peter Uzoho In view of the need to drive enlightenment around activities on the Nigerian commodities market, Proshare, Africa’s digital financial information hub and AFEX Commodities Exchange Limited have entered into a partnership.

The deal is aimed at communicating activities and developments at AFEX, so as to foster transparency, education and growth.

The partnership was basically driven by the realisation that investors are continually seeking alternative avenues to invest in, with the advent

of various securities in the Nigerian financial market such as equities (listed, unlisted and private), exchange traded funds, (ETs), bonds, treasury bills, commercial papers, currencies, mutual funds, and now commodities.

However, under the partnership, Proshare has developed an AFEX dedicated page within its platform to present news, data and analysis regarding the commodities market from a single source, while AFEX on its part, has granted Proshare WebTV access to live digital broadcast of its activities which would be unfolded in

the coming months.

With the partnership, Proshare has become the first firm in Nigeria that has the major securities exchanges integrated to its platform, following earlier partnerships with NASD and FMDQ in 2016.

While the partnership is also poised to encourage further learning and increase the impact AFEX has had within the last four years of its establishment, having created access to markets that boosted the incomes of over 40,000 farmers by up to 40 per cent over the period, investors especially retail investors can now access information from

a wide range of investment opportunities.

Commenting on the partnership at the agreement signing ceremony in Lagos, the Business Development Manager, AFEX Commodities Exchange Limited, Mr. Akinyinka Akintunde, said it was a reflection of the Exchange’s commitment to educate and foster a transparent culture for the commodities market in Nigeria. “It is no secret that AFEX considers commodities exchanges as critical drivers of economic development and transformation, and while we are creating a world class com-

modity exchange that enhances the efficiency and profitability of the country’s agricultural and financial sectors, we are glad to have Proshare as a partner in sharing details of our activities and victories on this journey,� Akintunde said.

On his part, Technical Director/Chief Operating Officer, Proshare Nigeria, Reshu Bagga, said the partnership would see Proshare once again fulfil its remit of enlightening, educating and empowering investors through the provision of credible, reliable and timely information relevant for intelligent investing.

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BUSINESSWORLD

MARKET REPORT

Nigerian Equities Shed 2.5% as Investors Book in Profits Goddy Egene The Nigerian stock market ended last week with a decline of 2.5 per cent as investors locked in profits recorded the previous weeks. The market had made an unexpected recovery, recording gains in two consecutive weeks.

However, realising the high level of gains so recorded, some investors moved to take profit last week.

This development led a decline of 2.5 per cent in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index to close at 30,636.36, while market capitalisation shed N294.7 billion to be at N11.424 trillion.

Similarly, all other indices finished lower with the exception of the NSE Oil/Gas Index that rose by 0.05 per cent. The industrial Goods index declined the most, going down by 3.7 per cent. The NSE Consumer Goods Index trailed with 3.4 per cent, while the NSE Banking Index dipped by 2.5 per cent. The NSE Insurance Index shed 2.2 per cent.

But while the Nigerian market declined last week, advanced markets rallied following the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC’s) decision to hold the Fed Funds rate in the target range of 2.25 per cent 2.50 per cent, while also guiding to a slower pace of policy normalisation.

The FOMC noted that it would be patient and that decisions to further hike rates would be data dependent, although this is contrary to indicators which show higher productivity, rebounding investment and surging growth.

Also, markets were supported by fresh optimism given the resumption of United States(US).

- China trade talks, as both cited substantial progress in two days of high-level talks.

As a result, the performance in developed markets was largely bullish. In the US markets, the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ closed the week higher, up 1.5 per cent and 1.6 per cent respectively, while UK FTSE rose 2.3 per cent. In the same vein, France’s CAC 40, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (1.3% W-o-W) and Japan’s Nikkei 225 (0.1% W-o-W) advanced by 1.5 per cent, 1.3 per cent and 0.1 per cent in that order.

Across the BRICS countries markets, performances were generally positive as four of the five indexes trended northwards.

Russia’s RTS index recorded the largest gain of 1.7 per cent followed by India’s BSE Sens, China’s Shanghai Composite, and South Africa’s FTSE/JSE All Share indexes which added 1.5 per cent, 0.6 per cent and 0.2 per cent in that order. Conversely, Brazil’s Ibovespa fell by 0.3 per cent.

In Africa, performance was mixed as three of the six markets tracked recorded gains.

Egypt’s EGX30 recorded the largest gain, up 4.6 per cent, followed by Kenya’s NSE-20 that appreciated by 1.7 per cent.

Morocco’s Casablanca MASI garnered 0.4 per cent. On the flip side, the largest loss was recorded by Nigeria’s All-Share Index, Ghana’s GSE Composite and the Mauritius SEMDEX index trailed, falling by 0.4 per cent and 0.2 per cent respectively.

In Asia and the Middle East, performances were largely bearish as all five markets recorded

contributing 82.95 per cent and 71 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Conglomerates Industry followed with 93.206 million shares worth N138.014 million in 916 deals. The third place was Consumer Goods Industry with a turnover of 71.404 million shares worth N3.170 billion in 2,698 deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely, United Bank for Africa Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc accounted for 447.620 million shares worth N4.453 billion in 3,193 deals, contributing 30.83 per cent and 30.11 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Also, traded during the week were a total of 668 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) valued at N58,897.50 executed in 21 deals compared with a total of 34,341 units valued at N440,166.37 that was transacted two weeks ago in seven deals.

A total of 4,336 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N4.308 million were traded this week in 26 deals compared with a total of 3,498 units valued at N3.131 million transacted the previous week in 20 deals.

losses. Turkey’s BIST 100 index declined the most by 2.2 per cent W-o-W, trailed by Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul ASI, which shed 1.5 per cent. Thailand’s SET index went down by 1.3 per cent, just as the UAE’s ADX General Index and Qatar ’s DSM 20 index declined

by 0.5 per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively.

Market Turnover A total turnover of 1.452 billion shares worth N14.788 billion in 19,318 deals were traded by investors in contrast to a total

of 1.807 billion shares valued at N17.232 billion that exchanged hands the previous week in 18,332 deals.

The Financial Services Industry led the activity chart with 1.204 billion shares valued at N10.500 billion traded in 12,671 deals, thus

Price Gainers and Losers Meanwhile, 16 equities appreciated in price during the week, lower than 40 in the previous week, while 50 equities depreciated in price, higher than 25 of the previous week.

ABC Transport Plc led the price gainers with 24.1 per cent, trailed

by Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc with 10 per cent. Beta Glass Plc appreciated by 9.1 per cent, just as Sterling Bank Plc and UACN Property Development Company Plc chalked up 8.2 per cent.

Vitafoam Nigeria Plc closed the week 6.6 per cent higher. The company recently unveiled eight new products in order expand its revenue base, enhance customers’ healthy living and boost shareholder value.

According to the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, the new products were launched in line with the company’s culture of innovativeness.

Adeniyi noted that product differentiation had become one of the hallmarks of Vitafoam group which makes it difficult for anyone to clone the company’s unique products.

UAC of Nigeria Plc also closed among the price gainers in the review week, garnering 6.3 per cent. Other top price gainers included: Champion Breweries Plc (5.8 per cent); Total Nigeria Plc (4.1 per cent) and University Press Plc Conversely, Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc led the price losers with 17.1 per cent, trailed by Niger Insurance Plc with 15.3 per cent. Dangote Flour Mills Plc and Ikeja Hotel Plc went down by 10.7 per cent respectively.

Academy Press Plc and AIICO Insurance Plc shed 10 per cent and 9.8 per cent in that order.

Newrest ASL Nigeria Plc and Berger Paints Nigeria Plc depreciated by 9.7 per cent and 9.6 per cent respectively, just as First Aluminium Nigeria Plc shed 8.5 per cent.

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Power: Firms Move to Ease Payment in Unbanked Communities

Chi Acquisition: Coca Cola Assures Stakeholders of Sustainability

Peter Uzoho

Raheem Akingbolu

As part of efforts to address challenges hindering energy access to households in unbanked and underserved communities in Nigeria, five leading solar home system companies have successfully integrated into Swifta, a technology company offering a wide range of IT services and products through its strong cash collection agent networks.

The companies include Azuri Technologies, A Solar, Oolu Solar, Smarter Grid International (SGI) and Sosai Renewable Energy Company.

The integration and partnership followed a rigorous User Acceptance Test (UAT) initiated and funded by the Nigerian Off-grid Market Accessibility Programme (NoMAP), a market building programme jointly supported by the Shell Foundation and the USAID. It was aimed at easing subscription collection from unbanked Pay As You Go (PAYGO) customers of the companies in remote communities.

Announcing the integration at a press conference in Lagos, the Programme Manager, NoMAP, Mr. Adedotun Eyinade, explained that the system was designed in such a way that allows a PAYGO customer of any of the five solar companies with a subscription plan to renew the subscription through Swifta’s mobile or static agents, leveraging on the company’s proprietary Onmibranch platform.

Eyinade said: “Customers who are unbanked and living off the grid often face the arduous task of not being able to access Pay As You Go solar since there are

limited options to pay for their monthly subscriptions. “Thanks to the integration into Swifta agent’s network.

PAYGO customers can now seamlessly pay for their monthly subscription through cash collection agents. NoMAP views the pilot as a workaround to address the challenges associated with Nigeria’s low mobile money uptake which makes it difficult for unbanked customers to pay for solar unlike their peers in East Africa.�

According to Eyinade, NoMAP would collect and report evidence improvement in sales, churn, default rate, customer experience and energy access to the unserved. “It is hoped that these five companies that we have partnered on the integration will be able to expand into new off-grid communities since collection risk will be addressed by this integration,� he added.

Commenting on the partnership, Chief Executive Officer, Swifta, Mr.NAyo Farinu, said: We’re delighted to have completed this partnership which is aimed at solving a major challenge in the solar space with respect to users in unbanked rural communities. “We’ve been able to do some transactions, test the systems endto-end to see the workability and we’re glad that we have made a lot of progress. But we can do better; we’re currently working and preparing for a full-blown rollout. A lot of measures have been put in place; we’re doing some marketing activities to ensure that we create awareness for consumers to easily identify our agents across the regions of the country.�

Few days after the acquisition of Chi Limited from TGI Group

by Coca-Cola Company, stakeholders, especially consumers of the former have been assured that the quality of the various products on the stable of the Chi brand will not only be sustained, but be taken a notch higher by the new owners.

Briefing journalists in Lagos at the weekend, President, Cocacola West Africa, Peter Njonjo, said the Group was committed to extend the frontiers of the Chi brand beyond its presence markets and open it to the global market. He has also disclosed that consumers of the Chi brand should be rest assured that their favourite products would be

offered better under the new regime. “By coming in, CocaCola’s mission is not to effect any fundamental change but to build on the existing works on the various products. “I can assure consumers that under the Coca-Cola Group, the existing products will be taken to the world. Besides, the quality will not also be tampered with rather, more value will be added. “We will support the Chi management team in building on the company’s remarkable heritage and achievements while using the scale of the Coca-Cola system to replicate their success in more markets across Africa. “Coca-Cola is continuing to evolve as a total beverage company, and Chi’s diverse range of beverages perfectly complements

our existing portfolio, enabling us to accelerate expansion into new categories and grow our business in Africa,� he stated.

Chi currently produces its Chi Exotic juices, Caprisonne and Hollandia Yogurt.

While Njonjo was revealing the reasons for the acquisition, he said Chi Limited like Coca-Cola was a beverage company and it complements the existing portfolio of the company, which he said would aid the acceleration of the expansion of the Chi products into the global market.

He said “The acquisition is a testament to the commitment of the company being a total beverage company, and the desire to grow the Chi products into a global billion dollar brands,

that will meet the needs of the customers satisfactorily.�

According to him, Chi Limited would continue to operate as an independent company with no interference from Coca-Cola, but would build the company in a way that would make it experience wider range of products distribution internationally. “We will not tamper with the brand in any form, the management of the Chi Limited will operate as before but rather we will grow both the Chi and the Hollandia units of the products and support Chi management team in building on the company’s remarkable heritage and achievement, while using the coca-cola system to replicate their success in more markets across Africa,� he added.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Lava,Indian Phone Manufacturer Enters Nigerian Market

L-R: Deputy Managing Director, Deepwater District, Total Nigeria Limited, Ahmadu Kida-Musa; Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman and the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Simbi Kesiye Wabote, when BalaUsman received an Award of Excellence from the Foreign Investment Network (FIN), for her contributions to the maritime industry, during the 2019 Petroleum Industry Award held in Abuja‌recently

Ugo Aliogo

NCC Takes Anti-cybercrime Campaign to Niger

Lava International Limited, a multinational mobile phone manufacturer has entered into the Nigerian market through the launch of its champion series (C1, A1, N1) and smartphones Z series (Z81 2GB, Z81 3GB) and the Iris 51.

The company is targeting emerging markets. This, was the reason it launched in Africa two years and now is present in Egypt, Sudan, Ghana and Kenya.

Speaking at the launch in Lagos recently, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Bassem Megahed: “ Lava looks to the gaps in the market for the consumer needs and they start taking products available and descent quality, so I think it is the best match. “Nigeria technology market is very much concentrated in computer villages. This small area is controlling 80 per cent of ICT market. I think we have a great potential, we have been in Nigeria for 10 years now, but we used to service and this is our first time to try distribution. “Our strategy is to employ locals, five percent is non-Nigerian, 95 per cent of company staffs are Nigerians. We have five per cent Egyptians and 95 per cent

Nigerians. We are dedicated to the community and ready to invest. Nigerians have been a good contributor to the economy and make money for us as well.�

In his remarks, the Country Manager, Lava International, Mr. Rohit Singh, noted that there are different consumers for different mobile, stating that there are various mobile such as picture phone, a less price feature or picture phone or LCD. He also said the company has phones for every consumer that is available in the market.

According to Singh, “Nigeria is a booming economy with population and demand and we are the people who have supplies, this is the right country for us, yes we are late but not too late, we are at the right time.

The partnership between Lava and Raya is very important, don’t forget Raya is the master of distribution and this country has vast geographies, and it needs distribution. “Currently, the mobile phone companies that are operating in the market are mainly concentrated in the hub hearts of Lagos, mainly computer village and other area. We have a target to reach the smallest partners or customer in Nigeria.�

Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) last week took its enlightenment against cybercrime to Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.

In the state, the NCC sensitised telecommunication consumers in the state on the role they needed to play in order to protect themselves against rising wave of the cybercrime scourge.

At the 26th edition of the Consumer Town Hall Meeting held in the state with the theme:

‘Mitigating Effects of Cybercrimes: The Role of Telecom Consumers,� the commission enlightened consumers on the threats of cybercrime, its various forms and measures required of to be protected from cybercriminals and hackers.

Speaking at the event, the Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mrs. Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, said as broadband penetration gets deeper for the promotion of positive engagements and efficient economic activities, the tendency for some Internet users to use

such access for criminal and illegal activities is also on the rise, thereby requiring adequate consumer education.

Represented by the Head, Government and Legislative Unit of Public Affairs Department at the Commission, Bashir Idris, Onwuegbuchulam said without individual and corporate consumers of telecoms services becoming aware of cybercrime trends and forms, as well as making conscious efforts to ensure safe use of connected devices, cybercriminals would

continue to make cyberspace unsafe.

According to her, businesses and individuals in every country currently rely on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for their day-to-day activities, where Internet is playing a key role in interconnectivity of devices. “It is a common knowledge that the use of Internet has become part of telecom consumer’s daily activities whether at home, in the workplace or any social settings.

Textile Firm to Continue Operations Despite Indebtedness, Says AMCON The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has said the Nigerian Braiding Manufacturers Limited (NBML), a Kano State-based textile company it recently took over will continue its operations.

The corporation took over the company as a result of its non-performing loans it had purchased from banks.

The textile company’s indebtedness to the corporation currently

stands at over N1 billion.

This was despite numerous overtures by AMCON for amicable resolution of the debt to which the company and its promoters have remained nonchalant over the years, leaving the Corporation with no choice than to seek Justice in Court.

In a statement signed by AMCON’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Jude Nwauzor, the corporation

confirmed that in line with the provisions of the AMCON Act, 2010 (as amended), the Corporation approached the Court and secured an Order enabling it to take possession of the Company through its Receiver Manager, Dr. Yakubu Fobur under whose supervision the Company is billed to resume full production soon. “In contrast to the rumors, AMCON was set up to facilitate

resolution of non-performing loans in the banking industry with a view to stabilising the economy; as such, the corporation is dedicated to ensuring that the company remains in operation under the management of the receiver manager and his team of experts who are expected to work closely with the promoters of the company to ensure that NBML returns to profitability within a short period.

5 ) * 4 % ": t MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019

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Usman: Why NCAA Insists on Enforcing Regulations The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Muhtar Usman, in this interview says the agency ensures airlines abide by regulation in order to keep nation’s airspace safe. He also says the aviation industry is taking advantage of the local content policy to create jobs for citizens in foreign companies that operate in the country. Chinedu Eze provides the excerpts: There is report that a team from the US Transport Security Administration (TSA) is inspecting the Lagos airport. What is the objectivity of the inspection?

Well, the Transport Security Administration of the United States, as you are aware, is responsible also for the aviation security matters as regards the United States. And also to states or countries where there is direct air link between it and the Unites States of America. They go on inspection in foreign lands where there is direct air link.

Nigeria happens to be one because Nigeria has been adjudged as meeting the requirement of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Category 1 Safety Status and that is why there is direct air link between Nigeria and the United States. So they do the inspection almost on six months basis, to come and assess the aviation security for the airport. To consolidate on whatever happened before, they were particularly interested now in the area of security because we have been able to conquer the challenges associated with the airside security and we want to concentrate on the landside security. That is the area before you get onto the secure side of the airport. This is because if we are able to secure the landside, the airside will be even more secured.

There are indications that Aviation Security needs more personnel. Is the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) supporting the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to boost personnel in that area?

Well, let me start by saying that aviation is very, very dynamic. If there are challenges in the area of security, it is our responsibility to face such challenges. We try to be proactive to ensure that we don’t react to something that has already happened. We don’t want it to happen.

There is a programme of recruitment, because it is not enough to just provide the equipment but the manpower. It is not just to provide the manpower; the workers must be trained, so we emphasise on the quality of the manpower and they must be in sufficient number. We have been working as the regulatory agency, with the implementing agency, that is FAAN, to ensure that there is no gap whatsoever. I am sure that you are aware that recently FAAN’s aviation training centre was accredited by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) as a regional training centre of excellence for aviation security to cover West and Central Africa.

Since after 2013, Nigeria has had very clean record of safety, the country has not recorded any accident or major incident, how do you intend to ensure that this status is carried on in 2019 and beyond?

So far we have been able to achieve so much in that area. The first thing is that we want to be able to continue to consolidate. There was a lot of hard work that was put in place to ensure that our airspace is safe. We will continue to keep and even improve on the standard of work we are doing and going beyond that. After consolidating the safety standard, we want to improve on what we have been doing in the area of training, provision of equipment and personnel. Also we are consolidating in the area of surveillance and enforcement. The major thing we have been doing, which has been yielding positive results is the direct engagement of the operators and service providers. This is to ensure that they operate within the safe and secured regime. This has been the secret of our success so we will continue to do that.

Since you took over as the Director General of NCAA, the airlines seem to have improved in their safety standards, as few that have breached the regulation have been sanctioned. What did you bring into the system?

First of all, we encouraged the effective implementation of the civil aviation authority regulation. It is a regulation for the industry. As

Usman civil aviation authority we are supposed to come up with a draft in line with the international civil aviation organisation requirements for safety and security and also economic regulation. We normally involve all the stakeholders for them to be part of it, to understand that it is not about waiting for somebody to fail to comply and then to sanction. It is to educate and make sure that the operators and service providers understand their own responsibility.

So it makes it easier for us, if they understand and they implement. It is not for them to be self-regulating and that is why we are here. We set the standards, monitor the implementation of those standards through the regulations and where there is breach we go for the enforcement.

But the enforcement is always the last resort.

The aim of sanction is to get the operator to

Aviation is very, very dynamic. If there are challenges in the area of security, it is our responsibility to face such challenges. We try to be proactive to ensure that we don’t react to something that has already happened. We don’t want it to happen.

There is a programme of recruitment, because it is not enough to just provide the equipment but the manpower

comply. When a doctor makes an error, one person dies at a time and the person that made that error; chances are that he will walk away.

But in aviation the margin for error is very, very small. When there is an error many lives will be lost both in the air and probably on ground.

So that is why we have to move, monitor and ensure that those regulations that are meant to sustain that safety regime are strictly followed.

Recently you hear airlines say they are being over regulated, that the NCAA is very tough on them, do you think it is so?

Most certainly not. This is because we are guided by standards and also like I said earlier, all stakeholders were given opportunity to make input. So I don’t think it is fair to say they are being over regulated. We have been able to achieve this level of safety because we have been monitoring and ensuring compliance to those regulations. We will rather have over regulation and a very good safety regime than to have no regulation or little regulation and we end up investigating reasons why certain mishaps are happening.

Recently there was this saying that the number of aircraft in Nigeria is too small considering the number of passengers, have you felt that way as a regulator?

Sometimes yes, especially during peak seasons such as the Christmas rush and other holiday seasons where people move a lot. Sometimes too, there is reduction in the number of operational aircraft as a result of down time in terms of maintenance and other challenges. You have that situation where it will appear as if the number of seats available is less than the demand. And we have been trying to encourage all prospective operators and the ones that are already operating to increase their fleet but not just increasing the fleet but bringing modern aircraft and complying with the regulations to address such issues.

Nigerians are highly mobile, they move around a lot and the more airplanes that we

can have the better will it be for competition.

And with that also you can expect drop in prices to a reasonable level based on demand and supply.

In terms of registering new airlines, do you foresee new airlines joining the market before the end of this year?

I believe so because there are so many prospective operators that have done their numbers and they believe, just like we believe that the aviation industry is growing, there is need to come and start up and that you can even see from the applications we receive from even foreign operators wanting to increase their frequencies into Nigeria. They are demanding multiple designations to go to several airports in Nigeria, entry points and exit points. So the potential is there and people have identified and we have been receiving applications of people wanting to come in. Of course, they have to go through all our requirements to ensure that whatever airlines we approve are operating within the law.

Increase in passenger movement seems to be more on international destinations?

Yes, there is increase of passengers for international destinations. Almost everybody wants to be able to take off and land nearest to where ever he is from outside the country and that is why the foreign airlines are asking to operate in and out of various destinations within Nigeria.

Aircraft charter operators don’t seem to be meeting the demand for charter services because the political season seems to have tempted private aircraft owners to give out their planes for charter. In terms of regulations, how is NCAA managing this?

First of all, let me say that the certifications for charter operators and privately owned aircraft CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

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USMAN: WHY NCAA INSISTS ON ENFORCING REGULATIONS are different. The requirement for commercial operation in terms of safety and security is much higher and the one for private aircraft owners is lower. However, the people patronising the private operators have been warned to desist because they are not adequately protected. So far we have not been able to get any breach but once we do, we will sanction them. This is because the essence is not to catch people but to ensure that people are doing the right thing.

Anybody that has private certification and he wants to operate commercial service should upgrade to ensure he meets all the requirements.

And then we will have a sanitised charter or non-schedule sector. It is not for somebody who has been approved on the private category to now come in through the back door to do commercial operation. They spoil the market and they compromise on the safety.

Do you think the campaigns have stretched the non-schedule airline operation in Nigeria?

I think so. As I mentioned earlier there are seasons where the demand is very high and this is one of such seasons because of movements for political campaign. And also the connectivity, there are times when a party that wants to go on campaign and wants to go from one state to another state, there may not be that direct link and the time it takes also to do the connection and also to be all together to charter aircraft. So certainly, the demand this time around is higher than when there is no activity. It happens once in every four years. It is very normal for the demands to be high. But it calls for us to do more work, which we are geared towards doing.

And that also explains the warning we put out because there is that temptation for somebody to want to risk it. Our inspectors are on ground, we are monitoring and any violation would be treated in accordance with our regulations.

For almost a year or so no Nigerian airlines is operating international destinations like London, Johannesburg or destinations in the United States. Don’t you think we are losing something, looking at the monies the country could have been making in terms of foreign exchange?

Again, that is why Nigeria needs very strong viable airlines to operate those routes.

The government has done what it needs to do, designate the operators to operate those routes.

I know airlines have been designated along the routes you mentioned such the United States, United Kingdom and some other countries both in the Middle and Far East. It is for the operator to explore it and operate because we have other international airlines coming from those countries. The caveat is always for that operator to meet the requirements for both countries they want to operate into. So nobody who has been qualified has been denied the opportunity to go. It is in the interest of Nigeria; that is why we have been promoting our airlines to operate along those routes because we will be able to attract foreign exchange or at least conserve what we have instead of the current repatriation by foreign airlines. If our airlines operate international destinations it will encourage employment opportunities, expose our culture and also encourage competition.

Is there no way government can use policy to encourage foreign airlines to partner with Nigerian carriers that have met the international safety standards?

Most of the bilateral air service agreements signed by Nigeria have those provisions in place, code sharing and so on. But the airline has to meet the requirement of the countries they want to fly to. Provisions are always there for Nigerian operators to explore and in most of the bilateral air service agreements, we go with airlines that have been designated on those routes to be part of the team for those negotiations.

ICAO and even IATA projected almost double the increase of passenger movement in Africa by 2030. Do you think the progress we are making in infrastructure development can meet this target if we have a double number of the people that presently travel?

I believe so, from what we have on ground and what is going on now. Government has started investment in the expansion and modernisation of our terminal buildings to accommodate more passenger traffic, especially the international passenger traffic. And that is why those contracts for the new terminal buildings for international passengers in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and

positive coming from both the side of the media and also from the side of the operators. At least it is better than saying that we are over regulating. We try as much as possible to engage the operators and the service providers to ensure that the right things are done at the right time.

We actually believe in doing the work first and they said a good product would always sell itself.

We believe in seeing is believing, it is not just talking but we do things the way we are expected to do them. That is why probably we have been able to achieve good results because we don’t spend all our time talking; rather, we do what we should do. And the credit should not come to us alone, but to all. This is because as I said earlier, we engage the service providers, the operators, enlighten them to ensure that the right things are done at the right time.

Usman Kano have been awarded. Port Harcourt has been commissioned, Abuja has also been commissioned. Lagos is on the way and Kano. These new facilities will greatly increase the ability to process passengers in those airports. And I believe more will soon join, because Enugu too has another terminal that is coming up.

Increase in passenger movement will also give rise to increase in aircraft traffic so government is modernising the air traffic management system and improving manpower. The civil aviation authority is also up and doing, we are also modernising our own regulatory tools and also preparing our manpower for the increase to cope with the expected growth in the aviation activity.

In the area of pilot training, the airlines don’t seem eager to take in pilots in training so that they can type-rate on their aircraft.

Why? Well, as for employment I know that government is interested in seeing all qualified Nigerians get gainful employment. People invest a lot in aviation training because it doesn’t come cheap. However, there are certain requirements that needs to be met.

As far as an airline is concerned, the insurance demands certain level of experience before they are allowed to operate. And just in line with the government desire to have Nigerians that are qualified gain employment, the government has directed the implementation of the local content. And towards that end, the aviation sector is working closely with the Ministry of Interior and through NCAA, so that we work with the operators to ensure that where Nigerians are qualified they are given priority first before employing a foreigner.

It is a very good policy, we will continue to follow up and pursue it to a logical conclusion to address that issue. And also in the process of the bilateral agreements we sign with operators we also request them to utilise Nigerian personnel wherever possible. And towards that end we

Government has started investment in the expansion and modernisation of our terminal buildings to accommodate more passenger trafďŹ c, especially the international passenger trafďŹ c. And that is why those contracts for the new terminal buildings for international passengers in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano have been awarded

have a number of Nigerians in other countries working there with some airlines that operate into Nigeria and I hoping we would be able to get more both locally and also with international operators.

So that when our new mega carrier or carriers come up we will have enough trained personnel with relevant experience to man the new outfits.

I am sure if we had something like a national carrier or mega operator, whether national or a flag carrier, we will be able to address a lot of those issues of the manpower, raining of Nigerians, the unemployment issues can be solved with that and also competition that can drive down price and improve efficiency and so many other things. We will conserve foreign exchange and we may even attract forex; because if the national carrier is come along with maintenance, repair and overhaul organisation, you will find out that some people may come just for the purpose of coming to maintain their aircraft.

You have given some organisations aircraft maintenance certificate and training certification, do you think that in the foreseeable future Nigerian airlines will be conducting C-check for substantial number of aircraft in the country?

Well, that is the essence. In fact, we will hope that they can even go beyond C-check and up to D-check if necessary. But at least to be able to do C-check so that we can conserve that foreign exchange, we can also have employment and also qualified and experienced manpower available within our country and within the region. Yes, we will continue to encourage and ensure that they meet and they continue to meet the certification that we have given them.

With the recent experience with Max Air, whereby its pilot that took aircraft for maintenance in the UK was shabbily treated and forced out of the country on suspicion he might be a stowaway, how do you treat myriads of such cases when they come to you?

Well, actually it has not come to us officially, what we read was in the pages of the newspapers.

As you are aware any crew that is operating a flight into a country, they have what they call general declaration, we call it GENDEC. And all crew that are on-board are supposed to be mentioned there with their details. So with that they are able to have access into the country. But if they are going to be there for some time, the country requires that they also have a visa in addition. And there is also a facility where you are already in and you entered as a GENDEC, any reason you need to extend, there is facility to extend. Again, since I don’t anything official I may not be able to discuss, I have to discuss based on facts available.

A lot of airlines are commending NCAA for the job it is doing. Some have said the NCAA doesn’t make noise but they do so much, I want you to give an overall evaluation of the standard now from your own point of view how you are coordinating and relating with airlines and schedule operations?

Well thank you very much. It is something

We thank the media also for giving us coverage where necessary to help enlighten the public on their rights. Everybody has some kind of rights and privileges and we should learn to respect everybody’s rights and privileges. Sometimes things are done and some people think they are being over regulated or pushed too far. It is in the interest of everybody. Also the passengers will come to the airport and they will say, oh my ight is delayed, why is my ight delayed or cancelled?

There are times when those delays and cancellation are inevitable; they are in the interest of safety. Because whoever wants to embark on a journey, he wants to go from A and he wants to arrive at B safely. So if the weather is bad beyond the virtual or if there are other movements or maybe the aircraft is not in good condition to go, the aircraft remains on ground until it is airworthy for it to go. Those delays and cancellations are being minimised now because government has vigorously pursued and we will continue to pursue the installation of modern instrument landing systems to a higher category that will permit operations and lower minimums. An also we will install lightings at the airport to complement those instrument landing installations. That will increase also the capacities of the airlines because instead of staying on ground when ought to be flying, they are able to do more in a given time.

Some NCAA workers have complained that they ought to be promoted, but this has not been done. Is this true?

I thank God; reasonably we have been working with the labour unions and the associations. As civil aviation authority we believe in engagement, constant engagements. Whatever we do we do it transparently so that we will all be on the same page and on the same side. And in any setup you are bound to get some complaints, especially for those who are not getting what they used to get even though they are not supposed to have been getting that. But as a management we don’t deny rights and also privileges.

All those who are due to be promoted where vacancies existed and they passed the required examinations have all been promoted to date.

We act based on the vacancies and it is based on the current organogram of the organisation.

The only outstanding is the one that we have commenced for this year and it is from January. The normal month for promotion process is from January because by 31st of December the previous year, we will know those who are qualified to be promoted and the process begins shortly in the New Year. So the process has already started, however, the unions have been saying that we should promote based on an anticipated organogram. The organogram that has been sent for approval is yet to get the approval; it is going through the process. And we cannot promote until we get the approval.

But we have promoted those that ought to be promoted based on the current organogram.

However, last year, maybe about two or three personnel that were due at a certain level of promotion were not promoted because the unions insisted on getting promoted based on a new organogram, which has not yet been approved.

But based on the current organogram nobody that is due as of December 2018 that has not been promoted. And I am happy to say we are taking the staff welfare as first priority because we believe in productivity. Salaries have been constant since the coming of this administration and I believe everybody can testify to it. And we don’t delay privileges in addition to rights, as at when due.

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í˛Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

30

VAT: The Unsettled Matter of Imported Services (Part 1) Glenn Ubohmhe

of Revenue statutes – the Gazprom case is no exemption. Highlighting the issues, without belabouring the facts of the case between FIRS and Gazprom Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited, the crux of the argument centered on the following; 1.

What does it mean for a non-resident to carry on business in Nigeria?

“Nothing in this world can be said to be certain except death and taxes�, Benjamin Franklin was reputed to have made the above statement. To this I should quickly add that though taxes may be certain, the interpretation of tax laws is sometimes less certain.

It is therefore not uncommon for tax laws to suffer lack of clarity and yield to multiple interpretations even when we all agree that the essential principles of a good tax policy include certainty and simplicity.

It is against this background that this article seeks to examine the Nigerian VAT Act in view of the ruling of the Federal High Court in the case between Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Gazprom Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited on the VATability of imported services supplied by non-resident companies, interrogating the likely implications of Section 10 of the Act on services acquired by an establishment of Multiple Location Entity (MLE) in Nigeria for use wholly or partially by other members of the MLE in other taxing jurisdiction(s).

In my view, Section 10 (3) as framed and if interpreted in its strict sense, poses potential double taxation risk to MLEs that have centralised function(s) in Nigeria with internal recharge arrangement, especially in view of the limitations on input VAT credit in Nigeria. On the other hand, it could also create unintended non-taxation risk with consequential revenue loss to the Revenue authorities.

By way of brief background, Value Added Tax (VAT) (or Goods and Services Tax (GST), as it is sometimes called) is a form of indirect tax imposed and payable on the consumption of goods and services. The incidence of VAT is on the consumer or user of such goods or services. The obligation to deduct and/or remit the tax depends largely on whether the parties to the VATable transaction are within the same fiscal frontiers.

The supplier is traditionally responsible for VAT deduction and remittance on transactions within a defined jurisdiction, but for imports of goods, and, in all instances for companies operating in the Nigerian oil and gas sector , the duty is that of the buyer or customer under the reverse charge/self-assessment system as contained in the Guideline on the Implementation of VAT Deduction (Reverse Charge) and New Payment Arrangement with Respect to Fees, Levies, and other Charges Payable by Companies in the Oil

2.

Is a company in Nigeria which has business agreement for the supply of service with a non-resident company under obligation to ensure that the non-resident company is registered for the purpose of VAT in Nigeria?

3.

Is VAT invoice from a foreign supplier a necessary condition for a Nigerian entity to deduct and remit VAT to the Revenue authorities in Nigeria?

Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed

and Gas Industry issued by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) pursuant to S10A (2) of the VAT Act, as amended.

In designing VAT systems, from the perspective of the International VAT/GST Guideline, the place of business use should be the ideal place of taxation for business-to-business supplies. Under the general rule for single location entities, the place of business location as determined by reference to the relevant business agreement is a good proxy for place of business use. It bears emphasising that based on the principles as outlined in the Guideline, the determination of the place of taxation for VAT purposes is not affected by onward supply, direct provision of the service to a third-party business other than the customer of the supply indicated in the business agreement. The place of taxation is equally not affected by direction of payment flows, identity and location of the entity making the payment.

AXA Mansard Partners Techpoint Africa AXA Mansard Insurance Plc said it has entered into a partnership with Techpoint Africa, a youth-centric tech company, to enable more start-ups get captured in the insurance space through the use of technology.

Speaking in Lagos at the 2018 edition of ‘Techpoint Build’, an annual business conference and exhibition, with the theme ‘Building for the Next Billion Users,’ the Chief Digital Officer, AXA Mansard Insurance, Mr Bayo Adesanya, said the partnership was aimed at raising Nigeria’s insurance coverage beyond its current one per cent.

Adesanya, also said the AXA Mansard chose to be among the sponsors of the conference to show its commitment to support tech firms and the insurance industry in Nigeria.

He said: “Nigeria has a huge youth population, which is about 60 per cent of our population and most of them are under 30 and doing great things with technology. Majority of the country is not well represented in the insurance or non-banking financial services space because coverage for insurance in the country is below one per cent. “We feel that if we are going

to address that and spread the benefits that come from the services of that sector, it is important to engage youths in a technology-driven way.�

He described the conference as a veritable platform which the company would leverage to convey its message across various businesses and tech entrepreneurs, who are largely youths.

According to him, technological disruption in insurance had begun in advanced climates; insurance is going digital and technological solutions are used to deepen penetration.

Also, speaking, the Founder/ Chief Executive Officer, Techpoint Africa, Mr Adewale Yusuf, said the conference was borne out of the need to support start-ups and small businesses with necessary skills to develop a profitable business. “For years, my team and I have documented the journey of start-ups and SMEs in Nigeria and Africa, and discovered that the problems attributed to businesses were the same. “We have brought experts, founders in different fields to help businesses understand the intricacies of having and building a successful business in Africa,�

Yusuf said.

The issue of VAT on cross-border services has become particularly contentious in Nigeria despite the ample clarity on the principles provided in the International VAT Guideline. The contention is due, in part, to inelegant construction of some of the provisions of the Nigerian VAT Act as well as the increasing complexity in international trade which has rendered some of the provisions obsolete. Strictly from the perspective of the International VAT/GST Guideline, the issues in contest are less controversial and not as unsettled as they seem but the Guideline has no force of law in Nigeria.

Notwithstanding, the FIRS has not failed to reference the principles contained in the Guideline to buttress its position on tax disputes. In like manner, the Revenue authority has, at different times and sometimes in the same case, urged the court to adopt both the strict constructionist and purposive approaches in the interpretation

To start with, on the question whether payment for services supplied by a non-resident company is chargeable to VAT in the light of the provisions of the VAT Act, the FIRS took the view that section 2 which says that “VAT shall be imposed on the supply of all goods and services other than those goods and services listed in the First Schedule to the Act� be interpreted in its strict sense and therefore submitted that VAT is chargeable on all transactions that are not expressly exempte or zero rated as contained in the First Schedule to the Act. Please note FIRS’ argument from a strict constructionist perspective with regard to section 2 and the deviation from this canon in subsequent arguments on section 10(1)(3).

Section 10(1) reads; For the purpose of this Act, a non-resident company that carries on business in Nigeria shall register for the tax with the Board, using the address of the person with whom it has subsisting contract, as its address for purposes of correspondence relating to the tax On the issues raised, the first and crucial point is what does it mean to “carry on business in Nigeria� as stated in section 10 (1) above. Does “carry on business in Nigeria� mean to have a fixed base in Nigeria? If the answer is in the affirmative, it therefore means that non-resident companies with no fixed base in Nigeria have no obligation with respect to VAT in Nigeria. To be sure, the Act refers here to “a non-resident company that carries on business in Nigeria� and not “a non-resident company that carries on business with a Nigerian company�. They are two different things Ubohmhe, is a tax practitioner.

International Breweries Inaugurates Projects Raheem Akingbolu The International Breweries Plc, a member of the ABInBev, has inaugurated a number of projects, under its corporate social investment initiatives, across several communities in Osun, Ogun and Oyo states.

These projects were recently handed over to the communities.

The projects were part of the company’s strategic policy of impacting the communities where it operates, especially in the areas where basic amenities are either lacking or inadequate. The projects include solar-powered boreholes, an adequately equipped primary healthcare centre and a

sanitary facility. A newly renovated primary health centre was donated to Esa-Odo community in Osun state along with critical equipment including weighing scales wheelchairs, mattresses, a generator, among other hospital equipment, to facilitate the efficient running of the facility. Ilase-Ijesha community in Ilesha Osun State; Obafemi-Owode and Orile-Imo Logbara communities in Sagamu, Ogun State; and Christian Mission School for the Deaf in Onireke, Ibadan, Oyo state, each received a solar-powered borehole. Omi-Asoro Elementary Primary School, also in Osun State, received a newly built sanitary facility. Speaking on behalf of International Breweries, Legal

and Corporate Affairs Director, Michael Daramola, said the aim of the donations was to positively impact communities and improve their overall wellbeing “We are here to hand over completed projects as promised.

At International Breweries, we strive to impact every community where we operate and make it better than we met it. “As a result, our projects are designed to be beneficial to the whole community and this is the essence of our give-back policy as encapsulated in our CleanerWorld and BetterWorld programmes, comprising water, health, culture and economic empowerment. “We are glad we are able

to play our own little role as a business, and hope it will make a difference in the lives of the people, especially women, children and the vulnerable in the society,� Daramola added.

In their remarks, the royal fathers present commended International Breweries for providing the facilities and always responding positively whenever it was called upon by the people.

They urged the organisation not to relent in supporting the efforts of the government in providing basic amenities for those at the grassroots and promised to continue to maintain peaceful and cordial relationships with the organisation.

Speaking at the event, NIMN’s President, Tony Agenmonmen said the newly inducted members are individuals that have met the high standard set by the institute and distinguished themselves in marketing and its related areas.

While congratulating new fellows, he enjoined them to continue to contribute to the growth of marketing as a profession in the country.

Agenmonmen, however used

the event to call on Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and the Minister of Trade and Investments, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah to call the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) to order over the commission’s constant harassment, saying that the activities of the agency were capable of reversing some of the achievements the government has recorded in the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

NIMN Inaugurates Fellows Raheem Akingbolu The National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) recently conferred 43 of its members with its prestigious fellowship awards.

The Head, Brand Communications at Sunu Assurances, Oluwayemisi Mafe was among them. The conferment ceremony took place during the Fellows’ Dinner and Awards organised by the institute in Lagos. Others

were the Marketing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Oriakhi; Associate Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Babcock University, Ogun State, Dr. Adefulu Adesoga Dada; Executive Director, Retail Banking, First City Monument Bank, Mr. Olu Akanmu and Head of Media, Digital, Brand PR and Sponsorship, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Wasiu Ola Abiola, amongst others.

5 ) * 4 % ": t MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019

31

32

5 ) * 4 % ": t MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019

5 ) * 4 % ": t MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019

33

34

M O N DAY Ëž FEBRUARY 4, 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

ABCON Partners CBN, NIBSS, Others to EnhanceTransparency Nume Ekeghe The Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) will tomorrow launch its live run automation portal in Lagos.

The initiative is expected to automate all BDCs’ operations with the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). It is aimed at improving the level of compliance of the BDCs with set regulations.

In a statement ahead of the

launch, ABCON President, Aminu Gwadabe, said the group had secured the CBN’s no- objection approval to launch the live run portal.

The approval, he said, reaffirmed the regulator’s commitment to a transparent and viable forex market where stakeholders’ interests are protected.

Gwadabe, said the world was going digital, adding that BDC operators under his leadership were committed to staying ahead of the competition by deploying time-tested technology to deliver effective services to customers.

He said the objective was to enhance BDCs compliance with set regulations and promote market integrity.

According to him, the portal would sustain transparent transactions in the BDC corridor, boost the morale of its members and ensure their continuous operations. The ABCON chief said the group had fully upgraded its ICT platforms, to achieve full digitisation of BDCs operations in line with its goal of sustaining transparent operation and prompt rendition of weekly returns to operators.

FCMB’s Female Staff Launches Zero-interest Loan for SMEs Women entrepreneurs in Nigeria who desire affordable and convenient funding to boost their respective businesses, can now do so.

This is because Women in Business at First City Monument Bank Limited (FCMB) are set to launch a proposition that offers zero-interest rate on loans to small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).

The development is in line with the commitment of the bank to empower women-owned SMEs (existing and start-ups), through financial support, advisory and value-added products, to enhance customer experience and overall contribution to the growth of the country. A statement explained that the bank has established a dedicated desk for women-owned businesses, under its Business Banking Group and equipped this unit with highly professional personnel to meet the needs of this segment.

The bank explained that the

zero-interest rate product which is for an initial period of three months, was designed as an all-round programme structured to prepare and equip the bank’s female owned SME customers to take their business to greater heights.

This product comes with additional benefits, such as capacity building programmes through trainings and financial advisory services. In all, 80 women every quarter would have access to mentorship and training and 40 of these women will benefit from the loan. This means that by the end of the year, we would have mentored 320 women and 160 women would have enjoyed the facility.

Commenting on the product, the Executive Director, Business Development of FCMB, Mrs. Bukola Smith, said women have become important assets for social and economic growth, going by their business undertakings and exploits in the establishment and

management of SMEs. According to her, “at FCMB, we recognise and appreciate the noble efforts of women entrepreneurs in the areas of job and wealth creation, poverty reduction, empowerment and the overall socio-economic development of Nigeria. “Our zero-interest loan product is tailored to offer sustainable benefits and increase the productivity and contributions of women-owned SMEs. It will further unravel and unleash the true potential of women in entrepreneurship so they can take their respective businesses to greater heights and compete favourably in the global environment. “We have also put in place, structures and processes to ensure transparent selection of the beneficiaries. We will hopefully increase the number of beneficiaries on a yearly basis and will keep enriching the other value-added advisory services to cater for emerging and pressing challenges women face in their businesses�.

Sterling Bank’s ‘Specta’Targets N40bn Loan Disbursement in 2019 In a bid to further enhance retail lending, Sterling Bank through its ‘Specta’ product said it targets to give out loans to the tune of N40 billion in 2019. The bank also disclosed that it would be extending facilities to non -customers, self-employed and business owner.

Speaking at a press briefing at the weekend, the Divisional Head, Retail and Consumer Banking, Sterling Bank, Mr. Shina Atilola, said customers who patronise ‘Specta’ can access loans ranging from N10,000 to N5,000,000 and can access funds within five minutes through using their mobile phones thereby removing the hassles that comes with obtaining regular loans from banks.

Atilola said: “Specta has been

for salary earners that have account with Sterling Bank, but from Monday 4th of February, you don’t need to have an account with Sterling Bank to be able to access loans from Sterling Bank.

And also, we are guaranteeing five minutes access and experience while using Specta.�

Furthermore, he said customers from any other bank can get access to loans through Specta and that the bank was able to give out close to N10 billion in loans to over 11,000 customers and transaction in the first year in operation.

He also said the bank did not record any non-performing loans during the period. “We have zero per cent NPLs and all loans repayment are up to date and that is what gave the confidence to expand,� he said.

On her part, the Head, Value Chain Banking, Mrs. Benedicta, Sadoh, while speaking on the milestones recorded since its inception last year said: “Last year we talked about giving out N10 billion in loans and we wanted to do a minimum of 10,000 loans however last year we did over 11,000 loans and close to N10 billion. “We also were able to issue out credit cards into the platform. So it wasn’t only about giving out personal loans we also did a bit of device financing through Specta. So we were able to increase our lending beyond the scope we thought it would be in 2018. For 2019, we are looking at a N40 billion mark and a minimum count of loans to be sold to 50,000 for 2019,� he added.

IMC Tasks Consultants on Improved Standards Fred Ojeh The Director General of the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC), Prof. David Iornem, has urged professionals in consultancy sub-sector to adopt the ISO: 20700, based on improvement of transparency and understanding between clients and practitioners as encapsulated in its foundation and purpose practice.

According to him, the international standards organisation

has set over 20,000 propriety, industrial and commercial standards, covering manufactured products, technology, food safety, agriculture and healthcare. He explained that this in essence constitutes the Quality Management System (QMS).

Iornem, made the disclosure in a 2019 seminar paper presentation in Abuja. He acknowledged that the IMC, an affiliate of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI), approved

by federal government, would also induct Dr. Benoy Berry, the Chairman and Founder of Contec Global Agro Limited (CGAL), a subsidiary of CONTEC Global as an IMC fellow because of his immense contribution to human capacity and knowledge development at country and global levels. The DG said it was reassuring to confer on Berry, the highest grade of the institutes’ membership reserved for accomplished professionals of his status in the profession.

L-R: Partner, Enyo Retail and Supply Limited, Folayan Olufemi; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Mr. Abayomi Awobokun; Partner, Dr. Bimbo Awobokun and Mrs. Abimbola Alawemo, at the launch of Enyo Retail and Supply Limited in Ibadan, Oyo State‌ recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

MARCH 2018 Broad Money (M2)

24,303,049.86

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,912,604.10

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,668,378.21

---- Demand Deposits

9,244,225.90

-- Quasi Money

13,390,445.76

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

15,619,134.18

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

8,683,915.68

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,267,136.53

---- Credit to Government (Net)

3,823,345.45

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

5,433,209.43

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-1,609,863.98

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

22,443,791.08

--Other Assets Net

-17,583,220.85

Reserve Money (Base Money)

6,746,646.49

--Currency in Circulation

1,668,378.21

--Banks Reserves

4,357,551.58 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT THURSDAY, 31 JANUARY 2019

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $61.19 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $60.93 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

35

M O N DAY ˾ FEBRUARY 4, 2019

MARKET NEWS

NAHCO MD Assures Investors of Better Services, Returns Goddy Egene The Managing Director, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc, Mrs. Olatokunbo Fagbemi, has assured investors and stakeholders that the firm will sustain its positive performance, deliver better services and higher returns to shareholders going forward.

Fagbemi, gave this assurance during a visit of the company’s board of directors and management to

the NSE last week, to perform the closing gong ceremony.

According to her, NAHCO would build on existing advantages and open up new opportunities to sustain impressive growths in the years ahead.

“My top priority is very simple, it is to get everything right because when we get everything right for the customer and we deliver the right kind of service, then we get the right kind of income that can trickle down to

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

profit and it is from the profit that we are going to be able to pay the right kind of dividend,” Fagbemi said.

She said going forward, the company would enhance its processes to create an enviable place to work in and ensure it operates in line with international standards.

“A lot of work has been done in the past, what I will do is to build on what is there, the areas where there are gaps, my priority

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

will be to close those gaps and ensure that we deliver services in a safe and secured manner,” Fagbemi said.

She said the company would invest in human capacity and technologies to ensure that the company continuously has the requisite people with the right knowledge and the right processes to deliver world-class services in line with ICAO and IATA standards.

“What we are going to do is put

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

into our people the right kind of knowledge, the right kind of vision and passion that drives everybody to excel. Because even if we put in the best systems, we have the best facilities, we have the best equipment, if we don’t get the people right, it is going to be a waste,” Fagbemi said.

Speaking to the performance of the company in the third quarter, she said the company was implementing policies that would ensure the sustenance of

O F

the growth irrespective of the challenges in the economy.

“We have strategies in place and that’s why we are taking early decisions already. We started last year, we invested in equipment and we are going to do more so that we don’t wait to run out of equipment before we run around. We are also refreshing our facilities so we are not going to wait until everything falls apart before we put it together,” Fagbemi said.

0 2 / 0 2 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019

36

Monday, February 4 2019

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

ŽŵĞƐƟĐ ƋƵŝƟĞƐ DĂƌŬĞƚ͗ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ZĞƚƌĂĐƚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ^ŝĚĞůŝŶĞƐ͙ E^ ^/ ĚŽǁŶ Ϯ͘ϱй

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

Ticker

ŌĞƌ ƚǁŽ ĐŽŶƐĞĐƵƟǀĞ ǁĞĞŬƐ ŽĨ ŐĂŝŶƐ͕ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ďĞŐĂŶ ƚŽ Ŭ ƉƌŽĮƚƐ ƚŚŝƐ ǁĞĞŬ͘ ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ůů ^ŚĂƌĞ /ŶĚĞdž ; ^/Ϳ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ Ϯ͘ϱй t-Ž-t ƚŽ -Ϯ͘ϱй z-ƚ- ͕ ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 1,492.10

49.2%

20.7%

7.6%

5.9x

0.8x

5.2%

13.5%

-2.2%

-2.3%

34.1%

5.6%

5.0x

1.9x

8.0%

19.9%

22.95

2.0%

12.1%

-0.4%

-0.4%

23.7%

3.4%

3.9x

0.9x

12.0%

25.4%

190.00

0.0%

8.9%

0.2%

2.2%

20.1%

9.8%

19.8x

4.2x

5.5%

5.1%

1,420.10

-1.4%

7.6%

-4.4%

-3.7%

85.8%

26.3%

25.7x

20.0x

3.3%

3.9%

4

Nestle Nigeria PLC

-ĞůĞĐƟŽŶ ƐƚĂďŝůŝƚLJ ŝƐ ĞƐƚĂďůŝƐŚĞĚ͘

&ƵƌƚŚĞƌŵŽƌĞ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ƐŽŌĞŶĞĚ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ǁĞĞŬ ƌĞůĂƟǀĞ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŝŽƌ ǁĞĞŬ ĂƐ ĂǀĞƌĂŐĞ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ ϭϱ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ϲ͘ϭй ƚŽ ϯϬϱ͘ϱŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ Eϯ͘ϮďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ h ;ϮϭϬ͘ϰŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ E/d, ;ϭϭϲ͘ϰŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ĂŶĚ / DKE ;ϳϱ͘ϰŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ůĞĚ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

-3.3%

ĞůůǁĞƚŚĞƌ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ƐƵĐŚ ĂƐ E' D͕ E/' Z/ E

ƚŚĞ ƐŝĚĞůŝŶĞƐ ĂŶĚ ŵĂLJ ŽŶůLJ ƚĂŬĞ ƐŚŽƌƚ ƚĞƌŵ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶƐ Ɵůů ƉŽƐƚ

P/BV

18.4%

Dangote Cement PLC

ŽƵƌ ŽƉŝŶŝŽŶ͕ ƚŚŝƐ ĨƵƌƚŚĞƌ ĐŽŶĮƌŵƐ ƚŚĂƚ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ĂƌĞ ƐƟůů ŽŶ

P/E

0.7%

2

ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐŽůĚ Žī ĂŶĚ ƌĞĚƵĐĞĚ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶƐ͘ /Ŷ

ROA

33.70

3

5

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

6

FBN Holdings Plc

7

Cement Co Northern Nigeria PLC

8

United Bank for Africa PLC

9

International Brew eries PLC

10

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

11

Access Bank PLC

0.56%

ROE

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĚĞĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ďLJ EϮϵϰ͘ϳďŶ ƚŽ Eϭϭ͘ϰƚŶ͘

ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ǁĞĞŬƐ͕ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŵĂũŽƌ ĚƌĂŐƐ ƚŽ

Price Price Previous Current Change Change Price Weighting YTD Index to Change Date

1

Zenith Bank PLC

Z t Z/ ^͕ d/͕ h ĂŶĚ ^d E / ͕ ǁŚŝĐŚ ĞŶũŽLJĞĚ ƉƌŝĐĞ

Current Price

74.00

0.0%

5.1%

-13.5%

-5.5%

13.8%

6.4%

24.8x

3.5x

4.9%

4.0%

7.35

0.7%

4.8%

-7.5%

-8.1%

6.6%

0.8%

5.3x

0.4x

3.4%

19.0%

22.00

-8.3%

5.0%

13.4%

13.4%

34.2%

19.6%

5.3x

1.6x

5.7%

18.8%

7.15

5.1%

4.0%

-7.1%

-8.3%

15.4%

1.8%

3.2x

0.5x

11.9%

30.9%

3.4%

-0.8%

-4.0%

-23.8%

-3.2%

30.25

0.0%

530.00

-0.9%

2.9%

-17.2%

-17.2%

25.9%

15.3%

2.3x

0.5x

3.4%

43.1%

6.10

6.1%

3.0%

-10.3%

-6.2%

14.1%

1.7%

2.5x

0.4x

10.8%

39.4%

2.2%

14.9%

7.4x

-1.2%

12

Ecobank Transnational Inc

14.05

0.4%

2.8%

0.4%

-1.7%

12.1%

1.0%

4.4x

0.5x

13

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

45.30

0.2%

2.5%

-5.5%

-5.5%

35.7%

4.6%

6.7x

2.1x

14

Unilever Nigeria PLC

36.90

5.4%

2.4%

-0.3%

-0.3%

24.7%

11.5%

17.2x

15

Lafarge Africa PLC

12.40

-0.8%

1.6%

-0.4%

3.3%

-53.7%

-7.9%

16

Guinness Nigeria PLC

65.00

0.0%

1.2%

-9.7%

-9.7%

8.5%

4.5%

17

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

82.00

0.0%

1.4%

7.6%

7.6%

39.3%

29.7%

7.8x

2.7x

3.7%

12.8%

18

Total Nigeria PLC

223.30

0.0%

1.4%

10.0%

10.0%

34.6%

7.5%

7.8x

2.5x

7.6%

12.8%

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

18.55

0.0%

0.9%

-19.7%

-16.4%

6.6%

2.0%

8.6x

0.5x

5.4%

11.7%

21

Oando PLC

4.95

0.0%

1.1%

-1.0%

3.1%

10.9%

1.7%

4.1x

0.3x

22

Fidelity Bank PLC

2.40

9.1%

1.3%

18.2%

18.2%

11.3%

1.5%

3.1x

0.4x

4.7%

31.9%

18.2x

22.7%

2.6x

1.4%

5.8%

0.8x

11.7%

-50.8%

1.7x

2.9%

5.5%

24.3%

23

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.25

0.0%

0.9%

-5.3%

-3.1%

13.6%

3.0%

5.9x

0.8x

1.6%

16.8%

24

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

14.00

0.0%

0.8%

-8.2%

-5.4%

32.6%

16.4%

5.6x

1.6x

8.9%

17.9%

25

Diamond Bank PLC

2.31

2.7%

0.8%

7.4%

-5.8%

-0.7%

26

FCMB Group Plc

2.15

9.1%

0.7%

13.8%

19.4%

8.4%

1.2%

2.8x

0.2x

4.8%

27

UAC of Nigeria PLC

9.20

9.5%

0.5%

-5.6%

-3.7%

0.4%

0.2%

72.4x

0.4x

7.6%

1.4%

ĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞƐ ǁĞƌĞ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ĂƐ ϰ ŽĨ ϱ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ

28

Sterling Bank PLC

2.45

2.5%

0.6%

28.9%

28.9%

10.6%

1.1%

6.4x

0.7x

0.8%

15.5%

ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ ƚƌĞŶĚĞĚ ƐŽƵƚŚǁĂƌĚƐ t-Ž-t͘ dŚĞ

29

Presco PLC

60.00

0.0%

0.3%

-6.3%

-6.3%

37.0%

24.8%

2.4x

0.8x

3.3%

42.2%

30

NASCON Allied Industries PLC

17.90

0.0%

0.3%

-0.6%

-0.6%

47.0%

17.5%

9.3x

4.2x

8.4%

10.7%

31

Forte Oil PLC

29.50

0.0%

0.3%

2.8%

5.4%

84.6%

8.3%

12.1x

2.2x

32

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

6.25

0.0%

0.4%

11.6%

11.6%

11.3x

0.6x

33

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

26.00

0.0%

0.3%

29.4%

17.6%

17.3%

1.8%

7.2x

1.1x

ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁŚŝůĞ E/d, ;EϮ͘ϳďŶͿ͕ E/' Z/ E Z t Z/ ^ ;Eϭ͘ϲďŶͿ ĂŶĚ h ;Eϭ͘ϱďŶͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

/ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ƚŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ͕ ĚŽǁŶ ϯ͘ϳй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůů ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞƐ ŝŶ E' D (-Ϯ͘ϭйͿ ĂŶĚ t W K (-Ϭ͘ϴйͿ͘ dŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƚƌĂŝůĞĚ͕ ƐŚĞĚĚŝŶŐ ϯ͘ϰй ĂŶĚ Ϯ͘ϱй ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ E/' Z/ E Z t Z/ ^ (-ϳ͘ϰйͿ͕ E Sd> ;-Ϯ͘ϭйͿ͕ 'h/EE ^^ (-ϴ͘ϱйͿ͕ h (-ϳ͘ϭйͿ ĂŶĚ d/ (-ϲ͘ϯйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ // K (ϵ͘ϵйͿ ĂŶĚ D E^ Z (-Ϭ͘ϱйͿ ǁĞŝŐŚĞĚ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ

0.2x

-30.4% 35.5%

8.3% 8.8% 3.8%

13.9%

34

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

11.30

0.0%

0.2%

-6.6%

-8.1%

1.1x

1.3%

35

Chemical and Allied Products P

31.75

0.0%

0.2%

-8.9%

-8.9%

66.2%

30.2%

14.8x

9.9x

6.5%

36

Wema Bank PLC

0.67

3.1%

0.2%

6.3%

6.3%

6.6%

0.8%

7.7x

0.5x

37

Beta Glass PLC

60.00

0.0%

0.1%

-12.2%

-12.2%

17.7%

11.5%

7.3x

1.2x

1.8%

13.7%

38

Dangote Flour Mills Plc

5.80

-3.3%

0.1%

-15.3%

-12.1%

13.4%

3.8%

5.7x

0.7x

3.4%

17.5%

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

1.94

2.1%

0.1%

6.0%

6.0%

10.5%

3.3%

10.1x

1.0x

3.1%

9.9%

6.7% 13.0%

ŝŶĚĞdž ;-Ϯ͘ϮйͿ͘ dŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶĞƌ͕ ƵƉ T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

Ϭ͘ϭй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ďƵLJ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ dKd > ;нϰ͘ϭйͿ ĂŶĚ K E K ;нϮ͘ϭйͿ͘

&ŝŶĂůůLJ͕ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ƐŽŌĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϯdž ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϴdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŝŽƌ ǁĞĞŬ ĂƐ ϭϲ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ƌĞůĂƟǀĞ ƚŽ ϰϲ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ dŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞƌƐ ǁĞƌĞ dZ E^ ;нϮϰ͘ϭйͿ͕ D E &/d ;нϭϬ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ d '> ^ ;нϵ͘ϭйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

UA C N

9.20

9.5%

UB A

123.7

-6.2%

FCM B

2.15

9.1%

T R A N SC OR P

33.2

-1.6%

M C N IC H OLS

0.36

9.1%

C UST OD IA N

32.9

-6.1%

F ID ELIT YB K

2.40

9.1%

Z EN IT H B A N K

27.6

-2.2%

LA SA C O

0.31

6.9%

FB NH

19.8

-1.4%

A C C ESS

6.10

6.1%

F ID ELIT YB K

17.0

-2.2%

0.36

5.9%

A C C ESS

11.2

-4.2%

36.90

5.4%

ET I

10.9

-6.7%

UB A

7.15

5.1%

D IA M ON D B N K

9.9

-2.2%

C UST OD IA N

6.50

4.8%

NB

7.7

-5.1%

A B CTRA NS UN ILEVER

T o p 10 L o s e r s

E/' Z/E^ (-ϭϱ͘ϰйͿ͕ E'&>KhZ (-ϭϬ͘ϴйͿ ĂŶĚ /< : ,Kd > (-ϭϬ͘ϳйͿ ůĞĚ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ͘ Ɛ ǁĞ ŵŽǀĞ ŝŶƚŽ Ă ŶĞǁ ŵŽŶƚŚ͕ ǁĞ ŵĂŝŶƚĂŝŶ ŽƵƌ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ŽƵƚůŽŽŬ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ͕ ĂůƚŚŽƵŐŚ ƚŚĞ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ƐĞĂƐŽŶ ĐŽƵůĚ ƐĞĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƌĂůůLJ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƉĞƌŝŽĚ͘

Afrinvest Securities Limited (RC 603 315) (A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

T ic k er

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 %

UN ION D A C

0.27

-10.0%

C OR N ER ST

0.20

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

UB A

859.3

-6.2%

-9.1%

Z EN IT H B A N K

633.3

-2.2%

22.00

-8.3%

NB

590.2

-5.1%

R EGA LIN S

0.21

-4.5%

GUA R A N T Y

242.6

-1.6%

D A N GF LOUR

5.80

-3.3%

C UST OD IA N

204.0

-6.1% -6.7%

CCNN

N EST LE

1420.10

-1.4%

ET I

152.2

SEP LA T

530.00

-0.9%

FB NH

145.8

-1.4%

WA P C O

12.40

-0.8%

UN ILEVER

127.6

-4.2%

VIT A F OA M

4.79

-0.2%

N EST LE

116.1

0.0%

A C C ESS

65.9

-4.2%

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde |

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Jolomi Odonghanro | jodonghanro@afrinvest.com

romotunde@afrinvest.com

37

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

MARKET NEWS

PZ Cussons Reaffirms Commitment to Remain in Nigeria Goddy Egene PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc has said the company has no plan to leave Nigeria, stressing that the country still remains a market of interest for it. Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Christos Giannopoulos, reaffirmed this in statement. PZ had in a trading statement issued to the London Stock Exchange had said the macroeconomic conditions in Nigeria remained extremely challenging and continue to have

a significant negative impact on overall Group performance.

Based on this, the company had said it was streamlining its business and limiting exposure in Nigeria.

Giving more explanation to the development, Giannopoulos, said:â&#x20AC;? Whilst these conditions prevail, we will maintain our strong market shares in key product categories in Nigeria until growth returns to the market.â&#x20AC;?

According to him, this year, they are celebrating 120 years

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

of PZ Cussons making life better and adding value to Nigerians. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In our 120 years of doing business in Nigeria, we have faced different conditions and come out stronger at the end.

We confirm to our consumers, customers, employees, business partners and stakeholders that Nigeria still remains a market of interest for us and have made no plans to leave Nigeria . Our factories in Ikorodu, Aba and all our distribution centres around the country are operational and

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 31Jan-2019, unless otherwise stated.

will continue to be,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The Chairman of PZ Cussons Nigeria, Chief Kola Jamodu had last year told shareholders that the depressed disposable income conditions in the economy necessitated that demand for durable goods continue to be weak as consumers prioritise food and other basics.

However, he said a number of measure were being taken to further guarantee better performance in the next financial year.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We look into the future with great excitement and confidence,â&#x20AC;? the chairman said.

According to him, there have been no structural changes in the landscape of the segments in which the company operate and the market share of its brands remain strong.

However, he said to buttress and sustain the position of the company in the market, improve efficiency and improve performance of the business into the future, a number of initiatives

are being implemented. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They include: a further streamlining and optimisation of product portfolio to bring more focus on key brands and categories and restore margins; optimisation of the operating model to reduce overheads as well as improve the speed at which new products are brought to the market and a review of product costs across all categories with a focus on areas such as packaging reduction and a drive to reduce plastic consumption,â&#x20AC;? Jamodu said.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 155.25 155.47 -1.91% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 277.70 278.03 1.70% 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 0.57% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 11.20% 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 13.20% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.23 2.25 0.33% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 16.43 16.93 -0.94% ARM Discovery Fund 355.35 366.06 -0.36% ARM Ethical Fund 28.60 29.46 1.27% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.15% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.35% Paramount Equity Fund 11.47 11.76 -2.07% Women's Investment Fund 100.54 103.12 -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 13.01% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 96.67 96.97 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 99.44 99.90 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.06% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.83 0.83 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.14 1.14 1.43% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 12.57% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.97% 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 NA NA N/A FBN Heritage Fund 141.53 142.72 -1.31% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.98% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $115.23 $115.64 1.18% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $115.21 $115.61 1.41% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 146.80 148.94 -2.13% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.18 1.20 -3.66% Legacy Debt Fund 3.28 3.28 1.00% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.03 1.03 0.38% 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 12.83% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 106.68 107.10 6.84% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.01%

Vantage Balanced Fund 2.13 2.15 -0.75% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.91% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 120.64 120.81 -3.44% 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 1.15 1.17 0.78% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,081.88 1,081.88 1.17% 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 11.04 11.13 -3.97% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.36% 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 N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 120.35 120.97 -0.29% 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 0.98% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,307.72 2,321.62 1.89% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 191.18 191.18 1.86% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.93 0.94 -1.58% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 249.42 249.46 2.94% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 161.28 163.03 -1.16% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.01% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,288.02 8,388.00 -0.61% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.11 1.11 3.23% 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 1.20 1.20 -0.46% United Capital Bond Fund 1.61 1.61 0.87% United Capital Equity Fund 0.69 0.70 -3.62% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 14.32% United Capital Eurobond Fund 107.79 107.79 0.49% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.09 1.09 -0.46% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 11.06 11.21 4.63% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.33 12.45 2.84% Zenith Income Fund 20.81 20.81 8.08% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.82%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.95 118.12 51.84

-39.35% 0.06% 0.05%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.49 110.50 85.67

10.59 112.89 87.26

-0.57% -5.78% -3.38%

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

3.87 6.94 14.20 12.99 146.02

3.91 7.02 14.30 13.19 148.02

-3.24% -8.86% -5.00% 5.09% 1.72%

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.

38

T H I S D AY Ëž ͲË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

CITYSTRINGS

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

DIG Lakanu: Elevation of a Fine Police Officer Recently some senior police officers were elevated to the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police by the Police Service Commission; among them is a celebrated disciplined officer, DIG Ferderick Taiwo Lakanu. Amby Uneze profiles the gentleman with a lion heart

DIG Lakanu

T

he age long axiom that a great man is usually not honoured by his kinsmen is gradually phasing out as time and events have changed the notion. Though not all great people are accorded the recognition they deserve in their home, the case of the newly elevated Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Ferderick Taiwo Lakanu, is different. He has been honoured by his country due to his hardwork, dexterity and discipline.

Over the time, it had been scientifically and logically proved that hardwork and discipline pays, which leads to reward and honour. Lakanu has no doubt proven this to be true considering what he is able to give to his fatherland via his chosen career as a police officer.

The elevation of Lakanu as a DIG has indeed confirmed that the Police Service Commission (PSC) lays premium on merit and not on â&#x20AC;&#x153;man know manâ&#x20AC;? basis. Going by Lakanuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pedigree and elevation, it is believed that the police force is now ready to fight crime and achieve success for the nation.

Before his recent promotion from the rank of an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) as appointed by the immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, Lakanu was the Force Secretary and member of the Nigeria Police Force Management Team.

He took over from AIG Abdul Bube, who retired from the force on December 31, 2018, after 35 years of meritorious service.

Born on October 12, 1959, in Lagos Island, Lagos State, available records by the police said Lakanu holds B.A. (Hons) Philosophy and LL.B. (Hons) from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, and Master in Law from Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, United Kingdom.

Also, the new force secretary has attended several courses within and outside the country, including Crime Investigation Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, and Developmental Course at Kofi Annan Centre for Peace Keeping, Accra, Ghana. He is also a fellow of National Defence College, Abuja.

Furthermore, before his recent elevation as DIG, Lakanu had served in various capacities in the service as AIG Federal Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Commissioner of Police in Imo and Ekiti States; Commissioner of Police Airport Command, Lagos; Principal Staff Officer to the IG (Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos), among others. He was also the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, comprising the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger and Kaduna States.

A celebrated crime fighter, Lakanu, who is also the Akogun of Lagos State and the

Lakanu Rescue Mission Project Onwa Na Etiri Oha (the moon that shines) and Agu-na-echemba (the lion that guides the town) of Imo State was once described by his host governor in Imo, Chief Rochas Okorocha, as the long-awaited divine messenger sent by providence to rid the state of criminals.

It was also learnt that wherever he finds himself, Lakanu has done his best to restore the lost glory of the police. From the time he enlisted as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in 1986, he has risen through the ranks, holding positions in operations, investigations and administration.

Lakanu was a leading member of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that ended the reign of the dreaded bandit, Shina Rambo in the 80s. He served as a Personal Staff Officer (PSO) to an Inspector General of Police. He was recently celebrated at an award ceremony organised by Security Watch Africa in Houston, Texas, USA. He was named as the Most Outstanding Crime Fighter in West and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Lakanu is loved by the people as well as Journalists. In Nigeria today, he seems to be the most popular police officer. His other activities include; leading Special Forces to Kaduna where he quelled the crisis which earned him commendation from the governor, Malam el Rufai, who praised his leadership qualities and operational experience.

He was in Ekiti and survived the holocaust there. In Imo he excelled and the high point of it was the supervision of the killing of the most notorious kidnapper in the South-east and beyond, Vampire. This led to his being nicknamed as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;messiahâ&#x20AC;? and he was bestowed with two chieftaincy title as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Onwa natili oha of Igbolandâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Agu-na-echembaâ&#x20AC;? of Imo State.

On his elevation to AIG, he was incharge of operation, responsible for the North-east which took him to all the troubled spots in the country; he also led a team of policemen to curb the activities of IPOB in the South-east.

One greatest feat Lakanu has over and above his peers is his love to humanity, which led him to construct and complete the building of a Catholic Church called â&#x20AC;&#x153;St. Michael The Archangel Catholic Police Chaplaincyâ&#x20AC;?, at the Police Headquarters, Owerri.

While policemen have been condemned and roundly criticised, Lakanu has variously redeemed the battered image of the force by having a street named after him, a dual carriage way rightly behind the police headquarters, Owerri, even while in service.

It is unprecedented in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s police image.

He projected community policing principles while in Imo state.

Even when police is generally known for fighting criminals and reducing crimes in the

society so as to create a safe environment for both human and property, he did not only achieve this but has gone as far as building a befitting Police Chaplaincy.

"Who says that a policeman will not go to heaven, you will go to heaven considering your generosity and human kindness. That is why you are succeeding in crime fighting in Imo State". This was the outburst of the Chaplain of St. Michael The Archangel Catholic Police Chaplaincy, Rev. Fr. Innocent Emeam while appreciating Lakanu's effort as the then Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, after he started and completed a Catholic Church building at the Police Shell Camp Headquarters, Owerri in record time.

The church foundation which was laid sometimes in the last quarter of 2015 came to many as a surprise considering the 'Nigerian' factor, which usually are characterised by bottleneck, bureaucracy, lack of will-power and fear of the unknown syndrome. It was not in the mood of some chief executive of organisations not to talk of a security agency to look for other ways to assist the lives of those he/she was sent to overlook.

But Lakanu did the unthinkable, an award winning thought and above all something that tended towards character molding, strong belief that God-can-do-it for the command to excel in her main objective of crime fighting.

Taking a deeper look at the old church building, which was a wooden structure that could hardly contain up to 20 worshippers and juxtapose it to the gigantic edifice that is meant to replace it, one would only give thanks to God for bringing the person of Lakanu to the state at the time he came. To many Imolites, there could not have been a better replacement because what he had done was something that overwhelmed everybody.

According to the Chaplain, while giving a vote of thanks after the official dedication and Inauguration of the church by the Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony J. V. Obinna, "today will remain the happiest day in my life. I want to thank God for doing this in our time.

It is not by might, but by the spirit of God".

While inaugurating the church, Archbishop Obinna had charged leaders to use their position to serve God and humanity and not to use it as a means to amass wealth and do injustice to the society. The Archbishop reminded Christians and Nigerians in general to take it easy on issues of money, adding that the love of money being the root of evil â&#x20AC;&#x153;we should not allow it to divert our attention from the things of Godâ&#x20AC;?.

Lakanu, however attributed his successes to his passion for God as well as his openness to issues. He was full of praises to Imo people for giving him the peaceful atmosphere to

not only to fight crime in the state but also found time to think about God, whom he said gave him the inspiration to achieve the feat. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thank you Imolites. You people are wonderful. I am grateful to God for making this realisable under me. I also thank my friends who came to donate for the building of this churchâ&#x20AC;?, he said.

On what motivated him to start the church building, he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the motivation to build this church came because I am a Christian.

This is not the first time I had constructed a church, when I was in Ekiti State; I joined the policemen there to build a church like this. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The essence is that I know when Christ is in your life, everything is possible. And I pray that if I have this church here I can always come in here and pray and, of course, the prayers will be answered. It is also a source of motivation for policemen to know that the kind of work they do is so difficult that they need Christ in their life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I built this church to get closer to God, and I know more policemen here attend church services. We hold vigil, we pray and God has been answering our prayers. That is why Imo is regarded as one of the safest states in the country. There is nothing to it but prayers. That is the motivating factor.

What I did was that I appealed to my friends to assist me and in appreciation whatever they give we donate to the church and that is why we are able to finish it within one yearâ&#x20AC;?, he stated.

Extolling the good work of Lakanu, the former Chief of Staff, Government House, Uche Nwosu, who is presently the governorship candidate of Action Alliance (AA) said the former CP was a blessing to the state, adding that since he was posted to the state crime reduced tremendously as kidnapping and armed robbery were tackled headlong.

Nwosu stated that the secret of the successes the former CP recorded in the state were traced to his faith in God and urged him to continue in the service to God and humanity.

Another stakeholder, who also benefitted from the mercy of God, Chief Chima Anozie from Orji in Owerri North local government area of the state was full of gratitude for the Lakanu and narrated how he was saved from heart surgery.

According to him, "I am so happy; you know the best investment is to invest in God, especially in church. I'm so happy with the former CP, the Igbos have the notion that the Yorubas don't invest outside Lagos which is more comfortable and best place for them for investment, but to me the Yorubas are the best investors. Having invested in church that is the best investment because other investments your children can sell it, but church you can't sell it."

39

T H I S D AY Ëž ͲË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

CRIME&SECURITY

NDLEA Arrests Three Fake Policemen, Recovers 55 Sacks of Indian hemp

The recovered sacks of Indian Hemp

Niger State NDLEA Commander, Mrs Sylvia Ngunwoke 5IF /BUJPOBM %SVH -BX &OGPSDFNFOU "HFODZ /%-&" IBT BSrested three fake policemen in possession of 586 kilogrammes of substance suspected to be Indian Hemp in Niger State.

5IF /JHFS 4UBUF /%-&" $PNmander, Mrs Sylvia Ngunwoke, who revealed this while chatting with newsmen in Minna, said the suspects were arrested with 55

sacks of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis saliva.

She said the drug was conDFBMFE JO UXP 5PZPUB IJMVY XJUI registration number NPF 506 IC, and another vehicle with unmarked plate number at Mokwa town and were conveyed by three suspects in police uniforms.

She said: "Intelligence reports

have it that the drugs were brought in preparation for the 2019 general election but investigation is still ongoing and suspects will soon be charged to court."

She appealed to members of the public to assist with the required information in apprehending those in the illegal trade.

No Need To Panic, JTF Assures Tompolo's Kinsmen Sylvester Idowu in Warri 5IF +PJOU 5BTL 'PSDF DPEF named Operation Delta Safe +5' 01%4 IBT BTTVSFE UIF people of Gbaramatu kingdom JO 8BSSJ 4PVUI 8FTU -PDBM (PWernment area of Delta State that there is no need to panic over the presence of the military in the area. " UPQ +5' PGGJDFS XIP TQPLF UP 5)*4%": ZFTUFSEBZ PO DPOEJtion of anonymity said the presence of soldiers and gun boats stationed at Oporoza is part of

the ongoing military exercise and not targeted at anybody including ex-militant leader, $IJFG (PWFSONFOU &LQFNVQPMP BMJBT 5PNQPMP 5IFSF IBE CFFO QBOJD JO Gbaramatu kingdom on a certain Sunday when a military fighter jet was reportedly sighted hovering over riverine communities in the kingdom.

It was learnt that the presence of the military jet triggered panic and fear of uncertainty in Oporoza, the country home of 5PNQPMP B /JHFS %FMUB GPSNFS

militants leader.

-PDBM TPVSDFT TBJE UIBU UIF jet was sighted around 4:45pm hovering over the communities for reasons yet to be fathom.

4QPLFTNBO PG UIF +PJOU 5BTL Force, Major Ibrahim Abdullahi could not be reached when contacted but spokesperson of (CBSBNBUV 5SBEJUJPOBM $PVODJM Chief Godspower Gbenekama confirmed the development.

He said that residents were surprise about the presence of military jet with armed soldiers in the kingdom.

CRIME SITUATION REPORTS SUMMARY OF POLICE IG MOHAMMED ADAMU'S INAUGURAL REMARKS (II) Following his assumption of duty as the 20th indigenious Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu on Wednesday, January 16, 2018, has revealed his core derivatives. As continued from last Monday publication it reads thus: r 5IJT JT JO DPHOJTBODF PG UIF fact that our responsibility as a Police Force is to operate within extant rules and best international policing practices. It also imposes on us the obligation of respecting, protecting and advancing the rights of all citizens of this country regardless of their socio-economic status.

Furthermore, public acceptance of the Police under a democratic setting is not influenced exclusively by the number of crimes that are solved but by the manner such are attained. Since no Police Force ever succeeds by alienating its citizens, we are firmly resolved that, under my watch, policing will be citizens-centred, rules-driven, and accountability-guided. r 5PXBSET UIJT FOE B DPNQSFhensive reform both in terms of ethics, Mode of Operation, nomenclature and orientation, function delineation, Command and Control, weaponry, and accountability mechanism will be undertaken in SARS. 5IJT JT XJUI B WJFX UP HJWJOH full, clear, measurable and accountable intervention to the Presidential Directives on reform and re-orientation of the Unit as recently handed down to the Force leadership.

A reorganisation proposal to this effect is being currently studied preparatory to its being implemented. r "U UIF FOE B 1SPUPDPM UIBU will document the outcome of the reform shall be developed.

5IF 1SPUPDPM TIBMM CFDPNF the Standard Operating Procedure of the Unit which will be engaged for performance evaluation in aid of accountability process and disciplinary concerns. It shall also act as guide for the review of specific operations involving the Unit with a view to drawing lessons and identifying gaps which can be bridged in order to strengthen the operational engagements of the Unit across BMM DPNNBOET 5IJT JOJUJBUJWF will be undertaken in close collaboration with the Presidency, Office of the National Security Adviser, Ministry of Interior, Police Service Commission and Human Rights Groups, Development Partners and other strategic stakeholders.

5IF QSPQPTFE SF PSHBOJTBUJPO will produce a new Special Anti-Robbery Unit which will be professional enough to protect the citizens in their line of duty, but uniquely potent enough to respond to any major weapon-related organised crimes in the swiftest and most ethical manner. r 8IJMF UIJT JOJUJBUJWF JT CFing perfected, the operations of SARS which is currently centralised at the Force Headquarters is hereby decentralised.

Consequently, with immediate effect, the Commissioner of Police in each of the 36 Police $PNNBOET BOE UIF '$5 BSF to assume full Command and

Control authority on all SARS in their Commands, while the FHQ Unit is, henceforth, subsumed under the command of the DIG '$**% 5IF JNQPSU PG UIJT JT UIBU the DIG FCIID and Command CPs shall from this date, not only assume administrative and operational control of SARS in their respective Commands, they shall also be directly held liable for any professional misconducts resulting from the operations of the Units in their Commands. Consequently, they are to immediately undertake a detailed evaluation of the Units in their Commands and submit a report to my Office within the next two weeks. r 4JNJMBSMZ BMM RVBTJ investigation and operations outfits including the Special Investigation Panel (SIP) and 4QFDJBM 5BDUJDBM 4RVBE 454 PS BOZ PUIFS TVDI 5FBNT VOEFS whatever name are hereby EJTCBOEFE 5IF %*( '$**% JT to takeover and review all cases UIBU TVDI 5FBNT BSF DVSSFOUMZ handling as well as official assets on charge to them and submit a detailed report to my Office within two weeks. Similar comprehensive reorganisation will be undertaken in the investigative, intelligence and special operations arms of the Force comprising of the Police Mobile Force, Counterterrorism Unit and the Special Protection Unit. r 5IJT SF QPTJUJPOJOH QSPDFTT will eventually cascade down to the Zonal and State Command MFWFMT 5IF FTTFODF JT UP SFTUPSF order and apply a break to the current slide in policing standards, discourage the proliferation of multiplicity of outfits competing for operational space in the most unprofessional manner. We shall enhance the capacity of the Force towards situating our operations within the principles and practice of Intelligence-led policing and human rights standards, and align our operations to modern dynamics. r 5P UIF PGGJDFST BUUFOEJOH this conference, I charge you to remain dedicated to your professional calling, exhibit the highest possible level of leadership and the strongest possible quality of character towards advancing our common mandate of ensuring internal security and guaranteeing a peaceful and credible electoral process. I thank you all and wish us a rewarding deliberation.

Adamu

40

5 ) * 4 % ": t MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019

5 ) * 4 % ": t MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019

41

42

5 ) * 4 % ": t MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019

43

MONDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

Pope Francis Arrives UAE for Historic Visit Pope Francis landed in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday for the first ever visit by a pontiff to the Arabian Peninsula — the birthplace of Islam.

The pope touched down in Abu Dhabi for the 48-hour trip during which he will meet leading Muslim clerics and hold an open-air mass for some 135,000 Catholics.

The pontiff will take part in an interreligious conference on Monday, meeting Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, the imam of Cairo’s Al-Azhar, Sunni

Islam’s prestigious seat of learning.

Hours before he flies back to Rome on Tuesday, he will lead mass in a stadium in Abu Dhabi — set to be the largest gathering ever in the UAE, according to local media.

His visit comes with the UAE engaged in a long-running military campaign in Yemen and embroiled in a diplomatic spat with nearby Qatar.

Before heading to the Gulf, the pontiff urged warring parties in Yemen, where the UAE backs the

Theresa May Reveals Fresh Brexit Mandate British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday she would be “armed with a fresh mandate and new ideas” when she meets European Union negotiators over her Brexit deal.

EU officials have insisted that the deal is not open for renegotiation.

But May wrote in the Sunday Telegraph that she would be “battling for Britain and Northern Ireland” in her efforts to get rid of the agreement’s unpopular backstop provision.

“If we stand together and speak with one voice, I believe we can find the right way forward,” she said.

The backstop is intended to ensure there is no return to a hard border with Ireland, but Brexit supporters fear it will keep Britain tied to the EU’s customs rules.

MPs voted last week to send May back to Brussels to renegotiate the clause, suggesting her deal would then be able to pass after it was roundly rejected in parliament last month.

“I am now confident there is a route that can secure a majority in the House of Commons for leaving the EU with a deal,” she wrote.

“When I return to Brussels I will be battling for Britain and Northern Ireland, I will be armed with a fresh mandate, new ideas and a renewed determination to agree a pragmatic solution”.

The EU insists that the deal “remains the best and only way to ensure an orderly withdrawal,” but with the clock running down until the March 29 exit date the risks of a no-deal Brexit for both Britain and the bloc are coming into sharp focus.

May said opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn “also believes the potential indefinite nature of the backstop is an issue”, and that the EU has “already accepted the principle of ‘alternative arrangements’ superseding the backstop should it ever be required.”

The backstop would kick in if Britain and the EU have not agreed a trade deal on their future relationship after a time-limited transition period of up to two years.

The prime minister rejected accusations that plans to reopen the backstop talks risked upsetting the Irish peace process.

“Nor do I have time for those who believe the verdict passed by the British people in 2016 should be overturned before it is even implemented,” she added, referring to the rump of MPs calling for a second referendum.

“I’m determined to deliver Brexit, and determined to deliver on time –- on March 29, 2019,” she wrote.

May has promised MPs that she will bring any revised deal back to be voted on by MPs on February 13.

Brazil’s Bolsonaro Sick after Surgery Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro, was ill in hospital with a feeding tube Sunday following surgery days ago to remove a colostomy bag fitted after he suffered a knife attack late last year.

The Sao Paulo hospital where Bolsonaro, 63, was convalescing since his January 28 operation said in its last medical bulletin on Saturday that he suffered an “episode of nausea and vomiting” but the president’s clinical tests were all normal and he was without fever.

He was expected to be discharged on Wednesday or Thursday as originally scheduled, media reported.

Bolsonaro was stabbed by a mentally unstable lone assailant on September 6 while campaigning in a crowd in a street in the southeast state of Minas Gerais.

After emergency surgery to save his life, the far-right politician was forced to lay up for nearly a month — but saw his popularity rise because of public sympathy and the

way the attack played into his hardline law-and-order agenda.

Bolsonaro went on to easily win October elections and took office on January 1. He has vowed to crack down on crime and corruption in Latin America’s biggest country.

The leader, who is continuing his official paperwork from his hospital bed, was reported Saturday to have been vomiting and required a feeding tube.

One of his sons, Carlos Bolsonaro, used the president’s Twitter account to say his father on Sunday “woke up well and with energy…. Only good news in the morning.”

The Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper reported that according to three medical experts it consulted, the vomiting Bolsonaro exhibited was not a normal reaction so many days after such surgery.

It cited the doctor who carried out the surgery, Antonio Macedo, as saying it was likely the result of a long and complicated operation.

government against Huthi rebels, to respect a truce agreement.

“I appeal to all parties concerned and to the international community to allow the urgent respect of established accords to ensure the distribution of food,” he said.

“The population is exhausted by the lengthy conflict and a great many children are suffering from hunger, but cannot access food depots, he added.

“The cry of these children and their parents rises up to God.” Nearly one million Catholic migrants reside in the UAE, mostly hailing from the Philippines and India. Around 135,000 have secured precious tickets to Tuesday’s mass at Zayed Sports City Stadium.

On Sunday morning, hundreds of Catholics queued in drizzling rain outside St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi to get their passes.

“I think the pope coming really opens doors for conversations about

tolerance that the whole world needs to hear,” said Collins Cochet Ryan, a 39-year-old expectant mother from the US. For Indian Doris D’Souza, who lives in Goa, Pope Francis’s trip to the UAE was not to be missed.

“Since I came to know about the pope’s visit to Abu Dhabi, we jumped (at) the opportunity to be witness.”

The UAE capital’s main streets and those leading to St. Joseph’s Cathedral — which the pope is set to visit on Tuesday — were lined with Vatican City flags and banners of the interreligious meeting.

UAE minister of state for foreign affairs Anwar Gargash extended an official welcome to Pope Francis on Sunday.

“It is a visit that carries great humanitarian value, and the UAE adds a new (chapter) in the history of fraternity and tolerance,” he tweeted.

He took an apparent jab at Qatar, which hosts Islamist cleric Youssef al-Qardawi and is engaged in a bitter standoff with its Gulf rivals.

Gargash pointed out the difference “between those hosting a cleric of violence and terrorism… and those who host the pope and the Al-Azhar sheikh for a dialogue of love and communication”.

The UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, cut all ties with Doha in June 2017 over allegations it supports extremists.

The UAE prides itself on its religious tolerance and cultural diversity.

It has eight Catholic churches.

Oman, Kuwait and Yemen each have four.

Qatar and Bahrain have one each, while ultra-conservative Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia bans all non-Muslim places of worship.

The UAE has however been criticised by rights groups for its

involvement in a bloody Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen, where an estimated 10,000 people have been killed in four years of war.

Millions of Yemenis face imminent starvation, according to the UN. Rights groups have also slammed the Gulf state for upholding a 10year prison term against activist Ahmed Mansoor on December 31 — two weeks after the UAE declared 2019 the “Year of Tolerance”.

“Despite its assertions about tolerance, the UAE government has demonstrated no real interest in improving its human rights record,” Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said Sunday.

“But the UAE has shown how sensitive it is to its image on the global stage, and Pope Francis should use his visit to press UAE leaders to meet their human rights obligations at home and abroad.”

Pope Francis landing in the United Arab Emirates for the first-ever visit by a pontiff to the Arabian Peninsula…yesterday

Thousands Join Protest in Support for Turkey Hunger Strikers Thousands of protesters Sunday joined a rally in Istanbul called by a pro-Kurdish party to show support for hunger strikes against prison conditions of Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan.

The protesters gathered at a square in Bakirkoy on the European side of Istanbul, with police tightening security measures.

“I am saluting my friends resisting in prisons. They are our honour, they are not alone,” Fahit Ulas, a supporter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).

“If needed we will sacrifice our bodies for this cause. We have no

fear,” he added.

Some 250 prisoners all over Turkey have launched hunger strikes in support of HDP lawmaker Leyla Guven, who wants to pressure the Turkish government to allow Ocalan to hold regular meetings with his lawyers and family members.

Ocalan, one of the founders of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has been serving a life sentence on a prison island off Istanbul since his 1999 capture.

The 55-year-old Guven was jailed in January 2018 for her criticism of Turkey’s military

operation against a Syrian Kurdish militia.

Last week, a Turkish court in Kurdish majority city Diyarbakir freed her under judicial supervision. Guven, who entered the 88th day of her hunger strike on Sunday, launched the protest move on November 8 while in jail.

She told AFP in an interview on Wednesday that she would press on with the hunger strike at home.

Garo Paylan, an HDP MP who joined the Istanbul protest, said choosing a hunger strike was a

“last remedy,” hoping Guven’s demand would be met as soon as possible.

“We want this demand to be fulfilled before any death,” he told AFP. In 2012, hundreds of Kurdish prisoners ended a 68-day hunger strike after Ocalan urged them to do so.

The HDP party remains under the scrutiny of Turkish authorities, which accuse it of links to the PKK. Several of its MPs are behind bars, including former party leader Selahattin Demirtas.

Israel Begins Construction of New Gaza Border Barrier Israel said yesterday that work to strengthen its border with the Gaza Strip had entered a new phase, with construction starting on a massive new barrier along the frontier.

“Over the weekend we began building the above-ground barrier along the Gaza border,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told journalists before the weekly cabinet meeting.

The barrier, set to stand six metres (20 feet) off the ground, “will prevent terrorists from Gaza

from penetrating into our territory on the ground”, he said in Hebrew.

Netanyahu gave no further details but a defence ministry statement said that work on the structure began Thursday.

It is set to follow the 65-kilometre (40-mile) course of an underground barrier also under construction meant to neutralise the threat of cross-border tunnels built by Gaza militants.

At its western end, the statement said, the above-ground barrier would join a fortified sea wall

jutting into the Mediterranean, aimed at blocking Palestinian attacks by water.

“It’s massive and especially strong,” the ministry said in an accompanying video clip.

In the last Gaza war in 2014, Israeli forces killed four Hamas militants who had managed to cross into Israel by water.

Some Israeli commentators have said that Netanyahu would be unwilling to see a new uptick in hostilities with Gaza’s Hamas rulers in the runup to general

elections set for April 9.

But the premier, who is also defence minister, on Sunday pledged the upcoming polls would not affect security decisions.

“If the quiet is not maintained in Gaza, we will make the decisions even in the elections period and will not hesitate to act,” he said.

Palestinians have for nearly a year gathered at least weekly along the Gaza border for oftenviolent protests.

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NEWS

Tinubu, APC Leaders Halt Plan to Remove Ambode Gboyega Akinsanmi

The National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, and other leaders of the party in Lagos State yesterday asked the State House of Assembly to drop its plan to remove Governor Akinwunmi Ambode from office.

Tinubu and the APC leaders also urged the leadership of the executive and legislative arms to always respect one another and build consensus and understanding, which according to them, would help the institutions function effectively and efficiently.

Tinubu and the party leaders brokered peace between the executive and legislative arms at a special meeting of Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) held

at the State House, Marina yesterday, declaring that there was no longer removal questions against Ambode.

Among others, the meeting was attended by the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule; Speaker Mudashiru Obasa; Deputy Speaker Wasiu Eshinlokun; Majority Leader Sinai Agunbiade; Chief Whip Rotimi Abiru.

After the meeting, Tinubu said: “The conflict between the governor and lawmakers has been amicably settled.

The executive and legislative arms of government have resolved to work together in the interest of the state.

“We held a meeting on behalf of Lagos, the entire Lagos residents and APC leadership. In the last one week, there has been noise about the conflict between the executive and the state

Ambode assembly. It is of great concern to all of us and particularly what Lagos represents across the country.

“We have been able to look into the source of various conflicts, which is not uncommon in politics.

What is the genesis of those problems? We are one big family and as a big family, you will have some rumples, you will have some disagreement.

“As leaders of the party, we have looked into the disagreement between the executive and legislative arms. We have looked into areas where we have to compromise, discuss and build the institutions, encourage the institutions to really do what is right.

“We have resolved that there is no question of (removal) in Lagos State. Let the two arms of government communicate and continue to respect one another and build consensus and understanding. That is all about politics.

“Conflict and conflict resolution mechanism is

inbuilt in any political system unless leaders are lacking in their responsibilities.”

He thanked the governor, his deputy and the assembly leadership for agreeing to the peaceful resolution of the conflict, saying it was evident that consequences of allowing such conflict to fester would have been dire not just for the state, but the entire country.

He added: “We thank the speaker and the entire members of the House of Assembly leadership. We thank the governor and the deputy governor who had demonstrated firm respect for the party leadership in Lagos State.

“You know when Lagos sneezes, the rest of the political equation catches cold and we are very happy that we are able to resolve

amicably. The deputy speaker is also here. All of them put together, we are assured that things will start to run smoothly in Lagos both the House and the government.”

Also speaking after the peace meeting, Lagos Central APC Leader, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, corroborated Tinubu’s position, and expressed optimism that the House would soon meet to resolve other grey areas.

“The national leader has spoken and mine is just to confirm the decision. Conflict resolution is an essential ingredient of management.

We have looked into the problem and the party has directed the two arms of government – the executive and the legislature to work together and very soon, the House will meet and resolve all grey areas,” Olusi said.

Falana Asks FG to Withdraw Case against Onnoghen Govt plans to harass, intimidate 200 judges, Wike alleges Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN), has advised the federal government to withdraw the criminal charges filed against the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

The admonition came as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, yesterday revealed that the federal government had mapped out strategies to intimidate 200 judges, especially those in the federal judiciary.

Falana said he made the request having confirmed that a petition had been submitted to the National Judicial Council (NJC) alleging grave misconduct against Onnoghen.

In February 3 letter addressed to the Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Falana urged him to advise President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse the suspension because a public officer could not be removed from office on the basis of an ex parte order granted by any court or tribunal in Nigeria.

The letter read, “Since the charge of false declaration of assets was filed against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice

Walter Onnoghen at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, by the Code of Conduct Bureau, I have repeatedly requested you to use your good offices to discontinue the case. My request was anchored on the case of Elelu-Habeeb v Attorney-General of the Federation & Ors (2012) 40 WRN 1 where the Supreme Court held that by virtue of Section 292 of the Constitution of Nigeria the head of any of the judicial arms of state and federal governments cannot be removed from office without a prior investigation conducted by the NJC. “Having confirmed that you have since submitted a petition to the NJC alleging grave misconduct against the chief justice, I am compelled to request you, once again, to file a nolle prosequi to discontinue the charge pending against his lordship at the CCT without any further delay.

“The charge should not be allowed to hang like a Sword of Damocles on the head of the chief justice while he is being investigated by the NJC. In view of your implicit confidence in the ability of members of the NJC to resolve the matter you ought to accede to the request to terminate the proceedings at the CCT forthwith.”

Falana posited that the withdrawal of the case from the CCT would lead to the immediate vacation of the ex parte order relied upon by the president to justify the illegal suspension of Onnoghen and the appointment of Justice Tanko Muhammad as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria.

“Even though by virtue of Paragraph 10 (2) (a) of Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) the CCT is empowered to order any public officer to vacate office the power cannot be exercised until such a public officer has been tried and convicted for breaching the provisions of the code of conduct for pubic officers.

“But as a public officer cannot be removed from office on the basis of an ex parte order granted by any court or tribunal in Nigeria we urge you to advise President Buhari to reverse the suspension of the chief justice.

“Once the suspension is reversed Justice Onnoghen will then be prevailed upon to resign as the chief justice having lost the moral authority to preside over the affairs on the juridical organ of the government of the federation.

“However, if his lordship does not call it quits or if the

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said the federal government has mapped out strategies to intimidate 200 judges, especially those of the federal judiciary.

He said strategic credible intelligence intercepted by him revealed that a federal minister told a gathering that following the destabilisation of the Supreme Court, the next target would be the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court.

Speaking during the central healing service of the Greater Evangelism World Crusade yesterday in Port Harcourt, Wike said the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government has collected the asset declaration forms of 200 judges from the Code

of Conduct Bureau for the planned mass onslaught.

He said: "I intercepted a discussion by a minister of the Federal Executive Council where he was telling a gathering that they are happy that they have dealt with the Supreme Court. The minister said the next set would be the Court of Appeal judges and the Federal High Court judges. The minister said any judge that fails to cooperate will face trump up charges and compelled to resign.

"This APC-led federal government has gone to the Code of Conduct Bureau to get the asset declaration forms of 200 judges. Any judge that fails to follow their evil plot, will be harassed with false allegations and persecution".

The governor noted that the APC-led government would generate several false allegations to compel upright judges to resign from the bench.

He called on the church to pray for the Federal Judiciary to survive “the deadly siege of the APC-led federal government.”

He said: "The church should continually pray for the federal judiciary. The judiciary in Nigeria is under siege. If anything happens to the judiciary, our democracy

is in trouble.

"The church needs to pray for the judges to remain strong in the face of intimidation and harassment."

On the forthcoming general election, Wike urged the people to vote for the revival of the country. He said the country is not doing well and needs to make progress.

He thanked the church for praying for peaceful and credible polls in Rivers State.

International Director of Greater Evangelism World Crusade, Pastor Isaac Olori, said the forthcoming general elections are crucial to the country moving away from the era of under-development and siege.

He said that the church shares in Wike's passion for prayers as a platform for making a difference in a Christian society.

He said every leader must have a listening ear and the ability to respond to the needs of the people by addressing their challenges.

He said: "We are not looking for helpless people to lead us.

We want leaders with capacity.

That is why the forthcoming elections are very important.

"If anyone is looking for leadership, be prepared to make a difference in the society."

to prove that he is strong, having campaigned in many states.

Bulama also dismissed claims that the APC national leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, may have pulled back from campaigns, stating that the former Lagos State governor has indeed played pivotal roles in the ongoing campaigns.

"He was in Maiduguri two weeks ago, where he made a long appearance addressing the crowd. He also appears wherever necessary. He was in most other outings across the country. I want to say that our campaign is cohesive, focused and united. Our leaders are one and committed to the success of President Buhari, success of our party and the success of all the candidates contesting on the platform

of our party," he said.

Bulama further responded to the PDP's claim that APC is seeking to undermine the independence of INEC despite being a major beneficiary of electoral reforms by previous administration.

Bulama said there is no attempt by Buhari to manipulate the institutions of state like the police, army and INEC during forthcoming elections.

He said: "We have succeeded in ensuring the independence of INEC and that it is well funded as can be testified by the chairman, who admitted that it has taken delivery of all the resources needed to carry out the exercise successfully throughout the country.

There is no predetermined condition placed on anybody

and no attempt to manipulate the institutions of the state like the police, army and INEC. "There is no plan whatsoever to release huge sums of money from the government to manipulate or influence or gag anybody. This election is not characterised by huge deployment of money.

"So, what we expect is that the 2019 elections will be largely influenced by the free will of Nigerian voters and by their desire to exercise their franchise, realisation of the powers vested in them by the constitution as the owners of Nigeria. This is what we expect will influence the election, not money, not party, not institutions but issues of national interest."

NJC does not recommend his removal from office you may wish to exercise your powers under section 174 of the Constitution to prosecute him for failure to declare his assets which is a punishable offence under the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.

FG Plans to Harass, Intimidate 200 Judges, Wike Alleges

APC TARGETS NORTH-WEST, SOUTH-WEST FOR BULK VOTES ruling party has no plan to manipulate the elections starting on February 16 as it strongly believes that votes of Nigerians must count.

Addressing journalists at the weekend, the Deputy Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Waziri Bulama, said the confidence of the party is buoyed by the dominance of its governors in the two zones, which have the largest number of registered voters.

He said though the presidential campaign team is targeting to reap high votes in those zones where it has strong presence, the party is not relenting in its efforts to win over every available voter.

"The APC is a national party very strong

throughout the country but most dominant in the North-west and South-west and more clearly we expect to have more votes there because of the presence of the governors and because the two zones have the largest number of registered voters," he said.

According to Bulama, the North-west boasts of about 20 million registered voters, while the South-west has 16 million registered voters.

He also said the APC is very strong throughout the country, adding that at the moment it has 22 state governors, six in the Northwest, six in the South-west, four in the North-east, four in the North-central, one each in the South-south and South-east.

Speaking on the campaign

strategy being adopted by the APC, the party chieftain said the ruling party has a multi-pronged approach to reach out to Nigerians in all parts of the country.

He said their focus is first to sensitise Nigerians to come out and vote and secondly to understand and appreciate the achievements and efforts of Buhari and the APC since 2015.

"Our aim and target in the campaign has been to ensure that the vote counts.

We are not taking anything for granted. We are going to fight for every available vote," he said.

On the concerns about the Buhari's health and fears about his ability to sustain the rigours of the national campaign, Bulama said so far the president has been able

MONDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

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

Concerns Mount over Decision to Fly Osinbajo on Commercial Helicopter

NAF: We don’t know why decision was taken God, Adeboye’s prayers delivered me, says VP Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja There are growing concerns over the decision by the authorities to fly Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on a private aircraft as against the official aircraft from the presidential fleet that normally conveys him to his official engagements within the country.

This is coming as the vice president yesterday said God’s mercy and the special prayer of protection that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, prayed for him last Friday were responsible for his escape in the helicopter crash.

He said that no amount of thanksgiving and praises to God would be enough for saving his life and nine others in Saturday’s helicopter crash.

The chopper belonging to Carverton Helicopters crash landed in Kabba Stadium in Kogi State, while conveying Osinbajo to a campaign rally.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said weekend it could not explain why the decision to fly the Vice President on a commercial helicopter was taken but noted that the NAF aircraft in the presidential air fleet regularly flew the vice president to official duties.

NAF also issued a statement to the effect that none of its planes flew the vice president to Kogi contrary to videos circulated on social media.

Security analysts and political watchers have expressed concern over the crash and the decision to fly the vice president outside the presidential air fleet while conspiracy theorists raised the alarm, alleging sabotage.

“Even in a campaign period, it is strange that a vice president would travel on a commercial helicopter when the presidential fleet is replete with helicopters and other aircraft that can convey him to the rally. Why is it so?,” a security analyst and Chairman, Security Imperatives, George Amata, queried.

Former Minister of Aviation,

Femi Fani-Kayode, in his reaction, said the crash was “suspicious” and reminiscent of the crash that killed late former National Security Adviser, General Andrew Azazi (rtd) and former Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa.

“Interesting to note that the helicopter crash that almost took the life of @Prof. Osinbajo occured in Kabba...

“Also interesting to note what happened as the pilot tried to land.

Reminds me of the suspicious “crash” that killed Azazi and Yakowa. I smell a rat”, he tweeted.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said weekend it could not explain the rationale behind

the decision to fly Osinbajo on a commercial helicopter.

“The Presidential Air fleet reports to the Presidency through the National Security Adviser (NSA). They also report to the Chief of Air Staff.

“The Presidential Air fleet is manned by our personnel and the commander is an air force officer, though there are also civilian pilots.

“In terms of how they took that decision, I cannot speak to that. Usually, the vice president flies directly NAF aircraft but you know it is a political rally so they may have taken the decision based on that”, NAF spokesman, Air

Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, told THISDAY in a chat.

Also, NAF clarified weekend that the helicopter involved in the crash was not one of its own.

“The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to various reports in the media purporting that the Augusta AW139 Helicopter, which was involved in a mishap in Kabba, Kogi State yesterday, February 2, 2019, while conveying the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, belonged to the NAF or was from the 011 Presidential Air Fleet (011 PAF).

“Some unscrupulous/ undiscerning individuals have

even gone so far as to circulate a video showing the crash landing of a military helicopter, from an unrelated incident, which neither occured in Nigeria nor involved NAF or 011 PAF aircraft, portraying it as the one that crashed in Kabba”, it said.

NAF stated that the helicopter that crashed in Kabba does not belong to it or 011 PAF. “The owners/operators of the civilian helicopter, Messrs Caverton Helicopters, have already issued a statement on the matter. In addition, the military Dauphin Helicopter, painted in desert

Continued on page...49

Collect Bribe, Go to Jail, INEC Warns Staff The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday warned its staff against collecting inducements from anyone during the forthcoming general election.

The electoral body also said that the results of the elections will be collated and transmitted manually throughout the country.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye, told journalists in Abuja that the inability of the commission to adopt electronic transmission was because of the non amendment of the electoral laws, which he said would have accommodated it.

Okoye said there was no iota of truth in the allegation that the commission accorded

the north undue advantage in the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) by allegedly handing over the PVCs to religious and community leaders for distribution to prospective voters unlike what obtained in the Southern states.

Okoye said, “We are ready for electronic transmission any day the law is amended. For now, we are collating and transmitting manually in accordance with the law.

“Anybody with information that PVCs were handed over to religious leaders or any other person for distribution by INEC in any state should come up with evidence. We will not sweep such infraction under the carpet.

FG Blames Decreased FDIs in 2017 on Insecurity, Poor Forex Access The Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), an agency of the federal government, has blamed the drop on the country’s Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) decreased to $3.503 billion in 2017 from $4.449 billion in 2016 to insecurity and poor access to foreign exchange.

The Director, Strategic Communication, NIPC, Mr. Emeka Offor, who said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) inAbuja attributed the decrease to insecurity and poor access to Forex.

According to him, the global trends revealed an economic slowdown implying fewer capital and in turn low FDIs. According to Offor, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Report (WIR), showed

FDIs decreased to $3.503 billion in 2017 from $4.449 billion recorded in 2016.

According to the document, the country recorded FDIs worth $4.694 billion in 2014, which is greater than $3.064 billion recorded in 2015.

FDIs reflect the foreign ownership of production facilities and share of the foreign ownership has to be equal to at least 10 per cent of the value of the company.

The investments could be in manufacturing, services, agriculture, or other sectors. It could have originated as greenfieldinvestment(buildingsomething new), as acquisition (buying an existing company)orjointventure (partnership).

FDIs is reported on an annual basis,and runs at about two to three per cent the size of the economy and is measured by its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

LET OIL FLOW…

L-R: Vice President, Shell Nigeria and Gabon, Peter Costello; Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru; and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; during an inspection of the Shell Nigeria exhibition booth at the 2nd edition of the Nigeria International Petroleum Summit in Abuja…recently

12 Die in Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway Accident No fewer than 12 persons were confirmed dead yesterday in an accident involving a black Kia Cerato car and a grey Toyota Sports space bus around Shiun area on Abeokuta/Sagamu Expressway.

The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps in Ogun State, Mr. Clement Oladele, confirmed the incident to journalists in Abeokuta.

Oladele, who said that the accident occurred around 1p.m.

yesterday, added that it was caused by the car marked KJA 806 BT, which was on high speed when it suffered a burst tyre.

“The driver was suspected to have applied brake suddenly, which made him to lose control.

“This led the speeding car to climb the road divider to the opposite direction where it collided with the passenger bus.

“The bus with registration number LSR 334 FF was

traveling from Abeokuta toward Sagamu.

“The unfortunate crash killed all the occupants of the two vehicles .

“Twelve persons who were involved in the crash – five male adults, six female adults and one child,” he said.

The FRSC boss explained that the corpses have been deposited at the mortuary of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu.

Oladele, while condoling with the families of the victims, informed members of the public whose family members traveled within the period to contact the FRSC Command, Abeokuta or OOUTH, Sagamu for identification of the victims .

He advised motorists to ensure that their vehicles “are in good condition, including driving with good tyres and avoiding excessive speed.”

Army Appoints New GOC, Commanders Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigerian Army weekend released new postings and appointments of some of its senior officers.

Under the new postings, Major General AA Tarfa, the Commander, Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, has been redeployed to Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership Peacekeeping Centre, as Commandant.

According to a statement issued by Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. M.

Mohammed, GOC 1 Division has been moved to the Headquarters, Nigerian Army Signals Corps and appointed as Corps Commander.

Maj. Gen. C.T. Olukoju, who until now the Signal Corps Commander, has been appointed Director General of the newly created Nigerian Army Simulation Centre (NASIMC) with Headquarters in Abuja.

Usman said under the new posting, Maj. Gen. US Yakubu has been posted to Headquarters of Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery and appointed as Corps Commander.

Others are Maj. Gen. CU Agulanna, Senior Research Fellow, Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Maj.-Gen. F. Yahaya, Military Secretary (Army), as GOC 1 Division and Maj. Gen. AR Bakare, Chief of Army Accounts and Budget.

Similarly, Usman said Brig. Gen. DO Donibo has been posted to Nigerian Army School of Infantry and appointed Director Army Training Support Centre (ATSC).

Brig. Gen. G.A.T. Ochigbano, Acting Military Secretary (Army), Brig. Gen. O.C. Ajunwa, to Nigerian High Commission Brasil, as Defence Adviser, Brig.

Gen. S.T. Shafaru, Commander Engineers, Headquarters Nigerian Army Special Forces Command.

Also affected in the posting are Brig. Gen. B.Y. Baffa, from National Defence College to the Office of the Chief of Army Staff as Chief of Staff, while Brig.-General U.B. Abubakar is now Deputy Military Secretary I. Brig. Gen. E.E. Emekah, from Army War College Nigeria, to 707 Special Forces Brigade as Commander and Col. E.C. Obi-Osang, from Defence Headquarters to Nigerian Army Special Forces Command as Chief of Staff.

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One Killed, Many Injured in Oyo PDP, APC Clash Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Less than two weeks to the general election, political campaigns in Oyo State at the weekend turned bloody as the convoy of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Seyi Makinde, was attacked in Ojoo area of the city, leaving one person injured and a vehicle damaged, while the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) lost one of its supporters in Igboora, Ibarapaland on Saturday evening.

THISDAY gathered that armed thugs laid ambush for Makinde and his team who were returning from Oyo after their campaigns in the council areas in the town.

Also, the APC campaign was in Ibarapaland on Saturday around 5:30 p.m when it was reportedly attacked by gunmen, leaving an Okada mechanic in the area and supporter of the party lying in a pool of blood.

But speaking on the attack, the APC spokesman in the state, Dr. Abdul Azeez Olatunde, accused the opposition PDP of

attempting to kill its governorship candidate, Mr. Bayo Adelabu, who he claimed escaped from the attack by the whiskers.

He said, “The untoward event occurred barely after the APC guber hopeful, Oloye Bayo Adelabu finished addressing a capacity crowd of supporters who were apparently in upbeat mood to receive the candidate and his campaign train in the sleepy town.

“Shortly after the address by the duo of the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the party governorship candidate, Oloye Bayo Adelabu, some stern looking PDP hatchet men were poised to attack the gubernatorial candidate of APC, Bayo Adelabu wielding dangerous weapons as they advanced to his direction to unleash attack on him.”

Olatunde added that it took the proactive efforts of the security men to hurriedly whisk Adelabu away to the nearest vehicle for protection.

Makinde however had earlier through the Director of Media and Publicity of his campaign organisation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, called

on the state Commissioner of Police and the Director of Department of State Services (DSS), to as a matter of urgency, summon an emergency meeting of leaders of all political parties on the current tense security situation in the state., He said the government, which should enforce peace and the Governor Ajimobi, who should be the Chief Security Officer in the state, have abandoned their roles and become partisan.

He said, “Security chiefs must take this advice seriously because thugs of the government party, the APC are getting bolder, more desperate and audacious with each passing day having realised that electoral defeat is imminent.”

Makinde cited the unprovoked attack on his entourage at Ojoo in Akinyele Local Government Area (LGA) three days ago and other previous attacks on the opposition, saying “what is more worrisome is the threat of attacks on harmless supporters who are not necessarily card carrying members of our party but who simply want change and better governance.”

Senator Waku is Dead George Okoh in Makurdi Senator Joseph Kennedy Waku is dead. According to a family Source Senator Waku died yesterday evening at the National Hospital in Abuja after a brief illness.

Born on June 12, 1946, Senator Waku was elected Senator representing Benue North-west district at the National Assembly in 1999, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A native of Waku village in

Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Waku was at the Senate between 1999 and 2003.

Waku will be remembered for his strong opposition to the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

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Lagos Writes British Museum, Demands Return of Stolen Sculpture Gboyega Akinsanmi The Lagos State Government has formally requested to the British Museum in London for the return of an extremely important sculptural wood carving, known in the UK as the Lander Stool.

The state government has equally disclosed its plan to unveil the John K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, a world-class cultural institution, before the end of May, noting that the project “is already 85 per cent completed.”

This was revealed in a statement issued by the state Commissioner

for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.

The statement added that the request was formally delivered at a two-day symposium on emerging museum projects in Africa at the British Museum on Saturday.

Ayorinde said the sculpture was believed “to have been taken from Nigeria in 1830 by one of the earliest known explorers of the interior, Richard Lander, who was instrumental in pioneering colonisation of Nigeria.

“Richard Lander was a celebrated figure in the UK who was given the Royal Geographical

INEC Office in Abia Set Ablaze The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abia Command, Geoffrey Ogbonna, has confirmed the burning down of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Isiala-Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State.

Ogbonna confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Aba yesterday, adding that the fire occurred on Saturday night.

He said information available to the police showed that the fire started from the toilet and extended to the office, where the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were stored.

The police spokesman said that some of the PVCs were already destroyed before the fire was eventually put out yesterday morning.

He said that the number of damaged PVCs had yet to be ascertained.

Ogbonna, who spoke from the scene of the fire, said that the command had commenced an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire.

Speaking further, the Head of Public Affairs of the commission in the state, Mr. Bamidele Oyetunji, said that police had taken over the investigation of the incident.

Oyetunji said that the police were in a better position to find the perpetrators of the dastardly act and that the commission was not suspecting any politician or its member of staff.

Some residents of the area told NAN on the condition of anonymity that the fire might have started in the night but was only noticed on Sunday morning.

It was further learnt that the number of burnt PVCs might not be less than 10,000, considering the heap of the items.

Society Founder’s Medal in 1832, but died of a musket ball wound, shot by inhabitants defending their territory during his final trip through the South-west region.”

At the symposium, the statement said Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki announced the intention of his government “to formally seek the return of some Benin Bronze artefacts from various British museums once it completes its new Royal Museum project.

“Both Lagos and Edo States were joined by Ghana at the colloquium to outline plans for their various new museum projects. Of the three participating entities, only Lagos is ready with the J.K Randle Centre, which has reached 85 per cent completion

stage and is slated for unveiling in May before Governor Ambode leaves office.”

Ayorinde, who represented the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode at the symposium, said the J.K Randle Centre “is a world-class cultural institution that will enable the Yoruba people to reclaim their heritage from a colonial narrative and present for the first time a high standard cultural and resource centre for millions of people in the state.”

He explained that the centre would indeed be a befitting and conducive gallery space, which according to him, could host on a permanent basis some of the Nigerian artefacts expected to be returned from Europe and America.

He noted that the Lander

stool, one of the very first works taken from Nigeria, would form a fitting centre-piece “to this opening exhibition that is expected to take place at the centre, as it represents the very beginning of the colonial story that led to the formation of the Royal Niger Company and ultimately the colonial state of Nigeria.”

According to the commissioner, the Lander Stool is currently in storage in the British Museum and is an important element of the restitution debate.

Prominent academics from around the world have expressed support for the initiative by the Lagos State Government. ANigerian academic at Amherst College in the US and adviser to the J.K Randle project, Prof. Rowland Abiodun

described the Lander Stool as highly significant in the colonial story and of the new Centre.

Abiodun noted that the centre “will not just be a monument.

Rather, it will also serve as a living realisation for posterity, of the fountainhead of the arts, history, thought, philosophy, religion, politics, language, and indeed, the essence of the intellectual tradition of Yoruba people and their descendants globally.”

Similarly, one of the architects on the project, Mr. Seun Oduwole said reclaiming artefacts from the British Museum for the centre would be a significant achievement, noting that this would give Nigerians the opportunity to see their lost history.

PEACE AT LAST...

L-R: Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; National Leader, APC, Bola Tinubu; APC governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; and member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Bayo Osinowo, addressing journalists shortly after the APC leadership meeting at the Government House, Marina...yesterday

SERAP Asks Court to Receives Spare Parts for Radar Operations Compel Fashola to Name NAMA supply modules, control units and payment had already been made nation’s radar facility.

Chinedu Eze “Availability of spares will ensure for all consignments. other critical units.

Defaulting Contractors The NAMA boss also revealed that parts of the radar equipment He explained that they would The Nigerian Airspace Management

Ugo Aliogo

A civil society organisation, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has asked the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), to disclose names and details of contractors and companies that allegedly collected money for electricity projects but failed to execute them starting from the return of democracy in 1999 to 2018.

In a suit number FHC/L/ CS/105/19 filed at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, SERAP is seeking “an order for leave to apply for judicial review and an order of mandamus directing and/or compelling Mr Fashola to provide specific details on the names and whereabouts of the contractors who collected public funds meant for electricity projects but disappeared with the money without executing any projects.

The suit followed SERAP’s Freedom of Information (FoI) request dated January 4, 2019. It was filed on behalf of SERAP by its counsel, Adelanke Aremo.

The organization giving Fashola 14 days to publish “the names of all contractors and companies that have been engaged in the power sector since the return of democracy

in 1999 to date, details of specific projects and the amounts that have been paid to the contractors and companies, details on the level of implementation of electricity projects and their specific locations across the country.”

SERAP in the suit, is seeking: “an order directing and/or compelling the respondent to compile and make available to the applicant documents containing the specific names and details of contractors and companies that have been engaged in the power sector, details of projects, amount that have been paid to the contracts and companies, level of implementation of electricity projects and locations across the country and to publish widely including on a dedicated website, any such information since the return of democracy in 1999 to date.

The organisation also want the court to order the respondent to disclose if there is any ongoing investigation or prosecution of allegedly corrupt contractors and companies in the electricity sector It further asked the court to declare that the minister’s failure to provide the applicant with the required information amounts to a fundamental breach of the FoI Act 2011.

Agency (NAMA) has taken delivery of consignment of critical spare parts for the continuous service and operation of the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON).

The Managing Director of NAMA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, confirmed the development to journalists in Lagos.

Akinkuotu said the consignment, which was cleared at the Apapa Port in Lagos from Thales Group, in France include MES1 1400A power

be used by NAMA engineers to effect repairs on any of the nine TRACON installations across the country for optimal functioning of the system.

Akinkuotu disclosed that apart from the spares already received, another consignment of spares have landed Apapa port and was being presently cleared.

He said other consignments were already being shipped to Nigeria from France, adding that

that TRACON would undergo a total reconditioning process in order to meet the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standard.

He described this process as “a sort of Turn-around-maintenance which is to be carried out by the equipment manufacturer, Thales Group” Akinkuotu noted that the acquisition of spares for TRACON was in line with the agency’s decision to be proactive in maintaining the

will be readily available whenever and wherever they are needed.

“There are some that will immediately be used for replacement while others will be kept in the warehouse, pending when they will be needed,” he added.

Akinkuotu also stated that NAMA engineers had the capacity to undertake the maintenance of the TRACON facility and had always done so in the past.

Adeboye Praises God for Saving Life of Osinbajo Hamid Adedeji The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, yesterday at the Thanksgiving Service of the church, led the church to thank God for saving the life of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in a helicopter crash in Kogi State on Saturday.

He recalled that the word of prophecy came during the church’s Holy Ghost Service on Friday that no matter how hard the enemy would try there would be no mourning in our families this year. ”Would you please join me in thanking God that there is

no mourning in our family this morning,” he invited the congregation at the headquarters at the church at Ebute Metta, Lagos and others who participated from various parishes of the church around the world to pray.

At the February Holy Ghost Service of the church on Friday, he said, “The Lord has asked me to tell someone tonight that it doesn’t matter what the enemy might try there will be no mourning in your family this year.”

He urged the people to cast their votes and ensure the votes are counted before they leave polling centres if the security situation permits.

Earlier, the Pastor’s wife, Folu Adeboye, who is also a pastor of the church, had prayed for peaceful elections during a congregational prayer for all nations. RCCG has a visible presence in 198 countries.

PreachingasermononIsaiah60:1-3, under the theme, “Swimming in Glory 2,” the General Overseer reiterated a message he preached in January, that one can only arise and shine in light or Jesus and not in Satan, who represents darkness.

When he made an altar call for people to come into light, hundreds responded in the old and new auditoriums at the Redemption Camp.

The night’s sermon dwelt on one word from the text, “Arise,” which

he said is not an advice or plea but a command from God for us to move ahead from whatever position we are in.

Taking the various positions one after the otherandwhatthecommand means, he said arise to someone who is dead means come back to live; to someone to who is mentally dead is come back to your right senses; and to someonewhoismateriallyorfinancially dead is be debt-free.

“Arise materially means for loses to be restored,” he continued. “Arise to those who are dead spiritually is to come out of sinful life; arise from physical death, which symbolizes hopelessness is to refuse to lose hope in life.”

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FG: Nigeria Lost $9bn Annually in Agric Sector Victor OgunjeinAdoEkiti The Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has disclosed that the country was losing a staggering sum of $9 billion annually due to poor investment in agriculture before President Muhammadu Buhari came to power in 2015.

The minister said Nigeria was also losing over 240 million metric tonnes of fish production in the world market that could have increased foreign earnings and boost the economy.

The minister spoke yesterday at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, during a lunch organised in his honour by ABUAD’s founder, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).

Lokpobiri stated that due to government’s laxity, many of the country’s agricultural products were being exported to other West African nations and branded in the names of those countries after processing , making Nigeria to lose revenue earnings.

“Before President Buhari came, Nigeria was losing $9 billion revenue earnings annually in agric sector .

“In Nigeria, we are not producing enough fish to feed our population; that is why we are relying heavily on importation.

The deficit between demand and supply was 2.5 million metric tonnes annually; this is about 320 containers . You can imagine the quantum of revenue we lost to low production in this sector alone.

“Knowing that our products were being taken to other West African nations to be processed and rebranded , we introduced certification policy for all our products in order to have right and proper certificates for our products and in order not to affect the Gross Domestic Products(GDP) negatively.

“When I visited Belgium, the Minister of Agriculture told me the country’s annual revenue earning in agric sector was 35 billion Euros. This is a country with less than five million population.

“He further told me that the difference between agriculture in Africa and the West is Technology and innovation. That was why the FG in partnership with the World Bank earmarked a sum of $250 million to train young graduates in agribusiness.

Lokpobiri urged all Nigerian universities to emulate ABUAD’s landmark exploits in farming, describing the university as setting a pace for the country to actualise food security status.

He expressed fear that the country may witness serious famine in future with the projection that its population may hit 250 million by 2030, warning that it is high time governments started planning to checkmate such occurrence.

The minister promised that the federal government will partner ABUAD in the area of agriculture and training of young graduates to boost food production.

He said the 400 -bed Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital

Amaechi Rides on Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge for First Time Sunday Okobi The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, yesterday test-ran the newly acquired train on the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge project from Lagos to Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Amaechi said while inspecting and test running of the LagosIbadan rail project that the standard gauge service would start by February 7, with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo unveiling the ride by February 6.

According to him, “The vice president is expected to flag off the test running of standard gauge rail project on February 6 for passengers use.

“Arrangement was being put in place for passengers to enjoy free train for about two months between February and March.”

The minister added that some coaches would be brought from Warri-Itakpe standard gauge rail for passengers’ use.

He noted that the development would be in addition to the two Coaches on ground LagosAbeokuta presently.

The minister said work was in progress on the various train stations within the numerous corridors.

Amaechi however, noted that he was satisfied with the job done at site, adding that efforts have been in place to expedite level of work between Agabado to Apapa axis of the project.

“The level of work being done would have been faster in Lagos but due to some challenges of right -of- way in the city,” he added.

The minister said that from February 7 passengers going to Abeokuta would enjoy free train

ride from Agabado Lagos station to Abeokuta in Ogun Accordingly, he stated that when the rail project is ready, it will further bring about economy development in the area and Nigeria at large.

Amaechi inspected among others the Bolade -Oshodi, IjuFagba, Ijoko rail tracks to assess the areas for quick laying of tracks.

The minister test-run the train from Kilometre 27 Agbado station Lagos axis to Abeokuta kilometre 79 on the standard gauge.

The Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria, had earlier said the the track laying of the project was moving towards Lagos State as 1.5 kilometres tracks laid everyday towards Lagos State corridor.

Okhiria disclosed this last Wednesday at Ijoko in Ogun, while inspecting the new ongoing project.

“They have done alot in laying of tracks between Abeokuta, Itori, Papalanto, Kajola, Ijoko towards Lagos corridor.

“Within seven days, the track laying will reach Iju towards Agege corridor of Lagos State.

“From here to Iju its 10 kilometres, and we are laying 1.5 kilometres on daily basis and by first week of February we will do a test run to Abeokuta from Lagos.

“All the formations have been put in place to expedite the tracks laying,” he said.

The Managing Director said that from kilometre 41, Kajola to kilometre 79 Abeokuta has been completed adding that the tracks was moving towards Lagos to begin the test run.

has launched the country on the world’s map of medical tourism, describing it as a wasteful effort for any Nigerian to be seeking medical treatment abroad with the facilities in the hospital.

“Our universities must pay attentions to technology and innovation. They must emulate

what ABUAD is doing in agriculture sector, because I wonder what would happen to us in future if we cannot feed just 180m population.

“We are proud to say that ABUAD has become the pride of the nation. It is setting the standard for food security in Nigeria.

“All these accounted for why President Muhammadu Buhari said we must produce what we eat. He reduced taxes in agriculture to attract investors to Nigeria. We are also taking pragmatic steps to increase productivity in the sector,” he said.

On the ABUAD teaching hospital, Lokpobiri said : “The era when people are seeking medical tourism in Dubai, India and USA is gone. Why must you struggle to get visas again when you have ABUTH. The personnel and facilities there are second to none”.

CONSOLIDATING NEW PARTNERSHIP…

L¬R: Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group, Pearl Uzokwe; Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, Bethel Obioma; Chair, Omnia Strategy, Cherie Blair; and Group Managing Director, Sahara Power Group, Kola Adesina, during a meeting on partnership between Sahara Group and Omnia Strategy towards promoting the SDGs in Africa, in Davos, Switzerland…recently

Kogi Probes Deputy Gov Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The feud between the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yayaha Bello and his deputy, Elder Simon Achuba, has deepened as the state government has accused him of collecting bribes from a contractor.

According to the Chief of Staff (CoS) to the state governor, Chief Edward Onoja, an investigation was ongoing into the alleged undue interference of the deputy governor in accepting kick-back from the contractor in charge of the road contract awarded by the government in his area.

Onoja made the allegation over the weekend at a Town Hall meeting of the All Progressive Congress (APC) convened by Mr. John Ibrahim Ocheje, at Onyedega in Ibaji Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

He blamed Achuba for the failure of the government to deliver its mandate for the good people of Ibaji LGA. He noted with disappointment that since the inception of the Fourth Republic the area has continued to give political supports to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) without any benefit to show in terms of infrastructural developments or the elevation of any of their sons or daughters to higher positions in the state.

Recalling his roles in the nomination and the subsequent emergence of Achuba as the Deputy Governor, Onoja revealed that he took many factors in consideration before backing the Ibaji people to produce the deputy governor of the state.

According to him , “Kogi East as a district is under-developed but there are three major LGAs

in the district that suffer most.”

He named Bassa, Ibaji and Olamaboro as the three LGAs, adding that Ibaji is the most neglected area.

“I took position on the Deputy Governor office in favour of Ibaji against all odds,” Onoja said.

He regretted supporting Achuba for the position of the deputy governor.

But in a swift reaction, the Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters to the deputy governor, Hon. Aromeh described the CoS as a sinking man.

According to Aromeh, the comments made by the CoS, clearly portrayed him as a man with the spirit of lying, and wondered why a person in the capacity of the governor’s aide would sit in public to derogate the office of the Deputy Governor by formulating lies all in an

attempt to cover inadequacies of a government .

He added that the CoS was telling the world that the present government has failed, while calling on him to go for a psychiatric test.

“Who was the contractor that alleged that the Deputy Governor collected kick-back. Was it because the Deputy Governor also collected kick-back that Bassa road is not completed. Was it because the Deputy Governor collected kick-back that roads in the Western and Central Senatorial Districts are not done. Was it because the deputy governor collected kick back that made projects ongoing to be inconclusive, and why the government cannot commission a project in three years, while workers and pensioners are not being paid salaries and pension for between 30 and 35 months”.

CONCERNS MOUNT OVER DECISION TO FLY OSINBAJO ON COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER camouflage colour, seen in the video circulating on social media does not belong to the NAF and should not be misrepresented as belonging to the NAF. “Accordingly, the public is advised to disregard such erroneous information and the misleading video.

“The NAF joins the nation in thanking God for sparing the life of our Vice President as well as other passengers and crew members involved in the mishap. We pray for the safety of the Vice President and that all his take-offs will culminate in an equal number of safe landings,” NAF said.

A statement at the weekend said the presidency had ordered a probe into the crash.

In a related development, the vice president yesterday said God’s mercy and the special prayer of protection that the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor

Enoch Adeboye, prayed for him last Friday were responsible for his escape in the helicopter crash.

Osinbajo spoke during the Thanksgiving service, held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) City of Grace Lokoja, Kogi State.

“I was at the Redemption Camp last Friday although I came late, after the vigil, Papa Adeboye called me and asked how the campaign was going and I told him, it was going well. He then prayed for me and specifically said ‘God, you know how dear this my son is to me, please protect him.’

“He said the prayers continuously for more than five times. I believe God must have listened and decided to save my life and those in my entourage,” Osinbajo said.

Osinbajo said he believed that God and Adeboye’s prayers were responsible for his escape last Saturday.

He said that no amount of thanksgiving and praises to God would be enough for saving his

life and nine others in Saturday’s helicopter crash.

“Only God can take the glory for saving his life and that of the nine crew members on board. No amount of thanksgiving and praises to God would be enough for saving my life and nine crew members on board.

“All I have to say is that we are grateful and we are moving to the next level; the Lord will uphold us to the next level and Kogi will be number one,” Osinbajo said.

Earlier, in a live Telecast from the RCCG HQ, Lagos, the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, asked the congregation to rise and give glory to God for saving the life of his son, Osinbajo from a crash.

According to Adeboye, the devil wanted to take the life of Osinbajo, but God has put the devil to shame.

He, therefore, asked the congregation to specially appreciate God on behalf of the vice president and all the crew onboard, for his supernatural protection, saying

Nigeria would not mourn.

In his sermon, entitled, “Carriers of Glory,” Adeboye, said for anybody to carry glory, he must be a true child of God and live a life of holiness.

“Do not to take the glory to yourself because it is not yours, belongs to God,” Adeboye said.

Accord Party Presidential Candidate Demands Probe Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of Accord Party, Reverend Isaac Babatunde Ositelu has called for thorough investigations into the immediate and remote causes of the crash of the helicopter conveying Osinbajo.

While congratulating the vice president and his team as well as the crew of the crashed chopper for escaping unscathed, he said that the circumstances surrounding the crash of the aircraft must be probed and outcome made public in order to ensure that there is no repeat of such accident.

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APC Alleges Plan by PDP to Rig Elections in Sokoto Minister mobilises for Buhari re-election bid Raji Bello and Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State has alleged plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ) in the state to rig the general election scheduled to commence in less than a fortnight.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Bashir Rabe Mani.

This is coming as the Minister of State for Industries, Trade and Investment who also doubles as supervising minister of women Affairs and Development, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, at the weekend

enjoined women and youths in the state to support the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Wamakko is the leader of the APC in the state. The statement said Wamakko who represents Sokoto North senatorial district, made the disclosure yesterday, during the flag off of the campaigns in Gwadabawa and Illela towns, headquarters of Gwabadawa and Illela Local Governments respectively.

According to him, part of the plan was to buy off the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from unsuspecting electorate, especially women across the state.

“There is also such a dastardly

INEC Central Collation Centre Designed for Rigging, Secondus Insist Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has said the central collation centre of the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was designed to rig the forthcoming general election.

Secondus, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Ike Abonyi, raised the alarm during the presidential campaign of the party in Kebbi State, where he alleged that the names of people who will handle the collation are being handed down to INEC whose leadership he said, appeared to be lacking in the strong will to resist the pressure from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him, “the creation of central collation centre by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, is to meet the needs of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the manipulation of the polls.”

Secondus said, “The names being compiled secretly are APC sympathisers as INEC leadership

succumbed to pressure from APC who now know that Nigerians have rejected them.”

The PDP national chairman reiterated his earlier position that Nigerians would not accept a rigged election and would do everything humanly possible to resist the thwarting of the will of the people.

Secondus noted APC is being rejected by Nigerians because they were given the mandate to change the country for good but their three years reign has ended up breeding hunger, poverty and unemployment in an unprecedented manner in the land.

He added, “the candidate we are presenting to you has all it takes to run a solid administration, he has been tested and tried both in private and public sector and he will provide food on your table as well as create jobs for youths of Nigeria.”

The presidential candidates of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said that PDP would ameliorate suffering of the people, create jobs, and end their hunger and insecurity

BPE Wants Strategic Industry Categorisation of ALSCON for Gas Purchase Ndubuisi FrancisinAbuja The Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) has requested the federal government to consider and approve the categorisation of the Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), Ikot Ibasi, Akwa Ibom State under a strategic industry to enable it buy gas at concessionary rather than commercial price to enable the core investor in the company-DHL/ RUSAL recommence production and operate profitably.

The request is coming as ALSCON is set to recommence operations with the BPE and other critical stakeholders of the company reaching a comprehensive resolution on the major teething problem of gas confronting the company.

The BPE stated that as a first step, it was requesting the federal government to consider and approve the categorisation of ALSCON under a strategic

industry to enable it buy gas at a concessionary price as opposed to commercial price to enable the core investor recommence production in order to operate profitably.

The BPE Director General Mr. Alex Okoh, in a statement in Abuja, recalled that following the signing of Addendum No.2 to the Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) on January 17, 2018 at the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD), DHL/RUSAL submitted a road map detailing issues that require urgent resolution prior to the commencement of operations which include but not limited to the issue of gas price and supply.

He said: “Upon the resolution of the gas price and supply issues a new agreement will be signed in line with current realities. It will also take into consideration the trend internationally to allow ALSCON remain competitive in the global aluminium products market.”

move to use some fake eligible voters to mop up all uncollected PVCs, from the various offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission across the 23 Local Governments of the state.

“We are aware of this heinous move and we are therefore calling on eligible voters in the state to be wary of these anti- democratic and unscrupulous elements.

“Husbands and heads of families across the state should therefore be on the look out and make sure that these shylock, failed politicians do not egocentrically disenfranchise their wives as well as household members.

“On the polling days, the electorate should also be vigilant and ensure that only voters who hail from their respective polling units cast their votes in their

various areas.

“On those days, we should also massively cast our votes for APC candidates, at all levels, guard them jealously until the votes are counted and duly declared.” The statement concluded.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Industries, Trade and Investment who also doubles as supervising minister of women Affairs and Development, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, at the weekend enjoined women and youths in Sokoto State to support the reelection bid of President Buhari.

She stated this at the advocacy and sensitisation workshop for 2,000 women on policies and developmental programmes achieved by President Buhari across the 23 local governments areas of the state.

The minister added that the whole idea was to sustain the welfare of Nigerians irrespective of their religious and ethnic background.

According to her, the Buhari administration has done a lot in aspect of youths and women empowerment, adding that the support to various market groups with financial aids and social investment facilities like Trader moni, market moni and Npower as well as the administration’s other achievements in infrastructure, security and anti- corruption make his reelection deserving.

She called on the people of Sokoto to come out in their numbers to vote President Buhari and other APC candidates come February 16, and March 2, 2019.

On her part, the wife of APC

gubernatorial candidate in Sokoto State, Hajia Fatima Aliyu Ahmad, expressed optimism that with the turn- out of APC supporters, the party will emerge victorious in the forthcoming elections.

She urged women to shun thumbs decoration so as to avoid being rejected by card readers on the election day.

Among the dignitaries who attended the event were the representatives of wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Zainab Atiku Bagudu, the wife of APC deputy governorship candidate, Hajia Saratu Farouk Yabo, coordinator Buhari Support Organisation (BSO) Fodio Umar Bello and deputy coordinator women and youths for President Buhari campaign organization, Sha’adatu Yunisa.

FUND-RAISING DINNER…

L-R: Chairman, University of Lagos College of Medicine (CMU) Alumni Association, Dr. Ajibayo Adeyeye; Dr. Yinka Lesi; UNILAG ProChancellor, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN); and CMU Provost, Dr. F.E. Lesi, at the fund-raising dinner organised by the Alumni Association in Lagos..recently

NCC Resolves 92,757 Telecoms Consumer Complaints Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator, yesterday said it has successfully resolved as much as 92,757 complaints from telecoms subscribers within a space of two years.

According to NCC, it received and satisfactorily resolved 92,757 service-related complaints escalated

to it for resolution by aggrieved telecommunications consumers in the past two years.

Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC, Ismail Adedigba, who made the disclosure in a statement detailing consumer protection activities of the Commission that was presented during a consumer awareness campaign held in Niger State recently, said “Between

January 2017 and December 2018, the Commission received a total of 118,784 complaints from consumers, of which 92,757, representing 78 per cent of total complaints received during the two-year period, were successfully resolved to the satisfaction of telecoms consumers.”

Adedigba said 5,010 appreciations were received from some consumers who felt

satisfied after the Commission had successfully resolved their issues for them and therefore decided to formally write and call the Commission to express their gratitude for its interventionist efforts.

He explained that the complaints and appreciations were received through the Commission’s various channels of lodging complaints and interactive engagement platforms.

FG Spends over N727bn on Tertiary Institutions Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The federal government through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has allocated a total of N727,225,862,128.86 worth of investment in critical areas of infrastructure development in Nigerian tertiary institutions, in four years.

The government also said it released N16.8 billion to settle outstanding salary arrears of staff in the country’s tertiary institutions.

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, disclosed this during the Sixth Edition of the Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja.

He said the intervention was for public universities, polytechnics

and colleges of education from 2015 to date.

Adamu noted that the intervention was specifically for physical infrastructure, project maintenance, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) support, entrepreneurship, library development, special high impact projects, research, academic staff training and development among others.

“Our focus for today’s briefing is on federal government’s intervention in critical areas of tertiary education in the life of the Buhari administration in the last four years.

“During the period under review, the federal government through the instrumentality of

the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) allocated a total of N727, 225,862,128.86 billion worth of investment in critical areas of infrastructural development in our tertiary institutions.

“Especially in physical infrastructure, project maintenance, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) support, entrepreneurship, library development and special high impact projects, Academic Staff Training and Development, and Research among others.

According to him, a breakdown of the funding efforts by the federal government indicates that in 2015, each public university, both federal and states, was allocated N337 million.

He said when multiplied by 74

universities that benefited, it gave the total allocation to public universities as N24.93 billion for that year.

“In 2016, each public university was allocated N1billion. Multiplied by 74 institutions, it brings the total allocation to public universities to N74.7 billion for year 2016.

“In 2017, each public university was allocated N659 million multiplied by 74 universities; you have the total allocation to public universities to N48.8 billion for 2017.

“In 2018, each public university in the country was allocated N785.8 million. Multiplied by 74 universities, it gives the total allocation to public universities to N58 billion for year 2018.”

5 ) * 4 % ": t MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019

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NEWSEXTRA

Atiku Pledges Autonomy for LGs Jonathan Eze The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to ensure autonomy for local governments, if elected in the February 16

presidential election.

Atiku made the pledge in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi capital, during his presidential campaign rally.

“If elected on February 16, I will make sure the local governments in our country have autonomy and joint accounts between states and

Forbes Admits Joke Coker into Coaches Council Hamid Adedeji The Chief Executive Officer and Lead Coach of Constellation Coaching Group LLC, Mrs. Joké Coker, was recently admitted into The Forbes Coaches Council, United States.

With this development, Joke Coker has become an official member of Forbes Coaches Council Mrs. Coker was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of her experience.

Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honours.

“We are honoured to welcome Joké Coker(JC) into the community,” Founder of Forbes Councils, Scott Gerber, said.

“Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world,” Gerber added.

As an accepted member of the Council, Joké has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help her and her organisation maintain peak professional influence.

She will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders

in a private forum. Joké will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share her expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com, and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts.

Additionally, Mrs. Coker will benefit from exclusive access to vetted business service partners, membership-branded marketing collateral, and the high-touch support of the Forbes Councils member concierge team.

In her acceptance speech, Coker said “I am grateful to have been invited to such an exclusive group of global leaders in the coaching community. In representing my organisation Constellation Coaching Group LLC and indeed the crop of excellent Coaches in West Africa and around the world; my aim is to propel continued growth in the impact and appreciation of the life changing work being done by the coaching community in general and further cement Constellation Coaching Group’s Leadership position in propelling people and organizations to being their very best – through executive coaching, team coaching and coach training. At Constellation, we truly believe in the human propensity for excellence - that there is brilliance in everyone and it is our privilege to work (both in the USA and Africa) with our clients to help them excel sustainably.”

Quality Education Requires over N2.5trn Annually, Babalakin Insists The Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), has said Nigeria needs over N2.5 trillion annually to provide quality education at all levels.

Babalakin spoke at the weekend at a Fund Raising Dinner organised by the Alumni of the College of Medicine, UNILAG. He was the chairman of the occasion.

The senior lawyer and businessman explained that the government clearly does not have enough resources to adequately fund first- class education and other sources of funding must be explored.

Babalakin said: “The College of Medicine, UNILAG, is a very good product to celebrate. But to keep the flag flying, to maintain the standards, we need substantial funding. Government alone cannot afford to fund education. To have quality education in Nigeria today at all levels, it requires between N2.5t per year. That is close to 50 per cent of total receipts of monies coming to this system, yet we cannot delay the funding of education.

“We cannot give low quality education because there is no money, so we must look at

all sources. We must look at governmental sources, private sources and every other source to achieve the objective of funding a first class educational system.

We have all it takes in terms of personnel and basic infrastructure.

What we require is substantial funding. I look forward to a day when Nigerian universities will be sufficiently robust financially; a day when government funding will only be, at best, an addition.”

Babalakin reminded the guests of the good old days when the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, was one of the top five hospitals in the Commonwealth, which includes England, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Canada.

He said it was possible to have that high quality of education and performance again, if we make it a priority.

His words: “We have done it before and we can do it again.

Between 1972 and 1975, UCH was the 4th to 5th rated hospital in the Commonwealth. So, I don’t want you to place your ambition at the local level. I don’t want you to aim for the roof. Let’s start aiming for the sky. “

local governments will be scrapped.

“I will not allow any governor to take a penny from local governments’ coffers as the money are meant for LGAs and their development,” he said.

He also promised to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths and empower women to start up businesses in order to make the economy more stronger.

“I will also make sure that poverty is chased away and hunger decimated in the country.

“When we do this we are, at the same time strengthening the security of our country and fighting insecurity,” Atiku said.

Earlier, the Director General, PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Bukola Saraki, accused the ruling APC government of failing to deliver on its promises to Nigerians.

“They promised security, employment, and to fight poverty but we still have no security, unemployment is on the increase and hunger is at its highest ebb,”

Saraki claimed.

In his speech, PDP National Chairman, Chief Uche Secondus, said that the party was committed to preserving the unity of Nigeria.

Secondus urged the people of Kebbi to vote massively for PDP candidates at all levels of the elections.

He also advised the electorates to take measures to protect their vote and resist any form of malpractice.

He called on the relevant agencies to put necessary strategies in place to ensure that the elections are free

and fair.

Also speaking, the state Chairman of the party, Alhaji Haruna Saidu, said the mammoth crowd witnessed at the rally was an indication that the PDP would take over the state.

“We have no doubt that with what we have witnessed today, come Feb.16 and March 2, we will sweep all the polls ,” he said.

Saidu commended the party followers for coming out en masse to welcome the PDP presidential candidate and his campaign team.

SAVOURING ENDORSEMENT...

L-R: Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike; Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Harry Banigo; and Special Assistant to the governor on Female Youths, Hon. Soibi Ibibo Jack, after the governor and his deputy were endorsed for second term by female youths at the Obi Wali Cultural Centre in Port Harcourt....yesterday

FCTA Threatens to Sanction Ground Rent Payment Defaulters Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The FCT Administration has called on all property owners in the FCT to pay all outstanding ground rents and sundry bills before the end of February. It warned that defaulters would face full wrath of the law.

The FCT Director of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), Dr. Isa Ibrahim Jalo, issued

this threat over the weekend.

He warned that there are stipulated sanctions spelt out by the law for all defaulters of such payments, including outright revocation of titles.

He also reiterated that payment of ground rents is statutory for all land and property owners within the 8,000 square kilometers of the FCT and must be respected or enforced.

“There is no basis for plot allottees, property owners as well as beneficiaries of the sale of federal government houses in Abuja not to pay their bills because such payments are being used for infrastructural development and provision of services,” Jalo said.

He urged the land owners to take advantage of the one-month grace period, which is from now to the ending of February 2019

to pay all accrued ground rents and sundry bills including arrears or face the consequences, as the government would not fold its arms watching helplessly.

“Failure to clear these outstanding ground rents and sundry bills will attract necessary penalties for default, which may include the revocation of such titles as stipulated in the extant laws,” he added.

Akwa Ibom PDP Sues IG, Others for Harassment, Detention of Members OkonBasseyinUyo The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dragged the Inspector General of Police (IG) to court over constant harassment, intimidation, arrest and detention of PDP members across the state.

In suit no HU/FHR 18/19, filed at the State High Court, Uyo, January 31, 2019, the PDP and 21 other chieftains of the party also joined the State Commissioner of Police and the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The applicants are seeking an order for the enforcement of their fundamental human rights to freedom of expression, movement, peaceful assembly and association as well as personally liberty.

They are also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents, either acting alone or in concert with one another from violating the enjoyment of applicants’ fundamental human rights.

The applicants are equally demanding an order for the respondent jointly and severally to pay the sum of N100 million being

punitive damages for breach of fundamental rights.

In the reliefs sought, the applicants are seeking a declaration that they are entitled to enjoy the rights of peaceful assembly and association, freedom of movement, freedom from discrimination, expression as guaranteed under section 40, 41, 42 and 39 of the 1999 constitution, as amended.

Lead counsel to the applicants, Sam Ikpo, argued that the practice of arresting and detaining the applicants and others by the IG and the state Commissioner of Police on the basis of phantom allegations by the APC amounts to breach of the 1999 constitution as well as the African charter on Human’s and People’s Right Act. Ikpo averred that the APC is using the IGP and the Police Commissioner by way of phantom allegations to instigate the illegal arrest, detention, torture and frame-up members of the PDP with sinister intention of keeping them out of circulation during the electioneering period to secure for themselves undue advantage in the general elections.

“The applicants have received credible intelligence that during the build up to the general election, buses branded as 22nd applicant (PDP) buses, vehicles bearing state government number plates will be loaded with arms and occupied by some criminals, heading to the 3rd respondent (APC) rally.

“On approaching, the buses and their occupants will be arrested and the contents of the buses displayed for all to see a major security breakthrough.

“Additionally, the criminals will mention some 22nd (PDP) applicant top shots as their financiers, necessitating their arrest and subsequent prosecution under the Anti-terrorism Act. “This plot which is hatched and sponsored by the opposition, 3rd respondent (APC), is aimed at arresting and incarcerating our key leaders and keeping them away from circulation throughout the elections.

“In the past few weeks, the leadership of the applicants has been inundated with calls from different parts of the state, where it supporters have been wantonly arrested and incarcerated without any lawful justification.

“In Essien Udim, many of our members have been arrested and detained for over two weeks without being charged to court.

“In Nsit Atai, our members are slammed with grave charges, just to cause the court to deny them bail.

In Nsit Ibom, one of our members was stabbed by a member of the 3rd Respondent (APC) in front of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and till date the assailant has not been called in for questioning and arrested.” Ikpo stated.

The PDP State Chairman, Paul Ekpo in a 23 paragraph affidavit in support of motion, added that having exposed the initial conspiracy, the Respondents subsequently changed their plans to a new one where a brand bus with the image of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as Obong Nsima Ekere and his Deputy; thereafter they will load the bus with about seven imposters.

“That along the road, they will ask about five men to alight the vehicle and spray some with live bullets. The five men will run away leaving behind two men in the bus.

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MONDAYSPORTS

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

CAF CONFED CUP

Rangers in Perfect Group B Start against Salitas Duro Ikhazuagbe One goal in each half secured a perfect start for Rangers International FC in the Group B of the CAF Confederation Cup clash with Salitas FC of Burkina Faso yesterday in Enugu.

Expectedly, it was Godwin Aguda that opened scoring for the host just two minutes into the clash at the Cathedral.

Sawadogo Adama in goal for the Burkinabes had no answer for Aguda’s strike.

That goal was Aguda’s sixth of the competition.

Salitas tried to push for the equalising goal with Iliasse Sawadogo leading the visitors’ attack.

However, the Rangers defence which was led by Senegalese defender Pape Sane stood firm.

Rangers were leading 1-0 at halftime thanks to the midfielder’s early goal.

The hosts continued to attack after the restart and they were awarded a free-kick in a promising area just before the hour-mark.

Isaac Loute then stepped up and scored from the set-piece with a beautiful strike to make it 2-0 for Rangers.

Salitas made two changes in the 68th minute as they looked

to grab at least two late goals to ensure that the game ended in a draw.

Nevertheless, Rangers stood firm at the back in the dying minutes of the match and they ran out 2-0 winners over Otoho.

Tunisian clubs, Etoile du Sahel and CS Sfaxien clashed in the other Group B fixture late last night.

Earlier on Saturday, Nigeria’s other team in continental campaign Lobi Stars lost 1-0 at the same Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu to Moroccan club, Wydad Casablanca.

It was the Makurdi club’s second defeat in Group A of the CAF Champions League. The Solomon Ogbeide coached team had similarly crumbled away to Asec Mimosas of Cote d’lvoire on Match-day two in Abidjan.

Mohamed Nahiri at the weekend netted the winning goal from the spot in the 20th minute blasting past Olufemi Kayode in goal for Lobi Stars.

Kayode however saved another penalty in the 63rd minute, but the hosts were unable to find an equaliser despite piling pressure on the opposition’s defence in the closing stages of the game.

Former Super Eagles forward Babatunde Micheal started the

NPFL…NPFL…NPFL…

MFM FC Climbs to the Summit of Group A MFM FC defeated Wikki Tourists 1-0 yesterday at the Agege Stadium in Lagos to move to the top of Group A of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) The Olukoya Boys who are on nine points from five matches are just one better than Sunshine Stars who are tied on same eight as former leaders Rivers United but the Akure team have better goal difference. Enyimba is fourth while NigerTornadoes are rooted at the bottom of the table.

At the Soccer Temple in Agege, Chijoke Akuneto scored the decisive winner for MFM after he was played through on goal by Mubarak Said.

In Aba, Enyimba outplayed Rivers United 2-0 to return to winning ways. Abdulrahmam Bashir and Wasiu Alalade were the scorers of both goals for the People’s Elephant. The defeat was also the first for Stanley Eguma side who are eyeing continental ticket at the end of the season.

In the South West derby in Akure, Sunshine Stars defeated

NPFL MATCHDAY 6 MFM 1-0 Wikki Enyimba 2-0 Rivers Utd Sunshine 2-1 Remo Stars Katsina Utd 3-1 Tornadoes El-Kanemi 2-1 Yobe Stars Akwa Utd 3-0 Go Round Kano Pillars 3-0 Nasarawa Gombe Utd 0-0 Plateau Utd Heartland 3-2 Kada Stars IfeanyiUbah 1-2 Abia Warriors

Remo Stars 2-1 to climb close to the summit. Fuad Ekelojuojti got the curtain raiser in the second minute, while Bright Akpojuvwevwo leveled scores for Remo Stars three minutes later. But Alaba Adeniji took the game beyond the Sagamu club’s reach in the 57th minute.

Bernard Ogbe’s woes at Niger Tornadoes increased with the 3-1 the team suffered away in Katsina United.

Martins Usule, Tasiu Lawal (brace) netted for Katsina United, with Eric Frimpong scoring Tornadoes only goal of the game.

In NPFL Group B, FC Ifeanyi Ubah unbeaten start to the campaign came to an end after a 2-1 home loss to Abia Warriors in their oriental derby.

Emmanuel Ugwuka put the hosts ahead in the third minute after a sumptuous cross

by Chibuike Eze. Samson Obi equalised for Abia Warriors late in the first half with Shedrack Asiegbu scoring the winner in the 59th minute.

Kano Pillars defeated Nasarawa United 3-0 with Adamu Hassan scoring a brace and Chinedu Sunday scoring the other goal.

In Maiduguri, El-Kanemi Warriors recorded a narrow 2-1 home win against Yobe Desert Stars.

Abubakar Umar and veteran midfielder, Isiaka Olawale got the goals for the home team, while Abdullahi Usman scored for the visitors.

At the Pantami Stadium, Gombe United were held to a barren draw by Plateau United.

game for Wydad but was replaced

by Amin Tighazoui barely 12 minutes from regulation time.

Wydad Casablanca now occupy top spot in the group

with six points from three games, while South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns who defeated Asec 3-1 on Friday sit in second position with the same number

of point but with an inferior goal difference.

Lobi Stars are third on the log with three points, with just one win from three group fixtures.

Their next game is against Wydad Casablanca in the reverse fixture on February 12 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat.

Scorers of Rangers goals, Godwin Aguda (left) and Isaac Loute (right) in a tango with Cedric Badoro of Salitas during their CAF Confederation Cup Group B clash in Enugu

Egbe Tasks NDDC on Sports Infrastructure Sports facility expert, Ebi Egbe, has appealed to Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to extend the good works it is doing in the Niger Delta region to sports.

Egbe, the Chief Executive Officer of Monimichelle, noted at the weekend that sports is an area that impacts directly on the youths, insisting that NDDC’s intervention in the area of sports would curb youth restiveness in the region.

In Egbe’s words: “NDDC has been doing a great job in the area of road construction, provision

of water, health care name it, but the commission needs to pay more attention to sports.

“Sports is an area that impacts on the youths. If they (NDDC) do that, it would curb youth restiveness in the region.

“The Niger Delta region needs to have sports facilities like recreational centres, sports parks and mini stadiums, where the youths can go and hone their sporting skills.

Emphasis needs to shift to the youths and put in place structures that would directly benefit them. It is only when

that is done that there would be security in the area and investors can come in and do business in the oil rich region,” observed Egbe.

He pointed out that a country like South Africa deliberately built a befitting sports arena in the Soweto area of Johannesburg and today that is paying off as several South African sports stars have come out of the Soweto area which was hitherto only known for crime.

He stressed that the Ajegunle area of Lagos, just like the Niger Delta region also need sporting

infrastructure.

“Both the Federal and Lagos State governments need to do the same thing in the Ajegunle area of Lagos. Ajegunle is the home of talents from football to music. Unfortunately, just like in the Niger Delta region, AJ City in Lagos has been neglected.

“Government need to focus on these areas and build sporting infrastructure that would benefit the youths and take them out of crime,” concludes the Monimichelle boss whose turfs are the benchmark in the country at the moment.

Sports Ministry, Edo Govt to Sign MoU on 20th National Sports Festival The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Edo State government today on the 20th National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state.

The event is slated for the Media Centre of the Abuja

National Stadium at 12pm prompt.

According to a statement from the office of the Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, following the award of the hosting rights to Edo State in December 2018, “it is required of the state and the Ministry

to sign an agreement which will spell out the duties and obligations of both parties and advise on the composition of the Main and Local Organising Committees.”

The ministry’s team is to be led by the Youth and Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, while Edo State will be represented

by its Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.

In another development, a meeting of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and officials of the World Anti-Doping Agency WADA holds at the Treasures Suites and Conferences, Centre on Shehu Shagari Way Abuja this morning.

Heritage Bank, Para-Powerlifting Body Task Stakeholders on Healthy Athletes Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Bank Plc, Ifie Sekibo has tasked stakeholders in the sports industry to key into the vision of the bank to help build a generation of healthy and strong athletes as well as set a platform that will continue to create, preserve and transfer wealth and talents across generations.

The MD made the remark at the grand finale of the just concluded 2019 Lagos International Para-Powerlifting Championship hosted by the Lagos State Government.

Sekibo who was represented by the Divisional Head, Corporate Communications of the bank, Fela Ibidapo noted, “At Heritage Bank, we understand the importance of sports as an essential part of education, national development and a unifying factor in our diverse cultural setting.

“Hence, our vision as a generational bank; is one poised to help create, preserve and transfer wealth across generations” in all spectrum of life.”

Nigeria emerged the overall winner of the competition, winning the 20 gold medals

on offer to assert her world dominance in the sport. Team Nigeria also won 15 silver and 7 bronze medals, making a total of 42 medals.

Cote d’ Ivoire and Cameroon also registered their names in the invitational tourney with three bronze medals each, while Ghana went home with two bronze medals.

Other countries that participated in the championship were Guinea, Tanzania and Mali.

Reacting to the athletes performance, National Coach of the Nigeria Para Powerlifting team,

Feyisetan Are, said that he was elated by the athletes performance.

Are said that he did not expect anything less from the athletes, while commending them for doing the country proud.

The coach said that effort would be made by the federation to develop the rising talents who took part in the championship.

“I must say that the future of powerlifting in Nigeria is bright, the upcoming athletes really proved their worth in the championships and we will continue to nurture them to stardom,” he reiterated.

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MONDAYSPORTS

EPL: Rashford Lone Strike Pushes Man Utd to Next Level rMan City hammers Arsenal to close gap with Liverpool Femi Solaja with Agency reports

Manchester’s two top clubs secured vital wins yesterday to consolidate their positions on the English Premier League log.

Manchester United extended their unbeaten run under interim boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to 10 games with a narrow 1-0 victory against Leicester at the King Power Stadium.

The away win no doubt, lifted the club from sixth to fifth position since the interim manager took charge.

Significantly too, it was the fifth consecutive victory for the club for the first time since 2012 under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Marcus Rashford, whose appearance in the game was his 100th cap in Premier league scored his 26th goal against the Foxes. He continued his goalscoring form with the winner in the ninth minute - his 10th goal of the season.

Ricardo Pereira’s poor clearance went straight into the path of Paul Pogba, who lofted the ball towards Rashford, the England striker allowing it to come over his shoulder before taking a neat touch and drilling a low shot past Kasper Schmeichel.

Inconsistency has been the story of Leicester’s season and this defeat came on the back of a well-earned point at Liverpool on Wednesday, but they did have their chances.

Jamie Vardy connected with a bicycle kick after James Maddison’s free-kick bounced off the wall, but fired straight at David de Gea. De Gea also made a diving one-handed save to prevent Rachid Ghezzal’s free-kick

from hitting the top corner of his goal.

United dropped their first points under Solskjaer in a 2-2 draw with Burnley on Tuesday, but boosted their hopes of a top-four spot and Champions League football next season with Sunday’s win.

They move up to fifth, two points behind Chelsea in fourth. Leicester, meanwhile, stays in 11th.

Later yesterday evening, Sergio Aguero’s 14th hat-trick for Manchester City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to only two points after victory over Arsenal at Etihad Stadium.

Aguero - as he did in last week Monday’s shock defeat at Newcastle United - put the reigning champions ahead inside the first minute, but Arsenal swiftly restored equality as Laurent Koscielny escaped poor marking to head home from a corner.

City’s nerves were eased by a magnificent second from Aguero just before the break, rounding off a perfectly constructed move between Ilkay Gundogan and Raheem Sterling with a simple finish at the far post.

Aguero secured City’s win when he bundled in Sterling’s cross after 61 minutes as attention now switches to Liverpool’s visit to West Ham United tonight.

Aguero may be 30 but he shows no signs of losing any of the natural marksmanship that marks him down as world-class and one of the greatest strikers of the Premier League era.

The Argentine has now scored 157 goals in 227

NIGER 2019

Flying Eagles Just One Win Away from World Cup Ticket Following their 2-0 defeat of Burundi on Saturday and an earlier 1-1 draw of Niger Republic and South Africa, Nigeria will automatically move to the semi finals of CAF U-20 Nations Cup if they beat South Africa tomorrow.

The win will also guarantee Nigeria a place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup later this year in Poland.

Nigeria’s U20 squad, seeking an eighth continental title, shot to the top of their pool on the first day of the 21st Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Niger Republic on Saturday with a 2-0 defeat of Burundi, hours after the host nation and South Africa were stalemated at 1-1 in the opening game of the tournament.

The seven-time champions dominated in the first period but had nothing to show for their superior possession and onslaughts.

However, in the 55th minute, Yahaya Nazifi got the Flying Eagles in front, before the lively Effiom Maxwell made it two in the 71st minute.

The top two teams from each group will advance into the semifinals of the competition and also secure qualification for the U-20 World Cup, which will be held in Poland in May and June.

Nigeria has won a record seven U-20 African titles, but before they

can dream of claiming number, Head Coach Aigbogun insists that Flying Eagles must prioritise a place in the World Cup finals.

“We must first plan on earning a ticket to the World Cup finals,” Aigbogun stressed.

“There would definitely be no margin for error in the first two matches. Once we are able to secure maximum points from the first two matches, we would have one leg at the World Cup. “Afterwards, we would then begin to plan for the trophy. Focus and tactics must be for one match at a time. We cannot afford to falter.”

Group B is made up of Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana.

appearances and he was the man Pep Guardiola was able to count on once more as Manchester City maintained the pressure on Liverpool in the title race.

Aguero’s goals were all

close range finishes but City could have no-one better at the sharp end of all their brilliant passing and movement and he could easily have had more.

What is often overlooked is Aguero’s tireless work

ethic, constantly defending from the front - one burst of energy to close down Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno and the Gunners’ defence drawing warm applause from both his manager and the City supporters.

City needed to get the show back on the road after that

Sergio Aguero celebrating his winner for Manchester City against Arsenal... yesterday

LA LIGA: Morata’s Debut Ends in Atletico’s First Defeat in 19 League Games Alvaro Morata’s debut for Atletico Madrid ended in defeat at Real Betis as his side missed the chance to make ground on leaders on Barcelona.

La Liga’s second-placed club could have closed the gap to three

points after Barcelona drew 2-2 with Valencia, but they struggled to break down Betis.

The match was settled by Sergio Canales’ 65th-minute penalty after defender Filipe Luis had handled.

Morata, signed from Chelsea on loan this month, had four efforts on goal.

France World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann went close for the visitors with a second-half strike that came off the post.

This was Atletico’s first loss in the league in 19 games and they remain six points behind Barcelona.

Third-placed Real Madrid could close the gap to Diego Simeone’s side to two points if they defeat Alaves late last night.

Sala Plane Wreckage Found in English Channel Wreckage from plane which disappeared with Cardiff City’s Emiliano Sala and pilot on board has been found in English Channel.

BBC reported late last night in a breaking news that the plane has been found without any elaborate.

It follows a search by two ships off Guernsey on Sunday.

“David Mearns, on behalf of the footballer’s family, confirmed the wreckage was located earlier,” stressed the terse message on the missing plane.

An underwater search for the missing plane carrying footballer Emiliano Sala and his pilot began at the weekend.

Cardiff City’s new signing disappeared with pilot David Ibbotson over the English Channel on 21 January.

The Air Accidents

Investigation Branch (AAIB) said its Geo Ocean III vessel arrived on Sunday morning to the search area.

Together with a privatelyfunded vessel, it is conducting sonar surveys off Guernsey.

The AAIB said its search was expected to last three days, while the private search will continue “until the plane is located”.

Cushions believed to be from the plane were found on a beach near Surtainville, on France’s Cotentin Peninsula, on Monday.

Argentine Sala, 28, and Mr Ibbotson, 59, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, were travelling

from Nantes, where Sala previously played, when the flight was lost.

After Cardiff defeated Bournemouth at the weekend, Neil Warnock felt Emiliano Sala was “with” his Cardiff City team.

Bobby Reid’s two goals saw Warnock’s team secure a 2-0 victory in their first home game since record-signing Sala’s plane disappeared from radar over the English Channel.

Warnock was tearful as he saluted the crowd at the end of an emotional night at the Cardiff City Stadium.

“I’m really proud and I’m

NPFL: Bernad Ogbe Quits Niger Tornadoes Embattled Niger Tornadoes Technical Adviser, Bernard Ogbe, was reported to have quit the post last night.

The veteran coach was handed a five-match ultimatum by the management of Tornadoes but the defeat of the Ikon Allah Boys by Katsina United appears to be the last straw that forced Ogbe out of the job.

Tornadoes sources revealed last night that Ogbe announced the decision to quit after the Nigeria

slip on Tyneside and it was Aguero who gave them the perfect start then lifted them again after Arsenal worked their way back into the game.

The standing ovation Aguero received when he was replaced by Gabriel Jesus with 10 minutes left was richly deserved.

Professional Football League match-day six clash with Katsina United at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium Ogbe only took charge of the club before the start of the current season but poor run of play has kept both management and restive fans on edge.

The veteran tactician was even forced to take refuge in the dressing room in their penultimate home game when he said his life was threatened by angry fans.

Morata (right) was on the losing side with Atletico...yesterday

sure he would have been,” he said.

“Knowing the lad, Emiliano, as I did, I knew he would be with us today.

“I said to the lads ‘We have got to perform’. I thought the whole club was amazing.

“I was really pleased for the chairman, Mehmet (Dalman), and for (chief executive) Ken Choo.

“I was the proudest man to be manager of the whole football club today. The fans were just amazing,” said a tearful Warnock as his players celebrate displaying a shirt with Sala’s picture.

5 ) * 4 % ": t MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019

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MISSILE PDP to APC â&#x20AC;&#x153;For a nation contending with insurgency and banditry, the involvement of mercenaries from neighbouring countries in the APC rally must be condemned by all and sundry. This is particularly against the backdrop of claims by Buhari that killer herdsmen ravaging our nation are mercenaries who are infiltrating from the Sahel regionâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; PDP accusing the ruling APC of intention to import more foreign nationals into the country to influence the presidential election.

MAGNUSONYIBE GUEST COLUMNIST

Corruption as a Peculiar Mess Besetting Nigerian Politics

A

famous unlettered lbadan politician is associated with part of the title of this article when he famously pronounced the term Peculiar Mess as PENKELEMES. But that parody is not the focus of this piece which is aimed at identifying and advising against allowing allegations and counter allegations of corruption against the APC and PDP presidential candidates seize the political atmosphere.

As the 2019 February 16 commencement date for the general election in Nigeria draws nearer, the political atmosphere has expectedly become very charged with political activities.

Unfortunately, the prevailing political tension which is fast approaching boiling point is not for the reason of superlative debates over the new strategies of how to pull the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ailing economy out of the doldrums (there were flashes of that in the incumbent Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Vice Presidential candidate, Peter Obi debate), but other than that, it has been all about who is more corrupt between the main challenger for the presidency in 2019-former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari.

Ideally the talking points that should have been dominating public discussions between both presidential candidates and their supporters ought to be about who has the superior manifesto to lift the greater number of Nigerians out of their current misery as the Chinese leader, Deng Xiaoping did about four decades ago resulting in China an erstwhile communist economy overtaking Japan as the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second largest economy through his Four Modernisations (development agenda) of focusing on agriculture, industry, national defence and science and technology; or as the iconic leader, Lee Kuan Yew did in Singapore by moving the small island country from third world to first world in one generation by introducing reform policies (that were unpopular but beneficial to the people) while enjoying support from them and better still; how Sheik Mohamed Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of UAE and ruler of Dubai, turned the hitherto quaint desert island whose mainstay was boat building only 40 years ago, into the Paris, London and New York wrapped into one in the Arab world.

But disappointingly, what has dominated the dialogue between President Muhammadu Buhari and his closest rival, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been about who is more corrupt.

Leveraging on some unsavory comments by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, OBJ against his deputy for eight years-Atiku Abubakar, during a nasty spat arising from the former presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s determination to ensure that his deputy does not succeed him as president in 2007, he stated that Abubakar was being investigated at that time for corruption in the USA owing to his association with Halliburton and Siemens oil/gas service firms, hence he decided not to support his bid for the presidency.

As to be expected, that character assassination or negative character testimony by OBJ in 2007 against Atiku Abubakar has become a powerful weapon that the ruling party, APC is currently cleverly wielding as a weapon to assail him about 11 years after.

Although the USA investigation has been concluded without indicting Atiku Abubakar, while Siemens (a co-accused firm) and William Jefferson a former USA congressman were held culpable, the ruling party, APC whose candidate, President Buhari, got catapulted into Aso Rock Villa in 2015 (on the strength of his purported uprightness) has been making a song and dance of the corruption slur against the PDP candidate by his former boss, OBJ. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s despite the fact that the corruption allegation is a phantom and has been resolved

Buhari

in favor of Atiku Abubakar.

The truth is that like a husband who felt betrayed by his wife, during a public quarrel and calls her a prostitute, the tagging of Atiku Abubakar with the toga of corruption, a little over 10 years ago by OBJ in the course of a public spat has remained like an albatross because APC keeps invoking it.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clearly a case of mob justice whereby an enemy starts shouting thief, thief in a market square while pointing fingers at an enemy with the intention of getting a mob to lynch the victim without caring to know if the person is guilty or not.

The situation is even made worse because his accusers know the truth as the corruption allegation has proven to be a mere accusation made in a feat of anger by OBJ which has no factual value or basis in truth as no court of law in Nigeria or elsewhere in the world has ever convicted the PDP presidential candidate.

Latching on to that wicked and false allegation, APC National leader and erstwhile Atiku ally, Bola Tinubu as well as the chairman of the ruling party, Adams Oshiomhole have knowingly been leading the vanguard of those calling out the PDP presidential candidate for corruption, which they are aware is false but calculated to bring the PDP presidential candidate to disrepute in the eyes of the electorate. I wish more Nigerians would understand that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all politics and most politicians believe that in politics, blackmail is a legitimate weapon.

So invariably, the duo of APC national leader and chairman have been playing on the intelligence of some Nigerians who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the ability or capacity to sift lies from the truth.

As such, like a re-enactment of the kindergarten fairy tale, Snow White in the story of the seven dwarfs whereby any time the evil queen is seeking a victim to slay, she stares into the wall mirror and exclaims â&#x20AC;&#x153;mirror mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them allâ&#x20AC;?, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has been appearing like a fair game for APC to throw their wicked darts of false corruption allegation .

But recently, the Atiku Abubakar camp has countered by raking up muck to also besmear Buhari, the APC candidate and incumbent president who had been basking in the glory of being Mr Integrity.

It may also be recalled that the APC National leader, Tinubu, had been dragged in the mud on account of corruption. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when a television documentary allegedly sponsored by the PDP and titled the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lion of Bourdillonâ&#x20AC;? in which monumental fraud and corruption allegations were heaped against the former Lagos State governor (1999-2007), which he has denied.

Similarly, the current Chairman of the APC and

immediate past Governor of Edo State has also been documented in a scandalous online video detailing assets which he allegedly acquired with proceeds of corruption perpetrated during his tenure as governor and for which he has been charged to court.

So labelling Atiku Abubakar as corrupt is tantamount to the pot calling the kettle black.

But most significantly, Atiku Abubakar has been cleared of corruption charges by both the highest level of Nigerian courts and American judicial system while his most vociferous critics are yet to discharge themselves of the allegations in any competent court of law.

What a demonstration of righteous indignation!

Arising from the above, where is the moral justification for those who are yet to be cleared by the courts of corruption charges to be tarnishing the image of the PDP presidential candidate who the courts have adjudged to be without blemish?

Remarkably, the current counter attack against the APC and President Buhari came via a former close ally of President Buhari, Buba Galadima, who was the secretary of CPC, Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political platform before the merger with ACN and four other political parties to form the APC. Galadima, an insider who has fallen out with President Buhari has been literarily spilling the beans on his former ally in the bid to rubbish the Mr. Integrity myth.

In an explosive Channels Television interview, he stated that Daura, President Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home town which was rustic before he ascended the throne in Aso Rock Villa, now boasts of a skyline with fantastic real estate properties that would make a first time visitor feel like he/she was in Dubai. Continuing, Galadima revealed that the transformed landscape with magnificent buildings in Daura is courtesy of political patronage of the family and friends of President Buhari bordering on corruption.

Just as the dust raised by Galadimaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s puncturing of President Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legendary integrity/ego was yet to settle, PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, himself made an allegation equivalent to a bombshell in a press statement accusing President Buhari of abuse of office.

This time, President Buhari and family are being directly accused of involvement and being beneficiaries in the sale and purchase of Keystone Bank and Etisalat telecommunications firm recently seized and sold by govt under his watch.

In order words, President Buhari has been alleged to have sold a bank and GSM firm to himself and family members.

If the weighty accusation is true, then the Mr. Integrityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s image has been badly dented and his cult like personality demystified as well as irreparably damaged. This is so because although there has been allegations of corruption swirling around present players in the inner circles of President Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cabal or kitchen cabinet , there had never been any accusation more directly linked to Mr. President.

Obviously, the whole world is holding their breath for a response from Aso Rock Villa as Mr. President rightly pointed out that the world was watching when he was recently heckled during his budget presentation to the National Assembly.

So President Buhari owes the nation and indeed the whole world the moral obligation to without equivocation clear the air to protect his oft advertised unblemished and superb integrity.

Given that President Buhari who flagged off his 2019 campaign in Uyo stadium recently must have been preoccupied, it is likely that his response would follow this week as such a grave allegation of corruption against a seating president whose number one item on a three point development agenda is war against corruption

can not be ignored.

Dwelling on the issue of development, can Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development agenda consisting of war against corruption, war against insurgency/ terrorism and stabilisation of the economy be compared to the Chinese development agenda â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Four Modernisationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; - which are goals first set forth by Deng Xiaoping to strengthen the fields of agriculture, industry, national defense, and science and technology in China.

It is important to stress that it is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Four Modernisationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; policy that has catapulted China into the enviable position of the second largest economy in the world in about three decades just as it is lack of dynamic vision that is the reason Nigeria has retrogressed progressively since independence and particularly in the past three and half years?

In plain language, the difference between the highly successful Chinese development agenda and Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s can be found in the setting of the correct and forward looking agenda by the former as opposed to dwelling on the past, by the latter.

I will be addressing the reason APCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three point development agenda can only drag Nigeria into further economic abyss in a future intervention.

In the meantime, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shift focus back to the unfortunate situation of allowing corruption issues instead of how to harness the vast agricultural and solid minerals potentials of our great country, dominate the current political dialogue leading up to election 2019.

Somehow, the accusation of President Buhari selling a bank and telecoms firms bailed out by govt on account of their insolvency to himself, if proven to be true, would be a throw back to the sordid event of discovering that an underage son of late Tunde Idiagbon, the fearsome secondin-command to General Muhammadu Buhari in his first incarnation as military head of state (1983-85) attended hajj in Mecca when the rule was that under age children would not attend hajj.

It is also reminiscent of the scandalous allegation that HRH Mustafa Jokolo, the Emir of Gwandu, then Aide De Camp, ADC to the military head of state, General Buhari was caught with 53 suite cases of currencies being smuggled into Nigerian after the change of Nigerian currency-a drastic and dramatic measure taken during Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reign to stamp out currency smuggling and racketeering which was rife at that time.

To the chagrin and consternation of most Nigerians, it was appalling, and mendacious that while most of them lost their money when they failed to meet the switch over deadline, some 53 suit cases of the former currency was allowed to be brought into the country by no less a personality than the ADC to the military head of state, Buhari and thus validating the belief that his boss must have been privy to the transaction. If the allegation that incumbent president sold govt assets to himself is found to be true, would such attitude of double standard

by President Buhari, first observed during his first tour of duty as head of state 1983-5, now repeating itself over 30 years after not indicate that our president may have a pattern of exhibiting and reinforcing the wily principle â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do as l say, not as l doâ&#x20AC;??

How about the allegedly missing $12m oil windfall when President Buhari held sway as commissioner in charge of petroleum during Olusegun Obasanjoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s watch as military head of state? That too has remained a mystery as it was never adjudicated upon in any court of law and therefore a blithe on President Buhari. r .BHOVT 0OZJCF B EFWFMPQNFOU TUSBUFHJTU BMVNOVT PG 'MFUDIFS 4DIPPM PG -BX BOE %JQMPNBDZ 5VGUT 6OJWFSTJUZ .BTTBDIVTFUUT 64" BOE B GPSNFS $PNNJTTJPOFS JO %FMUB 4UBUF TFOU UIJT QJFDF GSPN "CVKB

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