THURSDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2019

No Matter What, Tomorrow Never Dies America and Europe are again falling for easy lies over awkward truths

Abba Kyari

N E W S A N A LY S I S

President Muhammadu Buhari has campaigned in this election exactly as he has governed since 2015, true to the values

in which he has believed all his adult life: our security, a diversified economy and an administration free from the

scourge of corruption and the sleazy mediocrity it fuels.

Buhari has not changed, and with good reason. Without these attributes, Nigeria will not know peace, prosperity

or the rule of law: the only real foundations on which free and fair elections and genuine democracy can thrive. He is stubborn and resolute in defence of these values. This

irritates quite a number in the elite, and especially those who, four years ago, thought that they could play the President and use his popularity to continue to steal and cheat

the people.

These players have failed.

They are angry but they have not yet given up. They Continued on page 10

Malami Directs INEC to Postpone Elections in Zamfara... Page 11 Thursday 14 February, 2019 Vol 24. No 8712. Price: N250

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Again, Buhari, Atiku, Others Commit to Peaceful Election Gowon, Peace Committee, CSOs task INEC, security agents PDP unfolds strategies to checkmate rigging Iyobosa Uwugiaren, Omololu Ogunmade and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja For second time in three months, leading politicians in the country yesterday in Abuja took turns to sign a

bond, committing them to peaceful conduct during the general election, starting on Saturday with the presidential and National Assembly polls.

Led by the two main actors, President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives

Congress (APC) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the politicians agreed not to do anything that would disrupt the peace of the nation during and after the contests.

The accord signing was

facilitated by the National Peace Committee, convened

by Bishop Matthew Kukah, and chaired by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd).

The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Hon. Patricia

Scotland QC, witnessed the signing.

Speaking during the ceremony, Buhari appealed to Nigerians, particularly the youth, not to allow themselves to be used for any kind of violence during the elections.

On his part, Atiku said his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian, appealing once again to every staff and the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Continued on page 8

Shettima Escapes Death as Boko Haram Hits Convoy Three killed, many injured Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State yesterday cheated death, missing a hit by Boko Haram, which attacked his convoy on his way to Gamboru-Ngala for a political campaign.

The governor, who confirmed the incident to THISDAY last night, said his convoy ran into an ambush between Dikwa and Gamboru on Tuesday evening, saying he was only saved by God. “Two cars next to mine were hit, killing a soldier and two politicians,” he said, adding that one of the dead was “an influential politician in our

place.”

Boko Haram had been a torn in the flesh of the people of the North-east, particularly Borno State that had borne the brunt of the insurgence that escalated in 2009.

Although the President Muhammadu Buhari administration had claimed the insurgents had been degraded and were no longer capable of holding positions, there had been a resurgence of deadly attacks on military formations in the state in the last four months.

Late last year, Shettima visited Buhari in Abuja with Borno leaders to plead for Continued on page 10

Opposition Parties, Agbakoba Kick as CCT Orders Arrest of Onnoghen.. Page 8

YES TO PEACE...

L-R: Chairman, National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), President Muhammadu Buhari and the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, during the signing of the peace accord in Abuja… yesterday

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THURSDAY, ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸͹΁ ˾ T H I S D AY

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Opposition Parties, Agbakoba Kick as CCT Orders Arrest of Onnoghen NJC sets up five-man panel to investigate Onnoghen, Muhammad CUPP: Warrant designed to intimidate judiciary Alex Enumah in Abuja Opposition political parties in the country under the aegis of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), have protested the order handed down to the Inspector General of Police (IG) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), to arrest and produce the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, in court within 48 hours.

While Agbakoba expressed shock, describing the order as a subversion of the rule of law and due process, CUPP accused the presidency of intensifying efforts to clamp down on the CJN and use the ‘’stage-managed offence’’ to intimidate the judiciary and divert attention from the incompetence of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

Meanwhile, the National Judicial Council (NJC) yesterday constituted a fiveman committee to investigate the various petitions against Onnoghen and the acting CJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad.

The CCT Chairman, Mr. Danladi Umar, had yesterday issued the bench warrant against Onnoghen following his absence in court for arraignment.

The tribunal had at its last sitting on February 4, ordered Onnoghen to make himself available in court on February 13, for arraignment over alleged failure to declare his assets.

When the matter came up yesterday, Onnoghen was not in court and his lawyers led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), prayed the court to take all pending applications relating to the trial, particularly

the issue of the tribunal's jurisdiction to hear the matter.

The senior counsel insisted that the issue of jurisdiction must be determined one way or another before the tribunal could proceed to take further motions.

He, therefore, prayed the tribunal to allow the issue of jurisdiction being the foundation of the trial to be resolved in the interest of justice.

But counsel to the federal government, Mr. Aliyu Umar (SAN), opposed the application

by Onnoghen's counsel and insisted that the issue of the defendant's absence in court to take his plea, must be addressed first.

He said until the defendant appears physically in court, the issue of jurisdiction and other motions cannot be taken, adding that while in court, Onnoghen has the right to refuse to take plea but has no right to refuse to appear in court.

The counsel recalled that since January 14, when Onnoghen ought to have been arraigned, he was not in court, adding that even after the service of the charge had been effected on him in person, he still did not appear in court.

The government lawyer, who cited authorities to support his submissions, promised to make the authorities available to the tribunal to enable it arrive at a just conclusion.

However, in a surprise move, the CCT chairman brought out a written ruling and read almost immediately the government lawyer concluded his argument.

In the ruling, Umar ordered that a bench warrant be issued against Onnoghen for his arrest either by the Inspector General of Police or the Director-General of the Department of State Services

and to produce him before the tribunal this Friday.

Umar said Onnoghen must be in the dock tomorrow unfailingly, adding that he must first submit himself to the jurisdiction of this tribunal and raise whatever objection he has to the trial thereafter.

He said: "I recall at the last adjournment I said that the defendant must appear in court today. My memory is intact, but since he has chosen not to be in court, this tribunal has no option other than to use machinery at its disposal to compel the appearance in court.

"For this reason, bench warrant is hereby issued to the Inspector General of Police or the Director General of the Department of State Services to produce him before this tribunal on Friday. He must be in the dock on Friday unfailingly."

Shortly after the ruling, the federal government lawyer drew the attention of the chairman to the fact that, the Friday is an eve of the presidential election but, Umar dismissed the information and insisted that Onnoghen must be brought before him on the next adjourned date.

Umar, who did not allow the two other members of the tribunal, William Atedze and Juli Anabor, to make input or react to the ruling announced that the matter be adjourned till tomorrow.

Onnoghen’s Arrest Move to Steal People's Votes, CUPP Alleges Reacting to the warrant of arrest issued against Onnoghen by the CCT, the CUPP accused the presidency of intensifying efforts to clamp down on the CJN and use the ‘’stagemanaged offence’’ against the CJN to intimidate the judiciary

and divert attention from the incompetence of the Buhari-led APC government.

The CUPP’s spokesperson, Mr. Imo Ugochinyere, who issued a statement in Abuja said that the order and planned arraignment of the CJN few hours to election is a ‘’failed plot to use Buhari’s fake anti-corruption fight’’ to lure voters into believing that the president is fighting corruption.

The CUPP said: "With this order, President Muhammadu Buhari has taken his naked dance in the market place to a ridiculous level. It is ridiculous that a government that has been promising free and fair elections can be planning to arraign the country's CJN on Friday, 24 hours to the country's presidential election.

"We see this as a last minute effort to divert attention, confuse Nigerian voters and cover the president's incompetence few hours to election."

The coalition stated that it is also an attempt to divert attention from electoral violence being allegedly planned by the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The coalition calls for a mass protest across the 36 states of the federation on Friday, being the day scheduled for the arraignment of the CJN. It said: "Friday is dedicated as a National Action Day against the rampaging dictator. All Non-governmental organisations, activists and political parties should hold rallies at their local government areas, states and at the federal level. ‘’All lawyers, activists, youths and opposition politicians must stage protests and remain vigilant from Friday till Sunday to avoid the political barbarians using the CJN matter to divert attention and sneak in to steal the will of the people."

CCT Has Gone Too Far, Says Agbakoba

success of this Peace Accord Process,” he said.

Atiku, who borrowed former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s, words, used before and shortly after losing the 2015 election, assured Nigerians that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigeria, advising the security agencies to ensure that voters are free to cast their votes without molestation.

He said: “As we prepare to sign off on this Peace Accord, as representatives of our party and people, may I freely quote the words of former President Goodluck Jonathan, which remains a benchmark, for me, taking into account the deep feelings that prevail as February 16th, 2019, approaches: ‘My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian’.”

He added: “In this context, I appeal once again to every staff and the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force, to be fair arbiters in the upcoming elections while letting neutrality prevail.

“For emphasis and in the spirit of fair play, I also urge our security agencies, not to embark on indiscriminate arrests of members of the

opposition, 24 to 48 hours before elections, as has been the case in previous elections.’’

Atiku advised that democracy should emerge stronger from the current process with the 2019 elections proving better managed than the 2015 process, which was adjudged free and fair with the then opposition’s victory unobstructed.

He also appealed to the president to use his good offices to ensure that every eligible person who casts their vote is confident in the process and in the belief that their vote will count.

Atiku stated: “Additionally, every candidate must remember that this election is about the future of Nigeria, therefore, we must abide by the will of the people as freely expressed through elections, under the terms of our constitution.

“Once again, despite concerns expressed by my party leaders concerning likely electoral malpractices and the intimidation of voters and observers, I trust that our election officials and security services will do their duty in accordance with their oath and obligations.’’

The presidential hopeful challenged citizens to go out

In his reaction to the CCT’s order, Agbakoba, expressed shock, describing it as a subversion of the rule of law and due process.

He added that since the CCT was aware that the NJC is considering the petitions against Onnoghen the same charges before it (CCT), it ought to have waited for the outcome of the pending matters.

Agbakoba said: “I am shocked that the CCT will issue a bench warrant for the arrest of Hon. Justice Onnoghen, knowing full well that its jurisdiction to try the case has been challenged and the application on challenge is on the CCT docket, and no hearing has occurred.

“The CCT is aware that there is now before the National Judicial Council, a petition against Justice Onnoghen on exactly the same charges at the CCT. The CCT ought to await the outcome of the pending matters in the NJC, Appeal Court and Federal High Court.

“The conduct of the CCT subverts the rule of law and due process.”

NJC Constitutes Five-man Panel to Probe Onnoghen, Muhammad Meanwhile, the NJC yesterday constituted a five-man committee to investigate the various petitions against the CJN and the acting CJN Muhammad.

The committee is headed by Justice SA Akintan, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The panel according to the NJC's Information Director, Soji Oye, is to work expeditiously, determine all

the petitions and responses and report to council for a final decision.

Also, the council, in line with its rules and regulations has forwarded a new petition written against the Acting CJN Muhammad, by the Action People’s Party (APP) for his response within seven working days.

"In continuation of its emergency meeting, the National Judicial Council accepted the result of the preliminary assessment of the petitions against Justice W.S.N. Onnoghen, and Justice I.T. Muhammad, that the petitions were worthy of further investigation and should not be terminated under Rule 17 of the Judicial Discipline Regulations of the Council.

"Consequently, the council constituted a five-member Investigation Committee pursuant to Rule 20 (1) of the Judicial Discipline Regulations under the Chairmanship of Hon. Mr. Justice S. A. Akintan, CON, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria", the statement read in part.

In a related development, the Court of Appeal has adjourned hearing in the three appeals filed by Onnoghen till February 25.

Counsel to the federal government, Oyin Koleosho, applied for an adjournment of the hearing of the matter on the grounds that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, had directed that the matter be taken over by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Aliyu Umar.

Counsel to Onnoghen, Chris Uche (SAN), however opposed the request for adjournment on the grounds of the urgency of the matter.

Justice Abdul Aboki, who presided over a three man Panel, granted the application and adjourned till February 25.

AGAIN, BUHARI, ATIKU, OTHERS COMMIT TO PEACEFUL ELECTION Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to be fair arbiters while letting neutrality prevail.

The peace committee, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), EU and members of the civil society groups also called on INEC and security agencies to ensure strict adherence to their constitutional roles during the elections.

The president advised citizens to cooperate with all relevant agencies at the polls, adding that more than anything else citizens should use the election period to strengthen their beliefs in a united Nigeria.

He said: "To all our citizens, I want to thank you. As we go into the elections in few days, please let us pray for our country. Let us use this opportunity to strengthen our beliefs in a united country.

Our elections are important only to the extent that they make our country peaceful and prepare us for development.

"I am making a special appeal to our young people: Do not allow yourselves to be used to cause violence.

Please eschew all forms of violence and cooperate with all the relevant agencies during these elections.

‘’We will vote according to parties, but in the end, the only real Party is Nigeria, our country. Our elections are important only to the extent that they make her strong. Let us do our best and ask God to bless us and our country."

Buhari who said the election had created anxiety in the atmosphere, added that the polls would be special because they are significant for Nigeria's democratic growth, and hence, the anxiety it had generated within and outside Nigeria.

While appealing to Nigerians to make contributions towards a viable polity by a more active participation beyond the mere casting of votes, Buhari observed that various campaigns so far had gone well.

He also appealed to his fellow presidential candidates to abide by the accord being signed yesterday by accepting the final outcome of the polls with a view to guaranteeing peace in the land and the safety of citizens.

The president also said he had ensured that the INEC was given all that it needed to conduct a successful general election as he commended the international community as well as the National Peace

Committee for their efforts towards the success of the polls. ‘’I appeal to my fellow contestants to commit to these ideals so as to keep our country and people safe.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, our electoral Umpire, has already assured us that they have done everything possible to ensure free and fair elections,” Buhari said.

He thanked the peace committee for the hard work it had put into ensuring that the elections are peaceful.

Atiku: My Ambition Not Worth Blood of Any Nigerian In his own remarks, Atiku said that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian, challenging the INEC and the security agencies to be "fair arbiters" at the polls.

“May I use this opportunity to renew my profound gratitude, firstly to my party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and then to General Abdulsalami Abubakar and members of the Peace Committee for their tireless enthusiasm, dedication, and passion towards ensuring the

and cast their votes for the candidates of their choice, to be peaceful at all times, and confident in the democracy, its institutions and processes, urging them to vote for their future and the future of the great nation.

Continued on page 10

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NEWS

Crude Oil Price Rises to $63 after Saudi Output Pledge Ejiofor Alike with agency reports Crude oil price rose yesterday to $63 per barrel after top exporter, Saudi Arabia, said it would cut crude exports and deliver an even deeper cut to its production.

While the global benchmark crude, brent crude rose by 77 cents at $63.19 per barrel, the US crude rose 53 cents to $53.63 per barrel.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said on Tuesday that it had cut its output by almost

800,000 bpd in January to 30.81 million bpd.

Most of that reduction has been, thanks to Saudi Arabia.

Energy minister Khalid al-Falih on Tuesday told the Financial Times production would fall below 10 million bpd in March, more than half a million bpd below the target it agreed to as part of a global deal to limit supply.

United States restrictions on Venezuela’s energy sector have crippled exports and threaten to remove some 330,000 bpd in supply from the market this year,

per cent so far this year, yet most of that increase materialised in early January, before the imposition of US sanctions on Venezuela’s energy sector.

The global oil market remains well supplied, the International Energy Agency said in its monthly market report yesterday and output would still likely outstrip demand this year, despite OPEC’s efforts and US sanctions on Iran and Venezuela.

“Oil prices have not increased alarmingly because the market is still working off the surpluses built up in the second half of

2018,” the IEA said.

“In quantity terms, in 2019, the US alone will grow its crude oil production by more than Venezuela’s current output.

In quality terms, it is more complicated. Quality matters.”

Venezuela has tried to find alternative customers, especially in Asia, but under US pressure many buyers there are also shying away from dealing with PDVSA. In the United States, crude inventories fell by 998,000 barrels in the latest week, trouncing forecasts for a rise of 2.7 million

barrels, according to data from industry group the American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday.

US crude output is expected to grow by 1.45 million bpd this year and by another 790,000 bpd next year to hit 13 million bpd in 2020, according to the Energy Information Administration.

The rapid growth in US production, led by shale oil output, has led to an unwelcome build in inventories of crude and refined products, while refining margins for the gasoline it yields have collapsed around the world.

Meanwhile, PDP said yesterday that it had devised five strategies aimed at preventing what it called the manipulation of the electoral process.

Former Aviation Minister and spokesperson/chairman, Strategy Committee of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Chief Osita Chidoka, said yesterday that a state-of-the-art Parrell Voting Tabulation, PVT system, a national network of fully equipped Situation Rooms and Call Centres, a nation-wide hotline for the public to report malpractice as well as the launch of a hashtag, #DefendYourVote, among others, have been put in place.

Justifying the deployment of the PVT, Chidoka said that the device is a scientifically proven, best practice technique, to hold election authorities accountable, particularly when there is a lack

of trust and the result are highly contested.

He added that the PVT would ensure that PDP partisans “accept the results of the election, and that the country remains peaceful and respectful of its differences,” adding that some civil society organisations would also have their PVTs in place.

“Our methodology accounts for several different scenarios to ensure continued collation of the results in the event of any disruptions with collation process.

“Hard copies of the signed voter tally provided to all party agents by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC officers, will be transported to the central command center should future disputes need to be reconciled”, Osita further explained.

And unlike in the past, the former Minister said the party would deploy a huge number of well trained and educated agents to each of the 176, 000 polling units nationwide.

He also noted that the ruling APC may want to re-enact what happened in Osun, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Kaduna, Kano and Rivers States,

stressing, however, that PDP was equal to the task.

For those nursing the intent to rig the polls, Chidoka has a word for them“There will be consequences.”

Meanwhile, the party’s spokesman, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, has expressed optimism that the election on Saturday is PDP’s to lose.

He said that by all manifest indices from the six geo-political zones, 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Atiku is already coasting to victory and not even the machinations by the Buhari Presidency and APC can change this reality.

According to him, “Given that INEC is under siege by the Presidency and now relies on the resilient spirit of Nigerians to ensure a free, fair and credible election, the PDP is resolute to lead in the fronts in the pursuit of the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians to take the destiny of our nation in their hands.

“The PDP acknowledges the fact that for Nigerians, this election is not about politics but about building our nation; it is not between the PDP and APC but between Nigerian

citizens and President Buhari, whose incompetent, vengeful, violent-prone, divisive and inherently corrupt administration has brought so much poverty, anguish and pain to our dear country.

“For Nigerians, this election is a choice between democracy and dictatorship; between justice and injustice, between prosperity and poverty; unity and polarity; peace and bloodletting; freedom and enslavement; progress and stagnation; creation of jobs and job losses, respect for territorial integrity and invasion; a choice between an in-charge President and a President by proxy.”

He said PDP had succeeded in mobilising 40 million of its members nationwide to vote for its candidates on Saturday.

would enjoy and the better partner we might have been to our friends in the region and further afield! Buhari is not a populist but he is popular because he is delivering on our most basic needs first.

Do our foreign friends simply not understand what is at stake, or do they actually want us to fail? We know we are not equal partners, and do not pretend to be so. In our own time in government, the US, the UK and the EU let us know subtly, and often not so subtly, what we should be doing on everything from currency reform to fuel deregulation and the import of toothpicks.

They have their own subsidies to protect key strategic interests, their farmers and steel plants, but condemn our own efforts to protect the poorest and most vulnerable from an unregulated market for food, transport and housing, or to create and protect space for new opportunities and innovation to flourish. This is not so much a question of policy, but integrity: we, at least, mean what we say.

So many past governments in Nigeria did not.

Our transition has been difficult because Nigeria needs radical change, which we have been delivering, despite ingenious and often disingenuous resistance from vested interests and the business-as-usual brigade.

Which begs the question: is there a difference between what suits Nigeria’s real national interest and what suits the interests of the Great Powers? The years of failure were characterised by hypocrisy and betrayal by our leaders, who were in turn easy targets for manipulation – much easier

for foreign powers to manage than a government genuinely looking to repair and revive today so that we can build tomorrow. And tomorrow never dies.

I always knew that businessas-usual had a powerful selfinterest in resisting CHANGE. I had hoped their tentacles did not stretch so far or so easily beyond our borders, that a good case, well made, would receive a fair hearing. In three and a half years in government, I have learned that decent argument and hard facts face stiff competition from vested interests that seem so easily to sway people who should know better. A convenient lie is not better than an uncomfortable truth.

Nowhere is this clearer than the contrived debate on the conduct of elections.

Buhari’s commitment to the democratic process is a matter of record, time and again. All of the work to rebuild our public institutions, restore our values and recalibrate our future prospects can succeed only in a democracy in which the integrity of elections is sacrosanct.

Instead of judging Nigeria by our actions, it seems altogether too easy for foreign partners to be swayed by the expensive words of lobbyists.

Riva Levinson has been hired

by Bukola Saraki. She was trained by Paul Manafort and Roger Stone (both caught up in the probe into interference by foreign powers in the US elections in 2016) and guide earlier in her career to dictators like Siad Barre, unprincipled warlords like Jonas Savimbi, or frauds like Iraqi exile Ahmed Chalabi, the man who neo-

conned the Bush White House.

We are meant to believe that Ms Levinson, like the others who are paid by one of the contestants, wants only to promote a free and fair race.

And that it is only a coincidence that this language for hire is identical to what we hear from accredited diplomats!

By omission or commission, it appears it may actually suit our friends, deep down, below the pious words, to see Nigeria a basket case, begging bowl in hand, than the partner we could, should and will prove to be. And we have been here before. At the end of 1984, British diplomats predicted a coup against the then Buhari government, with whom London was quarrelling over everything from apartheid to economic policy (as we knew then, and as it turned out, Buhari was right. Glowing profiles of Ibrahim Babangida were prepared and telegrams of congratulation were drafted.

Mrs Thatcher put the project on ice, at least for a few months, but it was not long before foreign powers concluded that their best interests would be served by people who told them everything they wanted to hear on democratisation and reform, but, as they could and should have known, meant precisely none of it. Nigeria lived through the consequences of this systemic deception. We lost so much in the 30 years after 1985, but nothing as precious as the loss of confidence in our values and what we as a nation could be.

In the 19th century, Lord Palmerston, Britain’s Prime Minister and one of the country’s most celebrated diplomats, observed that

“nations have no permanent friends or allies, they only have permanent interests.”

We have been delivering on a programme to restore the rule of law, to build democracy and strengthen security, to deal with corruption and to create opportunity in a new meritocracy. It is a platform that helps tackle violent extremism, illegal migration, trafficking and financial crime.

These are the very issues that are central to the interests of our foreign friends, and we are producing results.

Nigeria will make its choice on Saturday. It has never before had a government that has more clearly demonstrated through words and actions its commitment to transparency and the rule of law, protecting good judges and decent public office-holders from the corruption of their peers. Voters are free to move forwards to a better future or back to the desperate past from which we are now beginning to emerge.

Our election commission is independent and has all resources it needs to do its job. We should all be wise to the risks, including partial and premature announcements of unofficial results from unverifiable sources, especially when one party has already declared well in advance that it cannot lose unless there is rigging. There should be no interference from any quarter, including foreign powers who say one thing but do another – exactly the formula that their friends here have employed for years to bring us so close to despair. t"CCB ,ZBSJ JT $IJFG PG 4UBGG UP 1SFTJEFOU .VIBNNBEV #VIBSJ

Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu according to Goldman Sachs.

The oil price has risen by 20

AGAIN, BUHARI, ATIKU, OTHERS COMMIT TO PEACEFUL ELECTION

Adhere Strictly to Constitutional Roles, Abdulsalami Tells INEC, Security Agencies Also speaking at the event, the peace committee called on the electoral commission and the security agencies to ensure strict adherence to their constitutional roles during the elections.

Abubakar stressed that the signing of the second peace agreement was the crowning moment for the consolidation of all the peace efforts that have so far being made, while appreciating all the candidates and Nigerians for making it possible.

He said political campaign is almost ended and keeping the peace during and after elections becomes everyone's overriding objectives.

He explained that electoral peace is a state of harmony characterised by absence of conflict and freedom from fair and the freedom to discharge ultimate responsibilities and obligations essentially the right to vote or be voted for.

Gowon urged the candidates to speak directly to their supporters not to engage in electoral violence so that there would be no need in the future for foreign observers to monitor the country’s election because Nigeria can do it well.

The Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, said he hoped that the message would resonate in all four corners of Nigeria by clearly expressing to all Nigerians that they could come out and vote peacefully on Saturday.

He stated: “Seeing the youth, many first time voters participating in democratic processes are not being used for wrong purposes; Seeing women participating on equal terms and seeing other groups such as people with disabilities having their voices geared just like everyone else. You as leaders play a vital role to see that happening before, during and after the elections.”

Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Civil Society situation room, Mr. Clement Nwankwo, said the country has a great need for peace especially at this critical moment.

He added: “We will be observing this election, we

will report what we see, we will report for Nigeria that we have seen free, fair and credible election if that is the case , if it is not we will say so as well. “ PDP Unfolds Five Strategies to Checkmate Rigging

SHETTIMA ESCAPES DEATH AS BOKO HARAM HITS CONVOY respite.

Weeping like a child, deprived of his beans cake, the governor appealed to the president to save his state and people from destruction.

Tuesday night, he himself, was, as he put it, was saved by God.

NO MATTER WHAT, TOMORROW NEVER DIES have some unlikely allies. Our traditional friends in the US and Europe say they want nothing from Nigeria except free and fair elections. But if you look at what their representatives here actually do rather than what they say, the unmistakeable signs of a quite different agenda are plain to see.

It’s easy to forget where we were, a country falling apart, unable even to protect school girls and where corruption defined every aspect of so much of our public life and private business. Today our media ignore the revelations in a Milan court of how oil companies and fixers stuffed cash in suitcases and the ninefigure bank accounts of former PDP justice ministers and spy chiefs and Presidents. This failure goes beyond individuals or particular political parties, although it is true that our decline accelerated under the PDP after the end of military rule in 1999, a betrayal that Atiku Abubakar and many of his allies hope forlornly to revive and celebrate.

Our young people see only the devastation that has been visited upon them, too young to remember the vibrant rural economy that once gave us the wealth for the schools and hospitals we are only now beginning to revive.

They cannot imagine the rubber plantations where for decades Dunlop and Michelin made tyres for Nigeria and the world. The factories are long since closed. Our palm oil was once a world leader but it is only now, under this government, that we are reviving an industry on life support. We have timber, we have hardworking people – and yet we came to be importing

even simple school desks and bedframes. We have so much of what we need for fertilisers, yet government after government preferred to let the plants we had already built go to waste for easy commissions on second-rate imports. Textiles used to employ thousands, and will do again, when we allow our talent fairly to compete on the international stage.

A major crude producer with four refineries that once delivered petroleum products for home consumption and export, Nigeria was reduced to importing petroleum products as if we were Burkina Faso or Bangladesh, not a leading member of OPEC. Our golden goose was starved. The military and the PDP took all the money, they didn’t pay oil partners what we owed and only now, after this government’s efforts, speaking plainly and finding real solutions, can we begin to grow exports that have stagnated for 30 years.

When our private banks collapsed (again) in 2009, the outstanding liabilities were N5.7 trillion. It is hard to imagine a sum of money, so vast, owed by so few, to so many. The list of decay is long. And yet this was the inherited culture of government – ‘to those that have, give more’ - that we have challenged, a culture where every declared reform was in fact a disguise to privatise profit and leave the rest of us with all the risk.

Nigeria has almost as many problems as we have people.

But it also has all the resources to meet our needs, if they are properly managed and honestly marshalled. Think where we would be today, but for all the time wasted, the prosperity we

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

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

Malami Directs INEC to Postpone Elections in Zamfara Ozekhome faults directive

Davidson Iriekpen inLagosand Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone elections in Zamfara State to enable the All Progressives Congress (APC) field candidates for the 2019 elections This is coming as Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has described the directive as an act of desperation, and advised INEC to reject it.

He said his decision was predicated on the judgment of the state High Court in suit No ZMS/GS/52/2018 between Sanusi Liman Dan-Alhaji and 37 others Vs APC and 144 others; and Appeal No: CA/S/23/2019.

In a three-page letter dated February 13, 2019 and addressed to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Malami told the commission that the directive was sequel to Section 38 and 39 of the Electoral Amendment Act 2010.

He stated that since the Court of Appeal has annulled the ground upon which the commission had based the cancellation of the APC

primaries in the state, the party would need a little time to catch up with its contemporaries in the election.

He submitted that granting the party concession is not a favour but a right that inures to all contestants under similar circumstances.

The letter read: “My office received a petition from the firm of M.A. Mahmud, (SAN) & CO in respect of the above subject matter, (copy attached for ease of reference) requesting that the subsisting judgment in Suit No. ZMS/GS/52/2018 – Sanusi Liman Dan-Alhaji & 37 ORS V. APC & 144 ORS be upheld and respected by INEC, as the Court of Appeal has upheld the Appeal No. CA/S/23/2019, thus effectively annulling the grounds upon which the purported cancellation of the APC primaries in Zamfara State

by INEC was based.

“You may wish to recall that the Zamfara State High Court upheld the Zamfara APC primaries in the suit mentioned in the first paragraph above, held on October 3 and 7, 2018 for the governorship and the national and state legislative houses.

“You may further wish to recall that in Suit No.FHC/ABJ/

UN Envoy Cautions Politicians against Hate Speech, Acrimony Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General for West Africa and the Sahel, Ambassador Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has called on politicians to avoid hate messages and the politics of acrimony that may undermine peaceful conduct of elections, as well associal and national cohesion.

The envoy made the call yesterday in Ilorin in an address delivered at the high- level dialogue on peaceful elections in Kwara State.

The dialogue was jointly organised by the UN and National Peace Committee headed by the former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd).

According to him,“I hope that all of us will work together to ensure that Kwara upholds its status as the “State of Harmony” by making sure harmony reigns throughout this elections period”.

He said that, “I would like to reiterate UN’s resolve to support initiatives at both the state and federal levels, in alignment with regional efforts aimed at promoting peaceful elections and democratic consolidation in Nigeria.

“We are convinced that with the support of all of you, Kwara State, and indeed Nigeria, will deliver credible, transparent, free, inclusive and peaceful 2019 elections, and Nigeria will emerge the winner .”

Chambas commended the organisers of the high-level dialogue, adding that the UN would continue to support the National Peace Committee (NPC) to sensitise and promote confidence building amongst stakeholders involved in the electoral process in Nigeria.

According to him, the goal of the dialogue was to mobilise stakeholders towards peaceful elections, build on existing initiatives, and take measures to strengthen mutual confidence among stakeholders and political actors.

He appealed to politicians to proactively and peacefully resolve any election-related disputes with utmost regard to the rule of law and due process.

Chambas commended all governorship candidates in the state for signing the peace accord in December 2018 in the presence of the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He commended all stakeholders in the election process in the state like INEC, the National Human Rights Commission, members of the security services, civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, and the media, for their commitment to the peaceful conduct of the 2019 federal and state elections.

“Your presence here today is an affirmation of the resolve to continue to sensitise all involved and re-commit to the tenets of democracy, fair play, and to use peaceful means grounded in the rule of law to address any election-related complaints that might ensue.

“It is this democratic spirit that has motivated my engagements with political stakeholders throughout the electoral cycle,” the envoy said.

Chambas, however, expressed concern over the low numbers of women and youth contesting various positions in the state.

CS/1279/2018- APC V. INEC & 5 ORS, the Federal High Court held that the nullification of the said Zamfara APC primaries by INEC was lawful. However, this decision has been upturned in Appeal No CA/S/23/2019.

Copy is also attached for ease of reference.

“In the circumstance and in consideration of the provisions of Sections 38 and 39 of the Electoral Act, 2010, the law allows INCE the latitude and discretion to extend the time within which a political party may duly field a candidate

for an election where unforeseen circumstances constrained such a party from doing so within the stipulated time frame.

“In this particular instance, the constraining circumstances that led to the delay in fielding candidate were caused by INEC’s refusal to comply with the Zamfara State High Court Judgment in the aforementioned suit to uphold the primaries as held. Moreover, INEC cannot foreclose the right of a political party to participate in elections without recourse to the Act. By the doctrine and

principle of judicial precedence, the Appeal supersedes the Federal High Court’s Position in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1279/2018 –APC V. INEC & 5 ORS. “In view of the fact, now that the Court of Appeal has upheld the Primaries as valid, the APC in Zamfara State will need a little time to catch up with its contemporaries in the election.

Granting them this concession is not necessarily a favour but a right that inures to all contestants under similar circumstances.

“Consequent on the above,

INEC is invited to comply with the judgment of the Court of Appeal by admitting the results of the APC Zamfara State primaries and to also comply with the provisions of S.38 of the Electoral Act, which empowers INEC to postpone the election for the governorship, National Assembly and House of Assembly Elections.

Reacting to Malami’s directive, counsel to the appellant, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), described it as an act of desperation, advising

Cont’d on page 53

LET THERE BE GAS…

L-R: Managing Director, Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), Lorenzo Fiorillo; Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor; Chief Operating Officer, Upstream, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Rabiu Bello; and Managing Director, Total Exploration and Production Nigeria, Nicholas Terraz, after signing the Final Investment Decision Charter for the 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day Assa North Gas Development Project, in Abuja…yesterday

Buhari: We’ve Resolved Herders, Farmers’ Clashes in Benue Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed concern over the challenge posed by herdsmen menace, insisting that the issue of clashes between herdsmen and local farmers in Benue State had been addressed.

Buhari said the federal government was also dealing with the issue of banditry and attacks in Zamfara State, adding that the military had been deployed to tackle the security situation.

The president also reaffirmed his threat to investigate how the

previous Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administrations spent $16 billion in the power sector without any significant outcome, if re-elected.

Speaking during the presidential rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, the president vowed that he would continue with the fight against corruption and that his administration will be seeking to recover funds and property invested abroad by corrupt Nigerians.

The president stated that if re-elected as president, he will make sure he recovers more

funds stashed abroad by corrupt officials to invest in developing infrastructure.

His administration, he said, had been able fulfill the key promises he made in the areas of fighting corruption, addressing insecurity and economy.

The president vowed that he will continue with the fight against corruption and that his administration will be seeking to recover funds and properties invested abroad by corrupt Nigerians.

The president who lamented the depth of corruption in the country, said that most of the

stolen funds are stashed outside the country and used to acquire property.

“They come here and buy property and they invest the money outside Nigeria. We are asking countries of Europe and United States to please help us recover looted public property which we will plough back to fix the infrastructure,” he said.

Buhari also said he would direct further investigation into the allegation that previous administration spent a whooping $16 billion on power sector.

Former SGF, Babachir Lawal, Three Others Get N50m Bail Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Jude Okeke of an Abuja High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, yesterday granted bail to former Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and three others in the sum of N50 million each.

Lawal alongside Hamidu David, Suleiman Abubakar, Apeh John and two companies Rholavision engineering Ltd and Josmon Technologies Limited,

were arraigned by the federal government over corruption allegations.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges, following which their lawyers argued their various bail applications.

Delivering rulng on the applications, the Justice Okeke, held that the crime for which the defendants were charged with are bailable.

He consequently admitted them to bail in the sum of N50 million each with one surety in like sum.

“The sureties must be a resident of the FCT and must own landed property.The sureties must also provide evidence of tax paid in the last three years. Pending compliance to the aforementioned conditions, the applicants is to remain in the EFCC custody,” Okeke added.

Justice Okeke further ordered that each of the defendants deposit their international passport with the court pending the determination of the trial and can only travel with

the permission of the Court.

The judge subsequently adjourned till March 18 for commencement of trial.

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

Lawal and his co-defendants were for the first time arraigned yesterday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 10-count charge bordering on fraud.

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

NNPC, IOCs Sign FID on Assa North/Ohaji South Gas Fields Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has signed a Final Investment Decision (FID) with

its Joint Venture (JV) partners – Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Total Exploration and Production Nigeria (TEPNG), and Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC)

I Never Negotiated with Buhari over My Re-election, Says Wike Asks Amaechi to let his son lead war in Rivers Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said he never negotiated with President Muhammadu Buhari to be allowed to return as governor in exchange for his support for the president as claimed by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi.

He also dared Amaechi to allow his son to lead the war he declared on the people of the state instead of using other peoples’ children to cause violence.

This is as the state has commiserated with families of victims of Tuesday’s stampede at the presidential rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt in which 17 persons lost their lives.

Amaechi had during the APC rally on Tuesday said Wike was negotiating with the APC to be allowed to retain his seat in exchange for support for Buhari.

The Transportation Minister also declared that Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections would be war in the state as he was determined to deal with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) same way they dealt with him in 2015.

But addressing non-indigenes of Rivers State at a Campaign Rally in Port Harcourt yesterday, Wike said Amaechi needed psychiatric evaluation for suggesting that he negotiated with the president to allow him emerge as second term governor in exchange for the president’s victory.

“If I am their problem, why should I be negotiating with the President? It is utter rubbish. It is totally untrue. The President should help us bring a psychiatrist to review the situation of the Minister of Transportation.

“I plead with the president to do us this favour because our son is gone. We want to bring him back,” he said.

Wike expressed disappointment that Buhari sat and watched the Minister of Transportation threaten violence and deaths on Rivers State people without taking action.

“I was so disappointed that Mr. President was seated and the Director General of his campaign was threatening violence, singing war songs. Today they signed a peace accord. What will be the meaning of the Peace Accord when Mr. President sat down and listened to his Director General threatening deaths and violence?

“I have no problems with Amaechi’s threat of violence, but can he bring his son to lead the war? I challenge Amaechi, he has a grown up son, who should lead the violence. His son can lead

the war and then we will know that Amaechi is serious “he said.

He called on Buhari to call Amaechi to order and urged the international community to hold Amaechi, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 6 Division of the Nigerian Army and the Mobile Police Commander of Unit 48 responsible should there be violence during the elections.

He said Amaechi’s bragging is premised on the plan to use the military to rig elections.

He wondered why Amaechi is leading the unnecessary push for violence when they are not running for elections in the state.

He said after dashing the political hopes of several contestants of APC, Amaechi is still leading them to unleash terror on innocent people.

On the Rivers APC crisis, Wike said he is not the architect of the crisis, neither is he a party to the crisis. He said the crisis was generated by the impunity of the Minister of Transportation.

“I did not take APC to court.

I never went to court against the APC. The matter is between APC and APC. How then did I cause the problem of the APC?” Wike queried.

He added that Amaechi, who did not run election, was made governor by the Supreme Court. He regretted that Amaechi is now struggling to destroy the Supreme Court.

Wike said unlike the Rivers APC, the PDP is committed to peaceful polls because it is confident of victory, adding that he is unequivocally committed to the election of Atiku Abubakar because he has the capacity to lead the country out of the woods.

Leader of the non-indigenes, Emeka Onowu, said the nonindigenes would support Wike’s re-election and that the victory of the governor was guaranteed because of his numerous projects.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has commiserated with families of those who lost their lives during the stampede that occurred at the APC Presidential Campaign Rally at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta-Ali, Port Harcourt.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, said “these deaths at a time like this are very unfortunate and deeply saddening”.

He said, “It is a sad development and we share the pains of these families. It is possible that this ugly situation costing 17 lives, would have been avoided if the organisers had taken some basic precautions relating to crowd management in a gated environment”

to develop the 4.3 trillion cubic feet (tcf) Assa North/Ohaji South fields (ANOH) located in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 21.

The corporation in a statement by its Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, explained that the development was major step taken by the partners to enable Nigeria achieve sufficiency in domestic gas supply.

It said that the project, when fully developed, would add about 600 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd) to the national gas grid with capacity to expand to 1.2 billion cubic feet per day (bcf), while another 197 million stock barrel (mmstb) of condensate will also be realised.

According to the statement, NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, described the ANOH project as a critical gas supply hub in Nigeria’s burgeoning gas-infrastructure network designed to provide the linkage between the eastern, western and northern gas pipeline system.

Baru, who was represented at the FID signing ceremony

by NNPC’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Upstream, Mallam Bello Rabiu, said the successful completion of the multi-faceted project which is an integral part of the corporation’s seven critical gas development projects, would be dependent on a number of critical success factors and enablers which include synergy and team work between NNPC and all the key stakeholders.

He reportedly thanked stakeholders for signing the FID on the ANOH project after about 14 years of it been on the board.

Baru, also noted that the NNPC and its JV partners have worked on all the issues and developed a sustainable strategy to develop the considerable gas resources in ANOH fields.

“Finally, I will like to conclude with immense compliments to the NNPC, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Total Exploration and Production Nigeria (TEPNG) and Nigeria

Agip Oil Company (NAOC), project teams and other critical stakeholders as we enter into the next major phases – Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of this project,” Baru, was quoted to have said.

He added that the corporation would continue to leverage on available expertise and capital from its global outreach to accelerate and deliver on first gas from the project between the last quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2020.

To this end, the statement explained that the NNPC has engaged two worldclass project management consultants - DeltaAfrik/ Worley Parson and Crestech/ Penspen, to work with the partners and other stakeholders to achieve set project deliverables.

In addition, the statement indicated that the NNPC’s project management teams would be expected to strengthen oversight functions by ensuring prompt decision making and timely approvals for the project.

Also, the Managing Director of SPDC and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, was quoted to have said that Shell was committed to the successful implementation of the project.

Osagie, according to the statement, commended the resilience, diligence and enthusiasm of the project team, and emphasised that the ANOH project would offer immeasurable opportunities for Nigerian firms to benefit from EPC contracts.

He also announced the inauguration of boards to administer the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) for the two clusters of the project to the tune of N1 billion for development projects within the host communities for the next five years.

Equally, the Managing Director of TEPN, Mr. Nicholas Terraz, and that of NAOC, Lorenzo Fiorillo, were reported to have aligned their companies with the aspirations of NNPC to ensure timely completion of the project.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT...

President Muhammadu Buhari (left), acknowledging cheers from mammoth crowd of supporters of All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) presidential campaign rally in Abuja....yesterday STATE HOUSE

Capital Importation Declines to $2.14bn in Q4 James Emejo in Abuja Nigeria’s total capital importation dropped to $2.14 billion in the fourth quarter of 2018 (Q4, 2018), compared to $2.85 billion in the preceding quarter, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

This represented a decrease of 25.05 per cent quarter on quarter and 60.24 per cent decrease when compared to estimates in Q4 2017.

However, the total value of capital importation in 2018 stood at $16.81 billion, representing a growth

of 37.49 per cent (yearon-year) when compared to the $12.22 billion recorded in 2017.

According to the Nigerian Capital Importation report for Q4 and full year 2018, which was released yesterday by the statistical agency, purchase of shares and portfolio investment dominated the capital inflows both for Q4 2018 and 2018 full year.

Portfolio investment accounted for the largest capital importation type at $11.80 billion or 70.20 per cent of total capital importation.

Other investment type

accounted for 22.69 per cent or $3. 81 billion of total capital while Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) contributed 7.11 per cent or $1.19 billion of total capital imported in 2018.

By sectoral categorisation, capital importation by shares, which is closely-related to equity investment (FDI and portfolio investment) dominated 2018 reaching $10,425.18 of the total capital Importation in 2018.

The United Kingdom emerged as the top source of capital

investment in the country in 2018 with $6.01 billion, representing 35.74 per cent of the total capital inflow.

The drop in capital importation may not be unconnected with the recent withdrawal of portfolio investors from the country partly as a result of the interest rate hike by the US Federal Reserve, which had attracted investors from all parts of the world.

The decline in foreign investment was also linked to the uncertainty surrounding the forthcoming general election.

5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͲ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

COMMENT

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

WHY BUHARI DESERVES FOUR MOREYEARS The president has laid a solid economic foundation, writes Ike Nwawelugo

F

or all the presidential candidates in this week’s elections, it is the time to convince the voters of what they will do if elected.

But for Muhammadu Buhari, President and presidential aspirant, it is also a time to tell the electorate what he has done since May 2015 when they gave him the exalted position. And he has a lot to say.

The economic wellbeing of the citizenry is one of the principal functions of the state and it is perhaps the first plank on which any government is judged. However well a government has done for the social welfare of the people, it would still be adjudged a failure if the economic welfare of the people is in a poor state.

With crude oil prices at less than half of its average for the preceding 24 months, Muhammadu Buhari had his work cut out when he swept into office with his All Progressives Congress (APC) party in May 2015. And nearly four years later, he can beat his chest and announce that he has laid a solid foundation for the Nigerian economy.

For starters, the macroeconomic indices are much better than they have been for years. Foreign reserves hit a five-year high of US$48 billion in April 2018, up from US$23 billion in 2015 when this government came in.

At US$43 billion presently, it provides very comfortable import cover.

The country was steered out of the recession into which it was driven by oil price shocks in 2016, within five quarters, and is on the upward swing again. This speedy recovery is well ahead of contemporaries like South Africa and Brazil which went the same road at about the same time and are still stuck there.

Foreign exchange which had hit a high of N525/US$ at the bureau de change at the height of the recession, has since stabilized at about N360/ US$. Inflation which had risen to a high of 18.7% amidst the recession has since started heading towards the single unit, hitting 11.1% in July 2018 before being driven a bit higher to 11.25 at the end of the year by food prices.

Perhaps the greatest testament to the macro-economic stability that the Buhari government has achieved is gleaned from the unusual resilience that the stock market is showing right into the election week.

Right through the week preceding the elections, the bulls remained on rampage! Most unusual! The Nigerian economy had been running on four-year cycles coinciding with the elections. It was a system well-known to institutional investors, especially foreign investors. And it had ensured constant rebooting without growth for Nigeria.

Speaking last week, Canada-based investment analyst, Dr Pat Okaro, explained how the system worked and how it is playing out this time: “In Africa or the developing world, foreign investors sell off before any presidential election to avoid heightened risks of anarchy and breakout of violence post-election. And so, if you’re into the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), you’ll notice that the market crashed every four years.

“Now, enter Acting President Osinbajo who set up a special forex window for foreign investors. This window guarantees them to take out their dollars at the same rate they brought them in. So that removes the panic because in every election cycle when they sell off, not only does the stock market crash, but the naira also crashes as a result of oversupply.

So with this guarantee, the foreigners are a bit relaxed.

“At this time in the last election cycle, GT Bank was N17. Today, it is N33.50. At this time in the last election cycle, Zenith Bank was N17.

Today, it is N22.50. Some of us have keyed into this predictable market response pre-election and have played it successfully in the last election cycles…this time, the returns obviously won’t be as usual.”

For decades, successive Nigerian governments had chanted the mantra

CENTRAL TO PRESIDENT BUHARI’S AGRICULTURAL DRIVE IS HIS ANCHOR BORROWERS PROGRAMME WHICH IS DESIGNED AS A FOOLPROOF SYSTEM OF CREDIT DELIVERY TO TARGETED FARMERS

of laying a solid foundation for the economy only to leave it same or worse than they met it. It was as if the nation was jinxed and moored to the shores of under-development while we watched other nations that started with us sail over to the prosperous shores. Thankfully, Buhari has finally got the job done, and Nigeria has set sail towards real economic development.

With about half the population of the nation living below the poverty line, President Buhari knew that he had to start with food. A hungry man is an angry man, we say. He knew that platitudes and exhortations would not do.

The previous government knew also that the population had to eat before any other thing too. But it had chosen the easy way – importation. The bill of the top four food imports – rice, wheat, fish and sugar - amounted to N1.4 trillion per annum. This was more than 30% of the national budget!

This was clearly unwise and unsustainable. The viable way out was to produce what Nigerians eat, at home. It was a tough task. But Buhari was ready. Feeding the nation with homegrown food required solid planning and dedicated execution. And he was ready.

With a carefully selected hands-on agricultural technocrat, Audu Ogbeh, serving as his minister of agriculture, Buhari set out to touch Nigerian agriculture like it had never been touched before. And he has not only succeeded in terms of output, but has set agriculture on a trajectory of quantum leaps.

Central to President Buhari’s agricultural drive is his Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) which is designed as a foolproof system of credit delivery to targeted farmers.

It had to be so, given the failure of the agricultural credit delivery schemes of the previous governments. These schemes had either by deliberate fraudulent design or shoddy implementation, ended up delivering credit to politicians and their hangers-on who had no farms.

Conceptualised as a micro-credit scheme and targeted at Nigerian small scale farmers, President Muhammadu Buhari personally launched the Anchor Borrowers Programme on November 17, 2015 in Kebbi State.

Mindful of the failures of other programmes under previous governments, the Buhari government deployed modern technology in the form of biometric data of real farmers for the running of the ABP. In this way, the fund gets into the hands of the persons for whom they are intended, without fail.

By targeting smallholder farmers, the ABP not only had agricultural production in focus, but also mass employment. This was informed by the fact of massive unemployment which the government met on arrival. Three years later, the ABP has emerged as an unqualified success with study teams coming from multilateral institutions and other African countries to understudy the programme! Many of the farmers that joined the scheme have since graduated from subsistence smallholder farmers to commercial out-growers for larger industrial enterprises with resultant leaps in income, boosting the rural economy.

By the third anniversary of the ABP in November 2018, some 902,489 farmers had subscribed to the scheme and cultivated 935,862 hectares of land. And in the line of doing so, they have created some 2.5 million jobs for fellow Nigerians down the agricultural value chain.

A major testifier to Nigeria’s under-development is the poor state of infrastructure. About half a decade ago, it was estimated that the infrastructure gap in Nigeria needed an annual injection of some US$10 billion per annum over a decade or more to bring it to par.

ATIKU AND NIGERIA’S RENDEZVOUS WITH DESTINY Eke Agbai writes that the country needs a broad-minded leader

W

e cannot avoid suffering, but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it and move forward with renewed purpose and hope. The victim in a qualified situation of distress, pain, anguish or indeed deprivation, being rational can make a conscious and conscientious decision to walk away from the established cause of misery.

These preceding paragraph from Viktor E. Frankl’s “Man’s Search For Meaning”, sets forth both the tone and context of the foregoing discourse. When in 2015 Buhari asked Nigerians to vote for him and give him a chance to fix the problems which Jonathan failed to do, the issue was not who caused the problems but who can come and fix the problems: of poor governance, corruption, lack of infrastructural development, Boko Haram, cattle herdsmen and the attendant killings, excessive poverty and its concomitant hunger across the land. Nigerians wanted a new leader who could salvage the situation and extricate us from the shackles of poverty. Many commentators reminded us of Buhari’s antecedent when he was Head of State from 1983-1985. Their recollections were not faulty, but I had a different take then. As one who believes in the existence of the Supreme whom we Christians call God, I believe in redemption. My argument then was let’s give Buhari another chance. I thought the passage of time, maturity and spiritual growth could combine to make him a changed man. A man with compassion, love for all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, region, and creed. I thought the passage of time gave him

the broad-mindedness to be an all-inclusive leader.

I thought he would view all of us (Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani, Ijaw, Tiv, South-South) from the prism of one Nigeria. I called for his support. I canvassed for him. I recall with sadness my heated debate with former minister of Niger Delta, Mr. Peter G. Erubebe over Buhari vs. Jonathan. In retrospect, my theory about redemption of Buhari turned out wrong.

To be sure, Buhari as an individual is not corrupt, at least no evidence to the contrary. He is not extravagant, not given to ostentatious lifestyles.

But by way of analogy, Buhari’s case has become that of a man who claims not to eat alligator meat but enjoyed the soup cooked with it such that he licked his fingers to the consternation of those sitting around. He may not be an accomplice but benefits from the proceeds. People after his election pointed at those corrupt and evil people around him. I gave him the benefit of doubt, because I felt his association with them was occasioned by political exigencies and doctrine of necessity of coalition as a sine qua non to winning the election. I also thought he would exclude them from governance. After six months without appointing his cabinet, I knew “wahala dey”.

As the days progressed, worst still, we now hear his party chairman turning the party into a safe haven for the corrupted where all their sins are forgiven.

And indeed, the clarion call was heeded. We saw ex- governors and government officials alike running to meet our president in London and other locations, where they engaged in total genuflection. Their sins forgiven. Godswill Akpabio is not the only person.

We saw others on trial for massive looting of states’

funds, their sins not only forgiven but the president’s party even gave them ticket to seek office. I am at pain. My friends look at me derisively. Accomplice or not, he is a beneficiary of the proceeds of corruption if not an accessory.

Let me in passing give this piece of advice to our dear President Buhari: you can still salvage your real or perceived reputation as a dictator before the world.

If you lose this election as I predict you will, if it is conducted in free, fair and credible manner, simply announce to the world that you have accepted the outcome and will respect the result of INEC. That singular action if taken, will earn you immediate international recognition and inclusion in the league of world ex-democratic leaders. What you couldn’t achieve through good governance during your tenure, you will get in defeat. Your own accolade will be louder than your predecessor’s. That is wisdom emanating from an abstract strategic thinking.

Today Nigeria is at a crossroads, the rate of killings across the country by the Fulani herdsmen is alarming and we see state security agencies protecting these killers. We now have a divided Nigeria, but we can do better than this. I was born in Lagos, I am a proud Igbo man and I draw many of my friends from the North, South-west and South-South. I thought I was coming to see the end of being called a “Yamiri” and concluding derisively about the Igbos’ quest for money. I thought I was coming to the point where my northern friends will not be dismissed as bad people only because Igbos see them as “Aboki”; where my Yoruba brothers and sisters will not be accused wrongly of hating

Igbo people and verse versa. But the division has widened now, fuelled by the inability of this regime to find a resolution to the problem facing us.

So, this 2019 election is not about APC, PDP and any other political parties. For me, this election must be about individuals and their records. I have said it before and even at the risk of repetition, I don’t dislike Buhari as a man, but it is disheartening to see how he has allowed his president’s men to destroy his legacy and a chance to change his image of 19831985. I gave him this second chance, it’s obvious he is incapable of changing. Buhari has let me down. I am a victim. He failed me. But I still respect him as our father and president.

The question on the lips is: Who is the alternative now for Nigerians?

Almost three decades ago, I was involved in an academic research on the popular success idea behind leadership culture of Nigerian pioneer leaders, with special focus on Northern leaders.

This study was provoked after what Professor Dan Richie (President cum Pro-chancellor) University of Denver- DU, Denver Colorado USA- my alma mater) described as one of the most impressive state visits to the White House by an African leader.

Prof Richie was referring to the state visit of Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa of Nigeria. In 1961, Balewa visited President John F. Kennedy, in what many scholars and historians have described as one of the best state visits by any African Head of State, except Nelson Mandela.

Agbai, Executive VP, Center for Policy & Foreign Engagement, wrote from USA

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

EDITORIAL Agenda For Peaceful Elections Politicians may do well to abide by the letters of the peace accord

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rising from the fear, anxiety and racour that still pervade the political space, the General Abdulsami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee yesterday committed all the political parties to a fresh accord essentially for a peaceful election and to accept the outcome of the presidential election coming up on Saturday. The parties, in the initial accord last December, had promised “to refrain from making or sponsoring public statements, pronouncements, declarations or speeches that have the capacity to incite or cause violence, before, during, and after the elections”. They reinforced that commitment yesterday in Abuja.

However, signing a peace accord is one thing, obeying the letters and spirit of the accord, another. Indeed, the second accord is perhaps a reminder that the parties have not lived up to spirit of the first. The first adopted the same principles that guided the 2015 election as a template for ensuring that all stakeholders commit themselves to peaceful election in 2019. We WE HOPE THAT THE share the worries of the CANDIDATES WILL LIVE National Peace Committee and commend UP TO THEIR WORDS them for their unwaverAT THE SIGNING OF ing commitment to THE WELL-ATTENDED peaceful polls and SECOND AGREEMENT nation-building efforts.

WHICH EMPHASISED Just days to the THE PLACE OF HEALTHY Presidential election, the amount of COMPETITION IN abusive and inciting POLITICS messages making the rounds by politicians, especially within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is alarming. They make wild allegations against one another while security issues are being politicised. In some instances, members of the international community, invited to observe how well the country is faring in the democratic process, are maligned and intimidated. Even former United States President Bill

Clinton declined invitation to attend the signing of the peace accord in the last minutes because his visit had “the potential to be politicised.” And in the words of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Baroness Patricia Scotland, who attended the signing ceremony, the world was “holding their breath” for Nigeria.

The controversial suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, heightened the tension in the polity. This is not helped by the fear of partisanship on the part of some arms of security agencies who mistake regime protection for national security. We hope President Muhammadu Buhari will do everything to ensure that these agencies remain professional in the discharge of their responsibilities during the election.

B 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 more importantly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), assigned the crucial role of conducting a free, fair and transparent election, must do well to disabuse the minds of many Nigerians. For now, its offices do not seem to be secure. The burning of some of its offices in Abia, Anambra and Plateau barely a week to the Presidential election raised lots of suspicion. Besides, the conduct of the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections raised fears about the desperation of people in power and how neutral the body can be in the face of real threat. But INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu has assured Nigerians and the international community of the readiness of his commission to conduct credible polls.

Meanwhile, we hope that the candidates will live up to their words at the signing of the well-attended second agreement which emphasised the place of healthy competition in politics. We are particularly heartened by President Buhari’s commitment to a free and fair election and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s pledge that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigeria. We hope that these two candidates and the other contenders will get this message down to their supporters that violence should not be tolerated before, during and after the polls.

If they do that, there will be no need to worry over the outcome of the elections that should help to advance the cause of democracy in Nigeria.

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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.

Letters to the Editor

WOMEN AND THE ELECTORAL PROCESS

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olitical consciousness is a state of political alertness as well as a form of empowerment that adequately equips the citizenry to make politically sound judgments and informed decisions.

In a fast paced developing global village that the world has become, it is not only an aberration to be politically passive. It is also dangerous, especially for women, who fall within the vulnerability line, just as much as children, since women and children are the most affected whenever there is unrest, be it political or socio-economic.

Across the globe, women are waking up to their political responsibility and the need to be more involved in the act of governance within their respective countries. In the United States of America for instances, since the inception of the President Donald Trump’s administration many more people, especially women, have taken interest in politics and are actively involved in political activities. This is, perhaps, especially so because of the series of scandals associated with President Trump’s past, his alleged attacks on women and his controversial emergence as the President of the United States of America.

According to Rutgers University Center for American Women and Politics, 251 women recently ran for seats in the United States House of Representatives. The overwhelming majority of them are running in opposition to Trumps Republican party as Democrats. Among them is first-time candidate Alexander Ocasio-Cortez who shocked the Democratic establishment in June last year by upsetting longtime Congressman Joe Crowley in the primary as well as Democrats RashidaTlaib and Ilhan Omar who will be the first Muslim women

ever to hold a seat when they are sworn in to the House of Representatives this year.

It is important to note that these women were galvanized to action as a result of their dissatisfaction with the twist of events in their society and the need to air their voices and make a change especially on issues revolving around women right, racism (white supremacy), immigration, gender equality and fairness, issues which have become so sensitive and inflamed since Trump’s emergence in the White House.

Similarly, in a patriarchy society, especially in third world countries where women’s rights are being infringed on and children are seen and not heard, it is even more imperative for women to be politically conscious and dynamic. Importantly, women in Africa need to be aware of the political events around them and the political environment they found themselves. They must be willing to move pass the debilitating non active role imposed on them by society, culture and tradition and take a firmer stance in the issues that affects them.

It is estimated by experts that women’s participation in Nigeria politics is poor. According to statistics, in 2013 women accounted for 8% of all National leaders and 2% of all Presidential posts.

Similarly, five women out of the 14 persons that contested the Vice-Presidential position while 14 men contested the post of President in 2015.

Essentially, being politically responsive is vital as it keeps one abreast of political happenings and constantly informed and updated on political information, education, policies, government activities, programmes and initiatives. One gets in tune with the political system and is able to ascertain to what level his\her needs as a

people, group, class and gender are being met.

In spite of the affirmative action of 35% representation of women in political and non-elective positions in Nigeria, the number of women in the legislative houses is not encouraging as a result of the patriarchal dominance in our society. For instance, in the political history of Nigeria, there has been only one female governor, Dame Virginia Etiaba (Anambra State). Also, it was estimated that women participation in politics declined to 0.052% in 2017 from 0.097% in 2016, representing a 46.4 per cent drop making the proportion of seats held by women in the national parliament 5.60% as at 2017.

Interestingly, the percentage\ratio of women to men voters in Nigeria is higher, data released by INEC shows that in 2015 the total numbers of registered voters were 68,833,476. Out of this figure 22,944,984 were men and 45,888,984 were women. That means women formed a significant percentage of the registered voters’ population and can take advantage of the number to influence the tide of growth and development in their domain by increasing female representation in Government. This will, not only empower women, but will also advance women’s rights and the rights of children.

Nonetheless, there are hosts of issues affecting women and children in Nigeria. These include domestic violence, sexual abuse, and gender inequality in work-place, home and society, girl-child marriage, maternal and infant mortality amongst others. Hence, there is urgent need for women in the country to be more politically active in order to change the tide of events and narrative. It is in doing this that they will promote gender equality and women empowerment in tune with the United Nations Millennium Development Goal (2030).

Temilade Aruya, Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

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5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2019

POLITICS

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

Things That Pertain to Our Peace

Buhari

Femi Adesina

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’d never had the head for figures.

In fact, the enmity between Mathematics and I was so bad that if you gave me a bottle, and you asked me to use the bottom to write the letter ‘o,’ it may likely come out as ‘p’ or ‘q,’ or even something more catastrophic.

But what God seemed to have denied me in numeracy, He compensated in letters. I was just at home with literary subjects.

In 1977, as a secondary Class 2 student, I had one Sri Lankan, who taught us Mathematics. His name was Mr Paranahewa. The subject was just like his mother tongue, from the way he taught it. For me, it was simply Greek.

Mr Paranahewa could not understand why anybody would not have the foggiest idea about Mathematics, which was the case with me and some other students in the same category.

What to do? He created a special class for us, which he ran for about an hour or two after school hours, at no cost to our parents at all.

Amazingly, as we progressed, I began to show flashes that inspired the tutor. He went to the very basics with us, and I began to pull my weight after a few weeks. Mr Paranahewa was happy, and we became friends (I never liked Mathematics teachers, mind you).

I don’t know what happened thereafter. I suddenly lost interest in figures again. There were surely easier ways to live one’s life than the mumbo jumbo of Algebra or Geometry, I must have told myself. So, I stopped cooperating with the teacher.

One day, Mr Paranahewa came to my desk, and looked at me quizzically. He then said:”Victor (which was the name I was known by in schooldays), you were walking in the bush. Somebody then found you, took you onto the main road, and you were happy. You trod the main road for some time, and then, suddenly, you jumped back into the bush again. Why?” The answer was blowing in the wind.

Myself and the teacher laughed till our ribs nearly cracked. And that was the end of the romance with Mathematics. He eventually disbanded the special class, I jilted the subject for life, and ended scoring what I scored in the school certificate examination.

What did I score? Don’t ask me. I have many compatriots in that area, including most likely you.

Adesina

Why have I told this story which dates back 42 years? Because I find a similitude between what happened to me, and what is happening to Nigeria.

This country had wandered in the bush for too long. And then President Muhammadu Buhari came, and put us back on the main road, planted our feet on the road to Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey.

Suddenly, we have now come to a crunch point in the journey. Shall we continue on the main road, leading to the Promised Land, or we shall jump back into the bush? Shall we jump from terra firma, back into the miry clay? God forbid!

Shortly before He went to the cross, Jesus looked at Jerusalem, the Holy City, overtaken by sin and unbelief, and He lamented over it, saying, with weeping: “If thou had known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which pertain unto thy peace! But now, they are hid from thy eyes.” (Luke 19:42).

As we hold elections this Saturday to elect our President for the next four years, may we know the things that pertain to our peace as a country. May we opt for the straight and narrow path we’ve been treading for about four years, because at the end of it

What are the things that pertain to our peace as a nation?

Righteousness.

Integrity.

Accountability.

Service. A heart for men, particularly the poor and downtrodden.

Diversified economy. Massive infrastructure. Making the money of Nigeria work for Nigerians.

And all these Buhari gives, and more

is peace. May we resist the allure to jump into the wide road that seems quite easy to travel, for at the end of it is destruction and damnation.

Not all that glitters is gold. A goodly apple might be rotten at the cheek.

What are the things that pertain to our peace as a nation? Righteousness.

Integrity. Accountability. Service.

A heart for men, particularly the poor and downtrodden. Diversified economy. Massive infrastructure.

Making the money of Nigeria work for Nigerians. And all these Buhari gives, and more.

What is the flip-side? A rent-seeking, bubble economy, which collapses with a pin prick. An opaque government.

A coalition of people with questionable reputation, who have entered into a confederacy, poised to again stick their snouts into the nectar of office, and perhaps suck out the very lifeblood of the country. In the past, while they held sway, they drew down the Federation Account. Plundered the foreign reserves. Looted the excess crude account into nothingness. Ran the country into a hole. Till they were given the left leg of fellowship by Nigerians in 2015. Now they have regrouped, poised to wreak havoc again? Not if Nigerians know the things that pertain to their peace.

There is a farmer who ruled this country for about 12 years in all, if you decide to add his time as a military Head of State and two terms as a civilian leader. He paid lip service to agriculture, following it with billions upon billions of Naira. It all went down the drain. At the end of his tenure, in which he had to quit involuntarily, Nigeria was nowhere near food self-sufficiency. We still spent millions of dollars annually to import food. But within three years, President Buhari changed the picture.

Rice importation reduced by about 90%, we can now feed ourselves, and also sell food to neighboring countries.

That same man claims he hasn’t seen what President Buhari has done. True.

No man is as blind as the person who deliberately refuses to see.

There was a time the sluice gate of corruption was open in this country.

Public coffers were like gravy train, from which you took what you wanted at will. Till a new Sheriff came into town. President Buhari came this way, and stealing promptly became corruption. Would we then exchange transparency for fantastic and grand corruption? Not if we know what pertains to our peace.

See infrastructural development round the country. Roads, bridges, rail, power, all showing a government at work for the people. The second Niger Bridge that they built with their mouths in 16 years is now making steady, sustainable progress. Every state in the country has at least a major federal road under construction. The whole country is now one huge construction site. And then, we forgo all these and give power to people who will play what Igbos call ‘agbata eke’ (put on the table and share) politics? May God let us not afflict ourselves with blindness, after we had enjoyed the luxury of clear sight.

There are people who have filled the land with hate messages. Pastors who don’t know their Master as the Prince of Peace. People who spread utter falsehood on the social media. They concoct and share evil from the pit of hell, just to turn the people against the government. “But He that sits in Heaven shall laugh...” That is what the Good Book says. The merchants of fake news and polluting messages simply don’t know what pertains to their peace.

Ask the pensioners from Nigeria Airways. The defunct NITEL. The Biafra Police. And many more. They will have good stories to tell. Ask millions who have benefitted from the several schemes under the Social Investment Program. They’ll have happy stories to tell. How about farmers who now have access to fertilizers at half of what they used to pay? And how about people who lived under the throes of insurgency, who never could sleep with two eyes closed?

Good days have come, and better days beckon. They sure know what pertains to their peace.

I’ll rather have an accountable man rule me any day. That is what we have in President Buhari, the ‘Mai Gaskiya (honest man). And that is why I’ll follow him, till Africa and China join together, till fishes begin to dance in the streets, and remain alive.

I know what pertains to my peace as a Nigerian. I know what pertains to the peace of my children, and to the peace of generations unborn.

Having been brought from the bush to the main road, I am not ready to jump into the bush again. Onward to the Next Level. What about you?

-Adesina is Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity

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POLITICS

Why Nigerians Should Vote for Abubakar Odilim Enwegbara

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reat leaders usually emerge at difficult times in their nations. Franklin D. Roosevelt led Americans out of a horrifying Great Depression during the 1930s. Deng Xiaoping radically transformed China’s overly socialist economy, lifting 1.2 billion Chinese out of poverty. Winston Churchill was a wartime leader who comforted his compatriots with inspiring speeches while leading Britain and the Allied Powers to victory over Nazi Germany.

The truth is that all nations are well endowed with great leaders; the only difference between successful nations and unsuccessful ones lies in their ability to identify gifted leaders among them and allow them to lead. And nations that choose great leaders almost always come out of their problems and discover ways to growth and prosperity.

The tragedy of African nations has been their inability to identify, or refusal to deploy, their best leaders due to sheer parochial and primordial sentimentality.

So long as Africans refuse to give their best leaders the chance to lead them, so long will Africans continue to remain economically and socially backward. For example, can we field our third eleven instead of our first eleven in a World Cup tournament and expect to win against nations fielding their first eleven?

Today, Nigeria is at a crossroads. It is now faced with either the choice to change the course of its economic history or the choice to remain as backward as it has been. We must do away with parochial and primordial sentiments and elect a gifted leader — a man who is duty-ready to save us from a broken economy.

Just as in America and China, the status quo defenders are louder than the country’s reform-minded. But those who have been keeping us down face a big challenge. It’s inconceivable for them to watch the system they have benefited from since independence in 1960 dismantled by Atiku Abubakar.

How can the masses of this country be finally liberated from their economic and social hostage and bondage, the kind of savagery and barbarism that existed in pre-enlightenment medieval Europe?

Like Hitler ’s Nazi propagandists, an army of anti-Atiku campaigners has been released into the electoral battlefield where Muhammadu Buhari’s status quo supporters have set in motion the finest propaganda machinery. Their goal is to attack Atiku’s credibility, while brainwashing Nigerians into believing in Buhari’s fake saintly personality. These birds of a feather flocking together are peddling their fake stories about Atiku’s past, yet the same corrupt politicians are surrounding Buhari during campaigns.

Because they know Buhari is incompetent, they are avoiding discussing what he has accomplished in the past four years or mentioning what he hopes to do in the next four years [God forbid!] in the face of his increasingly poor health and failing memory.

Atiku possesses all the credentials of a great leader. He is in a hurry to lead Nigeria’s economic and social transformation. So goodhearted and patriotic, he has prepared himself for this job for close to three decades. Exactly as the former Mayor of New York Rudolph Giuliani stated it, Atiku like the Biblical Joseph, has emerged at the country’s worst crisis time. And just as the Egyptian Pharaoh allowed Joseph to lead Egypt out of famine, the Nigerian electorate have the duty to elect Atiku as their president who should lead them out of their present economic and social darkness into which Buhari has plunged them.

Is it by coincidence that, for the first time in Nigeria’s history, one of its finest businessmen is going to be handed its wrecked economy? President Donald Trump of America is already

Abubakar

using his business acumen to turn America’s wrecked economy into the fastest-growing Western economy with unbelievable millions of new jobs.

Because Atiku is a familiar face in the investment world, the investment world is already aware of the kind of economic reforms Atiku will be bringing into the country. They know that Atiku is ready to open the economy to the world with the right business environment and the best ever investor confidence.

So, all eyes are now on Nigeria. Leading investors cannot wait to come and invest in Nigeria’s economy which is expected to become one of the world’s largest foreign investment destinations.

Even local investors are tired of being forced to sit on the fence for the past four years, for fear of the directionless Buhari’s economic policies.

By insisting on floating of the Naira, Atiku has demonstrated his immense understanding of how this singular decision could be the economic game changer that will bring to an end the ongoing unheard-of forex frauds, where hoarders creating artificial scarcity of dollars have been exploiting the fraud-ridden bizarre four forex windows. Doing away with the arbitrage that causes forex speculation and forex round-tripping will end instant billionaires produced during the last four years. This will trigger an unprecedented inflow of hundreds of billions of dollars in the economy leading to naira value stabilisation. Without restrictions and

Atiku possesses all the credentials of a great leader.

He is in a hurry to lead Nigeria’s economic and social transformation. So goodhearted and patriotic, he has prepared himself for this job for close to three decades

difficulties to freely bring in and take out forex from the country, dollars will become so available and cheaper that Nigerians will no longer have to depend on the hoarders and forex round trippers for their forex needs.

This is the golden opportunity we all have waited for all these years. We must not miss it, or else our children and their children will live to regret our decision on February 16. If we want to start this our belated economic prosperity journey, we must come together to elect Atiku and do so without sentiments. We are too smart a people to want to see Nigeria on fire as a result of re-electing Buhari.

If white Americans could swallow their pride to elect Barack Obama their first black president to unite the overly divided nation, why can’t we too put our differences behind and together elect Atiku to unite and reconcile our overly divided country? As former Muslim, Obama was also needed to reach out and reconcile America with the Muslim world so humiliated by President George W. Bush.

We all know that Buhari and Atiku belong to two worlds apart. Provincial and cosmopolitan worlds are too far away from each other. Here is Atiku the nationalist, the religiously moderate, the goodhearted philanthropist, the educationist and founder of one of Nigeria’s best universities, the mega-farmer and job creator, the humble, the tech savvy, and the youth receptive leader. There is Buhari the dictator, the bigot, the feudalist, the media intolerant, a man who Mallam Nasir el-Rufai accused in 2010 of “lacking capacity to comprehend current trends, to the extent (of thinking) that a blackberry was a fruit… and whose insensitivity to Nigeria’s diversity and parochial focus are already well-known!”

There is no way we can compare Buhari whose go-slow culture and appointment of people on the basis of where they come from and who they know with Atiku who as a successful businessman knows that, to get the best out of people, they should be appointed on the basis of their capacity to deliver on the job. In other words, based on what they know and not who they know.

It is this choice of ours that will determine whether Nigeria will continue to be one united country after the elections or will be riddled with pro-secessionist movements. It will determine whether we will continue remaining the poverty capital of the world and whether insurgency or insecurity will continue unabated.

Voting for Atiku on Saturday will mean voting for someone who will lead

Nigeria’s economy into a trillion-dollar economy. It is voting for someone with the capacity to create millions of jobs annually for our unemployed youths. It is voting for someone who will finally mobilise our hundreds of thousands of SMEs and make them the engine that drives our economic growth. Unlike Buhari who is not even computer-compliant, President Atiku will revolutionise Nigeria’s ICT sector in a way that mainstreams it in the outsourcing service world. This will see the world’s leading tech companies relocate to Nigeria in their hundreds, creating along with million tech jobs.

This is besides the billions of tech dollars that will follow them to Nigeria.

There is no better area Atiku’s opening up the country’s economy will impact more than its construction sector. Both local and foreign construction firms will scramble for the country’s construction sector. Especially with government’s build, operate and transfer policy, Nigeria will become the world’s largest construction site with hundreds of billions of dollars flooding into the housing and new city development, road and railway construction. Along with the industrialization of the country’s building materials industry, no doubt, the sector has all it takes to quickly transform Nigeria into a trillion-dollar economy.

Atiku’s plan for the creative industry — particularly those in Nollywood, music, and book writing — has been designed to trigger huge inflows of foreign capital.

This is not happening presently because of government’s inability to dismantle the army of pirates in the country. That is what Atiku administration’s war on piracy wants to bring to an end by establishing an anti-piracy agency that works around the clock to fight pirates in all their hideouts especially deploying a technology such as “Zerofake Technology.” Once the pirates are put out of business, the industry will blossom with high return on investment attracting many foreign and local investors.

It’s out of love for the suffering Nigerians who the fuel mafia has been extorted money from that Atiku wants to block the impeding fuel monopoly by selling of the refineries and opening up the downstream to capable investor, whose massive investment will crash and bring below N100 the present high pump price of fuel. Who else would have had this foresight than Atiku?

Opening up of the country’s agriculture and food processing will be so revolutionary that it will attract an army of investors and create millions of skilled and unskilled jobs. Its integrative capacity will trigger the rapid industrialization and diversification of the economy into a trillion-dollar economy. Also handing the mining sector to states is another game changer Atiku is planning. This is because it will make states now viable as they improve on their revenue generation and job creation.

If American voters made the right choice of electing Franklin D. Roosevelt their president in 1932 as their ingenious economic and social transformer and after more than 80 years that decision is still celebrated by generations of Americans; and if the Chinese in 1978 smartly decided to hand their dilapidated and collapsing economy to radical reformist Deng Xiaoping and to allow him launch the far-reaching socialist capitalism that by opening up China’s economy to the enterprising and investment world, resulted in no limits to China’s economic growth and social transformation, why can’t we too hand over our crisis-ridden economic fortune to Atiku Abubakar, the man of the moment who has spent all these years preparing for this aweinspiring responsibility? For all the things Atiku has lined up for all of us in Nigeria to happen, it’s our duty to elect him our next president.

Enwegbara, a development economist, can be reached at basil_enwegbara@ yahoo.com or 07038501486

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

Love Campaign to Combat Cancer In line with their strategy of using different themes to celebrate Valentine’s Day, this year, Sahara Group and Dorcas Cancer Foundation joined forces to combat the scourge of cancer by increasing awareness, Chiemelie Ezeobi writes

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n a bid to reinforce the role early detection plays in preventing the cancer, which has claimed the lives of 9.6 million people in 2018, Sahara Group has partnered Dorcas Cancer Foundation in a love campaign targeted at combating the scourge.

According to Bethel Obioma, Head of Corporate Communications at Sahara Group, las year, the celebration was centered on the issue of climate change tagged ‘Greenest Love of All’ campaign, which was well-received and generated remarkable awareness and commitment to galvanising action towards protecting our environment.

This year, in line with their strategy of using different themes to celebrate Valentine’s Day, it informed the partnership between Sahara Group and the foundation. Tagged ‘How Pink Is Your Love’, the campaign will take advantage of the euphoria surrounding the 2019 Valentine’s Day celebration to shore up awareness and early detection campaigns through youth engagement talks in schools, media interactions and donations to select cancer based non-governmental organisations.

Therefore, the duo are joining forces to increase awareness of the cancer scourge in a bid to reinforce the role early detection plays in preventing avoidable morbidity and mortality from the disease which claimed the lives of 9.6 million people in 2018. This is because statistics sourced from the World Cancer Day website indicate that at least a third of common cancers are preventable and up to 3.7 million lives could be saved each year through implementing appropriate strategies for prevention, early detection and treatment.

Thus, the project will take advantage of the euphoria surrounding the 2019 Valentine’s Day celebration to shore up awareness and early detection campaigns through youth engagement talks in schools, health walks, media interactions and donations to select cancer based non-governmental organisations.

The campaign will be implemented across the energy conglomerate’s locations across Africa, Europe, Middle East and Asia and Dr. Adedayo Joseph, Clinical Radiation Oncologist and Executive Director of The Dorcas Cancer Foundation will provide lead technical support for the campaign through her organisation, which is widely regarded for its leading role in stamping out cancer.

“Last year, Sahara Group added more fillip to the issue of climate change on Valentine’s Day. Our ‘Greenest Love of All’ campaign was well-received and generated remarkable awareness and commitment to galvanizing action towards protecting our environment. This year, we are delighted to work with the reputable Dorcas Cancer Foundation to stem the tide of cancer, a deadly disease which can be tackled by awareness, early detection, accurate diagnosis, as well as prompt and proper treatment.” explained Bethel Obioma, Head of Corporate Communications at Sahara Group.

According to Obioma, cancer, which claims 17 lives every minute all over the world requires sustained global attention and collaboration to stem the tide of its adverse impact.

He said: “Our campaign is actually a passionate appeal to extract more commitment from everyone to spread the word about cancer, get checked, encourage others to get checked in order to increase the chances of saving more lives through early detection. There is also a high level of myths, misinformation and stigma that fuels the spread of the disease. So, at Sahara Group, we are asking, how pink is your love this valentine, as we take the fight to cancer.”

Speaking on the partnership with Sahara Group, Joseph said: “Not too long from now, every person living will know someone affected by cancer. We owe it to ourselves, and to the people we love to get involved. This fight cannot be left for the oncologists, the doctors, healthcare professionals and non-profits. Every individual has a duty and an obligation to society, to do their part for cancer control.”

According to her, The Dorcas Cancer Founda-

Mobile Cancer Unit donated by Sahara Group

Dr. Adedayo Joseph, Clinical Radiation Oncologist and Executive Director of The Dorcas Cancer Foundation

tion has backed cancer research; published and distributed free of charge, a first of its kind childhood cancer handbook in West Africa, funded diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for several children; partnered with community leaders and influencers to raise awareness; and

trained hundreds of health care professionals on early detection and referral paths.

“But it is all only a drop in the bucket until everyone gets involved.” I have devoted my career to changing the cancer narrative in Africa, and I invite every individual, every organisation;

to join in their own way.

“This season, as everyone celebrates love and relationships, I believe we need to take a moment to think about those for whom life seems to be hanging in the balance; those whose priorities are vastly re-arranged by the diagnosis they face. Take a moment to show love to someone who desperately needs it,” she added.

Oluseyi Ojurongbe, Manager, Sahara Foundation said the organisation remains resolute in its commitment to partnering various stakeholders to “take cancer down”, adding that the total annual economic cost of cancer, which is estimated at 1.16 trillion dollars makes it imperative for various stakeholders across the globe to support sustainable awareness and prevention projects.

“At Sahara, we have over the years supported several cancer programmes to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with the disease. Some of our cancer interventions include donation towards the acquisition of a Mobile Cancer Center by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy; sponsorship of prostate cancer surgeries in Lagos; cancer screening and awareness programmes for staff members and cancer screening for over 5000 rural women across Nigeria. “ The Sahara Group subsidiary in Geneva recently partnered with English Speaking Cancer Association (ESCA) alongside other organisations to carry out awareness programme themed Paddle for cancer dragon boat festival.

“The war to defeat cancer should be concerted, requiring the efforts of individuals, corporations and government. Sahara Group is excited to draw attention to the cancer menace as the world celebrates the concept of love. We believe the greatest form of love this valentine is to raise awareness and do everything possible to enhance the cause of early detection by promoting voluntary and sponsored medical intervention,” he added.

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Role of Youths in Politics and the Future of Nigeria Coming from a prominent political background, Hafsatu Ali Shinkafi runs an NGO that focuses on youth empowerment. Olawale Ajimotokan put her in the spotlight

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am Change founder, Hafsatu Shinkafi is leading the conversation on finding new role for youths in the Nigerian landscape.

Her passion for the development and empowerment of the youth was manifest through the interview she gave at her Abuja office.

The estate developer is the daughter of the late Umaru Ali Shinkafi, a former Director General National Security Organisation (NSO) and a presidential aspirant during the botched Third Republic.

She also expressed contempt for political leaders for neglecting youths, who constitute the largest group in country, lamenting that many youths lack jobs and are often bypassed in the scheme of things.

Shinkafi read International Relations at International University of Geneva, Switzerland after doing her one year foundation course in the UK. Last month, her NGO convened a symposium at the Baze University, Abuja to X-tray the challenges of the youth in the country. The theme of the discourse was: “Role of Youths in Politics and the Future of Nigeria”.

The initiative had as panelists, the founder of Youths Initiative for Advocacy and Growth (YIAGA), Samson Itodo, the President of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Bello Bala Shagari and the President of Student Council at Baze University, Rabi Mohammed.

The interactive session ventilated on the challenges youths are facing in Nigeria and sought solution to them.

“One of the things we discussed at the panel was, at the beginning of our country as a nation, it was the youths that were running the affairs.

So why is it that it has changed now? So we are concerned that it is the elders that are ruling while youths have limited opportunities. The education system has collapsed, security is shattered. We are living in fear. That is one of the issues we brought up during our discussion.

Why is that we have not been led properly the way they experienced, the way they were led by the past leaders? All they tell is to go and do it by yourselves,” Shinkafi fumed.

She also berated some politicians, for habitually conscripting youths as tools to commit political violence, to the extent of inducing them with intoxicants and hard drugs to fight on the street.

Shinkafi advocated for the enlightenment of the youths on the harm of these acts and for them to realise that they are only used by politicians, who will dump them once they get what they want and are elected into offices.

She similarly warned of the danger the country culd face for neglecting the youth, who are about 80 million and who constitute about 60 percent of the population.

“Our population is dominated by people under the age of 30, we cannot afford to neglect them because the numbers are absolutely huge.

Japan has an aging population and a large number of their population are Octogenarians.

On the other hand, we have the resources and demographics, which are unfortunately wasted because of lack of programmes for the youth.

The education and the health sectors are in tatters, while we have one of the worst crisis in terms of girl child enrollment in school. We can’t continue to have people who are 90-80 year-old ruling a population that is 60 percent and below 30 years,” she stressed.

She offered that it was in order to extenuate the myriad of challenges bedeviling the youth sector that prompted her to set up I am Change in September 2015.

Shinkafi clarified that the NGO is self-funded and was founded to uplift the disenfranchised youths of the society and to ameliorate their challenges, such as lack of education and issues of health and drug abuse.

I am Change has no affiliation to any political party, she said. In September last year, the NGO undertook a project in Sokoto State with a grant received from the Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation which it used to train about 100 youth in solar panel installation, IT skills and leadership.

Shinkafi also highlighted that given the

Hafsatu Shinkafi

L-R: Shinkafi, Samson Itodo, Rabi Mohammed and Bello Bala Shagari, as panelists at the discourse on the role of youths in politics and the future of Nigeria

unwholesome reputation of some NGOs, accessing foreign grants was becoming difficult because the donors all assumed their funds would not be used in the right way as much of the donations put into the country had not been judiciously expended.

She disclosed the inspiration to pursue youth employment came during her visit to the Red Cross in Geneva as an undergraduate. To her the trip was an eye opener that it is possible for ordinary people to make a change for the betterment of the society and the people.

Shinkafi similarly admitted she had found herself in trouble waters with her I am Change identity, which someone had ignorantly associated to be an appendage of the ruling party’s

Change mantra. She insisted her NGO’s name has no political leaning whatsoever, adding that “Change” is a universal term.

“If you look around the world everybody is using ‘change’. It is unfair to box me into a political slogan controversy because I chose such a powerful and universal word for my organisation. That identity got me into so many troubles, you won’t believe it. Somebody once challenged me, because he erroneously linked us to a political party”.

She, however, defiantly insisted she would stick by the identity, saying once people begin to understand what the meaning and how powerful the name is they will also get on the train.

From a family that is synonymous with

politics, Shinkafi gave a nod that reinforced a probe seeking to know if she is political given her background.

Her response:” Yes. I actually have politics all over my genes .In fact I am fully political.

I used to joke I smell politics, but for now I have no interest in politics or in running for political office or election, but I am not saying I won’t practice politics all together. Right now, this NGO is my priority. And to also make a living is another priority of mine. I am into real estate that is what I do”.

She disclosed her dream in the next five years is to grow her organisation, have a bigger work force that would have impacted many people in the entire country, including southern Nigeria.

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‘Nigeria’s N1tn Courier Industry Untapped’

Ă“Ă?Ă‹ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă?Þ̋ ĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă• ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă— Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?Ëœ Ă“ĂŽĂŽĂ–Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ě™ Ěš ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?Ă–Ă™ĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?âÞ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÎÓÑÓÞËÖ ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ë› Ă–ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽĂŁ ĂœĂ™Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?Ëœ Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜ Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă— ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă‹ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă“Ă?Ă‹ Ă?ĂžËœ Ă“Ă?Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă‹ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă–Ă™ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÎÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂžĂ’ Ă?Ă‹ĂšĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă?Ë› ÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă?Ă‹ Ă‹Ă?Þ̋ ĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă• ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ëœ Ă?Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă? ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă™Ă˜Ě‹ĂŒĂ™Ă‹ĂœĂŽ ÞÙ Ă“Ă?Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă? ÖÓÞÞÖĂ? Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă— Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă–Ă™ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă?Ëœ Ă‹ĂŽĂ‹ĂšĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂœĂ?ËÖÓÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă— åÓÞÒ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ě‹ĂŒĂ™Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă— Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă? ÞÙ ÚÖËÞĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă–ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽĂŁ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă“Ă?Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă? ÞÙ Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă•Ă?Ëœ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă“Ă?Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ë›

Stories by Emma Okonji

Ericsson SimpliďŹ es Services with AI

CLOSING GONG CEREMONY

L–R: Head, Listing Business Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Olumide Bolumole, presenting a replica of the closing gong to the Managing Director/CEO, Eterna Plc, Mr. Mahmud Tukur, during a closing gong ceremony to commemorate Eterna’s 30th anniversary at the NSE in Lagos‌recently

The Head of Nigeria’s Courier Regulatory Department (CRD) an independent arm of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Prof. Simon Emeje, has insisted that the Nigerian courier industry worth over a trillion naira, but expressed his dissatisfaction that the full potential of the sector was yet to be tapped, while blaming the federal government for the situation.

Emeje, who spoke to THISDAY in a recent interview in Lagos, called on all tiers of government to support the courier sector, which he said was capable of boosting the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), if given the right enabling environment.

TELECOM Emeje, also said government had not given much attention to the courier industry, even though it is an industry that has assets worth over N1 trillion. “An industry that has such huge assets, should have government’s recognition. Out of the N1 trillion worth of assets, only about 20 per cent of the combined market of Courier, Logistics, Transport and Management is currently being utilised across Nigeria.

Again, the professionals in these combined areas of courier business are very few in number. We have less than 10 per cent of experts that can actually embark on capacity

building and proper training that will set the economy in a good shape,� he said.

Emeje who recently retired from the services of NIPOST to assume the position of Chairman of Council, Courier and Logistics Management Institute (CLMI) in Nigeria, said: “Government should give prominence to CLMI and collaborate with us to create opportunities for its citizens. With collaboration, government can create more jobs and empower more Nigerians to take a career in Courier, Logistics, Transport and Management.

For example, CLMI is a training institute, targeting the training about one million people in two years.

We believe more in practical

training, which is embedded in our curriculum. Graduates from CLMI will be able to produce more people that can start up their own businesses and also employ people. “So if we are able to produce one million entrepreneurs, and each of the one million is able to employ up to three persons, that will mean creating three million jobs, and there will be multiplier effect for more job creation.�

He therefore advised government to leverage on the opportunities that abound in courier business by supporting the sector in the area of creating enabling environment that will make courier business Continued on page 24

9mobile Mulls Strategy to Remain Competitive 9mobile is considering fresh strategies that would awaken competition in the industry.

THISDAY gathered that Teleology Nigeria, the new owners of 9mobile, are putting the necessary financial muscles behind an audacious campaign to ensure that the telco reclaims lost grounds occasioned by the challenges recently it recently faced.

The new drive is coming shortly after the exit of Teleology Holdings as a result of internal differences between Teleology Nigeria and Teleology Holdings, a situation that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had since mediated

TELECOM upon to protect investor’s interests and to ensure business continuity.

When asked how Teleology Nigeria would handle the flow of 9mobile business in the absence of Teleology Holdings, considering its exit, an executive of the company’s marketing department who spoke to THISDAY on condition of anonymity said, Teleology Nigeria, which has a majority share in 9mobile, would be investing more in 9mobile to further drive its fresh campaign, designed to reclaim its lost grounds occasioned by its financial crisis.

Part of the campaign plan by 9mobile, according to the source is a celebratory brand campaign tagged, “9nniversary� to commemorate its 10 years of operations in Nigeria. “We are ready to take back our place in the Nigerian telecoms market and the youth segment. The first thing we have decided to do is to reward those Nigerian subscribers who have kept faith with our brand during our challenging times. “Then, we will begin to acquire new subscribers. Our new owners are bringing in the necessary financial muscle for us to take our place back in the market. I can tell you, we

have a strategy. Watch out for us,� the source said.

The Acting Managing Director of the company, Stephane Beulevet, described the plan as a celebration of resilience and triumph in the face of challenges.

THISDAY also learnt that the new owners of 9mobile are currently helping the company invest in 5G capabilities at a time when some of the other telecommunications companies are still celebrating the attainment of 4G capabilities.

9mobile had hinted that its new owners have a Pan-African Continued on page 24

ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ě™ ĚšĚ‹ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? ĚŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĚ‹ĂžĂ™Ě‹Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ×ÙÎĂ?Ă– ĂžĂ’Ă‹ĂžËœ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂžĂ™Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ‹Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă—Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÚÞÓ×ÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ËÚÚÖÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ÞÖã Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?ËŞ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ù×ÚÖĂ?âÓÞã Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ ×Ùà Ă?Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?ËÖÓÞã Ă™Ă? Íł Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™ Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŒĂ–Ă™Ă?Ă•Ă?Ë? Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ě‹Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ×ÙÎĂ?Ă–Ëž Ă˜ĂŽĚ‹ĂžĂ™Ě‹Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹ĂšĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă?Ëž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ě‹Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ×ÙÎĂ?Ă– Ă“Ă? ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ù×Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ëœ Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂžĂ™Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÎËÞË Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜ĂŽĚ‹ĂžĂ™Ě‹Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹ĂšĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ù×Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ě‹ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ëœ ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÚÞÓ×ÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ‹Ě‹ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă?Ă˜ ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ĂŽĂŁĂ˜Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ?ÚÖÙã×Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ËÚÚÖÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?ĂžĚ‹Ă“Ă˜Ě‹Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă? ÞÙÙÖĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă? ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ‹Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂžĂ™Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă? Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ăœ ĂŽĂ™Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ë›

Gulder Takes Campaign to SMW

Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ͱ͎ͯ͡ Ă?ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ě‹Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă“Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ÞÙÚ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă?Ù×Ă? ÞÙÑĂ?ÞÒĂ?Ăœ ÞÙ Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă˜ Ă Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙÚÓĂ?Ă? ÚËÞÞĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽĂ?ĂœËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă?Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă‘Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ËŤ ĂĄĂ˜ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂŁËŹ Ă“Ă? Ă•Ă?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ“ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ÔÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă Ă“Ă‹ Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă’Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ Ă?Ă?Ă• Ͱ͎ͯ͡˛

“Our partnership with Avanti provides Nigeria the opportunity to accelerate expansion of broadband internet via satellite, to bridge the digital gap and improve digital transformation for more Nigerians�

Chief Executive Officer, MainOne,

Funke Opeke

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ˛Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

‘NIGERIA’S N1TN COURIER INDUSTRY UNTAPPED’ thrive more. “If this is achieved, then it would go a long way in addressing the challenges of our country Nigeria in the areas of job creation and business sustainability,�

Emeje said.

9MOBILE MULLS STRATEGY TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE strategy but chose to begin from Africa’s largest market.

Worried about the pulling out of Teleology Holdings from 9mobile, the NCC had said it had taken steps to address the issue in the interest of subscribers, investors and the Nigerian economy.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, had said proactive steps had been taken by the Commission, in line with its regulatory mandate to avert destabilisation of the telecoms industry.

Danbatta, said the commission had already made some moves to address the situation in the interest of 9mobile subscribers and the telecoms industry. “The bone of contention is between Teleology Holdings Limited and Teleology Nigeria, over some disagreements, but as a regulator that is both customer and investor centric, we have set up some measures to resolve the issue between the two parties. “We need stability in the telecoms industry and we will do everything possible to protect the interest of both the 9mobile subscribers and its investors and ensure there is no disruption of services,�

Danbatta said.

Industry stakeholders who are keenly following the development at 9mobile, had advised NCC not to allow Teleology Holdings to pull out of the deal. “Teleology must not be allowed to truncate the 9mobile transition deal. It must complete what it started and deliver on the promises he made to Nigerians when it rolled out its business model on how to manage 9mobile and bring it back to profitability within few years of take over,� an industry expert who did not want his name on print had said.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

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Film Makers Tasks FG on Broadband, Local Content Devt Emma Okonji

government to address the challenges of the entertainment industry, despite its many promises.

He therefore called for more political will by government that will change the narrative for the better The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, said the commission’s proactive effort to achieve 30 per cent broadband penetration for the country in December last year, demonstrated its understanding of the power of

broadband, and the zeal to make broadband available to all. He explained that the commission promoted several infrastructure models to boost broadband availability. He however noted that the submarine cables that have landed on the shores of the country, including the number of data centres in the country, were still largely under-utilised, which he said was a pointer to the fact that there is enough broadband capacity to go round, if well distributed.

NCC’s Lagos Zonal Con-

troller, Henry Ojiokpota, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Communications Commission, declared that the commission was ready to work with Nollywood to explore options for mutually beneficial activities to grow the local content and productivity in general. He stated that with broadband, digital content could be distributed further, faster and more economically.

Also, the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA),

Dr. Ali Ibrahim Pantami, in his presentation, revealed that the agency set up the Office of Nigerian Content (ONC) precisely to promote local Nigerian content.

NIDTA is keen to boost local content through creating the enabling environment to encourage creativity and local content production, Pantami said.

Chioma Okee-Aguguo, who represented Pantami, remarked that away from oil and gas, the empowerment of youth with modern technology tools, was the way of the future.

Operators players in the nation’s entertainment space have called on the federal government to make available, ubiquitous bundled broadband internet service that will enhance local content development in the entertainment sector, necessary to diversify the Nigerian economy to create more jobs and wealth.

Speaking at the Nollywood Economic Outlook 2019 organised by the Nollywood Mandate Group (NMG), in Lagos recently, participants tasked the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to work closely with entertainment practitioners to boost local digital content through affordable broadband.

The chairman of the occasion, Dr. Chris Uwaje, former President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), noted that Nollywood had done well for Nigeria, but needed to get to the next level as quickly as possible to overcome the challenges of content distribution.

According to the Uwaje, “It is time for Nollywood to leapfrog the distribution of its content using the rapidly emerging digital technology.�

Nollywood producer, Zeb Ejiro, called on the NCC to work out an interface with the movie industry to explore how bundled broadband could be made available to practitioners.

He urged government to establish a special product for the movie sector just like it has for the agriculture sector.

Ejiro, expressed dissatisfaction L-R: President, Republic of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita; Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Tony Elumelu and Prime Minister, over the little efforts made by Republic of Mali, Soumeilou Boubeye Maiga, at the official launch of the bank’s 20th subsidiary in Bamako‌recently

EXPANDING FOOTPRINT IN AFRICA

DBI Boss Pushes for More Investments in ICT Emma Okonji The Administrator, Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Dr. Ike Adinde, has called for significant investment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills of the country’s workforce to make them key drivers of the economy.

Adinde, made the call during the inauguration of DBI’s Telecommunication Network Equipment Laboratory in Abuja recently.

He said the laboratory, which worth one million US dollars, was donated by Huawei Technologies Nigeria Limited.

According to him, investing in skills of the workforce of a nation was crucial, especially in an increasingly globalised world. “There is, therefore, the urgent need for us to train and make available to the industry, highly skilled human resources to serve

as key drivers of the economy. “It is in response to these challenges that the DBI has built this ultra-modern laboratory to train and equip Nigerians with relevant ICT skills for the 21st century to tackle challenges presented by the 4th industrial revolution, which requires tailor-made solutions that keep pace with the ever-evolving telecom industry,� he said.

Adinde, added that the laboratory project was started in July 2018 with the donation of a complement of modern telecoms equipment by Huawei Technologies to DBI. He said the lab was equipped with transmission equipment and ultra-modern next-Generation Core Network Switching Centre that gives a complete end-to-end telecoms scenario. “One major benefit of the equipment is that it uses

real-world industrial quality components to help students become better prepared for what they will encounter on the job. “The lab is equally effective for technicians, engineers, field workers and anyone needing further understanding and skills in wireless telecommunications.

He thanked the DBI parent institution – the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and its Executive Vice Chairman, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta, whose leadership role, he said, enabled the institute to forge critical strategic collaborations such as that of the Huawei Technologies that has crystallised to the achievement.

The Chairman, Governing Board of DBI, Mr. Titi OmoEttu, said the inauguration of the laboratory represented a leap in the efforts of the institute to

provide qualitative hands on practical telecommunications and ICT training.

Omo-Ettu, said the development of skilled workforce across all sectors of the economy had become a national priority. “We are keenly aware that there is a global shift from natural resources as a basis for national competitiveness to human resources underpinned by knowledge innovation. “Interestingly, it is also increasingly evident that innovation is not about academic qualifications or certificates, the emphasis is on skills and creative abilities of the individual. “The new DBI telecom industry has a full complement of GSM/ UTMS equipment and will be fully deployed for the training and retraining of entry level and middle level engineers in industry.

“This effort is the first step in an ambitious plan by the institute to develop functional laboratories and workshops in its campuses in Kano, Lagos, Enugu and Yola,�

Omo-Ettu said.

According to him, the DBI campuses would continue to serve as focal ICT training centres and would in time transform to innovation hubs.

Deputy Managing Director, Huawei Technologies, Mr. Kevin Yangyang, said as partner to NCC and DBI, the organisation believed in contributing significantly to the development of ICT. He said Huawei was doing this through leading ICT solutions and innovations.

He added that as global leader in the sector, the organisation is happy to see high-tech facilities and operations, especially in Africa.

move to renew the licenses could be in the right direction, he, however, stated that the exercise could have been compromised by lack of transparency, accountability and due process, which were basic barriers inherent in the extant regulations.

According to him, “The chief concern is the need for due process and transparency in the renewal process, most especially providing accessible information and data as to

whether and how oil companies that have applied for renewal have met the prescribed legal requirements. “For example, how many oil companies have remitted royalties as at when due, what is their production and compliance track record, and to what extent can the Department of Petroleum Resources grant discounts, rebates and waivers in case of record of non-compliance by an applicant company.�

Group Faults Oil Lease Renewal Deal Sylvester Idowu in Warri Despite assurance by the federal government that there were no irregularities in the ongoing renewal of over 42 oil licences, a group of Niger Delta activists led by Chief Sunny Onuesoke have raised the alarm over the exercise.

Onuesoke, who spoke to newsmen in Asaba, Delta State said even though the Petroleum Act of 1969, as well as the Pe-

troleum (Drilling & Production) Regulation of 1969 (as amended in 2001) authorised the Minister of Petroleum Resources to renew oil licences once statutory payments in terms of applicable royalty, concession rentals and fees were paid, he insisted that renewing the licences without passing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would make the oil producing communities have a sense of neglect and exclusion.

He argued that with the

PIB Bill, fiscal terms in the renewal processes would have been highly improved, while the country would negotiate from a position of strength in an atmosphere that provides confidence for investors.

He lamented that the failure to secure presidential assent on the PIB indicated that significant uncertainty remains on the legal framework governing the petroleum sector in the country.

Onuesoke, said although the

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BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Leveraging Social Media forYouth Empowerment This year’s Social Media Week Lagos presented another opportunity for Nigerian youths and corporate organisations to leverage the power of technology and digital media in transforming industries and communities, writes Emma Okonji

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he Social Media Week Lagos 2019 (SMWLagos), which ended last week, focused on ideas, trends, insights, inspiration to help both individuals and businesses across the creative, technology and financial industries understand how to achieve more in a hyper-connected world and engender good business practices and policies that leverage technology to transform industries and communities across Africa. The event also featured a mixture of presentations on a wide range of topics, including business, entertainment, education, technology and politics, all aimed at advancing the use of social media.

Aside being dedicated to networking, co-working and interactive installations, one the sessions highlighted the dangers of fake news and how best to effectively use social media in broadcasting.

Organisations used the occasion of this year’s SMW to impact and set young tech start-ups on crucial path that would give them tangible deliverables in today’s competitive business environment.

Dealing with fake news Worried about the potential danger of disseminating fake news through various social media platforms, some experts that spoke at the event came up with fresh solutions to address the growing trend.

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

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

The panellists also blamed government for escalating fake news trough the hoarding of vital information that should be of public knowledge.

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

The Group Head, Corporate Communication at Access Bank, Mr. Amaechi Okobi, cautioned on the dangers of fake news, which he said were most times misleading in decision making, but however advised that Nigerians must go the extra-mile in dissociating themselves from its spread.

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

A blogger, Oluwatosin Ajibade, stressed the need for media owners to provide training and re-training for staff so as to expose them to modern tools to verify fake news.

“There are technology tools online to detect origin of news, the authenticity of the news, geolocation where the news emanates from and the number of times a particularly news item has been re-broadcasted.

“Unless media practitioners are trained on how to source of the technology tools and how to use them, they may continually become carriers of fake news unknown to them,” Ajibade said.

Also speaking, a Senior Business Manager at HMD Global, Mr. Kolawole Osinowo, advised news carriers to make effective use of available technology solutions in detecting what could be fake actual news or fake news. Osinowo challenged technology start-ups to come up with more technology solutions that could address the potential dangers of fake news.

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

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

She therefore advised that Nigerians should verify their source of information, before disseminating such information.

Head, Presentation at News Central, Tolulope Balogun, however said there could be element of truth in some information classified as fake news, but advised government to share useful information with the public, especially information that is classified as public information, and meant

for public consumption.

Financial Literacy The Stanbic IBTC had three sessions at the event. The platform presented an opportunity for the financial institution to offer financial literacy tips, investment masterclasses and tools and basics of formal career development, entrepreneurship drive and business management.

The Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr. Yinka Sanni, led a team of wealth and investment managers, and technology experts to engage with the community at event on diverse topics centred on wealth creation and securing a promising future for the Nigerian youth.

The speakers dwelt on assisting the millennials to develop strong sense of financial literacy, especially investment culture and ready to invest in those with bankable ideas.

According to Sanni, Stanbic IBTC, as a financial services provider, remained the youth-centric financial institution.

The chief executive who spoke on ‘Preparing for your wealth journey’ said the bank views itself a critical stakeholders in the social media community in Nigeria.

He explained: “There are certain issues faced by the young people. Oh, they don’t get enough support; the government is not assisting enough.

But the truth is if they have big dreams they can overcome the challenges”.

According to him, “Stanbic IBTC views itself as part of the community. The bank also recognises that Nigeria has youthful population, who are below the age of 35-years.

“They face some constraints and we have taken it upon ourselves to empower and sensitise that segment of our population through the SMW. While these vibrant and enthusiastic young people are embracing the social media with new thinking and innovative technology, there is need to encourage those who have bankable ideas – ideas that will help change our communities and country and impact the world,” he added.

He said Stanbic IBTC was keen in impacting young enterprise owners and believes that young entrepreneurs should develop attitude for financial literacy and management.

On his part, the Portfolio Manager, Micro Finance Banks/Non-Banking Financial Institutions/Technology, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. David Adebayo, urged participants to develop savings culture.

“You need to have money before you can invest it. From the business you are doing, pay yourself and save some. You must cultivate the culture of saving”, he said.

He advised youths on the need to be conscious of the silent thief called inflation, which he said would always affect individual savings.

“There is inflation every year because what you bought last year is likely to appreciate this year.

So, try to invest in a ‘vehicle’ or ‘instrument’ that is bigger than inflation, and Stanbic IBTC is here as your partner in these areas,” Adebayo said.

He also emphasised the need for young people to embrace mutual funds as collective investment that can serve as safety net for the rainy day.

Era of disruptive technology Most of the banks and other corporate organisations that were present at this year’s SMW, spoke on the need for Nigerian youths to be more innovative in this era of disruptive technology that is changing the face of financial transactions across banks. Head, Business Development at Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, Mr. Gbemisola Shobowale, advised tech start-ups and young enterprises to learn to try new ideas, adding that while thinking global is good, it has been proven that solving needs in one’s immediate environment helps to nurture and sustain businesses.

“Technology is creating and recreating something. You don’t need copy-paste kind of business. Find out the immediate needs in your environment and solve them,” he said.

Most speakers also advised Nigerian young enterprises to always think of doing innovative things that are new. Think bigger. Looking at Nigeria’s budget for 2019, which stood at N9.1 trillion whereas Google report released in 2018 shows it spent $25 billion, which is almost same as Nigeria budget as a country, the speakers called on youths to always look inwards to see opportunities in Nigeria, and make efforts to address them, using innovative technology.

Google, they said, was a start-up few years ago, but has grown to become a global giant today, because Google is solving problems.

They also, emphasised the need for startups to embrace improved customer service, and to always listen to customers’ needs, while taking care of the product design and development that meet their needs.

Another key discussion that took the centre stage was how robotics, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), is changing the financial sector.

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc’s head of online banking, Augustine Abolusoro, in a presentation disclosed that the bank’s chatbox, Leo, is a multi-lingual chatbot with capability to speak languages like English, French, and Portuguese. The company plans to include Yoruba and other Nigerian languages very soon, he said.

“Leo was developed with best in class AI technology: Natural language processing and machine learning,” Abolusoro said, adding that “It enables financial inclusion.”

He added: “As we continue to advance our

work on AI-driven developments, it is important that we listen to our users today and further enhance Leo to align to client feedback in order to better meet and anticipate needs and even give them increased value as Leo clocks one.”

This milestone, according to him, reflects the bank’s continued focus on providing industryleading digital capabilities as part of its high-tech, high-touch client experience.

“Everything learnt over the last one year of Leo’s work will help UBA improve on its digital offerings,” Abolusoro said.

Abolusoro noted that as a result of its features, Leo which is also available on Facebook-owned WhatsApp has gained one million subscribers.

Till date it has hosted 70 million conversations.

The AI-driven virtual assistant, which also has Facebook and WhatsApp banking capabilities, was first unveiled in January and today, one year later remains the preferred chat banker in Nigeria and across Africa where UBA is present, because it has clinically leap frogged others in every sense of it.

Abolusoro, said Leo was developed in partnership with some global giants, like Facebook.

“The formulation of this product is consistent with the bank’s customer first philosophy, where we are doing things not the way we like, but focusing on what the customer wants, where they want it and in the exact platform they want it,” Kennedy Uzoka, UBA’s managing director said.

Head, Business Process Improvement Unit at Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Wale Ojo, who spoke on how the bank is using robotics to drive banking operations, said: “We have SAMI and Robo Advisory as our Chatbot. SAMI is a virtual banker that helps with banking products and service. Robo, on the other hand, helps to identify the offerings you need to put your money in. Therefore, when you view our mobile #APPyness, you will be able to view all our business offerings.

“We have invested a lot in building solutions to help us satisfy our customers. We do this by building systems that give personalised experiences to our customers. the future is bright and as an organisation w reassure our customers that we will not lag behind. All our solutions are built to make life seamless for our customers, so watch this space as we have better solutions we are building at the bank end.”

He said with the help of AI solutions, the bank was able to reduce man-hour spent on banking activities, especially with regards to returned cheques and other issues associated with cheques confirmation.

The deployment of new technologies, Ojo said, greatly assisted the bank to deliver on its obligations like credit cards management; fees analysis and anti-money laundry compliance.

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Emeje: Nigeria Must Invest to Acquire Relevant Courier Skills Chairman of Council, Courier and Logistics Management Institute, Nigeria, Prof. Simon Emeje, in this interview with Emma Okonji speaks on the need for Nigeria to invest more in skills development in courier business to boost economy. Excerpts:

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things we do not pay attention to initially, and create new revenue streams to the Nigerian economy. The time consciousness in these four key areas, will spur productivity in the entire courier industry and at the same time, boost the economy.

he courier business is lucrative, with lots of prospects, but not many Nigerians have the requisite skills for the business.

What can be responsible for this?

One of the major reasons why many Nigerians are not into courier business is lack of adequate skills and awareness. Many people are not aware of the huge potential of the industry, including our various governments.

Some people jump into the business because of our personal interest and others for the purpose of doing business, without adequate skills and training and most times they fall by the way side. On the part of government, I can categorically say that our various governments are yet to understand that courier business is lucrative and could add to the growth of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), and that is the reason why Nigeria is among the very few African countries that do not have courier commission that is independent of government, just the way it is with other sectors like the banking and telecommunications sectors.

The highest we have had so far is a Courier Regulatory Department (CRD), which is an arm of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).

So CRD regulates courier operators on behalf of NIPOST and the federal government. It is for the reason of inadequate courier skills that the Courier and Logistics Management Institute (CLMI), in collaboration with Swiss School of Management, Rome, Italy, is bringing a full package of courier training programme to Nigeria.

Prof. Emeje

There was a time when the courier operators in Nigeria were demanding for an independent courier regulatory body, which NIPOST supported. To what extent has that been achieved?

You are right. At a point in time, the courier operators felt they needed an independent courier regulatory body since NIPOST operates a courier business called EMS Speed Post.

They felt threatened that NIPOST has a courier business, yet regulating the courier industry through the CRD. Their argument was that NIPOST would have double standards in regulating the courier industry, since it operates a courier business. The call for an independent courier regulatory body started since 2005, and I was one of the members of the ministerial committee that was set up by government to look into it in 2005. Then we had a draft bill that was later fine-tuned but unfortunately, the then Postmaster General that pioneered it, Alhaji Abubarka Musa Argungu, died in a plane crash in October 2005. Since his death, it has been a battle to get a courier commission.

The subsequent Postmaster Generals that came after Argungu tried to push the draft bill at the National Assembly for passage into law, but the bill kept going forth and back at the National Assembly, among the various committees that handed it. At some points, the bill will get to the stage of public hearing after scaling through the first and second readings on the floor of the National Assembly, but up till now, the bill has not been passed into law.

From 2005, the bill had never scaled through to third reading, talk less of getting to the Presidency for the presidential assent. This current National Assembly is winding up and by May, another National Assembly will emerge and they will start all over again from the beginning, should any of them presents it for deliberation. This has been going on as a vicious circle since 2005, and it is not helping the growth of courier industry in Nigeria.

E-Commerce is an emerging business in Nigeria with lots of prospects. What impact will courier business have on e-Commerce in Nigeria?

The e-Commerce is a huge business that also depends on logistics and transportation, which are integral parts of courier business.

In Nigeria, the likes of Konga and Jumia are pushing the frontiers of e-Commerce in Nigeria.

If courier operators see the huge opportunities in e-Commerce in terms of management, logistics and transportation, they can add value to e-Commerce growth. E-Commerce is about purchase and delivery and courier is about logistics and transportation for the purpose of delivery. So, both can complement each other.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is fast driving e-Commerce and courier business and there is need for both industries to embrace technology to further drive growth.

What is CLMI all about and what does it seeks to address?

CLMI is an institute that was established to address the gap in courier and logistics practices that has existed over the years in Nigeria and globally. That gap is a combination of four professional areas: Courier, Logistics, Transport and Management. There is no institute or university all over the world that is addressing this gap by offering a combination of the four professional areas as a single package in courtier studies. The closest that one can find is in the area of logistics and in some places, transport. So CLMI is the very first institute that is offering the combination of the four core professional areas as a single package and we now have the institute in Nigeria that is in affiliation with some federal universities in the country, and I am the first professor in that speciality globally.

There are lots of quacks in the courier profession and business in Nigeria. How would CLMI address this challenge?

As a pioneer head of Courier Regulatory Department of NIPOST, I started the move to sanitise the courier industry and free it from quacks who pose as professionals. At that time, we discovered that many courier companies that were operating had no operational licences and they were constituting nuisance in the industry through various sharp practices. So we went after such quacks and closed down their offices and business in order to sanitise the courier industry of sharp practices. Although the practice is still ongoing, even after I had left, but we succeeded greatly in reducing

quacks from the industry. CLMI is an institute that is interested in raising professionals and if we have several qualified professionals in courier business, I think the issue of quackery will drastically reduce. Again, if we have an independent regulatory body, that is empowered by law, it will further help in sanitising the courier industry.

So what is unique about the entire courier business that CLMI is trying to project, considering the total package of courier, logistics, transport and management?

The uniqueness is clear because courier is far beyond what people think it is. Most people think it is only about movement of parcel from one location to another, but it us far beyond that. There of time element that is also involved in courier, which most people do not know, yet they practice it unconsciously. That time sensitivity is key in all activities of human beings and the four areas of speciality that we are talking about, governs all aspect of human activities globally.

What we are doing with CLMI is to create the awareness that will help professionalise the activities we embarked upon on a daily basis, and the essence of professionalism is to help us to it better. In courier, we look at the time element involved in all courier activities. Then in logistics, we also have time management aspect of it because it has a process.

Both manufacturers and consumers of goods are involved consciously or unconsciously in time management. The same thing applies to transport because time is also involved. Then to cap it all, management is key in all businesses because management is about decision making and time is also involved in it. So putting the four key areas together as a single package, is a whole lot and a gap that has not been filled for ages, both nationally and internationally.

So looking at the combination of courier, logistics, transport and management as a single package, what will be the impact on the courier industry and the Nigerian economy?

It will bring huge impact on both the courier industry and the economy. The first impact is that it will awaken our consciousness to

CLMI is afďŹ liated with Swiss School of Management, Rome in Italy. What is key about the choice of afďŹ liation and what impact will the afďŹ liation bring to the industry?

In the first instance, there is an existing gap that needed to be filled and there is need to consider professionalism in filling the gap, hence the choice of Swiss School of Management. Again, CLMI is not a university but an institute, hence the need for a credible affiliation. Globally, nobody has a degree in the combined package of courier, logistics, transport and management, and if we are able to put this together, and issue a degree through our affiliation, it will go a long way to present the importance of courier in any given economy. So to achieve this feat, we looked round the world and found it necessary to have affiliation with Swiss School of Management, Rome in Italy, because we saw that they were very open in their approach to the outside world and willing to collaborate.

Swiss School of Management do not have the curriculum for the combined four areas in courier studies, but CLMI has it, because we developed it to meet the needs of our country Nigeria and the needs of the entire globe. They were glad to see our curriculum and they were willing to collaborate with us to implement out curriculum that is all embracing. As of today, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between us and the Swiss School of Management in Italy. In the area of creating impact, I see the collaboration as a world-class collaboration that will create huge impact on the Nigerian economy. The truth about our educational system is that we are too theoretical with less emphasis on practical skills, which is a disservice to our nation. But the curriculum we have developed is in the ratio of 50:50 in terms of theory and practical skills, which is upgradable. If there is need to raise the practical skills to between 60 and 70, we will not hesitate to do so. To further make impact, the authority of Swiss School of Management decided to reduce the school fees for Nigerians as a way of encouraging people to take professional courses in courier with CLMI. Is CLMI likely going to run the programmes as a school with physical structures on ground?

We are working with the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) to successfully implement this, and most of the skills acquisition will be online based. The duration for PhD programme is three years, M.Sc is one year and B.Sc Is four years, which of course could be awarded for three years by compressing some of the courses, depending on the speed of the students for first degree.

As chairman of council of CLMI, how do you intend to create the awareness drive needed to harness the four different areas of courier business that CLMI is presenting as a single package?

We have our strategies at CLMI, and we need collaboration to achieve the strategies, hence the collaboration with Swiss School of Management. We have drawn a practicable curriculum that will help achieve this and we are working with our curriculum. Again, we plan to have one-on-one discussions with various organisations and crate that awareness that will make their staff available for training.

They need more knowledge to protect their business and ensure competition and business sustainability and continuity.

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Ě“

Group, US Educate Nigerian Girls on Science, Technology Stories by Emma Okonji Vision 2020 Youth Empowerment and Restoration Initiative, in collaboration with the United State Embassy in Nigeria, recently advised young Nigerian girls to be more determined and focused in their passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses at school, in order to develop skills in that would enable them make a difference in their chosen career.

The advice came during the celebration International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which was marked globally.

In Nigeria, Vision 2020 collaborated with the US Embassy and Silverbird Cinemas to celebrate young Nigerian girls in Lagos, where female students were drawn from various schools in Lagos, and given motivational talks, designed to re-shape their views and educational thoughts.

At the event in Lagos, the students were shown a three-hour motivation movie titled: ‘Hidden Figures’, which was about how three brilliant African-American women who successfully broke racial and gender barriers to contribute to America’s race to the moon.

In his opening remarks, the

United States Consul General, John Bray, cited a report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which stated that only around 30 per cent of all female students around the world select STEM-related fields in higher education, a situation that he advised Nigerian girls to change the narrative through self determination.

He however said although the Nigerian girls invited for the international day celebration, were students who are

interested in STEM, they must be determined to always make a difference in their career.

According to Bray, “The world is rapidly changing, thanks to technology and innovations that were unimaginable not that long ago. I think you have heard of many of them: driverless vehicles, drones, lasers, artificial intelligence, robotics, and nanotechnology. If you haven’t heard of them, I recommend that you start reading about them.

Mastering technologies such as these will be key to many of the

job opportunities of the future.�

He added: “You must be confident in your intelligence and demonstrate the determination and drive to succeed in any career path that you choose.

Challenge yourselves, learn more about successful women in STEM fields, and draw inspiration from them. The U.S. government is convinced that when barriers to the participation of women and girls in the STEM fields are removed, women do better, families do better, countries do better, and the world does better.

Whether at home or abroad, promoting women in the STEM fields is a priority of the US government.�

A motivational speaker, Dr. Ibilola Amao, advised the girls on the need to do more of team work in their chosen career, coupled with hard-work, and resilience. She advised them to take opportunity of Nigeria’s natural resources and convert them into something more lucrative that will generate more jobs and wealth for the nation.

Meristem Launches Investment App Investment banking firm, Meristem Securities Limited has launched an artificial intelligent (AI) solution, Zedd. The AI technology-driven bot interacts with users in a human-like pattern to on-board prospective investors while offering more personalised services to clients.

Zedd, modelled after a 29-year-old savvy investment advisor. describes himself as the investment sage upon introductions. Zedd can offer real time mutual funds rates and live stock prices. He offers guidance towards investment choices based on lifestyle and risk tolerance while guiding on-boarders through the account sign-up process.

Zedd is social, he understands the dynamics of corporate wears through the week, casual wears on Fridays and traditional outfits for likely weekend dress.

Announcing the Zedd technology innovation that is driven by AI, Head Brands and Marketing, Meristem Securities Limited, Solape Akinpelu, said: “Technology is meant to make us more interactive and that’s exactly what Zedd is about.

With Zedd, you never have to worry how or what to invest your funds on. Zedd practically guides you towards investment

options that fit your fund size, risk tolerance, and duration you are willing to invest for.

We understand the hurdles towards having an investment plan; from a busy schedule to a vague understanding about the dynamics.� “A good thing about Zedd is being able to use it without being mandated to provide your account details or create a new account. As a matter of fact, there are no threats of illegal access to investment funds as Zedd never requests for your personal details,� Akinpelu said.

Deputy Managing Director of Meristem, Sulaiman Adedokun, stated that the main objectives for Zedd was to bridge the financial literacy gap, personalise Meristem’s services as well as establish the trail blazing path of Meristem. Adedokun said: “This is another recorded first for us in the sector, an AI wealth advisor resonates more with the millennials, a generation we are proud to serve. It is even more interesting we are launching this on the heels of our Global Investment Performance Standard (GIPs) Compliance,� he added.

Zedd is designed to provide answers to all investment plans for anyone who wants to venture into business of choice.

Gokada Launches App to Address Excess Charges A motorbike hailing service company, Gokada has launched a new App to address the concerns of its over 100,000 customers, on excessive charges.

The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Deji Oduntan, while speaking at the launch, which held in Lagos recently, explained that the company had to upgrade its initial Gokada Lite App due to some challenges.

According to him, “Although, the Gokada Lite eliminates the use of data, it had the tendencies to over charge customers. So we decided to create a standard app called Gokada app, which uses data, and does not overcharge.

At present, no fewer than 100,000 customers have downloaded the new app.�

Oduntan revealed that it has registered close to 1,000 motorcycle riders spread across some parts of Lagos, since its inception in 2017.

The CEO said in a bid to change the face of transportation in Nigeria and subsequently Africa, Gokada is planning to have over 5,000 motorcycles in

Lagos within the next few months. “Gokada is an on-demand motorbike hailing service, aimed at leveraging technology to connect users to the nearest motorbikes within their areas, thereby helping them to beat the usual Lagos traffic. “Gokada operates within the Yaba Mainland axis and recently started operations within Victoria Island to Lekki axis in Lagos,�

Oduntan said.

He explained that Gokada would add more destinations in earnest, noting that the company was borne out of the need to empower Nigerians through job creation and to ease traffic situation in Lagos. “We finance the motorcycles and helmets we give to our riders and they pay a certain amount on a daily basis and the motorcycle becomes their own after a year.

The riders undergo certain training on safety measures before they are registered with the company, and we ensure that all riders get comprehensive insurance in case of accident,� Oduntan said.

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIP

L-R: Regional Head, Commercial Banking, Lagos, Heritage Bank Plc, Abiodun Agbaje; Divisional Head, Corporate Communications, Fela Ibidapo and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Olushade Adesola, at the grand ďŹ nale of the Lagos 2019 international para lifting competition in Lagos...recently

Phone Manufacturer Unveils New Product Ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC 2019) event in Barcelona, Spain, OPPO, a global smartphone manufacturer, revealed its forthcoming 10x lossless zoom technology mobile phone, designed to enhance customer experience in the most unique way.

OPPO, as an important enabler of mobile imaging technology, has been continuously involved in exploring and innovating in the field of mobile computing optics. As the pioneer of hybrid optical zoom technology, OPPO’s innovation also makes mobile photography one-step closer towards professional image quality. That is why OPPO remains committed to being at the forefront of mobile phone photography.

In January 2019 in Dubai, OPPO announced its major breakthrough in smartphone camera technology with its 10x lossless zoom which simply means that images captured by the OPPO cameras are just as good as photos captured on professional cameras.

This feat is enabled by OPPO’s triple-camera solution consisting of “Ultra Wide Angle + Ultra Clear Master + Telephoto� features.

The ultra-wide-angle camera has an equivalent focal range of 15.9mm. The primary camera guarantees photo

quality, and the telephoto camera, with 159mm equivalent focal range, combined with the original “peep-up structure� to support high-magnification zoom, can ensure a high-quality long-distance shot.

All three cameras work at the same time to maximize their respective advantages, optimize imaging quality at various zoom ranges to achieve 10x zoom in a relay manner. To maintain image quality at all ranges, OPPO has introduced dual OIS optical image stabilization on both standard and telephoto cameras.

Speaking at a media parley in Lagos recently, the Marketing Manager at OPPO, Nengi Akinola, said OPPO uses the industry benchmark-level drop tests to ensure the reliability of the camera module.

Among them, the prism part experienced two rounds of drop tests, with each round consisting 10,000 times on the front and backsides, and 2,000 times on the remaining four sides, adding to a total of 28,000-drop tests.

OPPO also released a new wide zone optical fingerprint recognition technology, which effectively recognises an area up to 15 times of the current mainstream optical solution. Users can unlock or pay by using fingerprint anywhere in the entire area.

Start-ups Urged to Emulate Konga Strategy for Business Scalability A former Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof Oye Ibidapo-Obe has advised tech start-ups to emulate the new Konga business strategy in order to enhance scalability that will enable them remain competitive in business.

He gave the advice in a recent engagement with budding entrepreneurs, business owners and some Ph.D. students in Lagos.

According to Ibidapo-Obe, Konga has sprung a surprise in the last six months, noting that the impact of the new owners of the business has been felt in the e-commerce landscape. “The new Konga is a very good case study for tech start-up to emulate as it is obvious that there is a clear plan by the new investors. If we consider their omni channel strategy which is quite expensive, only a few Nigerian banks can match the fusion of online power with the number of stores being rolled out across the country, mostly in Lagos as I have seen. “What we can learn from this is that, apart from strategy, planning and tact is very critical in the Third World. I am sure the former owners of the business will be amazed at the transformation the business had undergone within the last six months. A company like Konga has proven that Nigerians have the capacity to make things happen and though I am not sure what their figures look like today,

I am sure it must have appreciated over 200 per cent,� he said.

The professor of systems engineering and fellow of the African Academy of Science, however, cautioned that startups must be seen to deliver on their promises and not just raising funds or using investor capital to fund flamboyant lifestyles.

According to him, “The Konga example shows that African entrepreneurs can hold their own and succeed. It is very important, however, for budding entrepreneurs or startups to go through an incubation period and excite their investors to inject more funds rather than being on negative and still asking for more funds. It has become fashionable for startups to keep looking to raise money without looking at the book balance while unconsciously signing off their equity. “When entrepreneurs gradually liquidate equity, they must see a bigger future even as they continue to dissolve their shares.

Modern investors are very smart and when they see that they are gradually getting a foothold in the business, they can see that you are gradually liquidating and their funds is at risk. This is why there is a high failure rate among startups as investors must, at a point, take a business decision not to put in more money because the owner has reduced his stake substantially that he has nothing to lose anymore.�

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Renmoney Launches Loan Initiative for MSMEs Hamid Ayodeji A new financial initiative that approves loans as much as N4 million to small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) has been launched by Renmoney, a financial tech lending company.

The new financial technology loan initiative allows SMEs to apply for loans through the lender’s website; with interest rate as low as two per cent.

The company also said it offers market-leading rates on fixed deposits and savings accounts as it plays a role in solving credit challenges for medium and small scale enterprises.

The Chief Executive Officer, Renmoney, Oluwatobi Boshoro, disclosed this during a media briefing with journalists in Lagos.

Boshoro said: “We have tested and iterated this product extensively for almost six months, reviewed over thirty thousand applications and issued over six thousand loans. “We are convinced this product

will go a long way in making financial inclusion meaningful for these business owners, while contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s economy. ‘’ She also explained during the media briefing that the company’s core objective was to solve the credit challenges its customers face. This, she said had resulted to a 112 per cent increase in the value of loans approved for businesses, with a 38.5 percent representation of female customers.

Boshoro added: ‘’We have learnt a lot from this segment and used the knowledge to develop our score cards and algorithms, ensuring we continue to make responsible lending decisions.’’ On his part, the Chief Marketing Officer of the company, Khade Idogbo said, “Charging a fraction of the MSMEs earnings for its monthly repayment and as low as two percent interest rates; we look at the income history of the businesses before concluding on repayment rates.�

APCON Absolves Self of Partisanship in Enforcement Raheem Akingbolu The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), has reacted to an allegation that its clamp down on campaign billboards and posters of some political parties were targeted at opposition parties to favour the ruling party.

Reacting to a recent

report aired on the African Independent Television (AIT) network, the Acting Registrar of the Council, Mrs Ijedi Iyoha, vehemently denied the insinuation of partisanship in the conduct of its enforcements.

She stated that all the billboards and posters blanked out did not meet the pre-exposure vetting requirements of the Coun-

cil, and not because they belonged to the opposition parties. She stressed that the boards on which enforcements were carried out cut across parties.

For the avoidance of doubt, she added that APCON requires political parties and their candidates to forward their advertisements for pre-exposure vetting.

Iyoha emphasised that political advertisements were being vetted to promote sanity and peace of the democratic process.

She added further that ahead of the campaigns, the Council had held series of stakeholder enlightenment on political advertising and sent out notices to parties believing that they would comply with the law.

Ecobank Assures Customers of Memorable Valentine Nume Ekeghe Ecobank Nigeria has stated that its innovative digital products are available to make this Valentine season an exciting one for its customers.

To this end, the bank is offering its customers mouth-watering deals when they pay with EcobankPay at designated merchant locations in Aba, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt.

Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Carol Oyedeji, was quoted in a statement to have said the Valentine season was another opportunity to show love to customers by rewarding their loyalty and enabling them achieve their valentine wishes.

She said, “customers who use EcobankPay to make payment at selected outlets in Aba, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt during this Valentine season will get exciting discounts thereby ensuring they get more value for them to spend.�

Furthermore, Oyedeji said

, “We have provided digital solutions to ensure this season of love is a memorable one for our customers. They can send money to their loved ones with Ecobank Mobile or our Internet banking platform, Ecobank Online. “For those away from their loved ones, distance should not be a barrier as they can top up airtime to stay in touch simply by dialling *326*Amount#. Shopping can be done seamlessly with our debit cards. “We have also extended our zero fees offer on the Rapidtransfer app till 31st March, 2019 to ensure that those living abroad are able to send money to their loved ones at home without hassles.�

Oyedeji used the opportunity to thank the bank’s customers for their loyalty to the Ecobank brand. “We are grateful to our customers and non-customers who depend on our platforms to achieve seamless banking transactions and wish everyone a happy valentine celebration�

Life Lager, Lagos Traders Collaborate Life Continental Lager recently organised two parties to commemorate the anniversary of Alaba Market in Lagos.

The beer brand has been on an exciting spree in the last few weeks, starting off in December 2018, when Life beer hosted three year-end parties in the space of six days.

A few weeks later, Life beer took the parties to Asaba, where Phyno returned to thrill all in attendance. These parties which are themed the “Bridge of progress� parties are aimed at celebrating the beautiful tradition and the remarkable progress of the Igbo people.

The last edition in Lagos was particularly unique, as it marks the first “Bridge of Progress� party being hosted

outside the south-east. Life Beer has been firmly rooted in culture and a vast majority of its distribution zones, and by extension, its consumer engagement activities have typically been in eastern Nigeria.

However, the decision to bring this party to Lagos shows some intent from the brand, to spread its reach beyond the shores of the southeast. The first of which saw Life beer celebrate the 40th anniversary of Alaba international market.

The market which is renowned for being the electronics hub of Lagos has often been regarded as a home for many Igbo merchants who make the journey from the southeast to become successful traders in Lagos.

CANCER AWARENESS

L-R: Regional Business Executive, South West, Sterling Bank Plc, Ademola Adeyemi; First Lady of Kwara State and promoter of Leah Foundation, Omolewa Ahmed and an actor, Femi Adebayo, during the premiere of Diamonds in the Sky, a breast and cervical advocacy movie produced in Ilorin‌recently

Sterling Bank Partners Foundation on Cancer Awareness Nume Ekeghe Sterling Bank Plc has partnered the Leah Foundation to create awareness on breast and cervical cancers through a movie titled ‘Diamonds in the Sky.’ Commending Sterling Bank for sponsoring the initiative, First Lady of Kwara State and Founder, Leah Foundation, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed said, “We appreciate Sterling Bank for investing in continued breast and cervical cancer awareness and education. “Without proper awareness, a lot of women cannot identify possible warning signs of cancer making it impossible for them

to take prompt action that can lead to early diagnosis. “Our goal is to heighten breast and cervical cancer awareness through this educative movie to increase early diagnosis and screening rates because it increases the chances for successful treatment.�

Speaking on the movie which premiered recently at the Viva Cinemas in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Regional Business Executive, South West, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, disclosed that ‘Diamonds in the Sky’ is a breast and cervical cancer advocacy movie designed to create awareness about cancer.

Adeyemi noted that, according to available records, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally with a record of 9.6 million deaths in 2018.

He said, “The key to winning the fight against the dreaded disease is early detection and we are determined to ensure that everyone has access to good health care through our HEART initiative.�

He further explained that Sterling Bank had aligned its business model to offer financial and non-financial solutions in key areas of the economy which are at the heart of the bank.

He reiterated that the key areas

which would drive investments by the bank are health, education, agriculture, renewable energy and transportation (HEART).

He said Sterling Bank was impressed by the level of investment sunk into the Leah Cancer Centre - The Leah Breast & Cervical Project powered by the Leah Foundation.

Adeyemi, enjoined other charitable organisations to emulate the foundation, adding that Leah Foundation is the first non-profit and charitable health organisation delivering breast and cervical cancer screening services to urban and rural communities in Kwara State.

Firm Strengthens Partnerships As part of its efforts to strengthen its position in the industry, Plaqad recently partnered with a Blogger and Influencer, Tosin Ajibade on the Influencer Marketing Masterclass as well as with one of Africa’s leading tech platform, Techpoint on Build 2019.

Its partnership with Ajibade was particularly interesting as both parties collaborated to host an Influencer marketing masterclass for budding influencers.

The exercise saw over 20 participants present.

Speakers at the event included Plaqad CEO, Gbenga Sogbaike, Founder of the Global Brand Network, Queen Esohe Igbinoba,

and Olorisupergal herself.

In line with the brand’s plans to collaborate better and directly with clients and other stakeholders in the ecosystem, Plaqad exhibited its product offerings at the Techpoint Build 2019, one of the largest Tech conferences in Nigeria that connects the startup and SME community with industries.

The event featured discussions on running a successful business, a start-up competition (Pitch Storm), exhibition for several businesses and training for SMEs. With over 300 startups present, Plaqad showcased its offerings at the venue, where they con-

nected with other SME brands, offered critical advice on how to run cost-effective marketing on a shoestring budget, while interacting with members of the ecosystem.

The CEO of Plaqad, Gbenga Sogbaike said: “This is the second year of Plaqad’s existence in an industry increasingly connected to the latest technology, for us it is important that we spark collaborations and partnerships across all stages of our development, to enhance our position within our niche market. In line with our corporate strategy for the year, we are heavily investing in partnerships and initiatives

that helps us better collaborate with brands and also grow the ecosystem.�

Plaqad is known to employ a data-based and brand-specific approach to influencer and content marketing rather than the more popular one-size-fits-all approach typically used.

In the past two years, Plaqad has worked with top multinational brands in Africa including the Nigerian Breweries, MTV, MTN, Heineken, Opera, SureRemit, and Interswitch among others, managing several campaigns in different verticals including Media, FMCG, Beauty & Fashion, Technology, and Healthcare.

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Winner Emerges in Interswitch Competition Sixteen year old Akachukwu Anumudu of Apostolic Faith Secondary School, Anthony, Lagos, recently emerged winner of the first edition of the InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition.

The competition took place in Lagos.

He beat eight other contestants in a quiz session to win the grand prize of N7.5 million worth of tertiary education scholarship spread over five years, a laptop and a monthly stipend during the course of the scholarship.

The first runner-up was 16-year-old Henry Umunna of the Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja. Umunna won N4 million worth of scholarship spread over three years; while the second runner-up, 16-yearold Onyedikachi Kanu from Dority International School, Aba, got N1m worth of scholarship for one year.

Akachukwu came tops after advancing through various levels of the competition.

Expressing his gratitude, Akachukwu said he never expected to make it this far, explaining that competitions like this would help in discovering brighter young stars in Nigeria.

Another highlight of the day was the presentation of the Founder’s Award to Team Neptune- winners of the Innovation Challenge.

The team made up of nine SS2 kids, collaborated to develop a technology-driven solution aimed at providing Nigerians with easier access to National Health Insurance.

Each student was presented with a medal and a laptop.

The nine students also get a chance to partake in a twoweek internship programme

at Interswitch Group’s head office in Lagos during the holidays.

Group Managing Director/ Founder, Interswitch Group, Mitchell Elegbe, said his company was passionate about the healthcare sector and was already working on the proposal that emerged from the Innovation Challenge.

He added that the winning team would get to join the Interswitch team to further develop the proposed solution.

After presenting the cheque of N7.5 million to the grand winner, Elegbe, reiterated the importance of emotional Intelligence.

He said: “You have emerged winner of this competition and that makes you a very special person. However, you must remember that although having a high IQ is necessary, it is not sufficient for success in life. “We hope you will take all you have learnt during this competition and apply it where necessary. We wish you greater success in life and we will be with you every step of the way.�

The acting Registrar/Chief Executive, National Examinations Council (NECO), Mr. Abubakar M. Gana, in his address, drew a connection between STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and national development. “STEM education, if adequately pursued, can be described as the bedrock of any nation’s technological take-off or development. “The era of pen-paper quiz has given way to technology.

Quiz administration is now computerized as we can see here at InterswitchSPAK 1.0,� he said.

NECA Seeks End to Business Closures Chris Uba Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has expressed regret at the recent suspension of operations of Greif Nigeria Plc and a host of other manufacturing companies in the country, saying that the action does not augur well for a country in dire need of rapid economic transformation.

The Director General of the association, Mr. Timothy Olawale, who stated this in a press statement said “it is disheartening to receive the news of the closure of the factory plants of the company in Delta and Kaduna states and ultimately the suspension of operations in Nigeria,� adding that “this brings to fore the challenges businesses are faced with in Nigeria.� “It is not enough for government to invite private capital from overseas, businesses already operating in Nigeria should be given all the necessary support to thrive and mitigate the effects of the inhospitable business environment,� he added.

While commending govern-

ment’s efforts at improving the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) in Nigeria, he averred that “beyond the many other parameters used to gauge the success of the EODB, one critical parameter is how competitive existing businesses are. We cannot lose sight of the many businesses facing the death knell and several others like Greif Nigeria already losing the battle for survival.�

Commenting on the dangers inherent in business closures, the NECA boss noted that “Business closures have greater consequences for the nation as a whole as more Nigerians would join the labour market. “Beyond the income of families being truncated, unemployment figures increased and social malaise going out of hand, Government’s ability to generate income through Company and Personal Income Taxes will be reduced.�

While suggesting a way out, Olawale stated that “government should double its efforts at creating conducive operating environment for businesses to thrive. “There is no reason why

interest-free loans, bail-out grants or tax holidays should not be given to businesses that have been certified as being on the brink of extinction. “A critical look at regulatory high-handedness and lawlessness that tends to stifle businesses is highly overdue if the nation does not want to have many other businesses closing down in few months�

Greif Nigeria Plc was incorporated as a limited liability company on January 20, 1940, with the name, Metal Containers of West Africa Limited.

The name was subsequently changed to Van Leer Containers (Nigeria) Limited on July 4, 1969, and then, Van Leer Containers (Nigeria) Plc. It became “Greif Nigeria Plc� by a special resolution on May 12, 2004.

The Chairman Adebayo Olowoniyi of the company disclosed in its 2018 full-year statements released last week that the company had decided to suspend operations in the country.

He said that the company

had been operating well below operating costs, even below direct material costs, and sees no signs of improved market conditions.

Therefore, “we have decided to stop operations with immediate effect. The coming months we will investigate on if and/or how we can continue with Greif Nigeria.�

Adedayo, also revealed that the company had tried to stay afloat through price increases and embarking on cost reduction initiatives.

Halfway through its financial year, Greif Nigeria Plc lost a key customer and had to reduce prices to retain volumes, leading to an under-recovery of costs.

The company in June last year, had notified the NSE of its intentions to shut down its operations in Koko, Delta State, and Kaduna State.

Results for the twelve months ended October showed that its revenue fell from N1.4 billion in 2017, to N534 million in 2018.

The firm recorded a loss before tax of N245 million in 2018, as against a profit before tax of N77.5 million in 2017.

Hollandia Introduces New Product Hollandia Evap Milk is now available in a 120g pack for only N100.

The product named “Pere�, which means “no more, no less�, according to a statement, was intended to symbolise the product’s high quality, satisfactory quantity and affordability, thereby resonating with consumers across the country.

The statement pointed out that with offer of the same premium quality, which is tasty, creamy and nourishing, and at an affordable price, the new Hollandia Evap Milk 120g pack comes in a convenient portion size and a brand new pack format in the evaporated milk category that will make it irresistible to consumers.

Value adding and rich in vitamins and minerals, Hollandia Evap Milk can be consumed with or without complements, offers convenient packaging ideal for individual consumption and is a great addition to a breakfast cup of tea, coffee or a bowl of cereal, pap or custard, it further stated. “The new Hollandia Evap Milk 120g pack is a statement of industry lead-

ing packaging innovation, product quality, quantity, convenience, affordability and satisfaction. “Pere� is an interesting way to also simultaneously represent the product’s value and disruptive approach in the evaporated milk category,� it added.

According to Chi Limited’s Marketing Director, Mr. Probal Bhattacharya, the decision to provide consumers with the creamy, great tasting, highly nutritious Hollandia Evaporated Milk in a 120g pack was driven by the brand’s desire to consistently deliver novel solution to consumer needs. “The new Hollandia Evap “Pere� pack is unique and symbolises our understanding of what consumers’ value.

Retailing at N100, we are confident that the new pack would delight consumers with its affordability, quality and convenient portion size,� he added.

The Hollandia Evaporated Milk 120g pack size joins the 190g and 60g pack sizes on the shelf, and is available in departmental stores, markets and neighbourhood kiosk across Nigeria.

NOLLYWOOD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

L-R: Controller, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Chioma Agugwu; Chairman of the Occasion, Mr. Chris Uwaje; Nollywood Actor/ Governorship Candidate of United Democratic Party (UDP), Dr. UcheAnyamele; Secretary, Nollywood Economic Outlook (NEO), Mainyana Abayi; Zonal Controller, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Henry Ojiokpota and Founder/Coordinator, NEO, Mr. Dan Pedro Aganbi, at a stakeholders’ forum organised by NEO in Lagos‌recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

S’Africa’s Eskom Extends Power Cuts South African power utility Eskom implemented major electricity cuts for a third straight day on Tuesday, as a shortage of generating capacity exposed the frailty of the struggling state-owned firm despite government promises to revive it.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is trying to reform Eskom, which supplies more than 90 percent of the power in Africa’s most industrialised economy but is drowning in more than $30 billion of debt, to lift the economy before an election in May. The cash-strapped utility said it would cut 3,000 megawatts (MW) of power from the national grid from 0600 GMT on Tuesday, likely until 2100 GMT, a day after cutting 4,000 MW in the worst power cuts seen in several years.

Around a third of Eskom’s 45,000 MW capacity is offline.

A senior generation official, Andrew Etzinger, told Reuters that around 11,000 MW was offline

because of plant-related problems, while approximately 5,000 MW was out of service because of planned maintenance. A further 2,000 MW was unavailable because of a shortage of diesel.

State-owned oil company PetroSA said it was in talks with Eskom over emergency diesel supplies.

The power crisis prompted an urgent meeting of Eskom’s board of directors and executives with Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan on Monday, when it also pummelled the rand currency. On Tuesday the rand was little changed against the U.S. dollar. [ZAR/] Etzinger said Eskom was aiming to end the power cuts by the end of the week by bringing some generating units back online.

The cuts are prompting frustration among ordinary South Africans and shop workers, many of whom do not have access to backup power sources like diesel

generators. “We’re struggling,� said Eunice Mashaba, a manager of a textile shop north of Johannesburg. “Yesterday the power went off at half past four so we had to close the shop early. Today we came in and there was no power. Most of my customers don’t carry cash, they have to swipe and the (card) machine doesn’t work.�

Some firms in the mining sector, the backbone of the country’s economy, are looking at alternatives to reduce their dependence on Eskom.

Miner Harmony Gold said on Tuesday that it was in talks to build a 30 MW solar plant to supply power to some of its assets, in an effort to cut its electricity costs and dependence on Eskom. “Our Eskom bill is massive.

To replace Eskom would be a fallacy, we won’t be able to do that. However, where we have long-term projects we can start

building solar plants,� Harmony Chief Executive Peter Steenkamp said at a presentation of the company’s results.

Ramaphosa, who announced a plan last week to split Eskom into three separate entities in an effort to make it more efficient, has said the latest power cuts are “most worrying�.

The president’s plan to split Eskom faces opposition from powerful labour unions and from within his ruling African National Congress party, while some analysts have said a bolder approach is needed to address the financial rot at the utility.

Etzinger said Eskom was for now treating unplanned outages at some of its power stations as technical breakdowns, despite speculation from analysts that disgruntled union members could have sabotaged some units. “There’s no reason to believe it’s sabotage,� he said.

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

W’Bank: Being in School, Not Same as Learning

T

he name of the dog is puppy.

This seems like a simple sentence.

But did you know that in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, three out of four third grade students do not understand it? In rural India, nearly three-quarters of third graders cannot solve a two-digit subtraction problem such as 46 minus 17, and by grade five — half still cannot do so.

The world is facing a learning crisis. While countries have significantly increased access to education, being in school isn’t the same thing as learning. Worldwide, hundreds of millions of children reach young adulthood without even the most basic skills like calculating the correct change from a transaction, reading a doctor’s instructions, or understanding a bus schedule—let alone building a fulfilling career or educating their children.

Education is at the centre of building human capital. The latest World Bank research shows that the productivity of 56 percent of the world’s children will be less than half of what it could be if they enjoyed complete education and full health.

Delivered well, education – along with the human capital it generates – benefits individuals and societies. For individuals, education raises self-esteem and furthers opportunities for employment and earnings. And for a country, it helps strengthen institutions within societies, drives long-term economic growth, reduces poverty, and spurs innovation.

A global learning crisis One big reason the learning crisis persists is that many education systems across the developing world have little information on who is learning and who is not. As a result, it is hard for them to do anything about it. And with uncertainty about the kinds of skills the jobs of the future will require, schools and teachers must prepare students with more than basic reading and writing skills. Students need to be able to interpret information, form opinions, be creative, communicate well, collaborate, and be resilient.

The World Bank’s vision is for all children and youth to be learning and acquiring the skills they need to be productive, fulfilled, and involved citizens and workers. Our focus is on helping teachers at all levels become more effective in facilitating learning, improving technology for learning, strengthening management of schools and systems, while ensuring learners of all ages—from preschool to adulthood—are equipped for success.

Change starts with a great teacher A growing body of evidence suggests the learning crisis is, at its core, a teaching crisis. For students to learn, they need good teachers—but many education systems pay little attention to what teachers know, what they do in the classroom, and in some cases whether they even show up.

Fortunately for many students, in every country, there are dedicated and enthusiastic teachers who, despite all challenges, enrich and transform their lives. They are heroes who defy the odds and make learning happen with passion, creativity and determination.

One such hero works in the Ecoles Oued Eddahab school in Kenitra, Morocco. In a colorful classroom that she painted herself, she uses creative tools to make sure that every child learns, participates, and has fun.

In her class, each letter in the alphabet is associated with the sound of an animal and a hand movement. During class she says a word, spells it out loud using the sounds and the movement, and students then write the word down. She can easily identify students who are struggling with the material and adjust the pace of the lesson to help them get on track. Children are engaged and attentive. They participate and are not afraid to make mistakes. This is a teacher who wants to make sure that ALL children learn.

But even heroes need help. We need to be sure that all teachers are motivated to do their best and that they are equipped with what they need to teach effectively.

To support countries in reforming the teaching profession, the World Bank is launching “Successful Teachers, Successful Students.”

This global platform for teachers addresses the key challenges of making all teachers effective, making teaching a respectable and attractive profession with effective personnel policies, and ensuring teachers are equipped with the right skills and knowledge before entering the classroom and subsequently supporting them throughout their careers.

Technology offers new possibilities Rapid technological change is raising the stakes. Technology is already playing a crucial role in providing support to teachers, students, and the learning process more broadly. It can help teachers better manage the classroom and offer different challenges to different students. And technology can allow principals, parents, and students to interact seamlessly. Millions of students are benefiting from the effective use of technology, but millions more in the developing world are not.

One of the most interesting, large scale educational technology efforts is being led

by EkStep, a philanthropic effort in India.

EkStep created an open digital infrastructure which provides access to learning opportunities for 200 million children, as well as professional development opportunities for 12 million teachers and 4.5 million school leaders. Both teachers and children are ac-

The schools of the future are being built today. These are schools where all teachers have the right competencies and motivation, where technology empowers them to deliver quality learning, and where all students learn fundamental skills, including socioemotional, and digital skills. These schools are safe and affordable to everyone and are places where children and young people learn with joy, rigor, and purpose

cessing content which ranges from teaching materials, explanatory videos, interactive content, stories, practice worksheets, and formative assessments. By monitoring which content is used most frequently—and most beneficially—informed decisions can be made around future content.

In the Dominican Republic, a World Bank supported pilot study shows how adaptive technologies can generate great interest among 21st century students and present a path to supporting the learning and teaching of future generations.

Yudeisy, a sixth grader participating in the study, says that what she likes doing the most during the day is watching videos and tutorials on her computer and cell phone.

Taking childhood curiosity as a starting point, the study aimed to channel it towards math learning in a way that interests Yudeisy and her classmates.

Adaptive technology was used to evaluate students’ initial learning level to then walk them through math exercises in a dynamic, personalized way, based on artificial intelligence and what the student is ready to learn. After three months, students with the lowest initial performance achieved substantial improvements. This shows the potential of technology to increase learning outcomes, especially among students lagging behind their peers.

In a field that is developing at dizzying speeds, innovative solutions to educational challenges are springing up everywhere. Our challenge is to make technology a driver of equity and inclusion and not a source of greater inequality of opportunity. We are working with partners worldwide to support the effective and appropriate use of educational technologies to strengthen learning.

Management Providing quality education requires building systems that deliver learning, day after day, in thousands of schools, to millions of students. Successful education reforms require good policy design, strong political commitment, and effective implementation capacity. Of course, this is extremely challenging. Many countries struggle to make efficient use of resources and very often increased education spending does not translate into more learning and improved human capital. Overcoming such challenges involves working at all levels of the system.

At the central level, ministries of education need to attract the best experts to design and implement evidence-based and countryspecific programs. District or regional offices need the capacity and the tools to monitor learning and support schools. At the school level, principals need to be trained and

prepared to manage and lead schools, from planning the use of resources to supervising and nurturing their teachers.

However difficult, change is possible.

Supported by the World Bank, public schools across Punjab in Pakistan have been part of major reforms over the past few years to address these challenges. Through improved school-level accountability by monitoring and limiting teacher and student absenteeism, and the introduction of a merit-based teacher recruitment system, where only the most talented and motivated teachers were selected, they were able to increase enrollment and retention of students and significantly improve the quality of education.

“The government schools have become very good now, even better than private ones,” said Mr. Ahmed, a local villager.

No change can happen without data.

Governments need to know what their education systems are missing — or what’s being done right — to take the right steps to improve. The World Bank, along with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the UK’s Department for International Development, is developing the Global Education Policy Dashboard. This new initiative will provide governments with a system for monitoring how their education systems are functioning, from learning data to policy plans, so they are better able to make timely and evidence-based decisions.

Education reform By their nature, the payoffs from investing in education require patience and persistence.

In fact, it will take a generation to realise the full benefits of high-quality teachers, the effective use of technology, improved management of education systems, and engaged and prepared learners. However, global experience shows us that countries that have rapidly accelerated development and prosperity all share the common characteristic of taking education seriously and investing appropriately.

The schools of the future are being built today. These are schools where all teachers have the right competencies and motivation, where technology empowers them to deliver quality learning, and where all students learn fundamental skills, including socio-emotional, and digital skills. These schools are safe and affordable to everyone and are places where children and young people learn with joy, rigor, and purpose.

Governments, teachers, parents, and the international community must do their homework to realize the promise of education for all students, in every village, in every city, and in every country.

Culled from the World Bank’s website

33

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ˛Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

Tapping into Agricultural Opportunities In this report Ugo Aliogo writes about the exploit of the Chief Executive Officer, Wolewale Farm Limited, Kehinde Alaba, in the agriculture value chain

K

ehinde Alaba is from a humble background. From an early age, he developed a strong liking for farming. His desire was to pursue a career in farming, a path most youngsters will not like to walk follow.

He knew having passion for this career path was not enough, but there was need to integrate business into it to ensure it succeeded.

In his quest to get a basic understanding of business, he read a book titled: ‘Rich dad and Poor Dad’. The knowledge he gained from the book illuminated his mind on how to build and structure a business. He realised that it was much better to start up a business, than go in search of white collar jobs. He also understood that agro-businesses especially at the small scale level was cheaper to invest in and would yield handsome rewards in the shortest time possible.

Alaba, who is a graduate of Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State, where he studied History and International Studies began his foray into agro-business by embarking on snail rearing. During his penultimate year in the University, Alaba and his twin brother were able to raise N50, 000 to set up a snail farm.

The idea for the snail farm was from a research, where they conducted a survey on how many farms were into snail farming.

From the research, they observed that only few farms did the business, therefore they decided that since there were few people doing it and it did not require much capital, there was need to delve into it for the long term.

On completion of his National Youth Services Corp (NYSC) programme and with white collar job not in near in view, he used his savings to start a poultry farm in his compound.

In his desire to expand the frontiers of his knowledge about snail farming, he decided to learn the rudiment of the business under the tutelage of his friend Abdulazeez, who also gave him a video clip to watch.

Presently, Alaba is the Chief Executive Officer, Wolewale Farm Limited, where he is engaged in snail, rabbit, poultry farming and crop production.

According to him, rabbit farming is another untapped market because people are not conversant with the health benefits of a white meat which the rabbit belongs. He, however added that the rabbit feed is economical and doesn’t require much trouble, but at the moment the market is not that large.

Alaba has successfully positioned the crop production unit of the business to become an avenue to provide different staple foods to consumers.

According to him, “In the areas of animal production they have been immense success. When we started our snail farming, we started with 50 snails and after a year we were having like extra 150 more after eight months and more after that. Though

the first year there was no sales, but after two years we were able to sell to breeders, individuals, restaurants and bars. “Also when I started the poultry I started with 100 cockerels which I raised as trial.

After I sold it off to the market, I started breeding with 250 layers and 400 cockerels which I sold at four weeks old to the markets and gradually I included broilers too. “For crop production aspect of the business is also a success in terms of the increase in production and increase in land. I started the crop production in 2017, with five acres of land and as the first time we were able to farm maize and potato which came out well. “Though they were incident of damaging of crop by herdsmen but we were able to harvest some and sell and use the rest for feed formulation for our birds and rabbit. “In 2018, it was more promising because we had more lands allotted to me, so I was able to use 20 acres of land with different crops planted like maize, okro and potato and large increase in harvest. “In 2018, there was good sale in okro during the early period of the rainy season there was sharp increase in price and we were always smiling to the market every four days. Frankly, we have recorded great increase, though we had some hiccups but we were able to overcome. “I have tried to source loan from banks but their demands are kind off cumbersome

I have tried to source loan from banks but their demands are kind off cumbersome and sometimes impossible to achieve. I was contributing money into the bank of agriculture for months, when it was time to access loan from them they told me that I have to get a civil servant in the state to sign for me to access the loan

and sometimes impossible to achieve. I was contributing money into the bank of agriculture for months, when it was time to access loan from them they told me that I have to get a civil servant in the state to sign for me to access the loan. I searched for people and they were giving excuses, so I just stopped pursuing it. So most times I use personal money and profits ploughed back and also borrow from family.�

For the sale of his crops, he has been able to secure a market for the agric. He also brings the produce to his house in Lagos, where he sells at cheaper rates to interested consumer, but significantly the produce are taken to the market. While for the animals such as snail, he sells to restaurants, personal consumers and snail breeders. Rabbit, it is sold to personal consumers and to those who wants to keep as pet or for breeding.

Chickens are sold to market, restaurant, breeders and personal consumers.

He further noted: “Finance is the most challenging area. There are times that you are unable to get cash to fund your business and this has a way of affecting the growth of the business. “For example, sometimes you might have a large order for snail which you might also need to outsource fund, but because of insufficient cash you just have to supply what you have and in such cases, the volume trade matters a lot. “Also, insufficient capital has prevented from purchasing more plots of land and finance the farming. But thanks to God we have been able to scale through by ploughing back our profit and also borrowed from family. “Also, there is also an initiative in which workers work and they get paid after harvest which on the other hand relieves me of the stress. Another challenge is the nonchalant attitude of most workers towards work, despite receiving payment at the end of their work. “When I started poultry I bought Boar grower feed for N1,900 and starter feed for N2600 - N2700, but now feeds are now N2,900 for grower and N3,600- N3,700 for starter and the same market people and consumers still want to buy the same Chicken for the old price which is impossible for farmers.

Also of recent, day old chicks of broiler that we used to buy for N150 during off peak period and during the peak period for N250 suddenly jumped to N350- N380. “Then add up the feeding, drugs, heat for brooding and at the end the market still want to buy at the same price. But I have been able to scale through by just rearing for four- five weeks, then sell out to breeders then probably rear few to table size so that it won’t turn to panic sales. I have been in farming for five-six years now.�

To achieve success in his operation in the farm, Alaba had to put in place a vibrate workforce who clearly understands the goals and visions of the Wolewale Farm

Limited. When Alaba started, he had few people working for him on part time basis and they assisted in the processing of the chicken, snail and others activities in the farm.

Alaba and his cousin were available on a full time basis to nurture the business which was in its infancy, while they sourced for more people to work in the farm.

In understanding the potential in agricbusiness such as agro-cropping and livestock production; Alaba explained that: “The fact about agriculture is that you must find a need for your produce, don’t start producing and after which he begin to search for buyers, so that in the long run, you don’t get frustrated. It will lead to panic sales and you never profit on panic sales. “Just find a need and make sure you tap into it and satisfy the need. For example, in my area there is a lofty need for vegetable during the dry season. So I plant using compost manure from Rabbit and Chicken waste, thereby encouraging organic vegetable and I sell fresh vegetable to customers. The agric business has a wide scope, just find a need and satisfy it. “For 2018, I just thank God. But breaking even for crop production I did not. But for animal production I did. For the crop production in 2017, the profit margin was much better and very much better, even though I only farmed on five acres of land.

Selling of the maize alone gave me back 20 percent profit. “But in 2018 the table changed. I planted on 20 acres of land, at first the change in weather which made maize look small in size because of lack of rain in the early period of 2018, that made sales drop. On the long run, the cost of production didn’t equal profit. There was deficit already. “Then we decided to plant Okro since it was selling. Okro was selling in March for a basket for N3000, N2,500, N1,800 dropped to N400, N500, N600 which was a great crash. The monies realized from the sales were used to pay for workers, harvesters and chemicals used. “Even the sweet potato market crashed below, so the only profitable crops were maize and sorghum. For the animal farm we were able to break even in 2018 because compared to 2017 which we started rabbit farming and sales were just starting to pick up. “But in 2018 restaurants and bars placed orders for three-five weeks. They also people request for weaners for rearing and for pet. Also, chicken sales increased in 2018 compared to 2017 in which we reared many layers to broilers. “In 2018, there was a ratio increase of 60: 40 sales of both broiler and layers. Also, we were able to rear broilers of 4weeks for breeders to rear till adult old. Furthermore, we were able to sell out 300 snails in 2-3 weeks, compared to the delay in sales for like months.�

34

5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

Advertorial

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5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

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38

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ˛Ëœ 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

NAQS Moves to End Rejection of Nigeria’s Exports James Emejo Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) has disclosed that it is currently leading the federal government’s drive to put to an end the rejection of some Nigerian agricultural produce in foreign markets largely due to quality defects.

The Director-General, NAQS, Dr. Vincent Isegbe, who revealed this, said as the agency saddled with the responsibility to promote export of agricultural produce, NAQS was determined to reverse the situation where the country loses huge revenue, servicing narrow export market options.

He added that given the need to empower farmers, off-takers and exporters to comply with the standards of the export market, the agency was implementing a programme of backward integration for better export products. Speaking at a maiden media parley with agricultural correspondents, since his assumption of officers, he said the inability of stakeholders across the

value chain to meet the relevant sanitary and phytosanitary requirements applicable in the destination countries constituted the most serious impediment to the country’s participation in foreign trade.

Isegbe said: “This is because many countries prohibit the import of produce with mycotoxin contamination, high pesticide residue, microbial contamination, sloppy packaging and labeling. “It is our goal to make Nigerian agricultural produce acceptable everywhere in the world. That way, we will earn more foreign exchange from more destination countries.�

According to him, the ongoing intervention code-named ‘Export Improvement Initiative,’ was tailored to ensure that all relevant activities performed from the fields where the prospective export crops are cultivated up to the point of shipment are consistent with the standard conditions and protocols.

He said the NAQS had been interfacing with stakeholders to educate and train them on export

quality criteria for agricultural produce as part of the measure to boost agricultural exports.

He noted that the highlights of its enlightenment campaigns are the instruction of stakeholders on global Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) and the formation of selfregulating associations among the different commodity producer constituencies. “Through this strategy, NAQS is addressing the fundamental inhibitors of agricultural export and widening the scope for participation of everyday Nigerians in the export business,� he said.

He said the efforts of the service had achieved positive results in monetary terms for the country among others.

The DG said: “I am glad to report that NAQS efforts in mainstreaming best practices are yielding great rewards. “Due to increased knowledge and adaptation to guidelines, Nigeria was able to export 1,983 containers of Hibiscus to Mexico, within the first 9 months of 2017.

The country earned $35 million US dollars in the selfsame period.

L-R: Group Head, Corporate Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Akinyemi Muyiwa; Group Head, Online Digital Banking, Austine Abolusoro; Country Director, Google Nigeria, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor; Executive Director/ Group COO, UBA, Chukwuma Nweke; Group Head, Marketing, Dupe Olusola; Head, NBU Partnerships SSA, Google Nigeria, Saidu Abdullahi and Group Executive, Digital & Consumer Banking, UBA, Anant Rao, at the launch of Google Station, a collaboration between Google and UBA in Lagos‌ yesterday

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

NOVEMBER 2018

Google, UBA Collaborate to Provide Free Wi-Fi to Customers The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has collaborated with Google and ISP partner to launch Google Station in 11 key UBA branches in Lagos State.

The plan is to roll out 200 stations in the country.

Google Station, a platform for providing free, high-speed Wi-Fi hotspots in public places, began in Lagos last year, and extended to Abuja in December in partnership with Backbone Connectivity Network.

The google-powered initiative would allow customers access to internet connectivity within the 11 branches and its environs, thereby facilitating their day-to-day businesses and activities, while ensuring unhindered connectivity. The 11 branches where the hotspot would be located are: UBA Bank Road, Bank Road, Daleko; UBA Matori, 21 Fatai Atere street; UBA Surulere, 152 Ogunlana Drive; UBA Allen, 13 Allen Avenue, Ikeja; UBA Tisco Plaza, Alausa; UBA Apapa, 11-13 Warehouse Road, Apapa; UBA Marina, 55 Marina, Lagos Island; UBA HQ,

Broad Street, Marina; UBA Lekki Admiralty; UBA Oke Arin and UBA Aspamda Plaza, Trade Fair.

Speaking at the official launch of the initiative which took place in Lagos yesterday, UBA’s Executive Director/ Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Chuks Nweke, said the bank was excited about the collaboration.

According to him, the move would go a long way to present opportunities far beyond the imagination of both organisations.

He noted that the challenges of financial inclusion which the USSD platform has not been able to solve would be eased through the Google Station, as the financially excluded would now be able to access the internet and enjoy the services provided free of charge. He explained: “It is an interesting platform which will ultimately benefit everyone.

It is a win-win for everyone.

Customers will have ease of doing businesses, especially with the growing use of smart phones, and the 52 million Nigerians who have otherwise been financially excluded will

now have access to data through this collaboration and can carry out their transactions with ease. “Interestingly, SMEs, who previously had challenges with funding can now do other things which they couldn’t achieve before, such as accounting services and others. Also, UBA recently launched an educational app, and so, students will be able to use these Google Station platform to carry out their necessary research from the comfort of their homes, it is an awesome opportunity with benefits for everyone which we are presenting to our customers in line with our customer first philosophy.�

Also, the Group Head, Marketing, UBA Plc, Dupe Olusola, said in addition to the 11 locations, the organisations were looking to expand beyond the shores of Nigeria to other African countries where UBA operates.

She added that the initiative would help ease the burden off customers, while also presenting them with opportunities to excel beyond boundaries.

Diamond Bank Launches‘DiamondXtra’Season 11 Nume Ekeghe As part of efforts to encourage savings culture and reward its loyal customer, Diamond Bank Plc has launched the 11th season of its DiamondXtra promo.

The bank also restated that the reward scheme would continue even after its business combination deal with Access Bank Plc. Speaking at the launch of the new campaign in Lagos, the Head Retail Banking, Diamond Bank, Mr. Robert Giles, said the bank would also introduce two new segments to the reward scheme. Giles said: “This prize draw has rewarded over N15,000 customers with prizes of over N5 billion and we are only going to get bigger and better. We have struck through to our promise of listening to customers on what

they want in Diamondxtra and so we changed this year by adding two new prize draws. “The first is for senior citizens.

This year in August, we would be having a special prize draw for 10 senior citizens to win N500,000 and one lucky senior citizens would win N100,000 every month for a year. “The second new draw is for customers who have been with us for five years or more we are having a draw where 45 customers would win a prize just for being with us for five years or more.�

Furthermore, he said the new segments would not interfere with the previous prize giveaways. He further added: “Also the salary for life is here to stay and there would millionaires every month. We also still be giving out education grants for

five years and we giving away all the additional prizes such as rent advance for a full year.�

Speaking on the ongoing business combination deal, he said: “As we come together to form a stronger institution and to form a larger institution with the biggest number in Nigeria, Diamondxtra is here to stay.�

On her part, the Head, Consumer Banking, Mrs. Karimont Tukur, added: “Diamondxtra continues to change lives and I’m more excited its now bigger and better with the new offering of representing our senior citizens and loyal customers.

And on the other reward for loyal customers, she said: “45 loyal customers would get N20,000 in season 11 and the combination of Access and Diamond bank means we now access to a larger pool of funds

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 Ëœ ÍŻÍ° Ͱ͎ͯ͡

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $61.88 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $61.40 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. aThe 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 ˾ ͯͲ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

MARKET NEWS

All-Share Index Sheds 0.15% as ProfitTaking Halts Market Rally Goddy Egene The stock market yesterday pared gains as investors locked in profits recorded in recent days of bullish trading. This development led to a negative close with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index declining by 0.15 per cent to be at 32,413.92.

Similarly, market capitalisation shed N18 billion to close lower at N12.1 trillion.

However, profit taking in

bellwethers such as Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc was majorly responsible for the decline.

In all, 22 stocks shed value led

by C & I Leasing Plc with 9.9 per cent, trailed by Champion Breweries Plc with 9.5 per cent.

United Capital Plc depreciated by 9.0 per cent, just as Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc went down by 7.1 per cent. Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

lost 6.6 per cent. The company last week held its annual general meeting (AGM) in Lagos, where its chairman, ABC Orjiako said recognition of the forbearance shown by shareholders all the years without profit, the board has recommended for your approval a script of one ordinary share for every 10 held.

He said in 2016/17 financial year the company was challenged by adversity when fire gutted its raw materials

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

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 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

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

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,” he said. Meanwhile, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc and Unilever Nigeria Plc led the price gainers with 10 per cent apiece. Unity Bank Plc trailed with 9.4 per cent, just as Livestock Feeds Plc and Jaiz Bank Plc chalked up 9.0 per cent each.

Activity level also weakened

O F

as volume and value traded decreased by 18.95 per cent and 47.2 per cent as investors traded 470.4 million shares worth 4.24 billion. The top traded stocks by volume were Diamond Bank(131 million shares), Zenith Bank(44.08 million shares) and UBA (40.61 million shares) while the top traded stocks by value were Zenith Bank Plc (N1.09 billion), and Dangote Cement Plc (N653.67 million) and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (N522.75 million).

0 4 / 0 2 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

40

Thursday, February 14 2019

Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index Sheds 0.5%

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

Yesterday, the Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index shed 54bps to

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

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(-0.4%)

and

UBA

(-2.5%).

These

stocks

Current Price

Ticker

ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϯϱ͘ϰй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘ THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

WƌŽĮƚ dĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ ĞůůǁĞƚŚĞƌƐ ƌĂŐ ĞŶĐŚŵĂƌŬ /ŶĚĞdž͙ ASI

ĚŽǁŶ ϭϱďƉƐ In yesterday͛Ɛ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ͕ ƉƌŽĮƚ ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ ďĞůůǁĞƚŚĞƌƐ -

ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͘ Ɛ Ă ƌĞƐƵůƚ͕ zd ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĨĞůů ƚŽ ϯ͘ϭй ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ Eϭϴ͘ϬďŶ ƚŽ EϭϮ͘ϭƚŶ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĨĞůů ϭϵ͘Ϭй ĂŶĚ ϰϳ͘Ϯй ƚŽ Eϰ͘ϮďŶ ĂŶĚ EϰϳϬ͘ϯŵ

and

UBA

;ϰϬ͘ϲŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁŚŝůĞ

ZENITH

;Eϭ͘ϭďŶͿ͕

E' D ;EϬ͘ϲďŶͿ͕ GUARANTY ;EϬ͘ϱďŶͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

DŝdžĞĚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

advanced. The Industrial and Consumer Goods indices ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ĚĂLJ͛Ɛ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ͕ ƵƉ ϭ͘ϲй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϵй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ

4.3%

61.0%

20.0%

7.3%

6.4x

0.8x

4.8%

12.5%

-2.6%

19.2%

10.2%

10.0%

34.1%

5.6%

5.7x

2.1x

7.0%

17.7%

2

Zenith Bank PLC

24.90

-0.4%

12.2%

8.0%

8.0%

23.7%

3.4%

4.3x

1.0x

11.0%

23.4%

3

Dangote Cement PLC

190.00

0.4%

8.2%

0.2%

2.2%

20.1%

9.8%

19.8x

4.2x

5.5%

5.1%

4

Nestle Nigeria PLC

1,590.00

0.0%

7.9%

7.1%

7.8%

85.8%

26.3%

28.7x

22.4x

3.0%

3.5%

5

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

81.00

1.2%

5.2%

-5.3%

3.4%

13.8%

6.4%

27.1x

3.9x

4.6%

3.7%

6

FBN Holdings Plc

8.40

0.0%

5.1%

5.7%

5.0%

6.6%

0.8%

6.0x

0.4x

3.0%

16.6%

21.95

4.5%

4.6%

13.1%

13.1%

34.2%

19.6%

5.3x

1.6x

5.7%

18.8%

7.75

-2.5%

4.0%

0.6%

-0.6%

15.4%

1.8%

3.5x

0.6x

10.6%

28.5%

2.5x

0.6x

3.1%

39.4%

9.7%

Cement Co Northern Nigeria PLC United Bank for Africa PLC

8 9

International Brew eries PLC

10

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

11

Access Bank PLC

12

Ecobank Transnational Inc

GUARANTY (-2.6%), ACCESS (-ϲ͘ϯйͿ h^dK / E (-ϯ͘ϮйͿ

and E D (-4.4%).

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ŽŌĞŶƐ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ƐŽŌĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϵdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϯ͘ϳdž recorded in the previous trading session as 19 stocks ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ƌĞůĂƟǀĞ ƚŽ ϮϮ ƚŚĂƚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ dŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵŝŶŐ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ĚĂLJ ǁĞƌĞ BERGER (+10.0%), UNILEVER ;нϭϬ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ hEIdz ;нϵ͘ϱйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ CILEASING (-10.0%), , DW/KE (-9.6%), PZ (-ϵ͘ϰйͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ůĞĂƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵŝŶŐ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ͘ tĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŽ ƐĞĞ ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ ƉƌŽĮƚ ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞƌƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚǁŽ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ before the ĞůĞĐƟŽŶƐ͘

-4.9%

-7.9%

-23.8%

-3.2%

2.9%

-9.4%

-9.4%

25.9%

15.3%

6.65

-6.3%

3.0%

-2.2%

2.3%

14.1%

1.7%

2.8x

0.4x

14.50

0.7%

2.7%

3.6%

1.4%

12.1%

1.0%

4.5x

0.6x

7.1x

-1.2%

36.2% 22.0%

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

48.20

0.8%

2.4%

0.5%

0.5%

35.7%

4.6%

7.1x

2.3x

2.1%

44.00

10.0%

2.6%

18.9%

18.9%

14.7%

9.0%

21.7x

3.0x

1.2%

4.6%

15

Lafarge Africa PLC

13.00

0.0%

1.6%

4.4%

8.3%

-53.7%

-7.9%

0.9x

11.2%

-48.4%

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%

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

85.00

3.4%

1.3%

11.5%

11.5%

39.3%

29.7%

8.1x

2.8x

3.5%

12.3%

17

14.0%

18

Total Nigeria PLC

205.00

0.0%

1.2%

1.0%

1.0%

34.6%

7.5%

7.2x

2.3x

8.5%

14.0%

19

11 PLC

184.00

0.0%

1.1%

-0.8%

-0.8%

38.0%

16.8%

6.1x

2.1x

4.4%

16.3%

20

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

21.20

0.0%

1.0%

-8.2%

-4.5%

6.6%

2.0%

9.8x

0.6x

4.8%

10.2%

21

Oando PLC

5.80

-1.7%

1.2%

16.0%

20.8%

10.9%

1.7%

4.8x

0.4x

22

Fidelity Bank PLC

2.60

-6.5%

1.3%

28.1%

28.1%

11.3%

1.5%

3.4x

0.4x

4.0%

29.5% 13.5%

20.7%

23

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.56

-1.9%

1.1%

18.2%

20.9%

13.6%

3.0%

7.4x

1.0x

1.3%

24

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

15.00

0.0%

0.8%

-1.6%

1.4%

32.6%

16.4%

6.0x

1.7x

8.3%

25

Diamond Bank PLC

2.40

0.0%

0.8%

11.6%

-5.8%

-0.7%

FCMB Group Plc

2.29

-4.2%

0.7%

21.2%

27.2%

8.4%

1.2%

3.0x

0.3x

4.3%

27

UAC of Nigeria PLC

9.30

0.0%

0.5%

-4.6%

-2.6%

0.4%

0.2%

73.2x

0.4x

7.1%

1.4%

28

Sterling Bank PLC

2.40

-4.0%

0.6%

26.3%

26.3%

10.6%

1.1%

6.3x

0.7x

0.8%

15.8%

0.3x

16.7% -29.2% 33.4%

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

0.0%

0.3%

5.6%

5.6%

47.0%

17.5%

9.9x

4.4x

7.9%

10.1%

31

Forte Oil PLC

28.00

-5.7%

0.3%

-2.4%

0.0%

84.6%

8.3%

11.5x

2.1x

8.7%

6.85

0.0%

0.4%

22.3%

22.3%

5.3%

1.0%

12.4x

0.7x

8.1%

17.3%

1.8%

7.1x

1.1x

3.9%

1.1x

1.3% 6.4%

6.7%

1.5%

11.4% 12.9%

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

25.50

0.0%

0.3%

26.9%

15.4%

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

12.00

-9.4%

0.2%

-0.8%

-2.4%

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

0.89

7.2%

0.2%

41.3%

41.3%

6.6%

0.8%

10.2x

0.7x

37

Beta Glass PLC

72.30

0.0%

0.2%

5.9%

5.9%

17.7%

11.5%

8.8x

1.4x

14.2%

9.8%

Dangote Flour Mills Plc

8.75

6.1%

0.2%

27.7%

32.6%

14.9%

4.2%

7.8x

1.1x

2.3%

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

3.0%

9.4%

T o p 10 G a ine rs T ic k er

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%

C H A M P ION

1.78

9.9%

UB N

6.85

WEM A B A N K T R A N SC OR P

T o p 10 T ra de s by V o lum e 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%

A C C ESS

49.5

1.4%

9.6%

UB A

39.7

-0.6%

0.83

9.2%

FCM B

25.7

-0.8%

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 ic k er

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

J B ER GER

(A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

3.0%

Unilever Nigeria PLC

UA C N

Afrinvest Securities Limited (RC 603 315)

0.0% -3.3%

13

ĚĞĐůŝŶŝŶŐ ďLJ Ϯ͘Ϯй ĂƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƚŽŽŬ ƉƌŽĮƚ ŝŶ SEPLAT (-ϯ͘ϯйͿ 38

ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƚƌĂŝůĞĚ͕ ĚŽǁŶ ϭ͘ϴй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϳй͕ ĚƌĂŐŐĞĚ ďLJ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ

29.00 580.00

14

34

and K E K (-1.7%). Also, the Banking and Insurance

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

-0.54%

NIGERIAN BREWERIES (+1.2%), K<KDhK/> ;нϯ͘ϰйͿ ĂŶĚ 33

bucked gains recorded in previous trading sessions,

P/BV

37.95

to buy interest in E' D ;нϬ͘ϰйͿ͕ EE ;нϰ͘ϱйͿ͕ 32 E'&>KhZ ;нϲ͘ϭйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉ ƐŝĚĞ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚĞdž

P/E

1,609.78

^ĞĐƚŽƌ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ LJĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ 26 bias as only 2 out of 5 indices under our coverage

ROA

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ dŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ 16 ǁĞƌĞ / DKE ;ϭϯϭ͘Ϭŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ ZENITH (44.1m units)

ROE

1

GUARANTY (-2.6%), ACCESS (-ϲ͘ϯйͿ ĂŶĚ SEPLAT ;-ϯ͘ϯйͿ – 7 ĚƌĂŐŐĞĚ ƚŚĞ ďĞŶĐŚŵĂƌŬ ŝŶĚĞdž ϭϱďƉƐ ůŽǁĞƌ ƚŽ ϯϮ͕ϰϭϯ͘ϵ

Price Price Previous Current Change Change Price Weightin YTD Index to Change g Date

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%

-3.3%

N EST LE

299.1

6.0%

9.30

-2.1%

NB

291.0

2.6%

25.50

-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 ˾ ˜ ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸͹ͷ

MARKET NEWS

Tukur: Eterna now Positioned for New Investment Opportunities Goddy Egene The Chief Executive Officer of Eterna Plc, Mr. Mahmud Tukur has said the petroleum products marketing firm has been well positioned to pursue new investment opportunities and expansion, having cleared a N14 billion debt over-hang.

While speaking to journalists on the 30th anniversary of the

company, Tukur said by offsetting the N14 billion debt, its balance sheet has been cleared, noting the firm would now review its processes, streamline operations, and pursue new investment opportunities and expansion so as to deliver improved performance to all stakeholders.

According to him, capital market stakeholders and investors know little about the potential

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

in the company hence the low valuation of its share price in the stock market.

“Between 2009 and 2018, we have been able to pay over N14 billion in debts and we have grown shareholders fund from N4 billion to N13 billion.

All these have been done from internally generated working capital. The low pricing of our shares is because people do not

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 12Feb-2019, unless otherwise stated.

know what the company is all about, the internal restructuring, the innovations going on, the capacity building, the businesses that we do, the structure of the organisation is not well known out there. Our financials reflect a healthy organisation, but out there is not about our organisation, and that is what we are going to change. As the market improves, general sentiments would impact

the pricing and everybody that looks into our share price knows that the company is undervalued relative to its performance, but it is a very good share. We have paid dividend in a very challenging environment,” he said.

According to him, the company has concluded plans to establish about 200 petrol stations in the next five years from the 35 it currently operates.

Tukur said Eterna Plc growth plan is based on a longer-term vision with the knowledge that actual profit margins are at the pumps or at the point of sale.

He said the company operates at high standards at par with the international oil companies (IOCs) coupled with local knowledge of the operating environment, thereby giving it a competitive edge in its downstream operations.

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 N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 0.87 2.20% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 11.31% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.22% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.26 2.29 1.93% 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 17.06 17.58 2.83% ARM Discovery Fund 365.15 376.16 2.39% ARM Ethical Fund 28.72 29.59 1.71% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.43% 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 105.02 105.76 3.79% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.00% 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 13.94% Paramount Equity Fund 11.77 12.07 0.51% Women's Investment Fund 102.31 104.94 -0.25% 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 12.67% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 100.06 100.48 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 103.82 104.44 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 13.09% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.86 0.87 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.15 1.15 2.24% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 12.39% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.47% 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 1,209.57 1,210.34 2.03% FBN Heritage Fund 146.40 147.70 2.08% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.09% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 115.42 115.81 1.34% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 115.38 115.77 1.56% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 154.69 156.97 3.13% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.24 1.26 1.28% Legacy Debt Fund 3.29 3.29 1.41% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.03 1.03 0.52% 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 3,006.64 3,036.97 0.75% Coral Income Fund 2,801.03 2,801.03 2.27% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.81% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 109.20 109.68 2.00% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.37% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.19 2.21 1.70% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.99% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 121.52 121.72 -2.72%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.16 1.18 1.72% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,087.19 1,087.19 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 11.87 11.95 3.10% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.41% 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 1.37 1.40 7.34% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.43 12.49 1.83% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.83% 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 2,365.83 2,380.42 4.41% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 192.20 192.20 2.40% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.98 0.99 3.68% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 250.61 250.65 3.42% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 166.78 168.63 2.23% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.19% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,657.98 8,762.21 3.75% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.12 1.12 3.44% 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 QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 11.43 11.59 6.64% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.49 12.61 3.14% Zenith Income Fund 20.90 20.90 8.57% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.58%

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

10.81 118.53 92.76

10.91 121.09 94.51

2.42% 1.06% 4.63%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.41 7.53 15.34 12.56 148.78

4.45 7.61 15.44 12.76 150.78

10.09% -1.12% 2.62% 1.63% 3.63%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.13

17.03%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

Namibian Women to Benefit from Amendment of Aparthied Marriage Law Hundreds of thousands of married women in Namibia will begin to have access to inheritance after the deaths of their husbands, after amendments were made to an aparthied marriage law.

Yvonne Dausab, Chairperson of the Namibian Law Reform and Development Commission, said the proposed amendment would see more than half of the country’s married women in the northern part of the country being able to access their inheritance.

According to the Namibian Statistics Agency, more than half of the population lives in the northern part of Namibia.

“The Redline Marriage Act disadvantaged women, who were married in the northern regions of the country, from accessing any properties accumulated during their marriages, as their marriages were not recognised as in community of property as those done in Windhoek for example.

“This is a piece of legislation that was created in the colonial era and affected almost over half of the Namibian married population,” she said.

Dausab added that the obsolete bill disadvantaged black women by preventing them from inheriting properties when their

spouses died, while it did not have an effect on the white women.

“The challenge is that some of the women, who were married in the northern part

of the country did not even know that their marriages did not entitle them to access the accumulated wealth during the marriage,” she said.

Egypt executed three people on Wednesday, who were sentenced to death for the killing of a senior police officer during a raid in Cairo in 2013.

The case is related to the killing of Gen. Nabil Farag in September 2013, when he led police in storming the area of Kerdassa, on the

Western outskirts of the Egyptian capital, to arrest wanted militants.

The crackdown came a few months after the army deposed President Mohammed Morsi, a senior official in the Muslim Brotherhood, following mass protests against his rule.

In 2016, the Giza Criminal

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Egypt Executes Three Men for Killing Police Officer

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The new marriage law, Dausab said, will empower both the women and men to be in community of property when they marry.

The Law Reform and

Court sentenced seven defendants to death by hanging.

However, in January 2018, an appeals court upheld the death sentence for three defendants and sentenced the rest to life in prison.

At least five others are serving a 10 year sentence in the same case.

Months after Morsi’s ouster, Egyptian authorities declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation.

Since then, hundreds of the militant group’s members and followers have been put on trial and given heavy sentences in different cases.

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Beyond the Fight Against Corruption...

Buhari Runs a Compassionate Government, and Intends to Continue to do so.

WITH BUHARI, THERE ARE NO EXTREMES...

THE ONLY EXTREME THERE IS, IS HIS LOVE FOR NIGERIA.

N›‚Û›n»er‚shøÛÛ‚ØÛÛe»øÛ‚ºÛ›âs‚›º‚ÜøssØáe‚sàÜs‚ Ûeøáe‚ßhese‚sh›res‚ß›‚ºØnønúe‚›ßher‚eú›n›ÜØes΂ òhØÛe‚›àr‚œe›œÛe‚Ûøn»àØsh‚Øn‚œ›áerß¡‰‚âe‚ eººeúßØáeÛ¡‚»Øáe‚ºØnønúØøÛ‚øظ‚ß›‚nøßØ›ns‚ßhøß‚Øs‚ n›ß‚ÙàsßغØe¸Î‚—‚øÜ‚sØúÚ‚›º‚ßhØs΂—ß‚Üàsß‚sß›œÎ‚ he‚ Ü›ne¡‚søáe¸‚âØÛÛ‚ºØnønúe‚Ù›ùs‰‚heøÛßh‚úøre‚øn¸‚ ßhe‚œr›áØsØ›n‚›º‚s›úØøÛ‚søºeß¡‚neß‚º›r‚ßhe‚nee¸¡‰‚ âeøÚ‚øn¸‚áàÛnerøùÛe‚›º‚›àr‚Ûøn¸ÎÎÎ

òe‚âØÛÛ‚ùe‚ø‚ú›ÜœøssØ›nøße‚ »›áernÜen߉‚º›r‚›àß‚›º‚ ú›ÜœøssØ›n‚ørØses‚ßhe‚ßràesß‚ œr›»r º›rÜs‚›º‚âeøÛßh‚øn¸‚œr›»ress ø‚s›úØeß¡‚úøn‚øßßøØnÎ

Í‚MU–ÒMMÒÕU‚ÓU–Ò`—

He is trusting and can be trusted. His love for Nigeria is unquestionable.

The Time is Now...

Buhari / Osinbajo

CHANGE IS A PROCESS. BUHARI IS ON COURSE.

5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

AIB Blames Osinbajo’s Chopper Accident on Dust, Sand Chinedu Eze The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has released the report of the accident involving Caverton Helicopter carrying the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, which crash-landed at Kabbah, Kogi State on February 2, 2019.

AIB said the preliminary report of the accident indicated that the cause of the crash was “brown out,” an in-flight visibility restriction caused by dust or sand in which the flight crew loses visual contact.

While issuing the report in its head office at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport

(MMIA), Lagos, the Commissioner of AIB, Akin Olateru explained that brownout in helicopter operations is an in-flight visibility restriction caused by dust or sand.

According to him, the dust and sand could make the flight crew loses visual contact with nearby objects that provide the outside visual references necessary to control the helicopter near the ground.

The helicopter with registration number 5N-CML departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos for Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, to conduct a chartered VIP flight from Abuja to Okene via

Kabba and then return to Abuja, carrying the Vice President of Nigeria alongside eleven other people on board The commissioner disclosed that although, the helicopter had a valid certificate of airworthiness, it hovered to land in a brownout condition.

According to Olateru, “During cruise at 5,000 feet and at about 10 minutes to touchdown, the crew noticed the flight recorder light on the Crew Alerting System (CAS) come on. Quick

Reference Handbook items were accomplished. Another helicopter operated by Nigeria Police Force (Bell 412; 5N-PEJ) landed ahead of NGR002.

“The crew briefed on landing in brownout and used the company’s brownout landing procedures. During the landing, at about 50 feet to touchdown, a heavy brownout enveloped the helicopter and the crew lost visual contact with the ground.

“The Co-Pilot called out radio altimeter 35, 30, 25, 20, 15 and no more. At about 14:34 hours, the

helicopter touched down hard on the right main landing gear and rolled over to the right.”

He noted that the crew carried out emergency landing procedures, which included immediate engines shutdown, fuel shut off, battery switch off, and generators switch off and all occupants of the helicopter were evacuated uninjured, adding that the helicopter was substantially damaged.

Olateru gave immediate safety recommendations, requesting that NCAA issues an advisory circular

to all helicopter operators flying in Nigeria to be alert of the possibility and the effect of brownout and appropriate procedures be put in place to mitigate its effects.

“Caverton Helicopters Limited should ensure that flight operations are carried out in accordance with the company’s approved operations manual, vis-a-vis site survey and proper safety risk analysis are done before dispatching any helicopter to unapproved landing pads,” he added.

Niger Delta’s Former Agitators Endorse Buhari’s for Second Term Ateke Tom disowns group Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Former agitators in the Niger Delta region have announced their endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari for second term.

The former agitators, under the aegis of the Peace Ambassadors of the Niger Delta (PAND), however said their acceptance of Buhari was not a “sweeping partisan” endorsement of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, King Michael Ateke Tom has dissociated himself from the group, saying it was never in his character to cheapen himself, adding also that as a traditional ruler, he would not betray the trust of his people.

Addressing a press conference in Port Harcourt yesterday, Convener of PAND, Ebikabowei Victor Ben, said ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region were witnesses to the commitment of the Buhari administration to the development of the region.

He lauded Buhari for not scrapping the Presidential Amnesty Programme for Niger Delta despite pressure from some quarters.

He also said the interest of the region was better served under Buhari rather than the “surface dressing” of the past administration.

He said: “In spite of promises by several administrations, this government under the leadership of the now United Nations deputy secretary, Amina Mohammed, put the framework for the remediation and cleanup of the Ogoniland, which is the largest of such effort in the world and expected to cost $1 billion.

“As we speak, contractors have been mobilised for the first phase of the exercise. Also, the Bodo City/Bonny Road, which was abandoned for more three decades have been awarded and construction is ongoing.

“Also, the Niger Delta is not left out of this government’s commitment to investing in infrastructure which is one of its biggest spending priorities. The long-abandoned East-West road is finally receiving funding and attention.

“All of these achievements find expression in a 20-point plan for the Niger Delta which was being presented to us by

the Petroleum Minister, Ibe Kachikwu. The plan also covers the need for government and oil companies working in our region to create at least a 100,000 jobs yearly. The plan for the Niger Delta is what we need now for a more sustainable future.

“As witnesses to the commitment of this government to these issues that we have presented over the years through various fora and tangible achievements we have seen as it concerns our region over the last four years, we have decided to endorse the government to continue beyond 2019.”

The PAND Convener stated that ex-agitators and the people of the Niger Delta region have seen a deep seated commitment of the current administration in addressing the issues being faced by the people of the region.

Ben said: “In spite of the tense beginning and moments we have had with the current administration following his defeat of our brother, Goodluck Jonathan, we have formed a new partnership for the Niger Delta and have seen a deep seated commitment to addressing the issues that we in the region are facing.

“We have to give special credit to Vice President Yemi Osibanjo for painstakingly leading the engorgement in the Niger Delta and assuring us of his plan.

“Since the initiation of the laudable amnesty programme in 2019, the focus has always been palliative and focused on pacifying the Niger Delta using the payment of stipends to our people. While this goes a long way to help our numerous poor, it is always an instance of giving fish and not teaching how to fish.

“In spite of a lot of pressure on this government to scrap the programme, which was rejected

by President Buhari, we have seen a resolve to reform the programme in such a way that focuses more on human capital side over the routine welfare and palliative payments.

This is what progress means to us and this is the type of programme we would align with and encourage.”

Meanwhile, King Michael Ateke Tom has dissociated himself from the ex-agitators that endorsed Buhari.

PROJECT INSPECTION...

L-R: Delta State Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa; and Delta State Commissioner for Commence and Industry, Mary Iyasere, during the inspection of roads at Okurekpo-Okunoh-Okpara-Okoruah-Onumane and Samagidi in the state... yesterday

Police Open Adeleke’s Trial over Alleged Examination Malpractice Alex Enumah in Abuja The Inspector General of Police (IG) yesterday opened the trial of Senator Ademola Adeleke and four others over an alleged examination malpractice with revelations by witnesses that they did not see the Senator in the examination hall during the 2017 National Examination Council (NECO) examinations.

Two witnesses called by the police, Buhari Moshood and Isamotu Funmilayo, who were supervisors in the examination at Ojo-Aro CommunityGrammer School Center, in Osun State, denied seeing the senator in the examination hall on the days of

the examinations.

Led in evidence by counsel to the police, Simon Lough, the first prosecution witness, Buhari Moshood, informed the Federal High Court in Abuja,that on June 21, 2017, while acting as supervisor, he saw five matured men among the students billed to participate in the NECO exams.

The witness, who claimed to have been a teacher for 35 years, told Justice Inyang Ekwo, that he can only identify Adeleke Sikiru, (2nd defendant) among the five matured men who were participating in the English Language examination that he supervised.

The witness, who identified an

exam paper bearing the nameof Adeleke Ademola, insisted that he did not see the defendant on the seat in the exam hall and that he did not challenge the adult persons in the examination hall because it was not his duty to do so.

Under cross examination by Dr. Alex Izinyon SAN, counsel to SenatorAdeleke, the witness said he will be surprised to see NECO issuing certificate to anybody who did not sit for exams. He admitted that the identities of all the students in their identity cards were in order and that there was no police presence in the school to ask for the person of Adeleke.

Moshood also admitted that the

examination went well and that no candidate can impose himself on the school for the purpose of the examination.

Answering a question, the witness admitted that he cannot know all the students who sat for the examination and insisted that there was no cheating on the examination day as the exam was free and fair.

The second witness, Isamotu Funmilayo, who claimed to have been a teacher for 13 years, in her own evidence told the court that she supervised English Literature Paper on July 17, 2017, and that she saw two matured men in the exam hall but can only identify Adeleke Sikiru, whom she said sat quietly with his exams papers.

CUPP Alleges Assassination Attempt on Its Spokesman Udora Orizu in Abuja The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has raised the alarm over an alleged attempt to assassinate its First National Spokesperson, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere.

In a statement issued yesterday by the coalition’s Second National Spokesperson, Mark Adebayo, CUPP said: “On Friday night as at about 8 p.m, while driving home from a strategy meeting of the opposition, their 1st National Spokesperson, Ugochinyere noticed a vehicle trailing him immediately he left Wuse II

branch of H-Medix where he went to buy some personal needs.”

According to Adebayo, “not being sure and to confirm his suspicion, he quickly went down the popular Zone 4 Bridge and the vehicle continued following.

He also joined the express to Area 1, having descended the Mabushi Bridge and the vehicle continued to follow.”

“To make double sure they were not just two vehicles coincidentally heading the same direction, he accelerated, being that he was driving a fast moving car only to notice that the vehicle, a dark coloured

Hilux pickup van also accelerated. On taking the turn off just before the stadium so that he could join the road to the airport road, he also observed that the van made the same turn.”

Explaining further, he said, Ugochinyere also accelerated when he was going round the stadium as the stretch of that road was very dark, vehicle gave a chase but could not catch up.

“When he had joined the airport road he drove till he got to a section of the road where the street lights were full and rolled down his tinted side screen and pretended to slow down to see

if the vehicle will pass.”

“However to his greatest shock, as the pickup approached, it tried to swerve and double-cross him.

He averted it but noticed that there were at least four persons in the van bearing arms similar to the unique ones carried by officers of the Department of State Services (DSS).

One of them opened the door and made attempt to jump down but Ikenga swerved quickly and drove off, while they gave another chase and were almost by his side with their guns pointed when he joined the service lane and they could not swerve

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

INEC Working for PDP, Oshiomhole Alleges Your party’s woes are self-inflicted, CUPP tells APC chairman Udora Orizu in Abuja The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of working for the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the forthcoming general election.

Oshiomhole however, added that the governing party will not descend to the level of bringing down state institutions because the APC believes that state institutions should be allowed to perform their functions.

But in a swift reaction, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), said the ruling party’s woes were self-inflicted and fueled by their greed.

Responding to questions about alleged collusion between INEC and President Muhammadu Buhari, Oshiomhole alleged that at the moment, two Resident Electoral Commissioners in the South-South have been going about campaigning with the PDP. Oshiomhole who asked Nigerians not to return the PDP to power, said the pledge by the

PDP candidate to float the naira was a receipt to economic woes, adding that Atiku has always been part of the wrath facing the nation.

He also dismissed PDP allegations that the APC was responsible for burning some INEC offices that have recently been engulfed in flame, stressing that he could easily allude to the fact that the PDP burnt the INEC offices because they are afraid of losing elections in those places.

He said “If anything, this INEC has been very unfair to the APC. But we just discovered that we have a responsibility.

The fact that we are a governing party imposes on us a certain level of code that you can’t be seen to rubbish every institution because if we rubbish everything, it would mean that we don’t want election. INEC believe everything the PDP says.

“As we speak, there are two Resident Electoral Commissioners who are virtually campaigning line by line with the PDP in the South-south. INEC, without giving us any explanation and without any concrete evidence

went ahead to say we can’t field candidates in Zamfara, thereby seeking to award, without any context and nullify democracy in Zamfara State.

“Is that the way your friends behave if they are your friends.

INEC is working more for the PDP, based on evidence I can show. How can they explain that a court of competent jurisdiction gave orders in Zamfara to say this candidate is eligible to contest election and another high court in Abuja also gave a verdict saying APC did not conclude its primaries but did not give order to INEC. “There is no order issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court of Appeal made a pronouncement on this matter today that there was no order from the court in Abuja, but that there was a concrate order from a Zamfara High Court which upheld the primaries that was conducted in Zamfara.

“The INEC Chairman has said that when there are two court orders, they will adopt the last judgment. In Zamfara State, the Abuja judgment came first and the Zamfara judgment came last even though it is the same day,” he said.

But in a swift reaction, Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), said the ruling party’s woes are self-inflicted

which he had been invited by the Department of State Services (DSS) at a time. These factors combined to ruin the party,” he said.

The coalition stated that Oshiomhole should also note that the decision to bar his party in those states was a court decision, adding that he must therefore learn to nurse his self-inflicted wound with calmness.

CUPP added that Oshiomhole should prepare for the big one coming on Saturday when Nigerians will unanimously vote out the clueless government his party has foisted on them for almost four years.

and fueled by their greed.

The spokesperson of CUPP, Ikenga Ugochinyere who issued a press statement in Abuja said: “The attention of opposition coalition of CUPP has been drawn to a statement credited to the rabble-rousing National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, that INEC is working for PDP, especially in Rivers and Zamfara States where his party has been barred from presenting candidates.”

“We are bold to say that PDP is not APC’s problem. The party’s problem is Oshiomhole’s penchant for lawless actions, compromise and bribery for

Presidential Election: Nigerians in UK Back Atiku Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja Nigerians in the United Kingdom said yesterday that they are solidly behind the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, because he represents a new generation of leadership necessary to take the country out of poverty and backwardness.

The Coordinator of Atiku Campaign Organisation in the UK, Dr. Tony Chidi, in a statement yesterday said its members were already in Nigeria to mobilise their unflinching support for Atiku, saying there was no reason to compare Atiku to President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said had failed in the last four years to make any meaningful impact on any aspect of the nation’s economy.

The group rated the former vice president high on many key areas of leadership and asked Nigerians to give massive support to him on Saturday.

“Atiku has demonstrated great capacity, capability and ability in both public and private life far above all who are contesting to be president of Nigeria in 2019.

Having been there for eight fruitful years, he understands the system better than the incumbent who has demonstrated gross incompetency and all others who currently aspire to the presidency. ‘’As vice president the economy and other substructures were under his watch and they all performed excellently. Nigerians can attest to the fact that Turaki is highly detribalised and would as it was, offer equal opportunities to Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion, culture or political leanings unlike Buhari who is so clannish and myopic. Above all, Atiku is a quintessential democrat whose belief in the Rule of Law and resilience in 2nd last tenure as vice president stabilised our democracy’’, the UK group stated.

The group added that whereas

Atiku can be said to possess the essential qualities that can promote peace, mutual understanding and coexistence, harmony and progress of the nation the same cannot be said of Buhari “who has almost succeeded in tearing Nigeria apart from his unguarded utterances and actions that betray his morbid contempt or outright hatred for ethnic groups and religions.”

The group added, “The PDP presidential candidate is a core civilian whereas and possesses sound education and wide exposure in different spheres of life while his rival, Buhari is a core combatant soldier who has not been able to adapt himself to civilian lifestyle nearly four decades after retiring from the army with only school certificate as his highest certificate.

“We also note with satisfaction that Atiku is vibrant and creative while it is evident that Buhari leads a dull, boring life deficient in personal initiatives and development. A successful technocrat and entrepreneur, Turaki’s track records in public service and business stands him out as one whose abilities in bringing back Nigeria’s glory are not doubtful, having succeeded in creating wealth and employment.

“Overall, we wish to draw attention to the fact that Nigeria is a very complex nation and anyone who intends to succeed in the apex position of leadership such as the presidency of the country must blend into these complexities, build cohesion among the component nationalities, religious socio-political leanings and be seen to not clearly pandering to ethnic and religious whims and sentiments.’’

The group urged Nigerians to back Atiku because as a liberal democrat, he is also poised to decentralize the economy and encourage devolution of power which would hinge on restructuring and fiscal federalism.

PEACE DEAL AT LAST…

L-R: Managing Director, West African Ventures (WAV), Mr. Mike Amaeshike; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board ( NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote; and Managing Director, Sea Trucks Group (STG)/Telford/Afrimarine Limited, Mr. Fraser Moore, in a handshake after signing of the Settlement Agreement between STG and WAV, in Lagos…recently

Court Orders EFCC,Two Banks to Pay Benue Govt N100m George Okoh in Makurdi A Federal High Court in Makurdi, Benue State, has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), United Bank of Africa(UBA) and Fidelity Bank to jointly pay the sum of N100 million to the state government for freezing its accounts last year.

Delivering judgement in the suit number FHC/MKD/ CS/46/2018 filed by the state government challenging the legality of the EFCC freezing its accounts, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon ordered the anti-

graft commission to pay the state government the sum of N50 million as damages, while UBA and Fidelity are to pay the sum of N25 million each.

Justice Olajuwon stated that the state government accounts that were frozen do not fall within the classes or categories of accounts liable to be frozen by the EFCC. She declared the action of the EFCC as illegal, null and void, saying the order issued

by EFCC to the affected banks to freeze the state accounts was not obtained from a Federal High Court.

The Judge thereafter

from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), EFCC ordered the freezing of the accounts of the state government in UBA and Fidelity Bank on the premise that the governor’s security vote was being investigated.

The government of the state, through the office of Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, approached the court seeking a declaration that EFCC acted against the law when it directed the banks to freeze its accounts.

granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining EFCC from further freezing the state government accounts domiciled in financial institutions.

In a reaction, the Benue State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Michael Gusa, described the judgement as sound, adding that the Governor Samuel Ortom administration believes in the rule of law and due process, and would not fail to challenge any act of illegality on the state.

He recalled that a few days after Ortom defected

Okupe Denies Report of Polls Survey on Atiku The Special Adviser to the Director General of Atiku Campaign Organisation, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has denied the report that the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, ever commissioned Ballard Partners to conduct poll survey to access the chances of Alhaji Atiku in the Saturday’s presidential poll.

Okupe made this known to journalists in Lagos yesterday when he expressed surprise

that that the All Progressives Congress (APC) could resort to outright forgery by issuing a fake letter and went ahead to forge the signature of Brian Ballard.

Okupe said this was a clear indication that the drowning APC was frantically looking for something to clutch on to in its dying moment.

It will be recalled that a purported letter was written and addressed to Saraki by Ballard of Ballard Partners on

February 5, 2019 in which the chances of Atiku on Saturday was described as being very slim by the commissioned company.

Okupe said this letter has no iota of truth and smacked off outright forgery by the ruling party. He was emphatic that the resort of APC to crude forgery actually shows the level of frustration and desperation of the ruling party.

The former presidential

spokesman however, expressed confidence that Atiku stands a very bright chance of getting elected as president on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the PDP stalwart has encouraged Nigerians to cast their votes for Atiku so as to get Nigeria working again.

He also advised electorates to conduct themselves peacefully on Saturday and Make the election violent free.

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PDP Raises the Alarm over Heavy Security Deployment in Kwara Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised the alarm over the heavy deployment of top security chiefs in Kwara State, the home state of the President of the Senate and Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, ahead of the general election.

In another development, the party has described the scanty attendance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign mega rally in Abuja on as a parody and a further indication the president and APC have been rejected by Nigerians, ahead of Saturday’s presidential election.

The party in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the deployment of huge security agents is part of the plot by the APC-led federal government to intimidate, harass, create fears in the minds of voters and rig elections in the state. ‘’As part of the plot, the Department of State Services (DSS) has deployed its Director of Operations, Etteng Bassey, as well as the State Directors in charge of Ogun and Anambra States to Kwara State ahead of Saturday’s elections while the Director in charge of Kwara State has been moved to Benue State. ‘’This is in addition to the deployment of hundreds of other DSS operatives from Abuja to Kwara State. We also have it on good authority that soldiers

will from tomorrow cordon off all entry points to the personal house of the Senate President in Ilorin as well as his late father’s compound in Ilofa Road, old GRA, Ilorin.’’

The main opposition party added that the police have made heavy deployment of officers and men from its headquarters in Abuja to Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, where they have been instructed to arrest key political players loyal to Saraki.

The party accused the federal government of plotting to use the same strategy in key states of the federation to subvert the will of the people, saying these are the reasons behind APC’s boasts of winning the general election when all indications, including the opinion polls sponsored by them, show otherwise.

The PDP, however, noted that such ‘’vicious’’ plots by the APC and the Buhari Presidency will come to naught, as Nigerians are ready to confront all aggressions and vote them out at the general election.

The PDP, therefore, charged all its members and supporters to remain resolute in resisting the machinations of the APC, come out en masse to vote and protect their votes with every legitimate means available to them.

The party said ‘’the scanty attendance to President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign mega rally in Abuja” yesterday was a parody.

PDP said it was a further

BuyVotes, Go to Jail, EFCC Warns Politicians Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has threatened to arrest and prosecute any politician who engages in vote-buying in any part of the country.

The Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, was quoted as handing down the warning in a statement by the Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Tony Orilade, in Abuja, yesterday.

He announced a special reward to Nigerians who would volunteer information on those buying or encouraging vote-buying during the polls.

Although the chairman did not specify the amount for each whistle-blower on voter-buyers, Magu said those who give out cash and those who receive the cash to undermine the electoral process would be treated as common criminals wherever they may be caught.

According to him, “We wish to warn Nigerians against those who intend to engage in voters’ inducement. There are existing laws in the Electoral Act, 2010 (EA), which forbid voters inducement.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 124 of the Electoral Act, 2010 says that any person paying money to any person as bribe at any election is liable to punishment of N500, 000 fine or 12 months imprisonment or both upon conviction.

“Section 124 of the Electoral Act,

2010 also states that any person receiving any money or gift for voting or to refrain from voting at any election will be liable to a maximum fine of N500, 000 or 12 months imprisonment or both.

“We, therefore, urge Nigerians to avoid or resist inducement from corrupt politicians and vote for the candidates of their choice.

“We also seize this opportunity to state that that EFCC in collaboration with INEC will reward any patriotic citizen that provides an authentic information leading to the apprehension of any culprit of vote buying in accordance with the whistleblowing Policy.’’

The anti-graft agency said that its investigations and intelligence gathering sources have revealed that certain corrupt politicians have perfected plans to pollute the electoral process with illicit and looted funds.

“We also have intelligence reports on the plans by some countries in collaboration with some politicians and looters to bring in foreign currencies to induce voters and undermine the elections.

“But our operatives in collaboration with sister agencies are doing everything possible to block the illicit funds and ensure credible polls in the country,” he added.

EFCC said it was the collective duty of Nigerians to resist attempts to corrupt the country’s electoral process by exposing the evil perpetrators.

indication that the president and his APC have been rejected by Nigerians ahead of Saturday’s presidential election.

The party in a statement yesterday by its Director of

Media and Publicity, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said the failed rallies, should serve as an ample signal to Buhari and the APC that Nigerians have moved ahead in rallying with the people’s

candidate, Atiku Abubakar, adding that no amount of enticement or intimidation can change that resolve.

According to him, “The scanty attendance to most of President

Buhari’s rallies in various parts of the country has further revealed that the APC only fabricated figures in their claims that 14.8 members of the APC voted for him at the flawed convention.”

WELL DESERVED HONOUR…

Renowned sports journalist and broadcaster, Mr. Yomi Opakunle, presenting a picture frame to All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during an engagement with leadership and members Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), in Lagos…yesterday

INEC: We Won’t Postpone Elections over Burnt Materials UK, US insist on credible polls Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured that it will not postpone elections in any part of the country on account of recent fire incidents which affected its offices in Abia, Plateau and Anambra States.

INEC’s position is coming as the United States of America and United Kingdom have stated that conducting credible elections remain critical to Nigeria’s future.

The National Commissioner in charge of Information, Publicity and Voter Education, Mr. Festus Okoye, who spoke at the unveiling of the Civil Society election Situation Room Hub in Abuja, said: “As for the election, we are good to go, although we had some challenges due the fire incidents but we have recovered all the smart card readers and as speak, we are moving all the sensitive materials needed for the elections in Anambra.

We are not going to postpone

elections in any part of the country on the grounds of these incidents,” he assured.

In the build-up to the polls, the British High Commissioner and United States Ambassador have said that a credible presidential poll on Saturday will send a positive signal to the international community and investors that Nigeria is consolidating on her democracy.

The British High Commissioner stated that a credible election on Saturday will definitely send strong signals

to the international community that Nigeria is indeed consolidate On his part, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. W. Stuart Symington said the whole world is waiting to hear from Nigerians speak on Saturday and to see how far the polls reflect the opinion of every citizen.

Also, the United Nations representative, Ibn Chambas urged INEC and the security agencies to be fair during Saturday’s presidential election.

Police Bar Personnel from Carrying Firearms at Polling Centres Acting Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, yesterday disclosed that no security personnel would be allowed to carry firearms at polling centres during the elections.

This is as the Force said it had made plans to pay all officers on election duty three days before the polls.

Adamu stated this when the European (EU) Election Observation Mission to Nigeria delegation visited him in Abuja.

He said that while the elections would last, security personnel would keep surveillance at the polling areas to ensure that restriction of movement and other rules were obeyed as stipulated by the electoral law.

The police boss assured that the force, in collaboration with other security agencies, would provide security at the various centres from the beginning to the collation stages of the elections.

“Your presence here in Nigeria to see the process will give credence to the fact that proper arrangement or otherwise has been made,” he said.

Adamu noted that without security, credible elections would not take place, adding that adequate arrangements had been made to protect INEC officials, election materials, installations and voters.

“We have done a lot in terms of security and training of our personnel in respect of the elections.

“Your mission to Nigeria is very important inasmuch as every Nigerian will want credible elections,” he said.

Earlier, the Leader of the delegation, who is the Chief Monitor, Domini Howell, said the visit was to ascertain the level of preparedness of the police for the elections.

“We know security is important during the elections so we want to meet you and know your activities for the day of the elections,” she said.

Howell said the EU had had 11 persons in Nigeria for the past

one month to monitor the level of preparation for the general elections.

She said the union currently had 40 persons in the field, adding that on the day of election, no fewer than 120 would be in the field and people from the EU embassies would join.

Meanwhile, the police yesterday said it had made plans to pay all officers on election duty three days before the polls.

ACP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, made this known at the 2019 Nigeria General Election Strategic Stakeholder Engagement organised by Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF) in partnership with Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre CISLAC).

Mba, who was represented by CSP Al-Musyapha Sani, in the Force Public Relations Department, said that the measure became imperative to properly cater for their welfare and avoid instances where the policemen “”look out for help”.

“If you do not give a child food, definitely he will go out to look for food somewhere.

“That was why the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Mohammed directed that all allowances relating to election processes to every officer involved in the election must be paid before three days to elections.

“So, by today they should all get their allowances paid not by raw cash but sent to their accounts .’’

Mba said that there were a lot of changes taking place in the force to ensure credible election adding that structurally, there were new commissioners of police onboard.

He said though some people were insinuating that the transfer and posting of police was politically motivated, adding that it was not true because for the last three weeks there were vacancies and promotions that took place in the force.

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Army Establishes Situation Room to Monitor Election Violence Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja In a renewed bid to track election violence ahead of next Saturday’s election, the Nigerian Army yesterday launched the 2019 Election Monitoring Situation Room which it said was configured for real-time monitoring of events during the general election.

Speaking in Abuja, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur

Buratai, said the situation room is a proactive measure designed to track potential violent activities during the election.

He said the situation room would track likely pre-election violence, violence during the election and post-election violence.

According to him, “It is pertinent to state that the post-election violence which characterised previous elections clearly highlights the challenges

posed by incidents of electoral violence in the country. Hence, the army saw the need to devise new strategies of stemming such ugly tides or completely eliminating same.

“Lessons learnt from previous election violence witnessed have categorised the nature or types of

violence into three broad categories namely: pre-election violence, violence during elections and post-election violence.

“Violence at the various phases of elections includes thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes and papers or kidnapping or abduction of electoral officers and

party agents as well as wanton destruction of lives and property respectively.”

The army chief noted that “having observed this cycle of violence reoccur severally in our past electioneering processes, the Nigerian army has thus deemed it necessary to adopt a proactive and responsive posture

that would allow us to better respond to early signs of insecurity before they could escalate into a major security challenge.

“It is in this light that the army has launched Operation Safe Conduct and also gone ahead to establish this situation room for real-time monitoring.”

Ignore Call to Boycott Elections, IWA Tells Ndigbo Ahead of the forthcoming elections, the umbrella body of Igbo organisations globally, Igbo World Assembly (IWA), has urged the Igbo extractions to ignore call from some quarters to boycott the presidential election.

While lamenting what the group described as discord orchestrated by the enemies of Ndiigbo both internally and externally, the Diaspora group in a world press conference yesterday addressed by the Chairman of IWA, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, insisted that Igbos should come out to participate in the democratic election without fear or favour.

“IWA supports Ohanaeze Ndiigbo as it works very closely with other socio-cultural groups across Nigeria, including Afenifere, Northern Elders Forum, Pan-Niger Delta Forum, and the Middle Belt Forum in endorsing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi, for the presidential election,” the group noted.

“IWA supports decisions taken

by Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the pursuit of Igbo interest and not political interest. The decisions may not be acceptable to some individuals, groups, state governments for their selfish politics,” the group added.

The group also rejected any attempt to suggest that Ohanaeze

Ndigbo is divided, adding that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is intact under the leadership of our President General, Chief Nnia Nwodo.

IWA said that Ohanaeze Igbo has been pursuing Igbo agenda in many issues, including, restructuring of the Country, Federal Character appointments which have not been reflected in this present government, the insecurity in the country and the killing of innocent citizens by the Herdsmen, the politically motivated fight against corruption and flagrant abuse of rule of law, among others.

“IWAIgbo will support and takes a strong position in matters of interest for Ndigbo and Nigeria in general in the areas of good governance, rule of law, security of lives and property, equity and fairness in the corporate Nigeria, youth development, among others”, the group assured.

The group disclosed that they represent Ohanaeze Ndiigbo Diaspora Committee.

“It is very important to bring to your attention this structural fact to Ndiigbo home and abroad. “ It is also important to note that IWA has been working very closely with Ohanaeze Ndiigbo for years both in normal times and in every turbulent and challenging times to this present status whereby Ohanaeze Ndiigbo is accepted as the mouth piece of Ndigbo globally”, the diaspora Igbo explained

Sanwo-Olu Team Adopts Innovative Story-telling Strategy The Babajide Olusola SanwoOlu (BOS) camp has taken its campaign higher with its innovative night campaign strategy aimed at bringing Sanwo-Olu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Lagos State even closer to the people The initiative tagged: ‘BOS Night Campaign’, which will run till the end of February, according to his camp, will deepen the conversation around Sanwo-Olu’s vision for Lagos and its residents.

Partnering Brand Building Company, Irradeate and Lighting Tech Company Light and Lyrics, the project team is using ultra-high definition light projectors to beam video content about Sanwo-Olu at strategic locations across various local government area across the state.

Spokesperson for the project management team, Peter Nnamonu, said the project is driven by the need to deepen

public participation, which has become the most acceptable persuasion of democracy.

He said: “We have come this far because of the involvement of Lagosians in the campaign, and we cannot but continue to explore other innovative options to make it more inclusive. Democracy is not just about competition among political parties and candidates, it is more about people and public participation.

“The BOS Night Campaign is about making the campaign, which has become more of a movement, more participatory.

Both online and offline, everyone can join in telling the positive story of the APC and Sanwo-Olu.” The project, according to him, seeks to crystallise the campaign grassroots apparatus of SanwoOlu into a village-square model, allowing the positive story of the candidate to be shared and highlighted with a view to strengthening his electoral value.

GOVERNOR OF THE PEOPLE...

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, (fourth left), during the payment of severance allowance to 793 former political office holders, at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta... yesterday

MALAMI DIRECTS INEC TO POSTPONE ELECTIONS IN ZAMFARA INEC to reject it.

He berated the APC for taking Nigerians for a ride.

“This letter is wrong. It shows that they are desperate. INEC should reject it. They see Nigeria as an APC entity. They don’t believe that Nigeria is not for APC alone but to all Nigerians. It is a wrong request that should be ignored,” he said However, THISDAY’s investigation revealed that the Court of Appeal in Sokoto yesterday validated the position of the INEC that the APC in Zamfara State does not have candidates for the governorship, National Assembly and state House of Assembly elections coming up on February 16 and March 2.

The court, presided over

by Justice Jumai Sankey, with other members of the panel, Justices Ndukwe Anyanwu and Vincent Abiru, dismissed the appeal and the motion filed by Governor Abdulaziz Yari and Alhaji Muktar Idris praying the court to be allowed to contest the elections.

It upheld the argument of Chief Ozekhome and Mr. Isiaka Dikko (SAN) that the notice of discontinuance earlier filed on February 11 by Hon. Sani Jaji under Order 11 Rules 1 and 5 of the Court of Appeal Rules had completely extinguished the appeal upon which Idris’ counsel, Mr. Mahmud Magaji (SAN), had predicated his motion filed on February 8.

Magaji had prayed the court to grant him interlocutory orders allowing Idris to contest the governorship, and Yari to contest as a senatorial candidate before the main appeal is heard.

He argued that the motion was brought to the court on February 8 to hear the appeal on February 19, 2019 based on its merit.

He further affirmed that the appellant later accused the former panel of the court of bias, which led to the reconstitution of a new panel by the president of the court.

The court in dismissing Jaji’s withdrawn appeal, also made consequential orders dismissing the motion of Yari and Idris, among other applicants, who had

asked to be allowed to contest the elections pending the hearing of the main appeal.

The court agreed fully with Ozekhome, who cited several Supreme Court decisions, and argued that once the appeal was discontinued, Yari and Muktar, who had not cross appealed or asked for variation under Order 9 of the Court of Appeal Rules cannot compel Jaji to go on with his appeal.

Ozekhome specifically argued that the case was dead since the appellant declined to continue with the case.

He based his argument on Order 9 Rule 5 of the court, praying the court to strike out the appeal since there was no cross appeal.

“The case is like a corpse in the mortuary ready to be disposed,” Ozekhome said.

The learned silk also submitted that they could not predicate their prayers to be allowed to contest on a non-existent appeal, which had died.

After listening to all the argument, the court dismissed the appeal and the motion filed

by Yari and Idris praying that they be allowed to contest the elections.

Reacting to the verdict, Jaji said he was happy because some people would like to use the appeal to enforce the judgment of the state High Court, which directed INEC to recognise the candidates of the Yari faction in the state.

On his part, Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa, who is among the G8 and one of the respondents praised the decision of the court.

He extolled Ozekhome for his logical arguments, saying if there is anything more than senior advocate, he should have been given.

“You know Yari cannot win election in Zamfara State, he would like to ride on federal might to come through the back door.

“In Zamfara today, killings are ongoing on unabated, our people are being kidnapped, raped as if we don’t have government, it is not about the party but about my people,” Marafa said.

WAV, STG Sign Settlement Agreement Peter Uzoho The over two years of dispute between the West African Ventures (WAV), a 100 per cent Nigerian company and Sea Truck Group (STG), a British Virgin Island company, has finally ended through a commercial settlement.

WAV and STG had been engaged in a protracted commercial dispute that resulted in several court and arbitration actions in Nigeria and outside Nigeria until the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB)

and the National Petroleum Development Management Services (NAPIMS) mediated and facilitated a commercial settlement rather than a legal resolution between the parties.

The settlement agreement, which provided for satisfaction of limited conditions, was formalised on Tuesday at the agreement signing ceremony chaired by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. SimbiWabote, thereby bringing the settlement agreement to a conclusion.

In his remarks, Wabote commended the amicable resolution of the dispute, saying

it is a win-win for the two companies and the oil and gas industry.

He said: “In every business endeavour, there are disagreements and individual interests but the most important thing is having the mindset to settle through dialogue rather than getting through legal tussle that will last for a very long time that will create a lose-lose for everybody.

“So, if businesses see people with integrity and reputation, that they want to bring in to enable them settle any of their rift, they should bring those people in and be able to sit round the table and

iron out their individual differences rather than resorting to legal battles that will last forever. So, my advice to businesses that are in conflict is to create the opportunity to dialogue because for every problem there is solution.”

Wabote pointed out that the significance of the peace agreement and the decision to work together amicably was to correct the impression outside the country where people believe that coming to invest in Nigeria as an international business would only leave people to losing their investment and assets.

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ÜÙßÚ ÚÙÜÞÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ Duro Ikhazuagbe ×ËÓÖ duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Mali Edges Nigeria to Reach U-20 AFCON Final Flying Eagles’ dream of winning a record eight Africa Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations varnished yesterday after Aniekeme Okon blasted his spot kick against the crossbar in the semi final of the 2019 edition in Niamey, Niger.

Both Nigeria and Mali had ended regulation and extra time 1-1 to warrant penalty shoot out to decide who grabs the ticket to the final.

But it was Mali’s El Bilal Toure who converted his final kick to send the Malians through to their second final on 4-3 scoreline.Valentine Uzornwafor earlier also lost his kick in the shootout.

It was a sweet revenge for the Malians who had lost to Nigeria in the semifinal of the Under-20 WAFU Cup in Togo last December.

The Flying Eagles will now play the losers’ final on Saturday against the losers of the other semifinal between Senegal and South Africa.

Group A winners Flying Eagles started brightly, imposing their preferred short passing approach on the match and eventually finishing the regulation time

with 63 per cent of the pos- that vicious marksman who double save in the 43rd minute counter attack as goalkeeper no clear-cut opportunites in the when the Nigerians thought Olawale Oremade went to the extra time of 30 minutes. takes no prisoners. session in their favour. ground too early.

Mali goalkeeper Youssouf they had beaten him.

The Flying Eagles wore Lassana N’Diaye, Hadji Drame, Substitute Pascal Onyekachi Abdoulaye Diaby and El Bilal Mamadou Traore gifted Mali black armbands in honour of Koita was also in inspired form, former Secretary General and stopping shots and headers, the opener in the 78th minute, restored parity, blasting home Toure made good from the spot Board Member of the Nigeria most notably an incredible lashing home from a swift from a loose ball. There were for Mali.

Football Federation, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi who passed away on Monday, and the match started with a one –minute silence in honour of the departed football administrator as the Confederation of African Football acknowledged the stature of the former Nigeria international defender.

Nigeria’s romance with the crossbar started in the 3rd minute, when Abubakar Ibrahim’s pull-out was diverted to the Malian crossbar. A minute later, Alhassan Adamu’s free kick was tipped over and then, Jamil Muhammed’s teasing pull-out was headed over the bar by Yahaya Nazifi.

In their determination to accomplish a second target of winning the championship trophy, after a first objective of earning a World Cup ticket was achieved with a place in the semi finals, the Flying Eagles launched onslaught after onslaught and Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale (right) battling for ball possession with Hakim Ziyech of Ajax during their UEFA Champions League game in Amcreated opportunities, but lacked sterdam last night. Real Madrid won away 2-1 while Tottenham Hotspur defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-0

Sanwo-Olu to Revisit Failed Lagos Bid toTake over National Stadium r1MFEHFT JNQSPWFNFOU JO TQPSUT TFDUPS JG FMFDUFE HPWFSOPS Femi Solaja The Gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has promised to give sports sector a special boost if elected in the coming elections.

Specifically, Sanwo-Olu who was on a special visit to the secretariat of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Lagos Chapter, promised he would revisit the failed bid of the state to take over the National Stadium, Surulere.

Lagos submitted a bid in 2016 for full take over of the 45-year old complex but the proposal did not get the approval of Federal Government.

“I don’t know what is wrong with us in this country. Why should a Director or Permanent Secretary that the Presidency directed to look into the concession bid of Lagos fail to carry out such instructions simply because they did not see the good in the project?

“A project meant for about 20 million people that live in Lagos was sat upon by those

Gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (left), Chairman of Lagos Chapter of Sportswriters Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Debo Osundun, and a chieftain of Lagos APC during Sanwo-Olu’s visit to the SWAN Secretariat in Lagos…yesterday

opposed to the state taking over the sports complex while the facility continues to rot.

Lagos State, I understand, wrote the bids, pleading for the take over to benefit its citizens and to put it into good use.

“I have discussed with the Chairman (of Lagos State

CAF Confed Cup: Enugu Rangers Pull 1-1 Draw inTunisia Nigeria’s Enugu Rangers have made an impressive outing in the first of their two visits to Tunisia as the CAF Confederation Cup gets into full swing.

The Nigerian flag bearers forced a 1-1 draw with their hosts, CS Sfaxien in the match day two of proposed six yesterday evening.

Rangers are due to return to Tunisia to face Etoile du Sahel on February 24. CS Sfaxien drew the first blood with Alaa Marzouki scoring

in the 71st minute.

But the home side was silenced when Pape Ousmane Sane drew level for Rangers barely two minutes later.

Try as much as the Tunisians did, they could not get the winner, even with added six minutes to the regulation time.

Rangers, with four points and surplus goals of two now top Group A. They are followed

by CS Sfaxien which have the same number of points, but a with a goal advantage.

Sports Commission) on the next line of action which is to intensify our efforts, and maybe we will have to go through the legislative arm of government since we have the majority leader in the House of Representatives from Lagos.”

Sanwo-Olu pleaded with the Federal Government to take

another look into the request of Lagos to take over the stadium and put it into good use.

“The Federal government should grant us access to the biggest sporting facility in the country which has been locked down and we will put it to good use if we are elected,” he pleaded.

Ogunjobi’s Death Shocks Organisers of Nigeria PitchAwards The Organisers of the prestigious Nigeria Pitch Awards have expressed shock at the death of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, a former Nigerian football star and former General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, said he was shocked when the news of the death of Chief Ogunjobi got to him. ‘I couldn’t believe it when the news first got to me. He was full of life the last time we met’, Philips said.

‘Ogunjobi’s death is a loss of unimaginable proportion. He has done so much for our football both as a footballer and an administrator and somebody like that should be around to help sustain the development of our football.’ Philips continued.

‘We commiserate with the President of the NFF, Mr Amaju Pinnick, the Board and management

teams, the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi and the entire football family in Nigeria. We pray God will grant his family the fortitude to bear this loss and grant them long life and sound health,’ he concluded.

Chief Ogunjobi was the captain of the Nigerian academicals in the 1970s before joining the IICC Shooting Stars. He was a member of the then Green Eagles who won the silver medal at the 1984 African Cup of Nations played in Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire).

Chief Ogunjobi managed the IICC Shooting Stars and Julius Berger Football Club before becoming the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Association as the Federation was then known. Until his death, he was the Chairman of the Osun State Football Association.

The Nigeria Pitch Awards have honoured Nigerian past and present football heroes since 2013.

LaLiga Hosts Derbies Close Up Event in Lagos Okpuzor Ezekiel In its bid to raise awareness on Spanish derby matches, LaLiga Nigeria, has organised a close-up event for some selected media outfits in Nigeria.

According to the management, the event is to educate sports journalists on the passion and culture of each derby games in the Spanish topflight.

Speaking at the event in Lagos, yesterday, Managing Director, LaLiga Nigeria, Javier

Del Rio, said LaLiga derbies are more than just football, noting that they are about tradition, history, and culture.

He said that they are some of the most exciting matches in the world and are also some of the fiercely contested rivalries in world football.

Javier Del Rio further reinstated that purpose of gathering the Nigerian sports media is to intimate them of the different derby matches in Spanish football.

According to him: “The aim of the event was to

raise awareness for each of the derbies being played in LaLiga during the 2nd half of the season; namely Madrid derbi between Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid; El Gran derbi between Sevilla FC and Real Betis; Valencian derbi between Valencia CF and Levante UD; Basque Derbi between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao and finally Catalan Derbi between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol.

“We saw this as an opportunity to present the various major derbies coming up in

LaLiga to the Nigerian sports media, in a bid to educate them on the passion and culture of each derby.

“We found that many people only know about the El Clasico as a big game in LaLiga and El Clasico is not even a Derby,” he explained.

On the commitment in Nigeria, the MD, said aside building the brand’s presence in the country, “we are committed to supporting the growth of grassroots football in Nigeria and inspiring new fans of the beautiful game.”

5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019

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MISSILE Atiku Abubakar to Muhammadu Buhari “This President is preaching violence. We want peace, development and prosperity. We are not ready to fight ourselves again” – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and opposition PDP presidential candidate, accusing President Buhari of inciting violence in the manner he spoke during his campaign in Zamfara State.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

The Choice Before Nigeria... 2 T

hat both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the court can now hold political parties to account in the manner they nominate their candidates may not seem like progress to some people. But what happened to the All Peoples Congress (APC) in Rivers State is a significant blow to impunity. Meanwhile, against the background that never in the history of electioneering in Nigeria has the ruling party been denied opportunity to field candidates because of the manner it conducted its primaries, there is a lot to say for President Muhammadu Buhari in that regard.

What the development suggests is that critical institutions are still relatively free under the current dispensation. If the decision had gone against the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I doubt if anybody would have believed that it was not orchestrated by the party in power. The message from the court ruling is that for any democracy to thrive, political parties must provide a level-playing field for all members to compete. The big issue here is that by closing the space for fair competition within the parties, the power of the electorate has been circumscribed with regards to choosing between credible alternatives.

Sadly, our politicians may not even learn any lesson from that. The contempt with which many of them relate with the people is reflected not only in the manner in which they impose candidates but also in the phantom votes they pledge ahead of every election. That perhaps explains why voters now express their preferences on the basis of momentary gains (loaves of bread, sachets of milk, small bags of rice or some miserable cash) totally oblivious to how the choices they make could come back to haunt them one, two or three years down the line.

With the Nigerian Traders for PMB (NTFPMB) promising ten million votes to join the six million votes that the Bus Conductor Association of Nigeria (BCAN) national president, Mr Israel Adeshola, is mobilising and the 11 million votes already pledged by the Fulani Youths Association of Nigeria (Jonde Jam), I wonder why Buhari is still campaigning for votes. If you join all these with the five million votes that the Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, keeps promising and another five million votes that the former governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isah Yuguda pledged last week, this election is already in the bag for the president. But we have not even come to the mega votes.

Brig-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), who chairs the APC Central Working Committee of the Women and Youth Presidential Campaign has pledged to Buhari 60 million votes. A northern association, Buhari Osinbajo Dynamic Support Group, has also assured Buhari of 40 million votes. From the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), a Fulani socio-cultural group, Buhari can bank on 20 million votes. And from the southwest, the APC zonal coordinator for the Presidential Campaign Council, Chief Olusola Oke (SAN) has pledged to mobilise a modest eight million votes for Buhari. To cap it all, former Akwa Ibom State governor who is currently a senator, Godswill Akpabio said he would personally deliver 10 million

Atiku votes to Buhari come Saturday.

If you think these votes are enough for Buhari to go to sleep, then it shows that you are yet to be ‘Atikulated’. The 21st Century Youths of Nigeria for Restructuring, in a statement signed by its leader, Izon Ebi said “We want to assure the PDP and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar that 18,077,427 votes are already intact waiting.” There was no guess work, they know the exact number of votes that will be delivered to Atiku on Saturday just from one source. The Grassroots Network 4 Atiku (GNA) 2019 will add a modest 10 million votes to that. The Atikulation 2019 Movement has also pledged to mobilize 10 million votes across North-West zone for Atiku, while the Coalition of Saraki Advocates for Atiku (COSAA) will deliver six million votes.

From the Atiku/Obi Presidential Movement, 10 million votes are already in the bank for the former Vice President. The Atiku/Obi Vanguard for Good Governance plans to deliver additional 12 million votes.

The Eastern Peoples Front, (EPF) is mobilising 26.7 million prospective voters of Igbo ethnic origin for Atiku who is deemed “the only

There is no shortage of reasons to vote for or against either Buhari or Atiku.

Choosing one or the other is a right for any voter. It is important that we yield not to the temptation to despise those who make a choice that is different from ours

Buhari one committed to handing over to Ndigbo and he has pledged to reposition Nigeria because the country has never been as divided as it is now”. According to the EPF national leader, Elder Ken Emechebe, former minister for power, Prof Osita Nebo, Senator Azu Agboti, Dr Ifedi Okwenna, among other representatives from the south east states, the group is in complete agreement with Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s endorsement of Atiku/Obi for this Saturday’s presidential election. “There are 26.7 million registered voters of Igbo origin and we are getting them to vote for Atiku,” Emechebe said.

I can go on and on to list the numerous politicians and groups that have promised millions of votes for either Buhari or Atiku but I think the point is already made about our peculiar kind of democracy. That is also reflected in the state of our country today and the lack of accountability that defines public life. For those who can discern the times, hard choices lie ahead regardless of who wins on Saturday. Yet, we have a situation in which schools are being closed and our children sent home on holiday just because we want to hold an election.

Before I conclude, let me pay a special homage to Dr Kingsley Moghalu, Mr Fela Durotoye as well as my two friends in the presidential race: Omoyele Sowore and Tope Fashua. Any of these four is eminently qualified to be president and I must commend their efforts and sacrifices in the past few months.

The reason I have not lent support to their aspiration is obvious. As I stated recently, going by the geo-political consensus that defines elections in Nigeria, 2019 presidency has for long been ceded to the North. Because these gentlemen hail from the south, I knew from the outset that they were swimming against the tide. But their time will come.

Since the campaigns are not issue-based, making a choice in this election is not very easy for the non-partisans. Buhari supporters want Nigerians to believe that a vote for Atiku is a vote for corruption and profligacy. On the other hand, Atiku’s supporters see in the continuation of Buhari a vote for incompetence

and nepotism. On Saturday, I am going to vote for either of these two as a civic responsibility.

After the votes are counted, I am not going to invest my emotions on the outcome. Whoever wins between Buhari and Atiku, it is not going to affect the way I live my life or how I relate with anybody afterwards.

But I worry for many of our young people who have been recruited to work for some of these politicians. Many of them are unwittingly tweeting their future away as I warned in my lecture at Baze University in September 2017: http://www.thisdaylive.com/index. php/2017/09/27/the-perils-of-social-media/.

The critical question is: Are these politicians on whose behalf they make enemies for themselves worth the trouble? I do not think so. I have a story to back my misgivings.

Early in 1993, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, the then Senate President under the General Ibrahim Babangida’s curious transition to civil rule programme, led a delegation of Senators to visit the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe in Enugu. I was among the reporters taken along for the road trip. In the course of the return journey the next day, it was decided that there would be a stopover at the country home of Senator Ameh Ebute in Benue State for lunch. By the time we got to Ebute’s village, we were already famished.

While the Senators entered the inner recess of the house, we (journalists, assembly staff and drivers) were kept outside, waiting for our food. We became all the more expectant when we heard the sound of yam being pounded. But after what turned out to be a long wait, the Senators appeared from the house with David Iornem, chair of the Information committee picking his teeth, before addressing us, “Gentlemen, we have to go now.” Seeing how shocked we were, Iornem burst into a mischievous laugh and added, “when we arrived here about an hour ago, we discovered that the pounded yam would not go round. So, the Senate President put the issue to debate. After an exhaustive deliberation, it was resolved that since we (senators) are your servants we should eat first. When you get to Abuja, then you (our masters) can eat.”

Although Iornem relayed the message to us as a joke, I learnt a significant lesson from that episode about Nigerian politicians and their notion of public service. That then explains why it is easy for them to criss-cross political parties at every election season. In 2015, Senator Smart Adeyemi was the PDP candidate for Kogi West Senatorial district. He was defeated by Dino Melaye of APC. This time around, Melaye is the candidate of PDP in the same election while Adeyemi is now the APC flagbearer. More noteworthy is that both Governors Amosun and Okorocha are running for Senate on APC platform while sponsoring gubernatorial candidates on the platforms of other parties.

As Nigerians therefore go to the polls on Saturday to elect the next president, there is no shortage of reasons to vote for or against either Buhari or Atiku. Choosing one or the other is a right for any voter. It is important that we yield not to the temptation to despise those who make a choice that is different from ours.

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