WEDNESDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2018

Presidency: At 1.93% GDP Growth, FG’s Economic Policy Working Analysts call for increased investment Obinna Chima in Lagos and James Emejo in Abuja Following the 1.93 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth recorded by Nigeria in

2018, as against the 0.82 per cent achieved the previous year, the presidency yesterday beat its chest, saying it is evidence that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration's

economic policy is working.

But analysts have told THISDAY that the outcome only signals the need for increased investments in the country in order to achieve

better and sustainable growth.

According to Nigeria’s GDP report for the fourth quarter and full year 2018 released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday,

Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate increased to 2.38 per cent (year-on- year) in the fourth quarter of 2018 (Q4, 2018).

This indicated a 0.55

percentage rise compared to the 1.81 per cent growth recorded in the preceding quarter.

This also represented an Continued on page 8

Shell, NNPC Invite Bidders for $10bn Bonga South West Project ... Page 9 Wednesday 13 February, 2019 Vol 24. No 8711. Price: N250

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Buhari Expresses Regret as Supreme Court Seals Fate of APC Candidates in Rivers Pledges to respect decision

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt and Alex Enumah in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday expressed sadness over the judgment of the Supreme Court barring the All Progressives Congress (APC) from fielding any candidate in Rivers State for the general election, pledging, however, that the party would respect

the verdict.

The apex court sealed the hope of APC to field candidates for the election, starting on Saturday with the presidential and National Assembly polls, as it struck out the party's appeal against the lower court’s judgment, insisting that it was statute-barred.

Reacting to the Supreme Continued on page 9

APC Vows to Punish Ogun Violence Promoters Says president’s alleged inciting comment, a joke Iyobosa Uwugiaren, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Ayodeji Oke in Lagos The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said it would punish the promoters of the violence that engulfed its presidential rally in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Monday, saying it was an

act of indiscipline too many.

Its Presidential Campaign Council has also taken time to deny that President Muhammadu Buhari asked his supporters to prepare for violence as stated by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, saying Continued on page 9

Court Stops FG from Freezing Onnoghen’s Accounts …

Page 8

IN RESOURCE CONTROL LAND… Court restrained governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Tonye Cole (left), and President Muhammadu Buhari, during the party’s presidential rally in Port-Harcourt…yesterday

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WEDNESDAY, ͹ͻ˜ ͺ͸͹΁ ˾ T H I S D AY

PAGE EIGHT

Court Stops FG from Freezing Onnoghen’s Accounts NBA asks Buhari to allow NJC decide CJN’s fate Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja and Tobi Soniyi in Lagos A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has stopped the federal government from freezing the accounts of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

The order came as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday reiterated its call on the federal government to withdraw the charges of non-declaration of assets filed against Onnoghen as the embattled CJN is due to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) today.

Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal in Abuja yesterday failed to hear the three appeals filed by the embattled CJN. The presiding judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, ruled that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) cannot freeze bank accounts of Justice Onnoghen without first obtaining a court order authorising the freezing.

The judge gave the order while ruling on an ex parte application filed by the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEAP) against the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the AGF and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

In the order, which was

given last Friday and obtained

by THISDAY yesterday, the judge ruled: “That the AGF shall first obtain an order of court (ex parte) before freezing the accounts of Justice Onnoghen Nkanu Walter Samuel (in respect of Exhibit B) in compliance with the law if, it was not obtained.

“That where it is shown that the order of court was obtained before the freezing of the accounts contained in Exhibit B, the freezing order shall remain valid.

“That order to be served on the respondents pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

“That the matter is adjourned to 13th day of February 2019 for report/ motion on notice.”

Last month, the federal government, through the AGF and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), gave a directive to NFIU to freeze five bank accounts of Onnoghen, pending the final determination of the case against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

In a letter addressed to the Director of NFIU signed by one Abiodun Aikomo, on behalf of AGF, the justice minister said the request to restrict normal banking operations in the five accounts was in line with the Presidential Executive Order

No. 6 of July 5, 2018.

The letter with reference number HAGF/2019/E06/ Vol. 1, was titled, ‘Re: Request for freezing of bank accounts subject to investigation and prosecution pursuant to Presidential Executive Order No. 06 of July 5, 2018, on the preservation of assets connected with corruption.’

Malami’s letter, which was dated January 14, 2019, was also received and acknowledged by the NFIU on the same date.

Part of the letter read, “I am directed by Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to request that you, pursuant to the Presidential Executive Order No. 06 of 2018, forthwith restrict normal banking operations on certain accounts belonging to Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen, pending final determination of the case against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT/ABJ/1/19 – Federal Republic of Nigeria V. Hon. Justice Onnoghen Walter Samuel).”

NBA Asks FG to Allow NJC Decide Onnoghen’s Case

And as Justice Onnoghen is due to appear before the CCT today to face the six-count

Appeal Court fails to hear his appeals

charge slammed against him for non-declaration of his assets, the NBA has reiterated its call on the federal government to withdraw the charges.

The association in a statement by its President, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), called on the government to comply with due process by allowing the National Judicial Council (NJC) to conclude investigations into the two petitions so far instituted against Onnoghen at the council.

The CCT had at the previous proceedings ordered Onnoghen to compulsorily attend before his objection to the case could be heard.

The CCT’s proceedings will also coincide with the NJC’s sitting, which was adjourned till today to review a report of its pre-assessment committee on the petitions against Onnoghen and the acting CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad.

Usoro said, “First, as widely reported, one of the two petitions against the CJN that is currently before the NJC is an exact replica of the petition that motivated the CCT charge. The second petition was reportedly presented by the EFCC, an FGN agency. We commend the FGN for adhering to due process by submitting the EFCC petition to the NJC for

consideration. In like manner and in adherence to the law and due process, we urge the FGN to discontinue the CCT Charge and allow the NJC consider the initial petition which, as widely reported, has already been responded to by the CJN. “Second, the Chairman of the CCT, Danladi Umar, in his response to a petition that was written against him and which was forwarded to him by the Federal Judicial Service Commission, states emphatically that he and his tribunal are answerable and report only to the presidency. An insistence, in the circumstance, on the CJN, the head of an independent arm of the FGN, standing trial before a tribunal whose chairman sees himself and his tribunal as being under and answerable to the presidency only, mocks the concept of and completely erodes the independence of the judiciary and the constitutional separation that should exist between the three arms of the FGN.” “Given these non exhaustive considerations and facts, we press on the executive arm of the federal government to please discontinue the charge against the CJN when the matter comes up before the CCT tomorrow,

Wednesday, February 13, 2019. We respectfully urge full compliance with due process by FGN in this matter by allowing the NJC process to take its course in respect of the two petitions against the CJN a step that has already, commendably, been embraced by federal government in respect of the EFCC petition.”

yesterday said the performance reflected clear indication of the effectiveness of the economic policies of Buhari.

Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu, said with the maintenance of the growth trajectory, the economic diversification objectives of ERGP are set to be realised.

He explained: “It was encouraging that agriculture which accounts for 26.15 per cent of total GDP grew by 2.46 per cent in Q4 2018, while manufacturing grew by 2.09 per cent.

“The service sector which accounts for 53.62 per cent of GDP registered its strongest growth performance in 11 quarters.

“This growth is consistent with the policies and principles of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan relating to macroeconomic stability and economic diversification.”

In a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, Dipeolu said further: “Indeed, the economy remains well on course to grow by three per cent in 2019 as estimated in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework."

Dipeolu added that the Buhari administration will continue to pursue the ERGP diligently, adding that “Nigerians can expect that economic conditions will continue to get better even as we move on to the Next Level.”

On his part, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, expressed delight over the performance of the economy in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The minister was particularly encouraged by the fact that

growth was largely driven by the non-oil sector which grew by 2.70 per cent in the quarter, posting a growth of 2 per cent for full year 2018, representing the strongest growth in non-oil GDP since the fourth quarter of 2015.

Udoma, who spoke from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, yesterday further maintained that the performance reflected the President Buhari-led administration’s continued implementation of targeted policies, programmes and projects across various MDAs and other sectors of the economy as set out in the ERGP.

Appeal Court Fails to Hear Onnoghen’s Appeals Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal in Abuja yesterday failed to hear the three appeals filed by Justice Onnoghen.

The appellate court had in late January adjourned to February 12, 2019 for the hearing of the appeals.

But when lawyers to parties got to court yesterday, the court could not form quorum for the purpose of hearing the appeals.

Parties were told to await information, on a later date, on when the hearing is to be rescheduled.

The appeals are against the decisions of the CCT to assume jurisdiction over the charge pending against Onnoghen and the ex-parte injunction granted by the CCT, on which President Muhammadu Buhari acted to suspend Onnoghen.

PRESIDENCY: AT 1.93% GDP GROWTH, FG’S ECONOMIC POLICY WORKING increase of 0.27 per cent when compared to the 2.11 per cent growth rate recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017.

According to the report, on a quarter-on-quarter basis, real GDP growth was 5.31 per cent.

“The fourth quarter growth performance implies that real GDP grew at an annual growth rate of 1.93 per cent in 2018, compared to 0.82 per cent recorded in 2017, an increase of 1.09 per cent points,” the NBS stated.

In Q4, aggregate nominal GDP stood at N35.23 trillion, higher than N31.27 trillion recorded in Q4, 2017, representing a nominal growth rate of 12.65 per cent.

Real GDP growth stood at 19.04 trillion.

However, nominal GDP for the whole of 2018 stood at N127. 76 trillion, representing a nominal growth rate of 12.36 per cent when compared to N113.71 trillion in 2017.

Meanwhile, the Renaissance Capital's Global Chief Economist, Mr. Charles Robertson, in a note to THISDAY, pointed out that for Nigeria to achieve better long-term growth, ideally oil price would have to rise, saying with high oil prices, Nigeria tends to grow at over five per cent.

In addition, he called for a doubling of investment to GDP in Nigeria, in order to industrialise and effectively diversify the economy.

“A tripling of electricity consumption (not just generation, it has to be distributed too) – is essential for industrialisation and diversification. A more competitive currency – the market rate today is overvalued by about 20 per cent,” Robertson argued.

Comparing Nigeria’s GDP performance to other oil exporters, Robertson stated that the country only did better than Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Congo and Venezuela, but worse than other of its peers.

“Nigeria is probably no longer the biggest economy in Africa – if we use the market exchange rate which averaged 362/$. Note however, we can’t be sure as we don’t have South Africa’s 2018 GDP figures so it’s possible the IMF forecasts for South Africa in 2018 is too high,” he stated.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Cowry Assets Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, who spoke on telephone with THISDAY, attributed the impressive performance recorded in the Q4 of 2018 to heightened economic activities due to the yuletide.

“If you look at 2017 also, the last quarter was 2.17 per cent, which was also the highest in that year. So, if you compare the full year GDP of 1.93 per cent with that of other countries at our level of development, most of them are doing more than six per cent. So, I don’t think we have any reason to celebrate a GDP growth rate of 1.93 per cent, especially with our population growth rate of about three per cent,” Chukwu said.

But FXTM’s Global Head of Currency Strategy and Market Research, Mr. Jameel Ahmad, argued that with the stronger Q4 growth, Nigeria could be gaining economic momentum.

“However, with the nation’s fortunes still closely linked to oil markets, growth could be threatened this year if Oil prices continue to depreciate.

It will be a monumental week for the Nigerian markets as

presidential elections loom,” he added.

Also, Lagos-based CSL Stockbrokers Limited noted that “output from the real sector, which constitutes over 50 per cent to GDP, remains weak due to a myriad of domestic challenges.”

“Insecurity, high interest rate, unstable power are some of the major constraints to full recovery in the real sector. The absence of strong reforms to address these issues suggests they may remain in 2019, making us maintain our forecast for real GDP of 1.5 - 2.0 per cent in 2019,” the firm added.

Continuing, the NBS GDP report showed that on average daily oil production stood at 1.91 million barrels per day (mbpd), lower than the 1.94 mbpd in Q3 2018 as well as 1.95 mbpd recorded in Q4, 2017.

The oil sector contributed 7.06 per cent to real GDP in Q4, down from 9.38 per cent in Q3 and 7.35 per cent in Q4,2017.

For 2018, the contribution of the oil sector to aggregate real GDP was 8.60 per cent, compared to 8.67 per cent in 2017, the NBS further noted.

It stated that the oil sector recorded a negative real GDP growth rate of 1.62 per cent (year-on-year) in Q4 2018, indicating a decline of –12.81 per cent relative to the growth rate recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2017.

On the other hand, the nonoil sector contributed 92.94 per cent to real GDP in Q4, 2018, slightly higher than the 92.65 per cent recorded in Q4 2017.

The non-oil sector grew by 2.70 per cent in real terms within the review period.

This is 1.25 per cent higher than the growth rate recorded

in Q4 2017, and 0.38 per cent higher than the growth rate recorded in Q3 2018.

On an annual basis, the nonoil sector recorded a growth rate of 2 per cent in 2018, performing considerably better than 0.47 per cent in 2017. For 2018, annual contribution of the non-oil sector was 91.40 per cent compared to 91.33 per cent in 2017.

A breakdown of the sectoral contribution to growth showed that agriculture contributed 26.15 per cent to overall GDP in real terms in Q4, compared to 29.25 per cent in the preceding quarter but slightly higher than the 26.13 per cent recorded in Q4, 2017.

The sector contribution to real GDP in 2018 stood at 25.13 per cent, an increase from 25.08 per cent in 2017.

In real terms, agricultural sector grew by 2.46 per cent (year-on-year), a decrease by –1.78 per cent from the corresponding period of 2017, but an increase of 0.55 per cent compared to the preceding quarter.

It grew at 2.12 per cent in 2018, lower than the 3.45 per cent recorded in 2017.

Manufacturing sector contribution to real GDP in Q4 2018 remained unchanged at 8.86 per cent, same as recorded in its 2017 share and as reflected in the annual contribution, which rose only slightly from 9.18 per cent in 2017 to 9.20 per cent in 2018.

The sector recorded a real GDP growth of 2.35 per cent in Q4, higher than the 1.92 per cent in the preceding quarter and 0.14 per cent recorded in the same quarter of 2017.

Buhari's Economic Policies Working, Says Presidency Reacting to the country’s GDP growth, the presidency

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WEDNESDAY, ͹ͻ˜ ͺ͸͹΁ ˾ T H I S D AY

9

NEWS

Shell, NNPC Invite Bidders for $10bn Bonga South West Project Corporation looks to India for help in repair of refineries Ejiofor Alike, Peter Uzoho in Lagos and Chineme Okafor in Abuja Exactly seven months after the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) to commence the tendering process for the execution of $10 billion Bonga South West/ Aparo (BSWA) deepwater project, the corporation and its partners have invited prospective bidders to tender for the project, THISDAY has learnt.

Kachikwu had in June last year directed the NNPC and its partners to commence the tendering process for the multi-billion deepwater project, which is expected to add 225,000 barrels of crude oil to Nigeria’s daily production by 2022.

The minister’s directive followed the April 17, 2018 meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and a delegation from Royal Dutch Shell Plc., led by the Chief

Executive Officer, Bern Van Beurden, in London, where a decision was reached that the oil giant and the NNPC would begin the implementation of projects that had been on the drawing board for several years.

The London meeting, which was facilitated by Kachikwu, also had in attendance the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru.

The meeting was said to have presented an opportunity to open investment talks of up to $15 billion to be invested

by Shell in Nigeria.

THISDAY gathered from an official of the partners that SNEPCo and the NNPC have reached agreement on the key commercial terms necessary to move the development forward.

This agreement, it was learnt, covers related production sharing contract (PSC) interpretation disputes.

“It also sets an incentivising and fair framework for developing this world class opportunity while opening further opportunities in the prolific Nigerian deepwater oil and gas industry. We

Kachikwu look forward to realizing the significant benefits to the Nigerian state, the Nigerian deepwater oil and gas construction contractors, their workforce and the investing parties as we progress towards investment decision, construction and start-up,” the official explained.

According to the project document obtained yesterday from the partners by THISDAY, “following the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 118 Heads of Terms (HOT) agreement, we

are pleased to announce the release of BSWA Invitation to Tender, where Nigerian and international companies on the agreed bid list are requested to bid for the various contract packages that make up engineering, procurement and construction of the BSWA project. This is an important step that will allow ourselves, government and investing parties to understand the cost of the project and if within expectation, take the project to a Final Investment Decision (FID).” Estimated to cost about $10 billion, the Bonga South West/Aparo project, which has been on the drawing board for several years, is being executed by SNEPCo under a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) arrangement with the NNPC. First oil from the project, which is expected to add 225,000 barrels per day of crude oil to Nigeria’s daily production, is expected in 2021 or 2022.

The BSWA project includes the construction of a new Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO)

facility with an expected peak production of 225,000 barrels of oil per day.

THISDAY gathered that the BSWA field straddles Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 118, 132 and 140.

However, the bulk of BSWA resources are located in OML 118 but it also extends into OMLs 132 and 140, operated by Chevron, where it is called Aparo.

SNEPCo is the operator of the BSWA project in line with the agreement between the NNPC, Esso Exploration & Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Ltd., Total E&P Nigeria Ltd., Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd., Texaco Nigeria Outer Shelf Ltd., Star Ultra Deep Petroleum Ltd., Sasol Exploration and Production Nigeria Ltd. and Oil and Gas Nigeria Ltd. Other key projects that have also suffered delays in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry include: the 120,000bpd Shell and Eni’s Zabazaba/Etan project in the disputed Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL) 245, ExxonMobil’s 140,000bpd

Bosi project, ExxonMobil’s 110,000bpd Uge project and Chevron’s 100,000bpd Nsiko deepwater project.

The delays in the execution of these projects, which are estimated to cost about $23 billion, are largely caused by the lack of clarity of terms as a result of the non-passage of the 12-year-old Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), and inadequate funding.

NNPC Looks to India for Help in Repair of Refineries The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday indicated it would be willing to accept technical assistance from India to repair its refineries in Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt, which have a collective processing capacity of 445,000 barrels per day (bd), but have remained largely unproductive for years.

Continued on page 49

BUHARI EXPRESSES REGRET AS SUPREME COURT SEALS FATE OF APC CANDIDATES IN RIVERS Court judgment at the APC presidential rally at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta-Ali, Port Harcourt, Buhari said although he was saddened by the judgment, the party would respect the verdict.

“I am very disturbed by the decision that we are not allowed to participate in some processes in the election. But we have to respect the decision of the institution,” he said.

He added: “I am really saddened by the ruling of the Supreme Court, which barred APC from fielding candidates in Rivers State. The courts have barred us from participating in the general election in Rivers State.

"However, as we remain

resolute in our effort to win the 2019 general election, I assure you that justice will be done."

He declared that his administration would ensure that the Rivers State chapter of the APC gets justice despite the ruling of the Supreme Court, which struck out its appeal.

The Supreme Court in a judgment delivered in the main appeal on the contentious issue that emanated from the congresses and primary elections of the party in Rivers, held that the appeal of the APC was statute-barred.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Amir Sanusi, the apex court agreed with the respondents led by Mr. Ibrahim Umar, that the suit

was a pre-election matter and that the appeal filed by the APC was done outside the 14 days required by law.

The Supreme Court consequently struck out the appeal for being statute-barred and having becoming an academic exercise.

Justice Sanusi announced that reasons for the judgment would be available in three months’ time.

Counsel to the APC, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had on Monday argued that the suit that brought the appeal was not a pre-election matter.

His contention was that those who instituted the suit at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt had no locus standi to have done so because

they were not governorship aspirants.

Umar and 22 others believed to be loyal to Senator Magnus Abe had filed a suit at the Rivers Statel High Court in Port Harcourt to challenge their unlawful exclusion by the Rotimi Amaechi faction of the APC from participating in the congresses of the party designed to produce delegates for the primary elections.

Justice Chiwendu Nwogu of the state High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had in his judgment upheld the claims of the group and barred the APC from proceeding with the conduct of the congresses and the primary election.

The APC, however, went ahead with the primary election

and later appealed against the decision of the trial court at the Port Harcourt division of the Court of Appeal.

At this stage, the Rotimi Amaechi’s faction, led by Mr. Tonye Cole, sought to be joined in the suit but the request was refused by the appellate court on the grounds that they were not parties at the trial court.

This prompted the group to approach the Supreme Court to reverse the decision.

The Supreme Court, however, in its judgment, insisted that the matter was a pre-election matter and that the appeal was filed out of time.

Delivering ruling in three other related appeals involving Tonye Cole, Justice

Amina Augie, struck out the three consolidated appeals on the grounds that the appellants "have no legs to stand upon."

Justice Augie said from available records the appellants were not parties at the trial court as well as the Court of Appeal and as such cannot get remedy from the Supreme Court.

With the striking out of APC's appeal, it is now clear that the party cannot field candidates for the National Assembly election coming up this Saturday and the governorship and state House of Assembly election, slated by the Independent National Electoral Commission for March 2.

The ruling party added, ‘’It must be stated that party supremacy and discipline according to our constitution are not matters of choice but binding principles, which must be adhered to by all party members. ‘’The APC is a party known for discipline, justice, fairness and equality hence any plan to destroy what this party stands for would be rejected. No single person will be allowed to put his personal and selfish interests ahead of the wishes of the people of Ogun State and elsewhere.’’

It added that the decision of the National Working Committee to uphold the wishes of party members in Ogun State is unbendable, saying whatever means being presently deployed by persons intending to undermine the wishes of the people for personal gains will not be tolerated. APC urged its teeming party supporters and members not to be disturbed by the Monday's ‘’condemnable’’ incident, advising them t≠o continue trooping out en masse for its remaining campaigns and vote massively for APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

launched investigations into the Ogun APC crisis.

Speaking yesterday on Arise TV, a sister broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, the police condemned the violence at the APC rally.

While reiterating the pledge that the police are tirelessly working on maximum security to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections, he said politicians must however work on strengthening internal democracy.

He said: "Most of the issues are intra-party. We must continue to work to strengthen internal democracy. In as much as the politicians keep urging the Nigerian Police Force to provide a level-playing field, they should play according to the rule.

"We will continue to do what is right by monitoring.

The incident in Ogun State is already under investigation and I may not be able to speak much on it until those carrying out the investigations turn in reports to the office of the Inspector General.

“I can assure you that there is so much going on behind the scene; stakeholders meeting, constructing engagement between the political leaderships.”

Mba further added that in preparation for the forthcoming elections, the police will deploy all its human resources for

maximum security and consequently, withdrawing policemen from VIPs. He added: "We will deploy all our human resources maximally to ensure we deliver on our mandate but I won't give figures.

“Our policemen in VIPs protections will be withdrawn to carry out this national assignment. We want to ensure Nigerians are given a fair level in the forthcoming elections.

"Every time we have a general election, we improve our capacity because what we do is to look back and access on what we have and fix errors we have made. We take criticism and put those into consideration. 2019 will not be anything different,” Mba added.

Speaking on vote buying, he assured that the police are also putting all strategies in place to if not eradicate issues of vote buying, but reduce it to the minimal.

"Nigerians need to understand the power they have from their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs). This time around if we don't eliminate the issue of vote buying, we will reduce it to the minimum level.

“We need the support of all the stakeholders and ordinary Nigerians to sustain a credible election process without being influenced by any sort of financial indiscipline.”

APC VOWS TO PUNISH OGUN VIOLENCE PROMOTERS what the president meant was actually a joke.

The ruling party move towards its pledge to punish the perpetrators of the Monday violence when it accused Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State of sponsoring the ‘’Monday's premeditated attacks’’ on Buhari and other party leaders at the venue of the presidential campaign rally in Ogun State, and vowed to punish the sponsors of the violence.

The finger-pointing came from its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Lanre IssaOnilu, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, just as the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, stated that the police have launched investigations into the incident.

In a statement issued by Director, Strategic Communications, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Festus Keyamo, the party described as ‘’outright falsehood and scaremongering,’’ the attempt by the main opposition party to portray the president as one instigating people to violence.

The campaign team said what the President meant was actually a joke but deliberately taken out of context.

"Typical of the PDP and Atiku’s campaign team, they have continued in their favourite pastime of peddling

falsehood, scaremongering and misinformation. This time, the candidate of the main opposition party himself, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, sensing a comprehensive defeat this Saturday and out of frustration, threw caution to the wind in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State on Monday, February 11, 2019, when he alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari called for violence when he campaigned in Zamfara State," it said.

The Buhari team further explained that the president had always commented on this joke in his private conversations.

The statement said: "Nothing can be farther from the truth.

The Hausa word the President used in Zamfara, which has been taken out of context, is fitna. Incidentally all our Hausa language scholars have said the word means different things: it means distress, trial, affliction or temptation. It can also be used to describe rebellion or uprising. ‘’In this case, President Buhari was actually weighing in on the joke told very often of recent in the North that due to the rice boom, farmers have embarked on pilgrimage and marrying of more wives. ‘’So, what the President meant was actually a joke deliberately taken out of context: he simply told the crowd to ensure they eat very well because of the rice boom

before they can contemplate giving in to those temptations.

"Even in some private meetings with our campaign team, the president has always commented on this joke. Sadly, out of desperation, Atiku has decided to peddle falsehood.

"We urge Atiku to realise that it is God Almighty that gives power and takes power. He should not use his palpable desperation to return to power in order to sell Nigeria to his friends and to make them rich to set this nation ablaze by outright falsehood."

APC Vows to Punish Sponsors of Ogun Violence

Meanwhile, the ruling party has regretted what it described as the ‘’premeditated attacks sponsored by Governor Ibikunle Amosun’’ on Buhari and other party leaders at the venue of the presidential campaign rally in Ogun State and vowed to punish the sponsors. ‘’This is one act of indiscipline too many. The APC will not condone acts of indiscipline, indiscretion and anti-party activities from any party member no matter how highly placed,’’ the party stated in a statement by Issa-Onilu.

He said the party would review the gross misconduct and take a decision on the matter immediately after the elections.

Police Probe Incident

Meanwhile, the Force Public Relations Officer, Mba, has disclosed that the police have

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

Nine Feared Dead in Rivers APC Campaign Rally Polls will be free, fair, Buhari reassures Amaechi accuses Wike of negotiating with APC Hold minister responsible for violence,Wike tells Nigerians Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt What started and ended as a colourful rally turned tragic as no fewer than nine persons were feared dead while four others were injured in a stampede at the pedestrian gate of the Adokiye

Amiesimaka Stadium, IgwurutaAli, Port Harcourt at the end of the presidential campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday.

This is coming as President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday reassured that he is all out for

ACF Endorses Buhari’s Re-election Bid

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for re-election next Saturday’s presidential polls.

In a statement issued yesterday at the end of a meeting in Kaduna, the forum noted that “the Buhari administration has taken steps to improve and reposition the country economically.”

The statement, signed by the acting Chairman of the forum, Alhaji Musa Liman Kwande, said: “Buhari deserves a second term to consolidate on his achievements.”

The ACF said some of Buhari’s achievements include “the multi-billion dollar Mambilla hydro power project; the exploration of oil in Gongola Basin of the Benue trough; the Baro inland port; the North East Development Commission; the ongoing rail line projects nationwide and other critical infrastructural development projects.”

The statement noted that the Buhari administration has improved on the economic and infrastructural development of the country

and has made achievements in combating insurgency and other insecurity challenges bedeviling the country.

The forum explained that in endorsing Buhari, it carefully studied the antecedents of major presidential candidates, their manifestoes and policy documents of their parties, alongside the need for social, political and economic stability in the country.

“The ACF is therefore of the view that certain attributes such as clarity of thought, unity of purpose, content of character and morality of the candidates, their leadership qualities, performance and general acceptability of the candidates contesting for not only the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but also for other elective offices should guide voters in making their choices.

According to the statement, “The decision on who to elect should not be based on any form of inducements, mob hysteria, intimidation or false promises, but by calm and deliberate consideration of the candidates’ qualities of leadership, performance and moral standing in their public and private lives.

free, fair and credible elections starting on Saturday.

This is coming as the Director General of Buhari re-election Campaign Organisation, Chibuike Amaechi, accused Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, of lobbying to be returned as governor for a second term.

In response to Amaechi’s threat, Wike has called on Nigerians and the international community to hold the APC and the minister of transportation responsible for any outbreak of violence during the forthcoming elections.

The stampede occurred at the end of the rally when people were rushing out of the stadium through the pedestrian gate.

Some people fell to the ground and were trampled upon by other persons trying to exit from the gate.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Police State

Command, Nnamdi Omoni (DSP), confirmed the incident and four deaths to THISDAY. He said the remains of the dead had been deposited at the University of Port Harcourt mortuary while the injured persons were also taken to the same hospital for treatment.

The deaths added to the gloom of most members of the party following the Supreme Court judgment which confirmed that the APC could not field any candidate in Rivers State in the elections which start this Saturday.

The National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, said he would not present the party’s flag to its governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, during the rally The factional Governorship Candidate and Senator Representing Rivers South East Senatorial District in the

National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe, was at the rally but was not recognised.

Speaking at the rally, the president also stated that his administration would remain steadfast and consistent in its fight against corruption.

“Our objectives are very clear.

We will remain steadfast and consistent in our fight against corruption. We will continue in our effort to revolutionalise our agricultural sector.

“Nigeria will remain one united country and we will be fair and just to all sections of the country. We will remain accountable to God and you as we continue to serve you as President.

“Let all Nigerians have the faith we will be fair to all and we will not allow any constituency in this country to be intimidated.”

Amaechi said: “Whatever PDP

wants in Rivers State, we are equal to the task. In 2015, the army tried to arrest me as a sitting governor. Now, we have a governor who is trying to negotiate with us, asking us to give him governor and in return, we will support us for President. He is afraid, isn’t it?

We will battle him till the last.

Also speaking at the rally, Amaechi, accused Wike, of lobbying to be returned as governor for a second term.

“Whatever PDP wants in Rivers State, we are equal to the task. In 2015, the army tried to arrest me as a sitting governor.

Now, we have a governor who is trying to negotiate with us, asking us to give him governor and in return, we will support us for President. He is afraid, isn’t it? We will battle him till the last.

Continued on page 50

IG Vows to Arrest Policemen Attached to VIPs during Elections VICTORY ON THEIR MINDS...

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The acting Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has vowed to arrest any policeman attached to any politician during the elections, saying that no police officer is allowed to accompany any politician during the forthcoming elections.

Adamu, who spoke yesterday at the public presentation of a partnership between some stakeholders in the elections, noted that ensuring security during the conduct of the polls was the duty of every participant.

The partnership, headed by the Transition Monitoring Group and the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, included the Police Service Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), among others.

Adamu said, “Everyone has a civic responsibility in ensuring peaceful and credible elections.

Election materials must be secured.

Electoral officials, domestic

and foreign observers must be protected.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission has rolled out the ways stakeholders should conduct themselves. On our part, we assure the nation that all electoral materials will be secured and the electorate will be allowed to cast their votes without monetisation.

“No police officer is allowed to move around with any VIP on election day. Anyone, who does so in uniform or mufti will be arrested.”

The acting IG added that all security agents would wear tags to ensure there are no fake officers “because we have heard that a lot of fake uniforms are being brought into the country.”

He also noted that security agents would monitor ad hoc staff that could easily be manipulated, “especially National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.”

Adamu added that observers were allowed to take pictures but that they could not take pictures of people while voting “such that you know what party they are voting for.”

L-R:VicepresidentialcandidateofPeoplesDemocraticParty(PDP),Mr.PeterObi; NationalChairmanofPDP, PrinceUcheSecondu;andpresidential candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar, acknowledging cheers from the mammoth crowd , during the party’s presidential campaign rally at theTafawa Balewa Square, Lagos ...yesterday

We Don’t Support Any Party or Candidate, US Tells Keyamo The United States Embassy in Nigeria yesterday dismissed allegations levelled against it by the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO).

The BCO spokesman, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), had on Monday, said the utterances of the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, and those of other countries, seemed to give tacit support for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

However, the US embassy said yesterday that it was not supporting anyone.

The embassy called on Nigerians to be wary of fake news and rumours as the elections draw closer.

The statement reads in part, “The United States Embassy in Nigeria wishes to reiterate, unequivocally, that we are not taking sides in Nigeria’s election.

“We do not support any party or candidate. We support a level-playing field and the democratic process.

“That is the bedrock principle of our government’s advocacy on democratic elections. In the final run-up to the February 16 vote, fake news and rumours are operating in overdrive. But it must be repeated: we are not taking sides.”

The embassy reminded Nigerians that the US provides $1 billion in aid to Nigeria and directly helps at least two

million people.

The statement added, “The United States is Nigeria’s longterm and enduring friend.

“We provide more than $1billion in assistance and help, save more than two million lives of Nigerians each year through our health and humanitarian assistance.

“This will not change. We are Nigeria’s good partner, and this will continue after this democratic election – no matter who wins.

“This election is Nigeria’s, but it is also important for Nigeria’s neighbours and for the world.

“Nigeria has long played a great leadership role in the region and beyond as a force

for democratic stability. The credible electoral results of 2015 empowered Nigeria to play that role.

“The United States looks forward to a similar result this week.”

While reiterating that the fate of Nigeria remains in the hands of its citizens, the US said it would continue to support Nigeria’s democracy.

It called on security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all relevant stakeholders to remain neutral on Saturday’s elections.

The US welcomed the signing of peace accords by the candidates for president and other offices.

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Over 100 UK Observers will Monitor General Election, Says Envoy You are observers, not monitors, INEC tells observers Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The United Kingdom has said it will deploy more than 100 observers across 15 states for Saturday’s presidential election in Nigeria.

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms Catriona Laing, said this yesterday while discussing the UK’s efforts to support free, fair and credible elections in the country.

This is coming as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday briefed accredited domestic

and foreign observers on the preparation of the commission ahead of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force said that it had started the airlift of election materials for INEC. Not fewer than 196 observers have been accredited for the elections.

Laing said the UK respected Nigeria’s sovereignty and would help it to strengthen its democracy.

Speaking as a guest on Nigerian Info FM in Abuja,

EFCC Arraigns Former SGF, Three Others Alex Enumah in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and three others before the Abuja High Court on corruption-related offences.

Buhari had last year suspended Lawal from office, following public outcry over alleged tolerance of corrupt persons in his administration.

Those arraigned alongside the former SGF are Hamidu Lawal, a director of Rholavision Engineering Limited; an employee of the company, Sulaiman Abubakar and the Managing Director of Josmon Technologies Limited, Apeh Monday.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to them in the open court.

Consequently, the prosecution counsel, Mohammed Abubakar, asked for a date for commencement of the trial.

Counsel for the former SGF, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN), informed the court that he filed a bail application on behalf of the first defendant, adding that the prosecution refused to be served the application.

The senior lawyer who moved an oral application for bail, said that bail is at the discretion of the court in line with Sections 158 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, and urged the court to grant Lawal bail in self-recognition.

According to him, the first defendant had served Nigeria meritorious at a high level as SGF, an office he held for over two years before the Senate raised the issue that brought him before the court.

He added that EFCC invited Lawal and detained him on April 11, 2018 and granted him administrative bail on April 13, 2018.

He informed the court that while on administrative bail, the former SGF had cause to travel on health ground and informed EFCC about it, adding that, “EFCC released his international passport for him to travel. He returned the passport to them on his return to the country.

“If he had wanted to escape, he could have done so while he travelled out of the country.”

Olujinmi submitted that Lawal did not have any reason to interfere with EFCC’s investigation as the commission had completed its investigation into the matter.

Similarly, counsel to the other defendants drew the court attention to their bail applications and urged the court to release their clients on bail.

Responding, the prosecution counsel, Abubakar, stated that he was not aware that any EFCC officials refused to accept service of the first defendant’s bail application.

He stated further that there was no affidavit before the court, showing that the application was refused to be accepted, adding that he needed time to respond to the oral application

by Olujinmi.

After listening to arguments for and against the bail applications, Justice Jude Okeke stated that the court was inclined to giving considered ruling on the applications and as such adjourned till today to deliver ruling.

The judge, however, ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC’s custody pending the ruling on their bail applications.

ASUP Suspends Strike The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has suspended its two-month strike.

Its National President, Mr. Usman Dutse, said this at a news conference yesterday in Abuja.

According to him, “we have hereby decided to suspend our two-month strike; this decision was taken at the end of our National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

“We shall not hesitate to resume the suspended strike should government fail to review the Memorandum of Action and ensure full implementation before end of May 2019.

“This is in view of the progress made in the course of the union’s negotiations with government.“The NEC of the union, after exhaustive deliberations and in due consultations with the respective congresses across the nation resolved to suspend the current industrial action.

“This is based on the condition that government commits to review the Memorandum of Action to concretise the resolutions and ensure its full implementation by the end of May 2019, failing which the union shall resume the action at its discretion.”

she said, “As an independent observer country, we respect Nigeria’s sovereignty; it is our job to stand with the people of Nigeria in this democratic journey.”

On efforts to foster to contribute its quota to the strengthening of the democratic process in Nigeria, Laing added, “The process is what matters to us.

This is why we will be deploying over 100 observers covering 15 states to support observer missions from the European Union, United States Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria and other local observers.

“We are confident that many things have been put in place since 2015 to strengthen the process.

“We’ve invested heavily as a partner with the Independent National Electoral Commission and civil societies to strengthen those institutions and make the process stronger.”

Meanwhile, INEC yesterday briefed accredited domestic

Air force begins airlift of election materials

and foreign observers on the preparation of the commission ahead of Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

Not fewer than 196 observers have been accredited for the elections.

At the briefing, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, reminded the observers that “you are observers and not monitors.”

He also assured them of their security, saying that necessary security arrangement has been put in place in all the states they intend to deploy their people to within the country.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Adamu who also briefed the observers on the security arrangement assured them of the readiness of the security agencies for the polls.

An App, for the election translation, was also launched as part of the arrangement to ensure smooth observation of

the polls.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has said it has commenced the airlift of election materials for the INEC. A statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air commodore Ibikunle Daramola said the airlift would be conducted day and night to deliver sensitive and non-sensitive materials to designated places.

Air Commodore Daramola said: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Monday, February 11, 2019, commenced the airlift of electoral materials for INEC across the country for the conduct of the 2019 general election.

“The airlift exercise includes day and night missions, during which both sensitive and nonsensitive electoral materials were conveyed in batches, with NAF C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport,

Abuja to various airports across the country.

“The materials were duly delivered by the C-130H aircraft crew to teams of INEC and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) officials together with security personnel waiting at the various airports.

“It may be recalled that the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, during his meeting with Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) and NAF Field Commanders on 1 February 2019, had expressed the readiness of the NAF to avail INEC its transport aircraft to enable expeditious movement of electoral materials, as done in the past.

“It is pertinent to state that the transport aircraft are deployed solely to provide airlift support to meet INEC’s logistics requirements, in fulfillment of NAF’s constitutional role of providing Military Aid to Civil Authority. “

ON THE MARKET FLOOR...

L-R: MD/CEO, Eterna Plc, Mahmud Tukur; Divisional Head, Listing Business, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Olumide Bolumole; Chairman, Eterna Plc, Lamis Shehu Dikko; Non-Executive Director, Eterna Plc, Oluwole Abegunde, at the Nigerian Stock Exchange closing ceremony by the Eterna Plc team in Lagos….yesterday

FG Accuses PDP of Planning to Orchestrate Crisis False alarm will not help you, opposition party tells Buhari Iyobosa Uwugiaren and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Ahead of the Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, the federal government yesterday alerted the country to the alleged last-minute desperate plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to orchestrate a crisis and trigger a sense of panic among the populace, in furtherance of their plan to discredit the election and cause constitutional crisis.

But in a swift response, the main opposition party has said that no amount of fabrications, false alarm, blackmail and resort to violence by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency of Muhammadu Buhari could sway Nigerians or help their plots to rig the presidential election.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji

Lai Mohammed, said the alleged plot confirms the alarm raised by the federal government on January 21 and February 3, 2019 that the PDP was planning to scuttle the election and, where that fails, discredit it.

He said in the days ahead, PDP bigwigs, including its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, his running mate Peter Obi, PDP governors and others, are planning a world press conference in order to level frivolous and unfounded allegations against the federal government and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mohammed said part of the false allegations they plan to make is that the Presidency, in connivance with the APC, is planning to force the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to announce presidential election results that are favourable to the government in power, on the basis of the

false premise that the APC’s intelligence team is worried that the ruling party would lose the elections.

He said the PDP bigwigs also plan to use their world press conference to further disparage the Buhari administration as well as the ruling APC, with a view to painting an unfavourable image of both to Nigerians and the international community and to put the government on the defensive in the run-up to the polls. ‘’We are therefore calling on all Nigerians and the international community to disregard any attempt to scuttle or discredit the polls. We urge observers to keep an open mind. There is no cause for alarm, except in the warped imagination of the PDP, which has entered the panic mode and is already ruing the loss of another general election even before it has been held,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the PDP has said that no amount of fabrications, false alarm, blackmail and resort to violence by the APC and the Muhammadu Buhari presidency could sway Nigerians or help their plots to rig the 2019 presidential election.

The party in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said that the Presidency’s fresh attempt to use Lai Mohammed, to lay further false allegations on the PDP has failed, because Nigerians already know those plotting to scuttle the elections by inciting violence and issuing death threats against others.

He added that it is clear to all that violence, death threats and plot to disrupt the elections have become an official policy of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, having realised that Buhari has no chance in the February 16 presidential election.

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COMMENT

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

BUHARI: FOUR MOREYEARS?

Sonnie Ekwowusi argues that the president has not done enough to be rewarded with a second term

T

o reaffirm that President Muhammadu Buhari lacks the soundness of mind and body (as stipulated in section 137(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution) to seek a re-election is an understatement. It is a fact requiring no proof. To wax stronger in the aforesaid reaffirmation is not an expression of anti-APC sentiments. But the bitterness ingrained in the truth does not alter the truth. Take another studied look at President Buhari. Does he appear as someone who can rule Nigeria for another four years? Of course, the objective and apolitical answer is NO. Nigerians who have been watching Buhari goofing at various political campaigns continue to testify that the man is physically, psychologically, mentally drained. Last Saturday Buhari visited Lagos. Many who saw him said that he may not be physically fit to govern Nigeria in the next four years if he returns to power.

Apart from the undisclosed ailment which forced Buhari to make frequent trips to London for medical treatment, it is obvious to all that Buhari is suffering from amnesia. Whenever the man wants to say one thing another thing comes out from his mouth. The Buhari of 2015 you know is not the Buhari of 2019. Buhari of 2015 was sharp.

Not anymore. That was perhaps why they did not allow him to participate in any political debate.

At the moment Buhari is very forgettable. On January 17, 2018 Buhari’s reasoning processes failed him three times at the APC public gathering in Warri, Delta State. But I won’t go into details.

On January 30 Buhari committed another blunder at the U J Esuene Stadium, Calabar, mistaking Senator Ndoma-Egba for Senator John Owan-Enoh. If you want any political appointment just go closer to President Buhari and he would raise up your hands and give you one. Shortly before the arrival of Buhari to Lagos last weekend, someone jokingly posted the following on our WhatsApp Group: “I need to attend Lagos APC mega rally and get close to Buhari. Who knows, he might just raise my hands as the Governor of CBN�.

Yet Buhari claims that he would take Nigeria to the “next level� if re-elected. Which “next level�? A vote for Buhari on Saturday is a vote for the cabals who are controlling him and taking decisions on his behalf. Buhari’s wife Aisha has been raising the alarm that the cabals have since shoved Buhari aside and are now ruling in his stead.

Buhari’s illness is not even allowing him to remember the date he came to power. At the Ekiti rally on February 5, 2018 Buhari said that he came to power in 2005 instead of 2015. Buhari does not recognize his immediate environment any longer. Just last week Buhari

UNDER BUHARI’S WATCH, THE APC FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN CONVERTED INTO AN INSTRUMENT FOR PERPETUATION OF ILLEGALITY AND FRAUD

introduced the APC senatorial candidate in Ondo State in this way: “Well I have to raise the hand of the senatorial candidate (in) Edo Central.�

Besides, the Fulani herdsmen killings have been blamed on Buhari. Buhari is the grand patron of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN). Miyetti Allah is a government within the Buhari government. Miyetti Allah is above the law. Miyetti Allah thirsts for human blood. It has directed that no state in Nigeria has a right to enact anti-grazing law. Despite the fact that it admitted responsibility for the massacre of more than 200 indigenes of Benue State, President Buhari has refused to proscribe the group. Till date, no Miyetti Allah or Fulani herdsman has been tried and convicted in court, whereas Christians accused of killing some herders have been convicted and jailed. At the moment the Fulani herdsmen are on recess because of the 2019 elections. After the elections they would resume their merciless killings. Mind you, Miyetti Allah has endorsed their patron Buhari for second term.

So, If Buhari happens to win the Presidential election the Fulani herdsmen will kill more Nigerians and forcefully occupy more land.

Therefore a vote for Buhari on Saturday is a vote for Miyetti Allah.

More importantly, Buhari has become a full-brown dictator. So, he should be voted out of power on Saturday. Under Buhari’s watch, the APC federal government has been converted into an instrument for perpetuation of illegality and fraud. For instance, reflect again on how Buhari purportedly suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen. One weekend some charges were concocted against Onnoghen and he was to be arraigned before the CCT Chair Danladi Umar on Monday. At the CCT on that fateful day, Onnoghen lawyers challenged the jurisdiction of the CCT to try Onnoghen. Consequently Umar assured Onnoghen’s lawyers in open court that he would not entertain any ex-parte application praying for suspension of Onnoghen and that instead he was adjourning for Monday, January 28, to hear Onnoghen lawyers’ application on jurisdiction. With that assurance, Onnoghen lawyers left the court. But unknown to them, Umar was adjourning in order to secretly go somewhere and forge an ex-parte order purportedly suspending Onnoghen. After forging the ex-parte order Umar forwarded it to Buhari who relied on it in announcing to the whole world that he had suspended Onnoghen. Is this not a large-scale fraud? The answer is yes. Nigerians cannot afford to give President Buhari four more years.

NATIONAL PEACE COMMITTEE AND EL-RUFAI’S THREAT The Abubakar-led National Peace Committee should ensure that potential flashpoints are nipped in the bud, writes Sufuyan Ojeifo

B

y this time in 2015, the drums of war were sounding with much ferocity such that morbid fears were triggered in the polity. Nigerians of Igbo extraction, in the northern part of the country, were particularly gripped.

Their peripatetic nature predisposes them to such existential threats in periods of national anxiety and collective doubt about the harmony of our shared nationality.

For instance, there is hardly any nook and cranny of Nigeria where you would not find an Igbo plying a trade or the other, no matter how titular. Therefore, the Igbo race always stands at the greatest risk in any situation where imagined and real threats are bandied as articles of faith in a nation that has lost its essence of humanity and togetherness.

The profiles of the candidates of the two leading parties-former President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) - had forcefully, geographically, pitted the south against the north. It had also largely, religiously, projected in the people’s consciousness a contest between Christianity and Islamism as typified by the religions of the two leading candidates.

As it was in 2015 when the nation was handed a fait accompli of a two-horse race, so it is in 2019 with the prospect of another two-horse race despite the plurality or proliferation of political parties and presidential candidates. But there is a tectonic shift in the dynamics of geography and religion that has now reduced the battle for the soul of Nigeria in the February 16 presidential election to the same northern matrix.

And this has largely defused tension and infused a measure of liberality in a people that had hitherto demonstrated aggression in the matter of presidential power politics. This is quite understandable. Head or tail, the north wins in 2019. APC’s Buhari and PDP’s Atiku Abubakar share the same demographics of Fulani ethnicity and Islamic religion.

This scenario, perhaps, explains the relaxed

atmosphere and the win-win disposition that are noticeable in the northern part of the country ahead of the crucial presidential election. The immediate utilitarian benefit is the absence of tension and fear of potential genocidal attacks on the vulnerable communities of strangers that constitute largely the Igbo trading minorities in the northern region of the country.

Nevertheless, the emerging trend should not discount the pertinent role of the National Peace Committee under the very respected leadership of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar (rtd.). The exertion by the committee in 2015 was understandable against the backdrop of the soaking tension and anxiety that charcterised social and political interactions in the northern part.

Expectedly, there was an exodus of Igbo and other strangers of north central extraction in the north down to the south and to their various towns and villages in the north central zone.

The fear of the unknown had a context to it.

The outcome of the 2011 presidential election continues to resonate in our consciousness with the grimness of the killings of Nigerians, including some youth corps members that officiated in the election, particularly in Bauchi State. When that incident was added to the statement allegedly made

by Buhari prelude to the 2015 election that if what (alleged rigging) happened in the 2011 election repeated itself in the 2015 election, the dog and the baboon would be soaked in their blood.

Indeed, the General Abubakar-led National Peace Committee had worked round the clock to instill confidence in the system and to douse tension. It had specifically committed leaders of the political parties as well as the presidential stakeholders and candidates to a peaceful and successful process. Jonathan and Buhari were made to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for peace.

And the committee ensured that that the candidates kept fidelity to the terms of the MoU. Significantly, the success of the 2015 presidential election and the considerations that motivated former president, Goodluck Jonathan, to accept the outcome of the election derived, somewhat, from

the work of the committee of eminent Nigerians, including among others, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Primate Nicholas Okoh, Matthew Hassan Kukah, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, Aliko Dangote, Mrs. Priscilla Kuye and Professor Ibrahim Gambari.

The Committee has already kicked in to rein in presidential candidates in the 2019 election in the much-revered tradition of peaceful poll reminiscent of the advance democracies and following back-to-back on the heels of the peaceful conduct and outcome of the 2015 presidential election. There have been reasonable expectations that the exercise would be violence-free.

And there had been no cause for doubt, until that expectation was upended by the direct threat issued by the governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai when he featured on NTA Tuesday Live programme on February 5, 2019 to the extent that foreigners who interfered in the nation’s electoral process would be returned to their countries in body bags. That threat has since cast a pall of doubt on the assured success of the assignment of the National Peace Committee.

El-Rufai’s statement was much more than a Freudian slip. It was as unguarded as it was unconscionable and insensitive. One could see the seriousness and passion he invested in the articulation of the misguided verbal shot. One could see the expression of outright revulsion on the face of the programme’s anchor, Cyril Stober, at the governor’s statement.

That self-indictment should ordinarily nudge the Abdulsalami committee into some new realities about other influencers below the presidential candidates whose overzealousness and misconstruction of the disposition and body language of their presidential candidates can wrongly or even deliberately ignite electoral violence in the face of anxieties precipitated by the prospects of a looming defeat.

General Abubakar and his committee members are on the cusp of making another history-the history of intervening in critical electoral process to achieve peaceful outcome. They have a date with destiny, so to speak, to preserve the collective

destiny of the Nigerian nation. Abubakar and his members have the gravitas, the global and national respectability, and all that it takes to deliver on their assignment. They must double down on the task before them.

What is paramount is the successful transition of democratic power on May 29, this year, through a peaceful process that begins on February 16 and terminates on March 2. The flip side of the expected peaceful electoral process and outcome is a potential chaos that may put Nigeria on the road to the oddities in Venezuela and some other similar climes, if some power mongers succeed in having their way in spite of the popular verdict.

The greatest fear is that the furtherance and preservation of cliquish political agenda may put Nigeria on the road to Kigali or those other territories where electoral propriety had been sacrificed on the altar of unconscionable manipulation of the people’s will, brazen abridgment of the freedom of electoral choices and subjugation of the people’s sacred mandate freely given but wickedly hijacked and diverted.

Now that El-Rufai has played his hand early in the day ahead of the election, the General Abubakar-led National Peace Committee must now act proactively in concert with the members of the international community to ensure that potential flashpoints are nipped in the bud. The committee must deploy the magnitude of the character, influence and connections of its members in reenacting the kind of mechanism, this time round, that culminated in the peaceful outcome of the 2015 presidential election.

The best way for the General Abubakar-led National Peace Committee to define its eon in the evolution of a pragmatic, peaceful and non-mechanistic power distribution process is to bequeath a tradition of negotiated orderly conduct and transfer of power in the nation’s presidential politics in the years ahead. The legacy will, over time, become entrenched and internalized such that it becomes a normative order- a part and parcel of our enviable democratic tradition as a nation.

Ojeifo wrote from Abuja

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T H I S D AY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

EDITORIAL The Epidemic Of Drug Abuse The authorities should strengthen drug control policies

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igeria is in the throes of a major public health emergency. The first ever nationwide survey on drug use in Nigeria has revealed gross abuse of drug substances, particularly by those in the age bracket of 15 and 64. Even more worrying, close to three million of these are drug-dependent but cannot access help due to lack of health facilities.

According to the report conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics and funded by the European Union, some 14.3 million people, about 14 per cent of the population abused drugs in the past one year, a figure more than twice the world’s average of 5.6 per cent. The report said 10.6 million Nigerians abused cannabis in 2018 while others abused opioids, cough syrups and other street drugs. “Some of the findings of the survey are striking and alarming and call for concerted efforts to mitigate the negative consequences of this rising THE POROUS BORDERS menace on the health, ENCOURAGE ALL socio-economic and security of our nation,” MANNER OF DRUGS TO BE SHIPPED IN AND said Minister of State Health, Dr Osagie MANY OF THE DEALERS for Ehanire.

ARE TRADERS WITH To be sure, the use of BARE KNOWLEDGE drugs outside prescripOF PUBLIC HEALTH tion is all pervasive, particularly among CONSEQUENCES OF the youths. This is due THEIR PRODUCTS partly to lack of control of prescription in the health facilities as well as in dispensing of medicines. The country is an open market where almost every drug can be obtained across the counter. The porous borders encourage all manner of drugs to be shipped in and many of the dealers are traders with bare knowledge of public health consequences of their products.

The abuse of drugs is aided by parental neglect, peer pressure and the all-pervading poverty and unemployment.

Many frustrated and unemployed youths resort to many of these street drugs for their relaxing and euphoric effects.

As the report rightly found out, cannabis is the most widely used drug globally and in Nigeria, but the use opioids is responsible for most of the negative health impacts of drug use. Tramadol, a synthetic opioid analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain, is said to be the most abused drug in Nigeria. Cough syrups like codeine and others are seriously implicated among the abused drugs by both sexes for either as stimulant or depressant purposes. The BBC documentary of last April exposed the large scale abuse of codeine in the country.

O 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

ut of panic, the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in alliance with some state governments raided some markets and warehouses and seized hard drugs worth billions of naira. But such acts do not endure. Early in the year, the Chairman of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (rtd) raised the alarm on the increasing inflow of new substances, revealing that 796 of them had been discovered, upped from 739 in the previous year.

There are no reliable statistics but there is no doubt that drug abuse has been linked to the continued upsurge in criminal activities across the country. Many cases of rape, cultism, kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, banditry and even car crashes feed on the ready availability of many of the hard drugs in the street.

The menace has created an unacceptable burden on individuals, families, communities and societies. As the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Professor Mojisola Adeyeye put it, drug abuse is undermining efforts to deepen socio-economic development and “is associated with crime and lawlessness.”

It is time we woke up to this challenge that poses danger to the future of the country. More should be done to create awareness on the danger of drug abuse. And as the drug experts have suggested, the authorities should strengthen drug control policies while more counselling and treatment services should be created.

TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

Letters to the Editor

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

A LETTER TO PRINCE MUSTAPHA AUDU

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s you are aware, the problem of Kogi State is that of leadership.We thank God for the fact that you grew up with a father, who recognised that great states are built by men and women of resolve and vision. Our state more than ever before needs a leader that can bring our people together in pursuit of a common cause. That leader is you.

We also know that you will be the type of leader, when holding a public or private position with other defined responsibilities, has the ability to carry out those tasks and to respond to other unforseen problems when they arise. We know clearly that you have the capacity to articulate the Kogi vision of where you want the state to go, develop a realistic strategy to get there, and attract talented people, committed people with a wide variety of knowledge, perspective and skills on how to get it done. That leader is you.

We also know you know and acknowledge that in the modern world, lasting positive results are more likely to occur when leaders practice inclusions and co-operation rather than authoritarian unilaterianism and that even all those who lead the way dont know all the answers - that is why we need you.

We also know you have the steadfastness in pursuit of goals, and the flexibility in determining how best to achieve them.The courage to make a hard decision and the confidence to stay with and explain it.You have also the common sense to listen to others and involve them.And the strength to admit when mistakes are made or when a given policy is not working.We need you.

We also know that we need a leader that trust others, lessons we know you learnt from your late father.We also know that when it is the objective to get things done that are important and controversial, we know you have the compromising ability when it is neccessary and when not to cross the lines. Kogi needs you now as you are that messiahnic leader the state longs for.

We know under the tutelage of your father, you were taught to respect the human dignity of every one you meet, to observe them closely and listen to them carefully. From your father you also learnt that everyone has a story but not everyone can tell it.You also learnt that most of society’s greatest wounds are self- inflicted, that trying and failing is better than not trying at all. That every person makes mistakes but most people are generally good.We trust that under you our people will be in safe hands.

We have also known that you basically see politics as a way of making other peoples life stories better.You have also learnt hard leadership lessons from the experiences of those who befriended you and your father for the good of our state.

You were also taught you cannot be a great leader if you are driven by hate and resentments, no matter how justified those feelings seem.To be free to lead, your father told you,you just have to let a lot of things go.You were also importantly told to look for the dreams and hurts, hopes and fears in the eyes and hearts of everyone you meet.Our people know and trust your father: that is exactly what you will do for them.Lessons that made his leadership enduring. Please, come out.

Jamila Musawa, Lokoja

END ASSAULT ON AFRICAN WOMANHOOD

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igerians should desist from further stripping women naked on the streets over frivolous allegations which can be resolved through civil processes and systems associated with the Rule of Law. The stripping of women naked on the streets is jungle justice that debases womanhood and represents a symptom of the breakdown of our traditional and cultural institutions. It is a shameful thing to see full grown men who should protect the natural dignity and respect for womanhood batter and make nonsense of that same natural endowment known to nurture us to manhood. What we are experiencing with this trend actually exposes us as a primitive people living in a millennium trying very hard to achieve Global Goals of Gender equality and reduced inequalities under peaceful and strong institutions.

A fortnight ago, a viral video revealed about six men in Benin City who had stripped a young lady naked on the suspicion that she stole a phone. However, if stripping her naked was not enough, the less than gentlemen went further to insert very harmful substances in her private parts. After that incident, and less than a week after, another video surfaced showing an aide to the Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa hurling blows on a defenseless woman after he stripped her naked, tied her up and made her roll in a muddy pool. CERLSI commends the Nigeria Police and the Delta State governor for moving quickly to arrest and sacking those who committed those barbaric and inhumane acts in Benin City and Delta State. ‘As we become assured that the wheel of justice which have been set in motion will roll and deal with the perpetrators of these crimes against womanhood in Nigeria, we are persuaded that more still needs to be done. We must work hard to ensure that our people will begin to have confidence in our systems if highly placed public officials set the example by obeying court orders, respecting our institutions and working hard to strengthen them.

We must take a stand against practices which encourage disrespect for womanhood.

Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku, CERLSI, Benin City

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5 ) * 4 % ": t WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2019

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

PRESIDENTIAL PODIUM Narrowing Options Between Buhari and Abubakar Udora Orizu writes that a combination of factors may have upset the calculations of many analysts, forcing a more planned approach to the presidential election

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rom all indications, the 2019 presidential election, which is largely believed to be a two-horse race between the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown up so many factors that has completely upset the computations of many pundits.

Though a critical population of voters have openly said they want neither the PDP nor the APC, the strength of the alternative presidential candidates like Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim of Peoples Trust, Kingsley Moghalu of the Young Progressives Party, Ahmed Buhari of Sustainable Nigeria Party, Tope Fasua of Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party. Fela Durotoye of the Alliance for New Nigeria and Omoyele Sowore of Africa Action Alliance would have been in their ability to come together to challenge the two leading political parties in the country. Their failure to work together has undoubtedly left the field open to the APC and the PDP. However, it is instructive that these parties and a few others have opted to finish the race, refusing to join the conference of political parties that have adopted either Buhari or Abubakar. It will be interesting to see which of these parties will come close to the APC and the PDP, in terms of the numbers of votes recorded for them.

The usual calculations based on ethnicity and religion in the 2019 presidential have been completely watered and relegated to an inconsequential level, such that the character, experience and background of the candidates.

Buhari

Abubakar

Incidentally, both Buhari and Abubakar are Muslims. The two men are northerners and of the Fulani extraction. Unlike 2015, when Buhari was able to rally the entire north behind him as a monolithic bloc of voters who were obliged to support their kinsman against a southern Christian minority, the choice has been narrowed because similar emotional attachment surround the candidacy of Buhari and Abubakar when it comes to certain primordial considerations. In this election, Buhari cannot claim to be more Muslim or Fulani than Abubakar.

At the beginning of the week, Abubakar sent a strong message to the Buhari camp with the intimidating crowd that heard him espouse his message to ‘Get Nigeria Working Again’. As THISDAY reported, the Abubakar presidential rally in Kano clearly showed that the PDP had made huge gains in some northern states previously considered a safe berth for the APC and Buhari. The ruling party at the centre can no longer hope to record a ‘Buhari hurricane’ of victory in the northern states like it did in 2015. The tide of that hurricane has been stemmed with the seaming

non-performance of the APC government in the last four years. Things have changed so dramatically for the worse that the common cry everywhere is the clamour to ‘change the change’.

Many of the leading northerners who helped to swing the votes in favour of Buhari in 2015 have since parted ways with him. Among his most stringent critics who was hitherto a dependable ally is Buba Galadima who first a fatal arrow at the soft underbelly of the APC when he created a splinter called the Reformed APC. The departure of the likes of likes of Rabiu Kwakwanso, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara have in no small way dealt a damaging blow on the reputation of the APC and its candidate, Buhari.

Previously seen as pristine leader with an unblemished record, the campaign for re-election by Buhari has not been smooth sailing because, in many instances, some of what used to be his strong points have been exposed as weaknesses. For instance, while the President has not been personally linked to any case of corruption, his seeming protection of persons who have been alleged of corrupt enrichment makes nonsense of fight against corruption, which is a principal programme of his administration.

It may be argued that the President has fulfilled the federal character quota where it is absolutely necessary, but beyond that he has not tried to hide his preference to fill other sensitive national designations with his kinsmen. It may be his prerogative, but this is one of the key demonstrations of clannish mentality that opponents have accused him of.

Understanding His Enduring Quest for a New Nigeria Udora Orizu

free medical care for our most vulnerable demographics- Children 5 years and under and elderly persons 65 years and above. We will fund specialised medical centres across the nation providing first rate medical care for chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, kidney problems, cancer etc. we will repatriate experts in these areas to support the development of these centres.

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ela Adetokunbo Durotoye was born on May 121971 is a politician, leadership expert and the CEO of the Gemstone Group, a leadership development institution aimed at raising leaders of excellence and exemplary values who would be committed to building Nigeria into a most desirable nation to live in by 2025. Durotoye earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science with Economics, as well as a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He is an alumnus of John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Education programme of Harvard University. Fela Durotoye has been at the forefront of the movement to build a new Nigeria for over a decade. On February 22, 2018, he made his intention to run for president of Nigeria under the political party Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN). On September 29, 2018, he emerged as the presidential candidate of the ANN. The leadership of the ANN and the Young Progressives Party (YPP) formed a coalition known as ‘The Force’, which they said is to help salvage Nigeria from those they said have held it hostage for far too long.

Education We will work with states and local governments to ensure nationwide rehabilitation and equipping of all existing government schools at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. We will develop customised programmes for gifted and talented children and children with learning difficulties and special needs. We will invest in teacher training and strengthen the teacher training programs across the country. Revitalise the quality assurance agency and equip it with the tools to conduct evaluation of teachers and schools. We will also empower it with the ability to implement remedial actions necessary to improve schools and teachers. We will develop nationwide teacher

Durotoye

salary scale and ensure that all teachers earn a liveable wage and incentivise the states to adopt this salary scale. Increase the number of teachers in the rural areas by providing robust incentives for teachers that relocate to such communities by establishing a Teacher’s Incentive Fund (ITF), and focus educational on such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Program that will prepare students for success in colleges, careers and help them engage and be relevant in the global world.

Health For health, We will have at least one functional primary health care centre in each local government. Today only 20% of existing primary health care centres are functional. We will ensure that there is adequate infrastructure, equipment, supplies and staffing at all local primary health centres. We understand that this requires significant investment so will focus on innovative models that will minimise costs.

Provide incentives for health professionals to attract the best in the sector. Provide

Infrastructure Nigeria is faced with a huge infrastructure deficit which impedes the ease of doing business and frustrates the inflow of foreign direct investment. For transport infrastructure, we will invest in all the existing seaports and develop new ones in collaboration with the private sector to reduce the congestion at the Lagos port.

Build and extend functional rail lines to these seaports to help in speedy evacuation of cargo. For airports, the most viable airports undergoing various stages of rebuild will be completed within 12 months. We will facilitate the launch of a national carrier with very little government involvement and make it a majorly private sector driven initiative in a transparent process. The road sector accounts for about 90 percent of all freight and passenger movements in the country. We will revisit existing national highway construction standards and contracting strategy, bring them up to date in line with global best practices and ensure standardisation in implementation and execution of road projects. Introduce and enforce 24 hours construction policy on roads to speed up completion times.

Clean water supply and improved sanitation at all tiers of government cannot be overemphasised. For water sector, Greater allocation of funds to the sector especially at the state and local government, enforce regulations that control water provision and quality, and increase awareness on sanitation and healthy environment. For housing sector, we will work with states to make it easier and cheaper to buy and sell

land which will facilitate investment, work with the states to simplify their property registration and construction permitting processes and digitise their land registry systems, this will enable proper planning, access to information and transfer of landed properties. For technology, we are going to establish a Nigeria Information Technology Modernisation Fund (NITMF) with the focus to educate, train and develop comprehensive IT core competency across Nigeria’s critical assets and build the technology capabilities which will help propel Nigeria to become leading digital commerce in 21st century.

Facilitate technology hubs in agriculture, e-commerce, government, education with the primary objective to advance the effective use, sustenance of technology in Nigeria.

Security Security issues affect all Nigerians. Beyond the people directly impacted and in the instance of the north, actually displaced, security challenges limit the mobility of our people and goods across the country. We will support the creation of local and state police (alongside existing federal police).

Spearhead a reform of the police system with a focus on giving police officers a liveable wage to ensure they are comfortable enough to focus on law enforcement.

Support states affected by the herdsmen crisis in developing workable solutions to ensure safety of both farms and cattle. We will ensure kidnapping is a thing of the past through improved policing, and prosecute and widely publicise the prosecution of all those caught funding militia or engaging in fraudulent practices such as 419, Yahoo Yahoo etc. Eradicate the current proliferation of security militia groups across states and replace with state police. This will include severe punishment for private citizens found to be funding militia.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2019

STATE OF THE POLITY

Umar Nasko Strives to Upset the Applecart in Niger Laleye Dipo writes that the governorship race in Niger state has gathered momentum with the two major parties running neck-to-neck; and one lesser-known party providing a strong challenge

Bello

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he ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeri State flagged off its campaign at the Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, with Governor Sani Bello giving an account of his stewardship (since he assumed office in 2015) to stakeholders.

The forum was also used to present the scorecards of three key commissioners. The commissioners for Finance, Health and Agriculture gave a run down of what they said the administration had done since their appointments.

One interesting aspect of their presentation was that the filled venue was calm until the tail end when the governor requested the people to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari, “myself and our national assembly candidates,” that the hall came alive with chnts of ‘Sai Baba! Sai Baba!’, to demonstrate their acceptance of Buhari.

The APC has since been criss-crossing the length and breadth of the state soliciting for the support of voters .

Two days after the APC flagged off its campaign, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in grand style moved into Bida, the headquarters of the Nupe speaking ethnic nationality in the country, which also incidentally serves as the headquarters of the Niger South senatorial zone of the state.

Present at the PDP were the whois-who in the party in the state. It was even rumoured that some of the foot-soldiers of the PDP governorship candidate arrived Bida two days before the event under the cover of darkness to reach out to the people in the community.

Bida and, in particular, Niger south is very critical to any political party that wants to win an election in Niger state because the town is the home town of the PDP deputy governorship candidate, Mr Mohammed Ndayako.

While the zone is reputed to have a very large voting population that had in the past thrown its weight behind the PDP and its candidates, the scenario may not be the same, this time around.

Recall that since the First Republic till the National Republican Convention (NRC) era in the botched Third Republic when the late Bagudu Waziri was the political leader of the zone, the people of the senatorial district had always voted for one political

Nasko

party. This might have informed the decision of the PDP to flag-off its campaign from the zone and it did a beautiful job with the assignment because not less than 3000 members of the ruling APC and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) switched political party loyalty to the PDP at the rally.

Four days later, the PDP campaign train moved to Niger East senatorial zone, stopping at Suleja.

The choice of Suleja is very understandable. It is one of the most populated cities, if not the most populated, in the zone. The town also has a large number of non-indigenes some working in Abuja but residing in the town. Suleja is no doubt also the commercial nerve centre of Niger state because of its location on the federal highway linking the southern and northern parts of the state.

No wonder, therefore, the message of the PDP in Suleja was assurances that all discriminatory policies hindering residency of non-indigenes in the state will be removed.

The party’s standard-bearer, Umar Nasko was referring to the dichot-

The style of campaign of the governorship candidate of the PDP (house-to-house; ward-to-ward; people-to-people) has made it possible for Nasko to reach and talk to more people. However, lack of enough financial resources may also be a setback for the governorship candidate

omy in the payment of school fees by indigenes and non-indigenes in the state and the APC government’s refusal to pay the NECO and WAEC fees for non-indigenous students in public schools. This policy may be the albatross of the ruling party in the governorship election.

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) which has a former member of the state house of assembly, Alhaji Isa Kawu as its candidate also flagged off its governorship campaign at a hotel in Minna. Though a very likeable person and a grassroots politician who hails from Bida town, it is not very clear if Isa Kawu is serious about his governorship ambition especially when it is clear he does not have the needed funding for the project. Also not believing in a godfather, as well as, being independent minded could work against him. In other climes, these qualities would have been added advantage to his governorship pursuit.

As things stand now, it is very clear that the field has been left very clear for both the incumbent Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello of the APC and the PDP candidate Alhaji Umar Mohammed Nasko. To say otherwise will be to deny the obvious.

The setting now is also a replay of the 2015 governorship election when the duo of Nasko and Sani Bello slugged it out with Sani Bello having the upper hand.

Political observers attributed that victory to the “Buhari hurricane”, which swept off many good candidates in the state and the country.

“That hurricane has been stemmed now with the non-performance of the APC government in the state in the last four years,” one observer said.

Since 2015 things have changed politically, to the extent that the APC cannot boast of the 100% support it enjoyed and which made it to win in that election.

The situation has even become worse by perceived non-performance of the party in the eyes of the electorate.

The electorate in the state are using the same yardstick of the tremendous eight-year performance of former Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu to compare the almost four years of Governor Sani Bello.

The present administration has not helped itself in the area of public enlightenment. Much is not known about the supposed achievements

of the government. The governor ’s relationship with the media has been so poor that he cannot mention the name of five correspondents. He has only been able to speak to the media only once in his almost four years in office.

Another issue that may work against the APC especially in the governorship election is the lack of cordial relationship between the governor, on one hand and its state and federal legislators, as well as lack of logistics for the campaign.

Also likely to affect the second term bid of Governor Bello is the sour relationship with Abubakar Magaji who is seen as the political leader of the Niger south senatorial zone.

Though Abubakar Magaji a foundation member of the APC and a member of the party’s BoT, he has remained quiet since the crisis broke out. It is being speculated that he could turn against the governor during the governorship election. If he does, it could lead to irreversible loss to Bello.

The campaign for re-election by Sani Bello too has not been smooth sailing. In some areas so far visited the governor was reportedly booed especially in Gbako and Lavun local government areas.

The PDP governorship candidate, Umar Mohammed Nasko who has been showered with much show of love from the youths and women may spring a surprise in the election. His choice of a Bida Prince, Mohammed Ndayako also a former chairman of the state branch of the Nigeria Bar Association is a master stroke that has also endeared him to majority of people in the Bida emirate.

The style of campaign of the governorship candidate of the PDP (houseto-house; ward-to-ward; people-topeople) has made it possible for Nasko to reach and talk to more people.

However, lack of enough financial resources may also be a setback for the governorship candidate.

With both contestants coming from the same zone, chances are that they will share from the pool of available votes. There is also the possibility of sharing Niger south senatorial zone where their deputies come from, therefore, Niger east which is predominantly inhabited by the Gbagyispeaking people is going to be the battle field where the governorship race may be decided.

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FEATURES

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

Bringing Power Back to Ibadan Communities Kemi Olaitan writes that after 15 years of total blackout, Ibadan residents celebrate the return of electricity when 16 of its communities were reconnected to the national power grid with the resuscitation of a moribund electrification project

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kanran, Iyana Olubode, Osun Aro, Origbo, Orelope, Idi Obi, Kure, Lanlehin, Owonran, Alagba, Akanran, Olubokun, Ori Okiti, Aro Meta, Olorunda and Jigan are communities in Ona Ara local government area of Oyo State. One thing that these 16 communities along with other 46 communities in the local government have in common is that they have been without electricity for the past 15 years.

Thus, it was a moment of great excitement on Friday, January 18, when the communities were reconnected to the national power grid with the resuscitation of a moribund electrification project initiated by the communities many years ago.

The electricity restoration to the area with the commissioning of a transformer and Akanran-Amuloko electrification project was through the intervention of a prominent son of the area, Engineer Dotun Sanusi, the Chairman and Chief Executive of Ilaji Stadium and Resort Centre.

To mark the inauguration, the Chairman of the local government, Mr. Buliaminu Aderemi Ogundele and the Alakanran of Akanran, Oba Oladipo Obisesan, led Baales, chiefs and large numbers of inhabitants as well as members of social and trade associations in the communities to thronged the Akanran Health Centre, Akanran, the headquarters of the local government.

Other dignitaries present at the epoch making occasion include Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State represented by a member of the House of Representatives representing Irepo/Orelope/Olorunsogo Federal Constituency, Hon. Bosun Oladele; the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Bimbo Kolade represented by a director in the ministry, Mr. Oyetunji Okanlawon; wife of the facilitator, Chief (Mrs.) Joyce Sanusi and a former Commissioner for Education in the state, Mrs. Tokunbo Fayokun.

The council chairman said the affected communities made futile efforts to get well-to-do sons and daughters of the local government to assist in resolving the power problem before contacting Sanusi, who accepted to sponsor the electrification project.

He described his philanthropy as legendary, stating that he had brought “unprecedented all-round development� to the local government which, he noted, had been stagnant for many years.

Ogundele also lauded Sanusi for his philanthropic gesture to his community, charging other indigenes to emulate him.

According to him, the commissioning was a moment of joy for not only the areas affected but the entire local government, stating that with electricity restored development will not be far.

He said: "My profound gratitude goes to the Almighty God for preserving us to be part of the moving train that is bringing development back to our dear local government, one of which is the restoration of electricity back to some communities within Ona-Ara local government and Akanran community to be specific after 15 solid years of total blackout.

"I am greatly delighted to commend one of the illustrious sons of the soil, a lover of progress and a friend of the local government, Engineer Dotun Sanusi, for all his efforts at restoring life back to the local government and making today a reality. Engineer Dotun Sanusi has been of tremendous assistance to the local government and the entire people of Ona-Ara now and in the time past. What we are witnessing today is one of the giant strides of Engineer Dotun Sanusi at making Akanran a model and better place of abode to all and sundry.

"On behalf of the entire people of OnaAra local government, I wish to once again express our sincere appreciation to Engineer Sanusi. It is our prayer that the Almighty

Hon. Oladele inaugurating the electriďŹ cation project while the facilitator, Sanusi (fourth from right) and others look on God would continue to enlarge and prosper him on all sides. Let me use this opportunity to appeal to all illustrious sons, daughters and friends of Ona-Ara local government both at home and in Disapora to emulate Engineer Sanusi in bringing about meaningful development to the local government area.

The management of the local government is ready to collaborate with whosoever has projects for the benefit of our people.

"Furthermore, I want to enjoin the people of Ona-Ara local government to make maximum use of the restored electricity in their businesses thereby boosting the economy of the local government area. This address would not be complete without appreciating our royal fathers, the Alakanran of Akanran, Baales and Chiefs for their contributions to the development of the local government."

On his part, the facilitator of the restoration of electricity, Engineer Sanusi described what has been happening in the local government as “God-in-action� and a tip of the iceberg in relation to subsequent developmental projects which would be carried out. He lauded the people of the area for their determination to halt backwardness and work for the development of the area, noting that with the unity existing among them, further growth and development are assured.

Sanusi said he would continue to make his resources available for the development of his community, stating that the local government has become a model for other local governments in the state. He maintained that his intervention to restore electricity to the area was part of his civic social responsibility to his root, noting that he is nobody without his people.

He said: "I cannot but be in the forefront of what we are witnessing today because this is my root. I am always proud to be from this area, and as long as I am alive, I would continue to contribute my quota not only to the development of Akanran but the entire local government as a whole."

While lauding the committee saddled with the restoration of electricity to the area for a job well done, he charged every indigene of the local government to be committed to its development, stating that the community can now be accessed through the internet courtesy of another son of the area. He disclosed that his football team has continued to do the local government proud by winning various

laurels, stating that the team was founded to keep the youths busy and take them out of the street.

He said, "Whatever we are celebrating is not about me but through our collective efforts, I must specially thank members of the restoration committee for giving their time and resources for the development of our area. With our collective efforts, the sky is the limit for our local government such that the council will continue to develop rapidly.

It is my prayer that the local government area very soon will be a source of pride to all of us."

Sanusi then lauded the council chairman, Hon. Ogundele, for always engaging himself in what would bring development to the local government and succour to the people.

According to him, since his assumption of office early last year, the local government boss has continued to engage in programmes that will change the fortune of the area such that indigenes now see themselves as part of development of the council.

Another community leader, Chief Folorunso Ogunnaike, lauded both Ogundele and Sanusi, stating that the two men are doing wonders because of their humility and sense of responsibility to serve the interest of all. While enjoining all to emulate the kind gesture of Sanusi who he said has contributed immensely to the development of the area, he stated that having wealth is meaningless without it been used for the benefit of the less privileged in the society.

"We must all commend Engineer Sanusi for the great feat he has done to restore electricity to our area that we are celebrating today. A lesson that we must learn from this is that we must endeavour to use our wealth for the people. It is quite unfortunate that most of those who are well to do would not give to those who do not have," he noted.

A member of the restoration of electricity committee, Mr. Abiola Mayowa, said the people of the 62 communities would for ever be grateful for Sanusi for coming to their aid to restore electricity after 15 years of total blackout. According to him, attempts were made to get assistance from government and politicians all to no avail, stating that it was last August that they succeeded in getting across to Sanusi through the local government chairman. He lamented that the communities had suffered untold hardship

without electricity, stating that the blackout made lives unbearable for the residents of the affected communities.

Mayowa who is the Vice Chairman, Lanlehin Community, disclosed that Sanusi committed over N40million to the project, stating that apart from providing transformers he also bought over 240 poles with wire. He added that it was the day that they got in touch with Sanusi that he promised them that he would help in finding solution to their request, charging other wealthy individuals to emulate him and contribute their quota to the development of the area.

He said, "The entire 62 communities cannot but be grateful to our benefactor, Engineer Dotun Sanusi who through his benevolence has brought light to us. What was unique about the whole thing was that it was the day that we presented our request to him that he gave us his words to help. He is a great son that do not blink an eye to come to the aid of his people no matter the cost, indeed the development that he has brought to the entire local government is unquantifiable."

While appealing to others to emulate, Mayowa said not less than six 500 KVA transformers are still needed for all the communities to have electricity, stating that with the commissioning of the restoration of Akanran-Amuloko rural electricity, communities that will benefit include Akanran, Alagba, Owonran and Lanlehin.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Tijani Muhideen, Chairman, Olubokun Community, lamented over what the communities have lost in the last 15 years, stating that most of the people who want to establish small scale industry in the area could not do so because of no electricity. He lauded Sanusi for his contributions to the development of the area in terms of establishment of farms, resort centre and stadium which have made the area a beehive of activities.

His words, "The loses suffered by not less than 400,000 people affected by the total blackout of the last 15 years cannot be quantified. Thus today's event is nothing but a big relief to the people most of whose business has been affected one or the other by the blackout. I can only appeal to our other brothers and sisters to emulate Engineer Sanusi and help with provision of transformers so that all the communities will have electricity."

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FEATURES

Traction for a Tween's Book Drive Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that a book drive by nine-year-old Oluebubechukwu Nwokeoma, the library prefect of Dominican School in Lagos is gaining traction

F

or most preadolescents or tweens, their needs are simple given that they are at that stage of human development following early childhood and preceding adolescence.

Although same holds true for Miss Oluebubechukwu Nwokeoma, a nine-year-old pupil of Dominican Nursery and Primary School Library in Mafoluku, there is an extra fire burning in her to impact her world.

Daughter of Punch Newspaper's Joel Nwokeoma, her penchant for books come as no surprise.

As the library prefect in her school, she recently took on a larger than life task of attracting a donation of 130 books from a group to the school library, a move that propelled other individuals to follow suit with their own donations.

It was in a bid to promote reading culture that Clever Clogs Books in partnership with PEA Foundation, fulfilled Nwokeoma's desire. According to the tween, her pet project is aimed at improving the collection of books in the school’s library.

On the day of presentation, the elated school authorities and pupils had mounted a guard of honour for inspection, showing how important that book drive was for the school at large.

At the book presentation, Mrs Olubunmi Aboderin-Talabi, the Founding Publisher, Clever Clogs Books, in her keynote address titled 'The lifelong benefits of reading', urged the pupils to spend more time on books to enhance their critical reasoning, adding that reading would also help pupils with the ability to communicate and solve problems.

She said: “It keeps you up-to-date; keeps you abreast of novel ideas; and shows you what goals to achieve.

Furthermore, reading widely helps you see life from another perspective.

It literally handles you the keys to your destination because it shows you what is possible. “It helps you define what you want out of life. Reading is a method of relaxation; when you read for leisure it helps to reduce stress. It also increases your ability to pay attention to details, distinguish nuances and so on."

Aboderin-Talabi, who is also the chairperson of Women in Business (WIMBIZ), further charged the pupils that leaders of sustainable organisations and innovators had something in common, which is reading.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, in his address expressed excitement about the project. The commissioner, who was represented

by Mr Demola Adisa, said the project was worth every support especially in the era where technology had taken over pupils’ time.

He however urged the pupils to take advantage of the opportunity the library proffers and invest their time on books; for knowledge is power.

Commending Aboderin-Talabi and Nwokeoma for the gesture, the Head of the School, Rev. Sr. Caroline Igwe, in her welcome address, said libraries played very healthy and important roles, adding that libraries provide a very calm and disciplined atmosphere, which help people to maintain good concentration on their studies.

According to her, libraries also help both teachers and pupils push beyond the safe harbour of the

Mrs Olubunmi Aboderin-Talabi donating books on behalf of Clever Clogs Books to Oluebubechukwu towards her school library project.

Watching with delight are her parents, Mr and Mrs Joel Nwokeoma and the school administrator, Rev Sister Caroline Igwe

Excited school children of Dominican Group of Schools at the book donation ceremony

textbooks and help their pupils navigate the open waters of new and complex information.

She noted that, "libraries are portal to all of the world’s knowledge and

I was spurred to take up the pet project of providing books for the library due to insufďŹ ciency of books to read.

The project would provide my friends and pupils in the school more books to read

Oluebubechukwu reading from New Cheese during the book donation event

are economically efficient. On the other hand, librarians make sure that knowledge continues to be recorded and saved for future even as information storage devices and format change. If libraries are not essential, then why have some of the world’s smartest and richest people poured their time and money into them?"

At the event was an 18-year-old author, Miss Aduragbemi Akintepede, who encouraged the pupils to believe in themselves. According to her, no circumstance, situation or event should be a barrier to actualise the ingenuity their dreams.

Meanwhile, the originator of the pet project, Nwokeoma said she was spurred to take up the pet project of providing books for the library due to insufficiency of books to read, adding that the project would provide her friends and pupils in the school more books to read.

According to her, the next project is to refurbish the school library and provide more shelves and chairs as well as equip it to a 21st century library. To do this, she is banking on the support of family and friends.

While appreciating the donors, her school and parents for the success of the project, she appealed to the pupils to handle the books with care.

Seeing the success of the book donation drive, books are still pouring in from the friends of her father.

According to Joel Nwokeoma, a good friend and development work colleague, Majiri Oghene Bob Etemiku called to say he was sending 19 copies of his exciting story book, Mamud and the Moringa Tree, all the way from Benin City as his own contribution to the #bookdrive for the library project.

He said: "Recall that over 130 books in different subjects were donated by Clever Clogs Books in partnership with PEA Foundation last week at an elaborate event at the Dominican Group of Schools premises.

"Friends have been supporting this ennobling project to enhance the reading culture by donating books. Let's make our children leaders by helping them to read well and wide. Give them books to read and eradicate ignorance."

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IMAGES

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

The AlaďŹ n of Oyo ,Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 11(Right) giving royal blessing to Action Democratc Party (ADP) candidsate,Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala during Akala’s campaign trail to Oyo...recently

L-R: Founder and Principal Consultant, Peaceville Entertainment Group, Ernest Audu; Comedian/Actor, Bright Okpocha (Basketmouth); Founder/CEO, BlackHouse Media Group, Ayeni Adekunle and MTV Base Africa (ROA) Senior Channel Manager, Solafunmi Oyeneye, at a panel session hosted by Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa) during Social Media Week in Lagos‌.recently

L-R: First runner-up, InterswitchSPAK 1.0, Henry Umunna; Group Chief Product and Marketing OďŹƒcer, Interswitch, Cherry Eromosele; Winner of InterswitchSPAK 1.0, Akachukwu Anumudu; GMD/ Founder, Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe; and Second runner-up, InterswitchSPAK. Onyedikachi Kanu, at the grand ďŹ nale of the competition held in Lagos‌.. recently

L-R: Executive Director, Large Enterprise Division, Bank of Industry, Mr Simon Aranonu; ; MD/CEO, BOI,Mr Kayode Pitan President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Babatunde Ruwase; Chairperson, Financial Services Group, Mrs Mojisola Bakare; and Vice Chairman, Financial Services Group, LCCI, Mr Obinna Anyanwu, during a courtesy visit by LCCI to Bank of Industry Head OďŹƒce in Lagos... recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, addressing All Progressives Congress supporters during a campaign rally in Igboho, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oke Ogun zone of the state..recently Photo: Governor’s OďŹƒce

L-R: Lecturer, Nottingham Business School, and Founder of the Been-There-Done-That Hub (BTDT Hub), Dr. Dipo Awojide; Head, Marketing and Communications, Stanbic IBTC, Mrs. Bridget Oyefeso-Odusami; and Group Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Mr. Yinka Sanni, during the Stanbic IBTC’s Masterclass Session on ‘Money Management Tips For Your Enterprise’ at the Social Media Week in Lagos...recently

L-R: Chief Financial OďŹƒcer, Vodacom Nigeria, Oluseyi Olanrewaju; Associate Director, Nigeria, The Association of International CertiďŹ ed Professional Accountants, Ijeoma Anadozie; Executive Vice President, Academics, The Association of International CertiďŹ ed Professional Accountants,(AICPA), Dr. Noel Tagoe; Managing Director, MetroďŹ le, Nigeria, Babatunde Osho and Chief Internal Auditor, Friesland Campina, Rabiu Olowo at the launch of CIMA AICPA 2019 Syllabus in Lagos...recently

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BUSINESSWORLD

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

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Quick Takes Mr. Bigg’s Opens at Idi-Iroko

FOR A VIBRANTSTOCK MARKET

L-R: Past President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr Olutola Mobolurin; Acting Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mary Uduk; President, CIS, Mr Adedapo Adekoje; Minister, Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr Okechuku Enelamah and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment PromotionCommission,YewandeSadiku,attheCIS’interactiveforumwiththeeconomicmanagementteaminLagos‌recently sundayadigun

NNRC: Nigeria’s Earnings from Oil PSC, Lowest in the World Chineme Okafor in Abuja The fraction of oil monies accruable to Nigeria from Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) related agreements it has with International Oil Companies (IOCs) has remained the lowest among other oil producing jurisdictions with same PSC arrangements, the Nigeria Natural Resource Charter (NNRC), has disclosed.

NNRC, which is a Nigerian version of a global initiative designed to help governments and societies effectively harness the opportunities created by their natural resources, also explained in a recent report that royalties from deep-water oil production in Nigeria are still zero per cent.

It explained in the policy brief entitled “improving the management of resource revenues for sustainable development,� that Nigeria has poorly managed its

ENERGY oil revenues, while the government do not want to review laws such as the Deep Offshore and Production Sharing Act of 1993, to allow the country take more from oil production within these arrangements.

According to the report, even the Excess Crude Account (ECA), a fiscal buffer established in 2004, had been poorly managed such that as at 2018, it had less than $2 billion left in it.

It noted that the present fiscal regime for sharing revenues from joint venture arrangements between the government and oil companies was equally archaic, complex and opaque, thereby limiting the revenues accrued to the government.

Highlighting that low returns from oil and gas investments minimise the level of interventions the government can

undertake to improve the lives of Nigerians, the report noted that Nigeria has lost an estimated $18 billion to obsolete oil and gas laws she has kept. “One example of such law is the Deep Offshore and Production Sharing Act 1993.

A major section of the Act gives incentives for deep off shore drilling to oil companies such that those drilling beyond 1000 meters paid zero per cent royalty until such as time as the price of crude went beyond $20. While the $20 benchmark has been crossed since 1993, the federal government has failed to activate this clause resulting in substantial loss of revenue. “The 2017 BER (Benchmarking Exercise Report) finds that the Nigerian government’s take from Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) remains the lowest in the world and deepwater oil royalties remain at zero percent,� said the policy brief.

It added: “Also, outdated contracts and expired Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) are still in force resulting in under assessments, under-payment and invariably loss of revenues to the government. “Overall, government is making less revenue from oil and gas sector because of the prevailing ineffective fiscal regime and opacity which allows for corruption.�

The NNRC said it was important for Nigeria to quickly pass the Petroleum Industry Fiscal Bill (PIFB), which was expected to enhance the effectiveness of oil and gas laws in responding to changing global and local dynamics.

It also stated that while Nigeria tended to be extravagant in its expenditure during oil boom cycles, the optimal way to utilise the opportunities from Continued on page 24

Chike-obi: Why Nigeria Must Target Double-digit Growth Nosa Alekhuogie The Economic Adviser of the Atiku Campaign Organisation and former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr. Mustapha Chike- Obi, has reiterated the need for Nigeria to aim at achieving double-digit growth in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Chike-obi, who spoke on ‘The Morning Show,’ on Arise TV, a THISDAY sister broadcast station, stressed that the slow pace of economic growth, Nigeria would not be able to lift most of its citizens out of poverty. “If we are not growing our GDP at 10 per cent or higher

ECONOMY for the next 10 to 15 years, we would never get the kind of national wealth that would lead the masses out of poverty.

Anything else is trivial. “People talk about corruption all the time and I did a calculation, the maximum amount of money that is possible to steal from the federal government is an easy calculation and its about N500-N800 billion. “But one per cent of GDP growth is roughly N1 trillion. So we are spending all our energy, focusing on N500-N800 billion of possible corruption and ignoring the fact that if we grow our GDP by three or four per cent

higher, the national wealth that would accrue to us is about N5 trillion. “So, yes, corruption is a bad thing and we should face it, but corruption should not be the be-all and end-all of any government,� he said.

Speaking further , Chike-Obi said: “Let me tell you briefly how you do it, you have a policy that says you want to grow, once you agree that, that’s the policy of the team, then you need to have expansionary monetary and fiscal policies. “You must have a massive guarantee programme where the federal government is providing guarantee to the private sector to allow them raise money for projects.

“We don’t have that right now. Nigeria’s guarantee to GDP is about five per cent.

In a developed country like the United States of America, it is about 85 per cent. We must use our balance sheet in a more sensible way instead of borrowing money that we can’t pay back or interest that is killing us. “Let us give guarantee to the private sector, that would explode internally. But simply, I think everybody that is in the core economic team of Atiku Abubakar will lay down his plan of getting 10 per cent GDP growth within three years. “If you can’t do it, don’t Continued on page 24

Mr Bigg’s, a pioneer in the fast food business in Nigeria has opened a new outlet at Idi Iroko in Ogun State.The new outlet which is located withintheMobilFillingstationonIyanaAgoRoad,IdiIrokowasopened penultimate amidst pump and glitz.

A statement explained that the restaurant was strategically located to meet the needs of the teeming population of Owode Yewa and beyond and also an opportunity for customers to savour the Mr Bigg’s vast array of meals within a serene and alluring ambience.

The outlet was commissioned by the Paramount Ruler of Yewa land, Oba John Olakunle Ojo, accompanied by his ďŹ rst class chiefs in the Yewa land.

According to the elated UAC Restaurants’ Managing Executive, Mrs. Joan Ihekwaba, “the restaurant design was carefully conceived to ensure maximum comfort for our numerous customers- the use of comfyseatsandushtablestodepictdierentseatingarrangements that accommodate various consumers’ proďŹ le: family and individual seating.â€?The highpoint of the restaurant build was the large sit-out space-anextensionofthemotherrestaurantwhichallowscustomers to dine in the euphoria of the aesthetics of a vintage home setting.

She said that the birth of the iconic brand in the community has opened up employment opportunities for the indigenes of the land.

‘Octopus’ Gets Endorsement

Heritage Bank has disclosed that its advanced intelligent digital experience, known as Octopus has been endorsed by the 2018 Big Brother Double Wahala (season-3) housemates for its ground breaking innovative solution, crafted to meet the demands of an ever-growing active population with the aim to create and transfer wealth to stakeholders. Four of the 20 contestants, who were engaged with a task that served to launch the bank’s product and have continued to use advanced intelligent digital experience to grow their businesses unanimously hailed the banking solution.

They also commended Heritage Bank for its strategic drive to meet customers’ needs and revolutionalise the banking sector with the upward review of daily transaction limits for Octopus transactions to N200, 000 for Heritage Bank registered users.

The four housemates- Leo Dasilva (Leo), Uloma Iheme (Ifu Ennada), Tobi Bakre and Omololu Shomuyiwa (Lolu), who visited the bank’s head oďŹƒce in Lagos, met with senior management of the institution.

OctopusbyHeritageBankrepresentsanomni-channelmulti-platform experience squarely targeted at the customers of tomorrow; young, smart,professional,tech-savvypioneersofthenewdigitaleconomy.

Bank agnostic, Octopus would provide all customers of any Nigerian bank the opportunity to access a platform that consolidates and connects all their bank accounts delivering convenience and ease of access to an innovative platform and digital community.

The platform owes numerous beneďŹ ts to the users, thereby enable small businesses to key into electronic payment system easily, eďŹƒcient collections, social integration, retention strategy, bills payment, mobile virtual top-up, funds transfer, balance enquiry, movie show time, news.

Cocoa Farmers Hope for More Rain

More downpours are needed to strengthen Ivory Coast’s April-toSeptember cocoa mid-crop despite above-average rains in most growing regions, farmers said. Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa producer, is in the dry season, which runs from November to late February. Scarce showers during this period are crucial to the development of the mid-crop. Farmers in the bush said hot weather was responsible for a tightness in supply as the main crop (OctoberMarch) was tailing o, but that the outlook for the mid-crop was better than it had been last season at the same period.

Farmers said plenty of cherelles and pods of dierent sizes had survived and a good shower would help the crop to be long and large. “The pods are growing well but will need more and more rain, as soils are starting to dry a little,â€? Roger Zamble, who farms in the western region of Soubre, told Reuters. Data collected by Reuters showed that rainfall in Soubre, including the regions of Sassandra and San Pedro, was at 8 millimeters (mm) last week, 2.4 mm above average.

“As most financial observers have noted, the FX rates across various markets governed and regulated by the CBN, have been converging, leaving no room for arbitrage opportunities in Nigeria’s FX market. For avoidance of doubt, the CBN will continue to act in the best interest of Nigeria and shall ensure it remains focused on its core mandate of sustaining the stability in the FX market�

Director, Corporate Communications Department, CBN,

Mr. Isaac Okorafor

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NNRC: NIGERIA’S EARNINGS FROM OIL PSC, LOWEST IN THE WORLD

Banks Urged to Leverage AI

resource endowment would be to deploy the resource revenues for present needs without compromising the needs of the future generation.

In addition, it said that natural resources are nonrenewable resources and saving revenue from extraction will ensure that society effectively transit to a sustainable revenue source and eventually diversify away from oil. “The 2017 BER found that Nigeria tended towards excessive consumption. Since 2012, less than 20 per cent of the total government expenditure has gone to capital expenditure.

Also, of the $180 billion that has accrued into the Excess Crude-oil Account (ECA), a fiscal buffer established in 2004, less than $2 billion remains as at 2018. “The major weakness of the ECA is the lack of appropriate legal backing especially at the sub-national level. Specifically, the structure allows for indiscriminate withdrawals subject to the whims of the beneficiaries; the federal and state governments which diminishes Nigeria’s prospects of saving for its future or for other development prospects,�

Ugo Aliogo

CHIKE-OBI: WHY NIGERIA MUST TARGET DOUBLEDIGIT GROWTH take the job. It can be done.

China has done it, Malaysia, Brazil and they are not smarter than we are. So, once the government is on the same path, and agrees that growth is paramount, then we would get there.�

He also faulted the argument that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did nothing including investments during the economic boom, for 16 years. “I find that rather hypocritical. For President Muhammadu Buhari to drive from Aso villa to the airport in Abuja, the roads are beautiful, somebody built that road. “Everybody now has a cell phone all because of PDP. There are many things PDP has done though they didn’t grow the GDP at the rate I wanted, so things could have been better.

But to say they did nothing in 16 years, is a blatant lie.�

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

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The Founder, Ausso Academy, Dr. Austin Okere, has urged banks to leverage the positive side of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in order to promote predictive analysis and understand customers’ behavioural patterns.

He disclosed this in Lagos, at the February 2019 Institute of Directors (IoD) Members’ Evening with the theme: ‘Artificial Intelligence-Why it Matters,’ held recently.

Okere, also noted that AI was playing a role in driving learning in universities, stating that it also learns people patterns and never forgets incidences.

He stated that there was no road to progress that is risk free, adding that there are risks in AI. He, however, stressed that such risks have to be managed very well, “there is a whole lot we can use AI to help us achieve.�

He added that there is need to embrace AI for the good part which can be learnt from it.

According to him, “in the financial sector, you can take advantage of the positive side, then they should also understand that the system they should put in place, should be able to recognise the behavioural pattern of a customer. “AI can send message to other machines in its network about an incidence

for them to learn about an incidence for them to learn from such incidence. We have to be careful in whose hands AI falls into. “The trends in AI includes transitory, experimental and others. AI will become a political talking point. Logistics will become increasingly efficient. Mainstream auto manufacturers will launch

self-drawing cars. “Peer to peer network will create transparency.

Consumers will become accustomed to talking with technology. Demand for data scientists will surpass demand for engineers. AI will fight challenging diseases.�

In his remarks, the president, Institute of Directors, (IoD), Alhaji Ahmed Moham-

mad, noted that the institute organises advocacy in two ways: leadership development programme especially in general knowledge and governance, risk management, and leadership.

He lamented that some of the challenges facing the country was due to impunity, stating that it is the norm in the country both public and

private service, “we are trying to ensure that members don’t fall prey to these issues.�

Mohammad, expressed confidence that 2019 would be more promising than 2018, adding that the institute would have the code of ethics for directors in the country, which he noted would be approved by the end of the month.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

L-R: Deputy Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mohammed Balarabe receiving the Leadership Bank of the Year Award won by the bank from the Chairman of the occasion, Justice Sylvanus Nsofor in Abuja‌recently

Farmers Eye Bumper Harvest in 2019 James Emejo in Abuja The Nigeria IncentiveBased Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) has commenced the distribution of agricultural inputs to 1,729 rice and maize farmers in Gombe State, under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) for the 2018/2019 dry season farming.

Representative of HABUCOM Farmers Group, beneficiaries of the ABP input distribution, Mr. Rabiu Haruna confirmed that the 1,195 farmers in the cooperative have received 2,170 petrol water pumps which would help them irrigate their farms and

mitigate the impact of the dry season experienced in the region during this period.

According to him: “We farm maize on 2,170 hectares of land and with NIRSAL’s assistance, we now have 2,170 water pumps, which means that we have one water pump for each hectare. “Before now, we did not have enough water pumps to irrigate our farms, we used to hire water pumps and many times the water pumps broke down because we overworked them.�

Other inputs distributed to the rice and maize farmers of HABUCOM and Rice Resources Cooperative include 123 tonnes of Seed, 6,152 Litres of Crop Protec-

tion Chemicals, 769 tonnes of Fertiliser and 3,076 units of knapsack Sprayers.

Group President, Rice Resources Cooperative, Alhaji Ahmed Shehu added that “With the certified improved seeds given to farmers by NIRSAL, we are expecting a bumper harvest of about 120 bags of rice from every two hectares cultivated.�

He said their dreams would soon become a reality with the newly received water pumps which they will use for farm irrigation, enabling them to cultivate rice during the Dry and Wet Seasons of 2019.

He, however, called for additional government support to enable the group

to continue the expansion of their farm operations.

According to him, members of the group had acquired new methods for dry season rice production from NIRSAL’s Project Monitoring Reporting and Remediation Officers (PMRO) but would need further government assistance to expand their cooperative into larger clusters.

He further expressed gratitude to NIRSAL, CBN and the Federal Government for improving the capacity of the group.

According to a statement by Head, Corporate Communications, NIRSAL, Anne Ihugba, NIRSAL is currently completing ABP

input distribution in four states of the north-east which are Gombe, Borno, Taraba, and Adamawa.

The programme seeks to address the pre-upstream challenges associated with the rice and maize value chains in the region. “NIRSAL will, in the coming weeks, flag-off input distribution for the coming Wet Season in Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia, and Delta States where the major commodities to be cultivated are Cassava, Rice and Maize, the statement added.

NIRSAL, last week launched its agricultural input distribution in Sokoto, Bauchi and Kano States, where over 3,000 rice farmers benefited from the CBN ABP.

Firm Calls forTax Concession for Hospitality Businesses Emma Okonji The Managing Director of Jumia hotel and flight services, Omolara Adagunodo, has called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency, grant tax holidays to businesses in the hospitality industry.

This, according to Adagunodo, would strengthen operators in the sector.

Adagunodo who stated this in Lagos recently, hinged the call on the fact that the hospitality industry would contribute more than it is

currently to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the economy if it is granted tax breaks.

In 2017, the federal government released a list of 27 companies to benefit from tax breaks under pioneer status and the hospitality sector was missing.

Considering the challenges faced by industry players in hospitality businesses since 2017, when the list of beneficiaries of tax breaks was released, Adagunodo urged the federal government to include the

hospitality sector in the pioneer status so that the sector could also enjoy its many benefits.

The hospitality sub-sector is currently faced with an avalanche of taxes ranging from Registration of Hospitality Premises, Stamp Duty, Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSIT), Industrial Training Fund [ITF] National Pension Commission (PENCOM), Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Value Added Tax (VAT), Pay As You Earn (PAYE),

Company Income Tax, Withholding Tax, Liquor License, Food Handlers, to Health Certificate among others.

According to Adagunodo, “The travel and Tourism sector accounted for 1.9 per cent of total GDP as a direct contribution, and 5.1 per cent as a total contribution to GDP in 2017.

In monetary terms, Travel and Tourism contributed N2.298 billion to the GDP as a direct contribution and N6.205 billion as a total contribution to the GDP.

“For jobs, the sector directly generated 1.2 million jobs, that’s 1.8 per cent of total employment, which showed a rise by 4.7 per cent in 2018 to 1.276 million.

Whereas total jobs created both direct and indirect was 3.3 million, which is 4.8 per cent of total employment.�

This percentage GDP contribution will significantly increase as these businesses will invest the money on boosting service delivery and overall improvement in the quality of business, she added.

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BEDC Boosts Safety Campaign in Edo Schools The BEDC Electricity Plc (BEDC) has further demonstrated its commitment to reducing electrical accidents among school children and tampering with electricity equipment as it continued with its safety sensitisation campaigns in primary and secondary schools.

The power distribution company donated over 20,000 exercise books with safety tips to some schools in Edo state.

The safety sensitisation exercise was part of BEDC’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.

Speaking during the campaign held at Eyean Secondary School in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo state, recently, Health, Environment and Safety Manager of BEDC, Mr. Gilbert Nweke, educated the students on the dangers resulting from unsafe acts such as tampering with electrical installations, living and trading under high tension

overhead lines, overcrowded electrical sockets, stepping/ touching lines (electrical wires) and playing near distribution sub- stations etc.

The Principal, Eyean Secondary school, Mr. P.K Idemudia, who was elated at the exercise expressed appreciation to BEDC for the visit, saying: “this is a good innovation by BEDC, it is the first time we are witnessing this campaign from any electricity service providers in the country.�

He advised other distribution companies (Discos) to take a cue from BEDC to reach out to children who formed major part of the vulnerable segment of their customer population that were more prone to electrical accident.�

The team Lead of CSR Project, Mrs. Felicia Nlemoha said, “the campaign will promote safety in the use of electricity at home, schools, road, and workplace and reduce the rate of electricity accidents and hazards amongst

students. “The students will now become safety ambassadors in their various homes.�

She further stated that as part of give back to the society, selected schools will get educational materials from BEDC which includes branded exercise books and snapper frames inscribed with safety tips, safety message, amongst other items. “In addition to the safety campaign, BEDC will also commence the formation of energy clubs called ‘Joules’ in secondary schools. The growth of Joules club will metamorphose into a debate competition among member schools. The winners of the competition will in turn become brand ambassadors of BEDC. “The objectives of the Joules clubs is to groom secondary students to take up careers in the electricity industry and to boost the current drive by BEDC and other Discos to tackle manpower gap in the power sector.�

Onyema Urges Aviation Workers to Imbibe Hard Work The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema has urged aviation workers, especially those in the airline arm of the industry, to imbibe the virtues of hard work, humility, honesty and integrity to save their organisations from going down.

Onyema, made the call during a reception held in honour of retiring Air Peace Flight Operations Manager, Mr. Olawale Amos Olajide in Lagos recently.

The Air Peace boss decried the increasing trend of dishonesty among airline staff, saying a lot of carriers have been destroyed by their workers’ lack of integrity and disloyalty. He described Olajide as a dedicated, hardworking, honest and humble man of exceptional integrity and professionalism in the aviation industry. Olajide, he said, joined Air Peace as pioneer Flight Operations Manager on July 1, 2013, and made huge contributions to the carrier’s ascendancy to the leadership of the air travel business in Nigeria and West Africa. “Olajide would have retired two years ago. When he came

to tell me, he did not say he was retiring to go and join another airline, because one thing is certain in this country, there is no airline better than Air Peace.

I say this with every sense of humility and responsibility. When he told me he was retiring, I couldn’t take it. I told me ‘you are not going anywhere. You have to continue until I say it is okay’. He honoured my request to stay for another two years. “Let me tell you something that you have to know tonight.

If you have not got to the stage your employer will not allow you to leave, then you should begin to ask yourself questions.

I want all of us here to make it impossible for your employer to let you go. “What I am saying here is to encourage you to be like Mr. Olajide. Mr. Olajide gave his all to Air Peace. He was employed on July 1, 2013. That was the hardest period of our lives.

That was the period he joined.

He contributed immensely to everything we are today. He doesn’t react to pressure. “Whatever comes, Mr. Olajide remains the same calm Mr.

Olajide. He uses his calmness and humility to disarm you. He has patience in abundance. He has tolerance in abundance. I wish we all would learn from him. He is a man of integrity and honesty,� he said.

Onyema thanked Olajide’s spouse, Paulina and children for supporting their patriarch to sustain his reputation of hard work and honesty.

He urged Olajide’s children to follow their father’s example and acquit themselves creditably in their different places of work.

He presented a certificate of excellence, cash and car to the retiring member of staff, saying Air Peace was grateful for his dedication to duty and would miss his valuable contributions to its flight operations.

Responding, Olajide said he was grateful to Onyema and Air Peace for the opportunity offered him to contribute to efforts to grow the airline.

He assured that he would continue to be part of the carrier’s vision to transform air travel in the country and beyond.

Group Organises Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition in Cote’d voire Hamid Ayodeji The Export Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) have conducted arrangement to organise a Made-in-Nigeria Exhibition (MINE) programme in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire.

The programme is being organised under the umbrella of the Nigeria-ECOWAS Export Development (NEED).

The maiden edition of the MINE programme scheduled to hold from March 27-30, 2019,

is organised for small, medium and large scale manufactures of different products from different sectors of the Nigerian economy; while also covering services for professionals and entertainment industries. According to a statement signed by the Regional Coordinator, NEPC and Chairman, Export Group LCCI, the NEED Committee was set-up by the president of LCCI in February 2018, to develop a programme that helps the nation take advantage of the potential in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) markets. ‘’The ECOWAS market

remains an untapped potential that could lead to significant growth in non-oil export from Nigeria. With a population of about 350 million people and GDP of about 1.48 trillion dollars, this market remains the low hanging fruits to be fully explored in the quest for the growth of the non-oil export volume from Nigeria,’’ they disclosed.

The statement added that the sectors and items covered include; processed agricultural products, cosmetics, fashion and clothing, pharmaceuticals, beverages, film and music, electrical wire and cables as well as manufactured products.

ELEVATING TO THE NEXT LEVEL Marie-Therese Phido

Business Etiquette Makes the Difference – Part 1 In todays, world professionalism has become synonymous with business etiquette.

The way you behave is constantly being evaluated. Many stellar professionals have missed moving up in their careers because of the little thing some would call manners or business etiquette. As you grow higher in your career, your technical capability is a given. What now begins to count are your soft skills. How well do you work a room? What are your social skills? Do you have strong relationships and who do you know that matters? Can your relationships make a difference for the organization? Though times have changed, and we find ourselves in the digital age, certain things will remain constant.

Social norms and professional behavior will always be a requirement and they make a big difference in the perception and success of a business. There is no arguing the fact that performance and quality are important too of course, but not exclusively. We sometimes forget that business is about people. There is no shortage of competent and reliable people in the business world and manners will always make the difference.

Nobody wants to work or do business with a boorish person irrespective of the amount of money or profit involved? The thing is that if you even start to work with such a person or organization, it is not sustainable, because the stress levels of having to deal with a person or organization with poor etiquette can be very stressful.

Below are 15 business etiquette rules we should follow, according to Royale Scuderi.

When in doubt, introduce others - Always introduce people to others whenever the opportunity arises, unless you know that they’re already acquainted. It makes people feel valued, regardless of their status or position.

A handshake is still the professional standard - Not only does this simple gesture demonstrate that you’re polite, confident and approachable, it also sets the tone for any potential future professional relationship. In a very casual work atmosphere, you might be able to get away with a nod or a hello, but it’s worth it to make the extra effort to offer your hand.

Always say “Please� and “Thank you� - This should go without saying, but even in a very casual professional atmosphere, this basic form of courtesy is still imperative. Today, sending a thank you e-mail is perfectly acceptable, but a handwritten thank you note is always a nice touch.

Don’t interrupt - We’ve become a nation of “over-talkers,� so eager to offer our own opinions or press our point that we often interrupt others mid-sentence. It can be tongue-bitingly difficult to force ourselves not to interject, especially when the discussion is heated. Don’t. It’s rude and shows disrespect for the opinions of others. Remember, be assertive, not aggressive.

Watch your language - Verbal and written communications are often much less formal than in times past, but be careful to choose your words wisely. Of course, derogatory, rude or offensive language is unacceptable, but so is slang. While it may be commonplace in our society, it’s never acceptable in a professional atmosphere.

Double check before you hit send - While we’re on the subject of communication,

always check your e-mails for spelling and grammar errors. Since the advent of spell check, there is no excuse for typos.

Also, do a quick read to make sure the meaning and tone are what you wish to convey. And no smileys, please.

Don’t walk into someone’s office unannounced - It’s disrespectful to assume that you have the right to interrupt other people’s work. Knock on the door or say hello if it’s open and ask if it’s a good time to talk. If the discussion is going to take more than a few minutes, it’s a good idea to call or e-mail and schedule a good time for both of you.

Don’t gossip - It’s so hard sometimes to resist engaging in a little “harmless� gossip. But the reality is that gossip is never harmless. It is most certainly damaging to the subject of the gossip, but it also reflects poorly on you. It’s natural to be curious and interested in what other people are doing, but talking about someone who is not present is disrespectful.

Don’t eavesdrop - Everyone is entitled to private conversations, in person or over the phone. The same goes for e-mail; don’t stand over someone’s shoulder and read their e-mails.

Acknowledge others - When someone approaches you, acknowledge him or her.

If you’re in the middle of something important, it’s fine to ask them to wait a minute while you finish. If you pass someone in the hallway or on the street, but don’t have time to talk, at least wave a hand and say hello. Busyness is not an excuse to ignore people.

Avoid the “Big Two� - We have blurred many of the personal and professional lines, but politics and religion are still off-limits. These topics are highly charged minefields for a professional atmosphere.

Leave them at the office door.

Be on time - We’re all busy. Being punctual shows others that you value their time. Being late doesn’t mean that you’re busier than other people; it just means that you’re inconsiderate.

No phone during meetings - When you’re in a meeting, focus on the meeting discussion. Don’t take calls, text or check e-mail. It’s disrespectful to the other attendees, not to mention, extremely annoying. It also makes meetings last longer because the participants keep losing focus.

Don’t be a business card pusher - Don’t simply hand out business cards to everyone you meet. It’s a bit aggressive unless you’re on a sales call. Ask for the other person’s card, offer to exchange cards or at the very least, ask if you can leave your card before you reach in your pocket.

Show genuine interest - Keep eye contact and make an effort to truly listen to what others are saying. We are so easily distracted in this climate of increasingly short attention spans; we often can’t wait for the other person to hurry up and finish so we can move on to the next thing. Resist the lure of distraction and haste. Take the time to ask questions and show an interest in the other person’s thoughts.

There are still so many areas to cover on business etiquette. We will be touching on other issues in the next few weeks.

Be expectant!

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

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Ashade: Investors Should Have Clear Investment Objectives The Group Chief Executive Officer of United Capital Plc, an investing banking group, Mr. Peter Ashade, in this interview with Goddy Egene, speaks on the operations of the firm and various capital market issues. Excerpts: Given the volatility in the market, what is the best way you would advise investors to play the market?

First, every investor must understand the market. When you do not understand where you are playing as an investor, there is no way you can take advantage of what is happening.

Volatility is part of the capital market antics.

An investor who understands that the market could go up and down is best suited to make calculated decisions towards meeting investment goals. The second is having a clear objective for investing in the market. Some may invest to earn revenue, and others for capital appreciation.

The third is to tame greed. Sticking to a clear investment objective is an effective principle for savvy investors. For instance, you can say if I get 10 per cent, I think I have made my day. I should leave. Then you discover that the share price of your investment goes up and gets to that 10 per cent goal. If you still see that the markets rally beyond that, and you decide to wait a little, then that’s greed setting in. In waiting a little, the market could be up 11, 12 per cent and before you know what is going on, you are down seven per cent. So greed also needs to be addressed in making investment decisions. In summary, you must understand the market you are playing in, stick to a clear objective for investing, and ensure that you are not greedy in terms of your investment outlook.

United Capital Plc recently released its Economic Outlook Report, can you tell us more about the report and its signiďŹ cance to stakeholders?

We recently launched our 2019 market playbook titled “Sailing Through the Storm,� wherein we not only acknowledged the global and domestic factors that would drive volatility this year, but we also recommended strategies on how investors can take advantage of the environment to beat the market. In the report, we maintained that economic recovery will remain gradual and considerably underwhelming in 2019 amid election-related uncertainties. We expect the headline inflation rate to stay elevated, well above CBN’s single-digit target, but marginally below the current MPR of 14 per cent. We do not see a sharp depreciation of the naira, but we expect pressure to persist. However, Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) are unlikely to return until after the election. We imagine that the MPC will continue to hold off any rate cut in H1-19, in view of elevated uncertainties in the polity. As such, aggressive liquidity mop-up will continue amid changes in global monetary conditions, expanded political spending, calls for a new minimum wage and higher inflation.

Looking back at the performance of the Nigerian capital market in 2018, are you surprised that the market could not sustain the 2017 growth?

Actually, I am not surprised. There were key factors that supported the performance of 2017 market position. For instance, the market was up 42 per cent in 2017, buoyed by positive sentiments linked to the exit of the Nigeria economy from 2016 recession, and expectations of even stronger growth in 2018. But the domestic economy performed below expectations in 2018, and other global developments steered foreign investors towards advanced economies more than emerging markets. Also, in the case of Nigeria, the build up towards 2019 election begun in the second half 2018, thus elevating socio-political risks and inducing bearish sentiments. The volatile oil sector, and the political terrain in Nigeria really affected the performance of the market. So, the underperformance of the equities market in 2018 compared to 2017 was unsurprising.

How do think the market will perform this year? Are you optimistic that we may see a recovery?

I am cautiously optimistic. For this year 2019, in terms of performance, there is likely to be some elevation in market performance perhaps in the second half the year when the

Company Plc, to rights from May & Baker.

There were more rights issues in 2017, close to N200 billion was raised by Larfarge, Guinness, UACN among others. What’s more, Lafarge Africa Plc is also raising another N90billion rights issue. Clearly, the ability of corporates in Nigeria to raise equity is not really a problem.

The key issue remains the state of the economy as well as the socio-political environment which often drives or drags investor sentiment. Once these issues are addressed, I believe that the primary equity market would receive a new lease of life.

What do you think is responsible for increased corporate appetite for commercial papers?

Over 2018, the market saw a chunk of Commercial Paper (CPs) issuances by corporates such as Sterling Bank, Access, FSDH Merchant, Nigerian Breweries, Coronation Merchant and Dangote Cement, amongst others. I think the relatively lower yield environment and lesser participation by the FGN in the domestic debt market (which hitherto, crowded out access to the domestic debt market by corporates) was the primary factor behind the increased corporate participation.

Ashade

elections-related political risks would have waned. On the global scene, risks of capital flight from emerging markets persist as some advanced economies raise interest rates, and this could subdue performance. However, the elections would come in the first half of the year and the euphoria will end in the first half of the year after which a rebound in market performance becomes more likely regardless of the political party that eventually becomes the ruling party.

In terms of recovery, we may not see strong recovery but a gradual one in 2019 which should build expectations for even stronger recovery by 2020 as the domestic economy slowly improves.

Despite the fact that equities market offers significantly high returns, some investors remain sceptical, what can be done to encourage improved investor participation?

The equities market is best suited for medium to long-term investors. It is not another gamble or bait. So, as new investors enter the market, continued investors’ education is key to sustaining interest. Investors will come to realise that it is not where 100 percent returns can be made in one day. It could happen, but not likely.

But at least one should bear it in mind that it is a market for medium to long-term players.

Careful planning and patience during periods of growth and volatility in the market are key qualities of savvy investors. To build a strong

Also, in the case of Nigeria, the build up towards 2019 election begun in the second half 2018, thus elevating socio-political risks and inducing bearish sentiments. The volatile oil sector, and the political terrain in Nigeria really affected the performance of the market

equity market involves both the regulator side and the investor side. Regulators need to put proper structure in place to deepen the market even in terms of even coming up with different products that investors can play in. On the investor side, investors’ education is key and this could be driven by both regulators and operators in the market. This market belongs to all of us and it has come to stay.

I know deepening the market ought to be a collectively responsibility but is United Capital Plc doing anything to contribute towards attracting more investors to the market?

Sincerely, we are doing a lot. United Capital has been in this space for a very long time.

We have at different times, played our roles in supporting the regulator in deepening the market. We have participated in various investors education that is being orchestrated by the regulator. On our part, we have also centralised our investment platform and offer a wide bouquet of financial and investment solutions to our growing client base. We are also very active on the social media towards providing the public with information on investment education.

The primary issue segment of the equity market has remained relatively inactive for some time; how can this be revived?

Every market is a reflection of the economy and Nigeria is no exception. What you see in the primary market is a reflection of the position the country is in today and if there is no clemency in the economy, if the operating environment is not conducive, if there is no ease of doing business, if it takes a lot of time for offers to be approved, you will see that companies are not coming up to do business because the environment does not support their business. The fundamental way to boost primary market activities is to create a pro-business and stable economic environment for the private sector to thrive. Once this has been done, the next is to ease listing requirements on the NSE. However, what we have seen over the last few years has been more of economic instability and recession with little or no reforms. However, some corporates were seen at the primary segment of the equity market in 2018, with the most recent being the recent initial public offering (IPO) by Skyway Aviation Handling

The year 2018 was tough for companies and considering that fact United Capital Plc is player in the capital market environment, what should be the expectations of shareholders?

As a group, we are committed to regularly providing value to not just shareholders, but all our stakeholder groups. For shareholders particularly, we have taken this commitment very seriously over the past years. Despite the tough economic terrain, we have consistently provided value for shareholders. We expect to continue this trend this year and hopefully scale up in the coming years.

One of the targets of United Capital is to bring new products and innovations to drive your operations, how far have you gone in this direction?

Yes, indeed innovation is at the core of our existence as a corporate entity. The world around us is changing and we know that we must change with it if we must continue maintaining market leadership in all our areas of business.

So, internally, we are doing a lot in terms of innovation, scoping the market for available opportunities and reviewing our existing offerings to see how we can serve our customers better.

We hope to launch with some new products in the coming months.

United Capital Plc also planned to expand its operations to some African countries, what is the update on this?

Yes, we have always had Pan-Africa aspirations, but we are treading very carefully. We are closely monitoring our countries of interest and we will move when the time is right.

The company launched some funds in 2017, how are they doing in the market and should we expect more products from your stable?

Yes, we launched two mutual funds in 2017; the Eurobond Fund and the Women for Wealth Fund. Both funds have been very successful and well received by the market. The Wealth for Women Fund promotes the financial inclusion of the female gender by increasing their access to financial investment products and addressing the current imbalance of most investment products being skewed towards the male gender. The Eurobond Fund is invested in Dollar denominated Eurobonds, floated by the Federal Government of Nigeria, as well as top-tier corporates. Subscribers receive competitive short to medium term capital appreciation on their dollar holdings invested in the Fund better than they would receive on domiciliary deposits.

The Eurobond Fund has grown significantly since it was launched. In fact, in 2018, the size of the Fund more than doubled from about $3.6 million to over $8 million. We plan to launch more funds this year in sectors and segments where we see opportunities.

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Avanti Partners MainOne on Broadband Penetration Emma Okonji and Chris Uba Avanti Communications Group Plc, a leading provider of satellite data communications services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and MainOne, a premier connectivity and data centre solutions company in West Africa, have signed an agreement to jointly

improve broadband penetration across Nigeria by providing the latest KA-band based satellite communication services to enterprises located in remote areas of the country.

A statement said the two companies made this announcement at the Nerds Unite, an annual IT conference hosted by MainOne. Under this arrange-

ment, MainOne would leverage Avanti’s newest satellite, HYLAS 4, launched in April 2018 to enable highly flexible capacity services with 100 per cent country coverage of Nigeria.

Such coverage is most critical and would accelerate the time to deploy internet broadband services into remote areas that are difficult to reach by fibre

infrastructure.

The partnership would also include the deployment of Avanti’s ECO initiative, which bundles broadband access, solar power and embedded Wi-Fi services for schools and small communities, ideal for deployment in remote parts of the country where power availability and connectivity

services remain a challenge.

The partnership was also backed with the commissioning and launch of Avanti’s new Gateway Earth Station (GES) in Nigeria, hosted at MainOne’s Tier III Data Centre ‘MDXi’.

Libby Barr, Chief Operating Officer at Avanti, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with MainOne and look forward to

building a strong relationship to enable rollout of satellite broadband services across West Africa. “Avanti’s products will greatly complement MainOne’s existing fibre-based networks by providing reliable connectivity services to its enterprise customers beyond its immediate fibre reach.

NSIA Insurance Launches Health Insurance Plan Ebere Nwoji NSIA Insurance has launched a new International Health Insurance product known as the NSIA Health Insurance, into the Nigerian market.

The company, said in order to deliver on all that is expected

of an international health insurance offering, it is has gone into partnership with Cigna and Hollard.

Cigna is a Fortune 500 company in the USA and one of the world’s leading providers of health benefits enabled through its 41,000 employees serving

over 90 million customers all over the world. On the other hand, Hollard is South Africa’s largest independent insurance company, with an ever-growing African footprint making it known throughout the continent for innovative approach and customer-centric

brand.

The NSIA Health Insurance, provides a robust health plan to local companies who want to provide their staff with access to quality healthcare in Nigeria and beyond as well as multinationals operating in Nigeria who desire to harmonise their

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health insurance plan across Africa.

A statement from the company said staff of these companies once enrolled, are able to access the finest quality health care available all over Africa and the rest of the world whenever they

need such services.

According to the Managing Director of NSIA Insurance, Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, “This is a promise that is already being fulfilled by our technical partners in Nigeria and other parts of the world where they operate.

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Enhancing Compliance among Currency Dealers The recent digitisation of Bureaux de Change operations with the launch of the association’s live portal is expected to enhance compliance by the currency dealers, writes Obinna Chima The Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON) recently unveiled its live run automation portal to over 4,500 Bureau De Change (BDCs) in Lagos.

The initiative which has the backing of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), is expected to improve compliance and ensure seamless operations of the currency dealers.

ABCON President, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, described the initiative as a game changer for the sub-sector.

Gwadabe who spoke on the theme: ‘Digitising BDC Operations for Efficiency, Transparency and Regulatory Compliance,� said the project would enhance BDCs compliance with set regulations, restore their lost glory and promote market integrity.

The platform, Gwadabe explained, allows BDCs to send their reports online real time, thereby removing the challenge of manual rendition of reports that has been confronting operators for decades. “The objective of this launching is firstly, to change the negative perception towards BDCs in Nigeria. We have a very negative perception from the public and regulators. This is due to the nature of our operations which has been manually-driven for decades. Today, we are by this ABCON Live Run Automation Portal project, automating BDCs operations nationwide. This will not only bring efficiency to our business, but change the local and global perception of our operations for good,� the ABCON boss explained.

Gwadabe added: “This is our own way of improving the image of Nigeria in the eyes of international community. Remember that this year will witness the visit of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to Nigeria for the assessment of the country. “The FATF views BDCs as one of the weakest links in the Nigerian financial services value-chain.

So, because of that, we want to improve the entire perception of BDCs in Nigeria more importantly by putting tested IT infrastructure for our members to utilise.�

He further explained that the automation integrates three of Nigeria’s regulatory agencies.

First, it addresses the CBN, NIFU and the NIBSS platforms. “We send our Suspicious Transactions Reports (STRs) daily utilisations and purchases fillings to the CBN. To the NFIU, we conduct our Cash Transfer Report, STR. The NIBSS platform will capture Know Your Customers (KYC) validation and Bank Verification Number (BVN) validation of our clients. So, you can see, it is robust and all-encompassing in addressing anti-money laundering and terrorism financing. “The anti-money laundering and terrorism financing is fast damaging the image of financial institutions, and BDCs are no exceptions. That is why we are putting this automation for our members to be empowered to compete globally, and comply with regulations with ease,� Gwadabe added. The ABCON boss said the world was going digital, and BDC operators under his leadership was committed to staying ahead of the competition by deploying time-tested technology to deliver effective services to forex end-users.

According to him, the portal would sustain transparent transactions in the BDC corridor, boost the morale of its members and ensure sustained operations. Gwadabe explained that the project came with three layers and stages. First layer is on online real time registration of our members with a success rate of over 4,500 BDCs registered nationwide. This layer is to enable our members conduct their membership registration from any of their location without coming physically to ABCON Secretariat.

The second layer bothers on automation of ABCON’s operational process, book keeping, issuance of receipt, preparation of accounts, balance sheets, ledgers and sales/purchase registers. The most important of this layer is the online real time rendition of returns to regulatory agencies.

Another important feature of this layer is the BDCs on boarding and integration of the BVN platform on the NIBSS portal for verifications and validation of clients’ BVNs, which is a most

vital requirement forex sale.

He said that with this development, the NFIU, EFCC and CBN supervision officials do not need to physically visit BDC offices to look at their books and ascertain the level of compliance adding that the technology driving the project is cloud-based. He said the scheme will enable the BDCs to save cost and make more money from their operations.

He advised: “If you remove compliance, we become enemies of NFIU, CBN and even EFCC. So, operators have to give priority to compliance and following due process in their work. Remember, the ABCON members are the key drivers of the forex market and their contributions to exchange rate stability are being acknowledged by the regulators, hence the level of quality representation we have seen at today’s event�.

He explained that once a BDC operator violates set regulation due to non-compliance, it will adversely affect such operator and could even lead to outright withdrawal of operating licenses.

NIBSS Representative, Samuel Oleyemi, said ABCON and NIBSS started the automation journey when everyone was still doubting the possibility of making it happen. He said that BDC business is globally recognised and contributes immensely

The FATF views BDCs as one of the weakest links in the Nigerian ďŹ nancial services valuechain. So, because of that, we want to improve the entire perception of BDCs in Nigeria more importantly by putting tested IT infrastructure for our members to utilise.â€?He further explained that the automation integrates three of Nigeria’s regulatory agencies.

First, it addresses the CBN, NIFU and the NIBSS platforms

to financial system growth. “The financial system is incomplete without BDCs. We at NIBSS want you to continue to comply with set regulations. NIBSS will partner with ABCON to ensure that only 36.6 million people in Nigeria with BVN will buy dollar from BDCs,� Oleyemi said.

Also speaking, representative Head Compliance at NFIU, Adamgbe Williams, urged BDCs to always comply with set regulations. “File your reports as and at when due. File reports on all transactions from N10 million for companies and N5 million for individuals. File these reports on weekly basis to NFIU and you have done your work. Always do your KYC and due diligence report. Once you do that, there is nothing to worry. But when you fail to file your reports to us, we will sanction you or report you to the CBN for sanction if we lack to power to act,� he stated.

Exchange Rate Stability According to the currency dealer, it is because of various initiatives introduced by ABCON the years that have supported the stability of the naira.

This, he pointed out was why the naira has been stable at both the official and parallel markets despite huge campaign spending by political parties. He also linked the stable exchange rate to measures instituted by the central bank to ensure that foreign exchange demand at the retail end of the market was met. Gwadabe listed such measures to include the sustenance of dollar supply to over 4,100 BDC operators across the country through the International Money Transfer Operations (IMTOs) forex window, which he said had helped the status of the local currency. “The naira remains stable despite political party’s campaigns and spending across the nation. The strategic partnership, actions and pre-actions of the CBN and ABCON have stopped distortions to the exchange rate due to ongoing politicking and campaign spending in the country “ABCON has on its part, ensured that its members continue to make dollar accessible to critical end-users like travellers demanding personal and business travel allowances, school fees and medical bills payment abroad among others,� he said.

He said ABCON was aware that money laundering and terrorist financing posed not only enormous threat, but also enormous challenges to the economy, security, and social life of Nigerians, the West Africa region and globally.

Owing to this, he disclosed that a joint study conducted by the Global Financial Integrity (GFI) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) had

shown that between 2000 and 2009, about $30.4 billion was illicitly transferred out of Africa each year. Over a longer period of 30 years, calculated from 1980, the resource drain was between $1.2 and $1.3 trillion.

According to this, outflows from West and Central Africa stood at 37 per cent, followed by North Africa -31 per cent and Southern Africa – 27 per cent. The illicit financial flows (IFFs) are derived from various predicate offences of money laundering. “I want to assure you that BDCs under ABCON do not want to be part of the groups contributing to the IFFs and therefore, we are doing everything within our power to ensure we comply with AML/CFT rul The IMTOs Challenge The ABCON boss said the group was discussing with the CBN on making BDCs International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) direct agents after the regulator approved additional agents for the country. “Partly, the complain of CBN is whether the BDCs have the right infrastructure in place. The IMTOs look at that criteria too. They want to know if BDCs have internet, computers, scanners to capture their transactions. And all our members here today have put those structures in place. And there is about $24 billion that come into Nigeria annually from the Diaspora. “The CBN only captures six per cent of this diaspora remittances and the rest goes under the counter without any tracing. And the BDCs with our number of 4,500, (only China that has 1,500 in the world), we are actually the best to utilise the inflow of IMTOs. They are about 60 now, and we are still pushing to the CBN, letting them know that we can do it and the full automation of BDCs’ operations launched today is another milestone and proof that we are ready to play that role in the interest of the economy,� he stated.

Gwadabe also called on the CBN to review the transaction margin for BDCs upwards to five per cent adding that the current one per cent that operators take is not sufficient and falls below global standards.

Also speaking on the transaction margin, General Manager, Travelex Nigeria, Tony Enwereji, said in other countries where the company operates, transaction margin is always around six per cent. “Our lest margin globally is six per cent. But your patience perseverance will pay off one day.

I believe that once this automation is completed, your margin of transaction will go up because I believe that the leadership of ABCON is heading in the right direction,� he said.

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Between NUPENCO and PenCom’s Transfer Window The recent licencing of the Nigerian University Pension Company by the National Pension Commission has spelt the need for immediate commencement of transfer window for the sector, writes Ebere Nwoji The recent approval of operational license for Nigerian University Pension Management Company (NUPENCO), a new Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) that will oversee the management of pension funds contributed by university workers, by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) has raised a lot of questions on the modus operandi of the 15- year old contributory pension scheme(CPS) in Nigeria.

The questions are coming from stakeholders who argued that before now, many contributors had been agitating to migrate from their pension fund managers to another manager of choice, but were not allowed because both the managers and the regulator kept on telling them to wait for the commencement of the long awaited transfer window.

However, with the licencing of the university workers’ special PFA, these category of contributors have questioned how these university workers would migrate from their existing PFAs to the newly approved pension manager or if the regulator would bend the rule for the category of workers.

According to those who spoke with THISDAY, the regulator would be seen as being partial if it goes ahead to approve the anticipated migration of the university workers to the new PFA before the commencement of the window transfer.

They stressed the need for PenCom to finetune work on the transfer window to enable it take-off immediately.

Among the issues the commission said had continued to delay the take-off of the policy is registration and biometrics as it had said it wants to address issues such as double registration by some contributors and improper identification which may lead to transferring one person’s fund to another, before it unveils the policy.

But some contributors have blamed the commission for the continued delay, arguing after all, the transfer window was one of the rules enshrined in the PRA 2004 and ought to have been implemented one year after the commencement of CPS. The contributors are of the opinion that it will be better for the transfer window to take off before the commencement of the micro pension scheme which is expected to bring in additional 250,000 contributors into the CPS every year, to avoid much more complication in the system.

Section 11(2) of the Pension Reform Act 2004 (amended in 2014), provides that an employee has right to migrate from one PFA to another without adducing reasons, but may not do this more than once in a year.

NUPENCO Licencing Speaking on the recent licencing of NUPENCO, Mr Peter Aghahowa, Head Inspection and Investigative unit, PenCom, said the commission made special arrangement that would enable the university workers who wish to change their PFA migrate to the new NUPENCO. He however said this would not be enforced, adding that those who wish to remain with their previous managers are at liberty to do so.

Asked if the special arrangement would be extended to other workers much eager to change their PFAs, he said they would have to wait for the commencement of the transfer window.

According to him, the transfer window would kick off this year.

He pointed out that the issue of identification and metrics which had been delaying the commencement have been resolved.

On the possible agitation by other sector workers for their own special PFA and the implication on the existing licenced PFAs, Aghahowa, said though it may be a genuine concern, there are close to 20 million workers and those captured in the CPS is just about six million. To him, there is a huge untapped market at the disposal of the PFAs. He said what the existing PFAs need to do is to diversify their clientele especially with the take-off of the micro pension. “Those that have single based clientele will feel threatened but those that are diversified will have nothing to lose,� he said.

Mr Ifeanyi Anorue of the Department of

Mass Communication, University of Nigeria Nsukka, noted that the struggle for independent body to manage university workers’ pension was informed by the obvious lack of confidence in the existing PFAs. He said this stems from the fact that the survival of every pensioner depends on what happens to his pension funds.

He said if other important stakeholders like the military and police have their pension specially managed by a special body to guarantee their privacy and future, why would university workers not have their pension managed by special body of their choice whom they have confidence in.

One of the legal luminaries that drafted the Pension Reform Act 2004, Barrister Ivor Takor, while speaking on this said “NUPENCO is registered as a PFA with her promoters being university staff unions, with the objective of NUPENCO administering contributory pension scheme for workers in the sector.�

According to him, being a PFA, all provisions in the Act relating to the conduct and operations of a PFA shall apply to it.

He noted that before its licencing, the staff had Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) with existing PFAs, adding, “It is my view that transition of university workers from their current PFAs to NUPENCO is not expected to be automatic because Pension Reform Act 2014 in Section 11 subsection 1, confers on an employee the right to choose a PFA of his or her choice, without the interference of the employer. “This section also applies to NUPENCO. NUPENCO will have to sell itself to the workers of the sector. One needs to remind that what is paramount to the workers is the security of

PFAs are developing clear client value propositions and targeting speciďŹ c contributor market segments as the race for leading market share intensiďŹ es

their fund their RSAs with PFAs and the return on investment of the fund (profit) and not the sentiment or ideology behind the establishment of a PFA.�

On the impact of the licencing of NUPENCO on other sector workers like aviation, that had been pushing to have their own PFA, Takor, who is also Director, Centre for Pension Right Advocacy, said “it is important to note that licencing of a PFA doesn’t start and end with a wish. “If that is the case, NUPENCO would have been licenced as far back as 2015, when universities based unions started the agitation for the licencing of NUPENCO. “The PFA was only licensed in 2019. Section 60 of the Pension Reform Act 2014 states the requirements to be fulfilled by an applicant, applying for a license to operate as a PFA. While section 63 subsection 1 paragraph b, empowers the Commission to refuse to issue license to any applicant, whose application does not meet the requirements prescribed by the Pension Reform Act 2014 or the Commission for grant of license. “Therefore workers of any sector are free to seek for the licensing of a PFA. However, they must meet the requirements for the grant of a license for the intended PFA,� he stated.

On migration of the university workers to their new PFA in the face of non- commencement of transfer window, Takor said: “Section 115 subsection 1 of the Act empowers the Commission to make regulations, rules or guidelines as it deems necessary or expedient for giving full effect to the provisions of the Act. “Before the license was issued to NUPENCO, the Police Pension PFA was also given a license, at a time when all police officers already in service had Retirement Savings Accounts with existing PFAs. “The Commission may be applying the same guidelines issued in respect of the Police Pension PFA or make necessary amendments that will take into consideration the peculiarities associated with the universities.�

Heightened Competition Meanwhile, a lot of marketing intrigues have been employed by PFAs to enhance their market share in the pension industry.

Going by their operations and services to their contributors all these years, there are signs that when the exercise takes off, some PFAs may lose some contributors to firms that

offer superior services and are professionally managed.

At present, the PFAs are strategising on how to grab larger shares of both the existing and emerging markets and remain on top in the areas of asset size and number of contributors.

Indeed, with the prevailing signs of both offensive and defensive marketing tactics currently unfolding in the industry via various communication channels that include outdoor advertising, promotions, radio and television commercials, social media, sales activities, and other visibility campaign strategies employed by the operators, there are palpable fears that when the transfer window takes off, the industry may be left with few giant operators while many will fall by the way side.

Among the 21 licenced PFAs, five big operators currently dominate the market.

Recent data showed that these five accounted for over half of the total N8.50 trillion RSA assets.

While among the 21 licenced operators, top 10 PFAs manages 88.20 per cent of the total RSA assets and the last 10 PFAs accounts for 8.74 per cent of the RSA assets under management.

Among the leading five by size of assets under management and number of registered contributors are: ARM Pensions, Premium Pension Limited and Sigma Pensions Limited, As the industry looks forward to reap bountifully from the emerging micro pension market which the regulator said supposed to kick off last month, PFAs are positioning themselves to enhance their visibility in the emerging market.

Referring to competition in the industry, Price Waterhouse Coopers in its recent report on activities in Nigerian pension sector stated: “PFAs are developing clear client value propositions and targeting specific contributor market segments as the race for leading market share intensifies,� adding that technological advancement is “bringing in several non-traditional players who will provide platforms for pension products and services.

In the days ahead, the strengths and weaknesses of each player will be further scrutinised as the battle for the minds of the consumers continues�.

The foregoing scenario undoubtedly provides insight to an intense battle for market share.

For most PFAs, the pension transfer window will provide the ideal opportunity for both turf defence and customer acquisition.

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Akinwunmi: Whoever Wins Presidential Election Will Face Economic Realities The Head of Research and Strategy at FSDH Merchant Bank Limited, Mr. Ayodele Akinwunmi, in this interview anticipates that the outcome of the presidential election which holds this weekend will be free and fair. Obinna Chima presents the excerpts: You anticipated an increase in treasury bills yield this year. What do you think will drive your projection?

Yes, the political actors at the moment may give a lot of promises, but when they win the election, there are realities that they need to come down to. If you look at the 2019 proposed budget estimates that the federal government released late last year, it shows that revenue for this year is going to go down, compared with the 2018 numbers.

Again, average oil price this year, from all forecast globally is going to go down. The outlook of the global economy this year is a bit fragile. The European Central Bank revised downward their outlook for this year; the World Bank earlier in the year revised downward their outlook for most regions.

We are also seeing the United States- China trade disputes, even though they made some progress to resolve it. Of course, look at what is going on in Europe, where the Brexit deal is causing a lot of uncertainties in that market and nobody knows how it is going to turn out eventually and people cannot plan. In Italy, it is the same. Look at what is going on in Venezuela. So, there are lots of issues across the globe. In Nigeria, our growth forecast is about two per cent for this year, while our population growth rate is about three per cent. So, Nigeria should be growing at more than 2.5 per cent. So, those are the issues that may likely play out. So, there is the need for the federal government to borrow more because we have a lot of infrastructure problems in Nigeria and the federal government would need to borrow more. Yes, they are increasing the tax base to ensure that more people pay tax, but then, companies that are making profit are the ones that would pay tax. So, if the environment is harsh on them to make profit, it would reduce the amount of tax revenue for the government. So, what we have said is that they need to adjust electricity tariff because investments are not going to the sector because the tariff we have in the system is not cost reflective and when you invest there you are not able to make profit. Then if you don’t have good electricity to power your productive sector, investments would be leaving your country because the cost of running companies would be high and your products would not be competitive in the international market. So, we think the two things that they need to do quickly after the elections are: adjust the electricity tariff and pass-on the cost of petrol to the final consumers. This would increase inflation and the central bank would respond by increasing the yield on open market operations (OMO) and treasury bills to ensure that they retain foreign investments and also attract more.

Those are the reasons why we think yields would likely increase after the elections.

Your projections for 2019 are largely based on the assumptions that the elections will be successful. What is the projection if the election throws up a crisis?

The only way I can answer the question is for all of us to assume that there won’t be crisis. Nigeria is such a big economy in Africa, such that if there is a crisis here, it is not only going to affect Nigeria and Nigerians, it is going to affect a West African countries and the entire of Africa. So, that is why the international community are coming together to discuss with the political actors, to ensure that there is peace. And I think we have every reason to believe that whoever wins, provided it is a free and fair election, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised, then a winner that

Akinwunmi

would truly reflects the will of the people of Nigerians would emerge. Otherwise, there would be chaos.

Inflation in Venezuela today has risen by about 1.7 million per cent and nobody wants to imagine that happening in Nigeria.

Remember that Venezuela and Nigeria have things in common – both of them are oil producing countries. Venezuela has the highest oil deposit in the world. So, if there is a problem in Nigeria, it would scatter a whole lot of things and the economy might slip back to recession. We recently exited recession and we all know what happened. We must also remember that there is a peace agreement that all them signed and so far, we have every reason to think the elections would be free and fair. The international observers are here and they would be working with the country to ensure that everything is peaceful. So, all

The international observers are here and they would be working with the country to ensure that everything is peaceful. So, all the projections we are making are based on the assumption that there would be crisis-free elections

the projections we are making are based on the assumption that there would be crisis-free elections.

In the next three months, the tenure of the current Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria will come to an end and by then, it is expected that the presidency would have told us if it will be renewed or if a new CBN Governor will be appointed. If you are to access the central bank under the leadership of Mr. Godwin EmeďŹ ele, how do you think he has performed in the last ďŹ ve years?

The reality is that the central bank governor has done well. Look at the Investors and Exporters’ (I&E) structure for foreign exchange, in April 2017, when that policy was introduced, it changed the dynamics in the equities market and the stock market appreciated by 42 per cent in that year. Also, in 2015, when the current president was sworn in, remember that for almost six months, we didn’t have a cabinet. The economy then was managed solely by monetary policy and they ensured that the economy was stable. And it was because of the initiatives of the CBN Governor and his team, that made us not to feel the impact. It is like somebody driving with one leg or a human being walking with one leg. So, the CBN Governor helped in navigating the crisis and in stabilising the economy. In addition, look at the restriction of access to forex that was placed on 42 items. Some people may not appreciate that, but the reality of the matter is that if a country can only support its currency, not by foreign portfolio investments, but by the quantum of foreign earnings that you can generate. So, there were a number of things we were importing that we had the capacity to produce here.

So, the forex restriction on the official and interbank market that was place on those items, made the companies abroad to come to Nigeria to start operations here. Rice production has increased substantially and I remember that the CBN Governor said then that a central bank in a developing country like Nigeria, must play development roles in various sectors. So, the CBN under his leadership has established a whole lot of funds to support some strategic sectors in the economy that have the capability to generate employment.

As you are aware, one of the problems we have in Nigeria is high level of unemployment rate. If almost everything we consume in Nigeria are imported, what it then means is that you are exporting jobs and put pressure on the forex. But through the initiatives of the central bank under Emefiele, he has been able to introduce a lot of policies to ensure that some of those companies now see the need to come and establish in Nigeria. Few weeks ago, we saw that he (Emefiele) was at the Dangote Refinery and he pledged the central bank’s support to ensure the completion of the project. So, for me, he has done well. He has been able stabilise the exchange rate, even though we saw some depreciation few years back, which was not caused by him. If we have not diversified the productive base of the economy to generate income and diverse forex, oil price volatility would remain a challenge.

Inflation came down consistently in 2018. In the banking industry, look at the way they are resolving the problems some banks had.

We saw how Polaris Bank took over Skye Bank and no job was lost. He has ensured that no depositor lost his or her deposits and provided stability to ensure that the institution remains sound until they find a buyer. And the kind of engagement the central bank has with the banking industry which it regulates is something that is commendable.

They involve the banks in major decisions and when they want to implement a policy, they get the views of the banks about some of the policies. So, for me, Emefiele has done well and if he is coming back, he is going to do better and if he is not coming back, I believe whoever takes over from him would continue the good work.

What would be the likely effects of Brexit on Nigeria?

Now, if you look at the recent note that the Bank of England released after its Monetary Policy Committee meeting, they talked about a slowdown in the UK economy, basically on two factors and the first was the slowdown from abroad, not unconnected with the US- China trade tension. We now operate in a global economy that is interconnected. So, a problem in a particular part of the world and not just a small country – the US accounts for a quarter of the global GDP while China is also a big economy. In fact, the two economies account for over 30 per cent of global economy. So, if there is a problem from those economies, it would affect the global economy. So, the trade transaction has multiplier effect on the global economy. So, investors are not making long-term investment decisions because of the uncertainty surrounding the Brexit. Nigeria does business with the UK and if they are not able to supply what we need in our production process, it might affect production and may lead to inflation. Banks in Nigeria do businesses in Europe and if there are no capital flows, it would reduce the available investable capital in Nigeria and that means interest rate would go up. In January, we saw an increase in FPI through the I & E window and that money may be at risk going forward, with all the uncertainty. It may lead to the demand for oil in Nigeria and may weaken the naira.

5 ) * 4 % ": t WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

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EDUCATION Investment in Knowledge, Human Capital will Develop Nigeria, Says Faborode In this interview with Funmi Ogundare, former Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and Secretary General, Committee of Vice-Chancellors in Nigeria, Professor Michael Faborode said Nigeria should invest in knowledge system through human capital development as a panacea for under-development

H

ow would you describe your experience going back into the classroom to teach after your tenure as the vice-chancellor of OAU and working closely with state and federal institutions in the country, National Universities Commission (NUC) and other international bodies?

I have been off the classroom mostly for 15 years, but it was quite interesting. It was a personal decision because I decided to take first year students because we are trying to re-orientate the training in engineering to make our engineers more productive, practical and more realistic. Our engineers should know about current issues that affect humanity and mankind rather than just theory. I took courses in Introduction to Engineering for all engineering students and Introduction to Agricultural Engineering for those in my particular discipline. I felt the course can be handled in a way that will be exciting to students. The basis is to provide a good foundation for this new concept of design engineers for those that will address problems in Nigeria and Africa and proffer solutions to them. This is coming out of the Africa Centre of Excellence (ACE) in OAU. We have successfully run it for four years and now it is an upgrade. The initiative is to ensure that we are able to get the university and industry to work together as partners. So we have a lot of industrial partners. The essence of that is to ensure that some of the products of research in the university percolate to the industry and society. That we have done to some extent successfully. Already, five spin-off companies are growing in the eco-system which is the technology transfer body that we have created in OAU known as the OAK Park. At the end of the first period, we have at least five spin-offs for those who are using products of research in the industry that will enable the university to create new employment and enterprises considering the fact that the country will need innovators.

How will the partnership with the industry boost the content of the engineering training in the institution?

We do not want a kind of engineering that will just be based on theories alone that will not involve real practice. For instance in medicine, the way doctors are trained, they work directly with patients and cadaver. The training is as similar to the practice and that is what we also want in engineering. Part of the problem is that our industrial sector is not thriving and so we do not have industries that students can have real experience and see things in practice. In the normal economy, the industry helps knowledge by allowing good experience and that knowledge goes on to improve the industry for human progress. That is what is lacking here.

By trying to force such a system, we feel that the new engineers that we will be produced in OAU following that way, will be more practical and that is one of the complains of the society that we have engineers that are not solving problems of poverty, water and infrastructure. That experiment has been successful because we have partners who work in the university system. They are not only involved in offering opportunities for internship for our students during the period that we are on vacation, but they are also involved in designing the curricular. What we teach now must reflect what the industry needs so that the products will be addressing issues in the industry. Whether we are talking about electrical or chemical or agricultural engineering, we will bring in practitioners to have a say in what our students must learn. They are also readily able to offer opportunities for the students to have engagement with them in the industry. It’s a two-way thing which is mutually inclusive such that everybody benefits. The industry gets some of their problems solved while the university solves problems that will give students and staff very practical experience.

What we are trying to do in the course that I teach is to prepare the minds of the students for what is going to come. I trained as an engineer myself; we looked at it in the abstract, how does it relate to machines and solving farmers’ problems? So the

and that is why the current vice-chancellor in OAU is limiting the number of students in the hostels.

Prof. Faborode

How do you show the students practical examples?

There are two ways; one is as part of the teaching efforts and blending with the industry through internship. This course is a first year course. As a result of my experience having interacted with institutions and several industrial concerns, when I give examples, I give real life examples. There is no textbook for the course as far as I am concerned.

The students have to learn from what I teach them and publications that are very current that refer to particular farms for instance. I literary transposed the students’ minds to what is happening at the farms and when the time comes, I will take them on a visit so they can see what is happening there practically. So, the class environment can be made to let them feel the real life situation. It is not just a question of definition or cramming. It is about your day-to-day life and being conscious of problems and thinking of solutions to the problems. They can now understand some of the theories being thought in the classroom and link them to the practical aspect which they will better appreciate. For me, it’s quite exciting that we are doing it and getting the students interested right from day one in the university system.

that quality is properly measured and assured. That is the fundamental function. In Nigeria for instance, NUC is statutorily charged with accreditation of different programmes in state, federal and private universities. We also have professional bodies such as the Council of Registered Engineers in Nigeria (COREN), Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), and the Legal Council that are involved.

Ideally they should all work together with NUC because they can take care of the particular needs of their own profession. NUC is a member CHEA; the staff are regularly sent on trainings. Apart from the conference that we attended, the council also offers trainings and opportunities to practicalise accreditation and have diverse bodies. For instance, we are currently trying to revise the instruments for accreditation to bring it to standard so that once we accredit something here locally, internationally, it should be accepted. Accreditation is a process of quality assurance and there are two ways to it.

One, every institution must have a unit for quality assurance which spreads across all the functions of the university in terms of teaching, interaction with students, students and staff welfare. You must ensure that everything is done with the right quality that is when the human brain can function when the environment is very conducive. That is when you can have innovations and things that will transform the society. For instance, when you allow students to live in hostels that are not conducive, you can never have good products out of the students because they will not be able to think properly.

You recently visited the US for a meeting with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), what was the outcome of the meeting and how will it impact the tertiary education system in Nigeria?

At the heart of the education system is the issue of quality. When we talk about quality of higher education, we are talking of the graduates and research that they do and the quality of their engagement with society and transfer of knowledge.

For instance, what you have learnt in the classroom, how do you get people to understand so that they can tell the stories properly? That is the function of the university system; to teach research and engage.

So if you want to ensure that the education you give serves the mandate, then you must ensure that all these aspects are guaranteed. That is what is called quality assurance. You do that by accreditation.

CHEA is a global body concerned with ensuring

Why is OAU still having such problems?

What we have in OAU currently is not ideal and that is why successive administrations have tried to see what they can do to improve the accommodation problem. As a result of government policy on hostel development, it has compounded the problem. Right now, about 45 per cent of students are accommodated and that is like the national average which I believe is not good enough. From my experience over the years and of the conviction that we must house all the students of tertiary institutions in accommodations, not necessarily that the institutions must provide, there must be an arrangement either through Public Private Partnership (PPP) or Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT). This will ensure that students live in descent accommodation either of two or four bedrooms. If a room meant for four students can have 20 people living in it that is chaos. In the first place, the facility will not be functional or damaged

ability to connect the fundamentals that you teach in the classroom to practical life is very important.

One of the things that we are doing in this course is to gradually introduce the students to the real life situation.

How about limiting the number of intakes into the institution?

It takes us to the problem of access. We have a complicated system in Nigeria and that is why we need a holistic approach to tackle the problem properly because education is the key to development.

Any country that wants to develop must focus on education to enhance knowledge and breed innovators and innovations. If we don’t follow that logical sequence, we will continue to have problems. If universities reduce the amount of students they admit, then that will preclude a number of people from gaining admission into the university. Last year, almost two million candidates registered for UTME and we ended up taking about 500,000.

Those that could not gain admission will join the group this year. Universities are under pressure.

OAU for instance was built for a population of about 12,000, but today it is about 30,000. ABU is about 35,000 while UNILAG is about 40,000. Those are overloaded and exceeded their carrying capacities.

But faced with the challenges of access, universities have to modulate. That is the problem. If you ask me whether we need more universities on the basis of access, the answer is yes because some people have argued whether existing universities should take more, but there is a limit to that. Harvard University’s population for instance is still about 8,000.

When you talk about the quality of Harvard that is one of the factors; so we cannot allow universities to be overloaded excessively even though we are trying to solve the problem of access. At the same time, we cannot allow universities to proliferate beyond what the quality dictates. It’s a complex gamut and we better get serious about this issue in Nigeria otherwise we will continue to compound our problems.

What is your view about strike as a solution to the challenges in the university system?

ASUU over the years has tried to ensure quality in university education by crying loud every time over lack of facilities or on number off academics.

We want to wonder, the government that they cry to, don’t they listen and feel that these things are justified? It is a question of national priority. A country like South Korea knew that the solution to its problems 50 years ago lies in education and it invested in it and now the country is reaping the results. It has joined the first world countries because it invested in the knowledge system. Until Nigeria realises that investing in knowledge system; and World Bank has stressed the importance of human capital, health and education. If these things are not important, nobody will be drumming it to our ears all the time. Locally, we have been saying it. This is the panacea to our problems, let us solve the education and health problems and the rest will be added to us. Education and human capital is what we need to develop this country. The quality of political leadership that we have is impacted by the quality of education. If our education is broken from primary school to secondary school, we have several lecturers complaining about the quality of students that they are teaching. It is not their job to start re-teaching those who are coming from the secondary schools, that is not good for the country.

Strike as an antidote to the problems we are talking about, but no longer the only alternative. The time has come for academics to engage their own intellect to find solutions. Strike is self-defeating, every time there is strike, the university system takes a very serious toll and collapses, the whole life on campus is affected and after three months, you have to start again. Let us all wear our thinking caps and think out of the box on education by creating public awareness to educate the people about the dangers of not pursuing education. It is not just the lecturers that are fighting for the university system, it is a national fight and the whole society needs to know.

To continue to shoot ourselves on the leg through strikes is as destructive as the problems we are trying to address.

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EDUCATION

Grace School: Govt, Private Sector Collaboration, Key to EfďŹ ciency, Quality Learning Education is a fundamental pillar in nation-building and to achieve the standard and quality that will put Nigerian students at par with their contemporaries anywhere in the world, the Administrator, Grace School, Gbagada, Lagos, Mrs. Tokunbo Edun said collaboration between government and private education providers is the best way to increase students’ access to quality education irrespective of their backgrounds. Ogechukwu Obi reports

T

he burden to have an educational system that truly equips and empowers Nigerian students with the needed knowledge, skills and exposure that would make them globally competitive has remained heavy in the heart of the Administrator of Grace School, Gbagada, Lagos.

As an educator with several years of experience in teaching, whose profession has taken her to several countries and continents in search of knowledge, Edun said her aim has been to further strengthen the Nigerian education system to serve as a purveyor for building soft infrastructure and building blocks for a knowledge economy.

For her, the need for collaboration between the government and private sector cannot be timelier than now; what with the rising quality of education and the shift to building a knowledge-based economy around the world.

Remarkably, education has been identified as its basic tool; as such, Nigerian children must not be left behind. They deserve the best education, irrespective of their family backgrounds or social economic class.

She observed that the country’s education system has worsened since after independence and recalled that while growing up, someone with a primary six certificate could teach.

She regretted that graduates of today often times do not meet the industry need, therefore, bolstering the problem of unemployment in the country. “The quota system that is being adopted in the country is horrible. It guarantees admission for poorly performed students; inadequate funding also affects the standard of education in the country. Infrastructural facilities are not improved upon by the government.� According to her, the government should not just provide funding for the sector, but it must monitor and supervise the funds to ensure proper allocation and judicious spending.

Stressing that Nigeria has all it takes to run one of the best educational systems in the world, the administrator said Rwanda, a once war-torn country, has shown commitment to building a good education system. She said in the last 10 years, Rwanda has overhauled its education sector. “Sixty per cent of private schools in Rwanda have closed down due to the excessive funding of the education sector by the government. In Nigeria however, private schools have taken over the responsibilities of government,� Edun said.

Lamenting the infrastructural decay in most of the government-owned institutions, she stated that no nation can develop beyond its education system, adding that the bane of the country’s development has been the less priority the leaders accord the education sector, especially through poor funding.

Charting the way forward, Edun said government should consider partnering private education providers in bridging the infrastructural gap in the country’s education sector. She also called on the government to tackle the problem of double taxation and provide some incentives for private schools in the country while effort should be channelled at attracting the best brains into the teaching profession. “Private schools are actually doing what public schools should be doing. There should be a strong partnership with private schools to extend access to quality education to all Nigerian students. Again, the government should stop harassing us with over taxation which has become a burden for us. For instance, what is the quality assurance policy about? “Private schools boast of more solid facilities than public schools. All sorts of multiple taxes are foisted on private schools yet all our infrastructures are provided by us. The government should realise that we are stakeholders in the nation’s education sector and be friendly

Edun in its dealings with private school owners.�

Edun added that government should focus on upgrading infrastructural facilities; ensure accountability for money released to the sector; engage in proper supervision of the sector; motivate teachers and make teaching an honourable profession so as to attract good brains. “Government should not just release funds; it should monitor its disbursements to the sector. There should be specific projects to promote development through the sector.�

While calling for a change of policy on the management of primary education in Nigeria, Edun said: “The foundation of everything is important and foundational errors are not easily corrected. It should be noted that leaving primary education in the hands of local government is not appropriate because the office holders do not pay adequate attention to improve the standard and quality of education at that level.�

On the role of parents as stakeholders in the education of their children, she admonished parents to create time to closely monitor their children and assist in their academic work.

According to her, some parents believe that once they pay school fees, the school should take over completely.

While appealing to parents to be their children’s friends, the school administrator warned that depression is becoming rampant among children. “Children hardly see their parents at home. We have seen cases of drivers asking questions about home work for their bosses’ children. How can a driver suddenly become the one to be monitoring a pupil’s school work? Parents must realise that children blossom more when they are shown love. It is highly expected of parents to do more for their children beyond paying school fees,� she said.

Speaking on the role of teachers in the delivery of quality education, the administrator said beyond the mastery of the subject(s) one teaches, there is need for teachers to adopt effective pedagogical approaches in the process.

She said teachers should be specialists in their own fields, whose competences and capability are not in doubt.

On some of the efforts and steps the school had taken to make quality education accessible to Nigerian students at different levels, Edun said her school’s partnership with Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology, Ontario, Canada remains a major stride, as

it was another approach adopted to broaden the access and support for Nigerian students seeking overseas admission. “The initiative is aimed at enhancing the opportunities for Nigerian students to access university education and achieve their laudable aspirations. This is a solid partnership to further provide quality education at an affordable rate for parents who want to improve the learning experiences of their children. The partnership provides support for students to accomplish their dreams of schooling in reputable schools overseas.�

She added: “A mini-campus of Loyalist College will be set up in Nigeria for the first year students of the institution; successful students will undergo their first year programme here in Nigeria before proceeding abroad to complete their education. “We chose Loyalist because of the state-ofthe-art facilities and teaching aids which are the most suitable for the training of the 21st workforce. Our collaboration with Loyalist College was the outcome of an invitation we received to visit 10 Canadian universities some time ago. It is without any iota of doubt that Loyalty College distinguishes itself with top-notch facilities. “The collaboration is part of our strategic

steps at reinventing the wheel on a consistent basis to achieve optimum excellence.�

Still on Grace School’s commitment to providing accessible quality education for Nigerian children irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds, the administrator disclosed that the school’s annual indigent scholarship award was designed to provide succour for the lessprivileged in the society. “This is one area that the school becomes socially responsible by helping the less privileged in the society.�

Edun added that the scholarship, worth over N1 million per session per child covers tuition, books, uniforms, boarding fees and pocket money, adding that it also extends to beneficiaries’ university education. “Let me say that over 40 students have benefitted from the awards since its inception in 2004, while over N100 million has been invested in the scheme by the school. “The scholarships are from SS1-SS3. The scholarship covers the tuition, boarding fees, exams fees, books, uniforms, among others for the entire duration of the senior secondary years. After that, we also support them when they leave Grace School to go to university. We do pay their university fees, accommodation and giving them a monthly stipend for the four or five years at the university. We also encourage them to do the SAT exams, which is also paid for by us. At least two of them have through their high SAT scores won spaces in some reputable American universities. “We instituted the award in honour of the founder of the school, my late mother, Deaconess Grace Oshinowo and it has become an annual event to support the less privileged in the society.

Highlighting some of the corporate social responsibility projects of the school, Edun disclosed that the school had donated cash and materials towards the upgrading of several schools within Gbagada environs. “There was the provision of furniture (tables, chairs etc.) and books to Gbagada Primary School. This has been a major activity for several years till date. We also powered the school’s borehole with electricity. “Ajidagan Primary School is our next door neighbour and has been a major beneficiary of our CSR initiatives. The school, which collapsed last year, was reconstructed by our school. We also donated play equipment to the school. “We have also sponsored the sporting events of several schools in Gbagada. Some of them are Idi Odo Primary School, Al Moroof Primary School, Gbagada Primary School, Ogooluwa Primary School, Temidire Primary School, Adaranijo Primary School, National Primary School, as well as Ajidagan Primary School,� Edun said.

Minister Calls for Govts’ Intervention to Revamp Education John Shiklam in Kaduna The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu has said stressed that the decay that pervades the country’s education sector requires urgent intervention by the three tiers of government to address the situation.

The minister stated this at the commencement of the nationwide training of teachers, organised by the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) in Calabar, Cross River State.

Adamu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education Prof. Anthony Anwukah, said attention must be paid to human capital development, of which

teacher training and retraining programmes are most central to addressing the decay in the sector.

He expressed the federal government’s commitment to boosting teacher education, adding, “it is against this backdrop that the federal government is committing huge resources to train and retrain teachers to put them on better pedestal to be able to discharge their responsibilities diligently.�

He enjoined the participants to take advantage of the five workshop series being rolled out by the NTI to improve their knowledge and skills.

In his remarks, the Director

General of NTI, Prof. Garba Azare said the institute is determined to improve the quality of teachers in the country.

He said the economic and political development of the country is predicated on quality education, adding that the institute will continue to play its role by regularly training teachers to improve their skills.

He commended the federal government for its continuous support for the NTI and for paying attention to the training of teachers. The training, which held from February 4 to 8, 2019, was attended by 3,700 selected teachers across the country.

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‘FSTC is Repositioning for Middle-level Manpower Production’ Uchechukwu Nnaike The Principal, Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Yaba, Lagos, Dr. Ogochuku Ufoegbune has said the ongoing upgrade of facilities in the 70-year-old school would accelerate its production rate of middle-level manpower for the country.

Ufoegbune, who disclosed this recently in Lagos, said the huge investment in facilities by the federal government and other concerned partners over the years, has enabled the college to fulfil its mandate. “I want to say that government in its bid to encourage and promote technical education and skills acquisition among the youths, especially students, has done a lot in terms of provision of facilities, recruitment of teachers and others in recent times. “Given such enabling environment therefore, the college has been giving its best in ensuring that the purpose for which these facilities are provided is achieved. However, we also want to state that a lot more can be done in terms of facilities for us to be able to catch up with the 21st century demands. “We are not excellent yet in terms of facilities, but at the

same time, we are happy that these facilities are gradually being improved upon by the Federal Ministry of Education. “We are also happy that even private bodies like the Parent Teacher Association and the old students are also interested in the upgrade of our college facilities and have come in to assist, having discovered that most of the facilities and equipment are becoming outdated for modern day demands,� she said.

According to the principal, in a bid to ensure the production of all-round and highly competent graduates, fully equipped with skills, the Nigerian Academy of Engineering recently adopted the institution, and promised to upgrade equipment and facilities and has since commenced work. “As we speak, the academy has already renovated the Printing Section of the college and is going to equip it with modern facility, befitting of 21st century equipment for printing. “It is also working on the Electrical Installation Section by way of upgrading the structure itself and thereafter, equip it.

There is no doubt that the college is making accelerated progress in terms of facilities.�

Ufoegbune explained that the development would

affect outcome generally, as the college would produce better students with the use of modern facilities in training them. “So, we are set to make a difference in the middle-level manpower that we are all craving for as a country.�

According to her, the college is willing to partner more organisations in order to improve the quality of existing facilities, adding that recently, she made contact with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) requesting for an intervention in the upgrade of facilities.

She said the federal government, apart from its continuous commitment in the upgrade of facilities over the years, is intending to expand the college’s science laboratory as in the 2018 Appropriation Act. “We are now going to have a two storey building science laboratory. We are also looking forward to having renovations carried out on our technical workshops and other facilities, as well as a general overhaul of structures. “Already we are expecting funds to renovate and expand the Assembly Hall to ensure that examinations and other academic activities can be conveniently carried out.�

On her plans to introduce short courses on skills

acquisition for university and polytechnic graduates, Ufoegbune explained that the college has all it takes to commence the programme.

According to her, the facilities for the six/nine-month short courses are fully on ground. “However, the facilities may not be 100 per cent, but to a large extent we are ready. “We need a kind of accreditation. We are still expecting officials from the Tertiary Department of the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to come and look at what we have on ground and get it approved before the programme can commence. We are expecting the accreditation to take place before the end of the year. “Already, we are intensifying efforts to ensure that this is achieved in 2019. It is not within my powers, but I will do my best to ensure that the accreditation team is here to look at the facilities, as it is important that the programme is handled properly.�

Ufoegbune explained that the programme was designed to equip tertiary and secondary school graduates with life-long skills that would enable them set themselves up and even become employers of labour.

KEHINDE OMORU www.kayomoru.com

LAUNCH AND NAVIGATE YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING Ă™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă–ĂŁ ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ă“ĂŽĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ÒÙÙÖ Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă™Ă— Ă?Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽĂ˜ËŞĂž ĂŒĂ? Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă‘Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă˜ ÚÓĂ?Ă• Ă&#x;Ăš Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă‹ Ă?Ă?ÒÙÙÖ˪Ă? ĂšĂ?ÎËÑÙÑÓĂ?Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă’Ă‹Ăž Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ’ĂŁ Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă˜ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ĂŽĂ™ Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?ÓÚËÞĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă?Ă˘ĂžĂœĂ‹Ě‹Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ“Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹Ăœ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?ÖÙå Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă Ă“ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂžË› Ă’Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ÞÒËÞ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă˜ĂœĂ™Ă– ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă™Ăœ Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă?ÒÙÙÖ˪Ă? Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞÓĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ÒÙåĂ?Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă–Ă– ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽË› Ăž Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂŒĂ? Ă‹Ă? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂšĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ÒÙÙÖ˛ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ËÞÓà Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Þ̋ÙĂ?Ě‹Ă?Ă?ÒÙÙÖ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞÓĂ?Ă?Ë› ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă–Ě‹ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂŽ ÚÖËĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒÓĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? ÞÓ×Ă?Ě‹Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÑÙËÖ Ă?Ă?ĂžĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă“Ă—Ă?Ě‹Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă‹ à ÓÞËÖ Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă–ĂŁË› Ă“Ă—Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă– ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă—ĂŒĂ“ĂŒĂ?ĂŽ Ùà Ă?Ăœ Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘ĂžĂ’ Ă™Ă? ÞÓ×Ă?Ëž Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă˜ Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂšĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă‹ ÞËĂ?Ă• Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă‹ĂšĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ËÖÖÙÞÞĂ?ĂŽ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ëœ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă? ÞÓ×Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă˜ ÖÙÙÕ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?ĂžĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ? Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă– Ă™Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ë› Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂžĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ëœ Ă?ÙÖÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ë› Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ăœ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ?Ëœ ÚÓĂ?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ëœ ÚÙĂ?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂœĂ‹ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? ÞÙ Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ăš Ă‹ Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă‘Ă? Ă‹ĂšĂšĂœĂ™ĂšĂœĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă&#x;ÎÓÙ̋à ÓĂ?Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ ÚÖËã˛ ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ÒÙÙÖ Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ ĂŒĂ“Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ËÖÖÙå ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽ ĂžĂ™Ëœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ë? Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă‹ Ă—Ă“Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?ÙÚĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂŒĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă—Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ě™Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Öã̚˛ Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ? ÞÙ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ–Ă?ĂŽĂ‘Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă— Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă?ÞÓĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂšĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă&#x;ÚÒĂ?Ă–ĂŽ Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă?ÒÙÙÖ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ě‹ Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞÓĂ?Ă?Ë› Ă˜ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ Ă™Ăœ Ă?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĚ‹ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞÓĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăš Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă™Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă˜ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ËÖÖÙåĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜Ëœ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂšĂ–Ă‹ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂšĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœË› Ă’Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂšĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă? ÞÙ Ă–Ă‹ĂŁ ĂŽĂ™ĂĄĂ˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ&#x;Ă–Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ĂŒĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă˜ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă•Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂšĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă’Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă™Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂšĂ?Ă˜Ă‹Ă–ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă–Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ Ă?Ó×ÚÖĂ? ÚËÞ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă• Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ ÞÙÕĂ?Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă‹ĂšĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› ÙÞÓà ËÞĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă?ĂšĂ“ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă‹ĂžĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? ĂŒĂŁ ĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă™Ă–ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ù×ÚĂ?ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ăœ Ă?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞÓĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?ÒÙå ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ ĂœĂ?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă˜ ĂŽĂ™ Ă‘Ă?Ăž ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă–ĂŁËœ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă—Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă—Ă? Ă“Ă? ÞÙ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ăž ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞËĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÙ ËÖÖÙå ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜ Ă“Ăž Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă•Ă–ĂŁË› Ăž Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ăž ÞÙ ÚÓÛĂ&#x;Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽËŞĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă‹ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÓ×Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă–ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽĂŁ ĂžĂ“ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂŽĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă•Ă–ĂŁ ÞåÓĂ?Ă• ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ?ÎÙ× ĂŒĂŁ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ?ËÞÓà Ă? ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă“Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—ĂšĂžĂ&#x; Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞã Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă?Ë? Ă‹ Ă›Ă&#x;Óä˞ Ă‹ Ă?Ă–Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă?ÒÙå Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ë› Mrs Kehinde Omoru writes from the UK

Campaign Will not Stop My SchoolVisits, Says Obi The renovated classrooms at Community High School, Ayetero-Gbede

Group Renovates Classrooms in Ayetero-Gbede School Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja Four blocks of classrooms at the Community High School, Ayetero-Gbede, Kogi State were recently renovated and inaugurated by the AyetoroGbede Global Network (AGN).

The inauguration ceremony was attended by eminent personalities from the community among who were the Managing Director of THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Eniola Bello; Professor Obaro Olu, the Chairman of BoT; Professor Tunde Ayinmode; Mosunmola Florence of the University of Ilorin, among others.

In his remarks, the President of the association, Mr. Oyelola Oladele said the group chooses its projects or programmes

annually and executes them using a combination of funds from annual membership fees and donations from members and friends for specific projects.

He said the buildings were in a deplorable condition for a long time before the members intervened to solve the situation.

According to him, Community High School was chosen as the group’s project in the area of education for 2018 and 2019, adding that the inauguration of the classrooms was a product of members’ efforts in that regard.

He appealed to well-wishers to come to the aid of the school by providing chairs and lockers and also computers and other education materials.

He said once the members are done with the school, they will then focus on the primary school system, which is the foundation, adding that they will continue with the renovation of the school and hopefully conclude it by the end of this year. “We will set up a governance framework for the school which will include the appointment of a board of governors with a mandate to re-organise the school.

Oladele added that needs assessment will be carried out to determine the quality and adequacy of the teaching staff and also emphasis will be placed on STEM subjects.

He said incentive schemes will be introduced to ensure

that there are qualified and well-motivated teachers in the school.

The Chairman of the occasion, Professor Joash Amupitan said the members have combined their business school brains with their social workers hearts and passion to drive their community’s agenda. He also thanked those who have embarked on one development or empowerment project or the other in the community since AGN was berthed.

He said the project was phase two of the Community High School Project, adding that there are still other projects within the school and also in primary school that are the focus of AGN this year.

The vice-presidential candidate of the PDP, Mr. Peter Obi has promised that the campaigns in preparation for the February election will not stop him from his routine visit to schools. Obi said this during his visit to St. Patrick’s Secondary School, Ugwuagba, Obosi, Anambra State recently.

Obi, who encouraged the students to remain focused in their academic pursuits, told them that education remains the most essential currency for competition in the world of today.

After a question and answer session with the students, Obi assured them that the Atiku-led government would make education a priority. “Atiku is educationfriendly. I have had many sessions with him on how we would tackle the problem of education

in order to get it right. He is saddened by the continual strike by lecturers of higher institutions and he is determined that under him, such would not, as now, become a national pastime. Of course, he has asked me those things we did to improve education in Anambra State and he is ready to apply them nationally.�

Speaking on behalf of the students, the Senior Prefect, Master Onyekachukwu Obasi thanked Obi for his wonderful stewardship in the state, as it was during Obi’s tenure that the school got brand new buses, computers, generators, internet connectivity, among other necessary infrastructure.

The high point of the visit was the donation of N2 million to the school for continued infrastructural improvement.

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UNIJOS Promotes 23 to Professors, 377 Others to Various Ranks Seriki Adinoyi in Jos About 400 teaching and non-teaching staff of the University of Jos have been promoted to various ranks in the university.

A breakdown shows that 212 non-teaching staff, and 188 teaching staff were promoted, of which 23 have become professors and 41 others associate professors.

This was disclosed in a

statement signed by the Deputy Registrar, Information and Publications, Mr. Abdullahi Abdullahi, who announced that the decision was the outcome of the institution’s recent promotion exercise as approved by its Appointment and Promotions Committee (senior staff) chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Seddi Maimako.

The statement added that, “among the registry

staff elevated to new ranks are Mr. Samuel Mwansat, Director of Alumni Relations, who was promoted to the rank of Senior Deputy Registrar and Mr. Abdullahi Abdullahi, Head, Information and Publications to the rank of Deputy Registrar.

The university also announced that a senior lecturer in the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Daniel Kokong has emerged the

only African named on the 12-member Research and Scholarship Standing Committee at the International College of Surgeons (ICS), the highest ruling body of surgeons in the world.

Kokong, according to the statement was appointed into the global committee to serve for two years (2019-2020) based on his track record and outstanding performance

in medical research and professional practice.

He reportedly attributed his achievement to hard work and perseverance, stressing that the University of Jos has served as his driving force where he has received mentorship and therefore must be projected to the rest of the world.

The university said Kokong’s emergence will create an opportunity for

him to market UNIJOS, Plateau State, Nigeria and Africa to the rest of the world.

Decrying the poor funding of the education and healthcare delivery systems in most African countries, Kokong reportedly promised to make a special case for the University of Jos, Nigeria and Africa while serving as an ambassador of Nigeria and Africa at the ICS.

‘ASUU Strike Lowers Nigerian Tertiary Institutions’ Ranking’ Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Professor Chinedum Babalola, has condemned the perennial strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), saying that it is largely responsible for the instability in academic calendar being suffered by public universities.

Babalola said though industrial actions have been yielding positive results following improved funding, infrastructure, staff welfare, its frequency and long duration, leading to fragrant disruption of academic activities has continued to lower the country’s academic and or education ranking within the global circle.

The VC stated this in a chat with journalists in Osogbo following the university’s recent success in the accreditation of nine programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) after the programmes were presented to the commission in October/ November last year for accreditation.

Babalola said the nine accredited courses are Accounting, Business Administration, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Microbiology, Economics, Criminology and Security Studies, Political Science and Psychology.

She commended the Chancellor of the university, Mrs. Winnifred Awosika, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Emeritus Professor Bayo Adekanye, council members, members of the Board of Trustees, principal officers, the school management, as well as staff and students for their contributions to the success of the exercise.

Highlighting some of the consequences of ASUU strike on university education, Babalola said it has remained an albatross in the public universities and has been hampering the smooth running of the affected institutions.

According to her, if public universities must enjoy peace, stability and improved education standard, then industrial actions must be jettisoned by ASUU and the government. This she said could be achieved only on the altar of sacrifice and round table of compromise in the

interest of students, parents and guardians, as well as the entire country.

The VC, who disclosed that the university scored 100 per cent in the accreditation exercise which was the maiden edition, said with the development, students applying to study in the university stand a better chance of enjoying a stable and focused academic activities inspired by state-of-the-art infrastructure, ultra-modern hostel accommodation, learning facilities, affordable tuition, excellent student-teacher ratio in the classes as well as highly qualified academic staff that have the knack for research and quality education.

To avert any form of disservice capable of spurring any form of protest that could result in the disruption of the university’s academic calendar, Babalola said the institution would continue to focus on becoming an excellent institution renowned for intellectual freedom, ethical standards and moral character, research, community service, as well as the outstanding training of a new generation of leaders.

Babalola, who disclosed that admission to the university for the 2018/2019 session is still ongoing, added that the institution also runs a foundation programme that provides an opportunity for candidates that did not sit for the UTME or score below the cut-off point in the UTME to continue their full-time degree programmes after the successful completion of a nine-month training programme under JUPEB. She said the successful candidates of the foundation programme would be admitted into 200 level to study any course of their choice and would spend three years as regular direct entry students.

The VC stressed that skills acquisition is a panacea to graduate unemployment, adding that the institution would not only leverage on its quality education tradition, but would also inculcate special skills in every student which would be used to complement their various courses for job opportunities in the labour market and for them to be good ambassadors of the university anywhere they find themselves in future.

L-R: The Education Secretary, Local Government Education Authority, Lagos, Mr. Femi Ogunwusi; CEO, Sumitomo Chemical America, Mr. Scott Mitchell; Head, Oando Foundation, Mrs. Adekanla Adegoke; and Angela Lee of Sumitomo Chemical America Incorporation during a school inspection visit of projects in Sele Animals Primary School, Lagos‌ recently

Oando Foundation, Firm Renew Commitment to ICT Education

Nexford Varsity Launches Online Degrees for Nigerian Students

Funmi Ogundare

Udora Orizu in Abuja

In a bid to ensure that ICT education is supported through the establishment of solar powered ICT centre in public primary schools across the country, Oando Foundation partnered Sumitomo Chemical, a Japanese chemical company to improve pupils’ access to quality basic education.

The partnership, which commenced in 2016, has so far impacted the lives of over 2,400 children through the foundation’s adopt-a-school initiative by bridging the existing gap in the implementation of ICT in public schools and empowering pupils with technology skills.

Representatives of the organisations recently visited one of the foundation’s adopted schools, Dele Ajomale Primary School, Ilasa, Lagos to assess the impact on the pupils.

In her remarks, the Head, Oando Foundation, Adekanla Adegoke said the proficiency of pupils at the basic level on ICT is an essential skill for them, adding that they need to be comfortable and able to use technology not just for effective learning, but to enable them stand alongside their peers globally in the 21st century.

“Oando Foundation promotes ICT literacy through a variety of formal and informal activities designed to enable children acquire functional computer literacy, “she said, adding that the partnership with organisations was to meet to expand the facilities for the benefit of the pupils. “This year, we have projects that we intend to put together in public primary school across the country, so we will definitely continue our partnership. We also intend to mentor a lot of children based on the knowledge of ICT, as well as ensure that there are teachers teaching the pupils effectively.�

Adegoke said though ICT education has been included in the Nigerian primary school curriculum by the NERDC, the gap in its implementation is still evident. “While most children in rural areas do not have access to a computer, three out of every five children in urban areas lack basic ICT skills. To reverse this negative trend, the foundation has to date successfully established 46 ICT/ creative centres in its adopted schools, serving the learning needs of over 20,000 pupils.�

The Chief Executive Officer

A Washington DC-based start-up, Nexford University, has concluded plans to launch affordable degree programmes for online students in Nigeria. The university also launched a scholarship programme with Dangote Cement, the largest cement producer in West Africa.

Another milestone came in January 2019 when former Nigerian Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili became a member of Nexford’s Advisory Board and announced a scholarship scheme for Nigerian women studying on the university’s BBA programme.

A statement by the CEO of the institution, Mr. Fadl Al Tarzi, said the school is an accredited university with a start-up mentality to provide quality education for students across the globe. “Nexford University, a one-year-old start-up, is gearing up for its ‘Series A’ funding to launch globally affordable degree

programmes. Students in Nigeria can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) for $80 per month.� “New funds will bolster the next-generation university’s marketing, course production and technology development.

On February 1, 2019, the online university opened its virtual doors to its first cohort of BBA and MBA learners. “We are talking to organisations worldwide to partner with us in bringing high-quality education to their communities and employees at a truly affordable price. No other university offers degrees of comparable quality at our price point,� Al Tarzi said.

The Chief Partnership Officer at Nexford, Dr. Sonal Minocha said: “We are building our collaborative capital by partnering with like-minded influencers and organisations to co-create a new kind of university.

Our inaugural scholarships and partnerships have set a strong foundation towards delivering education with impact.�

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CITYSTRINGS

ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ™ĂœË? Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă? äĂ?Ă™ĂŒĂ“ Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă– Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ë›Ă?äĂ?Ă™ĂŒĂ“ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ă™Ă—Ëœ ͙͖͓͓͖͓͔͓͖͑͒

Celebrating Exceptional Journalists Funmi Ogundare and Yinka Olatunbosun report on the induction ceremony where 19 exceptional journalists became fellows of the prestigious Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism Female Reporters Leadership Programme 2018

THISDAY's Funmi Ogundare and Yinka Olatunbosun (middle) clutching their fellowship certiďŹ cates

A

befitting ceremony marked the induction of 19 outstanding female journalists in Nigeria and beyond who were named fellows of the Female Reporters Leadership Programme (FRLP) by Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism and Free Press Unlimited.

The six-month fellowship programme was the second of its kind to nurture female journalists to attain leadership roles in their newsrooms and the society at large. From inception, FRLP was designed to empower female journalists with the skills, finesse, support and tools to take bold steps that may position them for the highest leadership roles in their media houses.

Expectedly, the event was populated by seasoned journalists, members of the diplomatic corps and civil societies. All 19 fellows had completed the required project story as well as the leadership project in their various communities with the prospect of continuity. With the ‘Report Women’ theme, the journalists were given the task of telling stories using the gender lens. Stories published reflect societal imbalances on issues like teenage pregnancy, women's access to qualitative reproductive health, depression among women, minors in commercial sex work, cultism among secondary school girls, rape among others. Out of the 20 select journalists, 19 completed the tasks and were inducted as Fellows at a colourful ceremony held at L'eola Hotel, Maryland, Lagos.

The inaugural fellowship in 2017 had 14 fellows complete the programme from 58 entries, while the 2018 programme had 20 participants selected from 199 applications received from nine countries including Nigeria. Through the Report Women project, WSCIJ has trained no

fewer than 114 reporters across the country and enabled at least 65 stories.

In her keynote address, the Coordinator, WSCIJ, Mrs. Motunrayo Alaka, expressed her optimism on the future gender status for female journalists.

According to her, “better years are ahead for the gender status of women in the newsroom because of you. Nothing prepared me for the outstanding, undeniable results that have followed. Within the first three months of engagement, some of the ladies have already become forces for change in their newsrooms and communities and this is a child of necessity. Personally, I have always been a harbinger of inclusivity. The trends that we noticed at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism where we have an annual award for investigative reporting showed a ration of 7: 2 in favour of the male journalists.�

She added that during visits to leading newsrooms in Nigeria, most of the editors-in-chief are males. “One of the media houses has an all-male editorial board for many years. When we read news content, there are lots of male sources than female,� she noted.

To change the narrative, WSCIJ worked with a team of resource persons drawn from the media, academia and women advocacy group. Thus, the resource persons are the Deputy Director, Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Nneka Okekearu; Executive Director, Media Career Development, Lekan Otufodurin; Executive Director, Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Abiola; former Program Coordinator, Free Press Unlimited, Bethel Tsegaye and

Coordinator, WSCIJ, Motunrayo Alaka.

In her goodwill message, Bethel Tsegaye warmly acknowledged the effort of the fellows in telling impactful stories and forming a network that will outlive the six-month programme. “I hope that you have gained relationships that you will carry forever after this programme,� Tsegaye said through a video presentation, as she was unavoidably absent from the ceremony.

Likewise, veteran broadcaster, Mrs. Bimbo Oloyede voiced her satisfaction at the new breed of journalists born by this fellowship. “I’m happy to say that you went beyond the ordinary to find extraordinary stories and people. It’s exciting to me at this stage in my life that what I have done over the past few decades is not in vain; that I was not crazy when I decided that this is what I want to spend my life doing.

"You have validated my decision and whatever happens, I’m certain that there are people who will continue to carry the torch and who will continue to show that nothing is quite what it seems,� she said and a rapturous applause followed.

One of the mentors, Mrs. Nneka Okekearu said the programme has helped to change the mindset of fellows to been the needed change the society needs, while advising them to continue to be the catalyst they have been. “We are inspired that you are doing everything, but you need to do much more because the media is very important, as you go forward, be the catalyst you have been,� she said.

The event which had as compere, Olugbenga Wyse Ayobami featured a FRLP documentary that captured the early days of the fellowship, how the

fellows arrived, participated in the share fair and listened to seasoned broadcasters such as Eugenia Abu and Stella Din. Senior Program Officer, MacArthur Foundation, Dr. Amina Salihu who applauded the efforts of the mentors and mentees said, she would like to read stories been written about elderly women who have given their time to raise the coming generation. “A lot of times, we forget about certain categories of women , the elderly who have given their all and they continue to raise grandchildren and we don't remember that they have been the roots and actually can be the source of new life which is sometimes hoisted on them, sometimes by choice and sometimes not. I will like to read stories from there, work with you and support you,� she said.

Inducted fellows include THISDAY’s Funmi Ogundare and Yinka Olatunbosun; QueenEsther Iroanusi and Stephanie Adam (Premium Times); Goodness Adaoyiche (Pulse), Sharon Ijasan and Azeezat Olaoluwa (TVC News); Temitayo Ayetoto ( Businessday), Fidelis Agwuncha, Wemimo Adewuni (Radio One/ Nigeria Info); Taiwo Elebiyo Edeni (NAN), Nneka Luke, Enato Isukul (NDTV), Adejoke Fayemi (Raypower FM), Opeoluwa Akintayo (Sweet Crude Reports), Ini-John Mekwa (Channels Television), Ejiro Umukoro (Trend FM) and from Ghana, Theodora Audio (ITV).

The Fellows commended the initiative and organisers of the programme saying that the programme will go a long way in enhancing their skills and productivity as well as been intentional on projects that would bring about the needed change in the newsroom and the society at large.

37

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍąËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

CRIME&SECURITY

Police Re-unite Mother, Child After Two Years of Forced Separation

CRIME SITUATION REPORTS

SECURITY TIPS (PART 48) Security Tips for Journalists in Elections (repeat) 1. Situational awareness Know what political, racial, religious or other conflict exists within a region. Try to avoid routine and change daily routes. Notify your colleagues or editors if you believe you may be under surveillance.

Examine the location of polling stations in advance and know exits from buildings, ways to leave areas of unrest, and locations of hospitals and police stations. If you are covering a major protest march or political rally, survey the route or venue beforehand. Learn some first aid knowledge and bring basic first aid supplies as well as water and food.

2. Secure apps and social media Use different accounts for private vs public life. Your private account should include only family and friends and have high privacy settings.

Be mindful of sharing your recent locations on social media. Consider downloading these apps for improved security in the field: CameraV for hiding photos, Signal, and WhatsApp for secure communications, and Psiphon for potential internet interruptions and to safely and securely use public Wi-Fi. 3. Personal Before leaving for a potentially stressful assignment or coverage, make sure all personal matters and plans at home are taken care of.

This will help you reduce your anxiety or stress while in the field and will allow you to focus more clearly on your own physical safety and psychosocial care while reporting.

Ifeoma Igwe and her daughter after they were re-united

4. Press card and attire Use local laws or your own judgment when deciding whether to keep your press card visible. If your card is not visible, keep it where it is easily accessible, such as your shirt pocket. Do not put your press card in your wallet. Wear comfortable, neutral clothing and footwear that is not associated with a political party. If you do not have access to a gas mask, bring swimming goggles and handkerchiefs to cover your face and eyes in case of tear gas.

5. Equipment and data Age your cameras and other electronic equipment with brown repair tape to make them look older, broken, or repaired. This will help prevent thefts during civil unrest situations. Back up and clean up all data storage hardware before the elections. Identify different internet access points and bring extra batteries and storage, as well as a lowcost emergency phone with emergency numbers.

6. Stress management Election coverage is often an intense and stressful job. Practice daily stress management and anxiety techniques, such as meditation, to assist in reducing these effects. Make sure you are sleeping and eating well. Form networks with other journalists who you can talk to and who can relate to the work you are doing.

Ifeoma Igwe, her daughter and mother, Blessing, at PCRRU oďŹƒce in Abuja

The Public Complaint Response Unit (PCRRU) of the Nigerian Police has reunited a four-year-old girl with her mother in Abuja after over two years of forced separation.

The decision to reunite the little girl with her biological mother was taken during an interview of all the parties involved in a case reported

by Ms. Efoma Igwe, a single mother who called in from Ebonyi State.

The aggrieved mother phoned the PCRRU on January 4, 2018 at about 6:00pm to complain that the parents of her estranged boyfriend residing in Abuja forcefully took her little girl from her custody when she was about a year and half old and all efforts to have access to her daughter was met with brick wall.

She also stated that her estranged boyfriend’s parents have boasted that she will never be allowed access to her daughter again.

Her complaint was immediately recorded as a distress call, and a tracking No. PCRRU547392 was issued and

the case referred to the Officerin-Charge of Juvenile and Women Centre (JWC) of the FCT-Abuja Police Command, Garki Abuja for investigation.

Upon conclusion of the investigation by the JWC, the parties made up of; the girl’s father - Eze Ikemefuna David; his parents Mr. and Mrs. Onoma Eze; the complainant and her mother Mrs. Blessing Igwe were interviewed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, PCRRU, ACP Abayomi Shogunle at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The parties were informed that the action of the paternal grandparents to seize the girl while girl’s parents are still alive and without their consent or a court order can no longer continue.

It was also discovered that the girl’s father was unwilling to take up responsibility for the girl; moreover his lifestyle of living with different male friends and not being gainfully employed made it difficult for anyone to entrust him with the custody of the child.

At the end of the interview, it was agreed and decided that

the little girl be reunited with her biological mother, who is a hair stylist living with her own mother.

The excited mother thanked the Nigeria police for helping her to regain the custody of her little daughter. She also stated that one of her neighbours who read the story of a mother who recently got back her daughter through PCRRU advised her to call the unit for help.

Members of the public who feels that their rights have been infringed upon are advised not to resort to self-help but enjoined to report such to the PCRRU for possible assistance.

PCRRU is available 24/7 via the following channels; Phone Calls Only: 08057000001, 08057000002 | SMS/WhatsApp Only: 08057000003 | BBM Pin: 58A2B5DE |Twitter: @ PoliceNG_PCRRU |Facebook: www.facebook.com/PolicePCRRU| Email: complaint@npf. gov.ng OR PolicePCRRU@ gmail.com. PCRRU says no to impunity; our quick response will put a smile on your face ...Culled from PCRRU

7. Interactions Do not be seen being too friendly with security forces. Remain neutral and avoid confrontations or arguments with both protestors and police. Try to watch conflicts from aside. Do not move physically from one side of the conflict directly to another side or cross a police line. If you find yourself in the middle of a disturbance, move away without running, as people who are running are often seen as targets.

8. Emergency communications For smartphones, install emergency/SOS button apps and put emergency contacts on speed dial. Memorize an emergency number in case you lose your phone.

9. Debrief and relax Following coverage of elections in the field, schedule debriefs with editors, solidarity groups, and a counselor. It is important for your mental health to be taken care of during and after assignments. Debriefs allow you to work through anything disturbing that you may have witnessed or any feelings of anxiety, stress, and anger. Do things you enjoy—keep social contacts, walk, exercise, nap, cook, etc. These are positive coping mechanisms and do no harm in the long run.

10. Solidarity Never travel alone. Always inform your colleagues, editors, and family of your travel locations and when you expect to return. Set up a security check-in system within your media outlet or with other freelance journalists covering the election.

Source: IREX’s Securing Access to Free Expression (SAFE) Initiative

38

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍąËœ 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

NDIC Reassures on Sound Financial System James Emejo Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Chairman of the newly inaugurated board of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mrs Ronke Shokefun, has pledged to the formulate policies to enhance the safety and stability of the financial system.

She said the board must justify the confidence reposed in it by President Muhammadu Buhari by evolving measures that would further strengthen the financial system.

Speaking during the opening of the maiden retreat for members of the Board, Shokefun noted that as a critical member of the Nigerian financial safety net, new board is committed to providing the NDIC with the desired leadership required

to enable the country achieve its goal of becoming one of the top 20 economies in the world by 2020.

According to her: “As people of proven integrity, we are to collectively paddle the boat of NDIC in particular and that of the nation’s banking sector in general to safety. “We owe this very important organisation and the nation that duty in order to justify the confidence reposed in us by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari�.

She further described the role of the board as critical in the achievement of the corporation’s mandate, adding that the retreat will enable members gain full insight

into the NDIC mandate, operations, achievements and challenges.

In a statement issued by Head, Communication & Public Affairs, NDIC, Mr. Mohammed Kudu Ibrahim, the chairman said the induction programme would also provide in-depth knowledge required for the formulation of policies to ensure enhanced service delivery by the corporation.

However, earlier, the Managing Director/Chief Executive, NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, expressed hope that the retreat would provide the board with the critical information and insight on the activities of the corporation ahead of their assumption of office.

EternaTargets Increased Retail Business Eterna Plc has said it will scale up its existing business by increasing its retail presence.

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer at Eterna Plc, Mr. Mahmud Tukur, said this during a media briefing in Lagos yesterday, to announce activities for the company’s 30th anniversary celebration.

Tukur, also said part of the company’s projections for future growth was that it intends to raise its investment in LPG Facilities as well as LPG distribution channels nationwide, using retail outlets and independent distributors.

In addition, he said Eterna intends to expand its presence in the lubricant market nationwide, provide competitively priced highgrade products, backed up

with word class after sales services, as well as utilise its existing assets to compete favourably in the supply of aviation fuels.

In line with its 30th celebration, Tukur disclosed that the company would in the coming days launch retail promo sales to reward its loyal customers, adding that a staff reward scheme would also be instituted to recognise and appreciate high performing individuals within the organisation. “Eterna hasn’t raised any fresh equity since 2009 because the market hasn’t been fantastic for raising capital. But between 2009 and 2018, we have been paying down our debts. “So, we have generated profit, we have paid down our debts to improve shareholders value and now we

have to go back to the capital market to raise money to help us continue in operation,�

Tukur said.

He pointed out that the company’s relationship with Castrol BP has continued to grow stronger. “Our Sagamu Lubricant Blending Plant is the only accredited Castrol Blending Plant in West Africa and one of the two accredited Castrol Blending Plants in Africa. Our plant boasts of state-of-the-art equipment, a world class laboratory and excellent quality control and after sales support services. “The company has gone through several challenges.

We have learnt from these challenges and emerged stronger and better, able to deliver returns to our stakeholders,� he added.

ExxonMobil Accused of Anti-labour Practices There are allegations that ExxonMobil may have resorted to anti-labour practices aimed at drastically excluding Nigerians from core activities in the company.

Sources alleged that the intention was to make the company a complete foreign firm in spite of its joint partnership agreement.

In fact, there are allegations that the company has resorted to activities that have continued to quietly eliminate its Nigerian employees and replacing them with hoards of new imports in disregard to Nigeria’s existing laws and development guidelines, thereby subjecting more Nigerians to premature job losses.

Findings revealed that the company, which is now inundated with several legal issues relating to this, is not relenting in its plot and has replaced its Nigerian security employees with a new arrival of over 30 foreigners posted within and outside the establishment.

It was further gathered that the current spate of replacement and termination were grossly against one of the Executive Orders recently signed into law by the President, among other things, seeks to enforce local content in procurement and employment among companies operating in Nigeria.

Checks also revealed that the company’s procurement

department which determines and sources supplies, has been wrestled from its Nigerian management with a new foreign employee based in Angola and who also happens to be the wife of the CEO of the company’s office in Angola.

This also trails a stream of redundancy issues within the department as the source also alleged that Exxonmobil now sends its procurement requests to Angola for approval, a development that has denied Nigerians the opportunity to participate transparently in any bid process in the company.

Recently, Exxonmobil was mentioned in a case brought against it by some of its top executive employees at the National Industrial Court in Lagos, in an effort to address the worrisome development.

The case, which has been adjourned to March 4, was believed to have been intended to address all the perceived anomalies that had been construed by the company to dehumanise its Nigerian workforce through massive dumping of numerous unidentified employees and consultants from abroad.

The promoters of the suit were merely seeking a retrace by the company to toe the streamlined joint venture regulations and presidential order.

There was also a petition by

the workers in November 2018, by its workers’ union, in what they referred to as ‘systematic depletion, de-Nigerianisation and intimidation of Nigerian workforce through special reviews,’ which they had demanded the company to immediately put an end to the exercise.

Indications are rife that Exxonmobil may find their position to continue business in Nigeria very difficult if by March some of these ugly developments fail to be retracted or addressed, as our sources revealed.

Furthermore, the source alleged that the company has removed the head of its Nigerian Legal Department and replaced him with two foreigners.

This development becomes so worrisome to Nigerians when such offices with local parlance like legal, security, procurement and government affairs are under the control of foreigners.

Energy sector experts said the development does not only put the Joint Venture Partnership under threat but further erodes the economy because of the allegation of largely padded bills and bloated costs that may become a case of capital flight.

Several attempt to reach the oil and gas company through telephone calls, email messages and visits to get its position proved abortive since December 2018.

L-R:Director, Workmen and Talents Agency Ltd. Mrs. Angela Adegboyega; Human Resources Director, Chi Ltd, Uzoamaka Bifom; President, Human Capital Providers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Aderemi Adegboyega; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Abidemi Ganiat Raji and Director, Employment Department, Lagos State Government, Mrs. Iyabo Motilayo Seriki-Bello, at the Workman and Talents Lagos Career and Job Expo, held in Lagos‌recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

NOVEMBER 2018 Money Supply (M3)

31,794,803.44

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

6,333,064.28

Money Supply (M2)

25,461,739.17

-- Quasi Money

14,773,076.98

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,688,662.18

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,711,763.59

---- Demand Deposits

8,976,898.59

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

18,990,400.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

12,804,402.66

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,062,986.22

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,980,229.66

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

7,093,619.43

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

-4,144,571.43

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

23,082,756.56

--Other Assets Net

13,258,583.57

Reserve Money (Base Money

6,811,192.37

--Currency in Circulation

2,100,129.91

--Banks Reserves

4,366,259.05

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT MONDAY, 11 JANUARY 2019

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $61.40 a barrel on Monday, compared with $61.37 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

39

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍąËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

MARKET NEWS

Improved Results, Bonus Shares Excite Neimeth Shareholders Goddy Egene Shareholders of Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc have commended the board and management on the performance recorded by the company for the year ended September 30, 2018 despite the challenging environment.

The shareholders, who gave the commendation at the annual general meeting (AGM) held in Lagos, on Wednesday, were

pleased with the bonus shares recommended by the board.

Neimeth posted a revenue of N2.269 billion for the year ended September 30, 2018, up from N1.534 billion in 2017.Cost of sale jumped from N604.670 million to N1.107 billion, while gross profit stood at N1.161 billion in 2018, as against N929 million in 2017.

Its finance cost fell from N84 million to N76 million.

The company ended the year

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

with a profit before tax (PBT) of N202 million compared with a loss before tax of N404 million.

It also posted profit after tax of N184 million in 2018, which is a recovery from a loss of N411 million in 2017.

Addressing the shareholders, Chairman of Neimeth, Dr. ABC Orjiako in recognition of the forbearance shown by shareholders all the years without profit, the board has recommended for your approval a script of

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

one ordinary share for every 10 held.

According to him, in 2016/17 financial year the company was challenged by adversity when fire gutted its raw materials warehouse on 7th March 2017. “ In one single year, 2017/18, we were able to overcome the crippling incident and are ready to resume our march forward.

Your Board has restarted implementation of its management reset that commenced with the

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

hiring of our former Managing Director three years ago. Her departure and the fire incident put a temporary halt to the execution of the comprehensive reset that would presage our growth strategy. We have completed the process leading to the engagement of a new MD/CEO who would join the company in the second quarter of this 2018/19 financial year.

Other changes at the senior management level are in the

O F

works and would be completed soonest. These changes are meant to drive the vigorous expansion program and growth your Board has harboured a while now. Our vision encompass increased import circumference as well as enhanced domestic manufacturing of our flagship brands,� he said.

He attributed the improved performance to board, management, staff and other stakeholders.

0 4 / 0 2 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

40

Wednesday, February 13 2019

Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index Up 1.57%

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

Yesterday, the Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index gained 157bps to close at 1,618.59 due to buy interest in GUARANTY (+0.3%),

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

ZENITH (+0.2%) and DANGCEM (+2.3%). These stocks

Ticker

ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϯϵ͘ϴй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘ THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

ƋƵŝƟĞƐ DĂƌŬĞƚ ^ƵƐƚĂŝŶ ƵůůŝƐŚ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ͙ ^/ ƵƉ Ϯ͘ϭй

In yesterday͛Ɛ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ͕ ƚŚĞ ĚŽŵĞƐƟĐ ĞƋƵŝƟĞƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ maintained its bullish performance on the back of sustained buying interest in DANGCEM (+2.3%), E ^d> (+6.0%) and ^ W> d ;нϲ͘ϭйͿ͘ ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ůů ^ŚĂƌĞ /ŶĚĞdž ;͞ ^/͟Ϳ rose 2.1% to 32,462.3 points while YTD gain improved to ϯ͘Ϯй ĂƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ďLJ EϮϱϯ͘ϳďŶ ƚŽ EϭϮ͘ϭƚŶ͘ ĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ĂůƐŽ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ traded for the day increased by 5.5% and 42.2% to 580.4m ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ Eϴ͘ϬďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ dŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ volume were DIAMOND (125.8m units), ZENITH (63.2m units) and GUARANTY (57.1m units) while for the most traded stocks by value, GUARANTY ;EϮ͘ϮďŶͿ͕ ZENITH ;Eϭ͘ϲďŶͿ ĂŶĚ DANGCEM ;Eϭ͘ϱďŶͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ͘

WŽƐŝƟǀĞ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ^ƵƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ Across sectors, performance remained bullish with 4 of 5 indices under our coverage advanced. The Oil and Gas index ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ƚŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ͕ ƵƉ ϰ͘ϭй ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ ^ W> d (+6.2%) and OANDO (+7.1%). The Consumer Goods ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƚƌĂŝůĞĚ͕ ƵƉ ϰ͘Ϭй ĂŶĚ ϭ͘ϯй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ as

investors

rallied

in

E ^d> (+6.0%),

NIGERIAN

Z t Z/ ^ (+2.3%), h E (+9.6%), and ETI (+3.2%). ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ͕ ĂůďĞŝƚ ŇĂƫƐŚ͕ ƵƉ ϯďƉƐ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ DANGCEM (+2.3%) and t W K ;нϰ͘ϮйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉ ƐŝĚĞ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚĞdž ƉĂƌĞĚ ŐĂŝŶƐ͕ ĚŽǁŶ Ϭ͘Ϯй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŽĮƚ ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ AIICO (-5.2%) and WZ ^d/' (-3.9%).

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϯ͘ϳdž ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ƚŚĞ ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĐŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚ ŽŶ ϯϴ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ advancing against 14 that declined. The top gainers for the day were JAIZ

(+10.0%), >/s ^dK < (+10.0%) and

E'&>KhZ (+10.0%) while Z ' >/E^ (-8.0%), h WZKW (7.9%) and > ^ K (-6.1%) led laggards. In recent weeks, we ŚĂǀĞ ŽďƐĞƌǀĞĚ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ŝŶŇŽǁ ŝŶƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĚŽŵĞƐƟĐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĚĞƐƉŝƚĞ ƚŚĞ ƉŽůŝƟĐĂů ƌŝƐŬ͘ tĞ ďĞůŝĞǀĞ ĐŽŶĐĞƌŶƐ ĨŽƌ ƉŽƐƚĞůĞĐƟŽŶ ƐƚĂďŝůŝƚLJ ĂƌĞ ďĞŐŝŶŶŝŶŐ ƚŽ ŵŽĚĞƌĂƚĞ ƚŚƵƐ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ĂƉƉĞƟƚĞ ĨŽƌ ĐŚĞĂƉ ĂƐƐĞƚƐ͘ ,ĞŶĐĞ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ

market to record gains in the near-term.

ROA

P/E

P/BV

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

1,618.59

1.57%

4.9%

61.9%

20.3%

7.4%

6.5x

0.9x

4.8%

38.95

0.3%

19.6%

13.1%

12.9%

34.1%

5.6%

5.8x

2.2x

6.9%

17.2%

2

Zenith Bank PLC

25.00

0.2%

12.1%

8.5%

8.5%

23.7%

3.4%

4.3x

1.0x

10.8%

23.3%

8.1%

-0.2%

1.8%

20.1%

9.8%

19.7x

4.2x

5.5%

5.1%

3

Dangote Cement PLC

4

Nestle Nigeria PLC

5

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

6

FBN Holdings Plc

7

Cement Co Northern Nigeria PLC

8

12.3%

189.30

2.3%

1,590.00

6.0%

7.9%

7.1%

7.8%

85.8%

26.3%

28.7x

22.4x

3.0%

3.5%

80.05

2.6%

5.1%

-6.4%

2.2%

13.8%

6.4%

26.8x

3.8x

4.6%

3.7%

8.40

3.7%

5.0%

5.7%

5.0%

6.6%

0.8%

6.0x

0.4x

3.0%

16.6%

21.00

-4.8%

4.4%

8.2%

8.2%

34.2%

19.6%

5.1x

1.6x

6.0%

19.7%

United Bank for Africa PLC

7.95

-0.6%

4.1%

3.2%

1.9%

15.4%

1.8%

3.6x

0.6x

10.2%

27.8%

9

International Brew eries PLC

29.00

0.0%

3.0%

-4.9%

-7.9%

-23.8%

-3.2%

10

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

600.00

6.1%

3.0%

-6.3%

-6.3%

25.9%

15.3%

0.6x

3.0%

38.0%

9.4%

11

Access Bank PLC

12

Ecobank Transnational Inc

7.1x 2.6x

7.10

1.4%

3.2%

4.4%

9.2%

14.1%

1.7%

3.0x

0.4x

14.40

3.2%

2.7%

2.9%

0.7%

12.1%

1.0%

4.5x

0.6x

-1.2%

33.9% 22.1%

13

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

47.80

-0.4%

2.4%

-0.3%

-0.3%

35.7%

4.6%

7.1x

2.2x

2.1%

14

Unilever Nigeria PLC

40.00

2.6%

2.4%

8.1%

8.1%

24.7%

11.5%

23.0x

2.8x

1.3%

4.4%

15

Lafarge Africa PLC

13.00

4.0%

1.6%

4.4%

8.3%

-53.7%

-7.9%

0.9x

10.9%

-48.4%

16

Guinness Nigeria PLC

65.00

0.0%

1.1%

-9.7%

-9.7%

8.5%

4.5%

18.2x

1.7x

2.8%

5.5%

17

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

82.20

-3.3%

1.3%

7.9%

7.9%

39.3%

29.7%

7.8x

2.7x

3.6%

12.7%

14.1%

18

Total Nigeria PLC

205.00

0.0%

1.2%

1.0%

1.0%

34.6%

7.5%

7.2x

2.3x

8.3%

14.0%

19

11 PLC

184.00

2.2%

1.1%

-0.8%

-0.8%

38.0%

16.8%

6.1x

2.1x

4.3%

16.3%

20

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

21.20

6.0%

1.0%

-8.2%

-4.5%

6.6%

2.0%

9.8x

0.6x

4.7%

10.2%

21

Oando PLC

5.90

7.3%

1.2%

18.0%

22.9%

10.9%

1.7%

4.9x

0.4x

22

Fidelity Bank PLC

2.78

4.9%

1.4%

36.9%

36.9%

11.3%

1.5%

3.6x

0.4x

4.3%

27.6%

20.3%

23

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.59

8.9%

1.1%

20.5%

23.3%

13.6%

3.0%

7.6x

1.0x

1.4%

13.2%

24

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

15.00

2.7%

0.8%

-1.6%

1.4%

32.6%

16.4%

6.0x

1.7x

8.3%

16.7%

25

Diamond Bank PLC

2.40

0.0%

0.8%

11.6%

-5.8%

-0.7%

26

FCMB Group Plc

2.39

-0.8%

0.7%

26.5%

32.8%

8.4%

1.2%

3.1x

0.3x

4.2%

27

UAC of Nigeria PLC

9.30

-2.1%

0.5%

-4.6%

-2.6%

0.4%

0.2%

73.2x

0.4x

7.0%

1.4%

28

Sterling Bank PLC

2.50

0.0%

0.6%

31.6%

31.6%

10.6%

1.1%

6.6x

0.7x

0.8%

15.2%

0.3x

-29.2% 32.0%

29

Presco PLC

60.00

0.0%

0.3%

-6.3%

-6.3%

37.0%

24.8%

2.4x

0.8x

3.3%

42.2%

30

NASCON Allied Industries PLC

19.00

5.6%

0.3%

5.6%

5.6%

47.0%

17.5%

9.9x

4.4x

7.9%

10.1%

31

Forte Oil PLC

29.70

0.0%

0.3%

3.5%

6.1%

84.6%

8.3%

12.2x

2.3x

8.2%

32

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

6.85

9.6%

0.4%

22.3%

22.3%

5.3%

1.0%

12.4x

0.7x

8.1%

17.3%

1.8%

7.1x

1.1x

3.8%

1.2x

1.2% 6.4%

33

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

25.50

-1.9%

0.3%

26.9%

15.4%

34

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

13.25

5.2%

0.2%

9.5%

7.7%

35

Chemical and Allied Products P

31.75

0.0%

0.2%

-8.9%

-8.9%

66.2%

30.2%

14.8x

9.9x

36

Wema Bank PLC

0.83

9.2%

0.2%

31.7%

31.7%

6.6%

0.8%

9.5x

0.6x

37

Beta Glass PLC

72.30

0.0%

0.2%

5.9%

5.9%

17.7%

11.5%

8.8x

1.4x

1.5%

11.4%

38

Dangote Flour Mills Plc

8.25

10.0%

0.2%

20.4%

25.0%

14.9%

4.2%

7.3x

1.0x

2.5%

13.7%

14.2%

6.7% 10.5%

39

Transcorp Hotels Plc

6.10

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

6.9%

3.8%

11.9x

0.8x

2.0%

8.4%

40

AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

2.03

0.0%

0.1%

10.9%

10.9%

10.5%

3.3%

10.6x

1.1x

2.9%

9.4%

T o p 10 G a ine rs P ric e

P ric e C hg %

NP FM CRFB K

1.65

10.0%

D A N GF LOUR

8.25

10.0%

LIVEST OC K

0.55

10.0%

J A IZ B A N K

0.55

10.0%

T o p 10 T ra de s by V o lum e T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

D IA M ON D B N K

125.8

0.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

63.2

0.2%

GUA R A N T Y

57.1

0.3%

T R A N SC OR P

49.7

8.9%

C H A M P ION

1.78

9.9%

A C C ESS

49.5

1.4%

UB N

6.85

9.6%

UB A

39.7

-0.6%

WEM A B A N K

0.83

9.2%

FCM B

25.7

-0.8%

T R A N SC OR P

1.59

8.9%

ET I

23.5

3.2%

N EIM ET H

0.75

8.7%

F ID ELIT YB K

21.7

4.9%

R OYA LEX

0.28

7.7%

J A IZ B A N K

12.1

10.0%

Value

P ric e C hg %

T o p 10 Lo s e rs T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

R EGA LIN S

0.23

-8.0%

UA C -P R OP

1.76

-7.9%

T o p 10 T ra de s by V a lue T ic k er

LA SA C O

0.31

-6.1%

UN IT YB N K

0.95

-5.9%

A IIC O

0.73

-5.2%

CCNN

21.00

-4.8%

P R EST IGE

0.50

-3.8%

OKOM UOIL

82.20

-3.3%

9.30 25.50

J B ER GER

(A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

ROE

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

UA C N

Afrinvest Securities Limited (RC 603 315)

Price Price Previous Current Change Change Price Weightin YTD Index to Change g Date

1

T ic k er

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ

Current Price

GUA R A N T Y

2226.7

0.3%

Z EN IT H B A N K

1584.5

0.2%

D A N GC EM

1469.0

2.3%

A C C ESS

354.1

1.4%

ET I

338.4

3.2%

UB A

319.6

-0.6%

D IA M ON D B N K

304.4

0.0%

N EST LE

299.1

6.0%

-2.1%

NB

291.0

2.6%

-1.9%

FB NH

95.0

3.7%

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde |

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Jolomi Odonghanro | jodonghanro@afrinvest.com

romotunde@afrinvest.com

41

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

MARKET NEWS

Agusto & Co Assigns a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Bbâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; Rating to Insurance Industry Goddy Egene Agusto & Co Limited, a leading pan-African credit rating agency in Nigeria has assigned a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bbâ&#x20AC;&#x153; rating to the Insurance industry in its newly published 2019 Nigerian Insurance Industry report.

The assigned rating reflects heightened risks in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s geopolitical and macroeconomic

environment, weak gross domestic product (GDP) growth and inflationary pressures. In addition, dwindling crude oil prices and a contractionary monetary policy stance aimed at forestalling speculative activities on the naira both impact the assigned rating.

Agusto & Coâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rating takes into cognisance the size and strategic importance of the insurance industry in Nigeria.

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sharesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on the

Though relatively small, with a Gross Premium Income as a percentage of GDP at 0.4 per cent, the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic importance is noteworthy.

According to Agusto & Co, the assigned rating recognises the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s satisfactory capitalisation ratios which is expected to further strengthen on the back of anticipated changes in capital requirements

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 08Feb-2019, unless otherwise stated.

for operators across different segments, although it notes that a number of fringe players remain undercapitalised. Profitability lags behind the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s banking counterpart, which recorded an estimated return on average equity (ROE) of 13.3 per cent in 2018 (Insurance Industry ROE: 9.8 per ent). Furthermore, the Industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ROE was significantly lower than the average yield on 365-day

treasury bills of about 14 per cent in the same year. From the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s findings, key pressure points are rising claims expenses, high underwriting & operating costs driven by investments in growing its agency network to service the retail market.

Agusto & Co pointed out that although investment management has improved over time, returns remain sub-par due to limited

investment channels which are predominantly money market securities.

Notwithstanding, the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s short-term outlook on the industry is stable.

The performance of underwriters is expected to improve as political uncertainties subside and business operations pick up in the second half of the year.

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 163.34 163.67 3.23% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 278.47 278.91 2.00% 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 0.86 0.86 1.89% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 11.28% 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 N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 16.97 17.48 2.26% ARM Discovery Fund 363.82 374.79 2.01% ARM Ethical Fund 28.70 29.57 1.63% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.40% 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 103.69 104.41 2.47% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.18% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.99% Paramount Equity Fund 11.70 12.00 -0.08% Women's Investment Fund 101.85 104.46 -0.70% 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 12.82% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 100.06 100.48 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 102.71 103.32 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 13.11% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.86 0.86 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.14 1.14 2.21% 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 11.99% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.97% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,209.22 1,210.00 2.00% FBN Heritage Fund 145.65 146.93 1.56% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.09% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 115.41 115.74 1.33% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 115.37 115.70 1.55% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 152.72 154.93 1.81% 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 1.23 1.25 0.69% Legacy Debt Fund 3.29 3.29 1.37% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.03 1.03 0.51% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.85% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 108.90 109.30 1.53% 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 N/A N/A N/A Vantage Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) N/A N/A N/A

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD ďŹ ncon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.16 1.18 1.24% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,087.15 1,087.15 1.65% 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 11.67 11.76 1.42% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.42% 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 1.36 1.39 6.92% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.41 12.47 1.70% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.53% 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 121.58 122.14 0.70% 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 1.02 1.02 1.56% 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 2,352.60 2,366.97 3.83% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 192.18 192.18 2.39% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.96 0.98 2.11% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 250.53 250.57 3.39% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 164.67 166.48 0.93% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.19% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,552.56 8,654.91 2.50% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.12 1.12 3.42% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Wealth for Women Fund N/A N/A N/A ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Zenith Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A Zenith Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Zenith Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.95 118.53 51.87

-39.35% 0.03% 0.00%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.55 116.95 90.45

10.65 119.47 92.15

0.02% -0.29% 2.02%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva GrifďŹ n 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.35 7.24 14.97 12.56 148.88

4.39 7.32 15.07 12.76 150.88

8.68% -4.92% 0.13% 1.60% 3.69%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.13

17.03%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website and FMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

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5 ) * 4 % ": t WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

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44

5 ) * 4 % ": t WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019

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WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 13 , 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNA TIONAL

UK’s May Seeks More Time to Find Brexit Deal, Tells Lawmakers Prime Minister, Theresa May, on Tuesday told lawmakers to hold their nerve over Brexit and give her more time to negotiate a deal acceptable to both the EU and the British parliament.

The United Kingdom is on course to leave the EU on March 29 without a deal unless May can convince the bloc to amend the divorce deal she agreed in 2018 and get it approved by British lawmakers.

“The talks are at a crucial stage,” May told parliament.

“We now all need to hold our nerve to get the changes this House requires and deliver Brexit on time.”

The leader of the opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, accused her of running down the clock with sham negotiations to pressure parliament into backing her deal.

British lawmakers rejected May’s withdrawal deal in January, with the major sticking point being the Irish ‘backstop’ – an insurance policy to prevent the return of a hard border between British province Northern Ireland and

EU-member Ireland.

Critics say the policy could leave Britain subject to EU rules for years or even indefinitely after leaving the bloc.

The EU says the backstop is vital to avoiding the return of border controls in Ireland and has refused to reopen the Brexit divorce deal, although May insists she can get legally binding changes to replace the most contentious parts of the backstop.

“By getting the changes we need to the backstop; by protecting and enhancing workers’ rights and environmental protections, also by enhancing the role of parliament in the next phase of negotiations I believe we can reach a deal that this House can support,” May said.

The EU’s Brexit Negotiator, Michel Barnier said on Monday the bloc would agree to tweak the political declaration on EUUK ties after Brexit that forms part of the package.

Also to reflect a plan for a closer future relationship that could remove the need for the

backstop.

“It’s clear from our side that we are not going to reopen the withdrawal agreement but we will continue our discussion in the coming days,” Barnier said.

May is pursuing three options in talks with Brussels: negotiating a way for Britain to leave the backstop without needing EU agreement, agreeing a time limit to the backstop, or finding an alternative arrangement that replaces it altogether.

Parliament is to hold a debate on Brexit on Feb. 14 but with just 45 days until Britain leaves the bloc it is not expected to

change the course of the exit process, and no date has been set for another vote to approve or reject May’s deal.

May said if she had not yet reached a deal in Brussels, she would deliver another progress report on Feb. 26 and provide another chance for parliament to express its opinion on her approach the following day.

She said she was prepared to speed up other parts of the ratification process of the Brexit deal if time gets too tight to pass legislation before exit day – a move some interpreted as a sign she was willing to

keep negotiating until the last moment.

Opponents of Brexit argue May is deliberately delaying so lawmakers will be faced with the option of backing her agreement or leaving without a deal, a disorderly exit that businesses fear will cause widespread damage to the economy and jobs.

“It appears the prime minister has just one real tactic: to run down the clock hoping Members of this House are blackmailed into supporting a deeply flawed deal,” Corbyn told parliament.

“This is an irresponsible act.

She is playing for time and playing with people’s jobs, our economic security and the future of our industry.”

May, who delayed a vote on the deal in December when it was obvious parliament, would reject it, responded to Corbyn by saying that she was not responsible for the delay, instead blaming parliament’s failure to back it.

“I wanted to have this sorted before Christmas, I brought a deal back. It’s not me who’s trying to run down the clock,” May said, drawing hoots and jeers from opposing lawmakers.

17 Killed as Fire Guts Budget Hotel in Delhi At least 17 people died when a fire ripped through a budget hotel in Delhi on Tuesday, prompting authorities to launch a safety check of other buildings in the vicinity.

Victims included a woman and a child who jumped from a window to escape the blaze that broke out before dawn at the budget Hotel Arpit Palace.

Images showed flames and thick smoke billowing out of the top floor of the hotel, located in a congested part of the Indian capital.

Guests at the hotel — popular with budget and business travellers — were unable to use corridors to escape because of wooden panelling, according to a fire officer.

Delhi home minister Satyendra Jain told reporters that rules were flouted to construct extra floors, with a terrace being used as an open air restaurant.

He also directed the fire department to inspect other buildings in the congested area and file a report within a week.

Three Myanmar citizens staying at the hotel were missing, the NDTV news network reported.

Most of the guests were sleeping at the time the fire broke out and suffocated to

death.

Four people were injured in the incident.

It is estimated around 120 people were inside the hotel — built around 25 years ago — when the fire started.

“We have confirmed with hospital authorities the toll is now 17 including a child,” Sunil Choudhary, a senior fire brigade official, told AFP. G.C. Misra, Delhi fire services director, said the blaze had been brought under control and that 35 people were rescued by firefighters in an operation lasting several hours and involving at least 25 fire engines.

“There was wooden panelling on corridors because of which people could not use corridors to evacuate,” another fire officer told reporters.

Police said they were investigating the cause, and a judicial probe has been ordered into the latest disaster to raise concerns over fire safety in India.

The hotel is in the Karol Bagh district, a busy commercial centre criss-crossed by narrow alleys where electric wires dangle overhead.

The area, which houses hundreds of hotels, shops and offices, is packed with tourists and shoppers.

Russia Moves to Isolate Itself from Global Internet Russia’s Lower House of Parliament on Tuesday gave tentative approval to draft legislation for the country to instate measures to isolate itself from the global internet.

The bill is intended to better position the country to fend off potential cyberattacks from abroad, particularly from the United States, the legislature said in a statement.

The concept appears similar to China’s Great Firewall, which regulates

internet operations in view of reinforcing national sovereignty.

Russian internet providers have reportedly been tasked by April 1, to come up with a way that the country could reliably shield itself from cyberattacks.

The task force has been considering whether the country could completely disconnect itself from the global internet, Russian independent news agency RBC reported earlier.

Joaquin Guzman Loera aka El Chapo Guzman (middle), being escorted in Ciudad Juarez by the Mexican police durings his extradition to the United States AFP

13 Quarantined in Uganda after Contacted Dead Body Suspected of Ebola Ugandan authorities on Tuesday quarantined 13 people, who picked up a body of suspected Ebola death in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as hemorrhagic fever tests are carried out.

The Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation (WHO) in a joint statement disclosed this in Kampala.

The statement said that the 13 relatives traveled to DRC’s Bunia

hospital to repatriate the body of the deceased 46 year old male for burial in the eastern district of Tororo.

“Their details have been collected and these individuals are currently separated from the rest of the community,’’ said the joint statement.

The statement said the deceased was first admitted in Bunia hospital in November 2018 after complaining of chest pain and

cough, sometimes with blood.

His condition deteriorated last week and died on Friday.

“The dead man has been living and working in the DRC for the last eight years. He developed Ebola-like symptoms and died on Friday,” said the joint statement.

“His death certificate from the hospital indicates the cause of death to be cardiac failure and pulmonary tuberculosis.” the statement said.

The ministry of health has dispatched a burial team that will later today conduct a safe and dignified burial, according to the statement. The statement said there is no confirmed Ebola case present in Uganda.

“Active case search continues in all communities, health facilities and on formal and informal border crossing in all districts especially in the high-risk areas,” said the statement.

Mexican Drug Lord ‘El Chapo’ Found Guilty Mexican drug lord Joaquin Guzman, alias “El Chapo,” has been found guilty by a New York jury.

He was on Tuesday found guilty after a three-month drug trafficking trial and six days of deliberation.

The verdict could result in life behind bars for the 61-year-old former head of the Sinaloa cartel, who was accused of smuggling 155 tons of cocaine and other drugs into the United States over a 25-year-period.

Prosecutors spent years piecing together a sweeping

case against Guzman, who was extradited in 2017 after twice escaping prison in Mexico — first hidden in a laundry cart, then slipping down a tunnel that reached his prison shower.

Guzman has been branded the world’s biggest drug lord since Colombia’s Pablo Escobar, who was dubbed “The King of Cocaine” and was one of the wealthiest men in the world until police shot him dead in 1993.

The Sinaloa cartel that Guzman founded in 1989 is still hugely powerful. His co-

defendant Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada remains at large, and violent drug trafficking continues unabated in Mexico.

Last year, there was a record 29,000 murders in Mexico.

In the United States, opioid addiction has spiralled into an epidemic. In 2016, an average of 174 Americans died every day from drug overdoses.

According to the indictment, the Sinaloa cartel, which Guzman is accused of leading from 1989 to 2014, became “the largest drug trafficking organization in the world…

with thousands of members.”

US prosecutors contend that from 1989 to 2014, the cartel smuggled at least 340,892 pounds (154,626 kilograms) of cocaine into the United States, as well as heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana, raking in $14 billion.

Guzman pleads not guilty, but the government has presented so much evidence — more than 300,000 pages and at least 117,000 audio recordings — that the defence complains they haven’t had enough time to review it all.

Turkey Detains over 600 for Alleged Links to Coup Attempt Turkish authorities detained 641 people in nationwide raids Tuesday over alleged links to a group blamed for a 2016 failed

coup, state news agency Anadolu reported.

Earlier Tuesday, Ankara’s public prosecutor said officials had sent,

to authorities in 75 provinces, the names of 1,112 people under investigation over suspected ties to US-based Muslim preacher

Fethullah Gulen and his movement. Gulen is accused of ordering the attempted putsch, a claim he strongly denies.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 13 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

47

NEWSXTRA

FG Forecloses More Financial Bailout for Power Gencos To stop restocking N701bn payment assurance scheme Chineme Okafor in Abuja The federal government yesterday disclosed that it may no longer provide financial bailouts for power generation companies (Gencos) in Nigeria, stating that the companies must now go out of their way to get customers and sell power generated to them directly under the new eligible customers’ scheme.

The government further added that it would no longer cover for the financial shortfalls incurred by the Gencos, adding that it will ultimately exit the monthly payments, which it covers for the Gencos under the

N701 billion Payment Assurance Guarantee (PAG) initiated by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) to help cushion the revenue shortfalls on the Gencos’ books.

The PAG was set up in 2017 by the NBET to, among other objectives, mitigate the financial constraints of the Gencos which, as a result of the poor remittances from power distribution companies (Discos), do not get enough money for power they generate and send to the grid.

Speaking at a workshop on the eligible customer regulation organised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory

Military Attacks Insurgents, Recovers Weapons

Commission (NERC) in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Louis Edozien, said the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA 2005) never intended that the government would continue to pay for shortfalls incurred in the electricity market by operators.

Edozien said: “The purpose of this gathering is to give full effect to the (eligible customer) policy direction unveiled by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, in 2017.

“With the policy, if you are a bulk consumer in the power sector and you are not satisfied with the services you are getting, you have been empowered under the Act to buy the power

from an existing licensee and have it transmitted and delivered to you.

“It is a bit disheartening that though we are almost two years after that policy direction, not one fully licensed eligible customer is enjoying this regulation. So, I have messages for all the people here so that we can from today move forward much more expeditiously to effect what the minister intended almost two years ago.

“First is to NERC. Regulation is made for man. Man is not made for regulation. Let’s take advantage of this regulation because a good regulation with no beneficiaries is a bad regulation.

“I have a message to Gencos; gone are the days where you

could on your own, or through your association or investors agitate about not being paid or not being able to sell your products. Since 2017, the federal government established a policy to pay you where you are not paid and that policy still subsists.

“But it is also not obtainable any longer for you to complain about not being able to sell your 2,000 megawatts. Go, find the customers who need it and sell it to them. That is what this regulation now authorises and empowers you to do. Don’t sit back, don’t expect that government will perpetually be buying your power. No,” Edozien added.

He further argued that the government and NBET were not the major consumers of

electricity and as such, power generators must look for those who consume their product and sell to them.

Edozien stated: “Government does not consume your power, NBET is not the consumer of your power. Eligible customers are the consumers of your power, find them, contract with them. That’s the essence of this policy.

“Government, through the payment assurance programme is paying the generation companies for shortfalls in payments through the NBET and clearly that is not what the Act intended for the industry today. And ultimately government has to exit from this role.”

Soldier killed, five injured Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja One soldier was killed while five others were wounded when terrorists attacked the troops of 143 Battalion, 28 Task Force Brigade, Sector 1, Operation Lafiya Dole deployed in Madagali, Adamawa State.

But in a fierce counter attack, troops killed many terrorists and captured one insurgent alive.

The insurgents stormed the location in gun trucks but met stiff resistance from the troops.

“One soldier and a civilian paid the supreme sacrifice while five others sustained injuries and are receiving medical attention.

“The terrorists stormed the location in gun trucks and met their waterloo through stiff resistance coupled with massive fire power from the troops and inflicted serious casualty on the terrorists and their equipments.

“The troops in their effort successfully held their ground, disorganised the terrorists who later lost momentum and

retreated in disarray”, Deputy Director Public Relations, 7 Division Nigerian Army/Sector1, Operation Lafiya Dole, Colonel Ado Isa, said.

He said the resilient troops killed many insurgents, captured one alive while several others fled with gunshot wounds, stressing that the gallant troops recovered five AK 47 rifles, four magazines, one hand held grenade, 13 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 45 rounds of anti aircraft gun ammunition.

He said the troops also recovered two mobile phones and one sony camcorder camera from the terrorists.

The Acting General Officer Commanding(GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1, Operation Lafiya Dole, Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu, while commending the doggedness and gallantry of the troops, also commiserated with the families of the fallen heroes with firm assurance that their sacrifices will not be in vain.

PROMOTING CRICKET…

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (right); being presented with a Cricket jersey by the President, Nigerian Cricket Federation, Prof. Yahaya Ukwenya ,during the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour to the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja...yesterday

Appeal Court Dismisses Oni’s Eligibility Suit against Fayemi

Two Presidential Candidates Step down for Atiku

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja

The Appeal Court in Ado Ekiti yesterday dismissed the case filed by former Governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni against Governor Kayode Fayemi, contesting his eligibility to have been fielded as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the July 14, 2018, governorship election in the state.

The three-man appeal panel presided over by Justice Adamu Juaro, in a unanimous verdict, said Fayemi not resigning as the then Minister of Steel and Mines Development to contest the governorship primary where he emerged as the candidate, was not enough to disqualify him.

Other Justices of the appeal panel are Justices Emmanuel Agim and Abubakar Lamido The appeal court in a judgement delivered by Justice Agim held that Fayemi’s indictment by Justice Silas Oyewole-led judicial panel of inquiry set up by former state Governor, Ayodele Fayose, to try the governor for alleged embezzlement was not suffice to bar him from participating in the election.

The Justices said only a conviction by a competent court of law can bar any aspirant from participating in a primary or general election, and not a mere

indictment by a panel.

The federal high court had in a judgement delivered by Justice Uche Agomoh last year dismissed the case for lack of merit, after which the former governor appealed the case.

Oni’s lawyer, Chief Tony Adeniyi, urged the court to determine whether the lower court didn’t commit infraction to have ruled that Fayemi, by virtue of being a minister, was not obligated to resign in line with Article 2 of the 2014 guidelines of the APC, which provided that every intending aspirant must resign 30 days to the primary election.

Oni also told the court that Fayemi, as a public servant, must comply with this provision, contending that the governor, having been indicted by a judicial panel of inquiry was not eligible to participate in the party’s primary.

But Fayemi, through his lawyer, Raheem Balogun, countered the position canvassed

by Oni, saying Fayemi was not a public servant and was not obliged to comply with article 2 of the guideline.

He also added that the panel of inquiry that indicted Fayemi was not a court of competent jurisdiction and lacks the power to bar any aspirant from contesting an election.

Ahead of the Saturday presidential election, two presidential candidates, Dr. Nicolas Felix and Mr. Chuks Nwachukwu, presidential candidates of the Peoples Coalition Party (PCP), and the All Grassroots Alliance (AGA) respectively, have dropped out of the race to support of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

They announced their endorsement of Atiku at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, stating that the former vice president had demonstrated sufficient willingness to address the multi-faceted challenges

facing the nation.

The two candidates said that they resolved to work with Atiku after getting the permission of their teeming supporters to do so.

The PCP candidate said Atiku if elected would bring the nation back on its feet, saying of all the candidates, he has what it takes to make a positive difference in the lives of Nigerians if given the opportunity.

“I have been able to identify amongst my fellow presidential candidates a man of undeniable political and business exploits whose track records and ideals align vividly to what we believe in, to make Nigeria work again,” he stated.

“Therefore, considering

specific political parameters involved in our fight against nepotism, injustice, abuse of the rule of law, as well as economic decline, we must take a stand in the general election. Today as presidential candidates we are joining the team of progressive to do the needful for the development of Nigeria as a country.

“After careful consideration and several meetings among some Presidential candidates, I Dr. Nicolas Felix the Presidential candidate of Peoples Coalition Party, PCP, together with Chucks Nwachuku the Presidential Candidate of All Grassroot Alliance (AGA) are officially and enthusiastically declaring

our support for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.’’

Urging all his supporters and millions of youths across the country on February 16th 2019 as they go to the polls, to vote for Atiku Abubakar, Felix said that what motivated him to drop out of the race, was borne of the need for a great Nigeria for all.

On his part, Nwachukwu questioned the integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, stressing that in the guise of an anti-corruption fight, the nation had been subjected to democratic infractions in the past four years.

CUPP Accuses APC, Security Agencies of Burning Election Materials Udora Orizu in Abuja Opposition political parties under the aegis of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) ha accused the members of All Progressives Congress (APC), aided by alleged unscrupulous security agents, of burning election materials in offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in

parts of the country they recognise as areas of strength of opposition.

The coalition also said the latest fire that erupted in INEC office in Anambra State was meant to stop election in that state in order to deny the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of victory.

In press statement issued

by CUPP spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere, he alleged that the APC

members were planning to burn down more INEC offices and materials so that election could be declared inconclusive in the affected areas and therefore weaken the opposition.

In his words: “Part of their strategy is to either make elections inconclusive in the affected places and hold rerun elections on separate days so that they can use security agents against opposition

members.”

“Why is it that military and policemen attached to these offices cannot stop these wicked people from burning down these offices if they are not part of the plan,” he queried.

He further alleged that members of the APC were planning to carry out similar act in Rivers, Kwara, Adamawa and some local governments in Kano.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

48

NEWSEXTRA

PDP Drags APC, INEC, Others to Court over Two Nigerien Govs Accuses ruling party of burning INEC offices Adedayo Akinwale and Alex Enumah in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dragged the All Progressives Congress (APC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria Immigration Service and the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau, to court over the participation of two governors from Niger Republic at the recent APC presidential campaign rally held in Kano.

This is coming as the main opposition party has also accused the ruling party of burning the INEC offices in various parts of the country, having realised that President Muhammadu Buhari has no chance to win a free and fair election.

In the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2019 and dated February 8, 2019 by Adedamola Falokun, the legal officer of plaintiff, PDP indicated that the matter was on election matters.

Two Nigerien governors and some citizens of the country had on January 31, 2019, participated at the President Buhari campaign rally held in Kano.

The plaintiff said that the substantive suit was a pre election matter as it raises issues that ought to be determined before the elections are held.

It said, “The substantive matter in the suit seeks an order of this honourable court, seeking to direct the 1st - 3rd defendant to preclude and

INEC: 4,695 Smart Card Readers Destroyed in

ensure that foreigners/aliens do not participate in the general election. The foregoing has created a situation of real urgency.”

The PDP prayed the court to determine whether, having “regard to the provision of Section 12 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended 2015) and Paragraph 2 of the 2019 INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, foreigners and/or aliens can participate either directly or indirectly in the general election in Nigeria”.

The PDP also seek a declaration that, “having regard to the provision of Section 12 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), foreigners and/or aliens can participate either directly or indirectly in the general election of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

“That the participation of two Nigerien governors in the 4th defendant’s campaign rally is contrary to Nigerian law and public policy.”

The party also requested for an order, “Directing the 1st, and 3rd defendants to preclude and ensure that foreigners/aliens do not participate in the 2019 general election.

The plaintiff is also seeking an order “restraining the 4th defendant (APC) from inviting or in any way involving foreigners from further participating in its rallies and campaign activities howsoever described”.

The defendants were requested in the originating summons taken out by Kalu Kalu Agu, to “within 30 days after service of this summons on the inclusive of the day of such service, cause an appearance to be entered for them to this summons which is issued upon the application of the plaintiff for the determination of the following questions.”

Meanwhile, PDP has accused the APC of setting fire on INEC offices in various parts of the country, having realised that President Buhari has no chance to win a freehand fair election.

To this end, the main opposition party, in very unequivocal terms insisted that it would never accept any attempt by the APC to postpone the presidential election in any state of the federation.

In a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party said that the presidential election must hold in all the states on February 16 and that President Buhari would be served his defeat certificate.

According to him, “The PDP already has the details of how the APC mobilised misguided elements in its fold to burn INEC offices and destroy electoral materials and equipment in Plateau, Abia and Anambra States.”

The party called on Nigerians to resist the desperation of the APC, for which has now resorted to burning INEC offices, while also calling on INEC to note that the APC is after it facilities and as such put stronger measures

to protect itself from the assaults of this desperate party.

Ologbindiyan stated, “Our party is also privy to clandestine plots by the APC to burn INEC offices in some other states, so as to paralyse the commission’s operations in such states, and pave the way for the isolation and postponement of Presidential elections in those states; after which it plans to unleash compromised security agencies to muzzle the shifted polls in favour of President Buhari.

“Having realised that President Buhari has no chance in a credible, free and fair general election, the APC now plots a violent staggering of the polls so as to use security forces to re-enact the same rigging formula it used in the 2018 Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.

“In attacking INEC offices and destroying the card readers, APC seeks to cripple the commission’s use of full benefit of technology that will guarantee a credible biometric voter accreditation.”

Insists election will go on as scheduled Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that a total of 4695 of the Smart Card Readers were destroyed in the fire incident in Anambra State less then four days to the elections.

This latest fire incident was the third in a row in the last 12 days, following the fire incidents in lsiala Ngwa and Qua’an Pan Local Government offices in Abia and Plateau States, respectively.

INEC in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman on Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Festus Okoye, assured that with the steps so far taken, the electoral body expressed confident that the election in the state would proceed as scheduled.

He stated, “While the commission awaits the details of

the latest incident, it notes with some relief that there was no fatality or injury reported. Initial assessment however confirms that a total of 4695 of the Smart Card Readers were destroyed in the inferno.”

“While this is no doubt, a setback to our preparations for the smooth conduct of the elections in Anambra State, the Commission has taken immediate measures to ameliorate the situation by mopping up some of the spare Card Readers from other states to deploy to Anambra State.”

Okoye noted that the commission has reported the incident to the police and the Fire Service and investigations into the cause have commenced.

The commission also commended the Fire Service for its response which it said prevented the spread of the fire and averted more amage.

400 Monitors to Observe Police Conduct during Elections, Says PSC

STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT…

Alex Enumah in Abuja

Clinton Cancelled His Visit Due to APC’s Threats, Atiku’s Spokesman Alleges

The Police Service Commission (PSC) yesterday disclosed that the commission would be sending 400 monitors to the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, to monitor the conduct of police on electoral duties during the general election.

According to a statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations at the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, the commission’s monitors are expected to leave Abuja on February 13, 2019.

“The commission’s monitors will be armed with its guidelines for the conduct of officers on electoral duty and the officers’ conduct during the elections will be assessed based on the guidelines.

“The commission has also

procured dedicated telephone lines for all the states of the federation where the electorates and other citizens can access its monitors to complain or commend the conduct of the police the lead security agency, for the elections,” the statement said.

The National Coordinator for the exercise and Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, said the police officers on electoral duties have a responsibility of ensuring that peaceful atmosphere are maintained at the polling and counting centres during the elections and that citizens exercise their franchise without fear of coercion, intimidation, violence or manipulation.

“The chairman expects all officers to be at alert, approachable, professional and ensure fairness and firmness”, the statement added.

L-R: Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo; National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu; APC governorship candidate, in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; and his running mate, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat, during a meeting with leaders of markets women and men, in Lagos State, at Alausa, Ikeja…yesterday

The spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Paul Ibe, has blamed the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the cancellation of the visit of the former United States President, Bill Clinton, to Nigeria.

Clinton was expected to attend the signing of a peace accord between President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku today.

The National Peace Committee (NPC) had put the programme together ahead of the elections.

But Clinton pulled out, saying he did not want his visit to be politicised.

Reacting in a statement, Ibe alleged that the cancellation

was not unconnected with the utterances of some members of the ruling party.

The spokesman, according to The Cable, said he wished the situation on ground were more ideal.

Ibe, who said the APC had always harassed the opposition, said the ruling party has now taken it a notch higher by threatening diplomats and election observers.

“It is with some disappointment that we note the statement from President Clinton expressing his inability to visit Nigeria because of recent ‘conversations’ that have made the intended visit inexpedient,” the statement read.

“We understand the reasons

given by President Clinton and wish the situation on the ground were more ideal as to make his visit more conducive.

“We note that the candidate of the PDP, Atiku, a man with a history and pattern of peaceful democratic activity, had looked forward to President Clinton’s visit.

“We quite understand the reasons given by President Clinton, coming especially after the unfortunate “body bag” comment emanating from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Be that as it may, Atiku wishes to reaffirm to Nigerians and the world, his commitment to peace and democracy and urges all contestants and parties involved in the 2019 Nigerian

elections to publicly do the same.”

Ibe appealed to Nigerians not to be discouraged by the conduct of politicians but turn out en masse and vote their conscience.

“Atiku urges all Nigerians to peacefully troop out in their numbers to vote according to their conscience and dictates.

A large voter turnout makes it even more difficult, and perhaps impossible to rig elections,” the statement read.

“Atiku also notes the harassment of friends of Nigeria by the Buhari administration and its agents and privies, who have taken to releasing and uttering statements threatening diplomats and election observers.

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Buhari: We ‘ll Recover all Funds Wasted on Power Projects Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday vowed to track and recover all funds allegedly misappropriated by previous governments in the power sector without commensurate results.

The President insisted that his administration would go after the culprits, apprehend and bring them to justice for frittering away the country’s commonwealth.

Speaking during a campaign at the Oxbow Lake Pavilion, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Buhari told his party loyalists that despite the huge amount spent on power, there was nothing to show, maintaining that if reelected, he would ensure stable power supply to Nigerians.

He admitted that fighting corruption under the present system is extremely difficult, but assured that he would continue to ensure accountability despite the limitations.

“The third point is fighting

corruption under this system.

It has been very difficult, but I have been mentioning it everywhere I go that all those who are in place of accountability should be prepared to account for it.

“Those that abused it were taken before the courts. A number of them are in jail, and a number of their properties taken away. They will be sold and put in the treasury to continue building infrastructure.

“You know we are building roads. It has been mentioned; the railway was virtually killed, but we are rebuilding it.

“And there was no power.

We will bring power back.

The previous government mentioned on their own that they spent $16 billion on power, but you are better witnesses than myself.

“Where is the power? Where is the money? We will follow them. Eventually; God willing, we will catch them and get our money back” he vowed.

Although the National

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, was conspicuously absent during the event, Buhari noted that the party is stronger now, stressing that it will be demonstrated next Saturday during the polls.

He also vowed that the

APC government will take the problems of security, economy and infrastructure, three fundamental issues it campaigned on in 2015, very seriously if re-elected.

In his comments, the leader of the APC in Bayelsa, exGovernor Timipre Sylva,

said Buhari had brought development to Ijaw land.

He said: “I stand here as a son of Ijaw land, as a former governor of Bayelsa State, and as Chairman of the Nigerian Maritime University, which is also a school that was instituted by the President.

“Ijaw people have no reason not to vote for the President.

This time we must vote , there is no Ijaw son that is contesting elections. I can excuse Ijaw people for the last time, but this time, there will be no excuse not to vote for the president,” he said.

SHELL, NNPC INVITE BIDDERS FOR $10BN BONGA SOUTH WEST PROJECT NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, reportedly told the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Abhay Thakur, who paid him a visit that with the refineries up for repairs, the corporation would need technical assistance from Indian companies.

A recent report from the NNPC had indicated that the refineries made profit only once in the last 13 months, which is between November 2017 and November 2018, and recorded a consolidated trading lose amounting to N137.489 billion, in addition to operating at very low capacity utilisation.

Also, the corporation’s negotiation with financiers for a planned refineries revamp programme collapsed recently when parties could not agree on commercial terms to be adopted in the programme which was initiated to get the refineries working at optimal levels and contribute to Nigeria exiting importation of refined petroleum products by the end of 2019.

But Baru, in a statement signed by NNPC’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, in Abuja, explained that Indian companies in Nigeria have played some remarkable roles, and thus called on them to extend their presence to the downstream sector of the country’s petroleum industry to leverage on the enormous opportunities therein.

The statement noted that Nigeria and India pledged to work more closely to enhance energy security for both countries, adding that Baru also assured Thakur that NNPC would be committed to strengthening the existing relations between both countries in the energy sector.

According to the statement, Thakur earlier commended Nigeria for its support to India in the area of energy security, stressing that Nigeria had been contributing significantly to India’s energy needs.

He said India was open to further strengthening its collaboration with Nigeria through regular dialogue and exchange of technical knowhow.

“Specifically, India is already sourcing almost 10 per cent of its energy requirement from Nigeria and we look forward to further strengthening of this cooperation across various sources of energy, not only oil, but also in gas, solar energy and other renewable sources,” the statement quoted him to have said.

He further commended the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, and Baru, for successfully hosting the recently concluded Nigerian International Petroleum Summit (NIPS), and assured of India’s continued support for Nigeria.

INNOVATE, ADAPT OR DIE

Nigeria has a lot of technological potential if only we have the vision and the resolve to harness that potential, both human and material, to drive innovation through creative problem solving and smart investment coming together to improve lives. The time has come for our political leaders and captains of industry to not only invest in technological development and focus on

academic excellence but also foster a new partnership that will dramatically improve Nigeria’s ability to make a difference from commercializing research to engaging with our academic institutions whereby both academia and industry can collaborate to leverage technology for the greater good of the country. We can no longer continue to reject technology.

MARCH AGAINST VIOLENCE…

L-R: Edo State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hajia Mariam Abubakar; wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; and wife of Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu, during during a march against violence against women and children, themed “Justice Must Prevail,” in Benin City…yesterday

Committee Blames Herdsmen Killings on Illiteracy, Blockade of Pastoral Routes Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The committee set up by the Ministry of Defence to unravel the causes of frequent clashes between farmers and herders across the country, which have led to several killings and destruction of property yesterday submitted its report to the Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Mansur Muhammad Dan Ali (rtd).

The committee, which spent six months discussing with stakeholders across the country, blamed the crisis on the high illiteracy level of both the Fulani herdsmen and the farmers making it possible for them to be easily influenced into taking arms against each other.

It also blamed the shrinking

of the Lake Chad Basin, which used to provide sources of water for cattle grazing in the North-east and parts of Northwest, resulting in herdsmen having to move their cattle outside their local habitat for survival resulting in skirmishes with farmers.

The committee also discovered that issues of climate change has had serious negative impact on both the herdsmen and the farmers and was a primary cause of the conflict, even as it recommended among others, the practice of ranching to put a stop to the conflicts and killings.

Chairman of the Committee, Brigadier General Umar Mohammed Ibrahim, said there was need for both the federal, state and local government

councils to increase the level of education and literacy among the people of the affected areas to stem the conflicts.

Towards redressing the shrinking Lake Chad basin, he suggested the need for Lake Chad Basin Countries (LCBC) countries to come together and work in tandem with international support to stop the lake from further receding.

While noting that population growth had also played a role in the crisis, Ibrahim said, most of the pastoral routes which existed in the past for cattle movements were taken over by development as population increased, adding that if possible, new pastoral routes should be opened.

Earlier, the Chairman told the minister that the work of the

committee took them to Benue, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Katsina, Adamawa and Taraba States.

“We met the Miyetti Allah representatives, Farmers Organisation of Nigeria represen-tatives, governors and most stakeholders and all the groups made sincere contributions on how to resolve the crisis,” he said.

Receiving the report, the minister said: “As you are aware, the violent conflicts between nomadic herders and agrarian communities in Nigeria have escalated in recent years and are threatening our nation’s security and political stability.

“These clashes are becoming potentially dangerous as the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east and the Lake Chad region.

DSS Explains Arrest of Kaduna PDP Spokesman John Shiklam in Kaduna The Kaduna State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) has given reasons for arresting the state spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Organisation, Mr. Ben Bako.

Bako was invited to the office of the DSS last Sunday for allegedly making inciting comments during the PDP campaign rally in Kafanchan.

He was arrested and taken to Abuja where he is being detained.

In a statement issued yesterday in Kaduna, the DSS said Bako made inciting statements capable

of causing a complete breakdown of law and order in the state and beyond if left on checked.

The DSS said Bako was arrested in order for him to “shed more light on his inciting statement.”

The statement which was signed by the state Director of the secret service, A I Koya, said: “Other people with similar tendencies are also being investigated and would equally face the same fate if found culpable.”

According to the statement, “On February 9, 2019, this service invited Mr. Ben Bako to shed more light on his inciting statement and call for violence

in the state.

“Earlier on February 7, 2019, Bako had addressed a rally at Kafanchan, Jema’a local government area of Kaduna State.

“During the rally, Bako was recorded calling his followers to kill anybody that votes for any party other than the PDP. The video has already gone viral through the social media.

“Bako, a former Commissioner for Information in the state and a leader in his own right, made this call along with other inciting statements at Kafanchan, deliberately with the intention to cause violence in the state.

“This development, if left

unchecked, could lead to complete breakdown of law and order in this state and beyond. Consequently, Bako is under investigation by the Service and would be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.

“Other people with similar tendencies are also being investigated and would equally face the same fate if found culpable.

“The service assures the good people of the state that in collaboration with sister security agencies, would ensure that citizens are free to exercise their right to freedom of association and choice without hindrance.”

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I’m Not Leaving APC, Says Tinubu The National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has said he has no plans to leave the party for any other as being insinuated.

A video where Tinubu, at the APC Presidential Campaign rally in Abeokuta, Ogun State, was seen throwing the party’s flag to National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole to give to the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Prince Dapo Abiodun, was being framed by opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to mean he was throwing away the party’s flag.

In a statement issued last night by his Special Adviser, Media, Tunde Rahman, the APC leader denied throwing away the party’s flag as being

insinuated by PDP. “If you want to fault Asiwaju for anything in this matter, your critique can only be limited to the accuracy of his toss.

Any attempt to enlarge the episode beyond this is fiction and mischief writ large,” he clarified in the statement.

Agreeing that an incident did actually occur at the Ogun State APC rally, he said it was not the one PDP concocted.

“The true incident that should be reported and condemned is that people who furtively oppose the party and the president tried to infiltrate and disrupt this rally. The attack by these operatives was disrespectful of the office of the president and could have potentially harmed the person

of the president”.

“With but a few precious days until the election and with its chance of victory running out even faster than the time, the PDP now grasps at the most nonsensical and desperate tactics to salvage its

falling enterprise. However, a drowning man cannot toss himself a lifeline. Nor can the PDP succeed in turning the innocuous attempted exchange of a flag between the National Leader and National Chairman into a rift in the

APC’s successful campaign.

“An incident did actually occur at the Ogun State APC rally but it is not the one PDP has concocted. The true incident that should be reported and condemned is that people who furtively oppose the party and

the president tried to infiltrate and disrupt this rally. The attack by these operatives was disrespectful of the office of the president and could have potentially harmed the person of the president,” the statement explained.

SDP Adopts Atiku as Party’s Presidential Candidate, Suspends Adeniran Peter Uzoho

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has adopted the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as its preferred candidate for the presidential election holding this weekend.

This is even as the party has suspended its factional National Chairman and presidential candidate, Prof.

Tunde Adeniran over alleged gross misconduct, anti-party activities and acts prejudicial to the fortunes of the party, which it claimed had gravely brought the party to great disrepute.

The SDP in communique at the end of its Conference of Stakeholders held in Abuja, jointly signed by the new National Chairman and new National Secretary of the party, Chief SupoShonibare and Mr. Adakoli Ojogi respectively, said the decision for choosing Atiku was premised on the PDP candidate’s acceptance of the template for fiscal federalism and political restructuring.

SDP said: “The NEC considered all the options available to the Party and observed the impasse occasioned by the lingering court claims of our Presidential candidates which prevented any Nationwide Presidential Campaign.

“In view of these challenges, the NEC deliberated exhaustively and unanimously resolved to direct the Social Democratic Party supporters nationwide to mobilise our members and members of the public to support the candidature of the Alhaji. AtikuAbubakar.

“Atiku Abubakar’s acceptance of a template for fiscal and political restructuring; to devolve to the states all functions of government that are not the exclusive prerogative under international treaties or common services of States; and on assurance that Atiku Abubakar will be able to effectively address the economic, security and political challenges facing the polity.”

Meanwhile, also suspended by the SDP along with Adeniran was the party’s National Secretary, Shehu Gabam for similar offence However, the former National Vice Chairman, South-west of SDP, Chief Supo Shonibare has replaced Adeniran as the new chairman of the party, while Adakoli Ijogi replaced Gabam as the new National Secretary.

Other officers appointed by the party as stated in the communique include the former National Vice Chairman, South-east, Senator Ebenezer Ikeyina now appointed as the new National Vice Chairman, South. Ambassador Philips Okechukwu is Vice Chairman, South-east; Comr. Vincent Bakare is National Secretary, Civil Society and Labour; and Mr. Wale Alade-Oba emerged as the National Welfare Officer.

The party also said that a committee would be set up to look into the illegal removal and suspension of state chapter chairmen, adding that appointments would be made immediately to fill the vacant offices in its NEC and NWC.

CREATING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES…

L-R: Executive Secretary, UNECA, Vera Songwe; Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed; Co-Chair, GBC Health, Aigboje Aig-Imouhkuede; and Executive Director, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Halima Aliko Dangote, at the 2019 Inaugural Africa Business Health Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ...recently

NINE FEARED DEAD IN RIVERS APC CAMPAIGN RALLY “On Saturday, we are ready for them. They used Federal and State institutions against us. They used to kill our people every day. Because they want to deny us the right to choose our leaders, they ran to a state High Court judge to give them judgment.

Saturday is our day.”

In another development, President Buhari yesterday visited Yenagoa, Bayelsa State where he assured that he is all out for free, fair and credible elections starting on Saturday.

He spoke at a meeting with traditional rulers at the secretariat complexes of the Councils of Traditional Rulers of the two states.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said: “I assure you that I’m all out for free, fair and credible elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) knows my stand on this.

“Nigerians are assured of free and fair elections. Under this leadership, nobody will be allowed to intimidate other citizens. Nobody will be allowed to snatch ballot boxes and run with them. I

will make sure that the votes count,” he said In a related development, the Rivers State Government has called on Nigerians and the international community to hold the APC and Amaechi, responsible for any outbreak of violence during the forthcoming elections.

The call was made in a statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Emma Okah, in reaction to the threats of violence issued

by Amaechi.

“This threat is deeply frightening and all well meaning Nigerians and indeed members of the international community should take note of this threat from high quarters which the world heard directly or live on Channels Television, right before President Buhari and yet nobody reprimanded him” Okah said, pointing out that unless the federal government takes preventive action, Amaechi will carry out his threat using some conscripted security agencies and innocent people may die in the process.

Okah regretted that instead of using the platform of the campaign rally to woo the people in the state who he governed for eight years, the transport minister opted to visit Rivers people with aggravated violence and war.

What more can be worse than a hate speech than this?

“It is indeed more frightening that while the president has repeatedly assured Nigerians and the international community of free, fair and peaceful elections in 2019, an appointee of the president would brazenly threaten bloodshed in the presence of the president and other APC chieftains and yet

nobody cautioned him.” Okah said, noting that this threat is a confirmation of earlier accusation that the transport minister was promoting procurement of arms and ammunition and handing same over to criminals while enlisted security agents would supervise and give covering fire to their violence during the elections.

The state government therefore demanded that the federal government should call Amaechi and the APC to order and spare the state of another orgy of violence like it witnessed in the legislative rerun election in 2015 and 2016.

Buhari Mourns APC Rivers Tragedy Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari last night said he was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of four lives in a stampede at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State yesterday.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement, said the president extended his deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims and wished all those injured. a speedy recovery.

He said the president described the deaths as “needless loss of lives” and an anti-climax to a highly successful outing” in the oil city that could have been averted if there was an orderly exit from the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.

“It is indeed a great tragedy that Nigerians who have important roles to play in shaping the future of the country and had come to see and hear from us how hard their government is working to build a Nigeria of their dreams, would meet their end in this unfortunate circumstance.

“I assure the people, with all sense of responsibility, that the party and the government will do everything possible to ensure the well-being and safety of our citizens as they troop out to attend rallies and all other political events,” he quoted him as saying.

The statement added that Buhari assured the government and the people of Rivers State as well as the affected families of the support and prayers of the federal government during this difficult time and prayed the Almighty God to repose the souls of the deceased.

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APC Has No Chances in Kwara, Saraki Insists Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki last night told President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) that Kwara State remains “nogo- area” for the party in the forthcoming coming elections.

Saraki while addressing a mammoth crowd of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters at a campaign rally at Afon, Asa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, said the fact that he was the focus of verbal attacks by APC leaders at their rally in Ilorin on Monday only justified his position that

the party has nothing to offer Nigerians.

He also restated his earlier position that the APC has nothing to offer the people of Kwara State, describing the party in the state as merely a conglomerate of greedy politicians.

He called on the electorate to use the first election to teach the APC a lesson to show that the state will never be subjected to taking orders from Lagos.

According to him, “Saturday election is all about Nigeria and polls is also about Kwara State”.

He said, “When I first said this many wondered but when

Buhari came yesterday you all saw what happened. They spent the entire day abusing me because they have no plan for us here except to abuse Saraki.

“That is unlike the PDP that trusts us and have assured us of a better deal for our people.

“PDP is the only party today with active plan for development and youth employment. They also have great regard for us in Kwara

State.

Saraki added, “Let’s use this Saturday election to teach them a lesson that Kwara State is our own and we will never take orders from Lagos. Kwara is a ‘no-go-area’ for them; let’s tell them with our votes.

“The APC is made up of people who enjoyed your votes because we asked you to vote for them even when you didn’t know them but out of greed

they are out of our fold.

“The second group is made up mainly of rebels who have nothing to offer but just to antagonise Saraki after they had benefitted immensely from our political structure”.

He however stressed that, “Buhari does not understand governance. We are not abusing him, we are saying the truth.

“Government alone cannot find job for everyone but

you establish businesses to aid employment but since this President got into office businesses have been closing down with no replacement.”

“There is urgent need for Nigerians to elect Atiku Abubakar as the nation’s next president on Saturday, assuring that the PDP presidential candidate will wipe out hunger, poverty and unemployment from the land”.

NiMet: Dust Haze to Disrupt Flight Operations Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), yesterday warned of an impending considerable amount of dust which, it noted, would disrupt flight operations across the country’s airports.

NiMet revealed that haze has been released into the atmosphere over the source region in southern Chad and Niger Republic.

The agency said it observed strong North-easterly winds of about 20kt at the surface and 40kt at about 900 metres above and over the region.

This, it revealed, is consequently responsible for the lifting and southward propagation of dust into the country.

The expected state of the atmosphere in the coming days, it stated, will likely disrupt flight operations.

“Cancellation and delay of flights at some airports across the country are anticipated especially over the northern cities. Road users are also advised to exercise caution and avoid over speeding especially during early morning period when horizontal visibility is impaired by fog, mist or dust haze.”

In a statement by the Director, Weather Forecasting Services, Zakariyau Abdulrasheed, NiMet said, “some stations over the

northern parts of the country are already in hazy conditions with visibility as low as 200m especially over northeastern cities.”

“A fresh dust plume is expected to propagate into the country in the next 24 hours and this will further deteriorate horizontal visibilities across the country.

“Combined with the dust already in suspension for the past two days, further deterioration in horizontal visibilities to values below 1, 000 metres is expected, especially over the northern parts of the country.

“Southward transportation of the dust is anticipated to further deteriorate the horizontal visibility over the central states and the southern cities in dust haze condition with visibility ranging from 1,500 – 5,000 metres.

“Some cities over these regions are expected to be in visibility less than 1, 000 metres. Due to increased concentration of dust, people allergic to dust are advised to take necessary precautions, reduce their exposure to dust and take their medications to alleviate its effect on their health,” the agency added.

It, however, stated that it would continue to monitor the weather and keep the public updated by providing reliable daily weather forecast.

I’ll Respect Gender Balance as Governor, Says Adelabu The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 2, 2019 gubernatorial election in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has promised a gender-balance cabinet if he won the election.

Adelabu made this declaration at a gubernatorial debate held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan yesterday.

The debate was organised by a radio station in Ibadan.

According to him, “my administration is going to abide by the UN prescription on involvement of women in governance.

“It’s incontrovertible that women don’t have the propensity for corruption like men, as such we’re going to have women of proven integrity in our administration,” Adelabu declared.

In response to the question on works being undertaken by the incumbent administration, Adelabu promised to continue and build on the good work of the current administration.

He also promised to pay the N30,000 minimum wage to workers in the state, while working to have an improved educational and healthcare delivery systems.

On the office of the First Lady, Adelabu said what he will have will be wife of the governor and not first lady Other candidates that featured at the debate included Senator Olufemi Lanlehin of ADC, Mr. Olalekan Ayorinde of ANRP, Mrs. Bolanle AsabiSarumi of of NIP, Mr. Seyi Makinde of PDP and Chief Sarafadeen Alli of ZLP. The debate was organised to provide a window of opportunity for the electorates to have an on-the-spot engagement with select candidates of some of the political parties standing for the gubernatorial election.

All the candidates at the debate agreed on the need to work out an amicable solution to resolve the intractable crisis facing the Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH).

MEGA RALLY…

L-R: Deputy President of Senate and PDP senatorial candidate, Enugu West senatorial district, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Enugu State Governor and governorship candidate of PDP, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; and Senator Ben Collins Ndu, acknowledging cheers from jubilant supporters, during the zonal mega rally of the party in Awgu Local Government Area of the state… yesterday

HURIWA Alleges Premeditated Compromise by INEC Peter Uzoho The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised the alarm that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) might have compromised this weekend’s presidential election in favour of the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari HURIWA in a statement issued yesterday by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, accused the chairman of INEC, Prof.

Mahmud Yakubu of denying Nigerians bearing Christian names of their permanent voters cards (PVCs) in most parts of the country, especially at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“The Chairman of INEC, Yakubu Mahmood may have

compromised the February 16, 2019 presidential poll in favour of the incumbent, going by the plethora of genuine, verifiable and unambiguous evidence that Nigerians with Christian names were denied their permanent voters cards in most parts of the country and especially the FCT,” HURIWA said.

HURIWA said it had received approximately 10, 000 reports from Abuja and most Northern States of persons complaining of discrimination by officials of INEC in the distribution of permanent voter’s cards.

The rights group has also asked for urgent investigation by the National Assembly of the cocktails of premeditated fire incidents that burnt down offices of the commission in Plateau, Abia, and Anambra States.

It also asked the INEC chief

to clear the air regarding his alleged adorning of the customised cap of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he said bears broom, the official symbol of the ruling APC. HURIWA said: “The adorning publicly of APC customised hat by the INEC chairman must not be overlooked because there are allegations that the cap symbolises a certain oath of loyalty to the ideals of APC. This must be investigated.

“As a civil rights body that is charged with monitoring how the fundamental human rights of the citizens are promoted, protected and nurtured we are aware based on verifiable eyewitnesses’ accounts that millions of Southern Christians have been denied their human rights to vote.”

“We have noticed that

most of those who told our field officers that they have been unable to pick up their permanent voters cards are either Christians from the middle belt or from the South even as the citizens of the Igbo speaking states in most parts of the North and Abuja could not receive their voters cards for no clear reasons, even as majority of the officials from INEC in charge of the PVCs are Moslems of northern Nigeria.

“These are clear cases of discrimination by the leadership of INEC. We were told by some officials from INEC who are close to some of our people that the leadership of INEC believe that most Southerners and Northern Christians who are angry that president Buhari could not tackle the armed Fulani herdsmen’s attacks, have shifted their loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party.”

Akwa Ibom Electorate Back Re-election of Emmanuel Barely three weeks to the March 2 gubernatorial polls in the country, the people of Akwa Ibom State have expressed their support for the return of Governor Udom Emmanuel for a second term.

According to a recent survey conducted by The Pioneer, Emmanuel has polled a commanding lead of all the candidates in the gubernatorial race. He polled 93 per cent to emerge

tops and highly favoured to clinch the position. He was followed by the All Progressive Congress, (APC) candidate, Obong Nsima Ekere who polled a 11.2 per cent, according to the survey.

The respondents based their submissions on several indices including equity and justice, peaceful atmosphere in the state, implementation of the five-point agenda of

wealth creation, economic and political inclusion, poverty alleviation, infrastructural consolidation, expansion and wealth creation.

The governor scored 83 per cent on low crime rate, 85 per cent on industrialisation, 81 per cent on political inclusiveness, and 80 per cent on youth development.

Other sectors which the governor was awarded high marks were; administrative

competence, attraction of foreign direct investment to the state, massive infrastructural development and simplicity in leadership.

Respondents, according to the survey, scored the governor high on investment in the health sector, innovation in agriculture, which they said culminated in bumper harvest with the attendant low commodity prices.

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Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x161; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Duro Ikhazuagbe Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

AFRICAN U-20 TOURNAMENT

Flying Eagles Battle Mali for Final Ticket in Niamey Femi Solaja After securing one of the tickets to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, Seven-time champions Nigeria will battle the Junior Eagles of Mali today for a place in Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final of the 2019 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations at the Stade General Seyni Kountche on Wednesday.

The Flying Eagles won the Group A that had host nation Niger Republic, South Africa and Burundi, finishing with seven points, defeating Burundi and Niger Republic while drawing with South Africa, while Mali finished second in Group B with six points after victories over Burkina Faso and Ghana, and defeat by Senegal.

Flying Eagles Head Coach, Paul Aigbogun, insisted yesterday that having met the first target of a FIFA World Cup ticket, his boys will play the remaining matches without any pressure and would turn out to be much better. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We set the World Cup ticket as our first target for the championship. We have that now, so we are relaxed to go in their and give our best for

the second target of winning the trophy, while playing without tension or stiffness.â&#x20AC;?

Both teams know a little of each other. At the WAFU U20 Cup Tournament in Lome, Togo in December 2018, Mali led by a lone goal in one of the semi final matches until the

Rangers Can Surprise CS SfaxienToday inTunisia, Says Bonsu Clement returned to Rangers after a stint in Kuwait and made his Confederation Cup debut at home against Salitas FC of Burkina Faso in Enugu.

Head Coach, Gbenga Ogunbote is excited by Clementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s return and is likely to hand him a starting shirt this evening in Tunisia. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back to the team and we hope he helps us get a result in Tunisia,â&#x20AC;? Ogunbote stressed yesterday.

The AITEO Federation Cup winners parade the leading scorer in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CAF Confederation Cup, Godwin Aguda, who has scored six goals so far this term. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aguda is now a lot calmer and so heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taking his chances well. I hope he continues that way,â&#x20AC;? the Rangers coach remarked.

CAF League: Lobi Holds Wydad as Hope Dims Lobi Stars hope for a place in the knockout phase of CAF Champions League dimmed yesterday after the Makurdi team managed to secure a goalless scoreline against Wydad FC of Casablanca in Morocco.

The match-day encounter required the Nigerian club side to win away to be on level term with the Moroccans who were on six points before the match. But the hard-fought encounter saw both sides share the spoil but to the advantage of the Magreb side who are joint first with Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa on

clash with Mali was going to be an interesting one. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is going to be an interesting game because the Malians are difficult to play. They are strong and run a lot. But I see Nigeria throwing everything into the fray and doing everything to curtail the Malians by playing

a strong game and showing the passion to reach the final,â&#x20AC;? observed the Franco-German gaffer.

The second semi final, also set for the same venue will see Group B winners Senegal tackle South Africa. The Lionceau du Teranga won all their matches

Victor Moses (left) helped Fenerbahce defeat Zenit St Petersburg 1-0 in their Europa clash in Turkeyâ&#x20AC;Ślast night

CAF CONFED CUP

Rangers Goalkeeper, Nana Bonsu, is confident that the Flying Antelopes call pull off a surprise by securing away victory against CS Sfaxien in the CAF Confederation Cup Group B match at the Stade TaĂŻeb Mhiri in Tunisia this afternoon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when we go for away matches that we are going to have big pressure to deal with; we shall do our best to ensure we qualify from the group,â&#x20AC;? Bonsu observed yesterday ahead of the big clash. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are ready. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m ready if Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m picked to keep and the most important thing is to help the team to victory,â&#x20AC;? he stressed for emphasis.

Interestingly, the Flying Antelopesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fire power will be boosted by the return of big striker Bobby Clement to the team.

82nd minute, before defender Valentine Ozornwafor brought Nigeria level, and the Flying Eagles went ahead to win on penalty shoot-out.

Super Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr, who is with the Flying Eagles in Niamey, observed that the

seven points now.

Lobi FC on four points faces the herculean task of having to win away at Mamelodi on March 9th to have any prospect of a place in the knockout stage. A win for the South African side will automatically seal a ticket for them.

On March 16, Lobi will host ASEC Mimosas of CĂ´te dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire while Wydad will engage Mamelodi for supremacy at the top of the log Both Asec Mimosas and Lobi are tied down on four points respectively.

in the group phase, scooping the maximum nine points, and would reach their third consecutive final of the Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations if they defeat the Amajita.

They were in the final of the 2015 championship that they hosted, losing to Nigeria, and also lost in the final of the 2017 competition to host nation Zambia.

Incidentally, South Africa was also the semi final victims of Senegal in the 2017 edition in Zambia.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved a request by the Nigeria Football Federation for the Flying Eagles to wear black armbands in their semi final clash with Mali in honour of departed former NFF Secretary General and Member of Board, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi.

Chief Ogunjobi, also the Chairman of Osun State Football Association, passed away on Monday morning at the University College Hospital, Ibadan after a brief illness. He was also a former Nigeria international.

Ambode Receives Cricket World CupTrophy in Lagos The Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday played host to the Cricket World Cup trophy.

The trophy, which has been on a global tour of cities ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup which would hold in the United Kingdom in June, arrived Nigeria through Abuja on Monday. The governor received it at his office in Alausa, Ikeja. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think a lot of people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand cricket deeply because it has a lot of values that can be learnt from it. As a former cricketer way back in secondary school, I appreciate the game and I look forward to seeing more young people learn from the game,â&#x20AC;? observed the governor.

Governor Akinbode said he is very pleased that the International Cricket Council (ICC) picked Lagos as the only state apart from the Federal Capital City (FCT) that hosted cricketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prized silverware in the country.

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode (right); being presented with a Cricket jersey by the President, Nigerian Cricket Federation, Prof. Yahaya Ukwenya during the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour to the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikejaâ&#x20AC;Śyesterday

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is indeed an honour to be the only Governor to host the trophy in the country,â&#x20AC;?

he enthused.

President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF),

Professor Yahaya Ukwenya had earlier in his opening remarks referred to the state as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cricket Capitalâ&#x20AC;? of Nigeria.

He cited the support from the state to the game as one of the reasons that earned it the federationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commendations that encouraged the international body to select Nigeria as one of the three destinations in Africa during the Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are indeed very grateful for the support that Lagos State has extended to the federation and it is one of the reasons we are enjoying this rare privilege of hosting the Trophy,â&#x20AC;&#x153; the NCF president said.

The Trophy would be on display at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval on Lagos Island today, where sports enthusiasts and members of the cricket community would have the opportunity to see the trophy and take pictures with it.

2013 Eagles Win PVC Novelty Football Match The 2013 AFCON winning Super Eagles last Saturday edged out the class of 1994 Eagles 5-3 on penalties to emerge as the champion of PVC Novelty Football Match played at the Yabatech Sports Complex.

The novelty match aimed at motivating young people to actively participate in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s election was organised

by Tap Initiative in partnership with OSIWA and sponsored

by Studio24Nigeria and GM Records.

The 30-minutes match ended goalless before going into

penalty shoot out to decide the winners. 2013 Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Emeka Ikejioforâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal sealed victory for his team.

Before the kick off, centre referee Wofaifada, called for a one minute silence in honour of some of the 1994 AFCONwinning squad that have died. They include; Coach Jossy Lad, Skipper Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, Uche Okafor and Thompson Oliha.

Early efforts by Mutiu Adepoju to fire the 1994 Super Eagles into lead failed to manifest. 2013 Eagles captain,

Joseph Yobo, who surprisingly played in the forward line also led several attack but Alloy Agu in goal for the class of 1994 Eagles lived up to expectations.

Ex international players that featured for the1994 Super Eagles include; Victor Ikpeba, Ben Iroha, Okechukwu Uche, Mutiu Adepoju, Samson Siasia, Kanu Nwankwo, Godwin Opara, Waidi Akanni and Alloy Agu while Yobo Ndukwe Chukwu, Karibe Ojigwe, Mobi Oparaku, Victor Agali, Emeka Ifegiagwa, Ifeanyi

Nweke, Dayo Ojo, Ifeanyi Udeze, Sunday Adetunji and Emeka Ikejiofor represented the Super Eagles Team of 2013.

Executive Director, Tap Initiative, Mr. Mbasekei Martin Obono, who appreciated fans of the Super Eagles for coming to watch the stars play, urged them to get their PVC and vote the candidates of their choices.

He also urged spectators to shun vote selling stating that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;selling your vote is tantamount to selling your birthrights for a morsel of bread that would not last.â&#x20AC;?

55

T H I S D AY Ëž FEBRUARY 13, 2019

WEDNESDAYSPORTS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Pogba Sees Red as PSG Hands Solksjaerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Man Utd First Defeat Manchester United must mount a miraculous recovery operation to keep their Champions League campaign alive after they were overpowered

by Paris St. Germain 2-0 at Old Trafford last night.

Second half goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe secured victory for the French champions, with Paul Pogba sent off for two yellow cards late on.

Unitedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revival with 10 wins in 11 games under interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer raised hopes that this was the night they could reclaim their place in Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elite.

Instead, they were outclassed

by PSG to suffer their first European home defeat by a margin of more than one goal and will now need to produce something remarkable in Paris on 6 March to stand a chance of advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Solskjaerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hopes were hampered by first-half injuries to Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial but PSG made light of the absence of injured Brazilian superstar Neymar and striker Edinson Cavani.

Former Manchester United misfit Angel Di Maria was their tormentor, his 53rd minute corner allowing Kimpembe, arguably fortunate to still be on the pitch, to escape the attentions of Nemanja Matic and side-foot past David De Gea. Elsewhere, Nicolo Zanioloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two goals gave Roma the edge

Europa:Victor Moses Helps Fenerbahce Defeat Zenit Victor Moses made his first Fenerbahce start as they beat Zenit St Petersburg in the Europa League last 32 first leg.

The Chelsea loanee set up the only goal as he knocked on a corner to Islam Slimani to smash home.

Zenit, in their first competitive game for two months, missed a penalty when Robert Makâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kick was brilliantly tipped on to the bar by Harun Tekin.

The game was being played on Tuesday because Fenerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Istanbul rivals Galatasaray are at home on Thursday.

RESULTS Man Utd 0-2 PSG Roma 2-1 Porto TONIGHT Ajax Vs Real Madrid Spurs Vs Dortmund EUROPA Fenerbahce1-0 Zenit

Chelsea Fan Wins N3.5m on Betwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 4-to-Score Promo

PSG players celebrating the 2-0 defeat of Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League at Old Trafford...last night

over Porto in their Champions League last-16 first leg.

The teenager, one of Romaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s few bright sparks in a poor season, controlled Edin Dzekoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pass before drilling a low effort past Iker Casillas.

He added a second from six yards out after Dzekoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 20-yard shot hit the post.

But Porto got an away goal when Adrian Lopez scored after Tiquinho Soaresâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mis-hit shot landed in his path.

Roma, who are sixth in Serie A, had the better chances, with

Dzeko having a shot tipped on to the post by Casillas.

It is a first defeat for Porto - excluding penalty shootouts - in 27 games.

They had won their last five Champions League matches to come through the group stages unbeaten.

The second leg in Porto is on Wednesday, 6 March.

Speaking shortly after the game, Roma captain Daniele de Rossi: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wouldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been happy if someone had told me before the game that

weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d win 2-1. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the best result, it changes a lot from 2-0, so letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s say we have the advantage 51-49. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had studied Porto and knew they were a bit more physical, less focused on passing than under previous coaches. They are quite different to most Portuguese clubs too, but we knew they played this type of football and Ivan Marcano had warned us they were a very different side now.â&#x20AC;?

A 200-level university undergraduate has become N3.5 million richer after winning Betwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 4-To-Score weekly promotion in January.

The lucky Enugu-based student, Chidi Kenechukwu, became a millionaire overnight after correctly predicting the first teams to score in four different English leagues on the Betway online betting platform.

Kenechukwu, a die-hard Chelsea FC fan, correctly predicted the first team to score in the English Championship, FA Cup, English League 1 and English League 2. The teams were: Aston Villa (English Championship), Swansea City (FA Cup), Wycombe (League) and Macclesfield (League 2).

As one of the most popular sports betting brands in the country, Betway runs 4-To-Score on a weekly basis, allowing any registered customer to participate for free and have

the chance to win massive in cash prizes.

Each week without a winner results in the prize money increasing.

According to the betting company, â&#x20AC;&#x153;to play, what stakers need to do is simply register a Betway account.

Once done, they need to correctly predict which teams, across four different English leagues, will score first at a set kick-off time every weekend. Kenechukwu, an avid Chelsea FC fan, won the 4-To-Score prize pool after it had reached the maximum of NGN 3,500,000, subsequently rolling over from NGN 3,000,000 the week before. Commenting on Kenechukwuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good fortune, Betway Country Manager, Lere Awokoya said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;4-ToScore is free to play. Players donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to wager, they simply just predict.

TRIBUTE

My Friend Gordon Banks Was a Goalkeeper with Magic, Says Pele Brazil legend Pele has described ex-England international Gordon Banks as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;goalkeeper with magicâ&#x20AC;? after the 1966 World Cup winner died at the age of 81 yesterday.

The football world has been paying tribute to Banks, a world champion 53 years ago but best remembered for a save from Pele at the 1970 World Cup. But iconic forward Pele said he was â&#x20AC;&#x153;gladâ&#x20AC;? his header was kept out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That act was the start of a friendship between us that I will always treasure,â&#x20AC;? the 78-year-old said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whenever we met, it was always like we had never been apart.â&#x20AC;?

Three-time World Cup winner Pele said on social media: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have great sadness in my heart today and I send condolences to the family he was so proud of. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rest in peace, my friend. Yes, you were a goalkeeper with magic. But you were also so much more. You were a fine human being.â&#x20AC;?

Banksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; save to deny Pele 49 years ago has been described as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;save of the centuryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and Pele has previously admitted he thought he had scored. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For many people, their

Pele (right) and his friend, Gordon Banks who died yesterday

memory of Gordon Banks is defined by the save he made against me in 1970. I understand why,â&#x20AC;? Pele added.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The save was one of the best I have ever seen - in real life and in all the thousands of games I have watched since.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you are a footballer, you know straight away how well you have hit the ball. I hit that header exactly as I had hoped.

Exactly where I wanted it to go.

And I was ready to celebrate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But then this man, Banks, appeared in my sight, like a kind of blue phantom, is how I described him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He came from nowhere and he did something I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel was possible. He pushed my header, somehow, up and over.

And I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe what I saw. Even now when I watch it, I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe it. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe how he moved so far, so fast. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I scored so many goals in my life, but many people, when they meet me, always ask me about that save. While it was indeed phenomenal, my memory of Gordon is not defined by that - it is defined by his friendship. He was a kind and warm man who gave so much to people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So I am glad he saved my header - because that act was the start of a friendship between us that I will always treasure.â&#x20AC;?

England team-mate Alan Mullery, who played alongside Banks during the 1970 World Cup game, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was probably the best there has ever been.â&#x20AC;?

But he joked that the former Stoke goalkeeper, who won the

League Cup in 1972, should have caught the ball when denying Pele. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I patted him on his head, and I said â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;why didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you catch it?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and the abuse that came back was unbelievable,â&#x20AC;? he told BBC Radio 5 live. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was the best at that time.

We had some great goalkeepers in those days, and the only person I can think who came near was Pat Jennings.â&#x20AC;?

Another England team-mate Sir Bobby Charlton said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gordon was a fantastic goalkeeper, without doubt one of the best England has ever had. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was proud to call him a teammate. Obviously we shared that great day in 1966 but it was more than that. Even though I was on the pitch and have seen it many times since, I still donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how he saved that header from Pele. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gordon will be deeply missed and our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.â&#x20AC;?

Banks, who won the League Cup with Leicester and Stoke, paved the way for a rich heritage in English goalkeeping.

After he retired in 1973, Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence shared England goalkeeping duties, which Clemence says â&#x20AC;&#x153;helpedâ&#x20AC;? them maintain high standards.

TR

Wednesday February 13, 2019

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE Keyamo to US Envoy

“An American ambassador has a great responsibility in representing the strongest economic and military power in the world. His comments carry weight because of the status of his nation. This means his comments should reflect a deep knowledge of the subject. Sadly, Ambassador Symington has not shown the deep knowledge of the Nigerian situation.

–Spokesman for the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, accusing the United States Ambassador, Stuart Symington, of partiality and tacit support for Atiku Abubakar.

ALEXOTTI OUTSIDE THE BOX

alex.otti@thisdaylive.com

Innovate, Adapt or Die “E

very once in a while, a new technology, an old problem, and a big idea turn into an innovation” Dean Kamen “Innovation is hard. It really is, because most people don’t get it. Remember, the automobile, the airplane, the telephone, these were all considered toys at their introduction because they had no constituency. They were too new.”

Nolan Bushnell In the 1980s and early 90s, one of the hottest and long running debates in social science circles centred on ‘technology transfer’. There were two distinct schools of thought in which one insisted that technology can be transferred and by relating with those who have improved their technological base, one could learn how to copy and apply technology developed or invented elsewhere to solve local challenges. On the other side of the divide was another set of scholars who argued that it was impossible to transfer technology. The kernel of their argument was that technology was part of the culture of a people and therefore was impossible to transfer. Nevertheless, a third school of thought ultimately emerged which departed from the technology transfer argument but contended that the best way to acquire technology was to steal it. They cited India which they contented became a technology giant through reverse engineering and technological espionage. Since the turn of this millennium, however, the technology transfer debate seems to have abated. What I am not sure is how the matter was resolved, if it ever was. While not trying to revive that debate, our discourse today will focus on technology and innovation with particular reference to education, research, and development. However, let us first examine the role and importance of technology in our world today.

Technology today encompasses everything we do, make or provide to meet our needs and the process and systems used for their development and delivery. We presently live in a world where nearly everything is technology-based. We are glued to our TV sets and mobile phones all day seeking knowledge and getting entertained through social media and Google sites. We are able to effect banking transactions, make purchases and flight reservations as well as communicate with our family and friends in diverse distant places with just the click of a mouse and the touch of a button.

As the world continues in its present trajectory of innovation, motion and change, everything we know today regarding technology keeps changing at an unbelievably rapid pace. In no distant future, robots, through Artificial Intelligence, AI, are poised to alter virtually everything about our lives, from the way we spend our typical day to the nature and extent of our connectivity with each other.

Right at this moment, AI, which is an effort to build machines that think and function like the human brain, is at a high level of technological ascendancy. Its transformative potential is seemingly so limitless despite concerns about a future in which AI-driven technology becomes an existential threat to even the humans that are creating it.

While some people are understandably concerned with this prospect, others choose to focus on a more consequential question: How will AI and its inevitable outcomes affect the way we live, work and function?

Unfortunately, with all the advances in science and technology, here in Nigeria and indeed most third world countries, we are not preparing our young people for the culture shock and the challenges that lie ahead. Every year, our Universities and other institutions of higher learning churn out science and engineering graduates in their thousands who can barely come up with one original innovative idea

Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu to solve a local societal problem. We find primary and high school students who through their formal education never saw a computer nor know how to use one. Worse still, we have thousands of teachers in a similar predicament. The tragedy is that these young adults are expected to be able to cope and compete with their counterparts in other parts of the world or have the skills to excel in the emerging modern technological environment.

As proof of how far behind we are and the injustice our various levels of government are perpetrating on our young people, the following facts are too pertinent not to mention. In 2009, 97 percent of teachers in the United States had at least one computer in their classrooms, and internet access was available for 93 percent of computers.

The average ratio of students to computers was 5.3 to 1. There is no denying the fact that this is now a digital world we are living in and computer literacy skills and internet know-how have become a requirement for many facets of daily life and that learning these skills starting at primary school level, arms students with the critical toolset that can only improve their chances for success in the future. The question that remains is this; how do we prepare our students for the technologies of the future, some of which are already here?

It is my contention that whatever anyone does must have been learned one way or the other. Even when one makes an invention, it is still a study or research that gives rise to it. It, therefore, becomes expedient that attention must be paid to understanding how to push the frontiers of invention, through learning and teaching. There is a direct correlation between the quality of learning and innovation. An innovative mind can only be sharpened by requisite education. The second point to make is that for any innovation to make sense, it must be geared towards solving relevant problems. Granted that there may be innovations that address problems that are foreign to the environment, most innovations are targeted at local needs and challenges. It therefore follows that education which should also target local needs must be indigenous. Indigenous education will speak to the educational curricula, the faculty, and infrastructure for effective learning. If we draw up curricular that are alien to our environment for our educational institutions, we will end up graduating students who though may be highly certificated, would also be practically cut off from the realities of their local environment.

In changing our curriculum as it relates to Science and technology, it is my contention that we must, first and foremost, change how our teachers teach

while giving them the tools to help them do so. We must not only equip our teachers with computers and every other available digital tool to enhance their effectiveness, we must also retrain them. The reality is that with the introduction of technology in our mode of learning, each new innovation, coupled with the redesign of our curriculum, gets reflected in the expanding possibilities for both the teachers and their students. Now how can we achieve this? According to Australian Professor, Paul Gadner, the four possible approaches to teaching students about technology and science include the following; A technology-as- illustration approach, A Cognitive-motivational-approach, An Artifact approach and finally a Technologyas-process approach. As much as I will not go into a detailed explanation of Gadner’s different instructional approaches the fact remains that a technology education curriculum should be one that stresses its evolution, utilization, personnel, systems, techniques, resources, products and their combined social and cultural impacts.

No matter what instructional model we come up with to suit our circumstances, our school curriculum must be tailored towards developing technological and innovative understanding and capability geared towards the acquisition of problem- solving skills and capabilities with which to find technological solutions to local problems.

In other words, we must impart in our students, the ability to conceive of a product or service and to design, make, use, disseminate and improve it, in ways that meet local needs and realities. To put it simply, a technology-Innovation curriculum should be part of an enabling process that involves the process of invention, reinforcement, diffusion, and transfer. We can all admit that technology is not merely applied science hence things are often done without precise knowledge of how or why they are except that they are effective hence here in this country, we’ve had people with rudimentary inventions devoid of any technical or engineering knowledge or expertise but which have surprisingly turned out to be effective. The point here is that our technology curriculum must be designed in such a way that instructional strategy will result in some aspect of educational content being delivered beyond and outside the classroom.

That way, it will help make the students adaptable to acquiring knowledge that helps them balance building technical skills with more general critical thinking and communication skills, which in turn will help them as they adapt to a changing workforce and the globalising environment.

In addition to modernising and re-orientating our technological educational system through the re-evaluation of our school curriculum and placing more emphasis on science and technology, we must also begin to link it to our educational institutions with industries already involved with emerging technologies of the future. To do so, we must identify students with special skills and abilities and connect them with industries and professionals already involved in the professions of interest to them. We must not only promote internship programmes but also invite experts in certain fields to volunteer their time, teaching and mentoring in our high schools and tertiary institutions. This is what is known as the ‘Town and Gown’ strategy.

We must endeavour to set up special skills trade schools in such vocational areas as electrical works, Carpentry, Construction, Computer repairs and the like. In most developed economies, skills training and retraining have been the key to their economic development and industrialisation. Not everyone is made for university education and it is a fact that some students don’t have the aptitude

and interest to do so. For such young people, we must provide them with alternatives to hone their skills and learn new ones in their areas of interest and talent. This reminds me of a young man, Goodluck Chibunna, that I met recently, in my campaign trail in Aba, who without the benefit of a post-high school education produced a generator from cartons with the capacity to supply enough electrical current to light up 6 bulbs. People like him need our assistance, technological exposure and sponsorship. There must be a process that ensures that such people are identified in the first place and that their potential is fully realized to the benefit of the society.

We can establish regional Technological Centers; these are Engineering and Science centres that will train a new generation of tech whizzes. I am happy to recognize that such centres have finally started to pop up in the country even though they are still at relatively rudimentary stages. These centres are opening up mainly in Lagos, although I hear one has also started in Enugu. There is need to encourage and grow these centres. To do so, we must attempt to partner with trailblazers both at home and abroad to help us in this effort. Right now, one such major center exists in New York City, called Cornel Tech which was started in 2013 with just seven students but by 2018 had graduated over 600 students, 360 of whom have been hired by several tech companies. Some of its graduates have also parlayed their ideas and technological inventions, skills and ambition into more than 50 startup companies that have raised over $60 million from investors. The Silicon Valley in the USA, the Silicon Wadi in Israel, Bangalore (Silicon Valley) in India, Shenzhen in China, are all places where regional technological centres are springing up.

In today’s world and developed economies tech- focused schools have become an integral part of a country’s tech industry. The schools attract faculty members and support research from both government and industry. In equipping our schools we must take cognizance of the fact that the world of technology is changing and advancing at unprecedented rates and it is all based on Computer technology. When you travel out of this country and see children in primary schools as young as 5 doing amazing things with computers you will be ashamed of how far behind we are and what disservice we are doing to our children, who have little or no exposure to computers. It is therefore imperative that whatever technology curriculum model we adopt, we, first of all, equip our schools with computers as well as make them accessible hence the knowledge of computers and how to use them is the beginning of our technological emancipation and growth. We must also ensure that such computers have access to the internet.

In many developed economies of the world, technological trends are upping the game and allowing government research laboratories, technology-based institutions and companies, to tap into the powerful potential of intelligent enterprise and helping to advance their economies and the world as we know it. Leading companies are improving the way we live with new products and services that will become indispensable in the future. Meanwhile, instead of shifting our mindset from being rabid consumers of finished technological products and services to focus on forging strong trusted relationships that will enable us develop and reshape and reimagine what’s possible we continue to persist in our failure or reluctance to appreciate and understand the global impact of technology and identify priority technology investments.

Continued on page 49

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