WEDNESDAY 17TH APRIL 2019

INEC’s Return of Buhari as President Unlawful, Atiku Insists Asks tribunal to declare him winner

Iyobosa Uwugiaren and Alex Enumah in Abuja

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has insisted that

the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) unlawfully and unconstitutionally declared President Muhammadu Buhari winner of the February 23 presidential election.

Atiku, a former vice president between 1999 and 2007, maintained that Buhari did not win the poll and pleaded with the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to so hold.

In his reply to the INEC's position to his petition challenging Buhari's victory, Atiku said contrary to the electoral body's claim, his petition is meritorious and should be adjudicated upon

by the tribunal. In the reply filed by his lead counsel, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu SAN, the PDP presidential candidate accused INEC of unduly and wrongfully returning Buhari as the winner

of the poll. Atiku, who faulted the position of INEC on all grounds, claimed that the electoral umpire failed to Continued on page 8

Report: NNPC’s Financial Records Insufficient for Government Oversight... Page 8 Wednesday 17 April, 2019 Vol 24. No 8773. Price: N250

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I Will Protect Independence of the Legislature, Says Lawan Youth group backs Senate leader Ndume adamant despite losing Borno gov's support APC formally endorses Gbajabiamila for speaker Deji Elumoye and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, yesterday pressed ahead with his bid for the headship of the ninth National Assembly, promising to protect legislative independence without compromising constructive co-operation with the executive

arm of government. Speaking during an interaction with members of the All Progressives Congress Youth Forum, who came to declare their support for his aspiration, in Abuja, Lawan said he would, as Senate president, ensure that the legislative arm of government Continued on page 8

Inflation Dips to 11.25% in March Consumers pay less for cooking fuel

James Emejo in Abuja The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation dropped to 11.25 per cent (year-on-year) in March 2019, compared to the 11.31 per cent recorded in February, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed yesterday. It noted that the 0.06 per cent decrease in the headline

index was reflected in all the divisions that determine inflation. According to the March CPI report released yesterday, core inflation stood at 9.5 per cent, down by 0.3 per cent when compared with the 9.8 percent recorded in February. The composite food index, Continued on page 7

EFCC Re-arrests Ofili-Ajumogobia, Plans Fresh Charge... Page 7

VICTORY AT LAST... National Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu (left), and Governor Nyesom Wike during the presentation of certificate of return to Wike as governor-elect of Rivers State in Port Harcourt… yesterday

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EFCC Re-arrests Ofili-Ajumogobia, Plans Fresh Charge Fani-Kayode flays action Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Akinwale Akintunde in Lagos The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arrested a former judge of the Federal High Court, Justice RitaOfili-Ajumogobia, shortly after a Lagos High Court struck out a 30-count charge bordering on corruption against her. The arrest generated a mild drama in the premises of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja immediately after Justice Hakeem Oshodi struck out the corruption charge against her. The anti-graft agency explained that it re-arrested the former judge “to enable it to prefer a fresh criminal charge against her.” Ofili-Ajumogobia, who just had a sigh of relief and was stepping out of the courtroom had to flee back to Justice Oshodi’s court for refuge on sighting the EFCC operatives numbering about 15, who had laid siege to her. When the embattled judge, however, notified the court of her impending arrest, Justice Oshodi said that there was nothing he could do anymore, as the case file had immediately been closed. When she refused to step out of the courtroom, the EFCC operatives had to wait until the court rose before they re-arrested the embattled judge and escorted her into a waiting white Hilux van. Ofili-Ajumogobia has been standing trial since November 2016, when she was first arraigned alongside Godwin Obla (SAN), a

former prosecution counsel for EFCC, on a 30-count charge bordering on alleged perversion of the course of justice, unlawful enrichment and forgery. According to the charge sheet, five of the charges which directly concerned Obla are centred on an alleged N5 million bribe given to the judge by the senior advocate while the remaining 25 charges are on the huge amounts that passed through her accounts and her alleged inability to explain her source of wealth. The EFCC alleged that about $793,800 passed through the judge’s domiciliary accounts between 2012 and 2015. According to the anti-graft agency, the offences are contrary to Sections 64(1), 82(a) and 69(1) (a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State No. 11, 2011. The judge allegedly used the money to buy a house in London. In the charge with suit No: LD/367/C/16, the anti-graft agency insisted that the defendants allegedly committed the offence on May 24, 2015, when they conspired to pervert the course of justice with the sum of N5 million. The said sum according to the EFCC was said to have been transferred to one Nigel & Colive Ltd, in relation to a charge number FHC/L/C/482/10. The commission maintained that Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia is the sole signatory to Nigel & Colive Ltd, adding that both defendants conspired to pervert the course of justice in contravention of the provisions of the

Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011. According to counts one to four, Obla was particularly accused of offering gratification in the sum of N5 million, by transferring the money from his company’s account Obla & Co., domiciled with the United Bank for Africa, to Nigel & Colive. The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges and were granted bail on self recognisance as prayed by their counsel, Mr. Wale Akoni SAN, for Ofili-Ajumogobia and Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe SAN, despite stiff opposition by the prosecution led by Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo who had argued that they might interfere with investigation and prosecution witnesses. On February 2018, the EFCC amended the charges reducing it to 24 counts and the duo were re-arraigned. After the re-arraignment, in October 2018, the National Judicial Council (NJC) during its 87th meeting, which was held on October 3, under the Chairmanship of Justice Walter Onnoghen, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, recommended the dismissal of Ofili-Ajumogobia as a judge. The recommendation for dismissal was as on the strength of petitions filed to the NJC containing allegations of corruption against her by Mr. Ibrahim Magu, the Acting Chairman of the EFCC. As the trial was ongoing, Ofili-Ajumogobia challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear her case. She had argued through her lawyer, Chief Robert Clark SAN, that the court

had no power to hear the substantive case. Responding to the application, the EFCC conceded that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the corruption case and urged the court to strike out the bribery charge against the dismissed judge. The EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, had informed the court that the charge preferred against Ofili-Ajumogobia, was not in line with the guidelines of the National Judicial Council (NJC) based on the Court of Appeal decision in Hon. Justice Nganjuwa V. FRN. Citing the decision in Nganjuwa Vs FRN, the EFCC through a letter dated December 13, 2018 urged the court to strike out the charge. Justice Oshodi, thereafter, adjourned the case until April 16 for ruling on EFCC’s decision asking the court to strike out the case against the judge. Ruling on the applications at yesterday’s proceedings, Justice Oshodi expressed dismay at EFCC for wasting the time of the court. He said: "The prosecution wasted the time of the court knowing full well that the court lacks jurisdiction as at the time of calling 12th witness, but still went ahead to amend the charge to call two more witnesses. "The EFCC was aware of the Court of Appeal's decision on Justice Hadezia Nganjiwa, where it had reached a decision that any attempt by any government agency to try a judicial officer without first waiting for the verdict of the NJC's disciplinary committee will amount to a breach of the

constitution. "Going by the decision of the Court of Appeal, continuing with this case would be an exercise in futility. This decision has rendered useless all that has been done so far. "The prosecution knew that this was an exercise in nullity. They should have brought an application to have the charges dropped, but they still persisted. "The prosecution in this case admitted that they jumped the gun." The judge also frowned at the judicial system for not making provisions to fine the prosecution for wasting the judicious time of the court. Justice Oshodi, in his ruling also pointed out that the anti-graft agency jumped the gun for not waiting for the National Judicial Council to dismiss the judge before filling charges against the defendant. "This case is hereby struck out and dismissed”, the judge ruled. Reacting to yesterday’s arrest of the former judge, a former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, decried her ordeals in the hands of EFCC. “EFCC's case against Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia was thrown out by Justice Oshodi of the Ikeja High Court today with harsh words,” he said, adding: “Despite this she was held hostage by the EFCC in the court premises for one hour and now she has been rearrested and taken to their Lagos office. “All this despite the fact that she is innocent of any wrongdoing, despite the fact that she is a lady, despite

the fact that she has been subjected to and suffered immense trauma due to this case over the last two years and despite the fact that one of her legs is now broken and in a cast. “This is not justice: it is sheer wickedness. I appeal to President Buhari to put a stop to this wholesale, vindictive and vicious persecution and to call the EFCC to order. If we do not fear man we should at least fear God.”

signs of easing inflationary pressures could prompt the CBN to cut rates again during the second half of 2019,” he added. Also, analysts at Cordos Securities Limited, noted that looking ahead, whilst the still elevated diesel price should have ordinarily driven month-on-month food inflation higher in April, they expect a ramp up of output in April off season harvest by Nigerian farmers would cap higher transport cost pass-through to food prices. “That, together with a stronger naira, which continues to discourage cross-border demand from neighbouring countries, informs our sanguine view on food prices. Thus, we expect month-on-month food inflation to moderate slightly in April. “Elsewhere, despite the fuel scarcity which greeted the month of April across key segments of the federation, we remain largely confident of a subdued month-on-month core inflation reading in the near term,” they added. The firm predicted that there was no risk to inflation throughout the rest of the year. Nevertheless, analysts at Cowry Assets Management Limited stated: “We expect

inflation rate to rise in the months of April, May and June amid Easter and Ramadan festivities plus ongoing planting season. Also, the eventual signing of the new minimum wage bill will also push headline inflation higher going forward." Meanwhile, the average price per litre paid by consumers for National Household Kerosene decreased by -0.49 per cent month-on-month and increased by 12.99 per cent year-on-year to N303.94 in March from N305.44 in February, the NBS said in a separate data released yesterday. According to the National Household Kerosene Price Watch March 2018, which was posted on its website, states with the highest average price per litre of kerosene were Anambra N329.09, Ebonyi N326.83, and Ondo N326.67. States with the lowest average price per litre of kerosene were Gombe N255.38, Niger N278.02 and Kaduna N279.75. Also, average price per gallon paid by consumers for kerosene decreased by -1.56 per cent month-onmonth and increased by 26.25 per cent year-on-year to N1190.89 in March 2019 from N1209.73 in February

2019. The NBS further listed states with the highest average price per gallon of kerosene to include Borno N1357.14, Jigawa N1283.33 and Katsina N1278.13 while those with the lowest average price per gallon of kerosene were Bayelsa N1,022.37, Kogi (lN1,075.00 and Plateau N1,090.35. Furthermore, the average price for the refilling of a 5kg cylinder for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas) decreased by -0.16 per cent month-on-month and -1.25 per cent year-on-year to N2,064.45 in March from N2,067.68 in February. According to the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Cooking Gas) Price Watch, states with the highest average price for the refilling of a 5kg cylinder for cooking gas include Bauchi (N2,500.00), Cross River N2,400.00 and Adamawa N2,375.00 while those with the lowest average price for the refilling of a 5kg cylinder for cooking gas were Kaduna N1,740.17, Enugu N1,769.23 and Osun N1,785.29. However, the average price for the refilling of a 12.5kg cylinder for cooking gas increased by 0.34 per cent month-on-month and 0.14 per cent year-on-year to N4,259.48 in March from N4,244.19 in February.

The states with the highest average price for the refilling of a 12.5kg cylinder were Cross River N4,753.57, Akwa Ibom N4,745.00 and Abia N4,688.89, the NBS stated. States with the lowest average price for the refilling of a 12.5kg cylinder for cooking gas were Kano N3,787.50, Oyo N3,802.78 and Adamawa N3925.00.

EFCC Plans Fresh Charge Meanwhile, the EFCC yesterday gave reasons why it re-arrested Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia. In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the EFCC said it re-arrested Justice Ajumogobia “to enable it to prefer a fresh criminal charge against her.” The statement signed by EFCC’s Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Tony Orilade, said: “The commission re-arrested OfiliAjumogobia in line with the decision of the Appeal Court, Lagos Division, in a case involving Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa, where it said that a judge could not be prosecuted until he or she had either been dismissed or compulsorily retired by the NJC. “Consequent upon the fact that the commission had presented Justice OfiliAjumogobia before the NJC for disciplinary action and that the NJC had taken a position, the commission would now approach the court to prefer fresh charges against her.”

INFLATION DIPS TO 11.25% IN MARCH stood at 13.45 per cent compared to 13.47 per cent the previous month. According to the NBS, the urban inflation rate dropped to 11.54 per cent (year-on-year) in March, compared to 11.59 per cent in February, while the rural inflation rate also reduced to 10.99 per cent from 11.05 per cent. On a month-on-month basis, the urban index rose by 0.81 percent in March, up by 0.05 from 0.76 per cent recorded in February while the rural index also rose by 0.77 per cent in March, up by 0.06 per cent from the 0.71 per cent rate recorded in February. The statistical agency noted that the muted rise in the food index was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, meat, fish, potatoes, yam and other tubers, oils and fats, and soft drinks, vegetables, and fruits. It stated: “On monthon-month basis, the food sub-index increased by 0.88 per cent in March 2019, up by 0.06 per cent points from 0.82 per cent recorded in February 2019. “The average annual rate of change of the food subindex for the twelve-month period ending March 2019 over the previous 12-month average was 13.42 per cent,

0.20 per cent points from the average annual rate of change recorded in February 2019 (13.62) per cent.” However, on a monthon-month basis, the core sub-index increased by 0.53 per cent in March, down by 0.12 per cent when compared with 0.65 per cent recorded in February. “The highest increases were recorded in prices of domestic and household services, tobacco, actual and imputed rent for housing, dental, medical and hospital services, tobacco and major household appliances,” it stated. Commenting on the inflation numbers, Research Analysts at FXTM, Lukman Otunuga, said it was a favourable development, considering that there had been speculation of increased government spending stoking inflationary pressure. “With consumer prices moderating closer towards the Central Bank of Nigeria’s target band of six-nine per cent, this may open the doors for the central bank to make a move in the future. “While it remains premature to speculate on the possibility of another rate cut occurring anytime soon following the surprise move in March, repeated

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WEDNESDAY, ͹Ϳ˜ ͺ͸͹΁ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Report: NNPC’s Financial Records Insufficient for Govt Oversight Chineme Okafor in Abuja A New York-based Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) yesterday stated that the financial reports of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) do not contain systematic financial information that would enable the federal government to demand for accountability in its operations. In its latest report titled: ‘Resource Governance Index: From Legal Reform to Implementation in Sub-Saharan Africa,’ which was obtained by THISDAY, NRGI said this was also the case with Equatorial Guinea’s GEPetrol. NNPC and GEPetrol are reported to be the two Africa’s State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) with significant influence over the oil businesses in their countries. The NRGI is an independent non-profit organisation reportedly dedicated to improving countries’ governance over their natural resources to promote sustainable and inclusive development.

In the report, the NRGI assessed the natural resource governance statuses of countries in Africa, and explained that reports from the NNPC could not be relied on by governments and citizens of Nigeria to hold the corporation to account. NGRI’s report came just a day after the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, boasted at a conference in Abuja that the corporation has transformed into a clean, transparent national oil company, constantly publishing reports on its operations and finances. But the NRGI stated: “Despite a few high-scoring companies, sub-Saharan Africa is the lowest scoring region in SOE governance, including for the legal framework alone. Governance has proven especially problematic in many of Africa’s biggest and oldest oil producers. National oil companies such as Cameroon’s Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures, Equatorial Guinea’s GEPetrol and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation exercise significant

influence over the oil sector. “Through production sharing agreements with international oil companies, they collect most revenues on behalf of their government. Several of these companies, including GePetrol and NNPC, do not produce systematic financial information that would enable strong oversight by citizens or even other government institutions. This risks public treasuries losing revenues and rendering monies unavailable for social and economic development.” The report further explained that unlike the NNPC and GePetrol, some emerging oil producers have established strong accountability practices for their SOEs. “In Ghana and Tanzania, SOEs must present their reports to parliament. All three also disclose revenue transfers between the government and SOE. The majority in the management boards of the Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC), Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) and Empresa Nacional de

Hidrocarbonetos (ENH) of Mozambique and Uganda’s National Oil Company are made up of professionals not holding government posts. This is in contrast to many others where government officials control decision-making,” it added. On oil licenses terms, it said that Nigeria was among the 10 countries in the continent that were doing poorly in transparent and accountable licencing processes. It stated: “In Nigeria’s oil and gas value realisation component, licensing is the weakest link with a score of 17 of 100. This reflects opacity in key decisions including qualification of companies, process rules and disclosure of terms of extraction.” “Value realisation covers the transparency and accountability aspects related to awarding oil, gas and mining licenses, revenue mobilisation, managing environmental and social impacts and state-owned enterprises. “Seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa achieve satisfactory scores on value

Baru realisation, with Burkina Faso and Mozambique leading, closely followed by Ghana and Tanzania (for oil and gas), Sierra Leone, Ghana

for mining, and Côte d’Ivoire. Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sudan and Eritrea are in the failing category,” the NRGI report indicated.

and print outs used for the election, maintained that the servers from which he got the results used in his petition belong to INEC, adding that there is no conjecture in the votes and scores in the table he pleaded. The PDP candidate explained that the spokesman for the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation, openly admitted that the data he pleaded was that of INEC server, when he wrote and submitted a petition to the Inspector General of Police and the Director General

of the Department of State Service, asking the security agencies to Investigate him (Atiku) for allegedly hacking into the server of INEC and obtained the data in question. Atiku pleaded the petition signed by Festus Keyamo SAN and the newspapers reports, television broadcast and news report in the social media on the public admission made by Buhari's Campaign Council. He, therefore, urged the tribunal to dismiss the objection of INEC to his petition and to uphold it in the interest of justice.

leaders who pleaded with the Borno governor to prevail on Ndume to drop his bid for the Senate presidency. Before Shettima declared his public support for Lawan, the Borno governor was believed to be one of the major sponsors of Ndume. A group of 13 Pro-Lawan senators-elect and serving senators had travelled to Maiduguri, Borno State capital few weeks ago to meet Shettima, who is also a senator-elect, but the governor had travelled out of the country before their arrival. It was gathered that the senators-elect met the deputy governor, who confirmed that Shettima had travelled to Saudi Arabia. The senators, it was learnt, had used the opportunity to attend the wedding of Lawan's niece and to condole with the family over the death of her father.

has adopted Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as its candidate for the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the ninth National Assembly. Some stakeholders of the party, including some House of Representatives memberselect from the North-central and the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena, had opposed the zoning of the speakership position to the South-west on the grounds that the zone had already produced the vice president. However, in a statement issued last night by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu, the APC said it has adopted Gbajabiamila as its candidate for the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the ninth Assembly. In the three paragraph statement, the APC said: "This position was reached after an intensive deliberation with the APC's House of Representatives members-elect at a dinner with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Banquet Hall of Aso Villa. "The Deputy Speaker position has been zoned to the North Central."

INEC’S RETURN OF BUHARI AS PRESIDENT UNLAWFUL, ATIKU INSISTS answer the points of substance he raised in his petition but came out with a defense full of extraneous facts, contradictory, evasive, speculative and vague assertions. The PDP candidate claimed that contrary to the INEC's assertions, his petition challenging the qualification and the scores credited to Buhari is competent and contains the result of the February 23 election as declared by INEC and as mandatorily required by law. Atiku said that the official website of INEC was regularly

visited by participants in the election including him and that his claims in his petition were all obtained from the INEC's website. Besides, the PDP presidential candidate alleged that INEC committed several blunders during the collation of the presidential election results by crediting false result to some of the presidential candidates. Specifically, the former vice president pointed out that the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, who was the returning officer for the presidential election

committed grave error in the final collation exercise when he falsely credited Okotie Christopher with a wrong political party and wrong scores just like he did in that of Dr. Onwubuya with a wrong political party. Atiku further insisted that the returning officer for the presidential poll falsely credited Ojinika Jeff Chizee with a wrong political party and wrong scores in the same way and manner he attributed a wrong political party and wrong scores to Abah Lewis Elaigwu.

He stated that the grave errors were under the hands and signature of Mahmoud Yakubu in the conduct of the final collation of the results of the presidential election. Contrary to the claims of INEC, Atiku insisted that the table containing votes of candidates are not a conjecture but the results of the acts of INEC, who complied with the directive and training instructions of the electoral body on electronic transmission of votes. Atiku, who challenged INEC to produce the manuals

I WILL PROTECT INDEPENDENCE OF THE LEGISLATURE, SAYS LAWAN play its oversight role effectively, but insisted that the role would be used to create an harmonious atmosphere for the good governance of the nation. Lawan in the company with his fellow senators-elect, including Dayo Adeyeye, Jubril Barau and Ovie OmoAgege, said his leadership of the ninth Senate will not be an appendage of the executive. "For those saying I will be a rubber stamp Senate president they should know that there will be clear separation of powers and we will stick to the rules and will definitely carry out our duties, including constructive engagement of the executive,” he said, adding: “But if supporting the executive towards delivering the dividends of democracy to the citizenry is what they term as rubber stamp, so be it." He expressed concern about the future of APC after President Muhammadu Buhari leaves office in 2023, saying the party revolves around his personality. "I am concerned about the future of our party because right now everything revolves around President Buhari because of his integrity,” he said, adding: “That is why

some of us at the legislative level wants to give the necessary back- up for the party to remain relevant even after the president might have retired to his home town in Daura."

APC Youth Group Backs Lawan The APC Youth Forum led by its Chairman, Mr. Ife Adebayo, while on a courtesy visit to the eighth floor campaign headquarters of Lawan for 9th Senate President at Transcorp Hilton, had declared their support for the aspiration of the Senate leader. Adebayo, who spoke on behalf of the team, said Lawan possessed all the qualities for the coveted office, having served as a legislator in the two chambers of the National Assembly in the last 20 years. He described Lawan' s choice as the best for the next Senate "as he is the round peg that can perfectly fit into the round hole, going by his track record of performance in the parliament within the last 20 years." According to him, aside parliamentary experience

that cannot be matched by any other contender for the position, Lawan also stands out in intellectual capacity, being a Doctorate degree holder in Remote Sensing. "We of the Progressive Youth Congress Forum, identify with your highly welcome aspiration and appeal to all senators - elect across party lines to rally round you for development driven leadership of the ninth Senate and by extension, ninth National Assembly devoid of unnecessary rancour with the executive,’’ he said.

Ndume Adamant Despite Losing Borno Gov's Support Meanwhile, the camp of former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, appeared unperturbed by the adoption of Lawan as the next Senate president by Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, THISDAY has learnt. Lawan’s ambition to become the next President of the Senate received further boost yesterday as the APC Youth Forum threw its weight behind him. Lawan’s bid to lead the

9th Senate had received a major boost on Monday when Shettima, the governor of Ndume’s home state, declared support for him. But some senators-elect backing Ndume for the position of the Senate president told THISDAY yesterday that the Borno senator was not bothered by the open endorsement of Lawan by Shettima. One of the ranking lawmakers who spoke in confidence declared: "You know Borno governor who is also a senator-elect has the constitutional right to support anybody but just wait and see until day of inauguration in June." Another senator in the camp also told THISDAY that Shettima’s endorsement of Lawan would not discourage Ndume from pursuing his ambition. “Shettima is just a senatorelect. He has only one vote like every other senator. So, his endorsement will not make much impact,” he said. THISDAY gathered that Shettima threw his weight behind Lawan following the intervention of the National Leader of APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, and other party

APC Formally Endorses Gbajabiamila for Speaker In the meantime, despite opposition from some of its stakeholders, the APC

WEDNESDAY APRIL 17, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

9

NEWS

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

We Didn’t Ask Buhari for 1m Migrants, Says Canadian Embassy Esther Oluku

The High Commission of Canada to Nigeria has faulted an online story claiming that the Canadian Government had petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari, asking him to release one million Nigerians for the Canadian Government to fill six million job vacancies. The High Commission, via its official Twitter handle, @CanHCNigeria, warned, “If you see a story online about moving to Canada

that seems too good to be true – shine your eyes well-well.” The warning was in response to a story titled, “Canada’s Prime Minister begs Nigeria President for one million immigrants,” published by an online platform and re-published and wildly circulated on the social media. The online publisher of the news which the High Commission of Canada to Nigeria has since declared completely fake, had alleged

that: “The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, has pleaded with Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, to allow one million Nigerians enter Canada under a new Employment and Migration Programme designed for immigrants’’. According to Trudeau, immigrants from Nigeria have been a strong force in Canada’s growth in all sectors of its economy. “We can’t undermine or overlook the contribution of immigrants in Canada’s development especially our

brothers and sisters from Nigeria”, Trudeau said. The PM added that, over the past three years, Canada has granted residency to all Nigerians who were illegally living in Canada and applied to remain. “We granted them and urging everyone to apply. It’s good we document everyone to know how many people we are to cater for”, he said. In a memo sent to the Nigeria High Commission in Canada, the Employment and Migration Programme

will allow Nigerians wishing to live in Canada to first obtain job before traveling to the country. “The programme’s website will be launched next week and all available jobs will be listed. Currently there are over 6 million vacancies and we are hoping that Buhari allows at least one million people from Nigeria”, a spokesperson for the Canadian Labour Department, Shadrack Scott, explained. The High Commission of Canada to Nigeria, in

response, warned that, “If you’ve seen this link on your social media timeline, don’t fall for it. “This story is not true. “For REAL information about travelling to Canada, go to http://www.cic.gc.ca.” The commission added that, “over 4,200 Nigerians were approved for permanent residency in Canada in 2017, which is almost double the number from the year prior. “Nigerians in Canada make important contributions to both countries.”

Court Discharges Suspended SEC DG, Gwarzo, Other of N115m Fraud Allegations Alex Enumah in Abuja A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, yesterday discharged the suspended Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mounir Gwarzo and one other person of the N115 million fraud allegation against them. The trial judge, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, discharged the defendants in a ruling on the no- case submission entered by the defendants in the trial. Gwarzo alongside an Executive Commissioner in the Commission, Zakawanu Garuba, are being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a five-count charge of fraud to the tune of N115 million. Justice Baba-Yusuf in his ruling on the no- case submission application agreed with the defendants that the prosecution was unable to establish a prima facie case against them. According to the judge, the prosecution failed to establish the essential elements of the offence the defendants were charged with. Both Gwarzo and Garuba had on February 7, through their counsel, Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN) and Robert Emukpoeruo, informed the court of their intention to file a no-case submission. They had made the request shortly after the prosecution closed its case against the defendants with the testimony of the fifth prosecution witness (PW5), Taiwo Olorunyomi. Counsel to the 1st defendant had on March 18 urged the court to hold that the prosecution was unable to adduce any credible evidence to make the 1st defendant enter any defence. The no-case submission, he said, was brought pursuant to Sections 302 and 303 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. The senior lawyer argued that the prosecution in its

written address on the nocase submission relied on the law on certain political office holders and admitted that SEC was not mentioned in the said law. Specifically, he urged the court to uphold the no-case submission by the first defendant as well as discharge and acquit him of the charge against him. Similarly, counsel to the 2nd defendant, while insisting that the prosecution had failed from the evidence adduced to make any prima facie case against the 2nd defendant, urged the court to discharge and acquit his client from the charges against him. In his submission, the prosecution counsel, Raheem Adesina, urged the court to dismiss the no-casesubmission of the defendants and ask them to enter their defence. According to him, it is important for the defendants to explain to the court where they got the severance package from, since there was nowhere in Exhibit ICPC 3, before the court where severance package was mention. He argued that there was no single word of severance benefit in the SEC Board resolution in July, 2002 (Exhibit ICPC 3). He said that what was approved and collected was severance benefit when the first defendant never retired from SEC. The ICPC had accused Gwarzo of committing fraud to the tune of N115 million in June 2015, when he held forth as SEC Director-General. The commission accused the suspended DG of receiving the sum of N104,851,154.94 as severance benefits when he had yet to retire, resign or disengage from the service of SEC. It added that he conferred a corrupt advantage upon himself when he received the sum of N10,983,488.88 in excess of car grant payable to him. Garuba, on the other hand, was accused by ICPC of allegedly conniving with Gwarzo to commit the fraud.

TROPHY TOUR...

L-R: Former Super Eagles Captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha; MD/CE0, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Jordi Borrut Bel; Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel; and former Spanish national football team captain and UEFA Champions League Tour Ambassador, Carles Puyol, at the kick-off of the Heineken UEFA Champions League Tour at the Akwa Ibom State Government House in Uyo....yesterday

Ibadan Lawyer, Adetunmbi, Kidnapped in Osun Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan An Ibadan-based lawyer, Mr. Musibau Adetunmbi, has been kidnapped, in Iwaraja, Osun State. The Chairman of Ibadan branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Oluwole

Akintayo, made the disclosure in Ibadan yesterday. He said Adetunmbi was travelling on Monday to Ondo State to appear in a matter he had in Akure, Ondo State for Tuesday morning when the incident happened. According to him, “He was

in the car with his driver and other team members when his vehicle was ambushed by suspected kidnappers. Other team members were asked to alight, while they ferried him and his driver to an unknown destination. “We went to the spot where

the incident happened today (Tuesday) and there was no trace yet of his whereabouts. We reported the matter to the Osun State Police command. “Unfortunately, no contact has been established with us or his family by his kidnappers,” Akintayo lamented.

Gowon: Fuel Scarcity Caused by Non-implementation of My Plans Peter Uzoho Former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), has said Nigeria would not have been depending on fuel imports if the plans by his administration to build five refineries had succeeded. Nigeria currently imports most of the refined petroleum products in circulation through crude oil swap deals and falls prey to scarcity of the products from time to time. The government owns four refineries with a combined installed capacity

of 445,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd). However, they have been operating well below capacity, hitting an all-time low in 2017. But speaking at the second annual Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) international conference in Lagos late on Monday, Gowon said three refineries designed for local consumption were built during his rule between 1966 and 1975. He said one of the exportoriented refineries would have been dedicated to the local market to meet rising

demand. “During our time, we planned to build five export-oriented refineries to be able to deal with exporting of crude oil for refined products,” he said. “But then, we had the three refineries–Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna–for home consumption. “Today our consumption has grown more than the three refineries can do, and what would have happened is that we would transfer one of the export-oriented refineries to feed the local market. “That is the way that it

would have been.” The former head of state hoped that the modular refineries coming on stream will reduce the nation’s dependence on petrol imports and bring an end to subsidy. “With the modular refineries coming up, I hope things will improve and there will be reduction of our dependence on export of our crude oil for refined petroleum products as this has created a lot of problem like subsidy and other challenges,” he said. “I hope the modular refinery will solve the problem.”

10

WEDNESDAY APRIL 17, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Court Issues Production Warrant to DSS over Dasuki Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of an Abuja High Court sitting in Maitama yesterday issued a production warrant to the Director General, Department of State Services (DSS) to produce a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col.

Sambo Dasuki (rtd) in court to face his trial on May 24. Dasuki was arraigned by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC ) since 2015. On trial with him are Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former NNPC

FAAN to Withdraw Services in MM2, Gombe, Other Airports over Debts The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has issued a notice to private and state-owned airports in Nigeria to settle their debts or be shut on May 1. Its General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos. The indebted airports include the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 , Lagos operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, as well as Gombe, Kebbi and Bebi airports. FAAN said it had earlier sent a notice of intention to sanction to the operators of the affected airports to settle their debts on or before April 24. The agency said it had however added another seven days grace till April 30 for all outstanding debts to be settled. It said “the authority shall be constrained to commence the implementation of sanctions at the expiration of this notice If the organisations fail or refuse to pay up as advised. “In view of the above, the authority hereby notifies private airport operators that the services of our Aviation Security and Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting personnel will no longer be

available for the operations of their airports with effect from May 1.” The agency noted that it could no longer keep these personnel at the airports working without payment. FAAN had claimed that the MMA2 was indebted to it to the tune of N3.9 billion since it began operations on September 8, 2007. It claimed the money was for the provision of electricity, rent and conference and hotel and the five per cent remittance as agreed in the contract. In a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BASL, in November 2018, FAAN gave the breakdown of the indebtedness as at July 31, 2018 as N1.4 billion for provision of Aviation Security (AVSEC). It said another N143 million was for Fire/ Safety Cost, N2.1million for marshalling and N1.9billion for management cost. Similarly, FAAN had also issued similar threats to Gombe, Kebbi and Bebi airports. It said “This action has become imperative as the management of Gombe airport is indebted to the authority to the tune of N607. 9 million, while Kebbi and Bebi airports are indebted to the tune of N124.5 million and N76. 8 million respectively,”

Report: West Africa’s Mobile Money to Hit $70bn in 2023 Emma Okonji in Abidjan, Côte d Ivoire Riding on the success of mobile money growth in West Africa, with a contribution of over $50 billion in 2018, which is equivalent to 8.7 per cent of the region’s GDP, a new GSMA report has predicted that the West Africa mobile ecosystem economic contribution would continue to increase to reach $70 billion by 2023, which is about 9.5 per cent contribution to GDP. The 2019 West Africa edition of the GSMA’s Mobile Economy report series was launched yesterday at the ongoing GSMA Mobile 360 – West Africa event in Abidjan, Côte d Ivoire. The study attributed the expected rise in mobile money contribution to the rising mobile phone ownership and the ongoing migration to mobile broadband networks and services across the West African region, Nigeria inclusive. Analysing the report, Head of sub-Saharan Africa at the GSMA, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, said: “The report

underlines the vital role the mobile ecosystem is playing in contributing to economic growth, social development and job creation across West Africa. “To harness the power of a new generation of mobile users and mobile networks, we urge governments and policymakers in West Africa to develop regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation and investment in the sector, enabling the provision of mobile-powered digital services to citizens across the region.” The report also revealed that the number of unique mobile subscribers across West Africa, reached 185 million at the end of 2018, equivalent to 48 per cent of the region’s population. The report however said the number would rise to reach 248 million by 2025, which is 54 per cent of the region’s population. It said future subscriber growth would largely be driven by young consumers owning a mobile phone for the first time, since more than 40 per cent of the region’s population are under 18 years old.

Executive Director, and two firms- Acacia Holdings and Reliance Referral Hospital. They are arraigned on 32 counts of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and dishonest release and receiving of various sums of money to the tune of N33.3 billion. Production warrant is issued when a defendant is in the custody of the state as is in Dasuki’s case. The judge also ordered the prosecution to liaise with the DSS to produce the defendant

whenever his matter comes up. ‘Hence I will issue a production warrant to the DG, DSS to produce the defendant for his trial on the next adjourned date. He then adjourned until May 24 for trial. Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Oluwaleke Atolegbe, had expressed surprises when he found out that Dasuki was not in court. Atolegbe told the court that it was the duty of the DSS to produce the dependant who

was in their custody. Dasuki’s counsel, Mr. Victor Okwudiri, told the court that it was the duty of the prosecution to produce the defendant in court, adding also that it is their duty also to explain his absence. Counsel for the 2nd defendant, Mr. Solomon Umoh (SAN), told the court that it was now a common knowledge that the defendant was in the custody of the state. He said much as the ACJA

allows for trial on absentia, this is an occasion where the law did not contemplate, “My Lord can use his inherent power in two ways. “One issuance of production warrant and secondly, issuance of bench warrant; ‘the prosecution should find a way of producing the defendant in court,” he said. Counsel for the third and fourth, Mr. A Rilman and A. Ayodele aligned with the learned silk.

IDENTIFYING WITH THE ANNOINTED...

L-R: Senate Leader and Senator-elect, Ahmed Lawan; Senator-elect representing Ekiti South, Adedayo Adeyeye; and Senator-elect representing Osun Central, Surajudeen Ajibola, when All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF) came to endorse Lawan as the next Senate President in Abuja...yesterday JULIUS ATOI

El-Rufai Sacks Political Appointees John Shiklam in Kaduna The Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has directed all political appointees to submit letters of resignation by April 30, 2019. Samuel Aruwan, spokesman to the governor, disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday in Kaduna. He said the governor would exercise his constitutional prerogative to decide on reappointments, while giving

the Kaduna State Ministry of Finance adequate time to compute severance payments and reconcile any liabilities. The governor thanked all political appointees for their contributions and service to the state during his first-term. The statement said each notice of resignation must be submitted along with a handover note, signed by the political appointee on behalf of the agency to which he or she had been appointed.

According to the statement, all resignation letters should be properly addressed to the Principal Private Secretary. The statement reads: “As he constitutes the team that will assist him in his second-term, the governor said he expects the process to be enriched by the handover notes from the political appointees, and the report of the Transition Committee headed by the Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe.

“The following appointees are expected to comply with the directive: “All commissioners in the State Executive Council; all permanent secretaries, special advisers, directorsgeneral, executive secretaries, managing directors, general managers and other heads of agencies, senior special assistants, special assistants and technical assistants to the governor, other than the Kashim Ibrahim Fellows”.

NCC Blames Inadequate Power Supply for Poor Telecom Services Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has blamed poor telecom services being delivered to customers on poor power supply by the electricity distribution companies in Nigeria. The Manager, Technical Department (NCC), Mr. Musa Diabu, stated this over the weekend in Okene, Kogi State when the commission held a sensitisation programme on the need for citizens to collectively protect telecom infrastructure in the country rather be left to security personnel only.

Daibu who blamed inadequate power supply for the poor services provided by the service providers, said Nigeria needs about 158,000 metres of optic fibre to provide adequate broadband across the country, adding that what the country currently has is 38,000 metres. The Director Zonal Operations, Mrs. Amina Shehu, speaking through the Principal Manager, Zonal Operations, NCC, Mr. Ekisola Oladisun said that despite the numerous challenges being faced by service providers, Nigeria broadband penetration has continued to increase.

Oladisun said that though the country had achieved a lot in the telecom industry, there are still huge challenges. “This feat would not have been achieved without the active collaboration of all relevant stakeholders and the enabling environment provided by government in the sector’’, he added. ‘’However, much as we aim to sustain the growth and as the industry continues to evolve, we are faced with various challenges that have hampered development in the sector as it relates to infrastructure deployment with the Commission’s pervasive drive to increase Broadband

penetration in with the set target by government, increase in deployment of robust critical telecom infrastructure is imperative.” He decried the incessant vandalisation of telecom facilities across the country saying that vandalism of telecom infrastructure has continued to be a major challenge in the telecom industry. He said the NCC would continue to collaborate with the relevant agencies to ensure adequate security for telecoms facilities and also engage stakeholders on the need to protect telecommunications infrastructure.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 17, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

11

NEWS

Credit Suisse Seeks to Seize Sanomi’s Three London Homes Hamid Ayodeji with agency report Credit Suisse Group AG has reportedly taken Nigerian oil trader, Igho Sanomi’s private jet and is now set to take

over his London apartments. The Swiss bank is owed about $3 million by Sanomi, who was a guarantor for a credit facility extended to one of his companies, Bloomberg quoted Credit Suisse’s lawyer,

Ekiti Assembly Suspends PDP Lawmaker for Alleged Misconduct Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Ekiti State House of Assembly yesterday suspended the former Deputy Speaker and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Segun Adewumi, representing Ekiti west constituency 1 for six weeks for alleged legislative misconduct. The suspension of the former deputy speaker was attributed to undue interruption of the speaker, Hon. Adeniran Alagbada, while presiding over the Assembly at the plenary yesterday. Following altercation between the two high-profile members of the legislative arm, the Speaker was said to have exercised his powers and banned him in accordance with section 17 of the Assembly’s standing order. According to the speaker, the former deputy speaker during the period on suspension will be prevented from participating in any plenary session, but could only be involved in offplenary activities of the house. “I am still the presiding officer of this house and it constitutes an infraction for any member to interrupt me when I preside, except you have an observation to make.

“But with what transpired today, it seems Adewumi did not make any observation but only wanted to stall this proceeding and he is hereby banned for six weeks.” Other lawmakers in their submissions agreed with the action, saying the Speaker didn’t circumvent the constitution and standing order in meting out the punitive measure on Adewumi. After the pronouncement, the lawmaker was said to have been ushered out of the hallowed chambers by the sergeant-at-arm. Discussing other issues of public importance after the initial snag, a bill for a law to repeal Ekiti State official logo amendment law number 28 of 2014 and to reenact Ekiti State Government official logo law 2011 was passed by the Assembly. The bill which passed through the first reading was subjected to the second reading where it was debated by members and consequently passed through the third reading. Also, the Ekiti State development and investment promotion Agency Bill 2019, also passed through the first reading and committed to another legislative day for further legislative processes.

Court Adjourns Okupe’s Trial to Thursday The trial of a former presidential spokesman, Dr. Doyin Okupe, at a Federal High Court in Abuja was yesterday adjourned to Thursday. Musa Maiyaki, the former Director General of NTA, in his evidence in court yesterday, said he authorised the programme ‘INSIGHT’ to be aired on NTA “pro bono” as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He however admitted on further cross-examination, that Okupe funded payments for personnel, resource persons and production charges for the programme, maintaining that it was only the airtime that was not paid for by the office of the special assistant to the President on public affairs. He also denied knowledge of budget proposals and other letter, which was written by Sola Atere, on behalf of the NTA, to Okupe. This is a complete contradiction of Atere’s evidence who admitted he wrote the letter containing the budget proposal and he signed it. Mr Tolu Babaleye, counsel to the second defendant, put it across to Mr Maiyaki that while he, Maiyaki, approved the memo

for the programme to be aired free, his staff including Sola Atere, Mr. Iorhen Kwange, the producer of the programme, and Mrs Onobu Ikwubiela, a marketing officer in the DG’s office went behind him to collect money from Okupe for sundry expenses for the programme. Counsel for Okupe, Mr Akin Akingbade from JK Gadzama chambers also informed Maiyaki that Mrs Onobu was in fact a director of Ikonac Nigeria Ltd., the company whose account was submitted by the producer to the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, and to which part of the first quarterly payments of 3,030,000 was paid into. This fact had previously been confirmed by the statement of account of messrs Value Trust Investment LTD, which showed that Ikonac Nigeria LTD was credited with the same amount on 17/10/2013. Maiyaki responded that he was quite surprised to learn about all these, as he was just hearing of the information.

Andrew Brown, to have said in written submissions to a London court. Three properties owned by Sanomi, including apartments in Chelsea, West London, and Belgravia, in the heart of London’s diplomatic quarter, have already been identified as assets that may have to be forfeited if he loses.

Sanomi, who wasn’t represented in London court, didn’t respond to emails and Twitter messages seeking comment. His lawyers at Clyde & Co didn’t respond to a request for comment beyond acknowledging they were aware of the application. Sanomi “has not put in any

defence or objection to the charging orders,” Brown said. Sanomi’s company, Taleveras Energy, trades more than 100 million barrels of crude oil annually and is targeting biofuel investments, Bloomberg had reported in 2017. Credit Suisse isn’t the only lender targeting Sanomi’s assets.

Banque Cantonale de Geneva had already made a freezing order against the London properties. ING Groep NV is also suing Sanomi for Taleveras’s unpaid debts, according to separate court documents filed in October. The jet taken from Sanomi was listed for sale.

LET THERE BE GAS FOR POWER…

L-R: President, Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), Mrs. Audrey Ezigbo; Executive Director, Execution Edge, Mr. Chima Ibeneche; Managing Director, Nigerian Gas Marketing Company, Mr. Mohammed Baraw; and Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Gas, Mr. Ed Ubong, at the 2019 NGA business forum /20th Annual General Meeting in Lagos… yesterday ETOP UKUTT

Group Urges IG to Retrieve Illegal Arms in Kogi Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The acting Inspector General of Police, Adamu Muhammed, has been urged to put in place mechanism that would quickly retrieve the several illegal arms presently in the hands of youths in Kogi State. The call was made yesterday by the Acting President of Save Kogi Movement, Commodore Daniel Folorunsho, following proliferation of illegal arms in the state. According to him, several arms given to youths during the last general election in the state need to be retrieved,

stating that the state is now on siege. He described the rate of kidnapping and armed robbery as worrisome in the state. Daniel who spoke with journalists after the meeting of Save Kogi Movement held in Lokoja yesterday, said the Movement is a committee of like minds coming together to look at the position of Kogi State. “We are calling on the Inspector General of Police to make sure he retrieves all illegal arms because in Kogi State during the last election

there were too many arms in circulation, illegal arms,” he said. Daniels who described security as all -encompassing and multifaceted, added that it is unfortunate that government that is only placing emphasis on physical security, and abandoned other issues of securities that come together to form the composite security. “If food security is not addressed you can be sure that all these structures they thought they are putting in places would not work. A hungry man is an angry man. If you push somebody who

is starving to the wall there is nothing he would not do to feed himself. “These people, when you arm them and they are hungry after election they would go into robbery, Kidnapping and all kinds of vices. So we are calling on all security agencies especially the commissioner of police in Kogi State, the Inspector General of Police, to come to the aid of the state because another election is coming because if these arms and ammunitions are not retrieved we are in trouble.”

FG to Finalise BoA Recapitalisation in 90 Days The federal government has said it will finalise the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) in the next 90 days, in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE). The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said this at the kick-off meeting for the recapitalisation of the bank held yesterday in Abuja. The minister said that it was an opportunity for farmers to become owners of the bank. Ogbeh expressed worry over the inability of some high- profile borrowers to repay loans borrowed from the bank, noting that the ministry would support the bank to minimise failures. The minister noted that the

recapitalisation would be done with an estimated N250 billion. “We are bringing into life that which we hope and believe will make the BoA a strong element, to make our agriculture sector stronger. “We have a new vision for agriculture, we want to create a farmers’ bank and this is the chance for farmers to become owners of the bank. “This will give the bank a chance of becoming a large bank in future just like the one in China and the Rabobank of the Netherlands. “Today, the Rabobank accounts for 75 per cent of all the credit given to banks in the European Union and they lend at three and

half per cent but the bigger one is in China with nearly eight million clients. “I don’t see why we can’t do the same here,’’ Ogbeh said. Speaking on modalities for the recapitalisation, Mr Alex Okoh, Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), said the bank had performed suboptimally due to the myriad of challenges it faced since inception in 1972. According to him, it has become imperative to restructure the bank to substantially improve its operating framework and governance structure with a view to enhancing its efficiency. Okoh said that farmers would be encouraged to form cooperative

societies to facilitate and guarantee loans repayment and achieve noticeable impact. According to him, the process will lead to the privitisation of equity of the bank. “We envisage that the Central Bank equity will be reduced to 20 per cent, Federal Ministry of Finance (incorporated) will be reduced to 20 per cent. “The government agencies equity in the new bank will be a minority of 40 per cent. “We will then invite private sector investors who will own 20 per cent and the remaining 40 per cent equity will be owned by farmers and farmers’ cooperatives. “That makes it a private sector bank.

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NEWS

N21.4bn Fraud: Again, Former NAF Chief, Amosu Opts for Plea Bargain Davidson Iriekpen A former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd), and his colleagues, who are facing trial for alleged diversion of N21.4 billion budgeted for security operations, have again indicated their intentions to enter a plea bargain with the federal government. Their lawyers, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN) and Mr. Wale Taiwo (SAN), yesterday urged Justice C.J. Aneke, who is the trial judge at the Federal High Court in Lagos, to adjourn in order for them to explore plea bargain with the government. Yesterday was the third time the defendants would be proposing a plea bargain with the government since June 2016 when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged them to court. Those facing trial along with Amosu are Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo. The prosecution alleged that they used eight companies belonging to them to divert money budgeted for security operations by the Nigerian Air

Force. They first proposed plea bargain on July 8, 2016, weeks after the EFCC arraigned them before Justice Mohammed Idris who was elevated to the Court of Appeal in middle of 2018. Their lawyers had then urged the judge to adjourn the case to allow them to go to the negotiation table with the EFCC. But when they returned to court on October 20, 2016, rather than present the terms of settlement to the judge, the EFCC opened its case by calling its first witness. It was learnt that the defendants were scared of the conditions given by the EFCC. After the trial had gone on for 16 months, the defendants again told the judge in February 2018 that they were then ready to enter into plea bargain. Again, they pleaded for an adjournment, which the court granted. But they later abandoned the proposed plea bargain and opted for full-scale trial. When the defence counsel made a fresh request for plea bargain yesterday, the prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, said though the anti-graft agency

was ready to prove the charges against them and had all its witnesses ready, it welcomed the plea bargain proposal if the defendants were serious. The EFCC had on January 16, 2019 obtained a court order permanently forfeiting to the federal government a sum of N2.2 billion recovered from Amosu and another N101million recovered from Solomon Enterprises, a company linked to him. Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, who granted the forfeiture order, equally ordered Gbadebo to forfeit to the federal government a sum N190,828,978.15, which the EFCC recovered from him. The judge ordered that the funds should be paid into the federal government’s Treasury Single Account at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Upon the fresh plea bargain proposal by the defence counsel yesterday, Justice Aneke adjourned the case till May 22. The first prosecution witness, Tosin Owobo, had on Monday furnished the court with detailed information about how the defendants allegedly used their companies to divert funds meant to combat insecurity in the country between 2014 and 2015.

WANTED PERSONS

The Nigerian Navy wishes to inform members of the public that the 4 persons whose photographs appear below are hereby declared wanted for complicity in the theft of petroleum products in Nigeria’s maritime environment. The four persons are crew of a Merchant Vessel GRACE WATER which was arrested on 8 October 2018 laden with 90 metric tonnes of illegally sourced petroleum products.

INEC Presents Certificate of Return to Wike, Deputy, Others Ernest Chinwo inPortHarcourt Thousands of people gathered at the Polo Field and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s state headquarters in Port Harcourt yesterday as the commission presented certificates of return to the re-elected Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; his Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, and members-elect of the State House of Assembly. In what appeared like a carnival, the people kept vigil on Aba Road around the GRA Junction and processed to the Polo Club after the Certificate of Return was presented to the governor.

They sang songs of praises to God for the victory of the PDP, despite “the evil machinations of the Nigerian Army” during the elections. Presenting the certificates of return to the elected persons yesterday, National Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, urged the people to change the narrative of violence associated with elections in the state. Yakubu who was represented by National Commissioner in charge of Rivers, Bayelsa and Edo States, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, thanked the people of the state for their contributions to the successful conduct of the 2019 general election

in the state. INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Obo Effanga, in his remarks, said despite pressures and attacks INEC conducted credible elections in line with extant laws. He said: “For us in INEC Rivers State, we stayed focused on conducting a transparent, free, fair and credible election. As I kept promising, on behalf of my team, we were bound by the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, other laws and guidelines for the elections. We were further bound by the pronouncements and decisions of courts.

Edo 2020: Group Seeks Re-election of Obaseki/Shaibu A political organisation, Edo in Safe Hands, has endorsed Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Hon. Philip Shaibu, for re-election in the state’s 2020 gubernatorial election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Spokesperson of the group, Mr. Nosa Idele Ogbeide, in a statement issued yesterday, said the group threw its weight behind the governor because of his unprecedented development and focused leadership, which has endeared him to all Edo people. According to him, “Our decision to canvass for the nomination and reelection of Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Hon. Philip Shaibu, under the platform of the APC in the 2020 gubernatorial election

in Edo State is premised on the fact that the administration has done well in the three years of its first term in office.’ Ogbeide said the administration’s reforms have touched on a lot of issues that the people hold dearly, which is why there is a groundswell of support for the government, calling on the party structure to respect the wishes of Edo people. “We insist that the APC in Edo State should ensure that Obaseki/ Shaibu gets the party’s nomination. The governor’s reelection in 2020 will be taken care of by Edo people as payback for his visionary and impactful leadership,” he said. According to Ogbeide, the Obaseki/Shaibu-led administration has rekindled hope in Edo people among who are “traders, teachers,

pensioners, and youths, among others.” He noted, “For prompt payment of teachers and other civil servants who are being paid monthly as and when due, when workers in some other states are languishing in penury, the Obaseki-led administration deserves reelection to continue its mandate to develop the state. “As things stand today, every Edo person is proud of what the state government represents and the unwavering commitment to improving livelihoods through infrastructural development and socio-economic reforms. Traders cannot forget in a hurry Governor Obaseki’s zero tolerance for illegal collection of levies and taxes by touts in markets. They don’t want a return of the dark days.

Enikanologbon Happy

Ogori Kenneth

Arumona Daniel

Egbujie Kingsley Chinonso

Anyone who has information about the whereabouts of the above persons should contact the Naval Provost Marshal, Naval Headquarters, Area 7, Garki Abuja on 08037442228, 08037175817, 08030522035 and 08138799220, the nearest Naval establishment, Army, Airforce or Police unit. Signed: Director of Information ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ě

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

POPE FRANCIS AND PEACE IN SUDAN Let there be peace in Sudan, writes Sonnie Ekwowusi

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ope Francis’ untrammeled commitment to peace in the world especially in the Middle East and Sudan are indeed praiseworthy. Pope Francis is following the footsteps of his predecessors in the papacy. You will recall that several popes had had several peace meetings with several sitting world leaders to find solution to problems wracking the world. For example, shortly after the First World War in 1919 President Woodrow Wilson was received at the Vatican by Pope Benedict XV to foster peace in the world. President Eisenhower visited Pope John XXIII in Rome to broker peace in the crisis-torn world. In his epic Encyclical, Pacem in Terris, Pope John XX111 established four pillars upon which peace should be built. On October 6, 1979 President Jimmy Carter had the pleasure of hosting St. John Paul 11 in what was later recorded as the first visit of a Catholic Pontiff to the White House. With 104 trips outside Italy (16 trips to the African continent) St. John Paul 11 was outstanding for his tenacity in promoting peace, tolerance, commitment to social justice, respect for human dignity and inter-religious dialogues. In fact St. John Paul 11 acted directly as intermediary in the promotion of justice and peace in countries where peace was threatened. Recall his audience on 15th December 1982 with Yasser Arafat on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question. Not to talk of his famous meeting with King Hassan 11 on August 19th 1995 that was attended by well over 80,000 youths. Or, his visits to Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Cameroun and Nigeria. In fact his visit to Nigeria during the reign of Sani Abacha will remain indelibly engraved on the minds of many Nigerians, at least for the fact that the Pope came to Nigeria primarily to solicit with Abacha to give peace a chance. Remember President Bush’s meeting with Pope emeritus Benedict XV1 to promote peace in the world?

So Pope Francis is following the precedents already set by his predecessors in the papacy. That was why shortly after he became pope he brought together Israeli President Shimon Peres, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomaios I and other seemingly irreconcilable foes to the Vatican Garden to explore new ways of finding and building peace in Jerusalem, Middle East and the entire world. In an age in which recourse to force rather than due process in the settlement of disputes has become a statecraft, the identification of some common values by the Vatican on which to build a new international order where justice, service, peace and respect for human dignity reigns is simply admirable. Last week Pope Francis organized a retreat at the Vatican for South Sudan leaders and their warring opposition to broker peace in the war-torn region. You may be aware that for nearly 30 years dictator Omar al-Bashir had been unleashing unspeakable terrorism and oppression on Sudanese. Therefore it is not surprising that Al-Bahir has become the common enemy of mankind. The International Criminal

THERE WILL BE MANY PROBLEMS BUT THEY WILL NOT OVERCOME US. RESOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS

Court (ICC) has since declared him wanted on charges of war crimes and other atrocities. The cheering news is that after many months of anti-government protests culminating in what I would call a civilianmilitary putsch Omar was finally forced out of power last week. While he reigned, he perpetuated terrorism and genocide in Darfur. He presided over long-reigning civil wars between north and south Sudan, which ended in a peace agreement in 2005. Pursuant to a referendum, South Sudan eventually broke away from Sudan in 2011. But two years later South Sudan was engulfed in a civil war after Salva Kiir removed his former deputy turned rebel leader Riek Machar from the vice presidency. Since then darkness and mayhem have overtaken south Sudan. So far about 400,000 have died. About one third of the country’s 12 million people have been socially displaced, sparking off Africa’s worst refugee crisis since the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Pained by the ugly scenario Pope Francis had no option but to organize the retreat for South Sudanese leaders and their warring oppositions and rebels. It was a two-day retreat or what Cardinal Parolin dubbed a “spiritual, ecumenical and diplomaticâ€? project. It took place in the Vatican. Among the preachers at the retreat were Archbishop John Baptist Odama of Gulu, Uganda, and Jesuit Father Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator of Nigeria. Other personalities who attended the retreat were the spiritual leader of the Anglican community worldwide Justin Welby, some members of the South Sudan Council of Churches, and other Catholic and Presbyterian church leaders from Africa. At the end of the retreat, Pope Francis told the attendees in Italia, “There will be struggles, disagreements among you but keep them within you, inside the office, so to speak. But in front of the people, hold hands united. So, as simple citizens, you will become fathers of the nation‌I am asking you as a brother to stay in peace. I am asking you with my heart, let us go forward. There will be many problems but they will not overcome us. Resolve your problems.â€? Thereafter Pope Francis did something dramatic. Stooping down in his majestic papal white cassock and zucchetto (skull cap), he lowered his stomach flat to the bare ground, bent his head towards the feet of the standing South Sudan leaders and their warring opposition leaders and started kissing each of their feet (Not their feet as such because they had their shoes on: the Pope was kissing their dirty shoes). With this humble gesture the pope appealed to the war lords to sheath their swords so that peace could reign in South Sudan. The visitors and several onlookers were impressed by Pope Francis’ uncommon humility. By the way, Francis is 82. He is the pope and successor of St. Peter. Besides, he suffers from chronic leg pain. He also suffers from lingering physical fatigue. Yet he was not deterred from kneeling down, supported by his aides and the South Sudan leaders themselves, to kiss the shoes of the leaders and some other persons in the room. We hope that lasting peace will return to war-torn Sudan soon. The warring South Sudan leaders and their opposition should reciprocate Pope Francis’ gesture and kiss the feet of their Sudanese brothers and sisters irrespective of tribal, political and ideological differences. Let there be peace in Sudan.

RAISING A FULL GLASS TO NWOKO Rogers Edor Ochela hails court verdict on Delta North Senatorial dispute “A bully holding up an object that belongs to a child, would usually bring it down to the child when his hand starts to hurt’’ — Wise saying

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ecently, the legal tussle between Prince Ned Nwoko and Senator Peter Nwaoboshi over who won the primary elections of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Delta North Senatorial District ended in favour of the former. Recall that the legal battle ensued after Ned Nwoko had won the senatorial primaries of the party with 453 votes as against Peter Nwaoboshi’s 403 votes. But in a move that left all lovers of justice in stupefaction, a PDP cabal in the state, for reasons best known to it, jettisoned Ned Nwoko’s name and instead forwarded that of Nwaoboshi to the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] for publication.

So, in a bid to right the wrong perpetrated against him and to strengthen the wheels of the nation’s democratic project, Ned Nwoko, a renowned philanthropist and apostle of the rule of law, who initially absorbed the shock of this grievous disappointment and endured its attendant pains with stoic equanimity, headed for the temple of justice to seek legal redress with a view to nailing this blatant impunity. Happily enough, on Wednesday April 3, 2019, the goddess of justice decided to smile on him

when Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja delivered a landmark judgment that has thundered across the length and breadth of the nation and left all lovers of justice in Delta North senatorial district reeling in ecstasy and back-slapping. In his judgment, the erudite judge did not mince words when he declared with judicial lucidity that Senator Peter Nwaoboshi was not the winner of the PDP primary held on October 2, 2018, to nominate its senatorial candidate for Delta North district in the 2019 general election. Consequently, the judge gave a marching order to INEC to publish the name of Prince Ned Nwoko as the rightful candidate of the PDP, having scored a majority of the lawful votes in the primary. He also went further to order Senator Nwaoboshi to stop parading himself as the candidate of the PDP for the Delta North senatorial district. In a suit filed by his legal counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), Nwoko, who had predicated his suit on seven grounds supported by 20-paragraph affidavit evidence and five exhibits, averred that he was screened and cleared for the Delta North senatorial district by the PDP electoral committee. He declared among other things, that at the end of the primary election, he scored 453 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nwaoboshi who scored 403, while Paul Osaji who came third pulled 216 votes. Expectedly, this pace-setting judgment has continued to elicit positive responses, with several legal luminaries describing it as having the potential of furthering the cause of the nation’s

jurisprudence, especially as it concerns electoral matters. Again, what resonates from this fundamental judgment is the fact that it will continue to serve as a reminder to desperate politicians and political parties that engaging in wilful impunity and breach of electoral process does not pay as a day of reckoning will surely come. What stands this judgment out and places it on a very strong pedestal is that it is a veritable indication that Nigeria’s democratic project is alive, kicking and progressively inching its way to a sustainable level. It will for a long time to come serve as a rude reminder to those who have refused to part ways with business-as-usual mantra especially as it relates to electoral matters, that impunity does not pay. The nation’s political terrain is littered with victims of flawed party primaries nomination who were cheated through allocation of false figures! It is gratifying to note that a decisive nail on the coffin of this abuse of electoral process has been delivered by Hon. Justice Mohammed. A critical interrogation of the nation’s electoral processes over the years clearly shows that rigging, manipulations and other forms of electoral malfeasances are usually perpetuated during party primary election. The ugly trend often results in the emergence of several unpopular candidates with questionable credentials and fraudulent mandates. That trajectory negates the true essence of democracy as both a cultural and attitudinal thing requiring certain dispositions and set values for it to have relevance and meaning, which is

very healthy for the growth and sustenance of the nation’s democratic process itself. It is demoralizing that even with all the allure of democracy, especially its capacity to reflect the collective will of the people through periodic elections, what you find on these shores is criminal conspiracy by some political party apparatchiks and desperate aspirants to circumvent the rules and foist pretenders on the people. Most often, what you find are deliberate efforts by politicians and some influential persons in and out of government to sabotage these pristine values without which democracy would lose its relevance. Ned Nwoko is a real man of the people who has touched many lives in his Delta North constituency. He has built roads, awarded scholarship to many, built a university in the area, promoted sports and tourism as well as assisted several widows and indigent families to have their sustainable means of livelihood. He loves his Anioma [Delta North] home base and the people with uncommon passion and is ever ready to fight for them. So, with the ruling of Justice Mohammed affirming Prince Ned Nwoko as PDP’s rightful candidate for Delta North Senatorial District, the people of the district can now heave a sigh of relief. They have every reason to celebrate that Nwoko, the man with the Midas touch and towering national and international image is set to represent them at the red chamber of the National Assembly. Ochela, a journalist, wrote from Abuja

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EDITORIAL Innocent Nigerians In Foreign Jails Nigeria could do more for some of our nationals implicated in crimes abroad

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he disclosure last week that some of the eight Nigerians recently executed by the Saudi Arabian Government over drug-related offences were innocent was disturbing. According to the Chairman, Presidential Committee on Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA), Brig-General Buba Marwa (rtd), investigations showed that those innocent Nigerians had their bags wrongly tagged by airlines in connivance with baggage handlers. Marwa cited an instance of a passenger who travelled from Kano Airport and was arrested in Saudi Arabia for drug, but the Close Circuit Television (CCTV) footage at the airport indicated his bag was wrongly tagged by an airline staff. While we urge the federal government to follow up on this case with the Saudi authorities, it is also important that we pay attention to some of the unwholesome practices that go on in our airports. In this particular instance, questions must be asked not only of the airlines concerned but SINCE THE PRINCIPLE OF also of the security RECIPROCITY DRIVES agencies. If those who are employed to DIPLOMACY, WE MUST keep our airports INSIST THAT OTHER now collaborate COUNTRIES TREAT OUR safe with criminal cartels CITIZENS THE SAME to frame innocent WAY WE TREAT THEIRS victims, then we have a serious problem on our hands. This once again highlights the increasing desperation of Nigerians in the narcotic trade which is reflected in the number of arrests being made outside the country. At several airports in Asia, bold signs forewarn potential drug traffickers on the grave price to be paid if apprehended. With such warning signs, it becomes impossible for arrested drug traffickers to plead ignorance before the judges and prosecutors. The challenge now is that some of these victims might be innocent of the offence for which they may lose their lives if, as we are now told, there are criminal cartels at our airports. Sadly, from Saudi

Letters to the Editor

Arabia to Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Indonesia and India, many Nigerians are currently on death row, having been convicted for such offences as drug-trafficking, credit card scam or infractions on immigration laws. Elsewhere, there are others who are also in jail because of outright racism or what some have described as xenophobia, some of them convicted without legal representations. Some Nigerians in Chinese jail reportedly did not know why there were in.

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

wo years ago, the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), a human rights organisation, estimated that about 16,500 Nigerians were being held abroad while most of those on death row were convicted of drug-related crimes. However, LEDAP was particularly peeved by the quality of trials many of these Nigerians were subjected to. “Most of the Nigerians convicted abroad did not receive fair trials because most of them did not have lawyers to defend them; the trials are held in languages they do not understand and more importantly, consular support services are lacking,” the human rights body said. We agree that Nigeria could do more to get justice for some of our nationals implicated in crimes abroad. LEDAP said it had litigated over 35 death penalty cases on appeal out of which about half the numbers were exonerated. This is therefore a clarion call on the relevant authorities to sit up by employing all diplomatic means to assist those who may have been wrongly convicted. Since the principle of reciprocity drives diplomacy, we must insist that other countries treat our citizens the same way we treat theirs. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should ensure consular services are provided to Nigerians in distress in foreign lands. But even more important, Nigerians travelling abroad should be enlightened more on the consequences of breaching the laws of the country of their destination. Moreover, if such huge numbers of drug mules are still getting out of our country, it means the enforcement agencies still have much work on their hands.

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

NEED TO CONSOLIDATE OUR POLITICAL PARTIES

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ne of the cardinal beauties of democracy is freedom of association which encompasses both an individual’s right to join or leave groups voluntarily, the right of the groups to take collective action to pursue the interests of its members and the right of an association to accept or decline members based on certain criteria. Freedom of association is fundamental to political parties. In most countries, political parties are veritable platform to assume leadership positions after passing through the crucible of elections. Before the year 2002, three political parties existed in Nigerian political ecosystem. However, due to the largesse offered by the 1999 constitution on the formation of parties, about 33 political associations applied to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registration. Sensing the danger ahead, INEC later announced guidelines for registration which contravenes the constitution particularly section 222 to 224 which incurred the wrath of late legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehemni,SAN. He challenged INEC’s illegality up to the apex court of law, the Supreme Court where a gargantuan feat which would later change the political ecosystem of the country was recorded by the then indefatigable Justices of the Supreme Court favouring the proliferation of political parties. As of 2019 Elections, the number has staggered to 91! Prior to the just concluded 2019 Elections, Nigerians received with relief the emergence of the Coalition for Nigerian Movement, “The Third Force,” spear-headed by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo which would provide a credible alternative to the dominant duo of APC and PDP which many believed had contributed to the predicaments bedevilling the country. The Third Force as it was fondly called was formed as political platform to create a new generation of leaders that will take over the mantle of leadership to transmogrify the fortunes of the country to an el dorado. Many perceived the move as the latest

gimmick perpetuated by the political elite to hoodwink unsuspecting electorate as their proponents still had skeletons in their cupboards. As the merger of some political parties with the Third Force, was being touted in some quarters, some reservations were palpable as clash of interests seemed inevitable. Politics is a game of interest. When one’s interest is not protected, loyalty should not be expected. Hence the premature cataclysm of the movement was inevitable. Why did the Third Force meet her Waterloo prematurely as opposed to APC which though hurriedly assembled just few months to the 2015 general elections, recorded unprecedented feat? It is laughable for a party to field a presidential aspirant without representation at the ward or local government levels. It is not uncommon to witness an aspirant from a mushroom party stepping down to endorse the candidature of another dominant party few days to the election for personal aggrandizement. The issue of crosscarpeting among politicians has been a norm due to paucity of ideologies in our clime. As we reflect on the gains and losses of 2019 general election, there is cogent need to review our electoral laws as regards the formation of political parties with the view to downsizing the number and strengthening its structure. It will reduce the ambiguity involved in managing avalanche of parties by INEC and also provide robust alternative platforms that will help in advancing our democracy. The stability and success being recorded in our banking sector has been attributed to the consolidation of banks in 2016 by then Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo. Currently Nigerian banks are competing globally with its counterpart. Shouldn’t we start thinking of “consolidation of our political parties?” Our political parties should be ideologically based and internal democracy be entrenched within parties. It is true that Rome was not built in a day, however, the journey of thousand miles starts with a step! Dr Ugoh-Ezepue Kenechukwu, Enugu

THE GROWING ILLITERACY IN NIGERIA

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write with regard to your editorial on page 15 of THISDAY, Friday 12th April 2019. Your piece on “The Growing Illiteracy in Nigeria” is accompanied by a cartoon of an individual who clearly has difficulty in adding up. This, however, is numeracy skill and to that end the picture is wrong and misleading. As you correctly stated in the article, literacy is the ability to read and write. It is not the same as inability to add up! There are quite a number of traders who may not be able to read or write, but can add up faster than the latest Casio calculator. Do please let’s have horses for courses – ergo the right cartoon to accompany the relevant editorial.

Ade Lawal, Lagos

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MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

NEWSMAKER

Considering the North-central Challenge for House of Representatives Speaker

Onyebuchi Ezeigbo writes that the Northcentral geo-political zone is mounting a strong lobby for the position of Speaker of the Ninth House of Representatives

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allocate the National Assembly leadership positions as amounting to injustice, which the APC seeks to correct under its ‘Change’ mantra.That pronouncement by the APC Spokesman laid to rest the issue of endorsement for the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and has thrown it open to competition. As it stands now, there are more than 10 other House of Representatives members challenging the Lagos-born lawmaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. Among them are House of Representatives Spokesman Abdulrazak Namdas (Adamawa), Mukhtar Aliyu Betara (Borno), Idris Wase (Plateau), Umar Bago (Niger), Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (Abia), John Okafor (Imo), Babangida Ibrahim (Katsina) and Mohammed Kazaure ( Jigawa). Following the renewed jostle for the coveted Speakership position in the Ninth Assembly, an APC youth group from the six states of Northcentral, organised a protest at the national secretariat of the party, demanding that the zone be considered for the seat. Its argument is that if the Northcentral was able to generate about 2.4 million votes for the president during the general elections, it presupposes that the zone should have more stake in the emerging new administration. The group, under the aegis of Northcentral APC Ambassadors, in a letter dated April 1, which was addressed to the National Chairman of the party, insisted that the zone must be rewarded with the seat because of the number of votes it delivered to President Muhammadu Buhari during last Presidential poll. The letter was signed by five state coordinators and FCT coordinator, including, Muyideen Yusuf (Kwara), Rita Longjap (Plateau), Muhammad Ibn Muhammad (Niger), Lucas Cassius (Nasarawa) Yahaya Dauda (FCT) and Shehu Araga (Kogi). Also, the Northcentral group, according to the letter said since Northwest has the President, the Vice President is from the Southwest and Senate President has been zoned to Northeast, Speakership must be zoned to Northcentral. The letter partly read, “North-central should be rewarded for its performance in the 2019 election. With 2.4million votes for President Muhammadu Buhari, Northcentral came third behind Northwest and northeast. “Even though South West has the Vice President, it didn’t perform as well as Northcentral in last elections. So, who should be rewarded?

“Northcentral has consistently been loyal to the party. Since 1999, Northcentral has never occupied the position of Speaker or Deputy Speaker while all the other zones have occupied these positions.” Again, those pushing the campaign for the zoning of the Speaker to Northcentral further query the rationale for having the Number Two citizen of this country, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo from the Southwest, and still allowing the Number Four person also to emerge from the same zone. They argue that it was for reasons of fairness that some ranking members of the House of Representatives from the Northwest would not want contest for the office of Speaker because Mr. President hails from the same zone. Some of the stakeholders have also anchored their argument on the provisions of Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which says, “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies shall be carried out in a manner as to reflect the Federal Character of Nigeria, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few ethnic or sectional groups in that Government or any of its agencies, in order to command loyalty and peaceful coexistence. However, the Northcentral bloc in the APC are mindful of the contrary view that the outgoing Senate President is from the zone, instead, they were quick to state that the emergence of Senator Saraki in 2015 did not enjoy the support of President Buhari nor that of the party leadership. According to the postulations of these growing army of lobbyists from the Northcentral zone, though President Buhari did not win the 2019 presidential election in Plateau and Benue, it would be a great act of statesmanship for him and the party to grant the request of the people of the Northcentral to produce the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives. The Northcentral lobby team is also employing fresh tactics trying to arm twist the party and the President to consider ceding the Speakership position to the zone as a political concession towards healing the perceived wounds inflicted on the various peoples inhabiting the region, due largely to the herder-farmer crisis. Equally, they say the President Buhari would have convinced millions of citizens about his avowed commitment to ensuring inclusiveness in his second term in office, and enhancing the unity of Nigeria. Even as agitators for the Speakership seat are busy deploying strategies, another

dimension was brought to the fore by no less a formidable entity than the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN). CAN has urged the newly elected members of the National Assembly to ensure that religious balance is reflected in the leadership of the two legislative chambers. The Christian body said that of particular interest are the offices of the Senate President, the Deputy Senate President, the Speaker of the House Representatives and the Deputy Speaker. In a statement issued on behalf of the CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle by his Special Assistant, (Media & Communications),Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the association said there is need to balance the appointments of principal officers across religious divides to avoid domination and marginalisation of any kind in the interest of equity, justice, and fair play as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended). CAN said, “As you prepare for your inauguration, CAN urges you to balance the appointments of your principal officers across religious divides to avoid domination and marginalisation of any kind in the interest of equity, justice, and fair play as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended). We, from the Christian Association of Nigeria, recognize the importance of the National Assembly to the stability and growth of our polity. It is in this regard that we call for ethnic and religious balance with depth in picking the leadership of that great institution of democracy”. CAN said in order to remove any apprehension and suspicion harbored towards the leadership of the country. It said members the National Assembly should endeavour to address both the religious and the North and South dichotomies in the interest of equity, justice and fair play. “Our quest becomes imperative due to the existing order in the two other arms of the government. Today, both the President and the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria are Muslims and our appeal is to let either the Senate President or the Speaker be a Christian to address the religious dichotomy. This will give all Nigerians a sense of belonging irrespective of their religious affiliations”. The concern expressed by CAN has brought a new dimension to the jostle for National Assembly leadership which may ultimately send the contenders back to the drawing board on how to make any head way. How this whole issue will be resolved remains to seen and only time will tell.

obody reckoned that the North-central zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will make such an appreciable impact in the last presidential election. At the final count, the area which the opposition party, had hoped to reap bountiful dividends in terms of votes did not disappoint. It ended up giving President Muhammadu Buhari an impressive 2.4 million votes. That performance by the zone which placed it in third position, behind Northwest and Northeast has given it a pedestal to fight for the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the next dispensation. However, the quest by elected members of the House of Representatives from the North-central to become Speaker has pitted them against other members-elect from the Southwest, Southeast and Southsouth zones. From all indications, the jostle for the office of Speaker is between the Southwest and Northcentral. Whereas the Southwest brandishes an unofficial endorsement said to have been given by the party through its National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, the Northcentral is basing its lobby on several factors. The arrow head in the Southwest positioning to clinch the speakership seat is the current House Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, a man of considerable political prowess. Apart from the seeming support from the party, the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has declared support for Gbajabiamila and is giving him all the push that will help him succeed. But the reported position by the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, that the slot of Speaker of the House of Representatives will go to the Southwest has met with an opposing argument which sees the move as over patronizing the zone that has already had its fair share of the largesse of the present administration. Also while reacting to the report, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu said the information was false. He said the party was yet to take a final decision on zoning of leadership offices of the House to the geopolitical zones. He said, “We have not come out as a party to say that we have adopted Gbajabilamila and it is not in anyone’s position to go and announce that.” Also party stakeholders from the Northcentral saw such a ploy to hurriedly

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ANALYSIS

Desperation From the Glass House Femi Ogbonnikan writes on the intrigues that have characterised the aftermath of the March 9 governorship election in Ogun State

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he emerging scenario in Ogun State has become very complex and interesting since the declaration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, as Ogun State Governor-elect. Though it is not news many Nigerian politicians are not good sportsmen, often showing the character of bad losers, the outgoing governor, of Ogun Senator Ibikunle Amosun has set a dishourable record by outrightly refusing to pay Abiodun due courtesy. What makes the Ogun situation more pathetic is that ordinarily, Amosun should be all smiles and rejoicing, after all, his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the same platform he had vied for and won the Ogun Central Senatorial seat ticket, also won the Number One public office. Rather than sheath his sword, Amosun has continued with the same belligerent manners with which he prosecuted the party preliminary elections and the general election. The outgoing governor has been up in arms, waging all forms of war of attrition against the governor-elect who has suffered many things in the hands of Amosun, who vowed to do everything humanly possible to thwart his emergence as his successor. Jolted and saddened, Amosun is now crying wolves where there is none, following the defeat of his preferred candidate, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, through his adopted infant party, Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM). Likening his latest moves to that of a bee with its venom on a revenge mission, Amosun is not leaving any stone unturned in his latest desperate assault on Abiodun. Sadly, the governor has rejected the popular axiom that those who live in a glass house should not throw stones. From his Ibara, Abeokuta Housing Estate expansive Glass House, Amosun is throwing stones at Abiodun. Despite entreaties from well-meaning Nigerians, particularly those in Ogun State, to eat the humble pie, the outgoing governor, has remained ambivalent and elected to fight the titanic battle, by hook and crook, not minding whose ox is gored. He cashed in, on the opportunity as a payback time for Abiodun and his political godfathers for denying his godson the opportunity to succeed him in office. To many a people of the state, it is believed that it is only the outgoing governor that can tell why he is crying more than the bereaved (Akinlade) and also becoming more Catholic (leader) than the Pope (the Ogun West people) he has professed to protect their interest and lead the agitation in the quest to have one of their sons to become the next governor of the state. Nonetheless, if not for sheer providence, a stooge of the outgoing governor coming onboard, it is feared, would have been a sad reminder of the continuity of the last eight years of glacial insensitivity of the outgoing administration to the plight of both the local and state government workers who have been groaning arising from the pang of bad governance. With the attendant castrated financial resources of local governments administration and by extension, arbitrary deductions in salaries, unpaid pensions; contributory pensions; gratuities, unpaid cooperative savings deductions of both public and civil servants in the state, culminating in low morale, the emergence of

Abiodun

the Governor-elect is seen as a blessing coming at the right time when hopes are already dashed, with the increasing impoverishment of the workforce. On Monday, March 11, the day INEC declared Abiodun as governor-elect, it was gathered, that the cheering news was received with wild jubilation as workers in their respective offices at the Okemosan, Abeokuta, the seat of power, took to songs of praise to the Almighty God for the divine intervention. The civil populace are not left out. They are also happy with the change of guard. Artisans, market women and men, students, civil society groups, road transport workers, among others are now heaving a sigh relief and optimistic of a new dawn to berth, with the emergence of Abiodun, a successful businessman, as the new helmsman to pilot the affairs of the state, with people-oriented programmes aimed at ameliorating the poor living conditions of the people. Meanwhile, Amosun, yet to accept the defeat of his godson, Akinlade, is unrepentant and adamant in handing over the baton of leadership to his successor, Abiodun. In less than two months to vacate the office, which will lapse on May 29, the outgoing governor has continued to cause more problems for the incoming administration. He is yet to inaugurate a transition committee that would facilitate a smooth hand-over to the new administration. More worrisome trends too are the recent elevation of 20 senior civil servants to Permanent Secretary status, selective job placement of some of his cronies and favoured relations into the state civil service, inauguration of the governing councils of the state-owned tertiary institutions, the establishment of the State Investment and Promotion Agency that were hurriedly put together in a bid to rock the boat of the state for the in-coming administration. While berating the outgoing governor for his reluctance, an Owode-Egba-based, Ogun State, social commentator, Ola Muritala, in an open letter to Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on his Facebook account titled, “When Will Amosun Inaugurate Transition Committee?” Wrote, “Undoubtedly, government is a continuum and goes with the rules of actions, which serve as element for progress and change. “In Ogun State and many other states of the federation, having successfully, concluded the gubernatorial elections of March 9, 2019, it is important that governance move to the next agenda and responsibility. “After elections, the general norm for exiting regime is to inaugurate a transition committee saddled With the responsibility of ensuring a seamless transition to the next administration, in which any responsible or responsive government will not waste time in effecting. “Less than two months to the expiration of the current controversial administration in Ogun State, the government led by Senator Ibikunle Amosun is yet to inaugurate its transition committee, as we are witnessing in many states of the federation, where new governors are expected to take the mantle of office on May 29, 2019. “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after declaring Prince Dapo Abiodun as the clear winner of the gubernatorial election held in the State on the 9th of March,

Akinlade

2019, went ahead to present him a Certificate of Return on March 28, 2019 and will be sworn-in on May 29, 2019. “If by now, Governor Ibikunle Amosun is yet to bring on board, the transition committee, then, observers are justified to ask when this will be done. In fact, the recent desperation on the part of the incumbent, makes the question more pertinent. “To take our State to the next level through qualitative governance and a high level of prosperity, equity, fairness and justice for all, there is an urgent need to give the next administration a smooth take-off and it is imperative to quickly put in place a transition committee whose major responsibility is to ensure a seamless transition to the next administration. “Could it be that His Excellency, the incumbent Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, may be hiding something questionable or afraid to respect tradition necessary for his handing over? Or he is yet to come to terms with the reality and inevitability of handing over to someone he cheekily called a rookie, “who could not even win a senatorial election, let alone a governorship election”? “Few days ago, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State inaugurated a transition committee and charged members to ensure a smooth hand-over to the newly elected governor of the state, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. “The governor of Borno State, on his own part, has warned contractors in the state not to extend or expect any payment beyond May 29, 2019. His reason was that he does not want to tie the hands of his successor. “However, in Ogun State, the reverse is the case. Mr. Ibikunle Amosun is busy making appointments, promotions and secrete recruitment of his cronies into the civil service’s top positions. few days ago he announced a Governing Council and Vice Chancellor for a University that was yet to admit students. He followed later with the appointment of about 18 permanent secretaries and two General Managers to the State-owned media organizations. The Governor is reportedly busy selling lands and awarding phones contracts, while exerting pressure on financial institutions to grant last-minute loans and overdrafts. Many property owners who felt threatened by primitive acquisition of the departing governor have taken newspaper adverts to warn about buyers who may want to buy lands already sold to them by the Governor. They alleged the governor wanted to forcefully take over their lands, for which they already paid hundreds of millions of naira into the state covers, and resell to unsuspecting members of the public. “The big question is, When will Amosun inaugurate his Transition Committee? With his failed third term bid through a proxy, whether Mr. Amosun likes it or not, whether he is sponsoring a hushy-washy petitions at the Ogun Elections Petition Tribunal against a party he claimed to belong to or not; he will finally and unavoidably hand over power to Prince Dapo Abiodun on May 29, 2019 at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta. Nothing is permanent, not even the permanent secretaries. The world itself is temporary. The only thing permanent in this world is change. On May 29, 2019, the government will change hands

and the people’s choice, the victorious Prince Dapo Abiodun, will mount the rostrum to take over as he has been destined”. Also, erstwhile Special Assistant (SA) on political matters to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr Gbolade Oshinowo, in an exclusive chat, noted that the stance of the outgoing governor is a sad reflection of his resistance to the in-coming administration of Dapo Abiodun. “The posture of the Governor reflects an unbending resistance to the incoming Dapo Abiodun. This is unbecoming and impolitic. The election has ended, the people have made their choice. It is incumbent on all of us to respect the outcome of the Democratic process especially those who have benefited from the system and hope to continue to benefit from the system. Amosun must bow to the wishes of the people and make peace with his successor today. The alternative is fraught with too much danger for the system and for the personnel including himself”, said Oshinowo, who is also, the Ogun State chairman, African Democratic Congress (ADC). Besides, in a telephone chat, former DirectorGeneral, Senator Ibikunle Amosun Governorship Re-election Campaign Organisation in 2015, Chief Bode Mustapha, admonished the incoming administration of Dapo Abiodun not to lose sleep over the developments. “He (Amosun) too was faced with the same situation eight years ago and all he did was to reverse all of such appointments and engagements in the civil service. As far as I am concerned, the governor elect is well within his right to do same, especially in view of the newly approved minimum wage and bearing in mind the quantum of debt that this administration has plunged Ogun State into which is unprecedented in the history of the state”, stated Mustapha, a brief former Chairman, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). Former Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to exgovernor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Mr Wale Adedayo, added his voice to the call on the outgoing governor to exhibit a spirit of sportsmanship in accepting defeat of his preferred candidate, Akinlade. According to him, “it is ungodly and certainly perfidious to use an office won by APC to fight the same party. “How much was Amosun was worth ahead of the 2011 general elections which brought him to office, to the effect that he could bankroll APM in Ogun State? The transport and other unions were forced, using resources of the state to back APM. That couldn’t have happened if Abuja had done the needful about a perfidious being, who knows next to nothing about faithfulness. “If President Muhammadu Buhari had really behaved as a true leader of the party, there is no way an Amosun would have been part of the last elections. He would have been removed from office and personally remanded by now. That is an incontrovertible fact! “But since we are concerned about the last elections, Amosun may want to look in the mirror and confirm how many APC members were arrested by the law enforcement agencies for electoral malpractices. Ninety-nine percent of those arrested were his top aides. They were caught in the act.”

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

Taming the Recurring Farmers, Herdsmen's Crises in Anambra David-Chyddy Eleke reports that urgent but lasting steps need to be taken to contain the recurring farmers and herdsmen's clashes in Anambra State, given that despite efforts of the state government, the clashes have continued

A herdsman and his herd

T

wo weekends ago, the news of the killing of six farmers in Anam community of Anambra West Local Government Area (LGA) jolted citizens of the state. Many never believed that news of the activities of herdsmen, which has been read of in Enugu, Benue, Plateau and others could be heard of in Anambra State. But the truth is that killing of herdsmen and their cows by farmers is not new in Anambra State, neither is killing of farmers by herdsmen and destruction of their crops. This is especially in Anambra East and Anambra West LGAs. In the last incident, armed men, suspected to be herdsmen had invaded the community, leaving six people dead. Sources said some of the victims were beheaded by the marauders before leaving. An eyewitness, Mr. Orjiako Nnaluo (Ideh Anam), who spoke to journalists said that the herdsmen stormed farm settlements known as Agweopia Camp, Iyiogbu Camp and Iyinkolo, around 5:40am and started killing people, burning houses and raping many women. He said before people of the area could know what was going on, the herdsmen had killed six people, leaving about 30 others with various degrees of injuries.

Farmer’s Plight Anambra East and West LGAs, along with Awka North and Ogbaru LGAs are

PHOTO: GOOGLE known to be the food basket of the state, but these local government areas have remained the most attacked by herdsmen in the state.

Is it because the cases of killings are not being brought to the notice of the people? There is killing in that part of the state every day. It is either a woman is raped to death while working in her farm, or one farmer is attacked and killed in the bush... Imagine coming to a farm you left the previous day and seeing that your entire effort, including monies you borrowed to cultivate the farm have been destroyed by cattle

A farmer in the area, Mr Casmir Ezeugo said that with the way things are going, and the current fear in the area, the state may be plunged into hunger as farmers in most interior villages in the state have all fled for their lives. He said the development may cause a low yield in the coming year. “Is it because the cases of killings are not being brought to the notice of the people? There is killing in that part of the state every day. It is either a woman is raped to death while working in her farm, or one farmer is attacked and killed in the bush. On the other hand, I must sincerely say that once in a while, there have been some herdsmen that are killed by farmers, but that is usually as a result of extreme provocation. “Imagine coming to a farm you left the previous day and seeing that your entire effort, including monies you borrowed to cultivate the farm have been destroyed by cattle? Those are the kind of things that cause farmers to attack and kill cattle, but most times, such killing have always been paid for with people’s lives,� Ezeugo said. Reacting to the attack, the Anglican Bishop of Mbamili Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Henry Okechukwu Okeke, condemned the killings by the attackers, describing it as unfortunate, obnoxious and inhuman. He said, “This is a very unfortunate incident because these are core farmers. They are the food basket of Anambra State. Definitely,

it is going to affect not only the economy of our state, but the country generally. “It has been confirmed, I got the news this morning about the killings. Now, following the incident, farmers have left their farmlands. The Fulani people are also on the run. So, it is an unfortunate situation. I want to say it clearly that the Federal Government has the key. They must not sit down and watch people being killed by the herdsmen and their farms being destroyed. But Fulani men have been around here for some years now, but the recent destruction of farms has brought about unhealthy situations.�

Obiano’s Efforts Anambra is one state that is known to have a robust plan for containing the menace of herdsmen. This can be seen in the setting up of the cattle menace committee, which comprises heads of security agencies in the state on one hand, and traditional rulers and president general of the communities on the other, not also leaving behind the leadership of the farmers and the cattle herders. Though many believe that the constant killings in parts of the state needs the intervention of the federal government, the Obiano government is not resting on its oars to resolve outstanding cases. This may be reason, just a day after the news of the killings by herdsmen broke, the government announced that it had resolved the feud between Fulani

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FEATURES

Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano

Anambra Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura

Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C.Don Adinuba

cattle herdsmen and indigenous farmers in the state, which led to the killing of six people in Anam community. A press statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Orientation, Mr C.Don Adinuba stated that the crisis was caused by some strange herdsmen who strayed into the area, without knowledge of the existing relationship between the host community and the herders. A press statement by the commissioner read, “The Anambra State Government is pleased to announce that the crisis between herdsmen and crop farmers in the Anam community in Anambra West Local Government Area, last week has been resolved. The swift resolution followed the directive by Governor Willie Obiano to the Anambra State Security Council to bring the crisis to an end immediately and find out both the immediate and remote causes of the crisis and proffer suggestions on how to address them, so that a similar crisis will not erupt in the state in the future.� Adinuba said the crisis was as a result of “the entry of some herdsmen from a neighbouring state into Anambra State without following the protocol guiding the conduct of herdsmen in the state. For instance, they entered Anam without informing the local leaders of the herdsmen association who would have registered them as members and informed them of the rules of doing cattle business in Anambra State. The consequence was that the new entrants violated the rules in a

No resolution will work if the killers are not arrested and punished for their sins. So the men who were killed should just be forgotten because the killers are the ‘almighty’ herdsmen? For any settlement to be made, government must tell us what plans they have for our people who lost their beloved ones, and we should also know if the killers have been arrested. You cannot just say that we have settled, because we have not, and our people are very unhappy

Some female farmers repugnant manner and caused a breach of the peace.�

Measures by Security Agencies Meanwhile, security operatives comprising the army, police and others have never relented in their quest to ensure the security of lives and property in the area. After the incident of last Saturdays attack, a detachment of joint security laid siege at Mmiata Anam to forestall furthers attack. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Haruna Mohammed disclosed this to our correspondent in Awka, the Anambra State capital, while confirming the attack on the farmers. He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mustapha Dandaura, had ordered full-scale investigation on the matter with a view to bring the culprits to justice. He said, "The command has deployed two units of mobile policemen and other regular policemen to the area. We are working in conjunction with other security agencies in the operation.� Contrary to reports that six persons were killed, Haruna said, “Three persons were killed in the attack by suspected herdsmen. But we are on top of the situation and I

can assure you that normalcy will soon returned to the place." On whether any arrest had been made, Mohammed said he would not want to speak further on issues that would jeopardise investigations, stating that the outcome of the investigation would be made available to the public at the appropriate time.

Need for FG’s Intervention Adunuba’s statement however failed to say if the erring herdsmen were apprehended, and the sanctions meted out to them for violating the rules. Speaking on this, a source from the community where the herdsmen had killed six farmers at the weekend, who preferred to speak under the cover of anonymity said, “no resolution will work if the killers are not arrested and punished for their sins. “So the men who were killed should just be forgotten because the killers are the ‘almighty’ herdsmen? For any settlement to be made, government must tell us what plans they have for our people who lost their beloved ones, and we should also know if the killers have been arrested. You cannot just say that we have settled,

because we have not, and our people are very unhappy�. Also, the Anglican Bishop of Mbamili Diocese, Rt. Rev. Henry Okechukwu Okeke said, “The Federal Government actually has to do something. They should summon the leaders of the herdsmen and the rest of them. I think with that, this fire can be quenched now. The government of Anambra State instructed farmers through their Igwes to allow herdsmen graze their cattle, but the word ‘allow’ must be interpreted because when you say allow, what do you mean? Is it to allow them to graze and destroy farms crops? “ Is it to allow them to continue to cause trouble? If you allow someone to stay in your land and do his business, there must be restrictions, there must be a border line, of course, you know that 99.9 per cent of Anambra West are farmers. They are farmers or do you expect farmers to fold their arms and watch the herdsmen kill them and destroy their farms? Anambra West is a hospitable environment people who are so much accommodating. They have accommodated the herdsmen over the years, who have turned against them, killing and maiming their hosts.�

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Quick Takes CIBN Elects Uwaleke Chairman

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Abuja Chapter, has elected Prof. Uche Uwaleke as its new Chairman. This followed a successful election on April 4. In his acceptance speech, Uwaleke promised to continue the good works started by his predecessor and take the CIBN to greater heights. SpeciďŹ cally, he pledged to sustain and grow the Bankers Quarterly forum as well as the Bankers’ Dinner and Award Ceremonies, both agship activities of the Abuja branch. Uwaleke,whotookoverfromMr.TonyIfechikwuwhorecentlyretired as a Director with CBN, further said he would accord priority to the organisation of workshops including international conferences aimed at knowledge sharing and bringing members up to speed with developments in the ďŹ nancial world. Nigeria’s ďŹ rst Professor of capital market and the Head, Banking and Finance Department at the Nasarawa State University, KeďŹƒ, Uwaleke who was unanimously elected as chairman, promised to leverage his long years of teaching and research in top universities in Nigeria to grow the membership of the Institute and to work with the national body to ensure that CIBN members take their right of place in the relevant sectors of the country’s economy. It will be the ďŹ rst time since the inception of the branch that the chairmanship position is taken by someone outside the CBN. Speaking after the elections, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Aluko said the unanimous choice of Uwaleke, a member of the academia, was eloquent testimony of the conďŹ dence CIBN members repose in him and urged him not to let the Institute down.

PRODUCTLAUNCH

L-R: HeadRetailBusinessAdvisory,SterlingBank,OgundiranIbidapo;GeneralManager,NigeriaElectricityRegulatoryCommission,AbdulkadirShettima;Unit Head, Power andTelecoms, Sterling Bank, Ayodele Odulaja, at the launch of bank consumer and retail financing scheme for MAP Meter Acquisition in Lagos... recently

Fixed Income, Currency Markets Transactions Soar 51% to N29trn Goddy Egene More investors are turning to the fixed income and currency (FIC) markets as the market recorded a jump of 51 per cent in the value of investment in the month of March. The market, which is run by the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange recorded transactions valued at N28.98 trillion, up from N19.18 trillion in February 2019. Compared to the March 2018, the transactions represented an increase of 84.47 per cent over the N15.71 trillion recorded. According to data made available to THISDAY on Monday,

ECONOMY Treasury Bills (T.bills) and foreign exchange (FX) market segments remained major drivers of turnover in the FIC markets, jointly accounting for 75.71 per cent of turnover in March. A breakdown of transaction in the FX market, showed that turnover in March 2019 was $33.26 billion, representing a 127.92 per cent jump, compared with $18.67 billion the previous month. Analysis of FX turnover by trade type indicated an increase across all three segments, as FX

turnover for Inter-member, Member-clients and MemberCentral Bank of Nigeria trades increased by 76 per cent, 107.4 per cent and 221.5 per cent respectively. The increase in FX turnover for Member-Clients and Member CBN was driven by the increase in turnover in OTC FX Futures market segment which is largely attributable to increased foreign portfolio investor inflows. Analysis of FX turnover by product type showed an increase in both FX Spot and FX Derivatives, with FX Spot recording an increase of 144.6 per cent ($12.69 billion) and

accounting for 67.98 per cent of the total increase in FX turnover. The increase of 102.64 per cent ($5.97 billion) in FX Derivatives was driven by increases in FX Forwards, swaps and futures turnover by 76.61 per cent, 73.6 per cent and 282.28 per cent respectively. Total T.bills outstanding recorded an increase of 4.31 per cent (N0.69 trillion) to close at N16.8 trillion, with OMO Bills accounting for 100 per cent of the increase while actual T.bills outstanding remained unchanged, as the CBN continued its liquidity Continued on page 24

Report: Machine LearningWill Become Reality in Future Obinna Chima Research has revealed that machine learning is becoming more relevant for a lot of organisations as the hype increasingly becomes reality. According to a report, huge opportunities for better business intelligence and across a range of activities carried out by accountants. It also noted that adoption of machine learning needs to be based on legitimate business need rather than just wanting to be seen as using AI It further pointed out that ethical challenges lie ahead - accountants need to align professional competence and due care with AI and machine learning. The findings are published in a new report from the As-

ECONOMY sociation of Chartered Certified Accountants(ACCA) titled: “Machine learning: more science than fiction,� which highlighted how new tech developments have massive potential for the accountancy profession. According to the report, a third of accountants currently see AI as all or mostly hype, while nearly 60 per cent said that in three years’ time it will become a reality, according to the global research amongst nearly 2,000 ACCA members in 111 countries. The report focused on machine learning, which is the ability of computers to ‘learn’ and make decisions or predictions based on analysis of large sets of data.

The author of the report and head of business insights at ACCA, Narayanan Vaidyanathan said: ‘Machine learning is a critical area of development for accountants. Looking ahead it will be crucial to understand its value and benefits, as well as the ethical challenges it presents. “In all this, the starting point has to be a legitimate business need with a clear understanding of what it can bring to the organisation. “AI and machine learning can add value to the work accountants do – from generating valuable insights for business decision-making, to fraud detection, risk assessment, understanding complexities in taxation and also with more effective non-financial reporting. “So the accountancy profession needs to understand how

AI and machine learning works, especially given its role in influencing the trust we have in the decisions of these systems.� According to the report, as with any technology, with power comes responsibility. In the case of machine learning ethical considerations are never far away, it added. It stressed that accountants need to consider and manage potential ethical compromise from decision-making by algorithm, such as the risk of bias in the data set that feeds them and the issue of accountability for decisions made. The report emphasises that at a minimum all finance professionals should know how AI was evolving and be alert to how the developing capabilities

La Casera Promises Innovation

The La Casera Company (TLCC), in line with its unrelenting eorts at sustaining its strong market presence in the Nigerian soft drink market, has promised its consumers that it will continue to evolve to remain the most preferred apple soft drink amongst apple drink aďŹ cionados and beyond. Apart from La Casera apple, which is the agship brand,TLCC also produces other premium quality brands such as Smoov Chapman, Bold Bitter Lemon, Nirvana Soda Water and NirvanaTable Water. The Group Marketing Director of JOTNA (the parent company ofTLCC) Mr Emmanuel Agu, said this year will not be an exception in terms of innovations, as the company has a continuous and improved strategy in place to drive the brands for easy market penetration. Agu, further stated that La Casera apple drink which is present in every state in Nigeria, has been around for almost two decades and continues to set the pace in the apple segment of the soft drink market. He said: “The brand remains the apple soft drink to beat in terms of original apple content and unique crispy apple taste. Consumers of La Casera nationwide have come todiscernandappreciatethetastyapplegoodnessthebrandoers,â€? Reecting on the stellar performance of La Casera apple over the years in Nigeria, Senior Brand Manager TLCC, Ruth Ode, said the brandhaswarmeditswayintotheheartsandmindsofitsconsumers not only by oering a premium experience apple drink but also by buildingstrongbrandequitythroughvariousconsumerengagements and trade support programmes.

Rain to Improve Cocoa Quality

Mixed rains fell over Ivory Coast’s cocoa-growing regions last week, farmers said on Monday, with more showers needed in some areas to boost the April-to-September mid-crop. The rainy season in the world’s biggest cocoa producer runs from mid-MarchtolateOctober,withheavyshowersexpectedtobeginthis month. Farmers said their harvests had so far been more abundant than last year and that a mix of showers and sunshine would yield a healthier mid-crop than the previous season. InthewesternregionofSoubre,attheheartofthecocoabelt,farmers said the weather would allow them to harvest twice a month until at least July. “The mid-crop is good, we have already harvested many more beans than last year,â€? Julien Beda, who farms near Soubre told Reuters. “Sunshine will be very important for the next stage (of the mid-crop).â€? Rainfall in Soubre, which includes the regions of Sassandra and San Pedro, was at 27.5 millimetres (mm) last week, 8 mm above the ďŹ ve-year average.

“Lagos, like Nigeria, is the epicentre of the energy access crisis across the globe. There is not one person, or business in Nigeria that is not confronted with this crisis. Unfortunately, Lagos is one large city that has suffered much energy crisis, considering its huge location of businesses and massive population�

CEO, ZOLA Electric

Bill Lenihan Continued on page 24

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FIXED INCOME, CURRENCY MARKETS TRANSACTIONS SOAR 51% TO N29TRN mop up via OMO auctions to curtail build-up of inflationary pressure. Similarly, FGN bonds outstanding value increased by 1.43 per cent (N0.12 trillion) to close at N8.64 trillion as at March 29, 2019. Trading intensity in the T.bills and FGN bonds markets increased from 0.54 and 0.12 in February to 0.60 and 0.18 in March respectively. Trading intensity in markets stood at 1.60 and 0.38 respectively compared to 1.27 and 0.33 as at the same period in 2018, due to the 52.61 per cent growth in T.bills and FGN bonds year-to-date turnover. T.bills within the 6-12 months maturity bracket remained the most actively traded in March, accounting for 59.89 per cent of the total FI market turnover. In March weighted average rate of yields on short- and long-term maturities on the sovereign yield curve increased by 0.47ppts and 0.26ppts respectively. Conversely, weighted average rate of yields on medium-term maturities on the sovereign yield curve declined by 0.91ppts. REPORT: MACHINE LEARNING WILL BECOME REALITY IN FUTURE could overlap with their impact on their roles. To prepare for the digital future, ACCA already examined a range of digital topics within its Masters level ACCA qualification. It has also enhanced the digital content across many of the exams for students, while also ensuring digital was weaved into members’ continuous professional development. Vaidyanathan added: “Machine learning’s entrance into the accountancy mainstream is a huge opportunity, where professional accountants have the chance to develop a core understanding of emerging technologies, while continually building their interpretive, contextual and relationship-led skills. “They can then truly benefit from the ability of technologies like machine learning to support them with intelligent analysis of vast amounts of data.�

Expert Urges FG to Review VAT Law, Border Policing Hamid Ayodeji with agency report A tax expert, Taiwo Oyedele, has advised the federal government to review its Value Added Tax (VAT) law and improve policing at its borders to improve its VAT collections. Oyedele, who is the Head of Tax and Corporate Advisory Services at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), West Africa, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He said the government could shore up its revenue through a review of VAT waivers and come up with a framework for VAT on imported services and digital transactions. “At the moment, we have a lot of issues with Nigerian VAT law because most times policymakers talk about the rate alone without saying anything about the rest of the law. “For instance, the country loses lot of revenue from the importation of a lawyer from Ghana who pays nothing for services rendered in Nigeria because he pays no VAT for such services whereas his Nigerian counterpart does. “The implication is that it makes the country’s lawyer less competitive because there is no legal provision in the VAT law that imposes five per cent VAT on such imported services. “The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has seen this loophole and it is trying to block the leakage through the back door by issuing circulars to that effect. “The truth is that you cannot use circulars to impose tax, it has to be by law, so the government needs to amend the law to block this leakage

and others,� he said. Oyedele, said the government should also have a regulatory framework for generating revenue from digital transactions. NAN reported that digital economy (transaction) is the worldwide network of economic activities, commercial transactions and professional interactions that are enabled by Information and Communications Technologies (ICT). He said though some of the digital transactions operators such as Uber, Bolt (Taxify), office sharing and even technology platform providers like Facebook, Google, online stores and

blogs pay VAT, the taxes were not backed by law. According to him, people place adverts on these platforms. “The government should explore these opportunities and back it up with law to ensure that not just few people pay taxes but all operators,� he said. He said South Africa had just released a regulation on its digital economy, advising Nigeria to follow suit. Besides, Oyedele noted that four per cent cost of VAT collection by FIRS was too high by global benchmark standards, while 15 per cent

allocation of VAT to federal government was no longer justified. “VAT law was introduced in 1993 and took effect in 1994; all over the world, including Nigeria, consumption tax is usually a state and local government tax. “But along the line, it was discovered that some states do not have capacity to collect the tax and agreed that the federal government should collect the tax on behalf of states. “That is why the federal government gets 15 per cent as cost of administering it

while states get 85 per cent. “Technically for VAT, federal government gets 15 per cent and FIRS gets four per cent bringing total accrued to the federal government to 19 per cent. “Globally, the standard benchmark for collecting tax is one per cent, even many tax authorities in some countries collect less than one per cent,� he said. He added that should federal government take lesser percentage it would free funds for states to meet their financial obligations and become more financially stable.

EYES ONTHE SDGS

L-R: Minister of Finance, lndonesia, Sri Mulyani lndrawati; President, EBRD, Suma Chakrabarti and United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed,duringameetingonhowtointegratetheSustainableDevelopmentGoalsintoNationalBudgetsatthejustconcluded2019SpringMeetingsof theIMF/WorldBankGroupinWashingtonDC‌recently ABIODUNAJALA

Metrology Key to Economic Devt, Says SON DG James Emejo in Abuja The Director General/Chief Executive, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr. Osita Aboloma, has said metrology otherwise known as the science of measurement had become critical for meeting the country’s development aspirations, particularly the acceptance of its exports by the international markets. He said measurement plays a key role for determining the success of manufactured products in terms of precision and how well they are made. Speaking at the opening of

a workshop for North-west on the importance of metrology for quality assurance of products and services and industrial development, he said the SON Act covers all aspects of metrology to ensure the protection of business, safety, wealth as well as other aspects of Nigerian lives. He said the SON Act No. 14 of 2015 and the Weights and Measures Act on Legal Metrology remained the applicable metrology laws in the country. Represented at the occasion by the FCT Coordinator, SON, Mr. Gambo Dimka, Aboloma, among other things, said human health and safety relied on cred-

ible measurements in medical diagnosis and therapy while protection of the environment and large scale studies related to global climate change depend critically on accurate measurements often extending over long periods time. He said: “All these call for measurements of the highest accuracy to reduce to minimal, the cost and issue of rejection of any product from the country.� He said adherence to measurement precision could help minimise instances building collapse in the country as well as engender equity and fairness in all business transactions.

He added that it was the duty of SON to ensure that calibration is done by manufacturers by ensuring they have scales and instruments which are able to measure what is required. Aboloma further noted that with the rampant collapse of buildings, it would become necessary that measurements are enforced to ensure people comply with and get value for their money and appreciate the importance of measurement. He said: “God has created all of us with the need to measure and that is why the Quran talks about it, the scripture talks about it and the women will tell you

when the salt is too much or less because they are able to measure.� However, he said the workshop became necessary, “to awake our consciousness on the crucial role metrology plays in all aspects of our lives. “I can assure you that SON, in collaboration with partner agencies, manufacturers, service providers and other stakeholders, shall continue to enhance the competitiveness of their products and services by availing them the relevant standards, be it physical, and or documentary, thereby guaranteeing them unfettered access to both domestic and international markets.�

Group Business Editor

MTN Deploys Fibre Optic Capabilities to Boost Internet Penetration

Capital Market Editor

James Emejo in Abuja

Obinna Chima ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?

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™Ăœ Ě™(Energy) Reporters

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

MTN Nigeria has restated its commitment to enhancing internet penetration by promoting the deployment of fibre optic capabilities to residential users across the country. Senior Enterprise Business Manager, Northern Region, MTN, Mr. Awwal Abdullahi, said the provision of its high speed fibre network would boost productivity in the long-run and allow people to achieve so much using the online platform.

Speaking at the launch of its FibreNet network in Abuja, he said the technology was highly scalable, resilient with high connection speed that would guarantee value for money. He said: “The fibreNet is what is also known as fibre to home. Fibre as you all know is a cable connection, unlike the usual conventional connection with the mobile GSM where the connection is wireless. “But this time around, the fibre net is a dedicated cable of fibre. And you all know when

you are connecting any kind of communication using fibre, it is highly scalable and resilient and the speed is usually very high. Now, that is exactly what fibre is all about. He said: “Internet has become more or less like food now. As I am talking to you, there are close to 60 million smartphones in Nigeria. And these are phones that have access to the internet. What do they do? Some of them run their offices on the go, some of them keep social contacts on the go‌ some also use their

phones to sell their products and services on Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp among others. “We have seen how the use of smartphones has helped in great ways in even addressing the political terrain in Nigeria. Internet boosts productivity and helps majority of people to secure jobs online.� Similarly, MTN Representative, Enterprise Marketing, Mr. Mohammed Sharaf, said with 3000 residents in the estate, the network was ready to boost internet penetration in the

country through the provision of affordable and quality data services to residential areas in Abuja and across the country. He said: “This is bringing to the people of CITEC estate assured reliable and affordable internet that can be used for so many things. “We all know the importance of internet in 2019 cannot be overemphasised: internet is used for everything even kids’ homework, watching video CDs and whatever you have to do. It is a better technology, it is fibre cabled into your house and it is affordable.�

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FG Sets Price for Flared Gas in NGFCP Chineme Okafor in Abuja The federal government has disclosed that third-party investors in its new flare gas programme – the Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) would be given every one thousand standard cubic square feet of gas (scf) at $0.25 cent. The price on offer is below what obtains in the Domestic Supply Obligation (DSO) which has a price tag of $1.50 per 1,000scf of gas. Speaking recently in Abuja, during a press briefing held by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, on the chairman of the programme’s steering committee, Mr. Rabiu Suleiman, explained that the price would be gas stocks available at the 178 flare sites the programme has so far identified and put up for bids. “Third party investors are to access and utilise the gas currently being discharged to flare stacks to convert same into Flare-Gas-to-Market-Products (FG-2-MP) and domesticate projects development expertise and proven technology in commercial application. The NGFCP

is also designed as an important “climate change action plan� for the nation. “And, it is the first market driven program undertaken on this scale globally where bidders will have flexibility of choosing which flare site(s) to bid for, the flare gas price to offer to the FGN (taking into cognisance the NGFCP floor price of US$0.25 Cents per thousand standard cubic square feet of gas) and the end market gas products, as well as the technology to be deployed,� Suleiman, said. He listed some of the major highlights identified from an economic analysis of the programme, adding that harnessing gas from the programme’s biggest 50 flare points would reduce flare gas volumes by 80 per cent. Suleiman, stated that the 178 flare sites identified collectively flare about 330 billion cubic feet (bscf) of gas produced per year in Nigeria, with majority of the gas flaring locations - about 65 per cent of them located at onshore oil fields. “At least 80 per cent of gas from the flaring locations can be viably utilised; and about $ 3.5 billion worth of inward investments by third party

investors is required to achieve the gas flare commercialisation targets by 2020,� he added. According to him: “Although pipelines present the most viable option for transporting gas, scalable, containerised, skid mounted/barge type ‘plug and play’ technologies, virtual pipeline and compressed natural gas trucks would be preferred for quick wins.� He further noted that despite a 70 per cent decline in flaring of gas in Nigeria over the past decade as a result of the efforts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its joint venture (JV) partners, the country still flared about 324bcf of gas in 2017, exceeding an equivalent of 800 million standard feet per day (mmscfd) utilised for power generation and 450mmscfd utilised in the domestic market. However, in its analysis of the NGFCP regulations and prospects, a Lagos-based commercial solicitor firm which specialises exclusively in non-courtroom practice, Detail Commercial Solicitors, stated that it was important the programme allowed whoever got permits in the bids to competitively sell their products to preferred end-users.

NACCIMA to Sign Agreement on Local Content in US Oluchi Chibuzor The National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has revealed that it will be leading a contingent of Nigerian Entrepreneurs to Pennsylvania, United States of America, on a trade mission on local content integration trade agreement. This was disclosed in statement signed by the Chairman, NACCIMA, Export Group, Kola Awe, who said the tour would be led by the President of the chambers, Mrs. Iyalode Lawson. The statement further noted that the trip would provide opportunity for Nigerian businesses, manufacturers and exporters to attend the 40-year old Odunde annual festival, for all blacks in Diaspora to

showcase their indigenous goods. “Lawson will sign a trade agreement with the Pennsylvania Chambers of Commerce on behalf of NACCIMA in other to give its members opportunities to explore new business frontiers. “The business tour which would kick off from Saturday 1st, to Sunday 23rd June, would be in partnership with the Ooni of Ife’s Cultural and business contingents, who would explore windows of opportunities in trade for Nigerians businesses,� he said. Awe, further noted that the team would be seeking to review an opportunity of supplying cocoa to Hershey Chocolate, which is one of the biggest Chocolate factories in the world, but has not been operational till date.

“The festival will allow group to meet the Governor of the State of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf; the State Chambers of Commerce led by their president, Gene Barr; the Nigerian business community and the executives of the Pennsylvania Medical Society Harrisburg; leaders of state assembly, as well the Factory facilities of the Hershey Chocolate to sign trading agreement with the aim setting up same factory in Nigeria among others benefits. “The invitation is unprecedented and will open lot of benefits for Nigerian business community. “A look at the Ooni’s visit to Hershey Chocolate factory shows possibility of the company buying large quantities of Nigeria’s Cocoa even to set up same in Nigeria.�

NOVA Merchant Bank Gets Investment Grade Rating In furtherance of its plans to scale its operation this year, NOVA Merchant Bank Limited, in yet another milestone, recently received an investment grade rating from both Agusto & Co (Bbb) and the Global Credit Ratings (BBB-). The reasons given for the bank’s rating included the strength of its board and management team, robust capitalisation, prudent risk profile, good asset quality and strong liquidity. The achievement, according to a statement, followed the recent publication of the bank’s financial results where

it declared a profit after tax of N1.15 billion for the year ended 31st of December 2018, an increase from N510.6 million in 2017. Commenting on the investment grade rating, the Managing Director/CEO of the bank, Anya Duroha said: “The award of investment grade ratings by two leading rating agencies is another significant milestone in the history of the bank. “It further assists us in our plans to scale up our operations this year and deliver value to our customers and all other stakeholders�. The Chairman of NOVA

Merchant Bank, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, noted: “These ratings are further validation of the strength of the foundation which has been laid for the continued future success of the bank. “On behalf of the board, I will like to commend the management team for all their effort in achieving this milestone debut rating record.� He assured stakeholders that NOVA Merchant Bank would continue to focus on delivering on its overarching philosophy of “New Thinking, New Opportunities� to sustainably grow its business.

ELEVATING TO THE NEXT LEVEL Marie-Therese Phido

WhenThey Write You Off! Last Sunday was exciting for me. I was charged up! You’d think I won. Nothing excites me or gives me more hope like the Tiger Woods win. He won his fifth Masters and 15th major title to achieve one of the most significant comeback stories in sports after overcoming so many challenges in the recent past. At 43 years old, he succeeded against all odds, through the tightly packed leaderboard to win by one shot in Augusta. His first major title in 11 years and first Masters win since 2005. The excitement as I write this article, is palpable as it completes the magical record of the most dominant golf player of this generation and some will say the best ever after overcoming “demons� through injury and the personal challenges with his divorce. In 2017, he underwent a career-saving spine fusion surgery, had problems with the law and prescription drugs. Yesterday’s win completes a remarkable redemption puts Tiger No.1 just three majors behind the all-time record of Jack Nicklaus. “Only fellow American Nicklaus has won more Masters, with six. Woods also joins Nicklaus as the only player to have won the Masters in three different decades after he clinched his first as a 21-year-old in 1997.� “It’s overwhelming just because of what has transpired,� Woods said in the Green Jacket ceremony in the Butler Cabin. “Last year I was very lucky to be playing again. At the previous Champions Dinner I was really struggling and missed a couple of years of not playing this great tournament and now I’m the champion. Twenty two years between wins, it’s a long time and it’s unreal for me to experience this. My mom was here, she was there in 1997 as well. I’m just so happy and excited and I’m at a loss for words.� One thing that kept reverberating in my mind last night was, “how did he feel when they wrote him off and how did he muster the will and power to succeed again.� As we all know, getting to the top is not easy but a lot harder to sustain success. What is even more difficult is achieving the same level of success again when you have lost it completely and hit rock bottom. Many and in fact the vast majority never rise again after falling to the depth that Tiger did. So, what must Tiger Woods have done to achieve this great come back, which you can also employ to achieve your own come back when you stumble like he did: Love what you do – Be passionate about some and what you do. Once you have passion for what you are doing it cease to have the “work� tag attached to it. When you are doing what you love doing and have passion for, you do not want to stop. The key is to find your passion. One way of know what your passion is, is determining that activity or business that you can do happily without getting paid day in day out. Focus on a goal - “Facing significant difficulty can boost the value that an individual places on a goal, which can enhance motivation,� said life and career coach at Upstairs Coaching, Alex Kingsmill. Having a goal sounds like straightforward advice, but often settling on where you want to end up -- particularly when it comes to career and family decisions -- can seem overwhelming. But there’s no need to bite off more than you can chew, to start with at least. “If goal setting and striving doesn’t come naturally, start out small. A few quick achievements will boost your confidence and fuel your motivation. Then aim bigger and reward yourself along the way,� Kingsmill said. Manage your internal dialogue – We all have that voice in our heads that tells us, “you cannot do it�. “Are you sure?� “Do you have what it takes?� According to life

coach and founder of Vision Scope Coaching, Tammi Kirkness, a hallmark of those who have achieved success despite the odds is that they’re able to effectively manage this ‘internal dialogue.’ So what are they doing that we should be doing too? “They’ve been able to master it,� she said of that inner voice. “Once they’ve recognised the existence of it, they continuously acknowledge and manage it in a way that helps to motivate and encourage their pursuits.� Be Confident – many people find it difficult to be confident and even when they are they try to downplay it, because people have called them arrogant when they showed traits of confidence. But, psychologists say, confidence is very important to those who overcome obstacles to succeed. The belief that you will succeed no matter what, is a trait that is seen in many people who have had to struggle in their path to success. Confidence is what Tiger felt in his ability especially after listening to so many people telling him that he was washed up and could no longer be considered a golfer, but a former boxer. He was confident in knowing that he could come back and win big. Be tenacious – Nothing beats tenacity. Everybody who has triumphed over adversity has had to be tenacious. A few week’s I talked about grit. Without grit and staying power you will not succeed. You just have to keep going no matter how many times you fail. Refuse to be discouraged. Have faith in your abilities – in addition to your religious belief, have a deeply held belief in your elf, it is the cornerstone and beginning achieving success. “Strong faith keeps these people going when others might throw in the towel,� psychotherapist, Dr. Karen Phillip said. “It’s the foundational building block that allows them to take the risk and to move forward with their dreams.� Don’t see obstacles -- see solutions - Thomas Edison -- creator of the lightbulb -- took between 1,000 and 10,000 attempts before creating the world-changing invention. Paul Ewart says, “It’s worth asking ourselves just how many times we’ve stopped ourselves pursuing something because of the perceived difficulties we will encounter along the way?� “It’s all a matter of perception,� said Ben Harvey, educator and co-founder of Authentic Education. “An unsuccessful person may think of starting a business, but then encounters obstacles and thinks, ‘what if I fail?’. Whereas the successful person sees solutions, ‘how can I learn more?’ or ‘how will I succeed?’� Learn from your mistakes - Bill Gates believes that his failures are an important learning tool, he famously said -- “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.� Paul Ewart, said, “despite dropping out of high school and enduring failed business ventures, this go-getter went on to achieve great things.� It’s a habit that registered psychologist, Dr. Marny Lishman, believes is shared with those bound for success. “They look at what has happened and can make recommendations for going forward in their life rather than getting bogged down in their perceived failures. Taking on board what has worked -- and what didn’t,� Lishman said. In conclusion, never allow anybody to write you off. You can succeed if you decide to. You keep trying, have faith, don’t see obstacles, learn from your mistakes, have confidence and believe that you can succeed and you will. The sky is your limit.

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

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Uduk: OneYear as SEC DG Goddy Egene writes that the Securities and Exchange Commission has made some progress one year after Mary Uduk was appointed acting director general When Mary Uduk was appointed acting director general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in March 2018, she came in with a mission to fulfil the commission’s statutory mandate through team work, collaborative engagements of stakeholders and a committed sense of purpose. Given the circumstances of her appointment, she knew then that her primary task was to restore investors’ confidence in the nation’s capital market system and by so doing, make the Nigerian investment space attractive to global and domestic investors, despite the nation’s economic challenges. One year of overseeing the regulation of the capital market, stakeholders said Uduk and her management have done reasonably well in sustaining investor confidence, instilling discipline in transactional processes in the bourse, enlightenment and engagement of investors and their associations on emerging trends in global investment space. Although the value of the market has declined, operators said the negative development was caused the inability of the federal government to support the efforts of SEC management. According to them, while the regulator has been working hard to sustain investor confidence, the absence of board has discouraged potential investors. Sustaining investor conďŹ dence In the area of sustaining investor confidence, the Uduk-led leadership of the SEC continued to promote the E-Dividend Mandate Management System(EMMS), the Direct Cash Settlement(DCS) and the multiple subscription service option for investors. In addition, the SEC has raised the bar of investors’ confidence through the National Investors Protection Fund (NIPF) Risk-Based supervision and the Complaints Management Framework that opens communication channels for investors to lodge complaints and get prompt responses. The importance of the EMMS is to reduce to the barest minimum the incidence of unclaimed dividend. To boost the e-dividend mandate and DCS initiatives, the commission engaged the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) on behalf of the capital market community to facilitate identity validation and account validation in an effort to enhance market processes. Another area the SEC made progress in the past year is in respect of its initiatives aimed at educating investors on capital market development. Apart from advising retail investors to invest in collective investment schemes (CIS) also known as mutual funds, given the low or no risk level of such investments, the commission has also been carrying out regularly various investor education campaigns nationwide to inform investors of the benefits of investing in long term securities and avoiding investments in illegal schemes, among others. Also, the capital market regulatory institution has recently initiated a collaborative relationship with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) on the development of a curriculum for basic and secondary schools on Capital Market studies as part of the management’s futuristic approach in Nigeria’s capital market development. Recently, in furtherance of its investor protection mandate, the commission, in line with the provisions of Section 13 (w) of ISA 2007 which empowers it to close any illegal investment companies, sealed off the premises of a Lagos-based firm, Growing Circle, for engaging in illegal fund management activities. Also, SEC early this year issued a cease-and-desist order to Kapa-Community Ministry International Inc. (KAPA), a religious corporation found to be soliciting investments from the public in a manner resembling a Ponzi scheme, following evidence that the organisation had been offering and selling securities in the form of investment contracts without the necessary licence. SEC has issued several warning notes to the investing public, urging them to refrain from investing their money in outfits not registered with the commission. The commission has also advised the public not to subscribe to any financial investment plan without first checking the registration status of the operating company on the commission’s website. Specifically, the SEC must register any investment

been given more attention. Uduk disclosed that the commission had commenced implementation of 66 out of the over 90 initiatives outlined in the CMP with 13 of them completed so far. She listed the de-materialisation of shares, re-capitalisation of capital market operators, setting up of a National Investment Protection Fund, and establishment the West African Securities Regulators Association, as some of the completed initiatives. Uduk expressed optimism that many of the yet-to-be completed 55 initiatives now at various stages of implementation would be concluded before the end of 2019. When the progress made by the SEC in the implementation of the CMP is analysed within the context of the fact that the document is a blueprint for the development of the Nigerian capital market in core areas of investor protection and education, professionalism, product innovation and expansion of the capital market’s role in Nigeria’s economy, then it can be said that SEC has recorded significant progress in the last one year.

Uduk

scheme targeted at the investing public together with the managers of the scheme. This is the first step toward investors’ protection. Therefore, any investment scheme that is not registered is automatically categorised as illegal and potentially fraudulent. The commission maintained that even if the company was registered with SEC, the potential investors should endeavor to find out from the commission whether the commission has approved the company’s activities. Embracing Fintech In line with global trends, the SEC has also keyed into the idea of leveraging the performance of the nation’s capital market on technological products and solutions. Already, a division now exists in the SEC dedicated to Fintech which is helping the management to invest in and adopt all the technologies that relate to the capital market surrounding initial coin offerings (ICOs), among others. As the DG confirmed recently, the management believes that technology, when properly leveraged, will reduce the cost of doing business in the capital market. To demonstrate the SEC leadership’s commitment to using technology as the driving hub for the nation’s capital market transactions, the Capital Market Committee (CMC) set up a Roadmap Committee recently to develop a guide for the capital market with a view to tapping on the benefits of technology to do business and reduce cost. Boosting transparency Again, as a proof of the SEC management’s commitment to promoting professionalism and ensuring that capital market transactions are devoid of opacity in any form, the commission introduced

the Fidelity Bond as one of the requirements for all market operators to file. The bond is a yearly regulatory mandate for operators to file and the commission, following its observation of some level of default, has started compiling the list of defaulters for the purposes of sanctioning them according to the provisions of the law. The commission had last December also approved the amendments to its regulatory framework which prohibited stockbrokers from engaging in any form of guaranteed investments on behalf of shareholders. The amended regulation also requires stockbrokers to categorically inform their clients, in writing, that they cannot engage in guaranteed investments on their behalf. Prior to the commission’s directive, there had been a significant increase in the abuse of guaranteed investments which, unfortunately, resulted in losses. These regulatory measures, as some analysts have commented, are necessary for the current drives by Ms. Uduk and her team to make transactions in the capital market totally transparent for investments in line with global best practices. Even on the issue of deepening the capitalisation of the market, the SEC’s leadership in collaboration with the NSE, has not fared badly despite the increasingly worrisome under-performance of the nation’s economy over the past few years, including the associated investors’ sentiments about the 2019 general elections. Implementation of Capital Market Masterplan Far more fundamental to the current and future of the nation’s investment space is the sustained implementation of the 10-year Capital Market Masterplan (CMP), which in the past year, has

Going forward While SEC has been commended on some of the initiatives made so far, market analysts believe there should be more collaborative efforts among the regulators and all stakeholders. They include the fiscal and monetary authorities as well as the National Assembly. This will boost the task of attracting long term investments into Nigeria and close the funding gap that has remained the bane of the country’s sustainable development over the years. The Chairman of Ibadan Zone Shareholders Association, Mr. Eric Akinduro, said: SEC should embark on intensive awareness creation particularly to the grassroots investors. In this market we have two types of investors informed and uninformed SEC should create an enabling environment for the uninformed to be informed and key into the e-mandate system.� According to him, the commission should partner shareholders groups to reach their members at grass root level. Mr. Anthony Omojola of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) said the regulator should embark on an enlightenment using radio, town hall meetings and other means across the country. “This can be done through partnership and collaboration with other market stakeholders. Apart from shareholders, most banks’ staff needs enlightenment too because many of them do not understand the workings of the e-dividend platform. They show high level of ignorance when an investors want to register,� Omojola said. Mrs. Bisi Bakare of Pragmatic Shareholders of Nigeria said we need to do more of enlightenment, especially in the rural areas. “Before now, most investors were civil servants, who have retired to their villages or changed addresses. The regulator should collaborate with other stakeholders and do more enlightenment for a more efficient result,� Bakare said.

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Dan-Fulani: Health Insurance Scheme Will Minimise Catastrophic Expenses The Programme Manager, Federal Capital Territory’s Health Insurance Scheme, Dr Ahmed Dan-Fulani in this interview with Ebere Nwoji, at the recent second World Health Organisation’s Africa Regional Office Health Forum held in Praia, Cape Verde recently, spoke on the relevance of health insurance scheme to Nigerians, the need for all states in Nigeria to adopt the scheme, among others. Excerpts: What is your assessment of level of penetration of health insurance scheme in Nigeria? First of all, let me give you the background of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The NHIS, was established by the former president Olusegun Obasanjo. The target that time was the formal sector mainly the federal government workers. The plan was that government will be in part and the workers will also be in part to benefit. However, 20 years down the line, the coverage of NHIS is still very poor. Recent statistics put the penetration at less than four per cent of the National population being covered. Because of that, government now introduced the State Social Contributory Health Insurance Scheme which targets the increase in the coverage of the health insurance scheme. But presently, the coverage of health insurance scheme is still below five per cent and we are looking forward to improvement through the Contributory State Social Health Insurance. When was the State Health Insurance introduced? Yes, if you are aware of National Health Act of 2014, part of the National Health Act, especially section 11 of the Act, created one percent of consolidated government revenue to be used for health and this was provided for in 2018 budget as about N25 billion was earmarked and based on that, many states are now encouraged to set up their own Social Health Insurance Scheme because the one percent consolidated revenue is used for what they call Basic Health Care Provision Fund. The Basic Health Care Provision Fund is going to have two parts. One part is going to be given to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to improve on the primary health care centres while the other part, about 50 per cent is going to be given to the National Health Insurance to be used in various states of Nigeria to give health care free at no cost in different parts of Nigeria including rural areas. So because of this money that is allocated, many states are now going to benefit from it. As I am talking to you, about 12 states are already working very hard in order to benefit from that. For you to benefit, the state, first of all must have a state agency, must have a law backing it, and must set up some committees that will be used to monitor disbursement of funds in various states. Like I said, 12 states are already warming up to benefit from that and that may also increase the penetration of health insurance scheme in Nigeria. So in the state social insurance scheme, are the people not expected to contribute? Well, for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, nobody is expected to contribute any fund it is going to be free, however that is just a small aspect of health insurance scheme in Nigeria. We have so many other aspects. Even under the NHIS, there are different programmes, at the most of the state health insurance, there are different programmes too. Some of the programmed are for the formal sector, under the formal sector, you are talking about the public servant and organised private sector, they will contribute money and they must pay into a pool that will be used to run health insurance in Nigeria. The other programme is the community based health insurance scheme, it also requires that the people in the rural area, the very poor people will pay a counterpart sum, so small and the government will pay the balance for them, and then there are other programmes for the poor and vulnerable, pregnant women, the disabled and all kinds of categories of people that will benefit from that programme. Who manages the funds released by the government under the state social insurance? The fund is domiciled with the federal ministry

only N15,000 as premium. So I am sure that when many people understand the fact that it is a risk pooling business that entails other people insured sharing on your risk so they will understand it more and then log onto it. Besides, everywhere in the world where you see them having a standard health care system, it is basically health insurance, there is no government that gives free health and there is no citizen that can pay out of pocket for all the health care he or she needs so the necessary thing to be done by any country is Social Health Insurance Scheme. What is the relationship between the government, contributors and the hospitals you use? Ok, in every system, including insurance, there is what we call the regulatory body. In this case, the National Health Insurance Scheme is the regulator for the national body. Whereas the state social health insurance scheme like my own that is the FCT health Insurance, we regulate all the insurance schemes in FCT for health, under this scheme, we have what we call the Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO), the HMO will be the one to supervise the services in all the hospitals that give the healthcare. We call them the healthcare providers. Now those that pay money to enjoy the services are called the enrolees. An enrolee will be allocated to the hospital, the HMO will now supervise the hospitals to see that they are given good services, payment is also made through the HMO to the healthcare providers, once you put your money in a pool, the regulatory body will now disburse this money to the HMO for onward transmission to the healthcare provider. There are three types of payments being made called the premium, the premium is the amount you pay to enjoy the services, however when we are paying to the healthcare provider, we have the capitation fee for service and administrative charges that is being paid to the HMOs the capitation covers the primary care, while the fee for service covers the secondary care and administrative charges is used by the HMO to run the services on their own. Dan -Fulani

of health and it is in a Treasury Single Account (TSA) with the Central Bank of Nigeria. However, like I said, 45 per cent of that money will be given to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency while 50 per cent will be given to NHIS. The remaining five per cent will be used for emergency treatment in Nigeria. You are working under FCT Health Insurance Scheme, when did you take up this position and what is your experience like? The FCT Health Insurance scheme, has been working for the past ten years. As I speak to you, now we have more than 150,000 enrolees in the scheme, and we have started rolling out some other programmes. Just a week before I left for this health forum, i introduced the

You see, insurance, whether health or whatever, is a riskpooling business where resources are pooled together in case a member of that pool has any risk so the total money will be used to service the people who need the service at that particular time

retiree Social Insurance Scheme, I introduced it for those that are retired from the service for them to benefit from health insurance. We are also bringing on board the area council enrolees that is the equivalent to local government, state so we want to take all of them, presently 100 per cent of staff of Federal Capital Administration are on the programme, and we are now going to look at the area council and then we are also starting the Community based Health Insurance Scheme, so all of these are presently ongoing. One of the reasons health insurance is not popular is that people don’t really understand it, can you talk about how it works? You see, insurance, whether health or whatever, is a risk-pooling business where resources are pooled together in case a member of that pool has any risk so the total money will be used to service the people who need the service at that particular time. In health insurance, it has been noticed that not up to 20 per cent of the people that are insured will actually go to the hospital at the same time to take service and it is the money of the remaining 80 per cent people that will be used for these 20 per cent and so if you contribute N15,000 per annum, you know that N15,000 per annum cannot take care of you. For example, you need to have surgery, you have a child to deliver or major illnesses that requires treatment, that you are admitted and N15000 cannot do that and you can do that more than once a year. So it is because of that pooling effect of all the money paid that we can now have enough money to take care of you when you are sick when you just pay

So what advantages does an average Nigerian stand to gain for keying into the programme You know like I said, what we do in Nigeria is what we call out of pocket expenses for treating our health care needs. This will cause serious financial destruction to every family, something you don’t expect they just wake up and say go and bring 50,000 or 100,000. It is going to be so strenuous for families in Africa even in Nigeria. The World Health Organisation calls this catastrophic expenditure, when you spend more than 10 per cent of your income on health, we call it catastrophic expenditure and to minimise this or ensure there is no out of pocket expenses that is why the health insurance is established. Now, with health insurance, whether you have money or not you can walk into a hospital and expect services and you can enjoy emergency healthcare services anywhere you are in that particular state or part of the country, once you registered into the health insurance. You only need to present your card to any hospital and you can enjoy the emergency services without paying a kobo. So those are the advantages that are inherent. If someone doesn’t work with public sector and wants to key into the health insurance, what will such a person do? Yes, like I said, in health insurance, we have the formal and informal sector, the formal sector is the public sector, also under the formal sector, there is organised private sector. Any company that employs more than 10 people even though they are not government, they are called CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

28

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍľËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

Gemmell: CWEIC Working on Attracting Investors into Nigeria The new Chief Executive of Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Alan Gemmell, who was in Nigeria recently to launch the International Advisory Council, during which he met with Nigeria’s Vice President and the governor-elect of Lagos State. In this interview, speaks on a number of programmes embarked upon by the council to boost trade and investment among the Commonwealth countries. Peter Uzoho presents the excerpts: What would you say the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council has done in promoting Nigeria’s products and investment over the last one year? We’re a business network for the 53 countries that make up the Commonwealth, and we’re placed for public private engagement across the commonwealth and we’re really excited that Nigeria is the hub of the work that we’re doing around the world. Under the leadership of our Country Director here, Obinna Anyanwu, our network in Nigeria is growing and we signed up seven new brewing Nigerian businesses and strategic partners over the course of last year. We now have 17 businesses and governments as part of our network. And, I’m here on this visit to see how we take our partnership with Nigeria – the government and the businesses - to the next level. We’ve launched the new International Advisory Council, and we just had our first meeting of the International Advisory Council and we were delighted that the governor-elect for Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu was presented to us, and he told us about his priorities for investment and business and creating opportunities for business in Lagos. And I hope that we would develop a new partnership with him to help him deliver his ambition for Lagos growth. We also met with Vice President of Nigeria in Abuja and similarly talking to him about how the Commonwealth, the businesses we have can grow together from countries across the Commonwealth, and how the network that we have can support the ambitions that he has for Nigeria’s economic growth. I hope that that we will continue to keep brewing businesses from Nigeria around the world; I hope that we work on attracting investors into Nigeria and into states like Lagos; and I also hope that we will launch a programme to spur SMEs because we know that SMEs are such a critical part of the Nigerian economy. We have an SME accelerator programme called Commonwealth First and we’re very keen to bring Commonwealth First here in partnership with the state governments of Lagos, Akwa Ibom, and with the Nigerian government under the leadership of His Excellency, the Vice President. How would describe the transaction cost of doing business amongst Commonwealth nations? Working with the Commonwealth Secretariat, we published some research about a year ago now to look at the benefits of trading between the Commonwealth and we found out that because of a number of things, because Commonwealth countries said a lot of things principally, a common law legal system, the rule of law but, also use of the English Language in an official context but also; because Commonwealth countries have some cultural and sporting connection and shared set of values I suppose, then it is 19 per cent cheaper for businesses in Commonwealth countries to

more trade. I mean that’s I think we can do to try and incentivise more economic activity. As the new Chief Executive of CWEIC, what would be your top priority for Nigeria in the next one year? Our leaders have been responding to the ambitions of the federal and state governments that we work with, that’s why we met with the Vice President and where we were privileged to have the governor-elect of Lagos State, we also have Akwa Ibom State as a partner. So number one is the post-election, to be working very closely with the Country Director, to be working very closely with the federal and state governments, to see how Commonwealth businesses, Commonwealth investments and all Commonwealth programmes can help support those governments’ economic growth ambitions. And then also, to be building these network of businesses that we have in Nigeria. It’s great that we’ve had seven new members and 17 Nigerian businesses in all. We would like to see that number grow and more businesses benefit from the relationship and network that we have built around the Commonwealth.

Gemmell

do business together and we called that the ‘commonwealth advantage’, and that’s really important to my organisation. We’re trying to build a network of businesses across the Commonwealth, hoping that that network will lead more businesses and more trade. You said Nigeria is the hub of the Commonwealth’s work cross the world but Nigeria does more of importing. So, what is the advantage for Nigeria? So we’re here to be a platform for Nigeria’s export businesses but also for the inward investment opportunities and ambitions the governments and businesses have here and our Advisory Council today and on my tour around Lagos today we’ve seen and talked about the opportunities for investment in Nigeria. I had a great presentation from the up and coming Free Trade Zone, looking at the opportunities there for the Nigerian investors to build other

businesses and take advantage of the Free Trade Zone. So we’re trying to build the network where businesses understand and know the ambitions of politicians here and their appetite to attract investors. And really, we hope that our members and come out members respond to that ambition, respond to that appetite for being attractive to investors. Experts have been urging Nigeria to sign the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement. They say Nigeria would benefit from it. What’s your take on this? Should Nigeria go ahead and sign the agreement? Our organisation here is driven by its member and driven by Nigerian members. What we’re really trying to do is to create the most attractive platform for those businesses to know one another and trust one another and build an ambitious network and businesses across the Commonwealth. We think that as businesses know one another and trust one another better then they will do

You created your Nigerian Hub in 2017, what impact has it had on Nigerian businesses? It’s to let us put Nigeria at the heart of our network and to grow our offer and relevance in one of the most important countries in the world. In addition, in that time, we’ve had a Commonwealth Business Forum in London and the President of Nigeria attended that and spoke in two sessions. So this really is about us making sure that where there are opportunities for Nigeria to be in the Commonwealth conversation that we create, that Nigeria is at the political conversations. Are you looking at anymore initiatives for SMEs in Nigeria later in the course this year? The number one thing for us is to get our Commonwealth First programme here; we think it’s a great accelerator, we think it’s a really nice product we think can respond to the ambitions of the state governments here – the governors-elect of Lagos and Akwa Ibom but also other state governments that can support the ambitions the Vice President and the federal government have outlined. Is Nigeria being a hub the end thing? Because all eyes are focused on Ghana and if you have to look at the size and the market, Nigeria has an edge but the FDI is moving to Ghana. So what is really the issue and how can you intervene to help Nigeria overcome this challenge? Again, our job is to build a network of businesses that have common interest; and our common interest is: they are exporting or want to export to other Commonwealth countries, and we want more businesses from across the Commonwealth to think about investing in Nigeria. And we want to want work with businesses in Nigeria to help them think about investing in other countries of the Commonwealth.

DAN-FULANI: HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME WILL MINIMISE CATASTROPHIC EXPENSES formal sector and is grouped under what you call organised private sector. Now, for example your company, I’m sure you have more than 10 people in your company so you re organised private sector and you are supposed to enjoy social health insurance. Now under the informal sector, any business that employs less than 10 is informal sector and other individuals who don’t want to register only themselves are under informal sector, the artisans, labourers, mechanics are referred to as the informal sector. Under the informal sector, we have the community based health insurance scheme where the scheme is being taken to rural areas for the poor and the needy, rural dwellers and farmers. So we called it the community based insurance scheme, it is also under the informal sector. So depending

on your category as I have mentioned before so you can join the health insurance scheme, it is open to everybody. So one can look for any HMO and register? You don’t look for an HMO, you will first of all identify an agency, for example you are in Lagos State, you should look for the Lagos state agency for the health insurance scheme, they will register you and then allocated you to HMO, the current practice where HMO enrol people is what we call the private health insurance scheme, that is private enrolment where the HMO directly sources for enrolee and manage their healthcare. Is there a limit to the illness that can be treated under the health Insurance scheme?

Yes, there is what we call benefit package, there are different benefit packages for different programmes that I have mentioned to you, but basically what you need to understand is that there is what we call exclusion and services that are not under the health insurance, services like the treatment of cancer, transplant, cardiac transplant and other critical illness are not under the health insurance. There are limitations to what you can do. Is it determined by the quantum of premium being paid? Yes, premium can also determine but under the social health insurance, we are trying to shy away from that, we have a level playing ground for anybody who is joining us, however if you join

the private HMO, you can pay some premium that will give you a much more wider services than you get under social health insurance. So how will you rate FCT participation? I told you it has been very wonderful, because now not until recently, we have the highest number apart from national health insurance, we have the highest number of public enrolee, We have covered the territory 100 per cent, whereas many states are still struggling for that and we are already into community based health Insurance scheme, we have been to about 33 communities and like I told you we are already enrolling the retired people, the retirees, the local government staff, this is not what every state is doing presently so I will put us on a very high scale.

29

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

UTILIZATION OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE AS AT 12TH OF APRIL 2019 S/N

CUSTOMERS

S/N

CUSTOMERS

S/N

CUSTOMERS

1

SOLOMON G. MARIAN

AMOUNT (US$)

4,000.00 PTA

PURPOSE

359.00 8-Apr-19

RATE DATE

45

AWONUGA A. ABOSEDE

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

89

OGUNNOIKI J. KEHINDE

3,920.00 PTA

359.00 11-Apr-19

2

AGBOARUMI KINGSLEY

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 8-Apr-19

46

IDOWU KEMI AJIMOH

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

90

EKOMARU C. UCHENNA

3,920.00 PTA

359.00 11-Apr-19

3

AKU MICHAEL IFEANYI

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 8-Apr-19

47

OSENI O. HAKEEM

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

91

ADERIBIGBE P. OSAMA

3,900.00 PTA

4

IKUSIKA A. SAFURAT

1,000.00 PTA

359.00 8-Apr-19

48

OSENI OMOLAYO ADURAMO

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

92

ADETUNJI YEMI

3,939.00 PTA

359.00 11-Apr-19

5

AGU UNOMA OGOCHUKWU

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 8-Apr-19

49

NWAHIZU U. CHIJINDU

1,000.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

93

AIMIATOR IMAOBONG E

2,574.00 PTA

359.00 11-Apr-19

6

ADEAGBO M. ADEOTI

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 8-Apr-19

50

LAWSON-WOKOMA ONARI

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

94

OYEDELE OLUSEUN AYINLA

3,939.00 PTA

359.00 11-Apr-19

7

ORIUKARI AMAEBI MERCY

2,000.00 PTA

359.00 8-Apr-19

51

ADEWUMI ESTHER FUNKE

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

95

EKANEM E. EKWERE

8

FADEHAN O. ADEBIMPE

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 8-Apr-19

52

JEGEDE O. ADEKUNLE

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

96

EWIWILE R. NKEMILIM

9

SPIFF EDWARDS D

3,866.74 PTA

359.00 8-Apr-19

53

JEGEDE O. ADEKUNLE

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

97

CBN

10

ADEKOYA ADEBAYO DAVID

3,956.74 PTA

359.00 8-Apr-19

54

MICHAEL FAFOWORA

2,000.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

98

11

OKAM JOSEPH NNAMDI

3,956.74 PTA

359.00 8-Apr-19

55

COLUMBUS IGBOANUSI

1,500.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

99

12

OGBU UCHENNA

11,090.17 SCHOOL FEES

359.00 8-Apr-19

56

ISSACHAR O. MOSADOLUWA

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

100

GBMT GLOBAL LIMITD

13

ABE SOLOMON

1,699.24 SCHOOL FEES

359.00 8-Apr-19

57

EGBO STELLA EBERE

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

101

CBN

20,000,000.00 INTERBANK

360.00 11-Apr-19

14

ABE SOLOMON

3,575.67 SCHOOL FEES

359.00 8-Apr-19

58

PERFECTION MOTOR COMPANY LTD

3,330.00 BTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

102

CBN

20,000,000.00 INTERBANK

360.00 11-Apr-19

15

OGEH C. KUMAI

154.16 SCHOOL FEES

359.00 8-Apr-19

59

ANGO EZEKIEL SUNDAY

1,690.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

103

KEYSTONE BANK

68,317.56 INTERBANK

360.25 11-Apr-19

16

ORJI MELVIN CHINENYE

2,253.60 SCHOOL FEES

359.00 8-Apr-19

60

OLUROTIMI D. KEHINDE

3,666.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

104

OLANREWAJU O ODUNUGA

17

SAKA MURTALA OGUNDARE

3,801.33 SCHOOL FEES

359.00 8-Apr-19

61

NUHU DAHIRU

3,900.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

105

DIENYE VICTORY U

2,500.00 PTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

18

GENERAL VENTURES INT'L LTD

8,000.00 IMPROVED NEWSPRINT

361.00 8-Apr-19

62

ODEJAYI AYOOLA JOSEPH

2,600.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

106

ODUM ANGWA REUBEN

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

19

OLAM NIGERIA LTD

59,250.00 INTEREST LOAN ON CCI

361.00 8-Apr-19

63

AWE EDWARD AGBOOLA

1,560.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

107

ADAMU P. EMMANUEL

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

20

AGALA BELEMA

1,300.00 PTA

359.00 9-Apr-19

64

JEGEDE O. ADEKUNLE

3,926.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

108

BINPAT NIGERIA LIMITED

5,000.00 BTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

21

ASILONU COLLINS

2,000.00 PTA

359.00 9-Apr-19

65

OSONDU NKEM JAJA

1,010.00 SCHOOL FEES

359.00 10-Apr-19

109

OJEME LUKE EROMOSELE

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

22

UZOMA A. GODWIN

1,000.00 PTA

359.00 9-Apr-19

66

ELUMELU PETER

359.00 10-Apr-19

110

AROYEHUN-ALLI I. IDOWU

23

AROLOGUN F. AYINKE

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 9-Apr-19

67

CBN

129,547.48 IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00 10-Apr-19

111

OKOYE N. ONYEKACHI

2,500.00 PTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

24

OLUSANYA B. KAMARUDEEN

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 9-Apr-19

68

CBN

46,341.80 IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00 10-Apr-19

112

SABIR ANAS AHMAD

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

25

JOLAOSHO FUNMILAYO ENIOLA

2,253.59 PTA

359.00 9-Apr-19

69

ZENDINET INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

568.20 NEW MOTOCYCLE IN CKD BRAND

361.00 10-Apr-19

113

AJAPE K. MOHAMMED

1,000.00 PTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

26

OGUNNOIKI J. KEHINDE

3,885.00 PTA

359.00 9-Apr-19

70

ZENDINET INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

449.70 NEW MOTOCYCLE IN CKD BRAND

361.00 10-Apr-19

114

UZOEGWU M. IKECHUKWU

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

27

ADEKOYA T. OLAYINKA

3,939.86 PTA

359.00 9-Apr-19

71

ZENDINET INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

7,884.68 NEW MOTOCYCLE IN CKD BRAND

361.00 10-Apr-19

115

BABATUNDE I. OLUSEGUN

3,000.00 PTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

28

PHIL-HENSHAW CONSULTING

3,900.00 BTA

359.00 9-Apr-19

72

ZENDINET INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

16,000.00 NEW MOTOCYCLE IN CKD BRAND

361.00 10-Apr-19

116

JOSEPH O. MOKA

4,000.00 PTA

29

OKOROAFOR U. CHIAKA

585.00 PTA

359.00 9-Apr-19

73

ZENDINET INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

1,000.00 NEW MOTOCYCLE IN CKD BRAND

361.00 10-Apr-19

117

KARTCHNER O. OYINDAMOLA

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

30

OGBODO DAVID

3,966.60 PTA

359.00 9-Apr-19

74

ZENDINET INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

24,600.00 NEW MOTOCYCLE IN CKD BRAND

361.00 10-Apr-19

118

AGATHA HAJARA MBACHU

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

31

DAVID OGBODO

3,900.00 PTA

359.00 9-Apr-19

75

NOVA BANK

416,880.73 INTERBANK

360.35 10-Apr-19

119

HUSSEIN S. OLANREWAJU

1,120.00 PTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

32

BAMIOFORO BHOYE

359.00 9-Apr-19

76

NOVA BANK

24,953.57 INTERBANK

360.35 10-Apr-19

120

HUSSEIN S. OLANREWAJU

1,300.00 PTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

33

CBN

191,797.73 IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00 9-Apr-19

77

AVIVA INDUSTRIES LTD

75,000.00 INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL

361.00 10-Apr-19

121

IDRIS ABUBAKAR ABDULKARIM

3,962.42 PTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

34

CBN

41,017.67 IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00 9-Apr-19

78

SHNAYDER T. OLUWAKEMI

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 11-Apr-19

122

EJORHOVI RHODA

1,000.00 SCHOOL FEES

35

ROOSKEY ELECTRICAL

32,615.00 AC MOTOR SINGLE PHASE

361.00 9-Apr-19

79

EZENWA E. NNAEMEKA

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 11-Apr-19

123

OGUNBIYI B. EMMANUEL

6,790.00 SCHOOL FEES

36

ROOSKEY ELECTRICAL

63,619.20 AC MOTOR SINGLE PHASE

361.00 9-Apr-19

80

KEHINDE ALABA FLORENCE

1,900.00 PTA

359.00 11-Apr-19

124

CBN

37

AFRICAN STEEL MILL

1,500.00 PTA

38

INDUSTRIAL FLAVOURS & COLOUR LTD

39

UNION BANK

40

NOVA BANK

41

IHS TOWERS NIG LIMITED

42

SAULA DAVID ADEMOLA

43

DR AWE AYODELE OLUBUKUNMI

44

AGBORO P. NKEIRU

3,312.26 PTA

AMOUNT (US$)

PURPOSE

RATE DATE

6,179.26 SCHOOL FEES

AMOUNT (US$)

PURPOSE

RATE DATE

359.00 11-Apr-19

869.00 SCHOOL FEES

359.00 11-Apr-19

11,050.48 SCHOOL FEES

359.00 11-Apr-19

103,421.52 IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00 11-Apr-19

CBN

27,960.29 IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00 11-Apr-19

JUST FOOD NIG LTD

75,532.33 COMELLE CM ICE CREAM POWDER 5,000.00 INDUSTRIAL RAW MATERIAL

361.00 11-Apr-19 361.00 11-Apr-19

1,500.00 PTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

300.00 PTA

359.00 12-Apr-19

359.00 12-Apr-19

359.00 12-Apr-19 359.00 12-Apr-19

100,774.52 IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00 12-Apr-19

360.40 9-Apr-19

81

DR.DARLINGTON O. JEMIRIGBE

359.00 11-Apr-19

125

CBN

27,236.76 IMTO TRANSFERRED TO CBN

357.00 12-Apr-19

361.00 9-Apr-19

82

AGADA DAVID

400.00 PTA

359.00 11-Apr-19

126

GREYSTONES INDUSTRIES LTD

15,003.20 NON ELECTRICAL FAN PARTS

360.90 12-Apr-19

2,375,259.00 INTERBANK

360.30 9-Apr-19

83

BINITIE OMOSOKPIA DAVID

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 11-Apr-19

127

GREYSTONES INDUSTRIES LTD

16,492.80 NON ELECTRICAL FAN PARTS

360.90 12-Apr-19

44,957.67 INTERBANK

360.30 9-Apr-19

84

BASSEY ENYA BASSEY

3,000.00 PTA

359.00 11-Apr-19

128

GREYSTONES INDUSTRIES LTD

15,003.20 NON ELECTRICAL FAN PARTS

360.90 12-Apr-19

360.20 9-Apr-19

85

ADETUNJI SAMSON

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 11-Apr-19

129

GREYSTONES INDUSTRIES LTD

31,008.80 NON ELECTRICAL FAN PARTS

360.90 12-Apr-19

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

86

ONYEME DOROTHY NKEM

600.00 PTA

359.00 11-Apr-19

130

GREYSTONES INDUSTRIES LTD

32,952.00 NON ELECTRICAL FAN PARTS

360.90 12-Apr-19

1,200.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

87

CHRIS-ATTAH OVO LYDIA

3,200.00 PTA

359.00 11-Apr-19

131

GREYSTONES INDUSTRIES LTD

32,929.60 NON ELECTRICAL FAN PARTS

360.90 12-Apr-19

4,000.00 PTA

359.00 10-Apr-19

88

OMOIGHE K. TITILAYO

3,000.00 PTA

359.00 11-Apr-19

132

FRANK HENDRICKS

1,024,741.00 LOAN REPAYMENT 31,378.00 MIXTURE OF ODORIFEROUS SUBSTANCES

12,000,000.00 LOAN REPAYMENT

5,000.00 PERSONAL HOME REMITTANCE

360.75 12-Apr-19

SOURCE OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE AS AT 12TH OF APRIL 2019 S/N

SOURCE

S/N

SOURCE

S/N

SOURCE

S/N

SOURCE

1

AUTONOMOUS

2,985.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

94

AUTONOMOUS

88.67

359.00 9-Apr-19

187

AUTONOMOUS

23,500.00

360.00 10-Apr-19

280

AUTONOMOUS

3,223.09

359.00 11-Apr-19

2

AUTONOMOUS

AMOUNT (US$) 8,920.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

RATE DATE

95

AUTONOMOUS

AMOUNT (US$) 200.47

359.00 9-Apr-19

RATE DATE

188

AUTONOMOUS

AMOUNT (US$) 136,550.00

360.00 10-Apr-19

RATE DATE

281

AUTONOMOUS

AMOUNT (US$) 7,015.34

359.00 11-Apr-19

RATE DATE

3

AUTONOMOUS

3,590.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

96

AUTONOMOUS

445.48

359.00 9-Apr-19

189

AUTONOMOUS

500,000.00

360.00 10-Apr-19

282

AUTONOMOUS

550.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

4

AUTONOMOUS

190.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

97

AUTONOMOUS

1,280.18

359.00 9-Apr-19

190

AUTONOMOUS

1,000,000.00

359.75 10-Apr-19

283

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

5

AUTONOMOUS

1,500.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

98

AUTONOMOUS

378.49

359.00 9-Apr-19

191

AUTONOMOUS

79,950.00

360.00 10-Apr-19

284

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

6

AUTONOMOUS

121.88

359.00 8-Apr-19

99

AUTONOMOUS

111.32

359.00 9-Apr-19

192

AUTONOMOUS

44,704.00

359.50 10-Apr-19

285

AUTONOMOUS

100,000.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

7

AUTONOMOUS

980.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

100

AUTONOMOUS

100.19

359.00 9-Apr-19

193

AUTONOMOUS

990.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

286

AUTONOMOUS

100,000.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

8

AUTONOMOUS

140.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

101

AUTONOMOUS

100.19

359.00 9-Apr-19

194

AUTONOMOUS

89.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

287

AUTONOMOUS

200,000.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

9

AUTONOMOUS

555.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

102

AUTONOMOUS

105.75

359.00 9-Apr-19

195

AUTONOMOUS

580.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

288

AUTONOMOUS

1,000,000.00

359.75 11-Apr-19

10

AUTONOMOUS

894.44

359.00 8-Apr-19

103

AUTONOMOUS

445.28

359.00 9-Apr-19

196

AUTONOMOUS

8.68

359.00 11-Apr-19

289

AUTONOMOUS

10,000.00

359.50 11-Apr-19

11

AUTONOMOUS

895.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

104

AUTONOMOUS

311.70

359.00 9-Apr-19

197

AUTONOMOUS

31.49

359.00 11-Apr-19

290

AUTONOMOUS

5,000.00

359.50 11-Apr-19

12

AUTONOMOUS

80.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

105

AUTONOMOUS

1,490.58

359.00 9-Apr-19

198

AUTONOMOUS

38.18

359.00 11-Apr-19

291

IMTO

136,227.75

355.00 11-Apr-19

13

AUTONOMOUS

140.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

106

AUTONOMOUS

2,631.61

359.00 9-Apr-19

199

AUTONOMOUS

180.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

292

IMTO

1,667.61

355.00 11-Apr-19

14

AUTONOMOUS

1,969.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

107

AUTONOMOUS

278.30

359.00 9-Apr-19

200

AUTONOMOUS

330.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

293

IMTO

36,776.57

15

AUTONOMOUS

2,600.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

108

AUTONOMOUS

557.95

359.00 9-Apr-19

201

AUTONOMOUS

190.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

294

IMTO

503.82

354.82 11-Apr-19

16

AUTONOMOUS

1,580.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

109

AUTONOMOUS

681.49

359.00 9-Apr-19

202

AUTONOMOUS

196.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

295

AUTONOMOUS

4,830.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

17

AUTONOMOUS

148.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

110

AUTONOMOUS

46.55

359.00 9-Apr-19

203

AUTONOMOUS

677.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

296

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

18

AUTONOMOUS

149.49

359.00 8-Apr-19

111

359.00 9-Apr-19

204

AUTONOMOUS

359.00 11-Apr-19

297

AUTONOMOUS

396.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

19

AUTONOMOUS

187.84

359.00 8-Apr-19

112

AUTONOMOUS

648.59

359.00 9-Apr-19

205

AUTONOMOUS

787.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

298

AUTONOMOUS

332.00

20

AUTONOMOUS

222.80

359.00 8-Apr-19

113

AUTONOMOUS

1,500.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

206

AUTONOMOUS

1,137.54

359.00 11-Apr-19

299

AUTONOMOUS

175.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

21

AUTONOMOUS

550.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

114

AUTONOMOUS

45.00

357.00 9-Apr-19

207

AUTONOMOUS

818.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

300

AUTONOMOUS

7,580.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

22

AUTONOMOUS

555.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

115

AUTONOMOUS

560.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

208

AUTONOMOUS

1,250.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

301

AUTONOMOUS

73.43

359.00 12-Apr-19

23

AUTONOMOUS

75.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

116

AUTONOMOUS

700.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

209

AUTONOMOUS

5,340.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

302

AUTONOMOUS

100.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

24

AUTONOMOUS

42.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

117

AUTONOMOUS

2,226.41

359.00 9-Apr-19

210

AUTONOMOUS

600.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

303

AUTONOMOUS

150.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

25

AUTONOMOUS

10,000.00

200.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

AUTONOMOUS

338.57

36.53

359.00 12-Apr-19

359.00 8-Apr-19

118

IMTO

122,775.69

355.00 9-Apr-19

211

359.00 11-Apr-19

304

AUTONOMOUS

26

AUTONOMOUS

250.28

359.00 8-Apr-19

119

IMTO

1,543.84

355.00 9-Apr-19

212

AUTONOMOUS

54.33

359.00 11-Apr-19

305

AUTONOMOUS

252.58

359.00 12-Apr-19

27

AUTONOMOUS

3,195.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

120

IMTO

129,894.07

355.00 9-Apr-19

213

AUTONOMOUS

7,360.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

306

AUTONOMOUS

392.50

359.00 12-Apr-19

28

AUTONOMOUS

120.49

359.00 8-Apr-19

121

IMTO

1,516.70

355.00 9-Apr-19

214

AUTONOMOUS

290.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

307

AUTONOMOUS

105.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

29

AUTONOMOUS

58,460.60

359.00 8-Apr-19

122

IMTO

22,676.35

355.00 9-Apr-19

215

AUTONOMOUS

200.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

308

AUTONOMOUS

600.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

30

AUTONOMOUS

481.27

359.00 8-Apr-19

123

IMTO

303.28

354.96 9-Apr-19

216

AUTONOMOUS

300.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

309

AUTONOMOUS

340.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

31

AUTONOMOUS

2,747.96

359.00 8-Apr-19

124

IMTO

31,224.93

355.00 9-Apr-19

217

AUTONOMOUS

19,982.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

310

AUTONOMOUS

380.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

32

AUTONOMOUS

81.06

359.00 8-Apr-19

125

IMTO

485.67

354.79 9-Apr-19

218

AUTONOMOUS

33.07

359.00 11-Apr-19

311

AUTONOMOUS

469.57

359.00 12-Apr-19

33

AUTONOMOUS

245.02

359.00 8-Apr-19

126

AUTONOMOUS

1,000,000.00

360.00 9-Apr-19

219

AUTONOMOUS

6,325.90

359.00 11-Apr-19

312

AUTONOMOUS

480.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

34

AUTONOMOUS

89.10

359.00 8-Apr-19

127

AUTONOMOUS

3,400,000.00

360.10 9-Apr-19

220

AUTONOMOUS

60.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

313

AUTONOMOUS

969.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

35

AUTONOMOUS

111.37

359.00 8-Apr-19

128

AUTONOMOUS

14,000.00

360.00 9-Apr-19

221

AUTONOMOUS

2,377.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

314

AUTONOMOUS

290.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

36

AUTONOMOUS

1,225.08

359.00 8-Apr-19

129

AUTONOMOUS

700.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

222

AUTONOMOUS

75.73

359.00 11-Apr-19

315

AUTONOMOUS

527.34

37

AUTONOMOUS

389.80

359.00 8-Apr-19

130

AUTONOMOUS

1,800.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

223

AUTONOMOUS

200.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

316

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

38

AUTONOMOUS

100.23

359.00 8-Apr-19

131

AUTONOMOUS

30.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

224

AUTONOMOUS

455.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

317

AUTONOMOUS

2,600.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

39

AUTONOMOUS

278.43

359.00 8-Apr-19

132

AUTONOMOUS

392.76

359.00 10-Apr-19

225

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

318

AUTONOMOUS

2,260.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

40

AUTONOMOUS

675.91

359.00 8-Apr-19

133

AUTONOMOUS

359.00 10-Apr-19

226

AUTONOMOUS

1,500.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

319

AUTONOMOUS

290.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

41

AUTONOMOUS

334.11

359.00 8-Apr-19

134

AUTONOMOUS

537.36

359.00 10-Apr-19

227

AUTONOMOUS

147.42

359.00 11-Apr-19

320

AUTONOMOUS

700.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

42

AUTONOMOUS

334.11

359.00 8-Apr-19

135

AUTONOMOUS

1,300.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

228

AUTONOMOUS

470.14

359.00 11-Apr-19

321

AUTONOMOUS

743.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

240.00

AUTONOMOUS

780.00

355.00 11-Apr-19

359.00 8-Apr-19

136

AUTONOMOUS

1,350.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

229

AUTONOMOUS

359.00 11-Apr-19

322

AUTONOMOUS

44

AUTONOMOUS

976.65

359.00 8-Apr-19

137

AUTONOMOUS

1,450.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

230

AUTONOMOUS

880.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

323

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

45

AUTONOMOUS

2,604.40

359.00 8-Apr-19

138

AUTONOMOUS

1,800.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

231

AUTONOMOUS

1,167.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

324

AUTONOMOUS

1,750.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

46

AUTONOMOUS

1,700.00

359.00 8-Apr-19

139

AUTONOMOUS

359.00 10-Apr-19

232

AUTONOMOUS

1,270.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

325

AUTONOMOUS

1,955.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

47

AUTONOMOUS

1,000,000.00

360.00 8-Apr-19

140

AUTONOMOUS

120.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

233

AUTONOMOUS

1,300.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

326

AUTONOMOUS

4,580.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

48

AUTONOMOUS

29,500.00

360.00 8-Apr-19

141

AUTONOMOUS

1,957.65

359.00 10-Apr-19

234

AUTONOMOUS

150.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

327

AUTONOMOUS

50.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

49

AUTONOMOUS

5,460.00

359.50 8-Apr-19

142

AUTONOMOUS

3,000.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

235

AUTONOMOUS

200.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

328

AUTONOMOUS

370.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

50

AUTONOMOUS

34,000.00

360.00 8-Apr-19

143

AUTONOMOUS

2,480.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

236

AUTONOMOUS

990.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

329

AUTONOMOUS

100.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

51

AUTONOMOUS

50,000.00

360.10 8-Apr-19

144

AUTONOMOUS

3,000.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

237

AUTONOMOUS

150.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

330

AUTONOMOUS

680.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

52

AUTONOMOUS

249,990.00

360.20 8-Apr-19

145

AUTONOMOUS

621.12

359.00 10-Apr-19

238

AUTONOMOUS

200.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

331

AUTONOMOUS

400.00

359.00 12-Apr-19

53

AUTONOMOUS

5,000.00

359.50 8-Apr-19

146

AUTONOMOUS

357.29

359.00 10-Apr-19

239

AUTONOMOUS

200.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

332

AUTONOMOUS

320.00

54

CBN

3,500,000.00

357.00 8-Apr-19

147

AUTONOMOUS

755.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

240

AUTONOMOUS

500.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

333

AUTONOMOUS

508.28

359.00 12-Apr-19

55

CBN

2,000,000.00

357.00 8-Apr-19

148

AUTONOMOUS

48.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

241

AUTONOMOUS

2,160.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

334

AUTONOMOUS

857.66

359.00 12-Apr-19

56

AUTONOMOUS

13.25

359.00 9-Apr-19

149

AUTONOMOUS

1,750.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

242

AUTONOMOUS

9,600.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

335

AUTONOMOUS

502.92

57

AUTONOMOUS

390.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

150

AUTONOMOUS

1,265.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

243

AUTONOMOUS

2,390.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

336

AUTONOMOUS

391.16

359.00 12-Apr-19

58

AUTONOMOUS

100.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

151

AUTONOMOUS

2,985.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

244

AUTONOMOUS

2,535.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

337

AUTONOMOUS

279.75

359.00 12-Apr-19

59

AUTONOMOUS

112.52

359.00 9-Apr-19

152

AUTONOMOUS

227.70

359.00 10-Apr-19

245

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

338

AUTONOMOUS

167.85

359.00 12-Apr-19

60

AUTONOMOUS

355.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

153

AUTONOMOUS

985.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

246

AUTONOMOUS

459.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

339

AUTONOMOUS

167.85

359.00 12-Apr-19

61

AUTONOMOUS

369.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

154

AUTONOMOUS

126.50

359.00 10-Apr-19

247

AUTONOMOUS

2,000.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

340

AUTONOMOUS

335.70

359.00 12-Apr-19

62

AUTONOMOUS

580.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

155

AUTONOMOUS

192.69

359.00 10-Apr-19

248

AUTONOMOUS

2,383.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

341

AUTONOMOUS

559.50

359.00 12-Apr-19

63

AUTONOMOUS

1,022.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

156

AUTONOMOUS

276.90

359.00 10-Apr-19

249

AUTONOMOUS

10,200.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

342

AUTONOMOUS

754.20

359.00 12-Apr-19

64

AUTONOMOUS

1,235.91

359.00 9-Apr-19

157

AUTONOMOUS

56.22

359.00 10-Apr-19

250

AUTONOMOUS

7,435.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

343

AUTONOMOUS

447.60

359.00 12-Apr-19

65

AUTONOMOUS

1,450.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

158

AUTONOMOUS

100.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

251

AUTONOMOUS

222.00

359.00 11-Apr-19

344

AUTONOMOUS

13,958.09

359.00 12-Apr-19

66

AUTONOMOUS

1,325.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

159

AUTONOMOUS

389.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

252

AUTONOMOUS

417.75

359.00 11-Apr-19

345

AUTONOMOUS

3,334.61

359.00 12-Apr-19

67

AUTONOMOUS

1,542.05

359.00 9-Apr-19

160

AUTONOMOUS

3,000.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

253

AUTONOMOUS

291.25

359.00 11-Apr-19

346

AUTONOMOUS

223.80

359.00 12-Apr-19

68

AUTONOMOUS

2,005.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

161

AUTONOMOUS

4,965.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

254

AUTONOMOUS

3,993.68

359.00 11-Apr-19

347

AUTONOMOUS

559.50

359.00 12-Apr-19

69

AUTONOMOUS

1,296.20

359.00 9-Apr-19

162

AUTONOMOUS

10,000.00

359.00 10-Apr-19

255

AUTONOMOUS

2,010.79

359.00 11-Apr-19

348

AUTONOMOUS

391.65

359.00 12-Apr-19

70

AUTONOMOUS

1,000.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

163

AUTONOMOUS

283.47

359.00 10-Apr-19

256

AUTONOMOUS

335.13

359.00 11-Apr-19

349

AUTONOMOUS

523.13

359.00 12-Apr-19

71

AUTONOMOUS

300.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

164

AUTONOMOUS

978.56

359.00 10-Apr-19

257

AUTONOMOUS

975.48

359.00 11-Apr-19

350

AUTONOMOUS

283.67

359.00 12-Apr-19

72

AUTONOMOUS

256.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

165

AUTONOMOUS

1,972.57

359.00 10-Apr-19

258

AUTONOMOUS

111.76

359.00 11-Apr-19

351

AUTONOMOUS

522.57

73

AUTONOMOUS

145.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

166

AUTONOMOUS

1,899.08

359.00 10-Apr-19

259

AUTONOMOUS

782.32

359.00 11-Apr-19

352

AUTONOMOUS

559.50

359.00 12-Apr-19

74

AUTONOMOUS

2,560.00

359.00 9-Apr-19

167

AUTONOMOUS

446.84

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY APRIL 17, 2019

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍľË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

EDUCATION Staff Training, Welfare, Research Top Agenda of Oko Polyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Female Rector For the first time in its 38 years of existence, a female Rector, Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo was recently appointed at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State by President Muhammadu Buhari. Amidst jubilation by members of the polytechnic community, she has set to work to expand the frontiers of the institution in the areas of academics, innovations, creativity, ICT, entrepreneurship and infrastructural development. Uchechukwu Nnaike reports

T

he entire academic community of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State recently turned out in large number at the Convocation Arena to witness the inauguration of the first female Rector of the 38-year-old institution, Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo, who was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari. Nwafulugo, an engineer, whose appointment took effect from February 4, has lectured for 26 years at the Kaduna Polytechnic. She was the Chairperson, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), a division of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), Kaduna chapter and a member of many other professional bodies. Prior to her appointment, Dr. Izuchukwu Onu was the acting Rector after the expiration of the eight-year tenure of the former Rector, Prof. Godwin Onu. Given the limitation of power exercised by an acting rector, staff and students had waited anxiously for the arrival of a substantive head of the institution. A chemical engineer by profession and chief lecturer at Kaduna Polytechnic, Nwafulugo set a new record in the history of Oko Poly when she defeated other contestants for the leadership of the institution. At her inauguration attended by members of the dissolved governing council, chief lecturers, union leaders, stakeholders, staff and students, the rector called for peace and unity in the polytechnic, stressing that the era of vendetta and bickering has ended. She urged all aggrieved staff to purge their hearts of bitterness and begin a new journey of transformation in the institution. She explained that no sustainable development can be made in an atmosphere of rancour and industrial strife and appealed to warring factions to lay down their arms and embrace the wind of change. Nwafulugo further unveiled her vision for the institution, saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to see this polytechnic attain new heights in the fields of academics, innovations, creativity, ICT, entrepreneurship and infrastructural development. This administration will create a conducive academic environment which will enhance quality teaching and learning, thereby producing graduates that would positively impact the nation and the world at large.â&#x20AC;? She said her work plan for the institution entails staff training, welfare and academic research for intellectual development. She also rolled out other plans to promote science education, technology and infrastructure that would benchmark the standard of reputable institutions in the world. To acquaint herself with the academic environment, Nwafulugo visited the traditional ruler of Oko Community, Prof. Laz Ekwueme, where she solicited his royal blessings and support towards the development of the institution. She also hosted the daughters of Oko (Umuada Oko) as key stakeholders in forging an amicable relationship with the polytechnic. Addressing the Igwe in council, the rector said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have come to seek your support to take the Federal Polytechnic, Oko to the next level. I have come with a lot of plans, but this requires all hands on deck to make this dream come true. Women are pillars of our homes and I will bring my experience in the polytechnic system to bear to ensure that the institution becomes the envy of all.â&#x20AC;? Responding, Ekwueme congratulated the rector on her appointment and promised to support her administration to achieve its set goals. He also call on the government to urgently consider upgrading the polytechnic to a fullfledged university, adding that the institution has all that is required for a smooth take-off.

The Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo (middle), ďŹ&#x201A;anked by Prof. Laz Ekwueme (right) and the President General, Oko Peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union, Cyprain Nwamuo, during the rectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visitâ&#x20AC;Ś recently

Students of the Department of Food Technology rejoicing as the rector toured facilities in their departmentâ&#x20AC;Ś recently He expressed hope that the new administration would be more impactful, given the pedigree of the new rector. With her 26 years work experience in the polytechnic sector, Nwafulugo said she knows the terrain quite well, adding that her deep understanding of the prospects, problems and challenges of the polytechnic sector has placed her on a vantage position to reposition the institution. She promised to invest her wealth of academic and leadership experience in the development of the institution. Few weeks after her inauguration, the rector embarked on a tour of the various departments and units, where she interacted with heads of departments, coordinators, and heads of various units. She said the facility tour gave her the first-hand knowledge of critical areas that need immediate attention. Nwafulugo said the facility tour also afforded her on-the-spot assessment of the institution, starting from the departmental level, and promised immediate action to address the challenges. One of the critical interventions of her administration was the renovation of studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; classrooms and lecture halls. She said the renovation was geared towards raising all studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; classrooms and lecture halls in the polytechnic to acceptable standard. To improve power supply in the institution, the rector ordered the immediate installation of transformers which have been lying uninstalled.

She also directed the reactivation of streetlights in key areas on campus to encourage security and enable students move about freely on campus. She warned that her administration would not tolerate wastage of government facilities, saying that various ongoing projects must be completed in record time. Work has also commenced at the main gate of the institution to enhance its aesthetic quality and free flow of traffic. The work includes designing of a new name plate for the institution, revamping of the water fountain and beautification of the entire school premises. The rector promised to diversify the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base of the college and reduce sole dependence on government funding. She said she has commenced discussions with reputable institutions to explore viable sources of revenue for the institution. Also, Nwafulugo expressed concern over the lack of recreational facilities on campus, saying that her administration would make the necessary provision. According to her, since the polytechnic has a large youth population, a recreational centre would provide a platform for staff and students to exercise themselves and develop sporting skills for a lifetime career. Impressed by the plans of the new rector, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Mr. Ugochukwu Onuegbu described Nwafulugo as a thorough bred scholar. He expressed optimism that she would deliver

on her mandate of giving the polytechnic a new face. Also speaking, a non-teaching staff of the institution, Ifeoma Okoye said the rector has a clear vision of the problems affecting the institution and expressed hope that her administration would be a blessing to the polytechnic. The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) Federal Polytechnic Oko chapter congratulated the new rector on her appointment and pledged to continually partner the management to move the institution forward. The Chairman, Innocent Okeke expressed hope that the new rector would make the entire staff and students of the polytechnic the centre of her policy initiatives and actions. While setting agenda for the new leadership, he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Her administration must be seen to be people-oriented and do everything within the law to be the voice of the voiceless in this institution. She must divest herself of petty politics of religion, ethnicity and gender. Also, rumour mongers and pretenders are the real enemies of any administration. We wish her tremendous success in all its ramifications.â&#x20AC;? The newly elected Chapter Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Signor Igbokwe, in a chat said the unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expectations are high on the new leadership. He urged the new rector to create an enabling environment that will help her work maximally, as well as to avoid sycophants that are already positioned to run others down. He also advised her to be union-friendly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A woman rector is good to have at this time in the polytechnic to unite all divides. Her coming will bring more progress and success,â&#x20AC;? he stated. Also, the immediate past ASUP Chairman of the institution, Godson Okeoma urged the new rector to bring in innovations, adherence to due process and restoration of the lost glory of the polytechnic. He urged her to set machinery in motion to ensure successful accreditation of abandoned programmes; introduction of new courses and restoration of quality academics that the institution was known for. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I expect to see the evidence that women can equally do it and even better. I expect a record that will outweigh what Dr. Njoku did at Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri. I expect good tidings instead of stories of woes at the end of her tenure.â&#x20AC;? The immediate past spokesman of the ASUP, Kossy Ebunilo, said the polytechnic community is optimistic that the new rector would exceed other rectors in performance. He noted that her keen insight in the polytechnic system would be an advantage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Based on your strong roots in the polytechnic system, the sky is your limit. Our confidence in your ability to deliver in all fronts is therefore not misplaced,â&#x20AC;? he said. The Bursarsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology expressed delight with her appointment, describing it as a reward for years of hard work and determination. The association urged her to take the polytechnic to an enviable height with her experience as an astute engineer and academic. Also, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Dr. Michael Arimanwa, said the appointment was a reward of her innumerable contributions in the education sector. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your emergence as the rector of this great institution shows that the records of your achievements as a dogged engineer and educationalist are of note.â&#x20AC;? With the pace of work already demonstrated by the new rector, students of the institution have expressed hope that the new administration would deliver on its vision of making the polytechnic an institution of first choice in the country.

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EDUCATION

Stakeholders Push Ideas for Revamping Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Learning Approach Mary Nnah Stakeholders in the education sector are pushing for a fundamental change to the Nigerian learning approach, which is said to frustrate the smooth transition from education to employment for many graduates. An educator at the Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Funmilayo Doherty, during the quarterly meeting organised by the National Innovation Collaborative for Education, (NICE) held recently in Lagos, said the current system of education is long overdue for rewiring.

The Chief Executive Officer, West African Vocation Education (WAVE), Misan Rewane called for the implementation of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Education-toEmployment 2.0. Every year Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest black nation churns out over 150,000 graduates from its universities, polytechnics or colleges of education, a chunk of whom, about 80 per cent, human resource personnel of organisations said are not employable. And pushing the recurring indices at the doorstep of the curriculum and teaching approach, Rewane and Doherty who anchored a panel of

discussion at the event called for â&#x20AC;&#x153;appreciative inquiryâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;innovative pedagogy.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have long celebrated the problem in education-toemployability. It is time to focus on things that are working and also look out for solutions that can work,â&#x20AC;? said Rewane. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is high time we started to aim at appreciative inquiry concerning the education-to-employability transition in Nigeria, whereby we envision a collectively desired future, carry forth that vision in ways that successfully translate intention into reality and beliefs into practices, and unleash the positive energy within individuals and or-

ganisations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Making use of the teaching guide in a creative and valuable way such that the methods used in the classroom to teach the student are very engaging is the innovative pedagogy that a country like ours need. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Teachers need to adopt innovative teaching and learning strategy and be more creative in their teaching methods and practices to fully engage the student.â&#x20AC;? Another key ingredient highlighted as part of the Education-to-Employment 2.0 package offered as a potent replacement of the current learning approach was

â&#x20AC;&#x153;academic honesty.â&#x20AC;? According to Doherty, â&#x20AC;&#x153;teachers need to encourage their students to be original, coming up with their own idea from what was taught. Teachers need to transform from being a teacher to being a facilitator thereby making the students more of learners than students. Learners should be able to translate learning into original ideas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most students of now focus on memorization and how to pass their exams because they were taught using the 20th century teaching guide instead of focusing on the knowledge from the lesson

and application which can be derived from teaching using the 21st century teaching guide. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The learning environment should also be learner-centred approach instead of the traditional method (lecturing method).â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Learning should be active, flexible and technology inclined. There is a designed innovative pedagogy called Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which is education and training that provide knowledge and skills for employment using formal, non-formal and informal learning for social equity, inclusion and sustainable development.â&#x20AC;?

APWEN President Seeks Equality in STEM for Girls The President of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Mrs. Felicia Agubata has stressed the need for girls to be properly equipped and taught early in school to be as ambitious as their male counterparts so as to withstand any odd. Agubata, who said this recently at the sixth edition of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Invent it, Build itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; programme in Kogi State, in honour of the President of the Council for Regulation of Engineering Practice in Nigeria (COREN), Mr. Kashim Ali, observed that there has been a challenge in this regard whereby boys are getting the job offers compared to girls, who she said are under-represented in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). â&#x20AC;&#x153;For instance, when boys meet 60 per cent of job vacancy qualification criteria, they apply for the jobs all the same. That is being brave. For the girls, it is completely different, they only apply for any job vacancy when and only when they meet 100 per cent of the criteria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The bravery deficit is why girls are under-represented in STEM, in boardrooms and everywhere. We have to socialise our girls to be comfortable with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;imperfectionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or tolerable gaps and the time is now. We have to teach them to be brave early in school, when it has the most potential to impact their lives.â&#x20AC;? The president said the associa-

tionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role is to create awareness, introduce initiatives and mentorship platform that will alter the current dynamics and foster positive quantifiable changes, adding that the overreaching objective of the programme is â&#x20AC;&#x153;to ignite passion for STEM in young girls and to showcase the socio-economic value and application of engineering in our everyday life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This programme will bridge the gender gap in STEM education, as well as engineering as a career choice.â&#x20AC;? She said the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Invent it, Build itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; programme is a girl-child education initiative, in partnership with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), targeted at girls between the ages of eight and 10 in the upper primary school from the six geo-political zones of the country. She commended Ali for his impactful leadership and commitment to the engineering profession, saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;we all know that under his leadership, Nigerian engineers are certified to practice engineering in 26 countries of the world along with various international recognitions. Ali has written his name in the sands of time. His humble beginning and success story is being showcased today, to inspire these pupils to go into STEM that will lead them to a career in engineering because STEM is an economic driver and engineers are problem solvers.â&#x20AC;?

Ex HOS: I Regret not Solving NUT Crisis in Kebbi Laiatu Bamaiyi in Birnin Kebbi The immediate past Head of Service (HOS) in Kebbi State, Abubakar Udu Idris, has expressed regret over his inability to resolve the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) crisis in the state before his retirement. Idris, who stated this during the valedictory ceremony organised for him by civil servants in the state, counselled them on rules of the civil service. The former HOS served about 10 governors, nine SSGs, 200 committees before retiring recently. He charged civil servants in the state to be honest, dedicated and to continue learning throughout their service years for intellectual development. Idris also debunked the

rumour in some quarters that he had written petitions against the state government, saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I did not write any petition against any government. Since I started serving in 1991, I have never written any petition against government.â&#x20AC;? He appealed to the state workers to shun partisan politics, dishonesty, corruption, character assassination and be good ambassador of the civil service. He also enjoined them to work hard to reposition the civil service better than the level he left it. In his remarks, the state Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Umar Halidu Alhassan, urged civil servants in the state to emulate the good leadership of the HOS by embracing honesty, principle of simplicity and adherence to civil service rules.

Stakeholders at the National Innovation Collaborative for Education meeting

JAN Celebrates 20th Anniversary, Targets 1m Youths young adults across the country. delivery of practical education, par- financial future. Funmi Ogundare

Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN), a non-profit economic and education-focused organisation, has reiterated its commitment to reach one million Nigerian youths, just as it marked its 20th anniversary with the theme â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;20 Years of Impact, Partnering for Growthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The Executive Director, Mrs. Simi Nwogugu, who briefed journalists recently on its plans in Lagos, recalled how Junior Achievement (JA) started in America a century ago, saying that its aim is to grow exponentially digitally so as to reach a million more youths. Since its launch in Nigeria in 1999, she said the organisation has reached over 900,000 children and

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The organisation is dedicated to empowering young people to succeed in a global economy and has helped bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace. After two decades, our core aim of preparing young people for the real world remains as important as ever.â&#x20AC;? She expressed delight that so far, its programmes have touched the lives of the youths by showing them how to generate and effectively manage wealth, create jobs for their communities, as well as apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace and skills that are germane to securing their financial future. Nwogugu called on key players in the public and private sectors to partner JAN to improve the

ticularly entrepreneurial education to address the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing rate of youth unemployment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every year, over one million would-be university students enter the workforce without tertiary education or appropriate training. The inability of young men and women to obtain the requisite STEM skills that are high in demand has rendered them unattractive to the 21st century employer.â&#x20AC;? The executive director said that is why some of JANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programmes will focus on digital to unlock its potential for the benefit of the country, adding that the organisation is committed to its mission of ensuring that the youths have the values, skills and confidence to secure their

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board of JAN, Mr. Niyi Yusuf expressed delight about the potential of Nigerian youths, saying that there is something hopeful about the future of the country. Yusuf, who disclosed that he joined the organisation as a volunteer in 1999, and benefited from the system said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is the responsibility of those who have benefitted from the system to give back. The platform aligns with my values and ensures that results are delivered. What gives me joy is Nigeria being the champion.â&#x20AC;? He commended volunteers who go to the classrooms to mentor students, saying that everybody achieve a sense of fulfilment getting to see results.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Depend on Govts for Revenue, Tertiary Institutions Told Okon Bassey inUyo Tertiary institutions in the country have been advised not to depend on the federal or state governments for funding, but to generate revenue internally to meet their financial challenges in order to survive. A former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah gave the advice at the second distinguished registry lecture of the University of Uyo with the theme â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Knowledge Management, Professionalism and the Survival of Nigerian Universitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Attah, who was described as a

distinguished lecturer, said if more revenues are generated internally by universities, it will be easier for them to address their current societal needs and problems. He said the time has come for universities to depart from the idea of continual monetary expectations or hand-outs from either the federal, state government or individuals to deliver on their core mandate of effective impacting of knowledge to those who seek it and meet the needs of the society. Attah stressed that many worldclass universities generate a large amount of their funding internally from many innovations through

research, adding that many universities in the USA, Japan, China, Great Britain, Germany, among others are even richer than some countries as a result of their drive for IGR. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So to survive, universities in the country must be able to choose courses they offer very carefully and generate more funds internally to remain relevant. The barrier of funding must be broken so that town and professionalism can establish a symbiotic relationship that is mutually beneficial to the overall development of the nation,â&#x20AC;? he said. The former governor described

the registry lecture series, which he said is peculiar to the University of Uyo as a welcome departure from the usual inaugural and convocation lectures usually organised to advance human quest for knowledge and drive for advancement of humanity. He commended the management of the institution, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Enefiok Essien for its drive and innovation. In his remarks, Essien said the lecture marks yet another milestone in the annals of the institution as it continues to soar higher in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tertiary education space.

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â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mission Schools, Ideal for Raising Responsible Leadersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ogechukwu Obi The role of faith-based educational institutions in reshaping and preparing students for good leadership has been reemphasised. Speaking during a media chat in Lagos recently on the role of mission schools in raising a crop of leaders that should be guided by Godly principles and ultimately impact their society positively, the Director, Baptist Mission Schools, Dr. Oyetide Olalere said the Baptist schools among others have over the years, remained committed to the national demand. He said mission schools have

been at the fore front of raising generation of youths with corrective mind set to impact their society positively, adding that they have been uniquely positioned to develop the mind set of students to embrace positive values and become thorough bred who can transform the nation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The role of faith-based educational institutions cannot be underestimated. These institutions have played pivotal roles in reshaping and remoulding the lives of the students. It is pertinent to state that mission schools have endeavoured to expand the world view of students, open their minds to fresh possibilities with what God

can do in their lives. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no gainsaying that these schools are distinctively positioned to address social issues, engage in social services both in local and global communities to involve students and teachers in their shared vision and values.â&#x20AC;? Olalere added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Baptist Mission schools in Nigeria have become catalysts in developing new breed of future leaders who are not only academically sound, but also spiritually inclined to lead responsible and upright lives. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are strongly focused on harnessing potential and creating atmosphere to inculcate godly values to build a generation of

responsible leaders. The spiritual programmes in these schools also help in curbing social vices that are prevalent amongst youths in the country. These programmes afford students the opportunity to nurture their dreams, sharpen their potential and develop leadership skills.â&#x20AC;? The director added that it is part of the Baptist Schoolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; vision to enable students reach their potential in a school environment which places premium on quality education laced with Godly principles to encourage students, teachers and staff to see themselves as uniquely created with special qualities and gifts for the service of God and humanity.

Students from secondary schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at the national qualifying examination for InterswitchSPAK 2.0 National Science Competition, at the Government Secondary School, Tundun Wada, Abujaâ&#x20AC;Ś recently

Varsities, Polys Urged to Embrace e-Learning Funmi Ogundare The Chief Executive Officer of Slot System Limited, Mr. Nnamdi Ezeigbo has urged institutions in the country to embrace e-learning to expand their learning and business outcomes. Ezeigbo, who made this known recently at the second research and development public lecture of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Disruptive Innovation and Sustainable Entrepreneurshipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, said institutions could exploit such opportunity to increase the number of people that come to them, adding that it will enable them to showcase what they have. He expressed concern that

most traditional institutions in Nigeria are limited by what they do because of their space, adding that due to its flexibility; people could combine it with their jobs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;e-Learning is the new currency in terms of how people could acquire university degrees in Nigeria. Most traditional institutions in Nigeria are limited by what they do because of their space. So the only way they can expand and become scalable is e-learning. It does not have any boundary, so it is limitless. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The only way schools like YABATECH and universities can exploit opportunities is to increase the number of people that come to them by having an e-learning centre, which is the way to go. Many people in Nigeria are unable to go to

traditional schools because of the inconveniences of driving all the way from their homes and combining that with their jobs. So there is need for flexibility.â&#x20AC;? Ezeigbo, an alumnus of the college while appealing to traditional institutions to imbibe the e-learning culture, said these days, people are more concerned about skills than certificate acquisition, adding that institutions could avoid being disruptive through e-learning. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When disruption comes, it takes time to gain ground, but over time, it becomes the way to go. People are not really concerned about certificates, it will be about your skills and what can you do. So if institutions have e-learning

platforms, people who go through the platforms will be recognised and as long as you can do well at the workplace, the certificate also allows you to go for the national youth corps programme. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is why those who have gone to the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) are doing very well. If the regular training is two years, e-learning can take three years because it takes a longer time. This is the only way schools can avoid been disruptive,â&#x20AC;? the CEO said. The Rector of YABATECH, Mr. Femi Omokungbe stressed the importance of research and development to the institution, saying that it is also a critical factor in the innovation process.

NBC Donates Electronic Devices to ABU Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union The Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, a member of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC), has donated items including Plasma Television sets and air conditioning systems to the management of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria as part of its contribution towards empowering youth in the country by improving their learning environment. Speaking after the donation recently, the Regional Public Affairs and Communications Manager (North), NBC, Mr. Aminu Mohammed, who represented the Public Affairs

and Communications Director, Ekuma Eze, said the donation was a demonstration of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s confidence in Nigerian youths and support for academic excellence as youth development remains a major area of its corporate social responsibility framework. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over the years, our community investments have evolved from unconnected philanthropic initiatives to long-term programmes aligned to three key strategic priorities including the empowerment of youth and women; the creation of a world without waste and water stewardship.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;For youths, we are committed to motivating students and indeed young people to unleash their potential, this is at the core of what we believe. We sincerely hope that the items donated here today, would go a long way in shaping a better life and future for the students,â&#x20AC;? he said. In his remarks, the Deputy Dean, Student Affairs, Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Mohammed Dabo thanked the management of NBC for its support towards enhancing education for the students. He said the donation would improve recreation for the students on the campus, describing

it as a huge support which is expected to enrich the learning experience for the students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We applaud the effort of Nigerian Bottling Company Limited to support our students with these items; we know this would go a long way to give them a better experience as students. With this, I am sure our students would be able to relax and enjoy themselves during their leisure period.â&#x20AC;? He charged the students to make the best use of the items handed over to them by ensuring that the equipment and other facilities are maintained for optimal use.

KEHINDE OMORU www.kayomoru.com

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Mrs Kehinde Omoru writes from the UK

Oraukwu Grammar School Old Boys to Celebrate Alma Mater at 60 Having made successes out of their chosen careers, the old students of Oraukwu Grammar School in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, are determined to reunite and give back to the school as it marks its 60th anniversary on April 20, 2019. Briefing journalists in Lagos recently, the National President, Chief Vincent Ananti, said the event would also celebrate the stellar performances and the entrepreneurial spirit of the old students who have made impactful contributions to the growth of businesses, education, trade and commerce in the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Specifically, Oraukwu Grammar School has produced reputable scholars who have grown in leaps and bounds in their professional careers such as pharmaceuticals, engineering, education, judiciary, entertainment, traditional institutions, art and culture. Many of whom have become very successful men in their prime years.â&#x20AC;? He identified some of the old boys who have made impactful

contributions to the development of the country to include, Igwe Emeka Onuora; Igwe Chinyere II of Oraukwu Kingdom; Dr. Anthony Obiora Chuwuka, Chairman, Green Life Pharmaceutical Company Limited; Chief Charles Odunukwe, Chairman, Colonades Nigeria limited; Chief Patrick Chibueze, Chairman Bolsac International Limited; Professor Emeka Ezeonu, Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner in the recent election; Prof Anyi Opara; and Ndilibe Amaechina, a serving judge in Anambra State Judiciary and Nollywood star, Bob Manuel Udokwu, among others. Ananti revealed that the school was founded by the Anglican Diocese of the Niger in February 1959 in Oraukwu Town, with Rev. Canon HDO Chuzie of blessed memory as the founding Principal of the school. He said in 2010 when the golden jubilee was celebrated, the old boys embarked on a massive infrastructural development by building the principalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house and fencing the school compound for security.

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍľË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

35

Corruption and the Underdevelopment of Nigeria A presentation at the 20th Bassey Andah Memorial Lecture, held at the University of Calabar International Conference Centre, 26 January 2019 by Professor Sola Akinrinade, Provost, AntiCorruption Academy of Nigeria

F

or the purpose of this lecture, the organisers suggested the theme, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Corruption and the Development of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;?. I have slightly modified the title of this presentation to read, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Corruption and the Underdevelopment of Nigeria.â&#x20AC;? Despite the most optimistic interpretation of the economic status of Nigeria today, it would be a most untruthful declaration to say that Nigeria is developed. However, no one controverts the statement that Nigeria is an underdeveloped country that is achieving far below its potential given its human and other endowed resources. Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s underdevelopment crisis Going by the huge human and other resources available to Nigeria, the country has the potential to be one of the most developed countries in the world. Unfortunately, Nigeria has not harnessed this potential and falls far below the level of development it ought to have attained. The situation has worsened in recent years. A country that, only a few years ago, proudly declared itself the largest economy in Africa also holds the dubious distinction of being the poverty capital of the world. Poverty rate, as measured by the percentage of the population living on income of less than US $2 per day has risen from 54% in 1999 to 80% today. Nigeria has overtaken India as host to the largest extremely poor population in the world. In the same vein, unemployment has risen from 4.2% in 1999 to 23% in the third quarter of 2018 with youth unemployment standing at a staggering 33.1%. To the above should be added that Nigeria today, with 13.5 million, has the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest population of out-of-school children; one of the top five countries with highest mortality rates; one of the three remaining polio-endemic countries in the world, and the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third most terror-afflicted country. However, to the layperson, the statistics reeled out above may not mean anything. To her, underdevelopment of the country is more easily understood in terms of: r )VOHFS PDDBTJPOFE CZ QPWFSUZ BOE GPPE insecurity r EFDJNBUFE QVCMJD TDIPPM TZTUFN XJUI QPPS infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, inadequate personnel, underachieving students, r 5FSSJCMZ CBE SPBET JODMVEJOH TPNF XJUI craters that can fit a small vehicle r %FĂ DJFODZ PG FRVJQNFOU TVQQMJFT BOE services in public hospitals r *OBEFRVBUF QPXFS TVQQMZ SFTVMUJOH JO SFHVMBS blackouts r /FBS BCTFOU QVCMJD XBUFS TVQQMZ TZTUFNw We can go on and on with the list of manifestations of developmental inadequacies that make the average Nigerian complain that every family is a local government Council supplying its own power, water, education, etc. The question is: how did we, as a nation, arrive at this sorry pass? Attempts at interrogating the basis for this gross underachievement have yielded various explanations ranging from leadership failure to the lingering effects of colonialism among others. However, in recent years, one new explanation for the underdevelopment of the country is the devastating consequences of corruption and corrupt behaviour on the part of those entrusted with our commonwealth. With time, corruption has become one of the most assailed factors in explaining the failure and underdevelopment of the Nigeria state. This is not without cause. Corruption is one of the most prominent elements militating against the proper marshalling of resources in Nigeria. The stench of corruption permeates almost every space in Nigeria and has made the country and its systems sickly and unhealthy. Nigeria and its Corruption conundrum A little peep into our history may be appropriate at this stage. Historical records including reports of colonial officers, point to the prevalence of corruption in the Nigerian polity particularly the public sector as far back as colonial times. The reports of District Officers many times point to the incurably corrupt native elites. In contemporary times, our struggle with corruption dates back to the period following the attainment of internal self-rule and the immediate post-independence period.

Akinrinade In his January 15, 1966, speech on behalf of the Supreme Council of the Revolution of the Nigerian Armed Forces declaring martial law over the Northern Provinces of Nigeria, Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu declared that â&#x20AC;&#x153;The aim of the Revolutionary Council is to establish a strong united and prosperous nation, free from corruption and internal strife.â&#x20AC;? Later in that speech, he famously declared: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our enemies are the political profiteers, the swindlers, the men in high and low places that seek bribes and demand 10 percent; those that keep the country divided permanently so that they can remain in office as Ministers or VIPs at least, the tribalists, the nepotists, those that make the country look big for nothing before international circles, those that have corrupted our society and put the Nigerian political calendar back by their words and deeds.â&#x20AC;? Major-General J.T.U. Aguiyi Ironsi who took power following the coup promised to wipe out corruption. In his maiden broadcast to the nation on January 18, 1966, he warned that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the federal military Government will stamp out corruption and dishonesty in our public life with ruthless efficiency and restore integrity and self-respect in our public lifeâ&#x20AC;? . This declaration was followed by the setting up of various probe panels into the assets of some public officials and other persons suspected of large-scale misappropriation of public funds and unjust enrichment. In the years that followed, from 1966 to 1999, except for the civilian interregnum of the Second Republic, 1979 to 1983, the Nigerian political space became the plaything for one military messianic group or the other. Corruption along with â&#x20AC;&#x153;failure or inability to consultâ&#x20AC;? by deposed leaders became the most popular excuse deployed by gun totting, trigger-happy soldiers for capturing power. The era of military rule coincided with a critical phase in the development of this nation. Over the years, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Corruptionâ&#x20AC;? became a plot in a classical play constantly looking for new actors for re-enactment by subsequent generations. Each regime sought to legitimise its status by laying claims to fighting corruption and justifying its staying in power by claiming a need to sanitise the polity and entrench a corruption-free process. The entrenchment of military rulers in the seat of power particularly in the immediate postcivil war years coincided with the emergence of stupendous oil wealth, which properly managed could have transformed the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fortune positively and permanently. But what we had instead was a worsening of the economic situation and aggravation of corruption. With a clear lack of focus on the path of one regime

after the other, it is no brainer to hazard why corruption thrived unabated even as Nigeria became the country with the highest cost of implementing construction projects not because of higher quality of delivery but because of padding. Why are our infrastructural facilities including roads, power, schools, hospitals etc. in such a calamitous situation? Corruption has done an incalculable harm to the progress of Nigeria as a country and the effects have been far reaching, including negative international image, lack of legitimacy for government, violence and political instability, erosion of social values including the culture of hard work, social trust, respect for others, especially elders and the weak, etc. Governments, even unelected ones, live on trust and retaining the confidence of the people is crucial to their survival. Public Confidence is important to the smooth functioning of government. Unethical behaviour on the part of government officials lead to loss of public trust. A government cannot function effectively, if the public believes that its officials are corrupt, even if they are not. The general perception in the country today is that corruption has eaten deep into the fabrics of government at every level and in every agency of government. There are increasing expectations to promote good governance, integrity and transparency in the public service. Thus, public functionaries should not just be people of integrity, they must be seen to be so. DeďŹ ning Corruption It is perhaps appropriate at this stage to attempt a definition of corruption. Corruption is like a disease that requires the appropriate diagnosis, prognosis and intervention. If it is not accurately identified, the suitable cure might not be administered. It is in this context that we must avoid the over-extension and underextension of the definition of corruption. When corruption is overextended, every unacceptable conduct is classified as corruption. This approach is problematic because different illnesses will require different interventions. On the other hand, if the concept of corruption is under-extended, it will lead to the mistake of overlooking corrupt acts that appear to be of low impact. A few years ago, the media was awash with reports of the statement made by former President, Goodluck Jonathan, that stealing is not corruption. While the public indignation that greeted the statement reflected the frustrations of a society and a people suffering from the devastating consequences of corruption, the question still remains valid: do all bad or immoral or unacceptable or illegal activities amount to

corruption? In reality, if we are to make a good headway with finding solutions to the problem, we need to avoid over-extending or under-extending the definition of corruption. Certainly not all morally wrong or illegal activities amount to corruption. If at the end of this programme today you arrived in your house and found that it had been burgled and valuables stolen, I am sure that your first point of call would not be the nearest ICPC or EFCC office but the Police Station! For us to identify the correlation of corruption with underdevelopment of Nigeria, we need to be specific about what we understand as corruption. While there might not be consensus over its definition, the central thread that runs through most conceptions of the term is that, corruption connotes mutation of a situation, from good to bad. There is also some agreement on the categories. Corruption could be grand, petty, systemic or endemic, bureaucratic or political. Grand corruption is large scale corruption that takes place at the highest levels of government, usually at the policy formulation level. Grand corruption is often used synonymously with political corruption, which in itself refers to misuse of political power for private gain. This misuse can be for the preservation or strengthening of power, personal enrichment, or both. Political corruption can take place while entering public office, during the policy making process, or in the allocation of state resources. Common forms of political corruption include: vote-buying, election-rigging, non-transparent or illegal political campaign financing, abuse of public property, or simply biased decision-making for personal interest. Bureaucratic Corruption takes place in public administration or at the implementation end of policies. On the other hand, petty corruption refers to everyday forms of corruption when citizens, businesses, and officials make exchanges. Petty corruption takes place in the process of delivering public services of various types. Bureaucratic corruption, administrative corruption and petty corruption are often being used synonymously in the anti-corruption literature. Finally, endemic or systemic corruption is a situation in which corruption is an integrated aspect of the economic, social, and political system of a country. The major institutions and processes of the state are routinely dominated and used by corrupt individuals and groups. Sadly, this seems to be the situation in our country today. The day-to-day manifestations of corruption include Bribery, Extortion, Embezzlement, Money laundering, Fraud, Abuse of power, Conflict of interest, Nepotism, favouritism, clientelism, Theft, Wastage, Collusion, and so on. Most of us can relate to most of these issues. If nothing else, Nigerians are familiar with the fuel subsidy scam, ghost workers and pensionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; scam, undervaluation and overvaluation of invoices depending on purpose, Legislatorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; alleged â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Jumbo Allowancesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Settlement (Sorting), etc. The next question then is, how has corruption damaged us as a country and contributed to our state of underdevelopment? The damage of corruption While the most obvious consequence of corruption is the theft of public funds, corruption is more than missing money. Certainly, the more damaging consequence is the arrested development of the nation. Two examples of how corruption has damaged our national life will suffice. In his end-of-year message to staff of the NNPC, the Group Managing Director, Maikanti Baru, delivered the shocking message that no turn around maintenance had been carried out in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s four refineries in over 42 years. For observers of the Nigerian economy, this is one of the most damaging revelations that has emanated from the Nigerian oil industry in years. The statement not only implied that for years, Nigerians have been fed deception and lies in relation to happening in this most critical sector of the Nigerian economy but also confirmed the persistent accusations that funds allocated for turnaround maintenance of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s refineries and other repairs were mostly stolen, wasted or embezzled.

To be continued next week

36

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍľË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

CITYSTRINGS

Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x161; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ë? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă? äĂ?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ă?äĂ?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;ĚśĂ&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁĂ&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ë&#x153; Í&#x2018;Í&#x2122;Í&#x2019;Í&#x2013;Í&#x201C;Í&#x201C;Í&#x2013;Í&#x201C;Í&#x201D;Í&#x201C;Í&#x2013;

Canvassing Restoration for Refugees Sunday Ehigiator reports that Daystar Christian Centre recently donated N10million to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the restoration of those forced to flee their homes across the African continent

A

ccording to the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, â&#x20AC;&#x153;a refugee is any person who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reason of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of the country. â&#x20AC;? The 1951 UN Convention definition is normally taken as the standard for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;genuineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; refugee status. Before refugees acquire such status in the country they have fled to, they are normally called asylum seekers. After their request has been considered genuine, they are registered and given refugee status. This is when they are officially handed over to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as mandate refugees. The magnitude of refugee influx in recent years has generated urgent concern throughout the world. Widely perceived as an unprecedented crisis, these flows have produced a mixture of humanitarian concern for the millions of people forced into exile and fear because of the potential threat to the social, economic and political stability of host states caused by streams of unwanted newcomers. In Africa, the number of refugees and internally displaced people continues to rise. Between January 2015 and January 2016, some 2.5 million people were newly displaced, fleeing to safety within their country or across borders. There are currently around 20 million people of concern to UNHCR in sub-Saharan Africa, including an estimated 4.4million refugees and 11 million internally displaced. Conflicts in countries such as Burundi, the Central African Republic, South Sudan and Nigeria continue to produce outflows of people, despite peace talks and agreements. However, it takes more than the UNHCR to address the needs of refugees. The needs varies from cash donations to materials and health servicies. According to the UNHCR head of Private Sector Partnership, Mrs. Needa Jehu-Mazou, during the official hand over ceremony at the Daystar Christian Center Church, 90 per cent of UN budget is sponsored by countries, while nine per cent is sponsored by the private sectors all over the world , which also include individuals. In line with Matthew 25 vs 34 to 35, which says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me inâ&#x20AC;? Daystar recently gave a N10million donation to humanitarian works of the UNHCR; making them the first faith-based organisation in Africa to donate to the United Nations (UN). Addressing journalists, the Senior Pastor, DCC, Pastor Sam Adeyemi said: Hunger affects the most vulnerable people in our world, people who cannot help themselves, hence all hands must wade in, including the religious community; as it is the true way to show love as Jesus showed before and with his death on the cross of calvary.â&#x20AC;? According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the fact is, for us in our church it is a culture to address people's problem in practical ways. While we preach, the bible tells us that if we really love our brother, it won't be enough for us to preach to them and pray for them, you need to do something; like Jesus Christ did. He provided food for the hungry, he touched sick people physically, healed their sicknesses and so on. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our church has been involved in practical interventions for the community. Building schools for the children, providing school bags for children from families that cannot afford it, paying hospital bills and so on. Then we became aware of UNHCR. They said it was at a meeting in Geneva that someone that was aware of what we do mentioned that 'there is a community you are not looking at in Africa; The church. And there is a specific church that we know that intervenes in things like this.' So we had a meeting. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They were surprised to see the things that they do; we were amazed to hear how bad the issue

Some internally displaced persons

UNHCR Nigerian Representative and Pastor Sam Adeyemi of displaced people is. We were so moved and touched; we placed commitment right away to be a part of it in everyway. Not just only in giving money, but visiting the camps around the world.â&#x20AC;? He however advised other faith-based organisation to reflect love in same gesture, noting that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;people's problems are actually our own opportunities to bring the power if God and the resources at our disposal to meet those practical needs. That is why the church exist. So we want to say to the church community; this is another dimension to the problems Jesus called us to solve. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In our own country, there are 2.2 million people that have lost their homes, lost their means of living, they need help. They need food, they need blankets, they need health care, the needs are there. Apart from that, they have experienced trauma. They need therapy. I want to ask the church community; let's step in. This is Africa, our own blood. And beyond that, all over the world, let's intervene as much as we canâ&#x20AC;?. Also speaking with newsmen Jehu-Mazou said, "I think as one of your own 2baba had said, 'if Africans don't do for each other, then who will?' I think the needs are there; it's clear. We have nearly 25million people in Africa who have been forced to flee their homes. You saw the story of this one person that we shared with you; it is multiplied in 25 million times. And the needs are endless. And nobody else is going to do it for us if we don't do it for ourselves. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The thing is that, Africans are incredibly hospitable. Nigeria is a very hospitable country. I have hosted and find solutions to refugee problems over the years, and what Daystar had done here today is just phenomenal. It is really ground breaking. It is the first faith-based organisation in Africa to

An oďŹ&#x192;cial of the UNHCR at work

throw it's weight and align publicly with the U.N. and commit funds to it. Nine per cent of all of our income comes from the private sector globally. And 9 per cent is a lot. It was $423,000,000 last year, and I am very proud to count Nigerians; Daystar Church in particular among these donors. We also have incredible other donors in Nigeria like 2Baba; who support immensely, financially, and in other ways. People have stepped out to the place to really do it for our brothers and sisters who have been forced to flee. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope that other religious body would rally round what pastor Sam Adeyemi has demonstrated with the Daystar Christian Center, and rally behind the refugee cause. Because, the are orphans and it's women and children. We have about 76 per cent of all those forced to flee as women and children, yet they aren't the cause of the war. So we hope that other organisations will follow suit and support it." Meanwhile, the UNHCR Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Antonio Jose Canhandula said the IDP situation in the country right now is a very difficult situation. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;of the so many internally displaced people, we only have access to 1.8million. What I know is that, there are some LGA's in Bornu State for instance, that we do not have access to. I was talking about the refugees that went into Chad; they come from Bagakawa. In Bagakawa we are not present, what is happening there? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have two or three other LGA's where we are not present and that is not limited to just Bornu State. In Adamawa state, I have been able to go to maybe South, maybe North, Madagali and in Mitchiga; but I was told actually that I was the first UN officer who went all the way to

Mitchiga. But there are peoole there. They don't have a school, they don't have a roof over their heads. The women are there; they are trying to find something to take home for their children who can't. That is the real situation we are facing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The challenges we are facing first of all, is essentially security. Because for you to be about to help, you must be able to survive. And the first thing for you to do is to ensure that my staff are secure when they go and assist. People need food, health and education. And let me just stress this issue of education. If a child who was five years when the crises in the North started 10 years ago, today that child is 15 years. What does it mean? It means that you have a 15 years old boy or girl who haven't been to school. What future are you actually looking at when you look at that child? So, protection of children and women; these are the challenges that we really have. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We actually have been working with the Nigerian government. And all these challenges we have been facing them together. We have the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), providing us with as much food as possible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The partnership with Daystar Christian Center is just one step of the wider step that we would wish to have with the public, private enterprises, and religious institutions to reach out to population and show to people in other parts of Nigeria that you have populations in these same Nigeria that are suffering. Secondly; of course Nigeria is an important country in Africa. We are looking at Nigeria as a beacon for the rest of Africa. And therefore, if it is a beacon, solidarity of Nigeria is not just about Nigeria, it's about Africa, it's about solidarity with those people suffering all over the world.â&#x20AC;?

37

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍľË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

CRIME&SECURITY

Police on Rampage in Lagos Policemen in Lagos seem to be running amok as acts of brutality and extra-judicial killings are now the order of the day despite repeated warning from their authorities, writes Chiemelie Ezeobi

I

n Lagos, the police seem to have run amok. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now the order of the day for the different social media platforms to be inundated with acts of police brutality and extra judicial killings. Just two weeks ago, it was the turn of 35-year-old Johnson Kolade. He was gunned down in cold blood by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Squad at a football viewing centre, where he had gone to watch a match. His corpse was barely cold in the grave before the police struck again. This time around it was 20-year-old Ada Ifeanyi and her beau, 32-year-old Emmanuel Akomafuwa. Their run in with the police ended with Ifeanyi being killed in cold blood while Akomafuwa is battling for his life from the gunshot wounds he sustained in the encounter. But before the duo, there was the case of the young boy who was accosted in one of the markets in Lagos. His only crime was that he refused to allow the operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) go through his phone, an act they have repeatedly been warned to stop. When he refused to surrender his phone, the operatives were seen in a video, which has gone viral, hitting the victim repeatedly with a big stick. The victim was so battered he could barely stand, yet they continued to hit him. Back to Ifeanyi and Akomafuwa, the duo were returning home on that fateful morning when they were accosted by the policemen. Worried that they could be either armed robbers or kidnappers, as they werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wearing uniforms, Akomafuwa who refused to stop but the policemen trailed them to Ifeanyiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home where they openned fire on them as soon as Akomafuwa parked his car. The bullets tore through the girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stomach, while her beau sustained injuries. The victims were rushed to the hospital and Ada Ifeanyi was confirmed dead while Emmanuel Akomafuwa is currently on admission receiving treatment from the injury he sustained as a result of the shooting. Initial Reaction As one who doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tolerate indiscipline, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu immediately ordered for the arrest of the culprits. As confirmed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, the first line of action was to identify those involved and then disclose their identities to the public. Preliminary investigation had revealed that the police team were from Trinity Police Station. After their arrest, they were brought to the command headquarters to face internal disciplinary proceedings. Also, their rifles were retrieved for forensic analysis by ballisticians. According to Bala, if found wanting, they will be prosecuted in conventional court for murder. He went further to disclose the identities of the policemen as Inspector Adamu Usman, Sergeant Adeyeye Adeoye, Sergeant Kashim Tijani, Sergeant Lucky Akigbe and Sergeant Paul Adeoye while Inspector Dania Ojo, who escaped immediately after the shooting incident has been declared wanted by the command. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lagos State Police Command condemned in total these senseless killings of unarmed civilians by few â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;bad eggs â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; in the command, who are bent on denting the image and reputation of the police. The command will not relent in its efforts in ridding the force off these criminal elements. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those involved in extra judicial killings and abuse of power are promptly identified, isolated, tried through internal disciplinary proceedings, dismissed from service and prosecuted in conventional courts. Within the last one month, the command has dismissed four policemen for abuse of power and conducts unbecoming of police officers and awarded various degree of punishments to 41 others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The four dismissed policemen were charged to court and remanded in prison custody. Our collective resolve in building a more humane, professional, dedicated, courageous and people oriented police is a task that must be done and together we can make it a reality. â&#x20AC;&#x153; While extending the commandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s condolences to the Ifeanyi family, the CP had also promised to foot the medical bills of Emmanuel Akomafuwa. Pledge Also reacting to the incessant killings, Lagos State Governor-elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a post on his social media pages said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dear Lagosians, we have been inundated with tags on various social media platforms on different incidences with our

The deceased, Ada Ifeanyi and her beau, Emmanuel Akomafuwa, who is receiving treatment in the hospital

Police IG, Mohammed Usman in a private meeting with the family of the victims

The arrested policemen Inspector Adamu Usman, Sergeant Adeyeye Adeoye, Sergeant Kashim Tijani, Sergeant Lucky Akigbe and Sergeant Paul Adeoye security agencies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We would like you to know weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not totally unaware of all these issues, neither are we insensitive to them. We would also like to reiterate that we are strategising continuously on how best to deal with these issues without offending the sensibilities of affected parties. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All lives matter, and no one, I mean no one is allowed to take part in any extra judicial killing. We frown at it, we would never tolerate it, and whoever is involved in such will be dealt with in accordance with the law. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That being said, we will make police reform, desensitisation and reorientation a major priority when we take over the reins of government in a few weeks. Please we implore everyone to be calm, and not take laws into our hands as two wrongs can never make a right. We feel your pains, we understand your agitations, and we will leave no stone unturned to ensure these unfortunate, and avoidable incidences become a thing of the past.â&#x20AC;? IG Reacts Following the recent resurgence of extra judicial killings in Lagos, the police on Monday proposed scraping lethal weapons in favour of taser or stun guns for routine patrols, arrest duties and other low risk operations as a strategic approach towards reducing such fatalities. The Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Adamu, while reacting to these indiscriminate abuse of power, however, posited that the use of tasers

Inspector Dania Ojo, who is still on the run and stun guns are a long term plan to ameliorate the misapplication of lethal weapons by the police as first line of response to any threat. He said this at the Police College in Ikeja, Lagos, while addressing the issue of extra judicial killing and other acts of unprofessionalism by officers and men of the command. While issuing a stern warning that enough is enough for the incessant police killings in the nation, especially in Lagos, he said it was with deep sense of professional concern that he visited the state command to

address personnel. Lamenting the frequent cases of extral judicial killings by policemen, he however warned that henceforth supervisors, divisional police officers and area commanders, would be held responsible and liable for any indiscriminate use of firearms. He said: "This visit has become expedient in view of recent trend of unprofessional conduct by some personnel who in utter disregard to their professional trainings, international protocol, constitutional dictates, force policies and ethical standards have continued to drag the force into act that pitch us agonist the citizens we were engaged, paid, and statutory obligated to serve and protect. "From January to April, Lagos State recorded four incidents of misuse of firearms, which resulted in extral judicial killings of young citizens of this country and injury to others. More worrisome is that two of these incidents occurred within the last two weeks. Aside negating on our professional calling, extral judicial act of any description or level by any police personnel is an unacceptable anomaly that creates distrust and disdain between the citizens and their police. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It widens the trust gap between them, even most concerning is that the fatalities that resulted from such indiscretional deployments of lethal force leave behind trials of unbearable internal pains and sorrows within the families, friends and associates of the victims. No component of our laws or international protocols authorises the unlawful killing or degrading treatment of fellow citizens as law enforcement agents and no element of our professional training permits any police personnel to deploy lethal weapons either consciously or otherwise except as provided in our status and in Force Order 237. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unfortunately, all the recent incidents of misuse of firearms in Lagos state violated these provisions. Therefore, our visit to Lagos State is to make a number of clear statements. First, is to condole the families of victims of the recent incidents of misuse of firearms or other forms of abuse of power by identified police personnel in the state and to share in their grief. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Second, is to reassure citizens that the police do not and will never condone any forms of abuse of power, act resulting in misuse of firearms overzealousness and sundry unprofessional conducts by members of the police, regardless of his rank or position. Thirdly, our visit is to reinforce the extant force and accountability policy, which holds any officer professionally and criminally liable for the consequences of their actions, particularly if such misuse of power resulted into death, injury or indignity of the citizens. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Towards this end, I am sounding this note of warning loud and clear that any police personnel that insist on being incorrigible in abuse of his or her powers or misuse his weapons with fatal outcome in utter disregard to statutory provisions will be arrested, investigated, and if found culpable shall be dismissed from the service and charged to court for murder or sundry offences.â&#x20AC;? The IG further said that to minimise extral judicial killings, in the long term, rather than the use of firearms, "we shall henceforth use less lethal technologies and weapon system such as electro-muscular disruption technology which is commonly known as taser or stun guns by police for routine patrols, arrest duties and other low risk operations as a strategic approach towards reducing incidents of fatality associated with misapplication of lethal weapons by the police as first line of response to any threatâ&#x20AC;?. Visit to Affected Families The IG who privately visited the bereaved family of the Ifeanyiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s had also assured that the force will embark on administrative actions and policies directed towards giving a new orientation to the personnel especially on human rights and international best practices. While noting that there will be personnel re-organisation in Lagos State, the IGP has also directed nationwide training and capacity development programmes on weapons handling and laws and policies regulating the use of force. The IG, earlier in a private meeting with the families, and assured them that justice will not only be done but will be manifestly seen to have been done in getting justice for the deceased and the injured. Responding, the spokesperson of the family of the deceased, Barr. Obuesi Philips, appreciated the IG for his timely response and appealed to him to ensure that he walks his talk.

38

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍľË&#x153; 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

CBN Sustains FX Intervention with Fresh $210m Nume Ekeghe The interbank segment of the foreign exchange market has received a boost of $210 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), following sales concluded yesterday. According to figures obtained from the Bank, authorised dealers in the wholesale segment of the market were offered the sum of $100 million. Similarly, the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

segment received the sum of $55 million, while customers requiring foreign exchange for invisibles such as tuition fees, medical payments and Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), among others, were also allocated the sum of $55 million. The Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mr. Isaac Okorafor confirmed the transactions in a statement. He also disclosed that the effort of the Bank had helped to reduce exchange rate pressures across

all segments of the market. According to him, the stability of the exchange rate underscored the level of confidence investors and the public had in the naira. The Bank had at its last intervention last weekend, injected the sum of $247.8 million and CNY34.8 million into the Retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) segment. Meanwhile, the naira yesterday exchanged at an average of N360/$1 in the BDC segment of the market.

Jaiz Bank Secures N3bn BoI Facility to Boost Lending to SMEs James Emejo Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; Jaiz Bank Plc yesterday secured a N3 billion credit facility from the Bank of Industry (BoI) for onward lending to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. The BoI Executive Director, SMEs, Mr. Shekarau Omar, who presented the cheque to Jaiz Bank on behalf of BoI MD, expressed confidence at the ability of the non-interest bank to effectively disburse the funds to target groups. Also speaking at the signing ceremony, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Jaiz Bank, Mr. Hassan Usman said small businesses will be able to access the funds to grow their businesses and create wealth. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fundamental to the vision and mission of Jaiz Bank is to create wealth for MSMEs. I want to assure you that maximum

benefits will to the stakeholders. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have already started pilot financial inclusion drive. We are also going to use agency banking to reach those people in places where we are not physically present. We are also intervening to provide financing to women group.â&#x20AC;? However, Omar said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are ready to participate with institutions that are ready to support and develop areas that needed support. We are comfortable this N3 billion will help Nigeria grow.â&#x20AC;? He said the development finance institution is already in the partnership with 16 different financial institutions, stressing that the sum of N3.8 billion had so far been disbursed under the initiative. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;With this N3 billion we are disbursing to Jaiz Bank today, it means this project would have risen to over N6 billion, we also have in our

online 9 different institutions we are partnering with , we hope to disburse another N5.3 billion to them between now and end of this quarter.â&#x20AC;? He said BoI disbursement portfolio was expected to grow to N12 billion from N6.8 billion by the end of the intervention scheme. Omar said the idea was to devise the most effective means of delivering affordable finance to businesses which are unable to access funding from conventional means. According to him: â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are the ones that will boost the economy, they are the ones that will help the system but unfortunately, they have no means of getting funds and therefore, what we do is that we now work for financial institutions that will provide the reach, help the penetration and also help the men and women customers.â&#x20AC;?

GCR Affirms NSP-SPV Powercorpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rating Global Credit Ratings (GCR) has affirmed the final public longterm credit rating of AAA(NG) (sf) assigned to NSP-SPV Powercorp Plcâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s N8.5 billion series 1 guaranteed green infrastructure bond issue. It also assigned the firm stable outlook. The final rating accorded to the Series 1 Bonds issued by NSP-SPV under its N50 billion programme relates to timely payment of interest and principal, as such, the programme was not rated, but only the series 1 bonds were. A statement explained that the final rating would expire in October 2019. The NSP-SPV was incorporated by North South Power Company Limited (NSP) as a special purpose vehicle to raise funds from the Nigerian capital market or other international markets by way of debt and other forms of

capital, to finance various capital projects. In this regard, NSP-SPV registered a N50 billion bond issuance programme with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in February 2019, and raised N8.5 billion from the capital market under its series 1 guaranteed bonds. The programme is backed by a resolution of the Board of Directors, authorising the Issuer to issue the bonds in series, and under different terms and conditions as may be deemed fit. The series 1 guaranteed senior fixed rate bonds constitutes direct, senior, unconditional and unsubordinated obligations of the issuer. All payment obligations under the Issue (except otherwise provided for by applicable laws) rank equal with all other present or future unsubordinated payment obligations of both the Issuer and the

guarantor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By virtue of the guarantee agreement entered into by InfraCredit and the trustees (acting on behalf of the bondholders) in relation to the series 1 bonds, InfraCredit, in its capacity as guarantor, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees the punctual and full (100%) settlement of scheduled interest payment; scheduled principal payment and any interest accrued but unpaid,â&#x20AC;? it stated. The GCR had affirmed InfraCreditâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long term national scale rating of AAA(NG) in July 2018. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The guarantee shall serve as a continuing security, and will be in full force and effect until all payments under the series 1 bonds have been fully discharged, and cannot be accelerated, except, the guarantor in its sole discretion elects to do so,â&#x20AC;? it added.

PenCom Loses Confidence in NASS Committee Leadership Ebere Nwoji The National Pension Commission(PenCom) has declared loss of confidence in the leadership of the House of Representative ad-hoc committee set up to investigate its activities. A source, who disclosed this, advised the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ehionzuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, to step down from the committee since there is an alleged case of conflict of interest in the committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities. The commission had explained that feud between Ag-

bonayinma and its management ensued after it was discovered that the Chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter secured employment in Pencom with fake certificates, which ultimately led to her sack, a situation which the commission alleged had resulted in threats against its management. The development is coming on the heels of the House of Representative Ad-hoc Committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investigation into the activities of PenCom from April 2017, to date under the chairmanship of Agbonayinma. Prior to the commencement of the investigation, the Commission had embarked on a routine certificate

verification exercise and it was discovered that the Chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter secured employment in PenCom with fake certificates, which ultimately led to her sack. Efforts to get PenComâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head of Communication, Peter Aghahowa to comment on the development proved abortive. Sources within the pension industry who spoke on condition of anonymity told journalists in Lagos that there are indications that the Ad-hoc Committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership was no longer fair in its proceedings and instead is engaged in â&#x20AC;&#x153;witch huntâ&#x20AC;? that would inevitably produce an unjust outcome.

L-R: Programme Manager, National LPG Expansion Plan, OďŹ&#x192;ce of the Vice President of Nigeria, Dayo Adeshina; CEO and Managing Director, World LPG Association, James Rockal; Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Muda Yusuf and Chairman, LPG Group, LCCI, Baylon Duru, during a courtesy visit to LCCI in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

NOVEMBER 2018 Money Supply (M3)

31,794,803.44

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

6,333,064.28

Money Supply (M2)

25,461,739.17

-- Quasi Money

14,773,076.98

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,688,662.18

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,711,763.59

---- Demand Deposits

8,976,898.59

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

18,990,400.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

12,804,402.66

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,062,986.22

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,980,229.66

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

7,093,619.43

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

-4,144,571.43

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

23,082,756.56

--Other Assets Net

13,258,583.57

Reserve Money (Base Money

6,811,192.37

--Currency in Circulation

2,100,129.91

--Banks Reserves

4,366,259.05

Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ë&#x153; ÍŻÍł Ͱ͎ͯ͡

The stock market pared losses of the previous day to close higher yesterday, as bellwether stocks lifted the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index by 0.85 per cent to 29,746.24. Stocks such as United Bank for Africa Plc, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, were among the price gainers as 21 equities appreciated compared to 10 that depreciated. Market capitalisation also added N94.0 billion to close at N11.17 trillion. In the same vein, activity level strengthened with volume and value traded expanding by 42.87 per cent and 159.1 per cent respectively, as investors traded 319.7 million shares worth N4.62 billion. SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

39

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍľË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

MARKET NEWS

NSE All-Share Index Rises 0.85% as Bellwether Stocks Lift Market Goddy Egene The stock market pared losses of the previous day to close higher yesterday, as bellwether stocks lifted the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index by 0.85 per cent to 29,746.24. Stocks such as United Bank for Africa Plc, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, were among the price gainers as 21 equities appreciated compared to 10 that depreciated. Market capitalisation also added N94.0

billion to close at N11.17 trillion. In the same vein, activity level strengthened with volume and value traded expanding by 42.87 per cent and 159.1 per cent respectively, as investors traded 319.7 million shares worth N4.62 billion. Chams Plc led the price gainers with 10 per cent following investors sustained their high demand for the stock after it recovered from a loss in 2017 to profit last year. Chams Plc recorded a profit

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

after tax (PAT) of N380 million in 2018, up from a loss of N1.27 billion in 2017, following strategic business restructuring embarked upon by the company. Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Chams Plc, Mr. Femi, Williams had said it was the positive effects of the managementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s determination to revamp the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operations for enhanced profitability in other performance indicators. â&#x20AC;&#x153; This result is a testament

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

to the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dedication to revamping the fortune of the company, coming from a loss position to record this impressive performance is the first step in our arsenal of strategies lined up for deployment this year. As can be seen from the result, we recorded a growth of 54 per cent in revenue year- on-year, while we grew profit before tax by 124 per cent. I would like to assure all our investors and shareholders that we would not

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

rest on our oars as we would keep firing from all cylinders in order to maintain and surpass this performance by the end of the fiscal year 2019,â&#x20AC;? he said. Dangote Flour Mills Plc closed as the second highest price gainer, chalking up 9.7 per cent, while Transnationwide Express Plc garnered 9.3 per cent. African Prudential Plc went up by 8.0 per cent among others. Conversely, John Holts Plc led the price losers with 9.6 per

O F

cent, followed by Royal Exchange Plc with 8.7 per cent, while A.G Leventis Plc shed 7.1 per cent. Meanwhile, the top traded stocks by volume were Union Bank of Nigeria Plc(134.14 million shares); Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (61.05 million shares) and Afrinsure (15 million shares) while the top trsded stocks by value were GTBank (N2.15 billion); Union Bank ( N912.18 million) and Dangote Cement Plc (328.68 million).

1 6 / 0 4 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019

40

Wednesday, April 17, 2019 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index Rose 115bps

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

Yesterday, the Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index rose 115bps to ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϭ͕ϰϯϬ͘ϰϭ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ŝŶ GUARANTY ;нϭ͘ϰйͿ͕ ZENITH ;нϮ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ NESTLE ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͘ dŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϰϬ͘ϭй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

ĞůůǁĞƚŚĞƌƐ WƵƐŚ ŽŵĞƐƟĐ ŽƵƌƐĞ ƚŽ ZĞǀĞƌƐĞ >ŽƐƐĞƐ͙

ASI up 77bps dŚĞ ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŝŽƌ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ǁĂƐ ƌĞǀĞƌƐĞĚ LJĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ E^ ůů ^ŚĂƌĞ /ŶĚĞdž ; ^/Ϳ

Ticker

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ ďĞůůǁĞƚŚĞƌƐ - NESTLE ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͕ GUARANTY ;нϭ͘ϰйͿ ĂŶĚ ZENTIH ;нϮ͘ϬйͿ͘ dŚƵƐ͕ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ Eϴϱ͘ϰďŶ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĐůŽƐĞĚ Ăƚ Eϭϭ͘ϮƚŶ ǁŚŝůĞ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ŵŽĚĞƌĂƚĞĚ ƚŽ -ϱ͘ϰй͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ϰϯ͘ϰй ĂŶĚ ϭϱϴ͘Ϭй ƚŽ ϯϮϭ͘ϰŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ Eϰ͘ϳďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ UBN ;ϭϯϰ͘ϭŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ GUARANTY ;ϲϭ͘ϭŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ĂŶĚ AFRINSURE ;ϭϱ͘Ϭŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁŚŝůĞ GUARANTY ;EϮ͘ϮďŶͿ͕ UBN ;EϵϭϮ͘ϮŵͿ ĂŶĚ DANGCEM ;EϯϮϯ͘ϳŵͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

^ĞĐƚŽƌ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ůĂƌŐĞůLJ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ĂƐ ϰ ŽƵƚ ŽĨ ϱ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŐƌĞĞŶ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĞŵĞƌŐŝŶŐ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚ͕ ĚŝƉƉŝŶŐ Ϭ͘ϭй͕ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůů-ŽīƐ ŝŶ OANDO (-ϭ͘ϬйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚĞdž ůĞĚ ƚŚĞ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞƌƐ ƵƉ ϭ͘ϳй ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞĚ

;нϮ͘ϬйͿ͘ &ŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ĐůŽƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ŝŶĐŚĞĚ ŚŝŐŚĞƌ ďLJ ϭ͘Ϯй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ŐĂŝŶƐ ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ NESTLE ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ ĂŶĚ DANGFLOUR ;нϵ͘ϴйͿ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ ƐĂŵĞ ǀĞŝŶ ƚŚĞ

/ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ďƵůůŝƐŚ ďŝĂƐ ŵĂƌŐŝŶĂůůLJ ŐĂŝŶŝŶŐ ϭďƉ͘

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϯ͘ϭdž ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϱdž

P/E

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

1.15%

-2.5%

43.0%

19.8%

7.2%

5.3x

0.7x

5.7%

1.4%

20.2%

3.3%

3.2%

31.2%

5.5%

5.4x

1.9x

7.7%

18.4%

2 Zenith Bank PLC

20.90

2.0%

11.5%

-9.3%

0.8%

22.6%

3.2%

3.6x

0.8x

13.4%

28.0% 12.3%

3 Dangote Cement PLC 4 Nestle Nigeria PLC

186.00

0.0%

9.0%

-2.0%

0.0%

44.6%

23.2%

8.1x

3.3x

8.6%

3.3%

8.4%

1.0%

1.7%

90.4%

27.8%

27.7x

23.7x

3.9%

3.6%

64.00

0.0%

4.6%

-25.1%

-16.4%

11.3%

5.0%

26.0x

3.1x

3.7%

3.8% 22.1%

7.45

2.8%

5.1%

-6.3%

-6.9%

9.9%

1.1%

4.5x

0.5x

3.5%

16.90

0.0%

4.0%

-12.9%

-12.9%

3.3%

3.1%

4.2x

0.7x

2.4%

23.8%

6.50

4.8%

3.8%

-15.6%

-16.7%

15.2%

1.7%

3.0x

0.5x

13.4%

33.9%

23.00

-2.1%

2.7%

-24.6%

-27.0%

-23.8%

-3.2%

590.00

0.0%

3.3%

-7.8%

-4.9%

9.4%

5.7%

0.6x

3.2%

15.6%

8.3%

7 Cement Co Northern Nigeria PLC 8 United Bank for Africa PLC 9 International Brew eries PLC 10 SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

13.7%

1,500.30

5 Nigerian Brew eries PLC

11 Access Bank PLC 12 Ecobank Transnational Inc

5.6x 6.4x

6.05

0.8%

3.1%

-11.0%

-6.9%

19.1%

2.1%

1.8x

0.4x

10.50

1.4%

2.2%

-25.0%

-26.6%

15.3%

1.2%

2.8x

0.5x

-1.5%

54.7% 36.3%

13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

46.20

0.0%

2.6%

-3.6%

-0.5%

34.5%

4.7%

6.5x

2.0x

3.2%

14 Unilever Nigeria PLC

33.50

0.0%

2.3%

-9.5%

-9.5%

14.7%

9.0%

16.5x

2.3x

4.5%

6.1%

15 Lafarge Africa PLC

12.00

0.0%

1.7%

-3.6%

0.0%

-53.7%

-7.9%

0.8x

12.7%

-52.5%

16 Guinness Nigeria PLC

60.00

0.0%

1.1%

-16.7%

-16.7%

8.5%

4.5%

16.8x

1.5x

3.3%

5.9%

17 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

80.00

0.0%

1.4%

5.0%

5.0%

39.3%

29.7%

9.0x

2.6x

3.8%

11.1%

15.3%

18 Total Nigeria PLC

196.00

0.0%

1.3%

-3.4%

-3.4%

27.0%

6.6%

8.4x

2.2x

8.7%

12.0%

19 11 PLC

177.90

0.0%

1.2%

-4.1%

-4.1%

38.0%

16.8%

5.9x

2.0x

4.6%

16.8%

6.6%

2.0%

7.6x

0.5x

6.1%

13.2%

2.4x

0.3x

1.5%

2.4x

0.3x

5.7%

41.2% 26.0%

16.40

0.0%

0.9%

-29.0%

-26.1%

21 Oando PLC

20 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

4.80

-1.0%

1.1%

-4.0%

0.0%

22 Fidelity Bank PLC

1.92

-0.5%

1.1%

-5.4%

-5.4%

11.6%

23 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.18

-1.7%

0.9%

-10.6%

-6.3%

19.3%

4.3%

3.8x

0.7x

2.5%

24 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

13.95

1.5%

0.9%

-8.5%

-5.7%

32.6%

16.4%

7.5x

1.6x

7.9%

2.42

0.0%

0.9%

12.6%

-5.8%

-0.7%

26 FCMB Group Plc

1.86

2.8%

0.6%

-1.6%

3.3%

8.0%

1.1%

27 UAC of Nigeria PLC

7.00

0.0%

0.4%

-28.2%

-26.7%

-9.6%

-4.0%

28 Sterling Bank PLC

40.9%

0.3x 2.5x

0.2x

7.5%

40.2%

0.3x

9.1%

-29.1%

2.74

5.4%

0.7%

44.2%

44.2%

9.2%

0.8%

8.4x

0.8x

62.75

0.0%

0.4%

-2.0%

-2.0%

37.0%

24.8%

2.5x

0.8x

3.2%

30 NASCON Allied Industries PLC

19.05

0.0%

0.4%

5.8%

5.8%

47.0%

17.5%

11.4x

4.4x

5.3%

31 Forte Oil PLC

26.95

0.0%

0.3%

-6.1%

-3.8%

52.2%

5.8%

98.6x

2.1x

32 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

6.80

-0.7%

0.4%

21.4%

21.4%

6.0%

1.1%

11.9x

0.9x

33 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

27.50

0.0%

0.3%

36.8%

24.4%

31.5%

3.6%

4.3x

1.1x

34 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

13.3% -29.0%

29 Presco PLC

11.8% 40.4% 8.8% 1.0% 8.4% 7.3%

23.1%

9.45

0.0%

0.2%

-21.9%

-23.2%

0.9x

1.6%

33.75

0.0%

0.2%

-3.2%

-3.2%

94.3%

36.3%

11.6x

11.6x

7.4%

8.6%

0.72

0.0%

0.2%

14.3%

14.3%

6.6%

0.8%

8.3x

0.5x

4.2%

12.0%

37 Beta Glass PLC

58.35

0.0%

0.1%

-14.6%

-14.6%

21.1%

14.7%

5.4x

1.0x

2.2%

18.6%

38 Dangote Flour Mills Plc

10.10

9.8%

0.2%

47.4%

53.0%

-3.2%

-0.9%

1.5x

2.0%

-2.3%

39 Transcorp Hotels Plc

5.40

0.0%

0.1%

-11.5%

-9.2%

11.0x

0.7x

2.8%

9.1%

40 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

1.90

0.0%

0.1%

3.8%

3.8%

9.0x

1.0x

3.2%

11.1%

36 Wema Bank PLC

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

/ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚĞdž ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƚĞĚ Ϭ͘ϳй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ CUSTODIAN ;нϮ͘ϰйͿ ĂŶĚ LINKASSURE ;нϰ͘ϬйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ

ROA

35.60

35 Chemical and Allied Products P

ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ŽŶ GUARANTY ;нϭ͘ϰйͿ ĂŶĚ ZENTIH

ROE

1,430.41

25 Diamond Bank PLC

WŽƐŝƟǀĞ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

Price Change Index to Date

1 Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

6 FBN Holdings Plc

ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ϳϳďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ Ϯϵ͕ϳϰϲ͘Ϯϰ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŝĐĞ

Price Previous Current Change Price Weightin YTD Change g

T ic k er

10.7%

3.1%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

CHA M S

0.33

10.0%

UB N

D A N GF LOUR

10.10

9.8%

GUA R A N T Y

61.1

1.4%

T R A N SEXP R

0.82

9.3%

A F R IN SUR E

15.0

0.0%

134.1

-0.7%

A F R IP R UD

4.18

8.0%

CHA M S

14.0

10.0%

ST ER LN B A N K

2.74

5.4%

UB A

11.3

4.8%

ET ER N A

4.30

4.9%

FCM B

9.7

2.8%

UB A

6.50

4.8%

UN ILEVER

9.6

0.0%

LIN KA SSUR E N EST LE A IIC O

LJĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ ĂƐ Ϯϭ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ ϭϬ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƌƐ͘

0.52

4.0%

ET I

8.1

1.4%

1500.30

3.3%

FB NH

6.9

2.8%

0.72

2.9%

Z EN IT H B A N K

6.1

2.0%

T o p 10 L o s e r s

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

>ĞĂĚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ͛ ĐŚĂƌƚ ǁĞƌĞ CHAMS ;нϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ T ic k er

DANGFLOUR ;нϵ͘ϴйͿ ĂŶĚ TRANSEXPRESS ;нϵ͘ϯйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉ ƐŝĚĞ͕ JOHNHOLT (-ϵ͘ϲйͿ͕ ROYALEX (-ϴ͘ϳйͿ ĂŶĚ AGLEVENTIS (-ϳ͘ϭйͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞƌƐ͘ ƵĞ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĞƋƵŝƟĞƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ŵŽƌĞ ƐŝĚĞǁĂLJƐ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ ĂŶĚ ĂĚǀŝƐĞ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƚŽ

ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞ ŐƵĂƌĚĞĚůLJ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ĨŽƌ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶƐ͘

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

J OH N H OLT

0.47

-9.6%

GUA R A N T Y

2154.8

1.4%

R OYA LEX

0.21

-8.7%

UB N

912.2

-0.7%

A GLEVEN T

0.26

-7.1%

D A N GC EM

323.7

0.0%

M A YB A KER

2.70

-5.3%

UN ILEVER

322.1

0.0%

23.00

-2.1%

N EST LE

218.0

3.3%

1.18

-1.7%

ST A N B IC

129.5

0.0%

4.80

-1.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

127.9

2.0%

IN T B R EW T R A N SC OR P OA N D O H ON YF LOUR

P ric e C hg %

1.17

-0.8%

ET I

85.3

1.4%

UB N

6.80

-0.7%

UB A

72.1

4.8%

F ID ELIT YB K

1.92

-0.5%

FB NH

50.6

2.8%

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Ola Belgore | obelgore@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com Oluwarotimi Ashimi | oashimi@afrinvest.com

Jolomi Odonghanro | jodonghanro@afrinvest.com

41

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Access Bank Grows Q1 Profit after Tax by 86% to N41bn Goddy Egene Access Bank Plc yesterday announced its unaudited results for the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2019, showing significant growth in performance indicators. The bank, which merged with Diamond Bank Plc effective April 2019, recorded gross earnings of N160 billion, indicating an increase of

16 per cent from the Q1 of 2018. Net interest income rose to N56.838 billion, from N44.653 billion, while net fee and commission income stood at N13.068 billion as against N13.923 billion in 2018. Net impairment charges fell from N4.961 billion to N3.375 billion in 2019. The financial institution also reduced its personal expenses from N12.290 billion to N12.786

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

billion. Profit before tax(PBT) grew by 64 per cent from N27.438 billion to N45.101 billion, while profit after tax (PAT) grew faster by 86 per cent from N22.116 billion in 2018 to N41.147 billion in 2019. Deposits from customers rose from N2.564 trillion to N3.920 trillion, showing customers’ confidence in the bank. Also, Access Bank Plc increased its

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 12Apr-2019, unless otherwise stated.

lending as loans and advances improved from N 1.993 trillion to N2.6 trillion. Commenting on the results, Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe said:“The group delivered solid earnings underscoring the value potentials of the newly expanded business model. Gross earnings showed a 16 per cent increase

to N160.1bn from the prior year, comprising strong earnings on interest income and non-interest income of 69 per cent and 31 per cent respectively, whilst Profit before Tax (PBT) grew to N45.1 billion. Our capital and liquidity position remained above regulatory levels, with CAR at 19.5 per cent and liquidity ratio of 47.6 per cent further

demonstrating the capacity of the enlarged balance sheet to cope with possible negative shocks.” According to him, following the successful completion of the merger with Diamond Bank in March 2019, they have now fully positioned themselves in the retail market with a view to bringing the power of banking to the doorsteps of millions.

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 0.88 0.89 5.04% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 12.10% 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 13.50% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.29 2.31 2.94% 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 16.31 16.81 -1.68% ARM Discovery Fund 355.74 366.46 -0.25% ARM Ethical Fund 29.27 30.15 3.66% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.30% 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 100.10 100.80 -1.07% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.85% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.77% Paramount Equity Fund 12.10 12.20 2.45% Women's Investment Fund 106.36 106.91 2.65% 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 12.41% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 98.79 99.23 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 99.43 100.10 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 11.87% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.82 0.83 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.17 1.17 4.88% 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 N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A 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 1,245.01 1,245.86 5.02% FBN Heritage Fund 144.04 145.23 0.44% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.46% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 117.91 118.32 3.53% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 117.81 118.23 3.70% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 145.18 147.27 -3.21% 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 1.15 1.17 -5.36% Legacy Debt Fund 3.36 3.36 3.48% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.04 1.04 1.36% 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 2,971.60 3,002.68 -0.40% Coral Income Fund 2,858.81 2,858.81 4.36% 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 10.75% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 106.89 107.27 -0.26% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.55% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.12 2.15 -1.13% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.14% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 124.88 124.09 -0.43%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.16 1.18 1.58% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,084.10 1,084.10 3.92% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.12 11.21 -3.33% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.47% 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 1.26 1.28 2.80% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.46 11.51 2.95% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.26% 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 120.88 121.43 0.12% 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 1.00 1.00 4.07% 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 2,366.94 2,380.02 2.27% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 198.28 198.28 4.28% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.95 0.96 0.53% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 255.96 255.99 3.56% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 163.67 165.43 0.30% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.78% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,369.18 8,466.23 -1.43% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.13 1.13 1.78% 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 1.19 0.07% United Capital Bond Fund 1.66 1.66 4.32% United Capital Equity Fund 0.68 0.69 -4.38% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.26% United Capital Eurobond Fund 109.82 109.82 2.39% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.11 1.11 1.54% 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 10.96 11.12 3.71% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.21 12.36 2.10% Zenith Income Fund 21.55 21.55 11.81% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.72%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.40 120.02 52.21

-44.85% 1.95% 0.91%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.09 106.00 84.95

10.19 108.26 86.52

-4.32% -9.63% -4.20%

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

3.76 6.58 13.83 11.48 153.55

3.80 6.66 13.93 11.68 155.55

-5.98% -13.55% -7.46% -7.07% 6.93%

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.

42

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY APRIL 17, 2019

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯ͵Ë&#x153; Ͱͮͯͷ

43

44

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY APRIL 17, 2019

45

WEDNESDAY APRIL 17, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

Netanyahu Secures Majority Support to Form Next Government

A majority of the elected members of the next Israeli parliament have thrown their weight behind incumbent

Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to continue in his role and form the next government.

Kenyan Family Files Lawsuit against Boeing over Ethiopian Airlines Crash A Kenyan family has filed a lawsuit in Chicago against American aviation giant Boeing over March 10 Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed 157 people, lawyers and family members said on Tuesday. Siblings of 29-year-old engineer George Kabau said they wanted to force the company to release documents and emails relating to its 737 MAX 8 model. 737 MAX 8 model was grounded worldwide after two major planes crashed in Ethiopia and Indonesia. A preliminary report released earlier this month indicated Ethiopian Airlines pilots wrestled with a computer system that repeatedly ordered the nose down because of faulty sensor data. The same system was a focus of the preliminary report into the October Lion Air crash in Indonesia, which killed 189 people. Dozens of families are already suing Boeing over the Lion Air crash, and three lawsuits have already been lodged over the Ethiopian Airlines crash, by the families of two Americans, including consumer activist Ralph Nader’s great niece, and a Rwandan. Lion Air’s co-founder on Monday lashed out at Boeing’s handling of the accidents.

Kabua’s sister, Esther KabauWanyoike, choked up as she told a news conference that she wanted to use her brother’s death to improve aviation safety. “He didn’t leave a child. My mum is devastated,” she said. “We can use his demise to ensure safer travel for all.” U.S. lawyer Nomi Husain, who is also representing one of the American families, said the lawsuit was filed in Chicago late on Monday. The family was seeking to hold Boeing accountable, he said. “We want to let the litigation process play out. When you put profits over safety, you will be held accountable and you will pay a price,’’he said. Boeing said it would not comment on the lawsuit directly. “As the investigation continues, Boeing is cooperating fully with the investigating authorities,” the company said in a statement. Kenya had the largest number of citizens on the flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi. At least 32 Kenyans were on board, the airline said at the time, although that number may be larger because some of the travelers were dual nationals and the full manifest has still not been released.

India’s Supreme Court Considers Call to Open Mosques to Women India’s Supreme Court agreed on Tuesday to consider a petition from a Muslim couple to allow women into mosques, seeking to overturn a centuries-old practice that largely bars women from the places of worship. Women are not allowed inside most mosques in India although a few have separate entrances for women to go into segregated areas. The petitioners, Yasmeen Peerzade and her husband Zuber Peerzade, said that women were allowed to enter mosques during the time of the Prophet Mohammad. “Like men, women also have the constitutional rights to offer worship according to their belief,’’ they said in their petition. “There should not be any gender discrimination and allow Muslim women to pray in all mosques.’’ The court last year lifted a ban on the entry of women of menstrual age at a Hindu temple in southern India, saying it was a violation of their right to worship. The Muslim couple referred to the temple ruling, which

angered conservative Hindus, as a precedent to support their call for women to be allowed to pray at mosques. A representative of a prominent organisation of Islamic scholars, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, was not immediately available for comment. The petition comes at a sensitive time for relations been minority Muslims and the majority Hindu community. Some members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist ruling party have been accused of stirring communal animosity as the party seeks a second term in a staggered general election now underway. Supreme Court Judge, S.A. Bobde, said the court will examine the couple’s request at length. The court in 2017 ruled as unconstitutional a law which allows Muslim men to divorce their wives simply by uttering the word “talaq”, which means divorce in Arabic, three times. This year, the government issued an executive order making instant divorce an offence punishable with up to three years in jail.

They have ensured their support over the past two days. Sixty-five of the 120 elected members of the next parliament recommended Netanyahu as the prime minister in their consultations with President Reuven Rivlin on Monday and Tuesday. This will allow Netanyahu to form a coalition of at least the minimum required 61 seats. Rivlin is expected to announce on Wednesday that

he is assigning Netanyahu the job of forming the country’s 21st government. Netanyahu will then have 28 days to complete the task and may be granted an extension of up to an additional 14 days. The main challenge Netanyahu is expected to face is Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman’s insistence on legislation that would obligate ultraOrthodox Jews to enlist in

the army. Many ultra-Orthodox seminary students avoid serving in the army, which is mandatory, as they are allowed to repeatedly defer their service. Shas and United Torah Judaism, two ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, virulently oppose such legislation. Yisrael Beiteinu is projected to have five seats, just enough to prevent

Netanyahu from forming a coalition without them. The quarrel about army service has continued for years between secular and religious parties. If Netanyahu forms the next coalition, he will begin a record fifth term. In July, he would then overtake David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s founding father, as the country’s longest-serving prime minister.

PEACE AWARD...

L-R: Director, Afriford University Cotonou, Dr. Muhammed Yahaya Jogunomi; Recipients of Chartered World Order of the Justice of Peace, Abdul Rahaman Musa; Vice Chancellor, Crown University, Accra, Ghana, Prof. Sir Bashiru Aremu; and Managing Director Informant Newspaper, Dr. Muyiwa Olaleye, during the Chartered World Peace award ceremony at the University of Lagos...yesterday

Egyptian Parliament to Vote on Amendments Extending al-Sissi’s Term The Egyptian Parliament convened on Tuesday to vote on constitutional amendments that would allow President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi to stay in power beyond 2022 when his current and final term ends. The amendments would extend al-Sissi’s current term from four to six years, to end in 2024.

A provisional article allows him to run for a third term, potentially staying in power until 2030. The changes allow the president to appoint senior judicial positions and also envisage a bigger role for the army. The changes must be approved by at least two-thirds

of the 596-strong House of Representatives before they are put to a public referendum. The legislature is dominated by al-Sissi loyalists. Proponents say the changes are necessary for long-lasting stability in Egypt. But opponents say the amendments are aimed at tightening al-Sissi’s hold

on power and breach the judiciary’s independence. Al-Sissi took office in 2014, a year after he led the army’s ouster of former President Mohammed Morsi following mass protests against his rule. In 2018, he was re-elected with a landslide in polls that pitted him only against a selfdeclared loyalist.

Washington to Consider Removing Sudan from Terror List after Changes The United States will consider removing Sudan from the state sponsor of terrorism list if there are significant changes in its government and after a smooth political transition, a senior State Department official said on Tuesday. “We will be willing to look at removing Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism if there is significant change

in the country and a smooth transition,” the official said. The Trump administration has suspended talks on normalizing relations with Sudan after the military deposed veteran autocrat Omar Al-Bashir last week. Sudan was designated a state sponsor of terrorism in 1993 under former U.S. President Bill Clinton.

Washington lifted 20-year-old trade sanctions against Sudan in 2017 and was in the process of discussions on removing it from the U.S. terror list when the military stepped in on April 11 to depose Bashir, who ruled Sudan for 30 years. The Trump administration suspended the next round of the talks, scheduled for the end of April, after the military

said it would enter a two-year period of military rule to be followed by presidential elections. Protesters have demanded a civilian-led transition. “It is important that the will of the people are respected, and that Sudanese people be allowed a peaceful transition,” the official added.

EU Lawmakers Approve Package of Banking Reforms European Union (EU) lawmakers on Tuesday approved an overhaul of banking rules, addressing some of the loopholes exposed by the global financial crisis. The banking overhaul, proposed by the European

Commission in November 2016, sets the level of cash banks must set aside to absorb losses and introduces new requirements for capital and liquidity. This must be in line with global standards agreed after

the 2007-09 financial crisis. In separate votes, lawmakers also approved on Tuesday new rules that increase the powers of EU financial supervisors, although the final law is watereddown version of the initial

proposal made by the EU Commission. The Parliament passed as well new measures that grant EU-wide protection to whistleblowers, who expose corruption, tax evasion and other crimes.

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WEDNESDAY APRIL 17, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

NDLEA Nabs 182 Suspected Drug Traffickers in Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Katsina State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said it has arrested 182

suspected drug traffickers in the state between January and April, 2019. The state commandant of the agency, Hajiya Maryam Gambo, stated this yesterday

DFID Trains 20 Graduate Beneficiaries of Amnesty Programme Iyobosa Uwagiaren and Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The British Department for International Development (DFID) has trained 20 graduate beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) on agriculture. The Train the Trainer (ToT) programme on Nigeria Agricultural Enterprise Curriculum (NAEC) commenced in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Speaking at the opening ceremony of training, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator, Amnesty Programme, Prof. Charles Dokubo said that his vision of creating a Job Placement and International Partners Engagement Unit (JP-IDPE) last year has started yielding results. The training programme is fully funded by DFID Nigeria, and organised in partnership with PAP by Market Development in the Niger Delta (MADE), a non-profit project sponsored by UK-DFID. In a statement issued yesterday by Murphy Ganagana, the media aide to the presidential adviser quoted him to have said that the partnership project was the first of its kind in the Amnesty Programme. He described it as historic

and expressed optimism that it will create pathways for other international agencies to partner the Amnesty Office. “On my appointment and assumption of duty as Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in 2018, I studied the existing implementation strategies and realised that little effort had been made to extend a hand of partnership to relevant international organisations. “In order to rectify this omission, I created the Job Placement and International Development Partners Engagement Unit on May 2, 2018. I am glad that my vision has paid off today. “The JP-IDPE unit network produced this MADE project that we see today and we look forward to having more of it,” he said. He disclosed that in a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Amnesty Office, MADE agreed among others, to facilitate linkage between the Presidential Amnesty Programme and service providers working within its fisheries and poultry sector; provide a Train the Trainer (ToT) training for 20 beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme, and select the best five beneficiaries from the NAEC ToT programme for further training for them to become master trainers.

Igbanke Grammar School Old Students Launch Building Unity forum donates furniture to 13 primary schools Igbanke town, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, will be agog come Saturday, as old students of the prestigious Igbanke Grammar School, will reunite in a colorful reunion. This is coming as the Igbanke Unity Forum (IUF) will in April 20, 2019, present school furniture to all 13 primary schools at Igbanke. The old students will also launch a new block of classrooms during the gathering, which will be attended by the education commissioner, senior public servants, politicians, among other dignitaries. Already, the school is wearing a new look as preparation for the mother of all reunions which is expected to gather the Whois-Who in both Edo and Delta States, gets underway. Chairman of the Steering Committee, Mr. Jacob Erhabor, in a statement said, the event is expected to reunite old students from the 1972 through 2018 sets. He enjoined all old students of the school to take advantage of the event to catch up with old

classmates and old friends. Meanwhile, the Igbanke Unity Forum (IUF) will in April 20, 2019, present school furniture to all 13 primary schools at Igbanke. Co-founder of the IUF, Mr. Collins Edomaruse, said in a statement that the furniture would be officially presented to head teachers of the schools by the state’s commissioner of education at the main field of Igbanke Primary School, Igbanke. Edomaruse, a former editor at THISDAY and Publisher of METROWATCH Online newspaper, said the IUF, a FaceBook-based non-profit and non-political organisation, was founded three years ago. With membership strength of about 4,000, the IUF was founded to address the education needs of all Igbanke children schooling at both the primary and secondary schools. In November 2017, the IUF printed and distributed branded books to all students of the three secondary schools in the community.

during the inauguration of the command’s rehabilitation center in Katsina, built by the state government. She said 113 of the apprehended suspects were males, while 49 were females and the remaining 20 suspects were students of tertiary institutions and secondary schools across the state. According to her, “During the arrest, we seized 66.11 kilograms of cannabis sativa, 15,696.5 grams of

psychotropic substances and 38 bottles of cough syrup with codeine. We secured conviction for 46 suspects during the period, while 131 drug users were counseled.” While admonishing the state government to involve rehabilitated drug addicts in its skills acquisition programmes to assuage their plight, the NDLEA boss said the agency would not relent in its war against drug traffickers in the state. Governor Aminu Masari

represented by his Deputy, Mannir Yakubu, told the gathering that the state government had spent N41 million for the construction of the centre, calling on NDLEA to use the centre to mitigate drug related cases. The governor urged traditional rulers, civil society organisations, and religious leaders in the state to collaborate with the NDLEA to rid the country out of what he described as deadly threat. Earlier, the wife of

the State Governor, Dr. Hadiza Masari, solicited the collaboration of critical stakeholders to fight against drug abuse, saying the ugly phenomenon should be the concern of all and sundry. “The traffickers of drug live in our midst as neighbours, children, friends, students, school mates and spouses. Therefore, women as mothers should be more vigilant by closely monitoring the activities of their children”, she added.

OBSERVING PERIOD OF LENT…

L-R: Chairman, Island Club, Mr. Olabanji Oladapo; Diocesan and Missioner, Bishop of Lagos Diocese (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Dr. Humphrey Olumakaiye; Diocesan Board Member, Diocese of Lagos, Chief Sola Ijitimehin; and Diocesan Treasurer, Sir. Gbolahan Folayan, during the Island Club Annual Lenten Talk, Choral Renditions and breaking of fast, in Lagos…yesterday KOLA OLASUPO

ALEX Facilitated Acquisition of CHI’s Equity Stake by Coca-Cola, Says Firm Nosa Alekhuogie One of the leading law firms in Nigeria, ALEX, provided all the legal advisories needed for the recent successful completion of the acquisition of a 100 per cent stake in one of Nigeria’s foremost fruit juice and drinks manufacturers, C.H.I. Limited, by the world’s largest beverage company, Coca-Cola Company, THISDAY has learnt. It also advised Coca-Cola on all aspects of the transactions, including obtaining the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to the transaction, as required in acquisitions of a controlling interest. The Coca-Cola Company, the world’s largest beverage company, recently completed

its acquisition of a 100 per cent stake in C.H.I. Limited, one of Nigeria’s foremost fruit juice and drinks manufacturers. A statement made available to THISDAY in Lagos, revealed that the ALEX team was led by its Managing Partner, Theophilus Emuwa, Chinyerugo Ugoji, Tiwalola Osazuwa and Damilola Ogedengbe, all drawn from the Mergers & Acquisition, Regulatory Compliance and Tax Practice Groups of the firm. It added that the 100 per cent acquisition makes Coca-Cola more prominent in offering Nigeria’s most popular sparkling soft drinks, juices, value-added dairy and water beverage brands. Speaking on the acquisition, the President of the West

Africa business unit of Coca-Cola, Peter Njonjo, in a statement, said: “Coca-Cola is continuing to evolve as a total beverage company, and Chi’s diverse range of beverages perfectly complements our existing portfolio, enabling us to accelerate expansion into new categories and grow our business in Africa.” On his part, the team leader of AELEX, Emuwa, while recalling the experience of the law firm in transactions said they managed the engagement with the SEC regarding all aspects of The Coca-Cola Company’s application for approval, including a robust engagement regarding the potential effects of the deal on competition in the relevant beverage markets. He said: “Our work in

this transaction follows our work on other major transactions in the beverage industry, which include advising Nampak, Africa’s biggest packaging firm, on its successful acquisition of a Nigerian beverage can manufacturing company as part of its expansion drive in the region and advising Castel in relation to its strategic alliance with SABMiller”. He added: “We are delighted to have supported The Coca-Cola Company in the preparation, submission and follow up of its application and successfully obtaining the approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a function that is typically reserved for investment bankers.”

Fayemi, Kalu, Daniel, Others for Freedom Online Lecture Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State will tomorrow speak on challenges facing Nigeria’s economy and the way out at the second annual lecture of Freedom Online, an online newspaper. Fayemi, sworn-in for a second term as governor of the Fountain of Knowledge in October 2018,

will speak on the theme ‘Fixing Nigeria’s Economy: Less Politics, More Substance’. Venue is Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. A statement by the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, Gabriel Akinadewo, stated that a former Governor of

Abia State and Senator-elect, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, is the Chairman while former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, is the Special Guest of Honour. Presidential Spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, is the Guest of Honour while Prof. Akin Onigbinde is the Keynote Speaker.

According to Akinadewo, the lecture is an annual event that brings together captains of industry, media chiefs, politicians and professionals “to discuss economic challenges in the country, proffer solutions and ensure that Nigeria occupies its rightful place in the comity of nations”.

47

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2019

WEDNESDAYSPORTS

ÜÙßÚ ÚÙÜÞÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ Duro Ikhazuagbe ×ËÓÖ˝ duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 08111813083

UNDER-17 AFCON

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets Focused on Brazil 2019 Ticket Olawale Ajimotokan ÓØ Abuja Five-time champions Nigeria will guarantee a return to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup finals today if the Golden Eaglets overcome their Angolan counterparts in their second match at the ongoing Africa Under-17 Cup of Nations in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A reproachable slack approach saw the Golden Eaglets slump from 3-1 lead to conceding three goals and falling behind against host nation Tanzania in the tournament opener on Sunday, but they woke from slumber in good time to win with two spectacular goals and pocket three precious points in a 5-4 win. Angola’s 1-0 win over Uganda hours later has ensured that the winner of the top-of-the-table duel between Nigeria and Angola this afternoon would have one leg in the semi finals and automatically in the FIFA U17 World Cup slated for Brazil later this year. All four semi finalists at the ongoing championship in Tanzania will represent

Africa in Brazil. Two-goal hero against Tanzania, Wisdom Ubani and Man-of-the-Match Akinkunmi Ayobami Amoo will be the cynosure of all eyes in the Eaglets’ attacking line today. Yet, Ibraheem Jabaar, who slammed in the winning goal against the Serengeti Boys minutes after coming on as a substitute, is also capable of making things happen, just as Olakunle Olusegun, Fawaz Abdullahi and Olatomi Olaniyan. Nigeria won the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in 2001 in Seychelles and in 2007 in Togo, and were world champions in 1985 (China), 1993 (Japan), 2007 (Korea Republic), 2013 (UAE) and 2015 (Chile). Current Head Coach, Manu Garba was also at the head of the technical team that won in the United Arab Emirates six years ago. The Eaglets failed to even qualify for the continental finals held in Gabon in 2017, losing to Niger Republic in the final qualifying round. Mali, Ghana, Guinea and Niger Republic flew Africa’s flag at the last edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals in India.

Mali edged Ghana in an all-African quarter final, only to lose 1-3 to Spain in the semi finals and falter 0-2 to Brazil in the match for

third place. The normally strong Malians, who also finished as tournament runners-up to Nigeria in Chile in 2015,

Man Utd, Juventus Knocked Out as Barca, Ajax Hit S’finals 20 yards in the 16th minute and four minutes later De Gea let a weaker shot from the edge of the area squirm under his body for the Argentine’s second. Philippe Coutinho added a third for Barca in the 61st minute, curling a stunning effort into the top corner from distance. United hit the bar inside the first 40 seconds through Marcus Rashford but were dominated after going behind. Alexis Sanchez’s diving header, which was spectacularly saved by Barca goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen in the 90th minute, was as close at the visitors came in the second half.

It was a sobering night for United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the ground where he scored his most famous goal, the stoppage-time winner in the 1999 Champions League final. Barca now meet either Liverpool or Porto in the semi-final, with the Reds taking a 2-0 lead into Wednesday’s second leg. In Turin, Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner of the tournament, headed the hosts in front from a first-half corner. However, Ajax battled level as Donny van de Beek controlled Hakim Ziyech’s shot and slotted past Wojciech Szczesny. Ziyech went close after the break before De Ligt, up from

the back, scored a decisive, powerful header. The away-goals rule left Juventus needing two in the remaining 23 minutes, but it could have been even more comfortable for the visitors in the closing stages with David Neres shooting wide and Ziyech flagged offside after whipping a smart shot into the top corner. As their fans twirled shirts over the heads high in the Juventus Stadium stands, the visitors ran out deserved victors. Ajax will face the winner of Manchester City and Tottenham’s quarter-final, which Spurs leading 1-0 before Wednesday’s second leg at Etihad Stadium.

Onyekuru Rues World Cup Miss, Eyes AFCON 2019 in Egypt Super Eagles forward, Henry Onyekuru has opened up on his 2018 World Cup miss with the national team but know hopes for a better ending to the season to enable him to fulfill his dream of representing Nigeria at a major international competition. The 21-year-old spoke to AOIFootball.com after his impressive performance with Galatasaray on Sunday, stating

that not going to the World Cup in Russia was a bitter pill to swallow and a disappointing moment for him. “It was very disappointing but I am a strong believer in Christ. I feel everything happens for a reason and God’s will be done. Although at the time I was frustrated I still supported our nation at the World Cup as if I was there. “Now I have another op-

match of Group A, hosts Tanzania will tackle Uganda in a match of two teams still hunting for their first points at the tournament.

Mercurial Lionel Messi ended Manchester United’s 2018/2019 UEFA Champions League campaign last night, scoring a brace in the 3-0 victory for Barcelona

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Manchester United’s Champions League run ended in the quarter-finals as Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to a crushing 3-0 victory in the second leg at the Nou Camp. Elsewhere, Ajax’s sensational Champions League run continued as teenage captain Matthijs de Ligt’s goal eliminated Juventus 2-1 and secured their place in the semi-finals. Manchester United, trailing 1-0 from the first leg, started brightly but were then undone by brilliance from Messi and a glaring mistake from goalkeeper David de Gea. Messi put the hosts ahead with a fine curling effort from

are absent from the finals in Tanzania after losing the available WAFU A slots to Senegal and Guinea. In Wednesday’s other

portunity at the AFCON in June. It’s not by my power or will to be there but hopefully by His grace, I will stay fit and hope to have done enough to earn my place in the final squad,” Onyekuru said. He, however, revealed his match rituals before going into every game stating that he prays and speaks with his family “Praying, talking with my

family and going back to my previous game to make things right has been the ritual for me,” Onyekuru concluded. Having started the season brightly with Belgian club Anderlecht, the 20-year-old suffered an injury in December 2017 which kept him out for the better part of the season. He was however overlooked by Coach Gernot Rohr for the World Cup party in Russia.

Carlos Puyol Ignites Uyo Fans with UCLTrophyTour The quiet city of Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, erupted with ecstasy moments the long awaited UEFA Champions League Tour got underway yesterday morning when former Barcelona defender Carles Puyol brought the famous Big Ears, the UEFA Champions League trophy sponsored by Heineken to the public glare. The symbolic entry first at the Emerald Event Centre where the world press conference took place was backed by an ensemble of former Nigeria internationals; Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Mutiu Adepoju Austin Eguavoen and ‘Gentle Giant’ Uche Okechukwu, Puyol held aloft the UCL trophy on stage for the first public view of the iconic UEFA Champions League trophy. The three-time winner of the Champions League with FC Barcelona, Puyol addressed the gathering that also had in attendance, indigenes of the state. He explained that his excitement at coming to Uyo and being able to see the Super Eagles legends who he played against as the Star Shine Shine Bobo Team during the ‘Unmissable Game’ at the Uyo International Stadium later in the day. “I am very happy to be here in Nigeria for the UEFA Champions League Tour and I am very excited for the match tonight,” Puyol remarked. He also stated that the

Champions League always holds great memories for him and he is happy to continuously be associated with the competition. “The title in 2006 was significant for me because Barcelona had not won the Champions League for a long time. It also has extra significance because my father actually came to the stadium to see me play before he died,” he explained as the audience all applauded the emotion family moment shared. Nigeria Breweries MD, Jordi Borrut-Bel expressed the delight of the company at bringing the ‘Unmissable Match’ to Uyo in partnership with the state government. Marketing Director Emmanuel Oriakhi stated that Uyo is the perfect place to be for football in Nigeria and remains excited that the city’s residents turned out en-masse for the event. Later in the afternoon before the ‘Unmissable’ match, the officials of Nigerian Breweries with the Ambassador paid a courtesy visit to the State Governor, Udom Emmanuel and thereafter it was the turn of the general public to have a fair share of the excitement powered by Heineken when the iconic Big Ear went on road show which afforded the passionate fans to have a view of the trophy before the final destination to the stadium for the football match.

Ayo Foundation Holds Easter Basketball Camp Ayo Foundation has announced that it will hold its Easter Basketball Camp on Thursday, April 18 and Friday. The event that is the second edition will hold as usual at the Oworonshoki Basketball Court in Lagos. At least 8 coaches will run the event from 3pm to 5 on the days.

Ayodeji Egbeyemi who now coaches in the United States of America said he has been inspired to run basketball camps for youths because he got the opportunity for such camps while in Lagos and eventually got himself developed through the game. He said, “I am a product of camps like this. I grew up in

Nigeria going to camps like this and through the game of basketball was invited to multiple basketball camps around the world. “I eventually received scholarship to go to the United States. I was born and brought up in Lagos; that’s where I learned the game and joined an academy and that ultimately changed my life and

for that reason I have started my programme in the same city,” stressed Egbeyemi. His first camp held from November 28 to 30th, 2018. Egbeyemi who is quite optimistic of a huge turn out again this time is yet to secure sponsors or partners and has to run the programme though personal funds and individuals

donating to the foundation. Last year every youth that showed up on the first day was admitted into training with over 60 players participating. Apart from the game on the court, the Foundation also plans to touch lives in other ways. “Benefits will be extended to charitable contributions to

orphanages and free clinics for kids around the country as we expand base from Lagos.” The next programme of the Ayo Foundation which will be the ‘Elite 30’ featuring notable international basketball players and coaches will take place in August also in Lagos.

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Wednesday April 17, 2019

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Price: N250

MISSILE

NLC to FG “Borrowing in itself is not bad if you deploy a borrowed fund to generate the capacity to service such loans. So, what is crucial is the utilisation of the cumulative borrowing, that we have done”

– The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) urging the federal government to be cautious with the issue of borrowing both within and outside the country.

OKEYIKECHUKWU EDIFYING ELUCIDATIONS

okey.ikechukwu@thisdaylive.com

As ‘The North’ Goes Under T

he visit to Zamfara State in 2014 was at once frightening, sobering and demoralising. Though seated in a sprawling parlour with massive chairs, we were all unconsciously in a huddled position, as the then Secretary to the State Government explained how he abandoned his farm and ranch because of cattle rustling and fear for his personal safety. Zamfara was at the mercy of the elements and it was impossible to deploy law enforcement agents, even for himself, in any meaningful way. He talked about the humiliating experience some of the men were often subjected to by the bandits. They would take a man’s cattle and probably some of his wives and then still make him drive the cattle for quite a distance into the wilderness for them, before allowing him to go back home, alone. Our visit to the state agricultural and animal husbandry project revealed some of the neatest looking cows and animal any of us had ever seen. There weren’t even animal droppings in the place. Why would cows in a local facility be looking like they came from a car wash? Then it hit some of us: the animals, not more than seven in number, were procured on the day of our planned visit and stationed for our viewing. We eventually met with the governor. My first question to him before things became somewhat more formal was whether he was related to Sule Lamido, the Jigawa State governor. The physical resemblance was not just striking but totally and mercilessly so. He answered in the negative and observed that he has had to answer that question more times than he could remember. The man did not resemble Lamido in his performance in office, though. A visit to Jigawa State revealed a great contrast. The foresight, robust planning and incredible infrastructural strides of Lamido will leave you with one question: “what was this state before Lamido’s tenure.” But let us not digress. The Zamfara State governor’s comments about his state and the misfortunes of his people centred around “derivation,” as a lot of gold was mined in the state and carted away while his people were ravaged by poverty. He said that “Abuja people” and other big men and their Chinese collaborators controlled the place. There was also talk about heavy gold hauls on several fronts, including occasional use of helicopters for minor quick evacuations on Thursdays. It was also a sorry tale of lamentations when we met his commissioners, who all seemed not to really have anything to do. It was written all over them. The ones we tried to engage in brief private banter about their portfolios had little to say. Their being called together to meet with our team from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies was like a major international event. The smell of death hung in the air everywhere at the once-vibrant textile mill in the state. It had enough electricity generating capacity to serve the entire state but, like the textile mill itself, the generators were severely underutilized. It was producing nothing, except for some bales of raw cotton it was milling for some local farmers. Listening to the very professional gentleman who gave the history of the mill, its capacity, its impact

President Muhammadu Buhari on unemployment and the local economy before it went under, left everyone with goose bumps. He lamented the decades of neglect. He also had a detailed breakdown of what it would take to revive the textile mill. But he had no answer to the competition from cheaper imported materials, especially from China and Korea. The dam in the state was in a grievous state of neglect. It had been for decades. It displaced more people and communities than was anticipated by the original Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that preceded its construction. But most of such the displaced persons were not compensated. The swathes of lost farmlands, homesteads and local economies wrecked by all this was a matter of indifference to the powers that be, even at the time. There was this eerie air about the entire state, as there were only very few people on the streets at any time of the day. Shops rarely opened before 9.30a.m and would close sometime around 5p.m. Then we visited Bukuyum, one of the holy lands of Zamfara’s gold production. The place was dull, drab and dreary. The few local people around had an inexplicable wan look about them. You could touch the poverty in the air. Then were taken to the local government headquarters to wait for the local government chairman. He arrived nearly an hour later in a whirl of dust. As he emerged from his impressively brand new

Nissan Armada SUV, impeccably well dressed in high profile Agbada and looking every bit like an emperor from some foreign land, I knew that all might not be well with the people of Bukuyum and Zamfara State in general for a long time to come. This man was a stranger here, as defined by his lifestyle, but the people were happy to see him and clear the way for him. We were well received, but we did not feel well about our reception. There were just too many tattered looking young and not so young adults everywhere. The refreshment we were given was raided partly by some hungry bystanders and by some of those who helped in serving the food. Whatever was available was appropriate for serving the food and some of us were advised to eat rice with our bare hands in the absence of enough spoons. We couldn’t. The scariest element of it all was that it all seemed very normal to the people from the area. Such grinding poverty! Such disconnect from the 21st century! Such shameless leadership! Such reprobate guardians of the commonwealth! This is the state that registered only 28 candidates for admission into secondary school. Meanwhile only 24 Zamfara students passed the last National Common Entrance Examinations (NECO). Is this how the state will become part of tomorrow’s world? Some other northern states have a better record, with 50 and even more. But how does the total number of registered candidates from the 19 states of the north make sense in an examination that registered nearly 25,000 candidates from 36 states and the FCT? And the relentless, daily killings are going on in all the northern states, while everyone thinks that power resides in the north today. It does not. Real power is seen in the level of living and social stability. The northern political elite would seem to have been diligently digging its own grave for quite some time now, but without knowing it. They have allowed a new breed of wild youths, not sufficiently socialised even in line with the ‘Ranka dede’ culture to acquiesce in want and deprivation, to become dominant. Drugs, poverty, motiveless criminality and rapacious daredevilry have chased all the northern big men to Abuja. But for how long will they be in exile? Is Abuja itself still safe? Are some high profile estates and exclusive neighbourhoods in Abuja not being quietly attacked these days? Property rates have crashed beyond measure

A region that has the highest allocation from oil revenue, the highest earnings from tax mostly paid by other regions, the highest earning from bunkering and the highest earnings from the illegal mining of gold and other natural resources, is ravaged by poverty, underdevelopment and a burgeoning population of unemployable youths. Is this right? Is this normal?

all over the north. Investors have fled. Local economies have collapsed. Re-desertification has taken over many places, as farmlands and animal husbandry are abandoned. Proceeds of crime have become the new means of livelihood for a new majority, who now pose a threat to the children and peace of mind of those who had the chance to make a difference but failed to do so. No one can see it clearly enough for now, but it is there. A mocking skull and demeaning emptiness! An unchartered malignancy that can best be described as a sickness unto death. I listened with a mixture of dismay and consternation to a former, very highly respected, National Security Adviser at a stakeholders event he convened in Abuja on the herdsmen and kidnapping menace now plaguing the nation; and particularly North. He told us about his several meetings with kidnappers on various major routes and how they explained to him why nobody could ever come after them in the forest and hope to get out alive. He talked about the ready availability of AK47 rifles to every male as from the age of 14, the fact that kidnapping had become the quickest way of raising money to buy more cattle and improve their social status – since your pre-eminence is closely tied to the number of cows you owned. But the elders in the place were now worried that the younger elders no longer listened to them and were doing things they would not have contemplated themselves. Thus that even their free-band society was collapsing before their very eyes. What really killed it for the retired soldier was when it was time for the afternoon prayers. Majority of these “Muslims” did not understand why he called for prayers. He also observed that many actually did not know how to pray. That was when a dreadful realisation hit him. The people he had come to see were ethnic Fulanis and lived the traditional nomadic life. But they did not understand the concept of kith and kin beyond their small hunting bands and immediate offsprings. He was horrified. Spread out before him were degenerate marauders who knew nothing about modern statehood, law and order etc.! And it is in the midst of the foregoing that we are speaking of the abatement of the madness in the land? How? The late Abubakar Rimi would probably still be alive today if he had not encountered his ‘brothers’ on a lonely road in the dead of night. He spoke to them in Fulfulde. He even tried to reason with them about the wrongness of their “line of work”. Did they listen to him? Did they not still rob him? Was it not out of some inverted respect that they spared his life, after warning him to keep his preachment to himself as they were simply trying to “make a living” and feed their families? The North is in trouble – and the rest of the nation with it. A region that has the highest allocation from oil revenue, the highest earnings from tax mostly paid by other regions, the highest earning from bunkering and the highest earnings from the illegal mining of gold and other natural resources, is ravaged by poverty, underdevelopment and a burgeoning population of unemployable youths. Is this right? Is this normal? Is anyone paying attention – as the North goes under?

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