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Assets in CBN’s National Collateral Registry Hits N1.561tn Obinna Chima A cumulative of 154,827 micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) have used movable assets valued at N1.561 trillion to obtain loans from financial institutions since the National

Collateral Register (NCR) was passed into law, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.

The latest NCR report obtained by THISDAY showed that a breakdown of the amount recorded between January 1, 2017 and December 19, 2018, put the

value of the assets at N1.209 trillion; $1,142, 389,799.12 (N349,571,278,530.72) and €6,080,004.36 (N2,121,921,521.64).

In pursuant of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) mandate on sustainable economic inclusive growth

and financial inclusion, the apex bank in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) had established the NCR. The NCR is a financial infrastructure that seeks to deepen credit delivery to MSMEs through enhanced

are registered after being used as collateral to obtain facilities from financial institutions.

NCR allows lenders to assess their priority interest in potential claims against particular collateral.

acceptability of movable assets - equipment, machinery, vehicles, Keke - NAPEP, crops, livestock, account receivables, inventories, and jewelry - as collateral for loans by financial institutions.

It is a registry where security interests in moveable assets

Continued on page 6

NDLEA: Impounded Drugs at MMIA Increased by 400% ... Page 8 Thursday 7 February, 2019 Vol 24. No 8705. Price: N250

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Massive Shakeup in Police, IG Redeploys over 50 Officers Tinubu’s ex-CSO moves to Kwara as CP PDP protests, says APC wants to oust Saraki at all cost Adedayo Akinwale, Udora Orizu in Abuja and Hamid Adedeji in Lagos A wave of redeployments yesterday hit the police hierarchy as the acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, approved the transfer of over 50 senior officers less than

10 days to the presidential election scheduled for February 16.

Although a statement by the spokesperson of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, said the postings were approved by the commission following Continued on page 6

Buhari Promises to Re-invest Recovered Loots in Infrastructure George Okoh in Makurdi President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday promised to invest all looted funds to improve the nation’s infrastructure, assuring that he would also provide security to ensure peaceful elections in Benue State and other troubled parts of the country.

Speaking in Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi, the Benue State capital, in continuation of his nationwide presidential campaign, Buhari said he would remain consistent in the war against corruption.

He recalled that when he went to the state in 2014 to Continued on page 8

APC Has No Candidates in Rivers State, INEC Insists… Page 6

EXPANDING BANKING FRONTIER… L-R: President, Republic of Mali, Mr. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita; Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu; and Mali’s Prime Minister, Mr. Soumeilou Boubeye Maiga, during the launch of UBA Mali, the 20th subsidiary of the Pan African Bank in Africa, in Bamako…recently

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APC Has No Candidates in Rivers State, INEC Insists Appeal Court grants second stay of execution PDP urges electoral body to extend time for PVC collection Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja There is no reprieve for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted that it has not reversed its decision that the party has no candidates in the impending general election in the state.

INEC’s declaration coincided with another decision yesterday by the same Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt granting stay of execution on the judgment of the Federal High Court barring the commission from listing candidates of the APC in the state on the ballot in the coming general election.

This came as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appealed to INEC for extension of time by three days for collection of Permanent Voters Card (PVCs).

The Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt had on Monday ordered a stay of execution of the Federal High Court’s ruling, which barred the APC from fielding candidates in the forthcoming general election in Rivers State.

Following the appeal filed by the APC in the state for stay of execution of the judgment of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice Kolawole Omotosho, the appeal court granted one of its prayers: stay

of execution of the judgment.

In his ruling, Justice Mohammed Mustapha stated that all parties affected by Justice Omotosho’s judgment have appealed it, saying it would be unjust not to grant the application to stay execution of the ruling.

However, addressing journalists at an interactive session yesterday in Abuja, the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Festus Okoye, said the electoral body had taken decisions on Rivers State APC. According to him, “What the commission has done is that it has taken a position in relation to the issue of Rivers.

If anything changes we will meet as a commission and also take a decision. ‘’But we have taken a decision relating to the issue of Rivers and if anything changes before we take our final decision, the commission will meet and also take a decision; but we have not taken any other decision and we have not repealed our position on the issue of Rivers.”

While commenting on the INEC office that was burnt in Abia State, Okoye said the commission expected Nigerians to be more outraged with what happened in the state.

He stressed that the commission would not be intimidated with the kind of “heartless act’’ rather it

would be motivated to do what is right.

Also, the commission said that while it had signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with transport unions for the movement of electoral materials on Election Day, it would not enter into agreement with any transport unions with leadership crisis.

The commission added that simultaneous accreditation and voting adopted by the commission and kicked against by opposition political parties, was meant for the Nigerian people, saying that they are happy about it.

He noted that with 73 political parties on the ballot, it was inoperative that the continuous accreditation and voting is adopted.

Okoye also revealed that different zonal stores, states and local government offices of the commission are presently taking deliveryº of non-sensitive materials for the conduct of the elections, while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is taking delivery of sensitive materials.

Appeal Court Grants Second Stay of Execution against Delisting Rivers APC Candidates from Ele-ctions However, the same Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt yesterday granted another

order of stay of execution on the judgment of the Federal High Court barring INEC from listing candidates of the APC in Rivers State on the ballot in the coming general election.

The stay of execution this time was given in the case between the PDP and APC. The three-man panel Appeal Court led by Justice Ali Gumel said the decision yesterday was informed by urgency of the matter, just as it rejected the application by Ferdinand Obi (SAN), counsel to the PDP, asking the judges to recuse themselves from the matter.

The court insisted it would continue to hear the case since the President of the Court of Appeal was yet to respond to same request on discontinuity in a letter written by the PDP on the matter.

The Appeal Court however granted the desire of the PDP counsel to withdraw from the matter on grounds that further participation in the case would be of no benefit to his client.

The court fixed February 13 to hear pending motions on the matter after hearing applications in three appeals arising from the matter for which the PDP went to court asking that APC should not present candidates in the coming elections.

The court also adjourned to today (Thursday) for ruling on the application brought by the All Progressives Grand Alliance to be joined in the

case between Tonye Cole and Senator Magnus Abe. Reacting to yesterday’s ruling, the Cole/Giadom Campaign Organisation of the APC described it as a victory for democracy.

A statement issued by the spokesman of the organisation, Ogbonna Nwuke, quoted the APC flag bearer, Pastor Tonye Cole, as saying that although the wheels of justice grind slowly, it grants reprieve to all who come to equity with clean hands.

He said that the outcome of the decisions so far issued by the court has proved that that the cases filed by the APC against the previous rulings of the lower courts were indeed competent.

"We are pleased that a sense of justice has prevailed in righting a clear injustice designed at depriving an electorate of the freedom to choose whoever they desire to lead them," Cole pointed out.

were appointed acting commissioners and deployed in two state commands.

With the development, Lagos now has a new police boss, Mr. Mu’azu Zubairu, who will now take over from Edgal The other commissioners are: “Buba Sanusi, Katsina State; Mohammed Wakili, Kano State; Rabiu Ladodo, Jigawa State; Ahmed Iliyasu, Ogun State; Mu’azu Zubairu, Lagos State; Ibrahim Sabo, Niger State; Alkassam Sanusi, Taraba State; Garba M. Mukaddas, Adamawa State; Omololu Bishi, Benue State;

Bola Longe, Nassarawa State; Isaac Akinmoyede, Plateau State; Odumosu Hakeem, Edo State; Olushola David, Bayelsa State; Adeleke Yinka, Delta State; Austin Iwero Agbonlahor, Cross Rivers State; Bashir Makama, Akwa Ibom State; Awosola Awotunde, Ebonyi State; Belel Usman, Rivers State; Bello Makwashi, Gombe State and Abdulrahman Ahmed, Kaduna State.”

Others are: “Bala Ciroma, FCT; Egbetokun Kayode, Kwara State; Hakeem Busari, Kogi State; Asuquo Amba, Ekiti state;

PDP Urges INEC to Extend Time for PVCs Collection

Meanwhile, the main opposition party, the PDP, has urged the leadership of INEC to extend the collection of PVCs by three days.

In a statement yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party said

information available at his disposal showed that the ruling APC had planned to use the uncollected PVCs to allocate votes to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The party said the demand of three days extension was predicated on reports across the country that some compromised INEC officials at the collection centres are deliberately refusing to issue the PVCs to voters thereby frustrating millions of registered voters from getting their voters cards.

According to him, “The PDP believes that this deliberate refusal to release the PVCs is part of the wider plot by the APC to disenfranchise millions of Nigerians and frustrate their eagerness to vote out President Buhari at the February 16 presidential election and elect the peoples candidate, Atiku Abubakar.”

The party, therefore, demanded explanation from INEC for turning back registered voters who went to collect their PVCs and directed them to come at a later date for an exercise that is programmed to end on Friday.

It also called on the leadership of INEC not to plunge the election into a needless controversy but to redeem itself by extending the closing date for the collection of PVCs by three days.

MASSIVE SHAKEUP IN POLICE, IG REDEPLOYS OVER 50 OFFICERS recent promotions in the force, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) raised serious doubts about the motive of the exercise, contending that it was aimed at using the police to manipulate the impending general election.

However, a statement by Force Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, said the deployments were made following the decoration of newly promoted officers within the ranks of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) and Commissioner of Police (CP).

One of the postings

that became immediately controversial yesterday was the promotion and posting of Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, former chief security officer (CSO) to Senator Bola Tinubu while he was governor of Lagos State.

Egbetokun had earlier been redeployed to take over from Mr. Imohimi Edgal as Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command last year by the former police boss, Mr. Ibrahim Idris. But the retirement of Idris put paid to that as the new boss, Adamu halted the handover process that had begun.

Now, Egbetokun has been moved to Kwara State Command as CP, sparking a wave of protest from the PDP, which alleged yesterday that it was a ploy to oust Senate President Bukola Saraki, from his dominance of the state’s politics.

Mba had in a statement reeled out a long list of deployments involving the newly decorated senior officers yesterday.

In all, 18 AIGs got new postings while 35 CPs were deployed in the state commands.

Two deputy commissioners

Galadanchi Dasuki, Imo State; Suleiman Balarabe, Enugu State; Dandaura Mustapha, Anambra State; Etim Ene Okon, Abia State; Ibrahim Kaoje, Sokoto State; Celestine Okoye, Zamfara State; Garba Danjuma, Kebbi State; Abiodun Ige, Osun State; Undie Adie, Ondo State; Olukolu Shina, Oyo State; Ali Janga, Bauchi State; Damian Chukwu, Bornu State and Sumonu Abdulmalik, Yobe State.”

Continued on page 8

ASSETS IN CBN’S NATIONAL COLLATERAL REGISTRY HITS N1.561TN The objective, it was learnt, is to enhance financial inclusion in Nigeria, stimulate responsible lending to MSMEs, facilitate access to credit secured with movable assets, perfect security interests in movable assets, facilitate realisation of security interests in movable asset.

The key deliverable of the registry is to promote the acceptance of movable asset as collaterals for loans and contribute to economic growth and development of the country.

It was signed into law in 2017 by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during the period he acted as president.

Continuing, the report revealed that of the 154,827 MSMEs that used their movable assets to obtain loans from financial institutions, 22,251 were female-owned

MSMEs. It said, “Considerable number of borrowers secured credit from financial institutions in 2018 using their movable assets as collateral.

The high number of borrowers that secured credit in 2017 is attributable to the high participation of smallholder farmers under the CBN Anchor Borrower’s Programme using cross-guarantee as collateral.

“During the year under review, there was an upsurge of lending using movable assets as collateral. This is attributable to the increase in the number of microfinance banks on the NCR portal as well as increased participation of deposit money banks and non-bank financial institutions.

Out of the total amount of N1,209,381,006,933. 90, a sum of N43,618,262,792.17 went to female MSMEs.”

In addition, the report showed that a cumulative of 16,349 searches were conducted by both financial institutions and the public on the NCR portal.

Also, there was an upsurge of searches conducted by financial institutions in 2018 due to their increased participation in the movable asset lending regime and continuous sensitisation to the users to ensure they conduct searches to determine the level of encumbrances before undertaking any financial transaction.

Commenting on the milestone recorded in 2018, the report pointed out that during the year, 411 microfinance banks registered on the NCR portal as a result of intensive sensitisation campaign on the operations of the register carried out across the six geo-

political zones of the country as well as other collaborative strategic enlightenment programmes.

“During the period under review, the number of financial institutions that registered on the National Collateral Registry portal increased by 343 per cent, when compared with the 2017 figure which was 103 financial institutions.

This was the result of the various aggressive education and awareness campaign on secured transactions in moveable assets conducted under the National Action Plan.

“Also, during the period under review, the number of registered financial institutions that registered financing statements on the NCR portal increased by 89 per cent when compared with the 2017 figure which

was 36 financial institutions.

This was the result of the various aggressive education and awareness campaign on secured transactions in moveable assets conducted under the National Action Plan,” it stated.

Some of the challenges faced included paucity of funds for sensitising the judiciary and Nigeria police on the legal implications of the STMA Act, 2017; the need for a driver to move NCR staff to strategic meetings and answer to financial institutions complaints where necessary considering the present location of the office; and low usage of the Collateral Registry System especially bank and reluctance of financial service providers to appreciate the benefits of Asset-Based Lending, among others.

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NGN NGN 0.13 1.50 0.02 0.24 0.03 0.42 0.04 0.70 0.40 7.40 NGN 0.60 6.20 0.02 0.21 0.02 0.29 LIVESTOCK 0.03 0.50 SUNUASSURE 0.01 0.20 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,460.00 Volume: 359.091 million shares Value: N4.828 billion Deals: 3,319 As at yesterday 6 /2/19 See details on Page 39

% 9.4 9.0 7.6 6.0 5.7 % 8.8 8.7 6.4 5.6 4.7

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NDLEA: Impounded Drugs at MMIA Increased by 400% Chinedu Eze The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it impounded a total of 5,377.125kilogrammes of drugs at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, in 2018, representing over 400 per cent increase from the 1,266.400 kilogrammes of drugs the agency impounded in 2017.

According to the agency, the quantity of drugs impounded quadrupled in 2018 as a result of the significant increase in the number of tramadol seized at the Lagos airport.

NDLEA said majority of the drugs were destined to Nigeria, South Africa, Indonesia, Congo DRC, India, Mozambique, Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

The MMIA Commandant, Mr. Ahmadu Garba, told journalists yesterday at the airport that the agency was able to record such tremendous feat as a result of the trainings acquired by the officials of NDLEA to identify suspects, cooperation of airlines and significant increase in the number of tramadol seized at the airport “We were able to make this huge success in 2018 as a result of the cooperation by

Chairman NDLEA, Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah foreign airlines. Every year, we look at the airlines with the highest number of people

that are arrested and liaise with them on how to address issue of drug trafficking.

“30.14 per cent of the suspected drug couriers arrested during the year were coming into Nigeria and the remaining 69.89 per cent were destined to different countries of the world with 13.70 per cent of them going to South Africa, which has the highest numbers,” Garba said.

He explained that out of the total number of 5,377.125 kilogrammes seized by the agency, 5002.900 were tramadol, representing 93.04 per cent.

He said other drugs seized include cocaine,

heroin, cannabis sativa, methamphetamine, ephedrine, psychotropic substance and dummy, adding that 25 people were convicted.

He further explained that during the period under review, seventy-nine males and one female, making a total of 80 Nigerians were deported for drug-related offences as against 139 deported in 2017, showing a decrease of 42.45 per cent.

“Most of the drug deportees came from South Africa 30 per cent, Thailand 23.75 per cent, United States of America (USA) 12.50 per cent and Ethiopia 10 per

cent,” Garba said.

However, he noted that drug couriers have continued to deploy new tactics in packaging the drugs to avoid suspicion by officials at the airport.

The illegal mode of taking these drugs out of the country include the use of false bottom, electronics, stocking them inside food stuff and most recently the usage of starched cloths.

The drug couriers starch the cloths together with the drugs and if they are successful, they are able to detach the drugs from the starched cloths after processing them

Agbaje Pledges to Spend 50% of Lagos Budget on Education Funmi Ogundare The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, yesterday pledged to overhaul the state’s education system, promising to devote 50 per cent of its annual budget to the sector.

Agbaje spoke while delivering a paper entitled: ‘The Transformation of Lagos: Education as Anchor, The Big Idea,’ at the Lagos Business School in Lagos and said his vision for Lagos is anchored on an education driven economy.

He told his audience: “I will

as governor of Lagos State, if necessary, be prepared to spend as much as 50 per cent of our annual budget on education, education ecosystem and education value chain.”

He said he would bet the future of the state on an elaborate education and skills development value proposition, adding that he would create an education driven economy.

Agbaje said he was prepared to commit, subject to the state’s absorptive capacity, up to N500billion to establish and recalibrate its educational ecosystem and its related

value chain in our his first year in office, and strive for a minimum of 45 per cent of total annual budget thereafter.

The PDP candidate explained that he would achieve the 50 per cent mark by getting all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to allocate substantial portions of their budgets towards the education ecosystem and value chain, adding that schools, other education institutions and skills development centres would be made the “heart of every community in the 20 local government areas.”

He said within the first six

months of his administration, he would rehabilitate all the 1,700 existing state schools, “through open tending process driven by a block chain procurement system to aid the selection of a myriad of vendors, which will include larger companies that must work with SMEs within the framework of a youth and women engagement programme.”

He emphasised that rehabilitation would include borehole facilities for water, power generators for electricity supply and internet access for digital connectivity in every school.

Agbaje said his government would also pay additional allowances and fresh privileges to teachers to encourage the right people into the teaching profession.

He said his administration would locate, as much as possible, primary health care centres near the premises of every primary school, which would be manned by qualified doctors and nurses, serving as neighbourhood clinics to deal with basic ailments.

Agbaje said he believed the pursuit of education and skills development could provide the anchor on which every other activity of government

and the private sector could latch on to create what is described as an education economy.

“I will invest massively in the ecosystem that surrounds education, its infrastructure and facilities requirements, including the value chain of activities of that deliver and facilitate it. This will include massive investment in engineering and information technology,” he said.

He added: “We do not have a choice. Lagos State’s education focus will be significantly about technology.

We will partner the best providers globally.”

with plans by the presidency and the APC to effect a mass deployment of top security officers, particularly the police, to “intimidate, harass and manhandle’’ Nigerians that will not support the self-succession bid of Buhari, as well as aiding APC thugs to snatch ballot boxes and orchestrate violence in the elections.

Ologbondiyan noted, “It is necessary to state that the PDP is a party of peace and we are committed to the peace accord.

However, the deployment of the Kayode Egbetokun as Kwara CP directly negates the principle of the peace accord and can only hurt the fragile peace that currently exists in Kwara State.

“We wish to remind the acting Inspector General, Mohammed Adamu, that his acceptability among Nigerians across party line was based on the pedigree, which was presented to Nigerians before his appointment,” he said.

On its part, CUPP said that it had received credible intelligence that police posting for the purpose of providing election security has been compromised by the police hierarchy in favour of the ruling APC. The spokesperson for CUPP, Mr. Imo Ugochinyere, in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday said that designated members of the ruling party have been requested to make their choice of Commissioners, Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, SARS Commanders, Rapid Response Squad Commanders, MOPOL Commanders and other strategic positions in the police force.

According to him, "The manipulation includes asking selected and designated leaders of APC to choose the officers that will work with them. This manipulated posting of police officers in line with the choices of politicians

of the ruling party, is an invitation to anarchy and a recipe for disrupting the elections, which the federal government has been working towards as their alternative option when all their rigging mechanisms fail so as to perpetuate President Muhammadu Buhari in office."

He lamented that the new Inspector General of Police has succumbed to their ploy and is now taking instructions from APC on police postings.

He said: "The presidency has deliberately kept him in acting capacity so as to use his confirmation as a bait to get him to do their bidding.

He is now completely at their beck and call and their usual line to him are: we will talk to the President about your confirmation, that you really helped us.

"These politically tainted police postings are invitation to a bloody electoral crisis and must be reversed immediately."

He explained that the people of the state have no problems with Fulani herdsmen, saying that he was a governor for eight years and no farmer had problem with any herder.

Akume said: "We have no problem with Fulani people and therefore, nobody should hide under incompetence, lack of purposeful, senselessness and underperformance to lament.

"The most notorious problem facing Benue today

is the use of livestock guards.

These people have been killing Benue people because they were armed with AK47.

Just on Friday, we were on governorship campaign to Guma Local Government Area (LGA) and these guards ambushed our campaign train, shot and killed one person.”

He said Benue people are fully prepared for the general election and appealed to the president to deploy more security to the state to conduct the elections.

MASSIVE SHAKEUP IN POLICE, IG REDEPLOYS OVER 50 OFFICERS According to the Commission, the CPs are expected to proceed immediately to their new commands ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, according to Ani’s statement, charged them to quickly settle at their new posts and ensure that the forthcoming general elections in their various commands are peaceful, free, fair and transparent.

PDP Protests, Says APC Wants to Oust Saraki at All Cost Meanwhile, the PDP and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) yesterday threatened to pull out of the peace accord over alleged plot by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to manipulate the general election, using different unholy and undemocratic means.

Consequently, PDP and

CUPP warned that any situation that seeks to allow the ruling party to abuse the tenets of the accord would definitely force them to review their signatories to the peace process.

At a press conference yesterday in Abuja, the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, stated that it might have no option than to allow its members to defend their votes with whatever that is available to them.

He stressed that the country belongs to all, noting that no individual or group, no matter how highly placed, could subjugate other citizens or seek to appropriate any sort of absolutism to themselves.

Ologbondiyan said, “After due consideration of comments, threats and incendiary actions by the All Progressives Congress (APC)

and the Buhari Presidency, which are directly inimical to peaceful, free and fair elections, the PDP is left with no option than to consider a review of its signatory in the national peace accord, if no action is immediately taken to curb this trend.”

Accuse APC Leaders of Plotting to Stop Saraki at all Costs The PDP also accused the ruling party and the police of planning to stop the re-election of Saraki and some other members of the opposition party at all costs.

The PDP spokesperson alleged a plot to redeploy Egbetokun, as Kwara State Commissioner of Police, where he has been handed the instruction to allegedly ‘’incite the people’’, cause pandemonium and pave the way for outright rigging in favour of Buhari and all other candidates on the platform of APC. This, he said, was in line

BUHARI PROMISES TO RE-INVEST RECOVERED LOOTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE canvass for votes, he promised to tackle three key issues, which included economy, security and war against corruption.

He said: "You will recall that when I came to canvass for your votes in 2014, l promises three things which is to improve economy, security and fight corruption. I have been able to stop importation of foreign foods.

"Although fighting corruption has remained a major challenge of this

government, I will not change but be consistent and steadfast in fighting corruption and all looted funds will be used to improve infrastructures, build roads, and construct rail lines and improved power.

"We have been able to rescue 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the Northeast states from the hands of Boko Haram.”

He added that his administration has been able to stop importation of foreign foods particularly rice and

encouraged the farmers by making fertilizers available, thereby promoting large-scale farming across rural areas in the country.

On his part, the leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Senator George Akume, described PDP-led government in the state as a failed one that had refused to improve the welfare of the people of the state.

According to him, Buhari has taken a bold step to rescue Nigeria from the hands of

corrupt leaders who had completely milked the country’s resources.

Akume said: "Monies meant for fighting Boko Harm were shared mercilessly among these corrupt leaders.

Today, many of these people are running away from their money kept in their banks.

Buhari does not love money; he was a governor in two states; a former head of state and a minister of petroleum resources, yet he has no oil well.”

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

Concerns Mount over ISWAP’s Increasing Territorial Claims Military: We are in control of Nigeria

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja There are mounting concerns over relentless attacks and territorial claims by the Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) in Nigeria, sparking fears of possible disruption of the February 16 presidential election.

But the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday insisted that the military was in control of Nigeria.

In recent times, the terrorist group had overran military bases, killed hundreds of soldiers and caused an influx of over 40,000 refugees into Internally Displaced Camps(IDPs) in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States and across Nigeria’s borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said an upsurge in violent attacks in crisis-ravaged North-east Nigeria has displaced 59,200 people in the last three months.

The UN migration agency warned in Geneva that Northeast Nigeria displacement crisis had continued due to “increased sophistication’’ of attackers.

The agency noted that the armed extremists, notably, Boko Haram militants, had contributed to a decade-long humanitarian crisis in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, that had spilled over into the Lake Chad region.

“Since November, we have seen 59,200 displaced,” IOM Nigeria’s Chief of Mission, Frantz Celestin said, noting that in the last two years, “we have not seen that many people on the move”.

The last two months of 2018 were also marked by “an increased sophistication’’ of non-State armed groups accompanied by “an increased number of attacks and success in taking towns,” Celestin explained.

According to him, civilians continue to bear the brunt of conflicts that have led to widespread forced displacement and violations of international humanitarian and human rights law Since the start of the crisis, more than 27,000 people have been killed in the three Northeastern states, according to UN Office for the Coordination of

Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), while thousands of women and girls have been abducted.

“Government efforts to drive back the non-State armed groups that operate in the north-east of the vast country have been hindered by the harmattan dust cloud, an annual phenomenon that sweeps across West Africa from approximately November to March.

“In the town of Rann, which

was attacked in January, nobody was spared in one assault.

“The MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières) clinic was burnt, the IOM hub was attacked, the UNICEF clinic was attacked, the WHO/ICRC’s compounds were attacked,” Celestin said.

He said amid ongoing insecurity, humanitarian access was limited, hampering the ability of aid agencies to assess needs comprehensively.

Tens of thousands of civilians have fled into already overcrowded camps, mainly in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno, the IOM official added.

“One of our biggest issues in north-east Nigeria in addition to the security issues is the access to land.

“We have a number of camps that are overcrowded, in fact, if we were to take all of the camps together, we would have more

than 249,000 people in camps that are completely congested, with Monguno (Borno) being the largest one of them.”

According to him, rumours of imminent attack are enough to convince communities to flee, as people have sought refuge in neighbouring countries of the Lake Chad region.

“There were a number of people who moved across a

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Work Towards Peaceful, Credible Polls, Britain Urges Nigerians Wike urges Int’l community to monitor election processes Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcour British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, has called on all stakeholders in the 2019 elections to work towards peaceful and credible polls.

This came as Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, called on the international community to focus on all processes of the elections in order to stop what he said was the planned manipulation by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.

The duo spoke yesterday at Government House in Port Harcourt when Laing paid the governor a visit.

The High Commissioner said the British Government expects the 2019 general election to be peaceful, free and fair, and called on all stakeholders to ensure a successful outing.

She said Rivers State is important to the country, pointing out that peaceful polls in the state would have positive multiplier effect in both the state and the country.

Laing added that she was also in the state to acquaint herself with the environmental challenges facing the state.

Addressing the High Commissioner, Wike, called on the international community to focus on the forthcoming general election to stop the planned manipulation by the APC federal government.

He said it is incumbent on the international community, especially the United Kingdom, United States of America and the

European Union to repeat the 2015 feat, when they monitored all the processes.

According to him, “We appeal to the international community to focus on the forthcoming general election.

“This is not the first time the international community will be doing this. In 2015, the United Kingdom, European Union and the United States actively monitored the elections.”

He said the APC federal government was foisted on the country by the western powers.

While declaring that the government and people of Rivers State are committed to peaceful polls, Wike charged the United Kingdom to prevail on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies not to manipulate the elections.

“Talk to INEC and the police to allow Nigerians vote freely and for their votes to count.

Any attempt to manipulate the elections will spill the process out of control of the people,” he said.

The governor said the plot by the APC federal government to shutdown internet and communication access would make it impossible for the international community and stakeholders to monitor the elections.

He stated further that there can be no violence if elections are free and fair, regretting that the legal outlet for seeking redress has been destroyed by the APC federal government through the attacks on the judiciary.

CREDIBLE ELECTIONS ON THEIR MINDS…

L-R: Leader, ECOWAS Observer Mission and former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakub; and INEC Commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, during a visitl to the INEC Chairman by the former Liberia President and her team for an interaction on the 2019 election ...yesterday in Abuja

I am on Rescue Mission to Save Nigeria, Says Atiku Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said he is on a rescue mission to save Nigeria from sinking further.

Speaking in Damaturu, Yobe State, yesterday during the PDP presidential campaign, the former vice-president berated the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for dragging the country backward since it was voted in 2015, adding that APC is a failure.

The PDP presidential candidate, who was hailed by mammoth crowd of party’s supporters, lamented that the APC had misgoverned the country by making promises which were not fulfilled.

According to Atiku, “In 2015 the APC promised us security which they failed to provide. They promised us food on our table, but today we are hungry. They promised us good health facility and adequate supply of drugs in our hospitals which they also failed to do.”

He said despite their promise to make things better, they have made worse.

Atiku added that in the provision of security, they have failed, “they failed to create jobs for our teeming youths and today, inflation has taken over,” adding that instead of admitting their failings, they continue to tell the people of these country lies.

The PDP presidential candidate declared that: “The

PDP has come to rescue the people of the country from the suffering which the APC has put us into.”

Also speaking at the rally, the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, urged Nigerians to vote for Atiku in order to rescue the country from hunger.

He said: “The country is currently suffering from hunger and insecurity. There is a need for a competent and well experienced Nigerian to come on board to save us.

As we are all aware, Nigeria is in distress and we are in dire need of a well-connected leader to rescue us.”

In his address, the Director General of Atiku Campaign organisation, Mr. Buba Galadima, urged youths,

women to vote President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC out of power in the next general election, adding that APC had failed to deliver on all its 2015 campaign promises.

He said: “The APC promised Nigeria a lot of things. They promised us security. Then we have security problems not only in the North-east, but have now extended to North Central and even the Northwest. APC has failed because security has worsened.”

Galadima also stated that people are dying of hunger because the economy has gone terribly bad, saying: “Hunger is serious affecting people in the country today. Nigeria is today the world poverty capital.

NLC Seeks Tax Waiver on New Minimum Wage Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has advocated for the amendment of the present income tax law so as to exclude the new minimum wage of N30,000 from taxation .

This is coming as the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba was yesterday re-elected for a second term.

In a motion submitted by the National Union of Textile Garment

and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) at the plenary session of the 12th delegates’ conference of the NLC in Abuja, the union noted that there was a “twin assault on the real income of Nigerian workers caused by unrestrained devaluation of naira and high rate of inflation”.

The union also expressed the concern that the process for the new minimum wage was taking too long.

It urged the parent body, NLC,

to discuss strategies and plans for effective implementation of the new minimum wage particularly at the state level.

The General Secretary of NUTGTWN, Issa Aremu, noted that it was important to put pressure on the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to raise the tax bar in such a way that N30,000 minimum wage would fall below taxable income.

He also called for tax holidays for some categories of Nigerian

workers.

He said, “Now that we have raised the minimum wage to N30,000, we must impress it on the FIRS to raise tax bar so that the new minimum wage will be protected. If you tax minimum wage of N30,000, we may as well go back to N25,000 or N27,000 by default. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives raised the point and I think labour must push the agenda to protect the new minimum wage.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͵˜ 2019

COMMENT

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

MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS CONTESTING ELECTIONS IN AFRICA Okello Oculi argues that multinational corporations promote election of corrupt leaders

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he prosecutors at the International Criminal Court suffered a humiliation following the judgement that declared that former president of Cote d’ Ïvoire, Laurent Gbagbo, is not guilty as charged.

He had accused French companies of attacking him because he challenged the dictum that French companies must enjoy priority rights to contracts awarded by government. It is only after they do not find a contract juicy enough that it can be open to companies from other countries. He considered this ridicule to his country’s sovereignty unacceptable.

In an interview after he was thrown at ICC, Charles Taylor, accused the American company, Firestone Inc, of punishing him for not agreeing to their demands for diamond concessions in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The company held the charter to govern ‘’Liberia’’ as a ‘Protectorate’ after the American government – between 1810 and 1820 - grabbed a chunk of territory in West Africa to extend her imperial ambition beyond the Caribbean, South Americas and the Pacific Ocean space. Taylor is not as lucky as Gbagbo who French companies had allegedly rigged elections against.

In the Pacific, Commodore George Dewey, in 1898, smashed Spanish colonial troops in Philippines. The Filipinos were conducting guerrilla warfare against Spanish colonial dictatorship. They were delighted at the arrival of American troops, seeing them as liberators from the land of revolution against British colonialism. They were very mistaken.

According to Victor Bulmer-Thomas, Dewey turned against the guerrilla fighters and slaughtered 250,000 Filipinos and opened the land for American companies to extract tobacco, sugar, hemp and coconut oil for the American market. The companies had won an armed election against Filipino freedom and lives.

Congo’s independence on June 30, 1960 was from Belgian colonial neo-genocide - in which it is estimated that 10 million Congolese perished. One week later, the United States, Britain, France and Belgium dropped troops into Leopoldville (now Kinshasa) to block patriotic Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba from inviting the Soviet Union into a country rich in precious natural resources. He had won a majority of seats in parliament. Belgian colonial officers sprouted scores of tribal parties but failed to defeat his national campaign.

A local agent of the CIA, Joseph Desire Mobutu, had joined Lumumba’s party, was appointed by Lumumba to head the military and later arranged for Belgian agents to assassinate him in Katanga. Joseph Kasavubu, the country’s non-executive President, had cooperated with Mobutu and his NATO handlers to dismiss Lumumba from his post of prime minister in the hope that power would come to him.

By 1965 following the defeat of a secessionist war in Katanga province, power flowed to Mobutu. He held it till Euro-American companies used Laurent Kabila to chase him out in 1987. Kabila was the new client. The American

LAURENT GBAGBO ACCUSED FRENCH COMPANIES OF ATTACKING HIM BECAUSE HE CHALLENGED THE DICTUM THAT FRENCH COMPANIES MUST ENJOY PRIORITY RIGHTS TO CONTRACTS AWARDED BY GOVERNMENT

imperialists had changed their tactics from grabbing territory in Liberia to recruiting and directing agents to run ‘’client states’’. Those companies lurking in the shadows were still committed to the CIA arranging military coups against socialistic leaders.

In 1949 the United States created the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank as babies of the United Nations. In the name of promoting ‘’development’’ they gave loans to African governments on the eve of independence. These loans were met by newly independent countries mainly for welfare services, notably: education and health care. They yielded debts whose repayments swallow up most of earnings from exports of agricultural and mineral resources. ‘’Debt slavery’’ became more destructive when lenders created measures for collecting their debts before earnings reached national treasuries.

Euro-American companies collected earning from economies of so-called ‘’developing countries’’ without ‘’putting boots on the ground’’ in victim countries.

In international law ‘’every state has the right to defend itself from external attack; none has the right to interfere in the internal affairs of another’’. That is the moral value of ‘’sovereignty’’. Imperialism is indifferent, even contemptuous, of this doctrine. President Bill Clinton and George W. Bush came up with a brutal tool for undermining ‘’sovereignty’’: the dictum that ‘’the promotion of democracy abroad ...and the best hope for peace in the world’’ is for the United States and her NATO allies to plant and grow ‘’democracy’’/’’freedom’’ throughout the globe.

As a reflection of American culture - which rejected feudal injustices of Europe; and a local aristocracy rooted in slave trade in her Southern States - this version of ‘’democracy’’ is against free high-quality mass education; and increasing incomes for the masses through revenues earned from government ownership of ‘’public enterprises and corporations’’. It is anchored on creating and deepening poverty by ‘’globalisation’’ - which crushes local artisans, farmers and business groups.

Basil Davidson – a distinguished scholar of African history – asserted that Western leaders deliberately promoted corruption to derail patriotic governance in post-colonial Africa. They preferred inequality and blocked social progress. Corruption would destroy the provision of good quality education; and feed deepening poverty, Multinational corporations promote election of corrupt leaders who confront loss of popularity by crushing critics; and are indifferent to creating peace through the contentment which general prosperity generates. The visionary and disciplined leadership which built the miracle of Singapore may have escaped relentless attack by Euro-American multinational corporations because it advertised to Communist China’s leaders that capitalism gives birth to economic prosperity.

ZAMFARA APC AND THE INEC ENDGAME

APC should be allowed to field candidates whose names are already with INEC, writes Ahmed A. Ahmed

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f you love drama, you would love the situation with the Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2019 elections. The stay-away governor of the state, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, had obviously wanted to anoint a successor to continue with his “good works” (pardon the sad irony) but the national chapter of the party, saddled with the responsibility of conducting party primaries, was not on the same page with him. With the ensuing confusion and the November 9, 2018 deadline approaching for the submission of the name of the candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the national body decided to resort to the choice of a consensus candidate as enshrined in its constitution.

Most of the aspirants decided to back Mallam Dauda Lawal, a former Executive Director of First Bank Plc, as the consensus candidate. Pronto, the APC picked him. He filled INEC forms CF001 and CF002 which were submitted to the electoral body

by APC. INEC said it was not going to accept Lawal and candidates for National Assembly positions because APC did not conduct primaries, although the party insisted it followed its constitution in picking the consensus candidates. The APC headed to the Federal High Court in Abuja, asking that INEC be compelled to accept its list of candidates. Not to be outdone, Yari’s associates also headed to the High Court, predictably in Gusau, the state capital.

While all this drama was making the headlines,

some powerful interests in Zamfara allegedly decided to employ the services of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop the nomination of Mallam Dauda Lawal. A case that many thought was settled, dead and buried since 2016 was brought back to life. Lawal was arrested and detained for a while but was not charged to court. This was after his lawyer had also been arrested and detained for failing to produce his client on demand. The last we heard was that the case had been adjourned till March.

We may be allowed to speculate that the cries of political interference got to EFCC in the process.

There was yet another drama. Middle of January, the two high courts ruled at the same time. While the court in Abuja upheld the decision of INEC not to accept APC’s candidates based on the reasons the electoral umpire gave, the one in Gusau asked INEC to accept the list, but with a caveat: it must be the list prepared by Yari and his associates. Unfortunately, though, it is the National Working Committee, not the state chapter, that conducts primaries. More so, APC had already submitted Mallam Lawal’s name to INEC as its standard bearer in the governorship election. The party also submitted Lawal’s completed INEC Forms CF001 and CF002.

Ordinarily, if any court is going to ask INEC to accept APC’s candidates, it should be the list already submitted by the party. This was as far back as November 2018. The only impediment then was that INEC did not accept the consensus arrangement. It is the same argument INEC made in the case of Rivers State, although a Court

of Appeal has now waded in and, from every indication, APC will be allowed to field candidates in the end. However, how the Gusau court arrived at its own list is still a subject of bewilderment.

Maybe not. By the ruling of the State High Court, Yari would also be an APC senatorial candidate to continue his “good works”. It has all the fine attributes of drama.

Unfortunately, we talk about the drama of Zamfara when we should be discussing the tragedy of a state that was once a shining light but has now become a laughing stock among its peers.

Zamfara that used to be a home of hardworking and peaceful people has now been turned into a den of bandits as a result of maladministration.

When Nigerians hear the word “Zamfara” today, it is not comedy that comes to their hearts. It is tragedy. The tragedy that unfolded in the last eight years when the state was afflicted with Yari as its governor. Zamfara has become to the North-West what Borno is to the North-East. Nigeria’s seventh largest state has become a big problem to the federation in almost all indices of human and economic development.

In 2017, when Type C Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis hit the state, the governor said it was as result of fornication. Without trying to be sarcastic, one can say that fornication had been going on in Zamfara State before Yari was born. It is worthy of note that it was during his tenure that God decided to punish the people for it. If anything, it says more about Yari than the fornicators. This is to even ignore the fact that most of the victims of the meningitis who might never have known what

fornication meant before they were taken away in their early years. The real fornicators were busy mismanaging public funds and buying up property all over the world. They were not affected by the “divine punishment” for fornication.

You may need to read Yari’s tragic words again: “What we used to know as far as meningitis is concerned is the ‘type A virus’ which had been tackled through vaccinations by the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, because people refused to stop their nefarious activities, God now decided to send Type C virus, which has no vaccine. People have turned away from God and He has promised that ‘if you do anyhow, you see anyhow,’ that is just the cause of this outbreak as far as I am concerned. There is no way fornication will be so rampant and God will not send a disease that cannot be cured. The most important thing is for our people to know that their relationship with God is not smooth. All they need to do is repent and everything will be all right.”

I honestly did not add one word to this. That is how tragic the Zamfara case has played out.

Whatever the case may turn out to be, it is not in the interest of Zamfara as a state and APC as a party for Yari and his collaborators to continue their “works”. Except the courts rule otherwise, APC should be allowed to field the candidates whose names it has already submitted to INEC. As we have seen in the Rivers case, INEC’s stand that APC will not field candidates in Zamfara may not stand. Zamfara shall be free!

Alhaji Ahmed is the publicity secretary of Zamfara Redemption Movement

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EDITORIAL The Kidnappers In Our Midst Security agencies could do more to contain the scourge

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cross the country, kidnapping for ransom has become a growing industry. From ordinary citizens to businessmen and traditional rulers, nobody is safe. Many of the victims have also been killed even when their families paid the demanded ransom for their release. Yet in all cases, the Police appear rather helpless. Particularly disturbing is the ease with which these kidnappers now abduct traditional rulers.

A few weeks after gunmen kidnapped and later killed the Paramount Chief of Adara Chiefdom in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr. Maiwada Galadima, a second class traditional ruler of Dorock Kingdom in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State, Mr. David Dongbam, was recently abducted right in his palace. The governing mercantile logic among the kidnappers must be that the abduction of monarchs is bound to attract huge attention and sympathy, which could in turn translate WE CALL ON to heftier ransom from GOVERNMENT AT ALL the monarch’s subjects.

But this poses serious LEVELS TO ADDRESS national security chalSOCIAL ISSUES LIKE lenges as we saw in the UNEMPLOYMENT AND killing of the Adara.

POVERTY WHICH HELP That traditional TO FEED THIS CRIME rulers who ordinarily are the custodians of traditional values and norms have become easy prey for kidnappers is an indication of how low society has sunk.

It is also a testimony to the increasing sophistication of these criminals that they could easily get to these royal fathers who are never alone. But more worrisome is that too often, even when the security agencies are involved in the rescue bids of kidnapped persons, ransoms are still paid, after which the victims are then abandoned by their abductors for law enforcement agents to “rescue and recover”.

We worry about the ease at which kidnappers operate

in our country today. With the increasing sophistication of valued added services offered by communication networks especially the tracking system, we wonder why it is difficult for the police to monitor the calls being made by these criminals during negotiations for ransom.

But whatever may be the case, we call on security agents to redouble their efforts in dealing with this dangerous phenomenon that is fast turning our country into a huge jungle.

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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

e must, however, highlight the fact that our various communities have a critical role to play in tackling this problem.

Kidnappers are not ghosts. They are human beings and they live within communities. Since traditional rulers are also targets, members of our various communities must realise they have a critical role to play in providing useful information to security agencies that should also begin to act with urgency or deploy all necessary and available resources, not only when big names are victims. Above all, we call on government at all levels to begin to address social issues like unemployment and poverty which help to feed this crime because with ransom being paid for victims, kidnapping now seems to be a serious vocation for some idle hands.

Two years ago, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode signed into law a bill stipulating death penalty for kidnappers, whose victims die in their custody and life imprisonment for act of kidnapping in Lagos State. The law states that any person who kidnaps, abducts, detains, captures or takes another person by any means or trick, with intent to demand ransom or do anything against the victim’s will, commits an offence. Although the Senate in 2016 passed a bill which outlaws abduction, wrongful restraint or confinement for ransom with death sentence prescribed for whoever is found guilty, the House of Representatives is yet to pass a concurrence bill. But many states have passed similar stringent laws on kidnaping.

Sadly, not a single person has been brought to justice on account of these laws despite a prevalence of kidnappings in the country.

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ASUU STRIKE: ONE TOO MANY

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trike in our educational system is almost as consistent as the fitful supply of light by the electricity distribution companies (Discos). In fact, one should not estimate his or her study years in school without adding the miscellaneous “ASUU Strike” year (s).

Whichever way you look at it, all parties involved in ASUU strikes have their portion of blame, in virtually equal proportion.

Ordinarily, the education sector of any country is beyond taking for a joke. It is the system that shapes the society. It is the fountain of a prosperous nation.

Just like a physical structure, if the foundation is shaky, the entire building is in jeopardy and faces imminent collapse. I keep wondering why the stakeholders in these strikes fail to understand this.

ASUU maintains its position of acting in the best interest of the students. Why this is plausibly true, it isn’t entirely so. Other interests are intertwined and one needs to read between the lines to unearth hidden motive(s). Yes our educational system is plagued by dilapidated structures that makes effective learning frustrating and near impossible. But isn’t the knowledge derived in the poor structures just as important?

The federal government insists on committing to a part rather than whole of its agreement with the union, citing economic implications. The question is, as the impasse drags on, who is/are the greatest loser (s)?

The students. Our elders submit that “when

two elephants battle, it is the ground that suffers.”

A number of students have been put into untold hardship. Academic wise, they are in a reverse mode.

Their protracted stay at home may have subjected many into unthinkable social vices as the devil thrives on seducing the idle minds. Some may have already forgotten what a book or pen looks like, what their matriculation number is, misplaced their identity cards and even house keys! Economically some have become added burden to struggling families.

While the students suffer all these, what happens to the lecturers? Perhaps they just cross legs and read newspapers, then stroll to the bank to cash their monthly diets. Some may have found an escape route to spend time on their farms and other business ventures. After all, life goes on. However, a couple of them I’m sure aren’t happy with the whole strike break as it affects their academics as well, or bites their conscience.

On its part, ASUU has placed pecuniary commitments over and above knowledge dissemination, hiding behind the pretext of dilapidated structures to either perfect a political agenda, or demand a disguised sabbatical to douse the intellectual stimulation of its members. It could be both. Otherwise, how do we explain the act of holding the government to ransom over an agreement it didn’t enter in the first place?

Ibrahim Yahaya, yahayaibrahim006@gmail. com

NIGERIANS NEED PEACEFUL POLLS

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ast week Tuesday, the National security adviser to the President, General Mohammed Mungono (rtd) summoned a security meeting with the 36-state governors. The meeting centred on security for the forthcoming general elections. According to the NSA, it had uncovered plans to unleash violence during the forthcoming election. It is discovered that some groups of people are hell bent to cause security breach. Although, the identity of these perpetrators remains sketchy, elections in Nigerian are usually characterized by violence. Since the inception of democratic rule, the country is yet to get her elections right. Election in Nigeria is a do-or-die affair (apology to Olusegun Obasanjo).Our politicians have failed to play the game according to the rules.

Notwithstanding the peace accord signed by many candidates, the foul language being used during campaign rallies have become matter of great concern. Why do our politicians fail to embrace issue-based campaigns as practiced in most democratic countries? Must candidate attack his opponents before he sells his programmes to the electorate? Now that the national security adviser has raised the alarm of likely political violence in the forthcoming election, what is the way out? If we could recall, in the build up to 2015 general elections, there were rumours that the country

would boil. It took the Abdulsalam Abubakar’s peace and reconciliation committee efforts to prevail on the contenders to accept the outcome or result of the election. Surprisingly, the former President, Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat and congratulated Buhari who won the election. That single and sincere action exhibited by Jonathan nipped in the bud the fear of violence that might have trailed the result of the election.

Our politicians should be blamed for the security breach before, during and after elections.

They have taken elections as the last battle of their survival. They hire and drug jobless youths to foment trouble during elections. To win election by hook or crook is their first agenda. With this shocking revelation coming from NSA and other security agencies, our political parties should stop accusing each other of stockpiling and arming militias. It has become pertinent to note that security of lives and property is the primary responsibility of any government. The ambition of few individuals should not override the general security and welfare of Nigerians. What about the democracy we laboured so hard to preserve? Our security agencies should work round the clock to man violence -prone areas, identify the culprits and their sponsors. Nigerians need another peaceful elections.

Ibrahim Mustapha Pambgua, Kaduna State

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POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

‘Considering the Way He Emerged, I Don’t Recognise Abiodun as APC Ogun Guber Candidate’

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on. Adekunle Akinlade, Ogun State governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) hails from Ikpokia in Ogun West council. He is a member of the House of Representatives.

His exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been one of the most infamous crises that bedevilled the ruling party. There have been claims and counter-claims of what happened at the primaries of the APC, but his insistence on giving the opportunity to lead the state to someone from Ogun West, which aligns with Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s thinking was allegedly sabotaged.

He told Nseobong Okon-Ekong that Providence had earlier placed him in a position to serve as Senior Special Assistant for internal revenue between 2011 and 2014. With that designation, Akinlade interfaced with almost every union, association, artisans, religious bodies, Lafarge, because he was dealing with revenue, tax and all that. He had to go round and it reflected in the vote on the 2nd October 2018, which he won unanimously.

However, the National Secretariat of the APC rejected the result because it was conducted by the state executives and announced the results, the results would not be accepted. He explained what happened thereafter, “They went and wrote their results. The issue lingered for about two months and it got to a point that we realised they were not going to change their ground. We decided to come back to our people, as we realised that Dapo Abiodun did not have what it takes, nor clue of what to do. What they told them was that, ‘once you hold the mandate, there is nothing they can do because Kunle cannot go and campaign without Amosun, nobody knows Kunle’. That was where they got it wrong. I realised that Amosun had great good will across the state and they believed in continuity. We leveraged on that. I pleaded with Mr. Governor not to start his campaign because if APC started ahead of us, APM would not see the light of day. He gave me three weeks. Thank God, we chose Cassava as the symbol of the party and our people are farmers. We are the party to beat in Ogun State.

“My own vision is to make sure that we increase our IGR. Our revenue can only go up. That is my area of expertise; where the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) will be used to drive it in a way that create enabling environment for people to come and do business, attract more young people into Ogun State. I think once we get to 10 million in population in the next 10 to 15 years, we can say we are there.”

Your endorsement by Governor Amosun comes with some challenges. He has internal battles. There is disconnect between him and the godfather of Lagos politics, how can you bring peace and cohesion within the state?

In the world of ‘I Owe You’, you cannot owe the person giving you something. If what had happened had not happened, I would have had to owe a lot of people. The first time I ran was in 2015. I started in 2014 and won. I represent only two local government areas out of 20. To sell me in the other 18, I would have to do a lot of work. The crisis actually saved me so much as I enjoy so much goodwill now. There is this adage that ‘everyman fights his own battles’. People associated with Amosun are my fathers. I am under 50. It cannot be my challenge. I have deep respect for Chief Segun Osoba and the only time I actually shook his hands in the church was at Baba Alake’s 75th birthday ceremony.

I have never met with Baba Tinubu. Three things are very certain in life. As a man of faith, you will succeed. If you do business, you must have sincerity of purpose and once people know that you are sincere, they will entrust anything into your hands. When it comes to our business of politics, it is loyalty.

Akinlade

When you are loyal, you can enjoy anything irrespective of who your parents are. People will stand for you and would not mind using their head to break coconut for you. I do not think I will inherit any of my predecessor’s issues. I have always made it clear that I am a child. If you are conversant with the National Geographical Wild channel on DSTV, I learnt that when a younger lion that is going to take over sees that a big buffalo has been killed, the big lion of the pride will eat alone and leave while the others will line up, to share in turn. Come May 29, 2019, by the grace of God, it will be my turn. I cannot even look up at them, talk less, of getting involved.

There is a prevailing insinuation that you are Governor Amosun’s stooge. If it is true, how are you going to balance that which may sometimes conflicts with the public interest?

Loyalty should be defined appropriately. In Ogun State, there is no god-fatherism, what we have is mentorship. God-fatherism plays out when you go to the garage or motor park and pick somebody that lacks competence and capacity and put him in leadership. You will have to feed him with ideas because he cannot do anything. You have to tell him what to do, how much to appropriate and what not to appropriate. I did not meet Governor Amosun till I was 41 and that was in 2011 and I had achieved what a man should have achieved at that age. I agree that in politics, loyalty is paramount in politics. In Ogun State, we are too intelligent, enlightened and knowledgeable as a people. What happens in other states cannot happen in Ogun State.

When I met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, he said Ogun state is like one wearing silk agbada. He said when you pack one side; the other side will drop. When you carry Ogun West, Ogun East would drop. What you should do is ensure that people see your efforts in working for all parties in your own capacity. Loyalty in politics is vital, very important. It does not define what you will do but it would give you opportunity. That you are loyal does not determine how you will run your government. Having strong faith does not determine the number of years you will spend but that is what will give you breakthroughs to be able to touch lives. That is faith. Having sincerity of business does not mean that you could be the richest in the trade, but it will sustain you. Loyalty has given me the language above others to get to where I want to get to but it does not determine what I am going to do or how Ogun State government would run. I want to clarify that.

Ogun State is benefitting from the spill over of population in Lagos State but in terms of development, you have not

scratched the surface, around Agbara to Igbesa, how are you going to address the issue of infrastructure to attract more people from Lagos to these areas?

Every administration has its focus. In 2011, I was part of this administration and it focussed on building road infrastructure.

Do not forget, you have to look at the capital.

If it is only that bridge at Ijebu Ode, you will agree that it has saved hundreds of lives.

Do not forget that no matter how laudable your intentions are, it all boils down to availability of resources. You are talking about a government that met less than N700 million in IGR when it came on board, PDP was at the federal level. There was nothing to back you up. The government had to look inward and used all the financial engineering possible, to generate income. By 2015, when he had his own party at the centre, the country went into recession. He has been struggling to get back on track. What we want to do is to sit down with the private sector. We have our agenda. At Igbesa, we are working on the bridge as we want to attend to industrial clusters and hubs and partner with private companies. If you look at the industrial hub in Agbara, the top management lives in Lagos and you will need 300 low cadre staff using all my facilities and infrastructure to get the amount that one Executive Director pays as Pay As You Earn. and I do not get any money for it. With one bulletproof car, he drives into Ogun State, does his work and goes away.

Now with technology, they do not even come in anymore as they have video conferencing technology, which keeps them away. There are a lot of concessions we can give to these companies. Come and let us partner where we concession this estate to you, build it, own and transfer after some years, say 15 years to Ogun State government. However, the Pay As You Earn that I can make from the director of such a company should concern me more. We would need to build an helipad that would make logistics easy for them.

Two candidates from two political parties were presented to Mr. President for the 2019 governorship election in Ogun State. Chief Segun Osoba led Dapo Abiodun to the President and he was acknowledged by the President.

You were also taken to the President by Governor Amosun. What is the message you are passing to your supporters and the electorate of Ogun State?

There is no confusion. Prince Dapo Abiodun going to see Mr. President with Chief Osoba, is not a problem. He is a member of the APC. I do not recognise him as an APC candidate, considering the way he emerged. I think the confusion should be with them and not with us. As a party, APM, we adopted Mr. President and believe in his policies and we

have absolute confidence in his programmes.

I will assure him that he does not need Dapo Abiodun as APC and that is simple, there is no ambiguity that the president does not need Dapo Abiodun to deliver because he will lose.

I am from Yewa and Yoruba. Even in other culture, when you see an adult waiting to be taken by the hand by an old man to walk in the market place then there is something wrong.

As we speak, it took the Number Two citizen of the country to come to Ogun State to take him to see the Awujale and other leading Obas.

We want peaceful election. We will win. They know they cannot win. They have caused crisis for us in Ogun State. Policemen from Lagos followed them and gave them support in Ogun State but we cannot be intimidated.

I have been to the hospital to see the injured.

I am going back to Abeokuta to encourage our people to remain resolute as we shall vote and our vote will count. We will not be involved in violence as we are the first in almost everything and we shall show it.

Buhari is our president. I think I reserve the right to meet Mr. President and reassure him that we believe in him and believe in what he is doing. We will thank him for the rail that has come to Ogun State. In terms of industry, for attracting young people to live in Ogun State especially the law that says you pay your tax where you live and not where you work. It makes more sense for me to grab any opportunity to get more people to live in Ogun State and work in Lagos.

He went there for them to raise his hands, I did not go there for endorsement. I went there to thank the President and pray that he gets there again because it is only when the President gets there that they can finish the rail project for me. PDP will abandon it. It is for me to get there so that they can complete the rail project.

Do you have plans of returning to the APC if you win this election?

I am a member of APM. I never knew prior to the challenges we had, how important people are in politics. I used to think that once you are able to mobilise people that is the end of it. It was after the mandate was stolen and I realised how the people stood with us, market women and youths began to use their money to print aprons and t-shirts then I realised how important people are. When people use the federal or political might, where you turn back to is ‘the people’. It is their election and when you enjoy such goodwill, it is good to make them understand that if they decide white, it would be white or black and it would be black. Not for me, I have realised that as a political candidate, you have no power outside the power of the people.

That stolen mandate was recognised by the APC leadership. Is that enough to distance yourself from the party, APC? There is nothing wrong with APC as a party.

I believe in APC. It is the leadership of that party that matters. If it was something that happened in Ogun State alone, I would have been worried. I am a member of the House of Representatives, more than 80% of my members, went through the same thing. It means there is something wrong with the leadership of the party. APC has wonderful policies under the able leadership of the President. I have no issues with APC as a party. It is the people running the party, I feel they got carried away along the way and lost track of the purpose for setting up the party. I would never have appreciated my people this much and never would have appreciated God even more if APC had not experienced that crisis. I am stronger today.

If I had needed to spend N100,000 to sell myself, I do not need to spend a dime now.

If the crisis had bought me popularity then I do not have an issue with it. I believe in the policy of the party.

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POLITICS

‘There is a Clear Departure from the Days of Terror Due to Emmanuel’s Peaceful Disposition’ Iniobong Akpabio, a prominent investor in the hospitality and leisure sector tells Vanessa Obioha why Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has a clear edge over other contestants in the March 2 governorship race

Y

ou have become partisan by virtue of your recent appointment as Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Hotel and Tourism Board, how do you see the chances of Governor Udom Emmanuel and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the face of the rising popularity of the All Progressives Congress (APC)?

As the date for the governorship election in the country draws closer, the different political parties particularly the two major political parties the PDP and the APC have intensified their campaigns to the nook and cranny of Akwa Ibom State to woo the electorate. The Independent National Electoral Commission had few months ago announced that there were 40 recognised and dully registered political parties in the state, only six of the parties are currently fielding governorship candidates.

Apart from popular candidates Udom Emmanuel of the PDP and Obong Nsima Ekere of the APC, candidates of other four political parties running the race are Ezekiel Nya-Etok of Young Democratic Party (YDP), Iboro Otu of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), Nature Udoh of Young Peoples Party (YPP) and Ekong Eyo of Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) However as the parties scramble for the votes, certain factors have shown that if the election is conducted free and credible, the incumbent governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel stands a better chance of winning.

Even observers of political happenings in the state ahead of the governorship elections have reasoned that among all the candidates vying for the Number One seat, Governor Emmanuel remains the candidate to beat following his track record.

The sterling performance of Governor Emmanuel in the area of industrialisation, which has been acknowledged even by his adversaries has brought a major positive turn-around on the economy of the state. Coming from the private sector myself, I know that the kind of intervention the governor has brought to the state has multiplier effect that cannot be quantified. For instance, owners of residential buildings in locations where these industries are sited that never dreamt of the kind of value their houses are attracting from

Emmanuel tenants are smiling all the way to the bank. They have never had it so good, with tenants paying premium rent for their property. Mr. Emmanuel’s administration has attracted industries such as the Syringe, Metering, Flour Mill, Toothpick, Plastic Industry at Industrial Park in Itu local government area, the Fertilizer blending factory at Abak, and the Rice Mill in Ini among others. Governor Emmanuel’s capability to attract industries into the state through the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Public Private Partnership (PPP) have been widely applauded. Since the inception of the current democratic regime in 1999, the people had hoped for a governor that would establish industries.

At this time (so close to commencement of the election) in 2015, many cases of violent crime like mysterious murder and kidnap were recorded and the foreboding atmosphere in the state left everyone in a state of fear and uncertainty. Today, there is a clear departure from those days of terror, largely due to the peaceful disposition of Governor Emmanuel. More importantly, the improved

security situation and peaceful atmosphere being currently enjoyed in the state is one area of achievement of the current administration that has endeared the citizens as well as investors to the governor. The various traditional rulers in the state and prominent religious leaders and groups have also expressed their support for his re-election so that the peaceful atmosphere in the state can continue. Some of Governor Emmanuel’s aides and associates have attributed the peaceful campaigns to his peaceful conduct and disposition.

This is one of the factors that will stand him out in the election of March 2.

Majority of Akwa Ibom people are happy over Governor Emmanuel’s achievements in infrastructural development and welfare of the people evidenced in the construction and rehabilitation of health facilities, massive construction of roads and industries. It is on record that the present administration has brought back to life no fewer than seven general hospitals across the three senatorial districts of the state that were almost abandoned. They include the General Hospitals

in Etinan, Ituk Mbang, Ikono and Uruan.

Governor Udom Emmanuel is also enjoying very massive support from the women folk and youth groups in the state including market women which according to political analysts constitute the voting population.

The large support of womenfolk for Governor Emmanuel is coming largely from market women, (traders) across the 31 local government areas following his empowerment through the interest free loan facility which the current administration started since 2016.

The ability of Governor Udom Emmanuel to touch so many communities that were neglected during previous administrations such as Uruan, Oruk Anam, Oron, Ika, Eket, Esit Eket won a teeming number of supporters to the PDP and Governor Emmmanuel.

Governor Emmanuel also appears to be the only candidate enjoying massive support from the Uyo senatorial district which is regarded as the vote basket of Akwa Ibom State ahead of the forthcoming elections.

In fact, the development prompted some political analysts to conclude that Governor Emmanuel has a better chance of winning the election because of the voting strength of Uyo senatorial district.

Uyo senatorial district comprises Uyo, Uruan, Etinan, Nsit Ubium, Nsit Atai, Nsit Ibom, Itu, Ibiono Ibom, and Ibesikpo Asutan local government areas.

This assumption is based on the political calculation that it will be the turn of Uyo senatorial district to take a shot at the office of governor of Akwa Ibom state, after Eket senatorial district has served its term. The decision of the APC to zone the position to Eket senatorial district (Akwa Ibom South) where the incumbent governor hails from is because it is the turn of the senatorial district to produce a governor.

Going by that hypothesis, it will serve Uyo senatorial district better to vote for Governor Emmanuel. As things stand, he is the only guarantee that Uyo will get the position in 2023. A fresh candidate (out of Eket, like APC’s Nsima Ekere) may be tempted to do serve years. Governor Emmanuel’s prudence with the public purse is also another factor that has been going well for him.

‘This Election is About the Survival of Nigeria’ Lawyer and businessman, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has at different times been Chief of Staff to former Edo State governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion and later the Secretary to the Edo State Government. He was the state’s Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2016 governorship election. At present, he is the Edo state Director of the Atiku/Obi presidential ticket. Ize-Iyamu tells Iyobosa Uwugiaren that there is a huge difference between where we are now and where we ought to be

A

s the Director of the Atiku/Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation in Edo State, what are the chances of PDP winning in the state?

Our chances are very bright. Some months ago, people were worried that we were not doing much; but in the past few weeks that has changed.

We have been able to do rallies in the three senatorial districts and we have also gone round most of the local government headquarters. We are also doing ward rallies in some places and in some places we are even doing house-to-house and street-to-street campaign. We have played host to our Vice-Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, who had an interactive session with a lot of professionals and associations in the state. All these outings have been overwhelming in terms of turn out and in terms of support. The issue is very simple: the APC has to justify its election four years ago. Four years ago, they promised to turn the country around. They talked about change and how in some few months everything will change. They told us in three months Boko Haram will be a thing of the past. They told us in six months the power problem will be fixed.

They told us there was no need for subsidy, that it was a fraud. They told us they had the know-how to give Nigerians three million jobs annually. They told us the naira/dollar rate was ridiculous, that they would bring it down. They

has been kidnapped, right in his own house, not on the road. The insecurity is now getting to our doorstep. It is no longer that they say part of the road is dangerous or that time of the day; but now, even your own house is not safe. I am sorry to be using it as an incident; but sometimes we must point to what is factual.

We saw the Governor of Borno State in tears recently. I didn’t see him in tears during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s time. I heard the governor of Zamfara State actually saying that they should declare a state of emergency in his state because the situation has gotten out of hand. Yet, insecurity was a major point in the three-point agenda of the APC.

Ize-Iyamu made so many promises: pump price was too high; and Nigerians were impressed and they won the election. But, four years has come and the question is, are you better off? Of course, there is nothing they promised that they have been able to fulfil. Beyond that -they vilified PDP and now, which one is better? How much is a bag of rice now? Can you sleep now? We heard recently that a former member of the Edo State House of Assembly, a good friend of mine and nice gentleman, who is contesting again for House of Assembly on APC platform,

But they will tell you they have done so much in reducing insecurity in Nigeria compared to what happened in 2015. What is your take on that?

That is not true. If the country was bad as they tried to paint it, how come INEC was able to declare election results in the 36 state, especially in Borno State? INEC did not abandon Borno and they did not abandon Adamawa. They did not abandon Yobe and incidentally, these are states that the APC won! So, it would have been strategic for PDP to even use insecurity as a basis not to do election in those states. But former President Jonathan asked for time to deal with the situation and they said they ordered

for security equipment that they believed will assist to deal with that situation very quickly and really, the moment the equipment arrived, people saw the Boko Haram seriously being put on the defensive and before we knew it the areas became safe enough to do elections and elections were done. So, for anybody to say that the situation now is better than when we handed over is ridiculous; because by the time we handed over, Boko Haram had virtually been reduced to almost nothing. If you say it is not true, then how did you get the results you got? Is there any local government in Yobe, Borno or Adamawa states where results were not declared? I am not aware. So, it means that President Goodluck Jonathan did a great job. They said that Boko Haram had been “technically defeated.” That is the new phrase. I don’t know the difference between ‘’defeated’’ and ‘’technically defeated.’’

May be what they meant was that theoretically, Boko Haram has been defeated but practically, they are still fighting them because I am still trying to understand that phrase ‘technically defeated.’’ But, the reality is that Boko Haram is still very strong in our territories. Before they said they were looking for soft targets but we know they are still controlling territories.

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

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FEATURES

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

Dokubo: Rallying the Niger Delta for Buhari's Next Level

Dokubo with some of the ex-agitators when he resumed office last year

W

ith less than two weeks to the all-important 2019 presidential election, the air is expectedly, saturated with politicking and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme has not been an exception.

Though Professor Charles Dokubo, the coordinator of the programme has not allowed politics to distract him from the efficacious delivery of the mandates of his office as shown in the recent commissioning of a world class oil and gas vocational training centre in Agadagba – Obon in Ondo State, he has however been receiving stakeholders from the Niger Delta who daily throng his office to express appreciation for the giant strides the amnesty programme has been recording and to pledge their support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term bid.

The stakeholders, just like the hundreds of Ijaw youths resident in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory who were at the Amnesty Office recently on a solidarity march, believe that Buhari has since his election into office in 2015, shown and indeed given practical support to the development of the Niger Delta and should, in return, be supported to get a second term in office.

“We are here to tell the whole world that President Buhari and Prof. Charles Dokubo have done well. Since his appointment about nine months ago, Dokubo has done a lot to endear the people of the Niger Delta to Mr. President and the Federal Government. For example, since he came into office he has started reviving all the moribund and abandoned training centres for the Amnesty Programme.

"As a matter of fact, he has done enough and he is still doing more. We are queuing up behind President Buhari and Prof. Dokubo because they have done well and we believe both men would take the Niger Delta to the next level,” Comrade Akasah Eniyekeye Kelvin who led the group, Ijaw Youth Association in Northern Nigeria, said at the rally.

For Dokubo, the visit provided another opportunity to reiterate his call for support for Buhari’s second term bid and also to underscore his determination to use the Amnesty Programme to transform the youths in the region as directed by the president.

“Our people have come to show Mr. President and I support which will go a long way. This office belongs to all of you and I was appointed to change the tune and narratives in the Niger

Prof. Charles Dokubo

We are here to tell the whole world that President Buhari and Prof. Charles Dokubo have done well.

Since his appointment about nine months ago, Dokubo has done a lot to endear the people of the Niger Delta to Mr. President and the Federal Government. For example, since he came into office he has started reviving all the moribund and abandoned training centres for the Amnesty Programme

Delta. It is not only about paying N65, 000 monthly stipends to a few people, the president is concerned about massive capacity building that would lead to gainful employment of our teeming youths. The president is supporting us to create small and medium scale entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta.

"In essence, that is what we are currently doing for Mr. President in the Niger Delta through the Amnesty Office. I can confirm to you again and again that President Buhari has continued to give us all the support and backing we need.

So in return, I am urging you all to retain him in office as our president by voting massively for him in the forthcoming election,” Dokubo enthused at the solidarity rally.

The presidential adviser who expressed his determination to continue to tailor the policies of the Amnesty Programme to achieve its original mandate and transform its beneficiaries to become change agents admonished the group to “please, let us work together. Let us work

for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari".

It will be recalled that at the inception of his administration as the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dokubo had at series of meetings with the most important stakeholders of the amnesty programme – the leaders of the ex-agitators - spoke on the need to support the president’s vision for the development of the Niger Delta.

He had at the meetings underscored for the ex-agitators the compelling need to continue to maintain peace in the Niger Delta, so that the impact of the Amnesty Programme in the development of the region can be felt.

Beyond such solicitations, Dokubo had in October last year initiated a creek-to-creek campaign to enlighten the people of the Niger Delta on the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

The creek-to-creek amnesty awareness campaign with the theme “Need for sustenance of lasting peace, development, stability and showcasing the activities/achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Amnesty Office in the Niger Delta Region,” according to Dokubo, was initiated to enlighten the people of the Niger Delta on the need to sustain peace and to encourage all efforts geared at engendering development in the region.

The campaign was also designed to showcase the giant strides, activities and achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration through the Presidential Amnesty Programme to the people of the oil producing communities of the Niger Delta.

During the campaign, the Amnesty Office team had engaged the leaders, stakeholders and ex-agitators on how Buhari’s administration has been able to address the issues of marine insecurity and pipeline vandalism and its attendant economic growth of the Niger Delta.

“The N-Power Initiative has engaged a lot of Niger Delta Youths, so also is the Anchor Borrower Programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria which is giving loans to farmers, thereby keeping people gainfully engaged. While genuine concerns and complaints of ex-agitators and stakeholders are being attended to, the Amnesty office is currently paying the monthly stipends and other financial obligations regularly since President Buhari came to office,” the coordinator said.

While urging all Niger Deltans to continue to support the present administration and the Amnesty Programme for more dividends of CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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FEATURES

With the vocational centres, the presidential aide is not only ensuring that exagitators are empowered with skills that will make them economically independent and useful to themselves, their families, communities and the nation, but that the training are also being done at a relatively cheap price to the government

The completed structure of the Vocational (Oil & Gas) Training Centre in Agadagba-Obon, Ondo State, one of the achievements of Dokubo

One of the new structures at the centre

Some of the trainees of the amnesty programme with Dokubo

democracy, the presidential adviser pointed out that current strides being recorded under the Amnesty Programme are indications that the Buhari led administration is committed to addressing the age long neglect and marginalisation of the region

Yet, stakeholders say the best way Dokubo has tried to sell Buhari to the people of Niger Delta was in the way he has managed the Amnesty Programme since his appointment. Apart from ensuring regular payment of stipends, Dokubo has since his appointment worked to eliminate

corruption and waste in the Programme.

Drawing from the recommendations of a committee he set up, on assumption of office, to evaluate the state of affairs of the Amnesty Programme, Dokubo has been executing farreaching reforms aimed at making the programme

much more robust and impactful for the enlisted ex-agitators.

The reforms, done with the ultimate goal of achieving sustainable peace and development in all facets of the region are also said to be in tune with the anti-corruption drive of the Buhari administration. Such reforms include a review of the education component of the amnesty programme, a process which led to the cleanup of the database to remove ‘fake’ beneficiaries and new policies to guide onshore and offshore component of the initiative.

And in tune with the Buhari’s administration’s emphasis on reduction of waste in government by completion of inherited projects, Dokubo has also pursued the completion of the major projects he inherited from his predecessor.

Undoubtedly, the most critical of such projects are the five Vocational Training/Reintegration Centres located across States in the Niger Delta he inherited on assumption of office.

He successfully tackled the problems militating against the completion and activation of the centres and this has led to activation of the centre in Ondo with another centre in Kaiama, Bayelsa States set to be activated next week.

With the vocational centres, the presidential aide is not only ensuring that ex-agitators are empowered with skills that will make them economically independent and useful to themselves, their families, communities and the nation, but that the training are also being done at a relatively cheap price to the government.

This is in addition to other novel initiatives to advance the reintegration component of the Amnesty Programme like the provision of startup packs and mentoring for several already trained and qualified ex-agitators to become entrepreneurs. This has led to the empowerment of hundreds of ex-agitators by the Post Training Engagement Unit of the Amnesty Office as well as the distribution of empowerment/business start-up kits to hundreds of others.

Also, the creation of a Job Placement and International Development Partners Engagement Unit (JPIDPEU) by Dokubo has helped advance their integration stage of the Amnesty Programme with profiling and preparing of the ex-agitators for job placements.

But Dokubo has maintained that these achievements were recorded only because Buhari refused entreaties from certain quarters to discontinue the Amnesty Programme at the inception of his administration. This, he said, further indicated that the president is a forthright and incorruptible leader and urged continued support for the president.

"Let me place on record that we are able to achieve all these because of the staunch and unalloyed support President Muhammadu Buhari has been giving the Amnesty Programme and the Niger Delta as a whole. On his fatherly watch, we have since re-worked the Programme to focus on not just training but also job creation and empowerment of already trained beneficiaries.

I can confirm to all stakeholders gathered here today that President Buhari loves the Niger Delta and its people and I urge you all to give Mr. President your full support as he seeks to take our great country to the next level,” Dokubo said at the landmark commissioning of the Oil and Gas Basic Skills Vocational Training Centre in Agadagba-Obon, in Ondo State two weeks ago.

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IMAGES

L-R;:Chairman island club, Mr Olabanji Oladipo; Senate President/Director General PDP Presidential Campaign, Senator Bukola Saraki; Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo; PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Olabode George.at the Lagos Island club’s quarterly Business lecture in Lagos...recently

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L-R: Oyo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Akin Oke; state Governor and party’s Oyo South senatorial candidate, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; and APC governorship candidate for the state, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, during the party’s campaign rally at Itutaba, Oje, Ibadan...recently

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L R ; Hon.Bayo Iawal;Oyo State PDP Gubernatorial Candidate,Enger.Seyi Makinde and PDP State Chairman,Alh. Kunmi Mustapha at the Press Conference on Political Violence Must Stop in Oyo State held at Omituntun house Ibadan...recently FELIX ADEMOLA

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Quick Takes Beauty Firm Unveils Product

Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ?Ëœ ÙÚÓĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă—Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂžĂ’Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Ăž ÞÙ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË› Ă’Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂœËœ Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?ËÖÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Þã

Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ëœ ĂœË› Ă™Ă?Ă?ÚÒ ĂŽĂ?Ă’Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÙÖĂ? ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă•Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă—Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ĂŒĂ™Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Þ˪Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ ÞÙ ÞËÕĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ˜ ĂŒĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă?Ă?Ë› ĂŽĂ?Ă’Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ÒÙÖÎ Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ÒÙ×Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒËÞ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ăœ Ă’Ă‹ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ Ă?ĂŁ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ ĂŒĂ“ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ?Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă—Ă™Ă˜ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ë›

Ă˜ Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ?Ëœ ËŤ ÙÚÓĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă— Ă“Ă? Ă‹ ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă– ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;ĂšĂ? ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂŒĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁĂ™Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă“Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă—Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ÞËÕĂ?Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă¤Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂžĂŁËœ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ù×Ă?Ă™ĂœĂžË›ËŹ

Cyberspace Gets ISO 9001:2015

DISCUSSING THE ECONOMY

L-R: Founder, CWG & AUSSO Leadership Academy, Austin Okere; Chairman, Programmes Committee, Nigerian British Chambers of Commerce (NBCC), Hakeem Ogunniran; CEO, RMB Nigeria StockBrokers, Abiola Adekoya; Economist and Senior Lecturer, Lagos Business School, Dr. Doyin Salami and President & Chairman of NBCC, Akinola Olawore, at the NBCC’s Breakfast Session in Lagos‌recently

Banks’ Assets, Liabilities Hit N37 Trillion Obinna Chima The total assets and liabilities of commercial banks stood at N37.136 trillion as at the end of November 2018.

This, represented a 0.4 per cent decrease below the level at the end of September 2018.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disclosed this in its fourth quarter economic report for 2018.

According to the report, the funds were sourced, largely, from foreign liabilities, draw down on reserves and acquisition of credit from central bank.

The funds were used, mainly, for payment of matured demand deposits, and settlement of claims on central bank and federal government.

In addition, the report stated that at N19.752 trillion, banks’

ECONOMY credit to the domestic economy, as at the end of November 2018, showed an increase of two per cent above the level at the end of September 2018.

The development reflected, the nine per cent and 32.8 per cent rise in claims on the federal government and state and local governments, respectively, which more than offset the decline in claims on other private sector in the review period.

It showed that total specified liquid assets of the banks were N12.161 trillion as at the end of November 2018, representing 56.8 per cent of the total current liabilities.

At that level, the liquidity ratio was three per cent

points below the level at end-September 2018, but was 33.42 per cent points above the stipulated minimum ratio of 30 per cent. “The loans-to-deposit ratio, at 65.04 per cent, was 0.13 percentage points and 14.96 percentage points lower than the level at end-September 2018 and the prescribed maximum of 80 per cent, respectively. “Currency-in-circulation (CIC) at end-December 2018, rose by 20.9 per cent to N2.330 trillion, compared with the growth of 1.4 per cent at end-September 2018. “The development relative to the preceding quarter reflected, mainly, the 19.4 per cent and 7.5 per cent increase in its currency outside banks and demand deposit components,

respectively. “Total deposits at the CBN amounted to N15.704 trillion at end-December 2018, indicating a 6.5 per cent increase above the level at end-September 2018.

The increase was attributed to 13 per cent and 9.5 per cent rise in the deposits of the private sector and federal government, respectively. “Of the total deposits at the CBN, the shares of the federal government, banks and private sector deposits were 49.6 per cent, 30.6 per cent and 19.8 per cent, respectively. “Reserve money rose by 4.9 per cent to N7,135.73 billion at end-December 2018, compared with the increase of 7.0 per cent Continued on page 24

Nigeria Leads in African Start-up Funding with $94.9m Emma Okonji The Disrupt Africa has revealed that that 210 African start-ups secured $334.5 million worth of investments in 2018, with Nigeria leading other countries as the premier investment destination in the continent.

According to the report, Nigeria secured $94,912,000 funding with 58 start-ups from various sectors.

The firm disclosed this in its annual African Tech Startups Funding Report for 2018.

The report, which tracks total amount of funding raised by African tech start-ups each year, found that 210 start-ups raised

TELECOM a total of $334,520,500 in 2018.

This, according to the report, was a substantial leap from 2017.

The number of start-ups that raised funds grew by 32.1 per cent, and total funding jumped by an impressive 71.5 per cent.

A key finding of the report was the emergence of Nigeria as Africa’s start-up funding hub, after years of playing second fiddle to South Africa.

Nigeria topped the list of African start-ups and was closely followed by South Africa, with 40 businesses raising $59,971,000.

Kenya ranked third in terms of the number of start-ups that

raised funds.

However, other African countries are emerging as more than viable alternative destinations for funding as investors increasingly look beyond the traditional “big three� start-up ecosystems.

This is a trend that has been slowly developing over the last few years.

Whereas in 2015, South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya accounted for more than 80 per cent of total funding raised, in 2018 that fell to 61.8 per cent.

Much of that was attributable to the rise of Egypt as a destination for funding, with the country’s start-ups raising $58.9 million in 2018, clearly

establishing Egypt as a leading start-up hub on the continent.

Companies in 16 other African countries secured investment.

In terms of sectors, the fintech space continued to dominate, showing a clear favourite among investors with $132.75 million seed fund, accounting for 39.7 per cent of total funds raised.

According to the report, this was an increase on previous years, but nonetheless there are strong signs of progress in other sectors, with multiple edu-tech, e-commerce, e-health, transport, logistics and agri-tech startups raising funding as investors saw Continued on page 24

ÙÚ ĂŽĂ“Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă?ÚÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ÑËÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ăœ ĂžĂ™Ă—Ă™ĂœĂœĂ™ĂĄ ÞÙ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?

͎͎ͯ͡Ë?Í°ÍŽÍŻÍł Ă&#x;ËÖÓÞã Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă— ÞÙ ĂŁĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ?ÚËĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽË› Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă?Ă‹ĂŽËš ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ? ĂŽĂ Ă“Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ëœ Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂŽĂ™Ă— Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă? Ù×Ë Ă?ĂŽĂŽĂ“Ă?Ě‹ Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂœËœ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ùà Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ? ÞÙ ĂŁĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ?ÚËĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă’ ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? Ě™ ̚˛ Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ëœ ͎͎ͯ͡ Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă&#x;ËÖÓÞã Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă— Ě™ Ěš Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? ×ËâÓ×Ă&#x;Ă— ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ?Ë› Ăž ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ ÚÙåĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă– ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙÙÖ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂšĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ëœ Ă?Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ă?Ëž Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă? ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëž ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă?ĂžĂ?Ëž Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÞËÕĂ?ÒÙÖÎĂ?Ăœ Ă?ËÞÓĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëž ĂšĂœĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ&#x;ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?×Ùà Ă? ĂŒĂ‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë›

Dell Reinvents Endpoint Security

ĂŁĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ËÞÞËĂ?Ă• ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă“Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ?ÞÞĂ?Ăœ ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă? Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ě‹ĂžĂ’Ă“ĂœĂŽ Ě™Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ͹͡ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĚš Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂŁĂŒĂ?Ăœ ËÞÞËĂ?Ă•Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă˜Ă™Ă˜Ě‹Ă—Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽËœ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?âÚÖÙÓÞ Ă‘Ă‹ĂšĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă—Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ? Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ“Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂž ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă–ĂŁĂ?Ă? Ă‹ Ă—Ă&#x;ÖÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă‹Ă–Ă?ĂœĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă?ĂžËœ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂŁĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă? Ă‘Ă‹ĂšËœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ™Ă˜ËŞĂž Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă–ĂŁË› Ă™ Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă–Ă– Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹ ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?ÙÖÓÙ Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă?âÞ̋ÑĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž ĂŒĂ?Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă–ĂŁĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă? åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÚÖËÞĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ— Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂŽ ĂžĂœĂ“Ă•Ă?Ë› Ă?Ă–Ă–ËŞĂ? ×ÙÎĂ?ĂœĂ˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă‹ĂšĂšĂœĂ™Ă‹Ă?Ă’ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ĂŽĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă‹ĂšĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă?Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ÎËÞË åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁËŞĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă?Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ë›

Afreximbank Commits $100m to Businesses

Ă’Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ–ĂŁĚ‹Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă˘ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ?Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă˘ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĚ‹ Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă˜Ă• Ě™ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˘Ă“Ă—ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă•ĚšËœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂŒĂ™Ă–ĂŽ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă™Ă–ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ě‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă—Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă‹ĂœĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ™Ëœ Ă‘ĂŁĂšĂžËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ù××ÓÞ ÍœÍŻÍŽÍŽ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ëœ Ă‹ ĂĄĂ’Ă™Ă–Ă–ĂŁĚ‹Ă™ĂĄĂ˜Ă?ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĚ‹Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ?Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˘Ă“Ă—ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă•Ëœ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă&#x;Ăš ÞÙ Ó×ÚÖĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜Ă•ËŞĂ? Ă›Ă&#x;ÓÞã Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă—Ă? ĂŒĂŁ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ËÚÓÞËÖ ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˘Ă“Ă—ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă•ËŞĂ? Ă•Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ě‹ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëž Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëž Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?ÞËÓÖ˞ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëž ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁËž ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă Ă?Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă—Ëž ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÖÙÑÓĂ?ÞÓĂ?Ă?Ëž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă– ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Ë› Ăž ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă‘Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă—Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă&#x;Ă—Ě‹Ă?ÓäĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ě™ Ă?̚˛ Ă’Ă? Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ě‹ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ— Ă™ĂŒĂ”Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;ÓÞã Ă?ËÚÓÞËÖ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ëœ Ă˜Ă™Ă˜Ě‹Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÙ ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ËŞĂ? ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ëœ åÓÞÒ Ă?×ÚÒËĂ?Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞÓĂ?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ‹Ě‹ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ě‹Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?Ë›

“Maintaining speedy broadband penetration remains a prime objective as Phase3 continues to ensure that Nigerians enjoy quality of service, reliability and exceptional customer experience that ride on quality investments and technologies that create an enabling ecosystem for clients�

CEO, Phase3Telecom,

Mr. Stanley Jegede

24

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍľËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

BANKS’ ASSETS, LIABILITIES HIT N37 TRILLION at end-September 2018. The development reflected the increase in total bank reserves,� the report stated.

It revealed that Commercial Paper (CP) outstanding held by banks, amounted to N15.12 billion, in the fourth quarter of 2018, showing a decrease of 35.2 per cent, compared with N23.33 billion recorded at end-September 2018.

The increase was due to the rise in investments in CP by merchant banks during the review quarter. Thus, CP constituted 0.1 per cent of the total value of money market assets outstanding during the review period, compared with 0.2 per cent in the preceding quarter.

Bankers’ Acceptances (BAs) outstanding stood at N12.12 billion in the fourth quarter of 2018, showing an increase of 12.5 per cent, compared with N10.77 billion recorded at the end of the third quarter of 2018. The development was attributed to investments in BAs by commercial banks during the review quarter. Consequently, BAs accounted for 0.1 per cent of the total value of money market assets outstanding at end-December 2018, compared with 0.09 per cent at the end of the preceding quarter.

NIGERIA LEADS IN AFRICAN START-UP FUNDING WITH $94.9M opportunities in a large number of areas.

Analysing the report, the Co-founder of Disrupt Africa, Gabriella Mulligan, said: “It has been an incredible year for tech start-ups in Africa – and it’s a real pleasure to release this report and the impressive figures it contains.

The continent’s entrepreneurs have grabbed the attention of investors, accelerators, and media both locally and globally this year with their innovative solutions and business models, and it’s great to be able to report on such strong results across our ecosystem.�

Another Co-founder, Disrupt Africa, Tom Jackson, said: “The African tech space continues on its upward trajectory, with more start-ups than ever before securing record levels of funding in 2018.�

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ äĂ?

Comms/e-Business Editor

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

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

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AMCON: Poor Valuation Affecting Disposal of Assets The Managing Director/ on AMCON.� said estate surveyors and valu- sured the corporation that Stamp is personalised, with Chief Executive Officer, AsThe AMCON boss also used ers have enjoyed professional ESVARBON was doing practitioners’ names and seal/ set Management Corporation the occasion to express AM- relationship with AMCON. everything within its powers registration numbers. It is of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr. CON’s main concern, which He said ESVARBON was to ensure that only qualified easier to use, with security Ahmed Kuru, has pledged that has to do with quacks in the aware of the key role of and registered practitioners features to avoid cloning the corporation will continue sector, which makes it difficult registered estate surveyors and were allowed to practice in and counterfeiting. The new to seek improved collaboration to get the right valuation of valuers to the successful reali- the country.

Adhesive Stamp have brighter sation of the statutory mandate with Estate Surveyors and assets most of the time.

Given instances, he said blue colour and aesthetically Kuru said it would be of AMCON. He argued that ESVARBON under his watch well-pleasing. It does not have Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) because in the interest of AMCON, through ESVARBON services just introduced an improved expiry date. The raison d’etre of the critical role they play ESVARBON and the public to AMCON, both government Adhesive Stamp (AS), which for the improvement in the if unqualified practitioners agencies actually work for the he said will separate quacks form and its application to in asset sales.

Kuru, who spoke in Abuja, that litter every state of the economic development of the from professionals. The AS, varied uses is to enhance when he received a delega- federation as members of country. he disclosed became effective better regulation and control tion from ESVARBON led ESVARBON were eliminated.

Addressing the issue of on January 1, 2019. in the overall practice of the by its Chairman, Nweke In his response, Umezuruike quackery, Umezuruike as“The New Adhesive profession,� he said.

Umezuruike, stated that such collaboration with the agency was needed this time in the life of AMCON, given the pile up of assets, which AMCON has to sale to meet its mandate at the end of the day.

A statement from the corporation quoted Kuru to have said: “Valuers determine a lot of what we do in terms of assets sale. We therefore consider ESVARBON as key stakeholders in our recovery mandate and will always encourage this sort of interaction.

That is why I have always said that conservativeness is very key in the valuation business because it is critical to how we (AMCON) go about the disposal of the assets we have in our portfolio. “We have always engaged your members and we will continue to engage them to handle our valuations and the reports they come up with affect our decisions. So, we will continue to work with ESVARBON because your job L-R: Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru; Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, as estate valuears have both Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and CEO OVH Energy, Mr. Huub Stokman, during the minister’s visit to OVH Energy’s stand at the Nigerian International negative and positive impact Petroleum Summit held in Abuja‌recently

PETROLEUM SUMMIT

Experts Highlight Challenges of Fake News Emma Okonji Worried about the potential danger of disseminating fake news through various social media platforms, some experts that spoke at the ongoing Social Media Week Lagos, have come up fresh solutions to address the growing trend.

Speaking at a panel session, the dangers of fake news were highlighted, and Nigerians were blamed for their gullible nature in accepting and disseminating fake news.

The experts described fake news as malicious stories or information that have no element of truth and are

broadcast as mere gossips.

The panellists which consist of professionals from various disciplines, also blamed government for escalating fake news trough the hoarding of vital information that should be of public knowledge.

According to them, in an attempt to uncover such information, which are most times classified, people come up with different information that may not be correct about the subject matter.

The Group Head, Corporate Communication at Access Bank, Mr. Amaechi Okobi, cautioned on the dangers of fake news, which he said

were most times misleading in decision making, but however advised that Nigerians must go the extra-mile in dissociating themselves from its spread.

In detecting fake news, he said Nigerians must verify the source of every information, and the credibility of such information, before re-broadcasting it.

A blogger, Oluwatosin Ajibade, stressed the need for media owners to provide training and re-training for staff so as to expose them to modern tools to verify fake news. “There are technology tools online to detect origin of news,

the authenticity of the news, geolocation where the news emanates from and the number of times a particularly news item has been re-broadcasted. “Unless media practitioners are trained on how to source of the technology tools and how to use them, they may continually become carriers of fake news unknown to them,� Ajibade said.

Also speaking, a Senior Business Manager at HMD Global, Mr. Kolawole Osinowo, advised news carriers to make effective use of available technology solutions in detecting what could be fake actual news or fake news. Osinowo

challenged technology startups to come up with more technology solutions that could address the potential dangers of fake news.

Another blogger, Laila Ijeoma Obiagwu, said fake news spreads easily and thrives because there are lots of people practicing journalism, without having any training in journalism.

She said with connected devices people post all manners of gossips and untrue information through various social media, to gullible Nigerians who are eager to accept every trending information.

Firm Proffers Solution to Digital Financial Services Gap Emma Okonji A fintech company, Innovectives, has identified the wide gap that exists in Nigeria’s financial sector and at the same time is offering solution that will address the challenges.

In a recent survey carried out and concluded by the firm, in order to better understand the distinct peculiarities affecting consumption of organised financial services, the firm said it discovered that lack of fit-for-purpose and sustainable initiatives to stimulate the demand side of digital financial

services, was the bane for the increased gap between the connected and unconnected people of the country.

While analysing its report, the Chief Executive of Innovectives, Emmanuel Agha, said: “The disproportionately higher number of financially excluded, economically active adults and non-existent access to credit to the productive segment of our society, were indicators that we had to raise our game. “These gaps are not new but the scale and impact on the micro economy calls for intentional and systematic

interventions.�

According to him, in 2018, his organisation participated in the Shared Agent Network Expansion Facility (SANEF), a project powered by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Bankers Committee and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS). “We opted to build an integrated shared agent banking platform that is financial institution agnostic because we believe a financial super highway would serve the interest of the customers and service the people better.

“In 2018, we were able to increase the number of FIs and NFIs connected to Kesh Express, our agency banking platform, from four to seventeen. Today, Kesh Express is connected to Zenith, GTBank, Access Bank, Stanbic IBTC, UBA, Ecobank and Cowries Microfinance Bank. Wema, Sterling and Jaiz Banks will be live in two weeks. We also connected to NIPOST IFS, Angaza, Masterpass, mVisa, Quickteller, NIBSS and Remita platforms.�

He, however, said the target for 2019 would be to achieve

100 per cent connection to all retail-focused deposit money banks, major micro-finance banks and international remittance platforms. “We have been able to recruit over 25,000 agents across the 36 states, out of which over 10,000 agents are connected and actively carrying out financial transactions for customers on our platform.

Our plan for 2019 is to speed up agents on-boarding process and therefore increase the number of activated agents from 10,000 to 50,000,� Agha said.

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BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Imperative of Promoting Local Content The need to encourage the consumption of local information and communications technology goods and services in the public and private sector, has become imperative to boost Nigeria’s economy, writes Emma Okonji

Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu

F

rom all indications, Nigerians are yet to grasp the full advantage of several government policies that were put in place to encourage local content patronage in products and services emanating from the information and communications technology (ICT) sector of the Nigerian economy. The reason for this has been traced to lack of implementation of such policies, even though they exist.

From the federal government policy paper on patronage of local software, to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act 2010, and recently, the Executive Orders 003 and 005, the federal government was able to raise the hopes of Nigerians that government was ready to promote local content development as a means of creating jobs and boosting the Nigerian economy. But the impact has not been felt among Nigerians because of lack of implementation of the policies and Acts, thus leading to job loss and capital flight.

In the oil and gas sector, for instance, local jobs, which Nigerians can handle, are given away to foreigners, who still use Nigerians to get such jobs done, and at the end of the job, money is repatriated from Nigeria to foreign lands to develop foreign economies.

In the consumption of ICT goods and services, multinational companies operating in Nigeria, prefer to patronise foreign software products and services to the detriment of locally developed software. Such multinationals are in the habit of blaming the situation on local skills gap and low quality of local ICT products and services, a situation that calls for re-assessment of the Nigerian policies in ICT products and services and the need for government and the private sector to train quality technology start-ups that could fill the skills gap and at the same time, develop local products that could stand the test of time and become globally competitive.

Position of ICTLOCA Worried about the local content development in ICT, especially in the oil and gas sector, the Association of Information Communication Technology Local Content (ICTLOCA), last week, organised an ICT Community Roundtable in Lagos, where it discussed the challenges of local content in ICT and proffered solutions through a 16-Point Communique it presented at the end of conference.

Stakeholders that were present at the conference called on the federal government to encourage the consumption of local ICT goods and services in the public and private sector, in line with the NOGICD Act 2010. The stakeholders frowned at the situation where jobs in the oil and gas sector are given to expatriates instead of Nigerians, as recommended by the NOGICD Act 2010.

The Act was enacted with the aim of providing for the development of indigenous content in the Nigerian oil and gas industry by ensuring

Director-General, NITDA, Ibrahim Pantami

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 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 make haste in promoting the Nigerian local content in oil and gas.

In her keynote address, 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 003 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 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, who was represented by the Vice President, Mrs. Busayo Balogun, said the body had the mandate to ensure that all laws and policies of government are put in place to promote local content in ICT in the oil and gas sector of the Nigerian economy.

But he called for collaboration with industry stakeholders to ensure full implementation of local content policies in the oil and gas sector.

Secretary, ICTLOCA, Mr. Adebunmi Akinbo, said with the signing of the Executive Order 005 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,” Akinbo said.

“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,” he added.

Communique on local content In the communique issued at the end of the event, the forum advised government to encourage deliberate consumption of local ICT goods and services in the public and private sector, according to the NOGICD Act 2010. It called on NCDMB to ensure that the websites of Nigerian Companies bidding for contracts must be hosted locally and that they use a .ng domain name. It also called on NCDMB to provide ICTLOCA access to Annual Nigerian Content Performance Report, relating to ICT contracts in the Oil and Gas industry and other relevant information that will assist the association.

The forum called on the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), to always certify local ICT software and certify local software vendors. It called for the enforcement and monitoring of local content laws and policies of government on the promotion of local content in ICT by relevant regulatory bodies.

In the communique, stakeholders called on government, to through the NCDMB, identify, support and fund young innovators in the ICT industry and implement intervention programmes to correct the identified skills/competence gap.

They called on NCDMB to support ICTLOCA’s efforts to ensure the patronage of local ICT goods and services. The stakeholders insisted that the certification of Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), should be a sufficient requirement for the registration of ICT practitioners, while calling for collaborations between NCDMB and NCCF-ICT to increase awareness and sensitisation of practitioners in the ICT industry.

In the area of implementation and sanction on erring members, the stakeholders insisted that government through the relevant regulatory agencies should sanction all offenders of local content laws and policies. They also spoke of the need for NCDMB to organise relevant trainings and seminars for ICT practitioners to enlighten them on project tendering and ICT Jobs and service contract awards processes and implementation in the Oil and Gas sector.

They equally called for awareness creation and the participation of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and ICT practitioners in Nigeria to drive investment in local content.

Government’s position Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has reiterated the commitment of the federal government to the implementation of the local content program and the Executive Order on local content. He said that the federal government and the private sector service providers have a critical role to play for the local content programme to succeed in Nigeria.

The minister stated that the government would

provide guaranteed order and policies, and ensure those orders and policies are enforced to achieve the quality of products and services as well as their commensurate patronage by Nigerians.

“My ministry is totally committed to the implementation of the local content program and the Executive Order 005 on Local Content.

Let me quickly add here that, local content does not mean excluding foreign participation in our economy, rather, it means concerted and collaborative efforts by all players to build a strong indigenous economy” Shittu said.

To achieve the goals of promoting the Nigerian local content, Shittu explained further that the “Win-Win” formula must play out so that the locally assembled computers must run on Microsoft Operating System (MOS) and Intel processors.

Shittu disclosed that patronage of Nigerian local content has soared during the current administration more than ever before, in the history of Nigeria, via the dynamic leadership of Director General of NITDA, Dr. Ibrahim Isa Pantami.

Fresh directives to MDAs According to Shittu, the Ministry of Communications through NITDA will soon issue fresh directives to encourage MDAs of government to use emerging technologies and other platforms across boards. He said the fresh directives would charge MDAs to comply with the new guidelines in the procurement and utilisation of ICT infrastructure and services as issued by NITDA. The minister added that the federal government shall continue to sponsor initiatives that would attract local and international investments into the country, to boost its economic growth in the technology sector.

Speaking at the forum, the Director General of NITDA, Dr. Ibrahim Isa Pantami, represented by Dr. Abdullahi Usman of the agency, said the agency has ensured compliance and enforcement of the guidelines for Nigerian Content Development in ICT, which was an issued in December 2013 and is currently being updated for more results.

According to him, the guidelines together with the Executive Orders 003 and 005 issued by the federal government for the promotion of local content in Nigeria, provide a fulcrum for the development of indigenous capacity in ICT sector.

“NITDA has ensured compliance with the guidelines through its Information Technology (IT) Clearance function where projects submitted to NITDA by MDAs, federal institutions, and its companies are assessed on compliance with local content as a primary criterion. Specific cases of the breach have resulted in criminal enforcement by the agency in partnership with other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria,” Pantami said., In his speech, the Director General, NOTAP, Dr. Danazumi Ibrahim, represented by Samuel Eneanya, said government policies of mandating foreign companies to train Nigerian engineers has helped at improving the Nigerian local content.

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David-Ashiru: Why FG Must Support Software Developers Andela Nigeria’s Country Director, Omowale David-Ashiru, spoke with Emma Okonji on the company’s recent feat in securing $100 million funding to boost technology growth and the need to train more Nigerians in software development. Excerpts:

A

ndela recently secured $100 million funding. How do you intend to utilise the whooping amount in software development?

With the Series D funding, Andela will accelerate the development of its technology platform to identify, develop and match talent at scale. By doing so, Andela will provide its partners with the data they need to understand developer performance and better manage distributed teams. The company will also expand its presence across Africa to meet the global demand for high-quality engineering talent. Essentially, we want to invest heavily in talent and technology that will help us reach our potential, as quickly as possible.

Andela had in the past, secured funding to develop Africa’s software team. How have you been able to impact the software industry with these funds?

As with every series, there are specific goals and objectives to achieve and one of the things we’ve been able to accomplish is expansion.

If you look at how much we have grown, we have almost doubled in size in the last couple of years. In terms of direct impact, we have been able to bring about 1,100 developers into the fellowship and with programs like our ALC which is in partnership with Google, Pluralsight and Microsoft, we have been able to provide the online opportunity for talent to be developed in software development.

In the last two years, we have empowered over 33,000 people with almost half of that being Nigerians. In the ecosystem, the number of Andelans have been able to develop the ecosystem with initiatives like Teencode, Tech in Pink, etc. Another indirect way that the previous funding has impacted the software industry in Nigeria and Africa is that it has put us in the spotlight and attracted a lot of investors. In 2017 alone we were able to attract over half a billion dollars into African startups and this is because, for each investment that has come in, it has put us out there and also enabled other investors to realise there is brilliance in Africa and there are startups and tech companies doing great things in Africa.

The federal government has been making efforts to train entrepreneurs in software development, such that they can compete globally and add value to the Nigerian economy, but it appears such efforts are slow in yielding results. Why is government not getting it right?

I am not sure I have the exact answers to why the plans of the government haven’t succeeded yet but I believe partnerships are key to success. The government will need to consider tech ecosystem partnerships to help it drive this objective. Also, another very important thing is the role the government has to play in terms of creating an enabling environment. Power and internet are essential infrastructure to drive these things and the government will need to invest in these things if they plan to win.

What are private sector players like Andela doing to raise quality entrepreneurs in software development that can develop commercially viable software that will be of high demand within and outside the country?

One aspect of the entire model is doing exactly that. We identify potential, some of who don’t have any software development background before applying to the Andela fellowship. What we are basically after is potential, grit and determination because we know brilliance is evenly distributed. We are identifying them and the process of identifying is something that Andela has also invested in. We have the tools and ways to identify them and once that has been done, we invest

for this talent is on the increase. What do you think is the best approach to handle the situation from Nigeria?

This ties to the essence of Andela. All that we have done in the last five years has been towards solving this problem.

Nigeria is working towards digital transformation and smart cities. How will Andela accelerate the development of Africa’s best tech talent in Nigeria to achieve digital transformation?

Continue to do what we are doing.

Quality of locally developed software has been an issue why Nigerians still prefer foreign software to local software.

How can this be addressed to build local conďŹ dence?

This is one of the reasons that Andela was founded. We believe that as we produce more world-class software engineers, they will permeate and will be part of the people that will propel Nigeria and Africa to where we want to go. We have already even started seeing that and one of the things we are doing as part of the learning process is that we have the apprenticeship program where our developers work with local businesses that are developing products.

David-Ashiru

in giving them the right environment and essentials they need to succeed. Once that has been done, we match them with partners that will give them the exposure to technology and world-class systems that would get them to the level of being world class. This is what Andela is doing and I believe other companies will be doing such, so that these software developers become world class that will contribute to solving global and local challenges.

What is your view about federal government’s plan to establish National ICT Park inside Abuja Technology Village, where talents would be groomed in software development and computer engineering?

I think it’s a good initiative. Andela was built on the premise that talent is evenly distributed and we have been able to convince a lot of people through the great strides we have achieved over the past couple of years. I believe this initiative of the federal government would be a good investment not just to the ecosystem but to the Nigerian economy at large. There is still so much to be done. It is fantastic that the government has committed to this but what would be more fantastic is to actually do it. I’ll borrow a little from the page of Rwanda because we have a pan African hub that we just opened in Rwanda. Rwanda is fantastic and we have seen how proactive the government has been with promoting Rwanda as a technology hub.

One of the first things they did is to make sure basic infrastructure to drive this initiative has been sorted. With that, they can attract investment to their country. Andela is happy to be there to partner them to develop their talent. I believe this is something Nigeria can and should be doing and it’s something we should proactively pursue.

In four years, Andela has assessed more than 100,000 applicants, hired 1,000 software developers, and integrated them into hundreds of companies. What impact are these hundreds of companies making on the Nigerian economy?

For starters, the most direct impact is that we have these 1,100 developers work right here

from their home base and that is economic empowerment. Yes, they are contributing to companies and partners but they are earning.

These are people who may not have been doing anything or earning. By that, they have been able to impact and empower their own system both family and work and that is a very direct impact that we have from people being able to work with companies around the world from their own home base. It is also helping to grow our economy both economically but also in terms of the knowledge transfer and have been able to directly impact those that are right next to them in this same country.

What are your plans to expand Andela’s presence across Africa to meet the global demand for high-quality engineering talent?

We have plans for this, and it is one of the things that the series D will help achieve.

You are playing in a sector where the males dominate the females especially in software programming and coding. What is Andela doing to address the disparity?

Andela is trying to play its part. The first thing is awareness. One of the things we try to do is track the data, try to identify what the gaps are and what are stopping women from coming out. More proactively, we have done initiatives like having an all-female cohort.

This means we have had a whole application cycle dedicated to just women. The reason is that we understand that in a field that is dominated by one particular gender, there might be something of psychological unsafety. We tried this and saw a difference. It is something we’ve done in the past which proved successful and we’ll keep doing this in the future. We also hold workshops targeted to the women.

We are also targeting influencers who are the gatekeepers because we realised that young women yearn to be part of this industry but they are limited by forces. If we could sit down with the influencers and mothers to educate them about the benefits, then we will get farther.

There is a global shortage in software engineering talents and the job demand

With tech campuses in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, Andela has been recognised as “The Best Place to Work in Africa� in 2018. How true is the statement and what makes Andela thick?

The statement is obviously true from the awards we have won from prestigious platforms. It is true because of the culture that we promote; Excellence, Passion, Integrity, and Collaboration. We live by these values and even in bringing people into Andela.

It’s not just about intelligence. We are very interested in value alignment and even as you come in, you catch the culture. We’re not just creating developers but we are creating leaders of tomorrow.

There is a recent report from Konga that over 70 per cent of Nigerians do not shop online because they don’t have access to the internet. How is Andela coping with internet access in developing software engineers?

This is back to what I said about an enabling infrastructure. It is no news to anyone that doing business is not as easy as it should be in Nigeria but we are not going to give up, we are going to keep investing and that’s why it is a thing of joy to have these investments so we are not limited instead, we are fueled to pursue our mission to produce world-class developers.

Nigeria attained 31.48 per cent broadband penetration in December 2018, which surpassed the 30 per cent broadband target of the country. How will this development impact on Nigeria’s software developers?

We are happy at this development, but we need more of this because if we believe the future of work is distributed, then that type of milestone and more will get us to the future faster than we can imagine.

Given the current rate of technology adoption in Nigeria, what is your projection of the country’s technology growth in the next ďŹ ve years?

I think we are going really fast and I don’t see this stopping, thanks to companies like Andela and other tech companies. I can’t give specific numbers but I believe if we continue on the path we are taking to being proactive and putting our country out there in the spotlight for investors to come in, I definitely believe we can be at the forefront of the technology revolution that is currently ongoing.

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‘Robotics Will Enhance Workforce Optimisation in Financial Sector’ Stories by Emma Okonji Stanbic IBTC has said the introduction of robotics into its banking operations, will enhance workforce optimisation and also reduce the number of human interface at its back end operations.

Manager, Process Analytics at the bank, Mr. Wale Ojo, who made the disclosure at the ongoing Social Media Week Lagos, said the bank would continue to invest in robotics technology as well as in humans in order to speed up banking operations and

enhance customers’ experience. “We have developed solution that is making our financial process more seamless, and this helps to reduce the number of human interactions that occur within the system. “We have all-in-one app that allows customers to navigate across various accounts from a single user interface. The same app could be used to access different sites instead of having different app for different bank accounts in different bank websites,� Ojo said.

The bank has also developed

chatbots that can log on to systems, using the username and password to visit different sites and download information and save such information in a particular location that could be accessible to all, Ojo added.

According to him, “We have chatbots that can interact with our customers and help them in basic transactions like account opening, checking of account balance. They act as robot advisory that helps customers

to identify investment types that best suit their financial strength.

The chatbots advise customers on different bank offerings based on the customers spending pattern. “Without robotics, we are able to deal with back-end operations by speeding up our back-end operations such that customers do not experience long turnaround time and delays in the banking operations. ‘In the area of cheque confirmation, we use out back-

end robotics to carry out the operations as fast as possible and in few hours, other bank checks are verified and cleared.

In the future we are looking at building chatbots that will interface with human in major baking operations, including front-end operations,� Ojo said.

Senior Process Analyst at Stanbic IBTC, Jane Nwosu, spoke on the bank’s innovation lab where the bank does cooperation exercise that engages

the customers and knowing exactly what the customer wants, adding that it was a way of engaging customer experience. “Our investments in robotics and people are key to us as a bank as we will continue to invest in young people that have brilliant ideas. We will continue to invest in robots and in people to prove a point that the use of robotics in banking operations will not eliminate jobs of people.

Smile Introduces New Device, Offers Bonus Smile, a telecommunications service provider in West Africa, has announced its new device and bonus offers to reward their customers.

According to the telecoms company, “The proposed offers are affordable, thus making it easier for customers to enjoy the benefits that comes with having a SuperFast and reliable Internet connection.�

Through the offers recently introduced by Smile, customers will upon purchase of a SMiFi or Router Starter Pack, get 100 per cent bonus data on recharge for three consecutive months, free unlimited on-net calls and 10 minutes off-net calls. They are at liberty to get 7GB plus SMiFi or UnlimitedPremiumplan plus Router and 100 per cent bonus. This gives customers the ability to create their own hotspot, stream, download and connect with family and friends. Prices start from as low as N9,800.

The SMiFi offer is available in all cities of operation.

Smile Nigeria’s Head of Marketing, Lotanna Anajemba, said: “We recognise that the Internet is becoming more and more important for nearly everybody in their everyday lives, and as such, it is our goal to enable as many new connections as possible. These

offers are yet another step towards realising this goal.�

Anajemba highlighted that the need for instant continued access to the internet, had resulted in a higher demand for data to be readily accessible at affordable rates. “It is therefore believed that the new device and bonus offers will not only give customers great value for money but also rewards them for their usage,� she added.

The offer can be accessed via its online shop, Smile shops and authorised distributors spread across the cities that they operate, Anajemba said.

She said Smile’s effort to get Nigerians on to the internet was demonstrated by its aggressive investment in what is now the largest 4G LTE network in Nigeria, introduction of a wide and affordable bundle portfolio, affordable data enabled devices and now these exciting offers. “For Smile Nigeria, these feat are aligned with the company’s commitment to create a differentiated value proposition and provide customer centric services, which are aimed at adding unrivalled benefits to its teeming customers spread across major cities and towns in the country.�

Phase3 Named among Global Brands Phase3 Telecom, has been listed by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) as one of the companies to look out for in 2019 that will inspire African businesses.

The listing, according to LSEG, was based on research into Africa’s most vibrant private and growth-driven companies that are shaping global markets across industries and sectors.

The LSEG stated this in the second edition of the report.

Out of 360 companies from 32 different countries across Africa that were highlighted in the report, 23 per cent of the senior executives of the companies featured were female, which is 11 per cent above 2018 report. It was also stated that firms in the consumer services, industry and agriculture were the three biggest sectors which made up over 50 per cent of the companies attributed to

the continent’s growth in the past year. While technology, telecoms, and financial services represented more than 25 per cent of entities; with healthcare, education and renewable energy sectors also making up a good percentage Analysing the report, the Chief Executive Officer of London Stock Exchange Group, David Schwimmer, stated that it was published based on LSEG belief that these firms, and high-growth firms like them, are crucial to the future of the African economy, capable of driving transformative economic growth in their home countries, Africa and beyond.

According to him, currently listed on London markets with increasing global investor access network, were more than 100 firms and almost 40 African bonds through issuance from Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Angola and Ghana.

VIDEO ON DEMAND

L-R: Managing Director, Inview Nigeria Limited, Olumade Adesemowo; General Manager, PLAY TV, Funmi Adenaike; Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Is’haq Modibo Kawu and Nollywood Actress, Ayo Adesanya, during the oďŹƒcial launch of Video on Demand (PLAYVOD) by NBC in Abuja...recently

NBC, Others Unveil New Initiative

Winners Emerge in ‘Changemaker Challenge’

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has launched the much awaited Video on Demand platform (PLAYVOD) in partnership with FREE TV and PLAY TV. PLAYVOD is a platform that allows subscribers access premium Nollywood Blockbusters through the use of a customise dongle.

Subscribers on Free TV will therefore have access to any Nollywood movies of their preferred choice without the use of internet.

Announcing the partnership in Abuja recently, the Director General of NBC, Is’haq Modibbo kawu, said: “The platform promises to deliver the cinema feelings and experience to subscribers in the comfort of their homes.

This service enables customers to access high quality digital movies on demand without any expensive internet or data charges. Viewers will be able to select from an ever increasing library of movies which are constantly pushed direct to the Set Top Box (STB) without incurring any data charges. “Customers then simply select the film they want to watch and pay to view - with the movie accessible for three days after activation. “In order to gain access to the service customers only need purchase a PlayVOD Dongle, which includes a one-

Three teams have emerged winners of the 2018 USPF Changemaker Challenge, out of the 14 teams that were shortlisted for the contest from over 500 applications received.

The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), a subsidiary of the Nigerian Communications (NCC), has consistently organised the annual competition on software development in order to identify and support the growth of software talents.

It is often said that the future of any economy depends on how many new businesses it can generate particularly within the small business and startup segments. This is the idea behind the establishment of the USPF changemaker challenge, a hackathon designed to solve a number of issues confronting Nigeria as a nation.

The 2018 USPF changemaker challenge with the theme: ‘The Future is Here: Disrupting Legacy Ecosystem with Technology,’ identified the best talents in software development.

Team Real Media, with the product: Places and Services, won the first prize of N1,000,000, while Team Xavier won the second prize of N750,000 with the product Beza X. The third prize position of N500,000, went to Team iNeeds, with the product iNeeds.ng.

The first prize winners were Nwosu Oluebube and Ijaola

time activation fee and one movie for free. The service will be launched across the country and customers will get access to the service via a free software upgrade that will be sent to their Set Top Box automatically.�

Kawu, said the movie platform remains an excellent way for viewers to have at home, a cinema experience at a highly affordable cost and be confident that they will get superior viewing experience to pirated alternatives.

According to the Director General, “The PLAYVOD is a Value Added Service (VAS) on the Digital Switch Over (DSO), deepening the reality of the DSO and invariably helping regulators curb piracy in the industry.�

The Managing Director of Inview Nigeria Limited, Olumade Adesemowo also expressed his joy over the launch of the platform, stating that it will completely change the economics for the entire Nollywood Industry.

Nollywood actress, Ayo Adesanya and her Kannywood counterpart, Uzee Usman, who were present at the event, said the launch was another avenue that would help all the stakeholders, especially the movie makers to curb piracy, which according to them, remained a major challenge facing the industry.

David, the second prize winners were Ogunranti Adebayo and Samson Okubanjo. The third prize winners were, Nwosu Isochukwu, Mfonobong Umondia David, Jideofor Ochiabutor Chuka and Peter Cynthia.

The decision was reached by a panel of judges comprising of the Managing Partner, Abridge Consulting, Kolapo Solesi; Co-founder, GoDo.ng, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr; Founder, TechHer, Chioma Agwuegbo; IT Professional, Adetunji Obakeye; Co-founder, Hullnet, Deji Olarinre; Founder, Makifa Network, Aisha Amoka, and Technology Lawyer, Moses Malan Faya, all with diverse experiences that helped guide the various teams until the winners emerged. The selection was made based on a number of criteria such as marketing viability, ease of implementation, go-to-market strategy, needs analysis as well as communication skills.

According to the Secretary of the USPF, Ayuba Shuaibu, the Innovative ICT Solutions and Entrepreneurship Development (IISED) project, was one of the initiatives of the Universal Service Provision Fund, which provides platform for ICT startups to create fully working prototypes of ICT solutions capable of deepening ICT penetration in Nigeria while creating employment for the young ICT entrepreneurs.

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Embracing the Future Globally, business combination strategy is one of the tools financial institutions adopt to increase revenues, minimise cost and enhance their market share, writes Obinna Chima

Wigwe

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igeria’s banking sector has seen tremendous development in the past few years.

No doubt, the impact of globalisation has caused many changes in terms of regulations and structure in the sector.

As a result of this, institutions have continued to adopt different strategies to remain efficient and also to ensure they develop leading brands. One of such strategies is merger and acquisition.

Swati Pawar, in a paper titled: “Merger and Acquisition Strategies in Banking Industry: Issues and Implications,� pointed out that hardly does a week or two pass that there is no news of mergers and acquisitions globally.

According to her, mergers result in reduction in the number of banks, but an increase in the size of the merged institutions.

Pawar, also noted that such inorganic growth strategy has become the most significant measure to create world class banking system.

Some other objectives behind mergers in banks includes increasing customer base and expanding into new activities.

Another important advantage of merger is that the process reduces competition and eliminates competitors from the banking industry.

Clearly, these strategic benefits are the factors that influenced the ongoing business combination deal between Access Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc. The deal which aims to produce Africa’s largest retail bank by customer base would be concluded in April, two months earlier than initially expected.

Based on the agreement reached by the Boards of the two financial institutions, Diamond Bank shareholders would receive a consideration of N3.13 per share, comprising N1 per share in cash and the allotment of two New Access Bank ordinary shares for every seven Diamond Bank ordinary shares held as at the Implementation Date.

The offer represents a premium of 260 per cent to the closing market price of N0.87 per share of Diamond Bank on the NSE as of December 13, 2018, the date of the final binding offer.

Immediately following completion of the merger, Diamond Bank would be absorbed into Access Bank and it will cease to exist under Nigerian law.

Embracing the Future Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, pointed out that the combined enterprise would be a large and diversified bank with an extremely extensive retail footprint.

He added, “Together, we would have 27 million customers, which is the largest

Dozie

customer base of any bank on the continent.

We would have 33,000 point of sale (PoS) terminals, 3,300 automated teller machines (ATMs) and all of that. “Of course, we have obtained a ‘no objection’ letter from the Central Bank of Nigeria, which is a very important part of the approval process. “Access Bank has grown over time and has built a very strong wholesale banking capability. We have also shown significant expertise as far as treasury is concerned, risk management as well as our capital management plan. “We created and pushed a very strong value chain strategy which was our own way of building our retail business. “This was because we realised that the creation of a large diversified bank is critical, not just for Nigeria, but in Africa and the world. If you go to any part of the world, what you tend to see is that the top three or top five banks technically control market share.�

Speaking further, Wigwe said the combination of Access Bank and Diamond Bank would ensure that “we are able to take and solve customers’ issues right from the wholesale end, down to the man in the village, just because of the use of technology.�

He expressed optimism that the process of combining both institutions would not pose any challenge.

The merger is positive for all of Diamond Bank stakeholders, including customers, employees and shareholders. In particular, customers will beneďŹ t signiďŹ cantly through the unrivalled combination of the best of Diamond Bank’s retail and digital leadership with the size of Access Bank’s balance sheet, corporate names and geographical reach

According to him, “For us, we have built a very strong capability as far as mergers and acquisitions are concerned. One of the benefits we have is the fact that having done it before, we have learnt from the mistakes of the past and the benefits of what had been. “So, integrating Diamond Bank is going to be better than all the ones we have done in the past. The Intercontinental Bank transaction gave us the learning point we needed as far as this transaction is concerned. Our expectation is that this transaction will be finished before the end of next year.�

He assured staff of Diamond Bank that the motive of the deal was not to throw workers out of jobs.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank Plc, Mr. Uzoma Dozie, said the deal was driven by value.

He stated, “The merger is positive for all of Diamond Bank stakeholders, including customers, employees and shareholders. In particular, customers will benefit significantly through the unrivalled combination of the best of Diamond Bank’s retail and digital leadership with the size of Access Bank’s balance sheet, corporate names and geographical reach. “In reaching this decision, the shared passion for leveraging Nigeria’s youthful and entrepreneurial talent, and a commitment to better outcomes through financial inclusion have convinced us that this is the right combination. “I believe that the combination of two strong and admired brands, with shared values and complementary strengths, will be a strong force for positive change in the Nigerian and African retail landscape.

As a result, this merger creates significant potential for sustainable long-term growth which stands to benefit customers, employees and shareholders alike.�

The Deputy Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna, also said the deal would create value, saying ultimately the main beneficiaries would be the shareholders. “This is not about ego, but about creating value for our shareholders,� he added.

BeneďŹ t for Industry One of the leading global rating agencies, Moody’s Investors Service, stated that the deal was “credit positiveâ€? for the overall Nigerian banking system.

In its review of the deal, Moody’s stated: “We view the potential merger of Access Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc, two of Nigeria’s systemically important banks, as credit positive for the Nigerian banking system overall.�

Also, the Chief Executive Officer of Cowry Assets Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, hailed the deal. “Diamond Bank had huge non-performing

loans (NPLs) which were weighing down the performance of the bank. And when you have huge NPLs, it leads you to lose your liquidity. “Diamond Bank was already having some stress as a result of high NPLs. But this for me was one of the easiest and smoothest ways to resolve an emerging banking crisis. “The reality is that the bank had challenges and took a wise decision, instead of waiting for the central bank to intervene and drive its consolidation. For Diamond Bank, this was a good deal for its shareholders and directors,� Chukwu explained.

On their part, analysts at Lagos-based CSL Stockbrokers Limited, stated that Diamond Bank shareholders stand to benefit considerably from the merger, considering that the offer was at a premium of 260 per cent over the market price as at the date of the final binding offer (December 13) while Access Bank was priced at market price.

The financial advisory firm noted in a report that the transaction would be, if it goes ahead seamlessly, a good strategic deal for the shareholders of both entities. “Diamond Bank shareholders apart from getting a premium at the point of merger over current holdings will also in the long term stand to benefit from expected positive synergies from the merger. “Access Bank on the other hand stands to benefit considerably from Diamond Bank’s strong retail franchise. “Diamond Bank has a strong retail franchise especially on the liability side giving it the lowest funding cost among peers. “A merger with Access Bank, which still has a relatively high funding cost will be positive for Access Bank and in the long run, for the shareholders of the bank,� it explained.

They, however, pointed out that mergers and acquisitions are complex and “we do not expect to begin to see synergic benefits translate into profit in the near term.� “We also expect that integration issues which are not strange to Access Bank, considering its prior acquisition of Intercontinental Bank, will slow down growth of the combined entity in the near term,� the firm added.

Also, Prof. Uche Uwaleke of the Banking and Finance Department, Nasarawa State University, welcomed the merger.

He said: “Given the strengths of the two banks, there is little doubt that the union involving Access Bank’s strong fundamentals with CAR of over 20 per cent and Diamond Bank’s digital-driven services will produce synergies that will be positive for financial inclusion in Nigeria.�

Uwaleke added that the scheme of the merger is a win-win for the shareholders of the two banks.

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As Glo RedeďŹ nes Communication With new innovations, campaign and revolutionary products, meant to redefine communication, Raheem Akingbolu, reckons that the Glo brand must have set new direction for Nigeria’s telecom industry.

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o win consumers’ loyalties, players in the nation’s telecommunications market have, for over 16 years delighted subscribers with series of products and innovations to appeal to their fancies.

With the level the sector has reached in competition and product offering, perhaps only the players in the financial sector can stand shoulder to shoulder with the operators of Global System for Mobile (GSM).

Of course, marketing experts have linked this development to the easy and pocket friendly accessibility subscribers in the country now have to data and call services.

Beyond making calls or browsing, handlers of the Globacom brand has announced their determination to redefine the industry through global digital revolution in the years ahead.

At a press briefing in Lagos, where major stakeholders in the media were present; the company rolled out series of initiatives and revolutionary products to boost consumers’ living standard.

While it may be difficult to zero the new offering to corporate social responsibility (CSR), it may not also be wrong to single it out as a unique social service that would positively impact the life style of Nigerians.

The new products include: Glo Drive, Glo Health, Glo Entertainment Portal, Glo Mobile Money, Glo Call Connect Service, World Connect and Glo Titi, the Artificial Intelligence platform.

Charting a new course for healthcare Though many products were introduced, the decision of the company to priorities healthcare through Glo health sounded unusual but the company’s Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Technical, Mr. Bisi Koleoso, was quick to state in his welcome address that Globacom was committed to ensuring that Nigerians were not left behind in the march to a digitalised world, hence the need to digitalise major services that could improve living standard.

Koleoso pointed out that Glo Health Care is a digital health assistant designed to offer Nigerians access to best doctors in the world directly on their phone. Speaking while taking journalists through a presentation on the array of products and campaign deplored to reshape the industry, Mogaji said the product was conceptualised to enable Nigerians connect with at least 300 specialised doctors worldwide. “At Glo, we think we can up the ante by addressing salient issues affecting the public like good healthcare delivery. With Glo health, Nigerians can get information on common medical conditions at the click of a button; have access to information on common health challenges and health advice on public health. “One can also track key health parameters like blood pressure and sugar level in the body. Besides, there is worldwide database of doctors available on the app and it allows booking of appointment by video consulting on the smartphone� he said.

For easy understanding, the Deputy COO also added that the product has been domesticated into major languages; Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba¡ Boost for entertainment industry With a new entertainment portal, the Glo Entertainment Portal, which offers a single point of access for millions of digital entertainment content through Glo CafÊ, the company has further showcased its commitment to promote local content in the entertainment industry. In a way, pundits see the entertainment portal as a melting point for both local and international artists because of the provision of a single point of access for all digital content through Glo CafÊ which supplies premium content of top international labels. ¡ With over two million local and foreign songs and over 12,000 Hollywood, Nollywood, Bollywood movies on Glo CafÊ and Glo movie cafÊ respectively, the Glo brand has sure created a unique platform for existing and upcoming artists to explore and sharpen their skills.

Besides, for making accessibility possible to more than 10,000 games from top gaming developers across the globe as well as provision of music, comedy, sports and short videos from

top music channels, the brand has thus created a one stop-shop content platform for Nigerians.

This is in addition to the promise of more than 62 live channels on Glo Mobile TV. What further demonstrated the patriotic posture of the brand is the parade of various Nigerian artist that represent the old and the young generations in ‘Glo’s we Got People Talking’ song. Among others, the highly emotional song parade legendary King Sunny Ade, Davido, Olamide, Flavour, Sani Danja Dimension and many supporting artists.

Glo mobile money One of the products, which have been hailed by industry watchers as being timely, is the The Glo Mobile Money. According to Koleoso, the new product is an agent network which would hasten the drive towards a cash-light Nigerian society by enabling financial transactions on the mobile phone and extending financial inclusion to over 60 million unbanked people in the country.

The product is considered apt for this era because of the general clamour for cashless society.

At Glo, we think we can up the ante by addressing salient issues affecting the public like good healthcare delivery.

With Glo health, Nigerians can get information on common medical conditions at the click of a button; have access to information on common health challenges and health advice on public health

“Glo Mobile money is an agent network for quick mobilisation of funds for utility payments.

It is designed to serve as a safe and secure money transfer system to reduce physical cash management. It has many unique selling points like 24 hours instant money transfer¡ It has nigh-end device or data dependency as it can work with any phone,�

From any angle one chooses to look at the offering, apart from the fact that it will go a long way in helping to boost overall economy of the country, it will also help agent network ready for all payments including merchant, salary and person to person transfers. Glo mobile money will also help Nigerians in the area of insurance payments, fixed deposits and international transfers.

ArtiďŹ cial Intelligence Tagged ‘GLO TITI’, the artificial intelligence platform introduce at the forum would engage customers directly and assist them to get information about data plans, prepaid plans and Value Added Service (VAS). This enables customers to choose the most convenient plan, resolve issues and ask questions any time of the day without any human interface.

Speaking about this, the group Chief Technical Director, Sanjip Roy, in his presentation, said over 2,000 generators, and 6,000 new batteries had been swapped for better power availability for the network. He also stated that about 1,000 kilometres of fibre have been rechanneled to the ongoing road constructions across the country. “Through the Artificial Intelligence Service, Glo is set to completely change customer experience.

It is highly interactive and engaging and will assist customers to get information about data plans, prepaid plans, postpaid plans and Value Added Service (VAS). It will also provide necessary information about data plans, prepaid plans, postpaid plans and VAS.�

Expectedly, the product was said to have been conceptualised to also help patrons of the network address issues like balance enquiry and customer care assistance, which will be available on voice and text.

Another unique thing about what the company has described as ‘next generation customer experience’ is the fact that conversations can be in English and Pidgin-English to assist subscribers Two other products that would excite Nigerians in the next few days are the Glo Drive and Glo Call Connect Services. While Glo Drive addresses problems subscribers face with storing their data by

offering limitless storage capacity in the cloud, Glo Call Connect helps subscribers stay connected all the time even if the subscriber’s phone is switched off, has zero balance, or is out of coverage area.

The last is the Glo World Connect, which ensures that business executives stay connected to their offices anywhere in the world by offering them the most affordable roaming data in 60 countries with over 6.4 million wifi hotspots worldwide.

The company has disclosed that the infrastructure will be available in all world airports.

Icing on the cake To deepen communication with its patrons through endorsement, Glo can be said to have reinforced its status as a world class brand as it signs an endorsement deal with the world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua.

In a documentary shown at the event, Joshua, who is proud of his Nigerian heritage, said he respected the ownership and management of Globacom, adding that as a Nigerian, he believed that charity must begin from home. “I believe in Glo,� he said.

Giving further justification for his decision to partner with Globacom to propagate the goodness of the telecom company in Nigeria and Ghana, Joshua said, “There has always been a big piece of my heart as a Nigerian and I do believe that it is that piece that sets me apart. It always says to me, ‘never give up, dream big’. “We come from a nation of warriors and that is why I believe in Glo. We have that same tenacity, that Nigerian fighting spirit that makes us game changers. We are relentless. We don’t just face our challenges; we step into the ring to win again and again. “If you believe in yourself, there is no limit to what you can achieve. Yeah, I used to be a bricklayer in England but now I am heavyweight champion of the world�, he stated with pride.

To prove that he shares same DNA with the Glo brand, Joshua pointed out that they both share fastest speed, longest reach and the Nigerian fighting spirit as game changers.

In August last year, Glo marked its 15th year anniversary in a market where everybody thought things would be tough for its promoters at the beginning as they were faced with stiff competition from foreign operators, but the beats has continued to on. The story is that of not giving up despite all odds but the greater story of the Glo brand is never told by those who promoted it, but the alternative it gave to the ultimate owners of the brand; the subscribers.

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Polymenakos: Nigeria’s Economy Remains Resilient The Managing Director of the Nigerian Bottling Company, George Polymenakos, in this encounter with Raheem Akingbolu, says innovation and investment in capability building will be the saving grace for manufacturers with eyes on the future.

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ith tepid growth rate recorded by the Nigerian economy in 2018, analysts have predicted that the nation’s economic outlook for 2019 will also record slim growth this year.

Beside the fact that there is uncertainty around the outcome of the upcoming election, which has compelled business owners to move with caution, the anticipated drop in global oil prices and the expected decrease in oil revenue may also affect businesses this year.

Though he admitted there could be lull in the economy this year for obvious reasons, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), George Polymenakos, is optimistic about the resilience of the Nigerian economy. “Yes, there are expectations that there would be further devaluation of the naira and the concern that it would take long time for the government to redirect their focus on nation-building after the 2019 elections. “However, Nigeria has proven to be a resilient country and we hope that the different units of the government are able to quickly get to work on strengthening the economy and creating an enabling environment for businesses,� he said.

Commenting on development at the NBC, he pointed out categorically that despite the projected slow growth in the economy, the NBC team remains optimistic that 2019 would be an amazing year for the company’s operations because of the foundations that have been laid over the years. “We have built strong foundation to weather the storm and we have the commitment of our employees to deliver on our projections. Furthermore, we will continue to grow our portfolio to meet the changing preferences of our consumers by providing the choices that suit their needs and occasions. “Above all, we believe that it is time we begin to reap the investments we have made in building capability across our operations. We have the best infrastructure you can get anywhere in the world and with innovativeness; we will deploy all these to meet the needs of our consumers while creating value for our shareholders,�

2018 in retrospect Accessing his company’s business performance in 2018, Polymenakos said the NBC successfully maintained a strong business in its most established markets and grew its reach in some of emerging markets across the country.

Beyond Coca Cola, Fanta and Sprite, he stated that the juice and energy drinks from the stable of the company also grew significantly in 2018, but quickly added that there was still great opportunity ahead for growth. “During that period, in line with our ongoing accelerated business plan, we continued to invest heavily in capital expenditure to ensure that we can continue to deliver operational excellence across the value chain. In the face of strong macro-economic headwinds, Nigerian Bottling Company continued to grow on some of our categories. “It was also a year of great learning for us, which will help us do things better. We have been operating in Nigeria for over 67 years now, and we have a wealth of experience in meeting consumer needs by offering choices and quality and growing a successful business in the country,� he stated.

Speaking on the concerns in some quarters over the closure of production in the company’s Enugu Plant, Polymenakos said the decision was as a result of the pressure on the NBC products.

Polymenakos

He stated that the repurposing of some NBC facilities across Nigeria, Enugu inclusive, was in line with the company’s sustainable business strategy with the overarching goal of improving efficiencies and boosting production capacity to meet the need of discerning consumers. “Our business optimisation strategy started about five years ago because we have realised the need to have a lean, agile and highly efficient operation to meet the increasing demand from our consumers. “Therefore, we have consolidated our production facilities to increase the capacity of the existing plants to meet the pressure from the demand side and accommodate the new offer-

ings we are bringing to the market.

There were inherent restrictions to the extent of manufacturing growth that was achievable at our Enugu facility. “The facility is not large enough to accommodate our infrastructural enhancement and the sloping terrain of the location made certain operations a bit difficult,� he added.

He, however, pointed out that while production activities have stopped at the Enugu facility, the Company has continued to carry out logistics and commercial operations from the location. “The NBC Enugu facility is being transformed into a top material handling and logistics hub for the region, to better satisfy our customers and grow our market in Nigeria,� he stated.

Above all, we believe that it is time we begin to reap the investments we have made in building capability across our operations. We have the best infrastructure you can get anywhere in the world and with innovativeness; we will deploy all these to meet the needs of our consumers while creating value for our shareholders

Expansion and sustainability plan Are there any plan to accelerate NBC investment by increasing the capacities of various plants across Nigeria? What is the company’s expansion plan for 2019 business year with regards to other areas of the business? In his response to these questions the Managing Director said over the last four years, the company has steadily increased the number of its production lines. He stated that the company’s business transformation and optimisation plan which commenced in 2015 involved huge investments worth over ₏500m for the expansion and upgrade of some key plants including Asejire, Ikeja, Abuja, Owerri, Challawa, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt, and Benin resulting in increased total production capacity.

To sustain the tempo, he disclosed that the company’s business plan would see the team investing hundreds of millions of Euros in its Nigeria operations leading up to 2020.

He further stated that sustainability remains a key driver for business growth for the NBC and that the management of the company firmly believes that their business can only be as strong as the communities in which they operate and the people therein.

“We look to create shared value for all our stakeholders and this drives us to create meaningful ways to improve our environment and the communities we operate in and to deploy innovation to advance general health and wellness. “We are pleased that our sustainability efforts were recently recognised. We were presented with the ‘Best company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment award at the 2018 edition of the Social Enterprise Report Awards (SERAs) CSR Awards which held recently in Lagos. “Besides, recently, to tackle the barriers that prevent women entrepreneurs from succeeding in the marketplace, the Company started partnering with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd, to empower 1,000 women in Lagos state with trainings in financial literacy and business skills, as well as start-up capital to enable their establishment as entrepreneurs. “In 2019, we will take our Youth Empowered program, to more states across Nigeria. Youth Empowered is our flagship program for Nigerian youth.

It trains young people to build life skills, business skills and long-lasting networks to facilitate their building of sustainable businesses or their successful transitioning to gainful employment,� he said.

Speaking further, Polymenakos, emphasised the fact that in 2019, NBC will complete its conversion to the ecofriendlier ultra-glass bottle across the company’s operations in Nigeria.

According to him, the project started 10 years ago as part of NBC’s commitment to environmental stewardship. “The implications of this project are far reaching on the environment, energy use and even impact on our roads. In celebration of this accomplishment and our 67th year of manufacturing the contour bottle, we are embarking on an initiative to make our retail glass bottle even more affordable for our consumers,� he added.

Innovation and competition With more new entrants into the nonalcoholic beverage industry in recent time, one would feel the new competition must have affected NBC business but George said the development delighted his team, who see it as blessing for consumers. “In all the markets where we operate, we are always excited seeing new entrants because we are confident that such development would impact well on consumers and other members of the public. There will be more employment, consumers will have choices and more market would be explored. “As for us, we are very optimistic about the short- and long-term performance of our business. As industry leaders, we see competition and the availability of choice as a positive sign for the industry.

Competition means new innovation, new innovation in a category means the attraction of even more customers to the sector. “For us at the Nigerian bottling company, our focus is on being able to continue delivering high quality products in the most efficient and sustainable ways, at the best price possible to our consumers. We would never compromise on any of these important elements of our commitment to our consumers. “We have been operating in Nigeria since 1951, over the years; we have grown with the nation and have continued to provide refreshment in every part of the country. We have the right people, the right coverage, the right infrastructure and processes and exceptional partners,�

Polymenakos said.

5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Fresh Inroads into Oil Discovery in the North A new move by the Muhammadu Buhari administration to explore oil and gas opportunities in Bauchi and Gombe communities, throws up fresh debate on the long search for oil in the North, Kayode Fasua reports

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he search for oil in the northern part of the country has been as frenetic as it is relentless.

Assuredly, oil is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy and in fact, accounts for about 70 percent of Nigeria’s foreign income. But states that have been producing this economic mainstay are down south, principally from the Niger Delta region, and peripherally from the eastern and south western parts of the southern divide.

The north, which is esteemed as the largest part of the country in terms of landmass and population, is seen, in terms of economic contributions to the nation’s federation accounts, as being as lagging in producing resources to generate enough foreign earning in that quantum.

Though the north is reputed for its agricultural revolution in terms of food production, the volume of export value from oil revenue appears intimidating enough to warrant the search for this modern goldmine in the north.

Besides, the activities of militants from the Niger Delta region, through series of agitations and attacks sometimes on petroleum pipelines, have given enough occasion for soul-searching, in the North.

Though underground research had reportedly gone into the quest for oil discovery in the northern territory in the last one decade, a July 2017 tragedy brought such efforts to the public glare.

Then, members of the Boko Haram terrorist group who had lain in ambush in Barno Yasu, a community in Borno State, launched a deadly attack on a research team of dons largely drawn from the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) and other experts from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). They in the process, killed nine soldiers and one civilian, and also abducted some of the lecturers who were reputed to be tested geologists.

The slain soldiers were providing escort for the team on oil search.

But unfazed by the tragic denouement of the exploration effort, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, then vowed that despite the Boko Haram attack, the search for oil would continue in the Lake Chad basin.

Njodi made the commitment pledge when a delegation of the NNPC and the Ministry of Petroleum visited him in Maiduguri. The delegation was led by Engr. Saidu Mohammed, Chief Operating Officer in charge of gas and power unit of the Corporation at the period. .

Njodo, had told the delegation that though the entire University community was distraught by the cruel incident, he said the University “cannot chicken out’’ from doing what it was supposed to do.

Recalling the University’s partnership with the NNPC in the quest to find oil in the North to over 12 years ago, the VC described the cruel attack on the Frontier Exploration Services/Surface Geochemistry Sampling team comprising the NNPC, consultants from University of Maiduguri, Consultants attached to the Integrated Data Services Limited, (IDSL) a subsidiary of the NNPC, and Civilian escort team, as an act of God. He demurred that the situation, as painful as it might appear, must be seen as a necessary sacrifice for the development of the country.

Njodo’s optimism of two years ago, however, paid off last week when President Muhammadu Buhari, on tour of Gombe and Bauchi to unveil oil exploration site in the states’ border town of Barambu, directed the NNPC to extend exploration to six basins in the country Buhari gave the marching order

L-R: NNPC Group Managing Director, Maikanti Baru; President Muahammadu Buhari and Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, while unveiling the oil and gas exploration site in Gombe…recently

at the inauguration of oil drilling at the Kolmani River-II well, located at Barambu, a border village between Gombe and Bauchi States.

The president said the spud-in of Kolmani River-II well, part of the Gongola Basin, Upper Benue Trough was part of his Next Level agenda to make Nigeria an industrial economy.

“Today’s event is not only a reflection of our success story but a landmark of promise kept to the Nigerian people.

“Our next level is to ensure exploration effort in all our frontier Basins of Lake Chad, Gongola, Anambra, Sokoto, Dahomey, and Bida Basins, as well as Benue Trough; to usher in more prospects for Nigeria,” he charged.

Buhari who was accompanied by Governors Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe and his Bauchi counterpart, Mohammed Abubakar, observed that oil and gas remained critical parts of the country’s economy and as such, government must continue to show commitment to their sustainability.

This, he said, necessitated his drive for the search of oil in different parts of the country on assumption of office

We have an obligation as a nation to continue to ensure that we follow through any part of the country with visible sign of oil at all. This does not stop the fact that massive exploration activities will continue in oil producing areas.

We discover oil every day and we explore it and if we calculate the overall oil revenue projection for 2018, it is almost 60 per cent. So we need to expand the frontiers of oil anywhere we find it in the country

in 2015 after his dream of achieving the feat in 1984/85 when he first came as military Head of State was aborted by the brevity of his rule.

Hydro-carbon research in the Chad Basin started under Buhari as Federal Commissioner of Petroleum in 1976, and when he became Head of State in 1984, the exploration continued, resulting in the drilling of 22 wells, two of which are gas shores.

Since then, NNPC has acquired 2000 square meters of 3D seismic data in the Chad Basin before the unfortunate incidence of 2017 which led to the suspension of all activities in the Chad Basin.

“I pay tribute to the university researchers who lost their lives to the regrettable incident. I commend the security personnel who continue to make sacrifice for the conduct of exploration throughout the country, he added.

The president, however, said activities would soon return to the Chad Basin but tasked the NNPC to ensure that the ongoing exploration come in commercial quantity.

Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC, Mikanti Baru, in his response, said the corporation was working to achieve the presidential mandate on the inland basin.

“Today’s epic ceremony represents our commitment to achieving this government’s objectives of increasing the nation’s hydro-carbon reserve base.

“In 1993, the federal government awarded blocks of the Gongola basin to three International Oil Companies (IOCs)- Shell, Chevron and Total; and the companies acquired seismic data and drilled one well each.

“One of the wells drilled was the Kolmani River-1 that was terminated at 8,000 feet only, and recorded 33million standard cubic of gas resources but was termed non-commercial.

“The IOCs, therefore, suspended operation and relinquished the blocks in line with their contractual obligation in year 2000,” Baru informed He noted that the drilling of the Kolmani River-II well became realistic after NNPC acquired 3D data over the Kolmani River Basin area that saw the identification of six prospects.

Indication that the northern and southern parts of the country are locked in economic rivalry anchored on searches for oil discovery was particularly pronounced in 2016 when

a body known as New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) said that it had made tremendous progress in oil exploration in the Northestern states of Gombe and Bauchi.That commission took the semblance of the Niger Delta Development Commission (also NDDC) set up for the infrastructural development of oil-producing states in the South-South, Imo from the South-East and Ondo from the South-West The chairman of the commission, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, had said since his commission was given the charge to explore oil from “other parts of the country”, especially the North, there had been tremendous progress.

Justifying why government would continue to spend resources on oil exploration searches in the North and other parts of the country where found necessary, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr, Ibe Kachikwu, had recently stated, “We have an obligation as a nation to continue to ensure that we follow through any part of the country with visible sign of oil at all.

“This does not stop the fact that massive exploration activities will continue in oil producing areas.

“We discover oil every day and we explore it and if we calculate the overall oil revenue projection for 2018, it is almost 60 per cent. so we need to expand the frontiers of oil anywhere we find it in the country.’’

But at a seminar on the cheering news of oil discovery in Chad, a petroleum expert, Senator Victor Oyofo, said that while government could still be interested in hydrocarbon exploration in Northern Nigeria, high temperature is proving an Achilles’ heel to oil search activities on the Nigerian side of the Chad Basin.

He thus called for caution, to avert a waste of public resources.

Another expert, Dr, Mufutau Adebowale, while speaking with THISDAY, said the ongoing oil exploration may turn out to be another wasteful exercise if, “the big fats in the NNPC are not controlled.”

According to him, what the country needs now is the repair of damaged refineries in the country and putting them to work.

“This should first of all be accomplished before any wild goose chase for oil,” he demanded.

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍľËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

Empowering Ex-Niger Delta Agitators As part of efforts to empower ex-Niger Delta agitators the Presidential Amnesty Office recently inaugurated a vocational training centre in Ondo State, James Sowole reports:

I

t was a celebration galore for the federal government, the Presidential Amnesty Programme and its Coordinator, Prof.

Charles Dokubo as the government inaugurated the multi-million naira vocational training centre at AgadagbaObon in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The centre, which has state of the art facilities and relevant equipment for training of students in basic oil drilling technology, was built by the Presidential Amnesty Office mainly to train ex-agitators of the Niger Delta Region.

The Agadagba Obon centre, is one of the five training centres being built by the Office to replace the outsourcing of training from facilities privately owned by organisations both locally and in abroad at exorbitant costs.

Apart from the high cost of money needed to procure training for the former agitators in private facilities in Nigeria and abroad, the practice was also said to be responsible for the slow pace training and reintegration of beneficiaries of the programme.

Therefore, the need to look inward and speed up the pace of training and reintegration of several ex-agitators yet to be covered under the programme prompted the resolve of the Office under Dokubo to complete and activate vocational training centres at various stages of construction.

Other vocational training centre at various levels of completion are located in Kaiama, Bayelsa State; Obuama in Rivers State; Bomadi in Delta State and Gele-Gele in Edo State.

The work on the Agadagba-Obon, training centre which was the first to be completed and activated, started in 2013/2014 at the time when Kingsley Kuku was the Special Adviser to the former President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Development and Coordinator of Amnesty Programme Committee.

The centre meant for training of former agitators in basic oil and gas skills, oil drilling technology. Mechatronics, instrumentation and control, power and computer studies, was completed by the current Amnesty Office under Dokubo.

The inauguration of the training centre, which was the first to be completed and activated attracted stakeholders such as members of Committee on Niger Delta Affairs of the two chambers of the National Assembly, traditional institutions, youth organisations, State Government and Local Government.

The event had in attendance, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator Baba Bashir who spoke on behalf of the committee Chairman, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, and a member of the committee, Senator Isa Misau.

Buhari

The inauguration also had in attendance members of the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta including Hon. Istifanus Gyeng, Him Eta Mbora, Hon. Kolade Akinjo, Hon. Mohammed Rano, Hon. Hassan Anka and Hon. Mike Omogbehin.

At the event, various speakers commended the federal government and Dokubo for the speedy completion of the project within the short period he assumed office in March, 2018 as the coordinator of the programme.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, who was represented by Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator Baba Bashir, noted that the Senate was proud of the achievements of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs within his short period in office, pledging more support from the National Assembly to uplift the programme to greater heights.

The chairman said the programmes

coordinator had been relating well with the National Assembly, stating that the committee would do everything possible to ensure more successes for the programme.

Speaking on behalf of members of the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta, Istiphanus Gyang, said the Amnesty Programme was designed to train and empower youths in the oil-rich region, noting that the centre would profitably engage some beneficiaries of the programme in the oil and gas industry.

Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Agadagba, the Agadagba of Arogbo Ibe Kingdom, Bamba Doubts Egbunu, said the entire community was elated by the project that would help to bring lasting peace to the Niger Delta Region.

The traditional ruler, who specifically commended the federal government and the coordinator of the programme for the completion of the project, said the project would curb restiveness as many people

would be engaged.

Egbunu, promised that he would work with various stakeholders to protect facilities at the training centre just as he urged ex-agitators to take full advantage of the training programme.

Also, the Chairman of Ese-Odo Local Government Area, Mr. Ojo Omolewa, said the project was a long awaiting one in view of its importance to the people of the community in many areas.

He said in the past, people travelled to Delta, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States for training, but with the training centre, people would now come to the area, adding that this would have a multiplier effects on the economy of the community.

In his remark, a former warlord, Henry Bimilobogha, commended the former Coordinator of the programme, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, who started the programme in the area.

In his remarks, the Ondo State, Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, said the programme had not only impacted on the lives of individuals, but also transformed Niger Delta, especially in human capacity building and empowerment, thereby deepening peace in the area.

Akeredolu, who commended the late President Musa Yar ‘Adua for initiating the amnesty programme, said the programme has led to increase in revenue accrued to the nation.

Earlier in his remarks, Dokubo said the centre was set to commence building human capacity to fill gaps in the lower and middle cadre levels of the highly competitive oil and gas sector of the nation’s economy.

The Special Adviser said over 13,000 ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region have been fully reintegrated into the society by the federal government through the programme.

Dokubo said the centre would train agitators in mechatronics, drilling technology, instrumentation and control and two other areas.

He said training that would be given to delegates would be tailored towards the needs of the nation’s oil industry.

Dokubo said that many of the ex-agitators that had been integrated were already doing well in the society.

The Special Adviser, who declared that President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to the development of the region, said vocational centres, was also being built in four other States of the region.

He said the vocational training centre would partner with the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) located in Effurun, Delta State, while the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB), would award certificate for graduates of the institute.

Group Urges Security Forces, Youths UN Foresees Poverty Reduction in Africa The spread of state welfare for can realise their full potential, David Stewart, UNICEF’s head to Uphold Electoral Laws children around Africa has the breaking the vicious cycle of of child poverty, told reporters.

Hamid Ayodeji The Concerned Nigerians Group (CNG) has organised a forum to urge the youths and security agencies to conduct themselves in line with the electoral laws during the forthcoming general elections.

The group organised the campaign to educate citizens on issues concerning security and the importance of obeying the electoral laws.

Disclosing this to journalists at a media briefing in Lagos, the Coordinator for CNG, Edris Olukoya, noted the need for caution in this period, adding that there are some individuals conducting criminal acts because of the elections.

Olukoya said: “We saw the need to organise this campaign so as to educate the citizens on security consciousness and the punishment attached to any electoral violations, if found guilty.�

On his part, the Chief Superintendent of Police in Lagos State, Chinedu Chimereze, said: “The youths going to the polling unit to constitute some form of violence should know it is not worth getting injured or dying for, rather they should conduct themselves in a peaceful way so as to ensure a peaceful environment during the forthcoming general elections.’’ Also speaking at the event; an assistant officer for

Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. Khadijat Lawal, disclosed that at the end of the elections the results will be announced through an electronic media in order to prevent vote tampering. “Please do away with the act of buying and selling votes, it is a crime, hence anyone caught doing such will be prosecuted according to the law of the country.�

She also explained that voters should come to the polling Unit with their PVC or else they will not be allowed to vote. “Do not engage in electoral violence or acts that will disturb the flow of free and fair election,’’ she added.

potential to make a major dent in global poverty, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

Children account for the majority of those around the world in extreme poverty, living on less than $1.90 per day, with half of them in Africa, where social security systems are weak.

Globally, about a third of children are covered by social protection programmes, but it ranges from 88 percent in Europe and Central Asia to 16 percent in Africa, said a new study by two U.N. bodies. “The evidence shows clearly that social protection benefits, and cash transfers in particular, have a positive impact on poverty, food security, health and access to education – thus helping to ensure that children

poverty,� Reuters quoted it to have said.

Cash on its own was not a magic bullet and needed to be part of broader policies, supported by other benefits such as school meals, said the study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and children’s agency UNICEF. In sub-Saharan Africa, expected to have 90 per cent of children in extreme poverty by 2030, 40 out of 48 countries have some form of cash transfer programme, but most pay too little and overall only 13.1 percent of children receive them. “They aren’t all huge programmes but it’s been a real growth in the region and it’s moving very, very quickly,�

Children up to the age of 14 make up 42.9 percent of the population of sub-Saharan Africa, where public spending on child welfare amounts to only 0.7 percent of GDP, compared to 2.5 percent in Europe, which has far fewer children. Several African countries were to discuss expanding their coverage at a conference in Geneva this week, Stewart said.

Isabel Ortiz, head of social protection at the ILO, said South Africa was making massive progress but still did not offer universal coverage, while Ghana was reallocating fuel subsidies towards child benefits and Zambia was increasing tax on mining, showing some of the options if governments were willing.

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

FGM: A Thriving Degrading Culture in Nigeria Four years after Nigeria’s lawmakers criminalised female genital mutilation and outlawed the barbaric act, the practice has continued to thrive. But the recent jailing by the UK government of a woman who mutilated her three year old has shown that with political will Nigeria can as well implement the law. Martins Ifijeh writes

K

emi, a 14-year-old girl, will never forget in a hurry the pain she experienced on Saturday, September 26, 2015, when she was subjected to a degrading and dehumanising act of mutilation in the name of circumcision, engineered by her parents, and carried out by three women hired by the family.

A practice the Nigerian government said it had outlawed and ready to prosecute anyone involved in the barbaric act.

Kemi never saw it coming that faithful day as she woke up ready to do the house chores and subsequently spend the day playing with her two younger brothers. But she was wrong.

Her parents had planned to subject her to the barbaric practice in the name of fulfilling a cultural obligation.

“That morning, one of my mum’s aunts and two other women came to the house and in company of my mum, told me it was time to circumcise me. I was surprised, scared and unable to mutter any word. I made for the door, but it seems they knew what I was planning, they held me down and prevented me from leaving.

At that point, I knew it was too late to avoid it.

I struggled to fight it but I couldn’t.

“While displaying the ‘surgical equipments’ on the table, they told me I will be alright once they were done. My aunt rubbed a brownish substance in between my legs, which she said would make the circumcision painless. But whatever she rubbed didn’t work. I felt the pain of the blade and other tools she used while carrying out the act. I died many times because I couldn’t struggle it out since the other two women had pinned me down. All I could do was shout and shout till they were done.”

As her aunt finished the exercise, it was time for them to sing and dance. To them, Kemi has now fulfilled most of the requirements of being a complete woman. But all Kemi could feel was pain and emptiness. A vital part of her body-part has been cut off; an act that may end up changing the course of her life forever negatively.

“I couldn’t understand why my mum was all smiles when the act was done. She told me it was our tradition and that she was also circumcised when she was about my age, raising my hope that it was a normal practice,” she said. But to Kemi, it is not a normal practice, because she had discussed female genital mutilation with her peers in school months ago and they all concluded that it was a bad and outdated practice.

Kemi, who wants to read nursing in the university, said few days after the circumcision, although she discovered she was no longer feeling the intense pain whenever she bathes, but the scar and memory of the mutilation had left an indelible mark.

Another woman, Morenikeji, who lives in Pedro village, a small community in Lagos State, also gave an account of how a newly born girl child in her compound was mutilated in the name of female circumcision, months after the country’s law makers had outlawed it. She said few days after the girl was born, sometime in August last year, the parents circumcised her.

“Before they did it, I told my neighbour that the practice was outdated and that doctors were kicking against it, but she didn’t listen. Even her husband told me it is cultural, hence there was nothing that could be done to stop them from performing the act on the little child, especially with the fact that his wife went through the process when she was born. Eventually, they circumcised her. I knew either they were ignorant of the law against it, or they feel their culture supersedes the voice of reasoning,” Morenikeji added.

Kemi and the aforementioned child are just few among the several thousands of young girls and women in Nigeria who have undergone the barbaric act since the seventh National Assembly passed the bill criminalising the practice four years ago.

There is in fact a dim hope for the Nigerian girl child as no offender has been prosecuted even as the practice is still openly done in the country.

FGM is a crime in Nigeria

But same can no longer be said of the United Kingdom government, who has recently dusted the law from its archive and for the first time prosecuted and jailed a mother of a three year old, who was mutilated.

The 37-year-old Ugandan woman, who has been sentenced to jail, was guilty of intentionally mutilating her daughter with the hope that when she grows up she will have a reduced sexual urge and hence not be promiscuous; a claim health experts have said was ridiculous.

The trial judge, Justice Whipple emphasised that the sentencing will serve as deterrent to other families in the UK who still believe female genital mutilation can be carried out on their girl child.

The successful prosecution in the UK has shown that with political will Nigeria can as well dust its law on FGM, and start bringing offenders to book. Medical experts have therefore called on the government to show it was not just a toothless bulldog which can bite only when pushed or pressured to.

Creating Awareness Speaking with THISDAY, a Public Health Physician, Dr. Raymond Ajae, said his reservation is on whether the practice can ever be reduced in the country, which will in turn help in saving the lives of the over 40 million Nigerian women and girls prone to the numerous health and psychological implications occasioned by the cruel practice.

He said what was worrisome was that the law passed by the National Assembly may just be a mere exercise, just like the way it was in several other states that have outlawed the practice many years ago, yet still thrive in the act.

It would be recalled that Edo State outlawed this practice 22 years ago, same with about eight other states in the country who outlawed the practice at one point in time or the other, yet the cruel act still thrives in these states without offenders brought to justice.

Dr. Ajae said: “Since 2015, nobody is talking about criminalising FGM anymore. Now that the law is still very fresh in the country, this is the time the Ministry of Health, health bodies, our law enforcement agencies and public spirited individuals must come out and stop this scourge through the stick and carrot approach.

“If the health ministry and other health bodies decide to go out and raise awareness on the health and psychological implications of the practice and also educate families, especially young girls on their rights when it comes to circumcision, and the law enforcement agencies go out to enforce the law by bringing offenders to justice, this practice will be the least of our worries in this country”.

He noted that if Nigerians were unaware that the practice may cause Vesico-Vaginal Fistula and other health related issues, as well as its criminalisation, then, it would be difficult for the citizens to report offenders to the government or better still educate their neighbors on the health implications.

Ajae believed that it was the only way the law will be effective in the country, adding that, this will help reduce the scourge or even eliminate it. “The government must understand that this barbaric act against the girl child is worse than rape and battery. How can young girls be subjected to bodily harm, psychological trauma and the possibility of a lifelong health problem, yet the government is treating the issue with a kid gloves?” he queried.

He also called on women advocates to take it upon themselves to lead the campaign against the act in the country, as well as pressure the federal government to do the needful in terms of enforcement of the law.

FGM Procedures According to experts, FGM comprises of various procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons, and it involves different types, including; clitoridectomy (partial or total removal of the clitoris), excision (removal of part or all of the clitoris and lips that surrounds the vagina), infibulation (narrowing of the vaginal opening by creating a seal, formed by cutting and repositioning the labia) and other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, including pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterising the genital area.

Statistics According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 25 per cent of the 140 million girls and women living with FGM worldwide are in Nigeria, a report that portends the great danger this can be for the Nigerian girl child.

A study carried out by WHO also showed that of the 101 million girls of 10 years old and above estimated to have FGM in Africa, about 40.5 million are in Nigeria, making a 41 per cent prevalence rate among women in the country alone. Nigeria is also topping the chat as the country with the highest prevalence rate of the practice globally - A ‘fit’ not worthy of edifying human existence, especially for Nigeria that prides itself as the giant of Africa.

Call for Implementation Another medical expert, a Gynaecologist and Obstetrician, Dr. Olaolu Adebowale, called on the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to

see to the implementation of the law against the practice, adding that, the health risks associated with it were serious ones, hence the need to prevent them.

On why most Nigerians still practice the act, despite outcry against it, he said the practice was more of a cultural one than a moral obligation. “Most of our cultures believe the practice is necessary to attenuate sexual desire in the female, fidelity in marriage, as well as increase her male partner’s sexual desire when she starts having sex.

“Do you know that in some cultures in this country, they believe the best way to prevent young girls from losing their virginity before marriage is for them to be circumcised. Some even have this harebrained idea that a circumcised female will have a safer and stress free delivery than the one that is not mutilated.”

Adebowale, however believed these notions were largely untrue and does not give enough reason for the girl-child to be mutilated. “Female circumcision does not guarantee a safer childbirth than the one who is not circumcised. It does not determine promiscuity and it does not determine whether a woman and her male partner would enjoy sex better.”

According to him, the practice was more harmful to the girl-child and the society than the fake benefits the believers of the practice continue to put forward as reasons for the barbaric act.

Harmful Effects Reeling out the harmful effects of the practice, he said a mutilated young girl who starts having sex at an early age was most likely going to have incontinence. “The consequences include irreversible lifelong health risks, possibility of infection due to unsterilised tools like blades, among other unhygienic activities during the mutilation.

He also added that FGM can lead to vesicovaginal fistula, which is the opening of passages between the vagina and bladder or anus, a condition he said was more common with early age pregnancy.

Other health risks he enumerated include infertility, painful menstruation, hepatitis, Recto –Vaginal Fistula (RVF), among others.

He therefore admonished every Nigerian to take it upon themselves to curb the scourge through collaborative effort. “Mothers, churches, mosques, community councils, the government, well meaning Nigerians, as well as various health and corporate bodies should put hands together to reduce this menace,” he added.

He also recommended that health workers should educate women in their delivery wards not to circumcise their daughters.

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019

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NEWS

Ex-Minister to Address Dialogue on Economic Growth in Pharmaceutical Industry Former Minister of Health and President, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, Prince Julius AdelusiAdeluyi is billed to address an Executive Dialogue on Public and Private Sector Collaboration for Economic Growth in the Pharmaceutical Sector.

This dialogue will hold in Sandton, South Africa, on February 14.

Adelusi-Adeluyi who is also the Founder and Chairman of Juli PLC will speak on Solutions and Measures to Combat Counterfeit Medicines.

According to AdelusiAdeluyi, the problem of fake and counterfeit medicines has grown increasingly complex over the years and only a multi-pronged approach that has both the private and public sectors acting in concert is best placed to address it effectively.

He added that an executive dialogue of this nature that seeks to inspire multi-sector collaboration, therefore, is clearly in the right direction as the plague of fake and counterfeit medicines

impacts considerably on the economic growth of the pharmaceutical industry.

Other speakers expected to grace the high level Executive Dialogue include Professor Helen Reese, Chair of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, Ms. Precious Matsoso, Director General of the South African Department of Health, Dr. Timothy Kedijang, Chairperson of the Pharmaceutical Industry Association of South Africa,Dr. GustaafWolvaardt, Managing Director of the Foundation of Professional Development among many others.

The Executive Dialogue, by bringing experts from both the public and private sectors together is expected to unravel key policy approaches that will facilitate more result-oriented collaboration between governments at different level and the extended pharmaceutical value chain.

Policy proposals arising from the discourse will be made available to national governments in key emerging markets.

Female Genital Mutilation: Nigeria Ranks Third Highest Globally Amby Uneze in Owerri Efforts by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other partners to eradicate the prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FMG) in Nigeria seems unabated as statistics indicate that the country ranks third highest among practicing countries in the world.

Again, the world body noted that state governments are poor in implementation of policies against FGM. The Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Enugu, Dr. Ibrahim Conteh, explained that though some of the state governments have good policies and laws, they have been slow in followup and implementation.

He spoke during a subzonal media briefing in commemoration of the 2019

International Day of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting organised by FGN/UNICEF Programme of Co-operation (2018-2022) in collaboration with Broadcasting Corporation of Abia (BCA).

The UNICEF boss noted that though there have been recorded successes in curtailing the menace in both states of Ebonyi and Imo through their programmes, more efforts should be made to put an end to it. He further charged the media to step up in their campaign by increasing the awareness on FGM, adding that though there has been political will by the government, it will amount to nothing if the political will is not translated into action. According to him most states have passed FGM into law but until now no one

has been prosecuted or jailed.

He also pleaded with the both private and government at all levels to join hands with UNICEF to totally eradicate FGM in the country.

Conteh noted that the practice of FGM remains a social norm that was being fuelled by myths, preconceptions and diverse ignorance about social expectations, adding that FGM is a violation of woman’s reproduction rights, puts her life at risk and is harmful to not only to her but also to her unborn child. “As you may be aware now, FGM is one of the most harmful prevailing practices known to the human race since the end of the era of human practices like human sacrifice, killing of twins and slavery.

“The harmful practice of

FGM has endured generations, tolerated and in certain ways promoted due to multiple factors of preconceptions and pluralistic ignorance” he said.

Addressing participants at the one day event, the Communication Officer, UNICEF, Enugu, Mrs. Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe said the objective of the programme was to create public awareness on female genital mutilation with the media being a driving force by spreading the message to the public.

She opined, “the programme is an avenue where all stakeholders come together especially those from the media to deliberate on issues affecting the awareness on FGM, provide solutions and assist both physically and mentally girl child.”

Access Marathon: NIBUCAA, HACEY Provides Free HIV Tests for 2500 Persons Mary Nnah A coalition has partnered to promote messages on HIV prevention, counselling, testing and referrals to participants at this year ’s Access Bank Marathon.

The Nigeria Business Coalition Against AIDS (NIBUCAA) and HACEY Health Initiative with the support from Access Bank Plc joined forces to leverage on the yearly held global event and reached at least 2,600 people including athletes and communities along the race path.

The Executive Secretary, NiBUCCA, Gbenga Alabi also explained that the exercise sought to promote HIV prevention messages to over one million Nigerians via online and physical activities during the Access Bank marathon, as well as help provide a case study for private sector leadership to end HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

He said: “Significant progress has been made in the AIDS response since 1988, and today three in four people living with HIV know their status.

“But we still have miles to go, as the latest UNAIDS report shows, and that includes reaching people living with HIV who do not know their status and ensuring that they are linked to quality care and prevention services.”

Also speaking on the HIV sensitisation campaign, Project Director, HACEY Health Initiative, Isaiah Owolabi, noted that its health officials and volunteers will also make referrals and followup of up to 100 per cent population of beneficiaries in need of it.

Nigeria has the second largest HIV epidemic in the world, with 3.4 million people living with HIV in the country in 2014.

However, with increased investment in the AIDS response from Nigeria and its partners, the situation has improved in the past decade.

New HIV infections dropped from 310 000 in 2004 to 230 000 in 2014, and coverage of antiretroviral therapy increased from 13 per cent in 2011 to 22 per cent in 2014, providing more than 747 000 people living with HIV with access to life-saving medicine.

The UNAIDS recommend that HIV prevention efforts must be reinvigorated if the world is to stay on the FastTrack to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

The UNAIDS Prevention gap report shows that worldwide an estimated 1.9 million adults have become infected with HIV every year for at least the past five years and that the number of new HIV infections is rising in some regions.

UNITED AGAINST SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole with Project Team, Anti-substance Abuse, MTN Foundation, during a strategic partnership meeting on substance abuse, held in Abuja recently

Oyo Health Insurance Scheme Captures 100,000 Enrollees James Sowole in Akure Not less than 100,000 persons have been enrolled into the Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme, which was launched 18 months ago.

The Executive Secretary of Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme (OYSHIA), Dr Olusola Akande disclosed this figure at a two-day media dialogue on improving access and uptake of healthcare for children and

women through social insurance scheme in Oyo State.

The programme was organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture, Oyo State in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Akande said the scheme had performed over 100 caesarian sections for pregnant women, employed medical doctors and renovated some hospitals in the state.

Akande also said that it was only Oyo State that had made provision for two per cent of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for health insurance scheme in the country.

“The benefits are far more than what enrollees would contribute as premium.

“The agency has received a lot of testimonies from beneficiaries since the scheme started.

“It makes you to see your

doctor when nothing is wrong with you and also improving your health seeking habit,” he said.

Also speaking the UNICEF Communication Specialist, Mrs Blessing Ejiofor, said the workshop was important to improve media advocacy on increasing access and uptake of healthcare services for children and vulnerable population through health insurance scheme.

World Cancer Day: NMA Tasks FG to Include Cancer Treatment In NHIS Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City President, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Francis A. Faduyile has called on the federal government to include cancer control and treatment in services covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to enable patients access cheap and affordable health care

services in the country.

He made the appeal while speaking on the topic: “I am and I will fight cancer” to mark the World Cancer Day in Benin recently.

The president, represented by the state Chairman of NMA, Dr. Omoifo Valentine while commending the effort of the federal government

towards the implementation of the Nigerian National Cancer Control Plan 2018-2022, the ongoing renovation of cancer treatment facilities in tertiary centres in the country, such as the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, National Hospital, Abuja and the National Cancer Centre, Abuja, said there is need to urgently raise the awareness on cancer prevention.

Faduyile said cancer related deaths in Nigeria were still one of the worst in Africa, with an estimated 70, 327 cancer deaths in 2018.

On the part of the Chief Medical Director, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Dr. Darlington Obaseki, he said the hospital is not resting on its oars in tackling the menace of cancer in the country.

t

36

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019

INTERVIEW

Molokwu: With NIFTY, Down Syndrome

Can Be Eradicated in Nigeria

Down syndrome is one of the commonest abnormalities in Nigeria and has been termed a public health concern. In an interview with the Marketing Consultant, Genomix Nigeria Ltd, Onuora Molokwu, he said the chromosomal abnormality can be eradicated in Nigeria if pregnant women opt for NIFTY test, which is a Non Invasive Prenatal Test. In this interview with Martins Ifijeh, he further revealed that the test can also tell the sex of the baby even at the tenth week of pregnancy. Excerpts: What is NIFTY? It is a Non Invasive Prenatal Test ( NIFTY), which means the test can be done by taking the woman’s blood and then check whether or not a baby has chromosomal abnormalities in the formative stage. Before now, the method used in ascertaining it usually comes with some side effects. So with improved technology, we can now take blood samples of pregnant women who have been pregnant from 10 weeks upward and then conduct the test. So if that child has some abnormalities, you can either decide whether or not you want the pregnancy.

This test ensures a couple who want to have babies have better chances of knowing what to face in future, instead of waiting till the child is born before they know whether the child is normal, has Down syndrome or other forms of abnormalities.

How are these tests done through the woman’s blood when the baby’s DNA is actually what is needed?

The test is called non invasive because it is not surgical. It is taken from the blood of the woman unlike what usually obtains where you have to get samples from the baby in the uterus, which could result sometime in miscarriage or infection. So now we don’t have to do that because there is free fetal DNA in the mother’s blood. And for the DNA reading to be sensible, you need at least four per cent of it in the mother’s blood, which can be gotten at about 10 weeks of pregnancy.

What we are looking for are chromosomal abnormalities, and we call them aneuploidies.

Every human being has 23 pairs of chromosomes. All the abnormal ones are not compatible with life except for three, which means despite the abnormalities, these three means the child born alive; they are the chromosomes 21 (Down syndrome), 18 (Edwards syndrome) and 13 (Pauta syndrome).

Unfortunately, for chromosome 13 and 18, the child will last only for few months and die, but for Down syndrome, the child can live for long.

What else can the technology test for?

The NIFTY can also tell the sex of the baby even at the tenth week of pregnancy; which means the couple will not have to wait till five months before they know the sex of their child.

Research is presently on going to ascertain other things it can be detected, for instance sickle cell disorders. That however is still work in progress. So the NIFTY is a screening test, it is not a diagnostic test?

Molokwu

How is NIFTY screening test different from a diagnostic test?

The NIFTY test will tell you the foetus has an increased risk of a particular abnormality.

Then you will now have to do a diagnostic test to confirm.

But there is genetic altering. Why can’t it help in this regard?

Gene editing is the newest kid on the block, but that is not done yet. For now, it is unethical, because it can be used to do a number of good and bad things. Have you seen what is happening with GMOs now? that can also be done in humans; imagine creating a human that can never get tired or even sweat, if allowed, it can be used to create terrible things as well, that is why for now it is not allowed.

Does every pregnant woman require this test?

Yes they do. Before, what we used to do is that once the mother has a risk factor, like previously having a child with abnormality or she is of a particular age, we do this test, but now it is advisable every pregnant woman do it. In some countries they have started doing it for everybody. Countries like Netherlands first started with people who are at risk of chromosomal disorders, but now they do it for every pregnant woman.

I thought the blood of the foetus and the mother is separate. How come NIPT can be done using the mother’s blood?

The peculiarity in the human placenta is that it is like a parasite to the human body, such that it attaches and invades the woman’s body.

Is this technology available in Nigeria?

Yes. It is now available in Nigeria. Genomics Nigeria Limited, an independent company, has the sole franchise for the NIFTY test in the country. When the screening is done, the blood samples are then sent abroad and in 10 days the client gets the result.

Nifty is a brand managed solely by Genomics in Nigeria. The NIPT is the generic name for this kind of test.

Situation where you find out there is a possibility of abnormality, are there ways to correct it in the foetus?

No there are not. Let’s get it right; structural deformities can be corrected, but this is at the level of the chromosome which cannot be corrected.

What are the conditions in our environment this technology is likely to help address?

This test detects if a child will have Down syndrome. It is the commonest aneuploidies compactable with life, and this is a common abnormality in Nigeria. With the NIFTY test, Down syndrome will be a thing of the past.

Down syndrome is a common condition in Nigeria, and it is very expensive to manage.

With this test, it can be wiped out from the country

What this test looks out for are chromosomal errors.

The danger of trying to limit this kind of test to some people is that chromosomal abnormalities can happen from the blues.

That is why it might end up being a test every pregnant woman should do. All of us carry chromosomal abnormalities we do not know. Once it’s not dominant you are good.

Since couples can decide to do away with the pregnancy at 10thweek if they realised there are aneuyploidies, what would you advise for couples who had the test at 6th month and find out there are aneuploidies?

That is why we are saying everybody should do it early when it is earlier to make decisions. Before you do the test at all, there is pre screening counseling where you need to know the implication of the test; what can be the results, what can be options if the test shows positive, and so on. At that point, the couples are already for whatever comes. As much as possible we encourage people to have it early.

A lot of babies die before they are born because the seed is not good. Some even die months after birth. n the uterus.

Some patients will argue with you that their babies were healthy two weeks ago, and want you to explain how he or she now died; meanwhile the baby may have aneuploidies not compactable with life.

One of the clues to even advise pregnant women to do the test is when such woman has lost one, two or more pregnancies.

It might just be there is a chromosomal abnormality somewhere. Such people are

advised to take the test before they even go too far?

How expensive is this test?

It is an affordable test. With N160, 000 it can be done. If you take it as a priority and you imagine how much it will cost to raise a child with Down syndrome, you will know the test is not expensive at all. One of the issues we have in this part of the world is we do not take our health as priority. Cost is about what is important to you. If you have a baby with Down syndrome, you will know how much it cost to look after him or her, and such baby will almost likely not give you any return on investment in the future.

Do you think this will be accepted in Nigeria?

With this test, Down syndrome can be wiped out in Nigeria. Do you know how many people have Down syndrome in Nigeria?

This is a very expensive condition to look after. So the idea is so we can prevent it.

In Nigeria, there are couples who may not want to discard the pregnancies because of religious or cultural belief.

What advice would you tell such couples?

Well, ‘God will do it’ is also an option, but when the result comes be ready to accept it.

The decision you take is still up to you. It is like seeing couples who are AS and AS. Their decision to go ahead with the marriage is up to them. So if they have SS children, they will also live with the outcome. Even if you say you will pray about it, at least you know exactly what you are praying for.

You won’t pray amiss if you already know your pregnancy may turn out to produce a child with Down syndrome.

5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019

37

38

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍľËœ 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

EFCC, ABCON Sensitise Currency Dealers against Money Laundering Nume Ekeghe The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) have taken the campaign against money laundering and terrorism financing to Bureaux de Change (BDC) operators at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MM2), Lagos.

Speaking during the sensitisation programme, EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, called for continuous sensitisation on issues around Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) reporting to improve transparency in BDCs operations. He said the EFCC will continue to campaign for financial integrity and transparency in BDCs’ operations.

According to a statement, other stakeholders at the event also warned against the use of BDCs for illicit political transactions, illegal border cash evacuation, reporting of

suspicious transactions, fraud accounts transactions and cash dollar deposits on domiciliary accounts.

Speaking at the event, ABCON President, Aminu Gwadabe, said the BDC sector is part of the financial system and was seen as the weakest in the industry.

He appealed to the regulators to approve the group’s request for the establishment of the institute’s Training Centre and building capacity of over 4,500 BDC operators for better understanding of the menace of money laundering and terrorism financing. Gwadabe, said the anti-money laundering sensitisation programme was to familiarise BDC operators with the process of money laundering – the criminal business used to disguise the true origin and ownership of illegal cash – and the laws that make it a crime.

Gwadabe, said the programme was also meant to help BDCs maintain minimum standard of record keeping and increasing level of investors’ confidence

for the economy.

He said the group would continue to pursue Nigeria’s admission into the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) due this year. The FATF is an intergovernmental body established in 1989 by the Ministers of its Member jurisdictions.

The FATF is therefore a “policy-making body,� which works to generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in these areas.

Gwadabe, said the sensitisation of BDCs and other capacity building for BDCs will create awareness on the need to check money laundering and terrorist financing in this period of electioneering; ensure that BDCs are not used to launder funds

by Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). It will also upscale BDCs’ compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) for Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria Regulations, 2013.

L-R: Investor Relations, FBN Holdings Plc, Simisola Salami ; Patron, Noble Shareholders Solidarity Association(NSSA), Chief Timothy Adesiyan; FBN Holdings Company Secretary, Seye Kosoko; President, NSSA, Mathew Akinlade; Head, Investor Relations, FBN Holdings, Tolu Oluwole and Head, Human Resources, FBN Holdings, Oyinade Kuku during shareholders meeting organised by NSSA in Lagos‌ recently

MARKET INDICATORS

UBA Expands Footprint, Commences Operations in Mali The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has commenced full banking operations in Mali, extending its footprint and fulfilling the aspiration of deepening banking penetration in Africa.

The launch of UBA Mali brings to 20, the number of African countries, where the Group currently operates, with global operations in the United States, United Kingdom and France.

The launch of the bank’s latest addition in Mali was occasioned by the President of the Republic of Mali, Mr Ibrahim Aboubacar Keita, who gave an unprecedented speech at the opening ceremony. “Tony promised it and he did it’, said the President, referring to UBA Group’s Chairman, Mr Tony Elumelu on his promise made several years ago to bring UBA to Mali. “The Malian president praised UBA Group for the vision to expand the bank’s footprint to Mali. He commended the tenacity and commitment of UBA and its Group Chairman to the development of the continent, calling African financial institutions to follow the developmental philosophy of the bank and its chairman in growing infrastructure, deepening financial inclusion and being catalysts for eradicating

poverty in Africa,� the president was quoted to have said in a statement.

In his response, Elumelu said: “UBA is Africa’s global bank, a leading pan-African brand, committed to democratising banking on the continent. “We are progressive partners for African corporates, institutions and governments whilst also helping to fulfil the financial aspirations of individual customers. “Our train has finally arrived in Mali. We are here for mutual progress; we are here for shared prosperity.�

The Group Managing Director, UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, expressed enthusiasm on the Group’s operation in Mali, saying ‘We are in Mali to offer world class financial services that will surpass the expectations of our customers. I assure you that UBA is poised to deliver excellent services to the entire population of Mali’ he posited.

The CEO, UBA Mali, Alhassane Sissoko, told customers that the bank was optimistic on the competitiveness of its franchise in Mali with strong potentials for accelerated market share gain over the near to medium term.

He re-assured private and public sector players of good things to come.

“The advent of UBA in Mali marks a turning point in the history of the Malian banking sector with new opportunities for businesses and individuals.

We will always have in mind, the progress of our customers,�

Sissoko said.

Also present at the launch were the Prime Minister of Mali, Mr Soumeilou Boubeye Maiga; the Mayor of Bamako, Mr Adama Sangare; the Minister of Economy and Finance, Dr Boubou Cisse; the Minister of Digital economy and Communications, Mr. Harouna TourĂŠ and many other dignitaries.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading pan-African financial services group, with operations in 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States of America and presence in France.

UBA was incorporated in Nigeria as a limited liability company after taking over the assets of the British and French Bank Limited who had been operating in Nigeria since 1949.

The United Bank for Africa merged with Standard Trust Bank in 2005 and from a single country operation founded in 1949 in Nigeria - Africa’s largest economy - UBA has become one of the leading providers of banking and other financial services on the African continent.

Envoy Seeks Increased Nigeria-IndiaTrade Ugo Aliogo The Second Secretary, Indian Consulate, Subbu Ramesh, has stated that the relationship of Indian and Nigeria in Diaspora has played a pivotal role in building links between both countries.

Disclosing this recently at an event to mark the 15th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas Convention, Ramesh noted that Indians in Nigerians have also been contributing to social causes both in Nigeria and back home, especially mentoring ICA’s contribution towards the Kerala relief fund. “They pivotal role in build-

ing link between India and Nigeria and make valuable contribution to the host government by providing employment opportunities being the largest foreign employer in Nigeria,� he noted.

In her remarks, the IWA president Geetika Tandon, said IWA has been holding various events to generate funds for charitable causes to help the underprivileged of the host country. She commended the donors, while also seeking their support in future for the benevolent causes for which the organisations works, she however

revealed plans to organise gala celebrations to mark 50 years of IWA in Nigeria in April.

Also speaking at the event, the president of Indian Professionals’ Forum (IPF), Atul Kshetry, asserted that the IPF has been immensely contributing to the development of Africa.

He also noted that Indian businessmen and professionals have been partners and investors rather than being traders and businessmen, “Indians in Nigeria are holding many key positions, not only in Indianowned enterprises, but other firms as well.�

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 Ëœ Íł Ͱ͎ͯ͡

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $62.07 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $62.32 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

39

T H I S D AY ˾ ͵˜ 2019

MARKET NEWS

All-Share Index Rises Further on Sustained Bargain Hunting Goddy Egene Sustained bargain hunting in bellwethers lifted the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index by 0.16 per cent to close at 30,821.80 yesterday.

In a similar vein, market capitalisation added N18 billion to close at N11.49 trillion.

With the yesterday’s positive performance, the market has thus recorded three days of gains since Monday.

According to analysts at FSDH Research, the appreciation recorded in the share prices of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Transcorp, GTBank Plc and Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc were mainly responsible for the gain recorded in the index yesterday.

However, Learn Africa Plc led the price gainers with 9.4 per cent, trailed by Regency Alliance Insurance Plc with 9.0 per cent. Mcnichols Plc garnered

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

7.6 per cent, just as Berger Paints Nigeria Plc, Cornerstone Insurance Plc and Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc chalked up 5.0 per cent apiece. Dangote Flour Mills Plc and Nestle Nigeria Plc went up by 4.9 per cent and 2.8 per cent in that order.

Conversely, Custodian Investment Plc led the price losers with 8.8 per cent, followed by Guinea Insurance Plc with 8.7 per cent. Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc shed 6.4 per cent.

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

The insurance firm got its additional 1.130 billion shares listed on the NSE on Tuesday. The arose from additional shares listed on the exchange arose from CHI Plc’s placing of 1,130 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at 65 kobo per share.

With this listing of the additional 1,130 billion ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid up shares of CHI Plc has now increased from 7.0 billion to 8.130 billion ordinary shares

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

of 50 kobo each. CHI Plc realized N734 million from the private placing. Meanwhile, activity level also improved as volume and value traded rose 88.3 per cent and 65.0 per cent to 358.3 million shares and N4.8 billion respectively. The top traded stocks by volume were FBN Holdings (88.6 million shares), Zenith Bank (55.7 million shares) and Japaul (36.2 million shares) while Zenith Bank (N1.3 billion), GTBank

O F

(N724.5 million) and FBN Holding (N660 million) were the top traded by value.

In terms of sector performance three of five sectors tracked advanced. The NSE Consumer Goods Index led gainers with 1.2 per cent, trailed by the NSE Banking Index with 0.6 per cent appreciation. The NSE Insurance Index rose 0.5 per cent. Conversely, the NSE Oil & Gas Index depreciated by 0.1 per cent.

0 4 / 0 2 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

Ëž THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019

40

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41

˾ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019

MARKET NEWS

SEC Shuts Down Dantata Success Ponzi Scheme Goddy Egene

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has sealed off the premises of Dantata Success and Profitable Company, Kano for engaging in illegal capital market activities.

According to a statement from the commission, the company was shut down for carrying out investment operations that falls within fund management without registration with the apex regulator.

SEC said: “They do not have registration with the SEC and the commission has powers according to Section 13 of ISA 2007, to shut down any company carrying out capital market activities without due registration. Nigerian laws provide that business activities in the country has to be regulated, in this case SEC is supposed to regulate them.”

SEC explained that the strategy of the company is to solicit for funds from unsuspecting members of the public by enticing them

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 ‘shares’ on the

with returns of monthly interest on investment of between 25 per cent to 50 per cent depending on the nature and investment type.

They also indicated a registration period of 5th February to 15th February in one of their numerous notices directing all prospective customers to make deposits into their bank accounts.

The commission said the company sells its forms to prospective investors according to their investment plans ranging from N1,000 to N3,000. The minimum

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 05Feb-2019, unless otherwise stated.

amount investable is N50,000 while the maximum is N5,000,000 The investment period of the scheme is pegged at a minimum of 30 working days to a maximum period of 12 months with offer of interest rates on short and medium term basis.

It claims to be involved in trading, general merchandise supply, oil and gas, transportation, import, export and general contract.

The commission had established that the company’s activities also constituted an infraction of the

Investments and Securities Act (ISA), 2007. The SEC management said the closure was to end unlawful activities of the company against unsuspecting investors and therefore urged investors to ensure they only deal with fund managers that are registered with the commission.

“The account of the company have been frozen, the promoters have been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force and are undergoing interrogation,” SEC said.

The commission stressed that

the company is not licensed to carry out investments business of any type and as such its operations are illegal.

“The SEC therefore advises the public to exercise due diligence and caution in the course of making investment decisions adding that valid licence of lawful operators could be obtained on the commission’s website by members of the public to confirm the licences of firms with which they intend to carry out investment activities,” the commission 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 157.10 158.46 -0.39% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 278.05 278.43 1.84% 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 0.85 0.86 0.98% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 11.33% 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 2.24 2.27 0.94% 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 16.30 16.79 -1.76% ARM Discovery Fund 353.29 363.95 -0.94% ARM Ethical Fund 28.56 29.42 1.13% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.25% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 100.97 101.68 -0.22% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.21% 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 11.54 11.83 -1.48% Women's Investment Fund 100.95 103.54 -1.57% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.68% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 98.67 99.02 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 99.56 100.05 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 13.35% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.83 0.84 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.14 1.14 1.58% 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 12.50% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.98% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,204.92 1,205.70 1.64% FBN Heritage Fund 0.00 0.00 -100.00% FBN Money Market Fund 0.00 0.00 0.00% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 115.40 115.81 1.33% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 115.37 115.78 1.55% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 147.10 149.25 -1.93% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.19 1.21 -2.49% Legacy Debt Fund 3.28 3.28 1.17% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.03 1.03 0.44% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 2,952.33 2,981.07 -1.08% Coral Income Fund 2,794.52 2,794.52 2.04% 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 12.90% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 107.32 107.76 0.36% 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 13.25%

Vantage Balanced Fund 2.15 2.17 -0.19% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.90% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 120.88 121.06 -3.24% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@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 0.70% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,083.76 1,083.76 1.34% 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 11.18 11.27 -2.83% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.54% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.34 1.37 5.18% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.38 12.43 1.40% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.61% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 119.64 120.24 -0.88% 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 1.27% 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 2,319.14 2,333.33 2.39% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 191.00 191.00 1.77% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.93 0.94 -1.58% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 249.93 249.98 3.15% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 161.20 162.98 -1.19% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.04% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,332.16 8,433.80 -0.08% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.11 1.11 3.32% 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 11.03 11.18 3.95% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.30 12.41 2.66% Zenith Income Fund 20.85 20.85 8.26% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.59%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.95 118.46 51.87

-39.35% 0.14% 0.03%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.40 111.88 86.61

10.50 114.29 88.24

-1.37% -4.61% -2.31%

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 Griffin 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

3.96 6.99 14.35 12.64 147.00

4.00 7.07 14.45 12.84 149.00

-0.96% -8.20% -4.01% 2.21% 2.40%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.13

17.03%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

42

5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019

5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019

43

44

5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019

5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019

45

46

5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2019

47

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNA TIONAL

Trump Vows to Outspend Russia Without New Missile Pact President Donald Trump has vowed that the United States would outspend Russia on missiles without a fresh international accord after he ditched a landmark Cold War treaty.

Trump’s warning during his annual State of the Union address

cemented fears of an emerging arms race, with Russia hours earlier pledging to design new missiles over the next two years.

The US last week started the process of exiting the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, saying that Russia has been violating the pact

UN Urges Africa to Focus on Root Causes of Displacement UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative in Uganda, Joel Boutroue, has urged African leaders to focus on the root causes of displacement as they want lasting solutions to the refugee crisis.

Boutroue said this on Wednesday as African leaders gather in Addis Ababa to find solutions to the refugee crisis in Africa.

Boutroue said that the AU had made 2019 as the ‘Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons’, which shows that the continent is serious about the issue of forced displacement.

“What I would like to see is that the AU makes a commitment to address the root causes of displacement.

“It is important to remember that the root causes of displacement are in Africa,” Boutroue said.

He said although Africa should take the lead in addressing the root causes of forced displacement, the international community must also support the continent.

“Let Africa address the root

causes of displacement but there should be solidarity not only financial but also political to ensure that the causes of displacement are eradicated,” Boutroue said.

He said African countries need to understudy Uganda’s refugee response model that has gained international recognition.

“Uganda is showing that we can have durable solutions for refugees and displaced persons.

By applying the model you ensure sustainability, long term commitment to the refugees as well as the host communities,” Boutroue said.

The model gives refugees land, on which they can plant crops to reduce dependence on humanitarian food aid.

Each household is given a piece of land on which they construct their house and also cultivate.

The response system also allows free movement of refugees and they can also search for employment.

Africa hosts over one third of the world’s forcibly displaced people, according to UNHCR figures.

through a new missile system and ignored repeated complaints.

“Under my administration, we will never apologize for advancing America’s interests,” Trump told US lawmakers assembled in the House chamber.

“Perhaps we can negotiate a different agreement, adding China and others. Or perhaps we can’t –- in which case, we will outspend and out-innovate all others by far,” Trump said.

While pointing the finger at Russia, US officials have voiced concern that the 1987 treaty does not constrain China, whose rapidly growing military relies on medium-range missiles as a core part of its defense strategy.

The INF treaty banned all missiles with a range of 500 to

5,500 kilometres (310 to 3,400 miles), a legacy of the end of the Cold War as last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and US president Ronald Reagan sought to ease European fears of an arms race that would destroy their cities.

Russian President Vladimir Putin — who has sought a warm relationship with Trump but is widely reviled by the US establishment — responded Saturday by saying Moscow would also leave the INF treaty.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said earlier Tuesday that Putin had approved plans for new missiles.

“During 2019-2020 we have to develop a land-based version of the seaborne Kalibr system

equipped with a long-range cruise missile which showed good results in Syria,” Shoigu told defense officials.

“Over the same period we will also have to create a land-based missile system with a long-range hypersonic missile,” he said.

Latvia urges international pact Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics of Latvia — for which former ruler Russia looms large as a threat — voiced hope that Washington and Moscow would work with other powers on a new agreement.

“I would advocate — even if it is going to take a very long period of time, even if it may be a very, sometimes, complex and disappointing, from time to time, process — it would

be good to try to find a way forward on a multilateral arms control agreement in this area,” Rinkevics told AFP. “It needs to be more than the United States and Russia because there are more countries that can produce such weapons than 30 years ago,” he said in an interview in Washington, where he is taking part in a 79-member conference Wednesday on the fight against the Islamic State group.

Latvia, like other members of the NATO alliance, has backed the United States which has charged since the administration of former president Barack Obama that Russia is infringing on the INF treaty with the range of its new 9M729 missile system.

Sudanese protesters chant slogans during an anti-government demonstration in the capital Khartoum’s twin city of Omdurman

AFP

Central African Republic Peace Deal Signed in Bangui Zambia Scraps Meal Allowances for Students in The government of Central country — one of the poorest Public Universities African Republic and armed in the world. groups in control of most of the country signed a deal in Bangui on Wednesday aimed at ending a bloody, years-long conflict.

“The first effect of this agreement is the cessation of all violence against civilians,” President Faustin-Archange Touadera said at the signing ceremony, without disclosing the contents of the pact.

“For us, this day is a historic moment which enshrines the culmination of nearly three years of efforts,” Touadera said, adding he was “holding out a hand to our brothers and sisters in the armed groups.”

The deal had been initialled in Khartoum on Tuesday after lengthy talks brokered by the African Union and supported by the United Nations.

The leaders of the two biggest armed groups — Ali Darassa of the Unity for Peace in Central African Republic (UPC) and Noureddine Adam of the Popular Front for the Renaissance of the Central African Republic (FPRC) — initialled the text in Khartoum but were not present for Wednesday’s the signing ceremony.

The accord is the eighth attempt in nearly six years to forge peace in the war-ravaged

The conflict has left thousands dead and forced a quarter of the population of 4.5 million from their homes. The rural exodus, the UN warned last year, could drive the country into famine.

All seven previous peace agreements failed to stick.

The last deal, forged in 2017 with the help of the Catholic Church, lasted less than a day before violence erupted anew, claiming nearly a hundred lives.

“The real challenge will be following up this agreement,” the head of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, cautioned on Wednesday.

“It should not be the umpteenth (failed) agreement, as cynics say,” he added. “We will be very watchful about the effective application of it.”

The CAR plunged into crisis in 2012, when a mainly Muslim rebel movement called the Seleka rose in the north of the country.

The following year, the insurgents overthrew President Francois Bozize, a Christian, triggering a predominantly Christian militia called the anti-Balaka.

France, the former colonial ruler, intervened militarily under a UN mandate as fears grew of a Rwandan-style genocide.

February 6, 2019 4:48 pm by fatima.sule - Zambia Zambia scraps meal allowances for students in public universities Meal Lusaka, Feb. 6, 2019 (Xinhua/NAN) The Zambian government on Wednesday said that it had scrapped meal allowances for students in public universities.

Minister of Higher Education, Nkandu Luo, said this at a news conference held in Lusaka.

She said 2019 students under

the Students Loans and Higher Education Scholarships scheme would no longer get meal allowance.

The minister added that the scheme would only cover accommodation and tuition fees to be paid directly to the learning institutions while students will only be paid book and project allowances.

She said the decision would, however, affect only new students and does not affect

returning students.

She said the move to scrap the meal allowance was meant to scale up more resources that would be distributed in more public universities that have been included in the government’s loan scheme for students.

According to her, the country’s biggest and second biggest public universities, the University of Zambia (UNZA) and the Copperbelt University (CBU) will receive 1,900 scholarships

each while only 1,000 of them will be distributed amongst five other public universities.

Late payment of meal allowances have been a source of student protests at the country’s two biggest public university.

In 2018, a female student died due to suffocation as police fired teargas canisters in their rooms in order to quell a riot that erupted at UNZA following delays in paying the meal allowance.

Uganda Shuts Main Independent News Website Uganda’s communications regulator on Wednesday ordered the country’s main independent newspaper the Daily Monitor to shut down its website.

In a letter to the newspaper’s managing director, the head of the Uganda Communications Commission, Godfrey Mutabazi, said the Daily Monitor had failed to register under data communications regulations introduced in 2018.

It accused the newspaper’s parent company, Monitor Publications Limited, of providing an online news service illegally.

UCC spokesman Ibrahim Bbossa told AFP the registration

issue came to light during an investigation into a complaint over an article which was lodged by parliamentary speaker Rebecca Kadaga.

READ ALSO: Impose travel ban on El-Rufai, PDP tells international community The Daily Monitor website had on Monday reported on a legal case launched last month by a “witch doctor” who alleged that almost 30 years ago, Kadaga had used the traditional healer’s services to boost her political career, but had never paid him the agreed fee.

According to Bbossa, Kadaga’s office filed a complaint alleging that the Daily Monitor

had published “fake news” about her with the matter being investigated under a colonial-era defamation statute.

In his letter, Mutabazi said that a preliminary investigation had shown that Monitor Publications “actively runs an online newspaper platform, which falls within the scope of the data communications services, provision of which requires one to obtain an authorisation, which Monitor Publications has never applied for.”

As a result, the letter ordered the paper to “immediately suspend any further provision of online data communications

services (online newspaper services) until Monitor Publications has applied for and obtained the requisite authorisation.”

Bbossa said the media registration regulations were necessary because the government needed to know “who was operating and where they were operating in case of a complaint against them.”

But he denied the move against the Daily Monitor’s website was an attempt to silence undesirable coverage of the Speaker who is a prominent member of the ruling party of longtime President Yoweri Museveni.

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End Lingering ASUU Strike Now, Saraki Tells Buhari FG, union resume meeting today Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to address the salient issues raised by the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) with a view to ending the over two-month old strike embarked upon by the public university lecturers.

This is coming as the federal

government has said it will meet with the leadership of the union today in continuation of efforts to resolve the ongoing strike by the lecturers.

Saraki, in a statement issued yesterday by his Media Adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the federal government must immediately work to address the demands of the university lecturers.

Customs Intercepts Bales of Police Uniforms, Teargas Eromosele Abiodun The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone “A”, Ikeja of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday intercepted bales of police uniforms, tearas canisters and other paraphernalia of the Nigeria Police Force.

The uniforms which were intercepted along Lagos-Ibadan road were concealed in a Toyota Sienna space bus heading out of Lagos.

Speaking to journalists after the arrest of the vehicle, the Customs Area Controller of the Unit, Compt. Muhammed Aliyu, said a suspect was in the custody of the unit in connection with the seizure.

According to him, the uniforms are a threat to national security as they were destined to get to the wrong hands.

He stated further that the ranks, belts, berets and police badges with identity cards were part of what were intercepted by the unit.

The CAC said, “The seizure is a threat to national security because the uniform can be used for kidnapping, Boko Haram or elections but generally, it threatens natonal security,” the unit customs boss said.

Giving details on the paraphernalia of the police seized, he said, “We have the ranks of sergeants, inspector, the belt and the badges on the ranks. You can see that the identity cards have no name on them. They are only printed and later they will be affixed with any names they want to put on it.”

The CAC who further disclosed that the vehicle was intercepted on Lagos road, said the service would ensure that the offensive goods

of such nature are not allowed into the country.

“They were intercepted along the road on the highway and what we know is that it was caught on Lagos road enroute another state. The seizure is of great concern because it concerns the national security. Also, the quantity alone is not the concern but also the havoc it will cause.

“For instance, one bundle of this uniform can accommodate about ten persons and Nigerians will complain about atrocities of Police, not knowing they are not real police but impostors.”

When asked whether part of the contraband may have evaded the eagle eye of the officers of the service, Compt. Muhammed said the service knows how to recover the remaining if any.

“There are certain issues we don’t need to tell the press. We strategise our operations and when I get more Iwill call you because if I say our strategies now, they will be aware.”

Speaking further on the seizure, he said, “Not only the identity cards and the ranks were intercepted but also cutlass; what will a supposed police do with cutlass? Have you ever seen a genuine policeman with cutlass?

These are part of the atrocities they will use the uniform to commit,” he said.

He however, warned those involved in the unwholesome practice to stop because the service will always be a step ahead of them.

“I am telling those who are doing this unwholesome practice should stop it and the one they have in stock they should destroy it because we are coming for them.”

Stop Misleading Electorate, Kashamu Warns Secondus Femi Ogbonnikan in Abeokuta A factional governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Senator Buruji Kashamu, has urged the party’s National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, to desist from misleading the electorate, as the forthcoming elections are approaching.

Kashamu who was reacting to a letter written

by Secondus and the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ibrahim Umaru Tsauri, to INEC, asking the electoral body to recognise Hon. Ladi Adebutu as the party’s governorship candidate, described the purported letter as “a tissue of lies, meant to blackmail INEC” and predicted that the ploy would fail.

Kashamu, who is the senator representing Ogun East at the National Assembly,

in a letter dated February 4, 2019, entitled, “Re: Final List of Nominated Candidates in Ogun State,” addressed to the National Chairman and obtained by journalists in Abeokuta, yesterday, accused Secondus of twisting facts with a view to blackmailing INEC. According to Kashamu, Secondus’ letter “drips with the usual lies and blackmail that you have always peddled to obfuscate obvious facts and issues that are glaringly in the public domain.”

He added, “Ordinarily, I would not have responded since the Commission is aware of the issues and has the benefit of sound legal advice from senior lawyers and experts. “However, since you are not tired of telling lies, I would also not be tired of telling the truth and exposing your lies to the whole world.”

According to him, the issue goes beyond negotiations as it is affecting the education of Nigeria’s students, and disenfranchising many of them from participating in the upcoming general election.

He therefore, called on the federal government to immediately work on meeting the demands of ASUU and honouring all its prior commitments.

“On our part, the Senate will continue to work to ensure that Nigeria’s education sector is strengthened — and we are ready and willing to collaborate with both the federal government and ASUU to end this strike, and ensure that it does not become a recurrent issue,” Saraki stated.

He emphasised the need for Nigeria’s universities to be re-opened without further delay, highlighting the fact that the education of Nigeria’s young people is being negatively affected by the stance of the government

and is also disenfranchising the youths, many of whom are registered to vote in their universities — but are now stuck in their homes.

According to him, “we cannot continue this system whereby our universities will be frequently shut down, thereby slowing down the education of our young people — and creating negative bottlenecks that place unnecessary stress on our universities.

“In another vein, our youth make up over 51 per cent of registered voters. What does this mean for our electoral process, when young students who are registered to vote in their academic institutions, cannot do so because their schools are shut down? This is unacceptable.

“In November 2016, the Senate intervened in the ASUU strike and met with the officials of the Ministries of Education and Labour, Employment and Productivity and the Academic

Staff Union of Universities.

“At that meeting, which was attended by the Minister of State for Education, Anthony Anwuka and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Productivity in the National Assembly, we agreed that the federal government should work to implement the agreement that it reached with ASUU in 2009, and subsequently, we set up a sub-committee to lease with both ASUU and the federal government on this issue”, the Senate President explained.

Meanwhile, the federal government has said it will meet with the leadership of the union today in continuation of efforts to resolve the ongoing strike by the lecturers.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, said this yesterday in Abuja, in a statement by Deputy Director, Press in the ministry, Mrs Iliya Rhoda.

“This is in furtherance to efforts at resolving the on-going industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

“The conciliatory meeting with the executive of ASUU is scheduled to hold Thursday, February 7,” he said.

The union commenced strike on November 5, 2018, to press home its demands.

The lecturers are demanding for the implementation of agreement entered into by the government with the union.

The major demands of the union include the university revatilisation fund and earned allowances.

During the last meeting between the federal government and ASUU, both parties agreed that all grey areas have been trashed out and the union will only relay the information to its members and adjourned for a new meeting on February 7

GATHERING FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS…

L-R: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vice presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Wife of Delta State Governor, Mrs. Edith Okowa; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa; and Primate of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, during the Church of Nigeria Standing Committee meeting, in Warri...yesterday

Ezekwesili: We Raised N48.9m, $17,645, £200 for My Campaign Former presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has retired her campaign funds, accounting for “every penny” spent.

The former vice-president of the World Bank, in a detailed breakdown of income and expenditure, said the campaign raised N48,957,416.00, $ 17,645.00, and £200, from October 1, 2018 to February 2, 2019.

She also revealed that her campaign spent over N12 million on travels, N10.6 million on media and publicity, and another N15.3 million on

“campaign mobilisation fees, meeting and logistics costs.”

In total, her campaign, according to TheCable, spent N46,521,806.19 in running its activities for the 2019 presidential campaign, which was aborted about a month to the eventual poll.

The spokesperson of the Obiageli Ezekwesili Presidential Campaign Organisation, Ozioma Ubabukoh, said via a press statement that she withdrew from the race to build a veritable coalition.

“This decision followed extensive consultations with leaders from various walks of

life across the country over the past few days. I deem it necessary for me to focus on helping to build a veritable coalition to ensure a viable alternative to the APC and PDP in the forthcoming elections,” Ubabukoh had said.

The ACPN, on the other hand, said the former minister of education, and former vice-president of the World Bank, was only seeking to be finance minister — and never took her campaign seriously.

“The reason for calling this press conference is to let the world know about the presidential aspiration of

Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, which in actual fact, is not the truth. I have been put into confidence by one of her aide named Iyinoluwa Aboyeji that she only wanted to use the platform of the ACPN to negotiate to be Nigeria’s finance minister,” Ganiyu Galadima, Ezekwesili’s running mate and ACPN chairman, said.

Ezekwesili said she regrets joining the party, adding that she thought they shared the same values she holds dearly.

After her exit, the party went on to endorse incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term.

Ganduje Demobilises Contractor to Allow PDP Hold Rally at Kano Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has ordered contractor handling the renovation works at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata to immediately demobilise to pave way for the campaign rally of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to hold at the stadium.

The governor, in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Youth and

Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba, which was made available to THISDAY in Kano yesterday, however indicated that the directive does not affect ongoing overhaul of the Indoor sports complex.

Accordingly, the contractor ahas been directed to remove all machineries from the precinct of the stadium until after the campaign rally, while the state football team, Kano Pillars, has been told to use the Pillars Stadium in Sabon Gari for its training sessions.

The general renovation of the stadium aimed at giving the stadium a face-lift included the installation of the new scoreboard, the running track and provision of sources for steady water supply to all parts of the stadium.

Recall that prior to this development, the PDP had slated February 2 for the rally, which informed the government decision to mobilise the contractor only for the party to fix another date for the campaign rally when the contractor had

already moved to site.

The statement said: “As a democrat who believes in freedom of association, the governor did not order the closure of the stadium to frustrate the campaign rally of the PDP. The stadium only closed for the intended renovation works.”

While wishing the PDP a successful outing, the statement urged the leadership of the party to ensure orderliness during the event in order to avert destruction of facilities at the stadium.

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Intervene in Elections, Leave Nigeria in Body Bags, el-Rufai Tells Foreigners We don’t interfere in electoral process, EU replies Gov spoke in national interest, Presidency insists Alex Enumah in Abuja Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has revealed that foreign powers planning to interfere in next week’s elections would “leave Nigeria in body bags.”

But in swift reaction, the European Union Election Observation Mission said its election observers are impartial, did not interfere in the electoral process and operated, according to a strict code of conduct.

This is coming as the Presidency said last night that the governor spoke in defence of national interest when he warned foreigners against interfering with the internal affairs of Nigeria.

El-Rufai made the comments in a live interview on NTA yesterday.

The governor was responding to questions on the criticisms made by the United States, European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom on the credibility of the election following President Muhammadu Buhari’s controversial suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

El-Rufai, who is a staunch supporter of Buhari and a major critique of Onnoghen, said, “Those that are calling for anyone to come and intervene in Nigeria, we are waiting for the person that would come and intervene, they would go back in body bags.”

The governor admitted that Nigeria played a role in the elections in Liberia and Sierra Leone many years ago, but added that it was done in collaboration with the international community and for the enthronement of democracy.

He said the foreign countries criticising Nigeria did not become stable democracies overnight but were given the opportunity to grow at their own pace without any interference.

El-Rufai added, “Nobody will come to Nigeria and tell us how to run our country. We have got our independence and we are trying to run our country as decently as possible and we know the history of those countries that are trying to teach us.

“We know their history, we also know their own stages of development and they went through these challenges. So, please, let us work together, let us challenge one another, but don’t lecture us.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had, last week, called on western powers to ensure that elections are free and fair, adding that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was planning to rig the polls.

The US and the UK had, a few weeks ago, threatened to place a visa ban on any Nigerian politician who rigs elections or promotes violence.

But responding, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) said its election observers are impartial, did not interfere in the electoral process and operated according to a strict code of conduct.

The mission stated that it was invited to monitor the 2019 elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), adding that this was the sixth time it was observing elections in the country.

The EU EOM said this in a statement in Abuja yesterday by its Press and Public Outreach Officer, Sarah Fradgley, in response to the threat by ElRufai against foreign election

EFCC Moves to Obtain Bench Warrant against Ex-NIA Boss, Oke, Wife Davidson Iriekpen The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is making moves to secure a bench warrant against the sacked Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayodele Oke, and his wife, Folashade.

This is because counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, yesterday informed Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos that he had the intention of making an oral application, seeking the issuance of bench warrant against the sacked NIA DG and his wife.

Justice Aneke had during the proceedings yesterday stated that he has not seen the case file.

But the registrar of the court was quick to inform the judge that the case file was already before the court.

This prompted Justice Aneke to declare that he needed to go through the case file before entertaining any application.

The judge then adjourned the case to today for EFCC to move its oral application seeking for bench warrant against Oke and his wife.

At the last sitting on the matter, Oyedepo had urged

Justice Aneke to reschedule the planned arraignment of the sacked DG of NIA and his wife.

This was because of the failure of the anti-graft agency to produce the duo before the court.

The EFCC had instituted a four-count charge against Oke and Folashade.

It had intended to arraign the defendants before the judge in connection with the sums of $43,449,947, £27,800 and N23,218,000 (totalling N13billion) removed by the EFCC from Flat 7B Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos linked to them.

Part of the charges against Oke and Folashade, read: “That you, Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Mrs. Folasade Ayodele Oke on or about April 12, 2017 in Lagos concealed the sum of $43,449,947,000 property of the Federal Government of Nigeria in Flat 7B, No. 16 Osborne Road, Osborne Towers, Ikoyi Lagos which sum you reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

monitors in the country.

EU said while the security of its observers was of paramount importance, and would remain under constant review, “EU observers will continue their work across the country in the run-up to and beyond February 16 elections.”

It stated, “We are aware of the comments by the Governor of Kaduna about non-interference by foreigners during a talk show on the elections Tuesday 5 February.

“EU election observation missions give commentary and analysis, and make recommendations about the electoral process. EU election observation missions are impartial, do not interfere in the electoral process, and operate according to a strict code of conduct.

“While the security of EU observers is of paramount importance, and will remain under constant review, EU observers will continue their work across the country in the run-up to – and beyond – the 16 February elections.”

The Mission said it’s 40 long-term observers have met different categories of candidates and people across the country, including election officials, security agencies, and civil society organisations, and have enjoyed good cooperation at federal and state levels.

“The mission looks at all aspects of the election, including the campaign tone, the transparency of the election administration, the neutrality of security forces, and the independence of the judiciary, the statement added.

Meanwhile, the Presidency said last night that the governor spoke in defence of national interest when he warned foreigners against interfering with the internal affairs of Nigeria.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, the Presidency said the Kaduna governor, having made a clarification on the comments he earlier made on the role of other countries and bodies in elections, there was no need dragging the issue further.

“We have taken note of the clarification to a reported earlier statement by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, concerning opposition call for foreign interference in our domestic

affairs and to say that latest statements by him should rest the issue for good.

“There is nothing more to sneeze at. The governor spoke strongly in defence of national interest. It is clear that El-Rufai, our party the All Progressives Congress (APC), and all its candidates have reposed their faith in democracy through general elections.

“They are all of the view that there is no place for violence against local people or foreign citizens in our midst,” the statement said.

The statement added that the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari will cooperate with election observers and will not let the international community down in the conduct of the coming elections.

GOLDEN KEY FOR THE GOOD WORK…

Amayanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja (left), presenting the Golden Key of Opobo Kingdom to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, for constructing the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Unity Road at a ceremony in Opobo town ...yesterday

CONCERNS MOUNT OVER ISWAP’S INCREASING TERRITORIAL number of villages in Cameroon.

“Some of them were returned, they crossed the border and they were turned back. And for the recent (displacement), I don’t have the specific numbers. I have heard 30,000, but I have not been able to prove it.”

In 2018, 7.7 million people in Nigeria were in need of humanitarian assistance, and 1.7 million people were classified as “food insecure” between October and December, according to the UN humanitarian wing.

A recent report by Wall Street

Journal said seizure of stockpile of weapons is a major challenge.

“Seizing huge stockpiles of weapons, weeks before Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy, holds a presidential election.

“Nigerian security officials call it a far bigger threat than Boko Haram, given its sophistication and popular support.

“The weapons are being smuggled from Islamic State in Libya to their factions in Nigeria and Mali,” said an arms smuggler in Niger named Yusuf as he flicked through images

of Dushka machine guns and other weapons he claimed to have ferried across the desert.

“These groups want to create a big domain. They want their own country.”

We Are in Control, Military Insists Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters said yesterday the military remained in control of Nigeria.

“There is a lot of gang-up against Nigeria. If we don’t take time, we will be traumatised.

There is a lot of international

propaganda and they try to create fear. I have just been told that we are no longer in charge of Baga.

“Don’t play into their hand.

Boko Haram said they will disrupt election but I can tell you we are in control. The military is in control of the whole country.

Even in the North-east, we are contending with terrorists. Who said we are helpless. We have so many operations, Operation Python Dance and others. We are in control of the whole country”, Defence spokesman, BrigadierGeneral John Agim, said.

Ayade Presents N1.43tn Budget to Lawmakers Bassey Inyang in Calabar The Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has presented a budget of N1.43 trillion for the 2019 fiscal year.

Ayade, while presenting the budget christened ‘Budget of Qabalistic Densification’, the highest state budget in the country, said the budget was “magical and spiritual in nature that could only be achieved by strategic long term plan.”

Presenting the budget to the state House of Assembly, the governor said the budget

would deal mostly on issues of industrialisation that would cut across all the local government areas in the state with connection to the superhighway and deep sea port.

“This year’s budget is tagged: ‘Qabalistic Densification’; it is a magical budget of concentrating all of our ideas and ideals into a cumulative action point that will deliver with escape velocity.

“This budget is ambitious, but driven by intellectual strength. It is N1.430,

967,000,000.

“The budget seems to address the fundamental trust of our governance agitator creating a property direction and partway focusing on the realisation of the core mandate of this government shifting Cross River State from third world to first world within eight years and that can only be achieved by a strategic long term plan,” Ayade said.

The governor said the budget would deal effectively with the issue of the active industrialisation of every local

government area.

Though the governor was silent on the projection for current and recurrent expenditure, he disclosed that N1.8billion is used to service the state’s debt every month.

Ayade stated that 35 percent of the 2019 budget would be allocated to infrastructure, but was silent on allocations to other sectors.

The governor also gave a hinted on the performance of the state 2018 N1. 3 trillion ‘Budget of kinetic Crystallisation’.

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Kogi PDP Accuses INEC of Plotting to Manipulate Elections Martins Ifijeh The Presidential Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of plans to manipulate the outcome of next week’s presidential and National Assembly elections in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The party said the state’s INEC Returning Officer, Prof. James Akpam, was spearheading the process by stroking the embers of ethnicity, mutual suspicion and hate, as well as taking instructions from the state Governor, Yahaya Bello.

In a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday and

signed by the Head, Media and Publicity, Kogi State PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Usman Austin Okai, the party said residents of the state were concerned about the actual intention of Akpam, whom they described as a man of little character and pedigree.

Okai said: “In the last 24 hours, veritable evidence and empirical proof have emerged; all of which lend full credence to our initial submission about the consummation of an unwholesome transaction between the accidental governor and the returning officer. Akpam has accepted a list of over 200 names to be enlisted as ad-hoc staff of the electoral umpire from the governor after receiving a

paltry N10M and some sacks of local rice.

“We have confirmed without fear of contradiction that the identity of individuals who make up this list have been finally revealed alongside their full addresses in Okene, Okengwe, Ageva, Ajaokuta, Ejule, Ihima, Idu and Adavi, just to list a few.”

He said even though the presidential council was uninterested in the numeric strength of the ad-hoc staff since they would meet their match in the people of Kogi State, the party takes exception to the fact that every single individual on the list was a member of a particular ethnic group domiciled in Kogi State.

Okai emphasised that PDP

was fully aware that the entire ad-hoc staff recruitment has been hijacked by the state government in concert with the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the state.

“The council recognises that the agents of destabilisation are only clutching to straw. We note that they have activated their panic mode, otherwise there will be no need to hijack the recruitment of ad-hoc staff for the purpose of padding the list with individuals from just one ethnic stock over whom they have absolute control.

“If nothing else, this is the strongest confirmation that outside their comfort zones which is limited to only government house, the obscure waterfront areas, the various militant training

Okorocha: Araraume, Ohakim, Uzodinma, Ihedioha Have no Programme Amby Uneze in Owerri The verbal fight between the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and his other political rivals escalated yesterday as the governor declared that governorship candidates of APGA, Ifeanyi Araraume; Accord, Ikedi Ohakim; APC, Hope Uzodinma, and PDP, Emeka Ihedioha, have no political programmes for the state.

He also restated the claim

that his administration does not owe any bank either in and outside the country, and that he stands to be challenged by any bank or individual on this claim.

The governor challenged Uzodinma, Ihedioha, Ohakim and Araraume who have been accused by his administration of owing banks billions of naira to make their facts public or close their mouths forever.

Okorocha stated this while interacting with journalists

in the state yesterday at the Government House in Owerri, stating that Araraume, Ohakim, Uzodinma and Ihedioha have no programme for the state.

According to him, that is why instead of telling the Imo people about their programmes for them if elected governor, they are busy talking about him and the billions they claimed he owes banks.

“I know why they are making this debt allegation.

It is because of the amazing

achievements of this administration. They could not believe that a state government could build six universities, three polytechnics, two Colleges of Education; runs free and qualitative education and has more than one thousand verifiable projects to its credit without borrowing from banks. That is what prompted their story of me owing billions of naira.

But my government does not owe any bank.”

camps in Kogi State, the rocky hills that dot the landscape of Kogi and the various forests in the state where their cache of weapons are stored, the promoters of ethnic rivalry, mutual distrust, hate and violence have lost support.”

He therefore called on the

National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu to immediately overhaul the ad-hoc staff recruitment process in the state, adding that this will serve as proof that he has not drank and will not drink from the poisoned chalice of the Kogi State government.

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Johnson-Sirleaf Hopeful of Nigeria Sustaining Africa’s Leadership Role Alex Enumah in Abuja The Head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Election Observation Mission (EOM) and immediate-past Liberian

President, Mrs. Ellen JohnsonSirleaf, has expressed the hope that Nigeria would continue to be a leading light among Africa’s democracies by ensuring that the forthcoming elections are peaceful, free, fair and credible.

Obiano: Buhari’ll Give S’East Additional State David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari would create an additional state in the South-east geopolitical zone if he returned as president of the country.

The governor stated this when the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Lagos branch paid him a visit at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, Anambra State.

He said: “I’m in good terms with the president. He has good plans for the South-east, contrary to the perception of some people. He has emotional feeling that the South-east ought to have an additional state.

“I’m also hopeful that the federal government would set aside November 16 as a national day in memory of late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first president of this great country,” he added.

The governor insisted that it was wrong for Ohanaeze Ndigbo to have fixed a meeting on a day President Buhari was in the state to inaugurate a mausoleum in honor of the

late Azikiwe who, the governor said remained a world hero of the Igbo. Obiano urged the group to eschew politics in its dealing, and rather maintain neutrality, which he said was part of the objective for setting up the group as a nonpartisan organisation with the principal aim of pushing for Igbo agenda.

While speaking, the Ohanaeze delegation led by its branch President, Nnamdi Nwigwe, said they were in the state to show solidarity to the Obianoled government.

The group extolled what it called Obiano’s negotiating power; think-home philosophy among other initiatives.

He said: “We are particularly happy with your position on appreciating President Buhariled administration good gestures to the people of the South-east region and Anambra State in particular.

“The completion of Zik Mausoleum which is a national monument, the ongoing second Niger bridge, road projects and other infrastructure which lay credence to the fact that the Buhari administration has not forgotten the region.”

Johnson-Sirleaf, who made the remark yesterday at a meeting with the Chairman and Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said Nigeria is not only an inspiration but has continued to contribute immensely to the enthronement of democracy and peace in Africa.

“Nigeria has been a great part of Liberia. Today, Liberia enjoys 15 consecutive years of peace to which Nigeria contributed an enormous amount of its own human and financial resources.

“That is why it is a great pleasure for me to be a part of this process, having gone through a political transition myself; having gone through this process of peace after years of destruction.

“I am very pleased that I will

be a part of what we know will be in Nigeria, a process of election that will ensure that Nigeria continues to play a pivotal role of leadership that it does in our continent,” she said.

The former Liberian President, told the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, that the purpose of her visit was to acquaint herself with the electoral process in the country so as to plan for the effective monitoring of the polls by the ECOWAS EOM. “I have had the opportunity to meet with the team from ECOWAS, that have already done an initial assessment and I look forward to meeting others particularly the party leaders so that I can leave here ready to return with more knowledge, when I come here with the full

team sometime next week for the election observation,” she said.

Responding, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, assured that the commission would not disappoint, stressing that INEC was determined to prove that the success recorded in 2015 was not a fluke.

Yakubu said the commission was not unmindful that the focus of the entire world is on Nigeria and as such would conduct free, fair and credible elections.

“I want to assure you as we approach the 2019 general election the commission is not unaware that the eyes of the world are on Nigeria and on our elections.

“This commission will not fail Nigeria and will not fail

the world. We are going to proof that what happened in 2019 is simply not a fluke and that 2019 is going to be another land mark in our democratic process,” he said.

While congratulating JohnsonSirleaf and the people of Liberia over the success recorded in their recent elections, the INEC Chairman, said the commission looked forward to the mission’s recommendations from the observation of the elections process.

“Your recommendations will be very critical for us in reviewing, reforming our processes and procedures so that our elections can be getting better and all the electoral commissions getting better from the report of observation missions headed by people of your standard,” he said.

NAF Acquires 22 Aircraft to Tackle Insurgency, Says Air Chief The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, yesterday said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) recently acquired 22 new aircraft to support various ongoing military operations across the country.

Abubakar made this disclosure while declaring open the NAF Finance Training Workshop with the theme: “Strengthening the NAF Finance Specialty for Efficient Service Delivery in Support of NAF Operations,” at the NAF Headquarters, Abuja.

He said that as at July 2015, the aircraft serviceability status of the Nigerian Air Force was below 60 per cent, but as at date, the aircraft serviceability status has improved beyond 80 per cent.

The Air Chief, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, AVM Mohammad Mohammad, said the NAF was able to deploy its platforms in support of military operations through prudent management of resources.

He said NAF was not only striving to improve on the present status, but has complied with measures put in place by the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.

According to him, in line with the anti-corruption drive of the president, NAF has complied with measures put in place by the federal government to aid transparency in government’s financial transactions.

“This measure include the Treasury Single Account, Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, and the ongoing biometric data capture for the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, just to mention a few. ” The recent feats achieved by the Service cost a lot of money.

“For the Government to continue providing the necessary funds to support Nigerian Air Force operations, it behooves on you to continue to maintain high level of integrity as finance personnel in the management of these public funds.

“It spite of a decline in governmental allocation, the Nigerian Air Force alongside sister services have been able to achieve commendable successes in counterinsurgency and the fight against armed banditry plaguing various regions of the country.

“The Nigerian Air Force has been able to effectively deploy its platforms to these areas in support of sister services.

“This much was achieved through prudent management of resources allocated to the Service and strict compliance with procurement laws,” Abubakar said.

He said the occasion is in line with two key drivers of his vision, which emphasised on human capacity building through robust and result oriented training and prudent management of resources.

GRAND RALLY...

L-R: Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh; Senator George Akume; National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole; gubernatorial candidate of APC in Benue State, Emmanuel Jime; and President Muhammadu Buhari, during presentation of Jime, at the party’s presidential campaign rally in Makurdi...yesterday PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Anglican Church Calls for Credible Elections Obi, Okowa urge Christians to be actively involved in politics Sylvester Idowu in Warri With 10 days to the commencement of the 2019 general election, the Primate of the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, has called for collective efforts for credible elections that will make the country better.

He made the positions known yesterday in separate addresses delivered at The Standing Committee meeting of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral Church, Warri, Delta State.

The event also had in attendance the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

According to the Primate, “every election result should reflect the will of the electorate, otherwise, it becomes a mockery

of the whole exercise.

“As we go again for another decisive moment for the future of this country, we appeal to all eligible voters to resist every inducement tended towards buying votes as this will spell doom for all of us in the coming years; we appeal to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not only to maintain the posture of unbiased umpire in this exercise, but to be verifiably seen to be doing so in every part of the country throughout this election,” the Primate said, adding, “If we must have free, fair and credible elections, all security agencies must remain neutral in this exercise; the military, the police, and others must be there to protect the interest of Nigeria as a nation, not individuals or particular political parties.”

He continued, “We call on the youth to refuse to be used to create chaos by men and

women whose children have been taken to safety outside the shores of the country; INEC officials, political parties, their representatives, members, general and of course, the votes must be protected without partiality; we charge all the contestants under God, who will judge all the activities of men, to allow the election process to be free and fair and be willing, in the interest of peace, to accept the results of the election.”

The Primate also, criticised the continuous holding of Leah Shuaibu by Boko Haram, decried the incessant strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and called on the fFederal government to revive the economy for more funds to be generated in the country.

To Mr. Peter Obi, “we have no other country other than Nigeria; it is important for Nigerians to pray for us to have the best for

our country.”

Okowa at the occasion, said, “As we commence the process of electing the next set of leaders for our country and the constituent parts, it is my hope that the church must stay resolute in the place of prayer, whilst not shying away from strongly and actively participating in the electoral process.”

“We have the Biblical examples of Daniel, Elijah and Esther whose fervent intercession provoked God’s mercy, blessings and judgment, to encourage us to stay strong, especially in a time like this,” he stated, observing that the theme of the conference, ‘The Lord is My Shepherd,’ “is an enchanting portrait of the deep bond that should exist between Father-God and His beloved children; it is one characterised by trust, dependence, and loving care.”

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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APC’s Mega Rally: Lagos Restricts Vehicular Movement on 18 Roads Gboyega Akinsanmi The Lagos State Government has restricted vehicular movement on 18 major roads across the state due to President Muhammadu Buhari’s mega-rally rescheduled to hold at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere next Saturday.

The state government reeled out the affected routes to include

Teslim Balogun and National Stadia in and out; Funsho Williams Avenue, Surulere; Lawanson/Itire Road/Tejuosho Road; Apapa Road, Costain, Abebe Village/Eric Moore Road; Eko Bridge/Apongbon, Marina Road, Ikorodu Road; Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Old Toll Gate/Third Mainland Bridge/ Obalende, International Airport Road, Oshodi-Oworonshoki

Buhari Signs Federal Competition, Consumer Protection Bill Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The presidency said yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari had assented to Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill, 2019, thus transforming it to Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

This Act, according to Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, seeks to establish the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission as well as the Consumer Protection Tribunal to try violations of the Act. Enang explained that the law was conceived to promote economic efficiency, maintain competitive market in the Nigerian economy, protect the Nigerian economy, protect the interest and welfare of consumers by providing consumers with wide variety of quality products at competitive prices.

The presidential aide who also said the Act prohibited restrictive or unfair business

practices in the Nigerian economy, added that the Act repealed the Consumer Protection Council Act and sections 118 – 128 of the Investment and Securities Act. Enang listed other functions of the Commission to include, among others: (a) initiate broad based policies and review economic activities in Nigeria to identify anti-competitive, anti-consumer protection and restrictive practices which may adversely affect the economic interest of consumers and make rules and regulations under this Act and any other enactment with regards to competitions and protection of consumers.

Furthermore, he said the commission would advise the federal government on national policies and matters pertaining to all goods and services and on the determination of national norms and standards relating to competition and consumer protection; report annually on market practices and the implications for consumer choice and competition in the consumer market.

expressway; Agege Motor Road, Jibowu, Yaba-Muritala Mohammed Way Iddo/Otto, Herbert Macaulay Way – Adekunle and Ijora Olopa/Ijora.

Former Minister of State for Defence and Chairman, Transport Committee on Buhari’s campaign visit to Lagos State, Demola Seriki, listed the affected roads at a news conference he addressed yesterday at the State House, Alausa.

He said 18 major routes would be affected and that traffic would be diverted in some routes so that motorists and commuters would not be left stranded during the event.

Seriki said the committee had

therefore issued traffic advisory to Lagosians to make their journey smooth, but warned motorists to stay away from Surulere, venue of the mega rally as many routes would be closed.

According to Seriki, Alaka (by Lanre Shittu Motors) on the service lane, inwards Stadium would be closed to traffic and vehicles diverted to the stadium bridge on the main carriage way, while Shitta and stadium inwards would be closed to traffic as vehicles would be diverted to Adeniran Ogunsanya Street or Akerele Extension and traffic from Barracks to Stadium on Funsho Williams Avenue would be diverted to Stadium Bridge on

the main carriage way to Alaka.

On the traffic advisory, Seriki said from Eko Bridge to Surulere, motorists should pass through Costain to Abebe (Nigeria Breweries) to Eric Moore to Bode Thomas to their destinations (for instance, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Shitta Round About or Census to Adelabu to Masha/Ogunlana Drive) or Costain to Iponri Estate to Bode Thomas to Adeniran Ogunsanya and continue with their journey or Eko Bridge to Alaka to stadium bridge to Ojuelegba through Barracks on Funsho Williams Avenue to Lawanson Itire road and connect their destinations through Ishaga, Randle Avenue, Ekololu, Falolu

and Ogunlana Drive to Akerele Extension.

Also motorists from Ikorodu road to Surulere, according to Seriki, are to pass through Fadeyi Dorman-Long Bridge to Ojuelegba to Lawanson Itire road to Ishaga, Randle Avenue, Ekololu, Falolu or Ogunlana Drive to Akerele Extension; connect Alaka through stadium bridge to Alaka to Bode Thomas or connect Costain to Abebe Village (Nigerian Breweries) to Eric Moore to Bode Thomas to other destinations (for instance, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Shitta Round About or Census to Adelabu to Masha/Ogunlana Drive).

LET THERE BE LIGHT…

L-R: Executive Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Mr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele; Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu; and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during the inauguration of NDPHC/National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) distribution intervention projects to deliver power to southern senatorial district of Ondo State… recently

Wike Earns Golden Key as First Governor to Drive into Kwara will Not Bow to Lagos Godfathers, Saraki Insists Opobo Kingdom that will not give way to such “My people in Kwara political dynasty.

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin move during the polls.

State are solidly behind me “Most of them have

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on yesterday made history as he received the ‘Golden Key’ to the city of Opobo as the first governor to drive into the ancient island.

Amayanabo and Natural Ruler of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Douglas-Jaja, who presented the Golden Key of Opobo kingdom to Wike, thanked the governor for constructing the road that has opened up the kingdom.

Jaja said: “Opobo people are happy that you have constructed this road into our town. This is a historic moment that the governor is the first to drive into the kingdom.”

He prayed God to continue to bless the governor and lift him up to greater heights for improving the area.

“This is the Golden Key into the historic city of Opobo. With this key, you are now a citizen of Opobo. You have all the rights of an Opobo citizen,” he said Also speaking, Alabo Godwin Bupo said since 1870 when Opobo Town was founded, no governor has driven into the ancient island.

According to him, “By this singular act, you have made

history which cannot be equaled.

We remain grateful to you for keeping your promise to our people that they would drive home in December 2018.”

He noted that the new road is already positively impacting the economy of Opobo kingdom as wholesalers have started moving wares into the town.

Responding, Wike expressed delight that he has made history as the first governor to drive into Opobo Town.

While thanking the Opobo Council of Chiefs for the recognition, he assured them that his administration would diligently fund the project to complexion.

“This road has gone beyond the level of abandonment. We will source for funds and drive it to completion,” he said.

The governor said King Jaja insisted that he drove into the ancient island instead of flying in a chopper to the area, adding that he felt fulfilled helping the people actualise their dream.

“I give God the glory that during my time, Opobo people can drive into their beautiful kingdom. Sir Peter Odili started this road, but could not complete it. The immediate past administration could not complete it.

Senate President and national leader of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday said there is no way Kwara State would bow to Lagos godfathers who are allegedly planning to annex the state in the forthcoming general election in the country.

He said the political dynasty in the state has remained solid and more united, and that

Saraki stated this in Fufu, Danialu-Agbabiaka, Tanke wards, all in Ilorin South Local Government Area of the state during the PDP rally held in Ilorin, the state capital.

According to him, “Our political structures are intact and have advanced the needs of the people of the state that no one from Lagos can retrieve from us.

and have resolved to reject Lagos politicians that are allegedly planning to annex Kwara State for Lagos during the elections.”

The Senate president, who described those behind ‘O to Ge’ movement in All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state as selfish politicians, noted that most of them have benefited immensely from the

occupied positions like special assistants, special advisers, commissioners among others, and they decided to leave here because of their selfish agenda.

“My offence is that I asked them to give others in the political dynasty chance to take their time but I know that the people will show where they are during the polls,” he stated.

Boko Haram: 400,000 Borno IDPs to Vote in Eight Camps Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri The Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC) has designated eight camps for over 400,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) to exercise their franchise in the forthcoming elections in Borno State.

The camps will represent each of the eight Local Government Areas (LGAs), where elections may not be held due to Boko Haram crisis.

The Borno State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim disclosed this yesterday at a roundtable with stakeholders in Maiduguri towards the 2019 general elections organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists

(NUJ).

He revealed that the state has a total of 2.3 million registered voters for the elections, adding that the commission started preparation for the elections, immediately after the 2015 elections.

He urged members of the public who have collected their permanent voter’s card (PVC) to ensure they are not lost for there is no provision for their immediate replacement.

Ibrahim said during the exercise, the smart card reader will identify and authenticate a voter, after which the voter’s name would be cross-checked on the voters’ register, before the voter is cleared to vote.

He said the commission will

continue to work for the success of the elections, disclosing that the logistics needed for the elections are already in the state, and already distributed to the various local government areas.

He said: “The sensitive materials will go round at the point of the election and there will be no secret distribution of the materials. In Borno State, we need about 22,000 ad-hoc staff. Four INEC Staff will be postioned in every Polling Unit.

We have security personnel stationed at each polling station to checkmate vote buying or vote selling.”

He said the eight LGAs designated to vote at camps, include Abadam that will vote in MOGOLIS camp,

Guzamala - a camp in Monguno, Marte - Bakassi IDPs camp and Monguno camp; Dikwa - Dikwa Central Primary School; NgalaArabic Village School, Kukawa - Arabic Teachers Village IDPs camp and Gubio Road Camp, Mobbar- Central Primary School Damasak, and Zanna Umar Ajiri Primary School, while that of Kala-Balge LGA is yet to be decided by critical stakeholders.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in the state, Alhaji Yahaya Imam, said the agency has been campaigning and educating voters for reduction of incidences of invalid votes, which subsequently leads to rerun of elections.

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ÜÙßÚ ÚÙÜÞÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ Duro Ikhazuagbe ×ËÓÖ duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

NPFL: MFM FC Climb to the Summit as Rivers Utd Drop Points at Home will test their might away against Katsina United while Enyimba will be on the road to Bauchi to confront Wikki Tourists.

Niger Tornadoes who are without Coach Bernard Ogbeh will be home against Sunshine Stars while it will be ‘Plateau Derby’ as Plateau United and Nasarawa United battle for the three points at stake in Lafia. The last game of the Match-day 7 is between Yobe Desert Stars and Akwa United in Damaturu.

Duro Ikhazuagbe MFM FC continued their stay at the top of Group A of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) yesterday with a 1-0 away victory recorded against Remo Stars.

Elsewhere in Port Harcourt, Rivers United dropped points for the first time at home in a goalless draw against a dogged Kwara United at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.

The lone point the Rivers team earned however moved the team to the second spot in the Group A standing behind the Olukoya Boys.

The have now amassed nine points from six matches while Kwara United remains in the relegation zone with six points from six matches.

In Group B, FC Ifeanyi Ubah leapt to the top of the table with 14 points from seven matches, two points clear of previous leaders Heartland, while Gombe United drop to the bottom of the section on five points.

The Rivers United Technical Manager, Stanley Eguma, made four changes to the side that lost 0-2 in Aba to Enyimba on Sunday with big striker, Osita Chikere, the biggest name to miss out.

Ossy Martins, who took his place, failed to hit expected

NPFL MATCH DAY 7 Rivers Utd 0-0 Kwara Utd Remo Stars 0-1 MFM FC Go-Round 2-1 Kano Pillars Kada City 2-1 El-Kanemi L-R: Group Brand Development and Activation Manager (Personal Care), PZ Cussons, Charity Ilevbare-Adeniji; Director, PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Sola Fijabi and President, Nigerian University Games Association, Prof Stephen Hamafyelto at the International Press Conference to announce the commencement of the 2019 Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL) in Lagos… Wednesday.

heights against a well-drilled Kwara United defence.

The hosts dominated from the off and should have taken the lead in the ninth minute when marauding left back, Konan Ruffin bombed forward to deliver a brilliant cross to Waheed Adebayo who somehow failed to connect from three yards.

Kwara United’s first chance

Eight Ugandan Golfers Hit Abuja for IBB Ladies Open Championship Olawale Ajimotokan ÓØ ÌßÔË There is an international flavour to the 21st IBB Ladies Open Championship, with eight Ugandan and one Swedish players, leading the foreign players who have arrived Abuja.

Among those already on ground are the President of Ugandan Ladies Golf Union (ULGU) Evah Magala, and the Lady Captain of the team, Anne Abeja.

The Ugandans are coming for the third year running and have vowed to give good accounts of themselves by fiercely defending the Lady Gross title won by Magala last year.

“I am ready for the tournament and I am here to retain my title,” boasted Magala.

The ceremonial tee-off is to be conducted by Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, at 6pm today at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

The ladies in the Handicap 0- 28 flight and veteran players within Handicap 0-36 flight category will hit the fairways on Friday.

The tournament will end on Saturday.

The Chairperson of the tournament organising committee, Maryrose Richard-Obioha,

announced at a media briefing yesterday that Botswana will present two players, while the sole Zambian player is due to arrive today.

A total number160 ladies will compete over three days and will constitute the bulk of the field of 260 golfers that will grace the tournament.

Obiorah also stressed the tournament is listed on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) calendar. She added the organising committee will collate the scores, which will be sent to WARG, analyzed and used to rank the ladies.

“We have never had anybody ranked from here. But I hope at the end of this tournament, some of the ladies will be ranked. And for the first time, Nigeria will be on the ranking as well,“ Obiorah said.

Rachel Danjuma (IBB), Rita Izojie (Asaba) Evelyn Oyome (Benin) and Amina Wilfred (IBB) are some of the Nigerian competitors of note.

In addition to the gross prizes for ladies and net prizes for veterans and gentlemen, there will be sponsors and auxiliary prizes.

Lady Captain IBB Club, Dr Julie Acholonu assured that the ladies section will organise a tournament that will befit the status of the club and meet the expectations of the sponsors.

didn’t arrive until the 21st minute when Segun Alebiosu outsmarted Gbadebo Samson in the United defence but his strike at goal lacked conviction and Drissa Bamba, the Rivers United goalkeeper saved easily.

Clear cut goal scoring opportunities were at a premium but the hosts came extremely close to

breaking the deadlock in the 76th minute when second half substitute, Bright Onyedikachi walzed his way through the penalty area and delivered a brilliant cross which Wasiu Jimoh just about failed to reach.

Then came the game’s biggest talking point with just five minutes remaining.

Nelson Esor went down

NIGER 2019

Chukwu Rates F’Eagles as Future Super Eagles Former Super Head Coach, Christian Chukwu, has said that the current squad of Flying Eagles possessed the right qualities to replace the Super Eagles in the future.

Chukwu, who made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, described the performance of the Flying Eagles as “exceptional” in their match against South Africa in the ongoing AFCON U-20 tournament.

He, however, pointed out that the team’s finishing should be worked on ahead of their next encounter, saying the improvement in their scoring abilities would make them the team hard to beat during the tournament.

“The Flying Eagles I see playing in Niger Republic are good as future Super Eagles.

“What the coach needs to work on now very seriously is finishing,” Chukwu said.

The former Green Eagles captain also urged the players to embrace team work during their match against the host country, Niger Republic which is their last group match.

Flying Eagles will have to play their final group game before they can be assured of a place in the semi-finals of the ongoing U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Qualification for the semi-

finals enables a national team to pick up one of the four tickets for the World Cup. The Coach Paul Aigboguntutored side were held to a barren draw by South Africa on Tuesday at the Seyni Koutche Stadium in Niamey.

The situation as it is, means the Flying Eagles’ qualification for the World Cup and the semi-finals of the tournament is still hanging in the balance.

The Flying Eagles had won their first game 2-0 against Burundi and they had been tagged as the favourite against the Amajita of South Africa.

South Africa had played a 1-1 draw against host Niger in their group opener; hence they needed a good result to stay in contention.

In Tuesday’s second group game, the Flying Eagles dominated the early exchanges and contained South Africa effectively.

The duo of Maxwell Effiong and Nazifi Yahaya, who both scored in Sunday’s game against Burundi, posed a constant threat to South Africa. But goalkeeper of the Amajita did well to maintain a clean sheet throughout the match.

In the second half, the Flying Eagles continued their dominance as South Africa defended stoutly to earn a share of the spoils and thus allow World Cup qualification to go to the wire.

under a challenge from a Kwara United defender and the hosts were convinced they had won a penalty.

The referee however booked the Rivers United attacker for diving and the visitors showed enough resolve to see out the rest of the game and claim their second point on the road this term Today, Bendel Insurance

Abia Warriors 1-0 Heartland IfeanyiUbah 2-0 Gombe Utd

TODAY Wikki v Enyimba, Tornadoes v Sunshine Katsina Utd v Insurance Nasarawa v Plateau Utd Yobe Stars v Akwa Utd

HiFL 2019: Pace Sports Announces Commencement of 2nd League Season Following the success of the 2018 league season, PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing, has announced that all is now set for a bigger, better and more exciting 2019 Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL) season Speaking at the international press conference to announce the commencement of the league, Director, PACE Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Mr. Sola Fijabi enthused in his opening remarks that all is now set for a bigger, better and more exciting 2019 HiFL season, building on the successes recorded in the first season.

“The 2019 season promises so much excitement. We are accommodating more schools and expanding engagements across board. We have concluded plans to take the Nigerian team made up of the best players from the 2018 season to Naples, Italy for the World University Games (FISU). We are proud of the role the league is playing in enhancing youth development in Nigeria. Already, two of the outstanding talents from the 2018 season are on the books of professional football teams in Nigeria. We thank Stanbic IBTC and PZ Cussons for their support of this noble initiative, while we look forward to other sponsors. Our objective is to place collegiate sports in Nigeria on the same

pedestal as their counterparts in other countries and build a strong ecosystem of young, home-grown football talents that may become invaluable for future national engagement” Mr. Fijabi further remarked.

In his speech, President of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), Prof.

Stephen Hamafyelto assured all stakeholders that the association is very committed to ensuring that the HiFL 2019 season is a success.

“2019 is loaded with lot of sporting activities for NUGA. The NUGA games is holding at the University of Lagos. The World University Games is taking place later this year in Italy. HiFL is also starting soon with more universities to be engaged.

“There is a new commitment among all parties to ensure a stellar outing in the competition. We are glad that the league has not only given a voice to the abundant football talents across the country, but also an instrument for socio-economic development,” Hamafyelto said.

UAM Tillers from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi won the maiden edition of the league after defeating the UNICAL Malabites from the University of Calabar 5-4 on penalties at the finals played at the Agege Stadium in Lagos.

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T H I S D AY ˾ FEBRUARY 7, 2019

THURSDAYSPORTS Cricket World Cup Trophy Berths in Nigeria

Team Nigeria cricketers celebrates a wicket in one of the competition at the TBS Cricket Oval in Lagos

Nantes Demands Sala Transfer Fee from Cardiff French club Nantes have demanded payment from Cardiff City over the £15m transfer of Emiliano Sala, BBC Wales has learned.

Sala, along with pilot David Ibbotson, was on board the Piper Malibu N264DB which lost radar contact near Guernsey on 21 January. The Argentine striker, 28, was Premier League club Cardiff’s record signing.

Cardiff have withheld the first

scheduled payment until they are satisfied with the documentation.

BBC Wales has learned the transfer fee is due to be paid in instalments over three years.

It is understood Nantes are threatening legal action if they do not receive a payment within 10 days. The BBC has attempted to speak to Nantes for comment.

A source at Cardiff says they will honour the contract but not until they have clarified “all the

facts”.

It is unclear whether or not the club have insurance covering the cost of the transfer.

And Cardiff are “surprised” Nantes have made the demand while attempts are being made to recover a body from the plane that was carrying Sala and Ibbotson.

The body was seen in the Piper Malibu on Monday, two weeks after the plane vanished near

Guernsey.

French club Bordeaux are also entitled to a cut of the fee, thought to be 50% - Sala was on their books from 2012 to 2015 before joining Nantes.

The plane carrying Sala and Ibbotson, from Crowle, Lincolnshire, disappeared en route to Cardiff after the footballer returned to Nantes to say goodbye to his former team-mates.

Man City Beats Everton to Go Top of EPL Champions Manchester City returned to the top of the English Premier League for the first time since 16 December yesterday after edging to 2-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.

The win means Pep Guardiola’s side take full advantage after Liverpool only managed a draw at West Ham on Monday, moving ahead of the Reds on goal difference albeit having played one game more.

Defender Aymeric Laporte met David Silva’s free-kick to

head home his fourth goal of the season, putting City in front just before half-time.

Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling both spurned decent opportunities to extend City’s lead after the break before Gabriel Jesus sealed victory in stoppage time.It was far from a vintage display by City, who instead had to show their battling qualities to secure the points and regain the initiative in the title race.

Attention will now switch back to Liverpool, who can return to

the summit with victory against Bournemouth on Saturday, 24 hours before City host Chelsea at Etihad Stadium.

Everton stay ninth after suffering a fourth defeat in five Premier League games at Goodison Park, though they should take some encouragement from a resilient display that was a notable improvement on their performances in recent weeks.

Just seven days ago, Manchester City faced the prospect of falling seven points behind

leaders Liverpool after slipping to a fourth Premier League defeat of the season against Newcastle the previous evening.

Jurgen Klopp’s side missed that opportunity after drawing with Leicester, and a further draw at West Ham on Monday opened the door for City to return to the top for the first time in almost seven weeks.Guardiola’s side appeared determined to make an impression at Goodison Park, creating three good chances in the opening 20 minutes.

Peak Milk Donates Wheelchair Accessible Bus to Nigeria Para-powerlifting Federation FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, makers of Peak milk, presented a new mobility bus with wheelchair access to the Nigeria Para-powerlifting Federation on Tuesday at the company’s headquarters in Lagos, thus fulfilling its promise to the Para-powerlifters.

The International Paralympic Committee-approved mobility bus seats 12 people and 15 wheel chairs. This first of its kind mobility bus in Nigeria is equipped with automated lifts and other features to ensure convenience and the safety of athletes.

At the presentation, the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola said: “With this donation, FrieslandCampina WAMCO has elongated its catalogue of support to the Para-powerlifting team who has continued to contribute positively to Nigeria through global para-sports. “ FrieslandCampina WAMCO has remained a reliable and supportive partner of the Nigeria Para-powerlifting Federation;

Nigeria continues to get global attention for its efforts to revive the fortune of cricket as the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup Trophy will berth in Nigeria for the first time.

Being a historic visit, the trophy will travel across five continents, 21 countries and over 60 cities to mark the “most connected Trophy Tour ever” leading up to the 2019 ICC World Cup finals tournament in Wales and England. Nigeria is one of the four African countries to host the trophy, while others are Rwanda, Kenya and South Africa.

For the first time, the ICC World Cup trophy has not only visited countries taking part in the tournament and traditional cricket nations, but also places where cricket is rapidly growing such as Nigeria, Rwanda, Nepal, Germany and United States.

According to the Vice President of Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Uyi Akpata, Lagos and Abuja will host the trophy on February 11 to 13 with Abuja being the first point of call.

Disclosing this at the three-day ICC-backed seminar tagged Commercial Strategy and Development Workshop in Lagos, Akpata said the new board would make efforts to lift the fortune of the sport as plans are in place to ensure that cricket lost glory is restored. In its nine-month journey across the globe, cricket fans will get up close to the highly coveted trophy.

The trophy will arrive Rwanda tomorrow for its three-day tour and from Rwanda, the trophy will head to Nigeria, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany – in that order – before arriving in England and Wales on February 19 for a 100-day domestic Trophy Tour as part of the build-up to this year’s World Cup finals tournament from May 30 to July 14 in Wales and England.

With more stops than ever before, the trophy started its journey from the ICC headquarters in Dubai on August 27, 2018.

Meanwhile, it was cheering news for NCF as the Nigeria female team has been ranked 36 in the world T-20 international.

Golf: Oboh Places Fourth in Serengeti Team Championships Georgina Oboh rebounded from the disappointing outing at Canon Ladies Open, by finishing in the fourth position at the Serengeti Team Championships in Johannesburg, South Africa in her second professional tournament on the Ladies European Tour (LET).

The Nigerian sensation achieved the feat with her playing partner, Catherine Lau of South Africa. Oboh missed the cut by two shots at Canon Ladies Open last week.

She and Lau blew hot in round one on Tuesday to stay in 14th position with a modified stableford format earning 38 points in a four-ball better ball format which meant the pair were scored based on the lowest score per hole. They played a combined card of 3 under par for the day.

On the final day, however, the duo found their form with an early birdie on the first hole and they never took their feet off the pedal, rolling in eight birdies en-route a score of 8 under par and score of 44.

The pair missed out on the winner’s trophy by just 2 points. This result is an indication that Oboh’s game is getting rounded as the tour progresses and is one to watch on the 2019 tour.

She will now move to George, South Africa for her third tournament, the prestigious Data Dimensions tournament at the George Golf Club and Fancourt Golf Clubs featuring both men and ladies.

Nigeria’s top male professional, Oche Odoh is also expected to feature.

DStv, GOtv Set for Man City v Chelsea Big Clash on Sunday

Elated Para-powerlifting athletes and officials of FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc., in a group photograph in front of International Para-powerlifting Committee (IPC) approved mobility bus donated by FrieslandCampina Wamco, producers of Peak milk

by this donation, the company has opened up space for greater inclusion in sports development in Nigeria,” Dalung said.

The Managing Director, Ben Langat, in his introductory speech highlighted the company’s support to the Nigeria Para-powerlifting Federation and clearly explains FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s purpose as a company and the belief that every Nigeria has the right to reach for their Peak.

“By empowering our Un-

stoppable Para-powerlifters, the Peak brand is enabling Nigerians to reach for their Peak. We designed the ‘Unstoppable Campaign’ to tell the story of this remarkable set of people who have continued to break new grounds in spite of their physical limitations. Peak has touched the lives of many Nigerians with this campaign.

It has become so powerful and is receiving very positive testimonials from consumers, Langat said.

The bus presentation is

coming barely a week after the para-powerlifters won a total of 42 medals (20 Gold, 15 Silver and 7 Bronze) at the just concluded World Parapowerlifting Competition held in Lagos. This is seen as increased motivation for the athletes to reach for the peak’ at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics games.

Last year, Peak Milk renovated the powerlifting gym at the National Stadium, Lagos and provided world-class training equipment with full wheel chair accessibility.

Round 26 of the 2018/19 Premier League season is headlined by the clash between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 10 February.

Both teams come into the match on the back of mixed results last week. Manchester City suffered a shock 2-1 loss away to Newcastle United in midweek, but bounced back in style to defeat Arsenal 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with Sergio Aguero scoring a hat-trick.

Chelsea’s swing from the ridiculous to the sublime was even more dramatic: they suffered a 4-0 loss at the hands of Bournemouth last midweek (their heaviest defeat in the league for more than 20 years) but Saturday saw them crush Huddersfield Town 5-0, with Gonzalo Higuain scoring two goals in his home debut.

The battle between Aguero and Higuain could be key to deciding this clash, which has major implications for both teams. The Citizens are looking to keep up the pressure on league leaders Liverpool, while the Blues cannot afford more slip-ups as they battle Manchester United and Arsenal for the final berth in the top four. The match will also be a dress rehearsal for the League Cup final, which will see Chelsea and City meet at Wembley Stadium on February 24.

Other key games to watch out for include Fulham at home to Manchester United, who continued their revival under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a 1-0 win at Leicester City last week, Southampton host Cardiff City in a relegation six-pointer, and Watford will look to push former manager Marco Silva closer to the brink when they welcome Everton to Vicarage Road.

Thursday, February 7, 2019

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MISSILE Muhammadu Buhari to Olusegun Obasanjo “We have just finished one term and are seeking a second one. After that, the constitution doesn’t permit any more. There are some who tried looking for more but they did not succeed. We should learn from their mistakes” –President Muhammadu Buhari, in a veiled jibe at former President Olusegun Obasanjo while addressing the Ondo State Council of Obas in Akure

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

The Choice Before Nigeria…1 D

espite dozens of presidential candidates on the ballot, next Saturday’s election is essentially between the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Sadly, the expectation that the campaign would be issue-based has turned out to be a mirage. With just nine days to the poll, the choice between the two, especially for nonpartisans, has been reduced to the candidate they distrust (or dislike) less rather than the one who inspires them more.

I find it difficult to believe that federal universities in our country have been closed for more than three months as a result of the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Neither of the two candidates is offering ideas on how to resolve this nagging problem or any of the other contradictions that define our nation today. Aside the tantrums, abuses and disinformation being exchanged in the social media by supporters of these two leading candidates, one cannot ascertain where they stand on critical national issues that my colleague, Kayode Komolafe, highlighted in the last few weeks. For Buhari and Atiku, the campaign is about who can pull the larger crowd.

Because a choice must be made, we are now in the season of endorsements and predictions. Fishermen, bus conductors, witches and wizards, retired and expired generals as well as renowned entrepreneurs of social-cultural groups are telling us which way to cast our ballots. On Tuesday, the National Association of Nigerian Prostitutes took their ‘bed-to-wealth’ policy to another level by endorsing Atiku. Four years ago their endorsement went to Buhari. Regrettably, at a time you expect my friend, Dr Reuben Abati, to dissect the ‘bedmatic’ implications of this development on how Nigerians will exercise their franchise next Saturday, he is

YAKUBU

busy canvassing for votes that will enable him to become the next deputy governor of Ogun State.

The idea of predicting who will win the presidential election on the basis of unscientific assumptions is even more ludicrous. From the Brexit vote in the U.K. to the election of Donald Trump in the U.S., we have seen how unreliable opinion polls can be. Most often, they are a reflection of the bias of whoever is doing the sampling or making the prediction. So, the only poll that matters in Nigeria will come next Saturday and it is imperative that the electorate walk away with confidence that their ballots will be counted and will count.

While this election is not being fought along traditional fault-lines, and will not be lost or won on that basis, we are nonetheless still a fragile country. That explains why even when there may be little to cheer about the election, there is indeed a lot to fear in the aftermath. In a milieu where

A Humbling Feedback As a rule, I don’t publish ‘fan mails’ in my column even when I receive many on a weekly basis. I, however, crave the indulgence of readers to publish a recent admonition that I found both uplifting and humbling at the same time. I am posting it because it may also benefit someone, especially in a season when encouragements and kind words are in short supply.

Upon receiving a particular video clip about a public official, I forwarded it to some of my contacts with a pithy two-line comment about the level to which our country had been reduced. But not long after, I got a reply from Mr. Ferdinand Agu, an architect but easily one of the most profound Nigerian thinkers around.

Agu’s comment: “Ordinarily, it would not be difficult to agree with your comment on the video. In fact, I could well have said what you wrote or I could accept it from

some other persons; but not from you, Segun.

You have to realize that at this moment in time, you cannot afford to join the rest of us in despair or cynicism about Nigeria. You are one of the few people with the capacity and platform to lift our national gaze to a vista beyond this south-bound course of the present state of affairs. You can make a lot of us to look at the stars instead of bemoaning the gutter in which we are all stuck. That is why I endeavour to send you inspirational clips or pieces of writing. You must keep your aim high, your heart pure and your head focused on the best there is in us. With that spirit, and in that mode, you will continue to inspire us as you are uniquely gifted to do. That is your calling.

Be faithful to it.”

I thank my brother, Ferdinand Agu for that inspiring and uplifting message. I won’t forget!

going to government appears to be the only rewarding enterprise for many people and seeking elective offices a financial investment with attractive returns, it would not take much to push the country down the road to Venezuela. We don’t need another political crisis that could add to the growing population of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and create further problems for the most vulnerable of our society.

It is comforting that the two leading presidential candidates have so many things in common, although their worldviews are markedly different. Both are in their seventies and have had opportunities to serve this country at the highest level of government.

Both are northern Muslims and Fulani. But while those considerations should ordinarily matter, their supporters are already weaving all manner of conspiracy theories so there is no guarantee for peace if the outcome does not conform to expectations on either side. That is the challenge of the moment.

For years, commentators have harped on a United States “prediction about the collapse of Nigeria”, although the oft-quoted 2005 report on sub-Saharan Africa by the American National Intelligence Council on “likely trends in the region over the next 15 years” merely built hypothetical scenarios. It is, however, noteworthy that the report also stated that “while currently Nigeria’s leaders are locked in a bad marriage that all dislike

but dare not leave, there are possibilities that could disrupt the precarious equilibrium in Abuja”. One such possibility, as we have seen from examples of other countries on the continent, is that crisis could result from a disputed election. We must do everything to avert this happening in Nigeria.

The last word is for the supporters of the two leading candidates who must have seen how the children of our prominent politicians are always marrying across ethnic, political and religious lines. These children of privilege, like other members of their families, study abroad, go to hospitals abroad, give birth abroad, shop abroad, go for vacation abroad and enjoy all the trappings of power. Yet, our politicians arm their young supporters with dangerous weapons and a few thousand naira to kill and maim; or provide laptops, handsets and stipends for them to spread stories to damage the reputation of their opponents.

Now take this: If your only value is as a ballot box snatcher or internet destroyer but not good enough to be a son or daughter-inlaw who could be empowered economically and politically in the spirit of ‘Iberiberism’ chapter 20, verse 19, then your foolishness is beyond human remedy. In that case, open your mouth and repeat this prayer from Saint WhatsApp after me: ‘Father, let sense fall on me today’!

Now, pray…

Sustaining the Jonathan Legacy The career of most politicians tend to be defined by a single moment. For former President Goodluck Jonathan, it was the telephone call he made to his challenger (and current incumbent) on 31st March 2015.

Given the pervading tension in the country at that time and the ethno-religious dimension to the contest, the concession saved the nation the crisis that could have ensued had Jonathan rejected the result as some hawks around him were urging him to. At the end, Jonathan kept his own counsel that his election was not worth the blood of a single Nigerian. In his final moment of loneliness, as I wrote in a post-election column in 2015, Jonathan finally found himself—unencumbered by the hidden motives of the army of power merchants and ethnic salesmen who had held him hostage.

But it could not have been an easy decision for him.

In a piece she contributed for the UK Guardian in September 2013, former Prime Minister of Australia, Ms Julia Gillard, spoke about the regrets and pain that come with losing power.

Gillard, who was Australia’s first female prime minister, was ousted by long-term political rival, Mr. Kevin Rudd, in June of that year, because the Labour Party felt she had become unpopular and might lose the general election.

Notwithstanding, Labour still lost the election to the conservative party. Losing power, according to Gillard, “is felt physically, emotionally, in waves of sensation, in moments of acute distress… know too that you can feel you are fine but then suddenly someone’s words of comfort, or finding a memento at the back of the cupboard

as you pack up, or even cracking jokes about old times, can bring forth a pain that hits you like a fist, pain so strong you feel it in your guts, your nerve endings…”

I am sure President Jonathan must have felt all that, and perhaps more, in the past four years. But history will be very kind to him because when it mattered the most, he made the correct judgement call. As someone who has researched into what happened before, during and after the 2015 general election, I am quite aware that the story of the concession is not straightforward. But the fact also remains that the decision to concede was Jonathan’s to make. And he was the one who made it, even before all the votes were tallied.

More remarkable is that Jonathan conceded to a man who lost three previous presidential elections (including one against him) but never for once accepted that he was defeated. This is why concession, an act of subordinating personal ambition to national aspiration, is not only for the incumbent, it is also for the opposition where they are defeated. In this context therefore, Nigerian politicians must come to terms with the fact that in an election in which only one person can win, others will have to deal with defeat – and how they do that have serious implications for democracy and the rule of law in our country.

I hope the example already set in 2015 will become the norm so that whoever loses between Buhari and Atiku will have the grace and decency to accept the outcome of the poll, as the will of the Nigerian people. Just as President Jonathan did four years ago.

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