THURSDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2019

Aliko Dangote Now 64th Richest Man in the World Worth $16.6bn, still number one in Africa Eromosele Abiodun President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has significantly moved up in the world billionaires’ list

as he emerged 64th richest person in the world, with an estimated worth of $16.6 billion, as against his previous ranking of 103rd in the world.

Dangote, who remains the

richest man in Africa for the eighth year running, was the only Nigerian on the list of the top 500 billionaires, as released last week by Bloomberg in its yearly billionaires list.

Jeff Bezos remains the richest in the world with $136 billion in his kitty while Bill Gates and Warren Buffett followed as second and third respectively with

$98.4 billion and $83 billion on the world billionaires’ chart, which is dominated by North Americans.

Dangote’s estimated worth in the latest Bloomberg ranking

far outstrips an earlier ranking by the Forbes Magazine, another elite publication, which placed his fortune at $10.8bn Continued on page 6

Stock Market Capitalisation Down by N85bn... Page 8 Thursday 28 February, 2019 Vol 24. No 8726. Price: N250

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Atiku: This is the Worst Election in 30 Years Adedayo Akinwale and Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja

RESETTING THE AGENDA...

L-R: Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha, during the presentation of certificate of return to the president in Abuja… yesterday

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last Saturday’s election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has described the poll conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the worst he has seen in 30 years, vowing to retrieve his mandate.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had in the early hours of yesterday declared the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Continued on page 6

My Election is Victory for Nigeria, Says Buhari Promises inclusive govt Receives certificate of return UK, China, others congratulate president on his re-election Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday moved to assuage feelings injured by his victory at last Saturday’s presidential

contest, telling his supporters to be magnanimous in victory and not humiliate those that lost out at the poll.

Receiving his certificate of return along with Vice

President Yemi Osinbajo from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the president said his re-election by Nigerians is victory for the country and

promised to run an inclusive government.

The electoral body had yesterday morning declared the president as the winner with over 15 million votes

against over 11 million votes scored by his closest rival and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Presenting the certificates to

the president and his deputy at the International Conference Centre (ICC), INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said Continued on page 8

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Election Observer Groups Score INEC 80% Situation Room insists on probe of shortcomings Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Some domestic observer groups numbering 20 yesterday rose in defence of the efforts put in by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the last presidential election in the country.

In their assessment of the performance of the electoral umpire, the observer groups rated INEC 80 per cent, which they said was within international benchmark.

But the position of the domestic observers contrasted sharply with that of the Nigeria Civil Society coalition,

the Situation Room, which insisted that the conduct of the polls fell below expectations.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the spokesman of the observer groups and National Coordinator of Organisation of Justice for Equity Sustenance, Mr. Tunde Bafunsho, said there is no doubt that the presidential election marked an appreciable improvement on the previous poll of 2015.

In terms of voter turnout, Bafunsho said Saturday's participation of voters was overwhelming and unprecedented in the history of the country, adding

that there was massive participation of women.

"We wish to commend the electoral management body for their immeasurable contributions to the success recorded during the just concluded presidential and National Assembly poll,” the groups said.

They said of particular interest was the separation of presidential and National Assembly collation centers where presiding officers conducted their activities professionally and transparently.

The observer groups advised that with the conclusion of the presidential

election and announcement of the winner, the winner must be magnanimous in victory while losers must also accept defeat with dignity.

They said: "Conducting elections anywhere is never an easy task and requires the constructive input of all stakeholders, including political parties, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders as well as the entire citizenry.

“It is our considered view that the postponement of the presidential National Assembly elections originally slated for the l6 of February and 23 or March 2019 respectively, evidently helped

in putting certain measures in place that culminated in the success recorded eventually on the February 23."

Meanwhile the Situation Room has insisted that the election did not meet the preset expectations of Nigerians in terms of quality and credibility.

A statement issued yesterday by the Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, and Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Mr. Clement Nwankwo, said from the observations of the group, that a lot of the expectations on its threshold document were not met.

It, however, urged Nigerians not to allow the shortcomings of the presidential poll to dampen their spirit but be prepared to come out in large numbers to vote on March 9 during the governorship and House of Assembly election.

While congratulating Buhari on his re-election, the Situation Room urged candidates, political parties and indeed citizens, who are aggrieved with the processes and outcome of the elections to go to court.

"Nigeria’s constitutional and legal frameworks have provided avenues to ventilate and seek redress," it said.

billion naira ($2.4 billion) in 2017. It also has interests in sugar, salt, flour, fertiliser and packaged food.

It would be recalled that Dangote, was also recently named as the sixth most charitable man in the world

by Richtopia, a digital periodical that covers business, economics, and financial news, based in the United Kingdom.

This recognition came after he endowed his foundation, the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) to the tune of $1.25 billion.

Warren Buffett, Bill Gates

and J.K Rowlings occupied the first three positions on the World Charitable lists, while Oprah Winfrey and Elon Musk occupied the fourth and fifth positions respectively. Aside Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank for Africa was 11th on the list and these two were the only Nigerians on that list.

Dangote started his foundation in 1981, with a mission to enhance opportunities for social change through strategic investments that improve health and wellbeing, promote quality

education, and broaden economic empowerment opportunities.

Aliko Dangote Foundation was, however, incorporated in 1994 as a charity in Lagos, Nigeria. 20 years later, the foundation has become the largest private foundation in sub-Saharan Africa, with the largest endowment by a single African donor.

The primary focus of Aliko Dangote Foundation is health and nutrition, supported by wrap-around interventions in education, empowerment, and humanitarian relief.

people, concede defeat and congratulate President Buhari on his well deserved victory at the just concluded elections, especially as there are credible evidence that the elections have been generally peaceful, free and fair.

“Such concession on the part of the main challenger would be in the overall interest of Nigeria and place him among global democrats.”

The ACF also urged other contestants to be magnanimous in defeat and congratulate their opponents who won.

The forum commended INEC for conducting smooth and transparent elections, and refusing “to be intimidated or cajoled by the initial logistic challenges, which led to the postponement of the elections by one week and other unfortunate incidences.”

ACF also saluted resilient Nigerians for their personal sacrifices to not only exercise their franchise by voting candidates of their choice but also to ensure that their votes got counted.

“We equally salute other stakeholders, especially the National Peace Committee of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, foreign and domestic election observers and many others for their wise counsel and commitment to peaceful election,” it said even as it also appreciated the efforts of security agencies in making the elections relatively peaceful.

The forum congratulated President Buhari on his reelection and tasked him to strengthen national unity and inclusiveness so that no section or group is left out.

Don’t Go to Court, Agbakoba Tells Atiku

Petition Tribunal. But that, in my view, is not the right decision.

“We look forward to a new Nigeria, strong and united; a new Nigeria that will not vote on the basis of ethnic and primordial sentiments.”

The SAN noted that the voting pattern of last Saturday’s presidential election showed that ethnicity played a significant role in the election.

He said both the APC and the PDP benefited from “primordial voting.”

According to him, “The excepted zone is the Southwest, where voting occurred on the basis of issues.

“The significance and consequence of the 2019 presidential election are huge unless we are able to reverse it.

“2023 will follow the pattern of 2019 unless we do something about it.”

ALIKO DANGOTE NOW 64TH RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD in the 2019 Forbes Africa’s Billionaires’ list released in January, although he retained the rank as the richest African for the eighth consecutive year in the latter ranking.

There are only five Africans on the Bloomberg list of the world’s top 500 billionaires, with Dangote topping the group. The other four Africans included Nicky Oppenheimer of South Africa, who was ranked No. 216 with an estimated worth of $7.05 billion; Johann Rupert of South Africa (ranked No. 225 with an estimated worth of

$6.92bn); and Natie Kash of South Africa (ranked No. 263 with an estimated worth of $6.10bn). The fifth and last African on the list of 500 HNW individuals was Naguib Sawiris of Egypt, ranked No. 331 with an estimated fortune of $5.12bn.

Bloomberg is a global information and technology company, that connect decision makers to a dynamic network of data, people and ideas – “accurately delivering business and financial information, news and insights to customers around

the world.” Bloomberg L.P. provides financial software tools such as an analytics and equity trading platform, data services, and news to financial companies and organisations through the Bloomberg Terminal.’

Africa's richest man, with his improved worth of $16.6 billion, controls Dangote Industries, a closely held conglomerate.

The Lagos, Nigeria-based company owns sub-Saharan Africa's biggest cement producer, Dangote Cement, which had revenue of N805.6

ATIKU: THIS IS THE WORST ELECTION IN 30 YEARS Buhari, as the winner of the contest having polled a total of 15,191,847 votes to Atiku’s 11,262,978 votes.

But, while addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, Atiku noted that democracy is the government of the people and by the people only when the people’s choice prevails, saying that did not happen last Saturday.

The former vice president stressed that the Election Day witnessed the implementation of grand theft of the people’s will, adding: “I am not one for hyperbole, so I will just let the facts speak for themselves.”

Atiku explained that in Akwa Ibom for instance, the result showed a statistical impossibility of a 62 per cent drop in voter numbers from the 2015 elections even where voter registration and PVC collection rate were much higher in 2015.

According to him, “This is why voter suppression took place. You must recall, our party made this observation and complain before the elections that there were plans to implement voter suppression on PDP or opposition’s strongholds in voter increase in APC strongholds.”

Atiku lamented that this pattern was repeated in strongholds of PDP including in states like Delta, Rivers, Abia and Benue.

He stated: “As this was occurring, we saw another statistical impossibility where the real numbers tallied increased astronomically in Borno State by an almost miraculous 82 per cent in the midst of insecurity.

“This pattern was

also repeated in other strongholds of the APC states. One begins to ask if insecurity is conduits to higher voter turnout and security is antithetical to high voter turnout. It is further curious that the PDP’s margin of victory in state outside the Southeast and South-south were extremely slim across board.

That again is a statistical impossibility.

“The fact is that when you calmly look at the numbers declared by INEC as results of February 23, 2019 elections, they do not add up at all. Let me say that I am not speaking as a member of PDP, I am speaking as a Nigerian when I said the electoral fraud perpetuated by the Buhari administration this past Saturday cannot produce a government of the people for the simple reason that it does not reflect the will of the Nigerian people.

“I told Gen. Abdulsalami two nights ago when he called me that not even the military conducted such a worst election. This is a long journey but I am confident of victory. All hope is not lost, stay strong. By the grace of God, we shall triumph.

“As I have always said, this year, is my three decades in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy. And this is the worst election in those 30 years.

“My dear Nigerians, it is for this reason that I Atiku Abubakar reject the result declared by the INEC, which declared Muhammadu Buhari as duly returned by the majority of the lawful votes.”

Atiku noted that he was conferring with not just his party but also Nigerian

people on the next step, which would be revealed to the public shortly.

The former vice president, however, appealed to Nigerians to remain calm and steadfast, saying Rome was not built in a day.

He said the party has the real figures and the facts that have spoken so loudly on Saturday.

He added: “To the international investors and friends of Nigeria now pulling out of the country, can you imagine only yesterday, by that mere announcement, the stock market, lost N85bn.

I urge you to be patient and keep faith with the Nigerian people.

“Your problem is not with the Nigerian people; your quarrel is with those who stole their mandate. Please do not punish the people by divesting from Nigeria.”

ACF Urges Acceptance of Defeat Reacting to Buhari’s emergence yesterday, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) urged Atiku to concede victory to Buhari.

A statement by ACF National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad IbrahimBiu, made available to THISDAY in Kaduna, said Atiku should accept the will of the people.

It stated: “The ACF salutes the courage of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for putting up a gallant fight with an impressive performance in the presidential elections.

“The forum calls on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of PDP as a committed democrat who cherishes peaceful democratic transition, to accept the will of the

Meanwhile, as Atiku is preparing to head to court to challenge the victory of Buhari, a former President of NBA, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, has advised him to perish the thought.

In a piece titled, ‘2019 Presidential Election: Ethnic Consideration Vs Governance Consideration,’ written by Agbakoba yesterday, he advised the PDP presidential candidate against approaching the court, but to accept the outcome.

Agbakoba said: “I understand the PDP is aggrieved at the outcome of the election and alleged massive irregularities. I urge former Vice President Atiku Abubakar not to approach the Election Petition Tribunal.

“He might have (been) moved backwards by his loss, but he should not lose sight of the legacy and greatness that lie in front of him.”

The SAN described Atiku as being in a position to take up the mantle of a statesman and build a ‘new Nigeria movement’ from the array of small parties, third force actors, change actors and millions who were desperate for a strong and united Nigeria.

“There is also a lot of work to be done in both political and electoral reforms. I request former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step into the shoes.”

He, however, said he did not mean that the election was devoid of irregularities.

He said: “I can see how tempting it is to take the option of the Election

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Stock Market Capitalisation Down by N85bn Moody’s: Nigeria’s credit challenges remain Analysts urge president to focus on policies to accelerate growth Goddy Egene, James Emejo and Nume Ekeghe Stocks listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) declined further yesterday as investors appeared not to be enthusiastic about the outcome of the presidential election, which was won by the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari.

Precisely, while the NSE AllShare Index (ASI) fell 0.71 per cent to close lower at 32,244.24 from 32,473.82, the previous day, the market capitalisation shed N85 billion to close at N12.024 trillion.

The market had dipped by 0.57 per cent on Tuesday when some investors, who became impatient with the delay in the announcement of the results of the presidential election decided to sell, while other remained on the sidelines.

However, the negative trend continued yesterday as the NSE ASI declined further with 30 stocks depreciating, compared with only 10 stocks that appreciated.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Buhari as the winner of the presidential election, thus securing his second-term as

president.

However, following his reelection for another term of four years, financial market analysts have advised the president to focus on major economic reforms in order to stimulate growth in the economy.

This is just as Moody’s Investor Service, one of the global rating agencies, in reaction to the election outcome, pointed out that Nigeria’s credit challenges have not reduced.

Speaking with THISDAY yesterday, a professor of finance and capital market at the Nasarawa State University, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, said the president’s agenda should revolve around the three pillars on which his administration’s transformation agenda was anchored.

According to him, tackling corruption and insecurity- both of which had negatively impacted the economy in the last four years, should be the focus of Buhari's second term.

He said: “The president's agenda should continue to revolve around the three pillars on which the government's transformation agenda is anchored.

“He should intensify efforts at

NSE CEO, Oscar Onyema tackling corruption and insecurity - two key factors that negatively impact the economy, especially the farmers-herders conflict, which shuts out agricultural output and drives up inflation rate.

“The president should look beyond his party in assembling a strong cabinet and economic team to drive the next level agenda with a focus on job creation.”

But the Vice President of Moody’s, Aurelien Mali, in a note to THISDAY, stated that “Nigeria’s credit challenges remain and include a low growth environment, very high exposure to fluctuations in oil prices of

government revenues and export earnings, weak institutions, and high levels of corruption.”

Also, analysts at Lagos-based CSL Stockbrokers Limited, noted that in his second-term, President Buhari is faced with accelerating economic growth amid a tight fiscal environment, repressing insurgency and terrorism that has bedevilled the northern region for up to a decade.

“Following his re-election, we do not envisage significant changes in macro-economic fundamentals. We also believe that changes in the business environment will be muted.

“Hence, we do not anticipate a significant growth in job opportunities. In addition, we expect the government to continue borrowing aggressively to finance its infrastructure development plans in the wake of constrained revenues,” the firm stated.

In his contribution, the Chief Executive Officer, Eczellon Capital, Mr. Diekola Onaolapo, anticipated that the next four years would be characterised by the implementation of some of the key economic tenets of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), increased pressure on tax defaulters as the

government aims to increase the tax revenue of the country and also, the conceptualisation and implementation of policies which would improve the country’s Ease of Doing Business ranking.

“We also expect to see more direct market intervention or social improvement strategies like the MarketMoni and TraderMoni.

“On the effects on the debt and capital market, we expect that investors will return to the nation’s financial market,” he added.

The Group Managing Director, VFD Group Plc, Mr. Nonso Okpala, said most players in the business community would want to see good governance, conducive business environment, increased security and the rule of law.

“We would consistently support initiatives that would ensure that we get good environment to run our business,” Okpala said.

The CEO, Cowry Assets Management Limited, Johnson Chukwu, while speaking on AriseTV yesterday, said: “One expects that given that political uncertainty has been lifted, most of the economic indicators would begin to show some recovery.

“At the minimum, we should

expect some level of stability after the election results have been announced.

“The fact the government in the first four years was welfarist does not mean the government would continue to be welfarist.

“I think the government should seat back, review and analyse its economic policies and I expect more rigour in terms of economic focus in this government.”

On their part, analysts at Coronation Merchant Bank, stated that the APC’s renewed majority in the Senate is significant, adding that the Senate proved frustrating to Buhari’s agenda in his first term.

The firm anticipated that the budget would be passed quickly this year.

“Nigeria will almost certainly continue with a managed exchange rate. High economic growth rates were not a feature of the last APC administration.

That said, the trend in non-oil GDP growth, evident in recent data, suggests that the economy is doing better than earlier thought. As we argued in January, we believe that under such conditions there is upside risk in bank stocks,” it added.

rights,” she stated.

She reiterated the continued support of the UK Government to Nigeria and its civil society “in drawing lessons from these elections and strengthening its democracy.”

Also commenting on the election, the Chinese government pledged its readiness to work with new government of Buhari.

In a letter congratulating the president on his re-election, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lu Kang, said at a daily news conference in Beijing that Nigeria is China’s strategic partner of cooperation in Africa and as such the country will strengthen its partnership with Nigeria.

“China always attaches high importance to bilateral ties and stands ready to work with the new Nigerian government to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields and bring more benefits to the two peoples,” Lu said.

Taking to his verified Twitter handle, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta said Buhari’s victory was a demonstration of the confidence Nigerians have in his leadership.

He tweeted: “Congratulations H.E. @MBuhari on your reelection for a second term as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Your victory is a clear demonstration of the trust and confidence the people of Nigeria have in your ability to lead the country to greater heights of progress.”

Also, King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco, in a message, described President Buhari’s victory as an affirmation of the level of confidence Nigerians had in their president.

Mohammed promised to work with President Buhari to advance the interests of both countries. ‘‘Your re-election is a testimony to the level of confidence that you enjoy among the people of Nigeria, attributable to your wisdom, experience in politics, sense of engagement and devotion to the service and the protection of the interests of the country especially as they relate to the prosperity, wellbeing and security of your people.’’

King Mohammed VI said in his congratulatory message.

The monarch expressed satisfaction with the existing cordial and fraternal African relationship linking the two leaders, their people, and nations.

He reiterated his determination to work in concert with President Buhari to reinforce the mutually beneficial relationship between Morocco and Nigeria and to give it a new impetus to serve as a model on the African continent.

On his part, President Alpha Conde of Guinea described the re-election of President Buhari as a dose of hope for the West African region.

He expressed confidence that the cordial relations between Nigeria and Guinea would continue to get better.

Earlier, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, who was the first leader to call President Buhari minutes after INEC declared him the winner of the 2019 presidential elections, said he looked forward to working with the Nigerian leader to further strengthen Nigeria-Niger relations.

Other world leaders who sent congratulatory messages are Presidents Nana Koffi-Addo of Ghana and Macky Sall of Senegal.

MY ELECTION IS VICTORY FOR NIGERIA, SAYS BUHARI the presentation was in line with a provision of the Electoral Act that certificates of returns should be presented to winners of elections within seven days of their declaration.

Speaking after receiving his certificate, Buhari, who was accompanied to the ceremony by his wife, Aisha, and notable party men such as the National Chairman of the APC, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, and the National Leader of APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, said comments of both the local and international observers on the election, showed that it was free and fair.

"From the comments of several observers both local and foreign, it is obvious that the elections were both free and fair," he said.

According to him, the outcome of the election was victory for the country, adding that the next administration would run an open and all inclusive government where all parties would be duly engaged.

The president further stated that it is only by running an open and all inclusive government that a country of "our dream" that is free from impunity could be built based on the principles of rule of law and hard work.

Buhari also said his search for the highest office in the land was not dictated by any other motive but the desire to serve Nigeria with his heart and might and consequently lay the foundation for a future that the next generation could be proud of.

The president, who expressed gratitude to the 15 million Nigerians whom he said voted for him during last Saturday's presidential election, also thanked them further for the confidence reposed in the APC. He said: "I, therefore, want to assure that we will continue to engage all parties that have the best interest of Nigerians at heart.

Our Government will remain inclusive and our doors will remain open. “That is the way to build the country of our dream; safe, secure, prosperous, and free of impunity and primitive accumulation by those entrusted with public offices.

"The hard work to deliver a better Nigeria continues, building on the foundations of peace, rule of law and opportunities for all. We will roll up our sleeves afresh, and give it our all.

“We have no other motive than to serve Nigeria with our hearts and might, and build a nation, which we and generations to come can be proud of.

"I am very grateful to the over 15 million citizens who voted for me, those who contributed in many ways in the running of our successful campaign, and those at home and abroad who expressed confidence in me and the APC Government. I thank you all."

Promising that his second coming would see the country moving towards the next level, Buhari added that the government would explore issues contained in the campaign manual and even expand them further to include what he termed other focal areas highlighted during the electioneering process.

He lamented the loss of lives during the polls, saying his heart went out to the families of those who lost their lives during the election and submitted that election shouldn't be a do-or-die affair as he congratulated other gladiators in the race, describing the conclusion of the election as another milestone for the country.

According to the president, "I can assure that you will see a country moving to the Next Level, as we consolidate on our fundamental areas of securing the country, reviving the economy, and fighting corruption. Many other focal areas, as stated in our campaign manual, will be added, to the good things we plan for our country.

"Let me pay tribute here to those who lost their lives either through accidents or mindless violence during the course of these elections. My heart and thoughts are with the families of the victims. May God comfort and give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

"Election is not war, and

should never be seen as a do or die affair. I pray that we all accept this democratic approach to elections, however contentious," Buhari added.

UK, China, Others Congratulate President on His Re-election Meanwhile, the UK Government has congratulated the president on securing a second term of office.

A statement from the British High Commission in Abuja yesterday, quoted the Minister of State for Africa, Harriett Baldwin, as saying, “I offer my congratulations to President Buhari on securing a second term as the Nigerian President.

“The UK is a long-standing friend and partner of Nigeria and the Nigerian people and a stable and prosperous Nigeria benefits Africa and the world.”

Baldwin commended Nigerians for their resilience and commitment to democracy.

She said the results declared

by INEC were consistent with the results obtained through the civil society Parallel Vote Tabulation process.

“Along with our international partners, the UK believes the Nigerian people can have confidence in the result,” the minister said.

She, however, recognised the concerns expressed by Nigerians on the conduct of the election, in particular logistics and results collation, and reports of intimidation of electoral officers.

The minister urged any party or individual who wished to challenge the process to do so peacefully and through the appropriate legal channel.

“We encourage Nigerian authorities to examine all allegations of wrongdoing carefully, and take the necessary action against individuals found responsible.’’

She also condoled with the families and friends of those who lost their lives in election-related violence.

“No one should die in the exercise of their democratic

STATES

2019 HOUSE OF REPS RESULTS

ABIA ADAMAWA AKWA IBOM ANAMBRA BAUCHI BAYELSA BENUE BORNO CROSS RIVER DELTA EBONYI EDO EKITI ENUGU GOMBE IMO JIGAWA KADUNA KANO TOTAL

PARTIES SEATS APC 2 PDP 5 APC PDP 10 APC PDP 4 APGA 3 APC 3 PDP 2 PRP 2 APC 1 PDP 3 APC 1 PDP 7 APGA 3 APC 10 PDP APC 1 PDP 8 APC 1 PDP 9 APC PDP 6 APC 5 PDP 4 APC 6 PDP APC PDP 8 APC 6 PDP APC 2 PDP 4 AA 1 APC 11 PDP 11 APC 4 PDP APC PDP

24 -

STATES

KATSINA KEBBI KOGI KWARA LAGOS NASARAWA NIGER OGUN

ONDO OSUN OYO PLATEAU RIVERS SOKOTO TARABA YOBE ZAMFARA FCT

PARTIES SEATS APC 15 PDP APC 8 PDP APC 7 PDP 1 APC 6 PDP APC 17 PDP 4 APC 3 PDP 2 APC 10 PDP APC 4 PDP 1 APM 1 ADC 1 APC 4 PDP 3 SDP 1 ADC 1 APC 6 PDP 3 APC 9 PDP 3 ADP 1 APC 2 PDP 4 APC 7 PDP 2 APC 2 PDP 3 APGA 1 APC 6 PDP APC 7 PDP APC 1 PDP 1 310

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

Tinubu, Governors Congratulate Buhari on His Re-election Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja, Emmanuel Ukumba in Lafia, Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo, and Laleye Dipo in Minna The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and the governors of Bauchi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Osun, and Niger States have congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for his re-election in last Saturday’s presidential election.

In his congratulatory message, Tinubu described the presidential election as a fair and honest exercise that permitted the full expression of the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.

The former Lagos State governor said in re-electing President Buhari, the people had shown that the president believes Nigeria should move forward to its better future instead of returning to the mistaken ways of the past.

To Nigerians, Tinubu said: “You have chosen victory over defeat, hope over despair, prosperity over poverty. You have elected the path toward a greater Nigerian instead of that toward our lesser selves”.

“With this election, Nigeria signals to the world our unalloyed embrace of democracy and our unflinching determination to perfect this democracy. While this

election was free and fair, we also must acknowledge the isolated incidents of violence. Nigerians were killed and injured during what otherwise was an exemplary democratic procession. Such things should never happen and do us no good,” he said.

He charged the country to work even harder to ensure that the March 9 governorship and state assembly elections are devoid of such unfortunate incidents.

Tinubu stated that Nigeria is stronger today under the leadership of President Buhari who he said has continued to lay the critical reforms that constitute the foundation for durable, broadlyshared economic development.

“President Buhari has marked progress against the terror of Boko Haram. In his second term, he will continue to install peace where there is unrest and violence and he will not cease in this task until Boko Haram and its evil brethren are no more. He will continue to battle corruption head on. Given the president’s fortitude and determination, I know corruption will lose this battle and receded from being a major factor in our public arena,” he said.

Tinubu congratulated the APC and Buhari, saying with the president at the helm for four more years, the country would

APC Retains Majority Seats in Senate Deji Elumoye in Abuja The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has maintained its majority in the Senate with 60 senators going by the results of the National Assembly poll so far released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

From the results released so far by the INEC, the APC has 60 senatorial seats while the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has so far produced 35 senators. The Young Peoples Party (YPP) won one seat to make up 96 senatorial seats whose results were announced so far by the electoral body.

With 60 seats won by APC candidates at last Saturday’s National Assembly election, the ruling APC is set to maintain dominance in the Ninth Senate.

The number will give the APC numerical strength in the Red Chamber. It will also enjoy a simple majority. It will, however, not afford the APC the luxury of a two-third majority in the upper chamber There are 109 seats in the upper chamber of the National Assembly. They are made up of three senators from each of the 36 states. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has one slot.

Out of this figure, a total of 38 senators made up of 22 APC and 16 PDP lawmakers were re-elected to be part of the 9th National Assembly to be inaugurated in June.

It is expected that the next crop of federal legislators with most of them being first timers and youths will try and put the interest of the nation first in their legislative

duties rather than standing up to the executive.

With this development, the relationship between the executive and the legislature is expected to be cordial compared to the cat and mouse relationship between the eighth National Assembly that is winding down and the presidency.

This much was alluded to

by Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, who envisaged a robust executive-legislation relationship with the outcome of the February 23 National Assembly poll aimed at ending the bickering between the two arms of government.

Lawan, who stated this while speaking with journalists on Monday in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, said the new APC victory in the two chambers would be people-friendly.

Lawan who defeated Sheriff Abdullahi of the PDP to retain his Yobe South seat regretted that the National Assembly in the last four years, had not been cooperative with the laudable programmes and projects of President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC administration.

“This time around, the APC will have at least two-third majority and in control of the Senate and House of Representatives with legislators who are patriotic and willing to identify with the programmes of the president.

“This time, it will not be the kind of National Assembly that will betray the trust of Nigerians; the National Assembly will support Mr. President to meet the needs of Nigerians ” he assured

achieve greatness.

“More importantly, congratulations to the Nigerian people for the wisdom and courage shown in deciding that the best of Nigeria still resides in our future and that President Buhari is the man you best trust to lead us into that future. Posterity shall reward you for what you established on election day,” he added.

On his part, the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, said the re-election of President Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, marks the watershed moment of the 2019 general election.

According to him, “the voice of the people is the voice of God. Our people have resoundingly insisted that while change must now make way for progress, the APC still remains their preferred

driver for the journey ahead.

“We as government have done our best to complement your aspirations by placing the credibility and integrity of the electoral system above any desires to win every contested seat, and by all available means,” the governor said yesterday.

In his message, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State said the state

has finally broken the jinx of President Muhammadu Buhari’s “no-winning syndrome” in the state, culminating in his last Saturday’s victory since 2003.

Addressing supporters of APC who were in Government House, Lafia, to celebrate with him over his victory as senator- elect, the

Cont’d on page 49

SET FOR LEGAL BATTLE...

L-R: President of Senate and Director General of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus; and presidential candidate of the party Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, during a world press conference in Abuja...yesterday

Buhari’s Mandate Illegitimate, CUPP Insists Udora Orizu in Abuja The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has described the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in last Saturday’s presidential election as the worst election in history, claiming the mandate is illegitimate.

At a press conference held yesterday in Abuja, the spokesperson of CUPP, Ikenga Ugochinyere alleged that President Buhari insulted Nigerians’ sensibilities and raped her electoral decency.

The opposition coalition noted that in a bid to hang on to power with alleged crooks under him, the president murdered democracy.

“Only a person who lacks understanding will congratulate a man who set out to burn down our electoral system. We ask, how do you accept this madness?

Accepting this without as much as stiff resistance and exposing

the fraud that was committed by President Buhari and the APC in this election is the recipe for future stealing of votes and massive voter apathy since voters will not have confidence in the system and this vicious cycle will continue perpetually. There must be an end to vote stealing.

“President Buhari refused to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law. His supporters aided by security forces burnt card readers, stole electoral materials and sabotaged distribution,” CUPP said.

It alleged that soldiers, acting on Buhari’s instruction against court judgment chased Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agents out of collation centres, while returning officers were held at gunpoint with security forces watching as was the case in Imo State where the returning officer was made to announce fake figures.

“In Akwa Ibom State, votes were destroyed and cancelled to

reduce figures. In Lagos State, he supported ethnic violence.

Votes, for the first time were burnt because of President Buhari.

Hundreds of thousands of citizens in Sabon Gari in Kano never voted because President Buhari ensured they never did because he was afraid he did not have their votes.

“He planned this onslaught on the people because he already knew he failed to perform and that the people had rejected him,” CUPP said.

CUPP lamented that nobody was shot dead for ballot snatching but rather innocent Nigerian voters and citizens opposing the robbery were killed in Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Delta States, among others, by security forces.

The opposition coalition further alleged that President Buhari had penciled down his stooges to take over and run the parliament.

“Ahmad Lawan as Senate President, Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker, Ovie Omo-Agege as

Deputy Senate President with Abdulmimin Jibrin as Deputy Speaker. Cross party alliances must be formed to upstage him again.

“It is now obvious to Nigerians why President Buhari destroyed the Supreme Court and violently and undemocratically removed the Chief Justice of Nigeria even against the clear provisions of the Constitution,” CUPP said.

The opposition parties coalition said the alleged cooked figures will not recognise Buhari as the holder of legitimate mandate beyond May 29, 2019.

“We will do everything within civil and legal means to stop his enjoyment of a mandate soaked in the blood of his people. We assure all Nigerians that the CUPP shall, starting from today, continue to lead the struggle to expose him and ensure what he stole is returned by the force of law,” the CUPP spokesman assured.

Boko Haram: MSF Raises the Alarm over Forced Relocation of 40,000 Nigerian Refugees from Cameroon Michael Olugbode inMaiduguri Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) yesterday raised the alarm over the forced relocation of 40,000 Nigerian refugees from Cameroon back to Rann, Borno State.

The refugees had fled the Nigerian town, Rann in Kala-Balge, a border town with Cameroon for Goura in Cameroon after their town

fell under Boko Haram attack over three weeks ago.

THISDAY gathered that they have been living in makeshift shelters since their arrival in Goura.

However, MSF alleged that the they were being forced to leave Cameroon and return home.

In a statement issued yesterday, MSF Emergency Coordinator in Goura, Stéphanie Remion, was

quoted as saying that: “Today we are seeing people packing up their belongings and leaving for Rann after being told by Cameroonian and Nigerian authorities to leave.

We are extremely concerned over what will happen to them once they go back to Rann as the security situation there is very uncertain and there is no humanitarian assistance available.

She added that: “Rann has been attacked several times in recent months and many of the patients we treated in Goura told us they fled because they were afraid.”

“They don’t want to return.

We know there were suspected cases of measles in Goura and if this spreads in Rann where there is no medical care available, it will be a disaster.

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COMMENT

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

INFRASTRUCTURE WITHOUT INDUSTRIES

The 2019 elections must confront the challenge of achieving development without tears, writes Okello Oculi

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ampaign advertisements for re-elections of incumbent Governors in Abia, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Lagos States, showed the value of creative use of camera, song, dance and music. A common measure of good governance in a state were ‘’infrastructure’’. In Abia State, a football stadium made it in the beauty contest.

In Akwa Ibom State, the installation of ‘’sophisticated’’ medical equipment in health centres were contestants. In Rivers State, the slogan of ‘’Workaholic Governor’’ heralded buildings constructed for purposes ranging from education to judicial services. The sheer quantity of achieved tasks saved the slogan from being twisted into ‘’Alcoholic Governor’’ by critics.

Completed roads shining with newly laid tarmac are much valued.

The Governor of Abia State went poetic in reciting names of communities served by roads built. In Rivers State, a sand-covered road to an Opobo community was celebrated as evidence of a promise fulfilled.

There are, however, no mentions of hundreds or thousands of unemployed youths mobilised to construct the infrastructure. Heavy equipment for scraping grass, uprooting trees, levelling mounds, and hauling soil to fill-up swamps apparently replaced unemployed youths.

On occasions of ‘’commissioning’’ completed projects, or assessing levels of work still in progress, would show several Koreans, Egyptians, Italian or some other European national as the brains supervising the task.

Grumbling by Nigerian engineers about being routinely denied contracts for these projects is openly illustrated here.

There is also absence of small and medium scale fabricators of the tools in use –such as wood craftsmen creating road levellers consisting of drums filled with heavy blocks of stones; mechanics combining with welders and smelters to create cranes. Such products would be much cheaper than the millions of dollars spent on importing them. Such imports are “Exports’’ of oil revenues; thereby creating unemployment.

These importers partner with officials and politicians to ignore the option of employing thousands of idle youths as road surveyors, design engineers and construction gangs; builders of culverts, bridges, housing estates and Abia State’s football stadium.

In moments of cynicism and probably devious search for campaign funds - through awards of contracts to foreign firms who ignore the employment of thousands of unemployed youths - they turn around and exhort the same hungry and angry youths to vote against their political opponents for causing their poverty. In this regards, calls on youths not to allow themselves to be used as thugs during election campaigns, are but done with tongue-in-cheek considering that their anti-youth employment awards of capital-intensive contracts mobilises them to rally and vote against their false enemies.

Peter Rogers, a Scottish journalist, published a most insightful study of political negotiations that drive the making of budgets in the American

IN A NIGERIAN ECONOMY WHICH RUNS ON EXPORTING PETROL-DOLLARS AND IGNORING THE GROWTH OF LOCAL INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN CONSTITUENCIES, EXPENDING BUDGET FUNDS AT LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS DO NOT SUPPORT LOCAL INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION

Congress. One example he reported on was that of the Department of Defence asking for a new naval aircraft carrier ship. The item was like a bull buffalo shot and landed in front members of the Congressional Committee to cut up and share among constituencies of those whose votes were needed for the item to be approved.

Every component of the ship to be built became a prize to be competed for. From cutlery, windows, toilet seats to canons and communication gadgets, members of Congress would instruct their constituency staff to find local factories that could fulfil the contract to manufacture. In this way money voted by the federal legislature would reach local businesses. This process built and replenished the legitimacy of the federal system.

The disenchantment which candidate Donald Trump exploited so effectively in 2016 was a consequence of multinationals bribing members of Congress to sabotage this flow of funds from the centre to local constituencies by exporting manufacturing to workers in China. The combined cost of transporting raw materials to China and importing the manufactures from China were cheaper than producing them in the United States due to the high wages. The resultant growing unemployment across the country created the insecurity and anti-Chinese sentiments which Donald Trump appealed to with the call of ‘’America First’’.

In a Nigerian economy which runs on exporting petrol-dollars and ignoring the growth of local industrial production in constituencies, expending budget funds at local, state and federal levels do not support local industrial production. The addiction of exporting foreign exchange also punishes local farmers by supporting the smuggling of food items including fruit juices, baked beans, wines, canned milk, and rice; and ear-wax cleaners. During election campaigns, food importers join other ‘’oil-revenue conveyor belt’’ business classes.

The starvation of local manufacturers sustains ever-growing unemployment as educational institutions annually throw up new cohorts of youths looking for work. Civil servants are safe from vigorous demands by a vigilant business class for efficient, transparent and accountable service. Peasant farmers lack the capacity for such pressures. A corrupt bureaucracy becomes a powerful force against reform. Those family networks that get support from them join the fight against anti-corruption reform.

Euro-American industrial growth was fuelled by genocide, slave labour, brutal attacks on workers. In Japan, mine-owners hired police goons to beat workers protesting exhausting working hours. Stalin starved millions of peasants. Brazil’s big farmers have used the military to seize land and crush protests. Julius Nyerere promised that Africa could achieve development through Ujamaa (familyhood). It would go with deomocratic elections within a one-party system of politics.

The 2019 elections in Nigeria must confront the challenge of achieving development without tears.

HOW NOT TO CONDUCT ELECTIONS

Emmanuel Onwubiko writes that the results of the Presidential elections are unduly delayed

“

The witnesses standing at the edge of the field were staring in horrified silence, too stunned to speak. The nightmare dredged up from some deep, dark depths of primitive man’s collective unconscious.

Each witness had a different reaction.

One fainted. A second one vomited. A woman was shaking uncontrollably. Another one thought: I’m going to have a heart attack! The elderly priest clutched his beads and crossed himself.

Help me, Father. Help us all. Protect us against this evil incarnate. We have finally seen the face of Satan. It is the end of the world. Judgment Day has come.”

The above is the prologue of an award winning novel titled “The Doomsday Conspiracy’ by Sidney Sheldon.“ But these scenarios painted graphically herein represents the clearest description of the atmosphere trailing the conduct of the February 23rd 2019 election in which several conspiracy theories have been unleashed by the sheer volume of empirical evidence of dereliction of duty by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The main conspiracy theory is that the prolonged delay in publishing the results of the Presidential election is surely one way of manipulating the outcomes to favour the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari against his main challenger Atiku Abubakar who is favoured to win going by several pre-election projections and opinion polls.

To begin with, we need to note that election is the process of selecting through the exercise of the right to vote by citizens, the group of persons or the individual that would pilot the affairs of the nation state or a part thereof for a given period of time.

In the case of Nigeria the constitution which is the grund norm specifies that there is a four-year tenure for all elected executives and legislators both of the national and state levels.

The exercise of the right to vote or the civil and political rights as enshrined in the nation’s supreme law is said to be the most sacred national task of all

eligible citizens. Those who get elected by the free will and free choice of the voters are then clothed with the legal authority and legitimacy to preside over the affairs of the nation politically for the constitutionally allowed duration.

Emeka Onwubiko who is a philosopher and a post graduate Law student in Australia informed this writer that the Australian nation makes voting by all citizens compulsory so long as you are up to the age of universal adult suffrage just as he disclosed that defaulters are fined around $30 dollars for failing to vote.

In Nigeria, the institution created by law to conduct periodic elections is known as the INEC just as Third Schedule, part 1, article 14 (1) provides as follows: “The Independent National Electoral Commission shall comprise the following members - (a) a Chairman, who shall be the Chief Electoral Commissioner; and (b) twelve other members to be known as National Electoral Commissioners, who shall be persons of unquestionable integrity and not less than fifty years and forty years of age, respectively.”

INEC is created by virtue of section 153 (1) even as section 158 (1) confers autonomy to INEC thus: “153 (1) There shall be established for the Federation the following bodies, namely: (a) Code of Conduct Bureau; (b) Council of State; (c) Federal Character Commission; (d) Federal Civil Service Commission; (e) Federal Judicial Service Commission; (f) Independent National Electoral Commission; (g) National Defence Council; (h) National Economic Council; (i) National Judicial Council; (j) National Population Commission; (k) National Security Council; (l) Nigeria Police Council; (m) Police Service Commission; and (n) Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission.”

“158 (1) in exercising its power to make appointments or to exercise disciplinary control over persons, the Code of Conduct Bureau, the National Judicial Council, the Federal Civil Service Commission, the Federal Judicial Service Commission, the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission, the Federal Character Commission, and the Independent

National Electoral Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other authority or person.”

These constitutional provisions are put in place to safeguard the credibility and integrity of the electoral process even as the independence of the body is also provided for in such a robust manner that the tenure of office of those who constitute the hierarchy of the electoral process is protected from undue infringements by the executive given that it would take the National Assembly’s vote to terminate their appointments.

However, since democracy came in 1999 till date, the electoral body has consistently lowered the standards and ethical frame works under which elections have been conducted even as corruption has eroded the integrity and credibility of the electoral system to such an extent that majority of the electorate see election as cash-and-carry transactional activity.

The February 16th 2019 presidential poll which was postponed and later conducted February 23rd is the worst in terms of credibility and trust of the people of Nigeria given the numerous hiccups and the inefficient, inelegant and corrupt tendencies being exhibited by officials of INEC to an extent that 72 hours and counting after election was held and results collated at the points and units of actual voting exercises, there are no results officially released by the national returning officer who is the head of INEC. The undue delay in releasing the results by the electoral body has generated a groundswell of doubts, scepticism and erosion of trust by Nigerians; most of who believe that INEC has compromised the integrity of the process by manipulating the results in favour of preferred presidential candidate.

The tardiness of the Yakubu Mahmood – led INEC takes us to the recent book done by two Harvard University Professors titled “How Democracies Die”.

This award winning book is of the position that the deliberate undermining of the legal autonomy of

the electoral body is the fastest way of the collapse of democracy and the birth of autocracy and tyranny.

Chapter four of this book by Professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt narrates the ordeals of Peruvians in the hands of Alberto Fujimori; the one time elected democrat who later transmutated into a full blown dictator by blowing off the roofs of institutional independence of democratic institutions and the judiciary.

The story of Fujimori is not fundamentally different from that of Muhammadu Buhari who became president through a democratic process in 2015 but who has progressively destroyed legislative and judicial independence of key institutions and has become the incumbent president in whose tenure the country witnessed the bloodiest election.

The authors of “How Democracies Die” stated: “Fujimori got off to a rocky start. Congress failed to pass any legislation during his first months in office, and the courts did not seem up to the task of responding to the mounting terrorist threat. Fujimori not only lacked experience with the intricacies of legislative politics, he also lacked the patience for it.

As one of his aides put it, Fujimori “couldn’t stand the idea of inviting the President of the Senate to the Presidential palace every time he wanted Congress to approve a law.” He preferred, as he sometimes bragged, to govern Peru alone – from his laptop.”

They wrote too that: “The assault rarely ends there. Though observers often assure us that demagogues are ‘all talk’ and that their words should not be taken too seriously, a look at demagogic leaders around the world suggests that many of them do eventually cross the line from words to action. This is because a demagogue’s initial rise to power tends to polarize society, creating a climate of panic, hostility, and mutual distrust. The new leader’s threatening words often have a boomerang effect. If the media feels threatened, it may abandon restraint and professional standards in a desperate effort to weaken the government.

Onwubiko is Head, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria

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EDITORIAL Minimum Wage For Workers The stakeholders should agree on an acceptable formula before it is passed into law

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he recent decision by the National Council of State to peg the national minimum wage at N27,000 for the least paid workers in the states and the private sector and N30,000 as the minimum wage for federal workers is a step in the right direction. But unless there are meaningful negotiations with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the coming weeks, the authorities may just be postponing another industrial crisis.

The new figure for the states is N3,000 below what labour agreed with the federal government and N4,500 above the N22,500 offered by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). According to the NLC general secretary, Peter Ozo-Eson, the council has no jurisdiction to determine a separate amount after a tripartite committee had adopted N30,000 as minimum wage and submitted its report to the federal government.

The TUC shares a similar position.

GIVEN THE LOW “Let it be known INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUE that N30,000 minimum wage

BY MOST STATES, IT IS is a product of APPARENT THAT ONLY negotiation, not A FEW OF THEM CAN legislation, not an COMFORTABLY PAY THE advice and not a decree,” said TUC MINIMUM WAGE president, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama.

One of the grounds often advanced to support review of wages is that the Nigerian workforce is comparatively in the category of the least paid workers in Africa. So miserable is the take home pay of a Nigerian worker that it pales in comparison to what workers in Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Angola earn. The current minimum wage of N18,000 ($50) per month that became effective in 2011 is definitely not enough to enable any worker live a decent life.

While inadequate remunerations result in low productivity, we always make wrong assump-

Letters to the Editor

tion in this clime that minimum wage should be uniform across all the states, without isolating the peculiarity and operating environment of each state. Every nation fixes the minimum wage for workers in the public and private sectors. In principle, however, given the low internally generated revenue (IGR) by most states, it is apparent that only a few of them are viable and can comfortably pay the minimum wage.

T 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

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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.

BUHARI, 2023 AND IGBO PRESIDENCY

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ation-building is not perfunctory; it is deliberate, planned and decisive.

A country as enormous, diverse and delicate as Nigeria cannot evolve organically when a part of it is marooned and confined in the fringes of political exclusion. The argument has always been, “the Igbo are not ready”, and “they are not playing the right politics”. But this argument is classically insipid and hollow.

Some people have also argued that the Igbo are “putting their eggs in one basket”. This is also a moot point. The Igbo are no different from the Yoruba, the Hausa and the Fulani in the game of politics.

A plethora of interests has always driven the politics of these ethnic groups. If we are agreed that interest is the highest common factor in the political calculations of these groups, then we cannot berate the Igbo for choosing to swing whichever way they want to.

For example, the south-west was measured in its vote for Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, but the south-east was generous in its vote for him. And in 2003, the south-west was unwilling to support Obasanjo, but the south-east adopted him, and even voted more for him than for its leader, the late Odumegwu Ojukwu.

The point is, the various ethnic groups have always played the politics of interest. The political exclusion of the

herefore, in as much as we endorse the conclusion reached by the Council of State, we are not sure many of the states can pay. But we are particularly concerned about the large number of idle workers on the pay roll who, like leeches, feed fat on scant resources. State governments should therefore be at liberty to reduce bloated workforce and retain only those that are productive. Also there is need to reflect on some of the cadres of workers in the civil service that are superfluous. For instance, of what value and relevance is enrolling typists on the payroll in this computer age?

What is the essence of having as many as 20 drivers in a government agency that has no operational vehicles?

As things stand today, our civil service is more or less reduced to a social welfare programme. Workers in some states don’t have offices while a significant number of those that go to work, spend productive office hours, either gossiping or watching Nollywood and Zeeworld series. Yet, the NLC, the TUC and their affiliates have also refused to allow minimum wage to be taken off the exclusive list. That is because they want to have control of workers’ check-off-dues.

In a democratic environment, such threats like “no work, no pay” that some employers in the public sector, including states, often tout whenever they are confronted with labour unrest arising from the issue of remunerations do not work. Now that a minimum wage bill is before the National Assembly, the only enduring solution is for all the critical stakeholders to begin a serious negotiation and come up with an acceptable formula before it is passed into law.

Igbo is not because “they are not playing the right politics”, it is rather because of systemic strait-jacketing.

Since 1999, the highest position an Igbo has occupied is “senate president”, a position which the group even lost in 2015, and if we are to go back to the second republic, “vice-president”. Obviously, this is a political chasm. We cannot pontificate on unity when this nagging political sequestration exists.

Really, at this time, it will be hypocritical to discountenance ethnic distribution in choosing the next president in a country that is much fractured and that is unhealing from years of in-fighting.

Also, it will be ludicrous to reduce this important issue to ethnic exhibitionism. We cannot submerge this conversation, no matter how tenuous and irritating it is. We must “jaw jaw”. I believe healing will begin for Nigerians when political justice is seen to have been done to all. At that point we can build a country defiant to disunity. But political justice must be done to all first to get to this stage.

In the name of all that binds us as a country, we must begin now to work for a “red cap with an asi-agu” in Aso villa in 2023. Nigeria is for all of us, and we must work towards a society where justice breathes in the busy streets of Aba; where it hovers across the brown roofs of Ibadan, and where it strolls on the fine sands of Sokoto.

Fredrick Nwabufo, fredricknwabufo@yahoo.com

ELECTIONVIOLENCE IN KOGI STATE

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r. President, I write to congratulate you on the successful conduct of the 2019 presidential elections. Many of our people see participation in elections as a must in order to hold the government accountable.

The rise of intra-party and inter-party frictions before and during the elections in the recent election in our state showed the desperation within the political class which in turn leads to violence against our people. Many of our political class believe that violence is a veritable tool for the achievement of their political aim against the people’s wellbeing.

Our state, Kogi State witnessed perhaps the most unsavoury turn of events especially during the presidential and federal legislative elections because of the violence witnessed across the state. This surge of violence is a memento that harkens back to our nation’s darkest days of electoral violence and malpractices.

We witnessed in this election a huge surge in the numbers of polling units cancelled, well over 129 with politicians from various

political parties calling for more cancellations.

Mr President Sir, this must not be allowed to fester at this time when it is expected that our democracy is maturing. The cancelled votes amounted to a denial of a large percentage of our people’s expressions of their hopes and expectations in their desire to contribute in choosing a leader that will represent them. This anomaly must be nipped in the bud as we journey to be a matured democratic nation that makes all votes to count.

Your excellency, because of the impact of the unwarranted violence on the February 23rd 2019 polls, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will be scheduling a re-run in some polling units in Kogi East senatorial area. I crave your indulgence and seek your support to send a clear message to our electorate in Kogi state that life matters, and the votes of everyone should count.

Sir, the next set of re-run which involves the Kogi East senatorial election must be accorded great attention by the security agencies as it is the worst hit areas in terms of violence in the state.

Prince Mustapha Audu, Kogi State

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POLITICS

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

In Imo, Ihedioha Confronts ‘Iberiberism’

Although the All Progressives Congress is currently controlling Imo State, the outcome of the party’s primaries and other factors have combined to make the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, the man to beat at the March 9 gubernatorial election in the state. Olusegun Adeniyi who was in Imo for two days and followed Ihedioha’s campaign train reports

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he moment the former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate for Imo State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha arrived the town hall at Umuagu Nguru after a brief stop at the Timber and Allied Market in Naze, Owerri, the whole place went electric.

What followed was more a carnival than a campaign for Ihedioha and his large entourage with gun salutes and traditional dances.

After the traditional rites of kola breaking were concluded, Chief Achike Udenwa, who governed Imo State between 1999 and 2007, addressed the audience on why they came.

But it was obvious he was preaching to the already converted.

According to Linus Okere, an 80-year old retired Professor of English who read from a prepared statement with theatrics and gesticulations that drew intermittent applause, the elders of Ngor Okpala had for long come to the conclusion that the current government in Imo is the “most incompetent in the history of the state.” And for that reason, Okere added, the people have settled for Ihedioha based on the conviction that “he is a credible candidate, with proven integrity aside his capacity to create jobs, initiate reforms and return Imo State to the path of progress.”

Responding to the address, Ihedioha spoke on why he was seeking to be Imo governor.

He lamented that virtually all the critical sectors in the state have deteriorated beyond the threshold of manageability, “simply because the present government not only lacks imagination and direction but also has a penchant for abusing due process of law with impunity.”

Ihedioha also pledged to restore sanity to the state after eight years of “Iberiberism”, a nonexistent English word coined by Okorocha to describe the philosophical underpinning of his government.

Aside Udenwa, other prominent Imo sons and daughters on Ihedioha’s campaign train were former deputy governor Ebere Udeagu, three former federal ministers, (Chief Charles Ugwu, Dr Kema Chikwe and Prof. Viola Onwuliri) as well as former diplomat, Chief Greg Mbadiwe and former Imo Assembly deputy speakers, Chuma Nnaji and Maxwell Duru. Others in the campaign team included popular actors, Kanayo O. Kanayo and Victor Osuagwu, former Imo State SSG, Chris Okewulonu and former FUTO Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jude Njoku aside former and serving members of the House of Representatives: Uche Onyeagocha, Henry Nwawuba, Jones Onyerieri, Jerry Alagboso, Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Eddy Mbadiwe, Obinna Onwubuariri, Rufus Omire and several others. Leading the entire team of course was the young and energetic PDP Chairman in Imo State, Chief Charles Ezekwem.

Ihedioha is having a second shot at the governorship of Imo State. Four years ago when he contested against the incumbent Governor Rochas Okorocha, the election was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officer, former University of Lagos Vice Chancellor, Prof Ibidapo Obe, following cases of the malpractices that led to the cancellation of results in some local governments. At that point, Okorocha of APC was leading with 385,671 votes while Ihedioha, also the PDP candidate at the time, trailed with 306,142 votes.

Since the difference of 79,529 votes between the two candidates was far less than the 144,715 cancelled votes, a rerun had to be conducted.

Although the election ended at the tribunal, Okorocha eventually prevailed. But the APC platform that brought Okorocha to power in 2015 is now a house divided against itself.

The current gubernatorial candidate of the party is Senator Hope Uzodinma, a former PDP member who succeeded in using his

Ihedioha connections in Abuja to muscle out Okorocha’s son-in-law, Uche Nwosu who had been anointed by the governor as his successor.

Nwosu has since defected to another party where he hopes to actualize his ambition with the backing of Okorocha who is nonetheless still running for senate on the platform of APC. Other gubernatorial contenders in the state include Senator Ifeanyi Ararume of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Chief Ikedi Ohakim, a former governor, also contesting on the platform of Accord Party and Mr. Linus Okorie of the Young Progressives Party (YPP).

However, Ihedioha, who faced a fierce

Ihedioha is having a second shot at the governorship of Imo State.

Four years ago when he contested against the incumbent Governor Rochas Okorocha, the election was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officer, former University of Lagos Vice Chancellor, Prof Ibidapo Obe, following cases of the malpractices that led to the cancellation of results in some local governments

contest to secure the PDP gubernatorial ticket, remains the man to beat. At the PDP primaries, Ihedioha polled 1,723 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, chairman of the senate committee on Ethics and Privileges who garnered 1,282 votes. While the confusion in the Imo State chapter of the APC is growing every day, Ihedioha is engaging the people of the state by sharing his vision on how he will govern if elected. One of his cardinal promises is to ensure full autonomy for local governments in Imo. Speaking last week in Oguta, where his running mate, Hon. Gerald Irona hails from, Ihedioha said his administration will be built on justice, due process and rule of law. “We shall implement the FOI Act. We shall send an executive bill to the state assembly to ensure that local government councils enjoy autonomy. We shall have a peoples’ parliament to enhance accountability and equity in the distribution of the people’s wealth” Ihedioha promised to a thunderous applause from the large crowd.

Meanwhile, not only has Ihedioha been campaigning across the state, he has also been holding strategic meetings with critical stakeholders and groups. In his session with the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Imo State who lamented being owed several months in salary and other emoluments, Ihedioha assured them that education will be a priority for him. Noting that the sector has been grounded in the state, Ihedioha said he would provide adequate tools through the planned Education Trust Fund with the welfare of teachers a priority.

Ihedioha, however, told the teachers that the challenge of the sector goes beyond just welfare as he reeled out statistics to buttress his point on how the sector had degenerated in the past few years. “For the entire 572 public secondary schools in Imo State, there are presently only eight qualified Mathematics teachers, 30 qualified English teachers, 20 qualified Physics teachers, 20 qualified Chemistry teachers and no qualified Further Math teacher” said Ihedioha who lamented “our people are no

longer taught to be wealth creators, but rather for paid employment.”

If elected, Ihedioha said he would “reverse this ugly trend in Imo State so that we can effectively fit into the present global economy that is knowledge driven. We shall revive technical colleges and make them centres of excellence for critical skills like welding and fabrication, bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, electrical installation and repairs etc.”

These, he argued, are critical skills that provide immediate jobs, especially self-employment.

“In our manifesto, we have also laid out a careful plan to make Imo the regional ICT hub, by establishing a fully equipped and funded state-of-the-art ICT Village”, he said before leaving to have another session with the state’s pensioners.

In the build-up to the gubernatorial election that was shifted forward by a week, Ihedioha has also been receiving the endorsement of several groups within the state. For instance, retired military officers of Imo State origin have thrown their weight behind his aspiration.

Under the aegis of RANAO (Retired Army, Navy and Airforce Officers Association), Imo State Chapter, the delegation identified Ihedioha as the man best suited to lead Imo State at this time. Chairman of the association, Group Captain Charles Orizu (rtd) said, “We are here to personally convey our resolve to endorse your candidature for the governorship position of our dear state. What informed this position is not farfetched, we have observed and indeed appraised other governorship candidates of other political parties and noted with satisfaction, your outstanding credentials, integrity, experience, capacities and more importantly, your depth of understanding of the challenges bedevilling our state.”

In his reaction, Ihedioha said he felt humbled by the endorsement while assuring the group that he would not fail them. That happens to be Ihedioha’s word at every campaign point, as he continues to pledge his commitment to revatilising the social sector that he believes has become a story of criminal neglect in the state. In his campaign at Aboh Mbaise where he was received with much excitement, Ihedioha highlighted the critical sectors that would take his immediate attention when elected.

On health for instance, Ihedioha expressed concerns that there are no functional General Hospital at present in Imo State. “The only one, so called, is the Umuguma General hospital which has been leased to an unknown company in a deal that was considered by many as opaque and fraudulent”, he added.

Going by all according available records, according to Ihedioha, “the state hospitals management board presently has only 52 medical doctors; nine pharmacists; seven medical laboratory scientists; two X-ray technicians and 172 nurses for the 19 moribund General hospitals across a state with a population of about four million people.” To redress the situation, Ihedioha promised to enthrone due process, transparency, openness and accountability in the conduct of government business in the state. He said Okorocha should be held to account for the dismal state of the local councils and the brazen manner their statutory allocations are hijacked and mismanaged.

Speaking at a fund-raising dinner held for Ihedioha at the residence of Chief Ugwu, former minister and a past president of Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Hon Onyeagocha, who lost the gubernatorial nomination of APGA in the state, said he had collapsed his campaign structure into that of Ihedioha. Of all the candidates seeking to be Imo governor, Onyeagocha added, Ihedioha remains the most credible. He therefore enjoined the people of Imo State not to relent until they ensure the victory of Ihedioha on March 9 so that they can dismantle Okorocha’s house of ‘Iberiberism’.

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POLITICS

A Resurgent Abia Under Ikpeazu

Abia state under Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is regaining its momentum after a period of low activity, writes Ojo Maduekwe

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hen you hearAbians discussing the contributions made by the duo of late Michael Okpara and late Chief Sam Mbakwe to Abia’s development, there’s always a nostalgic expression on their faces that you’re sure to find very relatable, especially as a first time visitor to the state.

Both men were instrumental to the development of the infrastructure, inner city roads and industries that still dot the state landscape till this day, but which have mostly deteriorated as a result of years of use and disrepair.

Now, if you’re visiting for the first time, you’re likely going to be overwhelmed by the state’s aesthetics, and probably make the mistake of generalizing the pace of its growth and development, like most critics of Abia are known to do.

A potpourri of neglect and growth, the present day Abia is a resurgent state. Having been neglected by successive governments after Mbakwe, it was only recently that the state began having a semblance of governance.

Two categories of people would argue this claim; the first being those who, still witness to the contributions of Mbakwe and Okpara, are understandably disappointed with those that have governed after them.

The second are members of opposition parties in the state, the main culprits being the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), who would rather not see anything good being done in the state, unless of course it were to be projects initiated by their party.

It is futile to argue with the second group, seeing that they’re partisan and unlikely to be reasoned with. The first, and one must add patriotic group, require convincing through superior argument presented with facts, and it is for this group that I write that an Abia, once neglected, is now resurging.

Let me reiterate that it is in place for the Abia taxpayers to desire more than they’re presently getting. Aba, the state’s commercial capital, can be cleaner, and some of its roads made motorable. This notwithstanding, it would be biased criticism to say the state has not seen progress in the last four years.

Starting with the infamous Aba, there’s been considerable improvements in the areas of road construction and rehabilitation and the repositioning of the city as the commercial hub of not just Abia, but also the adjoining South-south and South-east states that come to Aba to trade on a daily basis.

Aba (and the state capital, Umuahia) is so strategically placed that it is said to be 30 minutes (without traffic) away from other major cities like Uyo in Akwa Ibom, Port Harcourt in Rivers, and also 45 minutes away from Owerri in Imo state and less than two and a half hours from the city of Enugu in Enugu state.

Like a confluence, Aba’s attraction for traders from cities far and near is first because of its strategic geography, but also for the people’s legendary trade and commerce characteristics.

Described as the China of Africa, the city daily plays host to business people from neighbouring states and countries.

Travel routes in and out of Aba to neighbouring cities used to be problematic. For instance, there was no motorable road to Akwa Ibom state from any part of Aba until the administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. Business people and shoppers from Port Harcourt found it hard (and still do) accessing Aba because of the state of disrepair of the Enugu-Port Harcourt federal highway.

The Akwa Ibom channel was said to be so bad to the point that traders from the famous Ariaria Market in Aba, who were affected and losing business, would take their products to markets in Akwa Ibom to sell. State government statistics claim 60 percent of the Ariaria Market daily business transaction comes from the Akwa Ibom and Cross River axis, which include from neighbouring Cameroon. The rest 40 percent come from Port Harcourt, Owerri and Enugu.

Also it is claimed that close to 30 million people do business in Aba everyday.

Judging from this facts, it is understandable why Ikpeazu decided right from inception that his administration would focus on developing

Ikpeazu Aba. “I decided on this path to progress because I believe if we get Aba right, developing the rest of Abia won’t be difficult,” according to Ikpeazu.

This account for the numerous road projects that has turned the city to a construction site.

Over 70 roads have so far been constructed by the Ikpeazu administration, and, the governor in an interview with THISDAY, appears confident about their quality and durability. “I am confident they will stand the test of time,” he said.

Some of the strategic and important roads include Faulks, MCC, Ukegbu, Ire, Umuola, Umuehilegbu, Umule, and Umuocham, to mention a few. If you’re a regular visitor to Aba and your business takes you to the famous Ariaria

Also it is claimed that close to 30 million people do business in Aba everyday. Judging from this facts, it is understandable why Ikpeazu decided right from inception that his administration would focus on developing Aba

market then you’re much likely to appreciate the reconstructed Faulks Road.

Until recently, it used to be that when it rained in Ariaria, the entire market would be flooded.

The opposition parties and their supporters enjoyed sharing photos of this on social media in their attempt to sway the voters.

Much has changed with the construction of Faulks Road. Once again business is booming and shop owners are no longer finding it difficult locating their shops. Add this to the ongoing construction of the Osisioma Flyover, and then you’ll have a situation where the market and city as a whole would be better accessible once the flyover is opened for use upon completion.

On repositioning Aba as a commercial hub, no Nigerian city epitomises the Madein-Nigeria narrative like Aba does. Aware of this, Ikpeazu has spared no effort in getting the federal government, federal agencies and foreign government’s in Africa interested in patronising Nigerian made goods.

Nigeria’s military ordered 50,000 pairs of shoes. There’s also been orders from the Navy and National Youth Service Corp (NYSC). Last year the governor was in the Gambia with Aba shoemakers for a meeting with the Gambian President to discuss the prospect of producing shoes for the country’s security agencies.

Also, in the same 2018, the state government sponsored 30 Aba-based shoemakers to China for capacity building in the use of automation in shoe making.

For some of the governor’s supporters, if nothing else, the construction of Faulks Road - once a sore point to the state - supports the assertion that Abia under the Ikpeazu administration is resurging. But they think there’s more claim to a resurgent Abia, and point to the Enyimba Economic City (EEC).

Private sector driven, investors from Nigeria, China, Germany and the U.S. will run the various components that include an industrial, electronics, leisure and education parks, and a training institute, ICT section, garments and shoe factories, tourism, sports section, logistic hubs, and many more.

The $25 billion project, modeled after the Dubai markets, sits on a land space of 9,800 hectares located majorly in Abia state, and portions of Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Imo states, and is managed under the corporate name, the Enyimba Economic City Development Company (EECDC).

China’s Ruyi Group of Companies is the EEC’s largest private-sector investor, and in collaboration with Geometric Power Plant, Aba, is investing $2.5 billion for power generation, for steady electricity supply to the Economic City.

The federal government has co-opted the EEC as part of its broader industrial revolution plan as conceived in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, part of which is the ‘Made in Nigeria for Exports’ (MINE) project, conceived to position Nigeria as the manufacturing hub in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Recently, the federal government signed a $30 billion industrial revolution agreement with the Africa Export and Import Bank (AFREXIM), Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), African Development Bank (AfDB), Bank of Industry (BoI), and Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to boost export earnings from made in Nigeria products from Special Economic Zones (SEC).

Abia’s EEC, Funtua Cotton Cluster in Katsina State and the Lekki Model Industrial Park in Lagos State, have been penned down for the take-off stage.

Reminiscent of the Michael Okpara era, the idea behind the EEC is for Abia to metamorphose from Made-in-Aba to a Make-in-Aba hub. Upon completion the EEC would create nearly a million jobs, 300,000 units of urban housing, an urban population of more than 1.5 million people, and over 2,000 industrial units with estimated annual value output of more than $5 billion.

I understand this is an election season and the opposition parties and their supporters are more interested in disparaging the governor than accept the fact that Abia is on the rise, but, let’s leave politics aside, pray, tell, what can be more proof of a resurgent Abia than the Enyimba Economic City?

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

Twists and Turns of Kajuru Killings On the eve of the general election, initially slated for February 16, Nigerians were informed by Governor Nasir el-Rufai of the purported killing of 66 persons in Kajuru, a local government area in the southern part of Kaduna State. Kuni Tyessi, who went on a fact-finding mission to the affected communities, writes that suspicions, claims and counter-claims about the death toll between indigenes and settlers have been the order of the day as they mourn their losses

The grave where 37 Fulani's were allegedly single-handedly buried by Lawal while security personnel kept vigil

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he journey from the main road, a federal high way to Iri lasted for almost two hours on a dusty road, which was only wide enough to accommodate one car at a time.

The community plays host to the Adara ethnic group, indigenes of the area as well as a handful of Fulani's, whom due to their pastoral life have settled there, making several of them to have no other home but this settlement.

The lgbos and other ethnic groups are also found in this society and the major pre-occupation of the indigenes is farming and business. The trip was a fact-finding mission about the reported death of 66 persons in Kajuru, a Local Government Area in the southern part of Kaduna State, last week Friday. The news which was broken by the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, revealed that 66 persons were killed, a number that escalated to 131 within four days.

Counter Claims Thus, the media crew’s first point of call was at the home of the priest of St. Bernard Parish, Rev. Father Donatus Okoye, who countered the figures of the dead being bandied around. He conducted the Mass for the burial of 11 Adara's which included a pregnant woman and an aged blind mother of 90. While confirming that indeed there were killings on the midnight of Sunday, February 10 and the early hours of Monday, the cleric debunked the governor’s claims of 66 persons, which rose to 131 within four days.

He said the Muslims and Christians in the community have enjoyed a cordial relationship until of recent, and if at all there was such an incident leading to such number of deaths as postulated by the governor, his Fulani friends who had found shelter at his residence when the incident happened would have briefed him.

He said: "I have a good relationship with the Fulanis, we do Christmas together, we do Sallah together. On the issue of the killings, it started on February 10, 2019. On Sunday, at about 11pm, Fulani herdsmen invaded Agwan Barde I under Kajuru Local Governments and they killed 10 persons including a pregnant woman.

"The next day being Monday, we were able to get the corpses and we sent information

The issue of killings as stated by the governor that Fulani herdsmen were killed, numbering about 100, is not a true story. Before this unknown gunmen came, most of the Fulani people had left that area. Some of them have gone to the barracks, some of them at Crossing

to the police in Kajuru local government. We gave Information that he (DPO) needs to come and see what is happening and they came. We continued our investigation concerning what took place.

"After our investigation, those that murdered the 11 persons are Fulani herdsmen, they were about 10 of them. We had some of their sticks, the police division went with the sticks. All of them (police) confirmed that it was Fulani herdsmen that carried out the killings.

"On the 11th, we observed that Fulani people were moving out of the area to Kachia Local Government government around Crossing. After the police investigation, they sent a message to the Kajuru local government chairman who confirmed that everything is true, that Fulani carried out the attack.

"Later on in the evening, we organised mass service for burial. We have the pictures confirming that these people were killed. The same day, in the night, around Maro, some unknown gunmen, invaded the place again in the night. We have been trying to trace where they came from but we haven't been able to.

We are still investigating.

"They came and continued to shoot gun and injured some Fulani and Adara people. Some of the injured ran to Iri and some assistance was given to them. Some were taken to the police at Idon Hanya and some to the hospital. Many Christians were injured and also many Fulanis.

"The issue of killings as stated by the governor that Fulani herdsmen were killed, numbering

about 100, is not a true story. Before this unknown gunmen came, most of the Fulani people had left that area. Some of them have gone to the barracks, some of them at Crossing.

"When the governor came, on February 16, that was around 4pm, he came here and passed through Iri. He mentioned earlier that there was war at Iri. It is not a true story. At Iri they passed to discover that children were still playing on the street, business was as usual.

Then they went Barkira.

"I asked the Fulanis why they are packing, they said they are afraid of the killing of Christians at Barde I, that unknown gunmen may also attack them. Even on Tuesday and Wednesday some of them slept in my house."

Unmarked Graves From the home of the priest, the crew continued their journey in the quest of unearthing the facts.

They passed the Iri Gida market square and briefly observed its market day which occurs once in a week until it got to the end of the motorable road which was the beginning of another journey to Ungwan Barde 1, Maro District. It lasted for 48 minutes on a motorcycle.

At the time the crew got to this community which is surrounded with hills and rocks seemingly in the middle of nowhere, the people were still mourning and many had deserted the place. The graves of the dead which were five in number and accommodating two bodies except for one with three which had a pregnant woman, still looked fresh from the activities of

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Until we fully conclude our investigations, we cannot come up with a figure.You may come up with a figure now and then later, you have to come and say it again. As far as police is concerned, we are investigating and investigation is still in its embryonic stage the previous week. Fear as well as uncertainty could be felt in the air. The people were eager to take the media crew round the village and show them proofs of the attack which included burnt barns, bullet ridden doors, blood stained walls and mattress, as well as the pictures of some of the deceased.

They lamented that since the incident, not even one government official had visited to commiserate with them and when asked whom they felt were the perpetrators of the wicked act, they claimed the Fulani's were responsible because they spoke Fulani all through the operation.

The Attack The village head, Mr. Daniel Audu who looked overwhelmed with the recent happenings and who spoke through an interpreter, disclosed that the community which has about 74 households, has never had any conflict with the Fulani's, as communal life was a phenomenon that was observed and well respected by the two groups.

As an eyewitness, he said:" Late in the night as I slept, I heard a knock on my door and when I opened it, there was no one. After sometime, I heard gunshots and I ran into the bush. After sometime, I heard the wailings of a woman saying that Fulani's will kill all of them. I immediately came out from hiding and I asked her to identify herself as the entire community was in complete darkness. She did and I identified her a member of the community.

"Others who had gone into hiding also came out from the bushes and we went round to see what had happened. While some were shot, others had machete cuts. I checked for those already dead and they were right in number.

The others died when attempts were being made to take them to a nearby hospital. I called on the district head of Kufana and he immediately called the DPO who came and showed us where to burry the dead" he added.

Search for the Fulani’s The crew returned to Iri Gida and began to search for Fulani's to speak with, as their exodus from the affected communities had made them scarce. In the search which led towards the main entrance and highway, two Hilux vans filled with armed security personnel of the Nigeria Police were seen escorting some of the Fulani's back to the community. The Fulani's were in a lorry with some food items and all took instructions from Dr. Sale Momale of the Kaduna State Peace Commission.

Out of curiosity, the media crew stopped and had a brief discussion with Momale who said it was late to go to the grave site where the Fulani's had been buried. Already, it was some minutes after six in the evening and everyone was exhausted but determined to get to the crux of the matter. The media team insisted and two Fulani's whom THISDAY later got to know are brothers, were released under instruction from Momale who spoke to one in Fulani to take the media to the site.

The names of the brothers were Lawal Adamu and Ibrahim Adamu. While Lawal was driven in the same car with THISDAY, Ibrahim was driven in the second vehicle.

The journey lasted for about 20 minutes and a walk from the road to the grave site was about another twenty minutes in the midst of trees and shrubs.

Lawal narrated in Hausa how he had singlehandedly dug the grave in a ditch which let out the strong stench of decomposed bodies.

He said the depth of the grave was as deep as his frame, save his head. He added that the burial which took him five days to finish was carried out by him alone in the presence of security personnel comprising of the army and the police who kept vigil while he carried out the activity.

The duo of Lawal (right) and Ibrahim, that led the media to the grave site

Accusing Fingers He however insisted that the Adara’s were responsible for the attack. He said "Adara are responsible for the killings. Between man and God, Adara are behind the killings. It happened early in the morning before some of us could even perform the morning prayers. Those that could run, took to their heels and those that couldn't, had their heads cut off.

"When the burial was taking place, there were military men and the police. The security personnel that stood on my left were up to six in number. Those that stood in front of me are a figure I cannot ascertain. The killings happened on Monday and the burial was performed on Wednesday.

"I have never seen such a thing in my life because we have always lived in peace and have done things together. The only thing we don't do is to inter-marry because our culture, the Fulani culture forbids it."

The media left the scene when it was dark and drove to the highway at some minutes after eight at night. The journey continued and the crew got to Kaduna town at a quarter to 10pm.

to act. According to him, what has been going on in the southern part of the state was not conflict as generally believed but genocide and deliberate acts of terrorism.

The president who was visible angry, noted that a script is been acted upon, adding that exhuming the corpses to serve as evidence for the mass killing of the Fulani's can be considered as an option, as such is the global practice.

He recalled the colossal loss of lives in a neighbouring community, called Kasuwan Magani, where several indigenes of the Southern Kaduna nationalities were killed towards the end of 2018 in which he said the governor never deemed it fit to announce not to talk of the nationalities affected.

He said: "I am sure all of you watched with shock and amazement the announcement of the governor that 66 people were killed and the announcement was made in such a manner to portray to the world that a day before the election was when this incidence happened, assuming if any of such incidence happened.

"As the national president, Hausa, Fulani, Atyap, Bajju, Adara people and all others report incidences to me and you know as a matter of fact, on Sunday, the national president of the Adara Peoples' Development Association called to inform me that 11 people were killed and I told him that authorities should be notified and you believe they were notified. No action was taken by the government be it at state or local government level. Security agents were not mobilised to go there and nothing was said by the governor.

"Mallam Nasir El-rufai is the greatest security threat to the whole of Kaduna state. He is the greatest security threat. We call in the federal government to act on this man. What we are faced with is not conflict but genocide. It's terrorism, nothing more, nothing less. If they claim that Southern Kaduna kills people, what about Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba and other places?

"The governor said that every four years there is a case of violence in the southern part of the state. We saw this statement as a proverbial case of a witch crying at night and someone dies at day time. We believe that it is a script that is being prepared, written and to be projected very soon by some persons.

“We cried out to the world and issued out a press statement and to show that somebody is preparing towards election period and that if anything should happen by way of violence in Southern Kaduna, the governor should be held responsible".

Indictment The next day, being February 22, the National President of the Southern Kaduna Peoples' Union (SOKAPU), Solomon Musa, who held a press conference, called on the federal government

Police Angle On the same day, based on invitation, the media crew visited the office of the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Abdurrahman.

He also disowned the figures touted by the

Conflicting Figures While lamenting the loss of some members of his family including his two wives, parents, grandchild and cattle, Lawal who disclosed that he has no other home apart from the displaced settlement, said such incidence had never been the case as they have always lived in peace and have engaged in several businesses and celebrations with the Adara's.

Adamu who emphasised that he gave the state government the estimated figure of 131 victims, said 37 were buried in the grave he led the media team to, while others were buried in different undisclosed locations. Although the estimated figure of buried bodies he gave did not conform to the total number he claimed and as revealed to the state governor, Lawal continued to insist that the figures were not just 130 but 131. He said he buried two, seven, 18, four and another two at seperate locations.

He said:" I spent five days in burying the dead, me, Lawal Adamu. Some people were buried at Ungwan Ayama and all the bodies had been burnt to ashes. For some of the corpses, only bones measuring arms length were discovered.

The corpses were all together 131 in number. We couldn't bury seven people because we couldn't find the bodies but for the others who had turned to ashes, we were able to bury. Right now we are looking for our lost and displaced cattle in the bush.”

governor, who is the chief security officer of the state. It was also his words against that of Lawal especially as it related to the roles of the security personnel.

Abdurrahman said: "The assertion of the Fulani that policemen were there when he was burying the dead and taking pictures was a mix up because that very hamlet where they said that they buried 37 corpses or so was discovered by the military.

“The terrain was very terrible and it is difficult to know where and where were affected on February 11th when it happened. No policemen went to the area ahead of the military. It was the military that went there first to assist probably the Fulani's that were affected and help them to bury their dead.

“We policemen came along with the general officer commanding (GOC) whose men discovered the place and we went together. It was when we went to Kasuwa Mangani on one of our strategies for stakeholder meeting and trying to calm nerves and finding a lasting solution to this nonsense that we were informed that there is a camp inside Iri and that we should please go and have a look.

"That was when my policemen went. We went and met elements of the military and we saw the grave and that was when some pictures of the burnt hamlet was snapped plus the shallow grave, which we could even smell the stinking ooze that was coming from dead bodies that were buried there plus two motorcycles burnt beside the grave.”

“Until we fully conclude our investigations, we cannot come up with a figure. You may come up with a figure now and then later, you have to come and say it again. As far as police is concerned, we are investigating and investigation is still in its embryonic stage.

“In some areas, they are saying they have been wiped out, some are still recovering the corpses and others are claiming that their persons are missing. We are still getting into that. That is why professionally as the police, we don’t come out with figure until when we are sure and until when we conclude our investigation.”

At the end of THISDAY checks, one stood certain from the several narratives given by all concerned. Even with the various contradictions, all have accepted that indeed there were the loss of lives. This is to say that those in authority need not arouse tension and fear until proper investigation have been carried out without fear or favour bearing in mind that peace is needed in the development of every society.

This also goes to say that for peace to return and for suspicion to be cast away, adequate security must be provided for all and not for a select group. In essence, the onus also lies on members of the respective communities to come together and face their common enemy and not themselves.

22

5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

23

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UAE Selects Ericsson for 5G Network

MEDIA BRIEFING

L-R: Head, Trust Services, UTL Trust Management Services Limited, Ekom Umossoh; Secretary, Mrs. Bisi Adeyemi; Managing Director, Mrs. Olufunke Aiyepola; Director, Ms. Olawunmi Abiodun and Principal Partner, Aster Law Firm, Mr. Kalu Abosi, at the UTL Trustees launch of online will writing service in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

GSMA Calls for Regulatory Framework to Drive Digital Agenda Stories by Emma Okonji The Global System for Mobile Communication Association (GSMA) has stressed the need for a regulatory framework in telecommunications that will drive the global digital transformation agenda.

Director General of the GSMA, Mats Granryd, who made the call at the ongoing Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, proposed a regulatory framework to boost security and bring to fruition, an era of intelligent connectivity, in a bid to accelerate the adoption of a common digital transformation agenda.

According to him, the move would help to build a better future by demonstrating leadership in security and trust.

TELECOM â&#x20AC;&#x153;The GSMA is working on behalf of our members to unite the broader digital ecosystem behind a common vision, namely to act ethically in the digital economy. The security of financial transactions is critical to consumer trust. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you can trust someone with your money, you can trust them with pretty much anything.â&#x20AC;?

Meanwhile, the European Commission (EU) has vowed to ensure swift resolution of 5G security issue across globe.

European Commissioner for digital economy and society, Mariya Gabriel sought to diffuse what she described as

mobile industry unrest on the 5G network security issue, stating her organisation was working to bring a solution to the table very soon.

Speaking at the MWC in Spain, Gabriel acknowledged concerns raised by the mobile industry on potential legislation related national security and 5G rollout. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am well aware of the unrest among all of you key actors in the telecommunications sector caused by the ongoing discussions on the cybersecurity of 5G, but let me reassure you that the Commission takes your view very seriously, because you need to run these systems every day,â&#x20AC;? Gabriel said.

Outside of the security debate, Gabriel praised the

status of 5G development and rollout across the European Union, adding the Commission aimed to be at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence (AI) development.

On the issue of regulatory framework for digital agenda, Granryd said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the mobile and tech industries take the lead on this, we will be able to bring other industries and governments with us.â&#x20AC;?

The regulatory framework, Granryd explained, â&#x20AC;&#x153;must be fit for the digital age, with key objectives such as the need for various governments to support the initiative without killing the long-term opportunity by short-term greediness.â&#x20AC;?

Continued on page 24

ITU: Informed Monitoring Will Address Global Climate Change The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has stressed the need for informed global monitoring of the environment, including the use of space assets, in order to effectively address the growing exploitation of the earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural resources through climate change.

According to ITU, the situation was fast degenerating, leading to a range of environmental problems that require immediate international action.

The Director of the ITU Radio Communication Bureau, Mario Maniewicz, who made the disclosure in a statement, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;If humanity is going to

TELECOM respond effectively, many of the solutions will be informed by global monitoring of the environment, including the use of space assets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Indeed, space sensing observation is essential to help leaders and citizens make better decisions based on reliable data. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today, several dozen satellites contribute to the accumulation of critical knowledge about the earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s system, enabling scientists to describe specific links between a major natural disturbance in the upper atmosphere, and changes in the weather thousands of

miles away.â&#x20AC;?

According to him, as accurate weather predictions needed to start from the best possible estimate of the current state of the atmosphere, it was crucial that meteorologists have real-time, accurate global observations about what is happening in the earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s atmosphere over land and oceans. And for this, they rely on space sensing.

Satellite data is today an indispensable input for weather prediction models and forecast systems used to produce safety warnings and other information in support of public and private decision-making, Maniewicz said.

Citing the Global Climate Observing System - A United Nations Framework, Maniewicz said the need for observations was formally addressed through the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change which has charged the Global Climate Observing System with the responsibility for defining requirements for observations relevant to climate change. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is crucial that meteorologists have real-time, accurate global observations about what is happening in the earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s atmosphere,â&#x20AC;?

Maniewicz Continued on page 24

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Jumia Promotes Online Shopping

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Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x203A;

Botswana OďŹ&#x20AC;ers Zimbabwe $600m Loan

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Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x152;ĂŁ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ě&#x2039;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x203A;

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria has over 40 billion barrels of crude oil reserve in the ground and every year, crude oil reserve increases because the country discovers more oil than it actually produces.

Nigerians therefore need technology skills to explore more oilâ&#x20AC;?

Pioneer Managing Director, NDDC,

Godwin Omene

24

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍśË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

GSMA CALLS FOR REGULATORY FRAMEWORK TO DRIVE DIGITAL AGENDA

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Next, is the approval for consolidation to drive investment while maintaining effective competition, and thirdly, we need to see the same rules for equivalent digital services, with an even playing field for operators and internet players; and lastly, we must have harmonised international privacy and data protection rules,â&#x20AC;? he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The framework is something we at the GSMA will be working hard on behalf of the generality of the public to secure,â&#x20AC;? Granryd said, adding that the organisation stood ready to work with governments and regulators of various countries to put any of such concerns to rest.

The Head, sub-Saharan Africa for GSMA, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, had said although Nigeria still operates 2G and 4G networks, they would gradually give way for 5G as the demand for 5G increases among the millennial, who are the digital natives.

ITU: INFORMED MONITORING WILL ADDRESS GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

advised.

He called on all concerned UN agencies to work together to ensure the sustained provision of reliable physical, chemical and biological observation and data records in order to contribute to the achievement of each one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their associated targets.

The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), is a cosponsored programme which regularly assesses the status of global climate observations and produces guidance for its improvement.

Addressing the issue of spectrum frequency, Maniewicz said spectrum remained crucial for meteorological systems, and must be made availability and always protected, since it is important for the performance of meteorologist, while insisting that the potential economic and societal value of these systems deserve special attention from the ITU membership to the needs of the space science community.

Strategic Plan to Enhance Trade in Nigeria, Others Launched Obinna Chima

partners and ministries and serving as a catalyst for incountry investments in trade.

Drawing from past ecommerce research in a handful of countries, new targets will involve supporting the use and uptake of technology in LDCs that draws from evidence-based trade studies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The EIF does vital work

and is making a real impact on the ground,â&#x20AC;? WTO DirectorGeneral Roberto AzevĂŞdo, explained in a report. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But of course there is still a huge amount of work to be done. We are grateful for the EIF partnersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; strong commitment to our ongoing efforts to take this work forward, as encapsulated in the new Strategic Plan. Together we can

ensure that the EIF continues to deliver for the LDCs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The EIF has been on a remarkable journey over the past decade,â&#x20AC;? said EIF Executive Director, Ratnakar Adhikari. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have built the country ownership that is essential for LDCs to achieve sustained trade development. We must redouble our efforts to make LDCs more competitive.â&#x20AC;?

The EIF is the only multilateral partnership dedicated exclusively to helping LDCs use trade as an engine for growth, sustainable development and poverty reduction.

It is a unique global partnership between LDCs, donors and partner agencies, including the WTO, which work together to build trade capacity in LDCs.

A new Strategic Plan launched by the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) seeks to deepen efforts to assist least developed countries (LDCs) benefit from trade.

The goals of the new plan are to improve the trade environment for LDCs so there is inclusive and sustainable growth, and to increase their exports and access to international markets.

Officially presented for the first time on in Kampala, Uganda, recently, the new 2019-2022 Strategic Plan was designed to better position LDCs in the global economy at a time of growing concerns about trade.

Housed in the WTO, the EIF is a multi-partner programme dedicated to addressing the trade capacity needs of LDCs. With an unstable global economy and high trade costs creating uncertainties across the world, the EIF would focus its work on fragile countries and providing the adaptability needed as well as increasing engagement and support for micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) and women in trade.

The redoubling of efforts includes maximising the work the EIF does best â&#x20AC;&#x201C; meaning forging close working relationships with LDC governments, L-R: National Sales Manager, Sunola Food Limited, Mr.Adarsh Bhaskaran; Executive Director, Dr. Satish Nair; Nollywood Actress/Special creating unique mechanisms Guest, Mide Martins and Group Managing Director, Kelwaram Chanrai Group, Mr. Siva Subramaian, during the launch of Momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Curry PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN for coordination across sectors, Powder in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

PRODUCT LAUNCH

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;How Digitalisation Will Boost Job Creation among SMEsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Emma Okonji In order to enhance job creation among Nigerian youth operating micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs), Cisco Meraki, a cloud managed Information Technology (IT) solutions firm has stressed the need for solutions that are highly simplified and digitised, with capabilities to address immediate challenges.

The company made the disclosure in Lagos at a media briefing to announce its offerings specifically designed to help MSMEs in Nigeria, simplify IT and create jobs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With many organisations today dealing with the chal-

lenges of lack of funding for advanced digital solutions and a lack of IT specialists to manage those solutions, Meraki provides a simplified path to powerful technology,â&#x20AC;? the company said.

According to Cisco, digitisation is the big trend of today and it is important for businesses, whether big or small to adopt digitisation. The new Meraki offerings were designed to simplify IT solutions for small and medium businesses even in the absence of an IT specialist. The technology provides complete network visibility and control - no hardware controllers or overlay software required.

Configurations and management are easily performed remotely or on-site, while trouble shooting can be done in a fraction of the time with advanced networking analytics, allowing businesses to focus on more projects that are impactful.

Speaking at the event, General Manager of Cisco Nigeria, Olakunle Oloruntimehin, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cisco Meraki creates the simplest, most powerful solutions, helping everyone from small businesses to global enterprises save time and money. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It helps organisations to rapidly roll out digital initiatives, delivering real business

value. We are committed to helping our customers overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Technology can connect us, empower us, and drive us. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At Cisco, we believe that by simplifying powerful technology, we can free passionate people to focus on their mission and reach groups previously not utilising technology.â&#x20AC;?

Substantiating the importance of simplified IT solutions, the Territory Manager for Nigeria, Ghana, East and subSaharan Africa, Nick Malherbe, explained the need for businesses to use data smartly and securely for business success.

He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In Nigeria, small

and medium businesses account for 84 per cent of employment attesting to the fact that they contribute greatly to the GDP of the economy. The success of this sector is key for the success of our economy, it is therefore imperative that these businesses use IT solutions that are secure, simple and intelligent.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;With Cisco Meraki, these MSMEs can enjoy agility, operational efficiency, and most importantly, data security that they require to accelerate their digital transformations.

Our goal is to help customers benefit from digitisation by simplifying IT solutions,â&#x20AC;?

Malherbe said.

Group Seeks Increased Tax Revenue for National Development Chinazor Megbolu Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

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

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

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

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Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C; Senior Correspondent

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

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

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

The Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT), Lagos Chapter, has stressed the need for improved tax revenue for national development.

The group, an arm of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), which made this known during an event held in Lagos recently, said there was need to raise awareness on tax payment.

In her address, the Chairperson, Mrs. Dena-Rose Ajayi said the event was organised to arouse the interest of the masses towards sourcing for tax revenue to better the society.

She explained that for

decades, over-reliance on oil revenue had made other sectors to suffer hence the need for the campaign.

Ajayi, also pointed out that the issue at hand was very important for national development because it brings about creation of basic amenities for the citizenry.

She further used the opportunity to laud the Lagos State government for its giant stride in developing the state over the years through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and urged other states to emulate Lagos. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am very happy with Lagos State government for its giant stride in developing the state

with IGR over the years. So, I urged other States to emulate this laudable feat, â&#x20AC;&#x153;she said.

Meanwhile, a former President, CITN, Mr. Anthony Dike, in an interview, described the programme as a good initiative, adding that it would go a long way in boosting economic growth.

He also posited that all should not be about talking alone, but the implementation of promises made so as to aid tax payers to do more.

Moreover, a guest speaker during the event, Mrs. Atinuke Balogun said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be the president to better the lives of the citizenry, but we can do so through our various

capacities as tax professionals.â&#x20AC;?

As the campaign for increased tax revenue continues, the federal government recently disclosed that it generated a total sum of N1.10 trillion as Value Added Tax (VAT) in 2018, representing a growth of 13.96 per cent (year-on-year) when compared to the N972.34billion collected in 2017.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which disclosed this, however noted that a total sum of N298.01 billion was realised in the fourth quarter (Q4, 2018), representing an increase of 8.96 per cent when compared to the N273.50 billion collected in the preceding quarter.

The Sectoral Distribution of

Value Added Tax (Q4 and Full Year 2018) had shown that other manufacturing generated the highest amount of VAT with N28.82 billion in Q4, closely followed by professional services and commercial and trading which both generated N24.12 billion and N16.02 billion respectively. Mining activities generated the least VAT followed by pharmaceutical, soaps & toiletries and chemical, paints and allied industries with N35.75 million, N209.33 million and N258.39 million respectively. Of the total amount generated in Q4, N138.42 billion was collected as non-import VAT locally while N47.89 billion was generated as non-import VAT for foreign.

5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

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Ehimuan-Chiazor: Nigerians Need Affordable Broadband to Access Video Ads Country Director, Google Nigeria, Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, in this interview with Emma Okonji, speaks on how brands and content creators are taking advantage of video ads to engage larger audience through digital communication and stresses the need for affordable broadband across board. Excerpts:

T

from YouTube by taking and uploading short videos on YouTubes. If a lot of people like the video, YouTube can actually monetise it and the video owner will make some money. Most television stations have YouTube channels through which they stream their video contents on their YouTube. So anybody can create a YouTube channel and make money from it. Research has proved that users love YouTube because it is informative, and it is the second largest search platform after Google search engine. Again it allows individuals to express themselves, and it allows access into the wider world.

here are lots of creativities around video contents in recent time and Google is interested in collecting these data to further analyse new trends and developments around video ads. Why the interest from Google?

As Google, we collect lots of data and we understand the trends and best practices around video ads and we try in our own way to share with people, some of the trends and developments of the top performance of video ads on YouTube. To answer your question, I will like to look at video as a theme and what video really means to Nigerians and how some short video ads have helped in shaping consumersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; choice of preference. Google is interested in how individuals, entrepreneurs, brands and content creators are taking advantage of videos, with reference to YouTube, which is a platform for video content distribution.

We are also interested in the top 10 performance of video on the YouTube platform from a brand perspective, the most engaged videos and the best practices around the videos.

What is the difference between YouTube Go and YouTube?

The YouTube Go is a light version of YouTube that allows users to effectively manage their data, and spend more time online to achieve more with less data consumption. Most customers do not spend quality time on YouTube, even when they have quality content to watch and get vital information, the reason being that they are conscious of their data usage. So what Google did was to introduce the YouTube Go that allows individuals to manage their data, and spend longer time online, while consuming lesser data.

With YouTube Go, individuals can save video contents in some files and transfer videos to other people from their mobile phones.

Why do brands and content creators prefer YouTube as a platform for distributing their video contents?

YouTube is where the world chooses to watch videos and for this reason, brands as well as content creators are closely following customers all over the world to push their videos on YouTube in order to meet a wider range of targeted audience. Today, people watch more video contents via their mobile devices and smartphones and a lot of them are free on the YouTube platform, while some are paid to watch. So contents are proliferated and people can watch video everywhere on the go, unlike the past years when people go to video clubs and get registered before they can watch videos.

Some go to cinema houses to watch videos, but all of that have changed over time, with more of the video contents being pushed to YouTube, from where a large number of consumers could access the video content, a situation that has helped to reduce video piracy.

Ehimuan-Chiazor

How does YouTube help individuals to personalise their online viewing experience, using ArtiďŹ cial Intelligence and Machine Learning?

In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology age, contents are personalised and with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), the system understands what an individual likes, the behaviour of individuals, and their lifestyles.

With such information about the individual that is known to the system, it automatically pushes relevant information that suits the individual lifestyle to the individual, using AI and ML. YouTube, for instance, will use AI and ML to push video contents that are related to the contents that the individual search for while online. So YouTube will, through AI and ML, understand the kind of content that an individual is always looking for online and then overtime, YouTube will start pushing retained video contents to such individual without the individual even asking for it. So it personalises the individual viewing experience by always pushing video contents that are relevant to the individual. Most time people think YouTube is on their mind, since it always preempts their mind and thoughts.

This is the reason why brands, content creators and individuals, prefer YouTube video viewing over the regular television viewing.

So how will you describe YouTube in terms of video content distribution?

YouTube can best be described as a Googleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s company and the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular online video community, allowing billions of people to discover, watch and share video. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers, both large and small.

YouTube is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest video platform for content distribution. It currently averages one billion hours of viewing time daily, which shows the huge number of views on YouTube in every one hour daily. Few years ago, YouTube generated so much traffic to the extent that it

In Nigeria, we can also see the rise in the number of video content viewing. From monthly user point of view, YouTube has 1.9 billion global monthly logged in viewers.

There are even lots of people that access YouTube without signing in on YouTube.

So if we aggravate all the numbers of YouTube viewers, we will probably be getting twice the 1.9 billion recorded viewers

was forecasted then that if YouTube maintained the growth rate in generating traffic, there would be urgent need for increased global capacity in order to accommodate the deluge of online traffic. Based on that, YouTube had to work with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and broadband infrastructure company to increase capacity globally so that online video can be accessed more without hitches. In Nigeria, we can also see the rise in the number of video content viewing. From monthly user point of view, YouTube has 1.9 billion global monthly logged in viewers. There are even lots of people that access YouTube without signing in on YouTube.

So if we aggravate all the numbers of YouTube viewers, we will probably be getting twice the 1.9 billion recorded viewers.

What is the difference between YouTube and other online sites that have video contents?

YouTube is a video content distribution platform, and when people visit YouTube, they tend to stay longer because their primary purpose of visit is to watch trending videos. Some of the videos are free to watch, but some are paid for to view the contents. But in other sites like blogs where they also have video, people do not stay long there because they probably stumble on the video while searching for something else.

With YouTube, people take their time to watch 20 to 60 minutes video because they actually desire to watch it. So YouTube is native to video viewing because it gives viewers undivided attention and that is one of the reasons why brands, content creators and individuals love YouTube. YouTube is a trusted platform for advertisers, brands and viewers because it comes with suitable contents and channels with adds. Again, people can actually make money

How is Google addressing the challenges of young Nigerians who are creating video contents and need the protection of their video contents?

Part of what we do is working with brands, content creators, in order to bring more creative contents for the best viewing. We also partner the media to share some of our thoughts on video content viewing. Digital revolution in Nigeria is about content and developing of local content from Nigeria. So it is our desire and pleasure to bring those content online through the YouTube platform so that more Nigerians will have access to local contents in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s era of digital revolution where Nigeria is gradually moving from analogue television viewing to digital television viewing. Most times the fillers we get from foreign online content is that there are lots of negative activities going on in Nigeria. They show images of war, hunger, corruption, economic backwardness, terrorism among others, which most tines are not the true reflection of the Nigerian people. So we need to as a county, come up with contents that portray us in good shape, and that is what YouTube also seeks to address, and to also protect the works of content creators from piracy and give the content creators the opportunity to make good money from their local contents. The more we have our local contents on YouTube, which is a global platform, the more the world get to know about the positive side of Nigerians and Nigeria.

In managing local content through data generation, how do we address the issue of unstructured data?

It is true that we have lots of unstructured data out there and we need to convert the unstructured data into structured data for local content development, and one of the ways to achieve this is through constant education to create the awareness on what is possible. Google, for instance, had pledged to train 10 million people in five years on digital skills for free and the reason is to develop more skills and raise the awareness that people can leverage to empower themselves.

Google is working with start-ups to help them develop applications that could address local challenges. Google is aware of the huge unstructured data seated out there and we are trying to organise them and put them into structured data that could be used to address various challenges.

We have the Google map that captures the environment and gives people direction to places. Again, we have converted some

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Ě&#x201C;

MainOne, Facebook Enhance Open-access Fiber Network Stories by Emma Okonji MainOne has said it will enhance a metro fiber infrastructure network project in two states of Nigeria, with support from Facebook. The infrastructure collaboration

is part of Facebookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to connect more people to broadband internet. As part of the project, MainOne is building and operating approximately 750 km terrestrial fiber infrastructure in Edo and Ogun States.

Firm Unveils Micro SD Card As consumersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; demand for high quality content continues to rise, Western Digital Corp is enabling a bigger, faster experience with new industry-leading solutions that give consumers the best combination of performance and capacity that will enable them do more with the rich content they capture.

At the ongoing Mobile World Congress, the company showcased the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fastest 1TB UHS-I microSD flash memory card, the 1TB SanDisk Extreme UHS-I microSDXC card. The new card features higher speed and capacity for capturing and moving massive amounts of high-quality photos and videos on smartphones, drones and action cameras. These impressive levels of capacity and speed give consumers the ability to create all the content they want without worrying about space limitations or long transfer times.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s smartphones and cameras allow consumers to create high-quality content in the palm of their hands, thanks to features like multi-lenses, burst mode capabilities and the 4K resolution. Western Digital continues to deliver the most advanced solutions to ensure consumers can reliably capture and share a special moment or create video content for personal or professional use.

Announcing the new solu-

tion, the Director, Marketing for SanDisk-branded products at Western Digital, Brian Pridgeon, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;People trust SanDisk-brand cards to capture and preserve their world. Our goal is to deliver the best possible experience so consumers can share the content thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to them.â&#x20AC;?

Designed to help move tons of high-quality content faster than ever, the 1TB SanDisk Extreme UHS-I microSD card reaches speeds up to 160MB/s1.

This new card allows consumers to transfer files in nearly half the time over standard UHS-I microSD cards2 currently on the market. The cards reach these record-breaking speeds by leveraging Western Digitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proprietary flash technology.

The new SanDisk Extreme card will also be available in 512GB capacity, and will feature the A2 specification3 for launching and loading apps at blazing speeds.

The 1TB and 512GB SanDisk Extreme UHS-I microSD cards are available for pre-order now on SanDisk.com, and will be available at select retailers in April 2019. The cards will be priced at $449.99 and $199.99, respectively.

Western Digital offers the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s broadest portfolio of products and solutions to help people capture, preserve, access and transform their personal content.

New Nokia Phones Unveiled HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, has announced four new android smartphones, including the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first smartphone with a unique five camera array, the Nokia 9 PureView.

With a dedication to delivering quality technology for all, the new Nokia phones are as diverse as the consumer needs they serve. Aside the new lines of smartphones, the company also released its latest affordable internet enabled feature phone, the Nokia 210.

The phones were released this week at the ongoing Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain.

The other lines of smartphones include: Nokia 4.2, Nokia 3.2 and Nokia 1 Plus.

Nokia 9 PureView features the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first five camera array with ZEISS Optics to put next generation computational imaging technology into the hands of advanced photography enthusiasts. Every picture taken with a Nokia 9 PureView is in HDR, five cameras simultaneously capture the image and fuse it together into one 12MP photo with outstanding dynamic range and depth of field. Designed with the needs of photography enthusiasts at its heart, Nokia 9 PureView also features the ability to capture images in uncompressed RAW â&#x20AC;&#x153;DNGâ&#x20AC;? format and allies editing directly on the phone.

Nokia 4.2 has been designed to offer the latest smartphone innovations at a truly accessible price. The classy, sculpted-glass design and all-screen display offer beauty on the outside.

Nokia 3.2 combines the biggest HD+ display for the price with our signature two-day battery life1 all powered by the latest Android 9 Pie experience. The Nokia 3.2 features an impressive 6.26â&#x20AC;? HD+ display so youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never struggle and strain to see more of your favourite movies, TV shows and streams.

Nokia 1 Plus is a brand-new member of the Android (Go edition) smartphone family that brings solid imaging in a highquality Nokia design with a big screen, at exceptionally accessible price points.

Nokia 210 is a new addition to its market-leading feature phone family. It can be connected to the web with Opera Mini browser and has a crucial role in the Nokia phone line-up as the most affordable internet device and comes in a durable, inherently coloured polycarbonate shell.

Chief Executive Officer, HMD Global, Florian Seiche, said:â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have had a phenomenal response from consumers to our entire portfolio, thanks to our unique approach to Android, delivering a pure, secure and always up-to-date experience.

These open-access transport networks will provide metro fiber connectivity to reach more than one million people in Benin City, Abeokuta, Sagamu and 10 other towns by connecting mobile operatorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; base stations, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Points of Presence (POPs), and public locations including schools and hospitals. This partnership will leverage MainOneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strength as a wholesale tele-

coms infrastructure service provider with investment from Facebook and support from local regulatory and state authorities to further deepen broadband penetration in Nigeria.

Speaking on the partnership, Network Investments Lead for Emerging Markets at Facebook, Ibrahima Ba, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are working closely with MainOne and other partners to accelerate broadband deployment.

In Nigeria, we are bringing together Facebookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s learnings from scaling our global infrastructure with MainOneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s knowledge of the local environment to develop and test new working models for multiple operators to access common infrastructure.â&#x20AC;?

MainOneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chief Executive Officer, Funke Opeke, lauded the collaboration, the commitment of Facebook and authorities in Nigeria,

designed to improve broadband penetration across the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;MainOne has always been committed to broadband innovation, job creation, as well as growing the digital economy of West Africa. We believe that this partnership and the open-access network we have developed will be beneficial to improving the quality of access and accelerating the digital transformation in Ogun

ENHANCING WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY

L-R: EMEAR Commercial Regional Manager, Cisco, Steven Kewley; General Manager, Nigeria and West African Countries, Olakunle Oloruntimehin and Territory Manager for Nigeria, Ghana East and sub-Saharan Africa, Nick Malherbe, at the launch of Cisco Meraki connectivity solutions in Lagos...recently

Swift2pay to Introduce UK Disagrees with US Online Bill Payment Service Decision to Ban Huawei 5G Network Swift2pay, a bill payment on both the individual, corporate service, has fully commenced business online, providing seamless services to consumers and suppliers. Swift2pay is a platform designed to make payments easy including airtime recharge, data, internet, utilities and fund transfers.

Speaking at a recent media launch for the online business of the product, Operations Director of the Dukan Group, Mr. Chinedu Amadi, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Swift2pay is an easy to use payment gateway and card to ensure only your wallet feature is exposed to online transactions.â&#x20AC;?

Swift2pay, he added, is an innovation that would enable Nigerians to move around with a smart wallet that has an additional feature of the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card.

Literally, the product enlarges the coast for the cashless society.

He said consumers could tap into the boom by registering on the web app to complete their transactions. He promised that the Swift2pay App would soon be on-boarded into Google Play Store and the Apple Store to enable consumers fund their wallet through a transfer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigerians can truly save time â&#x20AC;&#x201C; cut off the waiting game at the bank, at the electricity office where sometimes the queue stretches on to 100 meters, or even the drive around in search of recharge cards. The cumulative effect is increased productivity

and national levels,â&#x20AC;? Amadi said.

Swift2pay was initially launched as a payment platform embedded in the CarXie e-hailing Cab App in July 2018. A good number of banks and financial institutions have bought into it and are doing business successfully with Swift2pay. The Dukan Group is a beehive of digitally innovative apps including Vino Facility for estate management, Vino Biz for start-ups, Vino Medicals, Vino Academy, Vino Tech Solutions, among others.

The DuKan Group Operations Director seized the opportunity to acknowledge and commend the contributions of Konga, an eCommerce company to the current culture of enterprise, confidence and trust in the online market. Amadi listed some of the novel inputs, including the omni-channel model adopted

by Konga that will ultimately grow the online market, while diminishing the traditional through the availability of lower priced smart phones. He also listed the re-introduction of the payment on delivery mode; and the imparting of knowledge, skills and competencies through massive deployment of technology; interaction of hundreds of staff from diverse backgrounds; as well as international and local partners, as a fertile pedigree of hard work and integrity that would boost e-Commerce in Nigeria.

Despite restrictions in the United States (US) on Huaweiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5G network equipment, and the controversial allegations that Chinese manufacturers are spying on the West, the United Kingdom(UK)â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has reiterated that Huaweiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s network equipment do not pose threat to security, adding that any potential risk posed from using the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equipment can be easily mitigated.

According to Financial Times sources, the NCSC has ruled out a blanket ban, but hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t formally settled on what to do in response to the USâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s persuasion to ban the use of Huawei equipment.

Huaweiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founder, Ren Zhengfei, in a recent interview with the BBC, stated categorically that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the US cannot crush Huaweiâ&#x20AC;?. In a previous report by the Bloomberg, Zhengfei, had stated that despite the potential impact of the US plot on the business, he was confident Huaweiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revenue would grow to $125 billion in 2019 from more than $100 billion last year.

Speaking on the NCSCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s findings regarding the safety of Huaweiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equipment, Zhengfei restated the fact that many of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mobile companies, including Vodafone, EE and Three, are working with Huawei to develop their 5G

networks.

Zhengfei added that Huawei would invest even more in the UK. According to him, if the US doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t trust us, then we will shift our investment from the US to the UK on an even bigger scale. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Huawei is considered a global leader when it comes to telecoms equipment, and is one of only a few true suppliers of 5G. Many have speculated that the motivation behind the United States allegations are both commercial and geopolitical, given that the United States and China are locked in a trade dispute that has disrupted the flow of hundreds of billions of dollars of goods.

Reuters reported last year that President Donald Trump was considering an executive order for 2019 to declare a national emergency that would bar US companies from using telecommunications equipment made

by Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Huawei and ZTE. Huawei has maintained its stand on its non-involvement in allegations of spying, stating that it will not be in the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest to do so, adding that in the contrary, it could cause the company to lose its image and the current position in the international market. The company said it would strive to build on its sales revenues that reached $108.5 billion in 2018.

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PTAD Concludes VeriďŹ cation of Former Savannah Sugar Workers Ebere Nwoji

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) said it has concluded the verification of 1,621 ex-workers of the Savannah Sugar Company Limited (SSCL).

PTAD, said during the exercise, it was able to successfully verify a total of 1,621 ex-workers and Next of Kins (NoK) of the company who presented themselves for the exercise with their biometrics captured.

It said the exercise was in line with President Muhammadu Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s promise to resolve and ensure the accurate computation and payment of

the balance of the one-off terminal benefits for the workers who were disengaged in 2002 when the company was privatised.

The directorate said a total of 1,290 ex-workers and 331 NoKs turned out for the nine-day exercise.

A statement quoted PTADâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Executive Secretary, Sharon Ikeazor, to have said the verification was for the payment of the balance of the one-off terminal benefits paid to them by the BPE in 2002 at the time of privatisation.

She assured the exworkers of the company in the diaspora who did not take part in the exercise that they can be

verified at PTAD Head office in Abuja or PTAD North East Regional office in Yola, Adamawa State.

Ikeazor, said the verification of SSCL brings the total number of defunct/ privatised agencies verified by PTAD to eight including Delta Steel Company (DSC), NITEL/ Mtel, NICON Insurance Plc, New Nigeria Newspapers and Nigeria Reinsurance.

She also assured that preparations for the verification of all other treasury funded parastatals, including defunct/ privatised agencies, has been completed and will commence shortly across the country.

Zimbabwe Limits Dollar Sales to Foreign Payments Zimbabweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commercial banks are under orders to restrict United States dollar transactions to companies and individuals with foreign payments to make, according to a central bank directive that demonstrates the slow progress of currency reforms.

The document, a measure of the foreign exchange controls that remain in place six days after authorities announced moves to ease chronic cash shortages, also states such transactions should be aimed at stimulating economic growth.

The document sent to banks was seen by Reuters.

Zimbabwe abandoned a discredited 1:1 dollar peg for its dollar-surrogate bond notes and electronic dollars last week, merging them into a lower-value transitional currency called the RTGS dollar.

It launched the RTGS dollar in a â&#x20AC;&#x153;managed floatâ&#x20AC;? at 2.5 per U.S. dollar, but as of Tuesday, banks had yet to start selling hard currency in cash. Banks were only selling U.S. dollars to firms and individuals with invoices or receipts for imports deemed a priority, such as fuel and medicines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All interbank market sales

to individuals and corporates shall be restricted to funding of external obligations,â&#x20AC;? and banks should submit dealing reports every two hours, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) directive said.

Dealers were encouraged to take steps â&#x20AC;&#x153;to ensure efficient utilisation of foreign currency that is tilted towards the productive sectors of the economy,â&#x20AC;? it added.

The state-owned Herald newspaper reported that Botswana had offered to lend Zimbabwe $600 million to support its diamond industry and private firms.

Economists say the RTGS reform shows promise provided the government makes good on a plan to let the new currency fluctuate.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube told Reuters in an interview that, while the market should determine the RTGS rate, the government wanted to avoid excessive volatility. However, the current official rate values the RTGS far higher than on a thriving black market that many ordinary Zimbabweans use to buy and sell US dollars.

The central bank has sold small amounts of US dollars

to banks at 2.5 RTGS in recent days, and a currency dealer told Reuters the RBZ had authorised banks to buy and sell US dollars at 2.5 percent either side of that rate.

Tellers at two banks in downtown Harare said they could help clients make payments for overseas purchases at 2.5625 RTGS, the rate that other banks offered on Monday.

However, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the RBZ hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t given us any U.S. dollars in cash yet,â&#x20AC;? a teller at a CABS bank branch said.

The central bank sold what it called â&#x20AC;&#x153;seed foreign currency capitalâ&#x20AC;? to banks, but the sums in question appear to be tiny. A senior RBZ official told The Standard newspaper around $5 million had changed hands on the interbank market on Friday.

Bureaux de change can in theory sell people U.S. dollars in cash, but they are few and far between and the central bank directive said some would have to re-apply for operating licences.

One exchange bureau at the Road Port bus station in Harare was not selling U.S. dollars in cash yet but hoped it would start making sales next Monday.

Trump Delays Tariff Hike on Chinese Goods President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would delay an increase in United States tariffs on Chinese goods thanks to â&#x20AC;&#x153;productiveâ&#x20AC;? trade talks and that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping would meet to seal a deal if progress continued.

According to Reuters, the announcement was the clearest sign yet that China and the United States are closing in on a deal to end a monthslong trade war that has slowed global growth and disrupted markets.

Trump had planned to raise tariffs to 25 per cent, from 10 per cent on $200

billion worth of Chinese imports into the United States if an agreement between the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two largest economies were not reached by Friday.

After a week of talks that extended into the weekend, Trump said those tariffs would not go up for now. In a tweet, he said progress had been made in divisive areas including intellectual property protection, technology transfers, agriculture, services and currency.

As a result, he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will be delaying the U.S. increase in tariffs now scheduled for March 1.

Assuming both sides make additional progress, we will be planning a Summit for President Xi and myself, at Mar-a-Lago, to conclude an agreement.

A very good weekend for U.S. & China!â&#x20AC;?

Mar-a-Lago is the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s property in Florida, where the two men have met before. According to Reuters, the president did not set a new deadline for the talks to conclude, but he told US state governors gathered at the White House that there could be â&#x20AC;&#x153;very big news over the next week or twoâ&#x20AC;? if all went well in the negotiations.

THE ENTREPRENEURâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BEST FRIEND

DEBBIE LARRY-IZAMOJE

What Kids Teach Us about Business Growing up I always wondered why my parents shared their business ideas with us before proper implementation. With age and running my own digital agency, I have come to realize the importance of seeking opinion on business ideas before implementation even from sources and people that might not necessarily be vast in that area. A basic chat sometimes creates the inspiration you need.

One of my greatest inspirations has therefore been children. If you watch your child closely youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll realize that he/she mirrors some of your greatest leadership and business lessons. If you do not believe me yet, then read below 1. Be Inquisitive A lot of adults find it very difficult to ask questions or simply admit that they do not have solutions to certain problems. We try to present this façade that we have attained the highest levels of success. And this sometimes limits us even in getting the help we need in reaching the next level of business.

Kids on the other hand are never afraid to ask questions. Actually they ask questions to the point where they exhaust whoever it is they are investigating. And be rest assured that they will ask questions till they have reached a point of satisfaction. This is probably why Simon Sinek tells us constantly that in business you have to start with the â&#x20AC;&#x153;why?â&#x20AC;?

The why is really the game changer of any business model. It is what causes you to do the things you do. It is the first step to discovery in business. This shows that business requires people to be inquisitive, to ask questions.

In doing so you gain knowledge and notice tiny details which very often make up the big things.

2.Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Take Everything So Seriously This should probably have been my first point. Children are great at letting things go. You scold them this minute and the next minute they are back in your arms like nothing ever happened. This can also be applied to business, as business can barely be done without stepping on a few toes. You will hurt people and people will hurt you. You simply have to learn to let go.

On my radio show for business owners, I once discussed emotional intelligence and the feedback was incredible because this is an aspect of business that we sometimes do not think deeply about. As a professional, you simply cannot have an emotional reaction to everything that is being said or done to you.

Kids are constantly learning even when not in school. We must learn that the key to success is working smart and not necessarily hard. Like kids you should learn to seek new opportunities, mix work environments and have fun on the job! A mind, which is more relaxed, is usually more productive. Do not stress the little things.

3. Do Not Be Afraid to Start When I was younger I joined so many cocurricular clubs. Not because I was the best or I had so much time free time after school.

The truth is that I never second-guessed myself. If there was a new club in school and I had genuine interest in it, there was

no stopping me.

In short, I had signed up for so many clubs that my timetable crashed. And so for those clubs that the school had restricted me from participating in due to my other responsibilities in other clubs, I was simply attending some of their meetings to watch and learn or even support my friends.

My friends and I had that â&#x20AC;&#x153;whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the worst that can happenâ&#x20AC;? mentality. And this should be applied to business. Nothing is ever really a failure. If that business venture does not excel, you can be sure that the lessons you will learn cannot even be paid for in the Harvard Business School. You must resist that fear of failure. If not controlled it may take root and will limit other areas of your life.

4. Have a Support System My parents have always been my support system. The truth is growing up, they were a huge motivation behind most things I managed to achieve. I always wanted to go back with an award just so they could say they were proud of me.

We need this too in business. That one person that motivates us, or gives us that pep talk before we go out into any battlefield. That one person we always want to win awards for just to hear them say how proud they are of us.

This is someone who keeps us accountable, someone we can be real with. If you do not have one please start building relationships like this. They are very crucial while running your business.

5. Success Happens in Stages Kids first learn to crawl before they walk and then run. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a process and we just need to learn to trust it. You must learn to be patient and never give up no matter how difficult the process is. A kid while learning to walk may cry when they fall, but they always stand up some how even if it means seeking the support of their loved ones. They never let a fall deter them from their goal of walking.

We must all reflect on this and implement it into our businesses.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Debbie Larry-Izamoje AKA The Entrepreneurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best-Friend, holds a BSc in Information management from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. And Msc in management from University College London (UCL). She has also secured certificates in user innovation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Innovation and strategy from Harvard University.

She is on a mission to raise a generation of young established or soon to be established professionals who are more vocal about business difficulties while providing solutions through public speaking, article writing, training, workshops and coaching.

She is the founder of Image Boosters a Communications and strategy agency aimed at assisting SMEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, with core services in social media management and business strategy consultation.

Website: www.imageboosters.com.ng Instagram: @dee_larry @imageboosters_ Email: contactus@imageboosters.com.ng or debbie@imageboosters.com.ng

Firm Introduces New Product Freshworks, one of the global leaders in customer engagement software has unveiled Omniroute, a new, load balancing engine for multi-channel customer inquiries today.

Built into Freshdesk, Freshworksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; helpdesk software, this patent-pending technology provides customer service agents with a unified view of customer inquiries regardless of channel and helps them respond to those inquiries more efficiently.

Today, users demand customer service via a wide array of communication channels, including instant messaging, chat, email, phone and even social media.

Using first-generation Softwareas-a-Service (SaaS) customer support solutions, agents are unable to easily switch between channels and are quickly overwhelmed alt-tabbing between inquiry types.

At the same time, managers find it difficult to route traffic efficiently.

The result is stressed-out employees and frustrated customers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With Omniroute, businesses with multi-skilled support agents can now automatically assign customer queries to agents with available bandwidth,â&#x20AC;? a statement explained.

According to Microsoftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2018

State of Customer Service Report, 59 per cent of customers use three or more customer service channels to connect with businesses.

But todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customers expect to receive service across multiple channels and on any device, the statement added.

Previously, support agents had to make use of complex integrations to handle omnichannel routing. Now they can use Freshdesk, the helpdesk software, which integrates with Freshcaller, the call-center solution, and Freshchat, the live chat software, to instantly switch between different support channels.

5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

29

30

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍśË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

Giving Back to Consumers Raheem Akingbolu writes on an MTN Nigeria campaign focused on touching lives

T

o build legacy and sustain brand equity, top corporate bodies in the Nigerian market are daily reviewing their giving back activities. Beyond the larger picture of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that will impact the generality of the society, a few organisations are looking at initiatives that would enable them impact lives individually without considering commercial gains. Perhaps because CSR has suddenly become another means of advertising to some organisations, consumer centric organisations are thinking out of the box to develop a concept that would devoid of praise singing.

Towards the end of 2017, when Nigeria was crawling out of the recession that almost crippled the entire nation, some lucky individuals got unexpected gifts through a campaign tagged; Season of Surprisesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Through the campaign, some motorists got unexpected free fuel at petrol stations; some got free buses, trains to their various destinations during the festive periods and it also placed food on the tables of thousands of people at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), camps across the country.

To achieve its objectives, the promoters of the campaign â&#x20AC;&#x201C;MTN Nigeria, didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give prior notice before hitting the streets with their goodies. By the time the 2017 edition would end, 277,000 lives had been touched across the country. Aside other good attributes of the gesture, it was specially commended by many observers because it targeted all Nigerians, whether they were on MTN network or not.

Speaking to THISDAY on how the initiative was conceived and its objectives, Senior Manager, High Value, MTN Nigeria, Idowu Adesokan, said the whole idea sprang up in 2017, as the company was looking for ways to cushion the effect of recession among Nigerians. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The country just got out of recession and the MTN family wanted to introduce something that would be like a palliative measure to cushion the effect of the recession. It was a time when everybody was like tight-fisted and we thought we could make a difference by reaching out to people with unexpected gifts. We believe that no matter how little the gift, we feel that if we give somebody, regardless of whether he or she is on our network or not, such a person will appreciate it. That was the background and the feedback from the maiden edition in 2017 was encouraging,â&#x20AC;?

With the cheering feedbacks from those who benefitted from the initiative in

we did something different in this regard.

The common thing when brand owners target campuses, is to visit the first grade institutions but in our own case, we took it to Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Universities across the country. For instance, we were at Emmanuel Alayande College of Education in Oyo. We were at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, the team was in Asaba and it was in Kano,â&#x20AC;?

CEO, MTN Nigeria, Ferdi Moolman

2017, MTN closed its business in 2018 with the grand finale of its Season of Surprises, where it touched nearly 400,000 lives in 21 days. The 2018 edition was heralded with an unannounced visit to Giwa Barracks in Ikoyi where staff of the company led by the Chairman, Dr. Pascal Dozie showered gifts, including foodstuff, generators and more on officers of the Defence Head Quarters and their families.

According to Adesokan, as a result of the successful venture in 2017, MTN decided to take it a notch higher in 2018 by widening its scope and impacting more people. He also pointed out that last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition covered at least 10 unique activities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To extend the frontiers of the campaign, it was segmented into 10 activities. They include; visit to IDP Camps, through which we attended to the need of displaced people in the society. There was what we called yellow train, through which MTN team visited 90 different locations; towns and villages and gave out gifts to different people. Items distributed are; 300 bag of rice, 300 bottles of oil and

100 cartons of noodles in each location. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were also in 10 public primary schools, where we gave top range bags and things that pupils would need on their resumption in the New Year. We were in 15 cinemas and we did bus and train transport fare payment. The campaign also took care of the domestic flights of some air passengers. We were also in 30 general hospitals, where we gave out provisions like Milo, Milk and antiseptics products to patients. It also included surprise visits to petrol stations, super markets and campuses, where quality gifts were given out,â&#x20AC;?

Speaking further, the senior manager, said in 2018, the company introduced a top-up card that enabled it gave N2000 worth of fuel to motorists at some selected petrol stations across the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t restrict it to a particular vehicle or class of people; whether you are driving motorcycle or SUV or commercial bus, we gave it out on equal basis. It was 50 cars per petrol station and we made it a pan-Nigerian scheme. The train also visited campuses, where we showered surprise gifts on students. In our approach,

Target audience Two things singled out the campaign; the fact that it targets all Nigerians, irrespective of their networks and the fact that it factors in both the rich and the less privilege people in the society.

Two months after it has ended, experts have continued to describe the fact that it took care of all interests as the icing on the cake.

Speaking about this, Adesokan pointed out that in 2017, the team went as far as going to pay for peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transport fares as they were going for yuletide celebrations in their various states in the eastern part of the country and other places. The same gesture was also said to have been extended to people going to Kaduna from Abuja by train on 24th of December, 2017. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In 2017, we took care of the fare of passengers aboard the train going from Abuja to Kaduna and they were excited.

In 2018, we still did the same thing but we raised the bar. We did more busses, we did more trains and we now went to airports, where we did five planes in Abuja and Lagos by paying for the flight of people moving to their various destinations for Christmas and New Year celebrations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What do we want to achieve with this?

We just felt there was a need to celebrate with and appreciate Nigerians whether you are our customer or not, we are all Nigerians. With it, we wanted to deepen that culture of giving and encouraged others to appreciate such gestures as a way of lives to impact the live of their neighbours. Another thing we notice is that when the issue of giving is raised, what comes to mind is the less privilege in the society. In MTN, we said no, everybody can be touched, status notwithstanding.

To us, we believe everybody appreciate when you give,â&#x20AC;?

The brand expert explained that in many societies, the rich has been alienated when it comes to giving as everybody wants to take from the well to do people in the society but nobody is willing to give them anything.

Ehimuan-Chiazor: Nigerians Need Affordable Broadband to Access Video Ads of the unstructured data around Nollywood into structured data where content creators can actually make their money. Before now there were huge financial losses from pirated movies that were burnt into compact discs (CDs) and sold at various bus stops and locations, but all that have stopped, with the introduction of our YouTube platform.

What is the current leaderboard for top performers in local video ads on YouTube?

The recent statistics from YouTube shows that the top 10 ads on the Nigerian leaderboard represent over 17 million views in 2018, a figure, which shows that local audience now prefer to watch ads online. The top ads of the year represent brands that have executed the most popular ads, as determined by YouTubeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strongest signals of viewer choice â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including factors like watch time, views, and mix of paid/organic views.

YouTube has over a billion users, a figure that is almost one-third of all people on the internet, and each day the users watch a billion hours of video, generating billions of views. For instance, the MTNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Traditional Wedding Day ad, got 2.6 million views, while Jumia Black Fridays 2018 ad got 2.3 million views, and Stanbic-IBTC Enabling you to be you ad, got 2.1 million views.

Others are the Enabling Success ad from Union Bank of Nigeria, which got 2.7 million views;

ad, which got 1.2 million views.

Ehimuan-Chiazor

the 919 Dance Video ad from United Bank of Africa (UBA), which got 1.6 million views; The Takeover ad from MTN MPULSE, which got 1.6 million views; The-Inlaws - Tutorial ad from Airtel Nigeria, which got 1.4 million views; Ariel Assurance ad from P&G Nigeria, which got 1.3 million views; Come Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eat Together - GTBank Food and Drink 2018 ad from GTBank, which got 1.2 million views, and The new Inverter equation of home appliances from LG Inverter

Can you share the 2018 global year-end YouTube ads leaderboard?

Amazon Super Bowl LII Commercial ad from Alexa Loses Her Voice, got 50.1 million views. YouTube Music: Open the world of music. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all here., got 39.5 million views; OPPO F7 - Real Support Makes Real Hero, got 31.7 million views; Nike - Dream Crazy, 27.3 million views; Turkish Airlines: Safety Video with The LEGO Movie Characters, got 25.2 million views; Groupon 2018 Super Bowl Commercial â&#x20AC;&#x153;Who Wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tâ&#x20AC;?, got 25.5 million views; Samsung Galaxy: Moving On, 17.4, got million views; HomePod â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Welcome Home by Spike Jonze â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Apple, got 16.3 million views; Gatorade Heart of a Lio, got 13.7 million views; while Rescue Blue the Dinosaur - LEGO Jurassic World - Pick Your Path, got 10.8 million views.

There seems to be a wide margin between the number of local viewers and that of global viewers. What could be the reason for the differential?

The reason for the disparity in the number of local viewing and global viewing of video ads, is that global ads were targeted at global audience, while the Nigerian local online ads were restricted to only local audience. Again,

the cost of broadband bandwidth is cheaper internationally than in Nigeria, which could be a determining factor why people stay longer when viewing online ad internationally than locally. Also, traffic generation is correlated with broadband growth of a country, and it speaks to the fact that more people will view a particular ad that they find interesting, if they have cheap broadband. It is for this reason that Google introduced the YouTube Go, which is a light and faster app in terms of speed of connectivity, which also saves data usage. We also launched Google Station last year, which helps us to work with local providers to provide fast high-speed internet access to users, free of charge.

So what is the global prediction about online video consumer trafďŹ c in the near future?

According to Ciscoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent survey report, it was predicted that global online video viewing will reach 82 per cent by 2021, up from the current 60-70 per cent viewing. Most of the contents that are trending today on the web, are video contents and we see them rising in the near future. So going forward, there is likelihood that there will be less of SMS and images and more of video contents. We will be seeing short but powerful videos that will last for between 10 seconds to 60 seconds.

5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

31

UTILIZATION OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE AS AT 22ND OF FEBRUARY 2019 S/N

CUSTOMERS

DATE

S/N

CUSTOMERS

DATE

S/N

CUSTOMERS

1

EJIUGWUEBO H. NKECHINYERE

3,650.00

PTA

359.00

18-Feb-19

75

SOFOLABO O. ADEKUNLE

1,000.00

PTA

359.00

20-Feb-19

149

EYITAYO LAMBO

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

2

IGWEBUEZE U. ADLINE

AMOUNT (US$)

4,000.00

PTA

PURPOSE

359.00

RATE

18-Feb-19

76

EZE JUDE

AMOUNT (US$)

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

20-Feb-19

150

FAMOUS BOYIN

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

3

SUNDAY C. UCHECHUKWU

1,000.00

PTA

359.00

18-Feb-19

77

BADA SULEMAN O

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

20-Feb-19

151

OKON RITA VICTOR

3,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

4

MUHAMMED S. ADUKE

300.00

PTA

359.00

18-Feb-19

78

OYATOYE E. OLATEJU

20-Feb-19

152

UKA OBASI

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

5

ESSIEN E. GODWIN

400.00

PTA

359.00

18-Feb-19

79

OGBOLUMANI O. ADEJOKE

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

20-Feb-19

153

MBANEFO LOUIS NNAMDI

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

OZOR JOSEPH

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

20-Feb-19

154

AJUYAH I. EUGENE

1,350.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

20-Feb-19

155

IROCHEONWU I. SUNNY

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

2,800.00

PURPOSE

PTA

RATE

359.00

AMOUNT (US$)

400.00

PURPOSE

RATE

DATE

6

OGUNLEYE L. AKANBI

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

18-Feb-19

80

7

EDZUWAH R. CHINYELU

3,000.00

PTA

359.00

18-Feb-19

81

NMONWU M. CHIGOZIE

8

IGWE C. CHUKWUMA

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

18-Feb-19

82

GORIOLA C. YAKUB

20-Feb-19

156

UGBO EBI OGE

9

IKOBI U. EUGENE

1,000.00

PTA

359.00

18-Feb-19

83

OWHOTU V. BENJIE

2,279.22

PTA

359.00

20-Feb-19

157

IREKE KALU KALU

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

EMEKA IGWE CHIKE NNE

1,303.01

PTA

359.00

20-Feb-19

158

OKUDO GRACE IFEOMA

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

SAMUEL ERUOMI

2,200.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

20-Feb-19

159

OMOTUYI A. JOHN

1,000.00

PTA

359.00

3,000.00

PTA

359.00

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

10

MAKINDE ADEWALE

3,418.83

PTA

359.00

18-Feb-19

84

11

AWOMOLO R. AKANMU

2,286.80

PTA

359.00

18-Feb-19

85

12

ANIKPO FELIX

1,291.10

PTA

359.00

18-Feb-19

86

AGBEYO O. DORA

5,800.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

20-Feb-19

160

KAYODE OLUFUNMILAYO

550.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

13

EJECKAM V. OBIAGELI

3,941.55

PTA

359.00

18-Feb-19

87

MACAULAY OLUSEGUN

7,601.88

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

20-Feb-19

161

PAMELA N. GADO

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

14

ASHIMI TONBOFA EVA

3,244.22

PTA

359.00

18-Feb-19

88

OKERE N. GOLDA

11,170.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

20-Feb-19

162

ANAEKWE C. SYLVESTER

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

15

OLARENWAJU OLADIPO

359.00

18-Feb-19

89

SOLANKE O. AJOKE

12,036.36

20-Feb-19

163

EBUOH D. ENAMIRORO

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

16

MANU E. CYRENIUS

6,655.03

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

18-Feb-19

90

OGOJI F. ADEWALE

10,007.04

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

20-Feb-19

164

EBUOH EFE PHOEBE

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

17

OKOLIE FOLUKE OYEYEMI

1,597.68

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

18-Feb-19

91

DURU EMMANUEL

3,909.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

20-Feb-19

165

OKORO JOHN,N

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

18

PATRICK C. ALBAN

5,706.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

18-Feb-19

92

CBN

222,916.99

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

20-Feb-19

166

IGBUYA M. OVWIGHO

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

19

OGBO A. ANASTASIA

1,292.30

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

18-Feb-19

93

CBN

71,003.27

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

20-Feb-19

167

MANSUR K. ALKALI

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

20

NIKEOLANLE NIG ENTERPRISES

7,107.65

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

18-Feb-19

94

PURECHEM MANUFACTURING LTD

226,650.00

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL

362.50

20-Feb-19

168

ADENIJI SODIQ WAHEED

660.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

21

NATHANIEL J YEMI

11,640.24

MEDICAL BILL

359.00

18-Feb-19

95

PURECHEM MANUFACTURING LTD

226,650.00

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL

362.50

20-Feb-19

169

OKORIE JOHN

22

CBN

79,943.11

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

18-Feb-19

96

PURECHEM IND. LIMITED

115,000.00

DENSIFIED MICROSILICA FUME

362.30

20-Feb-19

170

UZUEGBONAM A. OGONNA

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

23

CBN

20,294.45

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

18-Feb-19

97

PURECHEM IND. LIMITED

328,483.20

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL

362.30

20-Feb-19

171

ONUKWUBE EMEKA

3,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

24

AIRTEL NETWORKS LTD

36,000.00

DEALER SIM

362.50

18-Feb-19

98

PURECHEM IND. LIMITED

351,412.09

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL

362.30

20-Feb-19

172

ATOMORI O. HENRY

500.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

173

ONWOK G. EKPE

1,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

174

ONUWA CHIOMA

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

175

KALU AGWU UDUMA

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

176

ASOMBA UCHE

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

177

IHESIABA CYRIL

1,200.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

178

POPOOLA SHOLA

3,421.50

BTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

179

POPOOLA OMOLARA

3,421.50

BTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

180

CHUKWUDEBELU JULIE

1,140.81

PTA

359.00

181

OKORODAS E. ANTHONY

1,016.71

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

182

NWANKWO C. NENGI

3,830.14

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

183

ALADEOKIN O.VICTOR

639.94

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

184

3,970.52

PTA

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

25

NOURDM GLOBAL COMPANY LTD

8,061.44

TWIN PACKING MACHINES

362.50

18-Feb-19

99

STELLA OJEKWE ONYEJELI

2,000.00

INSURANCE PAYMENT

362.10

20-Feb-19

26

SALEH SALAMATU KIDA

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

19-Feb-19

100

STELLA OJEKWE ONYEJELI

2,000.00

INSURANCE PAYMENT

362.10

20-Feb-19

27

EKWEZIA UCHE JUDE

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

19-Feb-19

101

CBN

28

ESENE CELESTINA

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

19-Feb-19

102

TINCAN ISLAND CONTAINER TERMINAL’S

29

KATEY OBAA KATEY

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

19-Feb-19

103

KIRIDI EBIZIMOR ALEX

1,000.00

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

30

CANDIDE J. BABAJIDE

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

19-Feb-19

104

OGUNLANA F. CHRISTOPHER

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

31

UKOMA OPARA

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

19-Feb-19

105

BARIDAM DON MONDAY

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

32

OLADOKUN O. JAMES

1,000.00

PTA

359.00

19-Feb-19

106

ALAKIJA A. OLUYEMISI

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

30,000,000.00 700,000.00

INTERBANK

361.00

20-Feb-19

LEASE FEES FOR JANUARY '19

362.00

20-Feb-19

33

OLUMEKUN F. OLUBUNMI

2,584.62

PTA

359.00

19-Feb-19

107

LAWAL ABIODUN KAFILAT

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

34

KUJORE OLUWASEUN

2,076.00

PTA

359.00

19-Feb-19

108

AMANA IDRIS EDWARD

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

35

LAWAL MUSTAPHA

8,400.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

19-Feb-19

109

IGWE OKECHUKWU EDWIN

36

KANDRATE NIGERIA LTD

9,044.34

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

19-Feb-19

110

ONUOHA C. OYIBOGALU

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

37

USEN S. ESSIEN

2,370.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

19-Feb-19

111

ANIKPE LAWRENCE CHUK

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

38

PROF AKPALA OKEY

3,650.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

19-Feb-19

112

SUNDAY O. MICHAEL

2,300.00

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

39

BANIGO I. GOGO

336.78

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

19-Feb-19

113

EDZUWAH R. CHINYELU

3,000.00

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

40

ONWUBALILI T. UZOMA

9,684.26

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

19-Feb-19

114

ISIOMA OREVA ORIDE

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

78,307.00

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

41

MERRY AVIATION COMMUNICATION ELECRONIC IND LTD

BAJAJ BRAND GAS STOVE AND MIXER GRINDER

362.50

19-Feb-19

42

PZ CUSSONS

184,666.10

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIALS

362.30

19-Feb-19

116

DEACONESS NORA ESOM

43

PZ CUSSONS

305,488.80

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIALS

362.30

19-Feb-19

117

ADAMU M. SHEHU

1,680.00

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

44

PZ CUSSONS

203,354.70

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIALS

362.30

19-Feb-19

118

OGUNBAYO MOFOLUWAKE

3,920.00

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

45

PZ CUSSONS

84,319.20

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIALS

362.30

19-Feb-19

119

JEFTONI NIG LTD

4,864.00

BTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

46

PZ CUSSONS

253,238.40

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIALS

362.30

19-Feb-19

120

HELEN ORDIA PERRY

819.20

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

47

PZ CUSSONS

380,181.60

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIALS

362.30

19-Feb-19

121

AGBUKE A. ESTHER

2,304.00

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

48

HPZ LIMITED

44,240.00

HAIER THERMOCOOL MICREWAVES OVEN HT

362.30

19-Feb-19

122

BAVITO LIMITED

3,354.00

BTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

49

HPZ LIMITED

22,120.00

HAIER THERMOCOOL MICREWAVES OVEN HT

362.30

19-Feb-19

123

NDUBISI CHINWE

3,996.97

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19

50

HPZ LIMITED

9,811.16

HAIER THERMOCOOL MICREWAVES OVEN HT

362.30

19-Feb-19

124

DUNKWU A. IFEYINWA

1,000.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

21-Feb-19

51

HPZ LIMITED

4,165.74

HAIER THERMOCOOL MICREWAVES OVEN HT

362.30

19-Feb-19

125

OLAOYE R. OLAYIWOLA

2,064.68

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

21-Feb-19

115

MUBARAK M. OLUWA

4,000.00 4,000.00

PTA

359.00

PTA

359.00

21-Feb-19 21-Feb-19

52

HPZ LIMITED

163,339.02

HAIER THERMOCOOL MICREWAVES OVEN HT

362.30

19-Feb-19

126

KARAYE H. ABBAS

5,000.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

21-Feb-19

53

HPZ LIMITED

39,270.36

HAIER THERMOCOOL MICREWAVES OVEN HT

362.30

19-Feb-19

127

AGUBE IGNATIUS

5,796.50

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

21-Feb-19

54

HPZ LIMITED

4,580.00

HAIER THERMOCOOL MICREWAVES OVEN HT

362.30

19-Feb-19

128

DR MRS CLARA O. PESSU

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

21-Feb-19

55

HPZ LIMITED

66,428.00

HAIER THERMOCOOL MICREWAVES OVEN HT

362.30

19-Feb-19

129

CBN

82,766.56

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

21-Feb-19

56

HPZ LIMITED

47,278.08

HAIER THERMOCOOL MICREWAVES OVEN HT

362.30

19-Feb-19

130

CBN

21,070.14

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

21-Feb-19

57

HPZ LIMITED

32,580.00

HAIER THERMOCOOL MICREWAVES OVEN HT

362.30

19-Feb-19

131

CLASSIC SOAP INDUSTRIES NIGERIA LTD

PRECIPITATED SILICA

306.20

21-Feb-19

WANDEL INTERNATIONAL NIG. LIMITED

850,800.00

19-Feb-19

132

CLASSIC SOAP INDUSTRIES NIGERIA LTD

PRECIPITATED SILICA

308.85

21-Feb-19

59

WANDEL INTERNATIONAL NIG. LIMITED

283,600.00

THREE WHEELERS

362.50

19-Feb-19

133

DAG INDUSTRIES NIGERIA LIMITED

296,630.00

BAJAJ BOXERBM MOTORCYCLE

361.75

21-Feb-19

60

ROOSKEY ELECTRICAL

32,982.00

AC MOTOR SINGLE PHASE

362.50

19-Feb-19

134

DAG INDUSTRIES NIGERIA LIMITED

474,273.00

BAJAJ BOXERBM MOTORCYCLE

361.75

21-Feb-19

61

ROOSKEY ELECTRICAL

32,734.00

AC MOTOR SINGLE PHASE

362.50

19-Feb-19

135

DAG INDUSTRIES NIGERIA LIMITED

474,273.00

BAJAJ BOXERBM MOTORCYCLE

361.75

21-Feb-19

62

ROOSKEY ELECTRICAL

65,012.00

AC MOTOR SINGLE PHASE

362.50

19-Feb-19

136

DAG INDUSTRIES NIGERIA LIMITED

237,137.00

BAJAJ BOXERBM MOTORCYCLE

361.75

21-Feb-19

63

ROOSKEY ELECTRICAL

32,405.00

AC MOTOR SINGLE PHASE

362.50

19-Feb-19

137

DAG INDUSTRIES NIGERIA LIMITED

237,137.00

BAJAJ BOXERBM MOTORCYCLE

361.75

21-Feb-19

ASPIRA NIG. LTD.

510,000.00

65

NOURDM GLOBAL COMPANY LTD

66

JUST FOOD

67

FINE CHEMICALS NIG.

68

136.11 79,047.54

FINE CHEMICALS NIG.

100,700.00 9,032.00

SODA ASH LIGHT

362.50

100,000.00

58

64

MOTORIZED TRICYCLES

3,355.00

362.50

19-Feb-19

138

TWIN PACKING MACHINES

362.50

19-Feb-19

139

KEYSTONE BANK

ICE CREAM POWDER

362.50

19-Feb-19

140

FOLAWIYO L. JOKE

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIALS

362.50

19-Feb-19

141

ODERINDE M. TRAVE

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIALS

362.50

CBN

26,500.00

50,000,000.00

INTERBANK

120,000.00

361.00

21-Feb-19

INTERBANK

361.25

21-Feb-19

200.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

3,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

19-Feb-19

142

OLUWA M. MUHAMMED

4,000.00

69

PLUTUS INDUSTRIES LIMITED

12,000.00

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIALS

362.50

19-Feb-19

143

SALAMI KAFILAT BISOLA

1,100.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

70

KEYSTONE BANK- INTERBANK

100,326.61

INTERBANK

361.30

19-Feb-19

144

AJAO A. OMOSHALEWA

600.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

71

ZENITH BANK-INTERBANK

700,000.00

INTERBANK

361.30

19-Feb-19

145

ISOLA FOLAHAN

1,100.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

72

FCMB-INTERBANK

591,270.55

INTERBANK

361.30

19-Feb-19

146

CHUKWUDEBELU JULIE

2,850.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

73

FCMB-INTERBANK

612,206.07

INTERBANK

361.30

19-Feb-19

147

CLARA O. ROBINSON

3,500.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

74

ZENITH BANK-INTERBANK

530,000.00

INTERBANK

361.30

19-Feb-19

148

SALAMI B. UMAR

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

4,000.00

PTA

359.00

SOURCE

S/N

SOURCE

S/N

SOURCE

1

AUTONOMOUS

540.00

360.00 18-Feb-19

73

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

145

AUTONOMOUS

2

AUTONOMOUS

75.80

360.00 18-Feb-19

74

AUTONOMOUS

1,976.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

146

IMTO

2,059.36

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

NTEKIM ATARA ISAIAH

1,296.21

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

BOLADE ADETUNJI ADENIYI

3,994.92

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

187

BOLADE ESTHER OLUDOLAPO

3,994.92

188

HELEN ORDIA PERRY

830.52

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

189

JEGEDE M. ABAYOMI

975.36

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

190

OGUNWOLE O. MATHEW

1,303.01

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

191

PTA

359.00

ODUNLEYE M. ADURAMO

1,110.19

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

ODUBELA EBUNOLUWA

2,745.33

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

193

ESTHER O. LAMBO

3,923.39

PTA

359.00

194

IGIETEMHO I. VINCENT

3,931.84

PTA

359.00

22-Feb-19

195

OSOCHUKWU M. AKABUEZE

2,635.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

22-Feb-19

196

NJOKU LINUS

5,000.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

22-Feb-19

197

NJOKU LINUS

5,000.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

22-Feb-19

198

EMMANUEL OGBONNAYA

501.00

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

22-Feb-19

199

KALU GLORIA

5,414.11

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

22-Feb-19

200

VULASI BARINEM PIUS

13,701.49

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

201

ANYIAM C. FRANKLIN

6,574.85

SCHOOL FEES

359.00

22-Feb-19

202

CBN

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

22-Feb-19

203

86,060.83

CBN

11,505.82

204

NIGERIA PIPES LIMITED

205

EXPAND GLOBAL INDUSTRIES LIMITED

206 207

IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00

3

AUTONOMOUS

739.55

360.00 18-Feb-19

75

AUTONOMOUS

1,947.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

147

4

AUTONOMOUS

140.00

360.00 18-Feb-19

76

AUTONOMOUS

1,350.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

148

5

AUTONOMOUS

200.00

360.00 18-Feb-19

77

AUTONOMOUS

915.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

149

6

AUTONOMOUS

3,970.00

360.00 18-Feb-19

78

AUTONOMOUS

905.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

7

AUTONOMOUS

168.52

360.00 18-Feb-19

79

AUTONOMOUS

9,600.00

8

AUTONOMOUS

266.00

360.00 18-Feb-19

80

AUTONOMOUS

9

AUTONOMOUS

120.00

360.00 18-Feb-19

81

10

AUTONOMOUS

313.57

360.00 18-Feb-19

82

11

AUTONOMOUS

25.83

360.00 18-Feb-19

83

12

AUTONOMOUS

400.00

360.00 18-Feb-19

13

AUTONOMOUS

280.00

14

AUTONOMOUS

15

AUTONOMOUS

16

AUTONOMOUS

17

AUTONOMOUS

94.20

18

AUTONOMOUS

5,553.72

19

AUTONOMOUS

105.00

20

AUTONOMOUS

21

AMOUNT (US$)

22-Feb-19

22-Feb-19

52,190.80

INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL

362.30

22-Feb-19

ODORIFEROUS SUBSTANCE

361.50

22-Feb-19

ROOSKEY ELECTRICAL

98,952.60

A/C MOTOR SINGLE PHASE

361.50

22-Feb-19

ROOSKEY ELECTRICAL

164,962.20

A/C MOTOR SINGLE PHASE

361.50

22-Feb-19

208

ROOSKEY ELECTRICAL

65,117.00

A/C MOTOR SINGLE PHASE

361.50

22-Feb-19

209

Nexus Forlife Ltd

51,046.20

UNCOATED PLAIN PAPER IN SHEETS

362.00

22-Feb-19

210

Nexus Forlife Ltd

30,758.10

PLAIN PAPER IN SHEETS

362.00

22-Feb-19

211

Nexus Forlife Ltd

65,572.84

UNCOATED PLAIN PAPER IN SHEETS

362.00

22-Feb-19

212

Nexus Forlife Ltd

218,301.63

UNCOATED WOOD FREE PAPER

362.00

22-Feb-19

213

260,558.66

UNCOATED PLAIN PAPER IN SHEETS

214

Deekay & Sons Nig Ltd

12,700.00

SANDWICH MAKER BRAND:NEXUS

362.00

22-Feb-19

215

Deekay & Sons Nig Ltd

Nexus Forlife Ltd

101,570.00

CHEST FREEZERS. BRAND:NEXUS

362.00

22-Feb-19

216

Nexus Forlife Ltd

233,591.94

UNCOATED PLAIN PAPER IN SHEETS

362.00

22-Feb-19

217

Nexus Forlife Ltd

218

NIGERIAN AGIP CPFA LIMITED

219

CBN

220

AFRICAN STEEL MILLS NIG. LTD

27,085.63 6,270.00 45,000,000.00 8,939.00

362.00

RATE DATE

22-Feb-19

UNCOATED PLAIN PAPER IN SHEETS

362.00

22-Feb-19

PAYMENT FOR SUBSCRIPTION

361.95

22-Feb-19

INTERBANK

361.00

21-Feb-19

LOAN PAYMENT

361.50

21-Feb-19

S/N

SOURCE

217

AUTONOMOUS

13,720.00

360.50 21-Feb-19

218

AUTONOMOUS

11,000.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

IMTO

1,344.34

355.00 20-Feb-19

219

AUTONOMOUS

27,450.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

IMTO

43,912.04

355.00 20-Feb-19

220

AUTONOMOUS

200,000.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

IMTO

585.48

354.99 20-Feb-19

221

AUTONOMOUS

20,000.00

150

IMTO

183,312.01

355.00 20-Feb-19

222

AUTONOMOUS

13,000.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

360.00 19-Feb-19

151

IMTO

2,078.34

355.00 20-Feb-19

223

AUTONOMOUS

436.21

360.00 22-Feb-19

4,780.51

360.00 19-Feb-19

152

IMTO

49,423.12

355.00 20-Feb-19

224

AUTONOMOUS

138.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

AUTONOMOUS

67.27

360.00 19-Feb-19

153

IMTO

750.38

354.98 20-Feb-19

225

AUTONOMOUS

732.39

360.00 22-Feb-19

AUTONOMOUS

56.06

360.00 19-Feb-19

154

AUTONOMOUS

1,000,000.00

360.50 20-Feb-19

226

AUTONOMOUS

141.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

AUTONOMOUS

11.21

360.00 19-Feb-19

155

AUTONOMOUS

1,000,000.00

360.50 20-Feb-19

227

AUTONOMOUS

600.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

84

AUTONOMOUS

134.35

360.00 19-Feb-19

156

AUTONOMOUS

1,000,000.00

360.50 20-Feb-19

228

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

360.00 18-Feb-19

85

AUTONOMOUS

671.77

360.00 19-Feb-19

157

AUTONOMOUS

1,000,000.00

360.50 20-Feb-19

229

AUTONOMOUS

109.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

153.35

360.00 18-Feb-19

86

AUTONOMOUS

3,924.36

360.00 19-Feb-19

158

AUTONOMOUS

1,000,000.00

360.50 20-Feb-19

230

AUTONOMOUS

6.08

360.00 22-Feb-19

210.00

360.00 18-Feb-19

87

AUTONOMOUS

559.81

360.00 19-Feb-19

159

AUTONOMOUS

90,000.00

361.00 20-Feb-19

231

AUTONOMOUS

85.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

360.00 18-Feb-19

88

AUTONOMOUS

378.43

360.00 19-Feb-19

160

AUTONOMOUS

9,500.00

361.00 20-Feb-19

232

AUTONOMOUS

61.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

360.00 18-Feb-19

89

AUTONOMOUS

223.92

360.00 19-Feb-19

161

AUTONOMOUS

14,700.00

361.00 20-Feb-19

233

AUTONOMOUS

51.23

360.00 22-Feb-19

360.00 18-Feb-19

90

AUTONOMOUS

968.46

360.00 19-Feb-19

162

AUTONOMOUS

135.72

360.00 21-Feb-19

234

AUTONOMOUS

2,507.68

360.00 22-Feb-19

360.00 18-Feb-19

91

AUTONOMOUS

895.69

360.00 19-Feb-19

163

AUTONOMOUS

107.03

360.00 21-Feb-19

235

AUTONOMOUS

29.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

162.05

360.00 18-Feb-19

92

AUTONOMOUS

1,311.06

360.00 19-Feb-19

164

AUTONOMOUS

99.35

360.00 21-Feb-19

236

AUTONOMOUS

200.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

AUTONOMOUS

224.22

360.00 18-Feb-19

93

AUTONOMOUS

123.16

360.00 19-Feb-19

165

AUTONOMOUS

740.10

360.00 21-Feb-19

237

AUTONOMOUS

5,000.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

22

AUTONOMOUS

1,087.48

360.00 18-Feb-19

94

AUTONOMOUS

369.47

360.00 19-Feb-19

166

AUTONOMOUS

2,500.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

238

AUTONOMOUS

1,985.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

23

AUTONOMOUS

566.45

360.00 18-Feb-19

95

AUTONOMOUS

39.73

360.00 19-Feb-19

167

AUTONOMOUS

110.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

239

AUTONOMOUS

2,000.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

24

AUTONOMOUS

280.28

360.00 18-Feb-19

96

AUTONOMOUS

1,802.57

360.00 19-Feb-19

168

AUTONOMOUS

85.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

240

AUTONOMOUS

194.00

25

AUTONOMOUS

383.48

360.00 18-Feb-19

97

AUTONOMOUS

67.18

360.00 19-Feb-19

169

AUTONOMOUS

400.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

241

AUTONOMOUS

100.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

26

AUTONOMOUS

112.11

360.00 18-Feb-19

98

AUTONOMOUS

2,810.32

360.00 19-Feb-19

170

AUTONOMOUS

669.60

360.00 21-Feb-19

242

AUTONOMOUS

25.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

27

AUTONOMOUS

2,780.36

360.00 18-Feb-19

99

AUTONOMOUS

1,008.49

360.00 19-Feb-19

171

AUTONOMOUS

50.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

243

AUTONOMOUS

1,171.18

360.00 22-Feb-19

28

AUTONOMOUS

636.15

360.00 18-Feb-19

100

AUTONOMOUS

360.00 19-Feb-19

172

AUTONOMOUS

170.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

244

AUTONOMOUS

700.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

29

AUTONOMOUS

3,768.57

360.00 18-Feb-19

101

AUTONOMOUS

275.16

360.00 19-Feb-19

173

AUTONOMOUS

170.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

245

AUTONOMOUS

540.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

30

AUTONOMOUS

254.46

360.00 18-Feb-19

102

AUTONOMOUS

4,000.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

174

AUTONOMOUS

3,255.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

246

AUTONOMOUS

100.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

31

IMTO

105,389.33

355.00 18-Feb-19

103

AUTONOMOUS

10,000.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

175

AUTONOMOUS

50.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

247

AUTONOMOUS

164.80

360.00 22-Feb-19

32

IMTO

1,201.48

355.00 18-Feb-19

104

AUTONOMOUS

10,000.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

176

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

248

AUTONOMOUS

100.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

33

IMTO

26,667.61

355.00 18-Feb-19

105

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

177

AUTONOMOUS

255.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

249

AUTONOMOUS

820.61

360.00 22-Feb-19

34

IMTO

391.65

354.97 18-Feb-19

106

AUTONOMOUS

5,000.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

178

AUTONOMOUS

299.04

360.00 21-Feb-19

250

AUTONOMOUS

440.00

35

AUTONOMOUS

700.00

360.00 18-Feb-19

107

AUTONOMOUS

177,777.78

360.00 19-Feb-19

179

AUTONOMOUS

701.23

360.00 21-Feb-19

251

AUTONOMOUS

965.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

36

AUTONOMOUS

800.00

360.00 18-Feb-19

108

AUTONOMOUS

100,000.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

180

AUTONOMOUS

2,975.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

252

AUTONOMOUS

35.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

37

AUTONOMOUS

7,500.00

357.00 18-Feb-19

109

AUTONOMOUS

1,100,000.00

361.05 19-Feb-19

181

AUTONOMOUS

3,154.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

253

AUTONOMOUS

243.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

38

AUTONOMOUS

23,030.00

360.00 18-Feb-19

110

AUTONOMOUS

24,631.20

361.00 19-Feb-19

182

AUTONOMOUS

2,431.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

254

AUTONOMOUS

252.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

39

AUTONOMOUS

95,500.00

361.00 18-Feb-19

111

AUTONOMOUS

11,216.00

360.50 19-Feb-19

183

AUTONOMOUS

2,700.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

255

AUTONOMOUS

253.51

360.00 22-Feb-19

40

AUTONOMOUS

93,000.00

361.00 18-Feb-19

112

AUTONOMOUS

100,000.00

361.00 19-Feb-19

184

AUTONOMOUS

2,500.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

256

AUTONOMOUS

450.24

360.00 22-Feb-19

41

AUTONOMOUS

99,990.00

361.00 18-Feb-19

113

AUTONOMOUS

80.00

360.00 20-Feb-19

185

AUTONOMOUS

2,180.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

257

AUTONOMOUS

450.24

42

CBN

2,000,000.00

357.00 18-Feb-19

114

AUTONOMOUS

290.00

360.00 20-Feb-19

186

AUTONOMOUS

5,668.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

258

AUTONOMOUS

168.84

360.00 22-Feb-19

43

CBN

3,500,000.00

357.00 18-Feb-19

115

AUTONOMOUS

300.00

360.00 20-Feb-19

187

AUTONOMOUS

150.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

259

AUTONOMOUS

67.52

360.00 22-Feb-19

44

AUTONOMOUS

950.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

116

AUTONOMOUS

400.00

360.00 20-Feb-19

188

AUTONOMOUS

450.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

260

AUTONOMOUS

101.29

360.00 22-Feb-19

45

AUTONOMOUS

175.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

117

AUTONOMOUS

340.00

360.00 20-Feb-19

189

AUTONOMOUS

590.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

261

AUTONOMOUS

112.54

360.00 22-Feb-19

46

AUTONOMOUS

2,000.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

118

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

360.00 20-Feb-19

190

AUTONOMOUS

490.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

262

AUTONOMOUS

225.08

47

AUTONOMOUS

680.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

119

AUTONOMOUS

594.30

360.00 20-Feb-19

191

AUTONOMOUS

1,100.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

263

AUTONOMOUS

281.35

360.00 22-Feb-19

48

AUTONOMOUS

35.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

120

AUTONOMOUS

7,507.23

360.00 20-Feb-19

192

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

264

AUTONOMOUS

1,648.69

360.00 22-Feb-19

49

AUTONOMOUS

3,625.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

121

AUTONOMOUS

197.50

360.00 20-Feb-19

193

AUTONOMOUS

676.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

265

AUTONOMOUS

337.62

360.00 22-Feb-19

50

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

122

AUTONOMOUS

50,000.00

360.00 20-Feb-19

194

AUTONOMOUS

717.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

266

AUTONOMOUS

1,644.18

360.00 22-Feb-19

51

AUTONOMOUS

1,440.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

123

AUTONOMOUS

39.19

360.00 20-Feb-19

195

AUTONOMOUS

246.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

267

AUTONOMOUS

318.66

360.00 22-Feb-19

52

AUTONOMOUS

400.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

124

AUTONOMOUS

616.89

360.00 20-Feb-19

196

AUTONOMOUS

98.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

268

AUTONOMOUS

1,297.69

360.00 22-Feb-19

53

AUTONOMOUS

35.81

360.00 19-Feb-19

125

AUTONOMOUS

448.64

360.00 20-Feb-19

197

AUTONOMOUS

13.82

360.00 21-Feb-19

269

AUTONOMOUS

324.42

54

AUTONOMOUS

84.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

126

AUTONOMOUS

672.97

360.00 20-Feb-19

198

AUTONOMOUS

195.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

270

IMTO

113,367.83

355.00 22-Feb-19

55

AUTONOMOUS

100.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

127

AUTONOMOUS

535.57

360.00 20-Feb-19

199

AUTONOMOUS

190.00

360.00 21-Feb-19

271

IMTO

1,379.94

355.00 22-Feb-19

56

AUTONOMOUS

16.75

360.00 19-Feb-19

128

AUTONOMOUS

2,203.97

360.00 20-Feb-19

200

AUTONOMOUS

324.74

360.00 21-Feb-19

272

IMTO

15,061.80

57

AUTONOMOUS

50.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

129

AUTONOMOUS

390.32

360.00 20-Feb-19

201

AUTONOMOUS

672.51

360.00 21-Feb-19

273

IMTO

58

AUTONOMOUS

60.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

130

AUTONOMOUS

106.55

360.00 20-Feb-19

202

AUTONOMOUS

191.35

360.00 21-Feb-19

274

AUTONOMOUS

59

AUTONOMOUS

8,907.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

131

AUTONOMOUS

6,729.67

360.00 20-Feb-19

203

AUTONOMOUS

360.00 21-Feb-19

275

AUTONOMOUS

60

AUTONOMOUS

945.67

360.00 19-Feb-19

132

AUTONOMOUS

222.08

360.00 20-Feb-19

204

AUTONOMOUS

562.81

360.00 21-Feb-19

276

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

61

AUTONOMOUS

275.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

133

AUTONOMOUS

28,040.28

360.00 20-Feb-19

205

IMTO

108,957.42

355.00 21-Feb-19

277

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

62

AUTONOMOUS

580.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

134

AUTONOMOUS

371.14

360.00 20-Feb-19

206

IMTO

1,397.99

355.00 21-Feb-19

278

AUTONOMOUS

7,360.20

360.00 22-Feb-19

63

AUTONOMOUS

800.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

135

AUTONOMOUS

89.59

360.00 20-Feb-19

207

IMTO

27,685.63

355.00 21-Feb-19

279

AUTONOMOUS

2,968.06

360.00 22-Feb-19

64

AUTONOMOUS

227.12

360.00 19-Feb-19

136

AUTONOMOUS

449.05

360.00 20-Feb-19

208

IMTO

407.89

354.93 21-Feb-19

280

AUTONOMOUS

49,990.00

360.50 22-Feb-19

65

AUTONOMOUS

14.95

360.00 19-Feb-19

137

AUTONOMOUS

1,443.81

360.00 20-Feb-19

209

AUTONOMOUS

2,500.00

357.00 21-Feb-19

281

AUTONOMOUS

1,000,000.00

361.05 22-Feb-19

66

AUTONOMOUS

3,966.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

138

AUTONOMOUS

1,359.98

360.00 20-Feb-19

210

AUTONOMOUS

46,520.00

361.00 21-Feb-19

282

AUTONOMOUS

25,000,000.00

360.50 22-Feb-19

67

AUTONOMOUS

134.46

360.00 19-Feb-19

139

AUTONOMOUS

2,000.00

360.00 20-Feb-19

211

AUTONOMOUS

565,500.00

361.10 21-Feb-19

68

AUTONOMOUS

145.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

140

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

360.00 20-Feb-19

212

AUTONOMOUS

159,550.00

361.00 21-Feb-19

69

AUTONOMOUS

360.00 19-Feb-19

141

AUTONOMOUS

100.00

360.00 20-Feb-19

213

AUTONOMOUS

1,000,000.00

360.50 21-Feb-19

70

AUTONOMOUS

644.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

142

AUTONOMOUS

1,500.00

360.00 20-Feb-19

214

INTERBANK

1,719,450.00

361.50 21-Feb-19

71

AUTONOMOUS

1,605.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

143

AUTONOMOUS

900.00

357.00 20-Feb-19

215

AUTONOMOUS

27,778.00

361.00 21-Feb-19

72

AUTONOMOUS

282.00

360.00 19-Feb-19

144

AUTONOMOUS

4,613.53

360.00 20-Feb-19

216

AUTONOMOUS

4,899,990.00

360.50 21-Feb-19

1,074.96

22-Feb-19

304,000.00

360.00 20-Feb-19

191.97

RATE DATE

22-Feb-19

192

355.00 20-Feb-19

323.51

AMOUNT (US$)

22-Feb-19

OMOSIGHO A. OSARIEMEN

8,000.00

136.87

RATE DATE

22-Feb-19

186

110,487.96

www.ubagroup.com

AMOUNT (US$)

22-Feb-19

185

SOURCE OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE AS AT 22ND OF FEBRUARY 2019 S/N

22-Feb-19

AMOUNT (US$)

RATE DATE

360.00 21-Feb-19

360.00 22-Feb-19

360.00 22-Feb-19

360.00 22-Feb-19

360.00 22-Feb-19

360.00 22-Feb-19

360.00 22-Feb-19

355.00 22-Feb-19

279.29

355.04 22-Feb-19

4,500.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

400.00

360.00 22-Feb-19

Africa’s global bank

T H I S D AY ˾ ͰͶ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

32

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Revisiting Ogoni Cleanup Exercise Ugo Aliogo in this report examines the commitment of the federal government to the Ogoni clean up exercise

W

hen the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, flagged-off the Ogoniland cleanup exercise in June 2016, he said the project would be vigorously pursued and would have sustainable development components which would benefit the people.

But more than two years after that ceremony, civil society organisations (CSOs) have criticised the commitment of the government in the exercise, stating that there is no sustainable funding framework to drive the project implementation. Moreover, they argued that the implementation was at variance with the recommendations of the United Nation Environmental Programme (UNEP) in its 2011 report.

The UNEP report states that it would take 25-30 years to clean-up the polluted areas in Ogoni land because of the various stages that would be involved.

To understand properly the clean-up exercise especially the nitty-gritty issues, THISDAY spoke to the Head, Environment and Conservation Centre for Environment Human Rights and Development, (CEHRD), Dr. Kabari Sam, one of those playing active role in the area of advocacy and sensitisation in the Ogoni clean-up exercise.

He noted that in line with the recommendations of UNEP, the federal government has derailed. Sam, explained that UNEP recommended that whatever government was doing in Ogoni land must be in line with global best practice, adding that UNEP recommended emergency and clean up measures.

He observed that the report should have been in two parts, but in the wisdom of UNEP, they knew that there were things that were paramount and needed urgent attention.

Therefore, they called one aspect of the report emergency measures.

The CEHRD Head further noted that presently, government has not implemented tangible recommendation of the emergency measures, stating that a few contractors have been mobilised to go site to start cleaning; meanwhile, simple issues such as health audit and provision of potable water that were highlighted by UNEP on the emergency measures have not been implemented, “so even if we are doing a home grown approach, we are not doing what UNEP recommended in the report.”

According to him, “We have delay issues, and the effectiveness of our home grown approach is another issues. As long as Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) operates as an agency under the federal Ministry of Environment, HYPREP will continue to be slow in the implementation of the report.

“The federal Ministry of Environment is still incharge of HYPREP’s money and if HYPREP has to do anything, they have to seek the approval of the Ministry. Issues that relates to environmental pollutions particularly hydro-carbon, they pose significant health threats to public health and the environment.

Government must react to issues concerning spills very promptly and effectively.

“You don’t have to wait through the process of applying for money, the moment you are waiting, and applying for money to curtail spills, it might have migrated to better aspects of the environment and cause damage.

“What is applicable in other parts of the world is that there is a trust fund from where money can be collected immediately there is pollution crisis. But here, even we had the oil companies paying money into the trust fund; you still need to go through the federal Ministry of Environment to get the money.

“Our home grown approach is very faulty.

For instance, HYPREP requested contractors to bid for three months, you cannot bid for three months when you want to clean up what is known as a legacy site, a legacy site is a site that has been polluted a long time ago, they are not current spills.

“The implication is that those spills have migrated from the top soil to the water table.

What they are going to do in Ogoni land is restoration and remediation, you cannot

Buhari

do remediation in three months.

“Our fear is that some of the companies were not given sufficient time to do an efficient and effective work in terms of remediating polluted areas in Ogoni land that is a fundamental issue in HYPREP approach and another factor is that the waste generated, there is no place to treat those waste.

“We are supposed to have an integrated contaminated soil management centre, but presently we don’t have that centre anywhere.

We don’t even have a waste management centre that even if it was not integrated, we will be able to manage the waste that will be coming from the site that is handed over to contractors.”

Role of CSOs The Senior Project Officer Environment, Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN) Jesse Manyfor stated that before HYPREP started the clean-up, a couple of CSOs did some sensitisation and advocacy to ensure the exercise was sustainable.

Manyfor also said with the setting of HYREP and its structures, that role of sensitisation was left off, and it was carried out by HYREP and the CSOs were no longer involved.

He further noted that HYREP have people who were doing the sensitisation, advocacy and meeting the communities, noting that presently, the CSOs have passed the stage of sensitisation, and what is required is to sustain the efforts within the communities.

Manyfor said HYPREP organises its advocacy and they have their own communication consultants as part of their team.

He added that from the angle of the CSOs, their new point of focus is in terms of monitoring and evaluation is to ensure that whatever cleanup that is being done meets the standard recommended in the UNEP report.

On his part, the Chief Executive Director, Citizens Resources Services (CRS), Erabanabari Kobah, explained that what the CSOs did was to sensitise the local communities towards their expectations, the complaints that they should raise or questions they should ask if any group or agency visit the communities to do clean-up exercise.

“What the CSOs have been doing is to bring to government attention that the approach is wrong and the procedures will not yield the desired results and they should be some improvement on it,” he added.

Current State of the Clean-up Manyfor stated that the clean-up has started in 16 communities with 16 contractors on sites, and they have been mobilised and

introduced to those communities.

He explained that HYPREP mobilises the contractors in terms of funds and resources, stating that two weeks ago they moved to site, and the coordinator was also on ground to ensure that work had started in earnest.

He further noted that from the communities’ angle, they would expect that since the cleanup has started, there would be employment opportunities for their youths who would be involved in the exercise.

“I recently learnt from HYREP that they are trying to provide water for the communities; I also know that some contractors have been selected to provide water for the communities.”

According to him, “Government should ensure they implement the clean-up based on the UNEP report. They should ensure that qualified contractors are those who are given the job of the clean-up.

“The contractors have to do the clean-up and do an assessment of the sites they are working on. Remediation can take between six months to two years. What is important is to start work and continue the pace and ensure that the funds for the clean-up are reserved.

“Also, there is need for the new government to ensure that the money for the clean-up is set aside, therefore there will not any issue of inadequate funds and the work will continue. This is the first phase for the 16 contractors. I know that they have started doing the site scooping for the second phase.

They are doing the clean-up in phases for the 16 sites.”

Kobah, was however displeased with the clean-up because what of he described as federal government’s failure to match efforts with action, consequently making the exercise fall below expectation, saying “I see the whole thing as something aimed at scoring political goals.”

He stated that there was a delay in the clean-up exercise because there was no deliberate effort to achieve the desired goal, adding that the governing council which he noted is the decision making body, have some members who don’t have an understanding of what is being.

Kobah, who questioned the procedure for selecting the members of the governing council, noted that the entire procedure for setting up those structures was not transparent.

According to Kobah, “The members of the governing council and board of trustees are all involved in the selection procedures for contractors which should not be. They either have their own contractors or their contractors are represented among the contractors that have been shortlisted with the Minister of

Environment taking the greater share.

“It should not be so, you find a crop of people that have been put in place as the structure to drive the process and they go and share the opportunities that are there.

“They are after sharing the money among the contractors which eventually is their front.

From the UNEP report, the result that was obtained in 2011 cannot be the same in 2019.

“UNEP also declared some emergency measures that were supposed to be taken or put in place in addressing certain things.

In enforcing an investigation that was carried out in 2011, you restrict yourself to a particular area or affairs in 2019. So what has been done is that they identified sites which were according to UNEP factsheet and investigation. Therefore, they decided to go and clean-up the area.

“The clean-up will not be effective because pollution has migrated beyond what UNEP saw. In the respective factsheets UNEP said oil has spread beyond the areas investigated.

UNEP has been a passive participant they have no contribution on that board of the governing council.

“It is not proper. The governing council is made up of representation from federal government, the International Oil Companies (IOCs), representation from the communities which is championed by the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP).”

Recommendations In his recommendation, Sam called for the development of a sustainable funding strategy for HYPREP, to prevent the agency from experiencing financial challenges and have enough funding for the 25-30years that was recommended for the remediation of Ogoni Land.

He also explained that if HYPREP argued that there is no money to build an Integrated Contaminated Soil Management Centre, and then they should build mini-waste centres, to prevent contractors from digging wastes from polluted sites to clean areas.

Sam added: “It is going to be a major problem that will face and might be a number of litigation that HYREP will impact on the progress of HYPREP. So if we have to avoid that, then HYPREP should take steps to build mini-waste management steps.

“The third point is that HYPREP must understand that they are not doing clean-up, but they are doing remediation and there is a difference between clean-up and remediation.

You cannot do remediation in three months or within a short period of time. So HYREP should allow contractors to extend what they are doing between 6-12 months.”

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍśË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

33

Ize-Iyamu: Youth Must Be Actively Involved in Electoral Process The presidential candidate of the Better Nigeria Progressive Party in the just concluded presidential election, David Esosa Ize-Iyamu, in this interview with Kayode Fasua, harps on the need for increase youth participation in the electoral process. Excerpts:

H

ow relevant is your Youth Revolution Movement (YRM) to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s democratic development?

As has been demonstrated in the nearly concluded national election, the YRM is out to prepare Nigerian youths for leadership and governance, starting from active involvement in the electoral process: from voter registration, through standing for election, to effective leadership wherever they are. Simply put, YRM seeks to transit Nigerian youths from being passive onlookers at the electoral process, to being committed, active participants, who become the change they seek.

The YRM is neither violent nor militant, but a peaceful, yet firm and structured drive towards positive self-determination, national pride, social consciousness, and actual measurable change.

It is no secret that the youth population is the largest sub-group in our national demography, but the larger percentage of this subgroup exhibits severe apathy towards leadership, politics or governance.

I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t blame them really, as this has been a direct consequence of the lack of inspiring leadership that we all have experienced and groaned under, in our recent history.

I believe that the youths have to be given renewed hope in our country; they must truly believe in Nigeria again, and buy into owning this process of national re-evolution. Nigerian youths today are well informed and aware of the leadership role that youths across the world are taking in driving social, political and economic change. For instance, Nollywood was created from the scratch by Nigerian youths without government support. Same way, YRM is out to mobilise Nigerian youths to take the centre-stage in crafting the future of Nigeria.

In trying to wrest power from the older generation and give it to the youths, what do you intend to achieve?

Our mission is clear, and it is to prepare the Nigerian youths for leadership and governance. We intend to transform Nigeria into a country where the youths are empowered and recognised in the corridors of power. For starters, we plan to move the youths towards willing, enthusiastic and energetic participation in our electoral process. We will reach out to similar youth groups that are springing up across the country, to ensure that the impact of the youths are felt in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ballots and beyond. We simply cannot miss this opportunity to take back Nigeria, and cause a rebirth of this great nation.

How do you intend to inspire the youth to wake up from the slumber of political apathy?

Well, it is unfortunate that the existing political class has made it difficult for our youths to have any feelings of inclusion.

It is evident that the youth have been consistently disappointed with politiciansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; promises. The massive gap between those promises, and quantifiable development, has fostered this feeling of political apathy.

Sadly, this has dampened the desire for the majority of our youth to take the initiative for improvement or development.

Our youths are no longer moved by rhetoric. Their conversations on social media, on the streets, and in organised forums, show that they crave inspired, responsible, empathetic, and credible leadership. The YRM intends to inform, educate, lead, and sometimes incentivize the youths to action and into participating in the political value-chain. We will show practical and dynamic approaches to achieve solutions to national problems, and inspire the youths to take responsibility

Ize-Iyamu

for those solutions.

So what is your modus operandi?

My position as the National Youth Leader of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria already puts me in the unique pedestal to be able to positively influence and provide guidance for over 17 million Pentecostal youths across the country. This existing numerical strength of the PFN youth-wing structure, gives me a strategic platform to mobilise the youths across the regions effectively.

For instance, last year, we rolled out the â&#x20AC;&#x153;#BeTheChangeâ&#x20AC;? initiative, where youths were mobilised to solve social problems in their localities. The idea is to entrench a new culture and way of thinking-where the youths can take positive action for change, as against always waiting for the government to

Nigerian youths will no longer remain conďŹ ned to the boundary of followership while unpatriotic, insensitive and incompetent politicians who make a mess of our collective fortunes as a nation. We will be a great generation that lays the foundation for coming generations to be even greater

solve problems or do something desired.

We would guide them on, in the process of critical thinking that would help them take action immediately, to fix niggling social issues; be it in transportation, sanitation, environment, security, etc.

Youths and youth groups that are willing to join us can register on our website so that they can join the local YRM forums, where details of this political revolution will be shared, as well as the actionable steps for them to be the change.

Clearly, getting PVC is essential to their participation in the electoral process; so the YRM actively drove PVC registration and collection before its closing date ahead of the ongoing elections, to ensure that the greatest numbers of Nigerian youths are ready to intelligently cast their votes, and enthrone a new team of competent, capable and patriotic leaders across the nation. We are just starting and we will soon get there. Already, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re mobilising at least over 17 million PVC-carrying youths to bring about a genuine change in this country.

But will this plan be enough to ignite the youthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; interest in politics?

Our plans are based on strategic research, and are well thought out by teams of patriotic youths who have both training and experience in the relevant fields to the actualisation of these plans.

Further fora and town-hall meetings, both online and offline, are being scheduled, to ensure that we take on real feedback from the youths, as the YRM evolves and grows nationwide. Simply put, we are ready, and are confident of the success of the YRM. Surely the task of real mobilisation of millions of Nigerian youth cannot be so straightforward?

You are right in the sense that we have a massive task ahead of us, but it is one we are well prepared for, and have invested time and thought, to strategise properly.

Tension is high in the country, across religious, ethnic and regional divides, and this on its own presents problems to deploying national mobilisation of the magnitude that we envisage.

The good news is that we have the

competent leadership within the YRM to significantly inspire commitment, passion and the necessary hard-work, which are crucial to achieving our objectives.

Besides, Nigerian youths have the numerical advantage in the electoral equations, and with resolve and determination, the YRM will guide the youths to take our national destiny in our own hands. The youths have the requisite education, street-level know-how, agility and energy, to peacefully, resolutely and uncompromisingly take on leadership roles.

As laudable as your objectives are, critics may say you are a ďŹ&#x201A;ash in the pan?

It is normal to have nay-sayers, no matter what you are involved in, and the political arena is no exception. Our intentions are genuine and positive, demonstrably so too. We are committed to our cause, and will not be distracted by criticisms from those who are unwilling to be the change, or afraid of the coming change in the political status quo. We will use those criticisms to further stay accountable to our mission, and measure our progress always.

How soon can the impact of the YRM be felt in the polity?

We can and will change the system. As you could see from the last presidential elections, youth involvement had progressed a bit and we are not relenting ahead of future elections. In the short term, all our youth from age 18 to 40 (at least), will be mobilised to register and get their voterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cards, identify with a political party, and this will cause the existing political class to pay attention, and on election day, we will come out en masse to vote intelligently.

Nigerian youths will no longer remain confined to the boundary of followership while unpatriotic, insensitive and incompetent politicians who make a mess of our collective fortunes as a nation. We will be a great generation that lays the foundation for coming generations to be even greater. We will determine our own future. So there is no going back on this.

It is the time for the youths to reclaim Nigeria.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

H E A LT H C A R E A G E N D A 2 0 1 9 – 2 0 2 3

Setting Healthcare Agenda for Nigeria (2) Nigeria’s health sector can match that of other developed countries in the coming political dispensation if advises by the country’s best brains in the sector are followed. In this sequel, Martin’s Ifijeh who spoke to high powered healthcare stakeholders shared their various advisorytemplateswhichifimplemented,wouldputthecountry’shealthcareontheglobalmap

With better healthcare, the future of Nigerian children are guaranteed

A

former Minister for Public Health, Ecuador, Carina Vance Mafla, in one of the Early Childhood Development programmes held in Columbia University, New York, United States, which THISDAY attended, emphasised that the level of development and economic strength of countries were no longer determined based on how much money they have in their reserves, or how many roads they have built or how much modern structures they have in place, but by how much the people were living in good health, as well as their level of human capital development.

What this means is that countries who are solely pushing for economic development without prioritising their healthcare and the human capital of their people have no business projecting to become developed nations, as only a healthy people can truly learn, then improve the economy of their nation.

This is one reason countries like Nigeria, despite their continuous push for a better economy, better security and a stronger nation, have made little progress because the core of the challenge has not been given priority.

For instance, a country which ritually proposes for a better economy every single year would not have over 11 million of its child population grow in malnutrition and by consequence have a reduced brain capacity. Such a country would not allow children who can change the country’s narrative for the better die before their fifth birthday because of lack of proper

healthcare. It would also not allow youths who should contribute to the economy die due to pregnancy complications, Human Immuno-Virus (HIV), cholera, Lassa fever, and the likes.

Unfortunately, this has been the case with Nigeria since 1999 when the country returned to a democratic government; a scenario that portends stagnation and a clear danger to every leader that strives to govern the nation of over 200 million people.

But as the country again choose its leaders that would run the affairs of the nation and the various states for the next four years, best brains in the Nigerian health sector have volunteered to share advisory templates on how best to put the country on the global map and in a push towards becoming a developed nation.

They are unanimous in one thing: ‘To fix Nigeria, fix healthcare and improve the human capital of the people’. They believe that no matter what a new government does, if healthcare is not given the priority it deserves, the country will remain in stagnation.

But they are also quick to warn that these templates can only be feasible in the face of an enabling policy environment driven by committed leadership and a government that is sincere about its human capital agenda.

They are also of the opinion that Nigerians, armed with their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) should vote in leaders with interest in their health and human capital development, right from presidency up to their local government representatives.

National Nutrition Agenda Ever wondered why some countries are developed and economically stable with everything working for them, while others continue to labour to gain the same established economy without success?

Wonder no further. Some nations address the root cause of poor economy right from the childhood of their citizens through proper and adequate nutrition, while others focus on other areas that have no direct bearing on the mental and physical development of their young citizens.

This is because several studies, including a report by the American Society of Nutrition, have established a link between adequate nutrition before a child’s fifth birthday and the child’s high intelligent quotient and his ability to contribute meaningfully to the society around him.

The study shows that a well nourished under-five year old child would develop a high cognitive prowess and physical capacity to add to a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through proper learning and decision making abilities, while a malnourished child may grow up to become suboptimal adult with under-performing economic abilities later in life, which on the long run would affect the economic strength of the country negatively.

For instance, global childhood development experts believed the economy of the United States continue to maintain consistency largely because chronic malnutrition, otherwise known as stunting, which alters the mental and physical health developmental process of children under five is hardly associated with the country,

hence children grow into adults with full potential to learn and add their quota to the country’s economy.

But the same cannot be said of most developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia where over 90 per cent of the approximately 170 million stunted children of under five years come from.

While Asia accounts for 56 per cent of stunted children globally, Africa accounts for 36 per cent, according to the WHO; a fact which experts have used to argue that most Asian and African countries remain the less economically strong nations of the world because of chronic malnutrition.

Sadly in Africa, Nigeria, which prides itself as the giant of the continent has the highest burden of the condition with over 11 million children said to be stunted with little or no attention by stakeholders and the government to address the scourge.

Experts say with the level of stunting in the country, if not tackled as quickly as possible, Nigeria may never grow into a developed country as envisaged.

No wonder the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Dr. Lanre Tejuoso, in sharing his nutrition template with THISDAY, predicted an economic boom for the country in the incoming political year, if malnutrition is tackled head on across the country.

He said the future of the country lies in its children, and that malnutrition, over the years, has continued to hamper the the future, survival and development of these children.

Tejuoso, said, “We need to take the is-

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SETTING HEALTHCARE AGENDA FOR NIGERIA (2)

Tejuoso

sue of malnutrition more seriously now.

Malnutrition has a high economic and health cost and a return of $16 for every $1 invested. Making nutrition a priority requires more attention and more funding.

Thus, if Nigeria is to reverse the current trend of malnutrition, we need to consider a lot of things.

Strengthen Leadership and Accountability for Nutrition For Tejuoso, who has championed a number of causes in the red chamber to ensure malnutrition is eradicated from Nigeria, nutrition is coordinated through the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and by the food and nutrition committees at state levels, but noted that there was inadequate capacity and leadership in these entities to effectively mobilize and coordinate nutrition actors around the national nutrition policy.

He said the incoming government should look towards the area of reform as this was needed in increasing the national and state leadership for nutrition.

“Such reform should aim for a unified coordination entity, placed in the right institution with enough capacity and power and a clear link with the National Council for Nutrition. A coordinated and multi-sectoral approach is needed for Nigeria to address all forms of malnutrition in an integrated manner across the life cycle,” he said.

Ensure Pre-visible and Sustained Funding The senator said: “Addressing malnutrition in Nigeria requires long term significant investment of financial resources from both the federal and state levels of government.

For this to happen, the government, through the National Council of Nutrition, needs to ensure line ministries whose actions impact on nutrition and states; have budget lines for nutrition; allocate and release adequate budget every year; and then use the funds to contribute to the implementation of the national strategy plan for Nutrition.

Lewis

Strengthen System for Service Delivery of Nutrition Interventions On his advisory template, Tejuoso calls on the incoming government to approve for full implementation of multi-sectoral strategic plan of action for food and nutrition in Nigeria at all levels.

He said: “For nutrition specific interventions to be delivered at scale, it is critical to ensure that they are mainstreamed in the health system with a strong community component and appropriately motivated and skilled personnel. The federal government recently included most of the nutrition commodities in the Essential Medicine Lists (EMLs) and launched the CHIPS initiative.

These are promising steps, however, States especially those most affected by malnutrition, still need to adopt and quickly roll out the CHIPS programme and ensure that the nutrition commodities (Ready-to-use Therapeutic foods; vitamin A, iron folate, micronutrients powder, etc.) form part of their procurement planning and implementation,” he added.

Multi-Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships The senate committee chairman on health the new government should address the underlying causes of malnutrition with integrated, multisectoral programming that supports the overall health and wellbeing of families and communities.

He said the federal government, as well as states should collaborate with relevant stakeholders active in nutrition, including the civil society sector and communitybased organisations for demand creation for nutrition services.

“Government should also partner with the private sector and businesses to support nutrition related interventions as part of efforts to prevent and treat under-nutrition, such as food fortification, agricultural value chain development, access to water, sanitation and hygiene etc.”

Nutrition Information System “The nutrition information system must be in place across relevant ministries, departments and agencies to regularly collect, analyses and impact level indicators to assess the implementation of the national nutrition plan, track progress toward the reduction of all forms of malnutrition and guide the development of evidence based policies and strategies,” he said.

Strengthen Community Nutrition Services Establish a mechanism to ensure access and delivery of nutrition services (both preventive and curative services) through the community platform.

He said the various governments at all levels should increase partnership and engagement with the gate keepers, option leaders, religious and traditional institutions as change agents using the social behavioral change communication strategies to influence community members to improve knowledge, attitude, beliefs, behaviors and practices that are favorable to improving nutrition outcomes of the citizens He also said for Nigeria to be malnutritionfree post 2019, the government should make full appropriation for the funding of nutrition commodities for the millions of children suffering from acute malnutrition as a matter of urgency.

Pharma Sector Agenda Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector is one of the least harnessed areas of healthcare the Nigerian government is yet to fully tap into considering the return on investment this would bring into the country. Many have regarded it as a multi-billion dollar investment Nigeria hasn’t harnessed.

Sharing the pharmaceutical sector agenda for the incoming governments at all levels, the Director General, Chief Executive Officer, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Dr. Obi Peter Adigwe believes the sector has all

it takes to address some of the healthcare challenges in the country, as well as boost Nigeria’s economy to a high margin if well harnessed.

Local Production of Essential Medicines Adigwe said on local production of essential medicines, the Nigeria’s National Drug Policy stipulates that the nation should aim to produce at least two thirds of its essential drug needs through local manufacturing of drugs and commodities, adding that unfortunately, this target has not been achieved.

“Currently, local manufacture of drugs produces only about a third of the nation’s drug requirements. There is now a desperate need for policy coherence if the country is to achieve this target. A robust and comprehensive incentive framework will also expedite local production of essential medicines.

“Recently, significant effort was made by government’s partnership with a local company, to improve local capacity in the local production of vaccines and biologicals.”

He said to build on this, the incoming government should have a proactive strategy which will be adopted to ensure that this development results in sustainable access to safe, affordable and high quality healthcare.

He said research and development activities will need to be prioritised, especially with respect to capacity building, policymaking, data collation and the development of contextual partnerships that can expedite local production of products for diseases and conditions prevalent in our setting.

The DG said the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development has now begun to develop capacities and competencies to spearhead this Aggressive and Contextual Research and Development Strategy Adigwe emphasised that an evidence based

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Adewole

Adigwe

approach has been proven to be the most effective and efficient means of addressing the complexities that characterise healthcare provision, noting that currently, research and development agencies struggle with the funding inadequacies required to undertake statutory functions and responsibilities.

He said this was therefore of critical importance to develop sustainable funding strategies, emphasising that decisions in the healthcare setting should also be routinely underpinned by appropriate evidence generated by contextual research.

the significant potential, there was still no Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) produced anywhere in Nigeria, noting that NIPRD has therefore started engaging key stakeholders in the Petroleum Upstream Industry to enable the local production of APIs and other relevant excipients.

“It is now of critical importance that other stakeholders dovetail their efforts with this initiative to help achieve this objective that will confirm Nigeria as the hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing on the continent,” he said.

Government Patronage and Supportive Regulatory Regime Adigwe said: “Although Executive Order number three section 4F specifically directs that locally produced drugs and medicaments are given priority in procurement of drugs by the public sector. There is little evidence to indicate that this is being faithfully implemented. Instituting a more robust and comprehensive monitoring mechanism which includes all relevant stakeholders will enable the achievement of this policy. Regulatory Agencies also need to be more responsive to the needs of the sector so as to improve the ease of doing business

Harness Value Chain Creation Potential He called on the incoming government to harness the value chain creation potential of the country’s pharmaceutical sector.

“There is evidence that suggests that the pharmaceutical sector is associated with some of the highest value addition chains, in terms of backwards integration and ancillary sector development. Research has shown that for every job created in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, between five to 10 corresponding jobs are created in the wider economy. If properly harnessed, this can catalyse relevant national development in various relevant areas such as employment generation, human capacity building and knowledge transfer.”

Cover Leakages in National Drug Distribution System Adigwe also pointed out that weaknesses and leakages in the national drug distribution architecture was one of the key reasons why there was now a widespread misuse and abuse of opioids and other substances with potential for abuse.

He said: “If left unchecked, the emergent drug abuse epidemic will result in detrimental effects for national healthcare, together with negative socioeconomic implications especially with respect to security and criminality. Government has now begun to develop a comprehensive National strategy to address this menace.

It is however important that policies and initiatives that are instituted be underpinned by the relevant contextual evidence.”

Harnessing Natural Resources with Ethnopharmaceutical Potential Adigwe said “Close to 10,000 plants with ethno-medicinal and ethno-pharmaceutical potential have been documented in Nigeria. However, despite the significant potential benefit to national healthcare and socioeconomic development, not enough effort has been put in to harness these natural resources. On our part in NIPRD, we have now developed the Contextual Processing Protocol that aims at harnessing these natural resources for improved healthcare access, while at the same time improving socioeconomic indices such as job creation, income generation and capacity building for the state, stakeholders and participants.”

Encourage Local Production of APIs and Excipients Adigwe, who was the former executive secretary of PMGMAN, said currently, despite

Industrial Harmony in the Healthcare Sector The DG is also of the opinion that a significant amount of resources is wasted

Ekanem

every year when healthcare professionals go on strike actions, adding that more importantly, access to medicines and healthcare greatly diminishes during these industrial actions.

He said: “All these contribute to a loss of confidence in the system. A proactive strategy needs to be developed to engage all key stakeholders in a bid to come to a lasting solution,” he advised.

Address Threat of Non Communicable Diseases Adigwe believes Nigeria now has one of the highest obesity figures in this part of the world. This, he said was in turn spurring a growing incidence of non-communicable diseases, amidst the still significant communicable disease burden in the country.

“Unless a contextual national proactive strategy is developed and religiously implemented, this double disease burden can potentially worsen national healthcare together with associated human development indices. Effort should be made to enable the rapid development of innovative preventative Public Health strategies together with the relevant Medicines and Commodities component. Some areas of focus include nutrition, maternal and child health,” he said.

Sustainable Provision of Safe, Affordable High Quality Medicines He also called for a robust and comprehensive framework requiring multi-stakeholder engagement and contribution, as this was necessary to enable expedited improvement of the quality of medicines available in Nigeria.

This, he said includes better regulation and surveillance of imported products, alongside Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in medicines’ and commodities’ production.

Adigwe said if all these are judiciously implemented as the country moves into another political dispensation, Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector will be the envy of many countries including developed nations.

Development Partners’ Expectations The Co-chair, Health Development Partners Group, Dr. Chris Lewis said as the country moves into another political dispensation, the group would continue to push for a number of priorities they have

been pushing for a number of years, which they believed would address healthcare issues in the country.

He said one of the areas is the Basic Healthcare Provisions Fund (BHCPF) which is critical in the provision of basic healthcare to Nigerians. “We pushed for it in the 2018 budget, and we will continue to push for its implementation even with the incoming administration.

“We will also continue to push for increase in health budget in both federal and state levels. For that to happen, there needs to be domestic mobilisation of resources as well as regular releases of health budgets which we are also advocating for.”

He said the other area they would continue to push for is that government improve the efficiency of health services, as well as the prioritisation of health budget towards the lower cost and high impact areas of healthcare, such as primary health care, among others.

National Template on Non Communicable Disease As different experts continue to proffer advices on how best to run the health sector in the next political dispensation, a Public Health Physician and Health Systems Specialist, United States, Dr. Ekpenyong Ekanem says a comprehensive advisory templates will not be complete without an agenda for addressing non communicable disease, which is now on the rise on Nigeria.

He said for government to effectively fight NCDs, the new government should ensure a sustained funding of the one per cent consolidated revenue fund to enable it improve health coverage, adding that this in turn will help NCD epidemiology since many of which is handled at the primary health care center.

He said: “We should also ensure benefit packages at state level health insurance schemes are robust enough to cover the common neglected tropical diseases and NCDs, such as hypertension and non-complicated diabetes.

“We should also ensure we put in place functional primary healthcare centers which will improve service delivery at the grassroot level, and reduce burden of these illnesses,” he added.

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NEWS

Polio: Dangote Foundation Boosts Nigeria’s Certification by WHO r3FMFBTFT GFFECBDL QPMJP FSBEJDBUJPO SFQPSU Jonathan Eze As Nigeria eagerly awaits her polio -free certification from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has boosted the nation’s effort to finally end a scourge, which had affected thousands of children across the country.

The organisation, in support for government’s efforts to end polio, has released a detailed report which showed the impact of a partnership agreement on routine immunisation (RI) and polio eradication, which was

signed between the ADF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and six Northern states comprising Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, Sokoto, Borno and Yobe.

The 114-page report, which showcased the efforts of the ADF in the fight against polio, was released in Lagos recently.

It catalogued RI activities before and after the MoU was signed between the tripartite partners, with a marked upsurge in RI efforts after the MoUs were signed.

It also revealed that hundreds of thousands of under-five

children, who are most prone to polio, have been successfully immunised against the virus.

The document, which contains analyses, interviews and pictures, was based on findings obtained from a recent spotlight visit undertaken by the philanthropic arm of the Dangote Group to the six MoU partner states, while tracking the progress made by each of the six states on RI and polio eradication under the partnership agreements.

The report revealed that the tripartite agreements have helped to strengthen RI and

also provided technical, material and financial support to the partner states and their relevant agencies and stakeholders; with resultant rise in RI coverage for eligible children in both rural and urban areas, including those in hard-to-reach and inaccessible communities; and also greater involvement of traditional and religious leaders in the process.

It also highlighted the back-up efforts of the ADF and BMGF through improved logistics; which have ensured better access to healthcare in both rural and urban communities in the six Northern partner states; some

of whom have devoted higher parts of their annual budgets to ensure adequate healthcare for millions of their citizens.

Aside the financial and logistics support for RI in the six MoU partner States, the ADF has also constructed 11 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in seven LGAs in Kano State and two PHCs in two LGAs in Yobe State.

Speaking on the impact of the MoU on RI, the Managing Director/CEO of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou said the

state governments have abided by the letter and spirit of the MoU, which has largely accounted for the success of the RI process and stamping out of the scourge of polio.

ADF, which was endowed with $1.25 billion by its Chairman, Aliko Dangote, has actively supported the polio eradication activities in the partner states, through provision of funding and logistics under a MoU between the six Northern States and the two foundations, which initially began with Kano State in 2012, but was renewed and extended last year.

SYNLAB Expands Operations to Improve Healthcare Services Ayodeji Ake SYNLAB Nigeria, formerly Pathcare Laboratories, has formally opened an ultramodern facility at Gwarinpa, Abuja, as part of plans to expand healthcare to Nigerians.

Speaking at the opening ceremony recently, the Executive Director, SYNLAB Nigeria, Dr. Tolu Adewole said the facility is the first of its kind in the location and has state-of-the-art diagnostics equipment with world class pathologists to deliver accurate test results as well as exceptional services to customers.

“This diagnostics center is a testament to SYNLAB’s commitment to bringing world class services to the Nigerian people.

“With the equipment we have on ground and our network of medical professionals, we are able to support doctors and patients in ways not previously

possible.”

“The new diagnostics center is designed to expand its operations in Abuja and deliver services to private healthcare providers, national and regional public institutions in record time.

“Because of its location, it will meet the diagnostics needs of patients in Abuja and states across northern Nigeria” he said.

The Regional Account Manager, SYNLAB, Mr Efosa Uwagboe also reinterated that the facility was a solution to the yearnings of the Abuja residents for a bigger facility than than the current operations at Wuse II, which will be undergoing an upgrade very soon.

“Located at 10, First Avenue, Gwarinpa, the facility is second only to SYNLAB’s Lagos reference laboratory. Patients are also guaranteed the discrete VIP services which many SYNLAB customers have enjoyed over the years” he said.

IMEDReads Introduces New Vaccine Storage Device Ugo Aliogo IMEDReads Limited has introduced a new vaccine storage device known as Arktek as part of measure to reduce vaccine wastage and preventable diseases.

Speaking at the product launch in Lagos recently, a Director at IMEDReads, Dr. Atinuke Uwajeh, noted that Arktek would be able to keep whatever is put into it for considerate length of time at the designated temperature.

She also noted that the device has been designed to keep vaccines at the acceptable cold chain temperature for minimum of 35 days, without the use of electricity and only using ice-packs.

“It is called a super thermos which means that it is able to keep whatever is put into it for considerate length of time at the designated temperature.

“For the Arktek, what has been done with it, is to make it to keep vaccines at the acceptable cold chain temperature for minimum of 35 days, without the use of electricity and only using ice-packs.

“When we look at one of the challenges to immunisation is the ability to keep those vaccines at the acceptable temperatures so that they are able to still hold their potency. Even the ability to transport those vaccines from where we received them from to where they would be used, it will still be able to maintain that temperature,” she said.

Uwaje further stated that the device is quite rugged; therefore said that it can be put into a canoe, car or truck to move it to wherever it is needed to be used. She added that the device suits the Nigeria terrain, adding that it was made for low resourced centres, “presently, we are trying to get private sector sensitised about it.”

In his remarks, the Chairman, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), Lagos State Chapter, Dr. Tunji Akintade, said the device is that would change the dynamics of vaccines in the country, adding that rate of vaccination was at its peak during the Governor Lateef Jakande regime which had 80per cent coverage.

L-R: Director General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Segun Ajayi; Managing Director, SKG Pharma Ltd, Dr Okey Akpa; President, MAN, Mansur Ahmed; Branch Chairman, Ikeja MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye; and immediate past Chairman of MAN, Ikeja Branch, Prince Felix Oba Okogie during the visit of MAN to SKG Pharma Ltd in Lagos recently

SKG Pharma Boss Tasks Govt on Medicines Security in Nigeria Martins Ifijeh Managing Director of SKG Pharma Limited, Dr. Okey Akpa has said that it is not in the interest of national security for Nigeria to depend largely on imported drugs for the healthcare needs of a population of over 180 million people.

He therefore called on the federal government and other tiers of government to adopt and implement the concept of Medicines Security, which is a strategic document developed by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Group of the Manufacturers Association of

Nigeria (PMG -MAN) to ensure that the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria was encouraged through policy and political will to produce adequate, quality and affordable drugs locally for the health needs of the Nigeria.

Akpa who spoke in Lagos while receiving the President of the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mansur Ahmed and his team in his office, said the concept on Medicine Security was based on the National Drug Policy 2005 as amended which stipulates among other things that 70 per cent of the drugs consumed in

the country should be produced locally while 30 per cent is exported. The SKG pharma boss who is the chairman of the West Africa PMG-MAN, said: “Local production which now stands at 35 per cent is not a reflection of the skills and capacity of local industries but will need government intervention in several areas to boost the capacity of local pharmaceutical companies.”

In addition, Akpa called on the federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria to set up N300billion Pharmaceutical Expansion and Export Fund which will provide soft loans to

upgrade, improve the factories and increase capacity among indigenous drug manufacturing companies.

While responding, Ahmed acknowledged the challenges facing manufacturers and the difficult environment they operate, adding that the association was engaging the government to ensure that there is support along the pharmaceutical value chain. He said MAN was working with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council to make available some of their works to the indigenous companies to produce in commercial quantity.

PROFOH, BOSKOH Reach Out to the Grassroots Mary Nnah BOSKOH Medical Mission, an initiative by theLagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu (BOS) along with his running mate, Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat (KOH) in partnership with Professionals for Humanity (PROFOH), International, a Houston, USA-based organisation made of doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers from across the world, has extended its humanitarian gesture to the grassroots in Lagos.

This is being carried out through a medical mission aimed at providing free surgical operations to the majority of

people who hitherto could not afford such medical expenses.

The charitable exercise was flagged off at the at Shomolu Local Government Secretariat recently by Sanwo-Olu, who said his healthcare intervention, tagged, “Sanwo-Olu Cares Medical Outreach” which started few weeks back, went round the 20 local government areas in Lagos.

“It was during what we were doing that we realised that they we attended to over a thousand at each of those outreach, and that we needed to take this to another level, which is what we have been talking about.

“They were people that required surgical operations and we felt that we can do a lot

better than what we have done and so we decided to partner PROFOH for this medical mission and I am very impressed by the outcome so far.” The governorship candidate, who stressed that the welfare of Lagosians has nothing to do with politics, but has everything to do with service to humanity, added, “it is not just election campaign, as we do not ask about party affiliations, PVCs, tribe or state of origin before we provide treatment. So this is beyond politics. This is service to humanity.

“While on the campaign trail couple of months ago, we started the medical outreach called, Sanwo Cares,

which is just an outreach to sort of go round all the local governments in Lagos and locations at the various markets in Lagos with focus on basic health checks: dental, eye, cervical cancer and how to manage and do test for breast cancer.

“We realised that a whole lot of people, for one reason or the other, have actually not been able to access regular health care facility and considering the huge challenge that we currently face in the health institution, we felt in our wisdom that whilst on the campaign trails, we can also assist government by providing free surgical operations.

38

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍśË&#x153; 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Manufacturing Index Records Slow Growth Obinna Chima The Manufacturing Purchasing Managersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Index (PMI) stood at 57.1 index points in February, lower than the 58.5 index points it attained the previous month.

However, the feat attained by the PMI for February, reflected an expansion in the manufacturing sector for the 23rd consecutive month.

The Central Bank of Nigeria disclosed this in its PMI report for February released yesterday.

The index grew at a slower rate when compared to the index in the previous month.

In all, 13 of the 14 subsectors surveyed reported growth in the review month in the following order: petroleum and coal products; electrical equipment; transportation equipment; plastics and rubber products; food, beverage and tobacco products; textile, apparel, leather and footwear; non-metallic mineral products; chemical and pharmaceutical products; furniture and related products; printing and related support activities; cement; fabricated metal products;

and paper products.

The primary metal sub-sector recorded decline in the review period.

On the other hand, at 57.5 points, the production level index for the manufacturing sector grew for the 24th consecutive month in February 2019.

The index indicated a slower growth in the current month, when compared to its level in the preceding month.

Nine of the 14 manufacturing sub-sectors recorded increased production level, three remained unchanged while two recorded decline.

The report also showed that at 56.9 points, the new orders index grew for the 23rd consecutive month, indicating increase in new orders in February 2019. Twelve subsectors reported growth, one remained unchanged, while one contracted in the review month.

The manufacturing supplier delivery time index stood at 58.2 points in February 2019, indicating slower supplier delivery time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The index has recorded growth for 21 consecutive

months. All 14 sub-sectors recorded improved suppliersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; delivery time in the review period. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The employment level index for February 2019 stood at 56.3 points, indicating growth in employment level for the 22nd consecutive month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of the 14 sub-sectors, eight reported increased employment level, five reported unchanged employment level while one reported decreased employment in the review month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The manufacturing sector inventories index grew for the twenty-third consecutive month in February 2019. At 56.2 points, the index grew at a slower rate when compared to its level in January 2019. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nine of the 14 subsectors recorded growth, one recorded unchanged, while four reported declined raw material inventories in the review month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The composite PMI for the nonmanufacturing sector stood at 58.4 points in February 2019, indicating expansion in the Non-manufacturing PMI for the twenty-second consecutive month,â&#x20AC;? it added.

VFD Group Completes Conversion to Plc, Eyes NSE Listing The VFD Group has been converted from a private limited company to a public limited company (Plc).

The development became effective this month.

The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, VFD Group, Mr. Nonso Okpala, who disclosed this at a media briefing in Lagos, said the development was a major milestone for the group, its shareholders, board and staff across its subsidiaries, who had been instrumental the success recorded over the years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By converting, we are ensuring that our corporate identity reflects our long-term strategy which includes a planned listing in 2022 and the issuance of a N5 billion corporate bond in the second quarter of 2019,â&#x20AC;? Okpala said.

In line with this development, the Group has appointed African Prudential Registrars Plc as its official registrar. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have also commenced plans to list our shared on the NASD OTC to ensure the enhanced marketability of the said

instrument. At VFD Group, working with our subsidiaries and our 130 shareholders, our focus remains to contribute significantly across diverse sectors in Nigeria,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Okpala also disclosed that the group recently raised N2.8 billion through a public offering that also increased the number of its shareholders from 50 to more than 120.

Okpala said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have last year, towards the end of last year we concluded our public offer which was a combination of a rights issue and private placement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were expected to raise N2 billion, we ended up raising about N2.8 billion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the process of the success of that offer we had significantly increased our shareholding base. We went from about, we went from less than 50 shareholders to more than 120 shareholders and that simply puts you within the purview of a public company. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So what we quickly did was to go to the Security and Exchange Commission and CAC and we file our intention to become

a public company. That has been successfully approved and as we are currently, we are delighted to say that we are a public company. So going forward, we have been referred to as VFD Group plc.â&#x20AC;?

Commenting further on the importance of the new status of the group, he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;First, it gives us the reputational alignment for us to raise N5 billion in our proposed VFD Group bond which should happen before the end of the second quarter of this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As you know, VFD group has strong and huge ambition which would include having a leading presence in all the sectors in the financial services industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Currently, we have done well in that respect but we are still seeking to have interest in insurance company and in the banking sector itself. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have finalised an application currently for the regional banking licence. We hope that that process would be completed within this year and worst case scenario within the first quarter of next year.â&#x20AC;?

Bismarck Rewane Losses Mum The Rewane and Awani families of Warri have announced the peaceful transition of their wife, daughter and mother, Mrs. Esther Jemine Rewane at the ripe age of 97.

She died on February 20, 2019.

Late Mrs. Rewane was the wife of Chief Ogbemi Newe Rewane, the Late Ologbosere of Warri, the daughter of Mr. Obuku Eguojaghan Afini Awani, a retired Civil Servant in the Inland Waterways Department of the Federal Ministry of Transport.

She was alumni of Queens College in Lagos and Saint Monica College in Onitsha,

she was fluent in Yoruba, Ibo, Urhobo and Itsekiri.

She was an entrepreneur who ran a medium scale business in the Warri metropolis over the decades.

She is survived by children, many grand and great grandchildren, brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews and nieces.

Amongst whom are Professor Grace Alele Williams, former Vice Chancellor, University of Benin; Mr. Victor Awani, a retired General Manager of AGIP Nigeria Plc in Port Harcourt; Mrs. Evelyn RewaneFabyan, a retired member of the general management

of Nexim Bank and Joint Matriculation Board (JAMB); Mrs. Rosaline Rewane-Dafinone, who retired from the NNPC; Mr. Bismarck Rewane, an Economist; Mr. Justin Rewane, a director of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs; Ms. Carolyn Rewane, a senior Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank in Maryland, U.S.A; Ms. Dere Rewane, a risk management consultant based in the UK, Mrs. Toyin Damola Akinrolabu, a Judge in the State of New York in the U.S and Mr. Doye Ogionwo, a global private equity turnaround expert.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

NOVEMBER 2018 Money Supply (M3)

31,794,803.44

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

6,333,064.28

Money Supply (M2)

25,461,739.17

-- Quasi Money

14,773,076.98

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,688,662.18

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,711,763.59

---- Demand Deposits

8,976,898.59

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

18,990,400.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

12,804,402.66

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,062,986.22

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,980,229.66

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

7,093,619.43

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

-4,144,571.43

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

23,082,756.56

--Other Assets Net

13,258,583.57

Reserve Money (Base Money

6,811,192.37

--Currency in Circulation

2,100,129.91

--Banks Reserves

4,366,259.05

Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

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&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ë&#x153;Í°Í´ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $64.08 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $65.36 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

39

T H I S D AY ˾ ͰͶ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

MARKET NEWS

Dangote Cement Records N901bn Earnings, Declares N16 Dividend Goddy Egene Dangoe Cement Plc yesterday announced its audited results for the year ended December 31, 2018, showing a revenue of N901.21 billion.

Its Nigerian operations accounted for N618.30 billion, representing an increase of 11.9 percent over N552.36 billion in 2017.

Pan-African operations recorded revenues of N263.26

billion, an increase of 9.6 percent over N258.44 billion posted in the corresponding period in 2017.

Profit after tax stood at N390.32 billion, up from N204.25 billion while earnings per share rose from N11.65 to N22.83. The company directors are proposing a dividend of N16 per share.

A further analysis of the performance showed that Dangote Cement maintained its dominance of the Nigerian market, accounting for 65 percent

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

of the total volume sold in the domestic cement sector in 2018.

The company also exported 800,000 metric tonnes (MT) of cement to West African countries, strengthening Nigeria’s position as a cement exporting country, creating jobs in the economy, and earning foreign exchange.

Dangote sold a total of 23.54 MT of cement across Africa indicating an increase of 7.4 per cent over 21.92 MT sold in 2017.

Nigerian operations accounted for

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

14.18 MT representing an increase of 11.4 per cent over the volume of 12.72 metric tonnes sold during the preceding year. The increase in the Nigerian volume is attributable to higher building activities as the economy recovered from recession.

The sales volume in Nigeria is quite significant given the turbulent marketsituation as the election period approached and people usually hedge in the construction industry during such periods.

Commenting on the results, Group

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Cement, Joe Makoju, said: “This is a record financial performance

by Dangote Cement, driven by a strong increase in our home market, Nigeria, despite heavy rains and uncertainties about the election. Although Pan-African volumes were unchanged in 2018, I am confident that we will see an increase in 2019, driven by higher volumes in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Congo and Sierra Leone. Now that

O F

we have gas turbines operating in Tanzania we will also see increased profitability in the Pan-Africa region and this will help to improve overall Group margins.” Dangote Cement is Africa’s leading cement producer with nearly 46metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) capacity across Africa. It is a fully integrated quarry-to-customer producer, with a production capacity of 29.3mtpa in the home market, Nigeria.

2 6 / 0 2 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

40

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͺ΀˜ ͺ͸͹ͷ

MARKET NEWS

Seplat Petroleum to Announce 2018 Audited Results March 6 Goddy Egene Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, a leading Nigerian indigenous oil and gas company will release its full year 2018 financial results on March 6, 2019.

The company disclosed this in a notification to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

This implies that shareholders would know the dividend they

would receive for the year. The company recovered from a loss in 2017 and had recorded significant profit as at nine months ended September 30, 2018. For the nine months, Seplat recorded a revenue of N173.701 billion, up from N85.190 billion in 2017.

Profit after tax stood at N27.968 billion, compared with a loss of N1.620 billion in the corresponding period of 2017.

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

The Chairman of Seplat, ABC Orjiako had last year told shareholders that the company would put more investment in its gas business in 2018 so as to boost revenue and deliver more returns to investors.

“Our strategy to diversify and grow our sources of income through the expansion of our gas business continues to gain momentum. Since the government

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 26Feb-2019, unless otherwise stated.

launched various initiatives to stimulate investment in the gas sector, including opening the Domestic Supply Obligation (‘DSO’) price to commercial market forces, Seplat has been at the forefront of gas commercialisation and made substantial investments in support of the government’s energy agenda,” he said.

He disclosed that company’s gas revenue grew grown from

$18 million in 2013 to a record $124 million in 2017, a seven-fold increase in four years.

“We are justifiably proud of this and at the same time we see tremendous potential headroom for further growth,” he declared.

Orjiako said: “I am pleased to report that in 2017 we made good progress as we reviewed our vision, mission and strategy towards refocusing the company

on our key priorities: to de-risk future cash flows through diversification of oil export routes; invest in and scale up our domestic gas business; maintain a liquidity buffer while continuing to reduce debt; keep tight financial control with discretion in spending; and position Seplat with a stabilised platform for sustainable growth even in a harsh operating environment.”

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 164.37 164.82 3.92% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 11.00% Nigeria International Debt Fund 279.08 279.66 2.25% 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 2.29% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 11.77% 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 13.28% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.28 2.31 2.83% 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 17.45 17.98 5.19% ARM Discovery Fund 371.31 382.51 4.11% ARM Ethical Fund 29.27 30.15 3.63% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.59% 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 105.27 106.01 4.04% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.51% 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 13.83% Paramount Equity Fund 12.06 12.16 2.11% Women's Investment Fund 105.33 105.86 1.65% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.45% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 101.62 101.78 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 102.75 103.35 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 13.05% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.86 0.86 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.15 1.15 2.98% 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 12.40% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 11.83% 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 0.00 0.00 -100.00% FBN Heritage Fund 146.63 147.98 2.25% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.24% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 115.54 115.93 1.45% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 115.48 115.87 1.65% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 154.02 156.28 2.68% 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 1.68% Legacy Debt Fund 3.31 3.31 1.89% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.04 1.04 0.71% 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 3,047.63 3,080.24 2.15% Coral Income Fund 2,813.93 2,813.93 2.74% 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 12.82% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 109.08 109.60 1.98% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.74% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.20 2.23 2.42% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.94% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 123.11 123.34 -1.44%

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 1.19 1.73% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,090.14 1,090.14 1.92% 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 11.97 12.07 4.03% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.36% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.38 1.40 7.93% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.38 12.44 1.42% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 13.50% 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 121.90 122.45 0.96% 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 2.14% 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 2,388.20 2,402.94 5.38% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 193.37 193.37 3.01% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.99 1.00 4.74% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 251.56 251.60 3.80% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 168.96 170.87 3.58% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.34% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,759.03 8,864.94 4.94% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.12 1.12 3.67% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.20 1.21 0.62% United Capital Bond Fund 1.63 1.63 2.32% United Capital Equity Fund 0.70 0.72 -0.83% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.47% United Capital Eurobond Fund 108.92 108.92 1.54% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.10 1.11 0.80% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 11.44 11.60 7.76% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.50 12.62 4.07% Zenith Income Fund 21.00 21.00 9.03% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.68%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.95 118.85 51.93

-39.35% 0.04% 0.00%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.94 117.42 92.40

11.04 119.96 94.14

3.63% 0.12% 4.22%

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

4.35 7.46 15.30 12.55 150.25

4.39 7.54 15.40 12.75 152.25

8.71% -2.04% 2.32% 1.55% 4.64%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.24

17.42%

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.

41

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

UN Calls for International Support to End Wars in Africa by 2020

UN Under Secretary-General for Political and Peace building Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, on Wednesday called on the international community to lend its support to Africa in achieving the objective

of `silencing the guns’ by 2020.

DiCarlo made known at a Security Council meeting on the cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations in maintaining

Fiery Crash at Cairo Train Station Kills 20 A hurtling locomotive crashed, derailed and caught fire at Cairo’s main train station on Wednesday, killing at least 20 people in the latest disaster to strike Egypt’s rundown railways.

The country’s transportation minister resigned hours after the accident.

The train engine appeared to have slammed into the buffers at the end of the track at high speed, sparking a major blaze that blackened the walls of the Ramses station.

Firefighters were seen hosing down the charred wreckage of the locomotive as security forces guarded the site.

Twenty people were killed and 40 injured, the health ministry said.

Ahmed Ibrahim, a jewelry salesman, said he was on his way to work when he heard a loud explosion.

“I ran to see a lot of people injured. I had to carry a young girl with my own hands,” he said, apparently still in shock.

“I saw bodies cut in half. I’d never seen that … I never thought I’d ever touch dead bodies.”

CCTV footage circulating online

showed the locomotive smashing into the barrier without slowing down. People walking on the platform were enveloped by smoke.

Separate footage filmed inside the station showed a fire engulfing the train and a nearby platform and people rushing to help the casualties.

Photos that emerged after the crash showed several scorched bodies scattered around the wreckage.

Several people were seen in videos running around and screaming for help after catching fire.

“I carried around 20 charred bodies to ambulances,” said Atef Ahmed Mahmoud from the Nile Delta city of Zagazig.

Growing Frustration Later Wednesday, one person was killed and six others wounded in another train accident in ElAlamein, near the northern city of Alexandria, state media reported.

Egyptians have long complained that the government has failed to deal with chronic transport problems in the country, where roads are as poorly maintained as railway lines.

Ghana’s Ex-President, Mahama Nominated to Contest 2020 Election Ghana’s main opposition party has nominated former President John Mahama to challenge incumbent Nana Akufo-Addo in 2020 election, a party official said on Wednesday, the third consecutive poll in which the two will face off.

Akufo-Addo, however unseated Mahama in a 2016 election, capitalising on an economy that was slowing due to falling prices for gold, oil and cocoa exports.

Mahama, who succeeded his deceased predecessor in 2012 and defeated Akufo-Addo in an election later that year, accepted defeat immediately in 2016, maintaining Ghana’s record of fiercely contested but peaceful elections.

“The National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) ticket designated Mahama its candidate for the

December 2020 vote at a party congress over the weekend,’’ its director of elections, Elvis Ankrah, told Reuters.

Akufo-Addo, who is expected to stand for re-election as the candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), campaigned in 2016 on promises to cut deficits following overspending by Mahama’s government that blew a 1.6 billion dollars hole in the budget.

He has presided over an economic recovery, with growth of 6.7 per cent in the first three quarters of 2018.

Ghana is the world’s secondlargest cocoa producer, Africa’s number two gold producer and it began pumping oil off its coast in 2010.

Senegal to Release Presidential Election Result on Thursday The results of Senegal’s presidential election will be released Thursday, a source at the official body handling the count said.

The provisional results will be released at 11:00 am (1100 GMT), the source at the National Vote Counting Commission, known as CNRV, said Wednesday, confirming a report by the Senegalese Press Agency (APS).

Since Tuesday, the CNRV, led by a magistrate, has been examining the tallies sent to the 45 departmental committees across

the country and the count for Senegalese voting abroad.

Media reports Tuesday based on tallies of the regional results — with 90 percent of votes counted — suggested that President Macky Sall was poised to return to power after Sunday’s election.

According to those figures, Sall was set to win without needing a second-round run-off because he was already comfortably over the 50-percent total required for a definitive, first-round victory.

international peace and security.

He introduced that the “silencing the guns” is an initiative to promote prevention, management and resolution of conflicts in Africa.

According to DiCarlo, it was the African Union (AU) that pledged in 2013 not to bequeath the burden of conflict to the next generation of Africans and undertake to end all wars by 2020.

“The UN-AU strategic

partnership has become a cornerstone of the UN’s peace and security initiatives in Africa.

“The UN’s partnership with the AU involved concrete action,’’ DiCarlo said.

He added that the UN kicked off a two-year project in January 2018 to support policy dialogue and technical assistance on conflict prevention and mediation in Africa.

She said that the UN has also increased its support to efforts to counter-terrorism and prevent violent extremism in Africa.

In June 2018, the UN signed with the AU a memorandum of understanding in this area to increase its cooperation and capacity-building support to the AU and several sub-regional organisations as well as to member states.

“Clear evidence has showed that it is Africans, in partnership with the global community, who are leading the way to sustainable peace and prosperity in the continent.

“In ‘silencing the guns’ African countries have a central role to play in making the initiative a success, as do the AU and Africa’s private sector and civil society,’’ she added.

Former personal attorney to US President Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, testifying before the House Oversight and Reform Committee at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC…yesterday AFP

Ex-Trump Lawyer, Cohen Calls US President Conman and Racist Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, called the US president a conman, a cheat and a racist in explosive congressional testimony on Wednesday, saying he was ashamed of a decade of working for the real estate billionaire.

Trump’s disgraced former fixer was giving evidence as Congress prepares for the final report from a probe into possible collusion between his campaign and Russia — and with the president in Vietnam for a second historic summit with North Korea.

Cohen, who is about to go to jail for three years after admitting financial crimes and lying to Congress, said Trump directed him in an illegal scheme to pay hush money to a porn star, and knew in advance in 2016 that

WikiLeaks would publish dirt on Hillary Clinton, despite Trump’s denials of both.

He also said Trump directed negotiations for a Trump Tower in Moscow through the 2016 election campaign even while denying any business ties with the Russians.

Cohen said Trump implicitly directed him to lie about the project, and that White House lawyers “reviewed and edited” his testimony in 2017 when he lied to Congress about the Trump Tower negotiations.

But Cohen, 52, also said he had no direct evidence that Trump or his 2016 campaign colluded with Russians — the central focus of Justice Department and congressional investigations.

Cohen told lawmakers he was “ashamed” of his decade-long role

as the president’s personal lawyer and “fixer” for sensitive problems.

“I am ashamed because I know what Mr. Trump is. He is a racist.

He is a conman. He is a cheat,” Cohen said.

“Today, I am here to tell the truth about Mr. Trump,” he said.

Democratic Chairman Elijah Cummings said Cohen’s testimony was “deeply disturbing, and it should be troubling to all Americans.”

“If it is as explosive as it appears to be, I think that it is the beginning of an impeachment process,” Democratic Representative Jackie Speier, another member of the panel, told NPR radio early Wednesday.

Trump, in Hanoi for a second nuclear summit with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, responded

to the early release of the testimony by trying to discredit Cohen.

“Michael Cohen was one of many lawyers who represented me (unfortunately),” Trump tweeted.

“He was just disbarred by the State Supreme Court for lying & fraud. He did bad things unrelated to Trump. He is lying in order to reduce his prison time.”

Cohen appeared drawn as he began his testimony before the House of Representatives Oversight Committee, the only open and televised hearing of three scheduled for him this week on Capitol Hill.

On Tuesday he spent eight hours behind closed doors at the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and the Trump campaign’s behavior.

Kagame Calls on African Countries to Open up Airspace Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Wednesday urged African countries to open up airspace to make it easy for travelers, businesses and operators to move across the continent.

“Protectionism of airspace among ourselves is a shortsighted policy, which only serves to keep our continental market fragmented, inefficient, and expensive.

“Thereby reducing opportunities for African firms,’’ Kagame said at the opening of the 4th Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition in Kigali, capital

city of Rwanda.

It is important to attract more African countries to join the Single African Air Transport Market, and to fully implement its provisions in order to reduce the cost of travel and doing business in Africa, he said.

16 countries in Africa are landlocked, which is almost one-third of Africa, according to him.

Liberalisation of airspace means many more high-quality jobs for African pilots, engineers and service personnel, he said.

Protectionism, which has

been sustaining local carriers, has impeded the growth of the aviation industry in Africa, Adefunke Adeyemi, Regional Director for Member and External Relations of the International Air Transportation Association (IATA), said that in Africa, air transport supports 6.2 million jobs.

She added that air transport equally costs 55.8 billion U.S. dollars of GDP, but these figures can be much bigger if African countries liberalise their airspace.

Air service liberalisation leads to increased air service levels and lower fares, which in turn

stimulates air travels, tourism and overall economic growth, she added.

The two-day summit brings together about 800 participants including airline executives, government officials, policymakers, civil aviation authorities, and business aviation and support industries from across Africa and beyond.

It seeks to find a common a ground towards addressing issues surrounding safety and professionalism of aviation sector in Africa.

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45

NEWSEXTRA

Appeal Court Reserves Judgment on Onnoghen’s Case Alex Enumah in Abuja The Court of Appeal in Abuja yesterday reserved judgment to a date to be communicated to parties in the appeals filed by the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen against the decision of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

A three-man panel of the court led by Justice Stephen Adah, made the announcement after counsel in the matters adopted their briefs of argument in the four appeals filed before the court.

In the first appeal, Onnoghen is challenging the jurisdiction of the CCT to hear the charge against him, being a serving judicial officer.

US Military to Support Offensive against ISWAP, Boko Haram Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja In a renewed bid to defeat terrorists in the North-east, the United States Army said it would provide support for the ongoing military offensive against Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) and Boko Haram by countries of Lake Chad Basin Commission.

Member-countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, notably Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic are presently engaged in a military offensive tagged “Operation Yacin Tafki” to rid the Lake Chad fringes of terrorists.

The Commander, Special Operations United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM), Major General Marcus Hicks, made the disclosure during a recent visit to the Tactical Headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force in Diffa, Republic of Niger.

Addressing officers of the MNJTF, Major General Hicks noted that the aim of the visit was to share intelligence and build confidence between the

two organisations towards the achievement of operational objectives.

Earlier, the Deputy Force Commander of the MNJTF, Brigadier General Seydou Badjie, commended the US AFRICOM for its interest in the activities of the MNJTF. He also solicited the continued cooperation of the two agencies in order to successfully deal with Boko Haram insurgency.

In a related development, the Commanding General of the United States Army Africa Command, Major General Rogers Cloutier, also visited the MNJTF Headquarteres in N’Djamena, Republic of Chad.

“Discussions between the Force Commander, Major General Chikezie Ude and General Cloutier focused on the role of the MNJTF in combating the threat of Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa,” a statement by Chief of Military Public Information MNJTF Headquarters, Colonel Timothy Antigha, said.

SGF: Buhari’sVictory Triumph of Democracy Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has described President Muhammadu Buhari victory in Saturday’s polls as a triumph of democracy.

He made the remarks yesterday after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially declared Buhari as winner of the exercise.

The SGF said the victory over the leading opposition candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was a confirmation of the faith of the Nigerian people in the ability and leadership of Buhari.

“I am quite excited. This is a victory for democracy and it is a big victory for Nigeria. The people of Nigeria have spoken through their votes for President Buhari.

This victory has only confirmed their faith and trust in the person of President Buhari, having seen how he piloted this country in the last three and half years and nearing four years. And you can see the excitement in their celebrations today,” Mustapha said.

He assured Nigerians that Buhari would fulfill his core three election campaign promises of security, fight against corruption and growing the economy.

He noted that when the administration was first elected in 2015, about 17 local government

areas (LGAs) were under the control of Boko Haram terror group in the North-east.

He also said that about six of the affected areas were in his home state of Adamawa, adding that there is now restoration of peace in the affected areas, while the President has ensured the country is secured.

Mustapha listed improved agricultural yields and revolution in rice farming and investment in social infrastructure to be some of the factors that gave the government public trust, saying nobody was left out of the inclusiveness in government.

“We must try to diversify the economy. The development of N-Power and Trader Moni is a sign of the level of social infrastructure I am talking about. We are not there yet.

Other areas we should begin to look at is how we can skill our university graduates. You may have a university degree but in the most industrialised nations there is a shift not in Just in having university degrees.

There is difference in skilling the youthful population, so that they be gainfully employed. You can have a degree but you may not have the skills that are very fundamental. There should be emphasis on skills and these are the areas going forward we should be able to look at”’.

In the second appeal, he is challenging the decision of the tribunal to hear all pending applications together, including his application challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to entertain the suit.

In the third appeal, the suspended CJN is challenging the veracity of the ex-parte order directing him to vacate office as CJN and for President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint an acting CJN. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, had announced appearance for Onnoghen.

However, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) who argued the appeal on behalf of Onnoghen, emphasised

that there was the need for the appellate court to examine the circumstances surrounding the grant of the exparte order by the tribunal.

“The court should interrogate the circumstances which we consider questionable,” Uche said, adding that granting of the exparte order has had far-reaching consequences on the rule of law in the country.

According to the senior lawyer, the CCT ought not to have made the order in the first place considering the pendency of a motion questioning the jurisdiction of the tribunal.

Questioning further the circumstances in which the exparte order was obtained, Uche noted

that the tribunal granted the order a day after it had adjourned to the following week on agreement of parties.

“The matter was adjourned on January 22 to January 28, on agreement of parties and the order was made the next day, January 23,” he said, adding that from the tribunal’s record, no counsel applied for the exparte order.

In a brief response, counsel to the federal government, Aliyu Umar (SAN), informed the court that neither the appellant nor the respondent made available any material that would enable the court take a look at the circumstances surrounding the granting of the exparte order by the tribunal.

Before yesterday’s proceedings, the Appellate Court had on three consecutive occasions postponed hearing in the appeals filed by Onnoghen challenging the decisions of the CCT where he is standing trial over an alleged breach of code of conduct for public officers.

The suspended CJN was eventually arraigned on February 15 after several failed attempts to stop his arraignment on the grounds that the CCT lacked jurisdiction to try him, being a judicial officer.

He pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge preferred against him by the federal government.

He was consequently admitted to bail on self-recognition.

GRASSROOTS ENGAGEMENT...

Governorship candidate of Allied People’s Movement in Ogun State, Mr. Adekunle Akinlade (left), and Governor Ibikunle Amosun, acknowledging cheers from a mammoth crowd of party supporters in Abeokuta ...yesterday

EITI Ranks Nigeria, Norway Highest in Extractive Sector Transparency Chineme Okafor in Abuja The board of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) yesterday said Nigeria and Norway have achieved the highest level of transparency marks against the EITI standard in pushing for transparency and accountability in the operations of their respective extractive sectors.

The EITI board said at their meeting in Kyiv, capital of Ukraine, that both countries have pushed their commitments to the ideals of the EITI deeper, making their citizens become well-informed about the operations of the industries and its operators.

The global body, in a statement sent to THISDAY , explained that

at the Kyiv meeting, it determined the EITI status of Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Norway and Trinidad and Tobago, and found that Nigeria like Norway, has achieved the highest level of the reporting standards.

“Ethiopia, Guinea, Malawi, Mauritania and Trinidad and Tobago achieved meaningful progress against the EITI standard.

Nigeria and Norway have achieved the highest level of transparency against the EITI standard,” said the EITI in the statement.

With regards to specifics, it explained that Nigeria has used the EITI to reform its extractive industries and build accountability, achieving the highest level against

the EITI Standard.

It noted that over 15 years of implementing the EITI, the Nigeria EITI, (NEITI), has become an independent watchdog that holds stakeholders in the crucial hydrocarbons sector – and more recently solid minerals sector – to account.

“Since 2017, NEITI has disclosed key data on its allocation of licenses, on the administration of oil and gas subnational transfers and on crude sales and other processes within the Nigerian NationalPetroleum Corporation (NNPC),” said the EITI. For Norway, it explained the country has supported the EITI since its inception and is widely lauded as a success story in the management of oil wealth.

“It was the first OECD country to implement the EITI, publishing eight EITI reports from 2008 to 2015. In 2017, Norway was the first country to mainstream EITI implementation. Timely, comprehensive and reliable information is published through the government’s Norwegian Petroleum website and in companies’ country-bycountry reports,” it added.

The statement quoted the chair of EITI, Fredrik Reinfeldt, to have said on the development: “Over half of all EITI countries have now undergone validation against the EITI standard, and the overall travel of direction is positive.

Dasuki Fails to Stop Alleged Corruption Trial Alex Enumah inAbuja Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of a Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) High Court, Maitama, has dismissed the application filed by a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd), asking the court to adjourn his N28.3 billion fraud trial sine die (indefinitely).

Dasuki had on January 9, 2019, through a motion filed by his counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), urged the court to adjourn indefinitely, until the

federal government complies with the judgement of Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of a Federal High Court, Abuja which on July 2, 2018 ordered his unconditional release.

At the resumed trial yesterday, Justice Baba-Yusuf, in dismissing the application, held that “Justice Ojukwu is empowered by law to enforce an order that she gave, therefore, the only court competent to hear the application is the Federal High Court from which the order was given.”

Prosecuting counsel, O.A. Atolagbe, then urged the court to give a date for trial to allow the prosecution bring more witnesses, to testify against Dasuki and his co-defendants which includes, a former General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Aminu Baba-Kusa; a former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa and his son, Sagir, Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the NSA, Shuaibu Salisu and

former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda A statement from the EFCC said the trial judge thereafter fixed April 16, 17 and 18, 2019 for “definite hearing”.

Justice Baba-Yusuf had also dismissed an application for leave of the court by Dasuki’s defence team, urging the court to set up a panel of six SANs, to give legal opinion as to whether the trial could continue while the order for his release was yet to be complied with.

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5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

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Again, Hoodlums Attack Traders in Parts of Lagos Police arrest 37, quell uprising Chiemelie Ezeobi For the umpteenth time in Lagos State, some hoodlums, while celebrating the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the polls, yesterday unleashed mayhem on traders of a particular ethnic group at the Alaba Rago and Lagos Island areas of the state.

On Lagos Island, the hoodlums were said to have descended on Igbo traders, accusing them of not voting for their candidate at the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections.

The miscreants, who were armed with dangerous weapons like cutlasses, broken bottles, jagged woods and knives, struck at about 9a.m. at Oluwole, Nnamdi Azikwe, Tinubu, Bamgbose and Alli Streets.

Their target were the Igbo traders who were just opening their respective shops for business, as they were beaten after instructing them that all their shops should remain locked for the day.

Whilst the lockdown was going on, the armed hoodlums were chanting ‘Igbos should go back to their states’, ‘leave Lagos alone’, ‘Go and do business in your states, this is Lagos’.

According to them, they had wooed the Igbo traders to vote for Buhari, but they refused and voted for the opposition, adding that the Igbo traders must vote

whosoever they are asked to vote for seeing that they are gaining economically from the state.

Prior to the arrival of the police to quell the situation, the intimidated traders had closed shop and fled to safety.

Tentative peace was somewhat restored after the Area ‘A’ Commander, Bode Ojajuni, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, deployed policemen in the area.

Similarly, at the Alaba Rago area of Okomaiko, the hoodlums who were armed with cutlasses, sticks and axes, went on rampage, destroying wares belonging to traders.

Chanting the popular ‘Sai Baba’ phrase that is often associated with supporters of the president, the hoodlums, numbering over hundred, marched from Alaba to Okokomaiko, chanting victory songs.

The hitherto peaceful march soon turned ugly when they got to the market at Okokomaiko, as they went berserk, destroying hundreds of shops and wares.

A meat seller who simply gave his name as Tunde told THISDAY that they had barely returned from the abattoir with the meat they bought, when the hoodlums besieged them.

According to him, “Although I don’t have a shop, I have a table where I display my meat. I was in the process of arranging them when I heard people chanting.

Presidential Election: Imo Women Protest Military, Police Misconduct Thousands of women in Imo State yesterday took to the streets of the state capital, Owerri, to protest against alleged misconduct by the military and other security agencies in last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

The women, adorned in black, stormed the headquarters of the 34 field Artillery Brigade in Obinze, calling on the army high command to caution the soldiers to stay away from politics.

Presenting a petition to the representative of the Commanding Officer (CO), leaders of the group, Mrs. Uju Ihejiagwa and Nwando Anyasinti, lamented what they described as day-light robbery of the people of the state.

They described the announcement of Governor Rochas Okorocha as senator-elect for Orlu zone as fraudulent.

According to them, “Okorocha committed electoral fraud by using the military, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and thugs to intimidate, harass and maim unsuspecting and unprotected Imo voters.

“He connived with some staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to subvert the wish of the masses by manipulating the outcome of the election and ensuring the announcement of fake results.

“We also protest the brutal assassination of two of our sons at Ejemekwuru in Oguta council area during the governor’s campaign rally in the area. The governor used security agencies to harass, intimidate and rig the

February 23 election. Collation agents were intimidated and molested. Electoral materials were stolen and fake results written, submitted and announced with the aid of INEC.” “We hereby request that the military and other security agents desist from being used to rig elections anymore in Imo State. We call on the Brigade Commander of 34 Field Artillery Brigade in Obinze to warn and caution his boys to desist from getting involved in electoral fraud.

“We also call on the state Commissioner of Police to give same orientation to his men in the Police Force to stay off actions that aid electoral fraud and subversion of the people’s wish.”

The protesters also stormed the Imo State headquarters of INEC, where they warned the commission to desist from aiding electoral fraud in the state, while calling on the commission to restore the people’s mandate.

In his response, while receiving the protesters, Head of Voter Education of the INEC in the state, Mr. Sunday Adedoyin, assured them that the commission will look into the issues raised with a view to ensuring that necessary steps are taken to forestall future occurrences.

The protesting women also marched to the Imo State Police headquarters, headquarters of the National Security and Civil Defense Corps in the state, as well as the Department of State Services (DSS), where they also delivered the same message.

“At first I wasn’t worried because I was just hearing ‘Sai Baba’. It was when I noticed that the people were running that I decided to check. Behold, they were scattering people’s wares.

“Many people were injured as they were running. We would have resisted the attack but they were armed with cutlasses and axes. That’s how I left my meat and ran away.

“By the time the army from Ojo cantonment and the police

came to restore peace, my meat was on the floor, same with other traders whose wares were also destroyed.”

THISDAY further gathered that the army was called as reinforcement after the rampaging hoodlums overpowered the police and injured some of them.

As at press time, personnel of the Nigerian Army were still on patrol in the area with backing from operatives of the

Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and FESTAC Police Division.

Although the police were said to have made some arrests, the residents said they were only scapegoats as the main perpetrators of the act had fled before the army arrived at the scene.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, said at Alaba Rago, 37 persons were arrested in connection with the incident.

He said: “The police were alerted and we deployed operatives there to calm the situation but the hoodlums attacked our men and severely injured one of them. He is currently recuperating at the hospital.

“We have arrested 37 suspects in connection with the rampage. On Lagos Island, however, the police were able to contain the situation before it worsened.”

IN A VICTORY MOOD...

L –R: Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state; Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State; and National Chairman , All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, in a happy mood at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

It was Impossible for Atiku to Win, Niboro Insists Regina Ogwuche A former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), and Director General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Doorto-Door Campaign in Delta State, Ima Niboro yesterday insisted that it was statistically impossible for Atiku to have won last Saturday’s presidential election.

According to a statement made available to THISDAY, Niboro said: “As at the day of elections, APC was in control of 22 states, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) controlled 13. No

governor would surrender his state to the opposition because the template of the presidential elections would be the same with the coming gubernatorial elections.”

Niboro furher explained that the votes in the presidential election were consistent with the structural realities of Nigeria’s party politics.

He stated that Sokoto and Gombe States went inevitably to the APC because the structures that emplaced those PDP governors were actually and presently APC both in content and character.

He attributed the fall of Dr. Bukola Saraki and PDP in Kwara State to a protest movement, marshaled by no less than his blood sister, Gbemi, in broad alliance with the ‘Oto’ge movement, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the wealthy and politically savvy Abdulrasaq family.

Speaking further,he said: “ Take Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State. These are no doubt popular grassroots politicians and former two term governors. Both, of APC, just lost to PDP and no one is talking about it. Why did

they lose? Simply because the structures that undergird the politics of Akwa Ibom and Delta States are still powerfully PDP, even though the APC is making greater inroads every day.

“I urge Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the PDP to emulate former President Jonathan and take the moral high road. It is not too late for them to congratulate President Buhari, reorganise their party, win over more governors, and challenge the APC for the presidency in 2023,” he added.

FG to Augment January FAAC Allocation with N50bn FX Equalisation Fund Ndubuisi FrancisinAbuja The federal, states and local governments are expected to share a total of N660.368 billion from the Federation Account for the month of January as the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) concluded its meeting in Abuja yesterday.

The Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, who briefed journalists after the meeting, said although the sum of N610 .368 billion was available for sharing by the three tiers of government, approval was being awaited from the Minister of Finance for an additional N50

billion from the Foreign Exchange Equalisation Account to bring the total distributable to N660.368 billion.

He explained that the country experienced revenue drops both in oil and non-oil components during the month under review (January), adding that the Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed who was absent at yesterday’s FAAC meeting was expected to approve N50 billion from the Foreign Exchange Equalisation Account to augment the January allocation.

Of the N610.368 billion approved , the federal government received N252.412 billion; States –(N170.541 billion), Local Government Councils

received N127.923 billion while the oil producing states received N41.992 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue. Revenue generating agencies also received N17.500 billion as cost of revenue collection.

The month inn review recorded gross revenue of N505.246 billion, which was lower than the N547.462 billion received in the previous month by N42.216 billion.

The gross revenue from Value Added Tax (VAT) was N104.468 billion as against N100.760 billion distributed in the previous month, resulting in an increase of N3.708 billion.

From the total gross revenue from VAT, the federal government

received N15.044 billion, States=N50.145 billion, and Local Government Councils -- N35.102 billion. Revenue generating agencies received N1.178 billion.

Idris explained that for the month of January 2019, the federation crude oil sales increased by 2.4 million barrels, resulting in increased federation revenue by $149.94 million despite a drop in price of crude oil from $81.06 to $75.00 per barrel.

Oil royalty, import and excise duties increased substantially while Companies Income Tax (CIT) and Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) decreased marginally.

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Dickson Kicks as PDP Wins Two Senate, Three House Seats in Bayelsa Inaugurates commission of inquiry to probe violence

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has protested against the result of last Saturday’s National Assembly election, where the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won only two Senate and three Federal House of Representatives seats.

This is coming as the governor yesterday constituted a six-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry to identify the perpetrators and sponsors of the violence during last Saturday’s elections.

With the results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP lost two House of Representatives and one senatorial seats to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in a state that was hitherto PDP, except for one State House of Assembly seat.

However, the state government has rejected votes it said were allotted to the APC in Nembe Bassambiri and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

But the results published by the electoral umpire showed

that Mr. Douye Diri of PDP and Dickson’s ally, won the Bayelsa Central senatorial district election.

INEC’s Returning Officer for the district, Prof. Teddy Adias who made the announcement, said that Diri polled 83, 978 votes to defeat Mr. Festus Daumiebi of APC, who got 70, 998 votes.

Diri currently represents Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma at the Federal House of Representatives.

In the Bayelsa West senatorial district election, Mr. Lawrence Ewrudjakpo of the PDP and erstwhile works commissioner in the state, defeated Capt. Mathew Karimo of the APC. Karimo scored 20,219 as against Ewhrudjakpo’s 49,912.

For Bayelsa East, Mr Biobarakuma Degi-Eremenyo of APC emerged senator-elect, beating Mr. Blessing Ipigansi, who left Dickson’s cabinet to contest for the seat to be vacated soon

by Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce. He polled 43,303 votes to defeat the PDP candidate who scored 32,363.

For the House of Representatives, Mr. Preye Oseke of APC emerged winner to

represent the people of SouthernIjaw Federal Constituency, trouncing the current Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly.

Oseke polled 56, 804 votes to beat the Speaker, Mr. Konbowei Benson, who got 34, 105 votes in the polls.

Prof. Steve Azaiki, a former Secretary to the State Government is now member-elect of the Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency.

He was elected with 51,639 votes against Blackson Osomkime

of APC’s 16,943.

Mr. Fred Agbedi of the PDP was elected member of the Federal House of Representatives for Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency with 48,076 votes to beat Daunemigha Famous who polled 19,159 votes.

In Ogbia where former President Goodluck Jonathan comes from, Obua Azibapu Fred of PDP scored 12,048 to beat Rex-Ogbuku Jude of ADC, his closest rival with 9,805.

The commission had earlier declared Mr. Isreal Sunny-Goli of the APC as the winner of Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency election, garnering 41,150 votes to defeat Ebikake Enenimiete of the PDP with 19,279.

Meanwhile, Dickson has maintained that what happened in Nembe and Southern Ijaw was a blatant violation of the rights of the people to elect their leaders and representatives.

He stressed that the electoral

officers who were held hostage had written to INEC to say that they were made to sign the documents under duress.

Dickson called on the INEC to cancel all the figures from an election that never held and distance itself from the ‘fake’ results.

The governor has also constituted a six-member Judicial Commission of Inquiry to identify the perpetrators and sponsors of the last Saturday elections’ violence.

Appeal Court Affirms Candidacies of Owan-Enoh, Ndoma-Egba in Polls Fixes next hearing for March 4 Bassey Inyang in Calabar The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar, Cross River State yesterday, granted a formal “Stay of Execution Order” which reaffirms the candidacies of Senators John Owan-Enoh, Ndoma-Egba and others of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, earlier published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The three-member judges headed by Justice A. M Uwade frowned at INEC for misinterpretation and misinformation of the public on the court’s earlier order of February 20 which directed that parties in the matter to maintain “Status Quo Ante” pending the determination of the substantive case.

The three judges in the panel unanimously agreed that the ‘Stay of Execution Order’ earlier granted subsists in the interest of justice as evident in the affidavit and counter contained in the subject matter of the appeal, Suit N0; CA/C/62/2019.

Responding to the Stay of Execution Order which was earlier granted and misinterpreted

by INEC, the counsel to the respondents – Etim John and others, Ayei Okpa, said “I am satisfied with the order of court because it is in the interest of justice and all parties have agreed to expeditiously handle the matter and bring the substantive matter to an end.”

Also responding, Counsel to the APC and others, including Senator John Owan-Enoh, Awa Kalu (SAN) noted that “the import of the Stay of the Execution granted and reinforced simply reverses all that INEC may have

done in error or compromise of any sort”.

According to him, OwanEnoh, Ndoma-Egba, Otu and other candidates of APC whose names were published by INEC as submitted to them by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, remain as the status quo, adding that the court has given the respondents’ counsel up to Friday March 1, 2019 to file their brief on the substantive case and the matter adjourned to Monday, March 4, 2019 for hearing.

It will be recalled that the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Frankland Briyai had announced on the eve of the botched polls that the commission had disqualified all of APC candidates fielded by the party, citing the stay of execution order by the Appeal Court as reason.

This action prompted counsel to Owan-Enoh, Awa Kalu, to petition INEC’s chairman, warning that “Going against the maintenance of status quo would inexorably be in contempt of court.”

He also prayed that the commission would not take any steps to substitute the published names pending the determination of the appeal because to do otherwise especially at this late hour would tilt the scale in favour of the other political parties.

Kalu drew the chairman’s attention to “our previous correspondence dated February 13, 2019 and the very recent orders of the Court of Appeal (Abuja and Calabar Divisions) - these orders uphold your decision to accept, publish and sustain the list of candidates presented by the party’s National Working Committee.”

TIME TO TAKE STOCK...

L~R: President, Nigerian Council of Registered lnsurance Brokers (NCRIB), Sola Tinubu; Managing Director, Linkage Assurance Plc, Daniel Braie; General Manager, Marketing Linkage Assurance Plc, Joyce Ojemudia; and Executive Director, Technical Linkage Plc, Okanlawon Adelegan, at the Nigerian Council of Registered lnsurance Brokers’ members’ evening in Lagos...recently ABIODUN AJALA

APC: FG will Seek Justice forVictims of Election Violence in Rivers Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has said the federal government would seek justice for victims of the violence that greeted last weekend’s presidential and National Assembly elections in parts of the state.

The party also said it plans to sue Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, and others for libel for accusing chieftains of the party of being responsible for the violence at Abonnema, headquarters of Akuku Toru Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, which claimed several lives, including that of a soldier.

Addressing a press conference in Port Harcourt yesterday, Co-

ordinator of APC Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers State and governorship aspirant of the party in the state, Tonye Cole, said the party was saddened by the violence and attendant death that happened in parts of the state, especially in Abonnema, his hometown and that of other chieftains of the party.

While he expressed the party’s condolences to the families of those killed during the election in the state, he said one death was already too many in the state.

Cole said: “Over the past few days, Rivers State has once again been in the headlines globally for all the wrong reasons. In a nationwide election that sought to elect a President for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and members of the National Assembly, our dear

state was characterised with armed conflict, which unfortunately led to the death of innocent Nigerians that had simply sought to exercise their civic duty of participating in an electoral process.

“At this juncture allow me to express my most profound and sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones last weekend. In particular, we reach out to the family of Miss Ibisaki Amachree who was shot while on duty.

“One death is one too many and no one has the right to kill in the name of power and politics.

May the souls of all those who died this weekend rest in peace and the families be rest assured that the federal government will seek justice for them, no matter how long it takes.”

He said the party is currently seeking advice from its lawyers to know whether to file a libel suit against those who accused some chieftains of the party who are from Akuku-Toru LGA, of being behind the violence that occurred at Abonnema, headquarters of the local government area.

The APC governorship candidate said: “It has been my personal plea and mantra as well as that of the APC that the violence meted out on our members and citizens of the state in 2015 and immediately thereafter has no place in any modern society, especially one that desperately needs to grow economically and develop for the betterment of her people.

TINUBU, GOVERNORS CONGRATULATE BUHARI ON HIS RE-ELECTION governor said that he lacked words to express himself because the state has broken the jinx in its political history.

He said: “Today I am happy that Mr. President has won Nasarawa State because the state, being a state that is cosmopolitan and infiltrated by all kinds of differences, has become a very difficult state to deliver, especially on the exercise like this because of sentiments of emotions and other things.”

“But since the beginning of political dispensation in 1999, we have not seen election that has become a game changer; a decisive factor in killings and burying politics of sentiments, emotions than the emergence of President Buhari as the winner of the presidential election in Nasarawa State.”

Also congratulating President Buhari, the Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola yesterday stated that Buhari’s victory was an

appreciation of good governance and quality leadership.

Describing Buhari’s victory as well-deserved, Oyetola told journalists that “the outcome of this election shows that President Buhari has done very well and his victory gives hope for our democracy.”

Oyetola spoke at the Government House in Osogbo while reviewing the outcome of the presidential election.

In his own message, the Niger

State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, described the victory of President Buhari as “well deserved” The governor said in a statement signed on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Jibrin Ndace that “the re-election of President Muhammad Buhari is an indication of the trust and confidence reposed in him by Nigerians to move the country to the next level”.

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Jubilation in Kano, Kaduna over Buhari’s Victory John Shiklam in Kaduna and Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano There was wild jubilation in some parts of Kaduna and the commercial city of Kano early yesterday following the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressives Congress (APC) in last Saturday’s presidential election.

While it was a mixed feeling in Kaduna metropolis, it was celebration galore in the Muslim-dominated northern part of Kaduna metropolis, as residents of the area, mainly supporters of APC, took to the streets in jubilation as soon as Buhari was declared winner.

A resident of Kurmin Mashi, who identified herself simply as Ummi, said the celebrations started by 1.00 a.m. yesterday.

She said the area was agog with celebration which lasted till dawn.

She said; “We did not sleep at all with the celebration of Buhari’s victory. These people were going from house to house, disturbing people and knocking on our gates in the name of celebration. They didn’t allow us to sleep.”

The situation was said to have been the same in areas like Angwan Sarki, Tudun Wada, Rigassa, Angwan Dosa, Kawo among several others.

The city centre was deserted yesterday as most shops were yet to open since Saturday’s election.

The area was therefore taken over by the celebrants who drove round some of the streets in convoy of cars and motorcycles with party music from loud speakers mounted on a vehicle.

Many shops in the city centre, especially along the busy Ahmadu Bello Way, Independence Way, Lagos Street and Katsina road among others, had been closed since after Saturday’s elections.

However, in the Christiandominated southern part of the metropolis, there was no such celebration as everywhere was quiet and solemn.

One of the residents of the area said the traders, stayed away from the city centre to “avoid any form of provocation in the name of celebrating Buhari.”

One of the residents in the area, Clement Joseph, said:

Zamfara Gov Candidate Ejects IDPs forVoting Buhari The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Zamfara State, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, yesterday confirmed that he has ejected all displaced persons taking shelter in his houses in Shinkafi for voting for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

Shinkafi confirmed in Gusau at a news conference organised by a coalition of some political parties in the state protesting against the elections.

“I have asked all the IDPs residing in my Shinkafi houses to immediately pack out because they are not serious in life.

“These are people who had to leave their villages due to insecurity caused by a government that could not provide such basic necessity to them, yet they went and sold their votes at the last elections trying to bring back the same gang,” he said.

According to him, in spite of earlier advice to the displaced persons “to vote out those who failed them in the past years,” they still voted for them.

He claimed that the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) allowed themselves to be bought over during the election by “the people who failed them.”

Shinkafi said the coalition would not support the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and all security chiefs in the state to handle the March 9, governorship and state assembly elections.

“This is because we have no confidence in them and their ability to be fair and just to us,” the APGA governorship candidate added.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the coalition is comprised of the PDP, APGA, ACCORD, NRM, APP, ADC, NPP, DPP and YPP.

Declare Authentic Senatorial Results Now, Plateau PDP Tells INEC Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned that the palpable tension currently mounting in Plateau State could give rise to sporadic violence thereby messing up the fragile peace on the state, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Governor Simon Lalong should be held responsible for any such untoward happening.

Addressing a press conference in Jos, the state capital, the Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Damishi Sango lamented that INEC has refused to announce the results of the three senatorial elections in the state clearly won by the PDP because it is doing everything to give the victory to the candidates of the APC, a development he said may end up in serious

violence.

Sango said, “Plateau people clearly spoke their minds by vesting their trust in PDP by overwhelmingly voting for the party. Their votes gave PDP unassailable victory across the state. We salute our supporters for their commitment and resilience in seeking to chart a new course for a united, secure and prosperous Plateau.

“However, we are saddened to note that four days after the conduct of the elections, INEC is yet to turn in the final results and declare the winners. The situation cuts across the three senatorial zones of the state.

In the Southern Zone, INEC declared the election inconclusive after cancelling the results of some units in Qua’an Pan and Wase LGAs. There was clear pressure on the Returning Officer to declare the result in favour of APC.”

“There is nothing wrong in celebrating your victory, but when you do it provocatively in other to anger your opponent, it is better to stay away for the sake of peace.

“Some of us didn’t go to the town because we want to avoid such provocation.”

In Kano, many youths

took to the road leading to the Government House after the news broke out that President Buhari had been re-elected for another term in office.

An APC chieftain, Atiku Dungurawa, commended the electorate for listening to the voice of reason by giving the mandate to President Buhari for another

four years in office.

According to Atiku, “I am very happy and hoping that President Buhari should return in order to embark on infrastructural development since he has already retrieved a lot of money from looters.

“We don’t want someone to come and embezzle the

retrieved loot or divert it to some looters again. That is why we want him to serve another term.”

He also expressed optimism that the victory of Buhari would improve the country’s economy, adding that the country situation might improve.

80 HEARTY CHEERS...

L-R:Alhaja Majeebat Oladejo; Dr. Naim Ekemode; celebrant, Alhaja Wusamot Adedoyin Adegoke; and former Head of Service, Lagos State, Alhaji Rafiu Babatunde Tinubu, during special prayers to mark Adegoke’s 80th birthday held at Gbagada Central Mosque, Lagos… recently ETOP UKUTT

NLC, Abe Hail Buhari’sVictory in Presidential Election Rivers senator wants electoral offenders punished Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Senator representing Rivers South-East senatorial district in the National Assembly, Magnus Ngei Abe, have congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his victory in last Saturday’s presidential election.

The senator has also called on the federal government to punish all those found guilty of various electoral offences across the country, no matter how highly placed.

In a statement signed by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, the union noted that President Buhari was the second person to get re-elected since the return to civilian rule 20 years ago.

The NLC also congratulated other candidates for their participation and urged them to accept the outcome of the election, and adherence to the

peace accord they had signed before the election.

“The electioneering campaign although bitterly fought and the election itself keenly contested, we urge the President-elect and any aggrieved party to put first the interest of the nation. We reiterate that no candidate’s victory or loss is worth the life or property of anyone. Mr. President won in 2015 on his campaign promise to fight corruption, restore security and grow the economy.

Nonetheless, his re-election avails him a great opportunity to reflect on and re-assess this vision, strategy and implementation as well as enables him to complete pending projects and initiate new ones where feasible,” Wabba explained.

The union pledged to work with the social partners, government and organised private sector to ensure Nigerians, especially, workers get dividends

of democracy as when due.

“Worker-pensioner-issues, especially salaries, pensions and welfare will continue to dominate our engagement with government.

We commend INEC for organising the elections in spite of the initial glitches. It should speedily correct the lapses identified so far in order for it to conduct more credible elections in the future,” the statement said.

The union also commended millions of Nigerians who defied all odds to perform their civic duty.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Parry Saroh Benson in Port Harcourt, Abe on his part, congratulated not only the President but all Nigerians who took part in the making of history.

He called on the government to punish all those found guilty of various electoral offences across the country, no matter how highly placed.

Abe also condemned the

violence that took place in different areas in Rivers State and some parts of the country, saying the elections were far from being perfect but it has satisfied the yearnings and aspirations of the majority of Nigerians.

Abe said, “although the elections were in no way perfect, but nobody can dispute the fact that it has answered the yearnings of the average majority of Nigerians, it is a clear expression of the wish of the Nigerian people for continuity and progress”.

“We, therefore, call on the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and members of the main opposition party to accept the verdict of the Nigerian people and extend their hand of fellowship to the President-elect so that we can work together and put the bitterness, rancour, and acrimony of the elections behind us and move the nation forward”, he added.

Haggai International Donates Cash,Toiletries to 50 Patients Kasim Sumaina in Abuja In a bid to provide succour to the less-privileged and relieve them of their pain and suffering, Haggai International Nigeria, Abuja chapter, on Tuesday donated cash and toiletries to 50 patients at Maitama General Hospital.

The Chairman, Haggai International Nigeria, Abuja chapter, Dr. Oluwole Aina, noted that the move was part of activities marking Haggai International’s Day of evangelism.

Aina, while donating the items, informed that “Haggai

International, marks its day of evangelism on every February 27 in which this year the Abuja Chapter has decided to visit hospitals to pray with the patients and share the healing power of Jesus Christ who died for man’s salvation.”

He revealed that the choice of the hospital was to provide succour to the less-privileged and share the word of God with them.

He said: “Every year, we celebrate Haggai International Day of evangelism and this year, we decided to visit patients in the hospital and share the healing power of our lord Jesus Christ

and we shared gifts with them.”

He noted that they were able to reach out to over 50 patients in Maitama.

He, however, observed that “no man living in Maitama will bring his/her ward to this hospital; the patients are in need of support. We are happy for doing God’s work.”

Similarly, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba, a priest with the Anglican church and a member of Haggai International expressed joy with the outreach.

According to him, “Haggai International is an institute where religious leaders are trained which explains why I

am part of the group to support the less privileged while sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Today is our day of evangelism and we go round sharing the gospel with all and sundry.”

Also, the Compound Officer, Maitama General Hospital, Binta Ayodele, thanked the group for their donations, adding that the donations came with prayers, which the patients also needed.

She, however, revealed that many patients wee in great need and called on other organisations to join the group in providing succour to them.

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T H I S D AY ˾ FEBRUARY 28, 2019

ÜÙßÚ ÚÙÜÞÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ Duro Ikhazuagbe ×ËÓÖ duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

YoboTips Omeruo to Step into His Shoes Former Super Eagles Captain, Joseph Yobo yesterday tipped in-form CD Leganes FC player, Kenneth Omeruo, to step into his shoes as a regular centreback.

The retired footballer made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at his unveiling as brand ambassador of the inaugural Trophy five-aside “Join the Field of Honour” competition.

Yobo was capped 101 for Nigeria.

He played in three FIFA World Cups and Six Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the Super Eagles after making his debut against Zambia in 2002.

Yobo captained the senior national team in 2010 after the retirement of Nwankwo Kanu and went on to win the AFCON as a captain in 2013 with a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso in South Africa.

The 38-year-old also scored seven goals during his international career after his first goal against Madagascar in the 2012 AFCON qualifiers on Sept. 4.

Looking back at his successful years in the Nigeria’s green white green jersey and a possible

successor to the shoes he left behind, Yobo said that Omeruo was capable of taking over from him. “I am happy for Omeruo because he played along with me.

I am happy that he is fulfilling his potential because he is a good defender.

“Omeruo is someone I have hoped to take over from me and I am happy that he is in Spain and doing fantastically well.

“I am also happy other defenders such as Leon Balogun and other players are performing as well. It is always good that we have our defenders fit and at the moment doing well.

“Super Eagles as a team is presently doing well now and only need the support of all Nigerians to do better at the AFCON 2019,” stressed the former Nigerian captain.

Yobo cut his teeth at Standard Liege of Belgium before moving to Everton FC. He left Everton to join Norwich FC before leaving England for Turkey to star for Fenerbache FC. He asked handlers of the senior national team to give fringe players the chance to show

what they have to offer now that pressure is not on Super Eagles in the dead-rubber last qualifying game with Seychelles.

“The Super Eagles have now qualified for AFCON, so the game against Seychelles is not

so important. It is important to give the upcoming and fringe players a chance.

“The Super Eagles can as well win the AFCON. It is possible because I was fascinated about the way they qualified for the

tournament with a game in hand.

“We should note that qualifiers are always tough for Nigeria but it happened because the team build on the success from the World Cup.

“The future is bright for the team and I believe in them.

In football you go into the tournament with the mind of winning but the team should take it one game after other,” Yobo concluded.

Kenneth Omeruo (right) has been in superb form since joining CD Leganes in the Spanish La Liga

FA Investigating Nigerian Football Agent, Man City over Sancho’sTransfer The Football Association in England is investigating claims that Manchester City made a banned payment of £200,000 to Jadon Sancho’s agent when the England winger was 14 years old.

The allegations were made in documents published yesterday

by German publication, Der Spiegel.

It was alleged that Man City paid Emeka Obasi when they signed Sancho, now at Borussia Dortmund, from Watford in March 2015.

Transfer rules forbid young

Jadon Sancho is under the searchlight over Manchester United’s involvement in his transfer

players from been represented by an agent until the year they turn 16 years old.

A Man City statement on the matter yesterday read: “The attempt to damage the club’s reputation is organised and clear.

“We will not be providing any comment on out of context materials purported to have been hacked or stolen from City Football Group and Manchester City personnel and associated people.”

London-born Sancho, 18, joined City as a 14-year-old, when the Premier League champions paid £66,000 in compensation

to Watford. FA rules state that clubs are not permitted to offer financial inducements to a player under 16.

Der Spiegel - which has published a series of revelations in recent months, including allegations City deceived UEFA over financial fair play (FFP) rules - claims the club wrote a letter to Sancho’s father which outlined how much they were willing to pay the player once he turned professional.

The German magazine also says

a City lawyer was “alarmed” that the letter could be deemed as a financial offer and therefore breaking the rules about offering inducements. Der Spiegel alleges City paid £200,000 to Obasi as part of a scouting contract to find players in central and South America. It claims the payment was in fact in relation to Sancho’s transfer from Watford. Sancho never made a first-team appearance for City before moving to German side Dortmund for £8m in August

2017. He has been one of the star players for the Bundesliga leaders this season, with the club describing him as “one of the most exciting players in Europe” when they announced he had signed a new long-term contract in October.

In April 2017, Liverpool were fined £100,000 by the Premier League and handed a two-year ban on signing academy players from other clubs for offering inducements to a 12-year-old academy player at Stoke City.

Cyprus Cup: Falcons Beaten NFF Congratulates Buhari D’Tigers’Coach Slams 4-1 by Austria Cameroon over Match-fixing on Re-election Laura Feiersinge restored Nigeria’s Super Falcons lost The Nigeria Football Executive Football Summit in Allegation 4-1 to Austria in the opening Austria’s two-goal lead when Federation (NFF) yesterday Rome, Italy, said the various Femi Solaja áÓÞÒ ËÑÏØÍã ÜÏÚÙÜÞ Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, Alex Nwora, has come down hard on the Cameroon Basketball Federation (FECABASKET) for their match-fixing allegation against the D’Tigers.

FECABASKET had allegedly blamed D’Tigers for willfully losing to Côte d’Ivoire to aide her qualification for the 2019 FIBA Men’s World Cup scheduled to hold in China.

D’Tigers Coach insisted such careless statement borne out of frustration was capable of bringing the sport into disrepute and should not be taken lightly by the Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA).

Nwora blasted the Cameroonians for embarking on a self-destruct mission during the qualifiers which ultimately cost them the World Cup ticket.

“If such is coming from Cameroon that is hypocrisy.

Instead of employing average coaches, they should have gone for the best. They have a very good coach who I know very

well, he is one of the best coaches and I learn most of the stuff from him,” stressed the Nigerian handler.

According to him, angry Cameroonians should hold their federation responsible for missing a place in China after their gamble backfired.

Nwora reckoned that losing five games in the qualifying series sealed their fate and not Nigeria that FECABASKET is trying to blame for their misfortune.

He wondered how much cash or incentives would have been enough for the players and the coaching crew for the match to have been fixed.

“I wanted to go undefeated, make history for my country.

How much are they going to pay us to throw a match? Who will pay us to sell a game?

“In D’Tigers are professional players who make money from playing the game. If they want to do something right, they should not blame their stupidity on these kids and Nigeria because these guys are professional,” Nwora warned.

congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, on his re-election as President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In the early hours of Wednesday, the electoral body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared President Buhari successfully re-elected along with his running mate, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

“The NFF is excited by the victory of President Buhari.

We attribute all the successes that we have had in football in the past four years to His Excellency, working closely and in unison with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other key members of his administration.

“The Government of President Muhammadu Buhari has been providing the conducive environment necessary for the game of football to thrive in our dear country and we believe that the next four years will be even more fruitful for Nigerian football,” NFF President Amaju Melvin Pinnick, said.

Pinnick, who alongside NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi is attending the FIFA

accomplishments of Nigerian football locally and internationally in the past four years, on and off the field, could not have seen the light of day without the active support and encouragement of the Buhari administration.

“We will always remain very grateful to His Excellency and his Government. We have received the maximum support from the administration.

We will work even harder in the next four years to take Nigerian Football to even higher heights of excellence.” In the past four years of the Buhari administration, Nigerian Football has blossomed on and off the field, with FIFA and CAF appointments for Nigerians more than ever before. Pinnick himself became the first-ever 1st Vice President of CAF from Nigeria.

He is also a Member of the Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions, and President of the organizing committee for the AFCON – CAF’s flagship competition. Other Nigerians such as Justice Ayotunde Phillips (Ethics Committee, Adjudicatory Chamber) and Shehu Dikko (Football Stakeholders

match of the Cyprus Invitational Tournament yesterday at the AEK Arena, Larnaca.

The reigning African champions had the misfortune of playing one player down following the sending away of goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi in the fifth minute for handling the ball outside the box.

Despite that initial setback, Falcons were able to resist the Austrians for the first 45 minutes. But that resistance cave in in the second half for them to concede four goals in that half.

Tor Nina Burger gave the Austrians the lead three minutes after the break as the Europeans finally make their numerical advantage count.

They pilled more pressure on the Falcons and doubled their lead through Nicole Billa a minute before the hour mark.

Barcelona Ladies of Spain star Asisat Oshoala reduced the deficit for Nigeria firing home Anan Imo cross in the 65th minute.

she scored off a fine corner kick from Elisabeth Mayr in the 72nd minute.

Jennifer Klein extended Dominik Thalhammer’s side lead eight minutes from time when she scored her first international goal through an assist from Elisabeth Mayr.

In the group’s other fixture, Belgium defeated Slovakia 3-0 in a one sided game.

The Super Falcons will face Slovakia in their next game in the competition on Friday.

PREMIERSHIP Arsenal 5-1 Bournemouth South’pton 2-0 Fulham Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham Cry’Palace 1-3 Man Utd Liverpool 5-0 Watford Man City 1-0 West Ham

COPA DEL REY R’Madrid 0-3 Barcelona

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T H I S D AY ˾ FEBRUARY 28, 2019

THURSDAYSPORTS

Sala: Nantes Goes to FIFA to Demand First Payment from Cardiff Nantes has appealed to FIFA after Cardiff City failed to meet the deadline for the first £5million payment of Emiliano Sala’s transfer fee.

The first payment for the Argentine striker, who died in a plane crash in the English Channel on January 21, had been due on Tuesday.

But the Premier League club is withholding payment until crash investigations were completed and they were satisfied over ‘anomalies’ around the deal.

Sala’s transfer fee of £15m had been due to be paid in three instalments and Nantes wrote to Cardiff on February 5 requesting the first of them

by February 20.

The clubs later agreed to extend the deadline but that has now passed without movement on Cardiff’s side.

Nantes has now contacted world football’s governing body to arbitrate in the matter.

A FIFA statement read: “We can confirm that we have received yesterday evening a claim from FC Nantes against Cardiff City in connection with the transfer of Emiliano Sala.

“We are looking into the matter and consequently we have no further comments at

this stage.”

Sala, 28, was Cardiff’s record signing and was due to report to the club for training on January 22. But the Malibu Piper N264DB light aircraft carrying Sala and pilot David Ibbotson from Nantes to the Welsh capital went missing near the Channel Islands on January 21Sala’s body was found in the wreckage of the plane 13 days after it vanished but the body of Ibbotson has still not been located. Cardiff Chairman Mehmet Dalman has said that Cardiff will be ‘honourable’ with Nantes if they are contractually obliged to pay them the transfer fee.

Fellow French club Bordeaux is due 50 per cent of the fee because of a sell-on clause in the deal with Nantes back in 2015.

UK’s Sportsmail reported that a preliminary report into the crash has raised questions about whether the pilot was legally licensed to carry the player, in a development that could encourage Cardiff to continue withholding payment.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) report says the Piper Malibu aircraft was not licensed for commercial use.

Pilot Mr Ibbotson, who died along with Sala in the plane,

was entitled to transport the player on a private basis.

But to do so he would have needed to pay at least half the operating costs of the flight, under aviation rules governing the carrying of passengers.

The rules – which allow non-commercial pilots to gain

experience by taking passengers on a ‘cost sharing’ basis - also dictate that he needed to have had ‘a bona fide purpose for making the flight’ other than carrying Sala.

“The flight must not be made for the purpose of merely transporting the passenger,”

the AAIB report stated.

There is no known evidence that Ibbotson was making the trip to France for any reason other than taking the player.

He was called upon to make the journey at the last minute when Sala - in need of a jet to get home on Saturday January

19 – made it clear at 7.45pm the previous day that he had found no way of making the trip.

Agent Willie McKay, mandated

by Nantes to find a buyer for Sala, asked his regular firstchoice pilot David Henderson to make the flight but he was unavailable.

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Nantes has dragged Cardiff before FIFA, demanding the payment of the agreed transfer fee on late Emiliano Sala

Football Sponsorship:The Lokosa Example in NPFL When Junior Lokosa picked up the first ever Eunisell Boot Award, for emerging the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL’s) 2017/18 season highest goal scorer with 19 goals, the then Kano Pillars FC hitman not envisage the career-defining boost it would have on him in the next couple of months.

For his performance in Nigeria’s top football league, the 25-year-old was presented with a glittering trophy and a cheque for N3.8million from one of the nation’s foremost chemical and specialty fluid management companies.

The publicity and media hype he got from achieving this feat reverberated beyond the shores of the ‘Giant of Africa’ catching the attention of international clubs.

First, he went for trials in Asia, with a Chinese club and Europe (Bulgarian and Norway) but failed to secure any concrete contract. Then came a major breakthrough when the current African champions, Esperance Sportive de Tunis, decided to give Lokosa a chance.

The Tunisian club offered him a two-and-a-half-year contract on January 14, 2019.

“It was only after the Eunisell Boot was awarded to me, along with all the publicity that my career turned around,” Lokosa stated, while speaking on how Eunisell’s involvement helped to boost his career.

And even though he has just spent barely a month with the prestigious Tunisia giants, his exposure has opened his eyes to the positive impact big business can have on the “Beautiful Game”.

Lokosa now believes that with more sponsors emulating

Junior Lokosa training with his Esperance teammates in Tunisia

Eunisell, clubs and players will be the major beneficiaries, and the standard of the game will improve across the country.

The role and benefits of the private sector cannot be over emphasised in the growth of the world’s most popular sports in Nigeria.

However, he is not the only one with this view as stakeholders are also of the opinion that private participation in football is non-negotiable as without it, the game will continue to go round in circles with no real progress.

Highlighting some of these benefits, China Acheru, a broadcaster and former spokesman of Dolphins FC (now Rivers United) reiterated this posits.

According to him, the private sector brings a different feel to how football/sports are run, adding that there is more accountability, better financial management and better planning and ultimately a better product for the fans to enjoy.

Acheru decried what he described as “the overbearing hands of government on football,”

as what presently obtains. This, according to him must be reduced.

“There is a saying that goes, government money is free money, and that is probably why state-owned football units are run without accountability or checks and balances.

“As the Nigeria Professional Football League currently is, there are FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Remo Stars, Kada City, MFM and Go Round FC. One side of the coin is owning football clubs and bringing about professionalism in the way these clubs are run and the other is collectively affecting the growth of football.

“The private participation brings a sense of organisation/ responsibility and attention to details. These hardly exist in the current setting.

“Nigerian football actually needs the private sector to grow and they must come in form of financiers and managers of the game.

“But for the private sector to come in and effectively help in the development of football, the game must truly be private,” he

said.

Acheru also added that with the private sector, the structure of these football clubs will be more visible. A well-run football club means development from the grassroots to the pro-ranks.

On sponsorship, he added: “The NFF is about football development but the norm, especially in Nigeria, is that the federation sits back, waits for government money, then organise the FA Cup in respective states.

“Financial partners are major decision makers as far as the products the sponsor are concerned. The right people putting their money in football can decide how they want the game run.

This means funds are available for the FAs to really fulfill their role of development of football from the grassroots.”

Also speaking specifically on how private partners can come in to ensure this development takes place, Harry Iwuala, Head Special Projects, League Management Company (LMC), the firm that oversees the run-

ning of the professional league in the country, pointed out that private participation in football development comes in many variants.

“In league football, there’s private participation by way of club ownership/part ownership, there’s also participation by ownership of facilities such as we see with Rojenny, Power Mike Sports Centre and so on; and you also have participation by ownership of broadcast facilities which is provided for production and distribution of match broadcast signals.

“In broader terms, private participation is viewed from sponsorship and partnership with rights owners such as title rights/ category exclusivity, club shirts, stadium naming rights, broadcast sponsorship and partnership as well as vending rights.

“At the end of the day, football development can only come about when there is funding to hire staff (playing, technical and backroom), build facilities (playing fields, training gyms, equipment etc.).

“The chief objective of sponsorship and partnerships is to generate revenue to drive the business of football and at the end, make profit. In Nigeria and elsewhere, private participation is desired either in ownership of clubs and facilities to reduce government influence and in sponsorship to generate fund to run quality competition and reward for players.”

Highlighting the impact of sponsorship on Tunisian football, Lokosa said: “Esperance is a big brand backed by several sponsors across diverse sectors of the Tunisian economy such as automobile, hospitality and the

Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry.”

The 25-year-old noted that global brands have now turned to football’s top stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to boost their marketing strategies, adding that companies in Nigeria can also emulate this act, to advance a sport that brings joy to the heart of many people in the country.

A very good example of the impact of sponsorship on football is the popular English Premier League, which has been elevated to a global behemoth in no small measure to the money put into it by Sky Sports.

Only last year the satellite broadcast company splashed a staggering £3.58 billion (N1, 682,600,000,000) for a three-year deal to broadcast the league around the world.

From this amount, the 20 clubs in the elite league shared £2.42 billion (N 1,137,400,000,000) from the TV sponsorship deal. And because of this enormous sponsorship fee, the clubs are able to use the money to attract some of the best players to the Premier League because of the huge salaries they can offer them from their share of the billions.

For instance Manchester United was able to land Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal by offering him wages of £350, 000 a week, far above what the Gunners offered him.

So while we are not expecting the NPFL to become a trillion naira business over night the earlier the private sector join the bandwagon the sooner they and football fans will enjoy the fallout from the mutually benefitting partnership.

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MISSILE Innocent Ibeabuchi to Rochas Okorocha “I have been held hostage here for days so I’m trying to ease off and take my life home back to my children and for the sake of that I am calling these results under duress” – INEC returning officer for Imo West Senatorial District, Prof Innocent Ibeabuchi, announcing winner for an inconclusive election marred by malpractices, because he was forced to by supporters of Governor Rochas Okorocha.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

The Message from Kwara B

y the time I left Ilorin, capital of my beloved Kwara State on the 6pm Arik flight last Friday to vote in Abuja the next day, the sense of excitement was palpable.

Men and women who hitherto believed they had no power were buoyant. ‘O to Ge’ (enough is enough), the slogan of the main opposition party in the state (ruling party at the centre) had become an anthem on every lip. I spent only 24 hours on the visit, but I left feeling that whatever happened at the polls, it would be good for our democracy that people had become conscious of the power they wield with their ballots.

A few hours after the polls closed last Saturday, results coming from across the state were almost difficult to believe. And then around midnight, I received a call. A friend of the Senate President Bukola Saraki said, “Segun, you are right; the Titanic can sink.” When I asked him to explain, he said results he was getting from Ilorin indicated that his friend was losing. He then reminded me of a conversation we had last year on the day Saraki left the All Progressives Congress (APC). I had argued that it was a miscalculation because without federal might to call upon, Saraki had left himself vulnerable and Kwara people would sense that this was their best opportunity to take him out.

At the time, the man had argued that Saraki could not lose power in Kwara State under any circumstance. In the course of the conversation, I had reminded him of one of the most instructive scenes in the ‘Titanic’ movie which explained his retort last Saturday. The captain was informing the ship owner that the Titanic had hit an iceberg. “From this moment, no matter what we do, the Titanic will founder,” he said. This elicited a sharp retort from the ship owner: “But this ship cannot sink.”

The captain responded: “She is made of iron, Sir. I assure you she can. And she will. It is a mathematical certainty.”

Because of Saraki’s strong media presence which we know can bias perceptions, there was an air of invincibility regarding his hold on Kwara politics. While even he believed the hype, it is now certain that there is a new dawn in the state. The era of Saraki is over.

This, however, is not the time to gloat and I will never join those who do because I endorsed Saraki when he first ran for governor in 2003. I can attest to the fact that he started well. But somewhere along the line, Saraki lost his way by shifting his focus to the presidency of Nigeria - an obsession requiring compromises that go with such ambitions. In a recent leaked audio tape of a meeting with his supporters, Saraki said he expended between N200 to N400 million in each of at least 30 states of the country during the 2015 general election.

Most Kwarans came to the inescapable conclusion that the money could only have been sourced from the state’s treasury.

While there will be a day to take an

Saraki.. Senate President

objective look at issues surrounding Saraki’s political life (including the positives), whatever may have been his other failings, it was pride that ultimately led to his fall. He treated our people with such disdain that even some of those who were contemporaries of his father he addressed by their first name. Once you display contempt for a people, it then follows that you will feel entitled to their resources. Besides, the moment a politician believes his word is law and must dictate everything, transparency and accountability are often the first casualties. For the past 16 years, it has been a one-man-show in Kwara. Having carefully cultivated a cult of followers and enforcers who worshipped him, Saraki saw himself as an emperor as he trampled on the dignity of our people.

One event which many of the elders in Ilorin still recall speaks to the hubris that eventually led to ‘O to Ge’.

At the height of his arrogant display of power as Kwara Governor in 2006, Saraki, whose oldest son, Seni, is a rapper, invited Jay Z (Shawn Carter) to Ilorin.

During the visit, a street was named for the American hip-hop artiste and the Emir of Ilorin turbaned him as a chief of the Emirate. But the real story was how Saraki practically commandeered respected elders of the community to the airport to receive his American visitor. These elders, including the venerable Alhaji Alege, had waited for almost two hours when a private plane landed and out came Jay Z in khaki shorts, earrings and gold necklaces. The epitome of Bling!

Alhaji Alege was said to have turned to another elder, Alhaji Akanbi Oke, and asked in the inimitable Ilorinspeak: “Akanbi, dákun tani wan ní ka wá pàdé?” (Akanbi, please who exactly are we directed to come and welcome?). Alhaji Oke responded: “Omo to jáde nínú bàálù náà ni.” (It’s the young man that just alighted from the plane).

Alhaji Alege then followed up with another question: “Se omo tó wo sòkòtò pémpé, tó

fi yarinni s’eti, tó kó seeni s’orun?” (You mean the one in shorts, with earrings and necklace?). Following an affirmative answer, Alhaji Alege posed another question: “Ise kí ló n se?” (what does he do for a living?)

Obviously more informed, Alhaji Oke replied: “Alágbe ni” (he is a musician).

That drew the last statement from Alhaji Alege: “Àlágbe ni Bukola ni k’áwá pàdé! Toh! Ó dáa be. Akanbi, bá mi pé derebà, èmi n lo ‘lè! (Incredible! So we had been directed

by Bukola to come and receive a musician?

Ok then. Akanbi, please call my driver, I’m going home).

Let me at this point congratulate Dr Ibrahim Oloriegbe who was last Saturday elected to represent our people in Kwara Central at the Senate. I wish him well. But the focus is now on the governorship election scheduled for next week. What the people of Kwara now expect is the coronation of Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazak for whom I have a word of caution. The votes last weekend should not be seen as an affirmation of what anybody or a political party represents. Ballots were cast by the people of Kwara as a rejection of Saraki’s overlordship. APC simply provided the platform for a simple slogan to awaken the consciousness of the people.

I am well aware of the many contradictions within the APC in Kwara (comprised of strange bedfellows). Apart from the fact that they provide no alternative vision beyond a common desire to rid the state of Saraki, if they don’t quickly come up with ideas on how to reposition the state, the people will kick them out in four years’ time.

That perhaps then explains why the message from Kwara should not be interpreted simply as the defeat of one man. It is about the changing character of Nigerian politics which only the discerning can see. In my column, ‘Lagos and the Godfather’s Rage’ published in October last year, I offered perspectives on what led to the defeat of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, at the APC gubernatorial primary. In alluding to how patronage politics has in turn empowered a few individuals to decide the fate of others during elections, I also added that every political empire has an expiry date and those who believe they can forever lord it over the people will ultimately be upended.

Yes, Nigeria is still replete with godfathers who anoint candidates for offices and believe their position on every issue must prevail irrespective of whether outcomes reflect what the majority of the people desire or would actually benefit from.

But if there is anything last Saturday’s election in Kwara has shown, it is that our people have also imbibed the role of responsible citizenship: voting intelligently and demanding accountability of those who represent them. And now they are also aware that no empire lasts forever.

Despite recurring incidences of violence in sections of the country and institutional challenges facing the Independent National

Electoral Commission (INEC), our democracy is increasingly strengthened because people of all classes see the value in participating in the political process.

Nowhere was this more eloquent than at the Victoria Garden City (VGC) in Lagos. The photograph that went viral last weekend, showed men and women who ordinarily would not vote sitting patiently (and comfortably under a canopy) while waiting to exercise their franchise. And when their ballots were eventually cast and counted, they sent a very powerful message: They voted overwhelmingly for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar - even though they share the same estate with the incumbent Vice President Yemi Osinbajo of the ruling APC who also voted there.

I am still compiling notes on what happened last Saturday at the polls. But it is instructive that Buhari supporters are already circulating messages that the president lost in both Abuja and the abode of the elites in Lagos because “many of the rich and powerful people in this country have built their personal fortunes from sources not wholly clean.” So, invariably, the over 11 million Nigerians who voted against Buhari did so because “corruption is fighting back”. It is a shame that a senior presidential aide can join in spreading such nonsense.

The lesson from last Saturday across the country should be very clear. Nigerians are desperate for leaders they can trust, at all levels. Our people are not stupid. In all the critical institutions that govern our public space, whether at the federal or at state level, they can see the destruction of ideals, enthronement of nepotism and bigotry, the ‘Iberiberism’ of forcing election officials to declare results at gun-point, and the arrogance of power by those at the helm of affairs--all to their collective detriment. And what they are saying, even when they may appear docile, is: This is not the Nigeria we want, or for that matter, deserve.

As our democracy matures and the people use their ballots to ensure ‘uncommon defeat’ for their oppressors, that message will resonate more and more in who gets what across the country, including in Abuja.

Adieu Prof Elebute

The death last weekend of Professor Emmanuel Adeyemo Elebute (CON) at age 87 hit me badly. The last time I saw him was at the public presentation of my book, ‘Against The Run of Play’ in Lagos on 28th April 2017. There will be a day to write on one of the most accomplished medical practitioners ever produced in our country who had great affection for me and was a regular reader of my column. I pray God grants mummy (Prof Mrs Oyinade Elebute), egbon Kunle, Mrs Fola Laoye and other members of his family the fortitude a time like this demands.

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