FRIDAY 26TH APRIL 2018

Yakubu Toying with Imprisonment, Atiku Warns Threatens INEC chairman with contempt charge Adedayo Akinwale and Alex Enumah in Abuja Following alleged refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow

the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and his party access to electoral materials used in the conduct of the

election, as ordered by the Court of Appeal, the candidate of the main opposition party has threatened to pursue the imprisonment of the Chairman of the electoral body, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu, by filing contempt proceedings against him.

The PDP candidate, who has also accused the electoral umpire of bias and spreading

falsehood, is likely to press contempt charge against the electoral body next week, THISDAY learnt yesterday.

Meanwhile, the PDP has said the reaction of the

presidency to a video of a media interview granted by a top official of INEC, confirming the existence Continued on page 8

NNPC Plans 215,000 bpd Extra Refining Capacity for Refineries... Page 9 Friday 26 April, 2019 Vol 24. No 8782. Price: N250

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CBN Decries Low Deposit Mobilisation among MFBs James Emejo, Bamidele Famoofo and Nume Ekeghe in Gombe

L-R: Group Deputy Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna; Group Managing Director/CEO, Chief Herbert Wigwe; Acting Chairman, Mrs. Ajoritsedere Awosika; and the Company Secretary, Mr. Sunday Ekwochi, during the bank's 30th annual general meeting in Lagos… yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has decried low deposit mobilisation by microfinance banks (MFBs) in the country.

The Director, Other Financial Institution Supervision Department (OFIS), CBN, Mrs. Agnes Martins, said this Continued on page 8

Buhari: Sharibu, Other Abducted Chibok Girls Still on My Mind Leaves for London on private visit Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said his government has not given up on liberating Leah Sharibu and the remaining 112 Chibok schoolgirls still in Boko Haram captivity.

"We won't give up on them.

As I have always said, as a Nigerian and as president, I assure all that we will do the needful to ensure that all Nigerians, whose loved

ones are in the hands of the Boko Haram terrorists regain their freedom," he said in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, during a visit yesterday.

The president, who left the country for the United Kingdom on a 10-day private visit yesterday, told the people of the state that his administration was doing everything possible to ensure that all their loved ones in the

hands of the Boko Haram Continued on page 8

SUPPORTING CORPORATE WOMEN...

L-R: Group Executive Director, Dangote Industries Limited, Ms. Halima Aliko Dangote; wife of a former British Prime Minister, Mrs. Cherie Blair; former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn; and President, Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, at the 2019 Women Corporate Directors Lecture sponsored by Aliko Dangote Foundation, in Lagos… yesterday

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Senate Summons IG over Worsening Insecurity Passes federal cooperative colleges bill, two others

Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday resolved to invite the Acting Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, to appear before it over the worsening state of insecurity across the country.

This was sequel to a motion moved by Senator Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central) and co-sponsored by the remaining 108 senators, including Senator Joshua Dariye (Plateau Central), who is currently serving a 10year jail term in Kuje Prisons in Abuja for criminal breach of trust and criminal appropriation of state funds during his tenure as governor of Plateau State (1999-2007).

The upper legislative chamber after discussing Sani's motion entitled "Senseless killing of a Briton and the abduction of three others in a holiday resort in Kaduna

State by armed bandits" agreed to invite the Acting Inspector General of Police to brief the Senate on the initiative put in place by the Police High Command to curb the worsening security situation in the country.

Apart from observing a minute silence in honour of the slain Briton, the Senate implored the security agencies to intensify the search for the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to book.

It further urged the federal government to set up interagency task force to tackle cases of banditry and kidnapping in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Niger States while the security agencies should give special security cover to foreign workers and tourists.

Senate also advised security agencies to immediately deploy the use of drones and interceptors in tracking

kidnappers asking for ransom and urged community leaders, traditional rulers and all stake holders to co-operate with security agencies in tackling this threatening security situation.

Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s companies, according to the Senate resolution, should provide security agencies with information in areas where there are kidnappings.

The Senators also agreed to send a delegation to the British Embassy and condole the British government over the death of the Briton.

Speaking earlier while seconding Sani's motion, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, declared "we need to declare a national state of emergency to enable the government put in place measures to end this insecurity problem.”

On his part, Senator Joshua Lidani (Gombe South) said the

Senate needs to take urgent steps to address the insecurity problem.

His words: "We need to do something drastic, something unusual that we have not done before. We need to mobilize the military to those areas and we should not be shy of asking for help.”

Other contributors like Senators Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central), Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South), Andrew Uchendu (Rivers East) and David Umaru (Niger East) also condemned the Kaduna killing and rising wave of kidnapping especially in Northern part of the country.

To Marafa, “the North is at war and unless something is done, I’m afraid that in the next two to three years, the situation might be out of control. This has become a business because there is technically no business in the north. The way forward

is to fight corruption and set standards.”

Saraki, however, reminded his colleagues that the Senate had in the past addressed the rising wave of insecurity by engaging the security agencies on the way forward He said: "If you remember, we had done a retreat, we had done a report, we had done second reading and a few recommendations. If you can recollect, we invited the Heads of the security agencies and directed them to submit to us what they need and there was no response till date.”

He also referred to a particular time in the life of the 8th Senate when a particular Inspector General of Police failed to honour the invitation of the National Assembly to brief the legislators on what the police was doing to address the issue of insecurity.

"We were all in this chamber

for one year we could not even communicate, converse or engage with the Nigeria Police.

You were all here when the Head of Police refused to even come before us. How can we work together to move things forward because at the end of the day, we must begin to sit down with those in charge and discuss what we need to do, how do we help you.

Even if we want to recruit, we can’t do it from here, we need guidance, they need to tell us what we need to know," the Senate President had said.

The Senate also yesterday passed three bills after they went through Third Reading.

They include National Commission for Colleges of Education Act (Repeal and Reenactment) Bill, 2019, Federal Cooperative Colleges Bill, 2019 and Federal University of Education, Kontagora, Niger State (Est, etc) Bill, 2019.

people of the North-east are eternally indebted to President Buhari for his support.

He lamented that the state has been battling with poverty, environmental issues and lack of access to education.

The governor, while complaining that the state remains the only one in the country without both federal polytechnic and a federal college of education, said the government in the state would continue to be committed to education.

On his part, the Shehu of Borno lauded the president for the respect he accords

traditional institution and commended him for efforts at addressing insurgency in the North-east.

He said with prayers and commitment towards the ongoing operations at the shores of the Lake Chad the insurgency would be finally arrested.

He, however, promised to always provide information and advice on Boko Haram threats Buhari inaugurated some newly-built mega schools constructed by Shettima, the Maiduguri industrial hub and housing estates, among others.

Buhari Leaves Nigeria for London on Private Visit

expand that business as long as the cost of borrowing is less than the return you get on that business.

“The micro finance banks are supposed to be more nimble, are supposed to serve and are supposed to be owned, exists to the rural areas and communities and are supposed to serve them better because these are the majority.”

Furthermore, she added: “It is unfortunate that some or many MFBs are not achieving what they should achieve. When you hear of stories of microfinance in other jurisdictions, like in Bangladesh, microfinance was

a success and 50 million people were lifted out of poverty in Bangladesh.”

Speaking on efforts to improve the sector, she said the central bank was planning to incentivise some operators to expand.

She added: “The Central Bank of Nigeria has approved a special intervention framework for qualified microfinance banks and our hope is that it will incentivise others to get their house in order, so they can also qualify to access these funds.”

Furthermore, she added: “The central bank is working tirelessly so that the banks that

are doing well can grow and multiply.”

Meanwhile, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Aliyu Abdulhameed, who was represented by the National Coordinating Consultant FCT Project, Monitoring Reporting and Remediation Office, Steve Ogidan, noted that the NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (NMFB) would cover the gap in the sector.

a person who had secured the order of a court, which is being violated with impunity just as INEC is currently doing."

He stated that INEC rather than maintain its expected role of an independent and impartial umpire, has descended into the arena, taking sides by "carrying respondent briefs and sharing issues with petitioners," saying, "this automatically means it has taken sides with one of the parties.”

The senior lawyer further berated the commission for spreading falsehood by denying the presence of a central server at the commission where results from polling units were transmitted to.

"INEC had before, during and after the election maintained that they have a

central server, which results from polling units will be transmitted electronically. It is on U-tube, online videos, newspapers, social media and others, yet the same INEC is suddenly filing a reply denying this thing," he said.

The Court of Appeal had in a unanimous ruling delivered

by Justice Abdul Aboki, held that it is in the interest of justice for Atiku and the PDP to be given access to inspect materials used by INEC in the conduct of the presidential election.

The ex parte was filed and argued by Chief Chris Uche (SAN) on behalf of Atiku and PDP. The senior lawyer had told the appellate court that the purpose of the motion was to

BUHARI: SHARIBU, OTHER ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS STILL ON MY MIND terrorists regained their freedom.

Welcomed to the state, the home state of Boko Haram insurgency, by a massive crowd, the president lauded the unique approach of Governor Kashim Shettima in governance, saying the establishment of educational centres, particularly at the primary level is highly commendable.

He noted that such intervention is essential in building enduring and formidable education at the tertiary level, which is in line with international best practices.

The president spoke at

the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Garbai ElKanemi, after inaugurating some projects executed by the administration of Shettima, and said the state government’s focus on education is very imperative due to the peculiar security challenges posed by Boko Haram terrorists whose ideology is against education and girl-child education.

He lamented that the terrorists, in exhibition of their malice against girlchild education, abducted the schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, and Dapchi in Yobe State.

He regretted that some of the abducted girls are still in captivity.

"Borno State focusing on education is very imperative due to the peculiar security challenges posed by Boko Haram terrorists whose ideology is against girlchild education,” he said, adding: “The terrorists in their crusades of malice against girl-child education abducted Chibok School girls in Borno and Dapchi Schoolgirls in Yobe State.

And unfortunately, some of the girls are still in captivity.”

In his speech at the palace grounds, Shettima said the

Meanwhile, the president yesterday left Nigeria for the United Kingdom on a 10-day private visit.

The president, according to his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement, took-off from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where he had earlier inaugurated some projects executed by the state government.

According to the statement, the president who was in Lagos State to commission some projects on Wednesday, will return to Nigeria on May 5.

CBN DECRIES LOW DEPOSIT MOBILISATION AMONG MFBs yesterday at the ongoing 27th seminar for financial journalists in Gombe State.

Martins stressed the importance of microfinance banks in poverty alleviation, in providing access to finance as well as in banking the banked population in the country.

She said: “Deposit mobilisation by many of the MFBs is not enough, otherwise why do we have so much currency outside the banking system? With the statistics within the CBN, what we are seeing is that the currency outside that banks is still huge.

“Cash should either be in vaults of banks or in vaults of

CBN and we know how much we have issued. So when we minus the one in our vaults and we minus the one in the banks then where is the rest?

“What we are saying is that this is the money MFBs should pursue and encourage them to, not just keep it under their pillows or wherever they are putting it.”

She further pointed out that microfinance banks would be pivotal to economic growth if only they can enhance their reach and give out loans to MSMEs to further develop their businesses.

Martins said: “With over 80 per cent of the population

working in MSMEs which contributes to over 80 per cent of the jobs and over 80 per cent of GDP. “Specifically, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Lagos Business School did a survey that there are 37 million SMEs and out of that, 36 million are micro and only one million are able to get access to loans.

“And I don’t mean to repeat the importance of borrowing because when you have a business that is profitable, you can enhance that business by borrowing to

YAKUBU TOYING WITH IMPRISONMENT, ATIKU WARNS of a central election results transmission server in the commission, has further shown that President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are jittery over the petition of its candidate at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

But a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and spokesman of the Presidential Campaign Council of the APC, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has said that some videos circulating on the social media purportedly showing how the February 23, 2019 presidential election was rigged, are of no effect as the courts would be guided by the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC’s guidelines.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja had on March 6 ordered INEC to allow Atiku and his party to inspect and obtain

Certified True Copy (CTC) of election materials it used in the conduct of the presidential election.

The court in its ruling on an exparte filed by the former vice president and the PDP also ordered INEC to make available all documents and electoral materials used for the election for the purpose of the inspection.

However, nearly two months after the order was made, INEC was yet to comply with the Atiku legal team, saying it would have no choice but to seek the committal of Yakubu to prison for alleged disobedience to a valid order of court.

A member of Atiku’s legal team and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome, who spoke to THISDAY, alleged that all

efforts to implement the order of the Court of Appeal were frustrated by the uncooperative stance of INEC. He said: "They have refused to cooperate with the Atiku legal team by making accessible to them ballot papers, electoral materials and other devices used during the election, which the Court of Appeal, Abuja ordered them to give to Atiku nearly two months ago.

"They have bluntly refused to do this. Every day we send lawyers there, they would not cooperate.

"If that be the case, they will likely force the Atiku legal team to issue forms 48 and 49 against INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to be imprisoned for contempt of court because that is the only weapon in the hands of

Continued on page 9

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NGN NGN 0.17 1.87 2.40 26.70 1.25 14.15 0.13 1.52 0.02 0.26 NGN 5.40 48.60 2.50 22.50 0.65 6.30 JAIZBANK 0.04 0.44 SOVETRUST 0.02 0.25 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,580.00 Volume: 566.5 million shares Value: ₦7.269 billion Deals: 4,103m As at yesterday 25/4/19 See details on Page 43

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NEWS

NNPC Plans 215,000 bpd Extra Refining Capacity for Refineries Kasim Sumaina in Abuja In order to address the shortfall in the supply of petrol, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday said it had resolved to add 215,000 barrels per day (bpd) refining capacity to its existing nameplate of 445,000 barrels of crude oil per day in Warri, Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries.

The move, it noted, is through private sector driven colocation of its existing facilities in Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) and Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company (WRPC).

The Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, disclosed this yesterday at the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigeria Council) Annual Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum in Abuja.

Baru stated that additionally, the corporation through its new initiative of establishing condensate refineries with private sector participation, is providing clusters for in- country refining capacity

totalling about 250,000 barrels of crude per day, which closes the petrol supply- and demand gap, and also creates positive margins to the investors.

According to him, "the country’s petroleum product demand is expected to grow from 13.2 million metric tonnes in 20I5 to 15.1 million metric tonnes in 2020 and 17.3 million metric tonnes by 2025. While the population growth corresponding to this demand is 182 million in 2015, 207 million in 2020 and 234 million in 2025 respectively.

The average population growth rate is three per cent per annum.’’

The GMD revealed that Nigeria will need a refining capacity of 1.52 million barrels per day of crude oil in order to meet its petrol requirement by 2025. Noting that this capacity requirement includes Dangote's 650, 000 barrels per day refinery, which leaves a short fall of 20 million liters, that is equivalent to 427,000 barrels per day.

"In order to address this shortfall in PMS demand, NNPC is adding 215,000bpd to the existing nameplate capacity

Baru

of 445,000 barrels per day.

"There is an emerging class of new producers within the oil and gas industry, who are primarily local independents with a non-diversified portfolio and lean balance sheet or required track record to raise substantial funds. They have become important because approximately 15 per cent of both crude oil and gas reserves and national production lie in their hands."

He observed that there is increasing global competition on Nigerian crude oil due to the rise of new production

centres across the globe particularly in Africa and Argentina, adding that these portend a new dimension to the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

"Nigeria therefore, needs to unlock new barrels as quickly as possible to stay relevant in the new emerging world.

Without adequate funding we cannot meet the targets", he stated.

Baru informed that despite abundant oil and gas reserves, Nigeria experiences shortages in electric power and based on Nigeria‘s energy consumption current and forecast statistics showed an increase from 6,000 megawatts in 2015 to 30,000 megawatts by 2025.

He further stated that the primary source of the current power supply is hydro and gas, saying that the future consumption, which is expected to drive growth by 2025 would need aggressive development of gas and renewables projects to meet the exponential demand.

He added, "For the upstream, we are committed to aggressive production growth and our target is to achieve

a reserve level of 40 billion barrels of oil and production capacity of four million barrels of oil per day by 2025.

"They also require substantial capital for growth.

The Nigerian oil and gas landscape is fast changing from lOC-dominated to a much more diversified cocktail of influences involving locals independents and national oil company (NNPC).’’

Baru revealed that the corporation is spearheading the drive towards increased development of hydrocarbon reserves by ring fencing exploration budgets and increased professional focus on the Frontier Basins through activities of the Frontier Exploration Services (FES) Division.

“To ensure full energy sufficiency for Nigeria, NNPC is also focusing on developing the nation's gas resources.

The seven Critical Gas Development Projects targeted to deliver about three bscf/d of gas resources to the gas market by 2020 are at different stages of development.

"The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved

the EPC contractor financing of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Pipeline.

"Discussions are being finalised on financing for the project while early works has progressed. The intention is to apply this financing model on the development of future gas pipelines such as the QIT to 0B/0B pipeline, Obigbo Umuohia Ajaokuta pipeline.

The AKK pipeline is targeted for completion in 2022.

“At completion, the AKK pipeline will deliver gas to the planned Abuja, Kaduna and Kano Power Plants, which would generate a combined additional 3,600 mw to the Notional Grid amongst others.”

Baru, however, said that it is quite an exciting time ahead for the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry, saying the industry is funding both development and infrastructure through automotive means.

He expressed NNPC’s appreciation for the cooperation of its partners, government and financiers towards moving the industry forward, stating that the corporation’s goal remains value delivery.

Minimum Wage: We Won't Accept Anything Below N30,000, Labour Tells Governors Victor Ogunje in Ado-Ekiti Organised labour yesterday warned that no state chapter of the labour movement would accept any renegotiation for downward review of the already signed minimum wage law of N30,000 from any state governor.

The National President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, made the declaration in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital,

while presiding over the election of new leadership of NLC in the state.

He stated that the Nigerian workers were under strict instructions not to accept any minimum wage less than N30,000 from the governors.

Wabba said the new minimum wage had become binding, having been approved by the two chambers of the National Assembly and signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said that the excuses by some governors that they could not pay the new wage was an afterthought and therefore untenable.

At the state NLC delegates conference, where the former Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, Ekiti State University Branch, Mr. Olatunde Kolapo, was elected as the new state chairman, Wabba insisted that the new wage would not be

compromised under any guise.

Kolapo emerged unopposed among other executive members that were elected.

Wabba, whose address was delivered by an Ex-officio member of the Congress, Maureen Onyia-Ekwuazi, said the Congress would not take anything short of N30,000 as minimum wage from state governors since it had become “a law binding on everybody”.

“Once the minimum wage

bill has been signed by President Buhari it has become a law and we won’t allow any governor to circumvent the law.

“What we asked for was a living wage and we cannot allow anybody to shortchange our members,” he said.

Wabba urged the new labour leaders in the state to be resolute and committed in the struggle for improved welfare of their members, saying that should be done

without compromise.

Performing the opening ceremony, Governor Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Mr Biodun Omoleye, promised the readiness of state government to pay the N30,000 minimum wage.

The governor said the newly-elected leadership of the trade unions in the state would be invited soon for a meeting on the modalties for the payment.

expectation of the triumph of their will at the tribunal.

list 13 ad hoc staff of INEC who all testified that they, indeed, uploaded results from their polling units to the INEC server as instructed during their training.

Atiku had also insisted that the results he allegedly obtained from the INEC server were neither false, nor contrived, nor concocted.

But in a series of tweets yesterday, Keyamo, who was Director, Strategic Communications of President Buhari’s 2019 presidential campaign, took to his verified Twitter handle @ fkeyamo, warning that whatever video or evidence there were, they could not withstand the provisions of the Electoral Act or those on INEC guidelines.

Keyamo tweeted: “Without referring to any particular pending Election Petition, there’s a need to generally guide Nigerians not to gullibly fall for the fantasy created by any video circulating where INEC official(s) spoke of INEC’s plan to electronically transmit results before the elections.

“The video(s) of some INEC official(s) expressing intention to electronically transmit results are only circulated for entertainment. That procedure is neither contained in the Electoral Act nor in INEC’s Guidelines. Courts are only

guided by these documents and not such videos.

“Also, what you plan to do may be different from what you actually did. Assuming INEC planned to transmit electronically, the moment it said after the election that it did not do so, the matter ends there, especially as the Electoral Act and the guidelines do not allow it to do so.

“In anticipation of the electronic transmission, some crooks concocted fictitious results and perhaps in connivance with certain INEC insiders (or by hacking) tried to upload those results into the server. The fact that electronic transmission didn’t happen destroyed their plan.

“The irony is that the real cheats are the ones struggling to create a narrative that they were cheated; the real crooks are the ones struggling to convince everyone that the system is crooked; those who actually planned to steal the people’s mandate are the ones crying foul.

“The noise about electronic transmission of INEC results is akin to a student who wants to cheat in an exam and enters the hall with prepared answers, not noticing that the set questions are not exactly framed as expected.

“So, when he’s later told he failed, he says it’s impossible!”

YAKUBU TOYING WITH IMPRISONMENT, ATIKU WARNS help the petitioners institute and maintain their petition at the tribunal.

Uche said while the first prayer in the motion was supported by a 12 paragraph affidavit and sought for leave of the court to bring the application before the prehearing session, the second to six prayers were seeking for an order of the tribunal to compel INEC to allow the petitioners access and as well as inspect, scan and make photocopy of materials for forensic analysis.

It also prayed the court for an order directing INEC to allow their forensic experts carry out audit and analysis of ballot papers, ballot boxes, card readers, computer servers, among other polling documents.

Uche said the application was brought pursuant to section 151(A & B) of the Electoral Act. However, request by Atiku and the PDP to carry out forensic audit on materials and polling documents was declined by the court.

Justice Aboki in the ruling had held that the applicants’ prayers for scanning and forensic analysis of the election materials run contrary to the provision of section 151 of the Electoral Act. The court also refused to direct INEC to make available

all polling documents for forensic analysis as requested by the applicants.

PDP: Presidency's Jittery Reaction to INEC Interview Vindicates Us Meanwhile, the main opposition party has said that the presidency’s jittery reaction to the media interview granted by a top official of INEC, confirming the existence of a central election results transmission server in the commission, further exposes its nerviness, as the guilty is always afraid.

The party in a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said that the presidency’s feverish attempt to divert public attention by engaging in judicial interpretations and hauling insults on PDP and its candidate, Abubakar, over determination to retrieve the party’s stolen mandate in the court, would fail.

The party’s spokesperson said that the PDP and its candidate are full of respect for the court and would never join Buhari’s team in engaging in actions that tend to undermine the independence and sanctity of the judiciary.

Ologbondiyan said that the interview, which has already

gone viral, speaks volumes about the reported denial by INEC of the existence of such a server for the 2019 general election as well as the frenzy

by President Muhammadu Buhari’s team to distract the Presidential election petitions tribunal by externalizing its proceedings.

He stated: “The lesson for all in the latest episode is in the undying verity that no matter how long falsehood appears to thrive, the truth will always come to light and prevail at the end of the day.

“Instead of this pitiable resort to frenetic and chaotic play to the gallery, the PDP counsels President Buhari and his team to focus on facing the course of justice at the tribunal.

“The party advised Buhari and his team to curtail their desperation and respect the sanctity and integrity of the Court of Appeal by ending their externalisation of proceedings, which has been their calculated scheme to distract the court and derail the course of justice.”

The party said it stands firmly with Nigerians in its determination to retrieve its stolen mandate in the court, saying no amount of shenanigans by the APC and the Buhari team will distract its members or detract from the resolve of Nigerians in their

Courts are Guided by Electoral Act, Keyamo Insists Apparently rattled by the negative impact of some videos circulating on the social media purportedly showing how the February 23, 2019 presidential election was rigged, the spokesman of the Presidential Campaign Council of APC, Keyamo, has said that the videos are of no effect as the courts would be guided by the provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC’s guidelines.

Both PDP and Atiku had claimed to be in possession of certain documents proving that he won the presidential election overwhelmingly with 1.6 million votes.

The PDP and Atiku had since filed a petition, precisely on March 20, to challenge President Buhari’s re-election, with APC and INEC as corespondents.

In their petition to the tribunal, PDP and Atiku deposed that some ad hoc staff and other INEC officials, relying on the training/ instruction by the first respondent (INEC), transmitted the scores they got from the polling units to INEC server.

Atiku and PDP went on to

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NEWS

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

N’Assembly to Debate 2018 Senate Invasion Report Next Week To sanction indicted lawmakers Deji Elumoye in Abuja The report of the Senator Bala Ibn Ba’Allah-led committee set up to investigate the April 18, 2018 invasion of the Senate chambers, which led to the stealing of the mace will be debated next week by the two chambers of the National Assembly.

The invasion of the Senate chambers had thrown the legislative arm into utter shock and panic due to the audacity of the invaders and the manner in which they beat the tight security cordon around the Three Arms Zone where the National Assembly is located.

The Senate mace was removed by the invaders who stormed out of the chambers.

However, it was recovered around the National Stadium in Abuja two days later Reliable sources at the National Assembly told THISDAY yesterday that the report of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee, which investigated the invasion, has been slated for debate at plenary on Tuesday or Thursday next week.

According to the sources, the committee headed by Senate Deputy Majority Leader, Na’Allah had actually competed its work some few months back.

THISDAY further learnt that similar committee set up by the House of Representatives, which also looked into the matter, had also completed its assignment.

It was also gathered that the delay in slating the reports for debate in the two chambers may not be unconnected with the last general election challenges

and other national issues “Now, the two chambers have resolved to deal with the matter before the expiration of their tenure in June and that by next week, the report has to be debated, “ one of the sources said.

The source said some major actors in the invasion saga were indicted in the report, adding that those indicted were recommended for punishments in line with the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act, which recommended a minimum of six months’ imprisonment for anyone found obstructing lawmakers in the performance of their legislative duties.

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (APC Delta Central) was alleged to have taken active part in the invasion and abduction of the Senate Mace on the said day but he subsequently went to court to challenge the allegation against him. The chamber had actually singled him out for suspension but the court injunction he secured halted his suspension last year Another source at the National Assembly told THISDAY that the report classified some actions as major and minor and recommended punishments, accordingly.

It was learnt that the decision to axe whoever was linked to the mace theft was fueled by indications that some of the said actors have been parading themselves as candidates endorsed by the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) for one position or the other in the Ninth Assembly billed for

Gunmen Abduct Two Chinese Expatriates in Ebonyi Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki Unknown gunmen on Wednesday abducted two Chinese nationals, Sun Zhixin and Wang Quing Hu at Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

However, THISDAY gathered that in-law to the state governor, Mr. Enekwach Akpa, who tried to rescue the abducted men, was attacked by the kidnappers.

Akpa who had his vehicle riddled with bullets fired by the fleeing hoodlums, said he escaped through act of God. The Chinese were working on a road project in the area when they were forcefully whisked away by gunmen.

They were taken away from the construction site around 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday by a group of masked armed men.

It was gathered that the Chinese nationals were in a ditch at a place called Ivo River when the gunmen invaded the place, forced the workers out of the pit and took the two Chinese to an unknown destination.

The company is constructing the road, which links the Ohaozara community called Ogwu

with Ivo Local Government and Okpanku community in Enugu State.

Police spokesperson in the state, Odah Loveth, confirmed the kidnap of the two Chinese.

She said that police have dispatched its men for possible rescuing of the kidnapped victims unhurt.

“The state Commissioner of Police, Awoshola Awotinde, on receiving information of the kidnap, personally led a tactical team to the construction site, owned by Tongyi group of companies at the boundary between Ebonyi and Enugu State, where Sun Zhixin and Wang Quing Hu both male, Chinese nationals were forcefully taken away.

“The area was combed to track down the bandits but no result, a track down rescue team has been dispatched to move in, in order to rescue the Chinese nationals unhurt”, she said.

The spokesperson appealed for reliable information from the public that will help the police in their investigation.

She expressed shock that the company moved to such lonely site without applying for security from the police.

inauguration in June “We have been told by some campaigners that certain persons have been pencilled down for the position of Deputy Senate President and other positions in the incoming Assembly.

The question is: What kind

of legislature are we building if we have to reward those who violated the chambers and the legislature and removed the mace illegally out of the chambers? It is already being canvassed that action should be taken on the respite now

and the two chambers of the Assembly are in unison in this matter” “A number of Senators and House members are angered that there should be no reward for those who have one way or the other been linked to

obstruction and invasion of the Assembly. If charges are pressed against them, some of them could serve up to six years in prison, in accordance with the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act, which is in force”, the source further said

PRESIDENTIAL JOKES…

L-R: Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe; Alhaji Kyari Ibn Umar; President Mohammadu Buhari; Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba El-Kanemi, during the President’s visit to Borno State ...yesterday

Late Suntai Not Qualified to Fly Crashed Aircraft, Says AIB The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has revealed that the late former governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai who piloted the ill-fated Cessna 208BCaravan in 2012 was not certified as pilot for the aircraft and was not qualified to fly the airplane.

This was contained in the final report of investigation carried out AIB, which was released yesterday in Lagos.

Suntai died on June 28, 2017

after protracted illness from the injuries sustained in the crash.

The tragic accident occurred at Kwanan-Waya village, Yola South Local Government Area of Adamawa State on October 25, 2012.

Reports had indicated then that the former governor defied the instruction not to operate the daylight flight at dawn.

The report further disclosed that the decision to operate a

Visual Flight Rule (VFR) into the airport that did not operate at night and with inadequate oversight by the regulatory authority, were causal factors associated with the crash.

Further findings showed that the pilot did not have instrument ratings and night flight privileges.

Also, the pilot reported the number of persons on board as six to the control tower as against the four persons found

after the accident.

According to AIB in one of its causal factors of the accident, the pilot, Suntai, had only Private Pilot License (PPL), not rated on Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) and the aircraft type, but embarked on Visual Flight Rule (VFR).

AIB, however, said that the bureau could not conclusively determine the cause of the accident, but noted that the pilot, had just 58.4 flying hours.

Valedictory Session, Cabinet Dissolution Not Same Day, Says Mohammed Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has clarified that the valedictory session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to be held on May 22, does not mean that the cabinet will be dissolved on the same day. In a statement issued

yesterday in Abuja, the minister said it is the prerogative of President Muhammadu Buhari to dissolve the cabinet anytime he chooses.

The statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Minister, Mr. Segun Adeyemi, clarified the minister’s earlier statement to State House correspondents after yesterday’s FEC meeting

in Abuja.

“It is inaccurate to extrapolate from my statement – that the FEC valedictory session will hold on 22 May – to say that the President will dissolve the cabinet on the same day. “They do not mean the same thing,” he said.

Mohammed had earlier told journalists after the weekly

FEC meeting that the cabinet members of President Buhari, are still intact.

He opined that Buhari will dissolve his cabinet, on May 22 to pick new ones.

“We will be having a valedictory session on 22nd May. The cabinet remains intact”, he told State House correspondents.

FG Bans Foreigners from Designing Security Projects Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government has declared that foreign professionals will no longer be engaged in the execution of projects involving national security.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, made the announcement in Abuja yesterday, when he declared open the 2019 Architects Colloquium organised by the

Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON).

Fashola who was represented by the Head of Power Public Private Partnership, Ministry of Power, Mrs Eucharia Alozie, said that government was now placing premium on the use of indigenous professionals and firms to execute projects where national security is at stake.

He said foreign experts will only be engaged when their Nigerian counterparts are not

available, adding even at that, Nigerian professionals will be assigned to understudy them.

Fashola who decried the spate of collapsed buildings in the country as national embarrassment, tasked architects to lead the debate and give guidance to government at all levels for the best way forward for the housing and built industry.

He tasked ARCON to tutor its members to design houses

in line with the cultural and religious sentiments of Nigerians and reflect the changing contemporary social and technical climates in the designs.

The minister also disclosed that government is earnestly awaiting the implementation of ARCON concept to tag projects with registration numbers while also calling on town planning authority to insist on the seal of a licensed architect before approving any project drawing.

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NEWS

PDP Raises the Alarm over Adeleke’s Safety Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday alleged that there were plans by some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to silence its governorship candidate in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

The main opposition party said that given the series of unrelenting attacks,

threats and the desperation now being exhibited by the APC, the PDP has become apprehensive that there are plots to silence Adeleke, as a way to terminate his efforts to retrieve his governorship mandate in the court.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, raised the alarm at a press conference in Abuja,

FEC Approves N52bn for Installation of e-border Technology Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday in Abuja approved N52 billion for the provision of electronic devices at the country’s borders.

Briefing journalists at the end of the weekly FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the State House, the Minister of Interior, Lt. General Abdulraman Dambazzau (rtd), said given the porous nature of the country’s borders, it is absolutely impossible to effectively safeguard them.

According to him, only the installation of technological devices could guarantee effective monitoring of the borders, which he said necessitated the approval of N52 billion for the enablement of e-borders.

The minister who said the approval was the fallout of a Memorandum of Understanding that he presented to the council, added that when executed, the project would be effective in 86 border posts and foster the monitoring of 1,400 illegal routes through which smuggling and other cross-border criminal activities are usually perpetrated.

“You will recall that when we came, I made the observation that

our borders are very porous and diverse and that it is impossible to man these borders physically.

“Therefore, there is the need for modern technology to be able to monitor our borders. We also thought of the capacity to respond to emergencies at the borders.

“It is on this note that I presented a memo today for this e-Border solution. This process started in 2012 but we picked it up to move forward when we came in. The project is to be completed within the next two years and it will cost about N52 billion.

“There is a pilot project already which has been very successful.

It was installed to monitor two borders.

“This project is going to cover 86 border posts in the country.

We will be able to also monitor 1,400 illegal routes that are used for smuggling and all kinds of cross-border criminal activities.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service will work very closely with other services. When it comes to response, with the air force and the army units deployed near the borders, with the customs in terms of smuggling, the information will be available real-time 24/7.”

where he called on Nigerians to hold the APC and their agents responsible should Adeleke becomes a victim of any harm or sudden disappearance.

He stated: “It may interest you to know that certain desperate elements of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who are unsettled that they cannot stop Senator Adeleke from retrieving his governorship mandate freely given to him by the people of Osun State, are now viciously plotting to use all means to put him out of circulation.

“Part of the plot is to frame and arrest the principal of his school, Ede Muslim High School, Ede, Mr. Kadili Adejare Abass, on trump-up charges that Senator Adeleke’s School testimonial was forged with the aim of using such fabrication as a basis to smear and clamp down on Senator Adeleke.”

The party also alleged that a former commissioner in Osun State was used by

the APC leaders to reach and compromise certain top police officers to use the fabrications to arrest and embarrass Senator Adeleke and the Principal of his School, Ede Muslim High School even when they have not committed any crime.

According to Ologbondiyan, “Yesterday, April 24, 2019 the Nigerian Police in collaboration with the APC arrested Abass, the Principal of the Ede Muslim High School, Ede as well as the wife of the school’s Registrar, Mrs. Rofiyat Oladepo and her nine months old baby.

“Information available to the PDP shows that AIG Adeleye Oyebade of Zone II, Oshogbo, ordered the arrest of the innocent principal of the school and the registrar.

“When the registrar, Mr. Kabir Oladipo could not be reached as he is undergoing treatment for legs and arms injuries he sustained in a motor accident, AIG Oyebade allegedly ordered one ASP Faliyu to arrest the wife, Mrs.

Rofiyatu Oladepo, with her nine months old baby. Both the innocent mother and her baby were dumped at the Zone II Police Headquarters, Osogbo.”

The PDP said that it was most unfortunate that the Nigeria Police would allow certain elements within its ranks to yield themselves as tools in the hands of the APC in their desperation to thwart the mandate of the people of Osun State, which they freely gave to Senator Adeleke.

Ologbondiyan noted: “PDP has also been informed of how AIG Oyebade allegedly told those who went to visit the detainees last night that they are continuing the criminal aspect of the civil action commenced by the APC, which is still in court.

“Moreso, the school register as well as the WAEC result and the certificate eminently show that Senator Adeleke attended the school, sat for WAEC examination and obtained the certificate, which

has been validated even by a court of competent jurisdiction, thus also authenticating the school testimonial.

“It is clear that there is no way a school principal, who duly signed and issued a school testimonial under his own hand and position, can be said to have “forged” the same testimonial.”

The PDP therefore called on the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed to call his men to order on issues related to Adeleke’s determination to retrieve his governorship mandate, which was stolen by the APC. It also urged the IG to order the immediate release of the innocent School Principal, the wife of the school registrar and her baby, while also calling on the APC and their allies to end their schemes against Senator Adeleke, saying they would all come to naught in the face of justice and the will of the people Osun State.

Appeal Court Reverses MEETING… Conviction of Army General FEC L–R: Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; and Minister of Niger Alex Enumah in Abuja The Abuja division of the Court of Appeal has set aside the conviction of a former Chief of Transformation and Innovation at the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Major General Ibrahim Sani, by a Special Military Court Martial.

Sani was on July 20, 2017 convicted by the Special Military Court on five out of the nine charges bordering on service property, making of false documents and cheating.

Specifically he was found guilty on counts 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8, and was sentenced to a reduction in rank from Major General to Brigadier General, but discharged in counts 5 and 9 of the charges.

Displeased with the judgment, the army general by a notice of appeal, filed on March 3, 2018 challenged all the processes that led to his conviction, the conviction and the sentence handed him by the court martial.

Delivering ruling in the appeal on April 18, 2018, the Court of Appeal, in a unanimous decison voided Sani’s conviction and sentence.

The three-man panel, led by Justice Abubakar Datti Yahaya, voided the judgment of the court martial on the grounds that the proceedings leading to the conviction and sentence

was faulty, adding that Sani was denied fair hearing in the trial process.

The appellate court said that there was merit in the appeal and consequently allowed it.

The judgment, given on April 18, 2019 is on an appeal, marked: CA/A/791/2017, which arose from four interlocutory rulings and the judgment by the Court Martial, which sat at the Army Headquarters Garrison, Mogadishu Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja.

The Special Military Court Martial, led by Air Vice Marshal (AVM), Gbum (NAF/1366), gave the rulings and judgment on July 11, 2016; November 1, 2016; April 25, 2017 and July 20, 2017.

The Court of Appeal, while allowing the appeal by Maj. Gen. Sani, said: “The proceedings and judgment of the special court martial in respect of charge No: NA/COAS/GI/39/16 filed before the lower Special Court Martial was set aside.

“An order is made for the retrial of the charges against the appellant by another Special Court Martial.”

Mahmud Magaji (SAN), who led the appellant’s legal team, said: “By this decision, setting aside the judgment of the Special Court Martial, the proceedings, conviction and sentence of the court never existed in the eyes of the law.

Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru, at the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja … yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

House to Investigate Unremitted Stamp Duty Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja The House of Representatives has resolved to set up committee to urgently investigate the nonremittance of money deducted as stamp duties running into trillions of naira into the federation’s Treasury Single Account (TSA).

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of “urgent national importance’’ moved

by Hon. Goni Bukar Lawan, representing Bursari/Geidam/ Yunusari, Yobe State, who noted that stamp duties are statutory taxes levied on legal instruments, including cheques, receipts,

military commissions, licences and land transaction documents but not properly remitted to the federal government coffers.

He noted that banks were mandated to collect stamp duties from account holders, but added that while the amount being deducted per bank account seems small, “it cumulatively adds up to money in billions and trillions of naira and must be subjected to the full condition of disclosure and transparency.”

According to the lawmaker, “I am alarmed at the complicit irregularity by which public institutions including the Central

Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST), among others, have overtime failed to remit stamp duty taxes into the Federation Account running into trillions.”

Corroborating Goni’s position, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara said: “If you are customer of any bank and you do 50 transactions exceeding N1000 in a day, you are charged N50 on each of those transactions, and so you can now imagine how much these N50 will accumulate into

at the end of the day and by the end of the year.

“The contention is that this money is never remitted to the CBN. The commercial banks sit on this money that belongs to the federation account as a matter of fact. If it is true you can imagine the volume of transactions exceeding N1000 that are done every year and we multiply it by N50.

“You can imagine the amount that the banks are sitting on and loaning to customers at the interest rate of 28 per cent, I don’t know what the interest rate is now.”

CAN Urges Govt to Secure Kajuru Communities John Shiklam in Kaduna Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Joseph Hayab, has urged the Kaduna State Government to secure communities ravaged by herdsmen in Kajuru Local Government Area, to enable victims of the attacks return to their homes.

Speaking in Kaduna, while

receiving building materials donated to the victims of the attacks by the National Secretariat of CAN, Hayap, also called on communities to evolve ways to protect themselves from attacks by bandits.

He said communities must stop waiting for the police and the army to come and protect them, stressing that it is lawful for communities to secure their environment against attacks by

evil people. ”We are calling on government to ensure the security of the communities destroyed so that people can go back home.

“We will give them the food they will eat, we will give them materials that they can rebuild their homes” he said.

“What government should do for us is to secure the environment. But I am also challenging Christians that we must not continue to be waiting

everyday for government to secure our environment for us.

“We too can secure our environment. If you build your house and you are waiting for police and soldiers to come and guide your things, you have problem. ”The laws of this country never stop you from securing your house. The law only stops you from causing another person harm; don’t cause anybody harm.

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Economist Hails FIRS over Cost-cutting Reforms Esther Oluku A seasoned economist and retired director in the federal civil service, Dr. Aina Iluyomade, has urged the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler, to sustain the agency’s cost-cutting reforms in order to boost revenue

and enable the federal government meet the 2019 budget expectations.

Recent World Bank reports had downplayed the economic prospects of Third World countries, particularly mineral-dependent economies in this financial year.

But speaking in Lagos on the sidelines of a recent national workshop on

Osinbajo, Ambode, Others for Nigerian Guild of Editors’ Convention The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has concluded plans to hold its Biennial Convention in Ikeja, the Lagos State. The convention, scheduled to hold from May 3-5, 2019, will take place at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) is the Special Guest of Honour.

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the Host Governor will declare the convention open.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed is the Host Minister of the convention expected to be attended by over 300 editors in Nigeria.

The theme of the convention is ‘Media Convergence as Strategy for Survival’ and the keynote will be delivered by Professor Abigail OgwezzyNdisika; Head, Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos and member, Editorial Board of Guardian newspapers.

According to a statement

by Mr. Ken Ugbechie, Social/ Publicity Secretary of the Guild, the convention will be chaired by veteran journalist, Mr. Dan Agbese, author, columnist and Executive Director of MayFive Media Limited.

A major high-point of the convention is the election of new Exco members to run the affairs of the guild in the next two years after the expiration of the tenure of Mrs. Funke Egbemode-led Exco.

Meanwhile, the Election Committee for the Guild has announced that it had cleared 23 candidates to vie for elective positions into the Guild’s Executive Council and Standing Committee.

The election will hold on Saturday, May 4 after the opening ceremony and it is the first election to be held using the amended 2016 NGE

Constitution and Election Guidelines. A statement signed by the Secretary of NGE Electoral Committee, Gbemiga Ogunleye, in Lagos, said 23 candidates were cleared for 12 offices.

Those cleared include: Funke Egbemode as presidential candidate, while Messrs Umar Saidu Tudunwada and Chooks Ogbonnaya Oko were cleared to contest for the office of Deputy President.

For the office of Vice President (North), Hajia Sani and Mr. Sanusi Jibrin were cleared as contestants.

Also, for the office of Vice President (East), Mr. Samuel Egbala and Mr. Dom Isute, emerged as cleared contestants, while for the office of Vice President (West), Mr. Mustapha Isa was cleared.

Mary Atolagbe emerged as a successful candidate to contest for the post of General Secretary, while Austeen Elewodalu and Juliet Njiowhor were cleared as contestants for the post of Assistant General Secretary.

Victoria Ibanga was cleared to contest for the post of Treasurer, while Ken Ugbechie was cleared to contest for the post of Social/Publicity Secretary.

For the office of Standing Committee Members (North), the following were cleared as contestants: Catherine Agbo, Julius Idowu, Husseina Bangshika and Umoru Ibrahim.

For the office of Standing Committee Members (East), the following candidates were also cleared: Ngwoke A. Ngwoke, Ikpong EssienUdom and Freston Akpor.

Those cleared for the office of Standing Committee Members (West) include: Adeleye Ajayi, Steve Nwosu, Eze Anaba and Gabriel Akinadewo.

Ambode Orders Appointees to Submit Handover Notes Gboyega Akinsanmi Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has directed all commissioners, special advisers, special assistants and personal assistants to submit their handover notes on or before May 10.

The directive is contained in a circular the Permanent Secretary in charge of Cabinet Office, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi issued on Tuesday The circular, with Reference No: SSG/LS/P/C/2019/ Vol.1/01, was issued on

April 23.

The circular, which was tiled “Preparation for smooth Transition and Submission of Handover Notes-Cabinet and Non-Cabinet ranks,” said in a bit to facilitate a seamless transition, Ambode had directed that all appointees, serving in various political capacities should submit their handover notes not later than May 10.

Those affected by the circular are: Personal Assistants, Special Assistants, Special Advisers and all the members of the State Executive Council.

the revenue and growth opportunities in the telecom sector, Iluyomade noted that the steady increase in Nigeria’s tax revenue in the past three years was an indication that the Nigerian economy is equipped to withstand whatever shock from the international commodity market.

From the N3.3trillion revenue in 2016 to N4 trillion generated in 2017, the FIRS netted over N5.3trillion in 2018.

While the contribution from oil tax averaged less than 40 per cent, non-oil taxes accounted for 60 per cent during the period under review.

Analyzing FIRS’ performance, Iluyomade attributed the improvement in revenue generation to adoption of modern ICT solutions to drive operations even while introducing drastic measures to cut

down on the costs of tax collections.

“Whatever it is worth, one must appreciate the innovation made by Fowler at the FIRS since he took over. At a time of economic contraction caused by a severe recession experienced by the country in 2015, it is a thing of a miracle that the service has been able to nearly double revenue in the past three years,” Iluyomade explained.

According to him, the sweeping reforms introduced at the FIRS, include automation through the electronic tax pay solution, a self-service channel available on all commercial banks internet banking platforms aimed at complementing the existing manual method.

The former top bureaucrat, whose autobiography will soon be presented, also cited aggressive cut-cutting measures in operations as a

factor responsible for the steady increase.

“My finding is that the cost of chasing revenue has been cut down drastically by Fowler. You know before he came on board, the practice was to release lump sum of money for hundreds of offices maintained by FIRS across the federation in the name of operations monthly.

“What did they mean by operations? It is a cost the head of such branches have discretion over to buy diesel and petrol. But that still did not stop reports of inefficiency in such stations as some outstation officials were citing lack of diesel to power generators in the office and lack of fuel in their operational cars as the reason they were not meeting revenue target.

“So, being a sensible man, what Fowler did was to first of all cut down that monthly impress before putting in

place a system to completely eliminate such abuse and enhance cost efficiency.

Before long, the FIRS management introduced a voucher system by which operational vehicles go to designated filling stations for petrol across the federation and sign off vouchers which are now submitted to FIRS for payment directly at the end of the month. Same thing was done to the supply of diesel. Before you knew it, the abuse stopped and productivity improved.

Operation costs fell by more than 60 per cent.

“The good news is that many of the tax board at the state level have started keying into the template set

by FIRS to boost their own revenue.”

Iluyomade’s forthcoming book which chronicles his 30 years odyssey in the federal civil service is due for public presentation soon.

Sultan of Sokoto to Inaugurate Osogbo Central Mosque Today Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, is expected to be in Osogbo, Osun State, today, to inaugurate the Osogbo Central Mosque, following its completion and remodeling by Alhaji Hammed Adewole Omidiran.

Speaking to journalists, Omidiran said the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Adnan Bostaji, would join the Sultan to inaugurate the mosque, while 40 traditional rulers, league of Imam and Alfas in Osun and other states would also be on ground at the occasion.

Omidiran explained that he took it upon himself to rehabilitate and complete the central mosque, one of the largest in Osun, because the old structure was not befitting Osogbo town as a state capital.

Speaking on why he came up with the idea of building and remodeling the mosque, he said the decision came on the heel of the passion he has for the development of the ancient town.

He expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for being able to complete the project saying with the completion of the mosque, he felt fulfilled.

According to him, he believes in Qur’anic allusion and what Prophet Muhammed says that “whoever builds a mosque for Allah, then Allah will build for him a house like it in paradise.”

“In the 60s, when I was living in Ile-Ife before I finally settled down in Osogbo, for more than three times, I was invited to chair fund raising occasions in the old mosque.

“Later, I discovered that the mosque still remains the way it was despite the huge amount of money generated from events, so I decided to build the mosque and donate it to the community.

“I financed the mosque from the beginning to the end singlehandedly without collecting a dime from anybody.

“Although, people came

to me to contribute but I said no, they should stay clear and I give thanks to Almighty Allah for giving me the ability to complete the project while I am still alive.

“It is not only this mosque Allah has given me ability to build. Apart from Ataoja Central Mosque, I have built not less than five mosques, two in Ile-Ife, where my

house and office are sited, another one at the Sasa market, in our family house and in my residence here.

It is not by my power but by the grace of Almighty Allah.” he said He explained that he was a very close ally to the late Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Montanmi, stating that when he discovered that the Ataoja’s palace was not

befitting, he volunteered himself to build the present palace.

Promising not to relent in his efforts to continue to support the work of Allah and the well-being of the poor, Omidiran appealed to good indigenes of the town both at home and in diaspora to imbibe the spirit of giving back to the society.

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COMMENT

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

BATTLE FOR SPEAKERSHIP OF HOUSE OF REPS

The race for speakership of the ninth house of representatives will be fierce, writes Emeka Nwosu

I

t is no news that there is an intense scheming by various persons and interest groups for the speakership of the incoming Ninth House of Representatives, following the gradual winding down of the Eighth Assembly. What is news, however, is that many varied and cogent arguments are being brought on the table on why some specific geo-political zones should be allocated the top job. There is also an argument why the issue of gender should equally be taken into consideration in the calculations.

Since after the National Assembly Elections in February 2019, some returning ranking members of the House of Representatives have publicly declared their intentions to occupy the position of the Speaker. They include the following: Hon Femi Gbajabiamila from Lagos State in the South West; Hon Mohammed Umaru Bago from Niger State in the North Central; and Hon (Mrs) Nkeiruka Onyejeocha from Abia State in the South East.

All these aspirants have cognate experience and are qualified in their own rights. Gbajabiamila is the House Leader and is returning for the fifth time to the parliament. Bago is the Chairman of the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, a crucial committee that oversees the critical maritime sector of the economy. He is returning to the House for the third time. Onyejeocha is the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation; and she is returning for the fourth time to the house. Individually, all these contenders have everything it takes to lead the house in terms of their rich legislative and political profiles. However, beyond the issue of experience, are other potent factors which include acceptability, approachability, legislative agenda and national standing that would prove very efficacious.

Gbajabiamila is undoubtedly one of the outspoken members of the house. He is vast in legislative procedure and commands the respect of his colleagues. Although he has been purportedly adopted by the National Working Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), he is being widely resented and resisted by many of his colleagues for several reasons. He is alleged to be hawkish, brash and not a team player. He is also being seen as a stooge of the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu who is being accused by a cross section of APC members of seeking to control the National Assembly through his fronts. Femi is also perceived by those opposed to him as being too elitist; and therefore inaccessible. House members argue that they want a speaker who they can relate to in real times and who can empathize with their constituency aspirations. For them, Gbajabiamila does not fit the bill. Another argument against Femi is that the purported zoning of the speakership position to the South West is inequitable and constitutes a flagrant breach of the federal character principle of the constitution, considering the fact that the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is also from the same South West geo-political zone like Femi.

The point being canvassed is that taking the speakership to the South West would lead to the short-changing of one of the six geo-political zones since there are six key positions in the political basket of the nation, namely: President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker, Deputy Senate President, and Deputy Speaker. Although like we noted earlier, Femi is a fine legislator any day, but these factors may prove the political albatross to the realization of his ambition. If the issue of equity and balance are addressed, Femi`s speakership ambition may prove to be an uphill task.

Nkiru Onyejeocha is another contender whose candidature appears

MANY VARIED AND COGENT ARGUMENTS ARE BEING BROUGHT ON THE TABLE ON WHY SOME SPECIFIC GEO-POLITICAL ZONES SHOULD BE ALLOCATED THE TOP JOB. THERE IS ALSO AN ARGUMENT WHY THE ISSUE OF GENDER SHOULD EQUALLY BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION

very attractive and seems to resonate well across the land especially with the female gender. Many gender activists see in her candidature a great hope for the representation of women in the top echelons of governance in the country. They believe that her candidature would at once address the twin issue of gender balance and affirmative action as captured in the APC Manifesto. But the major drawback is that she is a new convert to the APC. She has always been a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) until the February 2019 National Assembly elections when she switched over and contested and won on the platform of the ruling APC. Given her relative newness in the APC, many of the members still see her as an outsider who would in future return to her natural abode, PDP. Besides, she comes from a zone where the APC enjoys little or no presence.These are factors that may hamper the realization of her ambition.

A key contender in the race is the youthful Mohammed Umaru Bago who represents Chanchaga Federal Constituency in Niger State. Bago who is presently 45 years old is seen widely as the bridge between the young and the old. Investigations show that he enjoys wide acceptability amongst his colleagues because of what they see as his relatability and accessibility. Bago is running for the post of the speaker on the twin platform of equity and capacity. He believed that the framers of our constitution meant well for the country when they inserted the federal character clause in the nation`s grund norm. The whole essence, it is believed is to ensure social inclusiveness and national integration in governance. He believes it is inequitable for only one zone to hold the positions of vice president and speaker to the exclusion of another zone.

He argues that equity demands that the key positions in the nation`s political basket must be shared out to all the six geo-political zones in compliance with the federal character principle. This argument, which can hardly be faulted is resonating well with a vast majority of the members of the house.

Apart from the issue of equity, the youthful Bago is also running his campaign on the ground that he possesses the requisite capacity, by virtue of his high academic attainments and exposure, to make the desired difference in the house. He holds Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto and post-graduate degrees in Management; Business Administration; and Economics from Federal University of Technology, Minna; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; and University of Calabar. He also holds a Diploma from the Cambridge University in the United Kingdom.

Bago believes that the North Central Zone where he hails from should be given the speakership considering the volume of votes which it contributed to the success of President Buhari in the 2019 Presidential Election. The zone polled the third largest number of votes (2, 465, 599) after North West (5, 995, 651) and North East (3, 238, 783).South West contributed 2, 036, 450). Given the fact that the Presidency has gone to the North West and Senate Presidency zoned to the North East, the argument is that the next ranking position which is speaker should go to the North Central, VP having gone to the South West.

In the light of the foregoing and the undercurrents playing out amongst majority of returning members and members-elect, Hon Mohammed Umaru Bago seems to be highly favoured to clinch the coveted trophy.

Nwosu, a Public Affairs Analyst, wrote from Abuja

ATIKU IS A NIGERIAN CITIZEN Chidi Nwuke argues that Atiku Abubakar is a full-blooded Nigerian

T

he media is awash with a curious averment in the defence filed by counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in response to the petition filed by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the election of President Muhammadu Buhari at the last Presidential election.

The APC has in the said reply to the petition contended inter alia, that Alhaji Atiku Aubakar was not qualified to contest to become the President of Nigeria because under Section 131(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), a person who is not a citizen of Nigeria by birth is not eligible to aspire to become a President of the country. It is the further contention of the APC that Atiku Abubakar who was born in 1946 in Jada, Ganye, Adamawa State, is not a citizen of Nigeria by birth because at his birth, Adamawa was not part of the Nigerian Colony of Britain.

Adamawa was then part of the Sadauna Province which was part of the Northern Cameroon that was a UN Mandate Territory under British control.

Adamawa only became part of Nigeria legally on 1st June, 1961 after a plebiscite through which the people of the Northern Cameroon voted to become part of Nigeria while their Southern counterparts chose to go with Cameroon. That is history and no one can fault that.

However, the question now is, “did the people of Adamawa join Nigeria under any terms that deny them the full birth right citizenship of Nigeria?” And if the answer is no, “can a later law (Constitution)

place any limits that were not there initially on the citizenship rights of the Adamawa people? Answers to the foregoing questions will proffer a resolution to the issue of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s eligibility to contest for the office of the President of Nigeria.

As stated above, when Nigeria became independent on 1st October, 1960, the area now known as Adamawa State of Nigeria was not part of Nigeria.

That area was then part of Saduana Province of Northern Cameroon that was administered by Britain under UN Mandate. However pursuant to the plebiscite conducted in 1961 for the people to decide whether the area would be joined to either Cameroun or Nigeria, the people of the then Northern Cameroon voted massively, by the records, to join Nigeria and this was effectively done by 1st June, 1961.

Sequel to the independence of Nigeria in 1960, the Country in 1963 enacted what is today known as the 1963 Republican Constitution. In Section 7 of the said 1963 Constitution, Citizenship of the country was articulated and well provided for. In Section 7 (1), it was provided thus: “Every person who, having been born in the former colony or protectorate of Nigeria, was on the thirtieth day of September, 1960, a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies or a British protected person, shall become a citizen of Nigeria on the first day of October 1960. …”

Further down in Section 10 (1) of the same Constitution, it was also provided thus: “Special Provisions as to Northern Cameroons: 10 (1) for the purpose of determining the status of persons connected with the part of Northern Nigeria which

was not included in the Federation on the thirty first day of May, 1961, the foregoing provisions of this chapter and subsection (3) of section 17 of this Constitution shall have effect as if:(a) For any reference to a particular date that there were substituted a reference to the last day of the period eight months beginning with the next day following that date; and (b) For any reference to the former Colony or Protectorate of Nigeria (other than the second reference in section 7) there were substituted a reference to the part aforesaid; and (c) That other reference included a reference to the part aforesaid” What does this mean!

In a nutshell, by Section 10 of 1963 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: One, a reference to 30 September, 1960 for the purpose of Citizenship of Nigeria is taken as a reference to 31 May, 1961 (eight months later) where it concerns people born in the part of Northern Nigeria that was not part of the Nigerian territory by October 1st, 1960.

Two, Any reference to the former Nigeria Colony or Protectorate in the sections was deemed as a reference the former British Mandate Territory of Northern Cameroons that joined Nigeria on 1st June 1961.

In simple English, it means that any one born before 31st May 1961 in that part of Northern Nigeria that effectively became part of Nigeria by 1st June 1961, became Nigerian citizens by birth the same way those who were born in the colony or

protectorate of Nigeria became citizens by birth on 1st October 1960. By this constitutional provision all persons born in the former British Mandate territory that became part of Nigeria on 1st June 1961 are deemed to be citizens of Nigeria by birth as if they were born in the former Nigeria Colony or Protectorate before the independence in 1960.

All rights, privileges and obligations pertaining to such citizenship by birth ensured to such persons without any limitations.

By Section 25(1) of the 19999 Constitution, it is provided as follows: “The following persons are citizens of Nigeria by birth, namely:(a) Every person born in Nigeria before the date of independence either of whose parents or any of whose grandparents belong to a community indigenous to Nigeria ….

This is the provision which is being interpreted as making Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ineligible to be a President of Nigeria. But, the section with due respect, does not say what is being imputed to it.

From the provision of Section 10 of 1963, it has long been established that those born in the former Northern Cameroun that fused into Nigeria in 1961 were accorded the same rights and privileges as those born in the former Colony or Protectorate of Nigeria before 1st October, 1960. Both sets of people are placed on the same legal pedestal as legacy citizens inherited by the country that came into being after they were born.

Nwuke is Principal Counsel, Gracean Solicitors, Lagos

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2019

EDITORIAL Coup In Sudan And The Days After There should be a quick resolution of the impasse so that life can return to normal

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n atmosphere of political unease has pervaded Sudan since 11th April following the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir after almost 30 years in power. The palace coup was the climax of the intense street demonstration by a broad association of Sudanese professional groups, who were protesting against the dismal economy and declining living conditions in the country. We hope for a quick resolution of the impasse so that life can return to normal in the country.

Like many other leaders of his generation within the continent, al-Bashar came to power as a military officer before he quickly metamorphosed into a civilian politician. He organised and predictably won a succession of controversial elections. In the process, he personalised and privatised security and other national institutions to serve his political ends while progressively building a typically THE SITUATION IN African ‘big man’ SUDAN UNDERLINES THE personality cult that INCREASING AWARENESS hovered menacingly over his country.

OF THE PEOPLE THAT The challenge of the THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO moment is managing EXPRESS THEMSELVES the transition in such AND TO BE HEARD a manner that will ensure peace in a country that has for decades been known for war.

In most African countries today, the reality is that of a massive betrayal of the hopes of the people. The message from the Sudanese protesters which should resonate across the continent is that voluntarily entrusting to elected officials the responsibility of governing their affairs does not suggest that they have relinquished their power. They can invoke that power at periodic elections to either vote for a popular government or vote out an unpopular one. In the same vein, they can invoke that power on the streets

Letters to the Editor

through protests if they feel that democracy has been rigged against them as was the case in Sudan under al-Bashir.

One of the real challenges now confronting Sudan is the fate of the country post al-Bashir as the people who toppled him have rejected the offer of joint military and civilian government made by the junta.

Few days ago, talks broke down between the protest leaders and the military council over the make-up of the council. That remnants of al-Bashir’s regime dominate the council is irksome to the protesters who had risked everything to oust the former dictator. The people are insisting on a quick end to military rule and the installation of a transitional civilian council which will form a transitional government leading to elections.

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

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.

PLATEAU: WHEN A MAN OF PEACE GOVERNS

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t was a glaring shift since 2015 from a government that was unable to improve cohesion and remove inequality among the multi-ethnic and multi religious groups within its perimeter to a one that neutralizes the elements that divided the people.

Those who are keenly aware of his style of leadership will not be surprised with the report that ranked Plateau high among states that witnessed the most peaceful general election in the country. Be that as it may, the good people of Plateau have played the most significant role in making the peace development project a reality.

Ordinary speaking, no project can be more required by any community than a ‘ Peace Development Project’. It’s true that no peace can reach a people unless if they have agreed to live in peace with one another.

In an environment where the opposite of peace was felt, peace is never an impossible task. It is pursued and grabbed humorously if found. The absence of peace is the best teacher that teaches its importance and even goes further to educate us on who is a lover and or hater of peace.

In Plateau for example, the people have demonstrated in the last month general election a complete commitment to sustenance of equality and inclusion which is the bedrock of today’s peaceful atmosphere; they unanimously rejected a coalition of people whose style of leadership was known and never missed.

The reelection of Governor Simon Lalong for another

he act of defiance by the Sudanese protesters against the oppressive and corrupt al-Bashir regime is a feat worthy of emulation by civil groups across Africa. Their perseverance not only led to regime change, but it clearly reinforced the saying that power belongs to the people. The nationwide demonstrations were in response to the economic hardship engendered by removal of subsidies and a spike in the cost of basic commodities. Such was the scale of the new economic reality that the annual inflation rate had reached 68 per cent

by November 2018 compared to 25 per cent the year earlier.

Following his overthrow, al-Bashir was arrested and is now under investigation on charges of alleged money laundering and possession of huge sums of foreign currency without legal grounds. While we hope the new junta will speed up the transition to civil rule process and bring al-Bashir to justice as pledged, the situation in Sudan underlines the increasing awareness of the people that they have a right to express themselves and to be heard. We hope that other dictators within the continent would learn from the example of al-Bashir whose iron-hand regime has ended in tragic disgrace.

second term is never unconnected to his love for peace and its sustenance. This is not a topic for debate for anyone who knows or has recently visited Jos, a city that was known for violence until the coming of the peace loving governor.

The relative disappearance of the ‘No go areas’ and the return of businesses in and around the city is a strong indication that the return of a peaceful Plateau is possible, but remain a task that everyone must be a stakeholder.

A peaceful and happy people deserve a better living environment at least to complete with the other arm of our slogan - tourism. The poor road network in the city capital and other parts are making the peace project incomplete.

Let Jos answer it real name (State Capital) and subsequently compete with other state capitals like Dutse in Jigawa, Gombe, Gusau, Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, etc. Let the street light starts working. Something urgent needs to be done on the poor health care facilities in both the city’s and the rural areas. In Auguwan Rimi (Jos North LGA) for example, a primary health care facility is serving a population of over 60000 with only two staff on government payroll. This is a serious issue and required government quick response.

Poor sanitation and access to clean water in many areas within the city and beyond pose a danger to the enjoyment of peace and movement to the next level. No peace can be enjoyed without water; the absence of water is in itself enough tragedy to kill and kill again.

Abdulmajid Lawal, Jos

FAREWELL, JENNY ANIWOBODO

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adam Jenny Ani, as fondly called, was born in the quiet ancient town of Obodo Akpuru in Nkerefi, Nkanu East local government area of present day Enugu State.

She did not have the benefit of a formal education because her father was among those who did not believe in the girl-child education.

Nonetheless, Mama Jenny as a young lady enrolled in the School of Life where she learnt a lot about honesty, truth, forthrightness, discipline and resilience, the core aspects of Christianity and family values. These qualities prepared her for a later-life experience as a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

The story of Mama Jenny is a dramatic account of faith and trust in God. She lost her husband several decades ago. This ugly development completely devastated her but she was able to weather the storm of a widow and a single parent.

An easy going woman, an embodiment of peace and harmonious coexistence, mama was also a great disciplinarian who exhibited and practiced hard work, trust and positive due diligence in her dealings with people. She never allowed her children to play pranks just as she never tolerated indolence. For her, hard work is the only tool for achieving success in life. These traits earned her the respect and admiration of people across gender lines.

Mama lived an exemplary life. She taught her children and all around her the principles of forthrightness and personal character. She believed so much in the efficacy of prayers in solving life’s myriad problems and she was never disappointed in her daily interface with God, the Creator and the Sustainer. A rock and a pillar of strength, Mama brought everyone in the family together. She never ceased to teach and emphasize unity.

One of Mama’s greatest attributes is her high standards of hygiene. Mama’s pageant for hygiene and cleanliness is pristine clean. She could detect dirt better than a microscope.

Today, Mama may have gone but her legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who are now accomplished men and women in their chosen careers.

Mama will be remembered as a woman of immeasurable value to her family, friends and the entire Obodo Akpuru Community.

Jane Nneka Aibangbe, Lagos

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FRIDAY APRIL 26, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Magistrates Visit Police Cells to Check Human Rights Abuse, Falana Reveals Segun James Following the persistent complaints from the human rights community against police brutality and abuses perpetrated by men of the Nigerian Police against persons detained in police cells, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Opeyemi Oke, has mandated some magistrates to visit police stations and interview people detained by the police.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria

(SAN) and foremost human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana who disclosed this at the 30th anniversary lecture and book launch of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) in Lagos yesterday, said some of these visits by the magistrates have revealed startling cases of abuses and extrajudicial actions of the police.

According to him, when such police stations are aware of an impending visits by the magistrates, they “empty the

cell” of detainees, adding that the decision is being replicated in other states of the country in order to reduce the abuses allegedly committed by the police.

Falana who was a former president of the CDHR from 1997 to 2001, also lamented the refusal of the federal government to obey the rule of law and judicial orders, saying under the Muhammadu Buhari/Tunde Idiagbon military regime, judicial pronouncement were obeyed to the surprise of many than now,

Ngige Clarifies Position on Brain Drain Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has clarified his position on the issue of international migration by the Nigerian medical doctors as contained in his interview on Channels Television live morning programme yesterday, Wednesday.

He said that his views have been subjected to serial distortion and misinterpretation, arising from skewed news broadcast by the Channels media team.

He described the incident as well as the selective reportage, which it fueled in the media as unnecessary, calling for a deeper understanding of the issue in question.

In a statement issued yesterday by his Special Assistant on Media Nwachukwu Obidiwe, the minister said that being a patriotic Nigerian and a medical doctor, he fully appreciates the sensitivity of the issue at hand and the consequential negative import of brain drain on national productivity.

He said he was being factual rather than sentimental in his assessment of the situation, adding that every Nigerian that watched the full interview will hardly dispute his position.

“I speak from the vintage position of being a medical doctor and member, Nigerian Medical Association since June, 1979 and enriched by my vast knowledge on health administration, having

retired as a Deputy Director, Medical Services and Training from the Federal Ministry of Health in 1998, member of Vision 2010 Committee on Health as well as senior member, Senate Committee on Health 2011-2015,” he said.

The minister said that despite remarkable progress recorded by the federal government in the sector, there are still some shortcomings.

For instance, Ngige said the country still do not have enough health facilities to accommodate all the doctors seeking to do tertiary specialist training (residency) in the Teaching Hospitals, Federal Medical Centres and few accredited state and private specialist centres in the country.

under a democratic government.

In his speech, the President of CDHR, Mr. Malachy Ugwummadu, said the organisation was formed in 1989 in response to the incessant violations of the rights of Nigerians by successive governments in the country, especially to “provide the crucial platform for the struggle against military dictatorship and human rights violation in Nigeria.”

He disclosed that since its inception during the repressive regimes of the military juntas, CDHR has grown in membership and expanded in branches and units across the country, adding that but for the intervention of

the organisation, many people would have continued to languish under the yoke of oppression.

In his lecture: ‘Achieving a Functional Human Rights Enforcement Regime in a Liberal Democracy: Chronicling the Struggle and Identifying the Way Forward,’ Prof. Akin Oyebode, said that but for the CDHR, “especially during the era of the locust and arbitrariness of successive military junta, it was able to keep hope alive and ensure that a people united can never be defeated.”

Oyebode lamented that Nigeria’s record of respect for human rights and the creation

of a liberal democracy to the society was at best, tenuous and bereft of constituency, saying that “the deleterious consequences of a long, vicious and self-perpetuating military dictatorship are so impactful and cannot be wished away.

“A well- articulated reorientation of society must be effected in order to wipe away the ugly sore of military misrule and create the prerequisites of a new environment of popular will, freedom, emancipation and collective self-actualisation such as can enable human rights consciousness to thrive in the hearts and minds of the people.”

TESSCOM Organises Rice Festival Total Exhibition Support Services Company Limited (TESSCOM) has flagged off the second edition of the Nigeria rice festival in Lagos as part of commitment to encourage diversification while leveraging on the rice value chain.

The annual event which was inaugurated in October 2018 was aimed at promoting the Nigeria rice. The event brought together indigenous rice producers and makers of cooking spices.

In a statement made available to THISDAY by the Chief Executive Officer, TESSCOM, Olukemi Ilori, it was noted that the event was tailored to enhance

commercial activity in the entire rice value chain.

Ilori in the statement said the rice revolution would create employment, reduce crime, capital flight, provide food and enhance food security.

She added that the rice festival would place the local rice which is popularly known as as ofada rice and the jollof rice dish as the best in the world.

Meanwhile, one of the vendors at the event Mrs. Sherifat Abdulhakeem, stated that some of the challenges facing rice production in the country are low mechanisation, unavailability

of land and inadequate funding.

Abdulhakeem, who also is an independent rice farmer, expressed the need for the Nigeria consumer to embrace made in Nigeria goods, in order to drive sales.

She added: “The Nigerian rice might be able to meet international standards at present because of inadequate funding, but if encouraged with patronage, the local rice will reach a level where it can strike a balance for both the farmer and the consumer thereby normalising the price which the market now finds to be on the high side.”

FRIDAY APRIL 26, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY APRIL 26, 2019

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG

POLITICS

Email: nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com 08114495324 SMS ONLY

In Ekiti, It’s End of the Road for Segun Oni

Oni

Imman Nye

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enultimate Wednesday, April 17, 2019 the Supreme Court brought to an end the long search for electoral redemption by Engr. Segun Oni, a former governor of Ekiti State in his bid to assert himself as a candidate in the last governorship election in the state.

Following his defeat in the party primary election, the former governor had shifted in between congratulating Dr. Kayode Fayemi who emerged the clear winner and exploring legalistic loopholes to claim the top prize that he did not get during the voting.

His resort to the courts was in the consideration of many who know him, not wholly the decision of the former governor. The belief remains that some of his associates either supported the decision to go to court or were prevailed upon by some political chieftains bent on torpedoing the Ekiti renaissance as championed by the Kayode administration.

Oni had following his failure to get reprieve at the lower courts approached the apex court to invalidate the emergence of Dr. Kayode Fayemi as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the governorship election that took place last year.

The resolution of the case should ordinarily provide a stimulus for total reconciliation by all tendencies within the APC. Even more, it should be the anchor for stakeholders within and outside the state to latch on to towards giving momentum to the enterprising programmes of the incumbent administration as led by Dr. Fayemi.

But whether Oni and his associates would grab that opportunity or not is another question.

That internal party dispute over

Fayemi

the candidature of the APC in the governorship election had to the surprise of many, including associates of Oni, continued even after the party concluded its primaries. Oni was one of about 30 aspirants who contended for the ticket of the party.

The former governor who was deputy national chairman of the party was undoubtedly the highest political party office holder from the state in the APC just before the election. A former member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the party on whose platform he served

The resolution of the case should ordinarily provide a stimulus for total reconciliation by all tendencies within the APC. Even more, it should be the anchor for stakeholders within and outside the state to latch on to towards giving momentum to the enterprising programmes of the incumbent administration as led

by Dr. Fayemi

as governor before his 2007 election was invalidated in 2010, his tentacles in the APC were even to the admission of his core supporters, largely superficial. He had crossed over to the Progressives Camp following the implosion that hit the PDP in the period leading to the 2015 general election.

Irrespective of the political differences he had with people both in the PDP and in the APC, Engr. Oni has at almost every time come out as a gentleman. His moral compass on financial matters is a testimony that has often enchanted political folklore.

Gentle speaking yet assertive in his missions, it was not difficult finding common interests with other chieftains of the APC after he defected to the newly registered party in 2014 alongside other members of the New Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP. His pursuit of redress to the apex court may well be considered in some quarters as part of his natural gravitation towards rectitude in the political space. It is also remarkable that while the court arbitration lasted that Governor Fayemi did not begrudge him, use the instrument of the state to molest him or intimidate him as some others in his position would have done.

Such examples of tolerance especially within political parties is commendable and the example in Ekiti State should be demonstrated for the enlightenment of political operators who do not brook nonsense or opposition from fellow stakeholders.

However, as the courts ruled severally, Oni may have unusually erred in his summation of the propriety of the election that set Dr. Fayemi as governor.

It is on the basis of this that the former governor and his associates appear to be limited in their options.

The easiest option he may have

should be to join the new administration in Ekiti towards restoring the dignity of the people of the state after four years of rapacious rule of the commonwealth by the preceding administration.

Engr. Oni’s capacity is definitely not in doubt. It behoves him and all major stakeholders in the state to work towards the kind of political stability that would enable the incumbent administration achieve its set goals.

Besides the now concluded case involving Oni and the governor, Dr. Fayemi is also being challenged by his main challenger in the governorship election, Prof. Olusola Eleka, the candidate of the PDP in the election.

Fayemi emerged triumphant in the two judgments given at the tribunal and the court of appeal. Expectedly, the PDP has filed an appeal to the Supreme Court where stakeholders are calmly waiting to check off the opposition.

The calm that engulfs the governor ’s camp in respect of the claims by his opponent, Eleka is understandable. Fayemi believes he won the election and has a template to punch away whatever allegations are raised against him.

While it is doubtful that reason be put forward to the ultimate godfather of the PDP candidate for him to step down the case, confident associates of the governor are themselves anxious for the case to be settled on its merit to the purpose of bringing enlightenment to all political stakeholders as to the clear victory of Dr. Fayemi in the election.

With the case settled and out of the way, the nation would then again and again observe without the present distractions the unfolding renaissance in Ekiti.

-Nye writes from Lagos

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY APRIL 26, 2019

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PERSPECTIVE

The 1979 Constitution and its Legacy of Catastrophic Success of Governments

Usman

Olusegun Osoba

T

he 1979 Constitution was the direct outcome of the majority draft constitution produced in September 1976 by the 47 of the 49 members of the Constitutional Drafting Committee (CDC) appointed by the military government of Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo in October 1975. This majority draft was rejected by two members of the CDC, Yusufu Bala Usman and Olusegun Osoba, who decided to produce their own minority report for the records and the benefit of posterity.

Whereas the majority draft was published by the Federal Government of Nigeria and was widely debated by the public in 1976-77 before it was put before the Constituent Assembly for further consideration and subsequent enactment in 1979, the minority report was declared “non-existent” by the then military Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo, who subsequently enacted the majority report as the 1979 Constitution after inserting into it the Land Use Decree of 1978 in spite of the Constituent Assembly’s objection to it as inappropriate in a constitution.

Our principled and practical objections to the majority draft have been clearly stated in the first part of this report titled, “A General Report on the Work of the Constitution Drafting Committee” and needs no further explanation. However, 42 years ago, when this document was written, we warned of looming dangers of escalation in ruling class misdemeanours as intra and inter-ethnic violent conflicts, looting of state resources on a grand scale by its custodians, and brutal and authoritarian governance. Needless to say that in the 39 years since the 1979 Constitution has been the fundamental law of the land there have been four military interventions in the nation’s governance (Buhari for 20 months; Babangida for 8 years; Abacha for 5 years, and Abdulsalami Abubakar for 10 months) with the ridiculous 3 month Ernest Shonekan’s Interim National Government thrown in by Babangida in August 1993 as a bad joke on our collective psyche. The Babangida and Abacha dictatorships plumbed new depths in arbitrary governance and venality; and postponed any hope of societal development for decades.

For instance, when Shagari’s NPN government was toppled by Muhammed Buhari’s regime in December 1983, Sani Abacha who acted as the public orator of the Nigerian armed forces filed a number of charges against the Shagari government, among which was “our hospitals are mere consulting clinics.”

Twenty months later, when Babangida

Obasanjo

toppled Buhari in August 1985, the same Abacha as public orator complained against Buhari’s regime thus: “our hospitals are still mere consulting clinics.”

The state of our hospitals which Abacha was railing against in 1983 and 1985 had suffered some decline since the 1950’s and 1960’s but, compared with the conditions that prevailed during the Babangida/Abacha era (1985-98), it could be said to belong to the golden age of public health infrastructure in Nigeria. Babangida himself made regular medical tours to Germany to look after his condition of ‘radiculopathy’ arising from an injury he sustained during the Nigerian civil war. Several years later, Umaru Musa Yar’adua, Obasanjo’s self-appointed successor as civilian president, also spent a lot of the country’s time and resources looking after his health in Germany and Saudi Arabia. Dame Patience Jonathan, Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, also had several expensive sessions of state-sponsored medical tourism in Germany during her husband’s presidency (2010-2016).

When Buhari became President in 2015, he failed to tackle the problem of a dilapidated public health system

Obasanjo can be regarded as the most important single factor in the chaotic system of governance that has developed in Nigeria from the enactment of the 1979 constitution and the inauguration of Shagari’s government on 1st October 1979 to date. First, it is the constitution that he fathered and manipulated even before he enacted it that has remained, with a few minor amendments, the nation’s fundamental law till today. The Land Use Decree of 1978 which he included in the Constitution against the advice of the Constituent Assembly (1977-78) is the most dishonest manipulation of the constitution

Osoba

headlong. Rather he took the usual elitist, easy and self-serving option of making several long medical trips to the U.K. at great public expense to treat an undisclosed ailment. In effect, a succession of Nigerian leaders have allowed themselves, and all of us, to be disgraced by their shameful practice of seeking medical treatment abroad, when their compatriots were dying in droves at home from all kinds of preventable and curable diseases that are not attended to for lack of funds, or medical infrastructure, or political will, or all of the above.

The unanimous sponsorship of Obasanjo by a coterie of generals of the Nigerian armed forces to succeed the military in 1999 as a civilian president after 15 years of military authoritarianism was a master stroke on their part.

It gave assurance to the military leaders who had committed all sorts of atrocities since 1966 that they would be safe from punishment as their former commander-in-chief, now in civilian garb, would protect them. In fact, one general is on record to the effect that he would emigrate from Nigeria if Obasanjo failed to become president in 1999. It also ensured that the stock of young to middle-age professionals and academics whom Babangida had recruited and groomed for public office in the 1980s and 1990s would be available to Obasanjo’s administration. Thus it would be possible to extend the tenure of civilian-military collaboration in the governance of Nigeria into the indefinite future. It is not by accident that the myriad of extra-budgetary committees and directorates of the Babangida era like DFFRI, were transmogrified under the Obasanjo presidency into “constituency projects” of legislators at the federal and state levels. As under Babangida these “projects” were funded from the public treasury, but were not subject to strict public scrutiny in their execution, thus contributing to massive financial leakages and transfers from the national treasury into the private coffers of the ruling elites. If you combine these with Obasanjo’s monetisation of fringe benefits like housing and transportation allowances, plus selling of government assets like official quarters to those occupying them, and the dramatic inflation of the salaries and allowances of legislators and other public officers condoned under his watch, you may have a fair idea of how the state was set up to be robbed blind by its very custodians.

Obasanjo can be regarded as the most important single factor in the chaotic system of governance that has developed in Nigeria from the enactment of the 1979 constitution and the inauguration of Shagari’s government

on 1st October 1979 to date. First, it is the constitution that he fathered and manipulated even before he enacted it that has remained, with a few minor amendments, the nation’s fundamental law till today. The Land Use Decree of 1978 which he included in the Constitution against the advice of the Constituent Assembly (1977-78) is the most dishonest manipulation of the constitution and the whole governmental process committed

by Obasanjo.

Falsely advertised in 1978 as a legal instrument for making land easily accessible to “genuine developers”, it has become the device through which lands belonging to local communities or the whole country, but held in trust by the President or state governors, have been largely shared out in vast acreages among the high and mighty in the ruling class. Obasanjo and his cronies are among the main beneficiaries of this land bonanza at the expense of the real owners of the lands. This trend has led to the emergence of land speculators who have helped to drive land prices sky high everywhere in the country, especially in Abuja and other large urban centres.

The same man, Obasanjo, through the monetisation of allowances of public officers encouraged a culture of squandermania in government at all levels.

Advertised as a way to reduce costs, it ended up increasing costs through deliberate inflation of items (e.g. legislators’ allowances) and double collection of allowances in cash and kind. For example, Dimeji Bankole, Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives during Obasanjo’s second term, borrowed a total of over N24 billion to buy brand new Peugeot saloon cars for all members of the House and pay them enhanced allowances beyond what monetisation allowed.

Under the present Buhari administration, Bukola Saraki, as President of the Senate and Yakubu Dogara, as Speaker of the House of Representatives, behaved exactly as Dimeji Bankole, except that this was a time of serious recession in the economy caused by 16 years of unconscionable looting and squandermania by PDP governments which were directly run or remotely controlled by Obasanjo.

Saraki and Dogara bought with billions of naira brand new cars, with impunity, for Senators and House members, all of whom had collected their transport and other allowances up front, at a time when vital social services like health and education were cash-strapped and in turmoil.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 9.86 % 10.57 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

10 % 12.75 % 12.88 %

A P R I L S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

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

1 9 , 2 0 1 9 386.54 % -0.08 % -0.01 %

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE -0.01 % YEAR TO DATE 8.28 %

EXCHANGE RATE N306.95/1US DOLLAR* ̩

Quick Takes Emirates, SpiceJet Seal Deal

ENHANCING SERVICE DELIVERY

Head Sectors, Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals, Dr Yahaya Hamza; Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, Dr Adedamola Dada; Public Affairs and Communications Director, Coca-Cola West Africa, Clem Ugorji and Chairman, Board of Management, Federal Medical Centre, Alhaji Ishola Balogun Fulani, during the commissioning of the newly installed medical equipment in Lagos…recently

Air Passenger Traffic Rises as Economy Recovers Chinedu Eze There are indications that more passengers travelled both in international and domestic routes in 2018 than the previous year, which was an improvement when compared with the decline recorded between 2015 and 2016.

This signified significant growth rate for Nigeria that came out of an economic recession that climaxed in 2016.

Data from Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) which showed this, revealed that the aviation sector recorded double- digit growth in 2018 as passenger traffic rose to 20.7 per cent, increasing 18.87 per cent above its 2017 growth rate.

This was compared to Ni-

AVIATION geria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 1.9 per cent in 2018.

The development was also attributed to Nigeria’s positive economic growth trajectory, which resulted in a boost in activities within the sector.

“Within the year, there were some major developments noticed in the aviation sector. The federal government formally initiated plans to float another national carrier called Nigeria Air by fourth quarter 2018.

“This came 15 years after the liquidation of Nigeria Airways.

However, Nigeria Air was suspended indefinitely. In the

meantime, it is imperative for the FG to prioritize key issues such as airport concessioning as well as introducing flight stimulation and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centres. Addressing these issues would reduce both government expenditure and operation costs of airlines,” the report stated.

There was also the introduction of new terminals and new routes in 2018. New terminals were introduced in the Port Harcourt and Abuja airports, which President Buhari inaugurated in Q4’18. In addition, Nigeria’s economic recovery encouraged airlines such as Cameroon Air to return to Nigeria and Air Namibia to start operation in

the country in 2018.

“The boost in activities within the aviation sector is evident in the increase in passenger traffic in 2018. According to statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the total number of passengers who passed through Nigerian airports within the year increased by 28.7 per cent (year-on- year) to 17.23million.

“A further breakdown of the report showed that international passengers accounted for 25.8 per cent (4.44million) of total passengers while domestic passengers accounted for 74.2 per cent (12.79million), with both recording a year-on-year growth Continued on page 22

Maritime Stakeholders Urge FG to Implement Zero Tax for Ship Acquisition Eromosele Abiodun Stakeholders in the nation’s maritime sector have called on the federal government to abolish the tax on full duty paid equipment, stressing that the policy was undermining local operators and favours foreign shipping companies.

The stakeholders made the call at a meeting with the theme: “Shipping Policy: A Catalyst for Maritime Growth,” put together by the Nigerian Chambers of Shipping (NCS), held in Lagos recently.

Speaking on the challenges faced by local operators on behalf of other players, the Chief Executive Officer of Marine Platforms Limited, Mr. Taofik Adegbite, said the law was

MARITIME made to stop colonial entities from taking their equipment out of Nigeria arguing that the law is no longer relevant to modern trend.

Adegbite said: “Section 8 schedule 6 of the Customs and Excise Act states that full duty paid equipment cannot be re-exported unless it is meant to go and do repairs.

Not sounding to be too ethical, some of us have worked in Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Togo and the Congo. You have vessels that are of course are multinational in nature, we did the right thing, the equipment are man properly so they can work anywhere, those are foreign exchange earners but

you have the customs asking for tariff, which means we have to now go and do service to avoid been taxed.

“And I reckon the drafters of the law at the time wanted to stop the colonial masters from taking their equipment out of Nigeria. However, we can see now that it is no longer relevant with modern trend. So you can see that operators and challenged, constrained and locked down by the law unless you lie or have maintenance to do to avoid been taxed. AS it is today, if anyone called us from outside Nigeria for work we cannot go because we are constrained by the law.

“How do you make it easy for the operators here, you do a win-win with them, there

are instances where they have low utilization, wherein the tonnage you have for them is so big for what they want to do at the time. What you do is tell them your low periods or go seek assignment elsewhere mindful that an international oil company (IOC) like Eni has a very great opportunity in Ghana. It means Eni Milan will be looking at it is cheaper to move equipment from Nigeria than bring it from Europe.”

He stressed the need for more private sector investment in the shipping industry, adding that what was happening now in most maritime countries was that national interest encapsulates the private sector Continued on page 22

EmiratesandSpiceJethavesignedaMemorandumofUnderstanding (MoU) to enter into a reciprocal codeshare agreement.

The move is to open new routes and destinations for passengers travelling between India and popular destinations across Africa, America,EuropeandtheMiddleEast.Subjecttonecessarygovernment approvals,thepartnershipwouldenableEmirates’passengersenjoy seamlessconnectivityonflightstoIndia,leveragingSpiceJet’sstrong domesticpresenceandaddingsixnewdestinations:Amritsar,Jaipur, Pune,Mangalore,MaduraiandCalicut-tothenineexistingcitiesinIndia served by Emirates. This would bolster Emirates’ already-extensive networkaddingatotalof67weeklyconnectionsbetweenEmirates’ hubinDubaitothesesixfastgrowingdestinationsinIndia.Thisincludes increaseddomesticconnectivityfromEmirates’nineIndiangateways topointssuchasGoa,Hubli,Guwahati,VishakhapatnamandTuticorin whichwouldallowforagreatervarietyoftraveloptionsbetweenboth Emirates and SpiceJet flights.

“Our journey in India has been defined by progressive investment, partnershipandgrowth.Weconstantlytrytoimproveandprovideour customerswithgreaterflexibilityandtravelchoices.Thispartnership with SpiceJet and the mutual expansion of our network will go a long way in further enhancing the travel experience of our customers in India as well as those heading into India, benefiting travellers and businesses alike,” said Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning, Revenue Optimization and Aeropolitical affairs, Adnan Kazim.

TheairlinesaidpassengerstravellingfromIndiawillhavemorechoice to travel seamlessly with minimum connection times, when flying to destinations in Emirates’ Europe network such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, Manchester and Amsterdam.

Ethiopian to Launch Services to Marseille

Ethiopian Airlines has announced that it has finalised preparations tolaunchathriceweeklyflighttoMarseille,FranceasfromJuly2019.

Marseille is the second-largest city of France and main city of the historical province.

Regarding the upcoming services, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, remarked, “It gives us great pleasure to launchflightstoMarseille,connectingFrance’ssecondlargestcityto theover60Africandestinationsweserve,throughourhubAddisAbaba.

“We’ve been flying to Paris since 1971, more than 48 years, so we are notnewtothemarketinFrance.Butweareveryhappytoexpandour services closer to the customer in Marseille now. The connectivity we are establishing between Europe and Africa is facilitating trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people ties.

“As we forge ahead on the path of growth and success as envisioned in Vision 2025, we will keep on opening new routes to all corners of the world bringing Africa ever closer to the rest of the world.”

Air Mauritius Takes Delivery of Airbus

Air Mauritius has taken delivery of its first A330-900, on lease from the ALC during a ceremony held in Toulouse. The National carrier of the Republic of Mauritius is the first A330neo operator based in the southern hemisphere, and the first airline in the world to operate a combination of both the A330neo and A350 XWB. BenefitingfromtheA330neounbeatableoperatingeconomicsand award-winningAirspacecabin,theaircraftnamedAapravasiGhatin referencetoMauritius’history,willfeatureatwo-classcabinwith28 business class seats and 260 economy class seats.

ThecarrierwilldeploytheaircraftonroutesconnectingMauritiusto Europe(mainlyLondonandGeneva),IndiaandSouthEastAsianroutes and on regional destinations including Johannesburg, Antananarivo and Reunion Island.

AirMauritiusCEO,SomasAppavoustated,“Iamdelightedtowelcome ourfirstAirbusA330neo,anothermilestoneinourfleetmodernisation programme.

“TheadditionoftwoA330neostoourfleet,willbringmoreflexibility andefficiencytoouroperationswhilesupportingournetworkstrategy.

TheA330neoofferssimilarlevelsofcomfortastheA350XWB,which hasreceivedveryfavourablefeedbackfromourcustomers.Istrongly believethatwiththeadditionoftheA330neotoourfleet,AirMauritius willfurtherreinforceitsfocusandemphasisonthecustomerwhoare at the very core of our business model.

“We have been able to maintain safety in flight operations because we adhere strictly to all the critical elements as contained in the international civil aviation organisation safety oversight” DG, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority,

Captain Muhtar Usman

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BUSINESSWORLD AIR PASSENGER TRAFFIC RISES AS ECONOMY RECOVERS

of 9.42 per cent and 23.19 per cent respectively.

The report further observed that total passenger traffic was the slowest in first quarter, which was attributed to the lull in economic activities, a situation similar to the trend observed in 2017.

The highest passenger traffic was witnessed in the last quarter of 2018. This, it stated was driven by an increase in political activities in Q4’18 and the influx of visiting family and friends for the festivities.

Similar to 2017, Lagos and Abuja recorded the highest passenger traffic on both domestic and international routes, reinforcing the market trend. “On a state-by-state basis, Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt recorded the highest number of passenger traffic on both domestic and international routes.

Of the 17.23 million passengers recorded in 2018, Lagos state alone accounted for 42.4 per cent. “Other states that recorded high passenger traffic were Abuja and Port Harcourt.

This is not surprising as these states are the trade and business hubs of Nigeria. On the other hand, Dutse, Kebbi and Bauchi recorded the lowest passenger traffic on the international route while Calabar, Osubi (Delta state) and Finima (Rivers state) witnessed the lowest traffic on the domestic route.�

MARITIME STAKEHOLDERS URGE FG TO IMPLEMENT ZERO TAX FOR SHIP ACQUISITION

essence, which is profitability. “If we do not have that nationalist mind-set there will be absolute opportunism and in the Nigerian situation, the country will be raped blind, the rich will be so rich and the poor will be so poor. So we need to start looking at what the private sector can do. We need to start going into the various policies and looking at execution. There are enough of the strategies and policies and emphasis are not laid on execution,� he added.

He stated that the talk around a national shipping line will not work because we are not sufficiently nuanced in some of the things we talk about as a country.

NEWS

Group Reiterates Commitment to Competitive Maritime Sector Stories by Eromosele Abiodun The Chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administration (AAMA) has reiterated the commitment of the African maritime body to build a competitive maritime sector in Africa through continuous engagements and sharing of ideas.

The Chairman of AAMA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, made this known during the third session of the Executive Council (EXCO) of the association in Casablanca, Morocco.

He stressed the need for concerted efforts by the various maritime administrations in Africa to be put in place to be able to compete favourably with its counterparts in other continents.

He noted that the choice of the various countries in the EXCO was to ensure geographical spread; thereby making sure every region is well represented.

Accordingly, he said: “I beckon on you all to note that our primary aim of coming here is to continue to uphold the tenets of the African Maritime Transport Charter (AMTC) to improve among others, the capacity, capability and performance of Africa’s Maritime Administrations and the maritime/shipping sector with great emphasis on human resources development, technology and information sharing.�

Speaking further, he enjoined the participants to

make valuable contributions to the course of promoting the African maritime administration, as this will help to achieve set goals for the body in African. “Let me assure you that, we will not relent in our efforts to build competitive and vibrant maritime and shipping sector and to give Africa a voice among comity of maritime nations as Africa is our hope for sustainable growth,� he

said.

Peterside also expressed delight and optimism that the meeting would yield results and proffer solution towards actualising the AMTC. The AAMA Executive Council was made up of representatives of Central Africa (Cameroun, Cape Verde), West Africa (Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana), East Africa (Tanzania and Comoros), Southern Africa

(Mozambique and South Africa), North Africa (Egypt and Sudan) and Uganda representing land-locked countries. The meeting had in attendance Executive Council members from Cape Verde, Ghana, Tanzania, Comoros, Mozambique, South Africa, Egypt, Sudan, Uganda and Nigeria.

The body had elected Peterside as Chairman of AAMA during the third conference of the body

held in Nigeria. In 2018, Peterside was elected to continue his tenure as Chairman during the 4th AAMA Conference in Egypt because of the visibility his leadership has given AAMA globally. The third session of exco would focus on several issues that would continue to drive AAMA’s vision, ambition and strategy for the sustainable development of Africa’s maritime domain.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

L-R: Head, Investor Relations, FBN Holdings Plc, Tolulope Oluwole, receiving the ‘Long Standing Corporate Leadership in Growth and Development of the Nigerian Capital Market’ award from the Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema, in Lagos‌recently

NIMASA Promotes IMO Rep, 255 OfďŹ cers The Governing Board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has approved the promotion of the Nigerian Alternate Permanent Representative at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr. Dikko Bala, to director.

Also, the agency has elevated former Deputy Director, Maritime Labour Services, Mrs. Rita Uruakpa to the position of director in the agency.

Other beneficiaries of the promotion exercise were

Mr. Kazir Musa, who was promoted to deputy director, and 18 officers, who were elevated to assistant directors.

Also, 236 other staff across all grade levels also benefited from the exercise.

In a statement, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said the exercise were ratified at a meeting of the Governing Board of the agency held in Lagos, under the chairmanship of Major General Jonathan India Garba (rtd).

Peterside congratulated

the promoted members of staff and charged them to continue to be committed to the agency’s vision of taking the Nigerian maritime sector to an enviable height. “Our determination to continue to motivate the Agency’s workforce remains unwavering. This was a rigorous but fair process, and in this wise, I will like to congratulate the newly promoted staff of the Agency and to say to them that the reward for hard work is more work. “On our part as Execu-

tive Management, we will continue to ensure that staff are promoted as and when due so that they can remain motivated to give their best in the Agency’s drive to reposition the maritime industry,� he said.

Garba, enjoined the newly promoted staff to be more dedicated to their duties, saying the promotions will come with more responsibilities.

In their comments, the promoted staff said before now, staff of the agency stayed very long on one

grade level without promotion, but that story changed with the coming of the Peterside-led management. “More than ever, NIMASA staff have remained committed to the agency’s course, knowing full well that every hard work is rewarded by the agency’s management.

This promotion exercise has clearly shown that the Peterside-led management is determined to actualise its promise to take the Nigerian maritime sector to the next level by encouraging professionalism.�

... Extends Donation of Relief Materials to Ondo State Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Ogene

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

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) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor (Energy) Reporters

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

Meanwhile, the agency has continued its donation of relief materials to victims affected by flood and other disasters across the country.

The agency took the exercise to Akure in Ondo State where various items were donated to the Ondo State Government for onward distribution to affected citizens.

Speaking during the presentation of the materials in Akure, the Director General of NIMASA Dr. Dakuku Peterside stated that the initiative was in line with the agency’s corporate social responsibility (CSR).

He said NIMASA would

continue to provide support for victims of natural and man-made disasters across the country.

Represented by the agency’s Director, Western Zonal Office, Mr. Olayemi Abass, the DG said the agency would continue to vigorously pursue the improvement of the welfare of Nigerians and the economy as a whole. “We are here to comply with the federal government’s directive for all government organisations to use their powers and resources to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians affected by flood and other disasters.

“We therefore call on other corporate bodies to partner with us in this drive,� he said.

While receiving the materials, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State Hon. Agboola Ajayi, commended NIMASA for reaching out to the state.

He said the materials could not have come at a better time especially because the Ondo State Government is currently handling the devastating effect of the rain storm that ravaged the Supare and Ikare Akoko areas of the state.

The deputy governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office

of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Desola Alabi, said that the Ondo State Government would continue to partner agencies such as NIMASA in various areas for the common good of Nigeria.

NIMASA commenced the second phase of the donation of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) nationwide last week with the presentation of household items to IDPs in Lagos and Niger States. Twenty states across the nation’s six geopolitical zones have been ravaged by flood and other disasters will benefit from this segment of the exercise.

NIMASA had flagged off the donation of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) nationwide with the presentation of household items to IDPs in Lagos. The exercise had commenced at the Lagos State Emergency Resettlement and Relief Camp at Igando, in Alimosho Local Government Area, involved relief materials worth millions of naira.

While presenting the materials to the IDPs, in Lagos, the Director General of NIMASA had said 20 states in the federation were billed to benefit from the scheme.

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NEWS

‘Immigration Activities at MMIA has Enhanced Ease of Doing Business’ Stories by Chinedu Eze Would be investors and other international visitors who utilise the visa on arrival system on arrival into the country have commended the Comptroller of Immigration and his officials at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) for facilitating the ease of doing business policy of the federal government, by making it easy for them to obtain visa in time on arrival at the airport.

The visitors who spoke to THISDAY said once all outlined conditions are met the Immigration officials dutifully issue them visa in a very efficient manner that surprised them.

A Kenyan business mans, Mr. Charles Ituzu, who obtained visa immediately he arrived Nigeria said the system would resolve the difficulty in travelling across Africa especially from Kenya to Nigeria.

Ituzu, explained that getting a visa to visit another African country typically meant being

buried in a mountain of paperwork and also expensive visa fees, stressing that when they are eventually procured, the visas were typically only for a short duration.

“Even then, getting the visa was not enough to stave off extra hassles at entry points no thanks to the suspicions of immigration officers who sometimes appear bemused that another African is visiting their country as a tourist.

“But with this policy embraced

by Nigeria, all those suspicions and bottlenecks no longer exist. The only thing I did as a traveller was to file my application in Nairobi and wrote to the Comptroller-General of Immigration who approved my application. I only came to Nigeria to pay the required sum without much questioning from the officers on ground.”

Another foreign traveller from Europe, Mr. Adrian Bryan, commended the leadership of the service for the introduction of the scheme.

Bryan, who said he was a tourist visitor, remarked that the policy would attract more visitors to Nigeria and enjoined the federal government to tap the various tourism potential in the country in order to boost internally generated revenues.

It was the same commendation that models and others who attended the just concluded Arise Fashion Week in Lagos gave the Immigration at MMIA and expressed gratitude to the Comptroller, Mr. Dikko Yashe, who ensured that the models obtained their visa in time.

Yashe, said since the policy was introduced in 2017, it has further improved the visa-on-arrival policy of the government as more potential investors visit the country more regularly without the rigours of visiting the embassies.

He emphasised that the airport command had keyed into the policy of Mr. Mohammed Babandede, the Comptroller General of NIS by reducing the contacts of its officers with travellers.

Ethiopia Airlines: Setting the Pace in Africa

SAA Supports Emerging Businesses in Nigeria

Ethiopia Airlines GMD, GebreMariam, flanked by staff and stakeholders after receiving an award

South African Airways has indicated that it would extend its partnership with the organisers of NewBrandsXPO – the premier launchpad for new and emerging product and services in Nigeria.

The airline would also be offering “Exhibition Support’ to three emerging travel-related brands to showcase their business at this year’s event to be held in Lagos, from July 19-20, 2019.

Promoted by Heventin, a corporate event and brands activation company, and Uburu, an integrated marketing communications consultancy, NewBrandsXPO is a one-stop shop for established brands as well as emerging businesses seeking to launch new products and services into the market, and get instant consumer feedback.

The organisation said exhibitors cut across different sectors of the economy, including

Ethiopia Airlines has shown by its success that airlines can operate profitably in Africa. It has become the yardstick to judge and motivate emerging airlines in the continent.

The Group Managing Director of the airline, Tewolde GebreMariam, had told journalists in Addis Ababa that discipline, professionalism and respect for its customers are behind the success of Africa’s foremost carrier.

Industry experts describe the airline as resilient, which explains why it persevered when other government owned carriers in the region went under.

Today the airline is the only African carrier that has spread its tentacles across the African continent, connecting destinations in the region, which in the past travellers would have to travel to Europe before connecting back to Africa.

So the airline lives to its belief as pan African airline because its takes African travellers to major destinations in the world across the five continents with its partners.

There are key factors that have made Ethiopia Airlines a success in Africa and in the world. One is its Aviation Training Centre where every year trainees are graduated and absorbed into the airline.

One can appreciate the importance of this school when one considers the fact that today Nigerian airlines spend whooping sum of money in foreign currency on simulator training overseas for its pilots. Nigerian airlines could save about N500 million annually as funds deployed for overseas training.

The training centre has blossomed to cater for African aviators because many countries in the continent and beyond take their students to the school to be trained as engineers, pilots, cabin crew, air traffic control and others.

The Ethiopian Airlines Aviation Academy (EAA) is an IATA Regional Training Partner, ICAO designated Regional Training Center of Excellence, European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved Maintenance Training Organisation, Authorized Training Center (ATC) and Accredited Training School (ATS) by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Approved Training Organization (ATO) by the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority.

The academy provides comprehensive aviation related training in the area of pilot, aircraft maintenance, cabin crew, airline sales and marketing, and ground operations on basic and recurrent basis.

Another factor that contributes to the airline’s success is its connectivity. In fulfilling its motto of bringing Africa together and beyond, Ethiopian Airline

travel, financial services, IT and Telecom, consumer electronics and kitchenware, FMCG, health and wellness, personal care, apparel and fashion accessories, food and drinks, and several others. This year’s event would also include free workshops on subjects ranging from branding to financing options, the organisers announced in a recent statement.

In the maiden edition of NewBrandsXPO held last June, South African Airways had offered support to five local companies namely GreaterView Travels, Apeiron Global, Saffron Travels, Crew Training Institute (CTI) and Vecta Travels, as part of activities to mark twenty years of successful operations in Nigeria, and in fulfillment of the airline’s corporate social responsibility.

Commenting on the partnership extension, Regional Manager, West, North and Central

Africa, South African Airways Ohis Ehimiaghe said: “Given how the SAA NewBrandsXPO Exhibition Support has greatly impacted the businesses of last year’s beneficiaries, it was an easy decision for us to carry on our partnership for the 2019 event, so that more emerging travel businesses can benefit from the opportunities that the platform provides.”

On how beneficiaries would be selected, the Activation Director of Heventin and copromoter of NewBrandsXPO, Lanre Samson said, “To be considered for one of the three free exhibition slots at the South African Airways pavilion, duly registered travel product or service companies that have been in operation for not more than three years, and have online presence, can send an application on or before 31st April 2019 introducing their business.”

Travellers Commend Air Peace Air Peace recently ended the first round of its operations to give air travellers a foretaste of its soon-to-start long-haul flights to Sharjah, Dubai, Johannesburg, London, Houston, Guangzhou and Mumbai, with members of the flying public saying the carrier was on the right track to provide an exceptional international travel experience.

The airline deployed one of the four Boeing 777 aircraft it acquired for its international flights for the showpiece operations, which started last Friday. It operated on the Port Harcourt-Abuja and Abuja-Port Harcourt routes, winning accolades from air travellers comprising top government officials, royalties, corporate executives, among others.

Air Peace said it deployed its wide-body aircraft for the Easter operations, “to give

Nigerians and the flying public an Easter gift and showcase our readiness for our international operations, starting with our inaugural international flights to Sharjah/Dubai.

“Other international routes, including Johannesburg, London, Houston, Guangzhou and Mumbai will later follow.

We are set and ready to give Nigerians, Africans and the flying public a reliable alternative on our chosen international routes.

But we are pleased to give our loyal customers on the domestic routes a foretaste of our long-haul offering.”

The Boeing 777 aircraft with registration mark 5N-BVE took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 10:01 a.m. and landed at the Port Harcourt International Airport at 10.46 a.m. to start the scheduled

operations on the Port HarcourtAbuja-Port Harcourt route.

The flights recorded huge passenger loads on all the sectors on Good Friday and Easter Monday, with ecstatic travellers praising the carrier for the initiative to give its domestic customers a feel of its international operations ahead of the actual launch.

Justice Sotonye Denton-West, who was on board the Port Harcourt-Abuja sector of the flight, commended Air Peace for giving its customers a wonderful experience on its Boeing 777 aircraft.

“I was hugely surprised when I saw the aircraft scheduled for my trip and when I boarded I was greeted to its luxurious atmosphere. With that, you can see the airline is on the right track with the state-of-the-art aircraft and wonderful service,” she said.

Chinedu Eze

has been creating air connectivity across the continent. The airline has remained steadfast, serving African countries both in the time of adversity and in the time of peace and progress. So it has become a reliable airline in Africa.

For example, when the Nigerian economy was hit by recession in 2016 to 2017, some foreign carriers left the country; some cut back on their operations and some insisted that travellers must pay for their fares in foreign currency, but Ethiopia Airlines remained with Nigeria.

It was same when the federal government closed the runway of the Abuja airport for rehabilitation and Kaduna was chosen as alternative airport. It was only Ethiopia among foreign carriers that operated to Kaduna airport and it was the first to re-open the Abuja airport after its rehabilitation.

Another factor that has enhanced the airline’s success is its modern fleet.

On June 5, 2018, Ethiopian Airlines took delivery of its 100th aircraft, a Boeing 787-900, the first for an African airline to operate 100 aircraft fleet in the history of the continent, thus maintaining its pioneering aviation technology leadership role and ascertaining its leadership position in all aspects of aviation services in the continent.

The airline now operates one of the youngest and most modern 100 aircraft, with an average age of less than five years.

The airline said its fleet modernization and expansion is one of the four critical pillars of its Vision 2025 strategic roadmap, in support of its fast expanding network, which has now reached over 110 international destinations covering five continents.

According to the most profitable airline in the continent, its new and cuttingedge fleet composed of B787s and A350s offer unparalleled on-board comfort to its customers and offer the best possible connections when traveling within Africa and between the continent and the rest of the world.

“Ethiopian Airline is at the forefront of the efforts for the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision, which aims to liberalise Africa’s skies and unleash the industry’s growth potentials.

“Its contribution to the growth of aviation technology in Africa is evident in the introduction of its first jet service in the continent, the first African B767, the first African B777-200LR in 2010 and the first African and second only to Japan B787 Dreamliner in 2012. It was also the first in Africa to acquire Airbus A350 XWB,” said Ethiopia Airlines GMD, GebreMariam.

The airline recently unveiled its new, modern terminal in its Addis Ababa hub, thus creating a more conducive environment for its ever-growing customers.

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Sanusi: We Must Break the Jinx that Nigerian Airlines Don’t Last Long The Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, in this interview says the aircraft maintenance division of the airline has opened an opportunity for Nigerian operators and other countries in West and Central Africa to maintain their aircraft in Nigeria. He said goodwill, talent, among others were what made it possible for Aero to set up a reputable maintenance facility. Chinedu Eze brings the excerpts:

L

et’s start with what you have done in your aircraft maintenance division so far?

Aero MRO (maintenance Repair and Overhaul) started out of necessity. Everybody knows that Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria had challenges in the beginning. They were under performing and went into crisis and born out of that crisis, we had to innovate and see whether we can do heavy maintenance for our airplanes, which we started in 2017. Luckily for us we got the approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and we got the support from our shareholders, which is AMCON (Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria).

And so we did the first C-check on the 737 classics and from that point we were not looking back, it was going forward.

And then we started doing more C-checks, more heavy maintenance and since then we have done 3 C-checks. And the MRO has expanded from the workshop to also getting approvals from other countries. We have also gone further to start providing line maintenance for other companies. We have expanded the workshop scope; we have expanded our capability list, both in the helicopter section and fixed wing. In the helicopter section, we have just coupled Augusta Westland (AW) 139 helicopter; that they brought in pieces from Malaysia; we coupled it up in a record time and the helicopter is flying. Even the manufacturers of the helicopter were very impressed. These are all done with our local talents because Aero Contractors company has been in existence for almost 60 years now.

There are a lot of talents that were not tapped and what we did was from 2017 till date was to identify these talents and do a lot of training, harness the talents and project them towards the development of our formidable MRO. And that was what we did for both the rotary wing and the fixed wing. I am very proud to say that almost 90 percent of our maintenance is conducted by local talents. And we have technical partnerships with a lot of MROs around the world, most especially in South Africa and Ethiopia. But the majority of our engineers are home grown and we have entered into another phase which we are employing young engineers to make sure that we have continuity in the manpower development in the entire industry.

You talked about getting approval from some countries to maintain their aircraft, how many countries are they and what does this mean for you?

For the MRO we have gotten approval with Ghana, as we speak we are currently doing audit with Congo CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) and we have also received documentation from Mali. We are also in talks with Niger Republic for their approval. We are also in talks with Cameroon, which we will soon start getting. Now, what does that give the MRO? The MRO now is a regional MRO, meaning that all those airlines have aircraft that want to maintain or they want to do airworthiness directly, they don’t have to fly all the way to South Africa or to East Africa in Ethiopia; they probably don’t have to even fly to Europe; they can just do two hours or maybe 30 minutes to Lagos and we will do the maintenance. That will bring in foreign exchange to Nigeria. That will also mean giving employment to our local engineers in the country. So we are creating jobs, we are also bringing in foreign exchange to the country and also we are putting Nigeria on the map to show that, yes, we are a maintenance facility in the region.

by delivering the aircraft better than what they receive from outside the country. Most importantly their engineers will be part and parcel of the checks that we are doing. And also we have a very flexible payment plan.

So when they bring their airplane, we discuss because we understand the peculiarities of the environment. So we talk to their bankers and we come up with a very flexible payment plan. Our own aim is to develop the aviation industry in the country; it is time for us to break the jinx that Nigerian airlines don’t last longer than 10 years. We must make sure that airlines do pass that 10 years in the country and we must support the local airlines in any way we can. It is not always about competition. We must develop the industry so that we can have healthy competition. If the industry is dead then there is no competition, so we have to make sure that the airlines are supported.

We will do our own part and we hope the federal government will do their part. For our maintenance facility, we will do our part, as I promised most of the local airlines that I would even go lower than any price they receive overseas to encourage our airlines.

Sanusi

The CEO of Medview told us that you have signed an agreement to conduct c-check for one of its aircraft. Are you getting the support of local carriers?

We are very proud of our local airlines.

Our local airlines have been very supportive.

I do not think in my time, in my experience in aviation that there has been this collabo-

I am very proud to say that almost 90 percent of our maintenance is conducted by local talents. And we have technical partnerships with a lot of MROs around the world, most especially in South Africa and Ethiopia.

But the majority of our engineers are home grown and we have entered into another phase which we are employing young engineers

ration with the local airlines and between themselves. The local airlines, especially Medview, Air Peace, Max Air have shown interest in developing our MRO as you have heard from the CEO of Medview. We have the airplane and we have already conducted C-check, we just recently invited the NCAA to come and look at what we are doing. So, we are doing heavy maintenance for Medview, we have also signed agreement to do heavy maintenance for Max Air; that is C-check too.

We have always been doing maintenance for Air Peace, we call them base maintenance.

These airlines have shown great support for development of the MRO in Nigeria. And I commend them, I commend their CEOs, I thank them, they have positively impacted on the aviation industry in general and in the region.

What they have done, that singular act of deciding to use Aero MRO is not because Aero MRO will make profit, no. What they have done is to develop the MRO, because now we are talking to their engineers, their engineers can come and do OJT (internship) with us to develop their engineers, give jobs to the local engineers that have just graduated from school. Recently because of the nature of the job, we have to employ more than 20 engineers to come in to assist with the load of work. Because now the MRO is going to be almost 24 hours a day, so we are going to have continuous shift to make sure that we deliver this aircraft on record time. I am very happy with their decision to use Aero Contractors MRO and I commend them for that because that has gone a long way to break that jinx that Nigerian maintenance cannot be done here; we have to take our aircraft outside the country. So that trust they have in us, we also will give them the trust

How long does an aircraft stay in a maintenance hangar?

There are so many factors affecting the duration of any C-check. Let’s say the Ccheck goes perfectly, meaning when we do a non-routine or when we do an inspection on some panels. Let’s say we are doing an NDT (Non Destructive Testing) on a particular spot and there is a crack that means that crack must be rectified. We must go to Boeing, we must get the approval, we must go to NCAA and get approval and then you now do the repair scheme. That in effect can take a longer period of time. Now, let’s say there is no finding, it is usually between 21 to 28 days, depending the customer providing the rotables. The rotables are spares that we need, so if he buys the spares for us and brings them to us, the act of the C-check itself is between 21 to 28 days.

If the federal government intends to build an MRO, would you advise them to build it on the foundation you have already made?

Well, if the federal government wants to build and MRO it is a welcome development.

I think the federal government is now looking at aviation in a different light. I welcome the idea. The idea I am going to give them is the advice that I have already given, which is, building MRO is not like building a hotel, where you have the building, furnish it, get the hoteliers to come in and your customers will be coming in the following day. Usually, MROs does not operate like that. MROs are built from confidence, from somewhere, from a point. Where is the talent? What is driving me to build the MRO? Is it because I have an airline that I want to maintain my aircraft that is driving me? What drove Aero Contractors into an MRO business?

It was because of necessity; we could not send our airplanes out to maintain them. So we had to develop the MRO, we have to look at the local talents that we have and then build the MRO to support the airline that we have. When we saw that we have supported our airline and very well, and we knew that we can actually sell these expertise to other airlines then we did that. Now, if you say that you want to build an MRO, you must have the thing that is driving you Continued on page 25

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Sanusi: We Must Break the Jinx that Nigerian Airlines Don’t Last Long to build that MRO. So you either say you have an airline that is your customer that is driving you to build that or you must have a reason to say that I have a lot of talents that are very, very good at doing C-check on B737; that the personnel cost is very low. So I can now build an MRO and attract people to work with us.

Most successful MROs in the world were driven by either an airline, which gave vent to many of the MROs in the world—KLM, Lufthansa Technic, British Airways, all the MROs. Now there are other MROs that didn’t have airlines driving them, mostly in America.

These ones were driven by talent. I have seen workers who worked in manufacturing plant of an aircraft and they have a lot of local talents around. And they said well, I have local talents, my manpower will be cheap, so let me put up an MRO that I can attract airlines to come. So if the federal government is thinking of doing that; then definitely it is a welcome development.

Now, my opinion on the question whether the federal government should use Aero as a launch pad, it is either you use the talents of Aero contractors because the talents are there or you use the entire company. But I don’t think that it is good to start up an MRO without looking at the talents. Without making sure that you have the required number of B1 engineers, avionics engineers and identifying what you want to achieve in your workshop?

What is the capability base that you want to achieve, the required number of power plant engineers, what do you want to do in your engine shop? What kind of repairs do you want to have or are you willing to invest into a full engine overhaul shop?

These are things I think the federal government will be looking at when they are doing it but if they come to look at Aero, we have it in a small scale because the company has been maintaining its aircraft for the past 60 years. Right from light twin aircraft to twin autos, Bombardier Dash 6 to Dash 8, 300, 400 to private jets, Hawkers, Falcon and the rest. So there is a lot of talents around and infrastructure that has been grown for the past years to support that kind of vision. So I think it will be a good idea to look at what Aero has and build on it.

The ďŹ rst Boeing B737 aircraft you maintained how long has it operated now?

In June 2019 it will be 18 months, so that means it will be due for another maintenance.

To what extent has the ability to maintain your aircraft improved your eet and also your ďŹ nances?

It is amazing because when we started we were flying one aircraft and based on the fact that the aircraft was going to be due for C-check, so that means we are going to have zero aircraft and we could not take the airplane out because they were calling close to a million dollars for maintenance.

So we could not take it out, we didn’t have the money to take it out. So the only way we could do it is to look inwards and start maintaining the aircraft locally. And that singular act of looking inwards helped us to have a C-check conducted locally and then we could conduct three more C-checks. Now we have four airplanes flying from one we initially had. So it has boosted that act of doing C-check locally, it has boosted our flight operation to four airplanes, we used to less than eight to 12 flights a day, now we are doing 32 flights a day. So you can see how it has boosted the flight operation and then, of course, our revenue has increased.

We were carrying less than 8000 passengers in a month, now we are carrying up 25,000 to 30,000 passengers in a month. So it has actually boosted our revenue and it is key to our turn around.

You have also increased your routes.

How many destinations have you added?

When we started we were doing only Lagos-Abuja, Abuja-Sokoto, Sokoto-Abuja, Abuja-Lagos. So, we now gradually increased to Lagos-Port Harcourt and Port Harcourt back to Lagos. We increased to Lagos-Abuja, Abuja-Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt-Abuja. We

Sanusi

increased to Lagos-Warri, Warri-Lagos, we increase to Lagos-Asaba, Asaba-Lagos, LagosUyo, Uyo-Lagos, Lagos-Abuja, Abuja-Yola, back to again. We have increased to Warri just recently and then Warri-Abuja, AbujaWarri and Warri-Lagos. We are maintaining our Sokoto flights, and; of course, we have introduced Kano, so we do Lagos-Kano and Kano-Lagos. We have all that and we are increasing gradually, we don’t want to grow out of proportion, we want to grow with exactly what we can maintain.

Let’s talk about the rotary, the helicopter wing; has Aero expanded that area of its business?

The other part of Aero Contractors, which is the charter business that provides helicopter services to oil and gas, has also gone far. Both within the maintenance and the operation side, we started with one helicopter in 2017 and now we have five helicopters operating. We intend to take it all the way to 10 helicopters operation by the end of the year. Very soon we will launch the five helicopters operation in Port Harcourt probably by the end of this month. We are also happy to announce that we assembled a whole AW139 helicopter in record time and the helicopter is also flying and it is the youngest helicopter in the industry now and it is about five years old. We are looking at doing a roadshow for oil and gas

So we had to develop the MRO, we have to look at the local talents that we have and then build the MRO to support the airline that we have. When we saw that we have supported our airline and very well, and we knew that we can actually sell these expertise to other airlines then we did that

to say that Aero Contractors is back to provide safe, reliable logistic support to the oil and gas companies. We are in talks with some local oil and gas companies and also with some international oil and gas companies to provide support for them logistically. Bear in mind that we are the leading oil and gas logistic company in Nigeria in the 1970s and 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s before the company started underperforming in the 2000s and then entered into crisis. So this turn around project we have done is a transformation where we will pay more attention to this very important aspect of our business strategy, which is the oil and gas. And that is what actually is going to complete our turnaround process.

We are putting more effort on getting back as one of the leaders in the provision of oil and gas support and logistics. We have gone beyond the shores of Nigeria to get that, we are in talks with a company in Ghana to provide helicopter support for their growing oil and gas. We are also in talks with other countries to see whether they will like us to come and provide logistic support. We have the expertise; we have decades and decades of experience in provision of oil and gas. So the business is looking at that aspect and it is going to be a key factor in our turn around process.

Have you started accessing aircraft spare parts through the Free Trade Zone?

On the free trade zone, the federal government and the Ministry of Transportation have helped us a lot to achieve the free trade zone status, which I think has gone far. We are in talks with already licensed holders that have free trade zone permission. We are in talks with the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO). We want to come under their umbrella, so that they will assist us in bringing aircraft parts, tooling under the free trade zone agreement. In the next few weeks I believe we will make an announcement with an existing company that has the free trade zone license, which we are also under the free trade zone. This is a very good future for us; it will help us a lot with our customers, especially those within the West and Central African region.

You always feel that Nigerian airlines have very limited opportunities because beyond domestic operations, nobody is sure of regional and international routes.

What particular help would Nigerian airlines need in order to proďŹ tably operate international and West Coast destinations?

West Coast I will say has been profitable; it is just a matter of using the right aircraft.

If it is not profitable nobody will be flying West Coast. If not Asky that is connecting all the West Coast, we will not be flying.

Definitely you must have a good business plan and then you must study where the traffic is going and how you are going to connect to the traffic and then you must use the right aircraft for the right route so that you can have high yield and you can make profit on the route.

West Coast definitely is a gold mine if you use the right aircraft and the right timing. But there are a lot of things that can be done to improve the West coast travel and to improve the profitability of West Coast. One issue is to unify the charges. If you unify the charges, ASECNA (airspace management agency for French speaking countries in West and Central Africa) coming to NAMA (Nigeria Airspace Management Agency) and other countries that have their individual air navigation service providers should all come together under the auspices of West and Central Africa and you unify the charges. If they unify the charges and agree on it in conjunction with the West African airlines to make sure that it is a win, win situation.

We are not trying to kill the air navigation service providers; neither are we trying to kill the airlines. So we are coming together to make sure that both air navigation service providers and the airlines understand that they are going to work together for the betterment of the aviation industry in the sub region. So they will have to agree on particular unified charges and the unified charges, I think, should be at the minimum on a cost recovery basis.

So you don’t want them to be making huge profit at the expense of the airlines dying.

Because the air navigation service providers will not have anybody to work on. If we have a beautiful ASECNA and a wonderful NAMA and other navigation service providers and you don’t have an airline, then what happens? So they have to understand that the air navigation service providers, both NAMA, ASECNA and other countries should understand and come together and do it in such a way that they have a common way of agreeing in on unified charges. You don’t need the government to do that, Euro control and the European airlines have done that.

Why European airlines are not complaining too much on the Euro control charges is because they came together and they have agreed on the charges and they can absorb easily. And I think that should be the main aim or issue that both airlines in west and central Africa and ASECNA and NAMA and other major countries that have service providers should do. Then of course we talk to the airport authorities and see what is obtainable in other countries. And the airport companies should also emulate what is happening in other countries. I mean if you want us to attract more traffic, the airport companies should improve their services and infrastructure.

Are you saying that if FAAN is changed to Airport Company it will make it more effective?

Not only changing the name, changing the name is very simple. Of course, by one act the name would have been changed. But the mindset and the culture of the entire workforce must be changed. So there must be a paradigm shift. There is only one regulator in the industry and the regulator is the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. All other players in the industry are service providers or investigators. So it is either the accident investigation which is investigation everybody, including the NCAA or the regulator that regulates everybody including FAAN; but I think those are the total mindset or the total paradigm shift that we need to have in the industry. And I don’t see it to be something that can be done within two or three months, it is going to be gradual because we have come all the way from civil aviation department to build it all the way to a ministry and then from the ministry it gave birth to parastatals.

And now I think after it has given birth to parastatals it is time to make sure that those parastatals understand and do what they are supposed to do and then make the aviation industry grow.

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BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Need to Embrace Trade Facilitation Eromosele Abiodun writes that Nigeria is reticent to commit to trade facilitation in multilateral negotiations because improving an inefficient customs system may place multiple demands on limited resources. But on the contrary, trade facilitation has many benefits

T

he gradual growth in trade volumes and intricacy in recent years have significantly changed the operating environment for the international trading community. Also, they have highlighted the negative impact of inefficient border procedures on governments, businesses and ultimately on the customer and the economy as a whole. Porous borders help to fuel smuggling, fraud and national security problems, which drain the public coffers, while businesses pay the price of slow and unpredictable goods delivery, costly customs procedures, and even lost business opportunities. And all these costs, experts believe, ultimately make goods more expensive for the consumer.

These “hidden” costs of trade are so high – as much as 15 per cent of the value of the goods traded in some cases.

For many countries, the welfare benefits for from more efficient customs procedures could be as high as those from reducing tariffs.

This, experts believe, is a problem for all trading nations. Analysts believe the only way to make the whole process of trading simpler and smoother is trade facilitation, which a key element of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) for multilateral trade negotiations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

A report by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), revealed that trade facilitation is particularly important for developing countries. The OECD believes that developing countries stand to gain the most from more efficient trade procedures.

It, however, stated that achieving it may be more challenging for these economies than for the developed world.

“But even modest reductions in the cost of trade transactions would have a positive impact on trade for both the developed and the developing world,” the report added.

Trade facilitation, it stated, covers all the steps that can be taken to smooth and facilitate the flow of trade.

It added: “The term has been used widely to cover all sorts of non-tariff barriers, including product testing and impediments to labour mobility, but in the WTO it is defined as “the simplification and harmonisation of international trade procedures” covering the “activities, practices and formalities involved in collecting, presenting, communicating and processing data required for the movement of goods in international trade.

The Doha round talks on trade facilitation cover freedom of transit, fees and formalities related to importing and exporting and transparency of trade regulations – which essentially relates to border procedures such as customs and port procedures and transport formalities.”

Progressive Reduction of Tariffs The OECD report observed that international trade has grown rapidly in recent years, thanks to the progressive reduction of tariffs and quotas through successive rounds of multilateral trade liberalisation. More trade, it added, means more goods crossing borders and having to comply with Customs formalities.

According to the report, “This has often put strain on national administrations trying to cope with the increased traffic without extra resources. At the same time, businesses have become more aware of the costs involved in taking goods across borders, such as waiting time. Changing business practices have also put the spotlight on speed of delivery. In an environment of “just-in-time” production, where car manufacturers, for example, rely on the uninterrupted reception of the necessary components, business cannot afford to have imported or exported goods tied up for long periods at the border because of unnecessary or over-complicated trade procedures and requirements.

“There is also the question of costs inherent in the increased complexity of trade. Globalisation and international competition encourage international corporations to use a variety of locations for the manufacture and sourcing of components and final products. Preferential trade agreements have added a proliferation of complex rules of origin to the mix. Inefficient border procedures are also likely to lead to poor

export competitiveness and make the country involved less attractive to investment. But taking action to improve the efficiency of border procedures has been shown to produce results.

Countries that have carried out reforms in this area have achieved a substantial increase in Customs revenue, despite the reduction in duties brought by trade liberalisation.”

Essentially, the report said everyone stands to gain from making the process of trade easier.

Governments, it added, gain because efficient border procedures make them able to process more goods and improve control of fraud, thus increasing government revenue.

“Businesses gain because if they can deliver goods more quickly to their customers they are more competitive. And consumers gain because they are not paying the costs of lengthy border delays. If a truck waits at the border for a week, ultimately the customer is paying for its being off the road and unproductive during that time.

Studies indicate that even modest reductions in trade transaction costs, such as lengthy border procedures, translate into significantly increased trade.

“This is true for both rich and poor countries, but developing countries would show higher relative trade gains because of the relative inef-

Businesses gain because if they can deliver goods more quickly to their customers they are more competitive.

And consumers gain because they are not paying the costs of lengthy border delays. If a truck waits at the border for a week, ultimately the customer is paying for its being off the road and unproductive during that time

ficiency of their current systems and because agro food and small and medium enterprise (SME) trade, which are most severely affected by inefficient procedures are central for the economy of these countries. Taking into account how trade facilitation measures to reduce transaction costs affect different sectors of the economy and different types of traders, OECD research shows that developing countries stand to gain two thirds of total world welfare benefits from trade facilitation. But if trade facilitation were to be undertaken by OECD countries alone, developing countries would stand to lose, “it stated.

Clearance Times for Exports The report added that in many developing countries, clearance times for exports and imports considerably affect the competitiveness of national industry.

For instance, it said Indian companies suffer an estimated 37 per cent cost disadvantage in shipping clothing from Mumbai to the United States compared with Shanghai purely as a result of delays and inefficiencies in Indian ports.

Fiji, it added, holds its own against low-cost competitors because of its ability to provide quick deliveries of high-quality garments.

It said: “Improved border procedures also have a knock-on effect on other areas of the economy. Countries that are competitive in trade terms find it easier to attract foreign direct investment, for example. Trade facilitation also brings more efficient and reliable tax collection, a particularly important consideration for developing country governments that depend on trade taxes to finance their public administrations. Cote d’Ivoire, Lesotho and Madagascar, for example, all rely on trade taxes for more than a third of government revenue. Indeed, the prospect of increased revenue is one of the main incentives to reform. Revenue loss from inefficient border procedures has been estimated at more than 5 per cent of GDP in some cases.

“If the benefits are so evident, why are some countries reticent to commit to trade facilitation in multilateral negotiations? One reason is that for developing countries in particular, improving an inefficient customs system may place multiple demands on limited resources. Another is that governments will have to fund some of the reforms before they see any benefit in terms of increased revenue and trade, although initial benefits can then be used to pursue further reform. A particular cause for concern is the fact that it is difficult to say how much effective trade facilitation would cost, or how much reform governments would have to undertake before they started reaping the benefit.”

Governments, it added, generally do not

undertake trade facilitation by itself; “it is mostly part of a wider reform effort, often driven by elements such as the transition to a market economy or accession to a regional grouping or trade agreement. As a result, there is often no specific allocation of funding to trade facilitation per se, making it all the more difficult to assess specific costs. However, although customs reforms will be more complex in countries with the least efficient systems, even modest improvements will bring considerable relative gains.

“Costs incurred in introducing trade facilitation measures basically involve introducing new regulations; institutional changes; training; equipment; and infrastructure. Regulatory costs arise because trade facilitation measures may require new legislation or amendments to existing laws, requiring time and staff specialised in regulatory work. But reforms that do not require legislative changes mostly seem to be handled at the operational level and thus entail little additional cost.”

It added that institutional costs arise because some trade facilitation measures require setting up new units, such as a risk management team or a central enquiry point, which may require additional staff.

This, it added, involves cost even if existing staff are redeployed, mainly because of training requirements.

The OECD said training is probably the most important element of trade facilitation since the whole process is primarily about changing border agencies’ ways of doing business.

“Countries may choose to recruit new expert staff, train existing staff or import trained staff through exchanges with other ministries and agencies. Recruiting new expert staff is the most costly option. Most countries that have undertaken reforms have chosen to train existing staff on the job. Although the financial costs are lower, this will be a lengthy process as staff needs to simultaneously perform their normal duties. Equipment and infrastructure are often costly, although their role in trade facilitation should not be overstated.

“Most equipment and infrastructure should be viewed as implementation tools that should be carefully combined and sequenced with regulatory, institutional or human resource changes.

Information and communication technology may help improve efficiency and effectiveness, for example, but will not produce trade facilitation unless burdensome red tape is simplified before the system is automated. At the same time, insufficient equipment and infrastructure make some facilitation measures such as pre-arrival Continued on page 41

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

NEWS METRO THISLIFE ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 08152252325

Arise Fashion Week: Showcasing Africa to the World

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COVER ARISE FASHION WEEK: SHOWCASING AFRICA TO THE WORLD

The 2019 Arise Fashion Week, widely acknowledged as the biggest fashion show on the continent, may have ended, but the memory truly lingers. Held from April 19-21 at the Intercontinental Hotel,Victoria Island, Lagos, it featured over 30 local and international designers from Africa, America and Europe. CHIEMELIE EZEOBI and MARY NNAH write that the show, which had over 150 models strutting the runway, lived up to its fame by collaborating with international fashion icons, just as it featured budding and seasoned African talents

) L-R: Agbani Darego; the show’s headliner, Naomi Campbell and Oluchi Orlandi strutting the runway

Mai Atafo with his muses

Models in Yutee Rone

What is the African fashion calendar without the Arise Fashion Show?

Definitely wanting! Therefore it was not surprising that for the sixth time, the Arise Fashion Week was a roaring success. Put together by Arise Media, the show which is the biggest and most prominent fashion show in Africa, pulled global fashion brands and models to Lagos to showcase the beauty of the African fashion industry

The Publisher of THISDAY Newspaper and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Arise News Network, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena flanked by Jordyn Woods (right) and mother, Elizabeth Woods (left)

to the world.

It is no gainsaying that the show provided a platform where the global fashion elite met with their African counterparts. Most importantly, the designers got to showcase their designs to a global audience of retailers, and financiers, as well as the media, thus ensuring that Nigeria and the continent at

large are firmly put on the global fashion map.

Designers The well choreographed fashion show featured over 30 local and international designers from Africa, America and Europe, as well as over 150 models. They include: Turfah, Torlowei, Tzar Studios, Clan, Papa Oppong, Tokyo James, Nkwó,

Paradis, Maisonnettes ARTC, Andrew Iyamah, Yutee Rone, Robert Cavalli, Selan Fessahaye, Mai Atafo, Deola Sagoe, GozelGreen, Lanre da silva Ajayi, Kenneth Ize, Style Temple, Loza Maleombho, Lulu, Shem Paronelli, WUMAN, Tiffany Amber, Esteban, Mwinda, Mowalola, Asai, U.MI.1, Bridget Awosika, Bethany Williams, Okunoren, Rich Minsi, Ituen Basi, Odio Mimonet, Pyer Moss and

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COVER ARISE FASHION WEEK: SHOWCASING AFRICA TO THE WORLD

Models in Tokyo James

Managing Director, THISDAY Newspaper, Eniola Bello and Managing Director, Arise News Channel, Africa, Ijeoma Nwogwugwu

Models in TurfahoďŹƒcial

Ahluwalia Studios.

International Collaboration This year, the show was headlined by international supermodel, Naomi Campbell. Others who are also not new to Arise runway include Grace Bol, Georgie Badiel, Millen Magese, and Oluchi Orlandi.

For Colombian international designer, Esteban Cortazar, who was invited to the stage by the event headliner, Naomi Campbell, he said he was very impressed by the designs he saw.

Mentorship for Young Talents Taking into cognisance the budding talents who spring up daily, Arise Media introduced a mentorship platform. Known as the ARISE Fashion Management and Mentoring Programme (AFMMP), it was designed to nurture start-ups in the fashion business to international standards.

Arise Talks This year, the business side of fashion was also discussed. The Arise Talks consisted of a panel comprising Arzi Ifrah, Liya Kebede, Eniola Dawodu, Olivia Singer, Niyi Okuboyejo and Adeola Bali, who discussed , “The Essence of Design and Textiles: Preservation, Protection and the Advancement of the Craftsmanship’.

L-R: Liya Kebede, Robert Cavalli and Noami Campbell in Tripplerrr_oďŹƒcial

This was followed by a conversation with Andrea Leon Talley of the Vogue Magazine, during which he shared his experiences reporting fashion and entertainment, his meeting with Naomi Campbell and the journey so far.

Campbell, also used the opportunity to announce that she will soon be launching a motivating fashion fellowship in collaboration with Gucci in universities in Lagos, Ghana, Kenya and Cape Town in a bid to at unleash the hidden talents that abound in the continent. University of Lagos was picked as the pilot study.

The supermodel made the revelation during the second session of Arise Talks moderated by Laila Johnson-Salami with a panel made up of Campbell, Reni Folawiyo, Barbara James and Funsho Olusanya discussing the topic, ‘Business of Fasion – Exploring all Facets of the Emerging Markets in Africa.

The fashion expert elucidated that after 33 years on the runway, it was time she used her network, experience and talent to empower Africans. Therefore, as the curtain closed on the sixth Arise Fashion Show, it was obvious that Nigeria, nay, Africa, has truly come to its own- fashion wise. t $PWFS QJDUVSF *UVFO #BTJ t1IPUP DSFEJUT 5IJTEBZ 4UZMF BOE Ijeoma Nwogwugwu’s Instagram

Models in Gozel

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E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

…Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

Wizkid, Wande Coal Thrill at Arise Fashion Week

Wizkid at Arise Fashion Week

Stories by Vanessa Obioha

T

he three day fashion event came to an exciting end on Easter Sunday with a surprise performance by the foremost Starboy, Wizkid. Introduced by the headliner of this year’s event, Naomi Campbell, who shares a special bond with the musician, Wizkid got the crowd cheering when he launched into his popular hit ‘Fever’. The excited crowd sang along as he performed other smashing hits including his 2014 single ‘Ojuelegba’.

The previous day had the Black Diamond, Wande Coal entertaining the fashion world with his melodious voice.

Described as the most beautiful runway in Africa, the sixth edition of Arise Fashion Week (AFW) showcased a beautiful array of African creative talents on and off the runway.

With over 30 designers from Africa, America and Europe, the runway was lit with an assortment of fabrics that highlighted the craftsmanship and beautiful colours of Africa. Some of the designers who made very lasting impression on the runway included Nigerian brand Tiffany Amber, Mai Atafo, Ituen Basi, Deola Sagoe, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Moroccan Maison ArtC, and Colombian Esteban Cortazar.

With over 150 models on the runway,

Naomi Campbell at Arise Fashion Week

Campbell wowed the audience the most each time she stepped on the runway.

She walked the runway for Mai Atafo, Esteban Cortazar, Tiffany Amber,

Kenneth Ize, to mention a few. Other international models who walked the runway include Alton Mason, Liya Kebede, Oluchi Orlandi and Agbani

Darego.

Berthed over a decade ago, it has always been the mission of the organisers, Arise Media to showcase African fashion designers globally. Last year, AFW introduced a life-changing novelty known as the ARISE Fashion Management and Mentoring Programme (AFMMP). The AFMMP was designed for start-ups in the fashion business that can be nurtured to international brands.

This year, however, the focus was on the business of fashion through the Arise Talks — a platform where major heads behind notable fashion brands as well as media personalities plumbed the issues revolving around the business of fashion and how it is changing the African narrative. It was during one of the sessions that Campbell announced her deal with the Italian luxury fashion brand Gucci that will discover and reward talents in universities across Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa, through a fellowship. University of Lagos was chosen as the beneficiary in Nigeria.

According to the British model, it is her own way of contributing to changing the African narrative.

Apart from shining the light on the continent through fashion, AFW also contributed to the arts and tourism sector of Lagos state such that the state recognised it as one of the key events to attend this year in the state’s arts and culture calendar.

The event was highly lauded by the cream of the society for its efforts in promoting the African brand. Like one of the designers Esteban puts it, next year AFW “ will be better, it is the future.”

African Cartoon Centre Tackles Drug Abuse, Empowers Local Artists Like the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” In the same vein, the African Cartoon Centre (ACC) aims to address and influence a change in the issue of widespread drug

abuse culture in Nigeria through its maiden LIFESART contest themed ‘Vividly Combating the Drug Culture’. The idea behind the project is to achieve an international focus on Nigeria’s drug

abuse problems through Humorous Visual Arts (HVA), a vital tool in improving quality of life through graphics.

In addition to this, it aims at harnessing the skill set of local artists in

the HVA field to produce arty projections that will tackle various issues brought about by drug abuse in the environment.

According the founder of ACC, Adedotun Salu, the objectives of the

project was to help local artists with a platform that will expose them to opportunities through partnerships with various international organisations.

Launched last year

August, the project’s run which received entries from artists nationwide will culminate in a grand finale scheduled to hold on August 25, 2019 at Trinity House, Victoria Island, Lagos.

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WhenAYLive,LaffMattazUnleashedTrailsofHappiness

AY live

2Baba at AY Live

Laughter knew no bounds during the Easter period as one of the leading Malt brand in Nigeria, Maltina threw its weight behind two prominent comedy shows: AY Live and Laff Mattaz.

The two shows which held on Easter Sunday in Lagos and Ibadan, left most residents in stitches with the unrivalled dose of happiness delivered by a robust lineup of musicians and comedians.

In Jogor Centre, Ibadan where Laff Mattaz held, the energy was incomparable. It is a known fact that for

six years, Gbenga Adeyinka the 1st, the self-proclaimed Grand Comedian of the Federal Republic (GCFR) has been going around the South West, sharing happiness through his Laff Mattaz comedy show courtesy of premium malt drink.

Likewise, Ayo Makun through his platform AY Live has for over four years, been powered by the nation’s favourite malt drink, in a bid to foster its stance on sharing happiness.

Fulfilling the promise to make everyone in attendance smile, laugh

From Step-up to Pop-up, MultiChoice Nigeria Excites Consumers Just as its New Year promo ‘Step-Up‘ was rounding up,leading entertainment provider in Nigeria, MultiChoice rewarded its consumers with a new pop-up channel, ‘Naija Stand-Up Comedy’.

The new channel marks the beginning of another reward for their teeming subscribers.

Earlier this year, the company introduced the DStv Step Up Boost where subscribers access a higher bouquet at a lower price. DStv subscribers on Access, Family and Compact packages were upgraded to the next subscription package and get boosted to an even higher package for a whole month.

As the offer came to an end on Monday, April 15, DStv launched its comedy channel which offers 100 per cent Nigerian comedy shows. From ticketed stand-up shows, skits, and original produced shows.

“The pop-up channel promises viewers tickets to some of the biggest comedy shows they may have missed in the past and offers entertainment during the Easter period,” the company said in a statement.

Some of the top comedy shows on the channel include Alibaba’s January 1st Concert, Lord of the Ribs, AY Live,

Funny Bone Untamed, Comedy Nites with IK, and Mama Tobi Untamed ‘The Homecoming’.

Naija Stand-up comedy is the latest popup channel by the company. Last month, two pop-up channels were launched on DStv; M-Net Movies Epic Battle Pop-Up Channel which focused on epic battles from the M-Net movies stable such as ‘Troy’, ‘Pearl Harbour’ and ‘Saving Private Ryan’; and SuperheroHQ which included animation series, animation movies, as well as live-action superherothemed movies like ‘Batman’, ‘Superman,’ ‘Justice League’, ‘Green Lantern’ and ‘Teen Titans’.

“This channel will guarantee ribcracking jokes from some of Nigeria’s finest comedians. Viewers can look to being a part to some of the biggest ticketed shows in the country” says Martin Mabutho, Chief Customer Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria.

The Naija Stand-Up Comedy pop up channel which will run from April 15 to May 1 2019, has been providing fresh content daily. It is available to DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact and Family subscribers and to GOtv Max subscribers.

Leevenchy Unveils New Collection The fashion brand recently hosted celebrities like DJ Xclusive, Lolo 1 of Wazobia FM, Tora Olaiya, Edewor to an exclusive cocktail event in celebration of the its new collection at Utopia Sports Bar in Victoria Island.

The collection includes hair oils, unisex fashionable tracksuits, eyelashes and more.

Founded in July 2017 by Vizor Leesi, the brand is devoted to making available to discerning ladies with high taste of luxury top-notch quality human hair products, as well as other products which include hair oils, unisex fashionable tracksuits, eyelashes and more. The unveiling was dotted with fashion,music and comedy as the host, Tora Olaiya held it down all evening, keeping the guests engaged and entertained as they enjoyed delicious finger foods, cocktails and

champagne alongside beautiful music.

Speaking to the media at the event about the new collections, the CEO, Vizor Leesi said: ‘I wanted to create something fun, for the everyday woman, whether they are fierce, sassy, sexy, edgy, fashion forward, or even a little bit of everything. My goal was to allow women to be able to switch up their look and cultivate styles that uniquely belong to each of them, a woman’s whole look and confidence can change instantly by her hair”.

The memorable evening came to an end with great music from “Superstar” DJ Xclusive, who of course thrilled the crowd, and had them all on their feet including the amazing On-Air-Personality at Wazobia FM – Lolo 1, who did the trending Zanku moves much to the delight of highly impressed guests.

Omobaba at Laff Mattaz

out loud and forget their worries for at least 24 hours were music and comedy superstars–DJ Jimmy Jatt, 2Baba, Ruggedy Baba, Chinko Ekun, Omobaba, Alariya, Terry G, the Small Doctor, Chi Young, Madiba of Comedy, Shete, Akpororo, Funny Bone, Helen Paul, Dr Smile and Peteru, who delivered great doses of music, humor and excitement to the people of Lagos and Ibadan.

Speaking on this, the Portfolio Manager, Non-alcoholic drinks,

Nigerian Breweries Plc, Ngozi Nkwoji, said: “We’re always excited to be a part of shows like AY Live and Gbenga Adeyinka’s Laff Mattaz, as they align with the brand’s commitment to sharing unending happy moments with families and friends across Nigeria. We always look forward to being a part of these events as we have in recent years.”

Fans were also rewarded with great prizes from Maltina.

Saving the Unmissable Turn Up for Last

MC Galaxy at Unmissable Turn Up

It is no news that Star Lager Beer has always been at the forefront of entertainment, giving consumers incomparable musical experiences. Star Lager is responsible for most of the widely recognised music concerts in Nigeria, including Star Music Trek, Star The Winner Is and Star Music The Fusion, to name a few.

Therefore, after an hour-long Unmissable match between the teams of Spanish football icon, Carles Puyol and Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, on April 16, 2019, MC Galaxy and Duncan Mighty took the stage to thrill the audience.

The music stars left no stone unturned as they did what they know how to do best, entertain their fans.

Kicking off the concert organised by Star Lager Beer, Duncan Mighty waltzed unto the stage like a true ‘Port Harcourt Son’. Chants of ‘Duncan Mighty’ filled the stadium as he grabbed the mic. Without delay, he launched into a medley, performing some of his great hits including ‘Obianuju’, ‘Mama Born Dem’, ‘Fake Love’ and of course his popular hit ‘Port Harcourt Son’ which the excited crowd sang back to him.

He took things a notch higher when he asked the crowd to show off their Zanku

moves. At that announcement, the crowd went into a frenzy as they began to show their different versions of the popular Zanku.

Two boys and two girls were selected by the music star to compete in a dance competition where a very energetic Susan Eyo emerged winner, taking home consolation prizes from the National Premium Lager Beer, Star.

To round up his set, Duncan ushered MC Galaxy to the stage with his rendition of Sekem. MC Galaxy charged the ambience with his dance moves, complementing Duncan Mighty as he danced off the stage.

Taking over from Duncan Mighty, MC Galaxy launched into a very energetic set, performing fan favourites such as Sekem, ‘Dakada’, ‘fine girl’,’ and all-time favourite nek-unek’.

Commenting on the historic event, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Emmanuel Oriakhi said: “We are glad to see everyone have fun at the unmissable turn up tonight. Over the years, Star have adopted the two pillars of sports and music to engage with our customers, and bringing this concert to our consumers in Uyo is simply in furtherance of that age-long commitment to giving Nigerians the very best of music and football in an ambience of fun, excitement and of course, premium Star Lager Beer.”

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NEWS

IykeKanuFetesWidows,YouthsatEaster Stories by Mary Nnah For widows numbering over a hundred and the youths of Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, there wouldn’t have been a better way to celebrate Easter than what they experienced through the benevolence of the Chairman of Etoks Communications, Deacon Iyke Kanu. The ancient war city came alive on Saturday, 21 April, 2019 with the widows’ empowerment preceded by the third place final match of Iyke Kanu Unity Cup. Etokebe as he is fondly called, is no green horn in philanthropic dispositions but this time; he upped the ante with lavish gifts and endless entertainment for the widows in Arochukwu.

Beyond the generous cash gifts to the widows, they also went home with a bag of rice each, clothing

Iyke Kanu (first right) with some of the widows

materials, other food items and some of their children placed on scholarship.

Kanu said he sees the

empowerment project as part of his Easter celebration, noting that, “I love to see people smile; it gives

me so much joy in making people happy, so I knew that doing this will put smiles on the faces of these

widows and this gives them reason to glorify God, then I’m fulfilled”.

Reflecting on the essence of Easter he said “Easter means the totality of my life, Easter means my salvation, without this period there wouldn’t be salvation for me. The power of the resurrection is released during this time.

“This is the best time for any Christian to celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ because this is the time He performed the utmost responsibility to save mankind.

So it is a great time to celebrate Him with all our soul, mind and heart.

“My message is not far from acknowledging that Jesus Christ is our Lord and personal Savior and that you can’t amount to anything in Heaven and here on earth without acknowledging that Jesus is the

Lord over our lives; that he laid down His life to save us in our dispensation and empowered us to act like Him.” “The power to do all things comes from God Almighty. He has blessed me and has given me the wherewithal and it doesn’t affect my life, rather it gives me joy knowing I am able to help people,” he noted.

However, the two days affair continued on Easter Sunday with the final of Iyke Kanu Unity Cup. Arochukwu Ward 3 defeated Ward 4 by three goals to cart home the golden cup and mouthwatering prize money of N500,000, while Arochukwu Wards 4 and 2 who came second and third went home with the silver, the sum of N300,000 and N200,000 respectively. Individual awardees of Most Valuable Player of the tournament, Highest Goal Scorer and Best Goal Keeper went home with N50,000 each.

Custodian Preaches Purity as Olokun Festival Holds in Ile Ife As this year’s edition of the annual Olokun Festival rounds off in Ile Ife Osun State, Princess Latifat Momodu, the Ambassador of Olokun, the ocean goddess, has called on Nigerians to endeavour to be pure inside and out.

She said this will allow God to listen to and answer their prayers as the grand finale of the consultation with the spirit being is done in observation of the final rites of the Olokun Festival this weekend.

Speaking with pressmen in Lagos last weekend, Ms Momodu who was appointed the Heritage Ambassador of the Olokun Legacy last year, said the ongoing Olokun Festival 2019, being hosted by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, started Wednesday, April 23 in Ile Ife, and would be rounded off this weekend with final prayers to and consultations with the goddess.

She said therefore that Nigerians should uphold purity of heart and abstain from doing

evil so that the prayers offered by the Olokun devotees for the wellbeing of the nation, would be answered.

Momodu who said, “Olokun is one of the powerful angels God sent to the world to save people from bondage, added, “you would notice that now a lot of hardship and evil are being experienced in Nigeria - ritual killings and kidnapping for money – blood, blood, blood everywhere. Why? “God is angry with Nigeria because people are doing things that God does not like. That is why we are going to pray during Olokun Festival this year, begging God for forgiveness while talking to people to change, and be clean in and out”.

She said, “Everybody wants to rich and people deceive them, telling them that when you kill a fellow human being and bring their body parts and blood, you will become rich but it is not true.

Why is the man who tells you to go and kill someone not rich?

Do they ever think about that?

“It is because of all these killings that have made God to turn His face away from our nation. So we must stop all these evils so that God will be happy with our nation. And I believe strongly that things will change for the better after the prayers we are going to make during the Olokun Festival.”

The event however started on April 23 with general prayers at the domain while the climax of the event will be the two-day prayer and ministration by the Heritage Ambassador of the Olokun Legacy, Princess Latifat Wuraola Momodu..

Momodu who said she is well prepared to minster to the needs of every participants, pleaded, “please don’t chase people away from me, Do not stop anyone from seeing me, I was sent for their purpose, so let them come to me with their needs. Let the doors be open for them to see me”.

She confidently affirmed, that, “a lot of barren women who come to the event are going to go

home with their babies because God has given me that healing power and whoever I touch must have a positive result.”

Momodu said further that this year’s edition is going to be very grand as she is expecting more than 700 guests from within and outside Nigeria.

She revealed further that to make this year’s event grander, preparations have been on high gear, these include rehearsal for musical bands which would entertain guests as well as other cultural troupe and musicals billed to perform during the event. She added, “I have a musical troupe, which I have been managing since 2003 and my troupe is going to perform at the festival.

“It is going to be a big one and people are going to witness prayers for prosperity, elevation and healings. There would also be cultural dances, get-together, fashion show, exhibition and other tourist attractions at the event which takes place at the Palace of the Ooni of Ife.”

Momodu

Renowned Irish Singer, Bono of ONE Campaign Visits Vice President Osinbajo

Lead singer of the Irish multi award winning rock band, U2 and co-founder of the ONE Campaign along with a senior delegation from ONE Campaign, a global campaign and advocacy organisation with more than 9 million members committed to taking action to end extreme poverty, especially in African, recently paid visit to the Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo.

ONE campaigning is an organisation that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, by raising public awareness and pressuring political leaders to support policies and programmes that are saving lives and improving futures.

TheONECampaigndelegation, whichincludedCo-FounderBono, BoardChairmanTomFreston,CEO Gayle Smith and Nigeria Country Director Serah Makka-Ugbabe, met with Osinbajo and Nigeria’s MinisterforHealth,IsaacAdewole, along with key legislators including the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, Sen. Dino Melaye and Sen. Abiodun Olujimi to discuss on building effective partnerships for the delivery

Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo (middle) flanked by ONE Campaign delegates to Nigeria.

of healthcare to Nigerians and transparency & accountability in public institutions.

The delegation, along with Alhaji Aliko Dangote, a member of ONE’s Board of Directors, presented to Osinbajo a declaration signed by over 67,000 Nigerian youth detailing their

policy priorities for the new term of the Buhari administration m.

“Accountable politicians and empowered citizens are clearly key to any country’s bright future”, said Bono as he further expressed that the delegation was delighted to see that combination encouraged in

Nigeria, adding that, “no one branch of government on its own can achieve what’s needed”.

He stressed further that just as it does all around the world, ONE will meet with anyone in the service of its goal of healthcare for everyone. Bono noted further that the almost 3 million

members of ONE in Nigeria, led by ONE’s Nigeria Director Serah Makka-Ugbabe, were a powerful force for that better future and that he was here to support their efforts.

Makka-Ugbabe, ONE’s Nigeria Country Director said, “Our campaign is built on the ideal

of strong, transparent institutions that are responsible to their citizens. He said therefore that ONE Campaign needs accountable politicians in the executive branch and in the legislative branch while its almost 3 million empowered citizens of Nigeria will do their part.

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ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

Documenting Buhari’s Infrastructural Legacies A new book that captures the activities of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing under the President Muhammadu Buhariled administration is about to hit the literary world and the waiting hands of critics. YINKA OLATUNBOSUN reports The four-year journey is about end. No doubt, it was full of a variety of experience strong enough to inspire a book. The Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, alongside the two ministers of state in the ministry, Baba Shehuri and Suleiman Hassan, is the key persona in this narrative that recounts those episodes of a government’s effort at fulfilling some of the leading campaign promises made.

In this new piece titled, “Proof of Infrastructure Delivery Across Nigeria: A Three-year Report on the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing’’, there is a conscious effort to document some landmark achievements in the three-tier ministry. This book is set to be launched in Abuja on Monday, April 29.

Certainly, inquisitive readers will expect to read a book that is not self-adulatory.

The readers may want to see a true picture of the reality created by the political actors in the sectors that are some of the most directly linked to human survival. Hence, the materials sourced for the content of the book include photographs taken during the inspection tours, contributions from non-governmental sources such as media, eyewitnesses, amongst others.

Edited by Hakeem Bello, the book addresses areas of interest of the citizenry including

the general concern about the state of the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos.

In one of its compelling chapters titled, “Fixing the Broken Bridges: Deploying Emergency Repairs to keep Road Infrastructure Safe for All’’, the book articulates the list of interventions made by the ministry. Bello writes: “In response to this potentially disastrous situation, the minister, in October 2016, approved a comprehensive plan for repairs and improvement of bridges along federal highways across the country.

Termed ‘National Bridge Improvement Programme’, the plan is currently being implemented under the subtitles of immediate/short and medium/long terms.’’

In the foreword titled, “Concrete Evidence of Goals, Missions and Achievements”, Former Head of State, Gen. AbdulsalamiAbubakar commended the Buhari administration for giving the three his primary attention, whilst saluting the ministers of state for the statesmanship and sense of responsibility.

He writes: “The book presents a concrete evidence of goals as they are being pursued, missions as they are being actualised and achievements as being recorded.’’

Photographs in the book were taken by award-winning photographer, Lukman Olanipekun, while the General

The Birth of LVI Art Gallery

Book cover

Anave MovieTackles Infant-Maternal Mortality Rates

Yinka Olatunbosun The previous evening, Julius Iyoghiojie, the MD/CEO, LVI Art Gallery had stayed up at the gallery to attend to clients till about 10:30pm.

The gallery is barely six weeks old.

Last weekend, at a pilot group exhibition, Iyoghiojie spoke about how his 25years of art marketing had culminated into a site-specific art gallery, located in Lekki Phase I. The brief encounter coincided with the close of the show, “Beauty and the Beholder’’ featuring works of artists such as Bruce Onabrakpeya, Soji Yoloye, Ehigbor O.B.J, Odeyemi Oluwaseun, Alagbada Olayinka, Pitar Alakhume, Joel Utuedor and others.

“We organised the show to create awareness about the gallery,’’ he began. “A stone is thrown into water to cause a ripple effect. We want people to know we are here and we are not just here for today. We are here for good. We have some visitors already and we hope to follow up on them. We need to continually engage our market.

“We are trying to promote the art, the artist and the gallery. We have our imprints in different institutions like the banks, cultural centres like Alliance Francaise, British Council and so on. We will be having exhibitions and other art events from time to time, from solo to group exhibitions. We are looking at promoting the different schools of art in Nigeria wherein wegather their alumni and organize shows”.

Iyoghiojie, who studied Petroleum Engineering at University of Benin (UNIBEN) sees art as an asset, advising that it is better to give someone a

MD/CEO LVI Art Gallery, Julius Iyoghiojie

gift of an artwork than a phone or a wrist watch. From the paintings of Eyo to the Durbar festival, cultural details are some of the thematic elements in some of the works at the show. Of the over 200 pieces, Soji Yoloye’s works are the most on display. Iyoghiojie explained the reason for such visibility for the artist.

“Soji and I have a very strong relationship. He is one of my earliest artists at UNIBEN. He was in final year in 1994. He was one of the first artists that I started marketing in UNIBEN. Soji is gifted and his works are highly sought after in the industry.

There was a time in the whole of Ikoyi and Victoria Island thatthe GTBank offices were decorated with the works of Soji. I am very happy to be working with him. I am looking forward to a solo exhibition with him soon. There is no gallery that doesn’t have a work of Soji,’’ he explained.

Unique for its use of natural light, the gallery is also in close proximity with a popular art gallery in Ikate area of Lekki and isa subset of the LVI Home and Office Solutions with expertise in interior decoration, moving and installations amongst others.

L--R: Health Desk, Sterling Bank, Oluwaseunayo Lojede; Maccme Board Member, Juliet Kego; Former Minister of Information and Communications, Frank Nweke Jnr; Founder, Maccme, Nicole Adigwe; and Head, Technology & Digital Compliance, Sterling Bank, Lekan Akintemi, at a press conference recently

Yinka Olatunbosun

The statistics on malariarelated deaths for almost a decade in Nigeria had been over 300,000 children. This daunting discovery and a need to stir positive change had propelled a young film maker, Nicolette Ndigwe, to produce and direct a short film titled, “ANAVE’’.

Set in a Lagos slum, ANAVE movie is a riveting story of a homeless child inspired by actual occurrence. The film production is a product of the collaborative project of a leading commercial bank, Sterling Bank Plc and the Malaria, Child, Maternal Mortality Eradication (MACMME) to create awareness as regards the plight of the less privileged

Nigerian child and mother.

“It is an advocacy film,’’ declared Ndigwe during a press briefing in Lagos which had in attendance the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman and a former Minister of Information and Communications, Frank Nweke Jnr., both of whom are co-executive producers on the film project.

To satisfy the curiosity of the journalists who saw a teaser of the movie at the event, Ndigwe recounts the plot of the movie.

“ANAVE tells the story of an eight-year old boy whose mother dies from malaria complications at childbirth, leaving him at the mercy of an orphanage. He ends up on the street in a quest for an education where he faces the

struggles of the vulnerable, poor and homeless.’’

The short movie is an assemblage of popular artistes such as Omawumi Megbele, Aituaje Iruobe otherwise known as Waje, Shawn Faqua, Seun Ajayi, Rita Edwards, amongst others.

After its premiere in Lagos yesterday, it is expected to be followed by a series of screenings to larger audiences across Nigeria including educational institutions and more.

“The project’s overall strategic focus takes cognisance of the five United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and recognising the potential of film in impacting the minds of people, ANAVE became the best tool to pass this message,’’ Ndigwe said.

34

Ëž APRIL 26, 2019

FERTILITY

with Ë›

Info@lifelinkfertility.com; Website: lifelinkfertility.com 08033083580

Ě™ Ă‹ĂœĂž ͺ̚

L

ast week we talked about the effect of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) on male and female fertility and impact on mother and child, this week we will be looking at how to manage fertility challenges in patients with the disease.

Management options for couples with SCD however, depend solely on the clinical symptoms they present with.

Most women with SCD can get pregnant on their own while some other may require some form of Assisted Conception or Assisted Reproductive Technologies which ranges from: Ëž Ă Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă—Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ë?

This may be the option of treatment in SCD couple with good quality sperm in males but menstrualirregularities and anovulation in the female.

Most women with SCD often experience irregular menses, with ample evidence showing that they seldom ovulate. Early presentation and diagnosis is very important as advanced maternal age may further depreciate the quality and quantity of the eggs making pregnancy more diďŹƒcult to achieve.

Decision to induce ovulation is usually based on the results of medical history, physical examination, Transvaginal ultrasound scan, blood tests and semen analysis.

Ovulation induction involves the use of certain oral tablets and sometimes injectable aimed at stimulating the growth and development of eggs on the ovary. Serial scans are performed to assess follicular growth, and then your physician guides you through when to have natural coitus.

Ëž Ă˜ Ă“ĂžĂœĂ™ Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ă–Ă“Ă¤Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ Ěš IVF simply means sperm fertilizing egg outside the body,this is one of the last resorts in the management of infertility. Ëž Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ‹ ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™

̚ Indications for IVF in SCD couples: This is a fertility treatment that involves placing Tubal disease: In women with blocked fallopian sperm inside a woman’s uterus (womb). The goal of tubes, IVF has largely replaced surgery as the IUI is to increase the number of sperm that reach treatment of choice. the fallopian tube and subsequently increase Male factor: Male factor infertility in SCD the chances of fertilization. The most common indication for IUI in SCD male is low sperm count or males, may result from impotence, relative primary gonadal failure(hypogonadism), erectile decreased sperm motility. It can also be selected dysfunction (ED) as a result of priapism, delayed as a treatment option for unexplained infertility, or impaired sexual development and sperm ejaculation dysfunction and cervical mucus abnormalities. They may often present with low hostility. Women scheduled for this procedure may be given ovulation enhancing medication, with sperm count, poor motility and even abnormal serial scans done to monitor follicular growth. It is sperm forms.

IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection usually done around the time of ovulation.

(ICSI): A procedure, in which sperm cell is injected directly into the egg cell, can be used when sperm numbers are very low. It is possible to do ICSI with sperm aspirated directly from the testis (TESA) in cases where there is no sperm in the ejaculate due to obstruction along the ejaculatory duct (tube through which sperm ow to exit at the penis).

Other related medical conditions in SCD patients requiring IVF include Ovulatory dysfunction, unexplained infertilityand Endometriosis (where cells that should usually line the womb migrate to other parts of the body).

For IVF to be successful it typically requires a healthy egg, sperm that can fertilize, and a womb that can carry a pregnancy. But in patients where this is not the case, it isnow possible to screen

embryos formed from sperm and eggs to check for genetic or chromosomal abnormalities to determine which is healthy to be put back in the woman’s womb using Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT).

PGT is indicated in couples who: Ëž Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă–ĂŁ Ă’Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ëž Ă‹Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă‘Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹ gender-linked disease Ëž Ă–ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽ åÓÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? and need compatible cells from a second healthy child to cure the ďŹ rst, resulting in a “savior siblingâ€? ÞÒËÞ Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă’Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă• Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ÞãÚĂ?Ë› Pre-implantation Genetic Testing can be (PGT -A, -M,or -SR) PGT-A means Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies (checking for the presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell).

It was formally known as PGS (Pre-implantation Genetic Screening). It is the process of screening embryos from IVF procedure for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer with the goal of increasing the likelihood of achieving a successful pregnancy. It has been shown to: Ëž Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? ÞÓ×Ă? Ă“Ăž ÞËÕĂ?Ă? ÞÙ Ă‘Ă?Ăž ĂšĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ăž Ëž Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ę¨ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă? Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂœĂŁĂ™ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ăœ Ëž Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ëž Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă? Ëž Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă“Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ“ĂœĂžĂ’ rates.

PGT-M means Pre-implantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic / Single gene defect. It was formally known as PGD (Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis).It is a genetic test designed to reduce the risk of having a child with an inherited conditions. It is performed prior to pregnancy to greatly reduce the risk of having an aected child in couples who are at increased risk of passing on a speciďŹ c genetic condition. PGT-M is appropriate for couple with risk for having babies with Sickle Cell Disease.

This procedure can be used to analyze the genotype of each embryos generated through IVF. This analysis classiďŹ es the embryos into their respective genotypes of AS, SS, AA etc.

Normal embryos with AA are then selected and transferred back to the womb so babies born by this process though from two AS parents will be with an AA genotype to be continued next week

XTRA

Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÓÑÓÞÓĂ?Ă?ĂŽ ÙåĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž

A

t the just concluded IDC CIO Summit 2019 which held in Lagos today, Schneider Electric demonstrated the importance of digitised power monitoring in commercial and industrial buildings to enhance energy efficiency and power reliability.

Considering the inadequate power infrastructure and the resultant frequent blackouts experienced across the nation, Schneider Electric made a presentation at the summit on Digitising Power Management to Drive Energy Efficiency, highlighting the variables under our control to preserve the safety of consumers and the lifespan of electrical equipment.

Ifeanyi Odoh, Head Business Development and Offer Marketing for Anglophone West Africa at Schneider Electric explained how firms can save cost by deploying a range of Schneider Electric smart software that will automate power monitoring, protect electrical installations from overheating, power surges and fire.

He also enlightened the delegates of the possibility of detecting the health status of electrical installations by the use of these smart software. “A good understanding of the issues with your equipment and installations will help you avert major electrical hazards via early prevention�, he posited.

Odoh averred that firms can better protect their equipment and resolve issues around power quality by leveraging the benefits of Schneider Electric Eco

Ă?Ă‹ĂŽËœ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĘĽĂ?Ăœ Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂšĂ’Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ëœ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁĂ“ ĂŽĂ™Ă’Ëœ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?ËŞĂ? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ?

Ă&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă“Ăž ͺ͸͚Î

structure architecture.

The theme of the summit which was Strategies for an Era of Multiplied Innovation and Automation, focused on the increasing use of data for competitive advantage.

Speakers and panellists made presentations on how to help companies rethink the

way they leverage information, harness emerging ICT solutions, and facilitate organization-wide innovation, with the ultimate aim of making their enterprises more agile, efficient, and productive than ever before.

It has been forecasted that beyond 2022, we will see large-scale automation with

ubiquitous AI and robotics, the emergence of digital twins on a massive scale, and exponential change in the competitive landscape. We expect to see a new “IT world order�, built around changing technologies, new offerings, evolving business models, and emerging digital transformation.

35

F R I DAY ˾ Ͱʹ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

COLLAGE EVENTS

Clever Clogs Books Set to Host Inaugural Akada Children’s Book Festival

Awori Ibidapo Community Youth Forum Easter Fiesta, Synergy 2019, with the Secretary, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Govt, Hon. Olufemi Ayodele Jeje, (sixth left) at Oke-Ayo Iju Ishaga Lagos... recently BENGA UKANA

Gospel Artist, Evang Tope Alabi (left), during a visit to Gideon Orphanage and Aged Home in Abeokuta, during the annual Easter Monday celebration in Ogun State...recently

Clever Clogs Books has put plans in place to host the inaugural Akada Children’s Book Festival (ACBF) on Saturday, April 27 in Lagos.

Arguably the first ever book festival focusing on children, the ACBF is an initiative of the publisher of Clever Clogs Books, Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi.

Clever Clogs Books is a niche, start-up publishing house, focused on the production of Nigerian-themed children’s picture books that excite and inspire children, parents and teachers.

The event, which will be held in partnership with the British Council at their premises in Ikoyi, Lagos, has been designed to showcase children’s books written by African authors or books written by authors from around the world for children of colour.

The ACBF targets children aged 13 and below, parents, teachers and guardians as well as those who create childappropriate content. Scheduled as a one-day festival, the event is poised to attract over 900 attendees with various fun activities lined up.

The festival will also feature relevant activities such as workshops for writers and illustrators, authors’ showcase, interactive and engaging workshops for children, soft skills masterclasses for teachers and parents and a whole lot more.

Speakers to be featured at the workshops are thought leaders drawn from a wide variety of fields which include publishing, public speaking, entertainment, digital media, parenting and educational sectors of Nigeria.

They include: Children’s book author, Pastor Nomthi Odukoya; Founder of OloriSupergal, Tosin Ajibade; Fitness Coach, Maje Ayida; Family Life Therapist, Praise Fowowe; Queen’s Young Leader awardee, Hauwa Ojeifo; Big Brother Naija Ex-housemate, Alex “Unsual” Asogwa; CEO of the Omilola Oshikoya International Company, Omilola Oshikoya; Founder of LagosMums, Yetty Williams and more.

In the words of children’s book author and ACBF convener, Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi, “it is good for African children to see themselves in well produced, world class books. It helps their self-esteem and sense of identity”.

According to her, Clever Clogs Books desires to see Nigeria attain a hundred percent literacy rate and they’re working to achieve this through the books they publish, holding book reading sessions across schools in Nigeria and events such as the Akada Children’s Book Festival.

The ACBF 2019 also offers brands great partnership opportunities as it creates a unique platform to not only push the cause of child literacy but also provides brands the opportunity to engage their primary target audience.

If Nigeria is to attain as high as a eighty percentile literacy rate, events like the ACBF and such similar activities which promote books and the reading culture, while providing solutions to surrounding issues, are to be highly encouraged, supported and duly promoted.

Attendance for the Akada Children’s Book Festival is free but registration is compulsory. Schools and other childrenorganisations may register in groups by emailing akada@ cleverclogsbooks.com Visit www.cleverclogsbooks.com for more details and follow @cleverclogsbook on social media using the hashtag #AkadaFestival to join the conversation.

L-R: Chancellor, St Augustine Universty, Very Rev. Monsignor Anthony Obanla; Arcbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Matins; Cathedral Administrator, Rev. Fr. Marcecellinus Teko and Rev. Fr. Vitalis Ezeigwe, during the 2019 Chrism Mass at Holy Cross KOLAWOLE ALLI Cathedral, Lagos...yesterday

Principal/Director, Federal Government Girls College, Sagamu (FGGCS), Mrs. Tofunmi Akamo (middle), flanked by the students and winners of the school ICT Week and computer-based competition, organised by the school, in Sagamu, Ogun State...recently

Akada Children’s Book Festival

36

F R I DAY ˾ Ͱʹ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

POTPOURRI

Auctioneers Inaugurate Committee, Urge Members on Transparency Rebecca Ejifoma The Certified Institute of Auctioneers Nigeria (CIAN) Lagos Chapter has charged its members to be transparent in their dealings.

The institute made this charge as it inaugurated a new executive to take the body to the next level to meet global standards.

The second inaugural ceremony of its executive committee was held in Lagos with the theme, ‘Liquidating Collateral Assets in Nigeria Financial Institutions: Auction as a way out’.

Speaking on the theme, the chairman of CIAN Lagos, Mr. Adewumi Onanuga, said, “We are promoting our services especially to banks and other financial agencies that are holding on to so much assets.”

With the theme of his speech as, ‘A Reality Check’, Onanuga said it is because most of their relevant financial institutions are not living in the reality of “our time “.

He said: “Our financial institutions are not realistic

about the market situation.

They would rather carry the properties pledged in their books for several years knowing full well that in spite of the time added, the property will still not command a higher price to catch up with the interest charges on the loan.”

He decried, however, that AMCON had taken on the services of glorified debt collectors following its debt portfolio of trillions of naira.

“As auctioneers, we can help by either an open or public even a closed auction by secret offer bids will present a fair value at which the market is ready and willing to buy the property.”

He further suggested that financial institutions must then be prepared to face the reality and be decisive.

“It is high time other assets beyond landed properties were included as collaterals, real artworks/antiques, jewelleryand furniture among others”.

Therefore, Onanuga urged the state government to include assets from as minimal as office furniture, household appliances, office equip-

Registrar, Certified Institute of Auctioneers Nigeria (CIAN) Adeleke Hassan (left); Chairman Lagos chapter, Ade Onanuga; Chairman of the occasion, Gboyega Fatimileyin; Treasurer, Mrs Tina Aigbedion middle; Director of Licence, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperative, Alayande Olanrewaju; Guest Speaker, Leke Ogunlewe; and outgoing Chairman, Dr. Jogun Onabanjo, at the event

ment to vehicles, which are properties sometimes left to rot away in government yards and offices, adding that even uncompleted and abandoned projects fall into

this group.

Meanwhile, the Director of License, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperative, Mr. Alayande Olanrewaju lauded CIAN

LSGA,FIGCollaborateToDevelopGymnasticsinLagos Ayodeji Ake In a bid to fully develop gymnastics and make it a household affair in Nigeria, the Lagos State Gymnastics Association has partnered the International Gymnastics Federation to reposition the sport.

At a stakeholders’ meeting organised at the Upbeat Recreation Centre, Lekki, Lagos recently, the two organisations identified key areas to work on, with a view to improving the acceptance of gymnastics in Lagos.

The duo also brainstormed on solutions on how to make the sport a financially-rewarding activity for gymnasts and coaches.

Speaking at the event, Chairperson of LSGA, Moyo Ogunseinde, emphasised that the time

had come for gymnastics to be included in schools’ curriculum in Lagos and in fact Nigeria, so that young talents could be identified and nurtured early.

Ogunseinde, who has brought in new innovations and constantly engaged with relevant stakeholders since taking over the leadership of the association a few months ago, said that her team was working tirelessly to improve the welfare of athletes and coaches in the sport.

While unveiling a fouryear developmental plan for gymnastics in Lagos, she expressed belief that through increased collaborations and sponsorships, the sport could be one of the most popular activities among the young and old.

She said, “Our target is to make the sport

a household activity not just in Lagos but in Nigeria as a whole and it is for this reason we are clamouring for it to be included in the curriculum of schools in the state.

“We believe that in the next four years, the plans that we have outlined will no doubt have a significant impact on the development of gymnastics in this country.”

Commending LSGA for the initiative, Development Officer for Africa, FIG, Tseko Mogotsi, pointed that there was need for more funding in order to properly position the sport on the continent.

He said, “Funding is a big problem for gymnastics in Africa and that is why we must mobilise all available resources to drive the sport forward”.

Lagos Chapter for the inauguration.

He said: “This is a very welcome step. The truth is that auctioneering is just developing in Nigeria.

They have a lot of job to do in order to compete with auctioneering business as done abroad.”

GlamcliqFloatsMobileApp Ayodeji Ake An international brand, Glamcliq, envisioned to provide solutions to accessing quality beauty services remotely, has unveiled it mobile app ‘Glamcliq’.

According to them, it will serve as a connecting platform between vendors and customers in all locality.

The Chairman, Glamcliq, Amb. Elajoe Nwosu, told journalists in Lagos recently, that the app has been designed to bridge the gap between vendors of quality services and customers in all geographical territory, an avenue for investors and partnerships.

He said: “The whole idea is to bridge the gap between service providers especially those into cosmetics and fashion designers, and consumers.

Glamcliq team in a group photograph during the official app unveiling during in Lagos

“We understand that there are a lot of people with brand visibility but unable to locate their customers out there. With our app, they can easily locate them. With our app, the customer can get services from any location at any time. This app is a revolution app and it will change the fashion industry and the beauty industry.”

Glamcliq, he said exists in four countries - Nigeria, United State of America,

United Kingdom, and South Africa, noting that it is focusing on product penetration and more people signing up on Glamcliq.

“We know in the next two to three years, Glamcliq will be bigger than what we are seeing right now and that’s why we are reaching out to investors and partners who can join us at the early stage.

The whole idea is just about solving a problem” Nwosu said.

Fidelity Rewards Umuahia Customers with N2.3 million in Savings Promo Emmanuel Ugwu, Umuahia Mother luck came to the popular Isi Gate relief market in the heart of the capital city of Abia State on April 12, 2019. She smiled on six bank customers of Fidelity Bank Umuahia branch, who in turn smiled home with a total of N2.3 million among them.

The lucky customers were the winners in the get alert in millions Gaim Season 3, a long running promo in which the bank rewards its loyal customers who are holders of personal savings account or children’s savings account.

As the names of winners were called out, the crowd erupted in joyous acknowledgement.

First on the winners’ list was Kasinma Karen Uzoma, a 10 year old primary four pupil of Gleaming Moon School.

She won N150,000 in the children’s saving account category. Another child, Chiamaka Ndubuisi, an eight year old primary four pupil of Margaret Schools

Fidelity Bank promo winners in group photograph with the branch manager, Perpetual Ezumah

also collected N150,000 cheque.

In the personal savings account category, the winners were rewarded with N500,000 each. They include Emmanuel King-

sley Chibuisi, Emmanuel Echeta, Innocent Chimezie Ugwueje, and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Umuahia North branch.

Chibuisi said that he felt “it was a dream” the day

he was invited to Fidelity Bank and informed he had emerged winner in the promo.

“This is for real,” he declared as he danced at the presentation ceremony,

waving the N500,000 given to him. Chairman of PFN, Umuahia North, Apostle Ben Nwankwo, profusely thanked Fidelity for keeping its promise to reward its customers.

Mr. Ndubuisi, father of Chiamaka said that his daughter’s win came to him as a surprise. He told THISDAY that he merely opened the savings account for his child to make it easier for him to pay her school fees in case he was short of money. He therefore thanked Fidelity for adding to his daughter’s fortune.

The branch manager of Fidelity Bank Umuahia, Perpetua Ezuma, said that the presentation of cheques to the winners from Umuahia was a proof “that what we do is for real”.

She said similar presentation ceremonies had been held at Aba, Owerri and other places and it was the turn of the residents of the capital city of God’s own state to join the beneficiaries of the savings loyalty scheme.

Ezuma said the monetary rewards given to the winners could “make them go far” in their endeavours and such money could be put into business or education with the prospect of reaping bountiful dividends in future.

FRIDAY APRIL 26, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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38

F R I DAY Ëž Í°Í´Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

METRO

‌Your city life in print

Creating Awareness on Gender Issues In African Cities

Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ù××ÓÞ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ åÙ×Ă?Ă˜ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëž Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă—ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?ĂŁ Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă‹Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ&#x; Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă’

Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă‹Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂŽ Ă‹ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÞÙ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?ÓÞÓĂ?Ă?Ë› SUNDAYEHIGIATOR ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?

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here are growing debates about gender relationships in African societies. Emerging in the first place from feminist movements and academics, they quickly reached out to public spheres, especially in Nigeria. Particular attention has been paid to urban contexts, where women are said to be more likely to emancipate (professionally, economically and politically). At the same time, several researches in Europe have shown that it remains more complicated for women to move and walk freely in cities today.

Urban infrastructures are also still designed by and for men’s professional and leisure activities like sports.

These issues are particularly relevant in African urban contexts, whether in Lagos where women have long invested in public spaces and public transports to conduct economic activities and expand their social networks out of the domestic sphere, or in Abuja, administrative and political capital of Nigeria, where, despite the increasing role of women in politics and businesses, the influence of Islamic religion is still impacting their presence and flux out of the domestic sphere.

The joint debates organised by the French Cultural Network in Nigeria, in Abuja and Lagos represented great opportunities to discuss and interrogate the place of and for women in African cities, starting with institute examples, through questioning of public policies implementation, civil society initiatives and artistic productions exploring the notion of “gender of� and “gender in�

Nigerian and African cities.

Gender Equality In her address, Geographer, UniversitĂŠ de Grenoble, France, Professor Myriam Houssay-Holzschuch said in African cities and average cities in the world, women are so very much oppressed and dominated. According to her, “be it in private and public space. And that domination is a male domination, and it is enforced through a lot of different means that all needs to be tackled. “The means by which women are dominated varies from country to country.

There are set of rules that may protect and not protect women. Rules that may be implemented or not implemented. Police that are not helpful to women who have been attacked or assaulted. And social norms that make us being seen badly; or every women behaving not properly for instance; sexual or verbal harassment in the street. So all these are really core to reducing the rhythm of movement and the access to education, health etc. for so many women. “There certainly has been improvement in the treatment of women and push for gender equality. But we still have a very long way to go. Though we have been speaking about gender equality for a very long time, but we haven’t taken those steps that are necessary to ensure gender equality. So we speak about it, but we don’t do it that much.

My recommendation would be to tackle all the questions on gender equality at all levels. Be it at the state legislation level, or federal, in the health sector, education sector, security sector, to ensure that we have quality representation and so on.

All of us , in our everyday life, we should include gender equality in the way we behave, in the way we also teach our children for a more gender equal world. “I definitely don’t believe in the axiom that ‘women are the problems to themselves’. Women are not women’s problem. Men and patriarchal norms are women’s problem. And patriarchal norms are also men’s problem. The question here is, is it only women who have to do

L-R: Molara Wood, Prof. Myriam Houssay-Holzschuch, Tabia Princewill and Ireti Bakare-Yusuf, all panelists for the second roundtable “Gender of/in African cities�

Audience at the at the new Alliance Française /Mike Adenuga Centre

something for gender equality, men are also not up to the task. Secondly, women have been socialised into contributing to enforce the patriarchal from which they are suffering. So we also need to break that conditioning that has been imposed on us�.

Planning Cities Appropriately Also speaking, activist and journalist, Smooth FM, Nigeria, Ireti Bakare-Yusuf said it is so critically important to talk about gender in cities today. According to her, this is so “because we don’t think about the way the cities accept either gender. In fact, they have taken it for granted that, the way Lagos is, is the way Lagos is etc. We forget that cities are gendered. And because they are gendered, they actually exclude others, whereas, what cities should be, is a fair and safety place for all. Hence it should be fair to each group. “Conversations like this develops, expands, grows wings and legs and start happening in different corridors and phases when started. And eventually, they make their way upward to shape politics, behaviours, governance, urban planning, estate management, cities planning and public development. “So that is why I think they are really important because, if you plan a city with a woman in mind, trust me; you have

taken care of things for both genders including minorities. But, if you plan a city with just a man in mind, you just excluded those people. And that’s what must be taken away from these. When we plan our cities in Nigeria, when we plan our estates, we must start thinking about women. Not so much about the kitchen; because that is what she is interested in, no. Both genders experience cities differently. Take it up to the point of view of how women experience things. And how do you do that? Do surveys, ask questions, collate data. Because trust me, what you presume the answer would be is definitely not what the answer is. “And as a practical solution to our representation in cities, we can start creating pavements, we can start getting rid of interlocking stones; in other cities outside Nigeria like New York, London etc, the average woman can run to catch a bus in her heels. In Lagos, she can’t. And I am comparing metropolis. So let’s start having sidewalks in pavements, let’s get rid of those interlocking stones which I understand that they are relatively new to Nigeria. And it is unfortunate that as at the time they were deciding the outlooks of cities, nobody interjected to remind them to be conscious of how it is going to be for children and for women? You see children slipping over them all the time, so we can make those changes. We can

also make those changes in the way our estates are planned. “Therefore, we have somewhere like VGC for instance, was it planned from the point of view of a female? I say no, though they tried a bit, but more has to still be done. I don’t believe women are women’s problem either. We forget that patriarchy has been around for ever. It has been around for so long that it had become a norm. And from those norms, you bring in women whose mindsets have been socialised to think in a particular way. So no, women aren’t other women’s problem. “So what we need to do is to begin to reclaim our face, voices and actually force a demand for a change in the society for all and not for one; equity and equality. The rethink is being women mindful. Women are not our problem; the problem to men and women is patriarchy. Patriarch and norms are the ones that socialise the mind into thinking a particular way.

They are the ones that are encouraging these women that we are talking about to continue to abuse their daughters and sons because they were also brought up like that; and grew into that system. “So everybody’s enemy is one; and that is patriarchy. So let’s get rid of the patriarchal structures. Let’s get rid of patriarchy in our culture. Let’s install gainful patriarchal policies. Family court is a good example. How many men or good father’s are able to win in a family court? Not many. However, who do you think are the ones that design the laws that says, ‘women wins first in family courts’; men. So patriarchy is the problem, not another women. Those who says that haven’t interrogated the infiltration enough. If they had, they wouldn’t be saying that.�

Concept of Gender Speaking with THISDAY, Special Assistant to the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Tabia Princewill said, “I think the whole concept of gender in Africa is evolving because for a very long time; sadly women were pushed out of the public space.

Meaning that there is this impression that women were supposed to stay in the private space like home, and be more concerned with child rearing and taking care of the home etc. as opposed to being a boy in the public. But the truth is that, if you really researched the African history and culture in the past, you will realise that there was no cut chain up until the advent of colonisation. “We really need to go back and re-assess who we are as Africans.

Because a lot of the time, you would be surprised to find out that western norms came and changed our idea of what womanhood is. And the interesting thing about that is, they came and changed us; told us women should be in the kitchen, women should be in the private sector not in the public sector, and now, they are the ones trying to sell feminism into us. When in the actual sense, we were practising feminism even before they were. When the British came in the 19th century, they were surprised to see women who own properties, women who were doing business, and if you know what London was like in the 19th century; women could not own property or do business unless it was their husband’s running it. All they could do was assist.

Even at that, they were denied from doing so. So if we refer back to our history, we will realise that a lot of things we are doing today wasn’t part of us, but what was inherited from our colonial masters.�

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F R I DAY ˾ Ͱʹ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

CRIME&SECURITY

Curbing the Menance of Kidnapping Bola Ajao

According to the Oxford bibliography, kidnapping is the abduction of an individual against his or her will, usually followed by some duration of captivity. After the abolition of slave trade, kidnapping for rituals became a lucrative business in the western part of Africa and it was also a common source for slave trading of the black to the foreigners. A research conducted from 1992/ 1999 listed Nigeria in sixth position with total number of 34 reported cases against the 0.3 recorded value in 2013 with a total change of -6.86 per cent, while the present condition calls for concern.

The evolution of this business could be traced to the emergence of militancy in the Niger Delta in 2006 who originally were campaigning against environmental degradation, caused by the oil multinationals against their communities and which made life worthless for the inhabitants of the region and most significantly the attendant effects on their livelihood (fishing and all other riverine related businesses).

The agitation, fear of the unknown and unending calls for the release of beloved ones escalated the demands of kidnappers and contributed in no small measure to the high rise of people venturing into the kidnapping business. Another factor responsible for high demands include but are not limited to personality profiling of their captive, the position or status and the connection of the victim in the society.

The families are put through negative psychological trauma, some even lost their lives in the process of meeting the demands of the kidnappers. In some cases, ransoms were paid and captive unreleased and while some were released dead or recaptured to make higher demands. The effect is more enormous on the victim, who may likely live with depression, everlasting fear and above all lose trust in people and go into isolation, which may likely lead to depression.

Kidnapping business became so popular and earned Nigeria a position as the third most dangerous country in terms of abduction, with embassies sending a no-go signal to their citizenship. This business of kidnapping greatly trended unabated during the last administration, while most of their activities were restricted to the oil producing states, so unrepentant and adamant in their quests for fair sharing from the national cake through notorious activities. Other regions feigned ignorance and enjoyed a premature sense of relief with eyes half closed.

The inherent consequences caused by the unattended resolution to security alertness and strategy poised the blatant confrontation of the negative reality and which is almost too late as the fear of kidnappers have become the hard pills being swallowed by all and sundry regardless of region, sex, status and religion. Nigeria divided against itself, raising arms against the vulnerable and the centre refuses to hold while the sovereignty of our beloved country began to shake.

At the beginning, the menace was believed to be limited and restrained to the oil servicing employees, particularly the expatriates within the southern axis of the country, where security and safety became a matter of negotiation. The unavailability of loose money from the multinationals who would rather fortify their security apparatus than fund frequent unending ransom payment thereby shifted attention on rich individuals and well to do Nigerians.

It became the story of fish eating fish, this total revenue blockage and the urgent need for quick money created by the vacuum of the latter provided another avenue to channel their vengeance and target their kith and kins to maintain and sustain their affluence life style and satisfy their wide mouthed gluttony.

Festive periods and home coming became a no-go area for our brethren from the south

Some kidnappers recently arrested by IRT operatives

and Eastern part of the country, who were ordinarily known for showcasing their achievements and affluence at “home” for the natives to see how blessed they have become in their sojourn to big cities.

Gone are the days of come and see America wonders through the returnees as the fear of indiscriminate abduction and payment of high demand ransom is a bitter sweet hard kola they had to honestly weigh.

So the charade continued unchecked, bargaining continued and money continue to roll in for the kidnappers and their mighty godfathers who are out of the reach of the police. Thus, the contagious spread from geographical zones, regions, top to the low and cut across all socio-economic and political barriers and no more safe haven anywhere in the country. The stitch we refused to swiftly mend has become a torn garment ready to consume over 150 million Nigerians.

The world woke up to the dramatic turn in the method of kidnapping and abduction in 2015 laced with religious motive and bias for political control. Islamic extremist known as Boko Haram ( no to western education) came to limelight, struck and abducted 150 Chibok school girls during the examination period at a community in the Chibok community of Maiduguri, Northern state of the country. The multitude of numbers involved became worrisome and unprecedented in the history of the country and global attention was focused on Nigeria for the safe return of the school children. Five years after, Nigerians are still waiting for the safe rescue of the remaining girls still held hostage inside the forest of no return.

It later became a frequent operation in the area as many others follow such as the Dapchi abduction in February, 2018, more and more joined the league with little or no hope of freedom. No valid account of the whereabout of the hostages except for the few lucky ones who were either released after powerful negotiation (exchange) or ran way from the claws of their captives and later lived to tell the bitter ordeal. The mention of Sabisa forest therefore sends shiver done the spine of common Nigerians.

The failure of government to protect the citizenry from the claws of kidnappers and sustain the integration system of amnesty beneficiaries properly into the system and total check or overhauling of recycling submitted ammunition back into

the society especially back into the hands of the kidnappers, lack of basic amenities, employment, corruption,fragrant flaunt of wealth by children of political class, discrimination and segregation towards sharing of positions, and most importantly lack of transparency and accountability of stewardship by the public office holders are major causes of insurgencies around the globe.

Another reason for the up rise in kidnapping is lack of political commitment on the part of the government to implement the capital punishment enshrined in the constitution and judiciously bring to book these culprits within a limited time frame. The crime attracts life sentencing or jail terms between 10/30 years for convicted person but even the famous tabloid reported case of Evans have not been concluded months after the arrest, hence the reason while the heinous crime continues to trend unperturbed.

The South-west, which was known for its peaceful and harmonious atmosphere with receptive hospitality towards visitors and investors also have it share story as its currently exposed to the dangers of kidnapping due to its commercial relevance and also as economic hub centre with grandeur lifestyle, especially Lagos with its aquatic link to border states. They make use of their swimming prowess and ability to walk the swamp to launch attack on innocent inhabitants of states/ cities endowed with rivers and sea who are primarily vulnerable to their strategic random attack. The riverine community became a hidden treasure for these perpetrators who easily mingled among the natives.

Research has shown that criminals are harbored within the community for a give a way token or with threat of coming back for reprisal if their identity or existence is revealed. Some of the natives even volunteer to carter for the hostages or source for intelligence information for the kidnappers as a result of economic hardship and ignorance of the evil being perpetrated.

Their method of operation varies from top to down,very important personality to the down trodden petty traders, peasant farmers and the likes, its business as usual for whoever can meet their demands .

The business of kidnapping has become an unchecked menace, hitting deep into our system and causing havoc and agony

with everlasting devastation and bitter taste in the mouth of victims and their families. Daily post recently listed eight states with highest rate of kidnapping and which include, Zamfara, Rivers, Lagos, Jigawa,Delta, Kogi, Bayelsa and Kaduna State.

A victim who was recently released disclosed that the experience is better imagined than experienced as they were exposed to all sorts of torture, trauma and threats of loss of lives if demands were unmet by family members. Eating became a privilege, marching through the forest unguided at night, transiting from base to base on unstable river, all these and many more looming dangers are what the victims are confronted with, away from the comfort of their homes.

Like a tree, the perpetrators are branched, connected and well equipped with state of the art modern devices that makes tracking cumbersome and puts them always a step ahead of the security agencies in terms of professionalism, information gathering and management. Whether we like it or not some of the bad eggs in the security formation are snitches who are planted and on the pay roll to reveal and divulge top secret information to the perpetrators for a maintenance fee.

Collectively, we can rid our country of this people or reduce to barest minimum their operation if we come together as a team and give information that will enable the police trial and rescue the victims and reunite them unhurt to their families.

Other developed countries also count on their people for accurate information sharing without holding back a bit and this can be replicated back home. The police need to build the confidence of the people in doling out information. Kidnappers are not spirit, but human beings with hardened minds who are getting back to the society for their perceived grievances and inability to make a livelihood.

Nigeria is bigger than every individual, thus all hands must be on deck to curb this menace and foster peaceful co-existence without fear or prejudice against each other.

Therefore, let us abolish fear and build a crime-free entity where love and unity exist. If you know something, please say something, as this might save a life and bring succor to a family. rAjao writes from the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy

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F R I DAY ˾ Ͱʹ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

LIFE

Miss Aviation Nigeria Queens: Ready to Take the World by Storm Queens of Miss Aviation Nigeria, Urhoghide Aizeyosabor, Nadoo Jombo and Precious Ameachi, are ready to take the world by storm. Already, they have individually begun their impactful pet projects. MARY NNAH captures their works and picks their brains on matters of beauty and society

The aviation queens

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t took the beauty and talents of a young Nigerian lady to convince Nigerians that truly the world could be taken. That lady was Agbani Darego, MFR. When the beauty queen got crowned Miss World in 2001, it was some great motivation to all young Nigerians. Agbani became the first native African to win Miss World.

Since then, there has been a boom for Nigerian models in pageantry, and modelling in general. It’s such boom that has also inspired the creation of Mr. and Ms. Aviation Nigeria. When Mr and Ms Aviation Nigeria (MAMAN) hosted her Miss Aviation Nigeria beauty pageant it was quite an event. At the end, three beautiful ladies emerged winner, first and second runner ups.

24-year-old Aizeyosabor, who became the winner of the Miss Aviation Nigeria 2018/19 edition, is a Business Developer from Edo State.

Jombo on the other hand is a flight attendant with a Nigerian Airline. She also runs an Instagram store called @nadinecollections. She was the first runner up. While Ameachi, who was second runner up as Miss Charming, is an insurance banking staffer and a graduate of Houdegbe North American University Benin.

Pet Projects These three amazing queens finally got hold of their dreams. They are set to fly. Ready to experience the glam, glitz and most importantly they are willing to oblige their services as required of queens.

Jombo already kicked started her ‘Put A Smile Project’ for sick kids in the hospital since March 22. She goes visiting and distributing food items and general supplies to the children’s ward most especially.

In the same light, Aizeyosabor started a project called ‘Beam The Light Campaign’. It’s a project that enlightens young Nigerians on the causes, effects and possible cure of depression and how it affects them as individuals.

Aizeyosabor believes depression has the ability to reduce the possibility of success in the lives of young Nigerians because it causes a feeling of guilt and worthlessness that tends to disable the mind’s ability to think towards progress.

According to her, “How can you achieve it if you can’t even think it? The Beam The Light Campaign is still ongoing. I have also done some charity outreach and I’m working on a project called Aviation Beyond The Pilot which aims at educating young Nigerians on the career opportunities in the Aviation sector not just the pilot or cabin crew only as most people currently believe. I also intend to do a lot more outreach and give a voice to many

social issues in the society”.

MAMAN Platform Miss Aviation Nigeria is the first of its kind.

The organisers had the idea primarily to help expose the various opportunities that’s available in the Aviation sector. “MAMAN is a platform to be proud of, Aviation is a serious business but MAMAN is spicing it up by adding fashion and fun into aviation. It is a platform that gives you the opportunity to fly, slay and queen at the same time, as well as contribute to the society. It is the first platform in recent times to organise an aviation beauty pageant,” said Jombo.

For Ameachi, “it is a free and fair pageant, you don’t have to know anyone to become queen, it is strictly based on merit. That’s what makes MAMAN different.”

Aizeyosabor, as a toddler may not have thought about being a beauty queen. She started nursing the idea when she was about 15years old. She was approached by some seniors back in the secondary school to contest for their school pageant — basically for her slim and tall characteristics — and since winning that, there’s been no looking back for her.

Jombo said she indeed saw herself winning even before she came to the house and after she saw the other contestants, nothing changed.

Her goal was either to win the crown or the people. And she’s grateful to God that she came first runner up.

Life as Queens One often wonders how the day-to-day living is for the beauty queens. Do they live the lifestyles of queens or they just dress and wear crowns? What changes when they emerge winner of a pageant?

Aizeyosabor explained that she has always intentionally made deliberate attempts to live an exemplary lifestyle even before she got the title. Now that she’s won the prize and has become an actual queen, nothing has changed.

But as regards her makeup gig, that has had to be more consistent. Nowadays she dares not show up in any event without a make up on.

“As a beauty queen there are definitely going to be cameras on you and having a knowledge of cameras I understand that you do not want to show up in front of a camera without any make up at all. So, no more team natural face for major events and MAMAN meetings. This doesn’t mean I wear make all the time though,” she postulated as she laughed.

Camp Experience So what goes on in the beauty pageant house that prepared these young ladies for the life

of a queen? Jombo’s house experience with other contestants was quite fun and interesting.

She said she met a lot of different characters as well as great cooks. She thinks they were all nice persons with no unnecessary dramas.

While Aizeyosabor acknowledged the diversities of ethnicity, culture and background of the contestants, that didn’t hinder her from the excitement and education the house provided.

She said the different contestants had unique actions and reactions to situations and that contributed to the learning and moments of enjoyment for her.

“It was a memorable experience, having to experience different cultures. Good thing my counterparts were easy going and fun. I must say we all worked as a team, employing division of labour. Camping fostered a positive relationship amongst ourselves, and we still keep in touch till date,” said Ameachi.

Aftermath The competition to emerge winner of pageantries is usually quite intense. When all the ladies come for a beauty pageant show, they all want to win. So when one of them is finally announced winner, others are left with the experience.

For Jombo, the feeling for her was mixed but great. According to her, it would have been very sweet if she was the winner. “Truth is I was misled by the crowd, they really cheered for me but all the same I thank God for the first runner-up position, and the fact that I won the crowd.”

So everyone wants to win. But what’s the number one factor to winning? Ameachi said it is all about the amount of confidence you have inside of you. In her own opinion, confidence is a crown every queen should always have on. “I was very much aware that without confidence, I could easily be thrown off balance especially during the question and answer session, therefore, I ensured I was confident all through”.

When you emerge winner, you are expected to carry out different pet projects and impact the world the way a queen would. Many cope well with this and for a few it is quite challenging. Aizeyosabor said she wouldn’t really say coping because she enjoyed every moment of it. “Yes it’s been quite tasking but it’s the kind of task that I will sign up for over and over again.

But I have really had to do a lot of prioritising and time management in order to enable me manage all the things I have to do before the end of my reign”.

We remember past queens of various beauty pageants for many things. Jombo wants to be remembered as a beauty with brains. She

wants to be remembered for her kindness, her services to humanity, her charity and hard work.

Life for Aizeyosabor, since she became Miss Aviation Nigeria has been a mixture of adventure, excitement, education and challenges. She’s done things she never knew she was capable of and she has made decisions and managed situations in ways that have only ever occurred in her head before now.

She has met wonderful people, met people that required a lot of management and she has had the opportunity to visit places she probably would not have reached yet but for the title.

Beauty Routines Pageantry isn’t all about saving the world though. There’s a reason it’s called a beauty pageant. The ladies are fashionable and beautiful. They have their beauty tips and takes. For instance, Ameachi’ routine is a simple washing and cleansing of her face twice daily.

She doesn’t use much cosmetic products for she likes to stick to a more natural routine. She moisturises with olive, almond or coconut oil daily. Accessories (earrings and belts especially) are a must have for her. They have a way of accentuating one’s appearance even without making so much effort, she said.

Jombo is mostly comfortable in free mini dresses, palazzo pants and blouses. And she doesn’t have a no-no when it comes to fashion statement because as she puts it ‘today’s fashion is crazy’.

And the fashion items you will find in Aizeyosabor’s hand bag are compact powder, foundation, concealer, brow fillers, eyeliner, lip stick, lip gloss/balm, eye-shadow, bronzer and highlighter and brushes to apply.

Aspiration for Nollywood Nollywood is one of Nigeria’s biggest entertainment exports. And all the ladies of Miss Aviation Nigeria want a movie role fast.

“Yes, I am open to Nollywood movies, in fact I would really love to feature in one, as a child I used to be a TV star acting on kiddies’ station”, Jombo said.

And for Aizeyosabor, she does really love the great job that is being done in the movie industry and quite reckons with the rate at which it has grown over the years. She looks forward to being a part of it soon. Jombo is also open to starring in the Nollywood movies.

She said she is proud of how far the industry has gone and how much it has achieved.

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T H I S D AY ˾

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BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Rabiu: CIPM Does Not Tolerate Quacks The Group Chief Human Resource Officer, Dangote Cement Plc, Dr Musa Rabiu, who is aspiring to be the President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, in this interview speaks about plans for the institute if elected in an election which holds next Tuesday. Obinna Chima presents the excerpts:

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ow will you rate HR professionals in Nigeria?

There are excellent HR professionals in Nigeria who over the years have developed and acquired professional skills. However, there are HR practitioners who are not professionals and this type can be rated as practising below the minimum professional standard. I expect every practitioner to have acquired the CIPM HRPL to practise as a professional. Any practitioner who is not a professional is like a quack and CIPM does not tolerate quackery.

One of the challenges facing managers today is employing personnel with the right skills. How does this affect productivity in the workplace generally?

The HR professional is the key facilitator of productivity in the organisation. This is because the recruitment of people for the organization involves the attraction of talents (i.e skills set) and the application of the right skill sets creates and delivers value in the organisation irrespective of the industry.

When the right skills set are not hired then productivity which leads to value creation cannot be achieved. The application of the right skills set which is underpinned by relevant knowledge, attitude and behaviour provide basis for productivity at the workplace. The right skills should cover the core discipline, inter discipline and leadership competencies and these should be available at the right time and place for effective organisational performance.

How do you think HR professionals can meet up with the rising pace of technology adoption?

Technology is a critical enabler for the effective use of other factors of production such as people, money, machines and materials.

Since people at workplace create the value in production it is imperative that the HR professional understands the application technology relevant to his job role in the organisation.

Consequently, the HR professional has to be up to date on the skills required for the deployment

Why are you aspiring to be the president of the institute?

I am aspiring to be the next President of CIPM to serve our members and the country.

This has been my motivation since 1994 when I joined the Institute. I was Chairman of Delta State Branch 20 years ago and Registrar/ CEO of the Institute about 10 years (2008-2010).

Also, I was an elected Council member about 9 years ago and Chairman of the Management of National Unemployment Challenge (MNUC) Committee. These are in addition to my membership of Strategic Planning and Implementation Committee, Public Policy Advocacy Committee and Board of Fellows of the Institute. It is all about service and in each of the assignments I left a track record of excellent achievements.

Rabiu

and use of technology to enable the entire HRM value chain (ie attraction, recruitment, performance management, compensation and benefits, employees and industrial relations).

In the last 50 years, the HR profession globally has evolved from Personnel Management to HRM then to Strategic HRM and now Human Capital Management. The period coincided with transition from analogue technology to digital technology. We are in the era of paperless office management, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and making sense of big data for people management in the organisation. The HR professional is expected to be equipped (e.g ICT literacy) in the current HCM phase to carry out HR analytics and meet the expectations of the young workers (i.e Millennials) at the work place.

What has been the contribution of the CIPM to Nigeria’s development over the

years?

CIPM since its establishment 50 years ago has provided a common platform for all HR practitioners desiring for professional excellence to congregate to address HRM issues in Nigeria which has been an inspiration to other countries in Africa. It is a Chartered Institute empowered by law to regulate the HRM practice in Nigeria. CIPM has over 12,000 members across sectors of the Nigeria economy and abroad. These members have been adding value in their organisations to improve people management. The institute has contributed in the training of federal public servants at directorate cadre level. It has been contributing on HRM matters at the federal government quarterly review meeting and it is an active member of the National Employment Council. CIPM has provided advice on the setting of the minimum wage in the last 10 years.

What Should members expect from you if elected by president?

So, I am seeking the mandate of the distinguished members of the institute to cap my service through election as the President of the Institute on April 30 2019. I will focus on the three strategic areas namely governance, brand and capacity building. Under governance, I will strengthen the effectiveness of the Governing Council and Branches; empower the branches to extend and consolidate their footprint and finally promote membership diversity in Committees of Council. Under branding, I will improve our membership value proposition, make more effective the regulatory role of the Institute and position the Institute as an emerging HRM Thought Leadership platform in Africa. Finally, capacity building efforts will target employees at the secretariat to improve both executive and administrative skills set. I will enhance the current mandatory continuous professional education (MCPE) for our members with particular focus on equipping the next generation of leaders (ie the Millennials) who will take the baton of leadership from us.

I need the support of all council members to succeed in these areas. Please all CIPM members should cast their ballot for me as the next President of CIPM.

Need to Embrace Trade Facilitation processing or risk management more difficult to implement. Evidence available to date suggests that these costs are more than offset by staff savings at the border and by enhanced control and revenue collection, “the report said.

Benefits and Costs OECD said most developing countries that have taken the plunge have seen the benefits exceed the costs, in many cases by a very wide margin.

“By the time it was mid-way through a five-year customs modernisation programme, Angola had increased revenue by 150 per cent and reduced customs procedures to 24 hours.

Making the nuts and bolts of trading procedure easier to navigate requires transparency in the regulations and procedures, and consistency, predictability and non-discrimination in their application. Traders also need to be able to provide feedback on where the system works well and where it poses them problems.

“Transparency of relevant domestic regulations, procedures and practices is widely recognised as essential for ensuring that regulatory objectives are achieved efficiently while at the same time enhancing the benefits expected from trade and investment liberalisation. Businesses need to be able to fully understand the conditions and constraints for entering and operating in a market. Openness about the way the system works also improves public confidence in the government’s performance and that of the regulatory system. Among transparency measures, internet publication, setting up enquiry points or issuing advance rulings will entail some inception and training costs but these are mostly counterbalanced by cost savings in other areas, “it revealed.

The report stated that the notion of openness is a two-way street adding that governments generally maintain formal consultative arrangements with stakeholders such as importers’ associations, government agencies, and the trading community.

It stated: “Surveyed countries said that this required no extra cost since the involvement of stakeholders was already central to the operation of customs.

Consistency and predictability in the application of rules and procedures is also important. Traders need to know what to expect in their everyday dealings with Customs and other border agencies and how to act if a problem arises. The introduction of appeal procedures in the countries that do not already have them in place will entail some institutional costs and these are usually absorbed in the countries’ court systems.

“Simplifying border procedures is at the heart of trade facilitation. One method that helps reduce waiting time at the border is to allow traders and transporters to file the documentation for a shipment before it actually arrives at the border.

This requires a certain degree of automation on the Customs side as the most efficient way to do this is online. Nonetheless, even the limited use of advance filing of documents has generated important savings in the number of staff engaged in processing documents and reduced border crossing times.

“Another useful tool is risk assessment, a technique to assess and manage the risk that an individual shipment violates border controls.

This allows Customs administrations to devote minimal attention to “low risk” travellers and shipments, allowing the re-deployment of Customs resources on intensified controls for travellers and shipments judged to represent a higher, or unknown, risk. Such systems also do away with

unnecessary burdens on traders by downscaling physical inspection and reducing bottlenecks at border crossings.”

This, the report stated, is one of the costliest trade facilitation measures as it requires investment in infrastructure and specialist training.

Reducing Number of Cargoes “But it also produces significant benefits, not just in reducing the number of cargoes that need to be inspected, but also in speeding up the processing of advance documentation. For governments, there is also the issue of co-operation between Customs authorities and other border agencies, such as sanitary, agriculture, or police authorities.

In many countries although there is no formal framework to ensure inspections by different authorities are carried out at the same time, it does happen in practice,” it said.

OECD said the key advantages of achieving a WTO undertaking on trade facilitation would be renewed political impetus to make border controls more efficient and strengthened international coherence in tackling the issue.

It added that the need to enhance efficiency in order to face an increasingly complex international trading environment has been an important driving force behind national Customs reforms around the world in recent years.

“However, it has frequently not gone far enough to do away with deeply entrenched outdated institutional settings and cumbersome procedures. To be successful, a trade facilitation agenda needs wide political support and the sustained commitment of those involved in formulating and implementing trade policy. Trade facilitation rules in the framework of the WTO could offer this missing impetus at the multilateral

level, providing an external discipline to ensure continuing domestic political commitment and shield from temptations to backtrack.

“Coherence is also essential. Trade facilitation efforts, national or international, need to be consistent between different policy areas. A coherent multilateral setting would provide a solid background for designing well targeted technical assistance and capacity building projects, overcoming regional divides, ensuring that the projects’ different components are mutually supportive and better targeting aspects of co-operation between border agencies of concerned countries. It should be borne in mind that possible commitments on trade facilitation are principally about working together towards the common goal of domestic and global efficiency and enhanced governance, rather than about countries making concessions as is the case with many WTO negotiations, “it stated.

OECED added that the focus would be on benchmarking, capacity building and peer pressure to provide momentum, “diluting the prospect of litigation under the dispute settlement mechanism.

To act as a driving force, such a multilateral effort needs to be challenging, but at the same time realistic. No external discipline or pressure can deliver tangible outcomes if the commitments go beyond the existing capacity of a particular country to meet them.

“Multilateral disciplines on trade facilitation will ensure a broad level of predictability in border controls in all participating countries, simplifying trade for all participants. The prospect of this benefit should bolster the willingness of donor agencies and the private sector to provide technical assistance aimed at underwriting the implementation of related commitments.”

42

T H I S D AY Ëž

Ͱʹ˜ 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Elumelu Urges Govts to Create Favourable Tax Policies Obinna Chima The Chairman, Heirs Holdings and Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Mr. Tony Elumelu has called for far reaching tax reforms.

Elumelu also advised the National Assembly to urgently pass the Executive Tax bill into law.

Elumelu made this statement when he delivered the keynote address at the 21st Annual Tax Conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) titled: “National Development: Unlocking the Potentials of Taxation,� held in Abuja.

Speaking on the challenges that stifle small businesses, Elumelu quoted a young entrepreneur beneficiary of the TEF to have said, “the average business owner in Nigeria is a local government authority on his own because he caters for his own electricity with generators, he builds his own borehole, handles his own waste disposal, and the government can make his life easier by creating favourable tax policies

that support SMEs.�

Elumelu also lamented the plight of SMEs at the mercy of the tax system revealing, “the average number of taxes businesses pay in Nigeria is 48, compared to 33 in other Sub-Saharan countries. In Hong Kong, it’s just 3. Multiple taxation remains a significant burden for SMEs and corporates operating in the country.�

He added: “With a population of close to 200 million people in Nigeria, we have only 75,000 registered SMEs in the country.

No one needs to tell us that people are avoiding tax or refusing to be a part of the system.� With high cost of compliance, complex and costly business registration processes, many SMEs are choosing to remain informal, which in turn results in a low tax base and low tax contribution to GDP, he said.

According to him, “Nigeria’s tax to GDP ratio is only circa six per cent, compared to far smaller populations like Rwanda at 16 per cent. Imagine the economic transformation we can achieve as a country if we can move our Tax to GDP ratio by 10 per cent.

We will raise an additional $40 billion in government revenue - identical to the sum of our foreign reserves.� Furthermore, Elumelu advised governments at all level to educate, inform and raise tax awareness. “Government should drive mass mobilisation of citizens - let citizens know why they need to pay taxes and give them the assurance that their tax will be properly utilised.

In addition, he stated that, “government should employ the use of smart tax incentives to attract and incentivise local and foreign investors.�

Elumelu also urged the country’s ambassadors and embassies with a two year timeline to increase the number of double tax treaties between host countries and Nigeria. “Nigeria has 14 taxation treaties while a country like South Africa has 79 double taxation treaties, and we are the largest economy in Africa. Our embassies should adopt a target in the next two years to sign Tax treaties with our top 100 trading partners in the world.�

Ecobank Promises to Sustain Impressive Performance Peter Uzoho Ă“Ă˜ Ù×Ă?Ëœ ÙÑÙ The Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), parent company of all Ecobank subsidiaries, Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, has assured stakeholders that efforts are being intensified to sustain the positive performance recorded by the financial institution going forward.

Ikazoboh stated this while presenting the bank’s 2018 financial report at the 31st annual general meeting (AGM) held in Lome, Togo.

After posting a loss in 2016, ETI bounced back into profit in 2017 and consolidated on that performance in 2018 by growing its profit after tax by 46 per cent to N136 billion.

The chairman said the results reflected the continued discipline in cost management, commitment to risk management and the ongoing clean-up of the

bank’s credit portfolio, saying the efficiency or cost-to-income ratio has steadily improved to 61.5 per cent in 2018 despite tepid revenue growth.

He said: “Our capital levels remain adequate. The Group’s Base II/III Capital Adequacy Ratio of 13.6 per cent is above the regulatory limit and each of our subsidiaries is meeting its capital commitments as well.

However, your board believes that in the near-term, to meet our planned growth initiatives, and to ensure that we win in key countries such as Nigeria and Kenya, we will need to boost capital levels through a combination of fresh equity injections and the reinvestments of profits.�

According to him, notwithstanding the improvement recorded in the year under review and the importance of paying dividends to shareholders, the board has taken a decision not to

pay dividends to shareholders.

He attributed the decision to factors such as the impending regulatory capital requirements of the group and the need to build the holding company’s liquidity buffers.

He, however assured that dividends would be paid to shareholders as a soon as the bank has a strong balance sheet and solid capital base. “We assure you that while this was a hard decision, it was taken in the best interest of the company. We want to make sure we attend to the capital needs of all our subsidiaries before can start paying dividends.�

Also speaking, the Group Chief Executive Officer, ETI, Mr. Ade Ayeyemi, described the bank’s financial results in 2018 as remarkable in many ways, saying it reflects the meaningful and significant progress they made in the execution of “our Roadmap to Leadership strategy�.

RMB Nigeria Launches Online Transactional Banking Platform Hamid Ayodeji Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria (RMBN) has launched a banking solution known as ‘RMBN Digital,’ with the aim of at enhancing the transactional banking experience of its clients.

The Chief Executive Officer, Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria, Michael Larbie, who spoke at the launch of the digital platform in Lagos, said with the solution, RMBN aims to offer clients significant value by providing the “best user experience through a simple and secure channel.�

He added: “By integrating traditional banking with the online banking experience, we will build and foster a stronger connection with our clients and have a deeper level of customer engagement.�

Also, the Head of Corporate Banking, RMBN, Taiwo Shote,

noted that with the new solution, the bank was living up to its slogan of being, “an innovative and solutions-driven bank.�.

He added: “We are ensuring that our clients enjoy a seamless and secure digital banking experience.�

He said the online banking offering was aimed at efficient cash management through adequate and accurate financial reporting as well as the timely processing of transactions. “We understand the desires of our clients, top of which is to be able to access and activate banking transactions on the go while having a full view of transactions as they do business across different sectors and markets,� Shote added. “Understanding the needs of our clients enables us to partner with them across the entire value chain, enabling us to provide the appropriate corporate banking,

advisory, financing, trading and risk management solutions�.

RMBN Digital is a dynamic platform that can be accessed via desktops, tablets, smart phones and integrated business-to-business systems. These channels may be configured by businesses to match the processing and reconciliation of banking transactions on their enterprise systems to ease administration and comply with reporting requirements.

The platform enables bulk payments in both local and foreign currencies; the viewing and downloading of real-time account balances and statements; and loan and fixed deposit reports. In addition, funds may be transferred internally or across borders, beneficiary advisories may be sent to third parties; payment advisories may be generated on all transactions; and instant payments could be processed.

L-R: Managing Director/Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri; CEO, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr. Yinka Sanni; MD/CEO, First Registrars & Investors Services Limited, and Director, CSCS Plc, Mr. Bayo Olugbemi; Group Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Heirs Holdings, Mr. Emmanuel Nnorom; Chief Risk OďŹƒcer, CSCS Plc, Mr. Ayokunle Adaralegbe; and former Director, CSCS Plc, Mr. Sola Adeeyo, at the CSCS Stakeholders’ Evening held in Lagos‌recently.

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

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Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ ͰͲ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $73.43 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $73.37 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

43

T H I S D AY ˾

Ͱʹ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

MARKET NEWS

Shareholders Restate Support for Sterling Bank Directors Goddy Egene Shareholders of Sterling Bank Plc yesterday restated their support for the board and management of the bank based on the improved performance recorded in the 2018 financial year.

Speaking on the performance of the bank at the 57th annual general meeting (AGM) in Lagos, President of the Nigerian Shareholders’ Solidarity

Association (NSSA), Chief Timothy Adesiyan said the performance of the bank was highly commendable in view of the significant improvement in most of the indices.

According to him, although the bank is not paying any dividend to shareholders for the year, they are happy with the capital appreciation of the share price and the future bountiful dividends that await they.

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

Also commenting, National Coordinator Shareholders United Front (SUF), Mr. Gbenga Idowu, said the results reflected a very good start

by Mr. Abubakar Suleiman as CEO of the bank, who took over from Mr. Yemi Adeola a year ago..

In his address, Chairman of the board of directors of the bank, Mr. Asue Ighodalo said:“Our financial results in 2018 reflect an even stronger

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business performance despite the impact of an ailing operating environment.”

He explained that the bank sustained earnings growth momentum in 2018 as gross earnings grew by 14 per cent to N152.2 billion from N133.5 billion recorded in 2017.

According to him, despite the fact that operating expenses increased by 26.4 to N66.9 billion due to investment in human capital and technology,

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

the bank grew profit before tax by 17.1 per cent to N9.5 billion and profit after tax by 14.9 per cent to N9.2 billion.

Ighodalo said Sterling Bank ended 2018 with an improved balance sheet position as total assets grew steadily by about 2.9 percent to N1.1 trillion.

“We continued to sustain operational efficiencies and our focus in growing the bank’s retail franchise. This resulted in an improved deposit base

O F

and moderate growth in our loan book, specifically riding on the 108.3 percent growth in retail and consumer loans delivered mainly by SPECTA Nigeria’s fastest digital lending platform,” he said.

The chairman said the bank was able to maintain the cost of funds at 7.4 per cent amidst high-interest environment which persisted for a significant part of the year.

2 5 / 0 4 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

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44

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͺ;˜ ͺ͸͹ͷ

MARKET NEWS

Wigwe: Access Bank Committed to Shareholder Value Optimisation Goddy Egene The Group Managing Director/ CEO of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, yesterday said the bank would remain committed to optimisation of shareholders value, stressing that better things were ahead in terms of dividend and others.

Speaking at the bank’s 30th annual general meeting (AGM)

in Lagos, Wigwe appreciated the shareholders for their support in the consummation of Diamond Bank merger.

According to him, the merger brought together Access Bank’s strong wholesale banking capabilities and Diamond Bank’s unparalleled retail expertise.

He stated that the bank would create an institution with over 27 million customers, 3,100 ATMs

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

and 33,000 POS as well as over 10 million mobile customers.

Wigwe, who assured shareholders of enhanced value creation in the years to come, said that the 50 kobo dividend was due to the bank’s decision to depend on organic capital during the period under review.

According to him, 2018 marked a significant year of progress for the bank amidst an unfavourable

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 24Apr-2019, unless otherwise stated.

macro climate.

“We made solid progress throughout 2018 in line with our 2018-2022 five-year strategy, and we remain committed to the achievement of our strategic imperatives going forward; as we continue to invest in our people and technology in order to improve operational efficiency and service touch points with earnings growth in 2019.”

The shareholders of the bank commended the board and management for consummation of the merger and payment of dividend to investors of both banks.

For instance, founding National Coordinator of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria(ISAN) Sunny Nwosu, hailed the bank for ensuring that shareholders of former

Diamond Bank benefit from the 2018 dividend.

“We are happy that every member of Access and Diamond are sharing from the 25 kobo final dividend,” Nwosu said, noting that they would continue to support the bank.

Another shareholder, Mr Nona Awoh, commended the bank’s effort in debt recovery and urged them to maintain the tempo.

Offer price: T 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 5.27% ACAP Income Funds 0.63 0.63 12.42% 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 13.07% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.29 2.31 3.09% 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 16.51 17.01 -0.46% ARM Discovery Fund 358.94 369.77 0.65% ARM Ethical Fund 29.52 30.41 4.53% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.25% 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 100.47 101.18 -0.71% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.77% 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 13.75% Paramount Equity Fund 12.15 12.24 2.82% Women's Investment Fund 106.44 106.98 2.72% 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 12.65% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 98.79 99.23 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 101.57 101.28 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 N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 12.00% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.34% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 0.00 0.00 -100.00% FBN Heritage Fund 145.67 146.70 1.58% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.40% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 0.00 0.00 -100.00% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 0.00 0.00 -100.00% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 146.10 148.21 -2.60% 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 1.18 1.20 -2.95% Legacy Debt Fund 3.37 3.37 3.82% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.04 1.04 1.48% 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 2,987.73 3,019.63 0.15% Coral Income Fund 2,865.74 2,865.74 4.61% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.40% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 109.52 109.96 1.76% 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 2.16 2.18 0.40% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.29% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 125.44 125.67 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 1.17 1.19 2.39% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,087.79 1,087.79 4.26% 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 11.15 11.21 -3.24% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.60% 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 1.27 1.29 3.48% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.50 11.55 3.25% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.34% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 121.19 121.76 0.38% 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 1.01 1.01 4.31% 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 2,374.53 2,387.94 2.60% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 198.65 198.65 4.48% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.95 0.96 0.53% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 251.89 251.92 1.91% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 163.23 165.02 0.05% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.73% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,347.70 8,443.81 -1.69% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.11 1.11 -0.24% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.19 1.21 0.18% United Capital Bond Fund 1.67 1.67 4.84% United Capital Equity Fund 0.69 0.71 -2.12% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.04% United Capital Eurobond Fund 110.06 110.06 2.61% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.12 1.13 2.87% 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 10.82 10.99 2.48% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.26 12.41 2.65% Zenith Income Fund 21.62 21.62 12.16% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.50%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.40 120.06 52.31

-44.85% 1.98% 1.10%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.27 105.69 85.97

10.37 107.95 87.56

-2.65% -9.89% -3.05%

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

3.86 6.71 14.00 11.44 153.94

3.90 6.79 14.10 11.64 155.94

-3.46% -11.89% -6.32% -7.42% 7.19%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

106.90

17.40%

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.

45

FRIDAY APRIL 26, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNA TIONAL

Finally, Obama’s VP, Joe Biden, Joins US Presidential Race Former US Vice President, Joe Biden, has finally join the race for Democratic presidential nomination.

The declaration came nearly two years after he exited the White House alongside former President Barack Obama.

Biden, a fixture in American politics with a distinguished career that reached into one of the most prestigious political offices in the nation, is jumping into the race after months of speculation.

With near universal name recognition, the former US senator enters as a likely front-runner in some of the early-nominating contests to take on President Donald Trump.

This marks Biden’s third entry into a presidential race after deciding to stay on the sidelines of the 2016 election.

Biden first ran for president

in 1988 but dropped out of the race just a few months later after reports of plagiarism arose.

Biden used elements of a speech by a British politician as his own, without attribution.

In an interview with ABC News, Biden explained the scandal as “Stupid. My mistake.

Born out of ignorance, thinking I didn’t have to prepare.”

The former vice president also sought the 2008 Democratic nomination, dropping out after receiving less than 1% of the vote in the Iowa Caucus, and failing to win any delegates.

In the lead up to his formal entry, Biden faced early controversy after several women accused him of making them uncomfortable with what they considered inappropriate touching.

But he posted a video acknowledging that “social

norms are changing” and promising he would be “much more mindful,” calling it his “responsibility.”

One of the pinnacles of Biden’s career was the eight years he spent in the Obama White House, after joining then-Senator Barack Obama’s ticket in 2008.

Biden was first sent to Washington in 1972 when the people of Delaware elected him to the U.S. Senate at 29 years old. He was one of the youngest people elected to a seat in the upper chamber.

Over his 36-year career in the Senate, Biden played a significant role in shaping both foreign and domestic policy — serving as chairman of the Senate Judiciary and the Senate Foreign Relations committees. The landmark Crime Act and the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 is one of his signature pieces of legislation.

Britain Wants Brexit Deal Approved Before July, Says May’s Deputy British Prime Minister Theresa May’s government wants to get her thrice-defeated Brexit deal approved by parliament before the new European parliament opens in July, her de-facto deputy, David Lidington, said on Thursday.

Lidington, cabinet office minister, said the timing was heavily dependent on how talks progressed with the opposition Labour Party on finding a consensus for a deal but said the issue could not drag on.

“I can’t give you an exact time. It depends in a large part on how conversations with

the Labour Party are going,” Lidington said in Glasgow, where he was attending a cyber security conference.

“I don’t want to set a rigid dateline because that starts to create its own inflexibilities but I don’t think this can be allowed to drift for much longer.

“Really we need to get this done before the new European parliament comes in, in July this year.”

May’s spokesman said working groups from both sides were pressing on with the talks this week, including a meeting to discuss financial services on

China Dispels Debt Concerns Around ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ Solomon Elusoji China has said it will pursue “stable and sustainable financing” in executing Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects across the world.

Chinese Finance Minister, Liu Kun, made the remarks at the start of the second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing on Thursday.

Minister Liu also noted that Chinese financial regulators will work with banks and multinational institutions to “build a high-quality, high-standard, sustainable financing system.”

The BRI is China’s signature plan to connect the world’s trade infrastructure network.

Minister Liu’s remarks come amid recent criticism, especially from western governments, that the BRI is designed to burden poor countries with debt and white elephant projects. However, last month, Italy, which is a member of the G7, formally signed up for the BRI. As at the end of March 2019, 125 countries and 29 international organisations have signed up for the BRI. By the end of 2018, trade between China and other BRI countries reached $1.3 trillion, an increase of 16.4 percent from the previous year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, and IMF Managing Director, Christine

Lagarde, are among the headline guests at this year’s BRI Forum.

EU heavyweights, Germany and France, are sending ministers, but the US has dispatched only a low-level delegation.

Although Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari is not attending the Forum, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria had earlier organised an event in Abuja, showcasing the fruits of the BRI to Nigeria’s economic development. Nigeria formally joined the BRI last year.

Some BRI benefits, according to Chinese officials, include the construction of the Abuja-Kaduna railway and the Abuja Light Rail, both of which were financed with generous loans from Chinese banks.

China also facilitated the construction of the new terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and are heavily involved in the Lagos-Ibadan railway project.

Chinese Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Zhao Yong stressed that the benefits of the BRI will be shared by countries across the world.

Wednesday.

Lidington said talks had been productive and workmanlike.

Britain is mired in political chaos after parliament rejected three times the withdrawal deal negotiated by May and other EU leaders, and it is still unclear when or even if the country will leave the bloc.

The EU has postponed the planned divorce date from March to give May until Oct. 31 to persuade parliament to approve the terms of the country’s exit.

She has said she hopes Britain can leave before the country has to take part in elections for the European Parliament in late May. But, the timetable for doing so is very tight.

Lidington said: “We want to bring this decision back to parliament as soon as we possibly can but we want to feel that there is a chance of parliament actually rallying behind a particular outcome.

“I think there is a responsibility on all MPs (lawmakers) of all parties to work out how to take the country forward, that means compromise from all sides.”

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as OSUNFOWORA ROFIAT OMOTOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as

OSUNFOWORA-LAWAL ROFIAT OMOTOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWOSU NENE ONYEKACHI GRACE, now wish to known and addressed as MRS HORSFALL NENE ONYEKACHI DEXTER. All documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, CYNTHIA NKECHINYERE AJONUMAH & CYNTHIA AUSTIN AMADI is the

same person. Henceforth, I wish to be known and addressed as CYNTHIA NKECHINYERE AMADI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as IWALEYE IBILOLA ABIOLA, now wish to known and addressed as ADEOTI IBILOLA ABIOLA. All documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

46

FRIDAY APRIL 26, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Appeal Court Tells Kalu to Face His Trial Davidson Iriekpen The Court of Appeal in Lagos has asked a former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, to go and resume his alleged corruption trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The court’s pronouncement was the import its judgment when it upheld the dismissal of the no-case submission filed by the former governor.

Kalu, who was a state governor between 1999 and 2007, is facing a N7.67 billion fraud charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Garba, the Court of Appeal said a judge of the Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Mohammed Idris, was right to have dismissed Kalu’s no-case submission in July last year and ordered him to open his defence.

Garba also dismissed the appeals filed byKalu’s co-defendants, Slok Nigeria Limited and Ude Udeogu, challenging the jurisdiction of Justice Idris to continue hearing the case after he was elevated from the Federal High Court to the Court of Appeal.

The judge held that contrary to the appellants’ contention, Section 396 (7)

of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which empowers a high judge to continue to hear a part-heard criminal matter after being elevated to the Court of Appeal, did not offend the Constitution.

The appellate court, therefore, ordered the defendants to return to the high court to put in their defence.

Last year, the EFCC closed its case in the 12-year-old trial of the defendants after calling 19 witnesses.

But rather than put in their defence, Kalu and his co-defendants filed no-case submissions.

Justice Idris was elevated to the Court of Appeal before he could hear and rule on the no-case submissions.

In order to prevent the case from being transferred to another judge to start afresh, the lawyer representing Kalu, Awa Kalu, activated Section 396(7) of the ACJA and applied to the Court of Appeal’s President, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, to give fiat to Justice Idris, so that he could return to the high court to conclude the case.

As a result, Idris was given a fiat to continue hearing the case, with a condition that he must conclude it by the end of September 2018, the report added.

On July 31, 2018, the judge dismissed the defendants’ nocase submissions and ordered them to open their defence.

But rather than proceed to open their defence, Kalu sought a six-week adjournment to enable him to embark on a trip to Germany to have surgery for an undisclosed ailment.

The defendants later challenged the jurisdiction of the judge to hear the case, arguing that he was no longer a judge of the high court.

They also filed an application seeking a stay of proceedings pending the outcome of their appeals. Justice Idris dismissed both.

When Kalu did not subsequently avail himself for his trial, Idris revoked his bail.

The judge also ordered him to submit himself to the EFCC within 24 hours of his return to the country.

On January 23 when the case last came up in court, the prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs, complained about Kalu’s repeated absence from court.

Jacob alleged that the former governor, now a senator-elect, was taking the court for a ride.

He also noted that despite the court’s order, Kanu did not turn himself into the EFCC. “He (Kalu) kept on campaigning for his senatorial ambition, slapping the court in the face. His attitude is unbecoming,” Jacobs said while urging Justice Idris to continue hearing in Kalu’s absence. But in response, Idris

said he could not proceed with the case as the fiat given him by the Appeal Court President had expired in November 2018.

While adjourning the case indefinitely, Idris held, “This matter was listed today because it was adjourned till today for defence. What has happened is that the last fiat that was issued by the President of the Court of Appeal has expired at the end of November 2018.

“On the 10th of January, 2019, I received a fresh fiat in respect of some matters that I have started and some new matters but this particular case was not mentioned.

“For this reason, I have a strong feeling that I shouldn’t continue with proceedings

in this case, unless there is a further directive from the President of the Court of Appeal.

“I should not proceed further, otherwise, I might be acting without authority.

“In the circumstance, I am of the view that further proceedings shouldn’t go on until I receive further information by way of fresh fiat from the Court of Appeal President.

As soon as I receive further instructions, hearing notice will be sent to counsel.”

Kalu, who was the governor of Abia State between 1999 and 2007, is facing a 39-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.

Kogi Assembly Passes over 50 Bills in 19 Months Gov Bello signs 40 into law Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The Kogi State House of Assembly has passed over 50 bills into law since the last 19 months, with 40 of such bills already assented to by Governor Yahaya Bello.

The Speaker, Hon. Prince Matthew Kolawole disclosed this yesterday at the governor’s office in Lokoja during the signing of eight utility bills into by Bello.

According to him, the sixth assembly under his watch was determined to partner the other arms of government and relevant stakeholders to make laws that will promote good governance in the state.

He said: “Many of the bills are revenue driven in nature and were initiated by the executive to boost the revenue base of the state. With the bills being signed into law, the state will start to witness unprecedented development.

“More bills will be ready for assent next week for the governor to append his signature, and all these are geared toward fast tracking the development of the state.”

According to him, the bills after assent will have direct impact on the lives of the citizens, stressing that the Bill on the Law to provide for the Establishment of Kogi State Youths Development Commission, Implementation of Sustainable Youth Policy and other Matters Connected therewith, would transform the state in the area of youth development and encourage the state to access funds from international donors.

He expressed gratitude to the governor for assenting to the bills and not allowing

efforts invested by the lawmakers to go in vain.

Addressing journalists shortly after signing the bills into law, Bello said in view of the prevailing economic challenges, there was need to look inwards to make the state financially viable, adding that the bills signed into law would help improve the revenue generation base of the state.

“We cannot continue to depend on federation account, hence the need to look inwards. Efforts have been put in place to ensure we get this job done and we have centred these bills on the critical sector of our development which also has to do with youths and sports.

“God has made us leaders today. Any responsible government must think of the future, and that’s exactly what we are doing. These bills will help further solidify the future and economy of our dear state.

“I want to sincerely appreciate the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Hon. Mohammed Sanni for painstakingly taking time to go through all the bills.

We hope to sign others. We have never had it this good.

This is a clear demonstration of harmony, synergy, integration, understanding, and cooperation amongst the arms of government under our leadership,” the governor added.

He also commended the 6th assembly for a job well done, noting that this would be the first time Kogi State House of Assembly would be passing such number of bills within a short period,

57 HEARTY CHEERS…

L-R: Non-Executive Directors, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Michael Jituboh; Dr. Omolara Akanji, Chief Executive Officer, Abubakar Suleiman; and Chairman, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, at the 57th Annual General Meeting of the bank in Lagos...yesterday

Sango’s Suspension as Plateau PDP Chairman Ridiculous, Says Useni Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State in the last general election, Senator Jeremiah Useni, has reacted to the suspension of Chief Damshi Sango, as the state chairman of the party, describing it as laughable.

Sixteen members of the party executive had in a resolution on Wednesday suspended Sango and his deputy, Mr. Amos Gombi, accusing them of financial impropriety and mishandling of the party’s resources.

The party subsequently appointed Mr. Chris Hassan, to replace the former minister of sports as the state PDP chairman.

But Useni who spoke with journalists at the party’s secretariat in Jos, after the party’s state executive council meeting, condemned Sango’s suspension.

He said it was absolutely wrong for the state executive council to have issued a resolution removing the former minister from office without following a laid down procedure recognised by the party’s constitution

Useni added, “I laughed when I heard that the party chairman has been suspended because no offence was committed. It was surprising to me when they said they have removed him. You don’t remove somebody like that because there are laid down procedures for doing that which was not followed.

“There is the need for those involved in this action to calm down because we need peace in the party. I understand that this is done by people we contested election together at the party primaries but I am ready to carry everyone along

as governor because very soon, I will reclaim my mandate at the tribunal.

Chairman of the party’s council chairmen in the 17 local government areas of the state, Mr. Dauda Waptu, also dissociated his colleagues from the suspension of the party’s top officials.

Waptu urged the aggrieved members of the state executive to retrace their steps in the interest of the party.

Sango who also spoke to journalists, maintained that he was innocent of the allegations leveled against him and insisted that his suspension cannot stand.

Omodayo Owotuga Foundation Inaugurates Orphanage Centre Esther Oluku In a bid to contribute its own quota to the society, Omodayo Owotuga Foundation has inaugurated an orphanage centre that will provide aids to the less- privileged, including orphans and physically disabled individuals of Sacred Heart Hospital in Lantoro, Abeokuta.

According to the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Omodayo Owotuga Foundation, Samuel Jonathan, part of the efforts

of the foundation since its inception in 2009 have been to extend charity and gifts to different organisations, orphans and children whose parents cannot pay their tuition fees.

Owotuga said, “This act of generosity and benevolence was born out of commemorating and promoting the legacy of the Late Most Supreme Apostle Omodayo Owotuga who passed on 10 years ago.

Owotuga was a lover of education who enjoyed helping the less-privileged, especially

children with respect to their academic pursuits.

“The late Owotuga had laid the foundation of kind-hearted gesture before he died; so, it is only mandatory that we continue his tradition; as such we have been able to reach out to indigent students who can’t pay their school tuition fees and for examinations, be it West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the Joint Admissions andMatriculation Board (JAMB).

On his part, Bishop, Catholic

Diocese of Abeokuta, Peter Odetoyinbo, expressed his gratitude to the Omodayo Owotuga family for its contribution and influence to begin empowerment programmes for the less privileged and orphans.

Odetoyinbo added: “With a sense of gratitude to God, having blessed so many, the only way to express such gratitude is to share with all these children and those who don’t have. I implore all who can, to do it.

FRIDAY APRIL 26, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

47

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 08111813083

NPFL

Insurance Ends Rangers’ 13-game Unbeaten Run, Now Sixth Duro Ikhazuagbe After the drama that enveloped the rescheduled Match-day 8 fixture of the NPFL between Bendel Insurance and Group A leaders Rangers International FC of Enugu on Wednesday, the Benin Arsenal picked maximum

points yesterday with a 2-1 victory over the visitors.

While the victory has momentarily lifted the Edo team from the jaws of death in the drop zone to sixth in the 12-team Group A standing on 21 points, the Flying Antelopes however remain unshaken as leader on

Musa, Ighalo, Ndidi Make Pitch Awards Shortlist Organisers of the prestigious Nigeria Pitch Awards have announced Super Eagles trio of Ahmed Musa of Al-Nassr, Odion Ighalo of Shanghai Shenhua and Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City FC in the shortlist for the King of the Pitch Award for the 2018/19 edition scheduled to hold in May. Speaking at a well-attended media briefing in Ibis Hotel in Lagos yesterday, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Philips expressed the gratitude of the organisers and partners to all sport journalists, the Nigeria Football Federation and SIAO Partners for their support for the awards since 2013.

He stated that the organisers were working on a plan to overhaul the organisation specifically with a view to reducing the number of categories.

“We are planning a major reorganisation with respect to the number of categories we have. By next edition, we will certainly have fewer categories.

We believe this will make it easier for our voters to complete their votes,” Philips said.

Nneka Eneli, Head of Corporate Services who represented Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, the Managing Partner

of SIAO Partners said the shortlist of potential winners was drawn from the votes cast by sport journalists across the country between February and March 2019.

Other categories for which players and officials have been nominated include; Goalkeeper of the Year category, Ikechukwu Ezenwa of Katsina United FC, Theophilus Afelokhai of Enyimba F.C and Francis Odinaka Uzoho of Deportivo La Coruna/Anorthosis Famagusta.

Brighton and Hove Albion FC defender, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong of Udinese FC and Kenneth Omeruo of Leganés FC will compete for the Defender of the Year award.

Pitch awards voters also recognised the growing influence of Stoke City midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo by nominating him along with Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City and Arsenal FC’s Alex Iwobi in the Midfielder of the Year category.

In the Striker of the Year category, former Kano Pillars striker, Junior Lokosa will slug it out with Shanghai Shenhua striker Odion Ighalo and the Super Eagles Vice-captain and Al-Nassr striker, Ahmed Musa.

U-17 AFCON: Zenith Bank Salutes Gallant Eaglets Despite losing to Guinea in the semifinal of the ongoing CAF U-17 Africa Nations Cup, the Golden Eaglets have been commended for giving a good account of themselves and the country.

Eaglets and the Guineans ended the full time score at 0-0 but lost 10-9 in the energy sapping penalty shoot out.

The team is however among the four representing Africa at the FIFA U-17 World Cup slated for Brazil later in the year. Others are Angola, Guinea and Cameroon.

Officials of the bank, sponsors of the Delta State Principals’ Cup and the NFF Future Eagles project for U-13s and U-15, spoke to the players and officials in Tanzania yesterday.

Eaglets’ camp source said that Zenith Bank expressed delight over the fighting spirit of the team.

“Zenith Bank is proud of the players because they are quite young and will improve in the weeks ahead. They gave their all but were unlucky to have lost to Guinea,” the source said.

The bank produced seven of the players currently in Tanzania for the cadet competition and that informed its strong attachment with current Manu Garba team.

“The players were not only commended for picking the ticket to World Cup, they were charged to win the Third place match and prepare to conquer the World again in Brazil. It is not strange to the team as former champions,” the source added.

The Eaglets will play Angola on Saturday in the Third Place playoffs of the continental competition while Cameroon and Guinea will clash in the final on Sunday.

31 points from 15 games.

The slip is now the second for Rangers whose 13 unbeaten run ended with the two goals scored by Junior Osaghae and Stephen Sodje at the University of Benin Sports Complex in Ugbowo, Benin City.

After the drama 24 hours earlier when the referees assigned for the match refused to turn up for the game due to what they termed ‘threat to their

lives’, Junior Osaghae enliven the atmosphere with the opener in the 34th minute.

However, Kelvin Itoya restored parity for Rangers four minutes later to give the visitors from the Coal City of Enugu the hope of sharing the spoil. If Coach Gbenga Ogunbote had anyone to blame for his defeat, Seka Pascal is the fellow.

His ungentlemanly conduct of kicking an Insurance player

earned him dismissal that threw spanner into Ogunbote’s gameplan in Benin in the 21st minute of the game.

And so Insurance’s Head Coach, Monday Odigie and his assistants who have remained invincible in eight home games this season can now heave sigh of relief even as they still need more work to do to avoid the team from slipping back into the danger zone again.

They even can consolidate on this win when they confront bottom benchers Niger Tornadoes on Saturday in the Match-day 17 fixture in Benin City.

Rangers on the other hand will play away to second team in the standing Enyimba in Aba. Enyimba is on 25 points from 16 games and desperately needs victory in this Oriental Derby in Aba to narrow the gap.

Rangers International FC’s Solomon Okpako (right), is challenged for ball possession by two Bendel Insurance players during the rescheduled NPFL Match-day 8 fixture in Benin City…yesterday

Football Devt: NFF Applauds Okowa The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa deserves commendation for his tremendous support for the development of football in the country.

In a letter of appreciation signed by the President of NFF, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, the federation stated that Delta State government led by Governor Okowa has booked a special place in the annals of football history in the country with the

successful hosting of various matches and events in the last few months.

According to him, “this letter is to express very deep appreciation of the Nigeria Football Federation for the unmatched support and encouragement that your good self and administration have been providing for the activities and events of the National Teams as well as other programmes of the NFF; thank you so much, Your Excellency, for the unforgettable three days of international Football

Feast that Your Excellency and administration hosted in Asaba between 22nd-26thMarch, 2019.”

“Certainly Your Excellency, you have written your name and that of your administration in gold with these accomplishments during your tenure in Delta State Government House, and no book on Nigeria football will ever be complete without a generous mention of your tremendous support and encouragement to the Supper eagles, the other National Teams generally and

the Nigeria Football Federation”, he stated.

The NFF commended Governor Okowa for empowering the youths through sponsoring of various football clubs in all cadres of the domestic leagues stressing that “it was therefore not surprising to see the rousing standing ovation that Your Excellency received during the matches each time you came down for the ceremonial handshake with teams during the matches of the football feast.”

Pogba Only Non Man City or Liverpool Player in PFA Team of the Year Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba was yesterday named in the PFA Team of the Year 2018-19 - the only player not from either Manchester City or Liverpool.

City have six of the 11, voted for by fellow players - goalkeeper Ederson, centre-half Aymeric Laporte, midfielders Bernardo

Silva and Fernandinho and forwards Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling.

The remaining four are all Liverpool players - full-backs Andrew Robertson and TrentAlexander Arnold, centre-half Virgil van Dijk and forward Sadio Mane.

But there is no room for

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah or Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who have both scored 19 league goals this season.

Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, with 17 and 16 Premier League goals respectively, also miss out.

The PFA Team of the Year was voted for by members of

the Professional Footballers’ Association, the players’ union.

It is the second successive year where Manchester City have provided the most players from one team as they had five of the 11 in the 2017-18 side.

However, only Sergio Aguero retains his place from the team of 12 months ago.

Next Stage of 2019 BOA Lawyers Football Tournament to Kick off Sunday Following the just concluded group stage of the 2019 BOA Lawyers Football Tournament, the next stage of the competition is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, April 28 at the AstroTurf 2000 facility in Ikoyi, Lagos.

According to the organisers of the tournament, the top four teams in each group will proceed to the next stage which promises to be

even more exciting with home and away matches for the qualified teams.

“After the home and away knockout stage, eight teams will automatically qualify and proceed to the quarter finals. In the event of a draw, penalties will be deployed as a decider. Each team is to play three penalties during the shoot out,” observed a statement from AstroTurf 2000

last night. Teams that qualified for the next stage of the competition from Group A include; Africa Law Practice/SPA Ajibade; AELEX; Aluko & Oyebode and George Etomi/FRA Williams In Group B, UUBO/ACAS Law; Falana & Falana; Lagos State Ministry of Justice (LSMJ) and PUNUKA are the qualified teams for the next stage.

SOOB/NICCOM LLP leads Group C that also have Olisa Agbakoba Legal; Templars and Pinheiro LP. In Group D, Advocaat is the top team with BA Law LLP/ Probitas Partners LLP; DOA Law/ Grey Chapel Legal and Banwo & Ighodalo completing the 16 teams in this stage of the competition.

Friday, April 26, 2019

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MISSILE Dogara to Tinubu “When the history of the Buhari administration is written by those who know the truth of what really transpired in the last four years, Asiwaju’s pretentious loyalty to Buhari will then be exposed.”

– Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, responding the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Bola Tinubu, over his claim that the National Assembly has been padding the national budgets since 2015.

OKEYIKECHUKWU GUEST COLUMNIST

HumanCapitalandNationalSecurity

T

he Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) was in the works for quite sometime. So was the Army War College. Then came the tenure of the current Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Buratai, and both institutions were kick-started. They now offer laudable contemporary training programmes, effectively reinforcing the National Defence College (NWC), among others, in continuous and progressive human capital development for the officer corps of all the armed services, security agencies and paramilitary organisations. These, essentially military establishments, have also since opened themselves to measured collaborative engagements. They have expanded the frontiers beyond narrow operational matters, having seen that a lot more can be achieved through knowledge exchange programmes of proven value and relevance.

When we approached NARC two years ago to argue a new perspective on, and approach to, aspects of national communication regarding what is going on in the North-east, the Centre evaluated and quickly endorsed our detailed training programme on “Strategic Communication for Asymmetrical Military Engagements”. Thus arose a collaborative partnership, with participants from all the armed services, security agencies and paramilitary organisations in the country.

Numerous other independent and joint programmes have since been executed and there are ongoing ones. The lesson that has emerged, so far, is that interface between serious institutions and organisations yields the best results when attention is focused on the national interest.

It was probably because of NARC`s chain of success stories that it got a fresh directive from the COAS to institute a free, mandatory, monthly human capital development/lecture series; with participation drawn from all the armed services, the security agencies, MDAs and other national stakeholders. This has been going on for some time now. As the “victim” of the latest edition of the series, the topic inflicted on me by NARC, with the approval of the Chief of Army Staff, was “The Challenge of Human Capital Development for National Security.”

It was, for me, a matter of showing that investment in developing the average citizen, through education and training, is the most important investment in national development and national security. The thesis here is that the human being is the primary resource of the nation. When this resource arrives as a newborn child, it is only a “potential” national asset. Only formal and informal education, the instilling of norms, values and skills, as well as tests for both character and the application of knowledge can it “substantive” national asset. Only people with fully, or at least substantially, developed capacities can make positive contributions to the economic and other value-chains of a society.

Thus, a nation with a large population is

Buratai

only “potentially” wealthy. It will remain so, until it develops its “national” resources,” or human capital, instead of focusing only on the exploitation and consumption of its “natural resources”, or minerals and agricultural products. A normless, largely illiterate and unhealthy population that cannot even live together in peace, is only a conglomerate of liabilities. The home, the school system, the vocational training platforms and sundry agents of socialization and economic value are like the various departments of a “factory” used by communities, empires and modern nations to produce the commodity called “citizen”. Parents, teachers, crafts masters and leaders are the “factory workers.”

The quality of the “products” of this allegorical factory depends on: (1) The condition of the “factory” itself – the home, school and agents of socialization, (2) The capacity of the “factory workers” – in terms of knowledge, policies, contemporary relevance, moral and role examples of leaders, etc., (3) The “factory tools” – information, knowledge, skills and character, and (4) The “Quality of processing” – parenting practices, teaching methods, leadership goals/examples and citizenship grooming.

Based on the above, our dear country is more like a factory with a dysfunctional production line today. We are not producing enough citizens of full value. Our school system is turning out unemployed, underemployed and unemployable young adults, most of whom have not imbibed the basic reflexes of positive socialisation, to say nothing about their being trained as people who would understand the concept of “National Interest.” Narrow concerns about daily survival make them easy collaborators for anyone desirous of undermining national interests and national security.

From the basic submission that “grooming of the human being” is the first pillar of national character and national security, we adopt Aristotle`s assertion, “In vain do you build the city if you do not first build the man”, to argue that parenting, training and

education, national leadership policies, as well as effective law enforcement, must work in concert if there is to be meaningful and lasting national security. A culture of hard work, thrift, responsible wealth acquisition and attention to personal and group safety, for instance, creates a stable, prosperous and secure state. A culture of reckless consumption and irresponsible leadership, on the other hand, creates a corrupt state and a citizenry that will gladly plunder the commonwealth at the least opportunity and act in ways that are not protective of wider national interests.

This confirms the foundational primacy of citizenship education and responsible leadership, over the best security infrastructure and military hardware for national security.

Make institutions of state “extensions” of the family and the society becomes an ecosystem that creates, maintains and sustains its own optimal internal environment, or homeostasis, while ensuring that other creatures in the surrounding food web do not overrun it. No organism wants others to create biological equilibrium, or a new ecosystem, at its expense. None wants to become an item on his neighbour`s menu.

Every organism within a territory resists all “invasive” species that may undermine its optimized ecosystem.

This is the logic of national security: a refusal to be overrun by any invasive species, whether in fact or by subtle mental colonization. This also brings out the dangers posed to our national security by sections of the Nigerian media, the NGO community and sundry non-state actors that are not sufficiently grounded on modern “national interest journalism” and the political economy of tendentious international media terrorism.

International fellowships, internships and many, presumably supportive, capacity building programmes for our brilliant top media men and scholars are often subtle recruitment platforms for subversive national aid from our so-called development partners.

But that is a matter for another day.

The foregoing scenario complicates the life of our armed services and security agencies in two distinct ways. First it hands over to them new entrants with a mindset that is resolutely subversive of national interests and national security. Second, serious institutions of state get saddled with young men and women who have actually not learnt anything in school; including how to read, write and communicate meaningfully. Many young people who apply to become part of the human infrastructure of our national security architecture have been socialized as low-grade criminals. They have no qualms about stealing, rape and vandalism of their boss` vehicles, or even official vehicles. Put poor parenting, a lousy educational system and reprobate elders together and you get the recipe for a national security template that must depend on substantial kinetic interventions by overstretched military and security forces.

Finland now uses human capital development to drive its national interests and security. It has the best education system in the world and a national security network that draws more from citizen loyalty and national consciousness than from military hardware. It is the world`s number one in science and mathematics, while the US is ranked 17th and 21st in the same subjects. It spends $3,000 less per pupil than the US, with a 2% dropout rate, against America`s 25% dropout rate. About 47% of US teachers come from the bottom 3rd of college graduates, while Finland`s teachers come from the top 10%. Finland`s national security today is auto-piloted by general socialization, because it rests on deliberately created new national values, new learning curriculum and a determined training of teachers.

Finland worked at it for a whole generation, moving from new curriculum to making Masters Degree mandatory for teachers.

Knowledge and skills upgrade were facilitated on all fronts. Enough teachers were produced, to ensure that there were three teachers to every classroom. Two of the teachers concentrated on instruction, while the third focused on students with learning challenges. That is why the Finns are now enlightened enough to know their “national interest,” whereby “law enforcement” is part of an overall moral responsibility that starts from the home and permeates the entire society.

It was not luck, the burying of live cows by marabouts, speaking in tongues, the laying of hands, weekend-long night vigils in prayer houses, or holy water and the carrying of revered religious objects, that made it possible.

No! It was through plans, programmes and efforts, not sacrifice to their ancestors, that the average student now speaks four languages, including English. It was also not a special task force, or a yearly education summit, that got everyone involved in enforcing a national culture knowledge, learning, education and reward for meaningful engagement.

In rounding off the daylong engagement at NARC, it was agreed that the armed forces and security agencies should, in the immediate and short term, strengthen their professional human capital development institutions with rigorous programmes that would make up for the poor quality materials being turned out by our schools. Some of the suggestions, including those classified and with long-term projections, revolved around the need for managers of our educational system to build on the recent improved monitoring of pre-primary education in some states, as well as the inspectorate function.

Unless closer attention is paid to the quality of education, values, the quality of leaders at all levels, the training and qualification of teachers, rebirth of vocational schools, and sound role modeling, we may be left with a national human capital infrastructure that will remain the greatest threat to national security.

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