THURSDAY 21ST MARCH 2019

More Firms Eye $60tn Green Bond Market for Project Funding Goddy Egene With the rising appetite for green bonds, more Nigerian companies are preparing to take advantage of this financing instrument to fill their funding gaps, THISDAY

has learnt.

Green bonds, which are worth $60 trillion globally, are fixed income, liquid financial instruments used to raise funds dedicated to climate mitigation, adaption and other environment-friendly

projects.

They provide investors with an attractive investment proposition and an opportunity to support environmentally and socially sound project. The federal government pioneered green bond issuance by raising

over N10.7 billion in 2017.

THISDAY gathered that as the need to finance infrastructure on a sustainable manner becomes more imperative, companies are now looking at the green bond market to raise funds.

For instance, Access Bank Plc and North South Power are two institutions that have raised a total of N25 billion green bonds in the past few days. Both issues were significantly oversubscribed.

Owing to this, market

operators told THISDAY that more firms are gearing up to source green bonds going forward due to availability of huge funds and high demand by investors.

Assets under management Continued on page 8

NNPC Releases Guidelines for 2019 Crude Oil Swap Contract... Page 8 Thursday 21 March, 2019 Vol 24. No 8746. Price: N250

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PDP Petitions NJC over Abortion of Bauchi Gov Election Results Collation Court refuses to stop collation of Rivers' election results INEC questions judge’s jurisdiction on post-election matters Appeal Court president places election tribunal judges on watch-list Iyobosa Uwugiaren, Alex Enumah and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Less than 24 hours after he granted a controversial order, halting the collation of Bauchi State governorship election results, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday dragged Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja before the National Judicial Council (NJC) over alleged violation

of the 1999 Constitution as altered and Electoral Act 2010 as altered.

But in a similar case involving Rivers State governorship election, Justice Ekwo yesterday refused to stop the collation of results of Rivers State governorship and House of Assembly election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on March 9, 2019.

Continued on page 6

APC to PDP: You Are Hallucinating Says 1.6m votes claim ridiculous Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to go ahead with its threat to approach the court to stop the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The ruling party has also

described as utterly ridiculous, the claim by the PDP that it won the presidential election with 1.6 million votes, saying the main opposition is still hallucinating over its defeat.

One of the APC governors seeking re-election, Alhaji Continued on page 6

Senate Condemns Militarisation MATTER OF STATE… National Security Adviser to the President, Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (left), and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Geoffrey Onyeama, during the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja…yesterday of Electoral Process… Page 6

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PAGE SIX

Senate Condemns Militarisation of Electoral Process Urges president to assent to electoral amendment bill Buhari refuses assent to five bills

Deji Elumoye in Abuja The general election formed the bedrock of debate at the Senate yesterday with the upper chamber of the National Assembly condemning in strong terms the militarisation of the polls.

The Senate at a rowdy session condemned the massive use of armed forces in the national electoral process of the nation.

It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the unrestricted and consistent application of all electoral laws without bias to a candidate or a party in all elections.

In the same vein, the Senate directed its Committee on INEC to investigate all perceived inconsistent application of electoral laws by INEC during the elections.

The upper legislative chamber also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the Amendment to the Electoral Act 2010 as altered to ensure a level playing field and adoption of equal standards in national elections to engender a strong and peaceful democracy in Nigeria.

The Senate resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion entitled: “The militarisation of the Nigerian Electoral Process and the inconsistent application of Electoral Laws by the

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)� moved

by Senator Dino Melaye (PDP Kogi West) and co-sponsored by seven other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators.

The co-sponsors of the motion included Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South), Senators Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North) Matthew Urhoghide (Edo South), Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East), Clifford Ordia (Edo Central), Ahmed Ogembe (Kogi Central) and Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi Central).

Leading the debate on the motion, Melaye said he was aware of the need to grow the nation's nascent democracy through the institutionalization of procedures, application of civil laws and the restriction of excessive use of military force in the civil affairs of the state and accused the Aide de Camp (ADC) to Kogi State governor of harassing prominent indigenes of the state including former Governor Idris Wada during the general election.

He also expressed concern that the extreme militarisation of a democratic electoral process, and the inconsistent application of electoral laws

by INEC in matters of national elections "pose serious threats to democracy in Nigeria, saying it has serious security implications that must be nipped in the bud.

Melaye also wondered what armed soldiers were doing at

INEC office in Rivers State during the last polls.

According to him, while the Aide de Camp (ADC) to the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, held members of opposition parties to ransom during the elections, the military, particularly men of the Nigerian Army did same to voters and INEC officers in Rivers State.

He said: "I am persuaded that the nation is on the edge of a precipice, and our democracy can be saved for future posterity, if only we can build strong institutions that can operate within established laws, and with our military forces restricted to their traditional roles of defending the nation."

Though the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan (APC Yobe North), seconded the motion on the grounds of required legislative intervention in strengthening the nation's electoral process, debate on the motion assumed a partisan dimension when Olujimi in her contributions alleged that rigging was legalised in the elections and votes buying was the order of the day.

Angered by her submission , the Senate leader, raised order 53(4) of the Senate Standing Rules for the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to call her to order amid shouts of 'no more debates on the elections!, Go to court!' from many of the

APC senators.

Even efforts made by the Senate president to make senators debate the motion dispassionately and not along partisan lines proved abortive, making him to hurriedly put the four prayers in the motion to voice votes.

Partisan colouration of debates on the motion was further demonstrated by both the PDP and the APC senators during the voice voting as PDP senators shouted ayes! to all the four prayers while their APC counterparts shouted nay! with the Senate president ruling in favour of the ayes.

Expressing his displeasure over the motion and resolutions adopted by the Senate, Senator Andrew Uchendu (APC Rivers East) told journalists after the plenary that the Senate president was biased in his handling of the debate.

He said being a senator from Rivers State used as reference point by Melaye in the motion, he ought to have been allowed to give the true account of what actually happened in the state during the general election.

He said: "I feel very sad that I was denied opportunity to make contribution to a motion in which wide allegations on what did not happen were made against the military in Rivers State by a senator from another state.

"The alleged militarisation of electoral process was not

done by the military in Rivers State but by armed youths empowered by the governor, Nyesom Wike, through his Neighbourhood Watch Corps.

"Wike's armed thugs killed soldiers and innocent people in the state during the elections and not the other way round."

Also yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari declined assent to five more bills passed by the National Assembly.

This brings to 26 the total number of bills rejected by the president since the inauguration of the eighth National Assembly.

The rejection of the five bills was contained in five separate letters from president to the Senate president and read at plenary yesterday.

The rejected bills, according to the Senate president, include Nigerian Film Corporation Bill, Immigration (Amendment) Bill, Climate Change Bill, Chattered Institute of Pension Practitioners Bill and Digital Rights and Freedom Bill.

Buhari explained that he rejected the Immigration Bill because it would have adverse effect on Nigeria's position on the Ease of Doing Business ranking if signed into law, adding that the Chattered Institute of Pension Practitioners Bill amounted to duplication of functions with an existing institute.

Bills earlier rejected by Buhari since 2015 include: the

Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), Stamp Duties (Amendment) Bill, Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief) (Amendment) Bill, National Research and Innovation Council (Est.) Bill, National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (Est.) Bill and National Agricultural Seeds Council Bill.

Others are Chartered Institute of Entrepreneurship (Est.) Bill, Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences (Amendment) Bill, Subsidiary Legislation (Legislative Scrutiny) Bill, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (Amendment) Bill as well as five constitution amendment bills.

Also rejected are: National Transport Commission Bill, Federal Road Authority (Establishment) Bill, National Broadcasting Commission Amendment Bill, National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) Act (Amendment) Bill and Federal Polytechnics Act (Amendment) Bill.

The Senate had last September set up a Technical Committee on Declined Assent to Bills, chaired by Senator David Umaru to look into the rejected bills by the President.

Although the technical committee laid its report at plenary last December, the report is yet to be considered.

PDP PETITIONS NJC OVER ABORTION OF BAUCHI GOV ELECTION RESULTS COLLATION However, the Federal High Court will today commence hearing on the objection of INEC to the order of Justice Ekwo, which on Tuesday restrained it from going ahead with collating, concluding and announcing the governorship election results of Bauchi State.

In a related development, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, yesterday, threatened to deal with any election tribunal judge involved in any unethical

conduct, saying that over 250 judges handling election petition cases across the country, had been placed on watch-list.

The PDP told the NJC in its petition that Justice Ekwo misconducted himself when he sat on post-election matter contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act. PDP in a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, insisted that not only did Justice Inyang

APC TO PDP: YOU ARE HALLUCINATING Muhammed Abubakar of Bauchi State, had obtained a court injunction stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from continuing with the collation of the results of the governorship election in the state.

Following this development, the main opposition party said in a statement on Tuesday that it might be forced to tow a similar line by going to court to prevent the inauguration of Buhari on May 29.

Reacting to the threat, the ruling party challenged the PDP to exercise its fundamental right to sue the ruling party.

The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu, who spoke to THISDAY, said it was up to the PDP to carry out their threat and see if the court would grant their plea.

"It is within their right to go to the court and it is up to the court to consider the merit of their case. We don't see that as a big deal that they should be going back and forth on,� the APC said.

On the claim that APC is employing court injunctions to scuttle INEC's result collation, the party's spokesman said there was nothing wrong in their members going to the courts to ventilate their grievances.

The party explained: "It is within our right to go to court and it is also within the right of the PDP to go to the same court if it feels aggrieved. At the same time, it is also within the responsibility and mandate of the court to consider the merit or otherwise of the case and issue judgment.

"I don't think the PDP's threat is a big deal, if they are worried about our going to court, what other option would they recommend? Any time we feel that we should use the judiciary to stop anybody from encroaching on our rights, we will go to court."

PDP Still Hallucinating over Defeat, Says APC Meanwhile, the APC has described as utterly ridiculous, the claim by the PDP that it

violated the clear provisions of the Electoral Act, the motion granted was also an affront to the electoral wishes of the people of Bauchi State, who had clearly chosen their next governor by voting for the PDP candidate, Senator Bala Mohammed.

The party noted that in granting an exparte order, stopping the electoral commission from concluding the governorship election in Bauchi State, Justice Ekwo violated Section 87(11) of the Electoral Act, which states

that no court has the power or jurisdiction to stop any election pending the determination of a suit.

In an affidavit sworn to by the PDP's National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, in Abuja, the party noted that issues of collation of results and declaration of winner, is a post-election event and, therefore, falls under the Electoral Act and constitutional provisions for the election petition tribunal.

The affidavit read: “Despite

this clear provision of the law, Justice Ekwo decided to hear the application of Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar and his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), within 24 hours on March 19, 2019 and issued an order on INEC not to continue with the election until the case before him is finally decided. “That the collation of results is a post-election event and under section 87(11) of the Electoral Act, no court has the power or jurisdiction to stop any election

pending the determination of a suit. “That an election includes voting, collation of results and the declaration of results. That as a result of the order on the Independent National Electoral Commission, the conclusion of the Bauchi State Governorship election, which was to take place on 19th March 2019 was stalled. “That the order of Justice Ekwo was made contrary to the

won the presidential election with 1.6 million votes.

The ruling party said that the PDP's claim that the figure it was brandishing emanated from the server of INEC was an indication that the opposition party is up for some dastard activities that are targeted at jeopardising the INEC database and internal storage system.Isa-Onilu said in a statement issued yesterday that the claim was part of PDP’s antics to discredit the credible presidential electoral process, which was acknowledged by local and international observers.

He added that with the manner the PDP was brandishing figures allegedly obtained from INEC's server, it would be necessary for INEC and security agencies to be on alert.

"We call on the INEC and the security agencies to be on red alert to ensure that Atiku and the other desperate characters in the PDP are not able to execute their evil plans," it said.

APC added that of all

the prayers of Atiku before the election tribunal, which are at best hollow, the most ridiculous is his claim that the server of the INEC indicated he won the presidential election by 1.6 million votes.

The party also said that as far as it is concerned the vast majority of Nigerians have reaffirmed their unshaken belief in President Buhari to continue to steer the affairs of the country for another four years.

APC said: "We have watched in disbelief and utter amusement how the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have engaged in series of circus shows to cheer up their crestfallen and disillusioned members.

"While the APC is not oblivious of the PDP’s antics to discredit the credible presidential electoral process, acknowledged by local and international observers, we sympathise with Atiku for the crushing defeat handed him

by President Buhari through the votes of Nigerians "Most importantly, we note Atiku’s consistent reference to the INEC server as if he is the custodian of that platform.

Indeed, Atiku’s constant reference to the INEC’s server should raise concerns as it is becoming apparent that he and the PDP are up for some dastard activities that are targeted at jeopardising the INEC database and internal storage system. “We recall the widespread reported cases of several programmed card readers that were retrieved from some PDP agents and their failed attempt to hack the INEC’s database in the lead up to the then postponed presidential election."

APC added that judging

by Atiku and PDP’s recent utterances and actions, "it was now clear that they have slipped into severe depression and post-defeat hallucination that have left many Nigerians questioning their current state of mind.’’ APC said that it took weeks of dilly-dallying, for the PDP

to wake up to the stark reality of its electoral defeat and for it to follow the constitutional path of filing a petition at the election tribunal.

Continued on page 8

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NGN NGN 0.02 0.23 0.55 6.50 0.20 2.41 0.03 0.77 0.30 8.00 NGN 0.20 1.85 7.05 71.95 0.06 0.65 CADBURY 1.00 11.00 IKEJHOTEL 0.14 1.56 HPE Nestle Nig Plc NN1,500.0 Volume: 223.659 million shares Value: N2.163 billion Deals: 3,419 As at yesterday 20/3/19 See details on Page 39

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NNPC Releases Guidelines for 2019 Crude Oil Swap Contract Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday unveiled the guidelines for its crude oil-for-product swap programme, known as the Direct Sale and Direct Purchase (DSDP) scheme.

The corporation in a tweet message on its official twitter handle @NNPCgroup, disclosed that it will engage qualified refineries, oil traders, as well as local downstream operators in the 2019 DSDP programme.

NNPC did not state the volume of crude oil it would put into the DSDP programme but usually allocates 445,000 barrels of oil a day from Nigeria’s daily production figures to take care of the country’s daily

products consumption. This volume is also often used by it in its crude oil for product swap programmes, including the DSDP. According to the corporation, the invitation of participants in the swap contract was in line with Nigeria’s public contract and procurement law – the Public Procurement Act 2007, as well as its policy and procedures on same.

It said the decision to engage qualified and credible companies in the DSDP programme was to ensure sustained product supply in the country.

The corporation added that the programme would deliver monthly crude oil lifting on Free on Board (FOB) basis to suppliers who shall in return deliver petroleum

NNPC GMD, Maikanti Baru

products of Nigerian standard specification to it on Delivered at Place (DAP) basis, at designated safe ports in Nigeria.

NNPC equally stated that the petroleum products to be delivered shall be equivalent

in value to the crude oil received from it by the suppliers.

NNPC described the company that will be eligible to participate in the swap scheme, as: “An established international end user who owns a refinery with the capacity to process Nigerian crude oil grades and has a Nigerian affiliate or subsidiary experienced in downstream oil and gas business or in partnership with an experienced Nigerian company engaged in downstream oil and gas business particularly petroleum products trading. “An established and globally recognised large volume petroleum product trading company and has a Nigerian affiliate or subsidiary experienced in

downstream oil and gas business or in partnership with an experienced Nigerian company engaged in downstream oil and gas business particularly petroleum products trading.�

It also added that: “An Indigenous company engaged in Nigerian oil and gas downstream activities with trading of petroleum product expertise,� would be allowed to participate.

The duration of the swap contract, it said, would be for a 12 calendar month, that is, between 2019 and 2020.

It said participating companies must provide legal evidence of their existence; tax clearance; compliance with Nigeria’s pension law; the country’s social insurance law; as well as registration on the Bureau

of Public Procurement (BPP’s) National Data Base of Federal Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers (NDCCSPs).

With regards to financial requirements, it said: “Minimum turnover of $500 million (or the naira equivalent) and net worth of $250 million (or the naira equivalent) for the year 2017 or 2018 whichever is the current financial year.�

It added that foreign companies applying shall be required to demonstrate evidence of partnership with experienced Nigerian downstream company that meets a minimum turnover of $65 million and net worth of $32.5 million, while indigenous companies shall meet the minimum turnover of $400 million and net worth of $200 million.

determination of all issues raised by the plaintiffs in their originating summons.

Justice Ekwo also granted accelerated hearing in the matter and ordered parties to appear before him on Wednesday, 20, 2019, to present their positions in the substantive matter.

Also yesterday, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, threatened to deal with any election tribunal judge involved in any unethical conduct, saying that over 250 judges handling election petition cases across the country had been placed on watch-list.

She added that the judges would be “closely monitored,� warning all the election tribunal judges not to grant frivolous adjournments or allow undue technicalities capable of causing delay in the dispensation of petitions brought before them.

Bulkachuwa stated these while flagging-off an induction programme put together for justices of the Court of Appeal that will serve as chairmen and members of election petition tribunals.

According to her, “The judiciary has been a major role player in the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria by adjudicating in all cases that arise from pre-election as well as post-election activities. By the end of this week, we will all be in our various states for the tribunals and the appeals that will follow suit by the aggrieved parties. “I need not remind you that the assignment ahead of you is enormous and due diligence and professionalism is expected from each and every one of

you. Always be law abiding and do not allow yourselves to be stirred by emotions, fear or sentiments. You are expected to be in charge of your courts. “The judiciary is in the limelight and as judicial officers we should discharge the responsibilities reposed on us both individually and collectively by dispensing justice in accordance with the law without fear or favour, affection or ill-will within the dictates of our conscience and oath of office.’’ She reminded the judges that in an Election Petition Tribunal, time is of the essence, urging them to desist from granting frivolous adjournments and also discourage the practice of employing undue technicalities or any act capable of causing delay in the dispensation of petitions before you.

The President of the Court of Appeal said that each and every one of the judges would be closely monitored by her office, saying she would not hesitate to descend on any judge found wanting in the discharge of his or her duties. “By the end of this induction training, you will all be abreast with what is expected of you and I am sure by the time you resume your duty posts you will be ready to carry out the task assiduously. Feel free to interact with your colleagues in areas that are unclear to you especially those of you that are coming to tribunals for the first time. ‘’Forums like these are meant for discussions and exchange of ideas so that by the end of the day we would have tapped from each other’s knowledge and experience, and we will be wiser and better equipped to meet the tasks ahead of us,� she further explained.

Climate Finance Advisory Limited (CFAL) and the African Guarantee Fund West Africa (AGFWA) on the Green Energy Fund (GEF) Programme.

Director and Chief Investment Adviser at CFAL, Dr. Jubril Adeojo, said the ultimate aim of the tripartite partnership was to create green asset portfolio in excess of $100 million 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.

On the final note, we are glad that the programme has come when Nigeria is strategically making laudable moves to attain its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement on combating climate change,� he said.

PDP PETITIONS NJC OVER ABORTION OF BAUCHI GOV ELECTION RESULTS COLLATION provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended dealing with fair hearing and also section 87(11) of the Electoral Act. “That the Chief Justice of Nigeria has constituted the various Election Petition Tribunals in Nigeria to handle such cases and the assumption of jurisdiction by Justice Inyang Ekwo is an affront to the Constitution and electoral wishes of the people of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area and Bauchi State.�

The party, therefore, urged the NJC to save the country’s democracy by taking an urgent step against the violations by Justice Inyang.

Court Refuses to Stop Collation, Announcement of Rivers Election Results Meanwhile, Justice Ekwo yesterday refused to stop, as requested by the African Action Congress (AAC), the collation of results of Rivers State Governorship and House of Assembly election conducted

by INEC, on March 9.

INEC had last week, following the report of its fact finding committee on Rivers election fixed Wednesday, March 20, for the resumption of collation, conclusion and announcement of the remaining results in the election.

The electoral body had suspended the electoral process after some military personnel and armed men invaded its collation centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

In announcing the resumption of collation of the results, the electoral body, disclosed that it had in its custody results from 17 local government areas.

Following the announcement, the African Action Congress’

(AAC), Mr. Biokpomabo Awara and Ben-Gurion Peter, filed an exparte application before the court, seeking to stop INEC from resuming collation of the election results.

Defendants in the exparte application are the INEC and PDP. In a bench ruling, Justice Ekwo who refused to grant the application, held that the reliefs sought by the applicants are "such that the court cannot grant without hearing from the other party.’’ Justice Ekwo, however, ordered the plaintiffs to put the respondents on notice to come and show cause why the prayers of the plaintiffs should not be granted.

The judge subsequently adjourned till March 25 for parties to address him on the propriety or otherwise of granting the order.

The plaintiffs represented by Mr. Taiwo Taiwo SAN in an exparte application moved in the court yesterday, prayed for an order to stop INEC from going ahead to resume, conclude and announce the results of the March 9 election.

Earlier, Justice Ekwo had drawn the attention of the plaintiffs' counsel to social media reports to the effect that he had already stopped the electoral body from going ahead to take further action on the March 9, governorship and House of Assembly elections in Rivers State.

While stating that there is no judge by the name ‘’Inyang Ewa,’’ who was alleged to have granted the purported order, he warned counsel and litigants from spreading false news.

Justice Ekwo said that it was wrong for anybody or group to resort to self-help because such self-help has been prohibited

in the judiciary.

The plaintiffs had in their originating summons prayed the court to stop INEC from resuming collation and conclusion of the March 9 election results in Rivers State and from declaring any person or group as winners of the poll.

The plaintiffs specifically applied for an order compelling the electoral body to maintain the inconclusiveness of the election as announced earlier.

INEC Challenges Court's Powers to Halt Collation Meanwhile, the Federal High Court will today commence hearing on the objection of INEC to the order of Justice Ekwo, which on Tuesday restrained it from going ahead with collating, concluding and announcing the governorship election results of Bauchi State.

In a counter affidavit by INEC deposed to by one Mr. Hassan Adamu, a Higher Executive Officer, in its Legal Department, the electoral body said the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction to dabble into a post-election litigation.

The counter affidavit specifically stated that the matter of post-election is exclusively for the Election Petition Tribunal and not any regular court including the Federal High Court.

It said contrary to the claim of the APC, and Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, that INEC could not continue with collation of results, the counter affidavit stated that, INEC's decision was made based on the figures contained in the duplicates of the results of the election.

The electoral body further stated that the decision of the Returning Officer in respect of declaration of scores and return

of candidate is the exclusive reserve of an Election Petition Tribunal.

INEC said that although the governorship election in Bauchi State was declared inconclusive, it, however, rescinded its decision based on the facts that emerged later and made a return, adding that any grievance arising from that return rest with Election Petition Tribunal.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, counsel to APC and Abubakar, Mr. Ahmed Raji SAN, told Justice Ekwo that the counter affidavit and notice of object to the suit of his client have just been served on him and that he needed a short adjournment to respond to the counter and the notice of objection.

Justice Ekwo, in his bench ruling fixed today for hearing of all issues relating to the Bauchi governorship tussle.

Justice Ekwo on Tuesday halted INEC from proceeding with the collation, conclusion and announcement of the result of the governorship election in Bauchi State.

The order was issued after the court listened to submissions of counsel to both the plaintiffs and defendant in the matter.

In the exparte motion, the APC and Abubakar had prayed the court for an order of interim injunction restraining INEC from resuming, concluding or announcing the result of the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State in respect of the election to the office of Governor of Bauchi State.

The judge in a bench ruling, granted the interim injunction restraining INEC from resuming, concluding and announcing the governorship election result in Bauchi State pending the

Appeal Court President Places Election Tribunal Judges on Watch-list

MORE FIRMS EYE $60TN GREEN BOND MARKET FOR PROJECT FUNDING by signatories to United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (Green Investment) rose from $4 trillion in 2006 to $60 trillion in 2015.

According to experts, investors prefer green bonds to ordinary bonds because they want to put their money into projects that have significant impact on the society.

Commenting on the rising profile of the green bond market recently, World Bank Treasury’s Head of Investor Relations and New Products,

Heike Reichelt said: “Investors want a competitive investment, but we see that more investors also want to put their money to have a positive and measurable impact on society.�

According to a report by the bank, investors’ interest in the social and environmental purpose of their investments reflects a fundamental shift in the bond market. “Investors understand their power to support initiatives their stakeholders care about, that they do not have to give up returns. They also want

data that shows how they are addressing environmental, social and governance factors— particularly as they and they increasingly understand that in addition to creating social value, they are mitigating risk to their own investments. An issuer with good sustainability practices will generally be a better investment. Issuers are responding. Issuers are engaging with investors to show how their bonds present opportunities to achieve both financial and social returns,� the report said.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Hebert Wigwe on Monday said the N15 billion green bond would help in supporting environmentally friendly investors to meet their investment objectives while simultaneously supporting the bank’s customers towards realising growth opportunities in fast-developing low carbon economy.

Only recently Vetiva Capital Management Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with

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NEWS

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

13 Persons Feared Dead as Cult Groups Clash in Akwa Ibom, Kogi Suspected herdsmen kill 10 in Benue community Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja, George Okoh in Makurdi and Okon Bassey in Uyo No fewer than 13 persons have been feared dead as cult groups clashed in Akwa

Ibom and Kogi States.

This is coming as 10 persons were on Tuesday killed when unknown gunmen suspected to be herdsmen invaded Tser Uoreleegeb in Ubabai council ward of Guma Local

I’ll Reclaim My Mandate, Atiku Vows Buhari’s victory will be short-lived, Saraki reassures Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has vowed to reclaim his stolen mandatae.

This is coming as the Senate President and Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s “purported victory” in the February 23 presidential election would be short-lived.

The PDP presidential candidate, who spoke in Abuja yesterday during a visit to the leaders of the Southern and Middle Belt regions, said the struggle to reclaim the mandate would be achievable with support of the elders.

He was optimistic that justice will be done eventually.

He thanked the various leaders for their support before, during and after the election.

In a response, the South-south leader, Chief Edwin Clark, assured Atiku of the support of the group in the struggle to reclaim his mandate.

Meanwhile Saraki has said that President Buhari’s “purported victory” in the February 23 presidential election would be short-lived.

Speaking at the opening

session of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held yesterday in Abuja, Saraki said the PDP must defeat Buhari at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

“First of all, the true reflection of the presidential election showed the kind of character that the PDP has. I think that is something that we should build on.

“My own appeal to everybody is to say this victory that the other party has seen is going to be short-lived. We have a great future ahead and I believe we will start that on Saturday, to make sure that we defend those five states that are declared inconclusive.

“If anybody believes that it is a loss to PDP, it is a loss to the country that history will not forgive. We said it many times here, that the worst to do is to do an election that as a country Nigeria will not be proud of.

“We have done an election that no doubt anybody and even those that think they have won are ashamed of the kind of election that we did.

“I think it is a shame to the country and to those that were given that responsibility to do.”

Government Area (LGA) of Benue State While a midnight clash between two rival cult groups in Kabawa area of Lokoja, Kogi State capital, led to the killing of eight persons with several houses set ablaze, five persons were feared killed as two cult groups clashed in Urua Ekpa community in Itu LGA of Akwa Ibom State.

THISDAY reliably gathered yesterday that the attack took place when one of the cult groups was holding its meeting at about 11.00 p.m. last Tuesday.

According to a source in the area, another cult group was said to have stormed the meeting venue and opened fire at the members who were holding meeting.

The shooting led to several gunshots, as four cult members from both sides were allegedly killed on the spot

in Kabawa area.

The crisis further led to the burning of houses by the cultists as most of the residents fled the area.

However, in the early hours of yesterday, the situation got out of hand when both sides engaged in sporadic shooting in the area resulting in the death of four persons.

The situation left many people stranded as motorists could not ply the area due to fear of being hit by stray bullet.

As at the time of filing the report, the area has been deserted as security agents fully armed now patrol to avoid any escalation of the crisis.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Busari, has however deployed a team of armed men following renewed shooting by the cult groups

in the early hours of yesterday morning in the Kabawa area.

The state Police Public Relation Officer, Mr. William Aya, who confirmed the clash, disclosed that no casualty was recorded.

He assured the resident of the area that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area with his men has brought the situation under control.

Similarly, five persons were feared killed as two cult groups clashed in Urua Ekpa community in Akwa Ibom State.

The two-day cult war in the area, an outskirt of Uyo, the state capital, reportedly occurred last Tuesday night and continued till the morning of yesterday, which also left many wounded.

Sources alleged that the cult clash was between members of the Viking confraternity and the Iceland group.

While three persons were allegedly killed last Tuesday, two persons were reportedly killed yesterday morning.

The cause of the cult rampage could not be ascertained as the state Police Command refused to comment on the development. But a source said the two groups clashed over girlfriend issue.

A source said: “At about 9 p.m. last Tuesday when I was returning home from the market, I heard a gunshot down the street and I thought it was a vehicle tyre, but after some time I heard another gunshot again. It was when I heard the second time that I knew something was wrong.

“A few minutes later, I heard people running and creaming for their lives and by this time, there was sporadic shooting.

“Since yesterday, this Cont’d on page 45

Catholic Priest Kidnapped in Enugu Found Dead Christopher Isiguzo and Gideon Arinze in Enugu About a week after he was reportedly kidnapped by unknown gunmen, the remains of Reverend Father Clement Rapuluchukwu Ugwu, the Catholic Priest of St. Mark Catholic Church, Obinofia Ndiuno in Ezeagu Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State were found dead yesterday. He was reportedly abducted on March 13, 2019, at about 9 p.m. in his parish. It was gathered that the gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, had shot him before they took him away in his blue-coloured Prado Jeep.

Speaking shortly after his remains were laid to rest at the Catholic cemetery of the Holy Ghost Cathedral, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, called on the police to fish out the killers of his priest.

Onaga decried the spate of violent killings around the country, advising that Christians

should intensify their prayers for the survival of the country.

He regretted that security agencies could not rescue Fr. Ugwu despite their assurances that they were closing on the kidnappers, while the abductors were making withdrawals from his account through his Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card.

Onaga who spoke in a motion-laden voice said, “all is not well in Enugu State. We should not continue to pretend about it while our people are killed everyday. Enugu State is not secured again. Criminals have shifted to Enugu State from Anambra while we said that Enugu is most secured.

“When Father Ugwu was kidnapped, we reported it to the police and since then I have visited police station three times, yet they kept telling me ‘we are closing in on the kidnappers’. I doubt they were doing anything because where the deceased body of Father Ugwu was found is not up to 20 kilometres from his house.”

WORTHY HONOUR…

Chairman of Lee Engineering, Lemon Ikpea (left), in a handshake with Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru, during the presentation of award by Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), in Abuja…recently

House Begins 2019 Budget Defence Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday commenced the defence of the 2019 budget proposals by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

The lower chamber of the National Assembly finally kicked off the exercise with the Director-General, Nigeria Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Jonathan Jumah, and the DirectorGeneral, Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Mrs. Cecilia Umaru Gaya, fielding questions on their 2018 budget performance and proposed 2019 expenditures.

The House Committee on

Governmental Affairs headed

by Hon. Hussaini Sulaiman Kangiwa (APC, Kebbi), grilled Jumah on the proposed expenditure of N72 million on two cars in 2019.

Gaya was also queried for spending a significant proportion of ASCON’s internally generated revenue (IGR) as running cost in 2018.

This is also as top management team of First Bank Plc are expected to answer questions before the House of Committee on Public Petition today over N630 million loan document involving Whiteplains British School, Abuja.

The Director-General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mr. Lanre

Gbajabiamila, also incurred the wrath of the lawmakers for under-remittance.

According to the lawmakers, out of the N6 billion projected revenue, only N1.9 billion was remitted into government coffers.

The three agencies, which appeared before the committee for their budget defence were faced with questions bordering on appropriate accounting reports, transparency of revenue generation and expenditure.

The NIPSS boss was particularly grilled for spending a total of N72 million on just two cars as project vehicles.

But Jumah in his reaction said the mistake was indicating the vehicle type in the

document, arguing that the vehicles were meant for project monitoring, adding that the institute could decide to change the type and specification to SUVs. “The cost for the vehicle is highly exorbitant because I have not seen anywhere in Nigeria where a Camry car would cost N36 million. And we have not seen any Camry product that is SUV being produced except Sedan. No matter the model, it can’t be beyond 2017, 2018 or 2019”, Kangiwa noted.

The ASCON DG, on her part was advised to adhere strictly to the principles of Federal Character in recruiting staff for the institute.

THURSDAY MARCH 21, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

Abdulsalami Seeks Peaceful Rerun Election in Nigeria George Okoh in Makurdi A former military Head of

State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has called for a peaceful rerun of

Inconclusive Polls: Opposition Parties Accuse Buhari, APC of Plotting to Create Constitutional Crisis Udora Orizu in Abuja Opposition parties under the aegis of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) have expressed concern over the rate of court orders stopping the collation of results and conclusion of elections in Bauchi, Adamawa and Rivers States, and accused President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of trying to plunge the affected states into constitutional crisis.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, on Tuesday restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from taking further action in matters relating to the governorship election conducted in Bauchi on March 9, 2019.

In its reaction, CUPP said the court orders halting the collation of election in Bauchi, Adamawa and Rivers States amounted to an act of judicial treason capable of consuming the Nigerian democracy and aborting constitutional governance.

The opposition parties accused President Buhari and his APC-led administration of allegedly planning to plunge these states where they are losing into constitutional crises by arm-twisting judges to commit judicial treason.

In a statement issued by

CUPP spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere in Abuja, the coalition said in all instances, leaders of APC were the ones behind these acts.

It said: “We have witnessed this unfortunate development in states such as Bauchi, Adamawa and Rivers States with ongoing move to purchase an order to halt the collation in Kano if the APC loses the supplementary election on Saturday.

“This trend clearly poses grave danger to the nation’s democracy especially as Section 87 (10) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as ammended) forbids any court process that will stop party primaries or general election or the process thereof.”

According to CUPP, only the election petition tribunals are legally empowered to attend to any grievances arising from election outcome or ongoing election process.

The coalition also alleged that Buhari and APC chieftains had perfected plans to ensure that Rivers, Bauchi, Adamawa and Kano States do not have constitutional leadership and inauguration on May 29, 2019 to pave the way for Buhari and the APC to appoint party loyalists as sole administrators in those states who will lead their party to fresh governorship elections which they intend to win with fake results.

NCS Arrests Fake NYSC Member with Nigerian Diplomatic Vehicle Eromosele Abiodun The Nigeria Customs Services (NCS), Seme Command, has arrested an alleged fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member identified as Mr. Abdul Umar, around Seme border crossing, driving a vehicle carrying Nigerian diplomatic plate number and some other falsified documents.

The Customs Area Comptroller of Seme Customs Command, Mohammed Uba Garba, who disclosed this during a media briefing yesterday stated that the vehicle in which Abdul Umar was arrested had documents containing phone numbers of prominent people in Nigeria, including the Inspector General of Police (IG).

According to him, “When we arrested Abdul Umar, he showed us some diplomatic documents in form of ‘To Whom It May Concern’, which gives the vehicle immunity from being stopped or arrested. In the documents, it was stated clearly that if the vehicle is stopped, the Inspector General of Police should be contacted. On further interrogation, we found out that he had a 2014 NYSC ID card on him. When we asked him why he is parading such ID card, he said that he had issues with

NYSC that was why he has not gone to collect his certificate.

“Since ID cards or phone numbers of highly placed persons are not part of Customs clearance procedure, we then demanded for the documents of the vehicle, only to find out that the documents in the vehicle were indicating a Primera vehicle while the vehicle itself is Renault. Inside the vehicle was another plate number; so, we are currently investigating the matter to know the true situation of things.”

Uba Garba also revealed that the Seme command has so far generated N1,475 billion in terms of seizures and revenue in 2019 first quarter.

“The seizures made in 2019 so far are 4745 bags of 50kg foreign rice equivalent to 8 trailers of fully loaded rice; 27 by 25 litres of vegetable oil jerry cans; 34 by 50kg of bags of Sugar; 261 by 25 litres of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS); 80 cartons of poultry products; 95 by 6 yards of new textile materials; 24 cartons of maggi; 20 pieces of household effects; 19 boxes of frozen seafoods; 68 parcel of Tramadol; 10 parcels of Carnabis; 220 by 6 yards of Ankara textiles; 180 sacks of scrap metal among others.

inconclusive elections in the country.

Abdulsalami, who made the call during a town hall meeting of NPC in Makurdi, Benue State, yesterday, noted that peaceful election engender development in the society.

Represented by the Media

Officer of Kukah Centre, Abdulsalami said: “We are trying to enforce a situation where there are peaceful elections, and ensure that there is peace after the elections.”

Speaking also at the occasion, the state Governor, Samuel Ortom, who was

represented by his deputy, Benson Abounu, urged the people to embrace peace which he noted is a prerequisite for development.

He urged the contestants to accept the outcome of any process which is devoid of malpractices.

The governor lauded the convener for the meeting which he said would go a long way to foster peace during the elections even as he cautioned against acts that could lead to loss of lives and destruction of election materials.

COURTESY VISIT…

R-L: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya; Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; CEO, Airtel Africa, Rahgunath Mandava; Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Mr. Sunday Dare; and, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Airtel Africa, Mr. Jaideep Paul, during the courtesy visit by Bharti Airtel Group to NCC’s headquarters in Abuja… yesterday.

Court Orders Arrest of Bayelsa Politician, Two Others over Abduction of DCP Okunola Alex Enumah in Abuja

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday ordered the arrest of a top Bayelsa State politician, Hon. Israel Sunny Goli, and two others over their alleged complicity in February 24 abduction of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Kola Okunlola, in Bayelsa State.

Justice Abang’s order was sequel to an oral application made for their arrest by counsel to the Nigeria Police Force.

DCP Okunlola, in charge of the Federal Special Anti-

Robbery Squad (FARS), was said to have been abducted in Brass, Bayelsa State while he was monitoring the last presidential and National Assembly elections.

Others to be arrested alongside Goli, who was a House of Representatives candidate in the last election are Victor Tamarapreye and Azi Newton.

In a short ruling, Justice Abang ordered that the three, listed with eight others as defendants in a charge pending before the court, be arrested anywhere they are found in the country.

The judge said although it

was not mandatory for the court to issue bench warrant on a defendant yet to be properly arraigned before the court, he was inclined to exercise his decretion in favour of the prosecution in view of the nature of the charge.

Justice Abang noted that sections 113 and 394 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), on which the Police relied to make the application, did not make the grant of bench warrant mandatory.

He said: “However, having considered the nature of the charge, I am inclined to

exercise my jurisdiction in favour of the prosecution in granting the order sought.

“In the light of this, the application of the learned counsel for the prosecution deserves to succeed and it is accordingly granted as prayed.

The judge also ordered that hearing notices be issued on the defendants.

The eight others listed in the charge are: Abiye Bob ‘male’; Kingsley Alex ‘male’ (aka Cmaru); Clement Ayibatonye; Jonathan Hart ‘male;’ Sammy Newman ‘male’; Sam Kojo ‘male’; Pipi Ogiri, ‘male’; Soldier Akwe (now at large).

Delta Assembly Approves Okowa’s Request to Borrow N7.9bn Sylvester Idowu in Warri The Delta State House of Assembly has approved the N7.9 billion loan request of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Okowa had asked the state House of Assembly for the approval to borrow N3 billion to finance priority road projects and additional N4.9 billion to refinance ailing Delta Transport Company, (Delta Line).

The lawmakers, who resumed plenary yesterday after a break occasioned by the 2019 general election, approved

the request of the governor, following a resolution of the House.

The Speaker, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori read the letter of the governor for the credit facility at the plenary.

According to the letter, Okowa said there was urgent need for the state government to support some of its road contractors, in accessing financing to aid accelerated execution of critical projects before the onset of the rainy season.

Okowa said the request had

become expedient considering the almost N3 billion drop in Federation Accounts receipt in January 2009 when compared to December 2018, which had hindered planned disbursement to the contractors .He said that most of the contractors were already on site and have generated payment certificate for works already executed, which were yet to be defrayed .

The governor said the funds were required to make progress in the relevant project

execution, adding that the state executive council at its meeting of February 5, 2019, considered and approved that the state government should support certain contractors for the state’s critical priority projects .

According to the letter, the governor said in obtaining the short term loan facilities amounting to only N3 billion from Zenith Bank with the state government bearing the costs associated with the facilities as requested by the contractors.

THURSDAY MARCH 21, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

11

NEWS

Umahi Opposes FG’s Plan to Increase VAT Fowler didn’t call for 50% increase, FIRS clarifies James Emejo in Abuja and Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has opposed the proposed plan by federal government to lift Value Added Tax (VAT) from five percent to 35 percent, stressing that it would put the country in difficult situations.

This is coming as the Federal Inland Revenue Service ((FIRS), yesterday refuted reports that its Executive Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Fowler proposed a 50 per cent increase in VAT. The governor further said the plan which was proposed by the federal government in order to pay workers salary

with the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage, was like digging a hole to fill a hole.

While addressing the staff members of his office who were celebrating his re-election, the governor called on the organised labour to sit down with the government to reconsider the plan.

Umahi said with the proposed plan by the federal government, anyone going to buy something will pay 30 percent VAT than it used to be.

He said: “I saw in a newspaper that the federal government is considering lifting VAT to 35 percent to pay salaries.

It is all about digging a hole to fill a hole because we have not

Registrar: How NGE Advocacy Led to Reduction of UTME Fees The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has revealed that the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) was instrumental to the reduction of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) fee from N5,000 to N3,500.

He stated this at a stakeholders meeting held in Abuja, as part of preparations for the 2019 UTME, scheduled to hold from April 11 to17, across the country and foreign centres.

In November 2018, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), approved the reduction of the examination fees as well as that of other examinations.

Oloyede recalled that at

one of the board’s stakeholder meetings, the NGE President, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, had suggested that rather than return money realised from the sales of forms to government coffers as had become the practice in JAMB since he (Oloyede) assumed office, especially as JAMB is not a revenue generating agency, the board should consider a reduction of the application fees.

He said that following the suggestion, he wrote a memo to the ministry, which was graciously approved, leading to the reduction of the fees.

Oloyede commented the media and civil society organisations for their support to the board, which had improved the conduct of the UTME.

come to point of realisation or honesty about how to solve our problems, and it is important.

“The federal government is borrowing money; state has been banned from borrowing money.

And so, if VAT is lifted from five percent to 35 percent which means that any of us buying anything would pay 30 per cent than what we have been buying.

It is important that labour sits down with the government.

“There is no fraud that goes on in civil service that is not being orchestrated by civil servants, and if we can plug down the stealing or cut down the cost of projects, we should be able to have enough to cater for civil servants and non-civil servants.

“We are in for deeper problems all over the country; we all sit down and look at the problems and how to solve it.

No governor will perform magic, no president will make magic.

If they give us N2billion and the wage bill is N2billion, you can’t perform any magic. You pay only wage bill and then

go to sleep.

“No amount of money paid to civil servants can be enough, it is only the one they make themselves that will assist them. If you pay somebody in grade level 10 N50,000 by the minimum wage and he goes to hospital, private hospital, which bills higher because they will pay VAT on the drugs, you will pay more in those drugs . If you go to buy exercise book for your children, you will pay more. You will pay more in everything.

So, by the end of the day, civil servants may be crying, so we should go back to status quo, therefore, the increment may not be reasonable.

“I am not against the increment, but when I was talking about the minimum wage, I told you people that federal government was considering doing something to enable them pay-that is raising VAT which is going to be tough for the country. All the building materials will have 35 percent VAT, meaning those who have not build houses will struggle

to do so.”

Meanwhile, FIRS yesterday refuted media reports that he proposed a 50 per cent increase in VAT. In a statement issued yesterday, the revenue agency explained that Fowler position was misrepresented as he actually recommended an increase in the number of Nigerians and companies paying VAT and not the other way round.

“Though he indicated that there should be an increase in VAT rate by the end of the year, he never, for once suggested a 50 per cent hike of any percentage increase at all.

“Rather, he promised improved collection in CIT, Petroleum Profits Tax, PPT and VAT in 2019 relative to the collection performance of the Service in 2018.

“In 2018, FIRS collected the sum of N1.1 trillion in VAT; N1.42 trillion in Companies Income Tax (CIT); and N2.4 trillion in Petroleum Profits Tax (PPT).”

Fowler allegedly told the lawmakers: “My personal opinion is that the rate of CIT should remain at 30 per cent, to make sure that we do not reduce the tax rate, without getting others who are not in the tax net into the tax net.

“But for small businesses, it’s a discussion we are having with the Ministry of Finance for people who are having a certain turnover. I believe that that can be reduced to may be 20 per cent to promote the small-scale businesses. But in terms of immediate reduction, I think we should try and stabilize to ensure a 90 per cent compliance of those in the tax net. I am sure that at the end of the year, we can consider reducing, our corporate income tax rate.”

The FIRS boss was further quoted in transcripts taken during the meeting as provided by its communications unit as saying, “in terms of VAT, the service has increased VAT collection over the last three years by over 25 per cent”.

Supplementary Polls: Nigerians will Treat APC Thugs in Military Uniforms as Fake Soldiers, PDP Threatens Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned that Nigerians would treat the thugs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) dressed in military uniforms to assist the ruling party to rig the March 23 supplementary elections, as fake soldiers.

The party in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said it was ready to confront, resist and dismantle all rigging machinery of the APC and consolidate on its already established victory in the March 23 supplementary governorship elections.

He noted that the PDP’s position was predicated on claims by the federal government that the soldiers who unleashed violence and helped the APC to rig the February 23 Presidential election were fake.

He stated: “It is instructive to state that the PDP already has full information of how the APC is moving huge sums of money in the attempt to bribe officials of INEC to manipulate the electoral process.

“This is in addition to reports of how the APC has been sending its agents to promise money to voters and how such overtures are being rejected by the voters.

“Our structure and followership in Sokoto, Kano, Adamawa, Plateau, Bauchi and Benue states have been fully rallied at all levels of polling and collation process to resist any attempt by anybody to manipulate for the APC.” Ologbondiyan stressed that the party also has full details of how APC has sent network jammers to the states where supplementary elections are scheduled to hold as well as how they have paid thugs to cause confusion on the day of election and snatch ballot boxes, having realised that it has no chance in the supplementary polls.

He warned the APC and its candidates to note that their ignoble schemes are already known and that the party was standing shoulder to shoulder with the people of these states to defend their votes.

“In this regard, all our agents, members and supporters have been equipped to closely monitor all the electoral processes, from the accreditation of voters, voting and collation of results, ensure that all results delivered at the polling units be immediately posted on INEC website and use all legitimate means to firmly resist any attempt by the APC to alter the results.”

PROMOTING DIGITAL HEALTH…

L-R: Managing Director, Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman; Country Director, PharmAccess Foundation, Njide Ndili; and Chief Executive Officer, Premier Medical Systems Nigeria Limited, Niyi Osamiluyi, at a press conference to flag off the Digital Health Summit in Lagos... recently

NGO Demands Inquest into Lagos Building Collapse Esther Oluku A non-governmental organsation, Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA), has demanded an inquest into the tragic collapse of four-storey building at Ita-Faaji area of Lago State.

In a letter addressed to the Registrar of the High Court

of Lagos, the Chairperson of WELA, Mrs. Funmi Falana, demanded that a coroner’s inquest be conducted into the cause of the collapse that led to the death of 18 persons on March 13.

Falana also demanded that the inquest should make appropriate recommendations to the government.

She maintained that the demand for an inquest was in view of the high rate of occurrence of building collapse, especially in Lagos Island.

Falana argued that her demand was also in line with section 15 of the Lagos State Coroner’s Law, 2007, which provides that an inquest shall

hold whenever a coroner is informed that the death of a deceased person within his coroner district was a result of death in a violent, unnatural or suspicious situation.

She requested that the inquest be conducted without delay and the report made public to forestall such ugly reoccurrence.

GOtv ‘Top Up’ Campaign Approaches Home Stretch GOtv subsribers have until 15 April to benefit from the paytelevision operator’s “Top Up” campaign, which was launched on 15 January.

The campaign affords GOtv Plus, Value and Lite customers the chance to upgrade to GOtv MAX when they pay a reduced fee of N2,500, while GOtv “Tops Up” the remaining N700 before its terminal date.

Customers on other GOtv

packages will have access to premium programming in sport, local content and general entertainment available on GOtv MAX. These includes all the weekly matches of the La Liga and Serie A, select matches of the English Premier League and the FA Cup, as well the UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts.

Also on offer for customers is access to international channels

such as BET, Fox Entertainment, StarLife, ROK 2, CBS Reality and many more.

Speaking on the offer, Martin Mabutho, Chief Customer Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, said the offer demonstrates the company’s commitment to reward and provide affordable television content to all its subscribers in the country.

“For three months, we have been running the ‘Top Up’

offer. Our customers deserve only the best and throughout this campaign, we are giving our customers access to only premium quality programming for the entire family at an affordable price. I enjoin all our subscribers and potential subscribers who have not participated to utilise the next three weeks and get thrilled with the very best of television programming.”

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THURSDAY MARCH 21, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

NCC: Nigeria to Hit 70% Broadband Penetration By 2024 Internet users hit 100m Emma Okonji in Lagos and Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has disclosed that the next national Broadband plan will see the country achieving 70 per cent broadband penetration by 2024.

He made this disclosure yesterday at the commission’s Headquarters in Abuja.

Danbatta, while addressing the management team of Airtel Africa said that, “We are steadily seeing increase in broadband penetration.

As at February, there is a new target of 70 per cent in the next five years. We will come up with new. So, far, no official announcement has been made on that by the minister.

“I am sure government will come up with official announcement on the new national Broadband plan, Phase 2. In the area of data usage, there is also steady increase

in data usage. We are again seeing that from 4G network services.

“It is important to talk about other statistics. As at February 2019, we had 174 million Nigerians who had access to telecom voice services.

And the number is steadily rising. Internet penetration too in real terms is 100 milion.”

He commended Airtel Nigeria for being a major player in the expansion of broadband penetration, saying “it is good to see Airtel providing services, especially 4G services. It is also good to hear the level of expansion because we are seeing remarkable improvement in broadband penetration.

“The figures are increasingly are going up. We are at about 33 per cent now. This we can attribute to very ambitious expansion of network operators like Airtel in places like Lagos, Kano, Rivers, Ibadan, Abuja.

This lends credence to figures we are seeing from broadband penetration.

“We are seeing increase in broadband subscription,

especially to services provided

by Airtel. It is good for Nigerians to hear this that Airtel is helping us to hit the broadband penetration target.”.

Speaking further he said, “we were supposed to achieve 30 per cent as at December 2018 but we have exceeded that target courtesy of national Broadband Plan.

He added that henceforth, whatever percentage increase NCC will given out in percentage terms will be in reference to the existing Nigerian population, saying all growth parameters are steadily growing courtesy of expansion programme on 4G operators in the country, especially Airtel.

CEO Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya in his reaction said, his organisation was pleased to be at NCC. “Over the years we have seen various mile stone some been achieved and some been surpassed is due to your vision for the industry and support for the operators in the industry.

Sustain MSME Funding to Reduce Poverty, Emir Tells World Bank Ogheneuvede Ohwovoriole in Abuja The Emir of Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, Bawan Allah Zubair Jibril Mai Gwari II, has appealed to the World Bank to sustain the training and funding of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) under its Growth and Empowerment (GEM) project in Nigeria, to help the country in its poverty reduction efforts.

The royal father has also urged the government to renegotiate the terms of the World Bank-assisted project, with a view to extending it beyond the planned end date of March 29, 2019, to ensure payment of grants to the 2019 trainees.

This, he said, was imperative, in order for the project to meet its objectives. The objective of the $160 million GEM project being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and supported by

the World Bank, is to increase firm growth and employment in participating firms in Nigeria.

The project, which focuses on manufacturing and service sectors, Information Communication Technology, entertainment, tourism and hospitality, light manufacturing (and agro-processing industries) and construction became effective in July 2013 and is billed to end March 29.

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) founders trained in 2019 were told the grant/funding component of the project has been discontinued and no reason was given for the decision.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the royal father, while commending the initiative, however, said the impact would be better felt with funding to enable business owners train and also empower others.

According to him, “If some people have been trained and empowered, I am appealing

to the government that since the project is coming to an end at the end of this month, the way government was able to do it when the programme was supposed to end sometime last year but it was extended.

“I am appealing to the federal government through the Minister of Finance, and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and any other good person in government to please extend the life of this programme so that these young people who have been trained will be able to reach their goal.

After the training, they should also be empowered with the promised finance so that they can go ahead.”

Continuing, the Emir stated: “From what I’ve been told, there are thousands of young people who have received the training and what they need now is the empowerment. Those who did it at the beginning of the programme have got the training and empowerment.

Ruff ‘n’ Tumble Celebrates Mothers Across Nigeria Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, a premium Nigerian children clothing line, is bent on celebrating mothers throughout March with its Iyaniwura collection made from Ankara fabrics across her 17 outlets.

The clothing line is deliberately giving away customised gift items for every purchase of its Iyaniwura collection dedicated to mothers this month of celebrating mothers and motherhood.

To spice up, Ruff n Tumble’s concept of Twinning with my mom; Mini me and Slaying with my mom, is available for both boys, girls and moms with the Iyaniwura

collection dedicated to celebrate mother’s day.

For Adenike Ogunlesi, the role of a mother cannot be over-emphasised, she is a protector, a home maker, in many ways a provider, care-giver, a lover, a leader, a supporter, an inspiration, a challenger, a role model, and a whole lot. Everything in the world revolves around a mother on a daily basis, hence the dedication of a special collection for mothers.

In the words of Mrs. Ogunlesi, “Mothers are not celebrated enough” therefore the reason for this dedication of a collection for mothers, across the Ruff n Tumble

stores nationwide. The trendy collection is available in two enchanting variants and styles.

Mothers can rock the styles with their kids alongside full accessories to match.

Today, Ruff n Tumble has 17 stores across five cities in the country since its existence in 1998, where mothers will be celebrated this month in a quintessential style in Kano, Ibadan, Port-Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos among others.

Proudly, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, which manufactures children clothing, has employed over 250 people, and has added contract manufacturing to its portfolio of offerings.

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COMMENT

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

EDO STATE: THE ENEMIES WITHIN

Uyi Osaretin writes that many self-seeking APC stalwarts and others are alienated by Governor Obaseki’s prudence

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here is a raging ideological war in Edo State’s political milieu between the growing millions of progressives who have taken sides with Governor Godwin Obaseki’s people-focused governance model and a few self-seeking politicians who have refused to wean themselves of the old heritage of ‘share the money’ politics.

In the open, they parade themselves as APC-card carrying leaders and members, but are actually resident enemies amputating the party’s fortunes from within, in connivance with external forces in the opposition.

They dealt their first blow on the APC’s fortunes in Edo State in the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly election when they sabotaged ‘their own party’ the APC, by redirecting logistics meant for the mobilisation of APC members, in favour of the opposition.

Ask them why they are working against the APC in the state, their complaints range from the ridiculous to the absurd: “Governor Godwin Obaseki is destroying our political legacy. How can we work to enthrone a government and not be rewarded? What is the governor doing with the security votes? Is he not supposed to hand it to us in Ghana-must-go bags?� The list of their ‘complaints’ is endless.

Even some journalists in Edo State who by their professional training, should push for probity and accountability in government, have not been left out of the hush-toned protests.

These complaints which started as whispers are fast becoming loud, more so, with the general elections winding up and the 2020 governorship election beckoning. Recalling what he was told by one of the APC stalwarts, a source said: “In the February 23 presidential and national assembly elections, just to prove a point against the governor, known APC stalwarts not only refused to support the party’s standard bearers but actually went ahead to join resources with the PDP to exchange votes for cash.� The source continued: “They knew that just standing idly by will not make Edo State lose the presidential election, so they joined forces with the PDP to subvert the will of the people especially in Edo South senatorial district.�

What a shame! One is constrained to ask: What is the honour of these so-called politicians worth really? Readers may want to know in specific terms what Governor Obaseki, who by the way is the most popular politician in Edo State, among people who do not depend on politics as the source of their daily bread, has done to incur the wrath of politicians across the state. Findings showed the following: Obaseki’s retrieval of powers of state from known hoodlums, the governor’s termination of massive pay-outs to politicians and the enthronement of a culture of frugality in resource allocation in the state, towards ensuring that the state’s infrastructural facilities are strengthened to drive sustainable growth and development and to build an economy that can withstand shocks.

The small gang of self-serving politicians really does not care if you spend the money on constructing the road to their homes. As long as you don’t hand the money to them, you are in real big trouble!

The other complaints by this gang of self-serving politicians are that: Obaseki engages technocrat with the requisite experience and skills to carry out functions in government as against the old culture of allowing

KNOWN APC STALWARTS NOT ONLY REFUSED TO SUPPORT THE PARTY’S STANDARD BEARERS BUT ACTUALLY WENT AHEAD TO JOIN FORCES WITH THE PDP TO EXCHANGE VOTES FOR CASH

barely literate individuals, sometimes completely illiterate people to hold political positions which require vast professional knowledge and experience. Yet another complaint is that there is no more thorough fare in Government House. Once upon a time, parts of the premises of the Edo State Government House were like dens. It was not out of place to hear gun shots rang out from certain corners and Indian hemp smoke billowing into the sky.

All that stopped once Obaseki assumed office. Now you must have an acceptable purpose for coming to the Government House otherwise access will be denied. The hygiene in governance can be seen from the gate, in the quality of people and the surrounding tranquility, akin to a research centre.

Although these aggrieved fellows will coat these points in more acceptable, diplomatic and political language when they express their displeasure, but all that is stated above are what they are actually talking about.

They have been passing threats of what they call the ‘Ambode treatment’ among other punitive measures against governor Obaseki.

Many will hastily conclude that this must be a clear face-off between Obaseki and the political class but actually, it is between a small gang of few self-serving individuals in the political class versus the millions of Edo people.

Obaseki had a choice to make between the masses and this gang of self-seeking politicians in the face of dwindling public resources and he chose the former. Obaseki’s development-oriented politics resonates with many astute politicians in the APC who have stood by him through thick and thin and are determined to go the whole hog.

There has been a quiet political storm since then. The election season has only now provided an opportunity for the disgruntled self-seeking ‘career politicians’ who are not qualified to do other jobs, to take their pound of flesh.

But the millions of Edo people whose roads were abandoned for over 30 years and more, spread across Edo Central, Edo North and South senatorial districts have sworn to stand by Governor Obaseki come 2020 gubernatorial election.

Traders in the state who enjoy massive cut in revenue, a thuggeryfree business environment are waiting with their PVCs to re-elect Governor Obaseki. Teachers in the state, numbering over 15,000, who have been trained on the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching and who receive their salary not later than 26th of every month have taken a position on Obaseki’s re-election.

The story is same for the state’s senior citizens and pensioners, who have never had it so good with pension payment.

Edo’s civil servants, the over 77,000 Edo youths who have been empowered through various job creation initiatives are with Governor Obaseki. Market women in the state, farmers and transporters alike, students and other classes of Edo people and residents are not ready to part ways with the Wake and See Government of Obaseki just yet. The battle line is drawn, victory is assured for the majority, which usually carries the day in any democratic contest!

Osaretin, a journalist, wrote from Benin City

SOKOTO AND INEC’S INCONCLUSIVE DECISION Aminu Tambuwal has satisfied all conditions to be declared winner of the governorship election, argues Abdulaziz bn Abdulsalam

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do not envy the people of Sokoto State. Before their very eyes, the powerful turned the hand of their electoral clock backwards. They voted on March 9 for a governor but got what Abuja called ‘inconclusive’ as their dividend of democracy. Their gubernatorial baby was half way out of the womb and suddenly the midwife closed the maternity ward and declared the delivery inconclusive. That precisely was what the INEC did when it refused to declare the clear winner of the governorship election. It is a very precarious situation. An umpire who desires peace would do justice to all parties before him. And you cannot be said to have done justice to parties unless you use the law as the law says you should. The Glorious Quran says that justice is next to piety. Indeed, all religions of the world deplore acts, private or public, which derogate from the dictates of justice, equity and fairness.

If Northern Nigeria is volatile, it is partly because it values justice. But when certain other places in the North boil over, Sokoto always maintains its peaceful essence. Will it remain calm and an oasis of peace with this open assault on the patience of the people? INEC Chairman, Mahmoud Yakuku is a professor of history. He cannot be alien to the historical impacts justice has always had on peace.

The last one week plus has witnessed a frenzy of tension and anxiety brought about by the curious decision of the INEC to declare governorship elections inconclusive in six key states, five of them in the North. The most shocking of the decisions is the one about Sokoto, the seat of the Caliphate.

Contesting this election with the APC should not have become the classical storytelling contest between the lion and the hunter. It should not be that until the lion of the PDP has its own storyteller

- (its own INEC) - the APC hunter will always have the best stories. The opposition should not be contesting against a combination of the ruling party and the INEC. The incumbent governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who is flying the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), faced the fire of that election and came out tops. Indeed, before the election process was halted last week, Tambuwal was leading with 489,558 votes closely followed by the candidate of the APC who polled 486,090. Then the midwife, INEC, decided to abort the baby when it was already on its way to life. It declared the election inconclusive citing cancellation of votes in 136 polling units across the state, the total of which, it said, exceeded the margin of win. Its defence is the Electoral Act. The hyena of INEC possibly wanted to feed the votes of the PDP at all costs to the power hungry APC. It then declared that the PDP votes smelled like goats. You do not claim to be an impartial judge and hold down one contestant for the other to beat. The law exists for the judge to deliver justice to the parties before him. Whenever he misapplies law, the result is always manifest injustice with its attendant threat to social order.

An election was held in Sokoto according to the law, a winner emerged as defined by law, then the process was halted or aborted - almost exactly as the military did with the June 12 election and you ask why? Where the law is on the side of justice, should a referee complain about anything again?

What is the law here? It is what the constitution says. And what does the constitution say about winning a governorship election? Section 179(2) says: A candidate for an election to the office of Governor of a State shall be deemed to have been duly elected where, there being two or more

candidates (a) he has the highest number of votes cast at the election; and (b) he has not less than one-quarter of all the votes cast in each of at least two-thirds of all the local government areas in the State.

Now, you want to ask to what extent has Tambuwal met these constitutional requirements?

The truth, backed by facts, is that Tambuwal not only has the highest number of votes cast in the election as demanded by Section 179(2)(a) of the constitution, he has also fulfilled the constitutional requirements as provided by section 179(2)(b) by having up to 25 per cent of the votes in 2/3 of the Local Government Areas in Sokoto States. Indeed, his votes spread across all local governments of the state. So, why did INEC refuse to declare him as the winner?

The election umpire is hiding behind other subsidiary legislations, notably the Electoral Act and its Guidelines for the 2019 elections to tip the scale against manifest justice. But it is trite that the constitution cannot be subject to the powers of the Electoral Act or of any other subsidiary law. The tail does not wag the dog. And may that day never come when it would be terribly hard for a father on earth that he would pray to be bailed out by his late son. Jurist and legal philosopher, Hans Kelsen described the constitution as the grundnorm of a society against which the validity of all other laws are tested. Another legal commentator says the constitution “is the basic law of a people from which all other laws, actions and policies of their leaders derive their right of existence and legitimacy. No legislation, whether primary or delegated, bye-laws or policies of state practice should contradict or run contrary to the prescriptive dictates of the constitution of any society.�

Building a skyscraper of electoral excuses on the provisions of acts and regulations is like encouraging the Okro plant to grow taller than the farmer.

It cannot work and will not end well. The Electoral Act draws its life blood from the constitution. The act can, therefore, not override its parent on all matters. That inviolable parent-child relationship also, is the law: Section 1 (3) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) says that “If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.�

As far as the constitution is concerned, a winner has emerged in the last governorship election in Sokoto State. That person is Tambuwal. So why would INEC ignore the constitution which created it and declare Tambuwal’s almost sure victory inconclusive using the Electoral Act which was created by creations of the grundnorm?

You cannot cure a goat of its odious smell by washing it a million times. If the INEC’s refusal to declare Tambuwal as the winner is a ploy to cure the APC of its defeat with a repeat match, then it is too late. It is like playing with naked fire, it will burn the fingers of whoever is contriving this needless tension. Ignoring the constitution and cuddling a subsidiary legislation to elect an unpopular state chief executive is dangerous for our electoral system. It will create for INEC the image of a dictator, a King Herod who was troubled and therefore had “all Jerusalem (troubled) with him.�

It is not too late for INEC to withdraw both its feet from this slippery electoral river of supplementary election. Already, it was refreshing reading INEC reversing itself on Bauchi and Rivers elections. However, its silence on other states, particularly, on Sokoto is unsettling.

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019

EDITORIAL The Carnage On Our Roads The authorities could do more to halt the epidemic of death by driving

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arduous. The country has an estimated road network of approximately 200,183 kilometres. Sadly, large swathes of the tracks are dilapidated and ridden with potholes due to poor maintenance culture formed over the years. To curb rising carnage on our roads, critical stakeholders in the transport sector, particularly tanker drivers, must be held accountable for their reckless driving. Much as we appreciate the primacy of the long vehicle drivers in the product distribution chain, we plead that they should render their services carefully and within the ambit of the traffic rules and regulations in order not to endanger the lives of innocent citizens.

he high rate of road accidents in our country is frightening and demands prompt intervention for the safety of road users by the regulatory authorities. In every four hours, no fewer than two lives are lost on Nigerian roads and every year, about 20,000 of the 11.654 million vehicles in the country are involved in accidents. This makes Nigeria one of the countries with very high road fatalities in the world.

To worsen matters, according to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) no fewer than 1,538 Nigerians died in road accidents in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The statistics of death which the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) alluded to in a recent report are indeed disturbing. It demands more must be done to reduce the human and material waste on our roads. The NBS indicated that 92 per cent (1,422) of the 1,538 IN EVERY FOUR HOURS, people that died NO FEWER THAN TWO were adults, while the remaining eight LIVES ARE LOST ON per cent (116 people) NIGERIAN ROADS were children. The NBS also noted that 74 per cent (6,194) of peoples that got injured in the quarter under review were males, while 26 per cent (2,212) were females. Perhaps more noteworthy is that majority of these victims were people in the prime of their productive years and who ordinarily represent the future of the country.

From the report, speed violation, dangerous driving and wrongful overtaking are the major causes of accidents on our roads. Failure by drivers to limit their speed accounted for 52 per cent of the total road fatalities reported, while dangerous driving and wrongful overtaking both accounted for nine per cent and eight per cent of the total road accidents respectively.

Travelling on Nigeria’s road can be risky and

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 indiscriminate action of some of these drivers that put others at risk is informed by arbitrary consumption of alcohol and other intoxicants. Coupled with the parlous state of many of our roads and preference for night driving, when vision is impaired, the risk of road accident is elevated and does not require clairvoyance to guess when it will happen. The FRSC should be proactive and ensure drivers comply with speed limit and always put their vehicles in good conditions. They should also curb offences such as light violation, use of phones while driving and route violation.

Emphasis must also be placed on drivers having thorough knowledge of highway codes and ensuing that their plate numbers conform to the corps’ licensing scheme that will be captured in the central database of the FRSC. The Vehicle Inspection Offices (VIOs) in the states and the Police traffic departments should also enforce the law and get people to abide by it without compromise.

And finally the onus is on government to fulfil its constitutional duty by fixing decrepit network of roads used to transport goods and people across the country.

The collapse of our roads is an indictment on local, state and federal governments for failing to uphold their electoral promises to the public. They need to do more to end the carnage on our roads.

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RISE IN CASES OF RAPE AND DEFILEMENT

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ases of rape and defilement in Nigeria are on the increase at a very alarming rate. The news is littered with such crimes. It is heart-breaking to know that children and even adults live in such terror, and such children are our future leaders.

Majority of rape cases went unreported in the past because of the stigma society associated with the act, but now victims of sexual violence are coming forward. Rape is highly intrusive. Rape victims are left with lifelong trauma, inability to forge meaningful relations with the opposite sex, unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Though rape and defilement are similar, they are different because their victims differ. Rape is the sexual involvement of a 14-year-old girl or above without consent, while defilement is for 13-year-old girl or below, whether the victim consented to the act or not. A rapist is not just “taking” sex. Such a person is inflicting both physical and psychological harm which leaves long term effects on victims.

Working within the legal restrictions, technically you cannot rape a man according to Nigerian law. This makes it a crime which can be committed by men and not women. What about the instances that a woman forcefully had intercourse with a man against his will? In reality the other cases are rare, though present.

People have to understand that rape causes a lot of damage to women, it increases their chances of getting HIV/AIDS and STIs. It also causes mental disorder and feeling of low self- esteem; it affects their academic performance. We need to accept that it is a social problem that needs our collective commitment.

Selected professionals, health workers, law enforcement agencies emphasised that systemic silencing of victims/survivors and the

impunity which the perpetrators carry out their activities contribute to the entrenched and endemic menace.

Sadly, a good number of perpetrators of rape move freely on the streets after committing the heinous act due to poor investigation and inherent defects in the criminal justice system. Reporting this brutality is the safest in preventing others from becoming victims in the society; by not covering up such cases and also encouraging them to speak no matter the threats from the culprits. The younger generation is watching, listening and learning. Ignoring such issues is teaching the younger generation that you can get away with such crime. Speaking up is not a shame; let’s save our future.

Our rape conviction numbers are abysmally low against the prevalence of rape in our country. We should give the victims of rape a chance at getting to any level through the lawful methods for justice and a chance at rehabilitation. Children should be taught that if someone tries to touch their body, especially their private parts such as breast and buttocks, they should shout and draw people’s attention.

Also, an ugly reality is that some people are misusing the very serious charge of rape as a way to gain an upper hand, get revenge, or otherwise harm other person. These have life changing effects, lead to loss of employment opportunities, public ridicule, and emotional harm especially in this era of media freedom. It beholds on us all to respond to societal challenges practically other than always complaining. The prevalence of this societal issue requires more than social media ranting and ensuring that we remain consistent on these issues as they come and go. I strongly believe that we start to advocate for strict laws from the government to make stringent laws against rapists and be swift in implementing the law on those found guilty of the crime.

Yusuf Hassan Wada, Katsina, Katsina State

TRUTH IN JOKES

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Bizarro cartoon in many papers showed a person being told that if they were ill yesterday then today that would be a pre-existing condition. This leads to the assumption that it wouldn’t be covered by any medical insurance. Although the Bizarro cartoons, as implied by their name, take an alternative look at life this may not be a joke to many people.

Many people have little or no insurance and what little they do have may only cover minimal costs for a short time. People should have access to free medical support and treatment but this is not a reality in many countries.

Another issue that is seen in recent times is the security of stored medical records and who can access them. If a perspective employer could see how many days a person had off at their last job and why then the chances of getting an interview may decrease irrelevant of ability and experience.

The enthusiasm for DNA testing for historical purposes may allow you to connect with distant relations although it could highlight possible genetic flaws and potential future illnesses. Many companies are starting to ask if you have had DNA testing and then require disclosure of potential outcomes which again may influence employment opportunities.

If we had free, adequate health coverage this cartoon would be just a joke rather than the medical system being the joke.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY MARCH 21, 2019

POLITICS

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

‘Nigeria is Paying the Price for Building National Institutions’ Adibe Emenyonu discusses with Senator Domingo Obende the fundamental concern in some quarters that the Edo State House of Assembly may become a rubber stamp and the prospects for a better economy during President Muhammadu Buhari’s second tenure

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hy do you think the pattern of voting changed in Edo State between the state assembly polls and the National Assembly/Presidential elections?

We give all the glory to God because there are lots of people who probably worked harder than us and they did not get even one or two seats. Having given glory to God, we will also look at the leadership structure of the state, vis-a-vis the governor himself, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and Oshiomhole who is also providing backup leadership.

I believe that because of the collaboration and sensitivity attached to the feelings of people, we have done well. Doing well has to do with the fact that the governor is delivering on his promises. If people naturally do not want to vote for APC for one reason or other, either because of the performance of Godwin Obaseki or because of Adams Oshiomhole and a few people like us that are in the party, that is another thing all together. We have personal relationship with the people, so people will obviously want to vote us and that is why I can say that the party is doing well because of the leadership structure.

There are fears that the Edo State House of Assembly, which is dominated by one party, may become a rubber stamp. What is you take?

We have one body and in this body, there are a lot of components, for instance, the tongue and the teeth.

They exist in the same environment yet they fight themselves every time. It is either the teeth is biting the tongue or the tongue is wagging at the teeth.

There is usually a legislative tension whether it is one or three houses or many political parties. The moment the tension starts, then it becomes an issue of deliverables. Now, I have been voted in and what I am going to show to my people. Then you now see the tension building up but for what I think we are doing, and the strategy Obaseki has put in place, it might be practically impossible for the house to be divided against themselves.

Looking at the issues that came up during the presidential election, like snatching of ballot, people were not even deterred by the presidential order to shoot ballot box snatchers on sight.

There is a price to pay when you are building national institution. I call it institutional strengthening. It is not something you give an instruction and immediately you get an answer. People are naturally ballot box snatchers.

It will take a long time for it to get out of their blood. Some just carry the ballot papers, go and thumbprint, but if you check, the rate is minimal now.

Many have lost their lives. Assuming such instruction was not there, only God knows what would have played out. I think it is part of the institutional strengthening. I believe that as we go on, things will take shape.

Ahead of next year governorship election, what do you think your party, the APC should do?

I think addressing community challenges, individual complains and reaching out to so many people by way of engaging them will solve the

Obende

problem and that is why I am happy.

We have almost a year to go before the election and we have a lot of job to do. The leadership of APC in Edo State will obviously do the job.

Yes we have 24 over 24. It is a reflection of the will of the people but like what you said, working against ourselves, that is where the challenge is but I think that will be resolved.

As a former member of the Na-

Obviously, he is going to commit his time to do much more and work harder than he did before. If you are doing much more and harder than what you did before, obviously, there will be respite in the economy and I believe that the people will smile at the end of the day

tional Assembly, how do you think the incoming senators and members of the House of Representatives should conduct themselves, considering the crises that trailed the selection of the leadership of the national assembly in the past?

One thing I am grateful for is that majority of them that are going back, served in the 7th assembly and they saw the collaboration and the peace that existed and how the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan then could navigate a lot of issues without running into crises.

The 8th assembly did not have that benefit. It is an experience to them that when the legislature is not together, it becomes practically impossible for government to run smoothly. Secondly, it is difficult for the legislators themselves to have anything to show in their various constituencies.

My advice is that they should cooperate with the executive so that government can run smoothly, permitting both the executive and the legislative arms to work together in a way that the common people can feel the impact of governance.

One of the challenges of the 8th national assembly was the way the leadership emerged. What modality should be adopted to avert a repeat?

The party does not need to be advised because the people running the party now know what it is for the leadership of the party not to cooperate with the executive but we are all going to work together by the grace of God. Zoning will be done properly and those who do not have business

contesting for specific positions will not even apply for it.

Naturally, I do not think the senate presidency was going to be zoned to the central but somebody got it but now if they are doing proper zoning, if it is now going to the central, then other zones do not have to compete with them. I believe that it is going to be fine.

One of the issues Nigerians complained about was economic hardship under President Buhari and now that he has a second term, should Nigerians expect better economic policies?

If you remember his speech, he said that things are going to be tougher.

When he used the word things are going to be tougher, it does not mean the economy. He is looking at it that this is the time for us to give our best, being the last lap of this administration.

Obviously, he is going to commit his time to do much more and work harder than he did before. If you are doing much more and harder than what you did before, obviously, there will be respite in the economy and I believe that the people will smile at the end of the day.

Economy is one issue. Government has the responsibility to provide the enabling environment. Our youths and women must be engaged. Skilled men and women must be encouraged and by the time all these things are flowing, no matter how small this money is, the ripple effect will bring some comfort to the people. I believe that Buhari’s second term which is his last lap, is going to witness development.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY MARCH 21, 2019

POLITICS

‘Imo Has Been Rescued from the Stranglehold of the Wicked’ Amby Uneze dialogues with Chief Obinna Duruaku, founder of Imo Grassroots Voters Movement on the just concluded governorship election in Imo state

Duruaku

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s an Imolite and a smember of PDP, what is your reaction to the just concluded Imo Guber /House of Assembly elections?

The elections have come and gone and like many other well-meaning Imolites, I am delighted that the results of the polls have in the main reflected the wishes of the majority of Imo people. Today, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, is governor-elect and my party the PDP will soon take over as the ruling party in the state. Imo people are happy that this came to pass, because they have missed a PDP government for eight good years. Arriving at this point wasn’t easy. It was a tough battle. Not that we weren’t sure that the majority of the Imo electorate will vote for our party and its gubernatorial and state assembly candidates, but we had to face the ruling party and an out-going governor who was desperate to install his son in-law as successor. He had everything to himself, they spent a lot of tax payers’ money buying votes, but we had the people on our side. Despite the intimidation and inducement, they spoke the language of PDP and defended it.

Some leaders of political parties have rejected the Guber election, maybe because it didn’t favour them, what is your take on this?

People are entitled to their choice. In this case, those political leaders have the right to either accept or reject the outcome of the election. It is their choice. It is quite understandable that they are not comfortable with the deserved victory of Ihedioha and PDP in the state.

When one goes into an election hoping to rig himself to victory by manipulating every process, including writing results and getting INEC to compromise and declare him or her winner, but fails in the process, he or she is bound to feel uncomfortable.

The rejection of the election by the AA, APC and APGA candidates is because their rigging strategies failed. Imo people resisted them to a reasonable extent and INEC, vis-a-vis the

Collation Officer and REC, weren’t ready to compromise. There are also top leaders in the state belonging to other parties who saw that the election was what it should be and accepted the outcome. One of them is former governor of the state and candidate of Accord Party, Chief Ikedi Ohakim who has already congratulated the winner and pledged to work with him to move the state forward.

The most important thing is that Imo people have spoken and the outcome of the election is a reflection of their wishes. However, I plead with the rest to sheath their sword and join Ihedioha to move Imo State forward.

You are from Orlu zone that presented two strong candidates that equally did well in the election, why did you support the Owerri zone candidate?

That’s an important question I must say. It

I believe in recognizing capacity and ability. I also believe in fairness and equity. In all sincerity, when it comes to having the capacity and ability to lead Imo State to greater heights, give it to Ihedioha

is not about where I come from. My driving force is not Orlu Zone and her interest, rather the interest of Imo State as a whole. As a man of conscience, I believe in recognizing capacity and ability. I also believe in fairness and equity. In all sincerity, when it comes to having the capacity and ability to lead Imo State to greater heights, give it to Ihedioha. He has proven overtime to be a sound administrator with huge record of integrity. Don’t forget he was former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and was outstanding in that office.

At such height in Nigerian politics, no corruption case has been traced to him. Being fair enough, Imo needs his integrity, discipline and work ethic, especially coming on the back of a catastrophic and rapacious Rochas Okorocha administration. About equity, also give it to Ihedioha. He comes from the Owerri Senatorial District of the state which had not produced the governor before now. Besides, I am a committed, respected and loyal party man. PDP in its wisdom gave Owerri Zone the opportunity to produce the next governor of Imo State and I have to toe that line.

The Governor-elect, Ihedioha is said not to have won the election, do you agree with such insinuation?

I don’t agree at all. It is clear for every eye to see that Ihedioha won convincingly, except of course for those who wanted to foist themselves on Imo people but failed with such obnoxious attempt. Imo people voted massively for PDP even in the face of threats, intimidation and never-seen-before inducements. It is on record that Ihedioha and the PDP ran the best and the most organised campaigns across the length and breadth of Imo state, to the chagrin of the incumbent and his cronies. Ihedioha and we in the PDP at this point have shifted our attention towards ensuring a smooth transition and delivering good governance to Imo people as promised.

What was your relationship with Ihe-

dioha before now?

He is a friend and trusted political leader.

My relationship with him has been mutual and cordial.

What qualities do you see in the governor-elect, that must have endeared the Imo electorate to him?

He is a man of integrity. He is disciplined, composed, result-oriented, courageous but humble and selfless. He has the capacity and administrative know-how to lead Imo to greater heights. Ihedioha is a leader with a burning desire to serve his people and leave positive foot prints in the sands of time. Like he said during the campaigns, he wants to go down in history as the man who rescued Imo State from the stranglehold of the wicked and went ahead to record excellent performances for the good of her people. I pray God to guide him and give him the wisdom to achieve his good agenda for the state.

What is your advice so that the new government from May 29?

The new government must not blink an eye and lose sight of the onerous task of rebuilding a dilapidated Imo State. This is because the expectations of Imo people are high, having watched, in pains, the outgoing Okorocha administration ruin the state. It’s not going to be easy, but the watch words should be focus, commitment and hard work.

Yes, the new government must work very hard. Importantly, it has to run an all-inclusive administration. The incoming government should allow the people participate in policy and decision making. Let the people have a say and this will heal a lot of wounds. But the government must beware of bad advisers. I am convinced that the new government has wonderful agenda to implement, with a touch of class and quality. The welfare of workers and pensioners must be taken seriously. Above all, I call on all well-meaning sons and daughters of Imo State to join with the new government to reposition our state for the good of all.

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FEATURES

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

ACampaign Against Modern Day Slavery Children in Ijora Badia, a highly-populated settlement in Lagos, recently joined their counterparts from around the world to campaign against the scourge of modern day slavery, Sunday Ehigiator reports

The kids of Ijora Badia

H

uman trafficking is the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labour, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others. This may encompass providing a spouse in the context of forced marriage, or the extraction of organs or tissues, including for surrogacy and ova removal, offshoot of this is child trafficking which is the action or practice of illegally procuring and relocating children, typically for the purposes of forced labour or sexual exploitation- a menace which is predominant in most parts of Africa, especially Nigeria.

Thus, global campaign against such modern slavery was launched. Spread across six continents and 100 countries, the global campaign which is themed ‘My Freedom Day’ , is part of the CNN freedom project aimed at harnessing the determination of young people around the world to put an end to slavery once and for all.

Slum Art Foundation As part of the campaign, in Ijora Badia, a highly populated slum in Lagos, Nigeria, where these societal defects are notably predominant, the Slum Art Foundation, hosted the ‘My

The project is one driven by a global scourge, which has become prevalent in present day societies, where children are being saddled with the responsibility of supporting their homes from a young age rather than living their lives and experiencing the joys of childhood with their peers

Freedom Day’ project with the children.

The group specialises in teaching children arts through which photography is being used to draw attention of government to issues and challenges in various slum communities. Thus at the Freedom Day, they sent a strong message on the need to curtail modern slavery by unveiling water colour portraits of 196 World Leaders which creates the logo of Cable News Network (CNN) when grouped together in exhibition.

Powered by Sterling Bank Plc, the Lagos campaign in the heart of Ijora-Badia was put together to draw the attention of everyday people, government agencies, non-state actors and well-meaning organisation to need to protect the rights of every child. This is the only way to put an end to the new trend of slavery devouring the dignity of children.

Speaking at the unveiling event, Director, Slum Art Foundation and four-time Guinness World Record holder, Adetunwase Adenle expressed delight in the ability of hitherto

unexposed children to create a unique work of art, which showcases their creativity and zeal to be productive members of their community.

He stated that “the project is one driven by a global scourge, which has become prevalent in present day societies where children are being saddled with the responsibility of supporting their homes from a young age rather than living their lives and experiencing the joys of childhood with their peers�.

Adenle used the medium to appeal to parents and foster parents in under-serviced communities and shanties to brace up and act more responsibly in protecting the rights of their children and liberate them from the heavy hands of compulsion, verbal threats, coercion and other actions or in-actions that could rob their children of their childhood unlike their counterparts around the world.

Adenle concluded by appreciating the support received from Sterling bank, Flour Mills and Project Volunteers which made the

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FEATURES More invaluable was the opportunity to take the campaign against child labour, forced marriage and domestic servitude, which are all forms of modern slavery, to a community where a large number of vulnerable of children live. We are certain that awareness against modern day slavery has been heightened in Ijora-Badia project a reality thereby ensuring the children of Ijora Badia had an exciting experience, while further pledging commitment towards promoting the rights of young people in slums by equipping them with creative skills and education in order to make them more productive thereby giving them a platform to be better and have promising future.

The Slum Art Foundation with some of the kids

Enriching Lives Speaking at the event Head of Public Relations, Sterling Bank, Adeola Adejokun, said the bank is proud to be associated with the bid to enrich the lives of children in under-serviced communities such as IjoraBadia through purposeful creativity and exposure to art.

According to Adejokun, “We are excited by what the children have been able to achieve in just two weeks, and these include drawing, painting, self-expression and creative problem-solving skills. The lives of many among the 196 participants will not remain the same. More invaluable was the opportunity to take the campaign against child labour, forced marriage and domestic servitude, which are all forms of modern slavery, to a community where a large number of vulnerable of children live. We are certain that awareness against modern day slavery has been heightened in Ijora-Badia�.

Raising Awareness Also speaking, Corporate Communications Manager, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Samuel Iboroma, expressed the company’s excitement about the project. According to him, “We are truly excited to be part of the CNN My Freedom Day Project.

While this is a very small step towards raising awareness for the realities surrounding human trafficking, child labour and how it affects children, we believe that it is a step in the right direction. Children like the ones that are taking part in the painting and art exercises today deserve the opportunity to grow to their full potentials�, he said.

About CNN My Freedom Day According to CNN, right now, 40 million people are trapped in slavery. At least 10 million of those are children. Although slavery is outlawed in every country, criminals earn more than $150 billion every year from enslaving people. To show how serious they take the campaign, on March 14, 2018, CNN made a global call. They said: “We want you and your school to join us for #MyFreedomDay. We're asking students to organise events at their school on the day to highlight modern slavery and celebrate freedom. The schools that show the most spirit in fighting slavery will be featured on CNN TV, CNN.com and CNN Facebook. A few schools will even receive a visit from a CNN correspondent, who will report live from the school on the day.�

Last year, hundreds of schools around the world took part, holding their own events. In defining modern-day slavery pretty much the same way you define slavery throughout human history. According to CNN, slavery occurs when one person controls another person, through violence or the threat of violence, in order to exploit them, economically or otherwise, and the victim is not free to walk away.

They said: “The biggest difference is that there usually isn't any paperwork or documents of ownership since slavery is illegal now. Instead, slavery is kept hidden and it's more difficult to identify. But it could be a

One of the kids displaying his art work

My Freedom Day team and the kids

woman kidnapped and made to work in a brothel in Europe. Or a man threatened to be killed or mutilated if he doesn't work in the fields. Or a child forced to do dangerous work in gold mines or on fishing boats.

None of these people get paid and none of them are allowed to leave, for fear of violence against them or their families.�

On what is needed, they said; join the fight! They said: “How many of your friends and family know there are 40 million slaves in the world today? CNN will provide proof: studies, stories and statistics. Our hope is you will use that information to create an event at your school and post what you've learned on social media using the hashtag #MyFreedomDay.�

How many people need to be involved he said: “As many as you and your friends

can pull together. Even if it's five people, you'll be representing your school in a positive way and joining thousands of other students around the world in standing up to slavery. So how do you take part?

We're encouraging students and teachers to come up with their own ideas, but here are some suggestions for the kind of thing you could do. “Film Screening - Look for movies or documentaries that deal with human trafficking. If you want to use a CNN documentary, we'll let you show it for free. You can watch the videos at cnn. com/myfreedom. “Art Show -- Create art work, in any media, and show it off at the school then post it to Twitter or Instagram using #MyFreedomDay. The theme can be anti-

slavery and should include peaceful, hopeful messages; art work about survivors and traffickers, and any form of expression that highlights human trafficking in a way that will raise awareness to your community. “Stand for Freedom -- Students can stand for 40 mins (or 40 hours, if you're really dedicated!) to represent the 40 million victims of slavery in the world today. “Panel Discussion -- Invite local lawmakers and anti-trafficking organizations to discuss the issue and what it looks like not just abroad, but in your hometown. “Day of Service -- Support a half-day of service where students volunteer at rehabilitation centers, visit their local lawmakers for a call to action, or collect items needed for survivors in conjunction with local organisations.�

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5 ) * 4 % ": t THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019

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Quick Takes Nigerian Waters Safe, Says Bello

Ă’Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁËš Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ ÒÓÚÚĂ?ĂœĂ?ËŞ Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă–Ëœ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă™ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ó×ÚÙĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă™ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ă˜ Ě‹Ă?âÓĂ?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă&#x;Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă‹ ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă“Ă?Ě‹Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?âËÑÑĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁ ÞÙ Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÓĂ?ĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÖã Ă–Ă?Ă Ă“Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă™ ĂŽĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă™Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă“Ă‹Ăœ ÞÙ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ë› Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă›Ă&#x;ÙÞĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? ÚÓÖĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă‹ĂœĂ—Ă?ĂŽ ĂœĂ™ĂŒĂŒĂ?ĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ëœ ĂšĂ“ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ËŤĂ‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™Ăž ÞÙÙ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂŽĂ?ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ăž ÞÙ ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂœĂ‹ĂŁ Ă&#x;Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ‹ĂŽ ÖÓÑÒÞ˛ˏ Ă’Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ ÒÓÚÚĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă– ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă ĂŁËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă Ă‹Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ ËŤĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ÞÙ Ă‹ Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă? Ă?âÞĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂŒĂ–ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ ĂĄĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ăœ ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? Ă‹Ă? Ă?ÞËÞÓĂ?ÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?ÙÓÖĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ͎͡ ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂĄĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ăœ ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ?˛ˏ

NIG Holds Webmasters’ Summit

THIS IS OUR SCORECARD

L-R: Chairman, Transcorp Hotels Plc, Mr. Emanuel Nnorom; Managing Director/CEO, Mrs Owen Omogiafo and Executive Director, Ms Okaima Ohizua, at the fifth Annual General Meeting of the company held in Abuja‌recently

Nigeria Loses $400m Annually to Foreign Software Developers Stories by Emma Okonji Experts have decried the huge loss Nigerian incurs annually on foreign software.

According to them, Nigeria spends over $400 million annually on foreign software licence renewal without recourse to indigenous software that could perform the same task.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) stakeholders who gathered in Lagos, at a recent roundtable on the use of Nigerian software in the financial sector, disclosed this.

To avoid such huge amount, which they described as waste to the economy, the stakeholders unanimously called for the adoption of indigenous software across financial institutions and

TELECOM other sectors of the economy.

Making a case for the adoption of indigenous software in Nigeria, the Director General of NOTAP, Dr. Dan-Azumi Mohammed Ibrahim, said government must come up with workable policies that must be implemented.

According to him, NOTAP in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property (WIPO), Central Bank of Nigeria and other stakeholders, developed the Local Vendor Policy in 2007, to strategically engage local ICT firms on the implementation of foreign software agreements in Nigeria.

The policy, which came into effect in 2008 states that the

Annual Technical Support (ATS) fee should not be made more than 23 per cent of the Software License fee. The payment of ATS should commence one year after the implementation of the Software license agreement. A local vendor must be appointed to be involved in the implementation of a Software License agreement submitted to NOTAP and must be paid a minimum of 40 per cent of the ATS fee in Naira.

According to Ibrahim, in the event of renewing the agreement after one year, evidence of payment of 40 per cent ATS fee must also be submitted to NOTAP. The Chief Executive Officer, CWG Plc, Adewale Adeyipo, stressed the need for the development of a viable

software ecosystem in order to create mutual values and innovative solutions for the Nigerian market, leveraging on platform-based business models and digital technologies.

This, he said would encourage innovation and stimulate economic growth.

Adeyipo, who was represented by the Business Director, Government Sector at CWG Plc, Udukheli Izebuno, said: “Nigeria has a robust knowledge institution but technologies that are emanating from these institutions cannot sustain industrialisation in the domestic economy, and that underscores the high level of foreign technology consumption Continued on page 24

Convergence Triggers Disruption in Telecoms Business, Says ITU The International Telecommunications Union, the United Nations’ agency in charge of the regulation of global telecoms operations, has raised the alarm that convergence, which is an outcome of technology evolution, is fast disrupting global telecoms operations, while eating deep into its core revenue stream.

According to a statement from ITU, Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are now woven into the fabric of our daily lives. They underpin services across industries as diverse as banking, transportation, media, and health care, with telecommunications industry still playing a fundamental role in providing

TELECOM this widening range of services that are improving people’s lives.

The statement, however, said in this era of great convergence, telecommunications companies have continued to face profound disruption to their business, as traditional revenue streams are drying up while costs of updating modern telecommunications infrastructure are soaring.

ITU is bothered about the survivability of global telecoms operators in 2019, should the convergence persist, where Over the Top Technology (OTT) players continue to ride on the platform of licensed traditional telecoms

operators to provide free of charge services like WhatsApp, Skype, Yahoo messenger among others, to the same telecoms subscribers.

ITU therefore called on telecoms operators, to consider alternative source of revenue streams to remain in business.

Taking a step further, ITU recently engaged telecommunications industry analyst, Chris Lewis of Lewis Insight to ask him about the top challenges for telcos and how they are changing to meet the new demands.

In his response Lewis said although telecommunications was formerly a self-contained industry with its own technology, rules of operation and innovation cycles,

but that technology has evolved to extend from connecting homes and buildings to individuals and ‘things’, thereby exposing telecoms to technological, economic and commercial pressures from the outside, which leaves telcos having to react to different cultures and business practices.

According to Lewis, “Ironically, connectivity has never been so important. However, the price paid for broadband connections, fixed and mobile, does not bear any relationship with the volume of traffic generated across the broader network, nor the value created for third parties. Hence, Continued on page 24

Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ăž ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ăš Ě™ Ěš Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă?Ăž ÞÙ ÒÙÖÎ Ă‹ Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ě‹ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ Ă?ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?ĂŒĂ—Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă“Ăž åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ă?Ëœ ËŤ Ùå ÞÙ ĂœĂ&#x;Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ ĂĄĂ?ĂŒË›ËŹ Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ÒÙÖÎ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ë› Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?âÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă“Ăž Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ?ĂŒĂ—Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂŒĂ–Ă™Ă‘Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ?ĂŒ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœË› Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ëœ ĂœË› Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜ĂŁ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ÞåÙ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă•Ă“Ă?Ă• Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž åÓÞÒ Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂĄĂ?ĂŒĂ—Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?ÙÖÖÙåĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă?ĂŒ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ËŤ Ùå ÞÙ ĂœĂ&#x;Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă?ĂŒ Ă™Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁË›ËŹ Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ×ÙÞÓà Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă’Ă“Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă“ĂžËœ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ù×Ă? ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă‘Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă’Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă’Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂĄĂ?ĂŒ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë›

WACC Gets Industry Support

Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă“Ă? Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ă™Ă˜Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ͱ͎ͯ͡ Ă‹Ă–ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù× Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ ĚšËœ ĂžĂŽËœ Ă?ÞË̋åĂ?ĂŒ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ ËÞË Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă—Ă? Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă‹Ă?Ă• Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂžĂŽËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ă˜Ă‹Ăš Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽË› ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă‹Ă?Ă•ĂŒĂ™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞã Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ě™ Ěš Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă?ĂŽĂ‹Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă‹Ă?Ă• Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă˜ Ă&#x;ĂŒËœ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ËÖËâã Ă‹Ă?Ă•ĂŒĂ™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽË› ÒÙÖÎĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ Í°Íś Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ëœ åÓÞÒ Ă‹ Ă?ÞËÕĂ?ÒÙÖÎĂ?ĂœĂ?ËŞ ÑËÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă“Ă?Ě‹ Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ?Ă&#x;Ă– ĂšĂ?Ă?Ăš Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ ĂžĂœĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž ÚÙÚĂ&#x;Ă–Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŒĚ‹ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ͱ͎ͯ͡ ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ë? ËŤ Ă?Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëž Ă—ĂšĂ–Ă™ĂŁĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“ĂšĂ?Ëœ Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞã Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ‹ Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?˛ˏ Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ĂŒĂŁ Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ’Ă™ĂĄ Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Ăž Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?

Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĚŽ

Ë›

Ericsson ConsumerLab Harps on AR

Ă’Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?Ăœ Ă‹ĂŒ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?Ă‹ĂŁĂ? Í´Íľ ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?ËÖÓÞã Ě™ Ěš Ă&#x;Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?âÞ Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÚÙÚĂ&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă™ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă?Ă˜ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂžĂ’ Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ăš Í°Í´ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?ËÚÞĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÍľËœÍŽÍŽÍŽ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ ͯͳ̎ʹ͡ Ă“Ă˜ ĂœĂ‹Ă¤Ă“Ă–Ëœ Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ëœ ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ëœ Ă™Ă&#x;ÞÒ Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂŁ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă™Ă? ʹ;ʹ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁË› Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă™ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÒÙå Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂœĂ?ËÖÓÞã Ě™ Ěš Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?âÞ Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?Ă– Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă—Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ–Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž Ó×ÚÖÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÒÙå Ă“Ăž ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ó×ÚËĂ?Ăž Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă–Ă–Ëœ Ă“Ăž Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă™ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ě‹ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă—Ë› ËŤ Ă’Ă‹Ăž ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ăž ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÙÖĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ĂŒĂ™ĂŁĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă? ÞÙÎËã ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‹ Ă’Ă™ĂŒĂŒĂŁ Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;ĂšĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë› ËŤ Ă’Ă“Ă–Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ă?Ă?Ăž ĂšĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?ÞÓÖÖ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÍŻÍ´ ÞÙ ͰͲ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹Ăœ ÙÖÎ ĂŒĂ™ĂŁĂ?Ëœ åÓÞÒ ͎͡ ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂšĂ–Ă‹ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă™ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ăž Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ă–ĂŁËœ Ͳͳ̎ͳ̋͡ãĂ?Ă‹ĂœĚ‹Ă™Ă–ĂŽ åÙ×Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă&#x;Ăš Ă‹ Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ăž ÚÖËãĂ?Ăœ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?Ëœ åÓÞÒ Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă— ĂšĂ–Ă‹ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă™ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ăž Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹ ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•ËœËŹ Ă“Ăž Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ?ĂŽË›

“The overarching focus for Facebook is improving internet connectivity and empowering partner operators such as MainOne with the tools to build out networks to connect more people�

CEO, MainOne Broadband Company,

Funke Opeke

24

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍŻËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

NIGERIA LOSES $400M ANNUALLY TO FOREIGN SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS

in Nigeria-huge technology Gap.�

He, therefore, said specific skills were required as a nation to build a viable software ecosystem in order to address these substantial technological gaps.

At the stakeholders’ roundtable, which was jointly organised by the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), in collaboration with CWG Plc, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said the theme of the roundtable: “Adoption and Development of Local Content Technology as Growth Driver for the Nigerian Economy,� came at a time the federal government was emphasising on local participation in the execution of government contracts thereby improving local content in national socioeconomic development.

CONVERGENCE TRIGGERS DISRUPTION IN TELECOMS BUSINESS, SAYS ITU the pressures on the world’s telcos is to significantly reduce the cost of operations on the one hand, while increasing the range of services supported to its extending customer base on the other.�

He said the temptation for telcos was to venture into multiple adjacent markets, but they all come with their own ecosystem of suppliers and retail channels.

He explained that the main challenge was to find the right position in the ecosystems that serves the different markets and to make it easy for partners as well as customers to get access to the services they require to support their digital lifestyles.

In Nigeria, telecoms operators have also raised same challenge and called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator to find a way around it, to regulate the activities of OTT, a request that NCC turned down, giving reasons that it would amount to regulating technology, which the Commission said, could stifle telecoms growth in the country.

NIMC, Immigration to Enforce NIN on New e-Passports Emma Okonji

(ABIS) we utilise makes sure that the NIN is unique –that is our only job,� Aziz said.

Babandede commended NIMC for the upgrades which he said had resulted in instant and timely allocation of the NIN. He also reiterated the NIS willingness to accommodate NIMC in all its 44 diplomatic

missions abroad and 42 locations in Nigeria to ensure that all Nigerians and Legal residents are enrolled into the National Identity Database. “We are ready to provide space for you to operate in our locations to facilitate real time online, integration. If an immigration officer touches

the computer, he should be able to connect to NIMC real time online, get the number, so that he can issue a passport. “Babandede said.

Babandede, also expressed optimism over the collaboration, as a test run carried out by the NIS with one thousand NIN samples to match with

one thousand biometric visas, yielded a success rate of 89.4 per cent, which means it is good and that Nigerians are providing accurate information.

He also assured that both agencies would continue to work together to ensure that there are no bottlenecks in the process.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) have resolved to commence enforcement of the National Identification Number (NIN) on the new enhanced 10 years validity e-passport.

President Mohammadu Buhari had on January 15th 2019, while unveiling the new enhanced e-passport, directed that the NIN which is issued by NIMC be inserted as additional data in the new passports.

The resolve to commence enforcement was agreed upon during a courtesy visit by the Comptroller General of NIS, Muhammad Babandede, to the Director General NIMC, Aliyu Aziz, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja recently.

The Director General and CEO of NIMC, in his address stated that the Commission had upgraded its software and infrastructure to enable the generation of the NIN in just micro seconds.

This meant that unlike in the past, the NIN is issued instantly to successful enrollees into the NIDB (National Identity Data Base}. “Few months ago, we had an issue that made NIN generation take up to hours and people had to come back the following day. However, right now it is instantaneous and that is the way we intend to maintain the L-R: Head, Women Banking, Access Bank Plc, Ada Udechukwu; Group MD/CEO, Herbert Wigwe; British Deputy High Commissioner, system. The type of Automated Laure Beaufils; and Coordinator, Women Banking, Access Bank Plc, Ayona Aguele-Trimnell, at the ‘W’ Initiative International Women’s Day Biometric Identification System Conference 2019, held in Lagos‌recently

CELEBRATING WOMEN

Afreximbank Proffers Factoring to Ease Access to Financing for SMEs Emma Okonji and Peter Uzoho The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has made case for factoring as a viable and sustainable solution to address the challenge of access to financing which is hindering the growth of Africa’s small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).

The Managing Director of the Intra-African Trade Initiative at Afreximbank, Kanayo Awani, said this during a factoring promotion conference held in Gaborone that factoring, a form of trade finance provided a solution to address the SME financing gap and would help innovative SMEs to grow and support

Africa’s structural transformation and trade development.

Awani, who noted that access to appropriate and affordable finance had been frequently cited as a major obstacle for SMEs, explained that factoring was an important alternative to other trade financing sources, such as bank loans.

Despite its huge opportunities, however, factoring had not yet taken off fully in Africa, with the region accounting for less than 1 per cent of global factoring volumes in 2017, Awani stated. “Notwithstanding that, the region had demonstrated strong growth in recent years, with factoring volumes growing from Euro 14.9 billion in 2009 to

approximately Euro 22.3 billion in 2017, although most of those volumes were concentrated in South Africa, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Mauritius and Kenya,� she said.

She said Africa’s factoring volumes were projected to reach about Euro 200 billion by 2021, resulting mostly from new market entrants supported by the sustained economic growth; rapid rise of Africa’s middle class; emergence of innovative industries supported by technological advancements; rapidly expanding trade and economic relations between Africa and major economies in the South; and increasing focus on regional integration and

intra-regional trade under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

Afreximbank had been playing a leading role in facilitating the growth of factoring in Africa through various interventions, including supporting the creation of a facilitative legal and regulatory environment for factoring; provision of finance and guarantees to factoring companies; provision of technical assistance; and formation of strategic partnerships to promote the development of factoring.

The two-day Factoring Promotion Conference held under the theme “Domestic and International Factoring: Alternative tools for SME

financing in Africa,� recently, according to a statement was organised by Afreximbank and FCI, the global representative body for factoring and financing of open account domestic and international trade receivables.

It had over 180 attendees and provided practical information and ideas about how to set up factoring activities and highlighted the importance of factoring in the development and promotion of SME financing.

Topics covered included benefits and risks of factoring, mechanics of factoring, and legal aspects of factoring. It also provided networking opportunities for African factors, bankers, lawyers and others.

Golden Sugar AfďŹ rms Commitment to Business Growth Emma Okonji Group Business Editor

ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă‹ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ă‹ Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ äĂ?

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; äĂ? (Aviation) ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ (Maritime) Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă?ÔÙ (Finance) ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? åÙÔÓ (Insurance) Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă‹Ă?Ă™ (Energy) Reporters

Ă&#x;Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă?Ă‘Ă’Ă? (Money Market) Ă™Ă?Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă•Ă’Ă&#x;ÙÑÓĂ? (ICT)

The Golden Sugar Company, one of the subsidiaries of Flour Mills of Nigeria, (FMN), the food and agro allied group, has reaffirmed commitment to the development of sugar value chain in Nigeria and in line with the federal government backward integration policy regarding the mandatory upstream operations requirement for sugar processing.

Basking in the euphoria of winning the 2019 Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) awards in France, the company expressed its desire to continue setting the pace for more global recognitions and with consumers’ satisfaction as its goal.

The Deputy Managing Director,

Mr. Maniatis Ioannis John, also noted that the journey through the global market programme had been truly inspirational and rewarding.

He said: ‘’We know that sugar is enjoyed by millions of Nigerian families every day, so this is just one of the many initiatives that we have put in place to assure them of our commitment to quality and safe food for all.�

John added that with an installed capacity to process 7,500 metric tonnes of sugar production per annum, the company is poised to take advantage of the backward integration programme.

He said the industry must be properly incentivised to stay competitive.

He further stated that smug-

gling of sugar into the country had affected the growth of sugar production along the value chain, given the challenges, there’s grappling of export and fall in price. Smuggling slows down the backward integration programme.

The award, however, was in recognition of safety standards and it intends to strengthen the diversity of food safety around the world from Africa, Asia, America and Europe. The key performance index reveals that GFSI reviewed benchmark for the assessment of food implementation, food defense, food assessment and the dangers of food fraud on consumers and end users.

Chairman, of the GFSI Board, Mike Robach said: ‘’The global markets Award 2019 recognised

the commitment of companies all over the world to their food safety journey.�

He said, this year, the selection committee focused on the efforts and innovations the companies have made in creating an environment for food safety and a culture of continuous improvement.

Addressing journalists during a factory tour in Lagos, the Quality Assurance Manager, Mrs. Veronica Kalu-Ufe, said the award is a motivation for hard work and a great task to take the lead among other competitors in the industry.

She reaffirmed that FMN is committed to maintaining the international regulatory standard for food safety.

She added that Golden Sugar

company started full operations in Nigeria market in 2012 and so far, 100 per cent of the packing materials have been locally sourced within the country thereby boosting the economies of local producers.

Golden sugar Company acquired 100 per cent equity in Sunti Golden Sugar Estate Limited (SGSE) which was formally inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari. The investment in Nigeria, according to its management is a concrete example of FMN’s commitment to reduce sugar importation, increase Foreign direct investment, boost local capacity and reduce unemployment by putting thousands of Nigerians to work in the Agricultural sector.

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BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Propelling Ease of Doing Business Although the various executive orders of government are designed to enhance ‘Ease of Doing Business,’ the application of technology will further boost business processes in the country, writes Emma Okonji:

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

A

pplication of technology tools in business has the potential to speed up processes for profitability. It is on this premise that the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), which is an inter-governmental and inter-ministerial council of government, last week in Lagos, launched its mobile app called reportgov.ng app. It is designed as an official public service feedback and complaints platform to support business climate reforms implemented

by PEBEC that will improve transparency and ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in Nigeria.

Established in July 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari, to remove bureaucratic constraints to doing business in Nigeria and make the country a progressively easier place to start and grow a business, PEBEC had since its inception, come up with various reforms that were successfully implemented by different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, to ease business processes in the country. But despite the successes recorded in the Ease of Doing Business’ in Nigeria, in relation to the latest World Bank annual ranking, where Nigeria is currently placed at 146 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business index, PEBEC has a strong belief that with the application of technology in driving business processes, Nigeria could actually move beyond the 24 places rating it had in the 2018 ranking, which was just four points above the target for 2018.

Speaking on this, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, who is also the Vice Chair of PEBEC, said the app would not only demystify business processes in Nigeria, but would also create an enabling environment for business growth and profitability.

Role of PEBEC in business PEBEC is chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and it comprises 10 ministers, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, representatives from Lagos and Kano State governments, the National Assembly and the private sector. The Enabling Business Environment Secretariat (EBES) assists the MDAs to implement the reform agenda of the PEBEC, with the mandate to move Nigeria upwards in the World Bank rating of ease of doing business index, while striving to remove critical bottlenecks and constraints to doing business in the country and make Nigeria a progressively easier place to do business and thrive.

The mission of PEBEC is to make businesses work in Nigeria and the main barometer for measuring would be the testimonials by Nigerians themselves.

EBES and the MDAs are partners in progress, collaborating with each other to make businesses work in Nigeria. EBES is the operational team of PEBEC and has the highest political backing to motivate MDAs to implement reforms.

Given its role and mandate, PEBEC has promised it would continue to implement

Enelamah

evolving technology tools that would act as catalyst to business growth and sustainability across the country.

Technology in business Speaking on the important roles of technology in business growth, the minister said governments all over the world have realised the importance of technology in business growth across all sectors of the economy, and are providing the necessary enabling environment for technology to thrive.

According to him, “It is for this reason that the present government set up PEBEC in July 2016, to oversee Nigeria’s business climate reform agenda and the Council in its wisdom, has decided to further drive business processes across all sectors of the economy, especially with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), using the appropriate technology.�

Enelamah said the mobile app would further make it easier for all Nigerians to do business with ease, and that it is in line with the objective of government in job and wealth creation, driving economic growth and industrialisation, business diversification, among others. “The app has been designed as a digital tools that will enhance ease of doing business in Nigeria and it is another avenue to engage government, agencies of governments, and service providers and also an avenue for business owners to channel feedback to government in terms of their observations and experiences. The app is so important that will promote more action with less talk,� Enelamah said.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the app, which is also a website, would facilitate the escalation and resolution of issues encountered with Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) towards ensuring a more business-friendly environment.

The mobile app is available on the Google Play store, and is coming soon to the iOS store to enable users give feedback or complaint that will drive continuous improvement in service delivery and public protection efforts. “Before the design and launch of the mobile app, PEBEC had designed a web portal where people log in to complain and the response time was delayed, but now with the mobile app that could be downloaded on the mobile phone and given the increasing usage of phones in Nigeria, I am confident that the app will make a big difference, since we are leveraging technology to achieve better services for the masses,� the minister added.

Enabling business environment In order to build an enabling business environment through appropriate technology tools, PEBEC had in the last three years, implemented 140 reforms that led to 360 per cent reduction in time for filing corporate income taxes from 14 days to 72 hours; 60 per debt reduction in time to register property in Lagos and Kano; 51 per

cent reduction in time to obtain development permit in Lagos from 61 days to 30 days; 51 per cent reduction in time to get electricity and number of procedures from 9 to 7, N695 billion value of over 35,000 financing statements listed on the National Collateral Registry as at October 2018; 26 per cent reduction in cost of registering a business; 30 per cent reduction in import documentation and 200 per cent reduction in average airport clearance time for visitors, among other impact of PEBEC reforms.

Confirming the impact of the reforms in the last three years, the Project Manager, EBES, the implementation arm of PEBEC, Mr. Ayokunnu Ojeniyi, said the reforms were focused on automating services and training staff to use new technology tools to drive and sustain businesses, especially SME businesses. “The reforms were introduced and implemented to improve business performance, effective business management, internal monitoring and evaluation systems. The reforms served as escalation mechanisms that allow the public to report MDAs for non-compliance and poor service delivery. The reportgov.ng website and mobile app, will further help in lodging complaints and receiving feedbacks that will enhance and speed up business processes in the country,� Ojeniyi said.

In his presentation titled ‘The Journey to an Attractive Economy’, Ojeniyi said from 2017, PEBEC implemented three short-term National Action Plans (NAP) that helped in demystifying business process across the country. He listed them to include NAP 60, NAP 2.0 and NAP 3.0. “In the plan, we detailed what initiatives had been priotised for the first 60 days by reform module, sharing both the pain points and PEBEC proposed solutions. For each reform module, we shared what impact Nigerians could expect if we completed our mission and we also shared who was responsible if our mission was not completed, in order to achieve full transparency,� Ojeniyi said.

According to him, PEBEC laid out seven bold aspirations for 2018 to build on the success of 2017, and listed the aspirations to include NAP 3.0, Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), PEBEC Report, Omnibus Bill, Subnationsl Project, National Trading Platform and Airport Concession.

While the NAP 3.0 focused on deepening reforms across nine indicators, CAMA contained several provisions, which directly affect the Ease of Doing Business, and the PEBEC Report expanded the web-based feedback mechanism that allowed technology to drive ease of doing business in the country. The Omnibus Bill proposed amendments to several existing laws to institutionalise the business reforms and improve ease of doing business in Nigeria. The Sub-national project involved collaborating with state governments to implement initiatives to improve business processes, but the National Trading Platform acted as a single window trade portal to expedite

and simplify information flow between trade and government, while the airport concession led to government approval for the concession of Lagos and Abuja airports to be implemented, using modern technology equipments.

Ojeniyi said in 2019, PEBEC would be consolidating on its reforms agenda and also implement fresh strategic goals and initiatives, such as improving Nigeria’s ranking to sub-100 in the 2020 World Bank Doing Business Index, using modern technology tools.

Infrastructure in business During the panel session, issues of how infrastructure affects business, were raised.

According to the panel, inadequate infrastructure has been a major challenge to business growth in the country. They identified infrastructure like power, transportation, road network and broadband infrastructure for internet connectivity.

They commended the efforts of PEBEC for the launch of the mobile app, which they said would boost infrastructure development, and called for more empowerment of PEBEC by government, to enable it do more.

Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Muda Yusuf, who featured as a panelist, highlighted the challenges faced in the oil and gas sector of the economy in the area of ease of doing business’. He called on the federal government to take a critical look at the constraints of investors in the downstream and upstream part of the oil sector in Nigeria, with a view to addressing the challenges. He called for implementation of sophisticated technology tools that would drive processes in the oil and gas sector of the economy.

Oduwole, who was also one of the panelists, spoke on government efforts, through PEBEC in addressing ease of doing business via global best practices that are driven by technology. She also spoke on the efforts of PEBEC on private sector engagement, geared towards achieving ease of doing business, using technology tools.

She, however, spoke on some of the limitations of PEBEC like budgeting, but explained that collaboration with different government agencies, has helped in addressing most of the challenges.

Commending the efforts of PEBEC in creating enabling business environment through infrastructure to address the concerns of the private sector, the Chairman, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Mr. Adedotun Sulaiman, said the app would be a tool to address all the complaints of the private sector, as it relates to their business experiences. “Nigerians complain a lot about what is not working well in the economy and the app is a platform to channel such complaints. Every complaint about the provision of services by government agencies that is log into the app receives immediate attention. Nigerians are therefore advised to download the app and use it to get faster response time to all their complaints and reports,� he said.

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Malherbe: Technology Adoption Will Save Cost The Territory Manager for Nigeria, Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa at Cisco Meraki, Nick Malherbe, in this interview with Emma Okonji, speaks on how the adoption of the right form of technology will enable organisations save operational costs. Excerpts:

W

give them a two A4 pages of instructions on how a Meraki dashboard and a Meraki network can be set up. For example, any new individual to Meraki or Cisco goes for two weeks training and predominantly that is about how we present the product, but a very small part of that, which is in one day, is essentially how to set up a network, the individual can learn how to set up a network within one day, so it is beyond simple for customers’ use.

hat do you think are the biggest IT challenges in Africa and Nigeria?

I would say one of the major Information Technology (IT) challenges in Africa and Nigeria, especially for growing businesses is connectivity. Connectivity in terms of connecting a site to network in a cost effective way. This is because connectivity is very costly. Being able to use connectivity in a productive way that enhances the position of any business within the market while also allowing them to compete in their market space is anything but cost effective.

For example, a company where great internet connection is being used for anything other than business critical applications, is not using its resources productively. However, if one is able to see what’s happening over the networks, they would be able to shape and monitor traffic and the use of the internet, thereby making use of company resources and connectivity expenses in a more productive way.

Let us look at malware, in terms of data.

Does your solution protect data from malware and how do customers get to know that it’s preventive and at what rate?

So we benefit from Cisco’s best in class security products and one of them is anti-malware protection, which looks at any threat that enters the network. We deploy firmware as soon as we identify the signature to protect all of our networks across the world, so it’s not isolated to one network.

How do your solutions link with cloud technology?

Cloud is a big subject, we have proto clouds, we have public clouds and we look at incorporating Meraki into things like AWS, or Azure for instance, these products can be integrated with the cloud architectures, and we are able to use complimentary services like active directories, radio service and other pieces of technology. In addition to that, Meraki provides you the visibility to understand that if a particular application is under performing, you are able to trouble shoot that and know where the problem lies. We work very closely with cloud providers, we have virtual security devices, which set in AWS for instance, and so you can go buy a VMX instead of buying a physical, a virtual annex that secure network and will provide you with a firewall in Amazon services. That’s basically how we incorporate.

Can you share with us one of the trends you see in cloud IT solution, in relation to hybrid cloud?

All I can say is that the demands on connectivity, internet connectivity and bandwidth is a clear trend. So, I will again look at what Meraki focuses on, that is solving customer challenges. Our primary focus is on how we can solve customers’ challenges to enable them take part in global connectivity, and not necessarily too concerned at this point about hybrid cloud and how we solve the hybrid cloud situation. We are rather concerned about how we can get everybody connected to the internet.

Cisco Meraki recently announced its technology solution offerings that were speciďŹ cally designed to help MSMEs in Nigeria. How will the solutions help to simplify technology and create jobs?

Many organisations today are dealing with the challenges of lack of funding for advanced digital solutions and lack of Information Technology (IT) specialists to manage those solutions, but Meraki provides a simplified path to powerful technology. Cisco for instance, sees digitisation as a big trend that is important for businesses, whether big or small to adopt, and the new Meraki offerings are designed to simplify IT solutions for small and medium businesses even in the absence of an IT specialist. The technology provides complete network visibility and control - no hardware controllers or overlay software required. Configurations and management are easily performed remotely or on-site, while trouble shooting can be done in a fraction of the time with advanced networking analytics, allowing businesses to focus on more projects that are impactful. Our solutions help organisations to rapidly roll out digital initiatives, delivering real business value, and we are committed to helping our customers overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

To what extent do your solutions help organisations save operational cost in business?

Our solutions are cost effective and in addition, it eliminates hardware and cloud controllers and customers no longer use command line to configure a network. So it reduces the time to value so you are able to increase the value of your deployments rather quickly, so you are deploying within hours instead of days, days instead of weeks, and weeks instead of months. What that means is less resources needed to deploy the variety of network, and in terms of managing it on the cloud and in the dashboard, the cost saving is multi-pronged. Therefore, you do not need to send engineers out immediately to sites, which may take some time to get to. This then has an impact on the number of customers they can see because they are not just occupied by one particular problem, so the need to hire more people in terms of just maintenance functions is reduced and they have more in terms of optimising networks. The cost saving is in terms of two thirds of management of a network.

Malherbe

Talking about ArtiďŹ cial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), most especially AI in terms of your solution, what level of AI do you have that drives these solutions and how easy is it for customers to actually use it?

AI is a bulk of data that requires the application of algorithm to give a productive and useful output. They are measurements needed to make decisions. The most basic AI that Meraki provides in terms of the dashboard, is taking large amounts of coding, making it visually pleasing and also very easy to manage. In terms of AI, on our MV Cameras for video processing, is another

I would say one of the major Information Technology challenges in Africa and Nigeria, especially for growing businesses is connectivity.

Connectivity in terms of connecting a site to network in a cost effective way. This is because connectivity is very costly. Being able to use connectivity in a productive way that enhances the position of any business within the market while also allowing them to compete in their market space is anything but cost effective

area we are making lots of investments in, as well making the CCTV world not just about surveillance, but also about sensors, about using the database that it collects for improvement of public spaces, improvement of private institutions and making the data available in digestive form to customers. In that form, it is more useful and productive. So when you talk about AI, it is a big subject especially for any business that is yet to take advantage of it. At Meraki, we are putting a lot of time into that because of the growth potential that it portends.

Since you are putting a lot of investment in AI, how do you see it being a turnaround for businesses. Do you see it as a new business investment?

We rely on our five senses and data base to make decisions. So if we have technology around us that is able to collect data, analyse it, and give us information in byte sized chunks, in order to enhance our decision making for better means, then I think it is productive for the world at large. So it’s not just specific to Nigeria. When you look at Meraki and the way it manages information and presents it to the user, you will find out that such information allows users to make productive decisions about how they run their business. Again, AI is a big subject, it takes many forms, but when we talk about what is out there, we can talk about things like Amazon or Alexa for instance, where their voice control or command device can be incorporated into Meraki. You can ask Alexa what is my wireless network status today? how many clients usually come back and she can answer you. It’s through AI that that we are able to incorporate that as well. So we fit very well within that space.

Let’s look at the ease of use of these solutions, in the area of customer usage.

How simpliďŹ ed are these solutions for customer use?

If you plug it in, it starts working, that is the basis of it. In order for me to get anybody who is inexperienced in setting up a network, I can

In Nigeria and Africa generally, the adoption of new technology is always an issue, especially with AI. So what is the adoption rate of your solution in the Nigerian market?

So what we have seen in terms of adoption in the last couple of years around Cisco technologies generally, has been at a rapid rate. Specific to Nigeria and indeed Africa, with the benefits we have as regards adoption is that we don’t have legacy problems, so we don’t have to grapple with legacy technologies. Most times we have green field deployment and as a result of that we sort of leapfrog these legacy issues and adopt new technology. For example, when you look at some of these devices and handsets, you will observe that once something new is released globally, you see it in Nigeria and being adopted in Nigeria.

The mobile networks have also brought this rate of adoptions closer to us as a people, so the rate of adoption for Meraki is also rapid because now we have more access to the internet and the dashboards are being cloud-driven. Once you have an access to the internet, then you can manage and work with Meraki.

How will your wireless connectivity solution address Nigeria’s challenge in internet penetration?

The solution in itself is simple. As mentioned earlier, the software defined Wireless Area Network, the SD1 technology allows you to be able to use different connectivity options to access the internet and in the simplest way. Another good example is one where you have a small business that has a primary internet link and then another link that could be through a service provider or a mobile service provider to the internet. When the primary link goes down, the Meraki solution gives you an opportunity to seamlessly move to the other connection, and that connection could be something as simple as a 3G or 4G connection from your mobile service provider.

Truth is, connectivity is always going to be a problem in recent times but as we improve our options and get the connectivity better, businesses will boom. We are seeing more and more with the SD1 technology the ability to switch in a seamless manner and continue doing what you are doing on the internet.

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Ě“

Firm Unveils Transport Solution Stories by Emma Okonji GIG Mobility has come up with a technology powered transport solution, designed to create wealth among Nigerians and Africans, through a partnership initiative that will provide mobility services to people across Africa.

Hinged on service, comfort and safety, GIG Mobility delivers global standard services to its users while leveraging

technology and building innovative solutions.

Announcing the initiative in Lagos, the Chief Operating Officer, GIGM.com, Vuakpor Muoghereh, said as a platform, one of GIG Mobility’s primary goals is to alleviate bottlenecks typically associated with traditional transport systems through innovation and technology. “From passenger boarding to maintenance, surveillance,

EFInA Empowers Financial Services Stakeholders In order to achieve universal access to formal financial services, which requires pervasive and sustainable agent networks across the nation, EFInA has provided capacity building for financial services stakeholders to drive the increased deployment of pervasive agent networks in Nigeria.

According to the company, financial inclusion is a key driver of economic development. Indeed, the more people that are included, the more they have access to financial services that will ultimately improve their leaving conditions and gradually get out of poverty.

It said many studies have revealed the importance of agent networks in driving access to financial services, especially at the last mile.

Nigeria currently has about 22 deposit money banks, over 800 microfinance banks, 25 mobile money operators, yet, 36.6 million adults, which is 36.8 per cent of the total adult population, remain financially excluded.

The National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) identified agent networks as one of the important channels required to achieve the Financial Inclusion target. Going by the shift from physical bank branches to branchless banking globally, the revised NFIS strategy considers increasing the agent target from 62 to 476 agents per 100,000 adults by

2020. As such, there is a need to build the capacity of the stakeholders to achieve this target. It is estimated that at least 500,000 agents should be available to serve about 105 million adult population in Nigeria by the year 2020.

In pursuit of EFInA’s goal to provide capacity building for financial services stakeholders to drive the increased deployment of pervasive agent networks across Nigeria, and at the end grow financial inclusion agenda, EFInA hosted a two-day intensive training for financial services providers on “Essentials for deploying sustainable agent networks in Nigeria�.

Participants were senior executives from deposit money banks, microfinance banks, mobile money operators, super agents, telcos, fintech companies and regulators.

The main objective of the training was to create a platform for key financial services stakeholders to understand in practical terms how to drive the increase of widespread and sustainable agent networks across Nigeria.

The training provided insights on areas like agency banking strategy development at organisational level; channel development; product development for agency banking; agent network management; risk and fraud management; consumer protection and retention, among others.

Airtel Nigeria Introduces New Number Range Airtel Nigeria has announced a new number range, 0901, in line with its vision to empower more people as well as create opportunities for more Nigerians to succeed.

Airtel said the new 0901 number range, which brings its burgeoning numbering series scheme to eight, will offer more Nigerians an opportunity to experience seamless telephony/ mobile internet service on an innovative and affordable network with expansive 4G coverage.

Commenting on the development, Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, said: “Airtel is positioned as the network of first choice for voice calls and mobile Internet and the introduction of a new number series is an affirmation that it enjoys the confidence and support of many telecoms consumers across the country.�

According to him, “Airtel is pleased to expand its number range to accommodate more telecoms consumers who desire exceptional telephony and mobile Internet experience as well as affordability and new innovation. “With the new 0901 number range, we are inviting more telecoms consumers to come experience the best and widest 4G and digital experience.�

Aside the 0901 number range, Airtel currently has the following numbering series: 0802, 0808, 0708, 0812, 0701, 0902, and 0907.

Airtel Networks Limited is a leading telecommunications services provider in Nigeria headquartered in Lagos, the commercial nerve-centre of Nigeria. The telco ranks among the top four mobile service providers in terms of subscribers.

among others, the solution uniquely integrates the end to end operations of a standard transport company while guarantying enterprise partners, which include external and internal partners, the seamless operations, profitability, accountability and of course comfort,� Muoghereh said.

Giving details of the partnership, the Assistant Operations Manager, GIGM. com, John Okafor, said: “The initiative is for every Nigerian and African who is interested in investing resources for profitable returns or running a transport company without

having to own one.�

According to him, an Enterprise Partner (EP) is required to register on the GIGM platform as a business, with a minimum of three vehicles, which could range from Sienna, Hiace, Sprinter, and Jet Mover. He, however, explained that GIGM has made it easier for creditworthy individuals to participate in the scheme, by partnering financial institutions to finance vehicles for eligible enterprise partners. The enterprise partner app is also currently available on the android play store.

For the internal partners

who are existing drivers in GIGM.com, Okafor said they are also eligible to become owner captains under the enterprise partner model, if they meet the set criteria. He said the startup requirement for owner captains who are internal partners, is one vehicle, which will be financed by any of the GIGM financial partners.

Speaking on the financial benefits and sharing formula, Muoghereh said: “Gross revenue is shared on a 70:30 ratio before expense either by the enterprise partner or the platform (GIGM). 70 per cent goes to the partner and

30 to the platform. “An initiative like this provides a platform for entrepreneurship, the opportunity for wealth creation and economic empowerment as well as provides more levels of scale for GIGM. With this model, it will become unnecessary for GIGM as a platform to invest in owning her fleet in the run,� Muoghereh added.

According to her, the new product is GIGM Enterprise Partner Model, which is built to alleviate the hassles of running traditional transportation while also ensuring profitability for partners.

BUSINESS COLLABORATION

L-R: Head, Business Development, Interswitch Financial Inclusion Services, Onyeka Ukpaka; Divisional CEO, Titilola Shogaolu; Head, Legal and Regulatory Services, Smile Nigeria, Gbolahan Thomas; Head, Brands and Communications, Lotanna Anajemba; Head, Retail Business, Adenike Ajayi and Acting General Manager, Sales and Distribution, Tunde Baale, during an MoU signing ceremony between both organisations in Lagos... recently

Inlaks Partners Moven Enterprise on Financial Solutions Information technology systems integrator, Inlaks, recently announced its partnership with Moven Enterprise to provide personalised smart-banking technology solutions to the financial industry. The partnership, which gives Inlaks turnkey access into the financial Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) market, provides the company the opportunity to establish a solid ground as a leading, innovative AI/ML financial solution provider in the global banking sector.

Managing Director, Africa Operations at Inlaks, Femi Adeoti said: “According to the financial report 2019, one of the five innovation trends that will define banking in 2019 is the AI Predictive banking, which the Moven smart apps technology provides.

The report also shows that AI predictive solutions will leverage customer data to provide enriched customer experience while increasing security and efficiency. As a forward-thinking organisation, we have partnered Moven to ensure we cater to the needs of our customers across various segments.�

He further highlighted the benefits of the solution to banks and financial institutions to include enhanced customer

relationships, generation of new revenue streams, expansion of market reach, reduction in attrition rates, improving customer engagement, faster speed-to-market among other benefits.

Moven offers an innovative technology platform which includes a suite of easy-to-use APIs and a Software Development Kit (SDK), which global banks use to attract, retain and grow their customer base. The technology is proven to significantly reduce attrition, deepening customer relationships and help drive new revenue streams for financial institutions.

Moven provides users with contextual personalised advice as part of the e-wallet mobile app experience. Analysing the expenses daily, the service allows users to track their spending in real time while reducing spending and increasing savings—all to drive financial wellness and good financial habits.

Founder and Executive Chairman of Movencorp, Inc, said: “We are delighted that Inlaks is embracing Moven’s innovative AI-driven technologies to not only create personalized digital banking experiences for their customers, but also across the region.�

BPC to Bridge Digital Life Issues To bridge digital with real life issues, BPC Banking Technologies has expressed its commitment to meet the digital needs of people who are making payments and transacting business, even as the company announced its full support for Lagos Fintech Week 2019, a financial technology event incorporating discussions, demos and exhibitions.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Organising Committee of Lagos Fintech Week, Dr. Yele Okeremi, the week-long event is scheduled to hold in April from 23-26 in Lagos and it offers a convivial atmosphere for BPC to present its digital services in open banking, card payments, and mobile transactions.

The Pre-sales Consultant Middle-East and Africa at BPC Banking Technologies, Emmanuel Obinne said: “BPC is tackling real life issues with digital solutions, which begins with understanding, which issues prevent people and businesses from making economic progression.�

Okeremi applauded BPC Banking Technologies for identifying with the financial technology ecosystem in Lagos city with the sponsorship of the annual event. “We are delighted to have BPC onboard as one of our global

sponsors for Lagos Fintech Week 2019. You are welcome to Lagos, the city of endless opportunities,�

Okeremi said.

He explained that Lagos Fintech Week remained an invigorating week of distinct Fintech events that would deliver exciting discussions, stimulate demos, insightful debates and fintech exhibitions, where the huge opportunities that abound in Lagos would be displayed to the entire globe. “Having the opportunity to host BPC, a global player in payments, banking and commerce is good for the event and it is equally a great opportunity for the fintech ecosystem and the banks�, Okeremi said.

According to Obinne, BPC would bridge digital into real life by providing its clients with the right technology to create payment services that fit right into the customers’ lives. “We know that the customers want digital life fast, easy and secure and it must fit in the context of their business or daily life. We are coming to the Lagos Fintech Week to bridge the digital life of the people with real life needs, be it in payments or business transactions. Lagos Fintech Week will give us an opportunity to connect with the ecosystem.�

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Buhari’s Administration and Self-demarketing Raheem Akingbolu reviews the communication strategies of the current administration in the last four years and reckons that it is far below average

Buhari

F

rom blame game to plethora of inconsistent policy statements, the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari can be said to have bungled the opportunity to effectively communicate its achievements in the last four years.

While many observers blame the Minister of Information, a former spokesperson of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Lai Muhammed, for lacking necessary media and communications experience, it was believed in some quarters that his inability to draw a line between propaganda and news made the job difficult for Muhammed.

His appointment as the minister of information at the inception of this administration was received with mix feelings.

Many had raised eyebrows because of the strong perception that he might not be able to readjust his approach while trying to sell his party to the electorates prior to 2015 elections.

While his competence was not in doubt, his style of communication was a major concern for many people, including stakeholders within the ruling party.

While they admitted that Mohammed did a good job as the Publicity Secretary of the party, when it was in the opposition, they reckoned that managing the image of a government in power would be a different kettle of fish entirely.

With Muhammed’s allege failure in the last three and half years, those who opposed his appointment could be said to have been vindicated.

In the final analysis, many analysts have pointed out that till date, government’s position on Boko Haram activities, herdsmen killing and issues related to lopsidedness in service chiefs appointments, have not been communicated well to Nigerians.

Narrative of Arrogance‌ At the inception of the administration, the APC had launched its communication as the ruling party through superiority of its ideas and also taking those of the ousted PDP to the cleaners.

With a big flotilla of social media ship owners, its message resonated with a large chunk of the people. The demonisation of PDP continued while in actual sense, nothing was happening that could actually be communicated. The traditional first 100 days came and gone and when a score card was demanded, the government told the people that it did not promise anything within the first hundred days. With this, many observers dismissed the response as a bad communication strategy that did so much damage to the image of the party. It did not end there. In a strange change in the tone and fulcrum of communication, the president repudiated the document purportedly spelling out what his administration would achieve in the first 100 days. He said the document did not come from him or from any member of his campaign team.

When Language of Communication Demonises‌

Muhammed

Another turning point in the communication of the ruling party was when it turned to nothing but demonising critics. It all started when the debate about rule of law started. While many agreed that some accused persons have serious cases to answer going by the gravity of allegations against them, some reckoned that any accused should have his or her day in court.

Critics of the president’s decision on national television that the government would not obey court pronouncements ordering the release of Nnamdi Kanu and Sambo Dasuki on phone were lampooned to no end. “Corruption is fighting backâ€? used to be the clichĂŠ from government and its supporters.

Samuel Ajayi, a journalist and communications consultant, said this was a very wrong approach in government communication. To him, classifying anyone criticising government as enemy of the state or sympathisers of alleged looters would always be counterproductive. He said such would always alienate some sections of the populace from participating in national discourse. He believed not every critics of the way the war on corruption is being fought is friend of alleged looters. “It is a wrong narrative to say corruption is fighting back,� Ajayi explained. “First, those in government are not angels. That EFCC has not gone after them does not mean they too don’t have cases to answer. If you want people to buy to the anti-corruption crusade, then communication is key. A ‘we’-versus-‘them’ approach can never work. Labeling anyone that pleads caution as sympathiser of corrupt people can never be helpful to the narrative of communication.

The president remains the number one salesman of any country. However, it is debatable if President Buhari has been a good salesman as far as his pronouncements outside the country are concerned. First, it is believed that it does not help good communication if the president is always in the habit of making major policy pronouncements outside the country. The president has done these more than five times. Pundits think this is a wrong communication strategy which shows that perhaps, the president does not have regard for local media channels.

Between deďŹ ance and deection of responsibility‌ One major crisis that further exposed the administration’s communication failure was the fuel scarcity and biting economic hardships face by the citizenry at the early stage of the administration. While many thought it would provide the government good opportunity to change the narrative, the promoters of the government policy again bungled the opportunity.

Though these situations were negatives indices, they could be turned into PR stunt that showed that government had been sensitive and shared in the pains of the people. The only top official that said anything about the fuel scarcity while it continued was the Minister of State for Petroleum,

Ibe Kachikwu but again a party leader took him to the cleaners.

To many, this also showed that officials of government were not on the same page. Until the tail end of the crisis, no one explained what the problem was, rather, what people were seeing was communication laced with defiance. If the past administration was not blamed, the problem would be linked with saboteurs. In other words, in its communication, the current government didn’t appear as a body that was ready to take responsibility and explain what happened.

Britain example In an essay written to evaluate David Cameron as Prime Minister of Britain, by Kevin Theakston, a Professor of British Government at the School of Politics and International Studies at the University of Leeds and Head of School, had stated that there was wide agreement that Cameron excels at the public communication aspects of political leadership. According to the university teacher, Cameroon was highly accomplished at the frontman aspect of being prime minister and he appeared to be the government’s most effective communicator. He said Cameron was more like Blair than like Brown or Major in terms of media savvy, presentation skills, and knowing how to handle the media to sell and promote himself and his policies, and to reach out, connect with and persuade the wider public. “He is good on television, and accomplished and statesmanlike at big set-piece occasions.

Cameron is very good at appearing ‘primeministerial’. He is also quick on his feet, sharp, confident and effective in the gladiatorial jousts at PMQs. Sometimes, however, Ed Miliband and other Labour frontbenchers have been able to get under his skin and unsettle him, leading to suggestions that he can seem to lose his temper in the House and come across as an aggressive ‘Flashman’ figure,�

Need for public communication unit Looking at this appraisal and style of policy making by Mr. Cameroon, one is tempted to ask if President Buhari has a policy. In his reaction to this poser, the Publicity Secretary of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), Mr. Israel Jaiye Opayemi, argued that Buhari administration has policy but lack necessary strategies to communicate the policy. “In my view, the administration has good policies but perhaps the missing link is lack of good strategies to communicate the policy.

I think government needs a separate public communication department that would be run by experts. To achieve this, it may be necessary to look beyond the party and recruit those who are experts in public communication.

This was also the position of a former Head of Corporate Communications of the Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Kayode Akinyemi, who later served as the Director General of the Bureau of Strategic Communications in Ekiti State, during the first term of Governor Kayode Fayemi.

Fayemi had created the office to conceptualise and coordinate the communications initiatives of the government and promote the 8-point agenda of his administration.

In an interview with THISDAY, Akinyemi said the next Buhari administration might need to do the same. According to him, having such office will enable government to have a team that would conceptualise and coordinate the communications initiatives of the government. “Like the former Prime Minister of Britain, who promoted a more collective cabinet government style of policy-making and decision making, Buhari will be able to build a strong team and trust his colleagues to get on with the job if well cut-out communications strategies are put in place. The imperatives and dynamics of coalition was said to have helped David Cameroon’s leadership to define the sort of role he can and needed to play as Prime Minister,� Akinyemi said.

A former President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Mr. Funmi Onabolu is more detailed in his recommendation for the government when he spoke to THISDAY. According to him, government desperately needs the services of Marketing Communication practitioners to communicate its policies. “In nation rebuilding, Nigeria desperately needs to look for specialists for the solution to nation rebuilding. Advertising shape lives, cultures and opinions. If government understands that, why is it not using it? For instance, federal government can make heads and other members of agencies and ministries realised the need for the service of marketing communication professionals. After this a pitch that cut across all the parastatals and ministries could be called to determine the ideal campaign for a particular programme. “Aside the need for the use of professionals, government ought to be one of the biggest patrons of the advertising industry. Government does not use professionals and as such does not communicate properly. Take for instance, the government of the UK spends about $300 million pounds on advertising in 2015. If I may ask, what are they communicating? You will be amazed at the level at which they are communicating. It has a lot to do with the budget deficit, role in Afghanistan, referendum. I believe if government communicates, particularly with respect to what happens in the ministries and parastatals by using the experts, it would not be difficult for the citizen to understand the intentions of government. In the areas such as increase in tariff, corruption, diversification of the economy, government needs to engage expert for citizen to have a buy in. We should all know and agree that change communication is not only about activities of government alone, it also has a lot to do in attracting investments especially in the area of tourism. We must not forget that economies are not driven by the number of Dangotes but the growth of SMEs. This can only be achieved if we allow professionals to drive the communication,� Onabolu said

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Brand Ambassadors as a Lunch Pad for Positioning As more business owners continue to identify with celebrities to position their brands, Raheem Akingbolu writes on the impact of the strategy on sales and market acceptability

P

erhaps because consumers all over the world idolise their favourite stars, either in music and sports, brand promoters have found the need to use stars to promote their brand almost irresistible. It is a natural feeling among patrons of various brands to use a particular product their favourite star identifies with.

To them, it simply gives the confidence of quality. The feeling is that for a Lionel Messi to be using a particular shaving stick or perfume, it must be of good quality. It is inconsequential if the feeling of quality is just based on perception and not on any empirical proof. Therefore, celebrity endorsements of brands have always been a strong tool for positioning.

For Trophy Larger, from the stable of AbInBev Nigeria, this marketing approach is believed to have helped it gain acceptability in the Nigerian market in recent time. In the last two years, its commitment to innovation and creativity appears not to have only helped it whether the storm, it has helped the Trophy brand to extend its frontiers in the market.

For instance, aside the use of advertising and experiential supports, promoters of the brand, through their agency have invested hugely in sponsorship and celebrity endorsement.

The height of this was when the company unveiled a credential campaign through which Trophy was christened ‘The Honourable’. Not done, its spin doctors also played a fast game when they settled for a suave Nollywood personality –Femi Adebayo, as the face of ‘The Honourable’. The decision was applauded by industry watchers because the actor is believed to represent the best in the new generation of theater practitioners in the South West. The two strategies didn’t only cause a stir in the market place it boosted the profile of the brand and took it to the premium position

Changing gear‌ Recently in Lagos, the brand promoters took the strategy a notch higher when they signed on three ambassadors (Falz, Joseph Yobo and Femi Adebayo) for the 2019 marketing year; Femi is an existing ambassador whose contract was only renewed, while Yobo and Falz are being signed anew.

The unveil heralds a 5-a-side football competition sponsored by Trophy, which starts in March this year. All lovers of football have been encouraged to participate in the competition, either as fans or as players. “There are designated bars where interested teams and individuals are required to pickup forms for registration to participate, once they meet the criteria of submitting 36 crown corks. Plenty gift items and monies will be won during the competition, while the icing on the cake is the fact that the overall winner will represent Nigeria at a continental 5-a-side tourney in Tanzania. All three ambassadors will feature in communication materials that will be deployed for the competition,� the

company stated in a statement.

At the unveil, BU – President West Africa, International Breweries, Annabelle DeGroot, said: “At International Breweries, we put our customers first and strive to give them all round value whether in an experiential manner or otherwise. That is why we are happy that the Trophy 5-a-side Field of Honour tournament will resonate well with our people who are also football lovers.�

On her part, Marketing Director, International Breweries, Tolu Adedeji, remarked that the company knew that Nigeria is a football loving nation, stating that the Trophy 5-a-side Field of Honour campaign is not just another soccer tournament. “It is designed to create an opportunity for our customers to celebrate and represent their communities. It is designed to tap into the passion many Nigerians have for soccer as they enjoy the beer they love,� she said.

On the Prize money, she disclosed that the winning prize would be N3m with all expense paid trip to Tanzania for the continental finals.

She also pointed out that the winning team will also have bragging rights as the best 5-a-side football team in the southwest.

With the recruitment of the ambassadors, it is believed that it will help the brand to consolidate its foothold in the Nigeria market and serves to widen the spread of the brand’s key expression of ‘live with honour’ in three critical sectors: Music, Movie and Football.

Without any form of ambiguity, the brand can easily claim to have the biggest haul of

contracted ambassadors in Nigeria – a clear testament of its leadership credential in Nigeria’s beer market.

Last year, the brand erected a giant Trophy monument at National Stadium, Lagos, during the world cup in Russia – as a demonstration of support for Nigeria’s participation at the tourney. Also, last year, the company opened the second biggest brewery in Sub-Sahara Africa - at Sagamu, Ogun State. These are loud statements about the brand’s leadership credential in Nigeria’s beer market.

With what is believed as its unique and crisp taste, Trophy has since moved from a regional brand to a national brand that spread across the key states of the federation. Until recently, the beer brand was selling predominantly in the south west Nigeria, but now believes to be receiving increasing demands from parts of Edo and Delta States. It comes in four main packages:330 ml can, 500ml can, 375ml bottle and 600ml bottle.�

Culture Communications is the full-service advertising agency that has successfully curated Trophy Lager’s branded communications – since 2011. Managing Director of the agency, Yomi Benson, sees the on-boarding of three ambassadors for Trophy as “a historic moment that will have far-reaching effects not only in the beer industry but also in Nigeria’s marketing landscape generally�. He added that “the agency is very proud to have played a pivotal role in this undertaking that very loudly espouses Trophy’s essential brand purpose of rewarding honourable actions�. In his reminiscence on

the relationship between Trophy and Culture Communications, Benson recalled that “In 2011, when we got a brief to pitch for the brand, we were barely 1-year-old. But we took it as the greatest battle we would ever have to fight and rallied everybody in the agency around it. We are happy to have won the account, but we are happier for the part we are playing in growing the brand from a beer that was consumed in the fringes to a beer that now occupies prominent spaces at mainstream settings�.

Competition in the beer market With a market share of 9%, Nigeria’s beer market has been rated one of the 10 fastest growing beer markets in the world. Having explored all the marketing gimmicks to create brand loyalty, promoters of the leading brands in the nation’s beer market have now resorted to low blows to outsmart one another.

Guinness and Nigerian Breweries, two leading alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage makers are long-standing rivals. Although the feud between the two companies heightened with the launch of Legend Extra Stout in 1992

by Nigerian Breweries, the truth is that the brand war could be dated back to 1962, when Guinness brewery was established in Lagos.

Before then, the NBC (which became the Nigeria Brewing Limited, NBL, and now the Nigeria Breweries Plc was the major manufacturer in the beer sector, while a company was formed to import Guinness extra stout into the country from Ireland.

Future of Drone Technology Victor Oladokun A few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to speak at South Korea’s leading Drone Conference, Drone Korea 2019, along with leading members of the country’s military establishment and aviation leaders. All I can say, is that the near future is going to be radically different from what we think it might be: r5IF XPSME T NJMJUBSZ QPXFST XJMM TJHnificantly reduce the sizes of their military in favor of robots and drones. Thanks to advanced robotic and drone technologies this is not too far off.

Military strategists may want to keep an eye on China and the U.S., who are exponentially far in the lead when it comes to drone technology. Of particular interest will be the devastating power of swarm drones in modern warfare. r ,PSFB FYQFDUT UP IBWF DPNQMFUFE BMM highway construction within the next 5-7

years. The country is already mapping the use of vertical infrastructure (vertical space) for the utilisation of drone based vehicles.

r 0O UIF PQFOJOH EBZ PG UIF DPOGFSFODF Boeing unveiled an early prototype of a four-passenger flying UBER taxi that will take the place of land based cabs. Airbus is designing an electric CityAirbus. France’s Safran and about two dozen other companies are in fast pursuit.

Expected roll out date of Drone cabs?

2025 according to industry estimates. r 3FUBJM HJBOU "NB[PO JT BMSFBEZ looking into the feasibility of drone-based deliveries. r 5IF "GSJDBO %FWFMPQNFOU #BOL JT already working with Korea to bring advanced drone technologies to African agriculture with a pilot project already underway in Tunisia.

For now, it cannot be business as usual.

The ground underneath our feet has shifted in favor of the skies.

For now, countries must rapidly r %FWFMPQ OFX BWJBUJPO QPMJDJFT BOE legislation that takes vertical transportation

and drones into consideration. r .BQ UIFJS SFTQFDUJWF WFSUJDBM TQBDFT and define limitations and boundaries for civilian, commercial, industrial, military and high altitude drones. r #FHJO UP BOUJDJQBUF B GVUVSF XIFSF the physical infrastructure of roads, highways, and bridges, will soon compete for expenditure with the development of A.I., massive cloud data mining, and autonomous aerial transportation. r"MSFBEZ TPMBS QPXFSFE )"-&T )JHI Altitude Long Endurance) - pseudo satellite drones capable of remaining in the skies for an entire year - are strong indicators of near future military, commercial, and transportation trends.

The battle of the skies is frenetically underway.

-Oladokun is the Director, Communication and External Relations, African Development Bank

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FG to Auction N100bn Bonds March 27 The federal government will auction by subscription N100 billion worth of bonds on March 27, the Debt Management Office (DMO) has said.

The DMO said in a circular on its website on Tuesday in Abuja, that the five-year reopening bonds of N40 billion to mature in April 2023 was offered at 12.75 per cent.

It said that the seven-year re-opening bonds also of N40 billion to mature in March 2025 would be auctioned at 13.53 per cent.

It added that the 10-year bonds, also re-opening, of N20 billion which would be due in Feb. 2028, would be auctioned at 13.98 per cent.

According to the DMO, units of sale is N1,000 per unit, subject to a minimum subscription of N50 million and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter.

The DMO explained that the bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the Nigerian Government, with interest payable semi-annually to bondholders, while bullet repayment will be made on maturity date.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the country issues sovereign bonds monthly to support the local bond market, create a benchmark for corporate issuance and fund its budget deficit.

SheTrades Organises Workshop for Female Entrepreneurs Women entrepreneurs in Nigeria had the opportunity to improve their knowledge of competitiveness in the export market at a two-day workshop that took place in Abuja on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The workshop was hosted by the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) as part of its SheTrades in the Commonwealth project.

The workshop comprised mentoring, coaching and networking sessions, as well as export preparation seminars led by outstanding panellists from the public and private sector. The workshop focused on providing women-owned businesses with practical tools on how to improve their competitiveness. In particular, women entrepreneurs from the following sectors were encouraged to attend: textiles and apparel, shea-based beauty products and services providers of information technologies and business-process outsourcing.

Launched in 2015, ITC SheT-

rades Initiative aims to connect 3 million women entrepreneurs to markets by 2021. Key to achieving this goal is providing support and training to women-owned businesses, and equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to enable them to place and position products and services within local and global value chains.

As part of SheTrades, The SheTrades in the Commonwealth projects, funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DIFD), works on increasing the number of women entrepreneurs participating in trade from selected Commonwealth countries (Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria) to 3,000.

The workshop will be hosted in partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Style House Files, Grow with Google, the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP), and iSpace Foundation.

Heritage Bank Supports ICT Innovation Nume Ekeghe Heritage Bank Plc has charged applicants of HB Lab start-ups to support Nigeria’s aspiration and roadmap to become a leading Information Communication Technology (ICT) Hub in Africa.

The Executive Director of the bank, Jude Monye, disclosed this at the launch of the maiden edition of the new innovation-driven concept, HB LAB in Lagos.

Monye, in a statement commended the 10 teams of contestants who made it to the LAB, whilst charging them to replicate the Rwanda’s ICT digital tech system feats.

He, however, canvassed for indigenous production of advanced technological systems, as against leaving the core job in the hands of foreigners.

Addressing the applicants, Monye said, as usual, the financial powerhouse was known for supporting

and sponsoring investment ideas that have the potency of challenging the status quo with the motive of impacting positively on the critical sectors of the nation’s economy.

According to him, the management of Heritage Bank always seek viable business ideas that could compliment the fiscal policies of the government with the ultimate aim of growing and developing the aggregate economy. “At Heritage Bank, we help aspiring entrepreneurs to create, preserve and transfer wealth. What we are gathered here for today, is another moment of innovation-driven concept that is expected to provide start-up enterprises with enabling environment, resources and support required to innovate and accelerate impactful solutions for the economic development drives,� he said.

For this maiden edition,

Monye explained that Heritage Bank had ceded the professional handling of the 12-week competition to a consultancy firm.

According to him, this was done to allow for professionalism, fair-play and objectivity.

He further stated that his management was not really particular about any sector of the economy, as the winner could emerge from any industry as long as his proposal is strong enough to impact positively on the various sectors.

His words: “We are not zeroing in on any particular idea or industry; we are more interested in the result achievable in different sectors.�

An application portal which was launched on the 31st January 2019 closed on the 14th February 2019.

About 154 applicants who applied were reviewed 30 who made above average score and grouped into 10 Teams, whilst at the end of

the 12 weeks programme will produce the best Tech start-up as a Team.

Similarly, the Directorate Head, Service Bank/ Chief Information Officer, Heritage Bank, Ike Williams, congratulated the participants who attended the programme.

He said for them to scale the first hurdle, it showed that the quality of their proposals was higher than that of their counterparts who were screened out.

He stated that the management of Heritage Bank and the consultants would be looking out for innovation, commitment, sincerity of purpose among other variables before any contestant could be picked as winner.

Meanwhile, Williams assured them that even if they do not win, the experience they would have gained while they are on the programme will be useful for them in growing their enterprises.

Access, Diamond Celebrate Women Access Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc recently commemorated the International Women’s Day by hosting female entrepreneurs to a conference in Lagos.

The event themed ‘Think W... Build Smart and Innovate,’ featured insightful sessions, as the speakers highlighted issues and solutions on how women can effectively leverage on technology and finance to build profitable and innovative businesses.

While delivering the keynote speech, the CEO/ Group Managing Director of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe said “Women, over the years, have continued to break boundaries, reinvent the status-quo and take advantage of the opportunities provided by technology and quality financial systems to make things better in the society. “This year, the International Women’s Day Conference, has been designed to educate women on how best to leverage innovations because we have come to the realization that female owned businesses also hold the key to the growth and

stability of our economy�

Wigwe said, “As a Bank, we are in full support of a genderbalanced society, this is why, through our Access Bank W Initiative, we educate women through our capacity building and mentorship programs, to ensure that they build and sustain brands that are globally recognised. We also have funding opportunities that are tailor-made for women and their businesses.�

This was followed by a goodwill message from the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Laure Beaufils, as she advocated more support of female entrepreneurs and called for solidarity amongst women to facilitate gender parity. “It is commendable to see corporates step up to bridge the divide by providing women with platforms and education to help build successful businesses. Globally, women need to serve as support systems for one another and adopt a ‘PullHer-Up’ mentality, as against pulling each other down. Only then can we achieve the balance that we seek,� she said.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

L-R: Head, Marketing/Corporate Communications, First Bank, Folake Ani- Mumuney; Managing Director, FBNQest Merchant Bank, Mr. Kayode Akinkugbe; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, First Bank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan; Group Executive, Commercial Banking Group, Mr. Seyi Oyefeso; Chairman, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika and Group Managing Director, FBN Holdings, Mr. UK Eke, at the First Bank’s 125km relay walk held to commemorate the bank’s 125th anniversary in Lagos‌recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

Boeing Faces Growing Scrutiny in Ethiopian Crash Probe The world’s biggest plane maker faced escalating pressure on Monday after Ethiopia pointed to parallels between its crash and one in Indonesia, sharpening focus on the safety of software installed in Boeing’s 737 MAX planes.

The Ethiopian Airlines disaster on March 10 killed 157 people, grounded Boeing’s marquee MAX fleet worldwide, and sparked a high-stakes inquiry for the shaken aviation industry.

Ethiopian Airlines, whose reputation also hinges on the investigation, said at the weekend initial analysis of the black boxes showed “clear similarities� with a Lion Air flight from Jakarta in October which crashed

killing 189 people.

Both planes were MAX 8s and crashed minutes after take-off with pilots reporting flight control problems.

Under scrutiny is a new automated system in the MAX model that guides the nose lower to avoid stalling.

According to Reuters, lawmakers and safety experts were asking how thoroughly regulators vetted the system and how well pilots around the world were trained for it when their airlines bought new planes.

Ethiopian Transport Ministry spokesman Muse Yiheyis, had said data recovered from the black boxes by investigators in Paris demonstrated parallels with the Lion Air crash and

had been validated by US experts.

US officials did not corroborate that, but U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acting boss Daniel Elwell last week acknowledged that initial inspection of flight data indicated “the flight was very similar�.

With the prestige of one of the United States’ biggest exporters at stake, Boeing has said the MAX series is safe, Boeing has halted deliveries of its best-selling model, one intended to be the industry standard but now under a shadow.

There were more than 300 MAX airplanes in operation at the time of the Ethiopian crash, and nearly 5,000 more

on order.

After a 10 per cent drop last week that wiped nearly $25 billion off its market share, Boeing stock slid another 3.5 percent on Monday to $365.60 in early pre-market trade.

Media reports heaped further pressure on Boeing.

The Seattle Times said the company’s safety analysis of a new control system known as MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System) had crucial flaws, including understating power.

It also said U.S. FAA followed a standard certification process on the MAX rather than extra inquiries. The FAA declined to comment, but has said the process followed normal process.

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Boeing Reshufes Top Engineers amid 737 MAX Crisis Boeing Co’s commercial airplane division, facing its biggest crisis in years following deadly crashes of its flagship 737 MAX aircraft, has brought in a new vice president of engineering while dedicating another top executive to the aircraft investigations, a company email showed on Tuesday.

The management reshuffle comes as Europe and Canada said they would seek their own guarantees over the safety of Boeing’s 737 MAX, further complicating plans to get the aircraft flying worldwide after they were grounded in the wake of crashes that killed more than 300 people.

John Hamilton, formerly both vice president and chief engineer in Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes division, will focus solely on the role of chief engineer, the unit’s Chief Executive Officer Kevin McAllister told employees on Tuesday in an email seen by Reuters. “This will allow him to fully dedicate his attention to the ongoing accident investigations,�

Reuters quoted McAllister to have said, adding that the staffing changes were needed as “we prioritize and bring on additional resources for the ongoing accident investigations.�

Lynne Hopper - who previously led Test & Evaluation in Boeing’s Engineering, Test & Technology group - has been named vice president of Engineering, McAllister said.

A Boeing spokesman declined to comment but confirmed the authenticity of the email.

The shakeup showed how the world’s largest plane-maker was freeing up engineering resources as it faces scrutiny during crash investigations while also maintaining production of its money-spinning 737 single-aisle aircrafts.

Previously, Hamilton served as the vice president of engineering for Boeing Commercial Airplanes from April 2016 through March 2019, according to a biography on Boeing’s website.

From July 2013 through March 2016, Hamilton served as the vice president of Safety, Security and Compliance and oversaw the Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization - a program that takes on specific safety certification duties on behalf of the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Lawmakers and safety experts are questioning how thoroughly regulators vetted the MAX model and how well pilots were trained on new features.

For now, global regulators have grounded the existing fleet of more than 300 MAX aircraft, and deliveries of nearly 5,000 more - worth well over $500 billion - are on hold.

Boeing shares rose 0.3 percent on Tuesday, to close at $373.43.

They are still down more than 11 percent since the crash in Ethiopia, wiping out over $25 billion off its market share.

Xiaomi Weathers China Smartphone Slowdown Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp beat quarterly profit estimates as it dominated the fast-growing Indian market and sold more expensive handsets in Western Europe, but shares slid as revenue fell short of expectations.

Xiaomi’s quarterly results - the third set since its IPO in Hong Kong - show the company is weathering fairly well a slowdown in demand in China by increasing its focus on international markets.

Its fourth-quarter net profit more than tripled to 1.85 billion yuan ($275.6 million), exceeding the 1.7 billion yuan average estimate.

Xiaomi is cutting its dependence on China, where the economy in 2018 expanded the least in nearly three decades.

It got about 60 percent of its total revenue last year from China compared to 72 percent in 2017.

The company’s shipments to China for the quarter plunged by more than a third to 10.3 million smartphones from a year earlier, while its market share slid nearly 4 percentage points to 10 percent, according to market research firm IDC. Revenue for the quarter surged 27 percent to 44.4 billion yuan but fell short of expectations of 47.4 billion yuan, according to Refinitiv data.

Shares in the company fell 5 percent on Wednesday. They have rallied nearly 30 percent

since early January but the stock remains well below its July listing price. “If you look at the quarterly revenues from the phone sales, they were quite a bit lower in the fourth quarter than they were in the third quarter,� said Morningstar analyst Dan Baker. “I think that has probably caught people by surprise.

It’s more volatile than people thought it would be,� Baker said.

Smartphone revenue in the period rose seven per cent to 25 billion yuan ($3.72 billion) and almost a third of that came from phones that cost nearly $300, Xiaomi said.

In the third quarter, revenue from smartphones was nearly 35 billion yuan.

For the full 2018 calendar year, Xiaomi brought in revenue of 174.9 billion yuan and made a net profit of 8.6 billion yuan.

After broadly rolling out in Europe early last year, the company now ranks as the region’s fourth-largest phone vendor. In India, it has been the top selling smartphone maker for four quarters, toppling Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to explore the global markets and replicate the success in India in other key markets such as Indonesia and Western Europe,� Xiaomi CFO Shou Zi Chew said on a call with reporters. “We will also expand into more new international markets in 2019.�

S’Africa’s FDI Inows Hit Five-year High in 2018 South Africa’s foreign direct investment more than doubled in 2018 to reach its highest in five years, the central bank said on Wednesday, giving a boost to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pledge to woo investors to help revive a struggling economy.

Africa’s most industrialised economy has barely grown in the past decade with fiscal missteps and corruption contributing to weak business and consumer confidence.

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) said in its quarterly bulletin that foreign

direct investment inflows rose to 70.7 billion rand ($4.88 billion) in 2018 from 26.8 billion rand the prior year.

The FDI inflows were the highest since 2013, when the country recorded investments of 80.13 billion rand.

SARB’s balance of payments unit head Piet Swart said the higher inflows could be attributed to a more positive investor environment in 2018.

However, portfolio investment inflows fell to 90 billion rand in 2018 from 278.8 billion rand the previous year, with outflows of 33.9

billion rand recorded in the final quarter of 2018.

Ramaphosa, who has made reviving the economy a top priority since taking over from scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma in February 2018, said last year he wants $100 billion of new investments from foreign and domestic firms over the next five years.

The 2018 inflows were recorded despite outflows of 8.2 billion rand in the last three months of 2018 as South African subsidiaries repaid short-term loans to foreign parent companies, the bank.

South Africa relies heavily on foreign money to cover its large budget and current account deficits.

According to Reuters, Ramaphosa, however, faces several challenges in the quest to attract more investment, including electricity generation shortages.

South Africa has experienced its worst power cuts in years this year as state utility Eskom struggles with repeated faults at its coal-fired power stations, along with low water levels at hydroelectric plants and diesel shortages.

PORTAL LAUNCH

L-R: Commissioning Editor, Africa Magic, Adeola Oloyede; MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy Director ,West Africa; Femi Odugbem; Producer, Lilian Amah-Aluko and Multiple AMVCA winner, Stanley Ohikhuare, during the MTF Portal Launch held in Lagos‌recently

Aluminum Maker Battles to Contain Ransomware Attack Norsk Hydro, one of the world’s largest aluminum producers, battled on Tuesday to contain a cyber attack which halted parts of its production, the latest example of the damage hackers can cause to business and industry.

The company shut several metal extrusion and rolled products plants, which transform aluminium ingots into components for car makers, builders and other industries, while its giant smelters in Norway were largely operating on a manual basis. “This is a classic ransomware attack,� Chief Financial Officer Eivind Kallevik told a news conference, adding that the company had not identified the hackers. “The situation is quite severe.�

The Norwegian National Security Authority (NNSA), the state agency in charge of cybersecurity, said the attack used a virus known as LockerGoga, a relatively new strain of so-called ransomware which encrypts computer files and demands payment to unlock them.

Kallevik, who could not turn on his desktop computer

or access files, would not say whether a specific sum had been asked for. However, when asked if the company planned to pay to unlock its systems, he said the intention was to restore them from backup servers. “We have good back-up systems and we have plans on how to restore it,� he said.

The attack began in the United States on Monday evening and escalated overnight, hitting IT systems across most of the company’s activities and forcing staff to issue updates via social media. “It is too early to indicate the operational and financial impact, as well as timing to resolve the situation,� Hydro said in a regulatory filing via the Oslo Stock Exchange.

However, Kallevik said the financial impact was limited so far. “It is mostly direct labor: some of the activities that we use computers to do, today we use manual labor.

We have to add some more people,� he told Reuters.

News of Hydro’s plant outages pushed aluminum prices to a three-month

high on the London Metal Exchange. The company’s shares fell as much 3.4 percent before recovering to trade 0.8 percent lower by 1438 GMT. The LockerGoga malware is not widely used by cyber crime groups, cyber security researchers said, but has been linked to an attack on French engineering consultancy Altran Technologies in January.

Haakon Bergsjoe, head of NNSA’s National Cyber Security Centre, said there were no reports of other companies affected on Tuesday. All major Norwegian companies had been warned in the wake of the attack on Hydro, he told Reuters.

The last publicly acknowledged cyber attack in Norway was on software firm Visma, when hackers allegedly working on behalf of Chinese intelligence breached its network to steal secrets from its clients.

Companies and governments have become increasingly concerned about the damage hackers can cause to industrial systems and critical national infrastructure following a number of high-

profile cyber attacks.

In 2017, hackers later accused by the United States of working for the North Korean government unleashed billions of dollars worth of damage with the Wannacry ransomware virus, which crippled hospital, banks and other companies worldwide.

Pyongyang has denied the allegations.

Other cyber attacks have downed electricity grids and transport systems in recent years, and an attack on Italian oil services firm Saipem late last year destroyed more than 300 of the company’s computers.

Hydro makes products across the aluminum value chain, from the refinement of alumina raw material via metal ingots to bespoke components used in cars and construction.

The company’s hydroelectric power plants were running as normal on isolated IT systems unaffected by the outage, as was the alumina operation and smelters located outside Norway, including in Qatar and Brazil, Hydro said.

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Green Bonds: Creating Blueprint for Sustainability across Capital Markets

T

he phone call to the World Bank Treasury came out of the blue: in late 2007, a group of Swedish pension funds wanted to invest in projects that help the climate, but they did not know how to find these projects. But they knew where to turn and called on the World Bank to help. Less than a year later, the World Bank issued the first green bond—and with it, created a new way to connect financing from investors to climate projects.

Bonds are essentially an agreement where issuers borrow funds from investors and must repay investors at an agreed rate after a specified amount of time. Governments, companies and many others issue bonds to borrow money for projects. Issuing a bond was nothing new for the World Bank—it has been issuing bonds since 1947 to raise financing from the capital markets for its development projects. But the concept of a bond that is dedicated to a specific kind of project had not been tested before. The green bond turned out to be a history-making event that fundamentally changed the way investors, development experts, policymakers, and scientists work together.

A stark warning In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change—a United Nations agency that provides scientific data on climate change and its political and economic impacts—published a report that undeniably linked human action to global warming. The finding, along with increasing occurrences of natural disasters, prompted a group of Swedish pension funds to think about how they could use the savings they were stewarding toward a solution. They called on their bank, SEB (Sandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB) to see what could be done. And SEB connected the dots between the financing that was seeking to reduce risks for the investors and make a positive impact, and the World Bank with its deep knowledge on investing in environment projects around the world.

Thinking outside the box In hindsight, the solution seems straightforward. Investors wanted a safe place to put their money and know that they were making a difference. The World Bank had environment projects to finance, a track record as a high-quality bond issuer, and the ability to report on the impact of its projects. But there was a missing link: how could investors be truly certain that the projects they were supporting addressed climate concerns?

This triggered another phone call, this time to CICERO, the Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research— an interdisciplinary research center for climate research in Oslo.

CICERO scientists were leading experts on climate issues. They could provide a credible view on whether a project was going to make a positive impact on the environment.

What followed were many more conversations among the pension funds, SEB, CICERO, and the World Bank Treasury.

The conversations were often difficult— especially since more often than not, the different organizations spoke different languages, and it was challenging to bridge the gap between finance, development and science.

A joint commitment to ďŹ nding a solution Success ultimately came in November 2008, when the World Bank issued the green bond. The bond created the blueprint for today’s green bond market. It defined the criteria for projects eligible for green bond support, included CICERO as a second opinion provider, and added impact reporting as an integral part of the process.

It also piloted a new model of collaboration among investors, banks, development agencies and scientists. Ultimately, it was

the result of their commitment, perseverance, and drive to find a solution.

The World Bank green bond raised awareness for the challenges of climate change and demonstrated the potential for investors to support climate solutions through safe investments without giving up financial returns. It formed the basis for the Green Bond Principles coordinated by ICMA, the International Capital Markets Association. It highlighted the social value that bonds could create and the need for a sharper focus on transparency.

Since then, the World Bank has raised more than US$13 billion through almost 150 green bonds in 20 currencies for institutional and retail investors all over the globe.

At the end of the fiscal year 2018, there were 91 eligible projects and a total of US$15.4 billion in commitments. Of these commitments, US$8.5 billion in Green Bond proceeds were allocated and disbursed to support projects in 28 countries and another US$6.8 billion had yet to be disbursed.

As of June 30,2018, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency and Clean Transportation projects represented the largest sectors in the Green Bond eligible project portfolio. Together, these sectors made up approximately 69 percent of the Green Bond commitments.

The World Bank’s first Green Bond Impact Report is widely recognized by the market as a standard and model for impact reporting. Other green bond issuers now include companies and banks of all sizes and several countries. All issuers are measuring, tracking and reporting on the

Our generation may not be able to solve all the problems related to climate change, but we can do our part to leave a better planet for the next generation

social and environmental impact of their investments. Fannie Mae is the largest issuer of green bonds by volume in a single year. Fiji last year issued the first emerging market sovereign green bond. Every bank active in the international capital markets has staff dedicated to green or sustainable bond financing. Green lending criteria are being incorporated in loans. There is an industry of second opinion providers and verifiers, including rating firms and others providing information to investors and supporting issuers. And the green bond concept has been expanded to other labels, such as social bond and blue bond.

How do green bonds help tackle climate change?

Green bonds raise awareness for the challenges of climate change and demonstrate the potential for institutional investors to support climate-smart investments through liquid instruments without giving up financial returns. They also highlight the social value of fixed income investments and need for a sharper focus on transparency. The first green bonds formed the basis for international green bond principles coordinated by the International Capital Markets Association. “We need bold action on climate change,� said Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank Group Interim President and World Bank Chief Executive Officer. “It comes down to a simple choice: we continue business as usual and hope for the best.

Or we act now and build a resilient future.

Our generation may not be able to solve all the problems related to climate change, but we can do our part to leave a better planet for the next generation.�

Green bonds have changed investor behaviors: ten years later, investors are publishing their names and providing quotes when they buy green or other labeled bonds and are much more aware of their power to support initiatives with their investments.

A sustainable revolution Fast forward ten years. Capital markets have evolved from a market where investors knew and cared little about what their investments were supporting, to one where purpose matters more than ever. The basic green bond premise—with its model for project selection, second party opinion, and impact reporting—is being applied

to other areas. As a result, there are now social bonds, blue bonds, and other bonds that raise financing dedicated to a specific development purpose. All follow the green bond model with its focus on impact reporting. More than US$500 billion in these kinds of labeled bonds have been issued since 2008. “Investors want a competitive investment, but we see that more investors also want to put their money to have a positive and measurable impact on society,� said Heike Reichelt, World Bank Treasury’s Head of Investor Relations and New Products.

Investors’ interest in the social and environmental purpose of their investments reflects a fundamental shift in the bond market. Investors understand their power to support initiatives their stakeholders care about, that they do not have to give up returns. They also want data that shows how they are addressing environmental, social and governance factors—particularly as they and they increasingly understand that in addition to creating social value, they are mitigating risk to their own investments. An issuer with good sustainability practices will generally be a better investment. Issuers are responding. Issuers are engaging with investors to show how their bonds present opportunities to achieve both financial and social returns.

Investors are looking beyond the narrow market of labeled bonds to understand how issuers use their investments. That market is much larger – the World Bank alone issues US$50 billion every year in Sustainable Development Bonds for its development lending.

This revolution was sparked by green bonds. The bigger picture is to continue the revolution and momentum towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The structure and reporting for bonds will continue to become more sophisticated, and one day every investor will ask “what’s my impact?� and expect clear and convincing data as the answer. There is a long way to go, but the imperative by climate change, urgency for action, the power of the capital markets, and the commitment by investors to do well by doing good will drive the development finance toward success.

-Culled from the World Bank website

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Group Launches ‘No Tolerance’ Campaign in Nigeria Oluchi Chibuzor In commemoration of the 2019 International Women Day (IWD) as well as part of efforts to enforce women’s rights, the Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) has launch the ‘No Tolerance’ campaign in Nigeria.

The initiative is to take a strong stand against rape and sexual violence in the country.

Speaking recently in Lagos, during the gong ringing ceremony at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE)to mark the IWD programme, the Founder, WARIFI, Dr. Kemi DaSilva, noted that the organisation marked the ‘No Tolerance’ campaign occasion

by bringing a strong diverse group of impactful individuals.

She noted that event provided the opportunity for the individuals present to lend their voices and showcase the importance of a collective action in countering violence against women in Nigeria.

She explained that individuals joined WARIF to take a stand against the issue of violence against women, stating that it would no longer be tolerated in families, work places and communities.

DaSilva, revealed how the prevalence and consequences of violence against women to both the woman and her society, while highlighting the adverse psycho-social impact

that survivors endure.

According to her, “The campaign is in response to the high incidence of sexual assault, rape and human trafficking occurring among young girls and women across Nigeria. “This is achieved through the implementation of immediate and preventive target –oriented interventions, that all have the hallmark of the foundation initiatives of being impactful, measurable and sustainable. “In 2017 the estimated cost of violence against women in Nigeria based on two per cent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that year was N2.294 billion. Violence against women is an epidemic, a disease that continues to spread and is here to

stay with horrifying human, social and economic intergenerational consequences that we cannot afford. “However, WARIF through its initiatives – the WARIF Educational School programme, WARIF Know Your Community, WARIF Gatekeepers Initiative and WARIF through the Arts along with the treatment of survivors with free services offered at the WARIF rape crisis centre, continues to make a strong positive impact in the fight to address violence against women. “The NO Tolerance Campaign will serve to reach a broader range of men and women; keeping the spotlight on the issues that surround gender based violence.�

Leadway Assurance Canvasses Work-Life Balance Ugo Aliogo Leadway Assurance Company Limited has called for an increase in work-life integration among women, in order to ensure organisational growth and personal development.

Speaking at a special event to mark the international Women’s Day (IWD) the Director, Human Resources, Leadway Assurance, Kunbi Adeoti, noted that work-life integration allows the control of different components of life in a way that provides control over managing the boundaries of work and personal life.

Adeoti, reiterated the need for every woman to effective strike a balance between work and personal life, in order to help women remain an

invaluable asset to family, community and the country.

She said: “For us at Leadway, we recognise the environment in which we operate because we have women in our workforce, and we understand the pressures that they face economically and culturally “We need to make these women understand how they can navigate in such a way that they balance their lives and become productive both in the home front and in the workplace. “It’s no longer about work-life balance, but how to integrate between the job and other aspects of life, because we are aware that the work itself is evolving. It is no longer restricted to one location or being in the office.�

In her remarks, the Managing Consultant, Thistle Praxis Consulting, Ini Abimbola, noted that the country has gone beyond just the conversation of giving opportunities to the women.

She stated that women are standing up to take up opportunities, while commending the number of women that voted during the elections and those that were voted for.

Abimbola, added that like other countries, there was need to go beyond talking about these opportunities to ensuring that we make them available.

According to her, “We can look at this year’s theme in two different ways: How to have a gender balance where fifty per cent of our country’s population as men become

our strong partners in pushing the gender conversation; and in terms of our lives as women, mothers, wives and career women, and the need to talk about how to (balance all that for) better. “We have a country that is growing, we are talking of having more women in the Parliament, represented in government and across the boards of private organisations, so when we talk of balance for better, we are looking at balance across board. “Hence, we are not just looking at work-life balance but work-life integration, how to integrate every aspect of our lives so that at the end, we become better persons, better employees and better citizens of the country.�

W’Bank Scale up Support for Climate Adaptation, Mitigation in Africa Ugo Aliogo with agency report The World Bank Group has made several announcements to scale up support for both climate adaptation and mitigation in Africa, during the third One Planet Summit.

According to a statement obtained from the website of the Bank, that was signed by its Interim President, Kristalina Georgieva, the summit was being convened by President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, President the France President, Emmanuel Macron, Interim President of the

World Bank Group, Kristalina Georgieva, and Deputy SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed.

The statement also noted that the World Bank Group was stepping up its climate support for Africa, “with continued strong support for IDA, the fund of the Bank for the world’s poorest countries, this will provide $22.5 billion for Africa for climate adaptation and mitigation for the five years from 2021-2025.�

Georgieva, in the statement further noted that the support doubles the

commitment to climate-related projects over the last five years, stating that the funding was part of the bank 2025 targets to step up climate action, launched in December 2018 during the UN’s COP24 in Poland.

According to Georgieva in the statement, “People across Africa are already experiencing the growing impacts of climate change. This region is particularly vulnerable to increasing floods, droughts and destructive storms. We have to do more and do it faster, or millions

of people could be plunged into poverty. “That’s why the World Bank is providing more money to build resilience and help communities cope with the effects of climate change in Africa. “It will help African countries manage the risks of a changing climate while unlocking new investment opportunities. IFC and MIGA, the Group’s private sector arms, will also continue to ambitiously grow their climate activities in Africa.�

IMF Executive Board Concludes Regional Consultation with WEMU Ugo Aliogo with agency report The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded the regional consultation with West African Economic and Monetary Union (WEMU).

According to a statement from the IMF website, economic activities in the region remains strong with subdued inflation.

The statement also noted that despite adverse terms-of-trade shocks and security concerns in some member-countries, real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth was estimated to have exceeded six percent for the seven consecutive year in 2018, fuelled by strong domestic demand.

It further noted that the aggregate fiscal deficit was reduced by half percentage point of GDP and external reserves increased, mainly supported by Eurobond issuances, stating that this dynamic has come with persistent vulnerabilities.

IMF in the statement further noted that public debt and its servicing costs increased in 2018, partly because of below-the-line budgetary operations.

The statement added that preliminary data points to an increase in total debt to 52.5 percent of GDP in 2018 from 50.1 percent in 2017, and in total debt service to 33 percent of government revenue in 2018 from 26.4 percent in 2017.

According to the statement: “The external current account deficit is estimated to have increased to 6.8 percent in 2018 from 6.6 percent of GDP in 2017. This increase was underpinned by strong public capital spending but also by worsening terms-of-trade on the back of higher world oil prices. “Notwithstanding a firmer monetary policy stance since early 2017, liquidity pressures in the regional financial system were temporarily eased in 2018. The BCEAO significantly reduced its refinancing volume to banks between early 2017 and end-2018. However, liquidity in the financial system gradually improved in the wake of sizeable Eurobond issuances, which also reduced sovereigns’ demands for financing on the regional debt market. “Important banking sector reforms were implemented in 2018, including the move to Basel II/III prudential standards (with a 5 year-phasing period), new bank accounting rules, banking supervision based on a risk sensitive consolidation approach to groups, and steps to operationalise the new resolution framework of the Banking Commission. “The medium-term outlook remains positive but hinges critically on the implementation of planned reforms. Growth is projected to stay above six per cent, assuming fiscal consolidation to meet the regional fiscal deficit convergence criterion of three per cent of GDP and eliminate below the-line budgetary operations from this year onwards, and structural reforms implementation. “Risks are tilted to the downside and stem from potential slippages in fiscal consolidation, slow progress in implementing structural reforms and improving inclusiveness, larger imports or lower capital inflows relative to projections, persistent security concerns, as well as weaker than expected global recovery and tighter international financial conditions. “Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They welcomed the region’s continued strong growth despite the ongoing challenges and commended the authorities for the progress made in implementing banking sector reforms. “Directors noted, however, that the medium term outlook is subject to downside risks, including those from rising public debt burdens and higher external current account deficit. “They emphasised that continued fiscal consolidation, more effective monetary policy transmission, and further financial and structural reforms are needed to support private sector led growth and reduce vulnerabilities. “Directors underscored that growth friendly fiscal consolidation is critical to reduce risks of public debt distress and preserve external stability. They urged member countries to adhere to the regional fiscal deficit convergence criterion of three per cent of GDP.�

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Push Towards Ending HIV/AIDS Epidemic

The launch of the National HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey Results last Thursday by President MuhammaduBuharihasshownthatonly1.9millionNigeriansarelivingwithHIV/AIDS,afarreduction from previously known figure of 3.2 million, a prevalence that has now put the country as the fourth most affected nation globally. Martins Ifijeh reports

Together HIV/AIDS can be eliminated in Nigeria

P

rior to last week, Nigeria was known as the second capital of HIV/AIDS prevalence globally with 2014 data showing 3.2 million Nigerians were living with the virus, just behind South Africa which has 7.1 million persons living with the burden.

But last Thursday launch of the National HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) Result by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja has shown that the burden of the disease has reduced by almost half, bringing the prevalence to 1.9 million persons; a move that has now placed the country at number four in the list of countries with highest burden of HIV/AIDS in the world.

South Africa currently has the highest burden, followed by India and then Mozambique. By this survey, Nigeria is now placed on the fourth position, a major move Buhari has said during the launch that the country will do all within its powers to improve upon.

He is optimistic that Nigeria has all it takes to end the public health burden by 2030, a year targeted by global health bodies for countries to end the scourge of HIVAIDS He said: “I urge all of us not to relent but to increase the momentum. Let us work collectively and push for the last mile.”

Excitedly, Buhari said the survey came at the right time, adding that it would provide the data required to plan adequately and consolidate on the past and current gains against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country.

He said: “This is the largest populationbased HIV/AIDS survey of its kind ever conducted and it has provided us with the crucial information to move forward and to act based on scientific data.

“More accurate figures show that fewer Nigerians have HIV/AIDS but we cannot celebrate yet because over one million of those infected are not on treatment.”

The survey, which had a large sample

size of 225,000 persons drawn from more than 97,000 households across all the local government areas of Nigeria, has been dubbed the biggest HIV survey ever done by any country anywhere in the world.

Nigerian Women are Twice as Infected than Men Analysis from the survey showed that women aged 15–49 years are more than twice as likely to be living with HIV/AIDS as men (1.9 per cent versus 0.9 per cent). It also showed that the difference in HIV prevalence between women and men is greatest among younger adults, with young women aged 20–24 years more than three times as likely to be living with the virus as young men in the same age group.

Also, among children aged 0–14 years, HIV prevalence according to the new data is 0.2 per cent. Efforts have been made in recent years to stop new HIV infections among children.

South-South has Highest Burden of the Disease The new result has shown that HIV/AIDS prevalence in the six geopolitical zones of the country is highest in the South-South region of the country at 3.1 per cent among adults aged 15 to 49 years, with Akwa Ibom leading the pack with a percentage of 5.5, while the lowest among the region are Bayelsa, Delta and Edo. The second highest region is North-central (2.0 per cent) with Benue State having the highest in the region with the lowest being Niger State. The result shows South-east zone is third among the six geopolitical zones of the country with 1.9 percent. South-west clinched fourth with 1.1 per cent, North-east zone set at fifth with 1.1per cent, while North-west zone has the lowest with 0.6 per cent.

Viral Suppression Stands at 42.3% At the national level, the study shows that

viral suppression among people living with HIV aged 15–49 years stands at 42.3 per cent (45.3 per cent among women and 34.5 per cent among men). When people living with HIV are virally suppressed they remain healthy and transmission of the virus is prevented, the report noted.

The survey results showed that almost half of the persons living with the disease in Nigeria achieved viral suppression. Experts however say for a country to achieve end to the scourge, 90 per cent of those living with the virus should be on anti ritroviral drugs.

Treatment; Road to Reducing HIV Prevalence According to the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, those infected with HIV need to get treatment so they can achieve viral suppression, especially pregnant women. “We must ensure pregnant women have access to antenatal services and are tested during every pregnancy. We know we can support HIV-positive mothers, hence ensuring the next generation is free from HIV.” He added that the survey should however be used as a new beginning to do more work in the fight against the epidemic.

In his view, Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr Sani Aliyu, said it was important that all Nigerians living with HIV get treatment and achieve viral suppression, adding that to halt the epidemic; all hands must be on deck.

“As a government working with our partners, we have what it takes to support people who are HIV-positive, to provide treatment, to protect their families and to help people live long and healthy lives.”

Not Yet Time to Celebrate The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, who welcomed the new estimates, said the improved understanding of the country’s HIV epidemic would allow Nigeria to better

reach people living with HIV and people at higher risk of acquiring it.

He said: “I commend the government of Nigeria and its partners for conducting this ambitious survey, which provides us with a much better understanding of the country’s HIV epidemic.

“While it is fantastic news that there are fewer people living with HIV in Nigeria than previously thought, we must not let down our guard. Let us use the results of this survey to better focus our delivery of prevention, treatment and care services to the people in the greatest need and ensure that Nigeria gets on track to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.”

According to UNAIDS, the improved understanding of the country’s HIV epidemic will allow for more efficient investments in the response to HIV and more effective planning for the provision of HIV prevention, care and treatment services, including a focus on key populations, such as female sex workers. It will permit the adoption of a population–location approach to deliver services to the people and areas where they are most definitely.

Road to Meeting SDG 2030 NACA DG said the data from the survey would greatly position the country to meet the set target of ending the epidemic by 2030.

“Today, we are closer as a country to achieving this goal. “But I must commend President Buhari’s commitment to ending this epidemic in the country.

“I must also commend the efforts of scientist from Nigeria, U.S. University of Maryland, NAIIS team and all those who ensured that the survey was a success.

What will take other countries three years to achieve, was done in nine months. It is my hope that the results would be a new dawn in the fight against HIV, as I am confident that the HIV surge will be a thing of the past,” he said.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019

35

NEWS

Korea Jostles for Slice of Nigeria’s $1B MedicalTourism Spending Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Republic of Korea is positioning for a share of the estimated $1 billion, which 30,000 Nigerians spend per annum on medical tourism outside the country.

About 60 per cent of this amount is spent in the medical areas of cardiology, orthopedics, cancer and renal dialysis.

Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Lee In Tae, who made this declaration, noted that Korea has consistently been ranked among the top five countries for quality healthcare provision by

the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Bloomberg.

He said Nigeria has become a major source market for medical tourism because of the lack of robust national health insurance framework and the import substitution gap, arising from the ability of Nigeria’s indigenous pharmaceutical companies and medical centres to only meet about 45 per cent of the demand for drugs and medical equipment.

“I would like to introduce Korea’s healthcare industry to Nigeria. In one year as an

ambassador, I have had the chance to meet with government personnel, international organisations and doctors who work in Nigeria’s healthcare field. “What they told me was though Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, its health industry infrastructure is not developed enough and asked me how Korea has developed itself in both its economy and health care industry.

“Also, I noticed that when Nigerian experts come back from Korea, they seemed fascinated about Korea’s cosmetics and medical tourism,” Lee said.

He

described South Korea as an emerging leader in the global healthcare market through its advanced medical technologies, cutting-edge hardware and IT-based infrastructure, that allow patients to receive high quality healthcare at affordable prices through high-tech hardware and infrastructure like small cameras and robotic surgery.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), projects Nigeria’s death rate from cancer to rise to 75 per cent by 2030. This is because over 100,000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer annu-

ally. About 80,000 people die from the disease, averaging 240 Nigerians every day or 10 Nigerians every hour. The Nigerian cancer death ratio of four in five is considered one of the worst in the world.

Thus, the envoy said Korean hospitals have excellent medical practitioners and facilities while the government has a strict regulation over hospitals to ensure optimum medical services.

The number of hospital beds per 1,000 population is about 13.55, well above the OECD countries’ average of five while in 2017, Korea has 120,630

doctors and 355,524 nurses as practicing physicians.

Lee said medical costs in Korea were only 20-30 per cent of those in the United States, while medical services were still on a similarly high level, adding that a liver transplant that costs about $575,000 in the United States would generally cost about $130,000 in Korea.

He added that Korea and Nigeria have always enjoyed a robust relationship since diplomatic ties were established in 1980, stressing that he expects bilateral relationship between the two countries to keep soaring in the years ahead.

‘80% of Primary Healthcare Facilities in Nigeria not Functional’ Ayodeji Ake The Country Director, PharmAccess Foundation, Njide Ndili has stated that despite having about 30,000 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across Nigeria, only about 20 per cent functions per time, thereby disenfranchising many Nigerians of accessible healthcare services.

Addressing journalists at the press conference organised

by Sterling Bank Plc in Lagos recently to officially announce its forthcoming summit, Ndili noted that Nigerians recognise quality healthcare when received, which is one of the reasons why some PHCs were empty because do not have drugs and other materials.

“80 per cent of patients going to the hospital are those seeking primary healthcare services, which denotes that patients can be taken care of at the primary health level,” she said.

Urging for private sector intervention in the health sector, she lauded Sterling Bank for contributing in terms of sponsoring health events and ensuring Nigerians attain quality healthcare services.

Ndili said: “We know that

government doesn’t have enough funding to improve the capital infrastructure in the health sector. Considering the budget, the current expenditure is like 80 per cent and the capital is like 20 per cent, and this doesn’t match. So there is a need for private sector intervention in the health sector.”

The Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleiman, expressed the need for digital intervention in the health sector, adding that the invention of technology will enhance data gathering to stimulate accessible healthcare services in Nigeria.

“We have found out that bringing people together to get them to do more than what they can do is a difficult task.

Our approach is to say we should have a bit of influence in bringing resources together.

“We want agile mind, digital platforms and mental skills. It is obvious that we can’t use traditional media to add up, so this is an opportunity for development.

“If we are to solve health problem in Nigeria, it can’t be solved by doctors alone, but when different stakeholder need to come together and work together.”

Health Experts Call for Policy on Ban of Mercury in Mining Kuni Tyessi in Abuja Experts in the health sector have revealed that there is an urgent need for Nigeria to develop a National Action Plan to curb the use of mercury in gold mining in the country, so as not to endanger the health of the populace.

The National Consultant, Public Health and Environment (PHE), World Health Organisation (WHO) in Nigeria, Dr Edwin Edeh, pointed out that mercury, which is widely used in smallscale gold mining, is a lethal chemical and its over-exposure in the atmosphere poses great danger to humans.

Edeh who stated this at a one day health sensitisation meeting with the theme, “Strengthening Partnerships for Public Health Assessment and Awareness on Artisanal Small Scale Gold Mining

(ASGM) in Minna, said federal and state governments should actively carry out clearly outlined duties regarding the use of mercury in small scale mining activities.

He said: “Even though the sector’s activities are moneyspinning, they are equally fraught with monumental health hazards due to the uncontrolled use of mercury in mining processes by peasant miners.

“We are calling on relevant ministries to proffer workable solutions that will help mitigate the adverse impact of poisonous chemicals on the people.”

He also informed the audience that 70 countries across the world were actively involved in artisanal gold-mining, noting that the sector also contributes to about 35 percent global gold production.

RAISING AWARENESS ON ORAL HEALTH

L-R: Corporate Affairs & Sustainable Business Director, Unilever, Ghana and Nigeria, Soromidayo George; Head, Dentistry Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Bola Alonge; and President, Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Dr Evelyn Eshikena, during the Pepsodent 2019 World Oral Health Day press briefing in Lagos...recently AKINYELE ABAYOMI

Glaucoma Responsible for 17% of Blindness in Nigeria, Says NMA

Association Seeks to Implement ‘Helping Babies Breath’ Programme

Martins Ifijeh

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association Committee on Eye Health, Dr. Buyo Kufo has stated that Glaucoma remains a major cause of blindness in Nigeria with about 16.7 per cent of those with zero vision said to be caused by glaucoma.

In a statement to mark the 2019 Glaucoma Week, made available to THISDAY recently, Kufo said the national prevalence of blindness in Nigeria is put at 4.2 per cent with Glaucoma taking a huge toll on the burden.

He said: “Glaucoma consists of a group of diseases with common characteristics which mainly affect the optic nerve.

“The optic nerve is the nerve which connects the eye to the area of the brain responsible for the sensation of sight, and glaucoma if untreated, results in loss of optic nerve function, and irreversible blindness.

“Most often, when we talk about glaucoma, we are referring to its most common form, primary open angle glaucoma, which is also sometimes called chronic open angle glaucoma.

“It is referred to as open angle because in this condition, the angle between the transparent cornea in front of the eye and the iris, which is

usually seen as dark brown inside the eye (in black people as well as in the majority of people of other races), remains open.”

He said most cases of Glaucoma does not present with any symptoms, until the late stages of the disease, meaning that people who have it often do not know until it is advanced and the vision is seriously affected, adding that such persons usually then experience cloudiness which gradually worsens vision.

He said management of Glaucoma on a national level should involve screening programs designed to detect the disease early and institute treatment, adding that when treatment is begun early, useful vision can usually be maintained and blindness is often prevented.

“It is advisable that everyone from the age of 40 years (younger if there is a family history) should have their eyes checked by an ophthalmologist once a year. In this way, people with the disease can be detected, and treatment, which will often prevent blindness, can be instituted. “Treatment may include surgery, which has been found to be more effective in the treatment of glaucoma than medical management alone,” Kufo said.

The Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) has indicated interest to implement the ‘Helping Babies Breath’(HBB) programme, which aims at reducing child mortality as a result of lack of oxygen at birth.

A Nigerian based medical practitioner, Dr. Biodun Ogungbo, who disclosed this in a statement, said this has become a necessity as about 29,000 deaths of children under the ages of five and 21 are recorded every minute daily due to lack of oxygen at birth.

He said the association which has a mission called ‘Healthier Nigeria, Healthier World’ will reach out to help babies breath in line with its overall mission which includes infant stimulation, suction of the nose and mouth when appropriate, and the use of a bag-valve-mask to improve breathing and to circulate oxygen.

He said for maximum effect, delivery care providers must be trained and exposed to the material repeatedly over long periods of time, adding that the approach is termed the ‘High Frequency Low Dose’ method.

He said: “ANPA Maternal

Child Health Committee is focused on implementation of Helping Babies Breath program (ANP HBB). Helping Babies Breath (HBB) is a low-cost, global initiative that seeks to reduce deaths due to birth asphyxia and other respiratory complications that could occur at birth.

“These life-saving techniques include infant stimulation, suction of the nose and mouth when appropriate, and the use of a bag-valve-mask to improve breathing and to circulate oxygen.

“HBB teaches the skills of caring for healthy babies and assisting babies that do not breathe on their own after birth. The HBB technique is very effective, especially if it becomes a standard way of managing all newborn babies.

“It has now been introduced in over 80 countries with 450,000 birth attendants trained and equipped.

“Through this method, delivery care providers are exposed to HBB through initial one-day training, followed by daily practice sessions at their health care facilities. Additionally, the trainees receive refresher workshops and are frequently retested on their skills.”

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019

HEALTH

Bringing Healthcare to Ode Itsekiri Community The handing over of the healthcare facility in Ode Itsekiri built by DESOPADEC to the Delta State Contributory Health Commission has brought a vista of hope to residents of the community, who for decades have craved for basic healthcare. Martins Ifijeh writes

Cross section of Delta State government officials and residents of Ode Itsekiri

If there is one riverine community in Nigeria that could pass as a government reserved area for its tranquility, quietness and up-to-date infrastructural facilities, it is Ode Itsekiri, a complete island in Delta State with huge human and capital resources.

It is the home to the Olu of Warri, ancestral home of the Itsekiris’ and could boast of relatively good roads laced with street lights powered by solar system. It is a mini-city housing not less than 40,000 people.

But despite having all the trappings of a community with basic amenities of life, it lacked one thing, access to good, qualitative and affordable healthcare, as it could only boast of a small health facility where the nurse, Mrs. Brown-Dibofun Rosemary passes as the doctor, matron, pharmacist, security guard and the cleaner. Simply put, the facility lacked all the features needed to address primary healthcare issues, including access to delivery, immunisation, among others.

While the people enjoyed the ambience the government, as well as illustrious sons and daughters of the community, may have prepared for them, they did not have a health centre they could run to in times of trouble.

It is in tackling this that the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) built a cottage hospital for the community, which it hoped would help reduce maternal and child deaths, address medical emergencies, as well as aid in the administration of vaccines for children.

But there were two concerns; DESOPADEC does not run hospitals, and the people, especially the poor ones, would not be able to pay for healthcare services in the hospital.

In addressing these concerns, the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), as typical with one of its mandate to run cottage hospitals in hard to reach rural areas, and enroll residents of such communities in health insurance, took over the running of the Ode Itsekiri health facility, as well as offer health insurance to every member of the community in an elaborate ceremony that saw DESOPADEC handover the facility to DSCHC for effective running.

The move, which elicited cheers from members of the community, was referred to by the Chairman, Ode Itsekiri and the representative of the Olu of Warri, Chief Patrick Yalaju as the beginning of new things to come.

To him, no child will die again in Ode Itsekiri due to lack of proper treatment, and that no woman will be buried because of pregnancy or delivery issues, adding that even their men

Nkechika

will no longer worry about ill health.

Speaking during the handover ceremony recently, the Director General, DSCHC, Dr. Ben Nkechika said the commission will not only help in running the hospital effectively, but will ensure every resident is enrolled in the state’s mandatory health insurance scheme, as they all deserve to walk into the facility to access healthcare services without paying out of pocket.

He said with the Access to Finance programme the state embarked on, supported by PharmAccess Foundation and Bank of Industry, the healthcare facility will be run by a private facility, emphasising that the state has put modalities in place to ensure such private facilities can run the centre as a world standard clinic.

He said: “All pregnant women, children of under five years and senior citizens above 65 years of age in Ode Itsekiri will enjoy automatic health insurance, while other members of the community will also enjoy same upon registration for a premium of N7, 000 for a whole year,” adding that members who were unable to pay for enrollment will also not be disenfranchised from benefitting, as the state’s equity fund covers

for the poor.

Nkechika, who emphasised on the need for residents of Ode Itsekiri to be enrolled into the scheme, said the over 40,000 residents would benefit from it as registration into the scheme will commence immediately after commissioning of the health facility.

Nkechika, whose health insurance scheme presently has the largest number of enrollees in any mandatory scheme in the country with over 500, 000 enrollees as at January this year, recently commenced enrollment of residents of Egbema and Gbaramatu kingdoms with over 70,000 enrollees said to be added to those already enjoying benefits of the scheme.

He believes, by the time the 40,000 residents of Ode Itsekiri are fully enrolled, the number of those covered by the scheme would have increased significantly.

Nkechika said the team was determined to ensure every Deltan enjoys health insurance because the state Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has given a marching order that the obligation rendered to Egbema and Gbaramatu kingdoms be extended to all riverine communities in Delta State.

“Now we are done with Egbema, Gbaramatu and Ode Itsekiri communities, we will be heading to other riverine communities by next week to replicate same. It will continue like this until all riverine and hard to reach areas are covered,” he said.

Nkechika, who started his career with the exploration arm of Schlumberger, is a Harvard University and London School of Economics trained health specialist, with bias for development of rural healthcare. He said the commission plans to hit one million enrollees on or before December 2019.

Sharing his thoughts, Okowa said he understands the impact of quality healthcare services for the wellbeing of all Deltans especially those living in the riverine communities, adding that no individual in the state deserves to be left out of benefits of the dividends of democracy.

Okowa, who was represented by the Commissioner for Transport, Delta State, Vincent Uduaghan, said it was of utmost importance that people of Ode Itsekiri and others living in the riverine communities, feel the impact of government through infrastructure development and other benefits that ensures inclusion, peace and progress in these communities.

“DSCHC is one of the flagship programmes of this government designed to ensure accessible and affordable healthcare services for residents irrespective of their socioeconomic status and geographical location. The scheme currently has over 500, 000 enrollees and this facility will provide the residents of Ode Itsekiri and environs the benefits of the scheme.

“Delta State is fully committed to the overall welfare of all Deltans . The next four years of this government will be a guarantee for greater development of the riverine communities with several ongoing projects and those in the pipeline for execution,” he said.

On his part, the Managing Director, DESOPADEC, Olorogun Williams Makinde said it is one thing to build a health facility, but another thing to have it run by competent hands, adding that DSCHC will effectively run the facility and ensure every resident benefit from the state healthcare programmes. He said in addition to the handover of the facility, DESOPADEC will also provide a boat ambulance for the hospital so that in times of emergency, the ambulance can pick patients from their homes to the hospital, as well as return them to their homes when the needs arise. ”We will also bring a 500KVA generator down to the healthcare facility because power is very important in the running of an effective healthcare facility,” he said.

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T H I S D AY Ëž THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019

HEALTH

World Kidney Day 2019: Lifestyle Choices and Kidney Health Dr. Awele Elumelu After several years in medicine, as a medical doctor and as the CEO of a multi-specialty hospital group, my interests have converged to focus on the nexus between individual lifestyle choices and their impact on health.

World Kidney Day, in particular, reminds one of the importance of a healthy lifestyle on kidney health. While it may be difficult to picture how obesity is linked to kidney disease, obesity underlies the two major risk factors for chronic kidney disease – high blood pressure and diabetes.

Recent years have seen a laudable rise of Nigerians taking an active approach to weight management through healthy eating and exercise.

However, beyond vanity reasons or the need to look and feel good, maintaining a healthy weight and a smaller waistline is often the first line of defense against kidney disease.

Our kidneys – a pair of bean-shaped organs, each one roughly the size of a fist – perform many essential and complicated tasks to keep us healthy by removing toxins and excess water from the body via urine, controlling the blood pressure, producing red blood cells and keep our bones healthy through the production of hormones.

Kidney Disease Kidney disease is a serious global health problem that affects all age groups. It is estimated that eight hundred and fifty million people worldwide suffer from kidney disease. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 5 – 10 million people die annually from kidney disease. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) causes at least 2.4 million deaths per year and is now the sixth fastest growing cause of death in the world. It is predicted that by 2040, it will be the fifth fastest. In Nigeria, an estimated twenty five million people suffer from CKD. There are 2 major types of kidney disease – Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is the sudden and dramatic loss of kidney which can happen over a period of hours or days and is generally reversible if detected early. Causes of AKI include a sudden serious drop in blood flow to the kidneys, damage from some medicines, consumption of herbal concoctions or infections, blockages that stops urine flowing out from the kidneys and diseases such as malaria and gastroenteritis.

On the other hand, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), which affects ten to twenty percent of adults, is an irreversible progressive loss in kidney function over a period of months or years. Usually, there are no symptoms in the initial stages of CKD (a person can lose up to ninety percent of their kidney functions before developing any symptoms). The leading causes of CKD are hypertension and diabetes, which damage the blood vessels of the kidneys causing them to go stiff. Early detection of CKD is important to halt progressive loss of kidney function which can lead to kidney failure or end stage renal disease.

Other less common causes of kidney diseases include inflammation or infection of the kidneys, cancer, fibroids, long term use of analgesics, inherited conditions like polycystic kidney disease and smoking.

Signs and symptoms of kidney disease include: r1BTTJOH PG MJUUMF PS OP VSJOF r1BTTBHF PG MBSHF RVBOUJUJFT PG VSJOF BU OJHIU r4XFMMJOH PG MFHT BOE GFFU r'FFMJOH VOXFMM r-PTT PG BQQFUJUF r/BVTFB BOE WPNJUJOH r'FFMJOH DPOGVTFE BOYJPVT BOE SFTUMFTT TMFFQZ r #MPPE JO UIF VSJOF

Dr. Awele Elumelu

r 'PBNZ VSJOF r%SZ JUDIZ TLJO Kidney disease is detected by simple laboratory tests on blood and urine to check of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium as well as creatinine in fhe blood and for protein in the urine.

Burden of Kidney Disease Kidney disease comes with a huge burden on a personal, organizational and macroeconomic level. Treatment options are costly and complex; procedures such as dialysis conducted weekly often disrupt the normal working lives of affected people. It takes a toll on organisations and businesses in particular because most adults spend about one-third of their time at work, Kidney disease impacts employee productivity, UJNF TQFOU BU XPSL BOE RVBMJUZ PG PVUQVU which contribute to the overall success of their organisations.

On a macro level, the WHO reports that high-income countries typically spend more than 2-3% of their annual healthcare budget on the treatment of patients with end-stage kidney disease, who constitute less than 0.03% of the total population. In low-income countries, the burden is even greater because of IJHI USFBUNFOU DPTUT BOE JOFRVJUBCMF BDDFTT UP RVBMJUZ BOE BGGPSEBCMF EJBMZTJT USFBUNFOU Treatment of Kidney Disease There are usually no symptoms at the initial stages of kidney disease. This is because in the early stages, the kidneys try to compensate for the loss of function.

4ZNQUPNT POMZ PDDVS XIFO UIF DPNQFOTBUPSZ mechanisms of the kidneys are overwhelmed, a point at which kidneys could have lost about 90% of their function.

Once diagnosed, there are three main treatments for kidney disease,

r"EPQUJPO PG )FBMUIZ &BUJOH )BCJUT 5IJT JODMVEFT QSPQFS EJFU BOE NFEJDBUJPO 1BUJFOUT are advised to reduce the amount of protein and salt consumed. Daily salt consumption TIPVME OPU FYDFFE NH FRVJWBMFOU UP mg of table salt, which is less than a teaspoon).

We often find that most Nigerians consume more than twice this amount.

1BUJFOUT NBZ BMTP CF BEWJTFE UP SFEVDF UIFJS JOUBLF PG QPUBTTJVN 'PPET XIJDI BSF high in potassium include bananas, oranges, QPUBUPFT TQJOBDI 'PPET MPX JO QPUBTTJVN include cabbage, carrots, apples. r .FEJDBUJPO %FQFOEJOH PO UIF UZQF TFWFSJUZ and root cause of the disease, doctors may put a patient suffering from kidney disease on medications to: r 3FEVDF CMPPE QSFTTVSF r-PXFS DIPMFTUFSPM r 3FEVDF TXFMMJOH %JVSFUJDT

r 4USFOHUIFO CPOFT F H $BMDJVN BOE Vitamin D r 1SPEVDF NPSF SFE CMPPE DFMMT BOE SFEVDF anaemia e.g. Erythropoietin r %JBMZTJT BOE ,JEOFZ 5SBOTQMBOUBUJPO Those with established kidney failure will SFRVJSF TPNF GPSN PG SFOBM SFQMBDFNFOU therapy (RRT) such as dialysis or kidney transplantation. Dialysis helps to clear the blood of harmful substances which would otherwise have been filtered by functional kidneys. Dialysis may be hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

Hemodialysis involves passing the individual’s blood through an “artificial kidney�.

A patient is connected to the dialysis machine and this allows blood to flow to the machine, circulate through it for cleansing and then return to the body. When done at a centre it is usually done three times a week, each

session lasting about 4 hours. In peritoneal dialysis, the blood is also cleaned but this is done while the blood is still inside your body, by adding clean fluid to your abdomen and draining it out after the waste products from the body have entered it.

These are referred to as renal replacement therapies because they attempt to mimic and replace the normal functioning of the kidneys.

Ultimately, the definitive management of chronic kidney disease is kidney transplantation.

This is an expensive option and donor organs are in short supply, so dialysis remains the most accessible and available forms of management for chronic kidney disease.

Reducing the Risk Factors for Kidney Disease Individuals are encouraged to follow a healthy lifestyle that will prevent obesity thereby reducing the risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease. The key elements in the prevention of chronic kidney disease in susceptible individuals is in strict control of blood pressure and blood sugar.

I am an advocate of the “8 Golden Rules�

(Insert 8 Golden Rules Infographic) 'PS FNQMPZFST QSPNPUJOH BOE JODFOUJWJ[JOH good health practices among staff should be a priority due to its impact on the overall business.

While for governments, experts suggest that the most effective way to help people adopt healthy diet and lifestyle changes is through active public health campaigns and policy changes.

Dr. Awele Elumelu is the Chairperson of Avon Healthcare Limited and the CEO of Avon Medical Practice Limited, a multispecialty hospital group with locations in Lagos, FCT, and Delta states including the Avon Dialysis Centre. A medical doctor of over 25 years, she is also the Gavi Private Sector Champion for Immunisation in Africa

38

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍŻËœ 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

AMCON Boss Seeks Reintroduction of Failed BankAct Nume Ekeghe Disturbed by the rising level of toxic loans in the banking sector, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr. Ahmed Kuru, yesterday stressed the need to revisit the Failed Bank Act, so that operatives in the banking sector would be made to account for their actions.

Kuru, also urged banks to immediately strengthen their risk management framework to stem the negative growth.

The AMCON boss, was quoted in a statement, to have made the remark in Lagos, when he played host to officials of Risk Management Association of Nigeria (RIMAN).

According to him, the reintroduction of the Failed Bank Act into the country’s financial system would not

only curtail the current trend of financial rascality on the part of some bankers, but would bring discipline to the banking industry in general.

As a former bank CEO, Kuru, explained that given the huge resources available to financial institutions and the pivotal role they play to the development of the economy makes it mandatory for financial institutions to take the issues of risk management seriously to prevent what happened during the global financial crisis.

He suggested that in line with the fight against corruption, there was also the need to fight against impaired and arranged credits so that operators are held responsible for booking credits contrary to their credit policy, that go bad under their supervision.

Reiterating that one of the reason for the failure of

the banking system during the global financial crisis of 2008/2009, which eventually led to the creation of AMCON was because of the prevalence of weak risk management framework by financial institutions, Kuru said the trend became a baggage, which contained all sorts of bad omen for the economy including poor corporate governance structure, lack of robust risk management strategy and lack of adherence to laid down principles that govern credit approvals by financial institutions.

He added: “I have been on both sides, therefore, I can authoritatively comment on issues relating to risk management. Immediately after the intervention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2009, they insisted that risk management must be given prominence right from the Board level to the account officer.

L-R: Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr Yinka Sanni; Executive Director, Business Development, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Mrs Nike Bajomo and Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Dr Demola Sogunle, at the Blue Women Network event organised by Stanbic IBTC to commemorate the International Women’s Day, in Lagos‌recently

MARKET INDICATORS

Experts Harp On Digitisation of Tax Process Nume Ekeghe Tax experts at PwC Nigeria have said digitising the processes of tax payment in the country will increase compliance level, among other benefits.

The Head of Tax, PwC Nigeria, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, said this on the sidelines at the PWC Tax academy held in Lagos recently.

He lamented the stress and some of the issues associated with the paper tax filing and its proneness to several losses of documents or mix-ups, adding that the earlier “we sort full digital alternatives in tax filing processes, the better.�

Oyedele said: “I think it is no longer a question of tax; everything we do today is impacted by technology and technology is making things better and faster and more cost-efficient and cost-effective. “So, it is no longer acceptable for authorities to live in the past.

Even though Nigeria is starting late, they say better late than never. “So the idea now is to make technology the platform, not an

option, for tax compliance in terms of calculating your taxes, making your payments, and filing your returns, such that even when you need, say for example, your tax clearance certificate, in the past, this used to be like rocket science. “With technology now, one should be able to get that immediately. We know that these platforms are not perfect yet, so our role as PwC, helping so many people to pay their taxes and also paying taxes ourselves, it is to say once we identify what the problems are, we get the stakeholders to come together to see how we can fix it. It is not enough to criticise, we must find the solution together.�

He further added: “With our experience dealing with other countries, we know things that work in other places. So, it is very good that we have the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service and PEBEC. It is the beginning of the process, and we hope that by this time next year, all these processes will be much better such that

the experience of the taxpayer will be a lot better.�

He further pointed out that technology would increase tax compliance and in turn increase contribution to the Gross Domestic Product.

He added: “Nigeria doesn’t rank very well on the ease of paying taxes. So, Nigeria’s tax revenue to GDP ratio is one of the lowest in the world, yet it is one of the most difficult places to pay tax. “So, it is a contradiction: you need tax money but you make the process very difficult.

So, if you simplify it by using technology, what that does is you encourage more people to pay. There is something about compliance cost; it is something that does not benefit government and the taxpayer. “It is actually the money the taxpayer pay that doesn’t get to the government. So, both the taxpayer and the government have an objective to reduce that cost. That is something that technology does for you. It reduces your cost of compliance, and therefore you can get more people into the tax net.�

Anderson Tax Unveils Report on Transfer Pricing Sunday Ehigiator Anderson Tax yesterday launched its review on Transfer Pricing (TP) Development in Africa, in Lagos.

The 45-page report was aimed at providing tax payers and investors with the required insight into TP in Sub-Sahara African countries, particularly Nigeria.

Addressing journalists, the Chairman, Anderson Tax Africa, Mr. Seyi Bickersteth, said the “report presents our findings from our survey of Nigerian taxpayers.� “The survey was administered to persons in various positions including tax managers/directors, chief financial officers and heads of finance in leading organisations across major industry sectors.

He said: “Prior to the release of the revised TP regulations, the survey was administered on 24 participants while after release of the regulations, 100 people

participated in the survey.

The survey elicited responses in respect of TP compliance, TP risk assessment, TP audit, dispute resolution as well as APA.�

In his address, the Partner and Head, Transfer Pricing Group, Anderson Tax Nigeria, Dr. Joshua Bamfo said: “What we have tried to do is to do an in-depth review and research, that we would be able to present to multinational enterprises and other foreign direct investors, as to; what are the requirement when it comes to transfer pricing of the agency across the sub-regions, what are some of the compliance issues, what are some of the challenges be it audit as pertaining within the sub-region? “With these information, we believe that they will be well equipped in factoring when they are making planning decisions in other to enter this market. “If you look at it from the above perspective, one of the

objectives of this particular report is to help multinational enterprises to make informed decisions when they decide to make investments in the SubSaharan African sub-region. “In the same token, when we look at it from the perspective of the government of this same sub-region, this is very helpful to them. This is because most sub-Sahara countries wants foreign direct investments as a means of creating job opportunities for their citizenry, and to do that, you will want foreign direct investors to be comfortable and confident that when they come in, they are not going to face cynical obstacles. “So in the area of Transfer Pricing; in particular, the area of taxing, we want to be able to help government to ensure that there is clear ease of doing business, and there is clarity in terms of the challenges that foreign direct investors would face.�

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

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OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ ͯ͡ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $67.25 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $66.87 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

39

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍŻËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

MARKET NEWS

Merger: NSE Places Diamond Bank Shares onTrading Suspension Goddy Egene The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday placed a full trading suspension on the shares of Diamond Bank Plc following the Court sanction of the scheme of merger between the bank and Access Bank Plc. In a notification to market operators, the NSE explained that the suspension was required to prevent trading in the shares of Diamond Bank in order to

determine the bank’s shareholders who would qualify to receive the scheme consideration. “The bank obtained the Court sanction of the Scheme on Tuesday, 19 March 2019, being the effective date of the scheme.

The bank’s shareholders passed a resolution approving the merger between Diamond Bank and Access Bank Plc at the Court ordered meeting of the bank held on Wednesday, 6 March 2019.

The Scheme will result in the

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

delisting of Diamond Bank Plc from the Daily Official List of The Exchange,� the NSE explained.

Shareholders of the bank had approved the merger early this month.

Commenting on the votes by shareholders, Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank, Uzoma Dozie, said: “I am happy that the shareholders of Diamond Bank have supported this merger.

The merger will bring together the complementary retail and

S E C U R I T I E S

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corporate banking capabilities of two of Nigeria’s leading banks, creating Africa’s largest retail bank by customer base and Gateway to the World.�

The merger would involve Access Bank acquiring the entire issued share capital of Diamond Bank in exchange for a combination of cash and shares in Access Bank. Based on the agreement reached by the boards of the two financial institutions, Diamond Bank shareholders will receive a

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

consideration of N3.13 per share, comprising of N1.00 per share in cash and the allotment of two new Access Bank ordinary shares for every seven Diamond Bank ordinary shares held as at the Implementation Date.. Immediately following completion of the merger, Diamond Bank would be absorbed into Access Bank and it will cease to exist under Nigerian law. Also, the current listing of Diamond

O F

Bank’s shares on the NSE and the listing of Diamond Bank’s global depositary receipts on the London Stock Exchange will be cancelled, upon the merger becoming effective.

Meanwhile, trading at the stock market continued on bearish note for the third consecutive day. As a result, the NSE All-Share Index depreciated by 0.13 per cent to close at 31,040.84, while market capitalised shed N15.5 billion to be at N11.6 trillion.

1 5 / 0 3 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

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40

THURSDAY MARCH 21, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Nigeria Ranks 85 on 2019 Global Happiness Report Regina Ogwuche As the world marks the International Day of Happiness, Nigeria is ranked 85 out of 156 countries and second in sub-Saharan Africa in 2019.

This is according to the annual Global Happiness Policy Report produced by the Global Happiness Council, which was released yesterday. It was edited

by John F. Helliwell, Richard Layard, Jeffrey D. Sachs, et al.

Nigeria’s ranking is an improvement from its 91 position ranking in 2018.

Finland came first as the happiest country in the world for the second year in a row, followed by Denmark, Norway,

Iceland and the Netherlands.

The world’s least happy country is South Sudan, followed by Central African Republic, Afghanistan, Tanzania, Rwanda, Yemen, Malawi, Syria, Botswana and Haiti.

The report ranks countries on six key variables that support wellbeing: income, freedom, trust, healthy life expectancy, social support and generosity.

This is the seventh World Happiness Report; the first was released in April 2012 in support of a UN high-level meeting on “Wellbeing and Happiness: Defining a New Economic Paradigm”.

The report presented the

available global data on national happiness and reviewed related evidence from the emerging science of happiness.

It showed that the quality of people’s lives can be coherently, reliably, and validly assessed by a variety of subjective wellbeing measures, collectively referred to then and in subsequent reports as “happiness.”

This year, the focus was on

happiness and community: how happiness has been changing over the past dozen years, and how information technology, governance and social norms influence communities.

The report showed that the annual data for Finland have continued their modest, but steady upward trend since 2014. So, that dropping 2015 and adding 2018 boosts the

average score, thereby putting Finland significantly ahead of other countries in the top 10.

Denmark and Norway have also increased their average scores.

The United States came in the 19th place, dropping one spot since last year and a total of five spots since 2017.

On the whole, Helliwell said, “What stands out about

the happiest and most wellconnected societies is their resilience and ability to deal with bad things.

“After the 2011 earthquake and now the terrorist attack in Christchurch, with high social capital, where people are connected, people rally and help each other and (in after the earthquake) rebuild immediately,’’ he said.

APGA Chairman Hails Ikpeazu’s Victory in Abia Guber Election Abia State Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, has stated that the outcome of the March 9 governorship election in the state was an affirmation of the love and support of the people of the state for Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

Ehimiere, whose party’s candidate, Alex Otti, came third in the election, stated this when he led a delegation of the members of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to the Government House, Umuahia, to congratulate the governor on his re-election.

According to Ehiemere who is also the Chairman of IPAC in the state, “by this election the Abia masses have affirmed their love and support for you and your administration and now expect greater and more appreciable developmental footprints in the next four years of your reign.”

“While IPAC is united with Abians in this dream of a greater Abia, we are not I mindful of the enormity of the task before you but we are encouraged by your known zeal to change the developmental narratives of Abia State for the better.”

Assuring the governor of the support of IPAC members to his administration, he called on the Governor to run an all inclusive government that will accelerate the development of the state.

“As we rejoice with you in this wholesome victory, let us

remind your Excellency that your election is a call to rise above your political party and be a father to all Abians irrespective of political leanings. In this regard, IPAC humbly request of your Excellency to reach out to all political divides, professionals and persons with good ideas and run an open and all inclusive government unconstrained by political affiliations within the next four years. On our part, IPAC will galvanise all political parties and opinions behind your administration to create the needed environment for the development of Abia State.

We therefore call on political divides within the State to let go of all grievances and join hands with you in making Abia the development destination of Nigeria within the next four years.”

Responding, Ikpeazu expressed appreciation to Abians for his re-election, thanked members of IPAC for the congratulatory message and promised to continue to present a platform that can accommodate all Abians regardless of political or religious persuasion.

Ikpeazu who reiterated his administration’s focus on job creation assured that the Enyimba Economic City project, Ubani Ibeku agro-industrial City, Ohafia Urban development program and rapid infrastructure development efforts of his administration will experience greater focus.

MultiChoice Talent Factory Networking Portal Goes Live The MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Portal, the digital hub conceived as the premier destination for connecting Africa’s creative industries, went live on Tuesday after its launch in Lagos.

The MTF Portal, www. multichoicetalentfactory.com, is the third touchpoint of the MultiChoice Talent Factory, the company’s shared-value initiative. Its launch follows that of the MTF Academy, a 12-month film training programme aimed at upskilling the next generation of young film creatives, last October; and the MTF Masterclasses, launched in January, to upskill industry professionals.

The interactive online portal is aimed at profiling

and connecting Africa’s creatives as well as bringing pan-African talents and opportunities together in one place. The digital portal will allow filmmakers across the continent to network, find talent and showcase their work. Access to the portal is through registration on www.multichoicetalentfactory. com, which will serve as an authoritative source of industry news, supported

by MultiChoice’s position as Africa’s leading storyteller.

Users of the portal- up, up and coming creative talents can also connect and collaborate. The MTF Portal will also provide information on the MTF Academies and Masterclasses.

STRENGTHENING US, UNILAG TIES...

Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate General, Lagos, Mr. Russell Brooks (3rd left); UNILAG Band Director, Dr. Sheyi Kehnny; Dean, Faculty of Arts, UNILAG, Prof. Olumuyiwa Falaiye; and members of US Navy Brass Band, during a special live performance at University of Lagos... yesterday PHOTO: KOLAWOLE ALLI

Okorocha Asks Court to Retrieve His Certificate of Return from INEC Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue him with a certificate of return as the Senator- elect for Imo West senatorial district.

Okorocha was announced winner of the February 23 senatorial election as candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Imo West senatorial district.

The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Francis

Ibeawuchi, declared Okorocha as the winner of the poll, having polled 97,762 votes ahead of his closest rival, Jones Onyereri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was said to have scored 68,117 votes.

INEC, however, declined to issue Okorocha with a certificate of return on the grounds that the results were announced by its official under duress.

In the suit marked FHC/ ABJ/CS/296/2019, filed for Okorocha by his lawyer,

Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), the plaintiff wants the court to grant an order compelling the INEC to issue him a certificate of return as the validly elected Senator for Imo West Senatorial District.

Okorocha, in the suit with INEC as sole defendant, argued that, having been declared winner of the election, INEC has no power to withhold his Certificate of Return. When the case came up yesterday, the court included Onyeriri and that the candidate of the All

Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the election, Senator Osita Izunaso as the second and third defendants in the suit.

While Nwafor Orizu appeared for Senator Izunaso, Emeka Etiaba (SAN) announced appearance for Onyeriri. Mrs. Wendy Kuku represented INEC. In view of the inclusion of Onyeriri and Izunaso as parties to the suit, Justice Taiwo Taiwo directed the plaintiff to amend the originating processes to reflect the new parties.

Intimidation, Harassment Forced Me to Change My Counsel, Says Metuh Martins Ifijeh A former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh has said that he changed his counsel due to their incessant intimidation and harassment on account of his case with the federal government.

Metuh is currently being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N40 million fraud.

In a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, he said he needed to clear the

air due to numerous enquiries and reports on the change of his counsel.

He said despite being under immense intimidation, his counsel have held steadfast on his innocence and have gone to considerable personal cost in the conduct of the case.

He said: “However, in the last few weeks, it has come to my notice that their lives and personal freedom have been under severe threats which informed their application to the court to withdraw from the case.

“Secondly because of the day-to-day trial ordered by the court, it became difficult for them to give my case the time and full energy it deserves given their diaries and involvement in other cases, including election matters.

“It is public knowledge that in the course of this trial, I have restricted the travails to myself only as I do not wish any other person to be part of the humiliation, tribulation (including health challenge) and persecution that I have suffered over time.

“I therefore came to the conclusion that instead of allowing the issue of their withdrawal to be at the discretion of the court, it was better in the circumstance, to free them from the harrowing challenges they have been facing on account of the conduct of this case,” he explained.

Metuh said the counsels were however still representing him in other matters in other courts, adding that, “as my estimation, respect and value for them have increased now, more than ever before.”

Gowon to Chair 2019 OGTAN Conference Peter Uzoho A former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), will be chairing the upcoming 2019 Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN), holding next month with the theme:

“Human Capacity Development as a Driver for National Transformation: Issues and Possibilities”.

The conference organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) will hold from April 13 to 16, 2019 in Lagos.

Announcing the programme

at a press conference in Lagos, the President of OGTAN, Dr. Afe Mayowa, said Gowon had already confirmed that he would be physically present at the conference.

He said the former military ruler would lead discussants comprising of top government and industry officials including Minister of State for Petroleum

Resources, Dr.Ibe Kachukwu; Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, SimbiWabote; and Chairman of SystemSpec, Dr Christopher Kolade, among others.

41

THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Minister Restates FG’s Committed to Capital Market Growth Goddy Egene The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed has said the federal government is committed to building a vibrant capital market that would contribute to the growth and development of the nation’s economy.

Ahmed stated this at the maiden Awards Night of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in

Lagos on Tuesday.

Ahmed noted that the capital markets play a central role in the development of the economy through mobilisation of long term savings for investment as well as efficient pricing of financial instruments.

According to her, over the years, the capital market has provided platforms through which corporates and governments source for capital

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

to expand their operations and provide amenities for its citizens The minister commended the awardees for contributing in significant ways towards achieving the over 100 initiatives contained in the Capital Market Master plan.

She explained that the main thrust of the plan aligns to the vision of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) for the financial services sector saying

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 19Mar-2019, unless otherwise stated

that when the ERGP was being prepared, copious references were made to the 10-year master plan.

Ahmed said that the ERGP vision for the financial services sector is to strengthen relevant market institutions and mitigate risk by building a healthy and competitive financial system that is better positioned to support private sector and contribute towards the sustainable development of our

economy.

“Indeed, just as the capital market master plan, the ERGP policy objectives for the financial sector is to further diversify instruments of the stock market, review the capitalisation of the financial institutions and encourage lending to the real sector of the economy and encourage of the economy,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Acting Director

General of SEC, Ms. Mary Uduk, said the award ceremony was put together to appreciate the tremendous support and collaboration the commission has received from market operators and various stakeholders in the capital market which has advanced collective aspiration to accelerate the growth of the market and contribute to the development of the nation’s economy.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.85 0.86 1.30% ACAP Income Funds 0.64 0.64 14.99% 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 13.35% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.28 2.31 2.76% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 16.95 17.46 2.17% ARM Discovery Fund 363.90 374.87 2.04% ARM Ethical Fund 29.27 30.15 3.66% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.74% 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 102.77 103.49 1.56% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.79% 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 12.76% Paramount Equity Fund 12.08 12.18 2.28% Women's Investment Fund 105.31 105.88 1.65% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.24% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 101.28 101.30 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 102.14 102.72 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 13.24% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.84 0.84 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.16 1.16 3.98% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 12.32% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 11.77% 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 1,233.73 1,234.59 4.07% FBN Heritage Fund 145.30 146.54 1.32% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.11% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 116.75 117.21 2.51% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 116.69 117.15 2.71% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 149.15 151.36 -0.57% 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 1.20 1.23 -1.31% Legacy Debt Fund 3.33 3.33 2.57% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.04 1.04 1.02% 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 28.43% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 108.94 109.60 2.01% 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 13.46% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.18 2.20 1.31% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 14.67% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 124.53 124.77 -0.29%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.16 1.19 1.76% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,100.64 1,100.64 2.88% 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 11.50 11.60 -0.01% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.33% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.38 1.40 7.75% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.33 12.40 1.06% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.90% 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 126.42 127.11 4.76% 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 3.00% 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 2,383.54 2,397.63 3.01% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 195.72 195.72 2.93% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.98 0.99 3.68% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 253.12 253.15 2.41% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 167.66 169.53 2.77% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.29% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,550.47 8,655.16 0.74% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.12 1.12 1.34% 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 1.21 1.23 1.60% United Capital Bond Fund 1.65 1.65 3.51% United Capital Equity Fund 0.70 0.72 -0.97% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 14.65% United Capital Eurobond Fund 109.30 109.30 1.90% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.12 1.12 2.35% 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 11.22 11.37 5.80% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.37 12.51 3.19% Zenith Income Fund 21.16 21.16 9.86% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.59%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.95 119.37 51.97

-39.35% 0.03% 0.00%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.53 112.46 89.10

10.63 114.86 90.75

-0.15% -4.12% 0.49%

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

4.06 7.03 14.58 12.30 151.53

4.10 7.11 14.68 12.50 153.53

1.47% -7.74% -2.44% -0.49% 5.53%

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.

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THURSDAY MARCH 21, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNA TIONAL

EU Fines Google €1.49bn, Citing Anti-competitive Ad Service The European Commission is fining Google 1.49 billion Euros (1.7 billion dollars) for breaching EU competition rules by abusing its dominant position with its AdSense third-party search advertising service, the bloc announced on Wednesday.

“Google has cemented its dominance in online search adverts and shielded itself from competitive pressure,’’ EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said.

Vestager pointed to anticompetitive contractual restrictions that Google imposed on third-party websites.

“This is illegal under EU antitrust rules,” Vestager noted, adding that the misconduct lasted more than a decade and denied other companies the chance to compete on their own merits.

The decision relates to search functions embedded on websites such as newspaper

platforms, blogs or online travel aggregators.

When users search such websites, they find search results as well as adverts appearing alongside.

Google’s AdSense serves as an intermediary between advertisers and website owners, allowing advertisers to place ads on these websites.

“Google actively took measures that stymied competitors in the online search advertising market,’’ the commission said, looking at contracts between Google and publishers between 2006 and 2016.

For example, Google first prohibited publishers from placing search ads from competitors on search results pages, and later restricted such search results to less visible, less trafficked parts of websites’ search results.

“These provision led to a vicious circle for Google’s rivals – they were unable to

grow and to compete. They had limited options for selling advertising space on those websites and were forced solely to rely on Google ads.

“As a result Google benefited from network effects and became even stronger,’’ Vestager said.

The commission concluded that given Google’s market share in Europe for online search advertising intermediation was 85 per cent or more in those years.

“The commission’s fine of 1.49 billion Euros takes into account the gravity of the

infringement and Google’s revenue,’’ the commission said.

It noted that the fine amounts to 1.29 per cent of the firm’s turnover in 2018.

It is the third levy that the EU has slapped on Google, following a fine of 2.42 billion

New Zealand Charges Second Suspect with Sharing Live Stream of Killings A 44-year-old man has become the second person charged with sharing a gruesome live stream video of the deadly attack at a Christchurch mosque, as New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called for a global response to the dangers of social media.

Philip Arps, 44, was arrested

by New Zealand Police on Tuesday, four days after 28-year-old Australian Brenton Tarrant went on a rampage at two mosques in the southern city, killing 50 people and wounding dozens more.

The live stream video was shot by Tarrant, who is facing

one initial charge of murder for the killings at Al Noor and Linwood mosques.

Arps was charged with two counts of distributing objectionable material under the Films Act and was remanded in custody after appearing in Christchurch District Court on Wednesday.

Arps, who is due back in court on April 15, has attracted controversy for owning a company with Nazi-themed branding. The firm’s logo is a sunwheel, which was appropriated by the Nazis.

A teenager appeared in

court earlier this week on the same charge.

Facebook said the live stream was viewed fewer than 200 times but it has had to remove a staggering 1.5 million videos as footage of the slaughter went viral.

Ardern said Wednesday that while her focus was on the people of New Zealand, there were issues world leaders needed to confront collectively. “We cannot, for instance, just simply deal with some of the issues we face with our social media to be dealt with on a case by case basis,” she said.

Court Rejects Germany’s First-ever Attempt at Class UN Rights Chief Reports 37 Killings in Caracas Police Raids Action Lawsuit Germany’s first-ever class action lawsuit was rejected on Wednesday by the Stuttgart Higher State Court, which ruled that the association bringing the action was not qualified to do so.

The “Protective Association for Bank Customers’’ was not authorised to represent consumers in court, the judges ruled. They left open the option of appeal.

The association argues that the revocation clause in car financing contracts is unintelligible and thus invalid.

It brought the action against the Mercedes-Benz Bank.

Amid the scandal over diesel emissions, owners of dieselpowered vehicles had seen a chance of reversing their loan contracts and returning their cars by making use of class action lawsuits.

The legislation allowing class actions was passed in November.

Theresa May Faces Cabinet Revolt Over Brexit Delay British Prime Minister Theresa May faced a cabinet revolt if she asked the EU for a long delay to Brexit, media reports said Wednesday, even after she had warned MPs of such a possibility.

Downing Street confirmed that May would be asking EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday to delay Britain’s March 29 exit day by only a short period, saying voters wanted to get on with Brexit.

The decision followed a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, where several Brexit-supporting ministers reportedly indicated they might quit if the delay

was long.

Any delay can only be decided by EU leaders.

One source was reported as saying that the divisions at the top of the British government made it feel “like the last days of Rome”.

May herself has repeatedly said she does not want to delay Brexit, but has conceded this is highly likely given the parliamentary deadlock over the process.

MPs have twice rejected the divorce deal she struck with Brussels, and also ruled out leaving the EU with no deal.

Last week, they agreed to allow her to try again to get her deal through this week, on the condition that if she succeeded, she would seek a three-month delay to Brexit to ratify the treaty.

But the proposal they backed also said that if there was no deal approved by the EU summit, Brussels would likely demand a lengthy extension so London could rethink its strategy.

May’s deputy, David Lidington, had warned that without a deal, “seeking such a short and, critically, one-off extension would be downright reckless and completely at odds with the position that this House adopted”.

Speaking last week, he said the EU would be unlikely to accept such a proposal, adding that it would make the prospect of leaving with no deal on March 29 “far more” likely.

In the end, May was blocked from holding a vote this week

by House of Commons Speaker John Bercow.

Central African Republic Reaches Deal on New Govt The government of the Central African Republic and armed groups that had joined it in a peace deal have reached an agreement to form an “inclusive government,” the African Union said Wednesday.

“The Central African authorities and the 14 armed groups (that) signed the peace accord negotiated in early February in Khartoum agreed to an ‘inclusive government’ in Addis Ababa,” the AU said.

Euros in 2017 and 4.34 billion Euros in 2018, an EU record.

The first addressed Google’s practices in comparison shopping, while the second focused on its use of Android mobile devices to entrench Google’s search engine.

UN Rights Chief, Michelle Bachelet, on Wednesday said that Venezuelan police reportedly killed 37 people during house raids in Caracas early this year, in addition to more than 200 victims in 2018.

“I am particularly concerned about reports that indicate that these types of operations are used as a form of reprisal and intimidation,” Bachelet told a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

These raids by the police’s Special Actions Force apparently target unarmed citizens, the UN high commissioner said.

Her office also documented excessive use of force, unlawful detentions and torture by security forces and pro-government militia against anti-government protesters.

In her update on the situation in Venezuela, Bachelet also said that the recent country-wide electricity blackout made it even harder for people to get food, water, medicine and health care.

The most vulnerable parts of society are hit especially hard by the political and economic crisis, as maternal and infant mortality rises, according to Bachelet.

More than one million children do not attend school due to lack of food, transportation and teachers.

The UN rights chief also warned that Washington’s sanctions on Venezuelan oil sales in the U.S “may contribute to aggravating the economic crisis”.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has presided over a massive economic crisis, with annual inflation running at millions of per cent.

More than three million Venezuelans have fled shortages and unrest in their country.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido and his allies want Maduro to resign and fresh elections to be called.

“There is an argument there to be made for us to take a united front on a global issue.

“This is not just an issue for New Zealand, the fact that social media platforms have been used to spread violence (and) material that incites violence. All of us need to present a united front.”

Arps’ court appearance came as the first funerals of the victims were held, with more expected to take place later Wednesday and on Thursday as officials release the victims’ bodies to their families.

PUBLIC NOTICE I formerly known and addressed as MISS AKWAJAH JESSICA NGOZI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AGUEGBODO JESSICA NGOZI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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NEWSEXTRA

Rivers PDP Berates Ada-George, Graham-Douglas, Others for Hailing Military Invasion Ernest Chinwo in Portharcourt Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council has taken a swipe at a report credited to some All Progressives Congress (APC) members under the name of “Concerned Leaders and Elders of Rivers State,” describing them as leaders without honour.

In a statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt on behalf of the council, the Director of Information and

Communications, Emma Okah, noted that the concerned elders failed the state at a time the people needed them most, to stand up for the truth and leave enduring legacies that future generations will be proud of.

According to the statement, Rivers people faced peculiar violence inflicted upon her by the APC during the 2019 elections and any Rivers person who does not see this unfortunate turn of events orchestrated to deny Rivers

people the opportunity to freely choose their leaders is an enemy of the state and cannot profess love no matter how beautifully couched.

Okah said the concerned elders, without shame, are now appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to salvage them by appointing a governor for them after they failed to win elections for the president and their beleaguered governorship

candidate.

“Credible elders and leaders live beyond themselves and stand up to be counted in moments of truth. While the leadership of APC in the state was running hostile agenda against the state government and demarketing the state, these elders threw away their honour and looked the other way. They saw nothing; said nothing; and heard nothing. While one man

was busy tearing the state APC apart, did these elders ask for peace and reconciliation of the warring factions? While a section of the APC was disobeying court orders and shutting down courts in Port Harcourt, did these elders speak up? As if that was not enough, while the problems of the APC in the state raged, did these elders advise against the subsequent adoption of a

hitherto unknown party and governorship candidate to match the political war chest of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike?,” Okah queried, pointing out that the president wants to be a statesman and will not allow himself to subvert the INEC and appoint an unknown governor who did not win one unit in the election to make the concerned dishonorable elders happy.

Hakarat Mall Fetes Customers at Easter Sunday Okobi Foremost shopping mall in Port Harcourt city centre, Rivers State, Hakarat Mall, has lined up series of activities for people in the state for the upcoming Easter celebration as a way to appreciate its teeming customers.

The management stated in a statement made available to THISDAY that it is brewing a mix of vendors, buyers and entertainers in an event tagged: ‘The Easter Trade Fair and Music Festival’ to give back to its customers for their endearing patronage.

It noted that Hakarat, as a business that supports young and upcoming artists in the entertainment industry, musicians, comedians, dancers and all manner of entertainers will be on stage at the venue while different registered vendors will have their stands filled with all manner of discounted prices for goods.

The Executive Director of Hakarat Mall, situated at the Obi Wali axis of Rumigbo in Portharcourt, Mr. Ken Agala, in the statement yesterday, explained that as part of the activities lined of for the Easter celebration, the children play station in the mall will be manned by trained security guards and minders while the sky lounge restaurant will be open in case parents wish to relax and unwind.

“The festival also attempts to showcase the rich cultural display of the Rivers people as different dance troupes will also be featuring with divers music and arts,” he stated.

He explained further that the vision and objectives of Hakarat is to meet the different needs of the people by constantly adding and re-adding value to their commitment, love and patronage, adding that “the word Hakarat is a Hebrew word for ‘ Gratitude‘ and this formed the attitude of the management and staff of the mall.”

Iyayi Efianayi for Burial Saturday The late industrialist and philanthropist, Dr. Iyayi Efianayi will be buried on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at his country home in Egba Community, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State.

This was disclosed by the eldest son of the business mogul and Executive Chairman of Caesar Engineering and Construction Limited, Dr. Caesar Osaheni-Iyayi, at an interactive session with the media, family members and family friends held at the Benin City residence of the elder statesman and departed patriarch of Iyayi homestead.

According to the burial programme unveiled by Dr. Caesar Osaheni-Iyayi, the ceremony will kick-off on Thursday, March 21, 2019 with a Service of Songs at Iyayi Homestead, Egba Crescent, Ugbor GRA, Benin City, Edo State by 4p.m.

Family, friends and wellwishers are to converge on Iyayi Homestead, 1 Egba Crescent, Ugbor, GRA, Benin City by 9a.m. on Friday, March 22, 2019 for a motorcade procession to the Main Auditorium of Ugbowo Campus of the University of Benin for an interdenominational funeral service. The event, which is slated to commence by 11a.m. will be anchored by Warri Choral Society.

At the end of the event, the body will depart the University of Benin Main Auditorium by

2p.m for Iyayi Homestead, Egba Community, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State for lying-in-state.

Entombment will take place in the morning of Saturday, March 23, 2019 after a short church service at Egba Baptist Church, Egba. This will be followed at 11a.m. by a reception at Iyayi Homestead Egba during which Veteran musical maestro, King Sunny Ade will serenade guests.

A thanksgiving service is also slated to hold by 12noon on Sunday, March 24, 2019 at the Egba Baptist Church, Egba.

The burial ceremony will be rounded-off with a reception at Iyayi Homestead Egba.

Ambassador Osayomore Joseph, a Benin City based veteran musician will perform.

The late Iyayi Efianayi was born on January 6, 1931 in Egba and died October 11, 2018 in France on his way to Nigeria from the United States of America where he went for a medical check-up.

Dr. Iyayi Efianayi

55 HEARTY CHEERS…

L-R: Isaac Unoma; Mother Philomena of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Home for the Elderly; Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Sister Sylvia; Regional Head, Fidelity Bank Plc, Charles Chukwu; and Michael Enelechi, when the governor celebrated his 55th birthday anniversary with the elderly at the home…yesterday.

Dangote Refinery Offers Vocational Skills to 200 Lagos Youths Peter Uzoho Two hundred youths of Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, host community to Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, a subsidiary of Dangote Industries Limited, have been chosen to undergo a six-month vocational training funded by the refinery as part of its corporate social responsibility to the community.

This is even as the refinery has reached 70 to 75 per cent completion with 50 per cent of major equipment already on site.

The programme organised by the refinery in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), is meant to prepare the selected youth with vocational skills that

will make them employable or self-employed.

According to the company, the youth will be trained in areas such as plumbing, masonry, welding, iron bending, auto mechanics and electrical works because of the instant value addition to their lives and communities.

Speaking at the inauguration of the programme yesterday, the Group Executive Director, Dangote Industries, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, said the project was designed to train young men and women of the community with trade skills.

Edwin said: “At Dangote Industries Limited, our Corporate Social Responsibility projects are centred around the development and wellbeing of the people, especially our host communities. In Ibeju Lekki, we have executed several projects that are enhancing

the lives of the people. We have provided boreholes for all the communities, classrooms for the local school, and we just awarded scholarships to 51 secondary school students.

“This programme is another level of our intervention as it is targeted at providing vocational skills to the teeming youth population in our host communities. The youths are veritable assets in any society and the quality of the youths determines the outlook of tomorrow’s society. Therefore, an investment in developing vocational skills among youths will yield the desired results.”

Edwin explained that the company’s aim in training the 200 youths was in line with the popular Chinese maxim, “give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”

He stressed that skills will provide them with a means of livelihood for their families and hangers-on, adding that “We believe in wealth creation in our host communities.”

He also said: “As our petroleum refining and fertiliser complex comes on stream, it is expected that there will be a population boom in the surrounding communities, who will require the skills and services of the trainees.

“The 12th-century philosopher, Maimonides, said the “most meritorious of all, is to anticipate charity by preventing poverty, by teaching him a trade, or by putting him in the way of business, so that he may earn an honest livelihood and not be forced to the dreadful alternative of holding up his hand for charity.”

This is our philosophy,” Edwin added.

13 PERSONS FEARED DEAD AS CULT GROUPS CLASH IN AKWA IBOM, KOGI area has been under serious security threat, and we couldn’t sleep last night. Three persons, including one of our neighbours, have been killed.”

Another source in the area said: “There was a big problem in this our village, yesterday (Tuesday). It continued this morning (Wednesday), and I can confirm to you that two persons have died in our street.

“I was preparing to come to my saloon this morning (Wednesday), when a group of guys started chasing our neighbour, they later caught up with him down the street,

where they mercilessly murdered him.”

In a related development, 10 persons were on Tuesday killed when unknown gunmen suspected to be herdsmen invaded Tser Uoreleegeb in Ubabai council ward of Guma LGA of Benue State.

According to a source in the area, the gunmen stormed the village and shot 10 people death. “The incident happened on at the midnight; the people were sleeping outside the house because of the heat when the gunmen came to the community.

“The gunmen shot at the

people and immediately ran away. So, no one can say who were responsible for the killing,” the source said.

Confirming the incident, Chairman, Guma LGA, Richard Shior said a community was attacked in his council area late hours of Tuesday with 10 people killed.

“A day before Tuesday, someone had been killed by herdsmen before the incident at Tser Uoreleegeb.

“It is the same herdsmen that went to this community on Tuesday night and killed 10 people who were sleeping outside. “The corpses are

being burned as I am talking to you now; this is because the villagers said that they should bring the corpses for burial,” Shior said.Also confirming the report, the spokesman for Benue State Command, DSP, Catherine Anene said, ‘the Divisional Police Officer in Guma just confirmed the incident; he said that he found five corpses at the time he got to the burial site.

The force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Adeyemi Yekini said investigation was on going on the attack on Guma community.

T H I S D AY ˾ MARCH 21, 2019

47

ÜÙßÚ ÚÙÜÞÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ Duro Ikhazuagbe ×ËÓÖ duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Libya Puts Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles on the Edge with 2-0 Defeat Femi Solaja áÓÞÒ ËÑÏØÍã ÜÏÚÙÜÞ Nigeria’s quest to remain supremo at the Under-23 football level in Africa suffered a major set-back yesterday as Libya inflicted a 2-0 defeat on the cup holders in the first leg of the qualifying match for next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Before a fairly large crowd at the Stade de Ben Guerdane in Tunisia, the North African nation took the lead after just seven minutes into the match when striker Zakaria Alharaish scored from a close range.

According to reports, things got worse for Nigeria after goalkeeper Adamu Abubakar was dismissed in the closing stages of the first half for handling the ball outside the goal area, Nigeria’s defence showed

some nervy and uninspiring displays in closing down their superior opponents in that half.

While Dennis Bonaventure made way in a tactical change after the setback, Orewale Oremade was brought on to mind the goal but that did little to stem the flow of the Libyans as they doubled their lead in the second half after another quick breakaway to leave Nigeria with a mountain to climb in the reverse fixture scheduled for the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on Monday, March 25.

Nigeria will need to score three un-replied goals to reach the final phase of the qualifying round of matches that will come up in June.

Africa’s flag-bearers in the Men’s Olympic football team to Tokyo 2020 will emerge during the 3rd Africa U-23 Cup of Nations to hold in Egypt from November 8th to 22nd this year.

Super Eagles Vice Captain, Ahmed Musa (in front) with (from left); William Troost Ekong, Chidozie Awazie, John Ogu and Oghenekaro Etebo during the team’s evening training at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba …yesterday

Egypt’sTop Goalkeeper Withdraws from Friendly with Nigeria After the withdrawal of Mohamed Salah from the Pharaohs squad to take on the Super Eagles in an international friendly in Asaba next week Tuesday, Entag El-Harby’s goalkeeper, Amer Amer has also withdrawn from the game due to injury.

Amer was a late call up by coach Javier Aguire to the Pharaohs who have qualified for the AFCON 2019 they are hosting in June. The clash with the Super Eagles is more of a warm up game after weekend’s dead-rubber AFCON qualifier away trip to Niger.

The 32 year-old goalkeeper suffered the knock during a training session at the Borg El-Arab Stadium yesterday with 18 players in attendance.

The inform goalkeeper was in line to make his international debut after his exceptional performances for Entag ElHarby this season, which saw him start every game for the military club, in which he kept six clean sheets.

He becomes the second goalkeeper to miss the March internationals through injury after Al Wehda’s Mohamed Awad, who sustained a calf

NPFL: MFM FC Holds Katsina Utd to Extend Group A Lead

˾ ÙÌÓ˜ ËØÙ ÓÖÖËÜݘ ÌÓË ËÜÜÓÙÜÝ áÓØ ÜÏÝÍÒÏÎßÖÏÎ ×ËÞÍÒÏÝ Duro Ikhazuagbe MFM FC yesterday gained one valuable away point against Katsina United in a rescheduled Match-day 9 clash at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium to extend its leadership of Group A of the NPFL to six points.

The Olukoya Boys were on the verge of picking maximum points from the away fixture when Chijioke Akuneto got the opening goal barely a minute before the half time break.

The hosts however fought back gallantly with Martins Usule grabbing the equaliser from a close range volley in the 70th minute.

Earlier in the game, Kastina United missed the chance to take the lead in the 17th minute when Destiny Ashadi missed from the spot.

Elsewhere in another rescheduled Match-day 8 fixture in Makurdi, Lobi Stars picked all three points with 2-1 defeat of Rivers United.

The win lifted Lobi five places to third position of the Group A standing on 14 points from seven matches. They are just two points behind Enyimba in number two position.

Sikiru Alimi put Lobi Stars

ahead on the stroke of half-time firing past Drissa Bamba after he was set up by Kelly Kester.

Micheal Stephen got the second in the 53rd minute nodding home Moses Bunde cross.

Cletus Emotan got the consolation goal for Rivers United 13 minutes from time.

Head coach of Lobi Stars, Solomon Ogbeide praised his charges for the effort that culminated in the win while also complimenting the vanquished opponents.

“We played, we won. The side we played, they are not a bad side. We knew we were going to play a very tactical side and we prepared too,” Ogbeide told reporters after the game.

RESULTS Olympic Qualifier Libya 2-0 Nigeria

NPFL Katsina Utd 1-1 MFM FC Kada City 0-2 Kano Pillars Yobe Stars 1-3 Abia Warriors Lobi Stars 2-1 Rivers Utd

injury while playing for his club last month.

Despite the two absentees, the Pharaohs are not expected to face any problems in the goalkeeping area with Zamalek’s Mahmoud Gennesh, Ahmed El-Shennawy of Pyramids, and Smouha’s Mahmoud Abou-Gabal also in the group.

Since the retirement of Pharaohs’ legendary safe hands, El Hadary, after the World Cup in Russia, Egypt has been on the search for another goalkeeper to fill the vacuum.

2020 Olympics: 11 Nigerian Athletes Get IOC Scholarship Eleven Nigerian athletes have been selected for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) scholarship scheme ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The list of athletes to enjoy the IOC grant is headlined by fast-rising 100m hurdler and reigning Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Oluwatobiloba Ayomide Amusan and Portugal-based table tennis star, Aruna Quadri.

The deal brokered by the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) also includes; Commonwealth Games wrestling

WCQ: Nigeria U-19 Cricket Team Upsets Uganda, Remains Unbeaten Nigeria’s Under-19 national team, the ‘Junior Green Yellow’, has set one foot at the World Cup after upsetting tournament favourites, Uganda yesterday with 30 runs, to remain the only unbeaten team at the African Qualifiers in Windhoek, Namibia.

Though Nigeria struggled in the opening stage of the game as the Junior Green Yellow lost 4 wickets in the opening 15 overs with just 14 runs on the board, Nigerian Captain, Sylvester Okpe and Samuel Mba partnership however secured a life saving 54 runs that eventually raised the tally to 110 before running all out at 48 overs.

In all, Samuel Mba totalled a priceless 56 runs off 135

balls, supported by Sylvester Okpe with 26 runs as the best performer with the bat for Nigeria.

At the resumption of the second innings, Uganda began on a flying start with 42 runs for the loss of 1 wicket in 12 overs. The Junior Yellow Greens however rose to the occasion with unmatched bowling attack.

The team came to full swing when Taiwo Mohamed, Danladi Isaac and Abolarin Rasheed tore into the hearts of the Ugandan bating line up and shattered them into fragments of too many piece to put together.

Uganda could only manage a total of 80 runs all out in 25.1 overs

champion in the 53kg category, Odunayo Adekuoroye, Blessing Oborodudu (Wrestling) and Nathaniel Glory Onome (Athletics), Nathaniel Samson (Athletics).

Others include; Adeniyi Aminat (Wrestling), Adesanmi Oluwatoyin (Weightlifting), Italy-based table tennis talent, Omotayo Olajide and taekwondo duo of Adamu Abubakar and Otuadinma Uzoamaka.

In his reaction, NOC President, Habu Gumel described the latest gesture from IOC as a welcome development

which will go a long way in exposing the athletes to quality training facilities, specialised coaching, regular medical and scientific assistance as well as lodging costs and travel to Olympic qualification competitions.

“These 11 athletes were carefully selected out of the numerous applications from Nigerian athletes home and abroad. We would have wanted more slots, but we just had to make do with the available slots given to Nigeria by IOC,” observed the NOC chief.

AfricanTour: Ageless Korblah Shoots 67 at Memorare One of Africa’s oldest professional golfers, Emos Korblah trailed by one shot after the first 18-hole of the Memorare tournament on the African Tour, ended yesterday over the Arsenal Golf Club in Owerri.

Korblah carded -5 under par 67, which left him in second place, one shot outside the lead.

The veteran Ghanaian, a former winner of the prestigious Nigerian Open Championship is one of the pool of international players contending at the second event on the schedule of the African Tour this season.

The firebrand, Vincent Torgah, who won the opening fixture Eko Challenge Cup- at Lakowe Lakes, two weeks ago, led the pack with six under par 66.

The Ghanaian made his intention known to other rivals with birdies in six of the opening nine holes.

C. Frances and M. Onumajuru were tied in third position at four under par 68, while C. Okoro from Enugu Golf Club, lies in fifth at three under par.

Other players in red score include Gift Willy and U. Saater in joint sixth after returning 70.

Michael Ubi and M. Balogun tied for eighth with 71 strokes apiece.

The second day of the Memorare will tee off today with a cut being applied after 36 holes.

The tournament has 40 players drawn from different countries around the continent, including Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

FIFA BansTogolese Referee for Life over Bribery FIFA’s Adjudicatory Chamber of the Independent Ethics Committee has found Mr Kokou Hougnimon Fagla, a referee and football official affiliated to the Togolese Football Association, guilty of having accepted bribes to manipulate an international friendly match in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

The formal ethics proceedings against Mr Fagla were initiated on 27 March 2018 and stemmed from an extensive investigation into various international matches that Mr Wilson Raj Perumal attempted to manipulate for betting purposes.

This large-scale investiga-

tion was conducted by FIFA over several years through its Integrity Department and in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders and authorities.

In its decision, the adjudicatory chamber found that Mr Fagla had breached art. 11 (Bribery) of the 2009 edition of the FIFA Code of Ethics and banned him for life

from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level. In addition, a fine in the amount of CHF 3,000 has been imposed on Mr Fagla.

The decision was notified to Mr Fagla yesterday, the date on which the ban comes into force.

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MISSILE Tonye Cole to INEC “We in Rivers State know that there was no widespread violence that called for a total suspension of a whole state. If there was, how did INEC get results in 17 out of 23 LGAs? It is better to be quiet and let people suspect you may have something in your mouth, than to open your mouth and confirm that you actually do” – APC Rivers gubernatorial candidate, Mr Tonye Cole, accusing INEC of bias on elections in the state .

OLUSEGUNADENIYI The Exodus of Nigerian Doctors THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

I

n July last year, my church hosted an empowerment programme to which we invited the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okey Enelamah as guest speaker. As convener of the session, I had to introduce Enelamah and I reeled out his impressive list of academic and professional qualifications. What stunned the audience was the revelation that the minister is actually a medical doctor, having read medicine at the University of Nsukka where he graduated in 1985.

At the relatively young age of 33, following a foray in the corporate world from Arthur Anderson (now KPMG Professional Services) to Goldman Sachs, before joining Zephyr Management where he rose to become a Principal in the Johannesburg office, Enelamah founded African Capital Alliance (ACA), one of Nigeria’s leading private equity firms where he served as the CEO until his ministerial appointment in November 2015. The question is: If Enelamah had pursued medicine after his MMBS, and had stayed in Nigeria to practice, would he be as successful as he is today?

The question is important against the background of what happened last Saturday in Lagos, when hundreds of young Nigerian medical doctors converged at the premises of an Ikeja hotel for a recruitment test conducted by the Saudi Arabia health ministry. A few weeks earlier, dozens of others were at the British Council to sit for the regular Professional Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exams that will enable them to emigrate to the United Kingdom to practice medicine.

While I cannot count the number of young professionals I know who have either moved to Canada or Australia in recent weeks (many of them with their families), the case of medical doctors deserves special attention. In addition to the UK and Saudi Arabia, many of them are also heading towards South Africa, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and just about any country where their talents could be put to use in a rewarding manner.

Although the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends one doctor to 600 patients, the ratio in Nigeria now, according to most estimates is about one to 7,000 patients and it can only get worse. As at February last year, according to figures released by the British government, no fewer than 5,405 Nigeriantrained doctors and nurses were working with the British National Health Service (NHS).

Hundreds of others have since joined.

As I once wrote on this page, medical doctors have become one of the most neglected professionals in our society, at least within the public sphere. To make matters worse, whenever they demand what should ordinarily be their entitlement, we are quick to condemn and remind them of their Hippocratic oath to (serve) a society that has scant regard for their own plight. That then explains why many of our young medical practitioners are seeking greener pastures abroad.

Three key indices for measuring the prosperity of any nation are security, healthcare and education. Sadly, Nigeria is failing on all counts. A critical problem in these key areas, particularly education and health, is

Enelamah the warped reward system that too often puts professionals in key sectors at the bottom of the remuneration pyramid.

Before I continue, let me add that I am well aware that there is a global discussion about the remuneration of doctors so the issue is not peculiar to Nigeria. What is peculiar to us is that there is no real attempt to deal with the problem. In 2007, I did a series on the medical profession in Nigeria within the context of global frustration. As I argued in those interventions, basic issues must be addressed if we are to join civilised societies who take the health of their citizens seriously.

Following those publications 12 years ago, I received a mail from Prof. Femi Oyebode, then Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital and Chief Examiner, Royal College of Psychiatrists. Part of Oyebode’s letter read: “Dear Segun, “I very much enjoyed your article on doctors.

You certainly captured the current tensions in the profession by your use of letters. The problem with medicine is at present worldwide. Our students require a minimum of 2As and a B to get in and the work is tireless for five years. Postgraduate medicine is now mandatory for all doctors; even GPs have to train to be specialists. Yet, remuneration is modest and job satisfaction is questionable because of the changes in the work environment. This is an international problem.

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) has a paper out that argues that governments are trying to undermine medicine as a profession.

Whatever the case there is little doubt that for a young doctor the stresses are tremendous and the motivation to continue to do this work, which can only be described as noble, must be internal and self-generated. This year I have been a doctor for 30 years and the privilege of serving others has been fulfilling and continually motivating. But, even I now ask whether I can in honesty advise any young prospective student to take up medicine.

Such is the state that the profession is in.”

The series itself was provoked by the response to a young man’s inquiry regarding medical school that I found on a website called NHS BLOG DOCTOR, run by Dr. John Crippen, who was then working with the United Kingdom NHS. Both the letter and Dr. Crippen’s reply are important as we interrogate the challenge of healthcare delivery in our country. Entitled ‘Should Sammy go to medical school?’, the letter says: “Dear Dr. Crippen, do you have anything positive to say on a career in medicine?

I ask because I will be applying to university soon, possibly for medicine, and so far the cons seem to outweigh the pros. Competition to get into medical school is crazy-fierce, and yet everyone in healthcare I have spoken to tells me to get out while I still can and become an accountant or a children’s TV presenter or something. So I humbly call upon your mighty wisdom. Are all those straight ‘A’ students so misguided? Or am I just missing something?”

In Nigeria today, majority of our medical doctors who were probably the best students in their secondary school days are now looking at some of their contemporaries in other fields with feelings of regret. Unable to meet basic obligations, many of the younger ones are voting with their feet. But I want to end my intervention of today with Dr Crippen’s response to Sammy’s letter. As I said, I am only using the exchange as an entry point into a fuller discussion on the state of medical practice and healthcare delivery in Nigeria. In the coming weeks and months, we will be examining related issues and I welcome contributions from experts. But first, Dr Crippen: “Dear Sammy, “There is something special about being a doctor. It slightly changes your relationship with fellow human beings. It entitles you to put that mystical word ‘doctor’ before your name. Yes, I know, lots of other people are doing it too now (the dentists, the vets and so on) but nonetheless, in the medical context it

Three key indices for measuring the prosperity of any nation are security, healthcare and education. Sadly, Nigeria is failing on all counts. A critical problem in these key areas, particularly education and health, is the warped reward system

means something special. Practising medicine really is about helping people. Of course, you cannot say that at a medical school interview.

The interviewing Dean of Medicine will fall of his chair giggling and ask why you are not joining the fire-brigade. Actually, not such a stupid question. That is also about helping people too.

“In most countries, doctors are reasonably well paid. As a UK doctor you will never be poor. But you will never be rich. And you are unlikely ever to earn as much money as friends of equal intelligence going into different careers. You will have excellent job security and, unless you start having sex with the patients, will never be sacked. How much will you earn? In today’s terms, if you become a GP you can expect £100,000 a year, give or take. If you become a consultant, your NHS pay will be between £70,000 and £90,000 a year before private practice and merits awards.

Most consultants do not have a huge private practice, and few make a great deal from merit awards.

“How much money do you want? If you want to live in a salubrious suburban middle class area such as, for example, Kenilworth, and you want to have two cars, a wife who does not need to work, four children all educated privately and a couple of expensive foreign holidays a year, then you are not going to be able to do it on a single doctor’s salary; unless you are a gynaecologist with a large private practice. You could do all that easily if you were a London City solicitor!

“Personally, I would regard working in the city as a lawyer/fund manager/accountant/ stockbroker/investment banker as a fate worse than death, but that is where the money is.

My wife and I are both doctors. We have four children all of whom are (if it does not sound too arrogant) clever enough to go to medical school. None of them will, and that is not because we have discouraged them. We have a lot of friends who are doctors. I cannot off hand think of a single medical couple who has a child who is going to follow in their footsteps.

That in itself speaks volumes. A generation ago, medicine was almost a hereditary career.

“Doing medicine will deprive you of most of your twenties. Both my wife and I spent the greater part of our late youth working every hour in hospitals. Our social lives closed in.

Friends who were not doctors lost patience with the fact that we were usually not available and, when we were, we kept dozing off in the middle of conversations. It is not as bad as it was. But shift work is destructive. And now, there is the real possibility of unemployment for young doctors. The government has realised that it is cheaper to use none medically trained staff to do traditional medical jobs and, to an extent, they are getting away with it. Sammy, all I can say to you is that, if the passion burns deep, then you must do it. But if it is just one of several options, then I would look elsewhere. I still enjoy my job, when I am allowed to do it. But, knowing everything I know now, looking down the all-powerful ‘retrospectoscope’, would I do it again? No!” NOTE: This conversation has just started!

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