WEDNESDAY 13TH MARCH 2019 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

FG Assures Nigerians of Air Transportation Safety, Security More countries ground Boeing 737 MAX 8 Kasim Sumaina in Abuja and Chinedu Eze in Lagos with agency reports The federal government will continue to ensure the

safety of air travellers in the country, the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have assured Nigerians, saying

Boeing promises to update flight control system

since the country does not have any Boeing 737 Max 8 on its register, there is no cause for concern over the recent crash of the aircraft in Ethiopia.

The assurances were given against the background of concerns being raised over last Sunday’s crash of a Boeing 737 Max 8 owned by Ethiopian Airlines, killing all 157 persons

on board. The airline and Ethiopia had immediately grounded the remaining aircraft type in its fleet. More countries yesterday

joined Ethiopia, Indonesia, China and Camay Island to ground the operations of the Boeing 737MAX8. Continued on page 8

Nigeria Records $2.8m Balance of Payment Surplus … Page 47 Wednesday 13 March, 2019 Vol 24. No 8738. Price: N250

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INEC Holds Rerun Elections in Six States on March 23

To conclude polls in Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Plateau, Sokoto Buhari meets six APC Govs, insists on free and fair polls Ruling party backs electoral body on inconclusive elections Omololu Ogunmade, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to draw the curtain on the general election as it yesterday fixed March 23, 2019 for supplementary elections in

the six states it declared their governorship election held last Saturday as inconclusive. The electoral body had declared governorship election in Adamawa, Sokoto, Benue, Bauchi, Kano and Plateau States as inconclusive. In Adamawa State, Mr. Continued on page 8

Onnoghen Sick, Absent from Trial Alex Enumah in Abuja The trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, was yesterday stalled at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Jabi, Abuja, due to sudden sickness he was said to have developed. Onnoghen is being prosecuted by the federal government on a six-count charge bordering

on failure to declare some of his assets as required by the code of conduct for public office holders. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on self-recognition. At Monday's proceedings (less than 48hrs ago), CCT's Chairman, Danladi Umar, Continued on page 47

Herdsmen Kill 85 People in STILL IN CELEBRATORY MOOD… President Muhammadu Buhari (left) and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo during the visit of All Progressives Congress Kaduna Communities … Page 8 governors to the Presidential Villa, Abuja…yesterday Godwin Omoigui

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Herdsmen Kill 85 People in Kaduna Communities John Shiklam in Kaduna No fewer than 85 people have been killed in attacks on three communities in Kaduna State by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen. The deadly attacks were said to have taken place on Sunday and Monday. The communities affected are Anguwan Barde and Gamu villages in Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) and Gerti, Kaninkon Chiefdom in Jama'a LGA. THISDAY gathered that the attacks in Anguwan Barde took place on Sunday morning when suspected Fulani herdsmen invaded

the community and killed 35 people. But the spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, Yakubu Sabo, who confirmed the attack on Anguwan Barde in a statement on Monday said 16 people were killed. However, Danladi Yarima, a lawyer and former President of the Adara Development Association (ADA), said 35 people were killed in the Sunday's attack on Anguwan Barde. He said in the attack on Anguwan Gamu village on Monday, 46 people were killed with about 100 houses set ablaze by rampaging herdsmen.

Yarima said two of the corpses, including the wife of the pastor of an ECWA church in the village were recovered in a river. "We recovered 35 bodies in Anguwan Barde and 46 in Anguwan Gamu. Some people are still missing because they ran into the bushes for their dear lives when the Fulani herdsmen invaded the communities. We don't know whether they are still alive or not. "We recovered two corpses in a river, including the body of the wife of the pastor of the ECWA church in the village,” Yarima said. According to him, the

policemen deployed to Anguwan Gamu had since gone back and the villagers are living in palpable fear. He said there was massive exodus of women and children from the community to places considered as safe zones. "There was massive exodus of women and children from the village as the men evacuated their families to safe zones because the police that were deployed to the community left yesterday (Monday). "We are calling on the Kaduna State Government to do something about the situation to stop the destruction of lives and

property,” Yarima said. In Gerti village, Jama'a LGA, four persons were reported to have been killed in an attack by armed Fulani herdsmen. National President of the Kaninkon Development Association, Kolbe Jonathan, said the incident happened on Sunday. He said one person was killed on Sunday while three others were killed on Monday in an attack during a condolence visit to the family of the person killed the previous day. "Since Sunday, my community has been under attack by Fulani herdsmen. One person was killed on

Sunday, as a result of that, some people were going for condolence visit, they were attacked and three people were killed," Jonathan said in a telephone interview. Spokesman of the state police command, Yakubu Sabo, could not immediately confirm the incidents in Anguwan Gamu and Gerti villages when THISDAY called as he said he was at a meeting. "Sorry, in a meeting right now please, I will call you back," Sabo said in response to a text message earlier sent to him on the issue. He was yet to call back at the time of filing this report.

declared inconclusive and winners could not be declared. Details of the constituencies including number of polling units and registered voters, will be published on our website tomorrow Wednesday, March 13, 2019. "The elections were declared inconclusive for a combination of reasons, mainly the discontinuation of use of the Smart Card Readers midway into the elections or the failure to deploy them, over-voting and widespread disruption in many polling units. In compliance with the Margin of Lead Principle derived from Sections 26 and 53 of the Electoral Act MM (as amended) and paragraph 41(e) and 43(b) of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of elections, the outcome of these elections could not be determined

without conducting polls in the affected polling units. Hence the Commission’s decision to conduct supplementary elections in line with this principle." Okoye also stressed that the commission has considered a report submitted by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Bauchi State on the disruption of the collation at the Tafawa Balewa LGA collation centre, which led to the cancellation of results for the entire local government. He said that the commission found that there are issues that need further investigation and has set up a team led by a National Commissioner to resolve them. Meanwhile, the Kano State governorship candidate of the PDP, Yusuf has said that he would still win the re-run

election after INEC declared the state’s governorship election as inconclusive on Monday. Yusuf assured his teaming supporters of victory in the forthcoming gubernatorial by-election. In a statement by his spokesman, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa and made available to THISDAY in Kano yesterday, Yusuf accused the ruling APC of massive rigging which resulted to over-voting and eventual cancellation of 172 polling units. Responding, Kano State Governor, Ganduje of the APC, said the PDP candidate and his supporters would receive the shock of their lives in the scheduled rerun governorship election. He insisted that he is unperturbed by the wishful

update also incorporates feedback received from our customers.” Meanwhile, losses from Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft operated by Ethiopian Airlines have been speculated to be between $50 million and $60 million, Willis Towers Watson (WTW), an insurance firm disclosed yesterday. WTW is an Irish-domiciled global multinational risk management insurance brokerage and advisory company. The firm dates back to 1828 and is the third largest insurance broker in the world. According to a Reuters report, the global insurance brokerage and risk management firm says it is the insurance broker for Ethiopian Airlines. The Nigerian victims were identified as a popular Nigerian-born Canadian professor and writer, Pius Adesanmi, and Ambassador Abiodun Bashua, a former Joint Special Representative for the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, Sudan. According to an insurer, major insurance covers for aircraft are the hull all risks, passenger and passenger baggage legal liability, third party legal liability, and crew personal accident. The hull all risks indemnify

against accidental loss or damage to the aircraft, excluding when the aircraft is on the ground, taxing or is moored. Families of those killed aboard EthiopiaN Airlines flight 302 must wait at least five days to begin receiving some victims’ remains, the company said yesterday, though the identification of others is expected to take much longer.

INEC HOLDS RERUN ELECTIONS IN SIX STATES ON MARCH 23 Umaru Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leads with 367,471 votes, while the incumbent, Mr. Jibrilla Bindow of the All Progressives Congress (APC), trailed with 334,995 votes. While total cancelled votes was 40,988, the two parties have a margin of 32,476 votes between them. In Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed of the PDP leads with 469,512 votes, while Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, of the APC trailed with 465,453 votes. The total of 45,312 votes were cancelled, with a margin of just 4,059 votes between them. Also in Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom of the PDP leads with 410,576 votes, and he is closely followed by Mr. Emmanuel Jime of APC with 329,022 votes. The total cancelled votes was 121,019, while 81,554 votes was the margin between them.

It's also a fight to the finish in Kano as Alhaji Abba Yusuf of the PDP leads with 1,014,474 votes, closely followed by the incumbent, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje of the APC with 987,819 votes. The cancelled votes was 128,572, with a margin of 26,655 votes between them. Meanwhile in Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong of the APC leads with 583,255 votes, closely followed by Senator Jerry Useni of the PDP with 538,326 votes, while cancelled votes were 49,377, with a margin of 44,929 votes. In Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal of the PDP leads with 489,558 votes, while Alhaji Aliyu Ahmed of the APC followed closely with 486,145 votes. Here, a total of 75,403 votes were cancelled and they have a margin of 3,413 votes between them.

In a statement yesterday by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Festus Okoye, INEC said the commission met yesterday and reviewed the conduct of the 29 governorship and 991 state constituency elections held on March 9, 2019. He added that in all, the commission declared winners in the governorship elections in 22 states, while the Returning Officers in Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Plateau and Sokoto States declared the governorship elections inconclusive. Okoye stated: "Consequently, the commission will conduct supplementary elections on Saturday 23rd March 2019 to conclude the process. "Supplementary elections will also hold in polling units in all states where State Assembly elections were

Continued on page 47

FG ASSURES NIGERIANS OF AIR TRANSPORTATION SAFETY, SECURITY According to BBC, the UK's Civil Aviation Authority CAA has banned the Boeing 737 MAX 8 from operating in or over UK airspace "as a precautionary measure." The authority said the decision was taken after “an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing Max 8 crashed on Sunday, killing 157 people on board,” the second fatal accident involving that model in less than five months. By that decision, UK has joined Malaysia, Singapore, China and Australia in banning the aircraft. The CAA said the directive would remain in place until further notice. Tui Airways and Norwegian Airways both operate the Boeing 737 Max 8 in the UK as part of their fleets. "The UK Civil Aviation Authority has been closely monitoring the situation. However, as we do not currently have sufficient information from the flight data recorder, we have, as a precautionary measure, issued instructions to stop any commercial passenger flights from any operator arriving, departing or overflying UK airspace," a CAA statement said. A Tui statement confirmed their 737 Max 8 aircraft were grounded following the CAA's decision.

"Any customers due to fly home today on a 737 MAX 8 from their holiday will be flown back on another aircraft. Customers due to travel in the coming days will also travel on holiday as planned on other aircraft," Tui said in a statement. Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Aviation, Sirika, and the NCAA have assured Nigerians that the federal government would continue to ensure the safety of air travellers in the country, stressing that the country does not have any Boeing 737 Max 8 on its register, and therefore no cause for concern. Sirika, in a statement in Abuja, by the Deputy Director, Media and Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. James Odaudu, noted: “Nigeria identifies and commiserates with the Ethiopian aviation authorities and those who have lost loved ones, including two distinguished Nigerians, in their moment of grief.” He said the NCAA, the industry regulator in Nigeria, had issued the necessary advisory as it relates to the country. "As we continue to mourn the ET crash in Addis, and pray for the victims, we wish to reassure Nigerians that we do not have any Boeing 737 Max on Nigeria’s register to worry about. Civil aviation authority

has issued the needed advisory, please,” he added. While praying for the repose of the souls of the victims of the air mishap, Sirika, however, assured the Nigerian flying public of the unalloyed commitment of the Buhari’s administration to the creation of an environment that guarantees their safety and security in air transportation. In a separate statement, the NCAA yesterday assured the flying public of their safety, stressing that there is no cause for alarm. It said in the statement signed by its spokesman, Sam Adurogboye: “Presently, the accident aircraft type, Boeing 737 – Max 8 is not in operation in the country. However, the authority, in line with its safety oversight mandate enshrined in the Civil Aviation Act 2006, is consciously monitoring the development with a view to take the necessary steps that will enhance the safety of all aircraft in operation within the Nigerian airspace. “It would be recalled that an Ethiopian Airline B737 -Max 8 crashed on Sunday 10th March, 2019 killing all the souls on board after which the Airline and some other countries have grounded the accident aircraft type in their operations. This is to assure the public that NCAA will continue to ensure that

safety regulations are strictly adhereD to for the safety of all in Nigeria. Our heart is with the Airline and families of the victims of the accident.”

Boeing Promises to Update Flight Control System

In a related development, world’s second biggest aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, announced late Monday that it would update flight control systems on its 737 Max 8 commercial jetliners after the plane was involved in two deadly accidents in the past five months. According to The Washington Post, the move came hours after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an advisory mandating specific “design changes” noT later than April 2019. The report said that for months Boeing has faced harsh criticism from pilot groups, which took issue with a decision to update the plane’s flight controls without detailing the changes in pilot training. “Boeing has been working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on development, planning and certification of the software enhancement, and it will be deployed across the 737 Max fleet in the coming weeks,” the company wrote. “The

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COMMENT

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

BUHARI: HARDER TIMES AHEAD (2)

The purpose of government is to improve the wellbeing of the people, writes Sonnie Ekwowusi

n the 2018 global rankings of â€œCommitment to Reducing Inequality Indexâ€? of the OXFAM and Development Finance International (DFI), Nigeria was ranked 157 out of 157 countries. In the same 2018, Nigeria overtook India as the country with the highest number of under-five deaths. In the same year Nigeria was ranked as one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth to and the 4th country with the worst maternal mortality rate in the world. And many other negative firsts. With the foregoing in perspective, the next four years appear bleak. To begin with, Nigeria would likely continue to occupy the lowest rung on the human development ladder in the next four years. The standard of living of the average Nigerian would continue to deteriorate. The people I pity most are the Nigerians in the streets. Whereas the Nigerian elite and members of their families can always travel abroad to find succour, most ordinary Nigerians are trapped in the different poverty holes. They have no gainful employment. They can barely eat three times a day. They cannot pay school fees for their children. Unfortunately the same suffering Nigerians are used by greedy politicians to rig elections and to commit all sorts of electoral malpractices. Take the Lagos political scenario as an example. In Lagos, Jagaban has recruited many area fathers, mothers and boys and girls for the purpose of the 2019 election. The pertinent questions are: do these people know that they were merely being exploited? Another example: President Buhari hails from Katsina State. But Katsina State is the poverty capital of Nigeria. As at May 17, 2018 Katsina State was rated as having 74.5 per cent poverty rate. Point is the struggle against poverty is crucial to the future and the survival of Nigeria. Unfortunately the Buhari government has not initiated concrete welfare projects aimed at improving the wellbeing of Nigerians. For the first time in many years many Nigerians are not only uncertain about their own future or their childrenâ€™s; they are deeply worried about the negative impact of the ravaging poverty in their lives. The most tragic is the emasculation of the judiciary, a veritable third arm of government, under the Buhari government. President Buhari has demonstrated that he does not understand how the judiciary works. He erroneously believes that in our constitutional democracy the judicial powers and executive powers are lumped up together to be exercised by him. He does not understand that by virtue of the cardinal principle of separation of powers the judiciary is completely an independent arm of government that checks and balances executive powers. Buhari does not understand the elementary difference between a criminal suspect and a criminal convict. As far as he is concerned any criminal suspect in the EFCC net is already a condemned criminal. And any lawyer jostling to defend such a suspect is sabotaging his so-called anti-corruption war. The most painful aspect is that President Buhari has elevated the rule of force, in contrast to the rule of law, to the level of statecraft. The

DOES THE SOCIETY RESPECT THE INHERENT DIGNITY AND WORTH OF EACH PERSON? CAN THE PEOPLE EKE OUT A SIMPLE LIVING?

closest example is his forceful removal of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen. Initially President Buhari feigned ignorance of the whole plot. But after it dawned on Buhari that Onnoghen lawyers were having the upper hand at the CCT he applied the deus ex machina: he got a pliable Danladi Umar to suo motu concoct an ex-parte order on which he (Buhari) relied in forcefully sacking Chief Justice Onnoghen whom he dreaded as a stumbling block to his second term ambition. We are waiting for either the National Judicial Council (NJC) or the superior court to discipline Umar for forging an ex-parte order and Justice Tanko Mohammed for surrendering his body to be sworn in as the so-called Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria All said, unless the Buhari government reinvents itself as a government that has been elected to implement the broader democratic objectives, it will continue to flounder in the next four years. When we say that democracy liberates, we mean that democracy brings into being a new order that creates opportunities for citizens to eke out a living. Democracy gives equal rights to all men and women, and in so doing breaks all barriers to economic prosperity. Democracy both in origin and in action is a system of government devised to break the primal source of tyranny, leaving the citizens with the freedom to use their God-given talents to create wealth for themselves. Fighting corruption is just a means (not an end in itself) to achieving the broader, nobler and more-inclusive democratic objectives. The Buhari government should have a proper perception of itself. It shouldnâ€™t perceive itself merely as a government that has come to power to catch perceived thieves or fight corruption. It should perceive itself as a government that has come to power to improve the wellbeing of the ordinary Nigerian. The important questions the government should always be asking itself are: Are the people well nourished? Are they able to read and write, and communicate and develop their minds? Can they escape avoidable diseases? Are their human rights guaranteed? Does the society respect the inherent dignity and worth of each person? Can the people eke out a simple living for themselves? To those contemplating fleeing Nigeria because Buhari is continuing in power, I say, be calm. All will be well. If we have survived the last four years of Buhari, why canâ€™t we survive his next four years? Besides, tempus breve est (time is short). Before we say Jack the next four years would be over. As Prof PLO Lumumba has rightly advised, we must not grow weary in the struggle to rid Africa of election riggers and arrogant despots. Prof Lumumba believes that although our generation may not reap the benefit of our struggle our childrenâ€™s generation will indeed reap the benefits. He recalls that although Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated his ideas have not been killed. If fact his ideas have germinated, grown and yielded bountiful fruits today. So, my friend, weep no more. Be hopeful.

SB ABUBAKAR: A HARVEST OF FIRSTS Emma Agu pays tribute to Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar

ne of the paradoxes of the current fixation with partisan political debates and controversies is the tendency to lose sight of some sublime and era-defining achievements, taking place across the length and breadth of Nigeria. Time and again, â€˜ordinaryâ€™ people, led by men and women, with uncommon vision, are busy doing great things that not only impact on the present but hold the key to unlocking the future greatness of the societies in which they live. These leaders are the dreamers. To them, once placed in a position of responsibility, they push beyond the limits, exploring new horizons that will lead to greater heights of achievement. Within a governmental setting, especially the military, such leaders endeavour to stay away from public controversies. When they are seen, it is for the right professional or career reasons; if they are involved in any controversy, it has to do strictly with their official duties. They are usually the pace-setters who create paradigm-shifting initiatives; they are the record breakers who create something out of nothing. I make bold to say that, in Nigeria, one such person is the present Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar. For effect, my assessment is not based on hearsay or things I picked up from the media. Rather, it is an honest portrayal of my observations based on a period of close interaction with the Service during which I saw, first hand, some of the proud achievements of the Muhammadu Buhari Administration, through the research and development activities of the Nigerian Air Force. From my intimate observations, I am convinced, without equivocation, that chroniclers of Nigeriaâ€™s history will remember Air Marshal Abubakar, as one of the greatest revelations of the Muhammadu Buhari administration. This has nothing to do with his physical appearance as it is very easy, to pick him out in a crowd. Nor has it to do with his flaw-

less and enchanting delivery on national television, as he marshals the various activities of the Service, under his command. Nor would it be said that he just dropped from the moon. No. He was always part of the Air Force. Like other officers, he was busy, quietly playing crucial roles in the nationâ€™s security architecture. But that anonymity was broken by the call of duty. Perceptive students of leadership models would have noticed his unique disposition once he released his vision statement, upon his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff, by President Buhari, in July 2015. The statement read: â€œTo reposition the Nigerian Air Force into a highly professional and disciplined force through capacity building initiatives for effective, efficient and timely employment of air power in response to Nigeriaâ€™s national security imperatives.â€? He realised that to achieve his high-minded vision would require a comprehensive package based on doing everything right: the right manpower in, quantity and quality; the right capacity building initiatives that placed training on an unprecedented pedestal; the right motivational environment by making welfare of Service personnel and their families a first charge item; the right equipment in terms of the right aircraft and ancillary support for aircraft maintenance. It is to his credit that the NAF has reactivated 13 aircraft, with the reactivation of another six soon to be completed; three helicopters - one EC-135, one Mi-35P and a Dauphin â€“ as well as three L-39ZA tactical trainer aircraft. As anyone who takes more than a passing interest in these matters will discover, the reactivation of aircraft did not just happen in a vacuum. Rather, it is the result of a deliberate emphasis on and painstaking commitment to, research and development (R&D) whereby NAF personnel have not been simply challenged to put their training to practical effect; they now do their work within an operational milieu that recognizes them as critical stakeholders in national development. In pursuit of his paradigm of local maintenance of the NAF

equipment, the CAS Abubakar has inspired the men and women, under him, to greater heights of patriotism and achievement. In the process, he has also initiated the biggest civil-military collaboration in R&D, in the annals of Nigeriaâ€™s history. Nigerians will be delighted to realize that, since 2015, the Nigerian Air Force reactivated most of the, hitherto, unserviceable aircraft in its fleet, with the active collaboration of Nigerian universities. This collaboration has far-reaching consequences for national development and captures the very essence of the Muhammadu Buhari doctrine of looking inwards, in finding solutions to the nationâ€™s problems. The most profound benefits include indigenous capacity building (within the NAF and the universities) and cost saving that runs into millions of dollars. Yet, nothing compares with the importance of this collaboration for national security as, reactivating the platforms, has contributed greatly towards the successes recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency, since the advent of the present administration in 2015. To this, it is important to acknowledge that, in a very important sense, these achievements are the direct result of the unambiguous policy thrust, passion and support of President Buhari himself who, from the very beginning, made the counterinsurgency campaign, a cardinal programme of his administration. There could not be any greater evidence of this than the fact that, in less than four years, the Federal Government has acquired 18 new platforms (aircraft) to boost training and the combat readiness of the NAF. These are 12 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, four Mi-35M helicopter gunships, two Agusta 101 helicopters (handed over from the Presidential Air Fleet in virtually new condition) as well as two Bell 412 helicopters, which have been retrofitted to perform light combat functions. This number is aside the additional 22 aircraft that have been ordered by the federal government, which include 12 Super Tucano attack aircraft, an additional Mi-35M helicopter gunship

as well as five other helicopters â€“ 4 A109P light attack helicopters and A139W utility helicopter â€“ expected to be delivered from Italy. Others are three JF-17 Thunder Multi-role fighter aircraft and a special mission aircraft recently ordered to enhance surveillance of Nigeriaâ€™s maritime environment. Consequently, before the end of the eight years of the Buhari administration, it is expected that an unprecedented 40 brand new aircraft would have been added to the inventory of the Nigerian Air Force. As a matter of fact, this is a record, as this is the first time such number of aircraft would be acquired since the Shagari administration in the early 80s. Aside from this, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) also handed over three EC-135 and two Dauphin helicopters to the Service, while the Nigeria Immigration Service ceded its erstwhile unserviceable Dornier DO-228 light transport aircraft to the NAF. What should not be lost is the fact that, whereas Air Marshal Abubakarâ€™s record portrays him as a highly patriotic and disciplined officer, his emotional commitment to the Buhari doctrine explains, to a large extent, the fact that the Nigerian Air Force has been a strong factor in the successes recorded by the administration. When Air Marshal SB Abubakarâ€™s career runs its full course, he will be leaving fulfilled that, during his era as the Chief of Air Staff, and inspired by the leadership of President Buhari, the Nigerian Air Force was able to record some very significant firsts. Top on the list of these â€œfirstsâ€? is in the area of diversity management, of gender inclusion which has seen the production of the first female fighter pilot in Nigeria. What this means is that Nigerians will no longer see female fighter pilots in Egypt or Israel as foreign fantasies: they are here with us, flesh and blood, the product of courage. Flying Officer Omolara Kafayat Sanni, who was the best in her studentâ€™s pilot course in Nigeria, is presently undergoing training in the United States. bobozest@gmail.com

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

EDITORIAL The Continued Lawlessness In Zamfara The security agencies could do more to tame the impunity

amfara State is always in the news. And it is almost always about killings in a state where armed bandits have a strong foothold. What worries is that these criminal gangs are so emboldened that they seem to have overwhelmed the capacity of the state, given the manner in which they now operate without challenge. From cattle rustling to political thuggery and all forms of gangsterism, these lawless boys roam the streets freely, carrying out deadly raids on farming and herding villages without any provocation and forcing the dwellers of those communities to abandon their farms and flee for their lives. In desperation, Governor Abdulaziz Yari last December expressed support for the call on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in the state. “I am also in support of the declaration of THE CURRENT CULTURE state of emergency OF IMPUNITY WILL NOT if it will save the END UNTIL PEOPLE WITH lives of people of CRIMINAL TENDENCIES the state,” said Yari who added, “If the KNOW THAT THE LAW provisions of my CAN, AND WILL ALWAYS office had allowed CATCH UP WITH THEM me to carry arms against the bandits, l would have done so. But, if I am not around, there are capable hands that collaborate with the security team in the fight against the bandits.” But Yari’s words are hollow since this problem persists essentially because he has not provided responsible leadership. So desperate is the situation that the Emir of Anka in Zamfara State, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad once threatened to seek the intervention of the United Nations (UN) in a bid to end the protracted attacks on his domain by gunmen. The first class traditional ruler told the visiting Yari at the time that with the failure of the

government to provide security for the law abiding residents in his domain on different occasions, he had come to the conclusion that he needed to seek help outside the country. Indeed, the recent killings and kidnappings of innocent people in the state are dark testimony that the security services have more work to do to rout the criminals who are increasingly making several parts of the state inhabitable. As things stand, hundreds of thousands of hectares of land reportedly may go uncultivated in the state during the farming season because of the growing menace which has forced the people of the state into open demonstration.

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

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

he Secretary of All Farmers Association of Nigeria in the state, Alhaji Sa’idu Tanko Kura said recently that smallholder farmers who constitute the majority of the farming population in the state depend on animal traction to till their lands. But this farming method had been mainly depleted owing to the unending cattle theft in the farming and herding communities. With the bandits having overpowered the capacity of the state to enforce law and order, dwellers in several of the villages are now at their mercy. It is recalled that in 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari sent special military units to fight the armed bandits. He followed up with an official visit to the state during which he personally flagged-off the military operations aimed at rooting out the menace of cattle rustlers and armed bandits not only in Zamfara State but the entire axis of North-west. That has proved to be ineffectual as the bandits continue to kill and maim almost unchallenged. What that suggests quite clearly is that beyond the need to deploy more security assets to contain the activities of these brutal bandits, the authorities must also realise that the current culture of impunity in our country will not end until people with criminal tendencies know for certain that the law can, and will always catch up with them.

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Letters to the Editor

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FAREWELL, PROFESSOR PIUS ADESANMI

e commanded Englishes (yes, Englishes, I first heard that word from him) and they obeyed as slaves obey their task masters. Indeed, English words were his slaves. He tasked and taxed them to no end, sent them on errands, and English words could not but to do his biddings, to the admiration of even the native speakers of English language. Unto to all things he sent the English words, they accomplished. English rules of grammar knew better than to be constraints on his path. Rather, unto English, he became the rules. Not one to be limited nor circumscribed by rules of grammar. Did the literati not all watched in admiration when rules of grammar trembled before him and took turn to do obeisance to him? I lay no claim to any scintilla of qualification to write a tribute for Professor Pius Ad esanmi. Who is that human that can write his tributes; tributes with what words, same words that have become orphans without the guardianship of Professor Pius Adesanmi, cut down in his prime in the ill-fated Ethiopian Airline misadventure, that can another write? The life and time of Professor Adesanmi produced a dispensation of critical thoughts whose appeal none, not even his antagonists, could resist. His demise has drawn a curtain on that dispensation. If there can be another, which I do not doubt there can be, it

definitely will not be a continuation of same dispensation of thought that he birthed. At best, it will only be an era. He was literally a star whose place is in the galaxy. He merely existed as a gift to us for the brief period of time he lived and accomplishing all in so short a period, and went back to take his place among the stars. He was never meant to be among mere mortals. Pius Adesanmi had always known all these but “mischievously” kept the secret away from the rest of us, mere mortals. The tears that freely flowed for Pius Pius Adesanmi were spontaneous across all divides. A friend whom I introduced to his writings told me that for the first time, his newly wedded wife beheld him weeping like a child, for a man he never met in real life, and was taken aback. Same was my experience when my nine years old daughter, Agbenu, found herself consoling, to her utmost shock, the man whom she had all along thought to be a superman daddy, as she beheld me for the first time in her life, sobbing like a baby, not for any uncle, aunty or friend of daddy’s they all know, but for this man only daddy knew in the family. I have witnessed the deaths of Intellectuals in this country but none has drawn such spontaneity of tears from people across all divides as with the demise of Prof. Adesanmi. That, for me, was the enigma of the star he was among us. Chris Edache Agbiti Esq., Obla and Co., Abuja

IN PRAISE OF SHEHU PAMBEGUA

he election of Shehu Yunusa Pambegua as member Kaduna State House of Assembly, representing Kubau local government is greeted with joy and jubilation.Being a direct beneficiary of the “No too young to run law”, the engineer has fully prepared to take Kubau local government to greater heights.Kubau local government has suffered from poor representation in the last two decades. The former members who represented the area performed below expectations.The poor performance could be attributed to lack of deep knowledge, experience and the ability of the members to rub minds with the constituents on the problems affecting the local government. Moreover, the former members were not fully ready for legislative works.No wonder their several years in the state assembly failed to attract any benefits to the good people of the local government.That is the reason why the electorate described them as seat warmers who cannot add value to the lives of not only their constituents but also the state in general. It is in view of this leadership failure that compelled the people of the area to beam their search light for a credible candidate. Luckily, the good people of Kubau local government found Shehu Yunusa suitable for the job.The graduate of electronic engineering from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, accepted the clarion call and threw his hat into the ring. Initially, he contested for the position of chairmanship of the local government but lost at the primary election. But he was dogged and resilient. At the just concluded gubernatorial and state assembly election, he was overwhelmingly voted for and declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, having polled the highest number of votes. By Pambegua, Kaduna State

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

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

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

A N A LY S I S Governor Amosun’s Candidate Eats the Humble Pie Femi Ogbonnikan writes that the Ogun State Governorship election on Saturday, March 9, which produced Prince Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress as Governor-elect was characterised by one of the biggest surprises

ven the blind could sense the direction where the pendulum would swing. The momentum had already gathered. Saturday, March 9, was a day of reckoning. The people of Ogun state kicked against a third term elongation agenda of the incumbent governor (Senator Ibikunle Amosun) through his preferred candidate, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM). The pattern of the governorship election in Ogun state, with the consequent outcome in favour of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Dapo Abiodun, was by no means different from the usual practice: No governor of Ogun has succeeded in installing his preferred candidate. Since 1999, when the fourth democratic dispensation was ushered in, no sitting governor has ever succeeded in imposing his “anointed son” as successor in office in an unbroken pattern. Thus, the candidates of the opposition parties have always been the beneficiaries. In 2011, Otunba Gbenga Daniel attempted to foist his candidate, Prince Gboyega Isiaka of Peoples’ Party of Nigeria (PPN) on the people, but he failed. While brandishing his closeness to President Muhammadu Buhari at every turn, the outgoing governor, Amosun, who remains in the APC, though subsequently suspended on allegations of anti-party activities, has also been elected as Senator-elect. He attempted the same succession approach through his candidate, Akinlade of the APM, but he too has lost. On account of irreconcilable differences, Daniel and Amosun, shortly after the former assumed the throne, parted ways. Having tried unsuccessfully in 2007 general elections, through his defunct All Nigeria Progressives Party (ANPP), to upstage his hitherto bosom friend, Daniel, who was seeking a second term re-election, Amosun, subsequently, dissolved his party into the CPC. At the twilight of the merger of the CPC, Alliance for Democracy (AD), ANPP and other political parties, which subsequently, metamorphosed to the Action Congress (AC), the governor wangled his ways, through the intervention of former governor of Lagos and a leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to defeat other co-contestants, like Dr Razaq Bakare and Engineer Temitope Kuyebi, and emerged as the standard bearer of the party in 2011. Former governor of the state and a state leader of the, then, AC, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, was unfavourably disposed to the candidature of Amosun. Following several pleas and persuasions, more than 10 times, involving the intervention of notable stalwarts of the party, including erstwhile Osun and Ekiti state governors, Chief Bisi Akande and Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Prince Dapo Abiodun, among others, there from, Osoba who owned the party’s structure in Ogun, accepted to allow Amosun fly the governorship flag of the party. Shortly after, he assumed office, the real self in Amosun began to show in him. He shunned party elders’ advice. Even in his cabinet lists, no leader of the party had an input in it, but rather, he unilaterally drew them. It was gathered that four names for Commissioner nominees, that Osoba brought to Amosun in his office, in the presence of Chief Doja Adewolu were trashed into a waste bin. With the turn of events, the ACN collapsed its structure and merged with aggrieved PDP leaders to form a mega party called the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, in order to wrest power from the then, self-proclaimed biggest political party in the country, the PDP. However, miffed and distraught by the disdainful treatment meted to them, Osoba, the state leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), three senators, Gbenga Kaka (Ogun East), Gbenga Obadara (Ogun Central) and Akin Odunsi (Ogun West), who were privileged to have been picked at the party’s primaries, and a sizeable number of the party’s chieftains,

Abiodun

had no option than to pull out of the party and formed a new party, Social Democratic Party (SDP), in 2014, preparatory to the 2015 general elections when it became obvious that Amosun didn’t want them in the party. The aggrieved party chieftains and loyalists felt they had been totally edged out of the party and Amosun had become the sole leader, calling the shot. They often referred to him as an “emperor”. Consequently, the SDP crashed out when it lost all the seats (Governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly) contested in 2015. Soon afterwards, a truce was brokered when the national leaders of the party waded in, and reconciled all the feuding parties. By and large, the expectations of the aftermath of the reconciliation, subsequently, working together and build the party were still far from being over, just as the governor decided not to have anything to do with Osoba and other aggrieved leaders, but rather elected to run the affairs of the APC in the manner of a personal estate. Towards the tail end of the party’s primaries to elect candidates into the various political offices in October 2018, the unsavoury development escalated and reared its ugly head. The aggrieved leaders who had enjoyed the strong support of the members of the National Working Committee (NWC), national leader of the party, Tinubu, and others who the governor himself labelled “Lagos cabal”, called the bluff off Amosun. They presented an oil magnate, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who hails from Iperu-Remo, in Ogun East, through a direct primary held on October 3, 2018, against the preferred candidate of the outgoing governor, Akinlade, an illustrious son of Ago-Sasa, in Ipokia local government (Ogun West). Amosun who professed to be a promoter of a power shift to Yewa/Awori zone, a zone that has never ruled the state, since its creation in February 1976, is caught to be pursuing a selfish interest. In a recent interview with THISDAY, Osoba noted that the promotion of the power shift to Ogun West was the sole plan of Amosun for his personal and selfish interest. According to the Octogenarian, the outgoing governor is the greatest enemy of the Yewa/ Awori people who designed his elongation in office through a third term agenda.

Osoba faulted the process that brought about the emergence of the Akinlade, before the principal moved his preferred Governorship Candidate and his close aides vying for both the National Assembly and State House of Assembly seats to the APM, in order to actualise their respective ambitions, while Amosun still remained in the APC, before his suspension, the platform he sought to contest. His former close allies and kitchen cabinet members that felt slighted by this sudden move to the APM, in a quick succession, dumped him and pitched their tent with the APC Governorship Candidate, Abiodun. At every public forum, he was sure of electoral victory for Akinlade, as he used to tell the people that his candidate was going to win the governorship ticket. “Those people that are going against us here, they are not up to five percent. “We know ourselves and we know how we do our things here in Ogun state. Don’t mind them. They are just making noise. Let them come and make their noise here,” said Amosun. The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the recent disruption of the Presidential rally held at the MKO Abiola stadium, Abeokuta, the state capital. The outgoing governor could not hide his disdain for the national leadership of the party, just as hired social miscreants stormed the main bowl of the stadium, booed and hurled missiles at the President, Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, serving Southwest governors, and other members of the entourage. Without mincing words, Amosun started beating the ear drum, while addressing the charging hired social miscreants in Yoruba dialects. According to him, “Let us swallow our pride. If we are afraid of the dog, it doesn’t mean we are afraid of its owner. Don’t worry, we are going to show them, that we are on ground in the coming elections.” Meanwhile, with an ominous sign of defeat that had beckoned, a few days away to the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections, various rigging plans, both hook and crook, were deployed. Also, the APM signed a pact with a faction of the PDP, led by

Hon Oladipupo Adebutu, federal lawmaker, currently representing Remo North/Ikenne/ Sagamu Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, in order to shore up its support base. Besides, in his support for the APC candidate, Abiodun, former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, threw his weight behind his bosom friend and delivered his Sagamu home town with a landslide margin of votes. But the Presidency that was unaware of various threats to human lives and property, following painstaking intelligence reports, wasted no effort in rejigging the security apparatus of the state. Aside the State Commissioner of Police (CP), Alhaji Ahmed Iliyasu, three additional CPs were deployed to man the three senatorial districts to forestall the eventual breakdown of law and order, while a Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Mr Yakubu Jubril, was to supervise elections in southwest (Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun and Lagos states respectively), but to make Ogun state his operational headquarters. Also, apart from armed soldiers (operation “python dance”) that were positioned at every strategic location, they patrolled every flash point, an effort that eventually paid off, though with a few pockets of violence recorded in some parts of the state, especially the border towns and villages. Gradually, before the day peaked it had become glaring that the power-that-be, through his preferred candidate, was almost biting the dust with the various collation of results trickling in, at polling units, within the Ogun East, Ogun Central and other parts of Ogun West, through its Central Information System (CIS). Nonetheless, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Prince Dapo Abiodun, the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), winner of the Saturday’s governorship polls in the state. While announcing Abiodun, the winner of the Governorship election at the Magbon,Abeokuta, INEC State Collation Centre, the state Returning Officer, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, at about 12. 45 a.m on Monday, March 11, 2019, said that the APC Governorship candidate scored a total of 241, 670 votes to coast home to victory. According to Olayinka, who is the ViceChancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), stated that Abiodun beat his closest rival, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), who came second with 222, 153 votes. He said that the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Prince Gboyega Isiaka, came third, having polled 110, 422 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Candidate, Sen. Buruji Kashamu, scored 70,290 votes to emerge fourth in position. Total breakdown of the results on a local government basis, as announced by individual local government collation officers, shows that Abiodun won in 11 council areas. They are Ijebu-Ode, Odogbolu, Odeda, Ijebu North-East, Sagamu, Abeokuta South and Ijebu-East. Others are Remo- North, Ogun Waterside, Obafemi-Owode and Ikenne, Akinlade of the APM won in six council areas which are Abeokuta North, Egbado-South, Ewekoro, Ipokia, Ifo and Ado Odo- Ota. Isiaka of the ADC won in Imeko-Afon and Egbado-North local governments, while Kasamu of the PDP won in the Ijebu-North local government area. According to Olayinka, the total number of registered voters was 2, 375, 003, while the total number of accredited voters was 708, 807. He said that the number of valid votes was 680,947, while 20,969 votes were rejected. Olayinka added that the total number of votes cast was 701,916. The Returning Officer who noted that the margin of lead between Abiodun and Akinlade was 19,517 votes, also said that the figure was more than the total cancelled votes which stood at 7,100

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

STATE OF THE POLITY

Inconclusive is the Name of the Game Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that the increasing incidence of inconclusive polls has dented Nigeria’s evolving democratic culture

Keyamo

nconclusive gained a new acceptance last year in the governorship election in Osun State, when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared that there was no clear winner after the first round of ballot. Since then, the word has gained notoriety. Many political pundits had predicted that the recently concluded presidential election may be declared inconclusive because of the envisaged keen contest. Though the presidential election escaped the ridiculous disposition of being inconclusive, a couple of seats in the National Assembly which were contested the same day was visited with INEC’s hammer of the inconclusive. Last Saturday, March 9, the rescheduled elections into state houses of assembly and governorship elections held. Of the 29 states that governorship elections took place, some states have been visited with the infamous malaise called inconclusive. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which accuses the Chairman of the INEC Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, of overtly playing the script of the Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) by declaring governorship elections in states where the PDP is in clear lead as inconclusive. A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan insists that INEC, under Yakubu, has become overtly partisan, surrendered its independence to the APC and carries on as a compromised umpire with obnoxious impunity, thereby sending signals of being heavily bribed by the APC to alter results for its candidates. According to him, “The PDP has full intelligence of how INEC is acting on instructions from the Buhari Presidency and the APC in orchestrating unwholesome situations and declaring already concluded governorship elections in Sokoto, Adamawa, Bauchi, Plateau as well as other states as inconclusive, immediately it becomes obvious that the PDP was set to win.” This also informs the foisting of unexplainable stoppage and delays in the announcement of already collated results in other states where the PDP is clearly leading the race, from the results so far declared at the polling units.

Yakubu

Our party has also been informed of how INEC is now seeking ways to use the situation to aid the APC to alter the results and announce APC candidates as winners in the elections clearly led by the PDP just as it did in the 2018 Osun State governorship election. In some of the states like Rivers, the PDP has information of plots by APC to leverage on the declaration by INEC to unleash more violence in the state and push for isolated election where they can bring in more security forces to concentrate on forcefully taking over the state. Already, in Rivers State, INEC is under heavy pressure from the Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organization and Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, to post out and replace the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) as well as the Administrative Secretary. This will be totally unacceptable, completely provocative and shall be firmly resisted by the people even if the totality of our nation’s security is deployed to Rivers State. This is more so as results of all the state assembly elections in Rivers state have been declared and winners had emerged. The PDP cautions Prof. Yakubu and his INEC to perish the thoughts of altering any figures for the APC and to immediately announce our winning results in these states and others where our candidates clearly won, going by the results already declared at the poling units, wards and local government collation. Anything short of this will attract the legitimate wrath of the people. This is because Nigerians are already aware that elections have been concluded in these states; results have been collated and declared at the polling units, ward and local government collation centers and all returning officers and political parties conclusively have the figures. Prof. Yakubu must have noted how his name is becoming synonymous to electoral manipulations, among Nigerians, and the fact that our citizens and international community hold him responsible for the rigging of the Presidential and other elections for the APC. Today, majority of Nigerians and the global democratic institutions are questioning the state of our democracy and electoral processes,

Ologbondiyan

which have been under siege under the supervision of President Buhari and Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. In the light of these INEC’s manipulative tendencies, PDP therefore charges our leaders, teeming members and lovers of democracy in the affected states to immediately commence a march to INEC offices and use all legitimate means to protect our mandate as freely given by the people at the polling units across the nation. Ologbodiyan’s claims and accusations have been dismissed as unfounded by Prince Tonye Princewill a leading member of the APC in Rivers. His stance is no different from the Director of Strategic Communications of the Buhari Presidential Campaign, Mr. Festus Keyamo. Both men think PDP members are sore losers. “What the PDP is saying invariably is that it can accept results where it won. How can you go into a contest with that kind of mindset. We have evidence that in states like Delta, Akwa Ibom where the APC was taken to the cleaners, there was collusion with INEC officials to undo the APC, but we have taken it in our stride. Look at at the calibre of influencers and leaders in those States that changed political party loyalty to the APC, yet we lost. In Akwa Ibom, we lost the three senatorial seats and the 10 seats in the House of Representatives. That is unbelievable. But if the tables were turned, the PDP would have been screaming blue murder to high heavens. We was all the propaganda about use of ‘federal might’? Rather we had the tyranny of the minority in Akwa Ibom.” The show of confidence and preparedness displayed by Kano State governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abba Kabir Yusuf is the kind of attitude that will change the polity. Yusuf told journalists in Kano that he will still win the re-run election after the Independent National electoral Commission (INEC) declared the state’s governorship election as inconclusive on Monday. Yusuf assured his teaming supporters of victory in the forthcoming gubernatorial by-election, which is yet to be scheduled my the INEC. His spokesman, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa said Yusuf had accused the ruling All Progressives

Congress (APC) of massive rigging which resulted to over-voting and eventual cancellation of 172 polling units. “Kano people have seen glaringly, how the enemies of democracy who are high ranking officials of the state Government, including serving Deputy Governor, Nasiru Gawuna, Commissioner Murtala Garo and Nassaraw Local Government Chairman Lamin Sani Kawaji vandalized an election collation centre with a sole aim of truncating the declaration process to deny PDP’s victory,” the statement reads in part. The gubernatorial candidate also alleged that PDP reliably gathered that over 500 cartons of ballot papers were printed by Kano State Printing Press, syndicated to various polling units across the state, adding that over 10 cartons of the ballot paper were arrested by the Police. “It is our prayer that all election offenders would be charged to courts at the earliest best time to serve as a deterrence for all anti democracy. “We call on all supporters to remain calm, we are known to be peace lovers and so we shall remain, as we are very sure of victory during the rerun. “Our supporters should not forget that PDP is already leading in the last count of the election and interestingly, the bye election would take place in the strongest areas of our party,” he said He added that, “We urge everyone to keep hope alive on our guest to rescue Kano from the hands of corrupt leaders and agents of distraction,” The former Commissioner for Works in the state, therefore called on the people living in the areas where the re-run election would take place to cast their votes for PDP, expressing hope that the party would still emerge victorious in the polls. Princewill further argued, “there is a set of rules governing any contest. It is assumed that the contestants have agreed to play by the rules before they signed up. INEC has been very unfair to the APC in Rivers, but at every step we have kept the peace. We always seek redress from the lawful quarters. We can’t have a free-for-all otherwise we are still in a jungle. PDP has to learn to be in the opposition. It looks like that is going to be its assigned role for a long time.”

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FEATURES

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

Using Technology to Transform Education Is it possible to use technology to transform education in Nigeria? Godwin Benson believes so, which is why he co-founded Tuteria, a platform that links students to nearby qualified tutors, to enhance education, Solomon Elusoji writes

Godwin Benson

n May 2017, Tuteria, a platform that links students to nearby qualified tutors, won the UK Royal Academy of Engineeringâ€™s top prize for African innovators. It beat others ideas such as â€œa system that reduces the amount of energy to heat water, an app that controls water consumption and a smart jacket to identify pneumoniaâ€?, to clinch the $32,000 attached to the prize, the BBC reported at the time. The competitionâ€™s head judge and a British business executive, Malcolm Brinded, described Tuteria as an idea that â€œwill go on to change the lives of millions of people who are eager to learn and develop new skills.â€? At the middle of the triumph was an unassuming Nigerian engineer, Godwin Benson. Benson, 29, a First Class graduate of Systems Engineering from the University of Lagos, told this reporter recently that winning the engineering prize was a â€œturning pointâ€? for Tuteria, which he co-founded with a friend in 2015. The startup had already received awards from startup programs organised by Microsoft, Facebook and the Tony Elumelu Foundation. In 2016, Benson met Facebookâ€™s Mark Zuckerberg in Lagos, who later acknowledged Tuteria is unleashing â€œeconomic development opportunitiesâ€? across Africa. But at the point of entering for the engineering prize, revenues had plateaued. â€œBefore the Africa Prize, we were doing quite well,â€? Benson said. We had met, for the first time, at a fast

food restaurant close to the companyâ€™s Lagos headquarters. The engineering prize, however, provided more exposure for the young founders. â€œIt wasnâ€™t just about winning the money, there was a lot of protracted training. We had three sessions, each for about a week, in

I donâ€™t think I got a high-value education from the system, I had to go for it myself through online courses and attending things I could... The education budget is too low. The standards continue to fall. The narrative of â€˜just passâ€™. There is no drive, no competition. When I went for NYSC, I literally had to throw myself into the personal development of the children I taught

London, Rwanda and Kenya.â€? They met with more experienced entrepreneurs who had launched and ran global businesses in tech and education. â€œThey were able to give us real advice and solve growth bottlenecks,â€? Benson said. For example, before the experience, the startup was making lot of calls, but they learnt how to prioritise requests and only make the really important ones. They also started to invest in providing training for tutors on the platform. â€œWe didnâ€™t change the product, just the process.â€? Two years after, the numbers of tutors have doubled to 16,000 while close to 6,000 people have paid for courses on the platform. (About 29,000 people have requested). Benson left a cushy job at Deloitte to start Tuteria and he feels itâ€™s a decision he has no reason to regret. â€œWorking in Deloitte was helpful to start Tuteria,â€? he said. â€œA lot of times, aspiring entrepreneurs do not understand the benefits of having worked somewhere else. It gives you something to pattern your business after, a clear vision of what a big business could look like. â€œBut the level of impact weâ€™ve made, I could not have made that in Deloitte. So many tutors get their monthly livelihood from Tuteria. Some earn up to N250,000 per month.â€? But Tuteria is changing form. When this reporter visited the website earlier this year, he noticed a couple of bugs that soiled his navigation and later complained to Benson about it. Benson wasnâ€™t defensive.

â€œThatâ€™s the ideal: automation. Thatâ€™s how we can handle large bulk of requests. Our current process means we need to hire a lot of people, make a lot of calls. Probably have a massive call centre. But that doesnâ€™t scale. Right now we are trying to remove all the bottlenecks and empower the customer to serve himself.â€? â€œI donâ€™t think I got a high-value education from the system, I had to go for it myself through online courses and attending things I could,â€? he continued. â€œThe education budget is too low. The standards continue to fall. The narrative of â€˜just passâ€™. There is no drive, no competition. When I went for NYSC, I literally had to throw myself into the personal development of the children I taught. I worked Monday to Sunday. I tried to give them a new narrative for their lives. I had to inspire the teachers too, because a lot of them had given up. There was a loss of energy. It seemed the way they come in is how they go out. â€œSo I worry about that a lot. I worry that the leaders we have now had access to better education than the children we have now. And if those children are going to become leaders tomorrow, it is a serious problem that needs to be solved.â€? The Ed-tech Sector Building an Ed-tech business in Nigeria is hard. Internet infrastructure is still at a burgeoning stage, compared to developed economies and most people are still wary of digital solutions to their learning needs.

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FEATURES â€œIt is not a quick money play and founders will need to think long-term,â€? Olanrewaju Odunowo, who co-founded an Ed-tech startup six years ago, believes. At his start-up, they tried to deliver skills training online, but quickly realised that most Nigerians online were not paying for lessons. â€œWhile a few people take courses on popular platforms like Udemy, Coursera, among others, the numbers were not exactly high enough to sustain our business at the time.â€? Henry Mascot, who has also worked in the Ed-Tech sector, wrote a blog-post on Medium in 2016. He emphasised providing value at very low costs. â€œDonâ€™t believe that building a better product will make you successful,â€? he said. â€œDelivering something for cheaper will.â€? But perhaps the most important insight from the article is the argument that â€œit is much cheaper and easier to facilitate change with people instead of technology here.â€? It is classic antisilicon valley model, where progress is about algorithms replacing people. But it is true. Benson talked about Tuteriaâ€™s ambitions to launch online video courses and interactive tools that can scale rapidly, but after his team tested the marketâ€™s temperature, they found that African parents donâ€™t believe, yet, that â€œa child on the computer is learning. They might be willing to pay for video lessons for specific exams or if you have a maverick teach a skill. But the demand for that doesnâ€™t come close to the demand for a physical interaction.â€? As part of plans to stay profitable, Tuteria has had to launch physical group lessons, which has quickly gained acceptance. â€œWe are trying to focus on profitability and we have to deliver to the market what it will accept now, while we try to bring them to where want them to get to,â€? Benson said. â€œParents understand tutoring.â€? â€œDonâ€™t expect a quick flip or quick growthâ€? and donâ€™t take Venture Capital funding, Mascot warned in his article. Bensonâ€™s Tuteria has not raised any VC money. â€œDeliberately,â€? he said. PrepClass and Primal Tutor are two other Nigerian startups connecting tutors with students. Pass.ng offers computer-based tests for students who want to practice for specific examinations. EduRecords collects data on studentâ€™s learning experiences and uses algorithms to proffer real-time reports on how to improve a childâ€™s academic performances. There are more. â€œAs educational startups, we are simply offering alternatives,â€? Benson said. â€œBut the mainstream education system still has to work. Tuteria was never supposed to be the first option. For some of our clients, Tuteria is now

There is a lot of training that teachers need on how to deliver education in the 21st century. Many of them are good, but they are used to the way theyâ€™ve been teaching in the past. We have a handful of amazing, very good teachers. But they are not the majority.â€? For some subjects or skills, there is simply a total lack of teachers. For example, how many teachers of artiďŹ cial intelligence are there in Nigeria? And if they are available, at what cost?

Benson being presented with a prize

Benson has won several recognitions and award, including being selected for the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program the main source of learning for their kids. We have got clients who pull their kids out of school and hire tutors from Tuteria for their kids, because they got tired of what the school was offering. I feel Tuteria will be stronger when the schools are stronger. â€œFor us, it gives us a sense of responsibility. So we need to ensure the quality of the service. And also try to make it affordable. If it is expensive, you donâ€™t solve the problem. This is one of the things that keeps me awake. How can we mass-produce quality education in a way that the market does not fight it?â€? A Teacherâ€™s Joy One dour morning last February, this reporter sat in on a Tuteria group lesson at its headquarters, nestled in a greenish multi-storied building in Lagos. The class was for people about to take IELTS, an English assessment test required by foreign consulates, employers and universities. â€œThe IELTS is all about vocabulary,â€? the tutor, Chidiebere Nwosu, said. He gave some exercises and solved it together with his students, branching off to explain related concepts. At a point, he took a detour to crystallise verb categories in English with a chart and an animated voice. â€œThis is my passion,â€? he said, later.

Nwosu, 33, studied English at Abia State University. Teaching used to be a hobby, until he found out about Tuteria online. He applied on the website, took the tests and became certified. At first, taking on students from Tuteria was supposed to be a part-time hustle, but the demand for his services kept rising. â€œTuteria gives me so much flexibility,â€? he said. â€œI used to teach for freeâ€? but it is now a full-time job. One of the challenges of running a startup like Tuteria is the dearth of very good teachers, Benson noted. â€œWe are working on that,â€? he said.â€? There is a lot of training that teachers need on how to deliver education in the 21st century. Many of them are good, but they are used to the way theyâ€™ve been teaching in the past. We have a handful of amazing, very good teachers. But they are not the majority.â€? For some subjects or skills, there is simply a total lack of teachers. For example, how many teachers of artificial intelligence are there in Nigeria? And if they are available, at what cost? Humble beginnings Benson grew up in Lagos, the third of four children. His father, who was in the navy, died when he was just a boy. His mother was a trader and there was

never too much or too little. At first, he was a poor student, until primary four, when his grandmother started to provide him with extra-tutoring. In secondary school, he developed a reputation for being a math whiz kid. He lectured friends and colleagues for a token. â€œI was sort of a book nerd,â€? he said. â€œBut I also had time for social activities.â€? Some of the seeds for Tuteria were sown during this period, when he wasnâ€™t paid for a tutoring job. At the University of Lagos, he joined a Christian Fellowship and was eventually appointed as president m in his later years. He was also a president of his academic department student union. He attended conferences, meetings in and out of campus, and still had time to graduate as the overall third best graduating student in his year. â€œI just didnâ€™t have time to play around.â€? His faith influences everything he does. â€œWhatever your hands find to do, do it with all your heart,â€? he alludes to a passage in scripture. Even starting Tuteria, which began to coalesce in his mind during his NYSC in Oyo state, was a step of faith. In late 2014, he left his job at Deloitte and decided to pursue his dreams. But has Tuteria met his expectations? Has it helped change the narrative? Perhaps!

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

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

A S

A T

REPO 17.42 % 16.33%

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

15.50% 14.25 % 15.38%

M A R C H S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

8 , 381.99% 1.03% 4.74%

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

2 0 1 9 S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

7.01% 7.01%

EXCHANGE RATE N306.85/1US DOLLAR* ĚŠ

Quick Takes Sâ€™African Absa Eyes Nigeria, Ethiopia

EYES ON BUSINESS EXPANSION

L-R: Deputy Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna; CEO, Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO), PeterVan Mierlo and GroupManagingDirector/CEO,AccessBankPlc,HerbertWigweatthesigningceremonyof$162.5millionsubordinatedsyndicatedloantoAccessBankatthe Hague,Netherlandsâ€Śrecently

10 Companies Control 71% of NSE Market Capitalisation Goddy Egene Ten companies, led by Dangote Cement Plc, account for 71 per cent of the market capitalisation of the equities listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), THISDAY investigation has shown. Hence, any change in the share price of any of the 10 companies affects the level of the market capitalisation and direction of the market. The market capitalisation of the equities refers to the value of all the 168 equities listed on the NSE, which stood at N11.797 trillion as at Monday. However, an analysis of the capitalisation showed that the 10 companies account for N8.49

INVESTMENT trillion. Dangote Cement Plc has the highest capitalisation of N3.322 trillion or 28 per cent. Nestle Nigeria Plc occupied the second position with N1.173 trillion, followed by Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank Plc) with N1.098 trillion. Zenith Bank Plc accounts for N714.270 billion, just as Nigerian Breweries Plc and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc account for N594.682 billion and N480 billion respectively. Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc and FBN Holdings Plcâ€™s capitalisation stood at N330.271 billion and N294.341 billion in that order. United Bank for Africa Plc and

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated account for N250.658 billion and N235.677 billion respectively. Market operators said these stocks, most of the time, determine the direction of the market because of their level of market capitalisation, noting that that is why they are often referred to as bellwethers. Investors are always attracted to the stocks because they pay dividend regularly. Five of the companies have already announced dividends for the year ended December 31, 2018. They are Dangote Cement Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, GTBank Plc, Nestle Nigeria Plc and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc. Dangote Cement recommended a dividend of N16 per share. The cement firm

posted a revenue of N901.21 billion in 2018, up from N552.36 billion 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. Hence, the company directors are proposed a dividend of N16 per share. Zenith Bank posted profit before tax (PBT) of N231.685 billion, up from N199.319 billion while profit after tax (PAT)stood at N193.424 billion from N173.791 billion in 2017. The directors recommended a final dividend of N2.50 per share which in addition to the N0.30 per share paid as interim dividend amounts to N2.80 per share, compared to N2.70 in Continued on page 24

NEITI: $926bn Earned from Oil, Solid Minerals in 17Years Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has said that between 1999 and 2016, a period of 17 years, Nigeria earned a combined sum of $925.99 billion from its production and sale of crude oil, gas, and solid minerals. It explained in a statement on its attainment of â€˜satisfactoryâ€™ status â€“ the highest compliance ranking of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), that between 1999 and 2016, the country received $617.22 billion from her oil and gas sectors, while $308.77 billion was earned from her solid minerals sector between 2007 and 2016.

ENERGY According to the NEITI, while about $20 billion had been identified as recoverable revenue to the country from the above-mentioned sectors within the period, either as unpaid tax or refunds due to bad production processes, only about $3 billion has so far been recovered back into the coffers of the country. â€œOver time, a total sum of $617.22 billion have been disclosed as revenue earned between 1999 and 2016 in the oil and gas sector, while $308.77 billion has been disclosed as earnings in the solid minerals sector between 2007 and 2016. â€œBesides, about $20 billion

have been identified as recoverable revenue, while information from NEITIâ€™s reports have been used to recover about $3 billion into government coffers,â€? NEITI stated. NEITI further noted that with its recent recognition by the EITI as a â€˜satisfactoryâ€™ complaint country to the ideals of the EITI, it was ready to move its implementation of the EITI in Nigeria from reports to results in poverty reduction and improved quality of life for the citizens. The statement quoted its Executive Secretary, Mr. Waziri Adio, to have said attaining the highest rating in EITI implementation was important but enthroning transparency and accountability in the extractive sector to the

extent that revenue resources in the industry contributes visibly to poverty reduction and improved quality of lives for Nigerian citizens was a lot more important. Adio, noted that the challenge for NEITI now was to ensure that these high standards are maintained and sustained in its interface with the oil, gas and solid mineral sectors. He added that the global EITI standard was currently undergoing a review and expansion to cover mandatory disclosure on beneficial ownership; state-own enterprises; licensing and contract transparency; project-level reporting; commodity trading;

South Africaâ€™s Absa is considering entering Ethiopia, where lenders are hoping reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed will liberalise an antiquated and state-dominated banking sector. Ethiopia has long prevented foreign ownership in economic sectors includingbanking,butAbiyhasembarkedonrapidpolitical,diplomatic and economic reforms since coming to power in April. An entrance into the Ethiopian market of 100 million people, while not imminent, would be part of a strategy Absa laid out after its split fromBritainâ€™sBarclaysin2017. Thebankâ€™schiefďŹ nancialoďŹƒcer,Jason Quinn, told Reuters that Absa was investigating how and where to enteranumberofothergrowthmarkets,includingNigeriaandAngola. â€œWeâ€™re not in Ethiopia at all, so those would be the type of markets weâ€™dlookatovertime,â€?hesaid.Itwouldbehardtobuildaretailbanking businessfromscratchsoAbsawasmorelikelytothinkaboutacquiring, he added. The bank had already highlighted Nigeria as key to future growth, where Quinn said there was a â€œnice opportunityâ€? for Absa in corporateandinvestmentbanking.IthadalsoalreadyďŹ‚aggedAngola as attractive, alongside Egypt. Several South Africa banks have looked to the rest of the continent for growth, as a slow economy and under-pressure consumer weigh on potential at home. Absa, which wants to double its share of revenues on the continent to 12 per cent, saw earnings from its operations elsewhere in Africa grow by nine per cent in 2018, the fastest of all its divisions, its annual results showed. Overall however, headline earnings per share - the key proďŹ t gauge in South Africa - dipped by one per cent, largely as a result of 3.2 billion rand ($221.77 million) in costs related to the Barclays separation.

FMDQ to Host Workshop

The International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Africa Chairman,Mr.BrettGallie,PartneratCliďŹ€ordChance,Derivativesand StructuredTrades,Mr.MatthewGriggand ManagingDirector/CEO, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, Mr. Bola Onadele (Koko) have all conďŹ rmedtheirattendanceattheSwaps&DerivativesWorkgroupâ€™s Financial Markets Workshop holding in Lagos. The event, organised by the Swaps and Derivatives WorkGroup of the Financial Market Dealers Association of Nigeria (FMDA) will hold at the prestigious in Lagos on March 19, 2019. It will focus on the theme: â€œLegal Documentation as Driver to introducing New Products and a Healthier Financial Market in Nigeria.â€? The association stated that the theme was not only timely and apt, but expected to discuss the standardisation of documentations in Nigeriaâ€™s market with the view of boosting the integrity of markets andattractinvestorsâ€™trustandconďŹ dencetothemarket.Theopening remarks at the event would be delivered by the Chairman, Swaps & Derivatives Workgroup and FMDA President, Mr. Samuel Ocheho. According to FMDA, Gallie and Griggs would speak on â€˜Market Documentation and the need for Standardisation,â€™ while Onadele will speak on the â€˜Need for Derivatives in the Nigerian Financial Markets and FMDQâ€™s plan for product roll-out this year.â€™

IFAD Promote Smallholder Farmers

Nearly 30,000 vulnerable households will be better equipped to deal with the fragility created by past conďŹ‚ict and the impacts of climate change, thanks to a US$29 million project that aims to improve food and nutrition security in four sub-prefectures of the Central African Republic. With support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a ďŹ nancing agreement for the Project to Revitalize Crop and Livestock Production in the Savannah (PREPAS), was signed by President of IFAD, Gilbert F. Houngbo and Minister of Planning, Economy and Cooperation of the Central African Republic, FĂŠlix Moloua. FinancingfortheprojectincludesagrantfromIFAD($12.4million),as wellasfundingfromtheGovernmentofCentralAfricanRepublic($0.9 million)andthebeneďŹ ciariesthemselves($3million).AďŹ nancinggap of $12.6 million would be covered by future IFAD resource allocation cycles for Central African Republic. In the Central African Republic, the livelihoods of 74 per cent of the population are dependent on the agropastoral sector, which also accounts for 52 per cent of the GDP.

â€œIt is only when the economy is buoyant, that the people will be able to save, and that provides enough liquidity for banks to lend and fuel the economy. The other sub-sectors including the bureaux de change sector will equally be positively impacted y a thriving economâ€?

ABCON President,

Aminu Gwadabe Continued on page 24

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10 COMPANIES CONTROL 71% OF NSE EQUITIES MARKET CAPITALISATION

Aero Contractors Expands Operations

2017. GTBank ended the year with PBT of N215.6 billion, representing a growth of 9.1 per cent over N197.7billion recorded the previous year, while PAT stood at N184.639 billion compared with N167.913 billion posted in 2017. The bank proposed final dividend of N2.45 per share in addition to interim dividend of 30 kobo bringing total dividend for 2018 financial year to N2.75. GTBank expects profit growth to slow in 2019 from last year. The bank in its full year 2018 financial performance review posted on its website, disclosed that its balance sheet is well structured, with strong earnings capacity as interest earning assets and non-interest earning assets accounted for 70 per cent and 30 per cent respectively. It pointed out that the bank has a well-diversified and improved funding source with low cost deposits accounting for 84 per cent of its deposit base. Also, Nestle Nigeria Plc posted PBT of N59.75 billion in 2018, an increase of 27.5 per cent from N46.83 billion in 2017, while PAT grew from N33.72 billion to N43 billion in 2018.

Chinedu Eze

NEITI: $926BN EARNED FROM OIL, SOLID MINERALS IN 17 YEARS environmental reporting; open data; and gender concern. â€œNEITI is already implementing some of these standards and will deepen implementation, as important next steps. â€œNEITI will continue to work with stakeholders to sustain Nigeriaâ€™s current EITI ranking and ensure it leads to direct impacts in the lives of citizens. â€œThe agency will also continue to communicate the meaning of validation to the citizens and be proactive in preparation for next round validation due in February 2022, leveraging on lesson from previous exercise. â€œOn the whole, NEITI working closely with government at all levels, the extractive industry companies and the civil society is determined to move EITI implementation in Nigeria from reports to results in poverty reduction and improved quality of life for the citizens,â€? the statement noted.

Nigeriaâ€™s oldest commercial airliner, Aero Contractors, has expanded its operations by re-opening its old routes and introducing new ones with the acquisition of new fleet. The airline also spots new-look cabin crew as it introduced uniform accessories to re-connect with its customers. Speaking during the unveiling of the uniform accessories at Murtala Muhammed Airport terminal 2, Lagos (MMA2) at the weekend, Aero Contractors Cabin Crew Executive, Kudirat Bello, said the event was to promote and elevate Aero brand for a better service and seamless service delivery to its passengers. â€œWe are using this medium to tell the public that we are back and we are back for good. We are in business. We changed the uniform accessories such as the tie and scarf just to enhance the beauty of our uniform. We are telling our passengers to expect us in a big way. â€œWe have increased in fleet. Our service delivery will be impeccable this time around; we have significantly improved our service,â€? Bello said. Also speaking during the event, the CEO of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi said the airline is starting new routes and reinstating those routes that it suspended. â€œWhen I joined we were doing eight flights a day, we were servicing only Abuja and Port Harcourt. In the past 24 months, we have increased to more than 30 flights daily. We were carrying close to 8,000 passengers a month then; now we are doing almost 33,000 passengers every month.

â€œWe have included Kano to our routes. We introduced more frequencies into Abuja. We now operate Abuja-Asaba, Warri, Uyo and we are in the process of introducing Yola. â€œWe will operate Lagos-Yola, Abuja-Yola, Yola-Abuja and Yola-Lagos. This will open more routes for our passengers. Sokoto bound passengers going to Yola can come and join our Yola flight and those from Asaba can join our Yola flight. â€œWe are opening up Nigeria for our esteemed passengers. We believe that by the end of first half of this year, we should have opened new routes in the Eastern part of the country. We

are looking at Owerri and Enugu and it will come very soon. Uyo was there before, so we are reinstating it.â€? Speaking on its fleet expansion, Sanusi recalled that the airline started with one aircraft in the beginning of 2017 but has increased to four, adding that it intends to bring more airplanes. â€œOur aim is to have a 15-aircraft airline. What we have done today is to tell passengers that we are back and we pride in safety and reliability, which is the best way to fly in Aero,â€? he said. Aero Contractors recently launched a training school

to end the dearth of skilled manpower in the aviation industry. The training school was launched by the company after obtaining Approved Training Organisation (ATO) licence from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Aero had said the school would kick-off with the training of cabin crew and dispatchers and later other courses would be added to the curriculum, noting that it aims to be aviation training facility for the West and Central Africa. It also aims to partner with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria and similar international institutions to

give Nigeria the best skilled manpower for the industry. The CEO of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, had said: â€œWe have just got Aviation Training Organisation license. We have been on this for a long time because we wanted to get it right; we wanted to make sure we have a training organisation that is based on a solid foundation, which can be grown into a centre of excellence. â€œNow, we are starting with two approvals on our ATO, which are flight dispatcher and cabin crew. We intend to grow that into a bigger school and eventually into a research centre.â€?

CELEBRATINGWOMEN

L-R: Managing Director, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Adam Nuru; Head, Women in Business of the Bank, Mrs. Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo; Executive Director, Finance, Mrs. Yemisi Edun; Director, Mrs. Mfon Usoro; Founder, Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) Network, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola and ExecutiveDirector,BusinessDevelopment,FCMB,Mrs.BukolaSmith,duringthelaunchofFCMBâ€™sSheVenturespropositionandcelebrationofInternational Womenâ€™sDayinLagosâ€Śrecently

Bi-Courtney: We are Justified on 36Years Concession Chinedu Eze Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, has said it is justified in its claim of 36 years validity on the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession model of the airport terminal. BASL was reacting to statement made by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which refuted the report that it wanted to take over the terminal in

conjunction with the Ministry of Transportation after 12 years of operation. Spokesperson for Bi-Courtney, Eniola Ade-Solanke, said in a statement at the weekend: â€œWe will like to set the records straight by stating that Bi-Courtney Limited entered into a concession agreement with the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the Build, Operate and Transfer of the MMA2 for 36 years.â€? According to Bi-Courtney, FAAN offered it a 36-year lease in a letter dated

October 12, 2006, and an agreement was duly signed on the February 2, 2007 by the then Minister of Aviation. She added that the agreement was further confirmed at a meeting held on July 7, 2009, chaired by a former President, the late Umaru Musa Yarâ€™adua. â€œThe clear provisions of the concession agreement between Bi-Courtney and the government uphold the operation of the MMA2 terminal for an undisputed period of 36 years,â€? the

statement read in part. â€œThe erroneous claims against the chairman of Bi-Courtney that he is making frantic efforts in the Presidency to frustrate a takeover of the terminal is not unconnected to purported attempts to stir up a false sense of alarm and acrimony against the concession,â€? it added. She said despite the constant deliberate misinterpretation of the concession agreement by unscrupulous elements aimed at stirring controversies lead-

ing to falsehood and fueling animosity between FAAN and BASL, MMA2 remains the most modern, functional and well run privately funded domestic airport terminal in sub- Saharan Africa adjudged the best in Nigeria. She noted that BASL would continue to fulfill its obligations for the full 36year term and would remain a pace setter in the aviation industry and in the promotion of private sector investment critical for economic growth in Nigeria.

Officer, MTN Nigeria, Rahul De said: â€œDespite rising mobile phone penetration and increased data consumption, device affordability remains a significant disincentive for most Nigerians. â€œThe MTN Smart feature phone is a great, affordable and tailor-made solution aimed at bridging this device gap and ensuring that every Nigerian is able to benefit from the modern, connected life.â€? The phone which boasts of two cameras, a 2-day battery life with 2000mAh battery, is powered by the

SC7731EF processor, has a 2.4-inch screen, 256MB RAM and 512MB of storage and runs on the increasingly popular KaiOS operating system In his remark, the Chief Operating Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Mazen Mroue, said the affordable MTN smart feature phone would connect more Nigerians and boost connectivity through data growth. â€œThe phones are available in all MTN stores nationwide and Nigerians should take the opportunity to have more access to internet connectivity,â€? Mroue said.

MTN Launches New Smart Phone Group Business Editor

ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă‹ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ă‹

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

MTN Nigeria has joined the league of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) of mobile phones, to introduce its own smart phone. Although it is a feature phone, but it comes with the features of an android smartphone, hence it is tagged smart feature phone. With the MTN smart feature phone, users can browse the internet, send both text and voice messages in any language, do WhatsApp calls with other

Ă™ĂŽĂŽĂŁ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă? AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ Ă¤Ă? Comms/e-Business Editor

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

Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă— Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x; Ă¤Ă? (Aviation) ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ (Maritime) Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă?Ă”Ă™ (Finance) ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ™Ă”Ă“ (Insurance) Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă‹Ă?Ă™ Ě™(Energy) Reporters

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android smartphones, take selfies, connect to App Store, Facebook, Google Map, among other smartphone features, and it comes with free 500MB monthly data for the first six months. Speaking on the value of the MTN smart feature phone, the General Manager, Data and Services at MTN Nigeria, Mr. Abiodun Ajayi, said it took MTN over one year to come up with the smart phone device, which he said, had been tested and certified good for use in all MTN operating countries. â€œThis first of its kind 3G

KaiOS smart feature phone, allows customers to upgrade from a typical feature phone with only voice and text capabilities, to a fully connected device with a fast 3G internet connection, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, dual SIM 3G capabilities. â€œIt has an App Store and comes pre-loaded with the most popular Apps available in the market today, including but not limited to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google Maps,â€? Ajayi said. Commenting on the innovation, Chief Marketing

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Real Estate Firm Unveils Brand Ambassador Oluchi Chibuzor Periwinkle Lifestyle Estate has unveiled Nigeriaâ€™s Reality TV show star, Miss Nina Onyeonobi of Big Brother Naija as its brand Ambassador. A statement from the firm described the Lagos-based celebrity as an actress, model and a top influencer with more than a million followers on her social media platforms. At the unveiling event which held in Lagos recently, the CEO/MD of the company, Chiedu Nweke, was quoted to have explained that signing up a brand ambassador was expedient and a strategic move to increase brand awareness and reposition the companyâ€™s luxury products and services, in line with fresh challenges in the property sector of the nation. He added: â€œAs a brand ambassador, Nina embodies the brand identity in every appearance, demeanor, values and would help create awareness and drive sales to the Periwinkle brand.â€? In her remarks, the 2018 top five finalists of the

reality TV show expressed delight, describing the agreement signing as another remarkable milestone in her career path. She stated that it was a pleasure teaming up with a company that is genuinely committed towards redefining exclusive lifestyle of the elites. She further maintained that the location of the estate, the serene environment, the Waterview, the value and return on investment associated with properties at the estate are first-of-its-kind and thanked the management for conceptualising and delivering such iconic project, particularly for making her a part of the history. According to her, â€œPeriwinkle lifestyle is located in a serene and waterfront environment and in one of most sought-after locations, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. â€œThe estate presents unique residences that prides itself on the tenets of innovation, quality and exclusiveness. â€œEach apartment in the estate is designed by top

interior designers with an enviable blend of foreign and timeless trends that merges into contemporary themes. â€œThe estate incorporates first class amenities and luxurious materials in delivering exceptional services and first-class luxury living experience giving buyers a perfect blend of live, work and play environment.â€? Nweke, said he was confident that with a partner like Nina and other stars who would be appointed as brand ambassadors, the companyâ€™s efforts at redefining luxury lifestyle and rebranding real estate in the country would become flexible through their influence. He added that the exclusive lifestyle estate is an opportunity for investors to diversify their portfolio and capitalise on one of Lagosâ€™ most sought-after property market which guarantees 100 per cent return on investment. He enjoined all to visit its website or schedule a tour to the largest investment destination in Lagos.

Foundation to Provide Healthcare Support Pistis Foundation, a nonprofit social intervention organisation is set to hold a one-week medical and surgical outreach to cater to about 4,000 underprivileged people in the Lekki-Epe axis of Lagos State. This free event tagged â€˜Ubomiâ€ŚRestoring Lives,â€™ would commence on Monday, 18th to Friday 22nd March, at Lekki, Lagos. According to the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Pistis Foundation, Godman Akinlabi, â€œUbomi is how we impact the lives of those in our immediate community,

who may be suffering from illnesses that may lead to avoidable deaths for children and adults. â€œHealthcare in Nigeria is generally poor and it requires the collective support of government and non-governmental organisations to enhance current standards.â€? Ubomi means â€œlifeâ€? in Xhosa, a South African language. It was designed to cater to indigent people who cannot afford medical/ surgical fees for their health conditions. As such, Pistis Foundation would be attending to ev-

eryone who fits this profile, irrespective of religious or ethnic background, within the 4,000 person-limit, during the outreach. Being attended to will be on a first-come basis, except in emergency cases. Pistis Foundation is working in partnership with Pro Health International, a reputable health NGO with many years of experience in offering medical and surgical aid to indigent communities across Africa to actualise the project that would improve thousands of lives and provide otherwise unaffordable healthcare services to many.

Group to OrganiseTravel Expo Hamid Ayodeji The Nigeria travel and tourism expo (Travel Nigeria) is set to take place in Lagos, on March 23rd 2019. The event is aimed at promoting innovation, collaboration as well as to promote the travel and tourism industry in Nigeria. It comprises a national conference and exhibition and would host only business-facing and consumer-facing travel and tourism expo in Nigeria. According to a statement signed by the Event Director, Ike Steve, the event would gather the most influential travel and tourism players, industry professionals and policy makers for a full day of expert-led conferences and tailored networking events to learn, share, discuss and chart a new path for the Nigerian travel and tourism

industry. Steve said, â€œTo address the impact of the geopolitical, economic and societal challenges facing the Nigerian travel and tourism industry and create new sources of growth, stakeholders need to adapt and rethink their strategies by collaborating with fellow players and creating new forms of philosophies. â€œThe Travel Nigeria expo is designed to offer insights, inspiration and solution oriented tools to turn these philosophies into actions. â€œThe event would look at the roles and opportunities for all players in the market, including investors, financiers, government, ICT providers, development agencies and their related advisers, while networking with professionals, in tourism from across the country.â€? Furthermore, he explained

that the event would provide stakeholders a platform for discussing and sharing experiences, deliberating on innovative initiatives to support the growth of the nationâ€™s economy through the development of a rich tourism sector. Steve added: â€œDuring the event stakeholders would deliberate on five key issues; natural assets, infrastructure, financing, policy and strategy, and technology, covering current burning issues affecting the industry.â€? He further noted that asides the national conference, the event would feature an exhibition show that would provide opportunity for travel and tourism organisations, state governments and other service providers in the industry to showcase destinations, products, services and technologies.

ELEVATING TO THE NEXT LEVEL Marie-Therese Phido

Female Executives, Letâ€™s Up the Ante â€“ Part 2 Last week coincidentally, the Part 1 of this article was published on the International Womenâ€™s Day. It was not planned but, I was happy for the coincidence as it was in consonance with the theme for this year: Be Bold for Change. This year, we need to be bold for change and enhance the professional well-being of women in the workplace. In continuation of the article, I will like to quote from Sheryl Sanbergâ€™s book â€œLean inâ€? and reflect on the term â€œqueen beeâ€?. She said, queen bee is used to describe a woman who flourishes in a leadership role, especially in male dominated industries (or organizations), and who uses her position to keep other female â€œworker beesâ€? down. She went on to say that for some, it was simply self-preservation, for others, it reflected their coming of age in a society that believed men were separate to women. Queen bees internalized the low status of women in order to feel worthy themselves. Often these queen bees were rewarded for maintaining the status quo and not promoting other women. Do you know queen bees in your organizations or professional circles? I have known men who have expressed, extreme amazement at the damage queen bees cause other women. They consistently make comments about the actions of these women who will do anything to keep other women from progressing. Queen bees feel threatened when another woman is rising and will do anything to put her down, especially when they have been the only senior woman in top management. Personally, I have come across such women and I am imploring any woman with the character traits above to start embracing women and championing their sistersâ€™ cause. Many women have challenges in the workplace because of the myriad of roles they play. How can we help our career women, raise the ante, succeed and thrive, below are some suggestions: rBe your sisterâ€™s keeper â€“ senior women and professionals in the work place, need to support one another â€™s growth, while working together. Letâ€™s learn to reach out to other women up the ladder and down the ladder. Last week, a colleague of mine now based in the UK in a senior role and working in a professional services firm sent me a mail on how she found healing from part one of this article. She went on to describe the challenges she was going through and said she felt comforted knowing that she is not the only one that has gone through and is going through such challenges. Her mail made me cry, because I could feel her pain as I have been there too. My advice to her was to not let anybody stop her greatness or pull her back from her purpose and to keep the flag flying for herself and other women. What particularly warmed my heart was her reference to being a junior consultant when we worked together in the same firm, and the fact that my door was always open when she had challenges. Sisters, letâ€™s look out for one another. rCompetence and knowledge â€“ As I stated in Part 1 of this article, there is no substitute for competence and knowledge. These get you through the door and most times keeps you there. A

senior colleague of mine who read last weekâ€™s article said, â€œwithout competence, you canâ€™t even start the conversationâ€?. We need to continually hone our skills and reinvent ourselves to ensure that our relevance is indisputable. I tell people to be incomparable. If you leave a job and can be easily replaced, you were not making a mark nor impactful. It should be difficult to replace you. r Be accomplished, donâ€™t diminish your worth â€“ Many women cannot market themselves nor their accomplishments. We have been culturally attuned to mute our accomplishments or hide behind men. If we hoot our horns, we are seen to be bragging or not liked. The attitude to adopt is, you are damned either way, especially if you are excelling, so own your accomplishments. I strongly advice that you have confidence in your abilities and ensure your accomplishments are extremely valuable to the business and can help set you apart as a leader. r Banish fear â€“ fear of failure should not hold you back. Personally, I never believe there is anything I cannot do and there is nothing I cannot ask for. The worst thing I will get is a no. Or then again, I may succeed. Many times, we succeed and even if on the off chance we fail, we try again. According to Passi, â€œyou need to have massive failure, to have massive successâ€?. r Network â€“ Build a network of supporters. Have a sponsor and a mentor. A mentor to advise you on upping your game and competence. A sponsor who believes in you and will position you and brag about your capabilities and value in meetings you are not privileged to attend. Many women also need to network. We have all developed a routine of â€“ office, home and office. We need to network, be active members of professional associations and network with the â€œboysâ€?. t %FWFMPQ ZPVS QFSTPOBM CSBOE â€“ A strong personal brand benefits the organization and positions you as a thought leader, an expert in the business environment. This will increase your cache in your organization and provide you with job security outside the organization. rBe more savvy in your leadership style â€“ Many women are stereotyped in the office because of the way we react to issues or provocation. We need to project strong leadership traits, while still retaining our feminine characteristics. Being able to marry the two, will put us ahead of the pack. This can be challenging and requires some practice and mentoring to accomplish. I am still working on this requirement. Finally, Iâ€™d like to end by reiterating that we need to work together to succeed. One cannot do it alone but the whole. Letâ€™s be our sisterâ€™s keepers. This message is to both men and women.

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

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Stable Operations Buoy Seplatâ€™s Performance Stability in the operations of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc led to improved performance and declaration of dividend for the year ended December 31, 2018, writes Goddy Egene

When the shareholders of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc meet very soon to consider and approval the audited financial results of the company for the year ended December 31, 2018, they will beam with smiles. Unlike the previous year, the shareholders would be receiving dividend on the investment. Besides, the company, which is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and London Stock Exchange (LSE) experienced stable operations in 2018 that led to a better results. Financial performance An analysis of the performance showed that Seplat posted a revenue of N228.4 billion in 2018, up by 65.2 per cent, from the N138.3 billion recorded in 2017. Cost of sales rose 48 per cent from N73.4 billion to N108.6 billion, while gross profit jumped by 84.6 per cent to N119.8 billion from N64.9 billion in 2017. Net finance cost fell by 31.8 per cent to N14.3 billion, from N20.9 billion in 2017. Profit before tax (PBT) increased by 499 per cent from N13.5 billion to N80.6 billion. But profit after tax (PAT) fell from N81.1 billion to N44.9 billion due to a tax debit of N35.7 billion in 2018, compared with a tax credit of N67.7 billion in 2017. Having emerged from a period of weak macro conditions and a disrupted operating environment in 2016 and 2017, where the companyâ€™s key focus was on preservation of liquidity and selective capital allocation to ensure it maintained a necessary level of financial flexibility, the board of directors reinstated dividend payment in 2018. Hence, the board has recommended a dividend of N18.02 per share, as against nothing the previous year. Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Officer of Seplat, Mr. Austin Avuru, said: â€œSeplat has delivered an excellent operational and financial performance resulting in robust profitability and cash flow generation providing us with an extremely solid foundation for growth in the coming years. At our core assets in the West, OMLs 4, 38 and 41, the extension of the license to 2038 means that we can confidently plan and invest long into the future to realise the full potential of those blocks. â€œAs we continue to enhance production and revenue diversification with new wells scheduled at OML 53 in the East, the board took the final investment decision to invest in the large scale ANOH gas and condensate development which will form the next phase of transformational growth for our gas business. â€œDisciplined capital allocation continues to remain at the core of our activities evidenced by our continual deleveraging of our debt levels to the current balance of $350 million. In 2018, we reinstated the dividend, increased capital investments and with the resources and headroom in our capital structure, we are equipped to capitalise

on organic and inorganic growth opportunities as they may arise.â€? Alternative oil export routes One major achievement of the company in 2018 was creating alternative crude oil evacuation options for production at Oil Mining Licences (OMLs) 4, 38 and 41 and potential strategies to further grow and diversify production in order to reduce any over-reliance on one particular third party operated export system. In line with this objective, Seplat retained access to two jetties at the Warri refinery that will enable sustained exports of 30,000 barrels of per oil per day (bopd) if required in the future. According to the company, in 2018 it was not necessary for it to activate this alternative export route. â€œLooking ahead, the Amukpe to Escravos 160,000 bopd capacity pipeline is set to provide a third export option for liquids production at OMLs 4, 38 and 41. While completion work on the pipeline has been slower than anticipated due to delays on historical payments between the pipeline owner and the contractor, these have now been amicably resolved and based on information provided by the pipeline owners and contractor undertaking completion works and connection to the Escravos terminal and offshore export pipeline, the Company expects the pipeline now to be commissioned by the end of second quarter (Q2) 2019 and fully operational to the initial permitted volume for the Seplat / NPDC joint venture of 40kbpd in third quarter (Q3) 2019.

Disciplined capital allocation continues to remain at the core of our activities evidenced by our continual deleveraging of our debt levels to the current balance of $350 million. In 2018, we reinstated the dividend, increased capital investments and with the resources and headroom in our capital structure, we are equipped to capitalise on organic and inorganic growth opportunities as they may arise

Gas business One of the major focus areas of Seplat in 2018 was gas business and recorded significant performance in its operations. In its Oben processing hub â€“Western Niger Delta, for instance, the company operated gas processing capacity standing at the 525 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) level. According to the company, it is actively engaged with counterparties to increase contracted gas sales with the intention of taking gross production towards the 400 MMscfd level on a consistent basis. Seplat said its 375 MMscfd expansion at Oben (Phases I and II) was completed as a 100 per cent investment project, adding that gas processing capacity expansion is also designed to allow the company to accept third party gas and receive a processing tariff. â€œIn 2018 the gas projects undertaken were focused on reducing gas flaring and maximising gas monetisation. Key projects completed in the year include the Oben non associated gas (NAG) booster compression project whereby the installation of additional compressors at the Oben gas plant will boost the pressure of existing NAG wells and translate into higher achievable gas recovery at the Oben gas field. The company also successfully completed the hook-up of a 10 thousand barrels per day (kbpd) condensate stabiliser train at the Oben Gas plantto allow for handling of additional condensate production in the future that will accompany higher future gas production. Furthermore, having initiated supplies of commissioning gas to the Azura Edo independent power plant at the start of the year, full operations commenced in May 2018 at which point gross deliveries stepped up to the contracted 116 MMscfd level on a take-or-pay basis,â€? the company said. Analystâ€™s assessment Assessing the results of Seplat, analysts at Afrinvest (West Africa) said the company recorded an impressive earnings performance, which was largely supported by higher oil prices and production uptime upon the total recovery from the force majeure declared on the Trans Forcados export terminal which extended to first half(H1) year 2017. According to Afrinvest, Seplatâ€™s operating expenses contracted significantly with cost of sales growing by 47.8 per cent to N108.6 billion, albeit at a slower pace to revenue and 6.7 per cent above their estimate. â€œThe increase was due to higher crude handling fees and royalties, which were up 113.1 per cent and 69.6 per cent respectively, typically associated with higher oil prices and production levels. However, given the faster growth in revenues, cost to sales ratio trended lower to 47.6 per cent. Also, Seplatâ€™s operation expenses (OPEX)

margin moderated to 10.7 per cent (2017: 20.4 per cent), reflecting a 13.6 per cent contraction in operating expenses given significant moderation in other operating expenses by 47.0 per cent to N3.9 billion,â€? the investment banking firm said. The companyâ€™s margin expansion was supported by weaker growth in cost of sales with the groupâ€™s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisatioon (BITDA) and earnings before tax(EBIT) expanded significantly by 109.1 per cent and 175.7 per cent to N95.8 billion and N94.9 billion respectively, above Afrinvestâ€™s estimates at 14.2 per cent and 6.2 per cent higher respectively. â€œThe variation in our estimates was largely due to the lower cost of sales which was as a result of the zero barging costs incurred in oil exports, implying that all oil exports were evacuated through the Trans Forcados export terminal. Consequently, the EBITDA and EBIT margins inched higher to 54.5 per cent and 41.5 per cent buoyed by the lower OPEX. Also, net finance costs moderated in line with our expectation mainly due to a significant 22.3 per cent contraction in finance expense as well as an expansion in finance income by 128.5 per cent,â€? the analysts said. They noted that although Seplat recorded high profit before tax (PBT), it profitability was dragged by tax expense. According to the analysts, consequent on the increased revenue and improved efficiency, Seplatâ€™s PBT expanded exponentially by 498.6 per cent to N80.6 billion, 14.9 per cent above their estimate. Valuation and Outlook In their valuation and outlook, the analysts said they remained optimistic about the companyâ€™s positive performance in view of its efforts to diversify revenue streams through consistent increases in gas production (which enjoys stable long term prices), while de-risking operational challenges such as maintaining high production volumes by almost netting off the depletion rate of the 2P reserves through consistent organic replacement ratio of 1.0x ( i.e 2C to 2P reserves). â€œAlso, the progress made on the completion of the preferred alternative export route (Amukpe Escravos Export Pipeline) to which management has hinted that it will gradually migrate crude oil export as soon as it comes on stream by H1:2019 further assures of stable export volumes. We are therefore expectant of high production volumes (although slightly lesser in 2019 than the prior year) and believe that this will support earnings over the medium-term,â€? they said. Given their expectation of a largely stable positive groupâ€™s performance over the medium-term, the analysts revised their target price upwards to N681.21, while assigning accumulate rating to the stock.

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Journey towards Rice Revolution Obinna Chima writes on the significant progress recorded in rice production in Nigeria

From Nigeria being the worldâ€™s second largest rice importer years back, the narrative appears to have changed as the country continues to take steps to ramp up domestic production. According to a recent report, Nigeria has overtaken Egypt as the largest rice producer in Africa. The Director-General, Africa Rice Center, Benin Republic, Dr Harold Roy-Macauley, who disclosed this, said Nigeria is now the largest rice producer at four million tonnes a year. Egypt was producing 4.3 tonnes annually but the countryâ€™s production had reduced by almost 40 per cent this year. Africa produces an average of 14.6 million tonnes of rough rice annually, he explained. Indeed, the remarkable achievement recorded by the country in the area of rice production, as disclosed by Roy-Macauley, was the outcome of robust collaboration between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, that focused on areas in the agriculture sector where the country has comparative advantage, in their quest to drastically reduce the countryâ€™s huge import bill. A report by Lagos-based CSL Stockbrokers Limited showed that the central bank and the federal government have been making substantial efforts to encourage domestic cultivation of rice and to completely eliminate imports using incentives such as subsidised loans, cheap fertilisers, free farm land, and tax rebates. Presently, the CBN has restricted importers of 43 items, which included rice, from accessing dollars from the interbank market and bureaux de change. Also, other fiscal policies are making it increasingly unfavorable for the importation of rice. Rice imports through land borders are restricted, while imports that come in through the ports attract sizeable import duties and levies. Currently, 18 states are reputed as reliable rice producers in the country. They include Kebbi, Benue, Ebonyi, Ekiti, the Federal Capital Territory, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano and Katsina. Others are: Lagos, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Zamfara, Ogun, Niger, Kwara and Sokoto. Clearly, these policies have led to a decline in imports and have resulted in significant rise in the price of imported rice. Also, the CBN through its Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS) as well as its Anchor Borrowersâ€™ Programme (ABP) has continued to support genuine local rice manufacturers, in line with its development finance function. In all, the total amount released by the CBN under its CACS from inception to the

participating banks for disbursement stood at N596.44 billion for 576 projects as at the end of the fourth quarter of 2018. Of the total number of projects, 34 were in respect of state governments. The central bank disclosed this in its Economic Report for the fourth quarter of 2018, released recently. A total of N852.15 million was guaranteed to 5,454 farmers under the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGS) in same period. Sub-sectoral analysis of the ACGS showed that food crops got the largest share, amounting to N369.54 million (43.4%), guaranteed to 2,373 beneficiaries; followed by mixed crop sub-sector, which received N162.75 million (19.1%), guaranteed to 1,710 beneficiaries N138.44 million (16.2%) was guaranteed to livestock sub-sector in favour of 564 beneficiaries; while cash crop, fisheries and â€˜othersâ€™ sub-sectors got N105.28 million (12.4%), N58.82 million (6.9%), and N17.32 million (2.0%), guaranteed to 542, 175 and 90 beneficiaries, respectively. Analysis by state showed that 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory benefited from the scheme with the highest and lowest sums of N95.83 million (11.3 per cent) and N1.99 million (0.2 per cent) guaranteed to Ogun and Bayelsa states, respectively.

In the agriculture sector, the Anchor Borrower Programme has ensured that Nigeria emerged from being a net importer of rice to becoming a major producer of rice, supplying key markets in neighbouring countries

The Anchor Borrowersâ€™ Programme That ABP programme was designed to assist small scale farmers to increase the production and supply of feedstock to agro-processors. According to the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Bank has created 2.5 million jobs across the country. Also, no fewer than 850,000 smallholder farmers had benefited from the scheme as N160 billion had been disbursed as of last December. Emefiele, said the programme has been effective in correcting Nigeriaâ€™s imbalances, and suspending the bankâ€™s policy suite will spell doom for Nigeria. â€œIn the agriculture sector, the Anchor Borrower Programme has ensured that Nigeria emerged from being a net importer of rice to becoming a major producer of rice, supplying key markets in neighbouring countries. â€œAs at October 2018, a total number of 862,069 farmers cultivating about 835,239 hectares, across 16 different commodities, have so far benefited from the Anchor Borrowers programme, which has generated 2,502,675 jobs across the country,â€? Emefiele added. Emefiele assured that the ABP would be used for the production of other farm produce within the country, including palm oil and fisheries. â€œIt is in light of the success of the Anchor Borrowers Program with regards to cultivation of rice and maize that the Monetary Policy Committee in its last meeting on the 21st of November 2018 recommended that the Anchor Borrowers program be applied to other areas such as palm oil, tomatoes, and fisheries to mention a few,â€? Emefiele added. â€œOur efforts at supporting small-scale farmers and SMEs is based on our awareness of the critical role they can play in supporting our economic recovery and growth, as well as in creating job opportunities for millions of Nigerians.â€? The ABP is an initiative of the central bank aimed at creating an ecosystem to link outgrowers (small holder farmers) to local processors, increase banksâ€™ financing to the agricultural sector enhance capacity utilisation of agricultural firms involved in the production of identified commodities and as well as the productivity and incomes of farmers. The programme is hinged on three pronged approach namely the out-grower support programme; training of farmers, extension workers and banks; and risk mitigation. He added: â€œWe have our agenda at the CBN. Our agenda is to see how, instead of

importing rice, we produce rice locally. By doing that, what you will find is that the demand for the importation of rice would cease and we would begin to see ourselves as a rice exporting nation. That would help to conserve our forex reserves. We are very determined to attain this. We spend huge amount to import items which could be produced locally, thereby exporting jobs to other countries at the detriment of our local industries. â€œThe Anchor Borrowersâ€™ Programme is one of the CBNâ€™s policy initiatives to pursue the aforementioned development objectives, namely the creation of jobs, reduction in food imports, and diversification of our economy. â€œThe Programme aims at creating economic linkages between over 600,000 smallholder farmers and reputable large-scale processors with a view to increasing agricultural output and significantly improving capacity utilisation of integrated mills.â€? President Muhammadu Buhari had during the inauguration of the scheme, decried the huge sums spent by the country importing food items that could be produced locally. He added: â€œThe importance of agriculture in the economy cannot be over emphasised. Prior to the advent of oil, our country survived on agriculture production. During this period, the economy was built on agricultural activities and our gross domestic product grew steadily. â€œEconomic diversification is no longer an option for us, it is the only way for economic momentum and the drive to prosperity.â€? he added. According to him, the only way to do this was to go back to the land and develop agriculture. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, also said the governmentâ€™s policies have started yielding fruits, particularly in the area of rice production. He said: â€œIt is now evident that we are on the path to becoming self-sufficient in rice production. Indeed, I have no doubt in my mind that Nigeria can be a model for Africa and the world if we join forces and act on evidence.â€? According to him, agricultural productivity is currently boosted through time provision of fertiliser and other inputs. â€œWe are also working on the reduction of post-harvest losses and expansion of market access. The policy thrust is now focusing on deepening financial sector engagement with the agribusiness value chains,â€? he said.

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Omogiafo: Planning Important for Women in Work Place In line with the International Womenâ€™s Day celebration that was marked recently, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Transcorp Hotels, Mrs. Owen Omogiafo, in this encounter with Nume Ekeghe, narrates her experience as an executive as well as how to ensure work-life balance. Excerpts: Congratulations on your recent appointment, how has the Journey been as a female executive? I am now two months, one week on the job as MD/CEO of Transcorp Hotels. And itâ€™s our intent to be Africaâ€™s foremost brand. It has been challenging, enlightening and at the same time very rewarding. You know, stepping into the industry whose leadership is pretty male dominated, it is not every time you find that a woman is in leadership of a hotel of our size, one that is listed, and one that is the owner of the only five-star hotel we have in Nigeria, which as you all know, is also affiliated with the Hilton. Itâ€™s a Hilton and it is managed by Hilton, but we own the Hotel. What we are about is that each guest that comes in has that distinct Transcorp hospitality touch. So, you have to be able to recognise people and that has been quite challenging as well because I get to meet so many important personalities and sometime you might not remember the name, but have to make sure that you try and place the face because you donâ€™t want to offend people by forgotten their name. Not to forget, we also have a property in Calabar, Transcorp Hotel Calabar. We had a very good result at the end of last year, but we keep striving to see, how we can do better. So, when I got the appointment, a number of people were concerned about how I was going to cope. Considering my marriage, children and especially how my husband would react. Gracefully, my husband backed me up as I have three kids. The first is 15, the second is 14, and the third is a year old. It wasnâ€™t really in their best interest to begin to move them at this point in time, because we have settled too much in Lagos. I also donâ€™t want them to move with me to Abuja because by the nature of my job, I live in the hotel, and I am always on call. Seems you have a good work and family balance, what would your advice be to other career women out there who still struggle with this? It is not easy. Being a woman in the whole place is not easy. But, there is a clichĂŠ: â€˜nothing good comes easyâ€™. First as a woman, you need to have the conviction that this is what you want to do. That is where you start from. After you have sort that out, the next question becomes, How? Some people will be like, because now I am now at the top of my career and I earn more, that is why it is easier for me, but they are wrong. At the early stage of my career, I had two maids at home, not because I was making a lot of money, but at that time I was living in Lagos and had no family member living with me. I needed to have that support. My husband and I were working and we were very young and just starting our family and our career. I had those maids not because I was lazy, but because of my work schedule. I needed to be able to work and deliver on my responsibilities at work and not always giving excuses due to issues from home. What I always say to people is that, these challenges donâ€™t happen every day. So what you need to do is to take it in your stride. For women in the work place, I am able to say this because I was once an HR director. I say to my fellow women to please plan. These days, children get their school calendar ahead of time, have a conversation with your boss and let him know when you will be out of work or attend open day your childrenâ€™s school. Two weeks to the time, remind your boss again. A week to it, remind him, 72 hours to the time, remind him. And if you really look at it, it is only a horrible person that will tell you not to go on that day. That aspect of planning is very important. In essence, for a woman, what I am saying is that, learn to manage your time, and at the same time the resources of other people, that will enable you succeed. There is one critical thing that a mentor said to me a long time ago - work/life balance is not daily. This means sometimes, work might be up,

table, and make sure you deliver. A number of people may have doubts about you, but when they engage you, they leave with a different impression. So that helped out. Being a female, they claim we know how to multi-task and it has conferred certain advantages. My predecessor laid a very good foundation in his time, but now that I am here, people come in now and say, â€˜we are seeing the feminine touch.â€™ There is one of my staff, he is very efficient. But he didnâ€™t used to smile. So I told him that it is important for our business and he has started smiling. If you go to somewhere and someone attending to you keeps a gloomy face, you wonâ€™t want to even drink water. So these are thing I have also used to my advantage. Let people know that youb are capable of doing the job you have been employed to do. And the way you let them know is always in the doing and not just talking.

Omogiafo

and other times, it may not be. It is never always the same daily. That is the truth. And one thing a woman should always remember is that we are important. A lot of time, we women forget that we are important. This perhaps is because of the way we are wired. We are natural born givers, we are groomed to take care of the house, make sure everybody has eaten before we eat, if the food is not enough, give ourselves the smaller portion to ensure that the food has gone around an all that. It is good, but you have to make sure that you also take care of yourself and nurture yourself. Still riding on that, there is a negative emotion that tends to hold us back. Like emotion of guilt where we feel guilty. Another thing is to find a partner that is supportive. I frankly wouldnâ€™t have been able to achieve as much as I have achieved without the support of my husband. It is very

Naturally, being a woman there is always a little bit more expected of you. But when you show people that I can bring something to the table, and make sure you deliver. A number of people may have doubts about you, but when they engage you, they leave with a different impression

important. So, for young people; those who are already married it is okay, but if you are not yet married, these are the questions that you ought to ask before going into it. I think the fastest way for me to breakup with my husband if I want to, is for me to tell him that I want to be a full time house wife. Being a woman, how are you coping in a male-dominated industry? I think I have an edge here over a number of other women. I was an only daughter for a very long time. I had three elder brothers and three other male cousins living with us. And honestly, it was really when I started working that I started realising that I am a woman and I was supposed to be different. Because when I was growing up, my father made me feel like there is nothing I canâ€™t do. And he encouraged me. I could read very well at the age of five because of my father. At the age of five, he would come with newspaper, and we would sit down together and read together. He would put scrabble board and we would play together. And mind you, I was the youngest child. So for me, I have always felt that I can do anything a man can do because it is how I have been brought up. That foundation meant so much to me now that I am an adult. That is why I said I have an edge over the average Nigerian women who were told not to climb trees. I was encouraged to climb trees. All those other things of old that this is what a woman or man must do never really featured in my life. And I also went to a mixed school and had relative freedom. So coming into a male dominated environment; you can imagine how it is in the hospitality business. Your clients, a number of them are men and because of the fact that I grew up with guys all around me, I am able to understand the male folks, hold my home and much more. Naturally, being a woman there is always a little bit more expected of you. But when you show people that I can bring something to the

You have a good support system and a background that helped prepared you for this role. However, for women who donâ€™t have such support, how can they achieve such heights? I talked earlier on about having clarity of purpose, your own vision and goal. So my advice is, be it a man or a woman, know where your strengths are. And in this era of digitalisation, most people are just a click away. I have some women that I mentor but we have never met. We just connect via social media. In fact, recently I found out that a young lady I mentor is somebody I know. And you can also raise for yourself role models. Your role model doesnâ€™t necessarily have to be someone you know or you get a chance to speak with. But just someone you can look up to. So you can look up to someone like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and say, she got to the position of Minister of Finance and World Bank, even with her children, how did she get there if she had given up so easy? And so many others like that. There is Mobolaji Johnson, Ibukun Awoshika, Bola Adesola, and many other women. Years ago, when I was working at Accenture, Bola Adesola was invited to come and speak to us. And she talked to us about how she made sure that she had assistance and the co-supports that she employed. That there was somebodyâ€™s job then among those she employed which was to make sure that she does not forgot her mobile phone at home. That was how busy she was. It was after that talk that I decided to get a second maid. She didnâ€™t know me then, but I met her last year and I told her about this encounter and she was amazed. I remembered looking at her and saying, â€˜I want to be there, I am going to get thereâ€?. So have for yourself role models. And also surround yourself with people that can lift you up. It doesnâ€™t mean that you are a gold digger. Also, as a young person, it is very important to know how to identify those people that have â€˜PHDâ€™ syndrome, which means â€˜Pull Him/Her Downâ€™ syndrome. There are people that will never want you to climb out of the pit. They want you to remain down. And on the other hand, we have people in same pit who will say, â€˜climb on my shoulder to get out, when you get there, hold that stick, stretch it down and lift me upâ€™. And also keep in mind that not everybody will like you along your journey. And get ready to pay the price. I also share with people that this whole thing of being a woman in the work place is not mandatory. It is not for everybody. Know what you want in your heart. Kudos to the professional home makers, I have the greatest respect for women who have also chosen to do that because it takes a lot to also decide that I am going to dedicate my whole life to being the home maker. In summary, know what you want, be committed to getting there, identify role models, set goals for yourself which is very important. Sometimes we set goals in our professional life and forget to set goals for our personal life.

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ProďŹ ts Continue to Rise for Insurers in United Arab Emirates The insurance market of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continued its earnings momentum in 2018, to post a second consecutive year of bumper profits. AM Bestâ€™s analysis of the preliminary disclosures of the national insurers listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) showed material improvements in overall performance, combined with modest premium growth. In 2018, aggregate underwriting profits for UAE-listed insurers experienced a marginal decline of 1.7 per cent, to reach AED 1.7 billion. However, net profits showed a strong increase of 6.4 per cent, to AED 1.4 billion. Underwriting returns continued to benefit from improvements in pricing and underwriting discipline as a result of regulatory changes in 2017 in the key business lines of motor and medical insurance. AM Best also noted that policies underwritten in 2017 continued to benefit 2018 results, favourably contributing to technical earnings. Overall, the market returned a return on equity (ROE) of 8.4 per cent, slightly above the 2017 returns of 8.1 per cent. Whilst the ROE metrics for top-tier and mid-tier insurers remained broadly stable relative to 2017, AM Best noted the improvements in insurers in the bottom tier. Following two years of strong premium growth, in both volume and rates, GWP increased modestly in 2018. Overall, listed insurers generated combined GWP of AED 21.9 billion during 2018, representing an uplift of 0.5 per cent from

2017. Growth in 2016 and 2017 was attributable to the mandatory business lines of motor and medical insurance, which both benefited from regulatory reforms. In 2018, however, in the absence of regulatory intervention, AM Best has observed that underwriting discipline appears to have weakened, with market practice returning to its historic levels of fierce competition and heavy rate discounting. This has been most acutely felt in motor. Market reports suggest that pricing for motor softened materially in 2018, by 15 per cent, to 18 per cent. Additionally, AM Best was also aware that many companies are offering higher commissions to agents and brokers across all business segments, which would squeeze technical margins. The top tier of four companies continued to control a substantial market share of more than 50 per cent of premium revenue in 2018. Oman Insurance, which was dislodged by Orient Insurance in 2017 as the largest insurer in the country (by GWP), regained its top position in 2018, although the difference between the two companies is marginal. AM Best expects both companies to remain the UAEâ€™s two largest insurers in the medium term. Within the mid-tier segment, AM Best notes contrasting fortunes in leadership rankings. The changing market profile were driven by different strategies, with some insurers seeking to actively manage their portfolios through enhanced risk selection whilst others have sought to grow through size and scale.

Allianz Nigeria Gets Positive Rating Allianz Nigeria has disclosed that it recently got four-star rating across different performance metrics by its customers. The company, apart from triggering an integrated advertising campaign across many traditional and contemporary platforms, has disclosed its determination to make its impact felt by the insurance consumers it caters for through improved customer service. Expressing the companyâ€™s determination in this regard, Head of Customer Service at Allianz, Uti Ella, said: â€œWe are ecstatic that in our first full month as Allianz Nigeria, our customers have rated us 4 stars across different performance metrics.â€? The firm which was recently launched following acquisition by world leading insurer, Allianz, undertook a strategic audit of the business performance across many customer touchpoints over the last couple of months. In doing this, the Group Head Retail Operations of Allianz, Tunji Oshiyoye, said the objective was simply to make feedback from the retail customers more intuitive and digital by default. â€œWe launched an API that integrates to our insurance suite and generates a link to rate the company following

any consumer interaction such as policy inception or claims settlement,â€? he clarified. According to him, the customer receives an email prompting him to follow a link and rate his satisfaction level on a 1-5 scale. The aggregated score from the nearly 500 customers that rated the company put the company at four- star, effectively scoring 80 per cent in customer satisfaction. He added: â€œWhereas we find this very encouraging, we will not rest on our oars, as one of the worldâ€™s most trusted insurance providers, we are duty-bound to provide the highest levels of customer satisfaction possible.â€? She explained further that in the coming months, the rating prompter would be tailored to the particular phase of the customer journey in order to elicit very specific and actionable customer feedback. The Allianz Group is one of the worldâ€™s leading insurers and asset managers with more than 88 million retail and corporate customers. Headquartered in Germany, Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of Personal and Corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance, among others.

LinkageAssurancePledgesImprovedServices Ebere Nwoji The Managing Director of Linkage Assurance Plc, Mr Daniel Braie, has said the underwriting firm is financially strong and able to deliver qualitative insurance services that meets the expectation of customers, Braie, who stated this in Lagos while addressing insurance brokerage operators at their February 2019 Membersâ€™ Evening held in Lagos, said the board and management of Linkage Assurance were excited to present to the group a competitive brand to partner with. Linkage Assurance Plc hosted the event. Braie, told the brokers

led by its President Mr Sola Tinubu that Linkage Assurance had strengthened its internal structures to deliver quality and efficient services. â€œWe have strengthened our internal structures to ensure that claims are handled with speed, because we realise that this is the main reason we are in business, and we will ensure it is sustained,â€? he said. According to Braie, the human capital structure of the company had also been beefed up with the recent appointment of the Executive Director, Technical, among others who are already adding value to the companyâ€™s operations and systems, for the benefit of its esteemed customers. â€œWe have also increased our

capacity to do more businesses as evidenced by the increase in our reinsurance treaty across all classes of insurance,â€? he added. The companyâ€™s total assets stood at N23.31 billion at the end of 2017, up by 15 per cent from N20.33 billion the previous year. He said Linkage had developed an array of retail products targeted at deepening penetration and increasing revenue. These according to him included Linkage Third Party Plus, which is a budgetfriendly motor insurance that provides not only the compulsory Third party protection, but an additional own damage protection to the tune of N250,

000, and is only available in the company. He highlighted other products launched by the company to include Linkage SME Comprehensive, Citadel Shield (which provides compensation as a result of injuries from accident for pupils and students in recognised academic establishments); Linkage Events Xclusive Insurance, Linkage Shop Insurance, Purple Motor Plan (comprehensive motor cover exclusively for women), and the Linkage Estate Insurance. Braie, said Linkage had also deployed its online portal to make its products and services available to customers especially the digital savvy customers and enterprises.

INTERNATIONAL WOMENâ€™S DAY

L-R: Marketing Manager, Spectranet 4GLTE, Samson Akejelu; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Ajay Awasthi; Nollywood actress, Tina Mba and National Head of Sales, Spectranet 4G LTE, Joseph Mazeli, during the 2019 International Womenâ€™s Day celebration in Lagosâ€Śrecently : AKINYELE ABAYOMI.

African Alliance Unveils New Corporate Identity The African Alliance Insurance Plc has unveiled a new corporate brand identity and refreshed logo tagged â€˜The diamond.â€™ The company, said the new corporate identity reflects its focus on delivering excellent customer service, as well as an emphasis on maintaining a strong digital presence. Addressing guests at the official launch of the identity in Lagos, African Alliance Managing Director, Mrs Funmi Omo,

said the new corporate identity would mark the companyâ€™s first major rebranding since its launch in 1960. According to her, since inception, the company has remained a top-tier brand of choice and one of the three leading life insurance companies in Nigeria, offering retail and corporate services to its large customer base. She said the new identity features a new logo and new website, following the recent

relocation of its headquarters to its current Ikoyi residence. Omo, expressed optimism about the companyâ€™s focus, stating that customers would now experience dramatic upgrades across all service touchpoints. â€œThe African Alliance Insurance has been serving customers in the life insurance space for sixty years. This shows the depth of trust our customers have on us, and this new and refreshed corporate identity signifies our pledge to continue

providing a secured future for every Nigerian in line with our purpose statement,â€? she said. The new logo takes on a diamond shape and reinforces the companyâ€™s mantra of life as a special gift to be treasured. The colours remain two shades of blue reinforcing the professionalism of its people. Beneath the logo is inscribed the tag line â€œWith you for life,â€? reiterating the companyâ€™s commitment to providing a secure financial future at every point in life.

Leadway Capital Launches Online â€˜Will Writingâ€™ Platform Following the inability of many dependents of deceased pensioners to claim their bread winnersâ€™ entitlements as well as controversies that often arise in the sharing of estates of deceased persons without will, many firms have taken up the tasks of educating Nigerian public on the relevance of will writing Leadway Capital and Trusts Limited, a subsidiary of Leadway Assurance Company Limited, is one of these firms which have taken it upon itself to spread the message of will writing among Nigerians. The company, recently,

launched its digital will writing service for various categories of Nigerians. In launching the product, the firm said an important point to note in life was that an estate plan is for everybody- single, married, divorced, with or without children, young adults and the elderly. According to the company, the event which took place in Lagos, was part of its effort to educate the public on the need and benefits for every person to have a will or, a structured estate plan in place. At the event, Leadway Capital

& Trusts Managing Director, Ayo Wuraola, spoke on the brandâ€™s offering of a quick and convenient way to write a will, either online or through its representatives who are trained professionals equipped with information to assist customers complete the process of writing their wills easily and quickly. Wuraola, said with a written will, you ensure your loved ones are provided for and that the distribution of your properties as you deem fit are validly documented thus promoting easy succession. Also speaking, the Head,

Private Trusts, Morenike Akinwande-Tomori, said she understands the true human need for people to provide and secure a better future for nuclear and extended family members, as well as sometimes for friends, associates, charities and other interests should the unexpected happens. She said the launch of a will writing service that is available online and via direct partners was her companyâ€™s solution to help the teeming populace document their intention for when they eventually pass on.

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Providing Cleaner, Better World for Communities Eromosele Abiodun reveals how the International Breweries Plc is proving clean potable water to communities across Nigeria Many communities often have to contend with water-related problems because of unavailability of potable water. The occasional outbreak of cholera, diarrhea, river-blindness, guinea-worm, typhoid fever, dysentery and other waterborne diseases in some communities across Nigeria that lack access to clean potable water remains a major contributing factor to high infant and maternal mortality. The same can be said of the sleepy town of Ilase-Ijesha, Osun State, a community that is about 20 minutes drive from Oshogbo, the state capital. The leaders of the town have, on several occasion expressed their concerns to the authorities on the perennial water shortages, which have forced them to source water from unhygienic sources and to the detriment of the health of the community. Relief however came their way with the donation of a solar-powered borehole system, by International Breweries Plc. Led by the traditional ruler, the community trouped out in their numbers to witness the formal handing over of the borehole. A report by the United Nations Childrenâ€™s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, showed that over 57 million Nigerians lack access to clean water. Many rural communities and urban ones as well access water from polluted sources like rivers, streams, ponds, wells, and canals, etc, which they use for cooking, washing, bathing and drinking. Only about 26.5 percent of the population use improved drinking water sources and sanitation facilities. Instructively, Nigeria is among the five countries in the world contributing to about one-third of the global under-five mortality rate traceable to the consumption of unsafe water. Provision of safe, clean water would radically change this narrative. Research has shown that this problem is peculiar to many African communities who have had to rely on wells, streams and other unhealthy sources for their water supply. In addition to water challenges, there is the issue of inappropriate sanitary facilities, which encourages open defecation that one way or the other, end up in this same rivers and streams, where water is sourced by the communities. The effect of this is the high rate of diseases that is reported in the primary health centres that are, in most cases, ill-equipped to handle large number of cases at the same time. Speaking with excitement at the inauguration of the borehole, Akintoye Olufemi, a resident of Logbara, Orile-Imo, said the people are very excited and are grateful for the facility, which has been servicing them even before it was formally handed over to the people by International Breweries. According to Olufemi, their problem began after they were resettled by the Ogun State government from their original hometown where they were displaced due to the dualisation of the AbeokutaSagamu inter-change expressway. Once they were resettled, they discovered water was lacking in the community, which has caused a lot of health challenges. So bad was the water situation that they relied on nature during the rainy season by storing rain water. At other times, they trekked long distances to streams or wells to get water during the dry season. Being a peace-loving people, they continued to hope that one day the situation would change for the better. It was against this backdrop that International Breweries Plc, a member of the largest brewer in the world, ABInbev, through its CleanerWorld initiative, undertook to provide a solar-powered borehole in Logbara and a number of communities in some southwestern states in the country. While inadequacy or unavailability of potable water is a problem in some communities, there are others for whom dysfunctional or unavailable health care facilities are a pressing problem. . Functional primary healthcare centres are

critical to the health and well-being of every community because of the important role they play in facilitating accessibility to affordable healthcare. Such facilities are meant to be the bedrock of public health services in the country and are usually the first point of contact with health services and typically provide a point of entry to the entire health system for the people at the grassroots. Research also shows that access to primary health services is linked to better health outcomes, including improvements in self-rated health and a reduction in all-cause mortality. In 1978, Nigeria, along with other World Health Organisationâ€™s member countries adopted

Functional primary healthcare centres are critical to the health and well-being of every community because of the important role they play in facilitating accessibility to affordable healthcare. Such facilities are meant to be the bedrock of public health services in the country and are usually the ďŹ rst point of contact with health services and typically provide a point of entry to the entire health system for the people at the grassroots

the declaration institutionalising primary health centres as the basic structural and functional units of public healthcare delivery systems. Spokesperson of International Breweries Plc, Otunba Michael Daramola, reiterated that water is critical not only to the survival but also the health and wellbeing of every community. As a socially responsible organization that is very concerned about the health and well-being of its communities, International Breweries PLC, he said had undertaken to help provide succor in the core area of water to these communities. He added that this key focus of his organisation was indeed in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN which emphasize ensuring a sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Unfortunately, however, most primary health centres in the country today lack the capacity to provide essential healthcare services, particularly due to poor infrastructure, lack of adequate equipment, insufficient of essential drugs, poor distribution of health workers and inadequate electricity to power the available equipment. Under its BetterWorld initiatives, International Breweries renovated the Esa-Odo primary health centre and in addition, donated hospital equipment to the centre to aid caregivers in providing better care for pregnant women. In addition, it donated a generator to power the centre. â€œAt International Breweries, we strive to impact every community where we operate and make it better than we met it. As a result, our projects are designed to be beneficial to the whole community and this is the essence of our give-back policy as encapsulated in our CleanerWorld and BetterWorld programmes, comprising water, health, culture and economic empowerment,â€? Otunba Daramola said during the handover ceremony. At the commemoration of the 2018 World Toilet Day, the federal government made a declaration and unveiled plans to stop open defecation, which has caused numerous health challenges due to water contamination. According to findings by the WHO/ UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation, statistics show that more than 120 million Nigerians do

not have access to decent toilet facilities while about 40 million others practice open defecation and this has contributed to the death of children under five years old, who have been infected by water-borne diseases. In support of the federal governmentâ€™s declaration, International Breweries adopted the Omi-Asoro Community Elementary School, Omi-Asoro community in Osun State. Before now, toilet facilities were inexistent in the school. The organization built a new toilet facility for the school. On hand to receive executives of International Breweries were staff and pupils of the school, led by the school headmistress, Mrs. Abosede Asaolu, as well as officers of the Community Based School Management Committee, CBSMB, SUBEB and Parents Teachers Association, led by its chairman, Mr. Solomon Arowolo. There was great dancing and singing as the PTA Chairman; Mr. Arowolo, after giving a brief history of how the school came to be established, highlighted how open defecation has been one of its major concerns. According to him, â€œThis new facility donated by International Breweries is indeed well appreciated and we are now happy that our children will no longer need to do their business in the open.â€? International Breweries, through its CleanerWorld and BetterWorld programmes, has been touching lives in communities across the country and these newly commissioned projects mark the beginning of its 2019 corporate social investment drive. Projects commissioned so far are solar-powered boreholes in IlaseIjesa, in Osun State, Logbara, Orile-Imo and Obafemi-Owode in Ogun State and Onireke in Oyo state, sanitary facilities in Omi-Asoro, Ilesa in Osun state and a renovated primary health centre, with equipment, in Esa-Odo community in Osun State. â€œSolving the water and sanitation problem should be a collective effort and at International Breweries, we are also glad to support the efforts of the government, which is why our corporate social investment is geared towards providing a cleaner and better world for our communities,â€? Otunba Daramola added.

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Promoting Culture of Employee Reward and Recognition Vanessa Obioha As technology disruptions continue to affect businesses, human resources management â€” the nexus of every business that is saddled with the responsibility of not only finding the right talents to achieve organisational goals but also ensuring retention â€” is under pressure to meet the demands of employees and businesses as well. That was why at the inaugural SureGifts Human Resources Workshop with the theme: â€˜A Networking Workshop on the Rise of Digital Revolution in Human Resources,â€™ held recently in Lagos, HR experts and consultants deliberated on digital solutions to enable HR carry out its work effectively. In his keynote address, â€˜Workplace Now Versus Later: The Evolution of Digital Trends for Upgrading Human Resources,â€™ delivered by Head of Human Resource at FBNQuest Merchant Bank, Yemi Faseun, pointed out that digitisation had brought about â€œmassive changes in the lives of hitherto businesses and individuals. Digital technologies are radically impacting the ways that candidates, employees and clients are connected to the organisation.â€? According to him, the impact was being felt in various ways including creation of overwhelmed employees, performance management tools, people analytics, HR skills and online education. While proffering solutions on how HR personnel can thrive in a digital era, it was observed that employee reward and recognition is very important for a companyâ€™s overall growth. This was the focus of the first panel of the seminar. However, addressing â€˜Why Employees Recognition Must be Part of Your Companyâ€™s Global Growth Strategy,â€™ the panellists which included Director Kendor Consulting, Adora Ikwuemesi; Senior HR Manager, West and East Africa, Procter and Gamble, Mofulawaso Ilevbare; Country Manager, The African Talent Company, Adesina Ogidan; Head of HR, DHL International Nigeria, Funmi Glover; Reward Manager, East and West Africa, Unilever, Ajibola Oyekunle and HR Consultant, Funmi Bucknor, agreed that employees are the livewire of every company, thus need for them to be duly appreciated and rewarded. â€œPeople drive strategy,â€? Ogidan said, while stressing that the reward and recognition should start from the recruitment process. â€œIt shouldnâ€™t be a post-reward. Understand

their needs, diversity and inclusiveness.â€? His sentiments were echoed by Glover who stated that employee reward and recognition is â€œall about people. It has to be the main focus of an organisation.â€? For most part of this panel discussion moderated by Ibiyomi Ogunbiyi, Head HR Operations, Reward and Performance Manager, Airtel, the panelists delineated the difference between recognition and reward while pointing out how it enhances the global brand of the employer. â€œYou need to link employee reward to conflict strategy. If you understand the value of your employees, it must reflect on your reward system. If I have a strategy and do not build a reward system, it will not last,â€? argued Ilevbare. â€œGrowth strategy is about performance. Human beings are the most sophisticated people you can integrate in a system. They are unpredictable unlike robots. When human beings are not appreciated,they donâ€™t perform. Itâ€™s a fundamental need for human beings to be loved and feel appreciated,â€? added Ikwuemesi. â€œReward often comes in cash, it is tangible while recognition is intangible. However, it is better to democratise it,â€? advised Oyekunle. Bucknor added that recognition is a continuous

UPMFB Disburses N1.1bn Loans to Customers The Umuchinemere Pro-credit Micro Finance Bank Enugu (UPMFB) disbursed a total of N1.1billion as loans to its customers Economy in 2018. The credit facilities where to micro small and medium scale enterprises, as well as to farmers and low income workers within its operational area that included 10 of the 17 local government areas in Enugu State, most of them in the rural areas, in 2018. Umuchinemere Pro-credit Micro Finance Bank Enugu gave the Credit facilities to boost or sustain businesses and agricultural activities, or to start fresh businesses and enhance the quality of life of its salary loans beneficiaries and their families. A statement by the bank and signed by its head of Public/ Media Relations Unit, Mr. Abuchi Anueyiagu, showed that the bank made a total disbursement of N1,113,582,504 credit facilities to 5,201 customers in 2018 financial year ended. This, was an improvement by N126,605,869, above the total amount of N986,976,635 it granted to its customers in 2017. The gender distribution of the beneficiaries of the N1.1billion indicated that there were more

male beneficiaries than women, with a figure of N653,838,754 granted to 3,170 males and N459,743,750 to 2,031females, comparatively above the amount of N407,599,000 granted to 2,618 males the previous year 2017. According to the statement, the bank which had projected a total disbursement of N1.1billion for 2018, granted N87 million loans to farmers for different agricultural purposes, which meant a lot in the agriculture sector.The bankâ€™s head of Credit, Mr. Charles Udeani, explained that â€œthe multiplier effect of lending a billion naira to those beneficiaries in the calendar year, a period of serious cash squeeze in the economy, meant a big contribution to the growth of the economy by the micro finance bankâ€? which its owners, the Catholic diocese of Enugu, have been using for its economic evangelisation mission. Udeani noted that â€œUmuchinemere Pro-credit Micro Finance Bankâ€™s loans to agriculture contribute tremendously towards the attainment of food and protein sufficiency in the localities where the bank operates, while the medium scale farmers among the loansâ€™ beneficiaries help to create jobs and wealth for the

teeming population.â€? He added: â€œMany low income civil servants in the State who benefitted from UPMFBâ€™s building/housing loans, through our salary loans and overdraft, attest to the fact that without Umuchinemere Pro-credit Micro Finance Bank they would not have become house owners today, while those who availed themselves of our Education credit facilities would not have been able to train their children/ wards.â€? However, the bank advised its agriculture loans beneficiaries to strictly abide by what they were taught during the pre-loan training they underwent about making prompt reporting of natural disasters affecting their farms, to enable them be indemnified by the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF). UPFMB observed that many farmers that suffered losses due to natural disasters affecting their farms were unable to get through with their claims because of late reporting of such cases and failure to follow the reporting procedure they were taught during their pre-loan training.

process while stressing that employers need to let the employees know what they are being rewarded for. â€œPeople need to know why you are saying â€˜Thank youâ€™. What behaviour are you rewarding? There should be communication and you should commensurate well. You cannot reward everyone the same as it defeats aspiration.â€? On how employees reward and recognition impact the redemption strategy, the panellists couldnâ€™t find a common ground. For Ikwuemesi, retention is overrated. â€œFlexibility is permanent. A company needs refreshers. Moreover, millennials which make up the workforce are not loyal. They only have plans to stay two or three years before leaving you. In my company, we donâ€™t strive for retention, we actually need refreshers. â€œRetention is highly unachievable. I think companies should be more focused on how to give the employee a lasting experience that will lead to great referrals,â€? said Bucknor. On the other hand, Ilevbare argued that companies need to think employee retention differently. â€œStart building experiences that are valued

and lead to retention.â€? The second panel of the seminar comprised Senior Director, People, Andela, Taiwo Judah Ajayi; Head of People Experience, Letshego, Emmanuel Michael; Lead Remuneration and Benefits, OVH Energy, Femi Akande; Director, People and Organisation, Ernst & Young, Lola Esan; Head, Talent and Organisational Development, FBNQuest Merchant Bank, Nkechi Runsewe, discussed why every employee matter and the best recognition and reward practices. â€œPeople is the competitive edge that every company has in the market. Companies have to create a culture of recognition which comprises communication, adequate integration of employees, peer-to-peer recognition and others. â€œRecognise people based on results and the reward system should be fast, easy and enjoyable. It should be curated in such a way that it helps managers to succeed,â€? said Michael. A recurring point at this panel was the need for companies to have a broad representation of employees and what kind of reward tailored for them in order to give them meaningful experiences. â€œDiversity should be considered when drawing your reward plan,â€?said Runsewe. Types of rewards listed by the panellists included â€˜Thank Youâ€™ notes, recommendations as well as gift cards and vouchers, an area where the organiser SureGifts specialises on. Launched in 2014, SureGifts, a subset of Sure Group â€” a global consortium of non-cash value exchange technology â€” is one of the leading sole aggregators and distributors of gift cards and online gift vouchers redemption system, accessible to both individuals and corporate organisations. Through its SureGifts Business, a fully integrated corporate gift card platform that enables digital and physical gifting for organisations, the platform seeks to eliminate the logistics and invitation inconsistencies that beget traditional gifts. â€œThe initial idea was to sell gift cards to individuals but then we discovered there was a gap in the market. We saw how HR personnel try to incentivise their staff or clients. So thatâ€™s how we became the pioneer in the field. This informed the workshop. Itâ€™s a kind of meeting point for HR, talent and personnel managers and technology to explore the digital trends revolutionising the people management industry,â€? explained Adeoye Ojo, Co-Founder and Director. Others services offered by the group include SureCredit and SureRemit.

MTN Launches New Smart Phone Emma Okonji MTN Nigeria has joined the league of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) of mobile phones, to introduce its own smart phone. Although it is a feature phone, but it comes with the features of an android smartphone, hence it is tagged smart feature phone. With the MTN smart feature phone, users can browse the internet, send both text and voice messages in any language, do WhatsApp calls with other android smartphones, take selfies, connect to App Store, Facebook, Google Map, among

other smartphone features, and it comes with free 500MB monthly data for the first six months. Speaking on the value of the MTN smart feature phone, the General Manager, Data and Services at MTN Nigeria, Mr. Abiodun Ajayi, said it took MTN over one year to come up with the smart phone device, which he said, had been tested and certified good for use in all MTN operating countries. â€œThis first of its kind 3G KaiOS smart feature phone, allows customers to upgrade from a typical feature phone with only voice and text capabilities, to a fully connected device with

a fast 3G internet connection, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, dual SIM 3G capabilities. â€œIt has an App Store and comes pre-loaded with the most popular Apps available in the market today, including but not limited to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google Maps,â€? Ajayi said. Commenting on the innovation, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Rahul De said: â€œDespite rising mobile phone penetration and increased data consumption, device affordability remains a significant disincentive for most Nigerians.

Zimbabwe to Allow Foreign Platinum Miners Control Local Operations Zimbabwe will scrap a law that denies foreign platinum mining companies control of their operations in the country, the mines minister has said. Foreign platinum and diamond miners have been restricted to only 49 per cent ownership of their Zimbabwe operations by the black economic empowerment law introduced during Robert Mugabeâ€™s rule. The law, according to Reuters, was aimed at increasing black

Zimbabweansâ€™ stake in the mining sector, but foreign investors said its implementation was often murky and open to abuse. Zimbabwe holds the worldâ€™s second-largest known platinum reserves behind South Africa. Asked to confirm a Bloomberg report that Zimbabwe would scrap the black empowerment rules for platinum, Winston Chitando told Reuters in a WhatsApp message: â€œConfirmed. Itâ€™s part of continued review

of (the) Zimbabwe is open for business mantra.â€? On when the amendments will be brought to parliament, Chitando said that dates would be announced soon. Chitando, who is in Washington with Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube scouting for investment in Zimbabwe, did not respond when asked whether the changes will be extended to the diamond sector.

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EDUCATION Obafemi Awolowo Foundation: Rewarding an Achiever The Chancellor and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Chief Afe Babalola was recently awarded the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation. He has become the third recipient of the award since it was instituted in 2011. Funmi Ogundare reports

e has been described by many as an advocate per excellence, who has made outstanding contribution to the development of Nigerian Law and Jurisprudence through advocacy in the court of law. The Chancellor and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola has also been an advocate of quality and functional education and has played a major role in higher education. He recently received the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award 2018, by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation instituted in 2011 and awarded to individuals who have demonstrated sterling qualities in leadership, good governance, education, caring for the welfare of the masses, consistency of policies and courage. The Awolowo prize awarded every two years consists of a medal, certificate and a plaque. Babalola has become the third recipient of the award after Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki. The elaborate ceremony held at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos, was graced by eminent personalities including Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel; Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Aladesanmi; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe; former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, among others. In her remarks, the Executive Director of the foundation, Dr. Olatokunbo AwolowoDosumu said Babalolaâ€™s contribution to human capital development through education is worthy of emulation and commendation. â€œAfter four long years, we are gathered to honour our 2018 awarded, Chief Afe Babalola, a man who is not only worthy of the honour, but who coincidentally shares many traits with Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his journey to greatness,â€? she said, adding that like Awolowo, Babalola rose from humble beginnings and had to overcome so many odds to acquire education. The executive director said Babalola has impacted the lives of many through scholarships and various philanthropic, adding that he has been an advocate of human capital development especially through education. â€œHe is an unrelenting of political restructuring or federalism in Nigeria. We are proud to welcome him the illustrious company of Awo Prize awardees,â€? she said. In his remarks, the former Secretary General, Commonwealth of Nations and Chairman of the Selection Committee, Chief Emeka Anyaoku said Awolowo has been aptly described as the best president Nigeria never had and his accomplishment have remained most admirable aspect of Nigeriaâ€™s history. On his part, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the foundation, General Yakubu Gowon described the award as a celebration of the 110th birthday of Awolowo, saying that the sageâ€™s noble virtues and high ideals of integrity, selflessness, public spiritedness, philanthropy and strict self-discipline, as well as the pursuit of excellence in leadership and good governance easily put him in the pantheon of great historical figure. Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi described the leadership award conferred on Babalola as truly deserving, saying that he values education and also happened

L-R: A member of the Board of Trustees, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Dr. Femi Oladimeji; former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon; the awardee, Afe Babalola and his wife Yeye Modupe Babalola; and former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, during the conferment of the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership Award 2018 on Afe Babalola in Lagosâ€Ś recently to have walked the same path like the sage to educate himself. He said the state, being a fountain of knowledge also prepared him for what was being witnessed at the programme. â€œAare Babalola went through the same experience Papa Awolowo went through to go to school and get educated that is why they have both given much to education. For those who recognise that education is an antidote to poverty, you cannot but recognise the efforts of Afe Babalola in the field of education.â€? Fayemi described ABUAD Teaching Hospital as the best ever in the country to be put in place by an individual, saying, â€œpapa we are proud of you,â€? while describing Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as an exemplar and a passionate believer in hard work. In his response, the award recipient thanked the governing council and board of trustees of the foundation for finding him worthy of the honour and for the privilege to join the eminent past recipients of the award. â€œIt is one of the greatest joy of my life that I am associated with an award named after an accomplished leader of men, iconic pan-Africanist, resolute nationalist, astute administrator, consummate family man, bridge builder, revered leader of the Yoruba people and one of the greatest African leaders of all times, Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo.â€? Babalola, who delivered a lecture at the occasion titled, â€˜Awoism and the Unending Search for Transformation Leadership in Nigeria: Political, Economic, Educational and Social Challengesâ€™, extolled the virtues of the sage, saying that the award is a direct call to reflect upon and exemplify the principles of good governance, selflessness, public spiritedness and transformation

leadership, which Awolowo exhibited all through his life time. The legal luminary described Awolowo as an arrow head and defender of the rights of the Nigerian people to qualitative education, adding that he was instrumental to providing free primary education in the western region and the establishment of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), formerly known as the University of Ife. â€œHis vision for OAU was to promote quality university education, character development and Spartan self-discipline,â€? he said adding that the lofty ideals and visions of the founding father of OAU, which is to reform and promote qualitative education in the country are the same visions and ideals he has championed and dedicated his life to. He expressed concern about the infrastructural decay and other challenges confronting the university system while describing the situation as an unbearable dishonour to the legacy of Chief Awolowo. â€œIt was the commitment to play a role in reforming Nigerian educational system that spurred me to initiate diverse reform programmes during my tenure as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Lagos. Many of the achievements we recorded during the period have been lauded and remain a reference point till today, including being adjudged twice as the best pro-chancellor in Nigeria,â€? Babalola stated. Emphasising on the establishment of ABUAD in reaction to the rot in public universities, he said, â€œthis same vision led me to establish ABUAD in 2009. Since then, it has grown astronomically in reputation and has won several national and international awards and recognition as the fastest growing university in Africa and as a shining beacon of university

education in Nigeria. â€œThe reforms we embarked on at ABUAD cut across curriculum development, practicebased learning, funding, teaching research and entrepreneurial and vocational skills. Consequently, just eight years of existence, the institution has been recognised by the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) as a model, benchmark and reference point for other universities, as well as the pride of university education in Nigeria.â€? He regretted the poor funding of education and failure of successive Nigerian government to build world class universities in the country and meet UNESCO funding benchmark of 30 per cent to address the current infrastructure deficit. â€œIn Nigeria, the 2017 budget, N448.01 billion was allocated to education, representing only about six per cent of the N7.30 trillion budget. As a signatory to these important international law instruments, Nigeria has a fundamental obligation as a responsible nation, to fully respect, protect and fulfil the right to education of every citizen in accordance with the provision of international law.â€? The legal luminary therefore stressed the need for the government to provide robust financial support for public universities, as well as set aside special finance to also support the establishment of private universities so as to bridge the gap of insufficient space for interested and qualified university candidates. Also he said government should set up more scholarship schemes and avenue for students to obtain loans to finance their education. â€œGovernment must appreciate individuals who have the means and interest in education. This is why I am thanking the Awolowo Foundation for appreciating what I am doing in education,â€? Babalola said.

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EDUCATION

World Book Day: FAMFA Oil Motivates Pupils to Read Marked in over 100 countries across the world, World Book Day, a UNESCO initiative aimed at celebrating books and reading, especially among younger people in the society presented an opportunity for FAMFA Oil Limited to create a situation that would unlock the power in the minds of the numerous children that gathered at MUSON Centre Lagos to commemorate the day. Mary Nnah reports In 1995 at the UNESCO General Conference, it was decided that April 23 would be named World Book and Copyright Day as a way to pay tribute to books and authors. It was also determined that the day would be used to encourage everyone to read and enjoy the pleasures that go along with reading. April 23 was chosen because that is the date that famous authors like Miguel de Cervantes, William Shakespeare, Vladimir Nabokov, Maurice Druon and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. However, this annual event is not celebrated on April 23 in all countries because in some countries, it conflicts with other events, so it is otherwise celebrated on the first Thursday in March of every year in these countries just as it is done in Nigeria. The day was established to encourage people to get engaged with literature and to promote not only reading but also publishing. Also, during this special day, many places all over the world offer plays and special readings to encourage children to read. This was the case with FAMFA Oil Limited; the Lagos based oil and gas exploration, production and exporting company, brought together children from various public and private schools in Lagos at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos, last Thursday for them to read a book titled â€˜Chidubem: A Child of Destinyâ€™, written by 11-year-old Munachi Mbonu. There was also a presentation of a dance drama, titled â€˜I wish I wishâ€™, staged by Proud African Roots Production. The stage play, which focused on the values of a leader, was also inspiring. For FAMFA Oil Limited, it was indeed an opportunity to create a situation to unlock the power in the minds of the numerous children as renowned personalities in the country were invited one after the other to read along with the children. Personalities who took part in the book reading included, UNESCO Ambassador, Mrs. Naza Alakija; Nigerian technology expert and entrepreneur who currently serves as the Google Country Manager for Nigeria, Mrs. Juliet Ehimuan Chiazor; Co-Founder and Vice-Chairman of Channels Media Group including its flagship company Channels Television, an internationally-acclaimed television company, Mrs. Olusola Momoh; and Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo.

The book, â€˜Chidubem: A Child of Destinyâ€™ revolves around a young boy, Chidubem, from a humble background who longs to fulfil his dreams of being a great person and to see his family prosper. And through many ups and downs, Chidubem learns to face life head-on and handles every obstacle thrown his way because he made books his companion. The stage paly, which was a musical drama, got the children so excited as they screamed, shouted and jumped as characters of the play who were mostly in various animal forms went into their midst as the play went on. The play, â€˜I wish I wishâ€™ is basically about a mystical wind of wishes that leads a girl into a world of adventure. It portrayed the values of leadership as well as the fact that it does not matter who you are, but how you are able solve the problems at every situation and making Nigeria great. Speaking with journalists during the event, the UNESCO Ambassador, Mrs. Naza Alakija said she loved reading and was able to cultivate the habit from childhood, adding that children these days are addicted to IPad and other technological gadgets. She therefore stressed the need to get the children back to start having passion about reading and getting immersed in the stories and learning from them. â€œI think everybody can do their part, it is always good to start from somewhere and develop a platform where other people can be inspired, especially those that do not have the opportunities that other children have. I think it is definitely inspiring, not just for the children, but inspiring others to contribute, get involved and see what part they play.â€? The Executive Director, FAMFA Oil, Rotimi Alakija said the company has been investing underground in the development of the Nigeria society for a while now. He said as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the company in collaboration with the United for Education Foundation (U4E), a non-profit educational volunteer mobilisation organisation decided to hold the event. The event, with the theme â€˜Share a Storyâ€™, was aimed at encouraging the reading culture among public and private primary school pupils with an overall objective to inspire the children to understand the Nigerian culture and promote unity by sharing

the same story. The focus apart from the fun the pupils had during the event, was to heighten their literacy competencies

through re-enforcing the importance of reading. The executive director added: â€œEducation is important and so are

our stories and without our stories we lose our sense of identity and our identity is made up of our people. So, if we

lose our stories, we lose ourselves as a nation, and our identity is important because it makes us who we are in the world.â€?

UNESCO Ambassador, Mrs. Naza Alakija (middle) ďŹ‚anked by some of the students during the event to commemorate the World Book Day in Lagosâ€Ś recently

Precious CornerstoneVarsity to Edo Deploys 1.5 KVA Solar Award Second Scholarship to Power Boxes in 100 Rural Indigent Students Schools Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The acting Registrar, Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, a faith-based institution of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Dr. Pedetin Afolabi, said the institution has concluded arrangement to begin the processes for the award of scholarship to qualified indigent students. She said the latest scholarship is the second by the institution and called on all qualified and interested indigent students with the necessary requirement to apply for the scholarship examination on the institutionâ€™s website. Afolabi disclosed this while addressing the school management, students, parents and guardians during the maiden matriculation ceremony to officially commence academic activities for the 2018/2019 academic session According to her, the scholarship is one of the institutionâ€™s Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) to its stakeholders to ensure that qualitative education gets to brilliant indigent students without financial means. This is coming as a Professor of Psychology at the University of Ibadan, Benjamin Ehigie, challenged the students to improve on their self-esteem drive to help their new institution make an easy headway among the plethora of institutions in the country. Ehigie, who delivered the matriculation lecture titled â€˜Branding Yourself and your University among Othersâ€™ said his experience in recruitment exercise for different corporate organisations has shown that

the quality or knowledge displayed by graduates of private universities is the best chance the institution has to be marketed or otherwise, noting that many fresh graduates from private universities have surpassed the expectation in the workplace. Addressing the newly admitted student, Ehigie emphasized the place of self-concept, self-esteem, self-image, self-efficacy and selfimagery as essential elements that they must work on if they will make anything out of their various courses of study and in the interest of the institution they would be representing in the public. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Julius Oloke noted that the need for private universities in providing sound and quality education for Nigerians students cannot be overemphasized, adding that many public universities are overpopulated with inadequate facilities for proper training of the students. According to him, many of the students who attend private universities are not only smarter, but they embrace challenges differently when compared to their counterparts in public institutions. â€œThis is all because in private universities like ours, extra efforts are put into the training of students with entrepreneurship having a special emphasis. â€œWe not only see our students as our children who deserve nothing but the best, we also labour both night and day to see that they can compete favourably with their counterparts from anywhere in the world.â€?

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City As part of efforts to explore alternative power sources and mainstream innovative youths in communityfocused projects, the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration in Edo State has commenced the installation of 1.5 KVA solar power boxes developed by youths at the Edo Innovation Hub, across 100 rural schools in the state. The solar power boxes were developed by Green Fusion Energy Limited, a company that emerged from innovation and business grooming at the Edo Innovation Hub, Benin City, and is providing solar energy for students in rural areas. The state government set up the hub to attend to the yearnings of technology innovators in the state, and it is providing opportunities for youths to co-create and develop solutions to local problems. The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said the solar box was developed by a team at the hub, which has now grown into a full-fledged company delivering power solutions. She added that the installation of the solar boxes in rural schools across the state was a fulfilment of

Obasekiâ€™s pledge to the team after they impressed him during a pitch competition. According to her, the solar boxes are being installed in 100 schools under the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) by Green Fusion engineers, while 50 other youths are undergoing training in different communities where the boxes are being installed. She said the beneficiary schools include Aleye Primary School, Etsako Central Local Government Area (LGA); Akugbe Primary School, Etsako Central LGA; Efolo Primary School, Akoko Edo LGA; Afekunu Primary School, Akoko Edo LGA; Agbanehumu Primary School, Akoko Edo LGA. Others are Abe Primary School, Orhionmwon LGA; Akengbuda Primary School, Urora in Ikpoba-Okha LGA; Akugbe Primary School, Ikpoba-Okha LGA; Adolor Primary School, Evboro; Binidodogha Primary School, Ovia South West LGA; Aden River Primary School, Ovia South West LGA, among others. Dare added that the installation has been completed in Aibotise Primary School in Etsako West LGA, while installation is ongoing in Agbomoba Primary School, Agbomoba; and Abesi Primary School in Ovia South West LGA.

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Foundation Educates Students on Career Choices Funmi Ogundare Students drawn from various public schools in Lagos, recently converged on the Red Carpet Hall, Victoria Island, for Mind Empowerment Programme 2019 with the theme â€˜Guiding Teens to Career Successâ€™. The programme, organised by Nineteen Youth Foundation, saw stakeholders in the media, oil and gas, judiciary and entertainment sectors, career counsellors, among others, discussing topics on â€˜Choosing the Right Career in this Fast-paced Generationâ€™; â€˜Shunning Drugs and Alcoholâ€™; Maintaining High Moral Standardsâ€™; â€˜Creating instead of Consumingâ€™; and â€˜Utilizing Social Media Wellâ€™. Emphasis was also made on their skills and passion. The founder and Chairperson of the foundation, Mrs. Biola Adegbuyi said the foundation has the objective of reaching out to underprivileged youths in rural communities, adding that since its establishment in 2018, it has empowered and trained many youths in the

areas of maintaining hygiene, tailoring and fashion. â€œWe are more concerned about the underprivileged youths and giving back to the society. We have been to Ajegunle and other rural communities. We also distribute sanitary pads to female students on a monthly basis to create awareness about their personal hygiene and some of the things they are not privy to. â€œIn terms of impact, we had trainings where we brought a makeup artist and tailor to teach the youths how to sew and at the end of it, we gave them sewing machines which has actually impacted them because they can now go back home and make some money. In particular, we have a girl named Ada who knows how to sew; we have given her jobs to do from making souvenirs to notepads using fabrics. This is an ongoing thing, we started not less than a year and we have also given out many sanitary pads and paid the WASSCE fee of a girl in Ajegunle who is brilliant, but from a less privileged background. It is

just a drop and we just hope it multiplies.â€? She said her team had worked well in ensuring a good turnout of the students and speakers who encouraged the youths on the need to have passion for what they love doing, adding that with such move, they can always overcome any obstacle. A former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Femi Pedro advised the youths to follow their passion if they start with the right step, adding that their career is likely to grow with such move. â€œYour passion might come to you later in life, but the earlier you find it, the better for you. You need to be persuasive, persistent and patient,â€? he said adding that integrity and moral uprightness are also key factors for success. â€œCharacter and integrity are very important, it is what is lacking in our environment and it is something that they must have aside their passion.â€? He expressed concern about the present generation, saying that though they are

distracted from their studies because they pay too much attention to their phones, there is need to mentor and support them. The Managing Director of Squeaky Clean, Mrs. Bisola Runsewe, who disclosed that she started her cleaning company in 2002 with over 1,000 staff now across the country, advised the students to face their studies. â€œEducation is very important, even when you come out in flying colours, you need it to create value and jobs as well as manage people. I was able to fulfil my passion of ensuring cleanliness and creating jobs,â€? she said. An etiquette coach, Mrs. Ngozi Princewill Utchay said they should not neglect their passion while taking their studies seriously. She also advised them to pay attention to their appearance, behaviour and communication, saying that these would go a long way in helping to project their passion positively. â€œYour packaging is just as important as your content, make your packaging attractive.â€?

KEHINDE OMORU www.kayomoru.com

YOUR LIPS,THE FIRST BORDER TOYOUR ENTRAILS Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă– Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ë› Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ě‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂŽ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁËŞĂ? ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽË Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž ĂžĂ™ Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă™ĂĄ Ă‹Ă“ĂœËœ Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ëœ ĘŽĂ&#x;Ă“ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ë› Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă– Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă Ă“ĂžĂ‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă?Ă™ Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă Ă“ĂžĂ‹Ă–Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ę¨Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂžĂ’Ă?Ă“Ăœ ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂšĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ë› Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? ĂžĂ™ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“ĂœĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ę¨Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă“ĂšĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂšĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă“Ă¤Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă• Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËœ Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–Ëœ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă?ĂŽĂ‘Ă?Ě‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂžĂŁĂšĂ?Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă Ă™Ă–Ă&#x;ĂšĂžĂ&#x;Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ ĂŁË› Ă’Ă?ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹ Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă˘ Ă‹ĂšĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂŁ ĂžĂ™ ĂšĂ™Ă&#x;ĂžË› Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜ Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă–Ă“Ăš ĂšĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă– ĂžĂ™ Ă?Ă•Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă’ ĂžĂ’Ă?Ă“Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ™Ę¨Ă–Ă?Ë› Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă’Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËœ Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă? Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– ĂžĂŁĂšĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă? ĂžĂ™Ăš Ă™Ăœ ĂŒĂ™ĘľĂ™Ă— Ă–Ă“Ăš Ă“Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ–ĂŁ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–Ă?Ăœ Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă?ĂœËœ Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ Ă–Ă“Ăš ĂšĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă– ĂžĂ™ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?ĘľĂ?Ë› Ă™Ă—Ă? ĂšĂ?Ă™ĂšĂ–Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜ Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ?Ë› Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜ Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? ĂžĂ“Ă–Ăž ĂŽĂ™ĂĄĂ˜ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ăž ĂžĂ’Ă?Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă–Ă™Ă™Ă• Ă‹ĘľĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ ĂšĂ™Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă Ă“Ă?Ă—Ë› Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŽ Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? ĂšĂ™ĂĄĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ĂšĂ?ĂŁĂ?Ă’Ă™Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă?ËŁ Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă—Ă“Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ Ă‹Ă–Ă– ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‘Ă™Ă™ĂŽËœ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ě‹Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă?Ă˘ĂŁ Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă“Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă‹Ăœ ĂžĂ™ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ?Ë› Ă?Ă˘ĂŁ Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ĂšĂ™Ă&#x;ĂžĂŁË› Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ăš Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? Ă‹ ĂŒĂ&#x;ĘľĂ™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ě‹Ă–Ă™Ă™Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ’ ĂžĂŁĂšĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ Ă‹ Ă–Ă“Ăš Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœË› Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ“ĂŽĂ? Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? ĂžĂ™Ă™Ë› Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ?Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ™ ĂŒĂ? ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽËœ Ă?Ă˘ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂšĂ‹Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ë› Ă‹Ă•Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă?Ă— Ă‘Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ĂŒĂŁ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ Ă–Ă“Ăš ĂšĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă– ĂžĂ™ ĂŽĂœĂ‹ĂĄ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ăœ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă‹ĂšĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă˜Ă™ Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂšĂ? Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă“Ę¨Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ĂŽĂ?Ę¨Ă˜Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă?Ă“Ăœ ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ Ă‹ Ă–Ă“Ăš ĂšĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă– ĂžĂ™ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂšĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁĂ™Ă˜Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă—Ă™Ă™ĂžĂ’Ëœ ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– ĂžĂ?Ă˘ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ě‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă—Ě‹Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă• Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ?Ë› ĂœĂŁ Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĘŽĂ‹Ă•ĂŁËœ Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂ? Ě™Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă–ĂŽ ĂĄĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă?ĂœĚš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă•Ă?ĂŽË› Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă™Ă Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă˜ ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ă–ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂŽĂœĂŁ Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ę° ĂžĂ™Ă™ĂžĂ’ĂŒĂœĂ&#x;Ă?Ă’Ë› Ă™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă˘Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ? Ă‘Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–Ă? Ă–Ă“Ăš Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;ĂŒ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ?Ë› ĂšĂšĂ–ĂŁ ĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă—Ă? Ă™Ăœ Ă‘Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂšĂ?ĂžĂœĂ™Ă–Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ëœ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂ‹ĘŠĂ˜ Ă™Ăœ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂĄĂ‹Ă˘ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽËœ ĂžĂ™ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁË› Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁËœ Ă–Ă™Ă Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă–Ă“ĂšĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂžĂ’Ă?Ă—Ë› Ă‹Ă•Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? ĂžĂ“Ă—Ă? ĂžĂ™ ĂŽĂ?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă“Ă˜Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă? ĂžĂŁĂšĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă?Ë› Ă™ Ă‹ Ă–Ă“ĘľĂ–Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă™ĂĄ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ăž ĂžĂ™ Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă?Ă— Ă“Ă˜ ĂžĂ™Ăš Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ— Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă™Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’ Ă™Ăœ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă?Ě‹Ă&#x;ĂšË›

Mrs Kehinde Omoru writes from the UK

Perm Sec Warns Students against Performance Enhancers during Sports

L-R: Mr. Tayo Obasanya of Amni International Petroleum Development Company; Founder of the Nineteen Youth Foundation, Mrs. Biola Adegbuyi; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Femi Pedro; and cofounder of the foundation, Mrs. Chichi Umeseaka, during the Mind Empowerment programme 2019 held in Lagos... recently

SUBEB PS Urges Teachers to Improve Pupilsâ€™ Literacy, Numeracy Skills Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The Permanent Secretary, Osun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Fatai Kolawole has charged elementary school teachers across the state to ensure that pupils in the state schools are rated among the best in reading and writing skills. Kolawole said this during a sensitisation programme organised for elementary school teachers on teaching of literacy and numeracy skills at the SUBEB Hall in Osogbo. He said it is mandatory for every teacher to ensure that the pupils from grade one

to three are able to read and write in English and Yoruba Languages fluently and legibly, urging them to impart qualitative knowledge in the children so as to receive endless reward from God. He admonished teachers to take the children under them as their biological children by going the extra mile in their efforts to ensure that the success of the students, especially in being able to read and write. He said the state government is committed to the payment of their salaries as and when due, as well as the provision of teaching materials to make their work

easier. Kolawole called on all elites in the society to embrace the use of Yoruba Language at home for their children, while English Language should be used as language of instructions at school, adding that such method will allow the students to be well grounded in both languages as they grow up. He called for a commitment from all teachers to improve on the teaching of literacy and numeracy among pupils in the state for the future of the state to get better through the investment in education.

Also speaking, the Desk Officer of the programme, Mrs. Bose Akolade commended the state government for its support at ensuring that such a laudable training programme was put together for teachers to be well grounded on jolly phonics techniques, while imploring teachers to make good use of knowledge acquired at the training in their schools. Highlight of the event were lectures on â€˜Easy Way to Readâ€™ by Mrs. E.C Bello; â€˜Identification of Yoruba Alphabetsâ€™ by Dr. Taiwo Adeagbo, including distribution of literature textbooks to pupils.

The Federal Ministry of Education has advised students to stay clean and resist any pressure to use substances to enhance their performances during sporting activities. The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Sonny Echono gave the advice at the 99th annual inter-house sports competition of the Kingâ€™s College, Lagos, Echono, who was represented by the Director, Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Lami Amodu, said the spirit of competitiveness is expected at every sporting event, adding that there could therefore be pressure on contestants to go against their friends in such competitions. He sports should promote discipline, team spirit and healthy rivalry, as well as promote national and international peace, understanding and cooperation. â€œIt is in line with the foregoing reasons that the Federal Ministry of Education has continued to encourage sporting activities such as the one we are witnessing here today. â€œHere, your character will be tested and your friendship will be put to test. Whatever it feels, bear in mind that the drive to win is a key factor in life, and the means through which you achieve success is important. According to Echono, the World Anti-doping Agency and the Nigeria Olympic Committee are seriously discouraging of forms of cheating in the various sports. He said Nigeria is working hard to ensure that unity colleges and other schools would

continue to organise inter-house sports competitions devoid of any form of cheating. Echono stated that sports has been recognised worldwide as an integral part of formal education because of its invaluable contribution to the physical, mental and emotional capabilities of the individual athlete. â€œWhen the faculties are sharpened through sports, application to studies becomes relatively easy, but when they are not, academic work becomes drudgery. This explains why the National Policy on Education included physical and health education in the curriculum at the basic and secondary levels.â€? He lauded the various stakeholders in the college for their contributions to sustain its core values and legacies. Echono also called for more collaboration from individuals and the private sector, saying that government alone cannot sufficiently provide all the needed funds for optimum development of education because of competing needs. The Principal of Kingâ€™s College, Mr. Isaac Kolawole, appealed to the ministry to consider landscaping sporting fields and upgrade facilities at both campuses of the college. â€œOur environment at both campuses are below sea level, and we are always threatened by waterlog. There is the need for some landscaping of the fields to raise them. This will provide a better platform for sporting activities to thrive.â€?

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍˇ

â€˜Problem of Low Literacy is Huge, Canâ€™t be Left to Govt Aloneâ€™ A recent literacy intervention programme by Rotary District 9110, in conjunction with Flipbook Foundation for Literacy Advancement pulled about 100 junior secondary school students of Government College, Victoria Island, Lagos through a literacy improvement programme. In this interview, Mrs. Belinda Nzeribe the founder of the foundation speaks with Ferdinand Ekechukwu about the empowerment programme

hat is this programme all about? This a reading and writing improvement programme for junior secondary school students. We organised this one in Government College, Victoria Island. We tried as much as we could to see if we could impact the students to improve their reading and writing levels in class. A lot of them came into school without knowing how to read and write so they were not learning in class. We found out that the problem was actually from the primary. But these ones are here now and Rotary was gracious enough to want to fund the programme. So they sponsored this literacy intervention in this particular school; they bought the books and every other material we used. And they are the ones that are gifting the children, rewarding them and providing the textbooks and every reward they are getting here today. We started by having extra classes for this children during school hours sometimes and after school hours. We started from the basics some could not even do two letter words. So we started from the basics. We taught them sounds; how to associate sounds with letters and from associating sounds with letters, we started blending words together and from there on they started reading basic texts like story books and now some of them are even as good as reading their class level texts.

How did you arrive at the 100 junior school students picked for this programme? We picked from across all the junior students of the school anyone of them that needed the programme whether it was reading (couldnâ€™t read) or was writing incoherently. First of all we did a baseline assessment test. So they will come in, we do a test, assess them and see if they needed the programme or they didnâ€™t need it. So we discovered some could read but they were bad at writing. Some couldnâ€™t just read and write at all. From the assessment we picked the 100 that we put into the programme. At the end of it, some stayed, some left. At the end of the day we had like 52, like half the number that are finishing off with us today. What was the duration of this programme? The programme was for four months. We started in October and ended in January. In the course of the programme what special skills set did you apply to make them catch up in the process because these are students who have come all through primary school up to this level before being discovered that they are challenged literacy wise? You have got to want to do the grunt work. I call it doing the grunt work sitting down with the child. First of all if the student sees you sitting down with them you are no longer a teacher, you are a friend. And then we had to do a lot of motivation. Thereâ€™s a session we just devoted to motivating the students; talking to them and finding out who they are, where they are from, whatâ€™s their challenge, why are they not reading now, why is it that they are not coming for classes. We got a lot of bad stories. Some of them said they are coming from abusive homes. Some of them do not even find the time to read at all. They have parents that are not even interested. Some of them donâ€™t live with their parents. So we got to know that some started primary school when they were like 13 years old. The background if they are willing to tell you their story they

because they have been here for a long time they developed attitude problems. So we battled with attitude problem with students not willing to sit down and learn. And so many other problems like that. The programme was taken to students from the junior classes. Could there have been any reason it wasnâ€™t taken further to the senior secondary school classes? Yes so itâ€™s easier to teach a younger person to learn how to read. This is the key stage. If we miss out on this why abandon the younger ones and go for the older ones who are almost ready to write WAEC? But donâ€™t be surprised there could be some at the senior school level. Donâ€™t you think you have missed some of those other ones at the senior level who are also victims of this educational problem from catching into the programme? The truth of the matter is that even in the senior secondary classes you have low literate students who just passed from class to class. We cannot meet everybodyâ€™s needs and thatâ€™s the truth. We have to start where we can make the most impact. So a child who is 17 years old and in SS3 would probably leave school very soon so you shouldnâ€™t be teaching that child â€˜i.t itâ€™ at that stage you know. You should go and look for the one that is just getting into school that still has a few more years to go so that you can help him to prepare for the higher classes. So we started where we knew we needed the most and where we would make the most impact.

Nzeribe trust you enough to want to come to class and sit down and learn. So when they tell you their story you will have that story at the back of your mind when you are dealing with them. You will know that itâ€™s not the childâ€™s fault. Heâ€™s probably had a very bad foundation so but he is willing to trust you with his story. So get that story in your head, appreciate the story and respect him as a human being and then you can get his confidence to learn. And then again you have to have a lot of patience. Some of them have reading challenges; they see the words they canâ€™t identify them. We donâ€™t have the special skills set to help children that have challenges. If we had the skill set Iâ€™m sure we would have progressed faster. We are not ashamed to say we didnâ€™t have the skills set for students with dyslexia you know. But we wish our government would provide more teachers that could help these children better.

students in group, is that part of the phases? Yes, everybody is not at the same level so you have some that are reading below pre-school that means the child is not even reading at kindergarten level. Those ones had a different tutor. So we separated them. We made sure we reduced the ratio of the students to the teacher. In the school classrooms they are like 30-40 students to one teacher. But in the extra literacy sessions we reduced them to like five students (at most 10) to a tutor. So you have a one to one contact with the students. For the ones that could read better, maybe they are reading at level two, that is like primary two or primary three but they are in JS1 or JS2, they had other tutors. And then if you just had a writing problem you had another tutor that could handle that. So we graded them into different tutors to help their levels.

The programme took various phases I understand. Take us through the phases So we started with sounds. The best way to get a child to read is to teach them the sounds of the words first of all (thatâ€™s the vowels). So if you keep teaching them the sounds to take time to learn the sounds. After teaching them sounds you teach them how to blend the sounds to form words and then pronounce them. That is the basics. So most schools now teach sounds so children are reading faster. And after the sounds we moved on to helping them break big words into syllables. And then we started the basics we read with pre-school and then we moved on to level books; level one books, level two books, until we graduated into the level six books and then the class texts.

Take us through the challenges you encountered in the course of the programme Poverty/hunger is a major problem with low literate students from low income homes. You know you want to teach a student or a child to read and you can see from his face that heâ€™s hungry. He hasnâ€™t had, maybe breakfast. His parents probably didnâ€™t give him any lunch money so you are battling with the hunger and you are battling with the brain being fatigued. Heâ€™s had a long day he doesnâ€™t want to learn anymore you know. But a little snack or a little refreshment even a small drink could revive him and he learns. So those were the challenges. And then we battled with, you know if you canâ€™t read for a long while you are battling with shame or low self-esteem. We had children with attitude problems

The teachers talked about taking the

Could it be, again on the other hand, that if the programme was sponsored extensively it would have cached into the senior secondary level? Well funding is everything. If you want to do this work and really impact more we would need more tutors. Because like I said you need to reduce the ratio of students to teacher to be able to get their attention and impact more so you are focused on each individual child. So yes if we had more tutors in the programme and tutors would need funding as well; you would need to pay part time tutoring fees. Even if you are basing it on just volunteering you wouldnâ€™t achieve much. I mean some Rotarians volunteered but they came in like once in one month or twice in one month. If we were waiting for that, we wouldnâ€™t have been able to achieve a lot of things. With funding we would be able to reach more and reach more classes as well. The primary schools are actually where the problems start from. If we could tackle low literacy in primary school, a child should be reading at primary three. If we could tackle it there, if we could get better teachers into the primary schools, if we could get them trained and retrain them, the output from primary schools would be much better. So you can stop the low literacy before it gets into the secondary school if you get the primary school right. So funding should be geared into if you are going to be doing literacy intervention for primary schools thatâ€™s fine and if you are going to be retraining teachers whatever. The problem is so huge that you canâ€™t leave it for only government. Is there any chance of taking the programme further in the sense of continuing it? Rotary has signified interest in continuing. The school old boys too have signified interest in doing a lot more terms with the students. So we would be here for some time in addition to the time we already spent.

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍˇ

CITYSTRINGS

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Restoring the Lost Pride of St. Charles The deplorable state of St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo, has received the attention of the old students of the school, as they recently came together to brainstorm on how to restore the schoolâ€™s lost pride. Sunday Ehigiator reports

Deplorable state of St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo

ilapidated school buildings are a sight for sore eyes. This anomaly is often seen in public schools and has continued to be a source of concern to Nigerians. When the government took over the educational system in the 70s under the regime of Gen. Yakubu Gowon, nobody ever envisaged the steady decadence that will later ravage the educational system, as opposed to the original purpose of the takeover, which is inclusiveness and separation of religion from school. But four decades after, we find ourselves at a crossroad of inquiry; questioning the essence of the takeover if maintenance canâ€™t be imbibed. This is part of the reasons why St. Charles Grammar school Osogbo; which used to be the pride of the state in the late 70â€™s, has deteriorated. Just recently, the Old Boys Association, â€˜Stanza 789â€™, embarked on a capital project to refurbish their alma mater. Stanza 789â€™, which stands for the set of 1978/1979, as part of the celebration of their 40 years anniversary since leaving the school, have decided to carry out a total renovation of the school. This is said to include replacement of dilapidated roofing sheets with metal ones, and replacing all the louvre windows with steel ones. Speaking at the briefing, the chairman of the â€˜789 Stanzaâ€™, Mr. Olufemi Olusola was keen to point out that replacing the louvers with steel ones is pertinent and is now common in almost every model school today, because the students of today are mischievous and would take out the louvers just to sneak out during school hours. He added that they will also carry out necessary masonry work and finally, paint the interior and exterior walls of the school. Enhancing Learning According to Olusola, â€œInfrastructural facilities are the physical and special provisions

made to enhance teaching and learning in schools. The importance, need and relevance of physical resources towards the success of every educational programme can never be over emphasised. â€œThe availability of adequate school buildings, classrooms, chairs desk and other facilities are necessary for the attainment of educational objectives. Educational facilities are major factors contributing to academic achievement in the school system. These include the school building, classrooms, furniture, libraries, laboratories, recreational equipment, apparatus and other instructional materials.â€? Zero Maintenance Culture â€œIt is necessary that efforts should be made to renovate dilapidated school buildings in the country as experience has shown that bad educational system and structure would inherently lead to bad academic performance of students in national examinations, encourage truancy, immoral conducts and behaviors. â€œToday in Nigeria, few if any, of the public schools can boast of good infrastructure. Most of the public schools are full of decaying infrastructure. The equipment of yester-years is still the same equipment being used now. In some places, they are grounded and the facilities are not there any longer. â€œRoutine maintenance, which is a way of ensuring that facilities and equipment are serviced regularly and that they attain their maximum life span by preventing breakdown before they occur are abhorred . â€œIn Nigeria, there seems to be no culture of facility maintenance. Once a school building or other physical structure has been commissioned, every other thing about the structure is usually forgotten. Thus, it is not unusual to find that most schools built over several decades ago have had no renovation, even when it was obvious that such structures have dilapidated or become obsoleteâ€?, he lamented.

Downward Spiral Another pertinent issue is the downward spiral of the Nigerian educational system, especially in structure and learning. It virtually has become totally dysfunctional. Today, it has become increasingly difficult to match content with practice. The poor performance of students in public examinations, such as the West African School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), National Examination Council (NECO) and Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB), speaks volume. In an analysis of the results of the WASSCE), the Assistant Registrar, West African Examination Council (WAEC), Mr. Collins Uduh, revealed that the candidates who obtained credit passes in at least five subjects including English Language and Mathematics, within 2005 to 2009 was lamentable. According to Uduh, â€œIn 2005, 27.53 per cent was recorded; in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively, 15.56 per cent, 25.54 per cent, 13.76 per cent, and 25.99 per cent apiece, only made the five relevant subjects including Maths and English in the examâ€?. The above distressing statistics captures the fear of parents, governments and employers of labour about the enormity of the problem at hand. Though the situation has not always been this bad, but things got worse when societal values began to be eroded by crass materialism, corruption, bad leadership and abdication of responsibility by political jobbers, posing as political leaders. More worrisome is the virtual neglect of the educational sector by all the stakeholders. Giving Back To ameliorate this anomaly, the Old Boys Association â€˜Stanza 789â€™, as part of measures to give back to the society and improve the education sector, decided to start with their alma mater, by also awarding scholarships to deserving indigent students and registering 50 final grade students for WASSCE free

of charge; as would be decided by their performances in a mock exam conducted by the school authorities. According Olusola, â€œin times past, we have sponsored the WASCE of final year students, but the effort most times have gone down the drain because majority of the recipients were not serious academically. The scholarship would only be offered to outstanding indigent students. Some of the students who are academically qualified to further their education, most times fall short because of poverty. This would be an opportunity for them as well â€œStanza 789 Old bous Association have earmarked a sum of N15 million for the projects and also other activities that would take place like awarding scholarships and payment of WASSCE fees. We appeal to associates, family members and people of goodwill for support in cash and kind as the case may be. The project embarked upon is a capital project and not a recurrent project. Our hopes are that the project would be ready by May, when we would be celebrating our anniversary and class reunion. â€œWhile the government have a major role to play in reforming education, for reformation to occur, I think we should stop being overly dependent on the government. If people can do likewise, they would have taken a very big step in reforming this peculiar sector. â€œWe have always blazed the trail in a lot of philanthropic gestures in giving back. And if other stanza either before us or after can engage in some projects, St. Charles would surely be a better place againâ€?. There is no denying the fact that education constitutes a vital component of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which will shape the nature of social and economic progress in Nigeria for the foreseeable future. For young people, their need is education. It is important therefore to develop the young ones physically, mentally and psychologically because they are the future of the country.

T H I S D AY ╦╛ ═п═▒╦Ь ═░═о═п═╖

CRIME&SECURITY CRIME SITUATION REPORTS

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Nigerian Navy Ship Thunder

Nigerian Navy to Deploy Warships for Multinational Sea Exercise rPartners 20 African nations, 11 allied countries Chiemelie Ezeobi 5IF /JHFSJBO /BWZ // JT TFU UP EFQMPZ TFWFSBM XBSTIJQT BOE IFMJDPQUFST UP QBSUJDJQBUF JO B NVM UJOBUJPOBM TFB FYFSDJTF DPEFOBNFE A0CBOHBNF B 'VOUVB XPSE GPS AUPHFUIFSOFTT "DDPSEJOH UP UIF 'MBH 0GGJDFS $PNNBOEJOH 8FTUFSO /BWBM $PNNBOE 3FBS "ENJSBM 0CFE /HBMBCBL UIF OBWZ XJMM IPTU "GSJDBO OBUJPOT BOE BMMJFE DPVOUSJFT %VSJOH UIF GJWF EBZ MPOH TFB FYFSDJTF UIF // JT FYQFDUFE UP QMBZ IPTU UP OBWJFT GSPN DPVO USJFT MJLF 64 (IBOB 5PHP #FOJO 3FQVCMJD 4FOFHBM BOE $BNFSPPO BNPOH PUIFST )PTUFE CZ UIF $IJFG PG /BWBM 4UBGG 7JDF "ENJSBM *CPL &UUF *CBT FJHIU /JHFSJBO /BWZ 4IJQT JODMVE JOH UXP PGGTIPSF QBUSPM WFTTFMT //4 $FOUFOBSZ BOE //4 6OJUZ UXP IFMJDPQUFST POF TIJQ FBDI GSPN 64 1PSUVHBM BOE .PSPDDP XPVME CF QBSUJDJQBUJOH JO -BHPT BSFB /HBMBCBL TBJE UIF FYFSDJTF JT BJNFE BU BTTFTTJOH BOE JNQSPWJOH (P( MBX FOGPSDFNFOU DBQBDJUZ QSPNPUF OBUJPOBM BOE SFHJPOBM TFDVSJUZ JNQSPWF LOPXMFEHF PG "GSJDBO .BSJUJNF -BX &OGPSDF NFOU 1BSUOFSTIJQ ".-&1 QMBO OJOH BOE PQFSBUJPOT BOE TIBQF TFDVSJUZ GPSDF BTTJTUBODF FGGPSUT 5IF PWFSBMM PCKFDUJWFT BSF UP FYDFSDJTF FBDI PG UIF QBSUJDJQBUJOH DPVOUSJFT DBQBCJMJUJFT JO .BSJUJNF %PNBJO "XBSFOFTT BOE .BSJUJNF *OUFSEJDUJPO 0QFSBUJPOT )F TBJE i5IF GJSTU 0CBOHBNF &YQSFTT JT BO BOOVBM NVMUJ QIBTFE FYFSDJTF TQPOTPSFE CZ UIF 64

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L-R: Command Operations OямГcer, Commodore Ikechukwu Onwuegbu; Commander NNS BEECROFT, Rear Admiral Okon Eyo; FOC Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Obed Ngalabak; Fleet Commander, WNC, Commodore Dickson Olisemenogor and Wing Commander Fatai Ganiyu, at the brieямБng to kick oямА Operation Obangame Express

r-FHJUJNBUF TFMMFST PG DIFNJDBMT TVDI BT GFSUJMJTFS BNNPOJVN QSPEVDUT BDJE FUD TIPVME CF XBSZ PG QFSTPOT UIFZ TFMM TVDI QSPEVDUT UP "MM TVTQJDJPVT PSEFST TIPVME CF JNNFEJBUFMZ SFQPSUFE UP UIF TFDVSJUZ BHFODJFT r "MXBZT DIFDL ZPVS TVSSPVOEJOHT GPS TVTQJDJPVT VOFYQMBJOFE BOE EBOHFSPVT PCKFDU BOE JNNFEJBUFMZ JOGPSN UIF QPMJDF XIFSF BOZ TVDI PCKFDU JT GPVOE r /FWFS BDDFQU UP UBLF QPTTFTTJPO PG PS XBUDI PWFS BOZ CBH PS PCKFDU LFQU CZ VOLOPXO QFSTPO PS QFSTPOT SOURCE: Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Department

EMERGENCY NUMBERS FOR IMO STATE POLICE COMMAND B 1PMJDF $POUSPM 3PPN /PT PS C $PNNJTTJPOFS PG 1PMJDF D %FQVUZ $PNNJTTJPOFS PG 1PMJDF "ENJO E %FQVUZ $PNNJTTJPOFS PG 1PMJDF 4$**% F %FQVUZ $PNNJTTJPOFS PG 1PMJDF 0QT G "SFB $PNNBOEFS 0XFSSJ H "SFB $PNNBOEFS 0SMV I "SFB $PNNBOEFS 0LJHXF J 1PMJDF 1VCMJD 3FMBUJPOT 0GGJDFS *NP 4UBUF

POLICE STATIONS IN LAGOS WITH FAMILY SUPPORT UNIT The Lagos State Police has released an update on police stations in the state that have Family Support Units (FSUs)/Gender Unit/Juvenile Welfare Centre (JWC) and phone numbers to reach them on. "EFOJKJ "EFMF -BHPT *TMBOE *TPLPLP *MVQFKV 'FTUBD "MBLVLP #BEBHSZ "KBI *LPSPEV *HCPHCP ,FUV *LPUVO (FOEFS %FTL 1PMJDF $PNNBOE (3" *LFKB %JWJTJPOBM 1PMJDF 4UBUJPO +8$ "MBLBSB SOURCE: Lagos State Police Command

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍąËœ 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FMDQ,RIMAN Seek Enhanced Risk Management Practices Nume Ekeghe The FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange has commended the efforts of the Risk Management Association of Nigeria (RIMAN) in championing the professionalisation of risk Management in Nigeria, even as it stressed the need for enhanced risk management in the nationâ€™s money market. Speaking at RIMANâ€™s quarterly risk round table programme with the theme: â€œDerivative Risks: The Role of FMDQ in the Development of the Derivatives Market in Nigeria,â€? Associate Executive Director, Corporate Development, FMDQ, Ms. Kaodi Ugoji, commended the association of risk managers for its role in creating risk Management advocacy and awareness in Nigeria. Delivering the welcome address at the event hosted by FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, she commended RIMAN, saying over the years the association has continued to promote best practice in terms of risk management in Nigeria.

On his part, the President of RIMAN, Mr. Magnus Nnoka, noted that RIMAN was advancing in its effort to extend risk management education to all sectors of the economy and African countries, with the recent establishment of RIMAN Risk Management Institute. He assured that both institutions will continue to collaborate in ensuring that the knowledge and practice of risk management in Nigeria is continuously promoted, adding that with the existence of the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchanges, derivatives will function better as a product and as a risk transfer mechanism. Also, the Vice President, Market Architecture, FMDQ, Ms Jumoke Olaniyan, stressed the need to ensure a risk management framework that would ensure the stability of the market. Olaniyan, who commended the ongoing review of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), saying: â€œWhat was critical for us in Nigeria was we didnâ€™t have what we call a netting

law and so our financial transactions were subject to the bankruptcy laws of Nigeria. â€œWe didnâ€™t have a law that protected financial market transactions and so what we have done in FMDQ is, along with the president and other stakeholders in the market we conducted a review of the CAMA which didnâ€™t have bankruptcy remoteness law in it. â€œWe were able to infuse the netting law into the CAMA amendment bill which we were so excited to hear, it has passed through the house and the senate the senate passed it mid-last year and the house passed it January this year so we are literally 80 per cent there and we are just waiting for the president to sign the law and that literally puts us on the international market.â€? She noted further that the trading platform is currently looking at introducing two interest rate-based product by the third quarter of 2019. â€œWe are going to be introducing treasury bills and bond features,â€? she added.

FCMB Introduces Product for Women-owned SMEs First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has introduced another value-added initiative called SheVentures, for women-owned small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). The initiative is expected to provide enhanced support to existing and upcoming women-owned SMEs through access to finance, training and mentoring to boost their business in a sustainable manner. A statement from the bank revealed that the initiative was developed by the FCMB Women in Business Unit, and was launched in Lagos recently, as part of the bankâ€™s activities to celebrate this yearâ€™s International Womenâ€™s Day. At the ceremony, some women SME operators received loans ranging from N500,000.00 to N5,000,000.00. In the statement, FCMB explained that SheVentures is anchored on a unique selling proposition of â€˜Be You,â€™ which connotes confidence, independence and the courage required by women to fulfil their aspirations. â€œIt is designed to engage, inspire and equip potential and existing women entrepreneurs to take bold steps that would launch their business to greater heights. â€œSheVentures comes with several cutting-edge features and benefits for women-owned SMEs. One of such is the zero-interest rate for an initial period of three months.

â€œIn addition, FCMB will organise free training and mentoring programmes for 80 women entrepreneurs every quarter, out of which 40 of them will access this loan. â€œThis means that by the end of the year, the Financial institution would have mentored 320 women and 160 of them would receive the bankâ€™s support,â€? the statement added. At the launch ceremony, the Managing Director of FCMB, Mr. Adam Nuru, said the bank believes in the power of entrepreneurship. He added that the contribution of women to economic development cannot be understated, noting that over 30 per cent of businesses owned globally are either female owned or managed as women established businesses at a much faster rate than men, thereby making significant contributions to job creation and economic growth. According to him, â€˜â€™the platform we have created through SheVentures proposition is both a community and a channel to bring the best of opportunities, growth and fulfilment to women entrepreneurs. â€œThis would inspire and enable them to go the extra mile to contribute significantly to national development. â€œWhile our primary objective is to encourage many women to venture into business, we are doing this in an exciting and highly

rewarding manner for our customers in line with our new core values of Execution, Professionalism, Innovation and Customer-focus.â€™â€™ The bank chief executive added: â€œAs an SME-focused financial institution, we are always committed to leveraging our position in the industry to accelerate the achievement of the United Nationâ€™s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially that which aims to improve gender equality and promote women empowerment.â€? Also speaking, the Executive Director, Business Development of FCMB, Mrs. Bukola Smith, said the bank recognises and appreciates the noble effort of women entrepreneurs in the areas of job and wealth creation, poverty reduction, empowerment and the overall development of Nigeria. She explained that, â€œSheVentures proposition is as much a statement of substance as it is one of intent. We are passionate about supporting women in business. â€œThe offerings of the proposition especially the zero-interest rate, training, mentoring, networking and insurance cover, are tailored to offer sustainable benefits and increase productivity and the contributions of women-owned SMEs. â€œA total of forty women have qualified and will be accessing the zero interest loan.â€?

L-R: Chairman Metis Capital Partners,Mr Hakeem Belo-Osagie; former Treasurer World Bank, Arunma Oteh; Dean, Oxford Business school, Peter Tufano; Mrs Yvonne Fasinro of Bank of America and former CEO, Access Bank Plc, Mr Aigboje Imoukhede, at the Oxford Business Forum Africa held at Oxford University, UK...recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

NOVEMBER 2018 Money Supply (M3)

31,794,803.44

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

6,333,064.28

Money Supply (M2)

25,461,739.17

-- Quasi Money

14,773,076.98

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,688,662.18

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,711,763.59

---- Demand Deposits

8,976,898.59

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

18,990,400.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

12,804,402.66

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,062,986.22

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,980,229.66

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

7,093,619.43

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

-4,144,571.43

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

23,082,756.56

--Other Assets Net

13,258,583.57

Reserve Money (Base Money

6,811,192.37

--Currency in Circulation

2,100,129.91

--Banks Reserves

4,366,259.05

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ÍŻÍąĎą

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT MONDAY, 11 MARCH 2019

Rewane Retires from Bank Board The Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, has retired from the board of FCMB Group Plc. In a notice on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday, FCMB said his retirement

letter was accepted at a board meeting held on March 8. â€œFCMB Group Plc hereby announces the retirement of Mr. Bismarck Rewane from the Board of the Company. This follows the acceptance of his retirement by the Board, at the Board of Directorsâ€™

meeting held on Friday, March 8, 2019. â€œThe Board and Management of FCMB Group Plc appreciate his valuable contributions and for always being available whenever called upon,â€? the statement added.

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $66.01 a barrel on Monday, compared with $64.78 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela) SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍˇ

MARKET NEWS

NSE All-Share Index Sheds 1.02% as Market Sustains Bear Run Goddy Egene The stock market sustained its bearish run yesterday as 36 stocks, including bellwethers, recorded price losses while only eight stocks appreciated. The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index dipped by 1.02 per cent to close at 31,313.36, while market capitalisation shed N120.6 billion to close at N11.7 trillion. Analysts at Cordros Capital

Limited said in the absence of a positive catalysts, as well as the still tense polity, investors should trade cautiously in the short term. â€œHowever, stable macroeconomic fundamentals and compelling valuation remain supportive of recovery in the mid-to-long term,â€? they said. The bears were dominated by bellwethers such as Dangote Cement Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, GTBank Plc and Double One Plc. However, International Breweries Plc led

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

the losersâ€™ table with 9.9 per cent, trailed by A.G Leventis Nigeria Plc with 8.8 per cent. Jiaz Bank Plc and Linkage Assurance Plc went down by 8.6 per cent and 7.9 per cent respectively. Despite the fact that shareholders of Access Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc have approved the merger of both banks, theirs share prices have remained volatile at the stock market. Diamond Bank Plc declined by 1.6 per cent yesterday, while Access

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Bank shed 0.8 per cent. Going by the target of both banks, the merger would be concluded soon while the new enlarged entity would be begin to operate from April 11, 2019. The Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, had told shareholders last week that with the final merger of both banks and the status of the resulting entity as â€˜the largest bank in Africaâ€™s largest economy,â€™ this greatly bolsters

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

the bankâ€™s brand, opening doors of opportunity both in local and international markets. â€œThe resulting entity which will maintain the brand name Access Bank, but with Diamond Bank colors, will have more than 29 million customers, 13 million of which are mobile customers. The bank would be a continental force with presence in 12 countries, 3,100 ATMS and nearly 32, 000 Point of Sale. As a continental financial force, it is set to attract

O F

more opportunities such as trade finance from international partners seeking multinational lenders with local intelligence,â€? Wigwe added. Meanwhile, Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc led the price gainers with 7.6 per cent, trailed by UACN Property Development Company Plc with 7.1 per cent. Laferge Africa Plc garnered 4.0 per cent. The cement manufacturing firm recently succeeded in raising N89.2 billion via a rights issue.

1 2 / 0 3 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2019

#*)2*6)&; &5(-

Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index Down 1.6%

! % " ! $

Yesterday, the Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index shed 155bps to ĐůŽƐĞ Ăƚ ϭ͕ϱϭϯ͘Ϯϲ ĂƐ Ă ƌĞƐƵůƚ ŽĨ ƐĞůů ŽīƐ ŝŶ GUARANTY ( 4.8%), ZENITH ( 0.9%), and DANGCEM ( 0.5%). These

82)&1*27&0 *5+351&2(* *75.(6 +35 ! % " ! 2)*:

ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůǇ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϯϲ͘ϳй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞǆ͘

855*27 5.(*

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Trading Session͙ ASI Down 0.9% dŚĞ ĞƋƵŝƟĞƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ƚŚĞ ǁĞĞŬ ŽŶ Ă ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ ŶŽƚĞ ƐŚĞĚĚŝŶŐ Ϭ͘ϵй ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϯϭ͕ϲϯϲ͘ϲϲ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͘ ^Ğůů ŽīƐ ŝŶ ZENITH ( 8.8%), NESTLE ( 2.0%) and STERLING ( 8.5%) ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŵĂũŽƌ ĚƌĂŐƐ ƚŽ ǇĞƐƚĞƌĚĂǇ͛s performance. ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůǇ͕ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ EϭϬϳ͘ϯďŶ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ Eϭϭ͘ϴƚŶ ǁŚŝůĞ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ŵŽĚĞƌĂƚĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϳй͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚǇ ůĞǀĞů ǁĂƐ ŵŝǆĞĚ as volume traded shed 45.0% to 128.3m units ǁŚŝůĞ value traded rose by 5.1%

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to EϮ͘ϰďŶ͘ FBNH (34.1m units), ZENITH (21.3m units) and

264; 13 )34

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UBA ;ϭϳ͘ϱŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞƐ ďǇ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁŚŝůĞ

36;8 1339 6. 1/-81)

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NESTLE ;EϳϮϬ͘ϵŵͿ͕ ZENITH ;Eϰϴϰ͘ϰŵͿ ĂŶĚ DANGCEM ;EϮϴϬ͘ϭŵͿ ůĞĚ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞƐ ďǇ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

Bearish Sector Performance WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ǁĂƐ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ĂƐ Ăůů ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ ƐĂǀĞ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚĞǆ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĚ͘ dŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƌƐ ƐŚĞĚĚŝŶŐ Ϯ͘ϵй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘ϳй ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůǇ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ

;31;9 -8/-8 1/-81)

ƐĞůů ŽīƐ ŝŶ ZENITH ( 8.8%), STERLING ( 8.5%), NESTLE (

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2.0%) and INTBREW ( 1.1%). The Insurance index trailed,

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ĚŽǁŶ Ϭ͘ϱй ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ CORNERST ( ϴ͘ϳйͿ and WAPIC ( ϰ͘ϴйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞǆ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďǇ Ϭ͘ϰй ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƐĞůů ŽīƐ ŝŶ WAPCO ( ϯ͘ϱйͿ͘ KŶ

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ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉ ƐŝĚĞ͕ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚĞǆ ŵĂƌŐŝŶĂůůǇ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ϭďƉ " 1+ 2 -8

ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ďƵǇ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ MOBIL (+0.1%).

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďǇ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ

ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ůĂƐƚ &ƌŝĚĂǇ ĂƐ ϭϰ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ ϭϵ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƌƐ͘ dŽƉ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞƌƐ ǁĞƌĞ CADBURY (+10.0%), MBENEFIT

;нϴ͘ϳйͿ ĂŶĚ NASCON

ϴ͘ϮйͿ ůĞĚ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ͘ ĞƐƉŝƚĞ ǇĞƐƚĞƌĚĂǇΖƐ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ͕

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;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϳǆ ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϯǆ

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

MARKET NEWS

Vetiva, CFAL, AGFWA Partner to Finance Green Energy Projects Goddy Egene Vetiva Capital Management Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with Climate Finance Advisory Limited (CFAL) and the African Guarantee Fund West Africa (AGFWA) on the Green Energy Fund (GEF) Programme. The programme seeks to leverage available public and private sector credit funds

to facilitate access to, and flow of, flexible funding / finance to eco-friendly energy projects. The fund will focus on bankable, commercially viable and socially responsible renewable / clean energy generation and distribution. Speaking on the agreement, Group Executive Director at Vetiva, Mr. Damilola Ajayi, said: “The signing of this MoU is another important step in facilitating

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

flow of funding towards bankable, commercially viable and environmentally friendly energy projects in Nigeria and, indeed, the rest of Africa. This does not only provide alternative capital deployment channels for investors but seeks to contribute to addressing the energy deficit in Nigeria.” Also speaking on the strategic partnership, , Managing Director

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 11Mar-2019, unless otherwise stated.

of AGFWA, Ms. Adidja Zanouvi, said: “AGF West Africa is engaged in promoting a sustainable and environmental friendly economic growth in Africa. In 2016, the Group AGF has developed a Green Guarantee Facility geared towards climate change mitigation and adaptation projects in Africa. In line with this, AGF West Africa is pleased, as partial guarantor, to be part of this tripartite partnership

to enhance access to finance for climate and green growth-oriented SMEs in Nigeria and in the rest of West Africa.” Director and Chief Investment Adviser at Climate Finance Advisory Limited, Dr. Jubril Adeojo, said: “The ultimate aim of the tripartite partnership is to create green asset portfolio in excess of $100million over a period of

five years. AGF will provide up to 50 per cent partial risk guarantee to enable green energy project developers access up to 10 years long-term local currency concessional loans to implement their green projects. The green energy projects that qualify are captive power and minigrid power projects where renewables and gas are preferred sources of energy.

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 159.86 160.42 1.10% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 8.11% Nigeria International Debt Fund 281.00 281.73 2.98% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.85 0.86 1.49% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 12.15% 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 2.68% 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 N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.80% Paramount Equity Fund 12.10 12.20 2.45% Women's Investment Fund 106.00 106.56 2.31% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.99% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 100.78 101.02 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 102.50 103.11 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 0.84 0.85 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.16 1.16 3.54% 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 12.37% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 11.76% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,227.84 1,128.62 3.57% FBN Heritage Fund 145.25 146.51 1.28% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.18% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 116.20 116.65 2.03% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 116.13 116.59 2.22% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 149.93 152.16 -0.05% 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 1.22 1.25 0.56% Legacy Debt Fund 3.32 3.32 2.29% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.04 1.04 0.91% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.17% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 108.54 109.15 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 13.08% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.19 2.21 1.82% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.80% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 123.96 124.21 -0.75%

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 1.17 1.19 1.86% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,097.09 1,097.09 2.55% 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 11.66 11.75 1.31% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.00% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.37 1.39 7.27% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.29 12.36 0.72% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.01% 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 126.77 127.48 5.05% 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 1.03 1.03 2.73% 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 2,375.73 2,390.11 2.68% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 195.15 195.15 2.63% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.97 0.99 3.16% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 252.47 252.50 2.15% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 166.48 168.39 2.06% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.39% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,581.73 8,581.73 0.49% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.12 1.12 1.20% 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 1.19 1.21 0.23% United Capital Bond Fund 1.64 1.64 3.06% United Capital Equity Fund 0.69 0.71 -2.09% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 14.62% United Capital Eurobond Fund 109.16 109.16 1.77% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.09 1.10 0.41% 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 11.30 11.46 6.92% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.40 12.53 4.03% Zenith Income Fund 21.10 21.10 9.43% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.40%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.95 119.16 51.94

-39.35% 0.06% 0.00%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.65 114.33 89.77

10.75 116.78 91.45

0.92% -2.53% 1.25%

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

4.12 7.15 14.81 12.39 151.69

4.16 7.23 14.91 12.59 153.69

3.08% -6.20% -0.93% 0.24% 5.64%

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.

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

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

INTERNA TIONAL

UN Report Describes Horrors of Congo Massacre with 535 Dead The UN Human Rights office has said 535 people in Congo were shot, butchered and burnt to death during the three days of violence between local communities in the west of the country in December. The number was lower than the 890 victims that the UN office initially estimated

in January, but UN rights investigators said in a report on Tuesday that there are likely additional people whose dead bodies were dumped in the Congo River. Existing tensions between the Banunu and Batende communities exploded amid a dispute over the burial site of a Banunu traditional chief.

The Batende community opposed a burial in Yumbi city, regarding it as a claim on their land. During the attacks, Batende villagers used hunting rifles, machetes, bows and arrows, and gasoline to target fleeing Banunu people, the team of

UN investigators reported after having visited the area. They heard reports of a 2-year-old child who was thrown into a septic tank, and a woman who was raped after her 3-year-old child was decapitated and her husband was killed.

Other people were burnt alive in their homes. “In some cases, the attackers mutilated the bodies of their victims, cutting off heads, limbs and genitals,’’ the UN Human Rights Office said. Many sources told the UN investigators that Batende

chiefs were involved in planning the attacks. In spite of clear signs of the tensions, Congo’s authorities “appear to have failed in their responsibility to protect the population’’ from these crimes against humanity, the report concluded.

British Parliament Rejects Brexit Deal for Second Time British MPs overwhelmingly rejected Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal for a second time on Tuesday, pitching Britain into the unknown just 17 days before it is due to split from the European Union. The House of Commons voted by 391 to 242 to reject the divorce deal, even after May secured further guarantees from Brussels over its most controversial elements. The move risks unleashing economic chaos, as Britain is scheduled to end ties with its biggest trade partner after 46 years on March 29, no matter what. Appealing to MPs in a voice half-breaking due to a cold, May had urged them to avoid the “economic shock” of leaving without an agreement. But she also warned eurosceptics, many of whom have campaigned to leave the EU for their whole careers, that if her deal failed, so might Brexit. May has promised to allow MPs to vote on a “no deal” option on Wednesday and if that is rejected, to decide on Thursday whether to ask the EU to delay Brexit. “If this vote is not passed tonight, if this deal is not passed, then Brexit could be lost,” she said before the vote. However, eurosceptics believe the deal is so bad it is worth the risk of leaving with no plan. “We must take what now seems to be the more difficult route but in the end the one that preserves our self-respect,” said former foreign minister Boris Johnson, a favourite to succeed May if she steps down. “It is to leave on March 29 as required by law and to become once again an independent country able to make our own choices.” After MPs first rejected the 585-page Brexit deal in January, May promised changes to the hated backstop plan which is intended to keep open the border with Ireland. Weeks of talks failed to make a breakthrough, but May made a last-minute trip to Strasbourg to meet EU leaders on the eve of the vote. She announced she had secured the promised “legally binding changes” to the backstop, which would keep Britain in the EU’s customs union if and until a new way was found to avoid frontier

checks. But hours later, however, Attorney General Geoffrey Cox said the additions would not completely allay MPs fears of being trapped in the arrangement forever. It did not take long for Brexit-supporting MPs in May’s Conservative party, and her allies, Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), to declare their opposition. Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also urged parliament to vote down May’s plan. “After three months of running down the clock, the prime minister has, despite very extensive delays, achieved not a single change to the withdrawal agreement,” he said. Some eurosceptics changed their mind, however, urging their colleagues not to risk everything. Former minister Edward Leigh said: “You may not like the deal, it’s not perfect, but it delivers Brexit and let’s go for it.” The pound, which has been highly volatile since the 2016 referendum which saw Britons narrowly vote to leave the EU, made gains against the euro after May’s deal on Monday but fell sharply on Tuesday as it became increasingly clear the deal would be defeated. The backstop is designed to protect the peace process in Northern Ireland, which involved the removal of border checks with EU member Ireland. Brexit supporters wanted a unilateral way out of it, or a time limit to the arrangement, but the EU said this would make it worthless. But leaders across Europe also united behind a message that this was the best and final offer Britain could expect. “There will be no third chance,” European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said after his talks on Monday with May. If MPs vote against a “no deal” exit on Wednesday, and want to postpone Brexit, the other 27 EU nations would need to agree. Their leaders will meet in Brussels for a summit on March 21-22. But any postponement may have to be short-lived. Juncker on Monday said Brexit “should be complete before the European elections” at the end of May.

Prime Minister, Theresa May, speaking to the House after losing the second meaningful vote on the government’s Brexit deal, in the House of Commons in London…yesterday AFP

Rwanda Invites Macron to Attend 25th Anniversary of Genocide Rwanda has invited French President, Emmanuel Macron, to attend the 25th anniversary of the massacre on April 7. The country had accused France of complicity in the 1994 genocide that killed some 800,000 of its citizens. It had long insisted that France supported the Hutu regime and helped train the soldiers and militiamen who carried out the killing of minority ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus. “President Macron has been invited to the 25th commemoration of the 1994 genocide,” Rwanda’s state Minister for Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, told AFP. Macron, who is on a swing through Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya, has not indicated whether he will attend the event

in the Rwandan capital. If he accepts, he will become only the second French president to visit the country since the genocide, which still poisons relations between the two nations. Paris has consistently denied any involvement in the massacre, which the UN says claimed about 800,000 lives in 100 days between April and July 1994. President Nicolas Sarkozy visited Kigali in February 2010, when he admitted France had made “serious errors,” although he gave no apology. Relations chilled under his successor, Francois Hollande, but began to warm last May, when President Paul Kagame made the first visit to Paris by a Rwandan head of state since 2011.

He invited Macron to visit Rwanda, while Macron threw his weight behind Rwanda’s bid to have Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo appointed as secretary-general of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), the French-language equivalent of the Commonwealth. Rwanda was part of German East Africa from 1894 to 1918. After World War I, it was administered by Belgium, becoming a republic in 1961. But in 2009, in what seen as a snub to France, it joined the English-speaking Commonwealth after Mozambique, the only other member of that organisation not to have historic ties to Britain. In a further bilateral improvement, French judges in December dropped a long-

running investigation into the killing of former Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana in April 1994 — the event that sparked the blood-letting. The probe became a major source of tension between the two countries after seven people close to Kagame were charged. Habyarimana, an ethnic Hutu, was killed in a missile strike on his plane near Kigali’s airport. The first judge to lead the French probe, Jean-Louis Bruguiere, backed the theory that it was Tutsi militants from the former rebellion led by Kagame, the Rwandan Patriotic Front, who shot the plane down. However, a Rwandan commission in 2009 said Hutu extremists were responsible for Habyarimana’s assassination.

EU Warns Trump against Military Action in Venezuela European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini warned Tuesday that military action in Venezuela would be unacceptable and that a solution to the crisis should not be “imposed from outside,” putting the United States on notice. Addressing the Security Council, Mogherini said the standoff between President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido must be resolved through political, peaceful and democratic means. “We believe that no military development, from inside or outside of the country, would

be acceptable,” Mogherini told a council meeting on cooperation between the European Union and the United Nations. “And a solution cannot be, and should never be, imposed from the outside.” President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that all options are on the table, refusing to rule out a US military intervention in Venezuela, which is in the grips of an economic meltdown that the opposition blames on the Maduro government. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo late Monday announced that the United

States will withdraw all remaining diplomatic personnel from its embassy in Caracas, worsening already tattered relations. After Guaido declared himself Venezuela’s interim president, the United States and key EU countries France, Germany and Britain were among more than 50 countries that recognized him. Russia and China, two of the five veto-wielding council members along with the US, France and Britain, have denounced the US stance as blatant interference in Venezuela’s affairs and continue to back Maduro.

Mogherini recalled that the EU has set up a contact group with Latin American countries to push for a political process that would lead to presidential elections. “The crisis that affects the country has political and institutional causes. It’s not a natural disaster. Its solution needs to be peaceful, political and democratic,” said Mogherini. Millions of Venezuelans already struggling with economic hardship have been left without power for the past four days, which has affected water supplies, transportation and communication.

WEDNESDAY, ÍšÍťËœ ÍşÍ¸ÍšÎ Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS

Nigeria Records $2.8m Balance of Payment Surplus Obinna Chima Nigeriaâ€™s provisional Balance of Payments (BOP) estimates for the fourth quarter (Q4 2018) showed a significant improvement as it recorded a surplus of $2.80 million, compared to the huge deficit of $4.542 billion recorded the preceding quarter, according to a report by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). It had also recorded a surplus of $6.180 billion in the corresponding period of 2017. The apex bank disclosed this in its â€œBrief on Balance of Payments Statistics for Fourth Quarter 2018,â€? released yesterday. A balance of payments surplus meant that Nigeria exported more than it imported during the period under review. Continuing, the report also showed that the countryâ€™s current account balance (CAB)

improved from a deficit of $1.544 billion in Q3 2018, to a surplus of $1.104 billion in period under review. The financial account balance indicated a net acquisition of financial assets of $2.328 billion in the review period as against a net incurrence of financial liabilities of $4.615 billion recorded in the preceding period. Also, the current account indicated a positive outcome during the review period, recording a surplus of $1.104 billion as against a deficit of $1.544 billion and a surplus of $3.657 billion in the previous quarter and corresponding period of 2017, respectively. This development was largely attributable to the decrease in imports and payments on income (net). In addition, the CBN report showed that the surplus in the Goods Account increased significantly to $6.794 billion

in Q4 2018, from surpluses of $3.760 billion in the preceding quarter and $5.473 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2017. The report added that Nigeriaâ€™s export earnings rose by 2.8 per cent to $16.655 billion in Q4 2018, when compared with Q3 2018, just

as it also indicated an increase of about 27.6 per cent when compared to corresponding period of 2017. Earnings from crude oil and gas, which accounted for 93.8 per cent of total export earnings during the review period, increased by 2.1 per cent to $15.621 billion in Q4 2018, compared with the preceding quarter. Available data showed that payments for import of goods (fob) to the economy in the review period decreased significantly by 20.7 per cent to $9.862 billion below the level recorded in the preceding quarter. This was largely as a result of 19.9 per cent decrease in the imports of non-oil products. Furthermore, it disclosed that net out-payments for services during the review period increased by 16.5 per cent to a deficit of $8.287 billion, compared with the level recorded in Q3 2018.

When compared with the corresponding period of 2017, it indicated a much higher increase of about 76.9 per cent. However, the deficit in the income account (net) decreased by 10.8 per cent to $3.714 billion in the review period, from a deficit of $4.162 billion recorded in the preceding quarter. When compared with the level in the corresponding period of 2017 it indicated an increase of about 24.5 per cent. The surplus in the current transfers (net) increased by 5.7 per cent to $6.312 billion in Q4 2018, when compared with the preceding quarter. However, the level of surplus was 7.8 per cent higher than the level recorded in the corresponding period of 2017. â€œProvisional Q4 2018 BOP estimates for the Financial Account showed

an overturn from a net incurrence of financial liabilities of US$4,615.17 million recorded in Q3 2018 to a net acquisition of financial assets of US$2327.91 million in the review period. â€œThis is also significantly lower than the net acquisition of financial assets of $3,528.62 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2017. â€œDirect Investments inflow decreased by 28.3 per cent to $314.44 million when compared with the preceding quarter of 2018. It however, indicated a decline of 67.2 per cent when compared to the corresponding period of 2017. â€œPortfolio Investments inflow to the economy decreased significantly to $1,382.40 million in Q4 2018 from $1,790.83 million and $3,787.16 million in the preceding quarter and the corresponding period of 2017, respectively,â€? it added.

in court and that he was ready to proceed with the trial, but in the light of the ill health of the defendant, he would concede to an adjournment. In his short ruling, the tribunal chairman, Umar, agreed with the position of the prosecution and the medical report and shifted the trial till next Monday. Meanwhile, Onnoghen has appealed Mondayâ€™s decision by the CCT to delay ruling in his applications challenging its jurisdiction and its impartiality in the criminal case against him. The CJN, in a three-ground notice of appeal filed on Tuesday, argued the CCT erred in law in its interpretation of Section 369(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) when it ruled that its decision in the

applicantâ€™s applications shall be given at the point of judgment. The suspended CJN argued that it was wrong for the CCT to refuse to deliver ruling after hearing the application challenging â€œconstitutional jurisdictionâ€? of the tribunal to hear and determine the charges filed against him. He also faulted the tribunal for withholding its decision on the other application which challenged the â€œindependence and impartiality of the chairman of the tribunal as his conduct in the proceedings showed bias and prejudiced against the appellant.â€? Onnoghen argued that Section 396(2) of ACJA could only be the basis for adjourning rulings on such interlocutory applications till the conclusion of trial if the applications had to do

with the validity of the charges filed against the defendant. He stated that his applications â€œraised a threshold issue of jurisdiction which should not wait until the conclusion of trialâ€? adding that it â€œdid not relate to the validity of the chargesâ€?. â€œThe decision (deferment of rulings) is a violation of the right of the appellant to fair hearing,â€? the notice of appeal also stated. Onnoghen noted that the same CCT, had in an earlier proceedings in the case of Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, delivered ruling in similar application. He added that the CCT erred in the interpretation of Section 396(3) of the ACJA when objections of the appellant to impartiality and independence of the tribunal, particularly

the Chairman, whose conduct in the proceedings gave indication of bias and absence of independence in the determination of the right of the appellant. Onnoghen argued that the application he filed â€œis not one of the interlocutory applications covered by Section 396(4) of the ACJA. The decision is a violation of the right of the appellant to fair hearing.â€? He urged the Court of Appeal to allow his appeal and â€œset aside the order of the tribunal made on March 11, 2019â€?. Onnoghen also urged the Court of Appeal to proceed to invoke the provisions of Section 16 of the Court of Appeal Act, which he noted, empowers the court to hear and determine the applications in respect of which the CCT declined to rule.

of Sokoto and Benue, two PDP governors, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal and Dr. Samuel Ortom, respectively, who had dumped the APC for the main opposition PDP last year, are already holding sway. But the APC also looks determined to unseat them and take charge of governance there. The reaction of the president to the request for intervention was hazy last night as THISDAY sources were less enthusiastic about telling the outcome of the meeting. But the president was said to be non-committal, wondering what form of intervention he could make to assist his party men given the loud noise already in the polity about the integrity of the declared results of the general election. â€œHis dilemma is likely to be cleared by his party,â€? a presidency source told THISDAY last night, saying: â€œBy the time the party leadership brings the pressure, he would have no choice than to act in favour of his party men.â€? But the presidency said last night that the governorsâ€™

visit was to congratulate the president on his victory, saying it had nothing to do with the inconclusive elections. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu in an e-mail response to THISDAY enquiry stated: â€œThe Governors were there to congratulate the president, on behalf of their brothergovernors on his election victory. The meeting was not about inconclusive governorship elections as you have suggested. The president maintains a position that elections must be free, fair and transparent; that winners irrespective of parties they belong to should be allowed their victory. "We have a constitutional authority, which is the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC with the responsibility of conducting elections. The president has no role in the processes, beyond making sure that all available means are utilised to ensure security of life and property during the election. The president has ensured that all funds appropriated for INEC have been paid to

the last kobo." The indication of what is to come was given yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who told THISDAY that the APC was solidly in support of INECâ€™s declaration of the election in the six states as inconclusive. â€œInconclusive simply means the process is ongoing and itâ€™s within the law to so declare,â€? Issa-Onilu said. He explained the partyâ€™s position: "INEC is just going through its normal routine process. Inconclusiveness is part of the process, there is nothing special about this. We believe INEC is merely acting within the electoral law. It is part of the electioneering and it is an ongoing process and we all wait and see the outcome and play our part.â€? When asked to comment on the sheer number of states that recorded inconclusive governorship elections, Onilu said: "Elections have become more competitive now and we need to let Nigerians know that the action the INEC took was within the law. We are not like the PDP that makes noise all the time.â€?

CBN Governor,Godwin EmeďŹ ele

ONNOGHEN SICK, ABSENT FROM TRIAL ordered that Onnoghen's trial would be on a day-to-day basis in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 that aims at speedy prosecution of criminal matters. However, at the resumed hearing yesterday, Onnoghen was absent in court for the trial. His lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN, explained to the tribunal that Onnoghen's absence was occasioned by a tooth-ache and high blood pressure, which was said to be around 210/121. The senior counsel tendered a medical report from Ideal Medical Services, Abuja where the defendant was said to have been treated. The medical report signed by one Dr Francis Uche, the Medical Director of the hospital,

recommended among others that Onnoghen must observe 72 hours bed rest for his high blood pressure to be properly monitored. Reacting to the development, counsel to the federal government, Mr. Aliyu Umar SAN, who admitted having a copy of the medical report, told the tribunal that though it was within his right to proceed with the trial, nevertheless he acknowledged that the health of the defendant was also very important. He subsequently prayed the tribunal to adjourn trial till March 18 to enable Onnoghen have sufficient rest as recommended by his doctor. The prosecution counsel informed the tribunal that some of the witnesses he intends to call in the matter were present

INEC HOLDS RERUN ELECTIONS IN SIX STATES ON MARCH 23 thinking and slapdash deportment of the PDP candidate considering what happened in the inconclusive election widely characterized by alleged vote buying and voter intimidation by the party. In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture and Chairman, Publicity 2019 Election, Malam Muhammad Garba, yesterday said the APC and its candidate remain upbeat and sure of victory as Kano remained an APC state. Ganduje said that he remained committed to the conduct of free and fair election, adding that all loopholes that gave them chance of rigging, vote buying and intimidation of voters have been blocked.

Buhari Meets Six APC Govs, Insists on Free and Fair Polls

Meanwhile as the APC and the PDP intensified their bickering over inconclusive elections in six states, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja played host to six APC governors.The meeting with governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Abdulaziz Yari

(Zamfara), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), holding moments after the ruling party blessed the action of INEC, declaring the governorship elections in the six states inconclusive, boosted speculations that the parley might not be unconnected with the controversy. The electoral body had declared the governorship elections in Plateau, Benue, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kano and Adamawa states inconclusive on the ground that the margin of win was lower than the number of voters in areas where polling was cancelled due to sundry reasons. The elections in Rivers State were suspended indefinitely. Incidentally, the main opposition party, PDP, was in clear lead in five of the six states affected by the abortion of returns, while Rivers is its stronghold, giving rise to its claim that INEC was in an unholy alliance with the APC. INEC has so far made returns in 22 of the 29 States where elections held last Saturday, declared six inconclusive and suspended proceedings in one. Of the 22 declared, the APC

has 13, while the PDP has nine. Had the other six been concluded, the tally would have been tied at 14 a piece with the PDP sure to make it 15 with Rivers. Although the governors who met with the president last night did not disclose their mission to State House Correspondents, THISDAY gathered from high-level sources close to the meeting that it was an attempt to lure the president to do more to assist the APC to take the outstanding six states. Four of the six states are currently held by the APC and they appear on their way out, a source told THISDAY, saying the meeting impressed it on the president that his intervention would help save the embattled governors. The affected governors are Mr. Bindow Jubrilla (Adamawa), Alhaji Ibrahim Ganduje (Kano), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi) and Mr. Simon Lalong (Plateau). Lalong, however, has a marginal vote advantage over the PDPâ€™s Jeremiah Useni in the Plateau contest. In the two other states

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

NEWS

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

30,000 Nigerian Refugees at Risk of Attack in Rann, NIF Cries out Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Thirty thousand Nigerian refugees recently ejected from Cameroon are at the risk of insurgency attack and lack of access to basic humanitarian services, the Nigeria international non-government organisations INGO forum (NIF) has raised an alarm. The Nigeria INGO Forum, an

umbrella body comprising 51 international non-government organisations (INGOs), yesterday in a statement expressed deep concerned over the grave humanitarian situation facing approximately 30,000 displaced people reported to have returned to Rann, a town in North-east Nigeria. Rann, which recently endured two horrific attacks

Ishaku Re-elected as Taraba Governor Extends curfew on Jalingo to 24 hours Wole Ayodele in Jalingo Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State has been declared the winner of the governorship election conducted in the state last Saturday. This is coming as the governor has extended the dusk to dawn curfew he imposed on Jalingo to 24 hours as celebration to mark his re-election turned bloody. The INEC returning officer of the state, Prof. Shehu Iya of the Federal University of Technology, Yola made the announcement at the state Collation Centre in Jalingo. The returning officer said Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored the highest votes of 520,433. He added that Ishaku defeated his close rival Alhaji Sani Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 362,735, while Senator Aisha Alhassan of the United Democratic Party (UDP) polled 16,289 to come third. Iya said the PDP won in 12 local government councils of the state while APC won in four local government areas. All the political parties’ agents that participated in the election accepted and signed the result, excluding that of APC. In his victory remark, Ishaku thanked the people of the state for the overwhelming support which gave him a resounding victory. He pledged to sustain his development strides in order to put the state on the path of sustainable growth. He called on traditional rulers, community and religious leaders to continue to champion the crusade for peaceful co-existence among residents. Speaking to newsmen shortly after the declaration, Police Commissioner in the state, Mr. Alkasim Sanusi, described the exercise as one of the best conducted in the history of this nation. Sanusi, however, warned against post election violence, adding that anybody caught perpetrating such act would face the wrath of the law. Also, Alhaji Bello Yero, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau

for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said the victory for the governor was a continuation of the rescue agenda. “The governor has done so much for the people of the state and deserved a second term. “Ishaku is a man of peace, a man of integrity, a man of wisdom and a caring leader who is committed to development of the state,” he said. Meanwhile, the governor has extended the dusk to dawn curfew he imposed on Jalingo to 24 hours as celebration to mark his re-election turned bloody. Ishaku had imposed a duskto-dawn curfew on Jalingo on Monday to avert a breakdown of law and order in the town as there were credible intelligence reports that there were plans in certain quarters to sponsor violence. However, the peace in the town was shattered yesterday morning as youths and women groups who trooped out in their thousands to celebrate Ishaku’s victory at the poll were attacked by some armed youths who inflicted injuries on them. The incident led to serious pandemonium across the town as people ran helter skelter to avoid being caught in a cross fire, thereby necessitating the extension of the curfew. In a statement issued yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Bala Dan Abu, the governor said the curfew would remain in force till further notice. The statement directed all security agencies in the state to ensure strict compliance and enforcement of the curfew. In a related development, a community leader in the town, Alhaji Bello Yero has urged youths in the town to eschew violence and refrain from being used to breach the security of the state. Speaking to Journalists against the backdrop of violence that led to the imposition of the curfew, Yero also warned opposition politicians in the state to join hands with Ishaku to bring peace and development to the state.

in December and January, is located approximately 12 kilometres from the border of Cameroon. The INGO forum, in the statement, said from current reports, “there is a complete lack of access to basic services, security and protection for those who have returned, thus resulting in large scale humanitarian needs not being met.” The statement, which quoted the Director of the INGO Forum, Jennifer Jalovec, said: “Members of the INGO Forum have raised the alarm over the insufficient services and supplies-food, safe water and critical medical services– available in Rann to meet the basic needs of the tens

of thousands of people that are returning from Goura.” Jalovec decried that the recent December and January attacks on Rann by Non-State Armed Groups (NSAGs) led to the withdrawal of all humanitarian agencies from the area, lamenting that “the town witnessed devastation, including burning of several shelters, homes and market stalls as well as the destruction and looting of humanitarian facilities including a medical clinic and a mobile food storage unit. “A large number of civilians were killed or injured, prompting more than 40,000 people between January and February to urgently flee and seek safety across the border.

“The volatile security situation has made it impossible for humanitarians to access Rann with much needed life-saving assistance. Lack of access has resulted in inadequate monitoring and incomplete information about the full extent of the crisis, including the extent of the needs and the intentions and location of affected populations.” The statement said: “Despite well-documented reasons for leaving, there are conflicting reports stating why over 30,000 people have suddenly returned. “The NIF takes this opportunity to draw attention to the current additional humanitarian crisis unfolding, resulting in over 30,000 people

who have returned having little to no access to basic services and assistance. “We encourage the Federal Government of Nigeria, including the Borno State Government, to ensure people are provided with satisfactory conditions of safety, dignity and security as outlined in the endorsed Borno Returns Strategy (2018) and international law. “We urgently call on the Borno State Government to further strengthen relations with the humanitarian community as well as uphold the Borno Returns Strategy especially in Rann where we understand the conditions do not currently support safe and structured interventions.”

VICTORY WALK...

L-R: Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori; Senator James Manager; former Governor James Ibori; Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; and his wife, Edith, going to the Government House Chapel for a victory thanksgiving shortly after Okowa was declared winner of the state governorship election in Asaba...recently

Gbajabiamila: APC Leadership will Decide Next Speaker House members mourn slain colleague Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja The Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has hinted that the leadership of the 9the Assembly will be decided by the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). As mark of respect for Hon Temitope Olatoye, representing Lagelu/Akinleye constituency of Oyo State, who was shot dead last Saturday in his state during the governorship and state House of Assembly elections, the House of Representatives which reconvened yesterday adjourned till today. Gbajabiamila gave the hint immediately after a meeting of the APC caucus held at Room 1, House of Representatives wing of the National Assembly. He said the issue of the next leadership was not yet in the front burner among members of his party, and gave assurances that APC members will abide by any position taken by the party leadership.

“We are not focused on that right now. It is very important but we have left that. The party will take a decision on which way it will go. “This is something that obtains in the international best practices. It is something that obtains everywhere in the world; the party will decide and we believe that all party faithful in the House will concede. “As we concede to emergence of democracy, we will concede to party supremacy of the party,” Gbajabiamila said, acknowledging that his party will have majority in the next assembly. He said the recent 2019 presidential and National Assembly, governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections, had come and gone. He added, “We condemn those who perpetrated violence in pockets of places and regret the loss of lives. One life that is lost is one life too many. “We do not believe that contests such as these should ever lead to the loss of any

human life. We regret the loss of anyone. Naturally, we regret the loss of our colleague for whom we have today, in tradition, adjourned the sitting of the House. That is Hon. Temitope Olatoye (Sugar). “Our caucus believes strongly that there is no victor and no vanquished, and victory only belongs to democracy and the Nigerian masses. We congratulate the president, all players and stakeholders. “We congratulate our party, the APC. We congratulate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties for their remarkable showing and competitiveness. Our democracy is better for it. We congratulate INEC. Despite the hiccups, the electoral umpire gave us fairly credible elections.” “As a country, we must strive for perfection and try to do better. In this regard, the legislature is key in retooling the electoral laws and processes, and perfecting them going forward,” he said. Announcing the

adjournment, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara who bemoaned the lawmaker’s death said: “It is unfortunate. We lost a member; we will take the prayers and we would adjourn as it is the custom.” Dogara, wrote in the condolence register that the late Temitope was “a fantastic, lively and super active member and colleague. No one should die in the circumstances of your death on a day you exercised your civic duty. “We love you but God loves you even more. I feel the pains of your departure but the works you have done while alive will continue to bear witness to the kind of person you were. Rest in peace.” While the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Lasun Yusuf prayed that the soul of the departed lawmaker rests in perfect peace, Gbajabiamila stated that “I am still in shock as is the whole House. You will be missed and I pray that you will rest in peace.”

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

NEWS XTRA

Boko Haram in Disarray, Fighters Stranded without Supplies, MNJTF Claims Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in Chad has said the leadership of the

Boko Haram terrorists group is currently overwhelmed and in disarray. The Chief of Military Public Information of the MNJTF,

Senate Reconstitutes Minimum Wage Committee To commence debate on 2019 budget today Deji Elumoye The Senate yesterday appointed Senate Deputy Majority Whip, Senator Francis Alimikhena, as Acting Chairman of the Adhoc Committee on Minimum Wage. The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who made the announcement at plenary, said Alimikhena would work in acting capacity, while the Chairman, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, was away on health grounds. Saraki charged the committee to expedite action on the matter to enable the senate to be able to catch up with the House of Representatives, which had already passed the bill through third reading. The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, had on January 24, appointed the Chief Whip of the Senate, Olusola Adeyeye, as Chairman of an eight-member ad-hoc committee mandated to work on the minimum wage bill. The members of the adhoc committee are: Abu Ibrahim (APC-Katsina State); Shehu Sani (PRP-Kaduna State) and Sam Egwu (PDP-Ebonyi). Others are: Suleiman Adokwe (PDP-Nasarawa

State); Francis Alimikhena (APC-Edo); Solomon Adeola (APC-Lagos State) and Binta Garba (APC-Adamawa). The House of Representatives had on January 29 approved N30,000 as minimum wage for workers in the public and private sectors. The lower chamber increased the threshold for public and private sectors workers in states and local governments from N27,000 proposed in the National Minimum Wage Act Amendment Bill to N30,000. Meanwhile, Saraki has said the Senate will commence debate on the general principles of the 2019 Appropriation Bill. He made the announcement at the plenary yesterday, saying the debate would end on March 19. He also urged the lawmakers to put their names on the plenary register for compilation to ensure orderly debate. The Second Reading of the 2019 Budget was suspended due to Christmas break, and the 2019 general election. The sum of N8.73 trillion was presented to the joint parliamentary session by President Muhammadu Buhari on December 19, 2018.

Col, Timothy Antigha, made this claim in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday. Antigha said the group was overwhelmed after a sustained air and land attacks in the ongoing “Operation `Yancin Tafki’’ in the Lake Chad region. He also said ex-fighters, who were “receiving humane attention divulged that morale and fighting spirit of the group’s fighters is very low.’’ Antigha further quoted ex-fighters as saying that development is as a result of growing insecurity and inability to replenish stranded fighters in the islands with food, medicine

and ammunition. The MNJTF spokesman said an integral part of the operation is a series of well “coordinated day and night human intelligence as well as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.’’ He said the missions were being conducted by the air forces of the Lake Chad Basin countries- Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria. Antigha explained that this led to devastating air interdiction, which destroyed Boko Haram logistics facilities and fighters in Tumbum, Gini, Abadam, Arege, Tumbun rego and Dagaya environs between March 7 and March 11.

He added that in the last four weeks of the operation, 70 Boko Haram vehicles; mostly gun trucks and facilities such as fuel dumps, weapons and ammunition were destroyed. “Furthermore, since the commencement of operation Yancin Tafki, several terrorists have surrendered, while others are battle-weary and have indicated interest to surrender. “Morale of fighters is at its lowest, while desperation has also set in, leading to intrigues and in-fighting,’’ Antigha said. He said reliable sources confirmed that internal crisis led to change of Boko Haram leadership on March 3. Antigha said the Islamic State West Africa Province

or ISWAP sacked the Boko Haram factional Chief, Abu Mus’ab Al Barnawi and replaced him with Abu Abdullahi Ibn Umar Al Barnawi. According to him, the frequent execution of Boko Haram commanders and fighters, which have been observed in the past few months as well as recent replacement of its leadership were clear indications of effectiveness of past and ongoing operation Yancin Tafki. Antigha said the joint task force is poised to sustain current operations until Boko Haram capitulates and its leadership is brought to justice.

CONGRATULATORY VISIT...

L-R: Kebbi State Governor, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim Shettima; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari; President Muhammadu Buhari; Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasiru elRufai; Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; and Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru, during a congratulatory visit to the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday

Troops Kill 55 Bandits, Rescue 760 Abductees in Enugu Election Observers Demand Probe of Attack on Colleagues Zamfara Members of the Independent Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local group leaders, namely, Amb. community and human rights National Electoral Commission Government Area of Enugu Samuel A. Onoja; Amb. Moses organisations to intervene and

Troops of Operation Sharan Daji have killed 55 bandits and rescued 760 persons abducted from villages in Zamfara State. This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by Acting Force Information Officer, Major Clement Abiade in Gusau, the state capital. He said, the troops also recovered weapons, ammunition and rustled cows as they blocked all entry points to the bushes to deny the bandits free movement while building the confidence of the locals. “A total of 24 suspected bandits informants, rustlers, kidnappers and logistics suppliers were arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation. “The Air component of the operation carried out several air strikes around Kagara, Gando, Fankama, Fete and Dumburum forest during which successes were recorded. “Items recovered include four AK 47 rifles, one Rocket Propelled Gun Tube, 12 Dane guns, 27 AK 47 Magazines,

168 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, one Pump Action Gun, 47 Motorcycles, a Golf wagon car and 61 rustled cattle,” he said. He added, “The troops’ sustained operation led to the return of over 1000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs from Maru to Bini village on February 17. “The Emir of Maru, Alhaji Abubakar Chika and the Chairman of Maru Local Government Area, Alhaji Salisu Dangulbi witnessed their departure at the LGA headquarters. “Unfortunately, this feat was not achieved without supreme sacrifice being paid by one officer, two soldiers and a vigilance group member, who paid the supreme prize during the encounter with bandits in Kagara forest.” He said the Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Olabanji Stevenson sympathised with the families of those who lost their lives or got wounded assuring that their pains would not be in vain.

(INEC)-accredited local and foreign Observers and Congress of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, who monitored the March 9 governorship and House of Assembly Elections in Enugu State, have called on “the federal government, securities agencies, the international community and human rights organisations” to investigate and take action on “the brutal attack and assault on our colleagues (observers) in Umuida, Enugu

State by supporters of a candidate”. It was recently reported by members of Global Policy Advocate and Leadership Initiative, accredited by INEC as observers, that they were brutally attacked and humiliated by “thugs” at the residence of a governorship candidate of one of the major political parties. Reacting to the development, the independent observers, who were represented by their

Ebahor; Titus A. Alagba; Chidi Chielo and Kingsley Muogo, while briefing journalists on the outcome of last Saturday’s elections in Enugu State, strongly condemned the heinous act “in its entirety”, disclosing that the incident “would have led to the death of our colleagues, who were exercising their legitimate duty”. “We, therefore, call on the federal government, security agencies, the international

investigate the unfortunate incident,” the observers said. They described the governorship and state assembly elections in Enugu State as “very peaceful, free and fair, and highly commendable,” and went further to commend INEC, security agencies and the state government for providing a level-playing ground and security “during and after the elections, as there was no issue of violence recorded in any of the polling booths”.

Obi Expresses Concern over Brigandage in Rivers Elections Lulu-Briggs calls for cancellation of polls Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in February 23 presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed concern over fallouts from some states in last Saturday’s gubernatorial and state assembly elections, particularly in Rivers State. This is coming as Dumo LuluBriggs Campaign Organisation in Accord party has called on the

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel last Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections in the state due to the irregularities in the process. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also called on the commission to assert its independence and not allow the military and the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) usurp its functions. The former Governor of Anambra State said in a

Assert your independence, PDP tells INEC statement from his media office that the militarisation of elections to the extent of carrying collation centre to a military location and denying international observers’ access is clearly unacceptable and a grave breach of democratic norms. He said that needless involvement of the military has aggravated the situation in Rivers State and wondered why the undue interest in Rivers, very well known strong PDP state. The vice presidential candidate

said the Rivers State, Governor Neysom Wike, should be the last to face this type of harassment given his popularity with his people which is as a result of his outstanding performance which earned him Mr. Projects even from an opposition person. Obi stated that all reasonable persons within and outside the country who desire the growth and sustenance of democracy in this part of the world should rise up and condemn what is going on in Rivers State.

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

NEWSXTRA

Court Fixes May 6 for Judgment on Falana’s Suit against FG over Lagos Bridges The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed May 6, 2019 for judgment in a suit filed by a human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, against the federal government for persistently allowing truck drivers to park on the bridges in Lagos The defendants in the suit are the Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Babatunde Raji Fashola, and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). Falana had urged the court to order the removal of all obstructions on the OshodiApapa Expressway, including deadly trailers and tankers, and to repair it. Falana is also seeking a declaration that “the parking of tankers and trailers on the overhead bridges in Lagos is illegal and unconstitutional. He said such acts “constitute a threat to the fundamental right to life of the applicant and other motorists” as guaranteed by Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. Justice Muslim Hassan fixed the date after parties adopted their final addresses. Falana, a former National

President of Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), sued the defendants over the deplorable condition of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. He is seeking a declaration that the respondents’ failure to remove obstructions on the road and to repair and maintain it, is illegal and unconstitutional as it constitutes a threat to his fundamental right to life. He said the failure to make the road safe for motorists violates his and others’ right to freedom of movement guaranteed by Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution. In a supporting affidavit, the SAN, who was a former West African Bar Association (WABA) President, said many of the Federal roads across the country were in very bad shape, including the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway. “I also know as a fact that the traffic situation on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway today is unbearable and a dreadful risk to lives of the motorists plying through the roads,” he said. The applicant said the deplorable state of the expressway “has in recent times caused multiple deaths through recurring accidents”.

According to him, commuters plying the road risk their lives due to the heavy-duty vehicles that are stranded on the road due to the level of dilapidation. “Vehicular movement along the road has become a misadventure and a nightmare that the applicant often regrets venturing into each time he plies the road. “Long before the bad and dilapidating state of the road, it used to be less than 30 minutes’ drive from Oshodi to Apapa, but now the traveling time exceeds one hour,” the applicant said. Falana said last February, while traveling back to his Ikeja office after a prison visit,

he almost had an accident whilst navigating through a big gallop on the road and almost hit an oncoming vehicle. The applicant sought an order directing the respondents to remove all obstructions on the expressway and to repair and maintain it forthwith. Falana prayed for a declaration that he is entitled to his fundamental right to life guaranteed by the Constitution and the African Charter. In his response, the minister denied Falana’s claims saying that the road “is under rehabilitation,” adding that it was not the cause of the gridlock

in that axis. The respondent said Falana’s claims were not true, adding that the Apapa gridlock “is always caused by tanker drivers who normally follow the route to the port for the purpose of loading and offloading their goods.” Fashola said: “The failure of the first respondent to repair the road as alleged by the applicant has not in any way restricted or breached his freedom of movement.” The minister said Falana’s life was not under threat, that failure to fix the road was due to “paucity of funds”, and that the rights sought to be enforced

were not justiceable. “The applicant has not locus standi to sue as he is not representing a class action and on whose behalf he is suing. He has not shown that he has suffered over and above other motorists and people that use the road,” the minister said. In the affidavit deposed to by a litigation assistant in the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Ayodele Otedola, the minister claimed that a suit filed by the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria “has since 2010 caused the slow progress of work to rehabilitate the road for efficient use of motorists.”

Kogi Lawmaker Raises the Alarm over Kidnapping, Armed Robbery Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja A member of the Kogi State House of Assembly representing Kogi (Koton Karfe) state constituency, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, has cried out to the federal and the state government over kidnapping and armed robbery in his constituency. Zakari, who made the appeal while speaking with journalists yesterday said despite all measures the state government has put in place, kidnappers and armed robbers have not given the constituents of Kogi Koton Karfe breathing space, as people are being kidnapped and robbed frequently. According to the lawmaker, over 50 people have been reported to have relocated from Gegu Beki to other places for fear of being kidnapped, describing the situation as worst times for Kogi Koton

Karfe people. He said kidnapping and armed robbery by hoodlums have resurfaced across towns and villages in Kogi Local Government Area, adding that innocent citizens are being kidnapped to unknown forest for ransom. The lawmaker also disclosed that most of the victims kidnapped are from Gegu beki, Iraki, Omoko, Akpogu, Okpareke, Achara and several other places, pleading with the federal and state government to as a matter of urgency deploy security personnel with aerial surveillance helicopter or military jets to locate and destroy their camps before it gets out of hand. Zakari noted that the people of Kogi Koton Karfe and those visiting the town now live in fear praying not to be victims.

Gunmen Attack Afuze Police Station, Kill DPO, Four Others Gunmen last night attacked Afuze Police Station in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, killing the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and four others. THISDAY gathered that the gunmen stormed the station with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which they exploded before carting away rifles and other ammunition. A local resident who spoke to THISDAY last night said the gunmen, who were about 10 in number, arrived the station at about 8p.m., shooting sporadically before killing the officers. The resident who pleaded anonymity, said the attack, which

lasted for over 30 minutes, saw the gunmen freely detonating their IEDs before gaining access to the armoury where they carted away weapons. He added that most of the vehicles parked at the station were destroyed. The resident said after the attack on the station, the gunmen went to the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the local government where they destroyed police vehicles parked at the premises. “We suddenly started hearing sounds of gunshots and explosions at the police station. The gunmen caught the policemen unaware.”

50 HEARTY CHEERS...

L-R: Guest Speaker, Emmanuel Kelechukwu; CEO, Foshizi Tours, Mrs. Ife Olanrewaju, Convener, Mrs. Ekaette Umoh, Co-Chairman, Mr. Ehi Okoyomon; and CEO, Hatlab, Mrs. Latifat Balogun, during the 50 Business Plan Competition and conference to mark Mrs. Umoh’s 50th birthday in Abuja...recently

Masari Reiterates Commitment to Improve Security, Education Francis Sardauna in Katsina The winner of the Katsina State governorship election, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has reaffirmed his commitment to improved security, empowerment and education just as he assured the people that he would run an all-inclusive government in his second term. In a state-wide broadcast last Monday night, Masari

described his victory as a vote of confidence and affirmation of trust which his administration succeeded in achieving in the last three years. The governor-elect, who expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election, said: “As we move to the next level, I wish to reassure you of our commitment to continue to promote good governance in our state and to prioritise the education sector,

empowerment as well as the security of our people.” The state Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Usman Danfodio University Sokoto, had last Monday declared Masari winner of the election, having scored the highest number of votes cast in the election. Prof. Zuru said Masari polled 1,178,864 votes to defeat

his closest rival, Sen. Yakubu Lado Danmarke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 488,621 votes. Masari, while addressing the people of the state on both radio and television, said the democratic environment created by the APC under which the election was held, was a clear indication of the great political development that has occurred in the past three years of his administration.

THE NEW IDENTITY POLITICS IN LAGOS I have never understood that Ndigbo are attacked for investing outside of Igboland. Canvassing for them to return home to invest, had that been done would have been attacked and criticised as parochialism. Perhaps this is the opportunity for the governors of Igbobearing states to lay out a regime of incentives and run a campaign promoting think home. If those governors are really clever, they should take the campaign further, and welcome people from the southwest, and north to move to Igbo people majority- bearing states. A fair number of Hausa -Fulani colonies already exist in Igbo states. Asari Dokubo already made the point that many Yorubas

fly into the Oil fields of southsouth and southeast, make their fortunes and leave no development behind. Strangely it is those who add value that are being vilified. This is the 21st Century. A new slavery in which people are denied their fundamental human right and citizenship rights cannot be accepted. That is why CNN runs its Freedom project. Politicians and intellectuals who promote such are working their way towards the International Criminal Court. They may do well to first visit the Genocide Memorial in Kigali, Rwanda. In this twenty-first century you cannot actively, by subterfuge or directly, deny people their rights and insist you cannot leave them alone to go their way when you do not have

their time. That is slavery. The doctrine of self-determination emerging in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights at its founding, which began to unwind the sovereignty and non-interference doctrines which began with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, rejects that. As the lawyers say, you cannot probate and reprobate. You cannot celebrate what the Igbo helped build as Lagos and deny their humanity, For those who try to prove that historically Lagos is a “no man’s land” or an outpost of the Benin Kingdom and those who make the point that if Lagos desires or aspires to a global megacity, the cosmopolitan nature of such ambition means that like Paris, London and New York it has to end up as

belonging to no ethnic groups, my take is that all just play into the hand of a group of selfish politicians. Nobody told the original Londoners that London was no man’s land. The nature of the course of things just sorts things out. A little maturity can buy all of the peace we all crave for. The trouble with Nigeria is that many of the truly mature do not care to act and the politicians who thrive in bringing to conflict people who ordinarily live in peace as neighbours, but are lacking in maturity, are the most vociferous in expressing their points of view. rUtomi, Political Economist and Professor of Entrepreneurship, is founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership.

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

NEWSEXTRA

Gunmen Kill Nigerian, Abduct Lebanese in Kano Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Gunmen have abducted a Lebanese construction worker and killed another man in Kano yesterday morning, a police official said.

The attack and abduction in the country’s second-biggest city comes amid higher than usual security as Nigeria is in the middle of an election season. “A Lebanese attached to

10 Years After, EFCC Reopens Erastus Akingbola’s Trial Davidson Iriekpen The 10-year-old trial of a former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr. Erastus Akingbola has been reopened by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before the Federal High Court in Lagos. The trial, in the charge marked FHC/L/CS/443c/09, reopened on Monday before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun. In the 26 counts filed before the court, the prosecution alleged that while he was Chief Executive Officer of Intercontinental Bank, Akingbola, between November 2007 and July 2008, was involved in reckless approval of credit facilities, without adequate security for a number of firms. The prosecution alleged that for instance, Akingbola recklessly approved a credit facility of N8 billion each to Soo-Kok Holding Limited; Tofa General Enterprises; Cinca Nigeria Limited; Harmony Trust and Investment Limited; Stanzus Investment Limited. The EFCC said the illegal transactions were carried out between May 2008 and May 2009 in contravention of “accepted practice or Intercontinental Bank Plc’s regulations.” It said Akingbola violated Section 15(1)(a)(i) of the Failed Banks (Recovery of Debts) and Financial Malpractices in Banks Act, Cap F2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and was liable to be punished under Section 16(1)(a) of the same Act. In another instance, the prosecution alleged that under Akingbola’s watch as MD/CEO, Intercontinental Bank Plc had N87.6 billion non-performing credit burden. It said Akingbola failed to take all reasonable steps to ensure compliance with the requirement to maintain, at all times, the minimum capital adequacy ratio specified by the Central Bank of Nigeria in compliance with Section 13(1) of the Banks and Other

Financial Institutions Act, Cap B3 Laws of the Federation 2004. The ex-bank chief has, however, pleaded not guilty to the 26 counts. At yesterday’s proceedings, the second prosecution witness, Abdulraheem Jimoh, an investigator, told the court how he uncovered, among others, an alleged fraudulent transaction of N10bn by Akingbola. Jimoh, who was led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said, “The management of the bank gave me a letter dated May 8, 2009, from Tropics Securities Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Dr. Erastus Akingbola, his wife and some other shareholders. “The letter was addressed to the Group Managing Director, Dr. Erastus Akingbola, and the letter was signed by one Mr. Bayo Dada and one Jackson. “The letter was claiming payment amounting to N10 billion for shares purported to have been bought by the bank.” The investigator said based on the letter, Intercontinental Bank issued three cheques amounting to N10 billion in favour of Tropics Securities Nigeria Limited. He said, “Upon further investigation, I discovered that the cheques were cleared in Access Bank for Tropics Securities Nigeria Limited and Tropics Properties Limited. Dr. Akingbola has substantial interests in these firms. “Further investigations revealed that the money was used to clear Dr. Akingbola’s indebtedness to Access Bank.” When asked by the prosecutor, Jacobs, whether the N10 billion was a loan from Intercontinental Bank to Akingbola, the witness said, “There was no loan granted to any of the companies or Dr. Akingbola but they claimed it was for shares.” Justice Olatoregun adjourned further proceedings till today.

Afolabi Ojay Asooto Passes on With heavy heart, but gratitude to God Almighty, the entire family of Asooto of Isua Akoko in Ondo State, has announced the death of an illustrious son, Afolabi Ojay Asooto, after a brief illness. Afolabi who died in October 2018, was a staff of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited. He will be laid to Mother Earth on March 14, 2019 at his country home in Isua Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo State. He is survived by his wife and children, brothers and

sisters. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Afolabi Asooto

Triacta Construction Company was attacked,” said Haruna Abdullahi, a police spokesman. The unidentified gunmen also shot one man, Alphonsus Ahmed, who died on his way to hospital, and another, Abdullahi Mohammed, was injured by a bullet, the spokesman said. He added that police were

combing the area looking for the suspects. A Triacta official declined to comment. Kidnappings are rampant in Nigeria, where both locals and foreigners are targeted — mostly for ransom. A sluggish economy means the average Nigerian is getting poorer while the national

security infrastructure is crumbling. Kano is the economic heart of northern Nigeria, where many foreigners live and work. Nigeria is concluding its gubernatorial elections, held last Saturday, though results are yet to be announced. Last month, voters re-elected Muhammadu Buhari for a

second term as president. He campaigned on pledges to fight corruption and renew infrastructure as well as reviving the economy and quelling violence including a decade-old Islamist insurgency in the northeast. During elections, the presence of security forces is often high.

TAKE HEART…

Former Governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala (left), condoling Mrs. Adeola Olatoye, mother of slain member of House of Representatives, the late Hon. Temitope Olatoye, during his visit to the family in Ibadan...yesterday

Court Orders EFCC, DSS, Police Not to Arrest Fani-Kayode, Odumakin without Due Process A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) not to arrest Femi Fani-Kayode and Yinka Odumakin without following appropriate due process of the law. Ruling on a fundamental rights suit filed by the duo, Justice John Tsoho, maintained that such arrest by the EFCC, Department of State Services (DSS) or the police, must be subject to processes being in accordance with provisions of the law. Justice Tsoho also ordered that the EFCC’s public declaration to arrest Fani-Kayode and Odumakin on the basis of

spreading false rumours was an infringement on their rights and a breach of their fundamental rights enshrined in Section 34(a) 35(1) (4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution. The judge further made an order enforcing Fani-Kayode and Odumakin’s fundamental rights and ordered the EFCC, the DSS and the Nigeria Police to stop issuing threats of unlawful arrest. The court, however, declined to grant the prayer compelling the EFCC, DSS and Police from tendering an unreserved apology to the duo for infringing on their rights. He also declined the prayer asking the security agencies to

pay the sum of N20million as damages for infringing on their rights. Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation and Odumakin, the spokesperson of Afenifere had sued the EFCC over an alleged plan to arrest them. They joined the DSS and the Police in the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The applicants, through their counsel, Mr. Chukwuma Machukwu-Ume (SAN) were praying the court to stop the security agencies from arresting them over alleged false information they spread. They were also demanding N20 million as damages for the

unlawful threat to arrest them from the applicants. They further prayed for a declaration that the respondents’ public declaration to arrest them on the basis of spreading false rumours was an infringement of their fundamental rights as enshrined in Section 34 (a), 35 (1) (4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution.They said the threat to falsely imprison their liberty, safety, peace and security was a breach of their rights. Fani-Kayode and Odumakin prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from harassing, arresting or detaining them.

Buhari Approves Inter-ministerial Presidential Inauguration Committee Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the Constitution of the 2019 Presidential Inauguration Committee. A statement issued last night by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olusegun A. Adekunle, said the terms of reference of the committee include planning, organising and executing all approved activities for the 2019 presidential inauguration. Adekunle also said the committee is also at liberty to co-opt any organisation or person relevant towards the successful execution of the programme. It is also to document for posterity, all planned activities

for the inauguration in addition to any other assignment as may be required towards the successful implementation of the programme. The committee, which will be inaugurated on Thursday, March 14, is to be chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha. Other members include the Minister of Information and Culture; Minister of Interior; Minister of Foreign Affairs; Minister of FCT and Minister of Defence. Also on the committee are the Minister of Health; Minister of Education; Minister of State (Aviation); National Chairman, All Progressives Congress; Inspector General of Police; Director General, Department State Services; Commander,

Brigade of Guards; Permanent Secretary (State House); and Permanent Secretary (General Services Office). The Permanent Secretary (Political and Economic Affairs Office) will serve as the Secretary. In a related development Buhari has also approved the constitution of the Policies, Programmes and Projects Audit Committee. A separate statement issued by Adekunle said the mandate of the committee is to audit and determine the status of implementation of policies, programmes and projects either inherited or commenced by the out-going Administration. It is to also identify and highlight a residue of works and challenges that may militate against their

successful implementation and prepare and produce a detailed working document that would guide the incoming cabinet members on the direction of government regarding policies, programmes and projects. The committee is to be chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Other members include the Chief of Staff to the President; Head of Civil Service of the Federation and Minister of Budget and National Planning; and his colleagues from Finance, Power, Industry, Trade and Investment. Others include the Attorney General of the Federation; Minister of Transportation; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Governor, Central Bank; and National Security Adviser.

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

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CUPP Accuses Presidency of Approving Justices to Decide Atiku’s Election Petition Asks Bulkachuwa, Aboki, Ige to step down

Udora Orizu in Abuja Opposition political parties under the aegis of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) yesterday accused the Presidency of selecting the five justices that will hear the petition of the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, stressing that the five judges were among the eight justices submitted to the Presidency for approval. The opposition parties also

released a list of the five Justices of the Court of Appeal whom it said have been approved to hear the petition of Atiku over the February 23 election. It claimed that the list was approved by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, “with the endorsement of the Buhari and APC.” The coalition’s national spokesman, Imo Ugochinyere, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists

Court Tells SAN to Produce NBC Boss, Modibbo in Court over Alleged N2.5bn Fraud Alex Enumah in Abuja The Abuja division of the Federal High Court yesterday advised a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Abdullahi Mustapha, to produce the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Ishaq Kawu Modibbo, in court on the next adjourned date. Justice Folasade GiwaOgunbanjo gave the advice following the absence of Modibbo in court to answer charges of fraud preferred against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC). When the case was called yesterday, counsel to Modibbo, who told the court that the 1st defendant was not present in court to take his plea because he has been ill, prayed the court for a short adjournment. According to him, “My lord let me apologise for the absence of the 1st defendant in court. He is on admission. He had a major surgery 10 years ago, and he is ill. “I have a medical report from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital to confirm that he is currently ill, and I shall be filing it before the court registry.” On the account of health, he sought an adjournment pending

when he (Modibbo) would be well enough to attend the trial. Responding, prosecuting counsel, Henry Emore, who did not oppose the oral application for an adjournment, however posited that it should be on record that the 1st defendant had taken one adjournment out of five as stipulated by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 in criminal cases. Similarly, counsel to the 2nd and 3rd defendants, Alex izinyon SAN, while not opposing the request for an adjournment, remarked that it is only the living that can face trial. Izinyon however pointed out that the statement of Emore on adjournment was not applicable to the other defendants, which the court affirmed. Before granting an adjournment, Justice GiwaOgunbanjo said she would not bend backwards again to grant an adjournment exceeding two weeks based on the provision of section 396 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. The judge also directed the prosecution counsel to verify the authenticity of the medical report filed by Modibbo’s counsel, and file a report on it to the court. She subsequently adjourned till April 17 for the defendants to take their plea, and May 2, 3, 8 and 9 for commencement of trial.

CPI to Hold Energy Finance Forum Chief executive officers (CEOs) and chief finance officers (CFOs) of financial and energy sectors will rub minds at the seventh annual Energy Finance Forum 2019 (EFF-VII) organised by a leading industry think-tank, the Centre for Petroleum Information (CPI). The all-day event billed to hold on Friday, March 15, has as its theme: ‘Financing gas and power: Deploying strategies that work.’ According to the Executive Director of the centre, Victor Eromosele: “With many deals in the gas and power sectors under discussion, the timing could not be better. Also, this year is unique because we have a rare combination of very senior executives from across sectors who are fine communicators and wellgrounded in their subject. Delegates should find the event provides excellent networking

opportunity.” He said that confirmed speakers include Kayode Akinkugbe, CEO of FBNQuest Merchant Bank, Wale Shonibare, Senior Country Director of African Development Bank (AfDB), Anthonia Okoh, Director, Project and Export Finance, Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, Dr Weib Boer, CEO, Al On and Dapo Okubadejo, Africa Lead, Deals and Advisory, KPMG Nigeria, among others. Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and Nigeria LNG Limited would be well represented at the event. Sessions would be chaired by President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr Uche Olowu and Partner, Aelex, Soji Awogbade. Chairman CPI Board of Governors, Chief Chambers Oyibo will be the chief host.

in Abuja. Ugochinyere listed members of the panel to include Bulkachuwa (Presiding Judge), Justice Abdu Aboki, Justice Peter O. Ige, Justice J. S. Ikyegh and Justice S. C. Oseji. He alleged that the list was drawn from a list of eight justices submitted to the Presidency for approval. He said the position of the CUPP was that Bulkachuwa, Aboki and Ige should immediately recuse themselves from the panel because they are likely to be biased in favour of President Muhammadu

Buhari whose victory Atiku is challenging. He said while Bulkachuwa is a wife of a senator-elect on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Aboki and Ige had rejected Atiku’s application for forensic analysis of the materials used for the presidential election. Ugochinyere said, “It is based on the foregoing and the evidence in the custody of the CUPP that we immediately, categorically and unambiguously demand that Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa,

Justice Abdu Aboki and Justice Peter Ige recuse themselves from the panel. “The intelligence at our disposal, which formed the basis for all the views canvassed in this statement, is that these three justices have already given their commitment to the presidency that they will rule in favour of the president at the tribunal, hence they cannot dispense justice. “Justices Aboki and Peter Ige, in furtherance of this commitment, had already and, very strangely so, denied

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar his application for forensic analysis of the materials used for the presidential election. “We also demand that Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa recuse herself from the administrative duty of reconstituting the panel, but that should be done by an impartial senior Justice of the court. “This idea of the Villa approving list of Justices that will sit over any matter, particularly the one where the President is a party, is novel and tyranny taken too far.

CAUCUS MEETING…

L-R: Chairman, Edo State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Anselem Ojezua; Governor Godwin Obaseki; his deputy, Philip Shuaibu; and Speaker, state House of Assembly, Kabiru Adjoto, during the governor’s meeting with the Expanded APC Caucus, in Government House, Benin City…yesterday

Ondo PDP, ADC, Others Storm INEC to Protest State Assembly Poll James Sowole in Akure Citing intimidation, bribing of electorate and act of brigandage, four among political parties that contested the last Saturday House of Assembly in Ondo State yesterday called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the election in Ondo East and Ondo West Local Governments Area of the state. The call was made by candidates of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), African Action Congress (AAC) and the ANRP during a protest

and a news conference held in Akure, the state capital. The protesters, including a 65-year-old father of Ebenezer Adetokunbo, 26, who was declared missing since the election day, marched to the Alagbaka headquarters of INEC in Akure. The protesters, which also included youths, traders and who were chanting unprintable words against some leaders in the community, urged the INEC to cancel the results of last Saturday election in the interest of justice. Led by a PDP stalwart in Ondo Kingdom, Chief Segun

Adegoke, and the former Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly, Hon Dayo Akinsoyinu, the protesters said the electorate was denied opportunity to choose who should represent them in the assembly. Addressing journalists, Adegoke alleged that the plan of all the ‘ugly incidents’ that transpired on the election day was hatched to save the APC and the state governor from another defeat. According to Adegoke, the state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, became desperate to win the assembly election

for his APC to avoid being impeached should he lose the assembly election. He said the performance of all the contesting political parties during the National Assembly election had shown clearly the political parties that the people of the Ondo Kingdom wanted. The PDP chieftain, who cited specific wards and units where thugs allegedly chased people away for not ready to compromise their positions, alleged that there were cases when money was shared to voters in queue to induce them to vote for either APC or Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Groups Laud Obaseki over APC’s Landslide Victory in Assembly Election Edo govt revokes sublease deeds of 24 abandoned properties Following the impressive outing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the Edo State House of Assembly election, Edo-based sociopolitical groups have applauded Governor Godwin Obaseki for leading the APC to a landslide victory. This is coming as the Edo Development and Property Agency (BDPA) has revoked sublease deeds of some abandoned properties in the

Bendel Development and Property Authority (BDPA) Estate in Ugbowo axis of Benin City, the state capital Representatives of the groups, who spoke to journalists, said the outstanding performance of the APC in the March 9 State House of Assembly election, is not only unprecedented but goes to show that Governor Obaseki’s developmental strides and style of governance resonate well with Edo people and residents.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State announced that the APC cleared 23 of the 24 seats in the State House of Assembly, with the election in Orhionmwon II State Constituency declared inconclusive. In a congratulatory message, the Progressive Benin Youth Forum (PBYF) described the APC’s outing in the poll as an affirmation of Governor Obaseki’s sterling performance,

adding, “we congratulate the governor on the historic victory in the State House of Assembly election.” Another group, Edo People in Diaspora Association, said the performance of the APC in the State House of Assembly poll is not a fluke, noting that the governor deserved such a support as he has shown to be “humble, noiseless, and an unassuming history maker.”

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

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Rivers PDP Alleges Plot to Deceive INEC Committee with Concocted Election Results Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said it has uncovered a plot by chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and two other political parties to deceive and tele-guide the INEC-fact finding committee in the state with concocted election results supposedly obtained in the 23 local government areas (LGAs) of the state. This is as the party expressed concern over the continued detention of its members by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army and the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), and has demanded for their immediate release. The PDP in a statement signed by the media aide to the state PDP Chairman, Jerry Needam, said the APC leaders had also planned to coerce the INEC officials that supervised the governorship and State Assembly elections to admit the fault results as the authentic results. The fake results, the statement added, were to be presented to the fact-finding committee through FSARS Commander in the State, Mr. Akin Fakorede, whom they claimed spearheaded the onslaught for the APC chieftains in the State.

The statement warned of the impending danger if the perpetrators of the “nefarious acts do not refrain from their evil plot which is capable of causing crisis in the state as the PDP and indeed the masses of Rivers people will not accept any results other than the one that emanated from the March 9 Governorship and State Assembly elections undistorted”. The statement however thanked Governor Nyesom Wike for the peaceful disposition displayed to ensure that the state remained calm and peaceful. “We urge and believe the INEC and the fact-finding committee will remain firm on what is right and save Rivers State from the turmoil being orchestrated by one man’s inordinate ambition to continue to rule the state through proxy. “The federal government, all well-meaning Nigerians, the media, civil society organisations and the international community should please take note, and warn those unrepentant antidemocratic elements fomenting trouble in the state, and hold them responsible for any breach of the law and order their plot to concoct the governorship election results in the state may cause,” the statement stressed. In a separate statement, Needam said the detained

PDP members, some with their families, have spent close to one week in detention camps uncared for by their abductors. The statement further said aside those illegally being detained by the army and FSARS, an unspecified number are still hospitalised, some in critical condition from gunshots and physical torture by the s He listed those in army and police detentions to include Prof. Israel Owate, Dr. Fred Ateng, and Hon. Deinma Iyalla; all Special Advisers to Governor Nyesom Wike. Others are the Chairman of Emohua LGA, Hon. Tom Aliezi; Rivers State Co-ordinator of Arise Nigeria, Hon. Benjamin Diri; as well as ordinary defenceless men and women including pregnant mothers. Describing the arbitrary and reckless display of power, arrests, harassments and detentions as an attempt to cause crisis in the State, the State PDP called on well-meaning Nigerians, traditional rulers, religious leaders, Human Rights Groups and the National Peace Committee as well as the International Community to “rise up in defense of the innocent Rivers people and residents from the trigger happy men of the Nigerian Army and FSARS.”

T H I S D AY Ëž MARCH 13, 2019

ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ? ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ™Ăœ Duro Ikhazuagbe Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă– duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

â€˜Chukwueze is BestTalent from Nigeria Since Mikelâ€™ Former junior international, Samuel Chukwueze, has been described as the best football prospect to come out of Nigeria since John Mikel Obi burst into the scene in 2005. The former junior international who has been the subject of transfer interests from both Atletico Madrid and Leicester City grabbed his third LaLiga goal of the season for Villarreal to secure maximum points for the Yellow Submarine in their 2-1 win at Levante last Sunday. The 19-year-old was introduced as a 63rd-minute substitute and impressively curled a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez after receiving a pass from Santi Cazorla. Super Star Academy President, Prince Victor Apugo who doubles as mentor for Chukwueze after discovering the player in Umuahia and helping in nurturing the prodigy during his time as General Manager of Diamond Academy reckons the best is yet to come from the teenage sensation.

A couple of months ago Apugo organised a tournament in Uyo where he brought Chukwuezeâ€™s Canadian agent Graham Daniel Heydorn and a host of other foreign scouts including Nottingham Forrest Head of Scouting, Simon Hunt in his bid to unearth more talents. He said: â€œIâ€™m not surprised by what Sammy (Chukwueze) is doing at Villarreal, he has the potential to be as good as Lionel Messi or Arjen Robben. â€œEverybody knows that Chukwueze is the brightest talent to come out of Nigeria since a very long time, probably since Mikel came to the limelight in 2005. Weâ€™re yet to even see hi s best because I know him very well and what he is capable of.â€? C h u k w u e z e h a s now scored six goals including two in the UEFA Europa League and has helped Villarreal move to 17th in the league standings with a point above the relegation zone. As a reward for his impressive showings in the Spanish top-flight, the 2015 FIFA U-17

Samuel Chukwueze is playing himself into reckoning in Europe this season. Was on target for Villarreal again last Sunday

World Cup winner has also been invited for Nigeriaâ€™s

Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifiers against Libya on

March 20. He made his senior debut for the Super Eagles

in a friendly against Uganda last year.

GTBank Lagos Polo Gallops off with Silver,Low Cup Matches High-class polo would be on centre stage for the next ten days starting from today as the prestigious Lagos International Polo Tournament which has GTBank as main sponsor gallops off today at Polo Club in Ikoyi, Lagos. The Silver Cup, the traditional event opener, would set hostilities rolling with three matches on the card as teams from Lagos, Kano and Ibadan battle for supremacy while the

Low Cup would close the dayâ€™s activity. Of the 33 teams that would vie for honour in four cups 12 of them would stake their pride in the Silver Cup, which is the lowest grade in the tournament. For the medium-goal Low Cup, five teams would be contesting for the top prize. The medium-goal Low Cup and the prestigious Majekodunmi Cup, which would round off the polo

Obaseki Explores More Centres to Host 2020 Sports Festival As National Council on Sports meets in Benin City Adibe Emenyonu Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜ Ă“ĂžĂŁ Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government would explore more sporting centres across the state as venues for sporting activities during the 2020 National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state. Obaseki disclosed this while on inspection of re-modelling work at the Government Science and Technical College (GSTC), formerly known as Benin Technical College, in Benin City. He said: â€œI am going to inspect what the school has in its sporting arena. We are hosting the National Sports Festival in 2020 and we need venues for the events, so we want to see if we can rebuild the swimming pool here, the lawn tennis court and even the race tracks.â€? This is coming as the National Council on Sports is holding a week-long

extraordinary meeting in Benin City, the first since Edo State was given the hosting right for the 2020 National Sports Festival. THISDAY checks revealed that top on the agenda of the meeting is the review of the 19th National Sports Festival hosted in Abuja, status of Beach Volleyball, zonal eliminations for team sports, sports for the next festival and medical guidelines. Other issues expected to be discussed include the proposed date for the 20th National Sports Festival and inspection of facilities. After Edo was given the right to host the 2020 edition of the sports fiesta, Governor Obaseki assured stakeholders â€œthat the confidence reposed in us would be justified. The sports community will have no cause to regret this momentous decision that has been taken for Edo State to host the next edition of the National Sports Festival.â€?

extravaganza, will feature two teams, STL of Lagos and Rubicon of Kano. The Open Cup as well as the Majek Cup, which are billed for the concluding week, would have high-profile players from Argentina, United Kingdom, South Africa and a host of top Nigerian players participating. Debuting STL of Lagos has Abuja-based Almat to contend with and a triumph for any

of the contesting teams would see them joining the elite group of winners which include 2018 champions Fifth Chukker of Kaduna. Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Segun Agbaje, stated that the financial institution identified with polo because of the love it has for the game as well as sports in general. According to him, â€œthe passion and the symbiosis between

the players and their horses, but most importantly, we hold a strong affinity to the sport of kings because it reflects quality, competitiveness and fair play; some of the values that have made GTBank a Proudly African and Truly International Financial Institution.â€? Agbaje reiterated GTBankâ€™s commitment by pointing out that the sponsorship of this yearâ€™s tournament demonstrates the bankâ€™s strong belief in the role

of sports in developing and uniting the society. He stresses that the tournament has grown over the years to become one of the most anticipated social and sporting events of the year in Nigeria. Tournament Manager, Seyi Oyinlola, promised two weeks of exhilarating and thrilling polo urging â€œpolo lovers to turn out in large numbers to come and feel the glamour associated with game of Kings.

NPFL: We Are Prepared for Lobi, Says MFMâ€™s Zikiye Mountains of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC leftback, Jonathan Zikiye has said that his team is ready and fully prepared to give Lobi Stars a good fight for the three points ahead of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match-day 3 rescheduled fixture. The Makurdi-based team will host MFM in a rearranged Nigerian topflight fixture today

at the Aper Aku Stadium. Both teams have met five times in the NPFL. MFM and the hosts won two games each and shared the spoils in their last meeting with a goalless draw. Zikiye disclosed in an interview minutes after his teamâ€™s work out session on Tuesday at the Aper Aku Stadium that the Olukoya Boys are ready to battle Lobi for the maximum points.

â€œWe came to Makurdi fully prepared though we know the capability of what Lobi Stars can do on the pitch, they just came from the continent I think they will come all out because they struggled in their last home match. I think they will want to see how they can bounce back with this game. â€œWe are expecting a tough game as usual, we have respect for them but we are not banking

on that, we have been training so hard ahead of the game and we are focused as well and there is a lot of concentration in our team. So I think we will give them a good run for the three points tomorrow,â€? Zikiye said. The Olukoya Boys are sitting comfortably on the NPFL Group A table with 18 points from eight games while Lobi Stars have seven points from five matches.

New Hall Academy for Launch Saturday After two years of construction, a 4,500 ultra-modern stadium at New Hall International School, Lekki is to be inaugurated this Saturday with Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as the special guest of honour. The event will coincide with the sixth inter-house sports of the school with former national sportsmen and women listed to grace the occasion. Amongst the ex-international expected at the event include; Chief Segun Odegbami, Peter Rufai, Friday Ekpo, Chioma Ajunwa and Enefiok UdoObong among others. The proprietor of the institution, Mr. Abiodun Agbaje,

explained at a press conference yesterday that the aim of the school is to develop pupils that will excel in their academies as well as make use of the state of the art facilities to harness their potentials in sports. â€œAside these facilities available for our students, members of the public can also avail themselves of the opportunities. Schools and other football academies with no playing arena will be allowed to make use of our arena. â€œIn the past, we made it a closed affair because of the cost of maintenance and other factors but we have since realized that there is the need to maximize their usage as part

of our social responsibility,â€? he explained. Mr. Agbaje said further that the academy is in its final phase of partnership with English Premiership side, Manchester City. â€œIn the coming months, New Hall Football Academy will formally be in partnership with the English sideâ€™s academy,â€? he revealed. He said that one of the major draw back to sports development in Africa is late discovery of talents. â€œAfrican athletes mainly start late and only few of them are able to reach the pinnacle of their career, but if we nurture them in their youth stage, they have better reasons to

be global icons within the shortest possible time. â€œOur projection is to produce a generation of sports men and women that will combine academics with sports. We have proven to be one of the best in academics if you look at our performance in the recent years. â€œAside good performance from our students at external examinations, two years ago, one of our pupils was adjudged the best in Chemistry in Lagos State. The feat was achieved again last year. We believe we can also do it in sports with this edifice that we have just competed,â€? Agbaje concluded.

T H I S D AY Ëž MARCH 13, 2019

WEDNESDAYSPORTS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

AHEAD FRANCE 2019

Ronaldoâ€™s Hat-trick Sends Juventus into Qâ€™final

Brazilâ€™s Marta Recalls Her World Cup Most Memorable Goals

Ëž Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă‹Ă—Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă•Ă? ÍľĚ‹ÍŽ ĂžĂ™ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’ Ă•Ă˜Ă™Ă?Ă• Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂšĂ’Ă‹Ă?Ă?

Ronaldo (2nd left) leading other Juventus players to celebrate the 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid last night

Cristiano Ronaldoâ€™s hat-trick overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Atletico Madrid as Juventus advanced to the UEFA Champions League last eight last night in Turin. The competitionâ€™s all-time leading goal-scorer with 124 goals opened his account with a close-range header from Federico Bernardeschiâ€™s cross. He nodded in a second after the break from Joao Canceloâ€™s delivery. And his third came from a penalty after Bernardeschi was fouled in the area. It was Operation Cristiano

Ronaldo in all its glory. Without the Champions League trophy since 1996, Juventus turned to the man who has caused them - and so many others - so much heartache and a man who is never far away from the trophy. Just look at Real Madrid without him. Stunned by Ajax. But for Juventus, they are profiting immensely. Having fallen flat in Madrid, there was never a worry he would miss the mark again. Elsewhere last night, Manchester City thrashed Schalke 7-0 in the second leg of their

Champions League last-16 tie to confirm their passage to the quarter-finals. Sergio Aguero opened the scoring from the spot and added a second three minutes later when Raheem Sterlingâ€™s back-heel set him up from six yards. Leroy Sane drilled in the third and picked up a hat-trick of assists after the break as City ran riot. Sterling, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus also scored. After slotting into the far corner in the first half, Sane set-up Sterling with a wonderful

curling cross that the England forward smashed into the top corner. Silva pounced on Saneâ€™s cut-back to make it 5-0 before substitute Foden rounded the goalkeeper after he was played in by the German winger. Jesus made sure he had a slice of the pie with a late curling strike. City, who came from behind in the first leg in Germany to win 3-2, were knocked out in the quarter-finals of last yearâ€™s competition by Liverpool and have never won the Champions League. The draw for the last eight will take place on Friday at 11:00 GMT.

Alaba Boost for Bayern ahead of Liverpool Clash David Alaba and Kingsley Coman are back in the Bayern Munich squad ahead of todayâ€™s UEFA Champions League clash with Liverpool, Manager Niko Kovac confirmed yesterday. Bayern and Liverpool played out a 0-0 draw in the opening leg, which took place at Anfield on February 20. Alab is set to return after irritating a tendon issue and has missed two matches. The defender has played 23 Bundesliga and six Champions League matches this season, and Kovac believes Alaba whose parents are Nigerians is ready

to contribute on Wednesday (today). â€œSo far, I assume heâ€™s ready to go,â€? the Bayern Munich boss said. Coman, 22, on the other hand has missed each of Bayernâ€™s last two matches as heâ€™s battled a hamstring issue. He has dealt with a number of knee issues throughout his Bayern career, and even hinted in December that he could retire if he was hit with another serious injury. However, the recent hamstring issue proved not to be serious and he will be ready

for Wednesdayâ€™s match. â€œHe (Coman) handled the maximum load in training on Monday, so he is fit,â€? Kovac told reporters ahead of the game yesterday. â€œIâ€™m very happy. That gives us an alternative, one more dimension.â€? Kovac added that â€œwe have to lookâ€? at whether Coman was fit to start or would be more capable with coming off the bench in a more limited role. Kovac sees Wednesdayâ€™s clash as a â€œhighlight gameâ€? against the â€œcream of world footballâ€?, as Bayern look to seal a spot in the Champions Leagueâ€™s

quarter-final round. Bayern have reached that quarter-final round in each of the last eight seasons, last falling in the Round of 16 in 2012 to Inter. In the Bundesliga, they currently sit first in the table as they compete with Borussia Dortmund for the top spot. Bayern maintain a lead on goal difference, with 35 compared to Dortmundâ€™s 33, as the club prepares to take on Mainz on Sunday following the conclusion of their Champions League tie against Liverpool.

Leave My Son Alone, Courtoisâ€™FatherTells Madrid Media Thibaut Courtoisâ€™ father has accused the Madrid media of bullying his son following Real Madridâ€™s woeful performance against Ajax that saw them dumped out of the Champions League. Thierry Courtois believes the Spanish and Flemish press have â€˜targetedâ€™ his boy after he shipped four goals, including a Lasse Schone free kick, against the Eredivisie side last week at

the Bernabeu. Itâ€™s not the first time the former Chelsea goalkeeper has faced criticism since joining Real last summer and his dad is refusing to keep quiet on the matter. â€˜I feel that everyone is targeting Thibaut,â€™ Courtoisâ€™ father said. â€˜The Spanish press, and also the Flemish. As a father, I cannot ignore that. â€˜A goalkeeper is always the first target, it is part of the job.

For right or wrong, I let you judge that. â€˜But after the match against Ajax, he was targeted because of the fourth goal after heâ€™d played well. This single mistake has taken on huge proportions. â€˜There are also personal things that come out in the press. I see the intentions of journalists to my son. â€˜Iâ€™m struggling with that, but luckily Thibaut is above that. He knows what to do and

is aware of his qualities and he will not doubt himself.â€™ Courtoisâ€™ future at the club is also in doubt following Mondayâ€™s huge announcement that Zinedine Zidane has returned as manager. Zidane, who originally blocked Courtoisâ€™ move to the club during his first stint in charge, could reinstate Keylor Navas as his No 1 again having trusted the Costa Rican previously.

Marta certainly knows how to find the back of the net at the FIFA Womenâ€™s World Cup. Indeed, the Brazilian hot-shot goes into France 2019 as the tournamentâ€™s all-time leading scorer. The Canarinhas legend has found the net a staggering 15 times at the global finals since making her debut as a 17-year-old at USA 2003, before going on to pick up the top scorer accolade four years later at China 2007. So, which strikes are Martaâ€™s most memorable at the last four global finals? â€œItâ€™s difficult to choose one because Iâ€™ve scored so many,â€? Marta told FIFA TV yesterday before bursting out laughing. Nonetheless, the Brazilian runs the rule over her World Cup goals and gives us her top three â€“ all of which come against the same opponent. Samba skills and sublime strikes ensured that Marta lit up China 2007 and emerged with a Golden Ball and Golden Boot double. Of the seven Marta scored at that tournament two stand out in particular: her brace against titans USA in the semi-final. When asked to choose her top three goals, Marta replied: â€œIâ€™d say my two goals against USA in the 2007 in China. For the first one, I dribbled past at the defender outside of the box and then shot low. â€œEven though the goalkeeper got a touch, it went in. That was my first goal in that game. Martaâ€™s second â€“ and Brazilâ€™s fourth â€“ in that semifinal was a goal of sheer brilliance. The No10 left USA players in her wake with her fabulous flashes of skill and tantalising technique before firing past goalkeeper Briana Scurry. â€œI was facing away from goal with someone marking me and I received a pass,â€? she recalled. â€œI slightly touched the ball one side and turned to the other side, got the ball and dribbled past two players and shot with my right foot.â€?. One of the FIFA Womenâ€™s World Cupâ€™s all-time thrillers, Brazil and USA were reunited at the global finals in the quarter-finals of Germany 2011. Just as A SeleĂ§ĂŁo looked like they were advancing to their second successive semifinal, Abby Wambachâ€™s thumping header took the game to a penalty shoot-out. Marta, who netted a brace on that occasion, includes her first from that quarter-final among her top three Womenâ€™s World Cup goals. Recalling that clash against the Americans, the Brazilian star said: â€œThere was a long ball, I was inside the box and I hit it on the volley with my left foot. That made it 2-1 but we lost the game on penalties.â€?

Nigeriaâ€™s Table Tennis Queen, Oshonaike, Hints at Retirement Africaâ€™s queen of table tennis who is set to become the first female athlete to appear in the Olympics for a record 7th time when Tokyo 2020 Olympics gets underway has hinted that she may quit soon. Speaking ahead of the forthcoming Liebherr 2019 ITTF World Championships scheduled to commence in the Hungarian capital city of Budapest on Sunday 21st April, Oshonaike said: â€œI think this might be my last World Championships, my aim is to play at the next Olympic Games in Japan where I will then call it quits. â€œI must admit it will not be easy leaving a sport I have played for more than three decades. aTable tennis has impacted my life positively and everything I have achieved in life, most of it has been through the sport.â€? The veteran who is the only player to have won the womenâ€™s singles title at the African Senior Championships on three occasions spoke about her fond experience, â€œMy first outing was in Chiba, Japan in 1991 when I played alongside the great African player Atanda Musa. I was so young, a teenager, I have forgotten every moment. She described her most cherished moment in the game as â€œappearing at the 2a015 World Championships in China where I played against the eventual champion, Ding Ning, in the first round. It was my birthday and I enjoyed playing against the best player in the world. It was a rare experience that not every player will have but I played against Ding Ning which is one of the excitements of playing at the World Championship.â€? In response to a question posed on expectations at the Liebherr 2019 World Championships: â€œI want to first of all qualify from the group and see what next I can do in the competition. The World Championships is a unique competition; it is unlike the Olympic Games and World Cup where only the best compete. So every moment in the competition is cherished and that is why it is the dream of every player to compete at the World Championships.â€?

Wednesday March 13, 2019

UT H

& RE A SO

Price: N250

MISSILE

Onitiri to INEC

“I wish to condemn the hounding and arbitrary harassment and arrests of the opposition members, whereas members of the ruling party continued to violate the electoral laws with impunity and ignominy. INEC has succeeded in wasting our huge resources, bastardise our democratic process and insulted our collective intelligence as a nation. INEC has lost its remaining credibility.” – Lagos Central PDP senatorial candidate, Chief Sunbo Onitiri, condemning INEC’s role in the last presidential and governorship elections across the country.

PATUTOMI The New Identity Politics in Lagos GUEST COLUMNIST

know Femi Kusa. He is a friend and a classmate. I knew of him from his Daily Times days. Then we met at the University of Nigeria shortly after the end of Nigerian Civil war. I have read his reflections on Ndigbo and the politics of Lagos. And have followed with considerable curiosity the Galestorm his article set off and some of the responses to his rebuke of Ndigbo. My reaction has been influenced by a number of experiences from my own life’s journey. Two related to the times I shared with Femi at Nsukka, the other came from a few years later in Graduate School, in the United States. I shall start from the latter. When I was at Indiana University, a certain Professor of comparative politics and former Vice President of the University J. Gus Liebenow remarked that it was a shame that some very bright African students were completing Ph.ds in Economics, Education and even Political Science and other disciplines with little understanding of the American system of government. He thought this particularly unfortunate because such people ought to be the kinds to turn to for light on how the American system worked, on return to their home countries. Who better to elucidate on the American way, in his home country than a US education Ph.D. Liebenow, a Liberia expert, pushed for fellowship that could take some of the top Ph. d prospects from Africa, as interns, to the corridors of American government. He got his way. I turned out to be the first to be selected for this programme and went off to the US Capital, Washington DC as an intern in the Indiana Washington Office for rotation through the offices of members of the Indiana Delegation to the US Congress. While the opportunity allowed me the bragging rights of engaging the American way in observing and asking questions directly of a Senator who would later become Vice President of the United States (Dan Quayle) and a Congressman who would dominate foreign policy oversight from the House of Representative for many years, (Lee Hamilton), I suspect the opportunity advanced Liebenow’s goal because I have done many hours of talking, in the 38 years since that exposure, on how the American system works. Some people at UNN were apparently not as smart as J Gus Liebenow. If they were, one of the Yorubas that ventured to Nsukka just after the Civil War, should probably not be one to raise issues of questionable charity towards a people he had ample opportunity to better understand. In those days at UNN some of my closest friends were Yoruba: my classmate from Loyola College Ibadan, Gbenga Sadipe; Folu Ayeni, First Class Graduate and Class Valedictorian in 1974, who would, with his wife Bose, found Tantalizers, years later; Ade Ogidan who would work at The Guardian for many years with Femi Kusa; and Ademola Ayegoro, among others. Most times we gathered in Baba’s room, a room next door to that of Clement Ebri, later Governor of Cross River State. It was part of a season in which things ethnic seemed

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode

peculiar to me. I was sometimes “one of those Yoruba boys”, other times a Midwest boy and at others an identity challenged rascal. But I had fun, happy with myself and with everyone around. My Yoruba tribe at UNN did not get in the way of association with my old school mates from Christ the Kings College Onitsha, so I had another cluster. What’s in the language you claim as mother tongue? Well, Femi Kusa and I, got a chance to leave UNN reflecting on this because at our farewell party Prof. Donatus Nwoga, the Dean of Faculty, gave a speech I still lift from till this day; and we got gifts of books. I am not sure if Femi got the same book I got but mine was a novel by the Kenyan writer Mugo Gatheru, A Child of Two Worlds. When I read Femi’s piece, which has been called xenophobic, and compared to the kind of remarks that set off genocide in Rwanda, what I saw was a spirit trapped in the desire to be modern but struggled with capture of the medieval. Femi is smart and capable person and quite deliberate in what he does but we all can be trapped by things within and just outside of us. Human Emotion is a subject that fascinates me. This is why the work of people like Joshua Greene at Harvard, who draws from Neuroscience and Psychology to explain Emotions and how people respond to the need for both cooperation and competition in the advance of human endeavor, intrigues me. I was quickly inclined to send my friend Femi Kusa, Greene’s book, Moral Tribes. Responding to Femi with fury will do little to change how he thinks of a people just as the passionate response in abuse tends to turn off. The shower I vitriol in response, therefore seemed quite unhelpful from my point of view. Adducing rational measurable benefits of cooperation and identifying faults in reasoning may better help a person struggling as we all tend to be, to locate themselves in the modernity/medieval mindset continuum, may help a little more. The bigger problem for me is that many who vilify Femi actually live the shortcomings they point out on Femi. They are pockets of what they accuse him of but they do not publicly declare such. But if they show that Ondo State and Oyo States, with few

Igbos, seemed to have voted like Okota, in Lagos, they may make Femi think. Did Femi think about that in coming to conclusions so divisive and threatening of cooperation? Why did such a people who take over the territory of others vote a Northerner the Mayor of Enugu in the 1950s? There are many examples that could point a different way. But stereotypes reduce the pressure to think. They make life easy but potentially dangerous because they can perpetuate unreason. In our earlier years in the department, at UNN, the Head of Department, Ezenta Eze, taught a class on Gestalt. The idiosyncratic forging of the shape of reality should not be dismissed. Some personal experience can shape a view others can consider jaundiced or biased. Condemning such outright may therefore be unfair Maturity demands continuing sensitivity to the fact that people see reality differently, which neither makes them good, or bad people. Identity politics is a significant point today in Nigeria. Kayode Komolafe (KK) of THISDAY, in writing about my politics, thought, I should have run for office from Lagos rather than Delta. I know Lagos and I’m better known here, he submitted. Femi Falana and a few others have suggested same. Nothing wrong in principle, but maturity suggests to me that it is early days yet for such. My response to such prodding is a nice smile. Surely if we want to build a nation, then the nationality question has to be addressed. We can choose not to build a nation and federate or separate but we need to pace and try things before we decide. Still, it does not mean anybody has the entitlement to denying me a right that is fundamental. Maturity must come from all sides. But what makes a difference is the conduct of leaders. As we saw with Yugoslavia, well captured by Robert Kaplan in Balkan Ghosts, once Josef Tito died the story was different. The Filipino Professor, of Chinese ethnic stock, at Yale University, Amy Chua, years ago, wrote the book World on Fire, about how globalization was stoking ethnic hatred against market-dominant minorities. In her list of such groups were Jews, Chinese minorities in places like the Philippines (her own ethnic stock) and Igbo of Nigeria. It is easy and cheap to attack such groups. In my own writings from my work in South East Asia, I have also referred to an “Emigrant Economistic Ethnic” to explain why migrant peoples tend to be economically successful. In my view, they are often shut out of the politics of the land by the indigenous people, and often out of High Society, and so their passions become uncommonly focused on economic pursuits. They invariably tend to thrive and that creates new irritation with the indigenes. How newly arriving Vietnamese Boat people in the US outperformed African Americans was a favorite example of mine. Understanding these phenomena, and a little maturity keeps cooperation and progress on the roll. There is a daughter of the Oba of Lagos who reminds me that when Oba Rilwan Akinlolu was under fire during the 2015

elections for remarks about the Igbo being drowned in the Lagoon I was the only one that stood up for him. All I did was a simple offer of maturity. First he had no capacity to enforce such a thing, and secondly, I know he speaks joking, in such tones. So seeing it for what it is, the kind of remark many make in their living rooms but do not really mean, helped diffuse what could have boiled over. Many wars have been sparked off by little deeds that mature handling could avert. This is why I am pained that Femi Kusa should have known that it is a duty of his education and exposure to avoid comments that could be termed Hate Speech. I have been both loved and abused for making myself available to support the work of every government of Lagos. That disposition has never made me any less Igbo. Neither has the fact that I was born in the north and have such close friendship with friends from across northern Nigeria but that did not manage to get in the way of my championing resistance after the annulment of elections of June 12, 1993, which was pitched, by some, as a north/ southwest cleavage. Exposure, experience, and education confer privilege of a moral Authority. Femi should have exercised that moral authority. Sadly, Nigeria is more divided today on ethnic, religious and other parochial cleavages than when we experienced a civil war 40 years ago. Leaders have a duty not to pour petrol on emotions of people yet to have enough information about their neighbours to improve understanding and cooperation. Policies ought to promote balanced development so there are enough centres of thriving economic conurbation to reduce such tensions. Sadly, with the poor politics of narcissism that dominates the Nigeria landscape with individuals in pursuit of self-interest, in the name of politics, provoke fear of neighbours where good leadership would have focused on our shared humanity and how to cooperate for the advance of the Common Good. My experience has thought me that the stereotyping of any ethnic group by politicians anywhere is a true measure of their weakness, whether it is in the United States, Indonesia or Nigeria. I long learnt that God created no group of humans better or worse than the others. This is why I often make the claim that there are no more than six of Nigeria’s 36 states that I can arrive into and not have a friend so close that I will get an invitation to spend the night in their home. Whether it be Maiduguri where Mohammed Hayatudeen has a home or Biu in the same Borno State where Ahmed Kuru, Ibrahim Usman and others have hosted me; or Abia where I have several dozen options including the Ohuabunwas, Ottis, Ogahs; or Ekiti where I can go from Fayemis to the Onis and Falanas or Sokoto where the Sultan himself has provided accommodation for most of my visits there and I have enjoyed dinner in his tent with him and Bishop Mathew Kukah, the classic example of ethnic and religious tolerance. Continued on page 50

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