THURSDAY 16TH MAY 2019

Inflation Rate Jumps to 11.37% after Consistent Drop Since January James Emejo in Abuja After monthly consecutive drop since January, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation rose to 11.37 per cent year-on-year in April compared to 11.25 per cent in March, according to the

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Inflation had resumed its descent in January when it dropped to 11.37 per cent from 11.44 per cent in December in 2018.

The headline index further reduced to 11.31 per cent in

February and 11.25 per cent in March before resorting to the upward trajectory in April.

According to the latest report by NBS, food inflation stood at 13.70 per cent in April from 13.45 per cent in the preceding month.

The CPI figures for April,

which was released by the NBS yesterday, showed that core inflation stood at 9.30 per cent in the month under review compared to 9.50 per cent in March.

The report indicated that the 0.12 per cent increase in inflation was as a result

of increases recorded in all the key parameters, which determine the headline index for the month under review.

While the urban inflation rate increased to 11.70 per cent in April from 11.54 per cent in March, the rural index also rose to 11.08 per cent from

10.99 per cent in the preceding month.

According to the NBS, month-on-month, the urban index rose by 1.00 per cent, up by 0.19 from 0.81 per cent in March while rural inflation Continued on page 7

FG Considers Friendlier Foreign Exchange Regime…

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FG: Atiku Plotting to Sabotage Buhari Omololu Ogunmade, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

L-R: Group Executive Director, BUA Group, Mr. Kabiru Rabiu; Head of Investment Banking, Renaissance Capital, Mr. Risana Zitha; Global Chairman, Board of Directors, Renaissance Capital, Mr. Christophe Charlier; Executive Chairman/CEO, BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu; CEO, Rencap Nigeria, Mr. Temi Popoola; and Group Chief Operating Officer (Cement), BUA Group, Mr. Finn Arnoldsen, during Renaissance Capital’s global management’s visit to the BUA Group Headquarters on the sidelines of the Rencap Pan Africa 1:1 Investor Conference in Lagos… yesterday

The federal government yesterday in Abuja accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, of plotting to frustrate the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and make the country ungovernable.

Addressing journalists in the State House after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Continued on page 6

Senate Committee Praises Emefiele, Recommends Him for Confirmation CBN Gov says saboteurs will be brought to book

Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday got encomiums from the

Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions that screened him for confirmation for a second and final term of office.

President Muhammadu

Buhari had last week reappointed Emefiele for an unprecedented second term and requested the Senate for speedy confirmation of the appointment.

After his presentation to the committee yesterday, members praised him for his performance in the last five years and indicated that he would be recommended

for confirmation.

"We have done the screening as expected of us and the committee will now do its report and send to the Senate for consideration

at plenary," the committee chairman, Senator Adebayo Ibrahim, said, adding that Emefiele would be forwarded Continued on page 7

Tribunal Hears Atiku’s Objection to Bulkachuwa on Wednesday… Page 6

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Tribunal Hears Atiku’s Objection to Bulkachuwa on Wednesday Alex Enumah in Abuja The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) yesterday, fixed Wednesday for hearing in an application by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 23 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, seeking the withdrawal of tribunal Chairman, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, from the panel.

Atiku and his party, the PDP are seeking withdrawal of Justice Bulkachuwa from the panel that would hear their petition against the election of President Muhammadu Buhari on grounds of likelihood of bias against them.

At the resumed hearing, lead counsel to Atiku and PDP, Dr. Levi Uzoukwu SAN, applied for 10 minutes private audience with the five member panel and lead counsel in the matter for an undisclosed reason.

However, at the end of the meeting held in the judge’s chamber, Justice Bulkachuwa, announced in the open court that the meeting discussed extensively the application

by Atiku and PDP that she recused herself from the matter.

Justice Bulkachuwa said since the request of the petitioners has been in the public domain, it would be better for the application to be heard in the open court. She then asked the petitioners' lawyer to move the application.

Uzoukwu said the petitioners will come by way of a formal application, promising to file the application tomorrow (May

16).

While counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Yunus Ustaz SAN, said they are not opposed to the application, counsel to Buhari, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, said he was ready to respond to the application if the petitioners are ready to move the application orally.

He, however, said if the petitioners prefer a formal application, then they will be asking for the normal seven days provided by law to respond.

Counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN, said he aligned himself with the position of Olanipekun.

Consequently, Justice Bulkachuwa said: "Application yet to be filed is adjourned to May 22 for hearing."

Meanwhile, the tribunal has ordered the service of the petition of the Coalition for Change (C4C) on Buhari through substituted service.

The court ordered that the petition on Buhari be served on him through any of the national officers of the APC at the party's national headquarters at No 40 Blantyre Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.

The order was sequel to an application moved by lawyer of the C4C, Mr. Obed Aguh.

Earlier, the police had barricaded all roads leading to the Court of Appeal, Abuja, venue of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, forcing commuters around the Federal Secretariat and Force Headquarters to seek alternative routes.

At 9.20am when THISDAY got to the venue, stern looking

Atiku policemen and officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had cordoned off the area, screening and interrogating anyone seeking to access the tribunal.

Journalists with ID cards were, however, given access to the premises including robed legal practitioners.

The blockade may not be unconnected with the call by the PDP on Justice Bulkachuwa to recuse herself from the petition on allegations of bias.

The party had in a letter to the Court of Appeal President dated May 9, 2019 and signed by the National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Uche Secondus, and the party's National Secretary, Senator Umar Tsauri, said that going by the utterances of Justice Bulkachuwa at the inaugural session of the tribunal, the party was certain that justice would not

be served at the end of the day, if Justice Bulkachuwa remains a member of the panel.

They said: "My Lord, in your address at the opening of the pre-hearing today (Wednesday), you made some remarks that are both frightening and heartwarming.

For instance in your opening paragraph you said: “Elections are held in Nigeria every four years into elective positions. No matter how well the election is conducted there are bound to be complaints....

"This remark rocked our confidence in a panel led by Your Lordship to determine our fate in an election which could be one of the ones that were very well “conducted’ in Your Lordship's opinion.�

The party further submitted that Justice Bulkachuwa ought not to have been a member of the panel at all, knowing full well that members of

engage in frivolous expressions beats the imagination.

He further threatened that a situation where the opposition is seeking a redress in court and yet resorting to what he termed self-help was unacceptable, describing the alleged attacks on the judiciary as anti-democratic and unconscionable acts.

The minister described the actions of both the party and its presidential candidate as unfashionable, more so that they have the opportunity of seeking a redress in the court as the president did three times.

Finally, Mohammed advised the PDP to avoid sounding alarms of war and rather face its election petitions at the tribunal to underscore its faith in the judiciary and stop overheating the polity.

Mohammed added: "Also, in recent times, the PDP has taken its desperation to a new low by attacking the judiciary, an action many see as indicating a reversal of the party's hitherto self-assured stance that it has a solid case against the election of the president. And either by coincidence or orchestration, a faceless group emerges from nowhere calling for an overthrow of a democraticallyelected government, a totally egregious act of treason.

"It beggars belief that a candidate who prides himself as a democrat can so allow desperation to becloud his sense of propriety to such an extent that he will be associating with antidemocratic forces and making

inflammatory statements. For acclaimed democrats, there are acceptable channels of seeking redress after an election defeat.

Even President Buhari himself went to court three times to challenge election results.

"What is not acceptable is to either resort to self help after an election defeat, or to embark on a journey of subterfuge and sabotage while also mounting a legal challenge or pretending to do so. Worst still, painting the judiciary bad for whatever reason is anti-democratic and unconscionable.

"We want to urge the main opposition party to stop beating the drums of war and concentrate on the legal challenge by its candidate against the election of President Buhari if indeed they have any faith in the country's judiciary, and desist from unnecessarily overheating the polity."

her family, including her husband are all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a party in the petition.

The party said that their worry arose from the very unique and critical position of the office of the President of the Court of Appeal, which is saddled with the sacred responsibility of hearing petitions arising from the presidential election.

"This fear was palpable enough just with you as the President of the Court of Appeal but has now been worsened and compounded by the discovery that you have decided to appoint yourself as the chairman of the panel to hear the petition," the PDP said.

It, however, reminded Justice Bulkachuwa to be guided by her own words when she said: “Justice demands that judges who will sit in the panel of a tribunal be divested from all forms of bias� and accordingly do the needful.

The PDP stated: "We are reasoning that, armed with this golden rule of justice and fair hearing and given your direct intimacy through your dear husband, with the APC, one of the parties in this election petition, Your Lordship, would have exercised your constitutional right and powers guardedly, judiciously and judicially, by excluding yourself from the panel of this honourable court sitting over this particular petition.

"This is the only way you could have divested yourself from all forms of bias and be seen to be fair, both to yourself, our party, that is contesting against your husband's

party in this petition, and indeed, all Nigerians, who are keenly interested in the just, transparently impartial and unbiased determination of this petition over an election which outcome obviously did not respect their wishes as expressed through their votes."

At the inaugural sitting of the panel, scores of protesters had besieged the venue of the tribunal, with placards urging the tribunal to do justice in the matter.

At yesterday's sitting also, notwithstanding the heavy presence of security operatives, large number of persons perceived to be in support of the PDP's candidate were seen gathered near the complex of the office of the Head of Service, by the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.

The group under the aegis of Support for Atiku's Mandate called on the tribunal to nullify the election of Buhari and declare Atiku winner of the 2019 presidential election.

They also asked Justice Bulkachuwa to recuse herself from hearing the matter.

Spokesperson of the group, Mr. Justice Abraham, said the group will not rest until Atiku gets back his mandate, adding that Nigerians freely gave their mandates to Atiku Abubakar, following failure of President Buhari to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

In attendance at yesterday's sitting are PDP's National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, and former EFCC chairman, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, who represented Buhari.

to live up to the demands of his office instead of blaming the PDP for its self-inflicted woes.

It said: “Alhaji Lai Mohammed has once again veered off issues of governance and dwelt on hauling insults, misplaced accusations and threats against our party and our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar."

It said the minister's tone betrayed the frustration of a failed administration seeking excuses and scapegoats, instead of accepting its failures and self-inflicted woes.

According to the PDP: "It is equally undisputable that the All Progressives Congress (APC), within a period of four years, has wrecked our democratic structures, relegated and harassed judicial officers, disregarded our laws and judicial pronouncements, divided our people and practically brought our nation to its knees only for them to now turn to look for scapegoats where there are none.

"It is, therefore, unfortunate that the Minister of Information and Culture could suddenly take recourse to making irresponsible allegations against the PDP and our presidential candidate instead of accepting their failures."

The main opposition party said it is incontrovertible that the PDP, as a highly responsible political party, committed to the unity and stability of the nation, nurtured the country's democracy for 16 years and has continued

to express its full respect for every arm of government, including the judiciary.

The PDP said it is instructive to state that, in the course of serving the nation for 16 years, the party was never known for intimidating and harassing judicial officers at any level.

It noted that as a party, the PDP considers it awkward for the APC and its government, under whose only four-year tenure, the judiciary has been thoroughly embarrassed, to make frivolous allegations against the party and its presidential candidate.

F G : ATIKU P LOT T IN G TO SABOTAGE BUH AR I decried the PDP's style of opposition, saying it smacks of desperation and unpatriotic politics, whose effects, he said, might be counter-productive if allowed to persist.

The minister, who added that PDP's brand of opposition politics was alien to the culture of Nigeria's democracy, reiterated that the opposition party had deployed the power at its disposal to sabotage the government of Buhari and overheat the polity through its utterances and press statements.

Warning that if the party does not have a rethink, it may soon find that it has crossed the line, Mohammed was quick to insinuate that the comment earlier made by Atiku before the 2019 general election that if Buhari was not voted out, killings by herdsmen would continue, seems to be playing itself out already.

His words: "The federal government has strongly decried the increasingly unpatriotic and desperate opposition politics being played by the PDP and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, warning that such dead-end opposition could be toxic for the nation's democracy, if left unchecked.

"Never in the history of politics in Nigeria has an opposition party and its presidential candidate exhibited the kind of desperate tactics being deployed by the duo of the PDP and its flag-bearer, especially since President Muhammadu Buhari overwhelmingly

defeated Atiku to win the 2019 presidential election.

"Either by themselves or via their proxies, the PDP and its presidential candidate are doing everything possible to sabotage the Buhari administration, generally overheat the polity and make Nigeria seemingly ungovernable, especially through their public utterances and their poorly-thoughtout press releases before and after the 2019 general elections. Unless they quickly retrace their steps, they may, sooner than later, overreach themselves.

"For those who may be quick to accuse the government of crying wolf, the pre-election statement credited to the former vice president, that unless Nigerians vote out the APC administration, killings by herdsmen will continue and ultimately spark a series of ethno-religious crises that will be irreversible, is looking more like a Freudian slip than anything else."

Mohammed also took on the PDP over what it described as the party's attacks on the judiciary, describing such perceived attacks on the final arbiter as the antithesis of the earlier claim by the party that it had clear evidences of electoral fraud against the president.

Furthermore, Mohammed threatened that the emergence of "a faceless group" calling for the ouster of a democratic government was treasonable, alleging that the decision of Atiku to associate himself with anti-democratic forces and also

Your Allegations Irresponsible, PDP Replies FG The PDP reacted swiftly last night, describing the allegations by the federal government as irresponsible.

It said the federal government should stop inventing excuses and making frivolous allegations of treason for its mass failures.

The party in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, stressed that the expectation of Nigerians is for the Buhari presidency

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

NEWS

FG Considers Friendlier Foreign Exchange Regime Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the federal government is currently developing an initiative that will bring about a friendlier foreign exchange (forex) regime in the country, the Executive Secretary/ CEO, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Ms. Yewande Sadiku, has said.

The NIPC boss, who stated this while responding to a question at Renaissance Capital’s 10th Annual Pan-Africa 1:1 Investor Conference, held in Lagos, yesterday, however, declined to give further details on the initiative, saying talks on the matter were still at an early stage.

When pressed for further comments on the proposed initiative, Sadiku said the CBN would at the appropriate time give further details.

She pointed out that from the federal government’s policy perspective, the preference was that forex rate in the country should be market-determined.

She said the Investors’ & Exporters’ forex window helped

in enhancing investor confidence as well as in attracting significant inflows to the country.

Sadiku explained: “We are actually working now on another initiative that is aimed at resulting in a much friendlier forex regime. The government’s intention is market-determined and we hope to achieve that sooner, rather than later.”

The move, according to her, was to ensure that the country remains an attractive investment destination.

She explained further: “That is because we understand that in the context of the investor value chain, portfolio investors are a material and important part of it and if we don’t get the right messaging to portfolio investors, who send the right signal to the investing community, you will not achieve the target that you want to.

“The initiative we are working on is still very much in the early days and it is still difficult to talk the details. Our work in this regard is more of advocacy, the same manner we advocated for the I & E window.

“My point is that the NIPC is

Emefiele interested in seeing forex rates that would see more investments come to Nigeria, in line with what the government has indicated it wants to do.

“There might be short-term flips and excitement, but in the context of the long-term fundamentals, Nigeria’s fundamentals remain strong. It will be the third most populous country by 2050 and what kind

of relationship do you want to have with the third most populous country in the world.

“Nigeria has the ninth largest reserves of arable land in the world, in the context of agriculture. We are interested in agriculture and agro-processing and we are also interested in agriculture and crop production based on the size of arable land that we have.”

In his presentation, the Global Chief Economist, Renaissance Capital, Mr. Charlie Robertson, urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to set in place, conditions that would provide jobs for four million Nigerians entering the workforce each year.

Robertson stated that industrialisation would be required to achieve this in the long-term, by pushing Gross Domestic Product growth up to 7-11 per cent annually.

In the short to medium term, he said oil prices rising above $100/bbl could achieve the same goal.

According to him, “Without either, GDP may rise from two to four per cent over Buhari’s second term. Industrialisation is not possible without raising the adult literacy rate from 60 per cent in 2015, to 70 per cent (perhaps in 2024?).

“Nigeria needs to more than double electricity consumption from the national grid, and double the investment share of GDP.” According to the economist,

to raise investment, Nigeria needs to attract, rather than deter foreign direct investment, raise taxes to reduce borrowing, improve the Ease of Doing Business, and shift spending from consumption (wages, the implicit fuel subsidy) to investment.

He advised the CBN to unify its official exchange rates, gently cut interest rates and allow the currency to depreciate to offset inflation differentials with trading partners.

He added: “We think these policies could help lift growth to the upper end of the 2-4 per cent GDP growth range noted above.

We think other markets in West Africa are likely to industrialise first (Ghana) or see a strong rise in private sector debt/GDP ratios (Ivory Coast, Senegal).

“We continue to believe Africa will be a $29 trillion economy in 2050, larger than the 2012 combined GDP of the US and Eurozone, with Nigeria a $6 trillion economy in 2050, with a per capita GDP similar to Brazil today – and a football team brilliant enough to win the 2050 World Cup.”

that going by the liquidity management system and other related conditions, including the fact that elections are over, the rate may continue to decline.

Meanwhile, the NBS stated that April inflation rate increase was largely attributed to increases in the prices of meat, fish, oils and fat, bread and cereals, milk, cheese and egg, potatoes, yam and other tubers,

fruits and vegetables.

However, core inflation, which excludes the prices of agricultural produce rose as a result of increases in prices of medical services, hospital services, dental services, actual and imputed rentals for housing, cleaning, repair and hire of clothing, tobacco, vehicle spare parts, major household appliances and garments.

very good in doing calculations, go and check today: the price of a barrel of palm oil is more than the price of a barrel of crude oil. So, what happened to our country?

“There are countries when they have the opportunities in agriculture and also have opportunities in the crude sector, they didn’t let their guards down.”

The CBN governor, however, gave an assurance that the palm oil market would be grown back again, after which cocoa in the South-west area would be the next area of focus.

Speaking on how the CBN bailed out the country during recession, Emefiele said: “When I resumed work in June 2014, I unveiled a five-year vision for the bank and for the country.

Achieving microeconomic stability was my main focus.

In trying to talk about what we achieved in the last five years, we should take our mind back to the state of the economy.

“In August 2008, about $62 billion was in our foreign reserve. Within the period, we saw an increase in the price of crude oil. Despite this, our reserve plummeted to about $40 billion. By the time I assumed office, the reserve was $32 billion.

“As a result of the pressure on the reserve, import was high. Export was reducing.

As a result, exchange rate had to move. Coupled with the increase of fuel price, inflation became high between January 2016 and January 2017; the period was bad.

“The restriction of exchange rate was to reduce pressure on imports. We have maintained the exchange rate at N360 to a dollar in the last three years.

In the last three years, about N300 billion has been invested in small businesses.”

Senior Special Assistant to the President on National

Assembly Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, who presented Emefiele for screening, commended the speedy response of the Senate to the request of the president to confirm Emefiele.

Enang said, “This confirmation will be seen as one of the fastest requests to be considered by the Senate. The executive is grateful. I hereby present to you for confirmation, Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the CBN.” A member of the committee, Senator Fatima Raji-Rasaki, in her contribution, urged the CBN boss to ensure that any time there are funds like the bailout funds, the government is properly advised on how to disburse the funds for the benefit of Nigerians.

Senator Hope Uzodinma reminded his colleagues that the screening was for reappointment and not fresh appointment.

He noted that in the wisdom of the president, the CBN governor passed his examination hence his reappointment for a second term.

Senator Shehu Sani noted that when things are good everybody will come around but when things are bad everybody will run away.

The Kaduna Central senator advised the CBN boss to consolidate on the growth of cotton and textile industry, especially in Kaduna and Katsina States.

Reacting to certain attempts to smear the image of the CBN governor, the chairman of the committee, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, noted that the good work the CBN governor was doing might have attracted distraction to him.

“When you see a good thing some people want to distract it,” he said.

At least, 17 senators attended the screening.

INFLATION RATE JUMPS TO 11.37% AFTER CONSISTENT DROP SINCE JANUARY also rose by 0.90 per cent in April, up by 0.13 from the 0.77 per cent recorded in March.

Notably, inflation resumed its descent in January 2019 when it dropped to 11.37 per cent from 11.44 per cent in December in 2018.

The headline index further reduced to 11.31 per cent in February and 11.25 per cent in March before resorting to the upward trajectory in April.

The rebound in the headline index will be a major source of worry to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which had been labouring to keep inflation rate at single digit, so as to contain the rising prices and stabilise the exchange rate.

One of the major concerns around high inflation had been its benign effect on both monetary and fiscal policies as well as the economy in general.

The consecutive monthly drop in inflation in previous months had allowed for a rare opportunity for the CBN to tinker with the monetary policy rate (interest rate) which was reduced by 50 basis points recently to the excitement of the markets.

The adjustment in MPR finally came after holding the rate at 14 per cent for about two years, largely due to

inflation as the former rate cannot go below the latter rate.

There had been increasing expectations that the declining rate of inflation could possibly lead to further slash in MPR by the monetary authorities but the latest rebound could spell otherwise.

The sudden upward trajectory in the headline index beat analysts’ forecasts, some of whom had predicted

S E NATE C O MMI T T EE PR AISES EMEFIE L E, R EC OM M E N D S H I M F OR C ON F I R M AT I ON to plenary for confirmation.

Ibrahim, who spoke after the screening, said the committee was impressed by Emefiele’s performance as governor of the apex bank.

The CBN governor had given an insight into what his second term in office would look like, saying the apex bank will be hard on the nation's economic saboteurs.

"We will push very hard to ensure that those who seek to undermine the policies of Nigeria without respecting the laws of this country will be brought to book under any circumstances," he said.

The CBN governor who appreciated the avalanche of prayers offered for his success by the committee members led by the Chairman, Senator Adebayo Ibrahim, acknowledged that the road ahead of him is very rough.

"I thank you for praying for me because we need it and I say this because the road ahead is still rough and very tough," he said.

He, therefore, called on the citizenry to cultivate the habit of respecting government policies and laws.

He said: "I want to appeal to all Nigerians that a time comes in the history of a country where you have to learn to respect the policies and laws of a country.

Part of the problem that we have seen in Nigeria is lack of respect for the policies of this country. Nigeria is very good at putting in place policies that are sound and workable. But implementation has always been almost zero.

And it is arising because we see people sabotaging government activities. We see people when policies are made, where they pick up the pieces of paper about the policy, what they think about is how do we circumvent this policy?"

Emefiele told the committee

that it is not true that Nigeria operates a multiple exchange rate.

He explained: "We do not have multiple exchange rates.

When you talk of multiple exchange rates, you talk about divergence in exchange rate.

Substantially today, our rates have converged around N360 to $1 because the investors and exporters will know which is the dominant market for procurement of foreign exchange today; it hovers around that rate. But what you will find is multiple windows and we don't have any apologies for it."

He further justified multiple windows of exchange rate saying: "When you talk about multiple windows, the central bank has a responsibility to provide foreign exchange to everybody. What we saw that resulted in us creating multiple windows - we want to make sure that those who seek to travel, who will normally go to our banks to ask for foreign exchange and the banks will turn them away, and these people will seek to go to black market to buy foreign exchange, we said No! We will allocate specific sums of money to banks to allocate to people who want to travel. We will allocate specific sums of money to you to allocate to those who are into the small and medium enterprise business. And we will allocate funds to you for you to give to those who are in your corporate sectors.

"So, you will find multiple windows because the rates at which foreign exchange is traded through all these windows are substantially the same. So, there are no multiple exchange rates but I will admit there is multiple windows and it is for a good reason."

He said Nigeria's population is expected to peak at 425 million people by year 2050

going by the IMF/ World Bank Economic Outlook.

According to him, the CBN from the monetary policy side has come to realise that using the instrumentality of the Anchor Borrowers Programme where access to credit is being provided to the masses all over the country, will be a way to generate employment and boost economic activity among the rural population.

He told the senators: “We just came back from the IMF/ World Bank programme in April. And in the World Bank’s/IMF’s World Economic Outlook, Nigeria is positioned as a country whose population will grow and rise to over 425 million people by the year 2050.

“That will present Nigeria as a country with the third largest population in the world after China and India and indeed surpassing the United States of America in population.

“I worry and I do think that we all should worry that a lot of work needs to be done to make sure that we are able to put in place policies that will make life good for this 425 million people when we are the third largest population in the world.

“So, we from the Central Bank of Nigeria, from the monetary policy side, have come to the realisation that using the instrumentality of the Anchor Borrowers Programme where access to credit is being provided to our masses all over the country, that it will be a way to generate employment and boost economic activity amongst our rural population.

“The results are there to see that as a result of our Anchor Borrowers Programme, where we have disbursed over N190 billion to over 1.1 million smallholder farmers, cultivating over 1.3 million hectares of land, that we need to do more of this.

“As we do this, we make finance available at low-interest rate; we make access to credit easy for our people. And in doing this, we will be able to create jobs for them and improve the livelihood of our people.

“That is a sole thing that we make. And I am very optimistic that this can be achieved.”

He continued: “I went to one Asian country, I entered the country happy but I came out of the country sadly. Sad because I could see the level of development that this country has achieved over the last 50 years.

“And I cast my mind back and look at my country Nigeria that what have we achieved?

This is what gives me the push that at my age of 57, I saw this country when it was good.

“I am looking at the country today and I am saying I don’t want to say it is bad but I want to say that we have a lot of work to do; because the country has no doubt receded somewhat.

“So from our side in the monetary policy, we will do everything possible to ensure that with the mandate that is bestowed on us, we will pull this country forward.

“Aside from the Anchor Borrowers programme, we are also looking at special programmes targeted at wholesale growth of agricultural sector in Nigeria. Aside from rice and other small good crop markets, we have started looking at palm oil.

“Because we believe that this country has a lot of potentials in palm oil. If you think about what this country was in the 50’s and 60’s, Nigeria being a country at that time that controlled 40 per cent market share in palm oil industry, exporting its palm oil to different parts of the world.

But because we found crude oil, we receded and abandoned it.

“For some of you who are

8

THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Kano Emirs: Court Orders Parties to Maintain Status Quo Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Justice Nasiru Saminu of the Kano State High Court sitting in Ungogo yesterday halted the appointment and installation of four new emirs by the Kano State government, asking parties in the dispute to maintain status quo pending the determination of a suit challenging the appointments.

The state high court had on May 10 issued an exparte order restraining the government from balkanising the Kano Emirate into five emirates.

But the Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, issued

appointment letters to the new emirs and presented staff of office to them in spite of the subsisting court order.

A member of the House of Assembly representing Gwarzo State Constituency, Hon. Rabiu Gwarzo, had filed the suit challenging the creation of the new emirates.

The plaintiff was represented by his counsel, Abubakar Mahmud (SAN), while the respondents were represented

by Kano State Attorney General, Mr. Ibrahim Muktar.

The respondents in the suit include the governor, Speaker of the state House of Assembly,

Clerk of the assembly, the Commissioner for Justice and the Government Printer.

On Tuesday, Kano kingmakers filed another suit against the

governor and state government, challenging the balkanisation of the emirate.

The four kingmakers are Madakin Kano, District

Head of Dawakin Tofa, Yusuf Nabahani; Makaman Kano, District Head of Wudil, Abdullahi Sarki-Ibrahim; Sarkin Dawaki Mai Tuta,

District Head of Gabasawa, Bello Abubakar; and Sarkin Ban Kano, District Head of Dambatta, Mukhtar Adnan.

Army Explains Killing of Commanding Officer,Two Soldiers by Boko Haram NAF kills 12 bandits, rescues 15 kidnap victims Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigerian Army yesterday explained the circumstances surrounding the death of the Commanding Officer (CO) of 154 Task Force Battalion, Borgozo, Borno State, Lt. Col. Yusuf Ibrahim Aminu, and two other soldiers.

This is coming as the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said its recently inaugurated 271 NAF Detachment in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, yielded dividends with the killing of 12 armed bandits in the area and the release of 15 kidnap victims.

The Army Headquarters said the fallen soldiers died in action while on a clearance operation.

“The late Lieutenant Colonel Yusuf Ibrahim Aminu was the Commanding Officer (CO), of 154 Task Force Battalion Borgozo.

“He was on a clearance operation along Mauli- Borgozo when his vehicle climbed on a buried Improvised Explosive Device (IED), which detonated resulting in his death and that of two other soldiers, while others were wounded in action,” army said.

The statement signed by army’s spokesman, Col. Sagir Musa, said the fallen soldiers were buried in Maimalari Military Cantonment Cemetary, Maiduguri, Borno State.

He said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, has commiserated with the families of the diseased.

Buratai said “the patriotic officer and two soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice while on clearance operations along Mauli-Borgozo axis on Monday, May 13, 2019.

“The sacrifices of all the deceased officers and soldiers of the NA are no doubt painful to all, but that will further ginger the serving gallant troops to do more to ensure that the nation remains secure and peaceful”.

Meanwhile, the NAF said it conducted air strikes that killed 12 armed bandits in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State and rescued 15 kidnap victims.

It said the action was the outcome of the recent establishment of the 271 NAF Detachment in the area.

“The establishment of the 271 Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Detachment in Birnin Gwari is yielding steady dividends as air strikes conducted by the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Diran Mikiya in liaison with troops of the detachment, have resulted in the neutralisation of 12 armed bandits as well as the release of 15 kidnap victims”, a NAF statement said.

The update signed by NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said “the air strikes, which were conducted on the heels of intelligence reports indicating that the armed bandits were camped within the Kamuku forest area, straddling both Birnin Gwari Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State and Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State, caused the bandits to flee the location in disarray, thereby enabling the kidnap victims to escape, with some finding their way to Nacibi, and others to Gobirawa and Dogon Muazu in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area,” NAF explained.

FEC MEETING...

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari (right), and National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd.), during the Federal Executive Council meeting, at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Buhari’sVictory Has Demystified Obasanjo, Says Oba of Lagos Ejiofor Alike The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, yesterday said the election of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office was a clear proof that God gives power and not man.

Akiolu made the statement when participants of the Senior Executive Course 41 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, visited him in his palace in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the visitors who were on study tour of the state were led by NIPSS’s Acting Director of Studies, Dr. Nasirudeen Usman.

Akiolu said the president got his second term mandate from God

through the people of Nigeria.

He said the claim by former President Olusegun Obasanjo prior to the election that Buhari would not win the election because he did not support him had been neutralised by the president’s triumph.

Akiolu said Obasanjo had always arrogated to himself the divine power to determine the country’s leaders, adding that Buhari’s victory in the last election had demystified him.

Akiolu said he had always believed Buhari would win the election and that he was glad that the former president had been proved wrong at the end of the day.

“I had said that Buhari would win even before the election;

unfortunately ,the number one person creating problems in this country is former President Obasanjo.

“He arrogated to himself the powers of the Almighty Allah by saying it was the support he gave to Buhari that made him win the first term.

“Obasanjo said Buhari would not win the second term, but did Buhari not win? Did I not say Obasanjo will be disappointed by the time the results were announced?

“The president’s victory clearly shows that power belongs to God only and no man can decide who leads the country,” he added.

Akiolu urged Nigerians to support the president to deliver the goods as he begins his second term in office.

He said the problems of insecurity, unemployment and other challenges of the country would be better tackled if citizens joined hands with government to address them.

The monarch urged politicians to put the issues of the last elections behind them and work together for the progress of the country.

Akiolu advised the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to drop his case against Buhari’s election.

He predicted that Atiku’s case will amount to nought at the end of the day, adding that he strongly believed Buhari had the manadate of Nigerians and would finish his term in office.

Police Allege Plots to Attack, Destroy Oil Facilities The Nigeria Police Force yesterday said they had uncovered plots by some persons to commence massive and coordinated attacks on oil installations across the country.

Force Spokesman, Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), said in a statement in Abuja that the attacks would be carried out in the Niger Delta region and

adjoining states.

He said the elements were claiming to be climate and environmental activists.

“These plots, which are politically motivated, are aimed at sabotaging oil installations with intended negative consequences on national security, economic development and global oil market,” he said.

Mba said the acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had ordered commissioners of police nationwide, particularly in designated states, to intensify surveillance missions around oil facilities and other critical national infrastructure.

He said that the commissioners and other

field commanders had also been directed to put in place proactive measures to neutralise the threats and bring the plotters to book.

“The IG warned of dire consequences for persons or group of persons who may want to resort to the use of violence in advancing their political or economic goals,” he said.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, yesterday accused some defeated politicians in the just concluded general election of being responsible for the current heightened situation in parts of the country.

Buratai levelled the accusation in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, when he received the House Committee on Army led by its Chairman, Remande Shawulu, at the Theatre Command.

“The myriad of security challenges we are facing now in the North-west, North-central and other parts of the country, I want to believe and rightly so, is the fall out of the just concluded general election.

“There are several political interests - politicians in particular are not happy with their defeat and therefore, trying to take revenge, sponsoring some these criminal activities.

“There are strong political undertone, strong political influence.

“So, I will use this opportunity to call on the honourable members here to prevail on some of these politicians to look at national interest first before any other political or sectional interest.

“We have some strong evidences but we are still being cautious so that we don’t get it wrong,’’ Buratai said.

The army chief advised those politicians against doing anything to aggravate the security challenges.

Earlier, Shawulu said that the committee was at the theatre for its usual oversight function.

He paid tribute to officers and soldiers, who had died in course of the counter insurgency operation, saying they sacrificed their lives for the security and peace of the North-east and country at large.

Buhari Leaves for Saudi Arabia Buratai Blames Defeated Politicians for Heightened Insecurity Today to Perform Lesser Hajj President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja today on the invitation of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, the King of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to perform the Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) in the kingdom.

The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.

According to the statement, the president, accompanied by close personal aides, will embark on the journey on May 16 and return to Abuja on May 21.

The president last performed the Umrah in Saudi Arabia in February 2016.

Umrah is an optional but recommended pilgrimage to Makkah that can be made at any time of the year.

THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

9

NEWS

Lawan: I Won’t be a Rubber Stamp Leader Breaks fast with 30 senators-elect

Iyobosa Uwugiaren and Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate Majority Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, yesterday promised a robust, transparent and a more cooperative Senate in the ninth National Assembly that will pursue a harmonious working relationship with the executive arm of government.

Lawan also yesterday evening intensified his campaign for the Ninth Senate presidency as he broke Ramadan fast with 30 Senators-elect across party lines.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja with his campaign team led by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, Lawan debunked insinuation that he could become a rubber stamp leader if elected.

“We are going to be what the constitution says we should be.

We will not pursue a rancorous legislature. When we disagree, we will seek ways of resolving our disagreement with the executive to improve in the lives of Nigerians”, he said.

While outlining his vision if elected president of the Senate, Lawan said his mission is to have a Senate or National Assembly that works for the overall interest of Nigerians.

He added, “I and my team want a National Assembly

that will work to improve the security situation and economy of our country - that caters for the interest of everyone. We will work hard to ensure a 12-month budget cycle from January 1 to December 31.

“All ministers and MDA’s will be given one month to defend their budgets and another two months for the committees to do a review before passing it to the president for assent.”

Lawan noted that Nigerians want to see corruption brought to its knees and for resources to be applied optimally for the benefit of all. According to him, Nigerians want to live in peace with one another, assuring that the current majority number of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Senate is working to engage their Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) colleagues for the progress of the country.

“We will be bi-partisan in approach and will not discriminate.

We shall work with our colleagues in the House of Representatives to promote harmony to ease the work of the executive.

“On the independence of the National Assembly, the Senate will remain firm at all times and assert its independence based on mutual cooperation and synergy with the executive.”

The Senate majority leader further disclosed that his team believed that President Muhammadu Buhari has laudable programmes to execute for the benefit of all Nigerians and requires a more understanding and cooperative legislature to implement these programs.

Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Ahmed Lawan campaign team, Senator Abdullahi gave reasons why Lawan is the best candidate for the office, disclosing that two days after the 2019 general election, a group of senators met APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole to intimate him about the suitability of Lawan

for the Senate Presidency.

“The reasons we gave included his clean record, good academic qualification, experience and loyalty to the party. Lawson’s choice was a concurrence of interest to guarantee a stable legislature”, Abdullahi noted.

Meanwhile, Lawan also yesterday evening intensified his campaign as he broke Ramadan fast with 30 senators-elect across party lines.

The event held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja from 6.30 p.m. to 8 p.m., had in attendance, a former Interior Minister and PDP Senator-elect for Benue South, Abba Morro and Ifeanyi Ubah, Young People Party (YPP) Senator-elect

for Anambra South.

Morro, who was the only PDP Senator-elect at the occasion, assured his colleagues of his readiness to work towards the emergence of Lawan as Senate president when the Ninth National Assembly is convened in June.

He said he was convinced that Lawan possessed the necessary qualities to become the next president of the upper legislative chamber.

Also speaking, Lawan said his campaign towards becoming the next Senate president was hinged on the need to contribute his quota towards the nation’s development.

“I belief there is need to be part of the next level of Nigeria’s development and will dutifully contribute my own quota upon emergence as Senate President,” he said.

The ranking Senators that broke fast with Lawan include Abdullahi Adamu, Remi Tinubu, Ovie Omo-Agege, Solomon Olamilekan, Jibrin Barau, Buhari Abdulfatai and Abdullahi Sabi.

The senators-elect at the event include Opeyemi Bamidele, Bello Mandiya, Dayo Adeyeye, Adetunbi Ayodeji, Ibrahim Oloriegbe and Aishatu Ahmed.

EFCC Quizzes N’Assembly Clerk, Seizes His Passport Group backs Goje for Senate presidency Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Ataba SaniOmolori, was on Tuesday invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over issues relating to the finances of the National Assembly, as well as the inauguration of the Ninth National Assembly.

This is coming as a North Central Advocacy Group has endorsed Senator Danjuma Goje for the position of Senate president.

THISDAY gathered that Sani-Omolori was invited to the headquarters of the anti-graft body and was interrogated by an operative of the EFCC for six hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Apart from initial questions on records of finances of the National Assembly, it was also learnt that Sani-Omolori was also reportedly asked about the method of election of the presiding officers of the Ninth National Assembly billed for June.

Omolori’s six-hour interrogation at the EFCC headquarters also resulted in the seizure of his international passport.

Sources privy to the invitation told THISDAY that other key officials of the National Assembly, including the Clerk of the Senate, and the of the House of Representatives, as well as their deputies have also been invited to the commission today.

Before Omolori’s invitation, the former Clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, had earlier been quizzed by the same agency One of the sources disclosed that Maikasuwa was quizzed shortly before Omolori got to the EFCC office where he met

the former.

A source at EFCC confirmed Omolori’s interrogation.

The EFCC source however, did not want his name mentioned because he was not authorised to speak on the matter.

Meanwhile, Goje, has received the endorsement of a North Central Advocacy Group for the position of Senate president.

Pressure groups across the 19 Northern states have endorsed Goje for the position ahead of the June inauguration of the Ninth assembly.

Goje, a former Governor of Gombe of State and Chairman of Senate Committee on Appropriations, is one of the three contenders for the Senate presidency.

The two others are Senators Ahmad Lawan and Ali Ndume.

The North Central Advocacy Group, after its meeting held at the J S Tarka Foundation Makurdi, Benue State capital, yesterday stated that Goje with his wealth of experience will be able to perform wonders as the number three citizen of the country.

“As a former governor of Gombe State ,a three-time senator, former minister and presently chairman senate committee on appropriations, he is eminently qualified to man the office of Senate president,” Hon Inalegwu Ejembi, the convener and leader of the group, said.

The meeting was in solidarity with other youth groups across the country that had thrown their weights behind the candidature of Goje.

Ejembi, a youth mobiliser cum human rights activist said Goje most go ahead and declare interest for the Senate presidency.

UNVEILING NEW POLICY DIRECTION...

Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele (left), and Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang when the CBN governor appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions for screening for a second term, in Abuja...yesterday JULIUS ATOI

TI: Nigeria Loses $17bn Annually to Illicit Financial Flows Kasim Sumaina and Udora Orizu in Abuja Transparency International (TI) yesterday disclosed that Nigeria loses not less than US$ $17 billion annually through illicit financial flows.

Executive Director of TI and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, stated this in Abuja during a meeting of his organisation with its West Africa chapters.

While insisting that political and business elite has deprived Nigerians their entitlements through corruption in procurement, Rafsanjani said: “Our countries experience enormous challenges with public procurement, political integrity, illicit financial outflows, migration and many others. In Nigeria, $17 billion is lost annually to illicit financial outflows.

“Procurement is said to be responsible for 70 percent of corruption proceeds. Detached

political representation and unaccountable political and business elite has deprived Nigeria, and I believe most of the other African countries, of their development potential.”

According to the TI director, the issue of corruption and lack of accountability could be tackled only through coalitions and networks.

He specifically noted that the leaders perpetrating corruption in Nigeria and other African countries through procurement process

on every sector have infiltrated education sector, taking away fundamental rights of young boys and girls.

According to him, “As the position papers show, corruption in education systems across ECOWAS has become common place, depriving citizens of their fundamental rights to personal development and the opportunity to realise their full potential. Learning to read and write is a fundamental right.”

US to Relocate Consulate to Eko Atlantic City The United States Consul General in Lagos, Mr. John Bray, yesterday announced that the home government had secured about 1,000 hectares of land on the Eko Atlantic City in Lagos.

Bray made the disclosure at his residence shortly after signing the engagement agreement between the US government officials and the Executive Chairman of South EnergyX Nigeria, Mr. Roland Chagoury.

The Consul General said the decision to build a new consulate in the Eko Atlantic City was to afford Nigerians better and more accessible services at the consulate general.

“This is another demonstration that the United States is

committed to Nigeria and her citizens.

“What we currently have as a Consulate General was constructed in the ‘70s.

“So, we have acquired a land in Eko Atlantic City to build a new consulate better and more accessible to Nigerians and others coming to visit for visas and other services,’’ he said.

Bray said that the U.S. government was proud to be participating in Eko Atlantic City project, adding that the new consulate would further strengthen the US/Nigeria relations.

The Envoy, who said that the City was selected for its worldclass infrastructure, reiterated

the consulate’s commitment to working with Nigerians in providing opportunities for economic and development in Lagos.

The Executive Chairman of South EnergyX Nigeria said that the US government was welcome to the Eko Atlantic City.

He said that the confidence of the US government in the Eko Atlantic City had reinforced the shared beliefs in the benefits that the city would bring to generations to come.

“We warmly welcome the government of the United States of America to the Eko Atlantic City.

“The signing of this agreement today signifies the dedication

that the United States of America has always had for Nigeria,’’ he said.

He commended the Lagos State Government and the federal government for their continued support in making Eko Atlantic City a success.

Eko Atlantic is an entire new coastal city being built on Victoria Island adjacent to Lagos, Nigeria.

The city is officially Nigeria’s International Commerce city, which is a planned city of Lagos State, being constructed on land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean.

It is a focal point for investors capitalising on rich development growth based on massive demand – and a gateway to emerging markets of the continent.

10

THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Probe N14tn Corruption Allegation under Your Watch, PDP Tells Buhari Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to order investigation into the alleged corruption and treasury looting, under his watch, which allegedly to over N14 trillion before the May 29 expiration of his first term in office.

The main opposition party also said that the presidency should explain the circumstances surrounding the alleged corruption in the handling of the N2.6 trillion oil subsidy regime, particularly the alleged N58 hidden tax per litre, which Nigerians have continued to bear since the fuel price increased from PDP-subsidised cost of N87 to presumably unsubsidised cost of N145.

It also alluded to the reported stealing of N1.1 trillion worth of crude oil using 18 unregistered companies, allegedly linked to members of the cabal at the presidency.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement yesterday,

insisted that Buhari must show his integrity by opening up his tenure for investigation, the same way his presidency is demanding of other elected officials in the legislature and state governments across the country.

“The Buhari Presidency should order investigation into the whereabouts of N9 trillion ($25billion) allegedly stolen in his Ministry of Petroleum Resources, through under-hand oil contracts as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo.

“President Buhari should allow an investigation into the alleged looting of over N40 billion Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) funds; the over N45 billion allegedly looted from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS); the alleged siphoning of $322 million repatriated funds; the alleged extortion of N1.2 billion through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, as well as the billions stolen under the ‘tradermoni’ project, among others.

“Unless Mr. President has

something to hide, he should within the next 14 days, allow for an independent inquest into these allegations of corruption,” he added.

The party equally challenged the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anticorruption, (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay, to help the country by advising Buhari to present his stewardship for investigation for alleged corruption, instead of his (Sagay) unnecessary fixation on court rulings on Rivers State.

Ologbondiyan stated categorically that the Buhari-led APC administration is going down in history as the most corrupt administration ever, “a stinking sanctuary of treasury thieves that thrives in manipulation, deception and official concealment.”

He added that it was totally unpardonable that Buhari, despite his touted integrity and zero tolerance for corruption, not only superintended over an administration that reeks and wallows in corruption, but also refused to allow any investigation into earth shaking corruption under his watch.

Ekiti Monarch, Arts DG Raise the Alarm over FadingYoruba Language, Culture Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, and the Director General of the Ekiti State Council of Arts and Culture, Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre, have expressed fears that the Yoruba language might go into extinction if steps are not taken to promote its usefulness and values.

The monarch and the DG spoke in Ado Ekiti when the latter paid a courtesy call on Oba Adejugbe at his palace yesterday.

Adejugbe said the new heads of the agency should not betray the confidence reposed in them by the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, or shirk in their responsibilities to rejuvenate the arts and culture sector in the state in order to contribute to economic development.

According to the monarch, “Our culture and tradition are seriously endangered, especially our language and dialect, which are our greatest identities and assets.

“Most of our children now

attend private schools, where Yoruba language and Ekiti dialect are prohibited. Even at home, the parents speak English language to their children.

“Those who said Yoruba language might fade out in the next 25 years didn’t lie, because we don’t value it.

The Westerners we are emulating are even protecting their own. They are even coming to learn Ifa and run its panegyric fluently.

“Losing our values had made us suffered in so many ways. In the olden days, only one person would conquer Boko Haram and other killers in the country, painfully, this is how far we have gone to lose our cultural and traditional potential.”

Ojo-Lanre, who also raised the alarm, stated that there was need for concerted effort to rescue Yoruba language and other traditional mementoes that could have added to the economic and societal values from being exterminated by modernity.

He said: “Our vision is to add the arts and culture among the sectors

that will shore up development of this state.

“Our proposition is to partner all the monarchs in all the 133 towns in the state to promote all our festivals and societal values as well as generate revenue.”

The DG added that Ado Ekiti metropolis occupies a pivotal position in the history of Yoruba nation, which he said should be protected and launched to a global pedestal.

“Anything that has to do with arts and culture must be promoted.

Our Yoruba language and Ekiti dialect are gradually fading out, as they are being abandoned.

“Some English researchers did a research in Peckam in London few years ago and discovered that Yoruba language may go into extinction in 15 years’ time.

“We must preserve our heritage for our children; we must not let our festivals like Ogun, Ifa, Egungun, Ija, and ourgeneralwaysoflifefromdying.They must be protected,” he stated.

Lagos FRSC Begins Checks onVehicle Papers Monday The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command, has stated that defaulting motorists run the risk of being fined N10,000 as it begins a special patrol codenamed ‘Operation Show Your Driver’s Licence’ on Monday.

The State Sector Commander, Mr. Hyginus Omeje, made this known in a statement issued yesterday, and signed by the Sector’s Head of Public Education, Superintendent Route Commander Florence Edor.

Omeje said the two-week special patrol was aimed at reducing the high incidents of motorists driving without valid driver’s licence in the state, as most motorists who apply for licence never care to go back to the licensing offices to collect their permanent licence.

“We are starting our patrol operation by May 20, as we have 64,468 uncollected permanent driver’s licence across the state,” he said.

The sector commander expressed dissatisfaction with the attitude of some motorists

driving without valid licence.

According to him, it is the only legal document that permits anyone to drive on Nigerian roads.

He said that if a defaulter could not produce his licence within 24 hours, he is liable to a fine.

11

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COMMENT

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

IS IT TIME TO LEGALISE MARIJUANA? Olusegun Adeniyi reasons it is time to legalise the drug

Legalise it Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t criticise it Legalise it, yeah yeah And I will advertise it Some Some Some Some

call it tamjee call it the weed call it marijuana of them call it ganja

Never mind, got to legalise it Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good for the ďŹ&#x201A;u Good for asthma Good for tuberculosis Even numara thrombosis Go to legalise it Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t criticiseâ&#x20AC;Ś --Peter Tosh, the late Jamaican reggae musician, in his 1976 solo album after leaving The Wailers

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hen in the course of the 2019 presidential election campaigns, the publisher of Saharareporters and candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Mr Omoyele Sowore, said â&#x20AC;&#x153;we have to start taking care of our weed (Igbo), such that we can also contribute to the GDP of the world,â&#x20AC;? many Nigerians derided him. I felt at the time that Sowore had started a very important conversation we need to have if we must tap into what is fast becoming a global money spinner in which our country has a competitive advantage. In a Tweet from Thailand on Monday, Sowore got an endorsement to his idea from Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu who said he was in the Southeast Asian country to â&#x20AC;&#x153;study how cannabis can be of more advantage to the state and Nigeria at large just the way Thai government has doneâ&#x20AC;?, adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cannabis is used for medical purposes; how can it be cultivated for specific purposes and not be abused?â&#x20AC;?

Akeredolu, who was in Thailand with Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), said his state would derive economic benefits from tapping into the marijuana market: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We all know that Ondo State is the hot bed of cannabis cultivation in Nigeria. We know how to grow it and it thrives well in the sunshine state. With an estimated value of $145 billion in 2025, we would be short-changing ourselves if we failed to tap into the legal marijuana market. Our focus now is medical marijuana cultivation in controlled plantations under the full supervision of the NDLEA. I strongly implore the FG to take this seriously as it is a thriving industry that will create thousands of jobs for our youth and spur economic diversification.â&#x20AC;?

Before I make my point, let me state that I have never smoked cigarette or cannabis and I am quite aware that in a country where hypocrisy is a national ideology and majority are moral policemen (regardless of how they live their lives), the idea of legalizing cannabis will be hard to sell.

But in the world we now live in, it makes perfect sense to tap into the economic benefit of an aspect of marijuana use that has been in a global issue for a while and I commend Akeredolu for his foresight. Besides, even in our country, as Peter Tosh sang in his controversial album, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Doctors smoke it, Nurses smoke it, Judges smoke it, Even lawyer, tooâ&#x20AC;?. But I am not advocating for anybody to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;smoke itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Following the passage of a law in Canada legalising the recreational use

IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE TO TAP INTO THE ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF AN ASPECT OF MARIJUANA USE

of marijuana (which can now be grown, distributed, and sold anywhere in the country) last year, the UK authorities also pledged to review the use of medicinal cannabis which could lead to more prescriptions of drugs made from the plant although it would remain banned for recreational use. The Israeli parliament has also passed the medical cannabis exports law estimated to yield an annual $265m in tax income alone. In the United States, many states have since 2011 legalised its sale fuelling an industry that is now said to be worth $10 billion and employs 250,000 people in the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never seen anything quite like this,â&#x20AC;? says Jeffery Mascio, CEO of Cannabis One Holdings, a company that develops and markets cannabis products in Colorado, Washington and Nevada. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a new industry thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sprung up practically over-night.â&#x20AC;?

At the instance of Mr Ehi Braimoh, I was in Port Harcourt last Thursday as keynote speaker at the 2019 annual conference of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN). In the panel discussion that followed my presentation, Mr Olufemi Awoyemi, the founder of Proshare who is never afraid to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;shake tablesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, said it was time Nigeria tapped into the huge medical marijuana market. During lunch, I had a chat with Awoyemi who said there is so much ignorance in our country on what exactly marijuana is. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For me, it is an agricultural product that can be put to many uses and offers many by-products which collectively must be harnessed, regulated and exploited for the benefit of allâ&#x20AC;?, said Awoyemi who added that â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a leaf that grows wild and naturally in at least six states of Nigeria where scale and size offer a compelling case for an agricultural economic zone.â&#x20AC;?

The level of knowledge and awareness open to us today about marijuana, according to Awoyemi, were not available when the laws were made to criminalise it in many countries. But since then, research, information exchange and economic insights have shown that marijuana or cannabis has a myriad of health and beauty benefits if properly processed and applied, as we have also witnessed in Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A common example which everyone can relate to, is found in the many female hair products in our shops and markets today, proudly advertising that they contain â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Indian hempâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to add strength and body to womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hair.

No one can recall any religious argument, stereotype or societal derision from such choices yet it represents the clearest irony and shift in thinking that was lost on us allâ&#x20AC;?, Awoyemi said.

Our fears, Awoyemi argues, need not interfere with our promise and I completely agree with him. But if Nigeria is to benefit from the enormous medical and economic advantages the agricultural product offers, he believes we need to enact new legislations that cover the whole ecosystem: trademarks, patents, intellectual property, weed planting, harvesting and shipping, tax laws, accounting standards, customs & excise rates, tariffs, environmental impact assessments, etc., and â&#x20AC;&#x153;we should do away with value destroying actions like burning products and farms which is akin to printing money and burning itâ&#x20AC;?, Awoyemi said.

With creative thinking, marijuana can earn for at least six states in the country more money than they currently receive from the federation account, generate a large number of direct and indirect jobs and create a competitive product value chain that is sustainable and profitable. The farms can easily be ring-fenced and confined to an export processing zone (EPZ) from which the product would be grown, harvested, processed into contract-determined specifications and packed for direct export abroad with supervision by officials of both the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and NDLEA. For that to happen, all the laws concerning cannabis use must be reviewed with the intention of modifying them to allow for the proper leveraging of what has become a key medical and economic resource.

Adeniyi is Chairman, THISDAY Editorial Board

BUHARI, TINUBU AND 2023 PRESIDENCY

Bola Tinubu has what it takes to preside over the affairs of the country, writes Cyprian O. Igban

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f Nigeria is to witness the much desired quantum leap in development and positive transformation, she needs the best pair of hands devoid of sentiments to pilot her affairs at the highest level. In Nigeria, leaders that combine the speed of the lion and the gazelle together with the wisdom of eagle are hard to come by. However, within that premium range are leaders like President Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

But as it is said, it is the tree bearing the juiciest fruits that attracts the most stones and that is why the two leaders have been receiving both constructive and unwarranted barbs from some Nigerians. It is in that context that frequent criticisms of the two foremost leaders of the ruling party by some politically exposed elements and other critics can be viewed.

For instance, the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai recently launched an unprovoked indirect kick at Senator Tinubu asking Lagosians to mobilize against godfatherism. Although he did not mention any name but analysts believe he was referring to Senator Tinubu who has mentored three governors that had ruled the state since he left the Alausa Government House in May 2007.

In similar vein, the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Bello Bodejo recently fired a salvo which appeared to disparage the reputation of Senator Tinubu.

Bodejo attempted to question the Jagabanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suitability for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of

Nigeria against the backdrop of rumours making the rounds in some quarters that he might take a shot at the topmost office come 2023.

El-Rufaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unwarranted outburst as well as that of Bodejo should ordinarily have been ignored but for the risk of allowing a cocktail of lies to pass as a gospel truth. Bodejoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s infantile attempt to question the leaderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suitability for the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria came probably as a result of fears and rumours making the rounds in some quarters that the influential leader might take a shot at the topmost office come 2023.

First and foremost, let me clarify here that this article goes beyond an attempt by a concerned citizen to set the records straight in the face of needless worries by ElRufai, Bodejo and others. More profoundly, it is my own little way of paying an unalloyed tribute to an enigmatic figure, a political colossus and an engaging personality whose towering political influence straddles the polity.

It is my wish also to point out why it will be a positive development for Nigeria if this charismatic leader, whose influence and followership far outstrips his indigenous South-west geo-political zone, accepts to contest for the presidency in 2023 when the tenure of the incumbent president will come to a glorious conclusion.

There are empirical factors in support of Tinubu presidency in 2023. It is an irrefutable fact that his eightyear tenure as governor of Lagos State (1999â&#x20AC;&#x201D;2007) has remained a reference point in terms of economic and socio-political sagacity anchored on superlative

performance. It is upon his benchmark and foundation that subsequent governors of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commercial nerve centre have continued to build and expand.

A critical x-ray of Tinubuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political trajectory, his numerous contributions to the advancement of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s democratic project and his leadership of the Southwest zone particular shows that he has effectively stepped into the golden shoes left behind by the legendary Chief Obafemi Awolowo as the numero-uno galvanizing figure of the Yoruba race and the progressive forces nationwide.

Although, Senator Tinubu is yet to state whether or not he will contest the 2023 presidential elections, the truth remains that for us his teeming supporters, he is one candidate that has all it takes to take Nigeria to the promised land considering the massive goodwill he has garnered over the years and his enormous contributions to the consolidation of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s democracy.

Since the incumbent president is from the North and Tinubu is from the South, it will not amount to standing the principle of rotation of presidency on its head if our dear Tinubu decides to hearken to the voices of millions of Nigerians by throwing his hat into the ring in 2023.

Again, the issue of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faith shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be a factor in this race because it is a personal affair between an individual and God. Another factor that will work in Tinubuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favour is his famed political sagacity and deep knowledge, which has served as vital stabilizer for the current political dispensation as well as deepening the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s democratic culture. Recall that it was the alliance

forged between Tinubu and Buhari that ensured Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s election as President after three previous unsuccessful attempts. It also made an incumbent President to lose election for the first time in the history of Nigeria.

It was equally this collaboration between the duo that ended the tall dream of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) of ruling Nigeria for 60 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;unbroken yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Again, it was the development that ensured a peaceful transfer of political power at the centre from one political party to another for the first time in Nigeria. So, for an outstanding leader like Tinubu, who made all these possible, what he deserves are commendation and reward.

And no reward should be considered too great for this illustrious son of Nigeria, not even the presidency of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most populous nation.

Those who have been following the odyssey of Tinubuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s engaging political career would readily testify that he is one politician reputed for his organizational prowess, political sagacity, managerial skills and administrative savvy. He is simply the perfect Awo re-incarnate. At this juncture, it is necessary for me to confess that my decision to enter into the fray of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seemingly murky political waters in the first place was because of the everlasting impression that Tinubuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legendary political exploits created in me. He is one unique Nigerian personality with imposing features, strides and achievements.

Engr. Igban, a chieftain of APC, Cross River State Chapter and CEO of CymekPetrocorr Ltd wrote from Abuja

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

EDITORIAL A Deluge Of Suicide Notes There is need for significant improvement in mental health services

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ast weekend attempt by a young man to take his own life over low score in the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has once again brought to public limelight the issue of suicides in the country. While the young man, simply identified as Segun, who livestreamed taking poison after leaving a suicide note, is currently battling for life, Nigerians must be encouraged to become more open as they grapple with their frustrations.

Many suicide notes are filled with confessions that the victims had no one to talk to. Loneliness and the absence of support are the bedrock of suicide incidents.

With an average of one every 40 seconds according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), suicide is topping the chart as the number one killer. Even if that is a global index painting a general picture, a recent survey shows that many Nigerians have committed suicide in the last few years than in previous times, although some of MANY SUICIDE NOTES the deaths are kept ARE FILLED WITH away from the public CONFESSIONS THAT THE arena. Taboos and the VICTIMS HAD NO ONE TO stigma attached to the issue conspire to TALK TO. LONELINESS hush up incidence of AND THE ABSENCE suicides. Yet, it should OF SUPPORT ARE THE worry us all that BEDROCK OF SUICIDE far too many of our INCIDENTS citizens are taking their own lives.

On 6th April, a lecturer at the Department of Mathematics, University of Ibadan committed suicide. There were reports that he took his life after an unfulfilled dream of completing his PhD programme. Also on 19th April, a 100-level student of Kogi State University, Ayingba took her life after she was jilted by her unnamed boyfriend. She drank a pack of insecticide, Sniper, and was rushed to Federal Medical Centre, but it was too late. On 29th April, another undergraduate, a 100-level student of Chemical Engineering at the

Letters to the Editor

University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, committed suicide after drinking two packs of Sniper. And on 4th May, a 26-year-old hairdresser in Lagos took her life two weeks after her boyfriend ended their relationship of two years.

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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

here is a huge body of theories as to why our citizens are taking their own lives: psychological, spiritual and societal. While pundits are discussing these various causes, what looks like a common denominator is depression, a prevalent ailment that we seem to pay scant attention to in Nigeria. Besides, Nigeria is among the countries with no national suicide prevention strategy and it is something we must key into by reducing access to the means of suicide. The strategy, according to WHO, includes “responsible reporting of suicides by the media” to avoid the risk of inspiring copycat attempts as well as care for people suffering from mental and substance use disorders, chronic pain and emotional distress.

Many of those who have been interviewed in recent times said they attempted taking their lives after bouts of depression. And these, more than ever before, are depressing times when, as the Holy Writ aptly puts it “men’s hearts are failing them”. The harsh economic condition has led to all sort of mental health challenges among the populace that could result in suicidal instincts. And confronted with this type of trepidation, some people believe they are better off dead.

This is where the role of community and faith-based organisations becomes handy. Where government fails to set up trauma centres, faith-based bodies should be active in providing care and counselling to single parents, out-of-job youths, drug addicts and rape victims, as this set forms the bulk of those with suicidal tendencies. Above all, nothing can replace individual admonition to self. In times like these, citizens must fall back on internal philosophy that places hope above despair and purpose above emptiness. In the final analysis, as we have repeatedly argued on this page, the will to live or die is sometimes a personal decision.

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.

WHY LEAH SHARIBU IS STILL IN CAPTIVITY

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man, with bloodied “babariga” and with head cocked down, perched emotionlessly in the driver’s seat of a Land Cruiser jeep at Kurmin Kare village along Kaduna-Abuja express way in the searing afternoon of April 29. He was the driver of Mohammed Abubakar, chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). He was nameless, and he suffered the most terrible fate. He was the first casualty of the kidnappers, who abducted his employer and daughter.

But Abubakar and his daughter regained freedom less than 24 hours after their abduction. Though they had paid a heavy ransom to secure their lives. The police had also launched a manhunt for the kidnappers immediately, arresting one suspect a day after. With that incident, I think, the daily tragedy on Kaduna-Abuja express way hit home; it became uncomfortably obvious for the elite going by the frantic efforts that followed after.

Really, with the elite, there is always a sense of urgency when their security, money or power is threatened. It is the reason the areas where they cluster are far more secure than where the proletariat inhabit. A security incident in Asokoro or Ikoyi will ordinarily receive more attention than any incident of the same magnitude in Mararaba or Iyana Ipaja. I believe, this is “apartheid”; a deep social inequity that accents the reluctance and lethargy of the authorities on matters affecting the common folk.

And I think, the plausible reason there is no sense of urgency in the rescue of Leah Sharibu is she comes from the wrong social divide. In April 2018, Leah sent out a message of despair; a

desperate call for help. She said: “I am Leah Sharibu, the girl that was abducted in GGSS Dapchi. I am calling on the government and people of goodwill to intervene to get me out of my current situation.”

“I also plead to the members of the public to help my mother, father, my younger brother and relatives. Kindly help me out of my predicament. I am begging you to treat me with compassion.

I am calling on the government, particularly the president to pity me and get me out of this serious situation.”

This message still crucifies the man in me. And 12 months have passed, but Leah is still in the pit of vipers. How does the president sleep at night knowing that this young girl huddles in the encampment of the second most dangerous terror group in the world? How do the service chiefs even carry on in silence, without a word on the rescue effort for this Daniel?

And she specifically mentioned the president, asking him to “pity” her. I want to imagine Leah as the president’s daughter sending out this pathos-inducing message, what would the president have done? Would he not have applied his power as the commander-in-chief and deploy every contact and resources until she is rescued? I am positive she would not have spent two years in captivity.

Leah is in captivity because of her faith. This makes it more tragic.

And the lack of a sense of urgency in her rescue also raises suggestions that border on her faith.

And would she still be in captivity if she was Zahra Buhari? I do not think so.

Fredrick Nwabufo, fredricknwabufo@yahoo.com

WHAT’S A BOOK REPORT?

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ith school holidays starting and finishing around the world to the cheers or jeers of many students there is the regular ‘book report’ to consider - it’s time to google what a book is.

Some students may have the alternative version - ‘what I did over the holidays’.

If the teachers want to make this more challenging they could add ‘that didn’t involve typing or scrolling’. To make it even more difficult they could add ‘and written by hand on paper’. This was once a routine homework task for most people reading this paper although the current generation doing these reports won’t be reading a newspaper letter about homework.

Maybe the schools should set some compulsory homework - go outside into the sunlight and read a physical book for an hour. There is an urgent need for this physically passive exercise that provides mental exercise.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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POLITICS

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

‘The Judiciary Stops the Executive, Legislature from Performing their Job’ Hammed Shittu dialogues with the outgoing Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad on the landmark decisions of his legislative tenure and other national issues

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o you think the 8th Assembly under you has been able to put in place laws that would further enhance the wellbeing and development of Kwara State?

Since the creation of Kwara State, the 8th Assembly is probably the highest in laws passed. However, the one I would consider as landmark legislation is being the first that would pass private member bills since inception unlike before where you have to wait for the executive. I am very proud of that. I am sure the 9th assembly will do same which has started happening in a few states.

We have the bill on health insurance in which we put about N1 billion in this year ’s budget to cater for the down trodden. Why the effect has not been felt I think is that the banks are not sure whether the incoming administration will implement, which boils down to lack of understanding. This is a law that any government must carry out.

The health insurance management is about to capture those vulnerable people that can’t afford hospital bills from the wards and provide them with cards that will cover their treatment, consultation and drugs in Kwara hospitals with the payment of just N1000 per annum. It’s an avenue where the rich people and government will contribute money to subsidize the health requirement of the poor people. The bill on Urban and Regional Development that seeks to take care of the proliferation of petrol stations in the state is also another landmark for us but it is still not properly implemented. The legislation against dealing in human parts and the one that further extends where you cannot produce and consume alcohol are also there and one of those that we are particularly proud of is the one that restricts the pension law of governors in the state because it is political and people think we could not touch it, but we did.

Opposition parties in Kwara state especially the APC have accused the state house of assembly on the quick passage of the non-dissolution of elected local government council executives which they claim is meant to shield corrupt politicians, what is your take on this? And why at the end of your administration?

It is appropriate for the opposition to ask questions, but they should also listen to our own response. The enactment or amendment of the law was a fallout of a recent law. When you pass a law, it is not yet a law until the court pronounces it.

It is what the court says that it is a law.

In this case, it is true. We passed this law so many years ago. Hitherto, everybody believed wrongly that governors have powers under the constitution to dissolve at will. Just three months ago, the Supreme Court, now declared that all this was wrong, that no governor, under Section 7 of the Constitution and subsidiary legislation of the state, has the right to dissolve a democratically elected executive members of the local government. The Supreme Court has spoken. That is the real law. That means that everybody is under obligation to respect that law. The law of Kwara state that says the governor can dissolve has become obsolete. I don’t want to leave the assembly with dead laws because whether we like it or not, it has become dead. So that answers the criticisms of the opposition. Supreme Court did not

Ahmad decide last year. If you are looking at the correct, modern and most reflective law, Kwara state House of Assembly should be commended. The opposition is entitled to its opinion.

As a politician in the state, can you tell us the foundation you have laid that the new government can

You can pass the budget today, the governor wants to sign into law, then somebody who disagrees will go to court and one junior judge will just issue an order stopping the president or governor from signing. The judge does not have that power. I have not seen anywhere in the world where congress invites a person and he or she rushes to court. Which court? I have searched for cases where somebody takes congress to court for being invited and I have found none. I have searched where congress is performing its functions and somebody goes to court to stop congress. I found none

build upon?

Government is a continuum. We would want the incoming government to continue what we have done. Let me start from the legislature. We have established budget passage from January to December. It is only two or three states that have maintained that in the country. It will be regrettable if the 9th assembly cannot continue with that. Even the Federal Government has not been able to maintain that. Business people know that budget commences in January and ends in December. For successive three years in Kwara state, we have been able to do early passage of budget. National Assembly has been battling with the presidency on that. They even passed a law which the presidency failed to assent to. Early passage of budget is an excellent process that will aid good governance in Nigeria, which is what we are lacking. I want Kwara state, forget about Nigeria, by September or October, the governor should present his budget, the house does its work by calling experts so that by December it is passed and by January it becomes a law.

This is a major thing I want the incoming legislature to continue. Secondly, on Wednesdays in the house, we have a tradition for the past three and half years not to wear any foreign attire to the assembly. We wear local materials from the top to the shoes. This is what the Senate President Bukola Saraki has championed. With this, we have been impacting on local tailors, local fabrics.

We expect the incoming government to key in so that on Wednesdays, the whole assembly men wear local materials. It might look simple but it has effect. Another thing is that the outgoing government has not defaulted in paying salaries between 25th and 26th of every month. It is not easy because the federal allocation comes at the beginning of another month. We want the incoming

administration to emulate that as Kwara is a civil service state. Elections have been won and lost, but service to the people is paramount. I believe they are ready to continue on that.

As a proponent of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) during your tenure in the 7th National Assembly representing Ilorin East/ Ilorin South Federal Constituency, how do you want that to operate in the state?

The bill was a private member bill and we brought it to Kwara. We want the next government to continue that. Before the 8th assembly private sponsored bills were not common in the state. What used to happen was that the assembly waits for the governor to send in bills to the assembly. From our time, we have instituted now that private member bills should take pre-eminence. Most of the landmark laws now in the state are private member bills. We have instituted it as a culture in Kwara state that members must look at what is happening and bring out those fantastic bills that people are yearning for. The Health Insurance Scheme law now in the state is a people oriented bill. The same thing with the ACJA. As a lawyer, before I went to the National Assembly, I knew that that gap was there. Criminal cases could go on for 10 to 15 years because of some steps and some loopholes, so when I got there it was easy. It was a bulky law. It was something that nobody cares about as it will not bring in money. For over three years, former President Goodluck Jonathan did not sign it into law until the last days of his administration.

Immediately, as we enacted the law it speed up criminal trials in the states.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019

POLITICS

‘People feel that there’s Nothing Wrong with Vote Buying’ Nseobong Okon-Ekong holds a conversation with the Akwa Ibom State candidate of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party in the 2019 governorship contest who insists that there is a conspiracy to reject his petition at the tribunal

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hat really is your complaint concerning the conduct of the 2019 governorship contest in Akwa Ibom State, which you participated in on the platform of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP)?

I ran for governor as a result of the many challenges we have in Nigeria, but particularly in my state; lack of employment, especially for young people, inability of youths to have their voices heard, lack of services to the general populace, especially with regards to education and health care. I made that a core priority of my manifesto. I went into the elections like every other candidate, got the forms and was nominated by party. I did everything like rallies, town halls, I even took some of my town halls out of the country just to get support. A few weeks into the race, a lot of things happened; the normal political intimidation, which I was prepared for. I come from a political family, even though I am not a politician. I could understand. But then it started getting off key. There were people coming to buy off team members of my support team. Others, in the name of stepping down were paid off. I expected that because 17 political parties, some of them major parties like Accord and Labour Party stepped down and endorsed my candidacy, it was very novel in African and Nigerian politics.

The regular situation is that major parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) get smaller parties to step down for them, but having a very young party like the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), which is barley one year old, benefit from such an intimidating move.

One week to the election, it was a known case that four major players were in the governor race in Akwa Ibom State, the APC candidate, Nsima Ekere; the PDP had the incumbent Governor Udom Emmanuel; the Young Democratic Party was represented by Ezekiel Nya-Etok and I was the candidate of the ANRP. The election came and went but what happened was very disastrous.

We realised that in many of the 2986 polling units in Akwa Ibom State, there was proliferation of vote buying. People were intimidated. Those who would not sell their vote were stopped from voting and some of us that did vote there were so much void votes. We were so discouraged and I started comparing note with Architect Nya-Etok and we realized that the same thing happened. He even had a sadder story to tell.

We agreed to hold a press conference to air our grievances. I said I will be going to court. He said he will support me in the process. We agreed to approach the International Criminal Court, as well, because vote buying comes under political repression, which is a crime against humanity.

We prepared our case. It is normally 21 days to file from the date of the announcement of result.

My lawyer was with the APC lawyer who had gone to submit the petition of the APC governorship candidate at the same time. They met and they talked. The APC submitted, but when we came back to submit, we were told that our petition was late. The Secretary/Registrar of the tribunal said this. I did not go with my lawyer. I could not believe this. He went with the Deputy Chairman of the party. The man insisted that we were late and he could take the petition. He told the man that you are not allowed by law to reject a petition, it is a court that has that power, even if our petition comes in like two months after. It is the court that will determine if our petition is late or not; so, allow it to go in and let the court strike it out. There was a lot of fanfare, he came in with so many policeman dancing around the whole place. When I heard the story, I knew something was wrong. The next day, I followed my lawyer to the tribunal. This time around, I had the press, so they could bear witness. We called the man and it was a recorded conversation. He repeated the same thing that he will not take our petition. Our lawyer said again that he had no right to refuse our petition. He shouted us out. We briefed the press there. The video is on Youtube same day.

You can’t backdate a Youtube video. The thing now is where does this guy get his power? He is

at which this is done, or disregard to law is so brazen. There is something behind it. It is this act that is making me very concerned about our democratic processes and what should be done to stop this level of disregard to the law.

Otu not the problem. There are forces at the tribunal that are doing all these. What is wrong with that process? I want to get my petition in. As a politician, I know the calculation. The political calculation is that somebody somewhere does not want my petition to go in because of the value I have. That petition can cause a lot of issues. It is easier and cheaper for them to stop it from entering. The worst that can happen is that the man will be sacked. They will say, ‘we have sacked him but we can’t take your petition because it is late.’ I don’t want anybody to be sacked, I want my petition to be taken in. I want Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians to see what happens when you challenge the status quo.

The reality is that there are the guys over there and there are ‘us’ the people. When you try to get over there to know what is happening, they stop you by all means.

We have done so many things. We have done what the law allows us to do. We have written to the President of the Court of Appeal. We have written reminders and even gone there to see her in person in Abuja. I was in her office for hours but could not see her. I was not allowed to. We have written to the National Judiciary Council (NJC). We have written to the Chief Justice of the Nigeria. We have written to the President, the Vice President, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of the Representatives; so that all arms of government will know what is happening. So far, we have not got any response.

You have to go through all the data of the 2986 agents and pick the ones that you want. There is nobody on earth that can file the petition; one or two weeks to the time. The data collection process is not scientific. You have to go one-by-one, using your own small team. They know this. They know there is no one on earth that can file the petition on the 18th day. Everyone always files within the last two or three days. Unless you are not serious and you don’t have data

When I went to submit the letter to the President of the Court of Appeal, this Mr. Abubakar who is the Registrar broke my phone in the process.

I have the evidence and I have the video. The process was videoed so that they know we came to submit the letter. Of course, when he saw the camera, he took my phone and broke it, but he was already caught on camera. This level of impunity is unbelievable. You won’t believe it but it is true and we have evidence. He told us that no one will reply to our letter and we will not be able to do anything as far as Nigeria is concerned. The media people that came with me were so mad. No one has answered our letter, so far. I believe he is right. That is why I am taking my case to Nigerians to listen to the merit of the case and to ask questions. I also believe that the president wants a lot for this country and if this case is established, he should be able to act in our favour. I am appealing to him. I am appealing to the Senate. I am appealing to Nigerians who have the ability to look into the case and act to realise that what is happening to me will probably happen to their children. This is not a Nigerian case and not an Akwa Ibom case.

How do you know you are not a threat when your score was not near the winner?

It is because of the data they realise I have collected. When I asked my agents to go in for the election, 2986 polling agents, I told to concentrate on collecting data. I told them if anybody fights you don’t fight anybody concentrate on collecting data. We have thousands of people with so much evidence. We have people that are in hospitals who were shot. We have people who were cut with machete. The interesting thing about these people is that they are not actually my supporters or from my party. Most of them are from the APC or the PDP who were brought to the hospital by their parties. The PDP made sure that their people who were injured or had problems did not report to the police so that they won’t make the whole thing look like there were problems. They told them the party will take care of the hospital bills.

After the ‘show’ these guys went back and they tell them the election is over, what are you looking for? They then find a way to come to me with their data. A lot of them are aggrieved people.

Everyone knows I have this information. I have enough data to prove that the process was not free and fair. It is not really about what I scored.

It is that the process did not allow us to compete like every other person. That itself can annul the election. That data goes beyond how much I scored because when you go to the score, if I was allowed to compete and get my vote and votes weren’t bought then you would have gone to the scores. This is where interest now comes in to say, ‘look we don’t want this guy’s evidence to go in to the tribunal to prove what he can so that he will not annul the election.’ I believe there are interests that are trying to stop this, probably not one person or two persons. The level of impunity

If your concern is just to show that the process was flawed, it means you don’t care if you benefit from it at the end of the day I don’t care whether I become governor. I believe I have service to provide to my people. If my people say we don’t want you, that is fine, but the process has to be free and fair to pick who is wanted. Not that the person with the highest amount of money wins. Mind you, next year, we have councillorship and chairmanship election.

The issue is where does the vote buying stop?

When you start buying councilors and chairman, it means the people have no voice. I am saying let’s do this thing again and let the process be free and fair. If the governor wins again, I will congratulate him and even tell him, ‘Oga let’s work together to grow the state.’ The ultimate concern is to grow the state. If the process is flawed, then there is a very critical problem with the system.

I am not very concerned about how it is going to end. I am concerned about the process.

How do you rate the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police in the election?

That is the reason I am asking for a rerun. I believe the police did not have enough resources in the last election. In every polling unit, we had one police man against thousands of people. The guys couldn’t do anything. In a unit where they had a little bit of fracas, the police couldn’t do anything. If we have a rerun, more policemen will be available. With the INEC, the sophistication of the vote buying process was beyond INEC. Sometimes the monies were paid in different places. INEC will not come to your house or to the football field. Of course, in many places, votes were bought and sold in the open. In other places, there were destruction of polling units and voting materials. We had places were voting did not take place at all. In majority of the areas where vote buying took place, it was so sophisticated and when you look at the pictures and the videos that we have, you will see some of them. In Oron, there was a place that a commissioner had a gig overnight. They ate and drank until the day of the election and they moved the people right from that place to the polling unit. There were different paying processes. People going to vote were told when you thumbprint hold your ballot paper up across your chest so that the agent can see who you voted for. Which is what I wanted to show at the tribunal. I have loads of data.

In some instances, the voters were given tickets with numbers so that when you vote, you can then go to a primary school to get money. They had so many ways. If these guys use all these scientific methods for progress, we will not be struggling with backwardness. We need to stop this thing before they institutionalize the process. The corruption they are bringing into this system is the corruption of the mind of the people. People feel that there’s nothing wrong with vote buying. In my polling unit, almost everyone is my cousin. They are related to me.

These people come to me to say, ‘Oga how much you get? PDP put down millions of Naira here o and APC did as much. They don’t understand how wrong it is. When everyone has agreed to do something. They accept that it is the right thing. When you tell them what the government is doing is wrong, they feel that because they are part of the process, you are saying they are wrong. They are angry with you. We need to make people understand what vote buying is all about and how it affects them. This is why I want those videos to be shown with Akwa Ibom State as a case study. What we are dealing with is that every drug baron, every 419er, will buy forms to contest election in 2023 or they send their allies.

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FEATURES

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

Gaining Momentum for Northern Women In a patriarchal society such as Northern Nigeria, Kuni Tyessi reports that women are not only finding their voices or gaining more momentum to stand on their feet, they have become the only acceptable currency for cash transfer and without them, there's no disbursement

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t Kawara Manu community of Maiyama Local Government Area (LGA) in Kebbi State, several women queued in a file. With some carrying their suckling kids on their backs, the queue gave the impression that re-run election was taking place in the community.

Despite the fact that there has been series of reruns due to eclipsed elections in some states following the 2019 general elections, Kebbi State is not one of such, neither is any of its LGAs. It is one of Nigeria's peaceful states which is geographically located at the North-west and enjoys boundary with French-speaking Niger and Benin Republic.

But contrary to expectation, the crowd was basically made up of women and mothers, who voluntarily agreed to partner Educate A Child (EAC), an international non- governmental organisation and the United Nation Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fund (UNICEF) towards the education of their children, through the Cash Transfer Programme (CTP).

This is a programme which has been designed to assist and improve families socio- economic grade towards alleviating poverty and boosting entrepreneurial, as well as business skills. With several families being unable to cater for their basic needs, education unarguably becomes the least on the scale of preference as food and shelter among others are uppermost.

Cash Transfer Method UNICEF facilitator, Dr. Adedayo Ogundimu, in a talk, themed "Cash Transfer: A long term sustainability plan after the donors exit", emphasised that the CTP is one sure way for unimaginable possibilities when girls get educated as well as ensuring that children remain in school and graduate among others.

In the Cash Transfer Programme manual, women who have been designed to be care givers based on their roles in the family, which includes parenting, serving as economic thermometers, home builders and performing functions of sensory organs of the home, are paid per term for every child of school age who has been registered.

With a globally accepted standard which stipulates that basic education is the right of every child, Nigeria is faced with wobbling educational policies which are either changed with the expiration of a government, impoverished and or shallow implementation, as well as poor policies which have further defined the system. With this background, such sponsorship isn't out of place.

Ogundimu while unveiling the types of CTP which includes Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) and Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT), said CTP leads to poverty reduction in the family and community.

Other benefits include cartering for all children irrespective of their number in each family. It is everywhere and popular in several African countries and it gives opportunities where they do not exist.

At Maiyama LGA which is one out of nine that has been selected for the programme due to its paucity of educational manpower in terms of the number of children exposed to basic education, the women who had all left their homes and domestic chores and had gathered at a model primary school, had come with the expectation of receiving the sum of N8,000 for each of their children who have attained school age. Majority of the women who have never been exposed to western education but cannot be referred to as stark illiterates as several can read and write in Hausa and Arabic languages have overtime witnessed the benefits of western education and wished they could turn back the hands of time and also become beneficiaries.

With the seemingly impossibility of such which has become a lifetime of regrets, the women have determined that the cycle of illiteracy and its dark and best imagined consequences must be broken in the generation of their children.

BeneďŹ ciaries of the Cash Transfer Programme in Kebbi State

The money which is expected to provide school uniforms, writing materials, tooth brush and paste as well as sandals among other school necessities is also expected to serve as business start up kits or boosters to the different families with the mothers at the helm.

Thus on that day, the mothers defied the sun, an element which was unfriendly, to fulfill destiny in the lives of their children.

However, apart from the women and children, a handful of men were sighted maintaining a comfortable distance from the women as they have been enlightened that the only gateway for the children to benefit from the programme is through their mothers.

Although there has been cases and reports of men who bully and harass their wives with orders that they submit the monies to them after collection, modalities put in place by community leaders as well as consistent orientation has helped in checkmating and bringing to a stop such practice.

Rather than creating disaffection within the family space, the programme has strengthened family ties with the realisation that with women in every partnership, success and continuity is certain.

Continuous Sensitisation At a recently concluded workshop organised

by UNICEF in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital, the state project coordinator, EAC/ UNICEF, Mr. Isah Usman said the programme has recorded a huge success in the LGAs due to a positive relationship with members of the communities and the doggedness of the women.

In a setting where a man's words are law in his immediate setting, Usman said continuous sensitisation on the need for women to be the champions of the programme as well as the passage through which the children can get educated, had to be carried out as base for its success.

He said: "As a field officer, one must learn to relate positively with members of communities.

The Cash Transfer Programme is so far the biggest pro- education project coming to Kebbi and is operating in nine LGAs. " 500 children are being targeted in three

states of which Kebbi is one. Already, 8,354 children have been registered and are already beneficiaries. The fund is unconditional.

It is not meant for education alone but to mitigate poverty as well. Sensitisation and re- sensitisation is done for parents so that after the fund has been made available, they will not spend it and keep the children who are the key beneficiaries at home."

The coordinator, EAC/Cash Transfer Programme, Implementation unit, Kebbi State, Mr. Isa Umar said the state government is not oblivious of the fact that the programme has a duration and will run full cycle in the year 2020.

For this, he said sensitisation has continued to take place with women as focal listeners and with priority on the programmes' sustainance after its donors have ended sponsorship.

He said:"On sustainability, women are encouraged and supported to be self reliant so that when the programme ends, there's something to fall back on, hence the unconditionality of the programme which also addresses poverty."

Similarly, to support the efforts of EAC/ UNICEF, the families and unflinching support of the caregivers, the Kebbi State Commissioner for Education, Mr. Muhammad Aliero, said the sustainance of the programme is in the state government's kitty and with this, the recruitment of 2000 teachers has been approved to cushion the educational needs and guarantee the future of the children.

Spate of UnqualiďŹ ed Teachers Lamenting the spate of unqualified teachers in the state, Aliero disclosed that most graduates in the state lack the skills needed in teaching and several cannot speak English neither can they write correct sentences in English despite having double honours.

He said: "Most of these university graduates are not qualified to teach. There was a time I brought a graduate here, he could not define economics. We have finished the recruitment of 2000. We designed a very nice format where we will give automatic offer to anyone who made 'A'.

"We have to sit down with our local colleagues in the university. Infact, in Argungu,

we had to call the official to sit down at the interview place to see what we are seeing.

None of the students could write a correct sentence in English and he said he had double major including Shorthand.

"It is appalling. For me, when I came on board, out of about 67 boarding schools and 123 day schools and about 107 junior secondary schools, I reached there myself to see what is going on. And when I got there, I made sure that everything went well. And we had about 17 courses."

Nomadic Schools He said to make the state one of the lowest in the occurrence of out-of school children, 40 nomadic schools have been built while 504 almajiri Islamic schools have been identified and mathematics and English will be taught in the schools for proper harmonisation.

"All hands are on deck to make sure that we continue with the programme. I think I told you that Kebbi state spends N280 million on feeding. We have built 40 nomadic schools.

"We have identified 504 almajiri Islamic schools.

We will make necessary renovation for them and we'll make sure that we send mathematics and English teachers to them. When we do that, by 2020, our volume of out-of- school will be very low and depleted. We will be the least in the north."

Challenges All successes are not without challenges at some point. This is not different with the CTP in Kebbi state. Some of the bottlenecks documented so far include the non-release of funds by a bank ( name withheld), a financial institution contracted by UNICEF to hand out the funds, and insufficient personnel during disbursement among others.

With a replica of such programmes being encouraged across the country, especially in educationally disadvantaged states which are domiciled in the north, the programme which is still recording huge dividends is proof that women are not only partners in progress, but can be trusted and will forever have indelible roles that cannot be over emphasised in nation building.

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FEATURES

Railway Before and After Amaechi

The nearly completed Lagos/Ibadan rail project

Gift Okpara

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cardinal objective of the Ministry of Transportation is to provide a safe, affordable and efficient transport system and also manage and operate railway infrastructure in a way that will meet the economic aims of government, boost trade and contribute to the growth of the country.

Since it was established,the ministry of transport has struggled to meet these obligations particularly in the railway subsector which is about the movement of goods and services as well as people from one part of the country to another in a most acceptable way.

After the colonial era, the federal government through the ministry of transportation provided an efficient rail system that did not only serve the interest of Nigerians but was also a major source of revenue for government until 1984 when the railway system became comatose due to government inability to manage the system.

Investigation showed that lack of government funding, negligence, mismanagement and poor welfare of railway staff contributed largely to the crippling of the railway sector in the past.

Although, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR),it depends on government funding to function optimally.

The country's railway corporation faced major issues and this includes among others the heavy divestment by government that took place earlier and began to manifest by 1984 to 1985. Secondly was the issue of government funding. It was gathered that even when money was received, it was not up to half of what was budgeted.

In 1964, what was operational was the narrow gauge line which was developed during the colonial and post-colonial era. This line operated effectively under favourable condition until 1980 when its performance started to nosedive, and by 1984 to 1985, the system had completely gone comatose.

We will note that a railway system requires funding to survive and the maintenance of tracks and upgrading of rolling stocks and other operations also require money to function effectively.

By the time government brought the idea of contributory pension scheme, the number of pensioners that were on transit became far more than the working population in the Corporation.

So,they were going to pay more pensioners than those already in the workforce and all these put together made the railway Corporation to start running partial services. Accordingly, in the year 2002, government realised these problems and started some practical implementation in 2006 , and having developed a strategic vision,it went into the rehabilitation and modernization of the

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi

railway system.

The modernization aspect was first started so that the railway system will be able to manage tracks they had and still run trains .Government then soon went into government to government bilateral agreement with the Peoples Republic of China and kicked off the modernization project which later gave birth to the Lagos - Kano railway which is currently going on. The Lagos-Ibadan railway which is nearing completion is just a segment of the entire Lagos - Kano railway project.

In 2008, due to funding issues,the government suspended the project and opted for phase implementation which eventually brought about the Abuja - Kaduna rail line.

In 2009, the issue of strategic vision was revisited to rehabilitate the existing narrow gauge which covers Lagos - Kano and PortHarcourt - Maiduguri. This project has a branch line between Jos and Kafachan as well as Kaduna.

However,the rehabilitation was not given adequate focus and intervention in terms of funding and implementation. Today, the Ministry of Transportation under the leadership of Rt.Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, is leaving no stone unturned towards ensuring that the right things are put in place for effective railway transport delivery.

Amaechi is providing a leadership system that tackles the hydra-headed problems associated with railway so as to enable government in return get a vibrant logistics supply - chain that will contribute immensely to the revenue base of the country. Amaechi is on his toes to achieve set target even as Nigerians are already seeing considerable output with the hope that in the nearest future they will begin to enjoy the dividends. The government is also in the process of dealing with all the assets that are tied to railway,that is,Inland Dry Ports among others and priorities are also set in the modernization aspects of building new lines based on needs and reliability.

Already, the Lagos - Calabar rail project, which connects Calabar through Akwa - Ibom and passes through Uyo to Abia, connecting parts of Imo State to Port-Harcourt and passes through Yenagoa to Warri and Benin City is in the pipeline. This same project has a branch line from Onitsha through Asaba, Agbor to Warri and then to Benin up to the Lagos seaport. The project which will improve business activities in the East/West services will generate about five million jobs, both directly and indirectly, when completed and it is estimated to gulp about ten billion dollars. The Itakpe - Warri project which is also the central line runs through a very important corridor in terms of exploitation of mineral resources as well as agro-allied industries in linking the South-South to the North. So far, the project has been given much attention by the transportation minister, and it is one project

that he holds dear to his heart. The project was abandoned 32 years ago but upon assumption of office as minister of transportation, Amaechi has recorded a considerable milestone as far as this project is concerned.

Today, the Itakpe-Warri train runs from Itakpe to Aladja , near Warri. The project has up to three hundred and fifty kilometres of standard gauge rolling through major important industrial base with a host of other mineral resources that are in remote areas.

The foregoing was confirmed by the Director,Rail Services in the Ministry of Transportation, Engr.

Baba Koby, who said that "The train can run today from Itakpe to Aladja, near Warri, and we are very near in a more organized and structured pattern that will be of mutual benefit to us and whoever moves the steel industry to move iron ore. With this train you can service Kogi, Edo and Delta States, and we are not stopping at that. We are almost at the final stage of achieving an implementation that will run the train up to Abuja".

He further said "We are discussing with a Chinese firm and we hope that in a very near future we can reach an agreement and work things out. That will mean a lot to the Nigerian economy. It means that you can lift goods from the Port through the central area to all the central States up to Abuja. And in this case , more than what you are having in other corridors. We are comprehensively tackling the issue of end to end supply chain logistics".

Baba Koby, who also shed more light on the Port-Harcourt - Maiduguri rail project said "In realisation of our present contemporary demand, an industrial park and a deep-seaport is attached to the project. It's our plan and we are still negotiating.

You can see that in the near future we'll be able to connect by rail regions of the country".

With the efforts by Amaechi and his team, it is believed that by the end of President Muhammadu Buhari's second tenure, the narrow gauge network would have been achieved and modernization will continue. The industrial park which will service not just Nigerians and also connect the country's commercial sector with other countries in the hinterland of Chad, Niger Republic and Mali will have also been realized.

Also,the ongoing Lagos-Kano project will have been completed and be made viable to meet the economic and technical needs of Nigerians. This will increase locally-produced goods to a large degree and the completion of a Transportation University which will focus basically on railway,will have also come to fruiton.

The Nigerian Railway Modernization Project Segment 1 which is the Abuja-Kaduna Project is a segment of the Lagos â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kano Rail (Western) Corridor, was substantially completed by Amaechi and commercial operations also commenced on

the line after President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR commissioned the project in July, 2016.

The project has conveyed over 300,000 + passengers in its first six month of operation with only three (3) available coaches. It is on record that the rail corridor played critical role during the 6 weeks closure of the Abuja International airport which made Kaduna airport to be used as an alternate airport for the period.

With sufficient coaches, wagons and locomotives to do to & fro simultaneous trips, the corridor has the potential of doing close to a million passengers per year.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) also approved the procurement of additional coaches and baggage/parcel van for the standard gauge .

In line with the Federal Government reform policy to involve Private Sector Investment to participate in Railway Transport Subsector, concession of various rail corridors for construction, rehabilitation and operation are on-going, majorly with relevant agencies on the concession of the Nigerian Narrow Gauge Rail lines of Lagos â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kano (Western Lines) and Port Harcourt â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Maiduguri (Eastern Lines). This is to be done with General Electric (GE) of which millions of Nigerians will benefit. The Federal Government also has as priority for the connection through branch line of Port Harcourtâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Maiduguri line to Damaturu and Yola, capitals of Yobe and Adamawa States respectively. The Federal Government is also in negotiation with China Investors for the development of vital connection with neighbouring Countries in West Africa sub-region through the new lines in the Kano-Katsina-Jibriya Line connecting Maradi Niger Republic and Benin and hope to reach Port of Marekech in Morroco, when adequate protocol is established between the intervening Countries within the context of ECOWAS Rail Interconnectivity Policy.

Mr. President gave approval to source for financier to invest in the development, particularly to build various necessary Rail Infrastructure in Eastern Corridor with linkage of the Eastern to Western Geo- political zones as with the North.

This of course includes the Port Harcourt -Aba Maiduguri, Aba-Owerri -Nnewi - Onitsha -Enugu -Abakaliki with branch to Aba. The interim solution which will enhance Nigeria's rail transport service before the final concession will include among others; increase in freight and passenger train traffic/service, increase of freight volume to one million metric tonnes within eighteen months as against five thousand metric tonnes obtainable in the last administration, increase in capacity and technical know-how of the staff of Nigeria Railway Corporation and availability of rolling stock (Locomotives/Wagons). t 0LQBSB BO BJEF PG UIF USBOTQPSUBUJPO NJOJTUFS XSJUFT GSPN "CVKB

22

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019

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T H I S D AY â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

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EXCHANGE RATE N306.95/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Layer3 Wins Award

Layer3, an IT solutions provider in Nigeria, emerged winner of the Cloud Based Solution Provider awards at the 2019 Beacon of ICT Distinguished Lecture/Award series.

The event, which held in Lagos recently, was an annual event organised to celebrate individuals and organisations that have contributed immensely to the growth of the ICT industry in Nigeria and is in its tenth edition.

The lecture series was aimed at charting the way forward for the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ICT sector while the award ceremony rewards best practices and recognises outstanding contributions to the growth of the sector.

The theme for the event wasâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Telcos and Banks Partnership to Drive Financial Inclusion.â&#x20AC;? It examined efforts to empower Nigerians to boost financial growth and development.

Commenting on the awards, Head Business Development and Strategy at Layer3, Mr. Stephen Agogo, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Layer3 Cloud is a fully automated Infrastructureâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;asâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;a-Service (IaaS) platform that has aided entrepreneurs, start-ups, businesses and organisations of all types and sizes to remotely and virtually build, manage, store and deploy diverse enterprise solutions.

Danbatta to Speak at Tech Forum

WOOING RETAIL INVESTORS

L â&#x20AC;&#x201C; R: Head, Palestine Capital, Norna Awoh; Managing Director/CEO, Signet Securities Limited, Oladipo Aina; Divisional Head, Trading Business Division, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Jude Chiemeka; President, Chartered Institute of Stockbroker (CIS), Adedapo Adekoje; Sam Willie Ndata and Chairman, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON),

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Regulatory Compliance Will Mitigate Cybersecurity Threatsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Stories by Emma Okonji Having been convinced that no technology solution can guarantee 100 per cent cybersecurity protection for organisations, experts have stressed that regulatory compliance on cybersecurity, coupled with the deployment of key Information Technology (IT) solutions, would help in mitigating cybersecurity risks.

Worried that cybercriminals were becoming more sophisticated in their attacks on organisations and individual sites, with an increasing number of victims that have lost so much money and vital data, the technology experts advised organisations to invest in key IT solutions that would

ICT mitigate cybersecurity risks, while calling on government regulatory bodies to enforce compliance, especially in the use of software application and devices.

The experts gave this advice at a cybersecurity forum in Lagos recently.

Addressing the increasing rate of cyberattacks on organisations across the country, the Chief ,QIRUPDWLRQ 6HFXULW\ 2Î&#x20AC;FHU &,62

at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mrs. Rakiya Mohammed, who was represented by a senior VWDÍż LQ WKH ,QIRUPDWLRQ 7HFKQROogy Department at the Bank, Mr. Ibrahim Kyuka, attributed the increasing rate of cyberattacks

to the increased adoption of smartphones and other devices used in connecting the internet, coupled with the increased number of internet users in the country, as well the increased broadband penetration level in the country, which is currently put at 33 per cent penetration, with estimated growth to reach 70 per cent by 2023.

According to her, the growth rate in broadband, internet access and smartphone adoption, has equally resulted in increased usage of the internet, and has greatly exposed organisations to vulnerability. She however advised organisations to be proactive to the challenges and ensure strict regulatory compliance on

cybersecurity, while deploying key technology solutions that would mitigate threats of any kind.

7KH &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2Î&#x20AC;FHU ITANDT Solutions Limited, convener of the forum, Mr. Akpos Okoro, said organisations must not wait for cybercriminals to strike and disrupt their operations before they begin to invest in cybersecurity solutions. Organisations must not build a wall of defence that will cage them and restrict their activities because they want to avoid cyberattacks. The best way is to collaborate with IT solution experts in order to have the freedom that any organisation needs, Okoro said.

Continued on page 24

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, is billed to provide insight and policy direction on a number of topical issues at the 10th edition of the eWorld Forum and Awards.

This follows the NCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s identification with the forum, which enters its 10th year. The NCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s endorsement of the forum comes on the heel of a similar one from the Association of Licensed Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ALTON).

Director General Delta State Innovation Hub, Chris Uwaje and the newly elected President of Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NiRA), Muhammed Rudman have also signalled their approval to participate in the panel discussions that follow the lead papers. They join NCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Danbatta and ALTONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gbenga Adebayo.

Also to provide rich content and different perspectives to the discussions are the former Technical Head of Glo Mobile, and now CEO of ExpertTeam, Mr. Aremu Olajide, and the CEO of Paradigm Initiatives, Mr. Gbenga Sesan.

The theme of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forum is: Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Roadmap to Broadband Everywhere.

The eWorld Forumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10th edition, which will be held in June this year, is coming at a time when the Global Broadband Commission is calling on nations and agencies to make investment in digital infrastructure a top priority in order to achieve the goal of connecting the remaining half of the global population.

The Commission is also asking that regulatory framework, which encourages competition and innovation that benefits consumers, should be encouraged to give confidence and certainty for investment, while penetration, connectivity and convergence should be promoted

Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;African Unemployment Rises

South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unemployment rate inched up to 27.6 per cent in the first quarter, official data showed on Tuesday, underscoring the scale of the economic challenge faced by President Cyril Ramaphosa after his ANC party won re-election. Ramaphosa is trying to revive the South African economy, the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most industrialised, after a decade of slow growth and rising joblessness.

The former union leader turned business tycoon put job creation at the centre of his African National Congress (ANC) partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campaign for last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s election, which returned the ANC to power but with a reduced majority in parliament. According to Reuters, unemployment was 27.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2018. South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statistics agency said decreases in employment were observed in most sectors of the economy in the first three months of 2019. The construction industry saw the largest decrease, followed by finance. There were 6.2 million people without jobs in the three months to the end of March, compared with 6.1 million people in the prior quarter.

ICT Roadmap Has Improved E-Government, Says Minister The Minister of Communications, Dr. Adebayo Shittu, has explained that countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ICT Roadmap has improved Infrastructure development, e-Government, industry development, capacity building, local content development and innovation.

He stated this during the second phase of sensitisation workshop on the National ICT Roadmap for the South- east, which had its theme: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Role of the Private Sector in the Implementation of the Nigeria ICT Roadmap,â&#x20AC;? in Awka, Anambra State, recently.

The minister said the intention to develop the roadmap, was aimed at creating broad and Ă H[LEOH SDWKZD\V WR HQVXUH WKDW Information and Communication

ICT Technology (ICT) reaches all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

Shittu, added that the sensitisation programme for the 2017-2020 roadmap was deliberately planned by the ministry as part of its post roadmap engagement, in furtherance of its desire to broaden continuous consultations with stakeholders in the sector. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Sensitisation Programme of the ICT Roadmap will serve as an avenue for private sector stakeholders and participants to cross-fertilise ideas and experiences, share innovations, build enduring partnerships so as to ensure the realisation of the vision of government in putting in the ICT sector,â&#x20AC;? the minister said.

He reiterated governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment in ensuring that the ICT sector realises its full potentials as a viable alternative WR GLYHUVLĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQ RI WKH HFRQRP\ and weaning the sector away from oil.

The minister urged the private sector to embrace the roadmap and identify priority areas that would help them take appropriate action that would enable them achieve their aspirations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We fully recognise that developing the roadmap can only bring PD[LPXP EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV WR VWDNHKROGHUV LI LW LV HÍżHFWLYHO\ LPSOHPHQWHG DQG we shall continue to provide the required enabling environment, incentives, and support towards ensuring the growth and success of our Industry players,â&#x20AC;? Shittu

stressed.

In his contribution, the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, who represented the state governor, described the workshop as timely, noting that the state has complied with the use of ICT in government business.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is an increase in the state internal revenue from N475 million to N1.7 billion due to the introduction of ICT to government business in the state.â&#x20AC;?

In line with its aspiration to boost development in the country through ICT, the federal government recently inaugurated the National Technical Working Group on Mobile Big Data Analytics.

Continued on page 24

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every institution has the capability to exploit emerging technologies OLNH $UWLĂ&#x20AC;FLDO Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoTs), to secure a competitive edge that will radically streamline and enhance their existing processesâ&#x20AC;?

Managing Director, Oracle Nigeria,

Mr. Adebayo Sanni

24

T H I S D AY â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019

BUSINESSWORLD â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;REGULATORY COMPLIANCE WILL MITIGATE CYBERSECURITY THREATSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no end to cyberattacks, but the best way to protect organisations from losing vital data to cyberattacks, is to invest in key technology solutions that will mitigate cyber risks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Organisations that want to grow must automate their businesses and take their data to the cloud and the data must be protected. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we have done in ITANDT, is to introduce organisations to key solutions that will help them mitigate cybersecurity risks. So we are partnering IBM, a global IT solution company to bring key solutions to organisations that will address all kinds of cybersecurity threats, when fully and well implemented.â&#x20AC;?

IT Security Manager at IBM, Mr. Ronald Martey, said issues with cybersecurity remained a universal challenge to organisaWLRQV DGGLQJ WKDW RYHU Ă&#x20AC;YH ELOOLRQ personal data records have so far been stolen through cyberattacks launched across various countries of the world, with over $8 trillion loss recorded. According to him, focus on regulatory compliance, increased investments in IT solutions would go a long way in mitigating cyber risks.

Technology Specialist at IBM, Mr. Khalid Shaban, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cyberattacks can happen anywhere, especially from an insider perspective through phishing.

Malware is no longer the most prevalent threat, as employees are now more likely to encounter phishing links, because in every 20 seconds, a new phishing site is registered globally.â&#x20AC;?

ICT ROADMAP HAS IMPROVED E-GOVERNMENT, SAYS MINISTER The inauguration was in line with the National Council on Communications Technology 2017 approval for the development and use of mobile position data for statistics and decision making by the public and private sector.

The inauguration, which was performed in Abuja recently, was to promote innovation and modernisation of national statistical systems, promote the use of data and analytics by government agencies and increase opportunities for a new data science service and jobs for Nigerian youth.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima Capital Market Editor

Goddy Ogene AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) Eromosele Abiodun (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor (Energy) Reporters

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT)

NEWS

Groups Move to Deepen STEM Education Stories by Emma Okonji About 72 lecturers from 18 tertiary institutions in the South-east region of the country, recently participated in the one-day seminar on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, organised by the Initiative for Information Technology Capacity Building (i4ITCB), in partnership with Oracle Academy and Nigeria Computer Society (NCS).

The initiative was designed to deepen science and technology skills among south-east lecturers.

Speaking on the theme of the seminar: Teaching for Industry Relevant STEM Skillsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Senior Lecturer Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof.

Hettie Abimbola Soriyan, said STEM teachers needed a change in their mind-set to be able to winback students to the classrooms.

According to her, â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are working with a generation that does not show as much interest in class room lectures as it was in times gone by, because their interest in technology, especially social media has increased in leaps, almost as a disadvantage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, lecturers need to leave their comfort zones to train ourselves to use that technology to reach out to the students. Engage the students, give them some things to think about, analyse and present their thoughts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From the exercise we did, the participants now have a better understanding of areas that need improvement on their part. If teachers transpose skills learnt from the exercise into system development analysis, it is clear, more work is required on the part of the lecturers.â&#x20AC;?

Soriyan, emphasised the need to transform the same technology students are using to their advantages. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you want to give assignment, link it to social

media and recent topics. They like watching videos like cartoons.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s test them based on those areas. We have to appreciate the fact that theirs is a generation that is tech-savvy. So, teachers need to change the dynamics,â&#x20AC;? she added.

Executive Secretary, NCS, Iyiola Ayoola, said from the theme it was obvious that participants were exposed to the need to teach computer science or Information Technology (IT) related courses in the relevant way, which was to galvanise the economy into the fourth industrial revolution. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we refer to the fourth industrial revolution, it implies that IT has penetrated every facet

of human endeavour. As a result, we are seeing technological disruptions today. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, we are talking about lecturers and teachers of Computer Science courses; they should be able to stay ahead of the class and the result will be the production of graduates who are ready to conquer in this technological dispensation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have many IT courses now in Big Data, Robotics, Mobile Internet, Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, Virtual Reality; these are disruptions in the IT industry that should be taught with the relevant tools and revamped curriculum. ´'HĂ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ WKHUH LV QR GXOO

student anywhere, when taught in the right manner and with the right technology tool, each VWXGHQW ZLOO Ă&#x20AC;QG RQH DUHD WKDW LV relevant to him or her,â&#x20AC;? Ayoola said.

Country Programs Manager, sub-Saharan Africa, Oracle Academy, Sefunmi Fadahunsi, reiterated the global IT giantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s determination to impact next generation of professionals through free educational resources around STEM, such that teachers and schools can leverage on to deliver quality teaching and learning experience.

According to Fadahunsi; â&#x20AC;&#x153;It means that students need to be engaged practically to

be able to learn STEM so that they can have skills relevant in the industry. All the resources Oracle Academy has for them is free. The resources are industry relevant. What the students will learn through Oracle Academy is the same as our customers are subscribing to, to drive their businesses through Java, Database, ,R7 $UWLĂ&#x20AC;FLDO ,QWHOOLJHQFH DQG Machine Learning resources, curriculum and software resources that are free for both the teachers and the students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is what we have brought to the South Eastern states and we hope to continue working with them for the advancement of Computer Science education.â&#x20AC;?

AWARD WELL DESERVED

L-R: Chief Executive OďŹ&#x192;cer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema; Group Chief Executive, FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Ladi Balogun and Publisher/CEO of BusinessDay, Mr. Frank Aigbogun during the Top 25 CEOs & Next Bulls Awards won by the bank, that was organised by the NSE and BusinessDay in Lagosâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

Oracle Harps on Transformational Technologies for Enterprises The Managing Director, Oracle Nigeria, Mr. Adebayo Sanni, has said the joint forces of the Internet of Things (IoT), $UWLĂ&#x20AC;FLDO ,QWHOOLJHQFH $, DQG Blockchain represents an unprecedented opportunity for enterprises in the public as well as private sectors, if fully utilised.

Sanni, in a recent statement, emphasised that every institution has the capability to exploit these emerging technologies, securing a competitive edge to radically streamline and enhance their existing processes. This, he added, would further enable the development of innovative products and services for an entirely new generation of consumers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While each of these technologies individually present exciting opportuni-

ties for enterprises, we think that the transformative impact of IoT, AI, and blockchain together - will be unprecedented. This is the Ă&#x20AC;UVW WLPH LQ PRGHUQ KLVWRU\ that three transformational technologies have emerged in the same generation, and WKHLU ZKROH HÍżHFW LV \HW WR emerge,â&#x20AC;? Sanni said.

According to her, there are three major issues that the emerging technologies could KHOS DGGUHVV LQ /DJRV 7UDÎ&#x20AC;F Management, Waste Management and Land Related issues.

According to him, while IoT remained the sensing part of the transformational technology, AI is the part that thinks. AI has the potential to enable fast, intelligent decision-making, either in support of human intelligence, or in place of it.

Businesses can delegate mundane or complicated tasks to achieve a level of accuracy DQG HÎ&#x20AC;FLHQF\ EH\RQG WKH capabilities of humans.

Citing Nigeria as an example, Sanni said the potential to combine real-time data from IoT devices from intelligent trash bins with historical waste-level of each trash bin, could help waste management become smarter, especially for a city like Lagos that generates about 13,000 metric tonnes on a daily basis.

The entire waste management system can become smarter overtime, learning from the data collected. A solution like this will help an organisation like Lagos Waste Management Authority to make better data-driven decisions for a cleaner Lagos.

He further said the applica-

tion could be replicated to DGGUHVV WUDÎ&#x20AC;F PDQDJHPHQW explaining that the current WUDÎ&#x20AC;F OLJKWV FDQ EH ,R7 HQDEOHG WR HQVXUH DQ HÎ&#x20AC;FLHQW Ă RZ RI WUDÎ&#x20AC;F 7KH URDGV FDQ also have sensors and information about road conditions, combined with data coming from road users to provide GULYHUV ZLWK UHDO WLPH WUDÎ&#x20AC;F information. With such a system, drivers can be alerted to take alternative roads in case of an accident.

According to him, the insights generated by Machine Learning, which actually drives these emerging technologies, will help businesses better understand their customer expectations, enabling automated and personalised engagements.

It will help in the creation of new goods and services,

designed to quickly and accurately meet the demands of modern consumers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Machine Learning powers customer service chatbots, provides marketing insights, LGHQWLĂ&#x20AC;HV F\EHUVHFXULW\ vulnerabilities, and enables personalised products and services, and much more.

Undoubtedly, the impact of machine learning on the enterprise will be profound,â&#x20AC;? Sanni said. Nigerian businesses and public sector need to understand how best to exploit the true value of machine learning in the real world.

Businesses have no choice EXW WR Ă&#x20AC;QG D ZD\ WR SHUPHDWH their business models with machine learning, or else they will fall behind more-agile competitors. Machine learning is the present, and not the future, Sanni added.

Mobile Money Agents Partner on Financial Inclusion

The Association of Mobile Money Agents in Nigeria (AMMAN) in collaboration with EcosaHybrid Network, recently held a capacity building workshop.

The aim of the workshop was to bridge knowledge gap DPRQJ Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO LQFOXVLRQ DJHQWV and other core stakeholders in the industry.

The focus, which was in the Northern part of the country, ZDV GHVLJQHG WR EULGJH Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO inclusion gap in the North.

National President, AMMAN, Mr. Victor Olojo, said the workshop became necessary in view low awareness of the association in that part of the country as well as impact skills on agents on agent banking and mobile money,

´7KH ZRUNVKRS RÍżHUHG WUDLQLQJ and follow-up to execution of new agent network in northern Nigeria especially in Kano State, share funding and product opportunities among participants as well as provide varieties of point of sale terminals (PoS), fund transfer platforms among others for agents to access from the exhibition stand,â&#x20AC;? Olojo said.

He explained that AMMAN also used the opportunity to launch its special agenda for northern women with the theme â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Northern Women for Financial Inclusion (NWFIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;), which is an advocacy programme that seeks to break the barrier of reaching the women at last mile. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Core of NWFI is advocacy and job creation for Northern women

so as to bridge cultural barrier that deters women from mingling with the general public. It has been reported that Kano and Gombe states were least states LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO LQFOXVLRQ UDQNLQJ in the country,â&#x20AC;? he added.

He further stated that AMMAN had taken her rightful place in WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO LQFOXVLRQ LQGXVWU\ in Nigeria with the workshop.

T H I S D AY â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019

25

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Understanding Satellite, Fibre Optic Technologies The incursion of satellite technology in global telecommunications business is on the rise, HYHQ WKRXJK 1LJHULD DQG VRPH RWKHU $IULFDQ FRXQWULHV VWLOO EHOLHYH LQ Ă&#x20AC;EUH RSWLF WHFKQRORJ\ IRU HÎ&#x20AC;FLHQF\ DQG ORZ FRVW GHOLYHU\ ZULWHV Emma Okonji

A

lthough the communication satelOLWH ZKLFK LV DQ DUWLĂ&#x20AC;FLDO VDWHOOLWH WKDW UHOD\V DQG DPSOLĂ&#x20AC;HV UDGLR telecommunications signals via a WUDQVSRQGHU LV PDNLQJ LQURDGV LQ global telecommunications business, based on emerging trends in satellite technology, many RUJDQLVDWLRQV HVSHFLDOO\ WKRVH RSHUDWLQJ LQ $IULFDQ FRXQWULHV VWLOO SUHIHU WKH Ă&#x20AC;EUH RSWLF cable technology to satellite technology.

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T H I S D AY â&#x20AC;˘THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019

26

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Christensen: Science, Technology Park Will Drive Global Innovation

9LFH 3UHVLGHQW 'XEDL 7HFKQRORJ\ (QWUHSUHQHXUVKLS &HQWUH 0U +DQV &KULVWHQVHQ VSRNH ZLWK MRXUQDOLVWV LQ 'XEDL DERXW WKH RSSRUWXQLWLHV RÍżHUHG E\ WKH FHQWUH LWV HFRQRPLF LPSDFW and the strategy to make Dubai Silicon Oasis the leading science and technology park in the world. Emma Okonji brings the excerpts: models that appeal to them. The reason being WKDW WKH\ ORRN IRU VWDUW XSV ZLWK SURĂ&#x20AC;WDEOH business and invest in their business, and the ownership structure changes because no start-up owns 100 per cent of the business, since the policy gives room for joint ownership and the start-up is allowed by law to repatriate his or her earnings based on his or her percentage in the ownership structure. We have the Intel, IBM, Microsoft and other big organisations that have signed into the corporate innovation initiative. They RÍżHU IUHH VHUYLFHV WR VWDUW XSV DQG WUDLQ them with their proprietary solutions. We also have the DTEC Technology Learning and Events, where we organise between 70 and 100 events in a year to train corporate RUJDQLVDWLRQV LQ GLÍżHUHQW Ă&#x20AC;HOGV RI WHFKQROogy that are trending, such as Financial 7HFKQRORJ\ )LQ7HFK $UWLĂ&#x20AC;FLDO ,QWHOOLJHQFH (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), among others.

H

ow best can one describe the Dubai Technology Entrepreneurship Centre (DTEC)?

The DTEC is a physical place where technology startups are groomed and where they do physical business with each other. It is located inside the Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), a tightly integrated free zone area. It has everything that makes an LGHDO ZRUNSODFH DQG LW LV FORVH WR DÍżRUGDEOH housing, leisure, lifestyle, entertainment ventures and the airport. DTECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s central location makes work-life balance possible without cutting away precious time that could be spent working on new ventures.

Now the DSO is a revolutionary technology park established by the government of Dubai.

DSO is considered the only technology park in the region that provides both a living and a working integrated community. The DSO provides a full package of incentives and EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV WR FRPSDQLHV RSHUDWLQJ ZLWKLQ LWV premises, including all essential ingredients for success.

Designed as a hi-tech ecosystem, the DSO RÍżHUV EXVLQHVVHV D SOHWKRUD RI DGYDQWDJHV including a state-of-the-art infrastructure, in-house business services and strong business support such as technology investment incentives for large enterprises, entrepreneurial support, an incubation centre and venture capital funding. DTEC in itself is best explained through its six essential elements such as: government support, infrastructure, universities and incubators, venture capital, SMEs and large enterprises. We operate the free zone model, which allows start-ups to set up their legal frameworks with us and grow their business to maturity.

What is the operational module of companies in DTEC? Companies in DTEC are mainly software companies who operate in their own space within the environment. So far we have set up 1,300 companies in the past four years, of which 800 are still up and running and they are predominantly software companies.

About 15 per cent of the companies are from Europe, six per cent from America, and quite a few Russian companies and they are mainly into software development. The companies operate in a free zone centre in DTEC, and we have several free zone centres in Dubai and DTEC is just one of them.

The reason for free zone communities is to enable businesses strive in an environment where the start-up needs a local sponsor since the start-up will not have 100 per cent ownership of his company, but certain percentage of the business. The business owners are allowed to repatriate all the money made in the business that belong to them based on the ownership structure.

We allow companies to operate without government interference, but we expect FRPSDQLHV WR GR WKHLU \HDUO\ Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO UHSRUW for the purpose of transparency. There is DOVR D Ă&#x20AC;YH SHU FHQW 9$7 WKDW LV SD\DEOH WR the government.

So how does DTEC make its money having provided the facilities for start-ups to work?

We have a co-working space, which comes ZLWK GHGLFDWHG GHVNV DQG SULYDWH RÎ&#x20AC;FHV where start-ups pay to use. Our dedicated desk area provides opportunity for start-ups to have their personal desk with lockable storage located in semi- private areas. The SULYDWH RÎ&#x20AC;FH LV D SULYDWH VSDFH WKDW LV IXOO\ furnished and we also have unfurnished RÎ&#x20AC;FH VSDFH UDQJLQJ IURP VTXDUH metres, which is subsidised for businesses.

We rent the co-working space for a period

Christensen

of 18 months and we allow that period because we want a sustainable co-working space for every startup.

What is the growth rate of start-ups in DTEC? The number of start-ups is on the increase and they have grown beyond our expectations by 40 per cent, considering what we had in mind when we were designing DTEC some years ago. Based on the rapid growth of start-ups at the centre, we are planning to add additional 5,600 square meters of space to accommodate more co-working space and we plan commissioning the additional workspace in the next three months.

What are the criteria for start-ups to get access into the co-working space?

The criteria are very simple. The person must be a start-up, have a tech company WKDW FDQ Ă&#x20AC;W LQWR WKH QLQH HODERUDWH DFWLYLWLHV of DTEC. There must also be a proof of minimal funding for the business, before looking up to local investors who may be interested in the line of business. In our part, we create accelerators and venture FDSLWDOV 9& IRU VWDUW XSV $SDUW IURP the co-working space, we also do venture investments outside of the working space.

We are the only free zone community in 8$( WKDW DFFHSWV 9& IDFLOLWLHV DQG ZH have facilitated investments in more than FRPSDQLHV DQG VRPH RI WKHP DUH GRLQJ pretty very well. We also record some failures in some business models of the start-ups, which of course is associated with start-up business, because not all start-ups with ideas eventually succeed. Some do not succeed but some also succeed depending on their models and the market viability.

Does the centre operate on corporate innovation initiatives, where organisations are encouraged to invest in start-ups operating within the DTEC community?

We have corporate innovation where corporates are allowed to come to the FHQWUH WR Ă&#x20AC;QG VWDUW XSV WKDW KDYH EXVLQHVV

How is the impact of DTEC accelerator programme on the global economy?

We have the DTEC acceleration and incubation initiatives that have attracted start-ups with global connections. It is a smart city accelerator initiative, which is a consortium of investors. We started the acceleration and incubation centre in the smart city area, where we invested $300 billion, which was built by China State Corporation. The maximum period of stay in the innovation centre is a maximum of three years for start-ups where they produce new ideas and we achieved this through RXU DFFHOHUDWRU SURJUDPPH 2XU Ă&#x20AC;UVW FRKRUW won award as the best accelerator in Dubai and today it is attracting more than 1000 applications would wide. We currently have about 10 companies from four continents. :H Ă&#x20AC;UVW VWDUWHG LW DV DQ LQFXEDWRU FHQWUH and later realised that it has grown beyond our expectations and today it has grown, contributing to the digitalisation of the UAE. Going forward, we plan to expand out accelerator initiative to health tech, space tech, and logistics and we plan to establish an all female accelerator because only about 16 per cent of the companies in DTEC are female run and we are trying to boost that up, in line with the United Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s target

The number of start-ups is on the increase and they have grown beyond our expectations by 40 per cent, considering what we had in mind when we were designing DTEC some years ago.

Based on the rapid growth of start-ups at the centre, we are planning to add additional 5,600 square meters of space to accommodate more coworking space and we plan commissioning the additional workspace in the next three months

to bring women and girls up to speed in technology innovation.

What is the economic impact of DTEC and DSO? The economic impact of DTEC is enormous, creating $300 million from engaging with other development teams in the countries of the world like Russia, India, UK, Egypt.

The DSO is contributing to Dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic development through attracting companies operating in the knowledge, innovation and WHFKQRORJ\ GRPDLQV ,Q LW DWWUDFWHG PLOOLRQ QHW SURĂ&#x20AC;W WR 'XEDL DQG PLOOLRQ UHYHQXH ZLWK FRPSDQLHV operating in DSO, which increased by 161 FRPSDQLHV IURP ZKLFK LV D ULVH LI VL[ per cent. The Silicon Park located inside the DSO is 90 per cent complete and will be commissioned in June this year. The Silicon Park comprises of 71,000 square PHWUHV RI RÎ&#x20AC;FH VSDFH VTXDUH PHWUHV of commercial space, 46,000 square metres RI UHVLGHQWLDO DUHD URRP EXVLQHVV KRWHO 59 furnished apartments, with conference centre. The Silicon Park, is expected to acFRPPRGDWH ZRUNHUV DQG UHVLGHQWV at full capacity.

How do you manage start-ups within the DTEC centre who have the tendency to work in silos, just to hide their ideas from others?

Yes, we have found out that 60 -70 per cent of the start-ups have started collaborating and doing business with each other, and that is our goal to dissuade them in working in silos and hoarding information that others could develop better. We try to achieve this through networking events. We try as much as possible to discourage start-ups from working in silos, because experience KDV VKRZQ WKDW FROODERUDWHG HÍżRUWV \LHOG better results faster. The structure of the workplace also enables them to collaborate in their various projects.

How does DTEC accommodate Intelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategy about start-ups, where most times they are interested in buying over a business idea that they think is economically viable?

We accommodate Intel and other big technology companies of the world. We have Intel space at DTEC where they engage start-ups at the early stage. In the past what Intel used to do about innovation, is to throw huge sum of money around any company that they are interested in their innovative package and most times they end up buying the company and fuse it into their own business plan, but that business model is phasing out for Intel because it is no longer meeting their set targets and they end up spending lots of millions of dollars, without recouping it. What they do now is to optimise that business model to rather engage early start-ups with good business ideas and provide Intel application for the start-ups. So Intel is here in DTEC, engaging with some start-ups and the same business model has been adopted

by Huawei, IBM, who are also in DTEC, FXUUHQWO\ IRFXVLQJ RQ $UWLĂ&#x20AC;FLDO ,QWHOOLJHQFH and Blockchain Technology.

Aside start-ups, does DTEC accommodate students training at the technology centre?

Yes, we also engage in studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; training and we receive lots of institutionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; request to have their students trained at the centre and of course we oblige them. We have trained over 5,000 students so far in the centre DQG ZH DOVR RÍżHU WUDLQLQJ IRU FRUSRUDWHV aside the startups programme that we run at the centre.

T H I S D AY â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019

27

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Inlaks, Temenos to Drive Digital Transformation Stories by Emma Okonji ICT infrastructure and systems integrator, Inlaks, in partnership with Temenos, one of the leading banking software companies are set to implement the digital transformation strides of Vista Group.

The Vista Bank is a challenger bank with the vision of building a world-class Pan-African Financial institution.

Implementing the Temenos software is expected to support Vista Banksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; innovative strategy

of generating new products and services speedily to cater to for its operating market. thi, thus enabling the company to dominate by providing its customers with market-leading services through enhanced functionality and digital channels while conducting its banking operations.

Announcing the initiative in Lagos recently, the Managing Director Africa Operations at Inlaks, Mr. Femi Adeoti, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a Temenos partner for over 20 years, it is our delight to provide best in class digital banking solutions to Vista

Bank via Temenos who has held the number one position for core banking solutions according to IBS ranking for 18 years running. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Inlaks as a company thrives on providing innovative solutions that enable our customers adapt and stand out in the ever-evolving ODQGVFDSH RI Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO WHFKQRORJ\Âľ Also, Managing Director Middle East and Africa at Temenos, Jean-Paul Mergeai, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We look forward to working as a close strategic technology partner of the bank as it realises its goal of building a ZRUOG FODVV SDQ $IULFDQ Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO

institution group in addition to driving both economic development DQG Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO LQFOXVLRQ LQ $IULFD â&#x20AC;&#x153;With Temenosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; market-leading, cloud-agnostic, cloud-agnostic technology the bank will be in an ideal position to meet their commitment of providing cutting-edge digital banking solutions, as well as innovative products and services, aimed at satisfying the unique needs of their customers.â&#x20AC;?

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This partnership further strengthens Temenosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; long-standing presence in West Africa wherewfor years our real-time and

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

L-R: President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria, Olusola Teniola; MD/CEO, VDT Communications, Biodun Omoniyi and Chairman, Association of Licenced Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, during the BoICT Awards, where Omoniyi was inducted into Beacon of ICT Hall of Fame, which held in Lagos...recently

Glo Repackages Caller Ring Back Tunes

Globacom has unveiled its newly repackaged Glo Caller Ring Back Tunes to excite customers.

The repackaged Caller Ring Back Tunes is a personalised music service that entertains the calling party while waiting for their calls to be picked up.

The unique service allows Glo subscribers to decide what music type or genre that their callers get to listen to when they call them. ([SODLQLQJ WKH RÍżHU *OREDFRP said the newly repackaged Glo Caller Ring Back Tunes was designed to give all-round comfort to millions

of its subscribers particularly callers to the network, thereby enriching their calling experience on the Glo network. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With a bouquet of over 50,000 music genres, from modern day music to the songs of yester-years, Glo caller tunes service is set to provide entertainment and fun for all agesâ&#x20AC;?, Glo said in statement.

According to the statement, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Glo Caller Tunes service would entertain a subscriberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s callers with select music each time the phone rings, thus creating a unique identity for the subscriberâ&#x20AC;?, adding that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the

service is repackaged to provide entertainment and fun for all and sundry on the proudly Nigerian network.â&#x20AC;?

On its music library, Globacom said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It contains thousands of songs under a wide range of genres such as Hip-Hop, R&B, Country, Dancehall, Rock, Rap, Pop, Jazz, Reggae, Raga, Blues, Gospel, Islam, Fuji, Apala, Juju, Afrobeat, Christmas, etc. for the listening pleasure of callers to the networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The company said customers would be assured of quality vibes that can give nostalgic feelings.

Under the Glo Caller Ring Back Tune service, subscribers FDQ GRZQORDG XS WR Ă&#x20AC;YH GLÍżHUHQW tunes and also assign all friends and colleaguesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; designated numbers to any 4 of the 5 tunes. In addition, he FDQ VWLOO PDLQWDLQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;IWK WXQH DV default tune for all other unassigned numbers. A subscriber can also gift Glo caller tunes to loved ones.

To subscribe to the service, subscribers are required to dial *7728# to browse for songs of their choice.

They can also dial 7728 to listen to the voice prompt and subscribe to their preferred songs.

NCC Hosts Telecom Leadership Summit Commission (NCC) is set to hold the maiden edition of Nigerian Telecom Leadership Summit, slated for Lagos next week.

The summit, with the theme: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Repositioning the Nigerian Telecom Industry for future challenges and Prospects,â&#x20AC;? would be in line with the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment towards improving the investment climate of the Nigerian telecom industry.

According to NCC, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the summit is geared towards sustaining a robust collaborative regulatory environment where current and future challenges will be addressed.â&#x20AC;?

As part of the programme of collaborative regulatory atmosphere,

the summit presents an opportunity for the NCC to interact with key stakeholders to discuss pertinent LVVXHV DÍżHFWLQJ WKH LQGXVWU\ ZLWK D YLHZ WR SURÍżHULQJ VROXWLRQV WR address challenges. It was also designed to analyse the current state of the industry and make profound recommendations for sustaining a healthy Nigerian telecom industry.

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, is expected as Special Guest of honour, while the Keynote would be delivered by Dr. Omobola Johnson, former Communications Technology Minister, on the topic, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best Fit Infrastructure Investment Choice for an emerging Market.â&#x20AC;?

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and the Minister of Communications, Chief.

Raheem Adebayo Shittu are expected as guests. The Chairman of the Governing Board of NCC, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, and Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) and CEO of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who would present an overview of the status of the industry as a prelude to the Keynote and panel discussions will also be present.

Selected panellists for the summit would discuss, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The challenges facing the Nigerian telecoms industry, way forward and the role of the regulator,â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Implications of multiple taxation

on telecom investments in Nigeria.â&#x20AC;?

The panellists for the two segments include: Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin (PHĂ&#x20AC;HOH ([HFXWLYH 6HFUHWDU\ 1LJHULDQ Investment Promotion Commission 1,3& 0V <HZDQGH 6DGLNX LPmediate past President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Abubakar Mahmood (SAN) and Senior Partner at KPMG, Mr. Joseph Tegbe.

President, Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, and his counterpart at the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo are also on the panel.

Interswitch Reveals Winners in Competition Hamid Ayodeji The organisers of InterswitchSPAK National Science competition, Interswitch Group have revealed the result of the National Qualifying Examination for the InterswitchSPAK 2.0 which was tagged â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;InterswitchSPAK SWITCH-AFUTUREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

7KH *URXS &KLHI 3URGXFW 0DUNHWLQJ 2Î&#x20AC;FHU at Interswitch, Cherry Eromosele, explained that the competition was aimed at driving increased interest in the study of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects among Senior Secondary School students across Nigeria.

According to her, the InterswitchSPAK programme includes a Masterclass, an Innovation Challenge and a TV quiz competition around 67(0 VXEMHFWV DQG Ă&#x20AC;QDOLVWV ZRXOG HPHUJH to compete at the InterswitchSPAK TV quiz competition for the prize of various levels of tertiary education scholarship funds worth N12.5 million.

Eromosele said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The overall winner will EH DZDUGHG D Ă&#x20AC;YH \HDU VFKRODUVKLS LQ DQ\ tertiary institution, a laptop, a gold trophy and monthly stipends throughout the duration of the scholarship, all totalling N7.5 million. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The second-place winner will be awarded a three-year scholarship, a laptop, a silver trophy and monthly stipends for the three years totalling N4 million, while the third place winner will receive a year-long scholarship worth N1 million, a laptop, and a bronze trophy.â&#x20AC;?

Also, the Group Chief Product & Marketing 2Î&#x20AC;FHU H[SODLQHG WKDW WKH RUJDQLVDWLRQ ZDV SOHDVHG with the successful conduct of the examination which had over 50 per cent increase in student enrolment this year, compared to last year.

6KH DGGHG ´7KLV JRHV WR VKRZ WKDW WKH HÍżRUW and commitment put into the project is gaining traction. The examination process was managed by our technical partners, the Media and the National Examination Council (NECO). â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am delighted at the results, as it shows that the examination was highly competitive and this crop of SS 2 science students can compete favorably with their peers in other parts of the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the students who wrote the qualifying examination, now they can visit the InterswitchSPAK portal to check their results.â&#x20AC;?

Rack Centre Gets Recognition

Rack Centre, a data centre operator has been inducted into the Beacon of ICT Awards Hall of Fame, at the annual award ceremony of Communications Media Limited.

In the recent award ceremony held in Lagos, Rack Centre, an award winner of BoICT awards IRU Ă&#x20AC;YH \HDUV UXQQLQJ ZDV UHFRJQLVHG IRU LWV outstanding achievements as a leading data centre in sub-Saharan Africa.

In addition to its being inducted into the hall of fame, Rack Centre also won the 2019 ICT Infrastructure Provider of the Year, Data &HQWUH FDWHJRU\ IRU Ă&#x20AC;YH \HDUV LQ D URZ DQG ICT Infrastructure Provider of the Year for four years running.

Managing Director of Rack Centre, Dr. Ayotunde Coker, was also voted as the ICT Personality of the Year.

The BoICT awards recognises organisationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contribution to ICT development in Nigeria and is considered by analysts as the most prestigious ICT award in Nigeria.

Responding to the awards, Coker said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are highly honoured to have once again been voted for these awards and the induction into the Hall of Fame is a great recognition that Rack Centre consistently sets the bar for quality, innovation and customer service in all aspects of data centre colocation infrastructure and Cloud services in Sub Sahara Africa.â&#x20AC;?

Part of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award was The Beacon of ICT Distinguished Lecture designed to explore HÍżRUWV WR SXW 1LJHULD RQ WKH JOREDO LQIRUPDWLRQ and communications technologies map and was delivered by the Executive Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communication Commission, Professor Umar Garba Dambatta, with the theme: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Telcos and Banks Partnership to Drive Financial Inclusion.â&#x20AC;?

T H I S D AY â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019

28

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Agenmonmen: Firms Must Creative WR 1DYLJDWH 'LÍżFXOW &KDOOHQJHV

7KH 3UHVLGHQW 1DWLRQDO ,QVWLWXWH RI 0DUNHWLQJ RI 1LJHULD 7RQ\ $JHQPRQPHQ LV D FRQVXPPDWH PDUNHWLQJ SURIHVVLRQDO ZKR VSHQW RYHU WKUHH GHFDGHV DW WKH 1LJHULDQ %UHZHULHV 3OF ZKHUH KH UHWLUHG WZR \HDUV DJR WR OHDG RQH RI WKH QDWLRQ¡V IRUHPRVW PDUNHWLQJ LQVWLWXWH ,Q WKLV LQWHUYLHZ KH VSHDNV DERXW PHGLD GHEW DQG KLV SHUFHLYHG RSHUDWLRQDO à DZV RI WKH 1LJHULDQ /RWWHU\ 5HJXODWLRQ &RPPLVVLRQ DPRQJ RWKHU LQGXVWU\ challenges. 5DKHHP $NLQJEROX EULQJV WKH H[FHUSWV

T

KH PDUNHWLQJ FRPPXQLFDWLRQV LQGXVWU\ LQ 1LJHULD LV IDFLQJ D ORW RI FKDOOHQJHV HVSHFLDOO\ DV LW FRQFHUQV PHGLD GHEW KRZ FDQ WKH 1DWLRQDO ,QVWLWXWH RI 0DUNHWLQJ RI 1LJHULD 1,01 VWHS LQ WR KHOS VROYH VRPH RI WKHVH SUREOHPV" Honestly, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see any big role for NIMN as far as media debt is concerned. I believe that there are contracts of engagements between them; I believe everyone should stick to the contract of engagements. I am aware that this issue has been sticky for quite a while, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sticky because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s EHHQ GLÎ&#x20AC;FXOW IRU D IHZ SHRSOH WR UHFRQFLOH the debts. And it becomes all the more sticky because documentation can be challenging.

In a very dynamic marketing environment ZKHUH \RX Ă&#x20AC;QG EUDQG PDQDJHUV PRYH marketing directors move, even account KDQGOLQJ SHRSOH LQ WKH DJHQFLHV PRYH WKHQ LW VRPHWLPHV EHFRPH GLÎ&#x20AC;FXOW WR HYHQ UHFRQFLOH WKH SD\PHQW 0\ DGYLFH WR DOO SDUWLHV LQYROYHG WKHUHIRUH ZLOO EH WKDW WKH\ KDYH WR Ă&#x20AC;QG D ZD\ WR VLW GRZQ DQG DFWXDOO\ SXW D FORVXUH WR LW 7KH\ FDQ¡W have this thing hanging on for years and HYHU\ \HDU ZH WDON DERXW GHEW SURĂ&#x20AC;OH ,I IRU H[DPSOH WKHUH LV D GLVSXWH EHWZHHQ an agency and a media house about an DGYHUW WKDW VXSSRVHG WR EH FDUULHG ODVW week or last month, I think it makes sense to sit down when it is still very fresh and ORRN DW WKH IDFWV 6R VROYH WKH SUREOHP RI WKH SDVW DQG PDNH VXUH LW GRHVQ¡W UHRFFXU again, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see any direct role for the Institute in all of that. %XW WKH VWUXFWXUH IRU VROYLQJ WKH SUREOHP DW WKH PRPHQW GRHV QRW H[LVW $QG LI \RX GRQ¡W GHOLEHUDWHO\ FUHDWH WKRVH VWUXFWXUHV WKHQ WKH SUREOHP ZLOO NHHS UHRFFXUULQJ" Well, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a tricky one; but like I said there is no do direct role for us. I know how the debts accumulate. In most cases, it is not because the client doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to SD\ LW LV EHFDXVH WKHUH LV D GLVSXWH RYHU whether the ad was carried or not, for me that should not be allowed to drag on for \HDUV LI LW¡V D QHZVSDSHU WKH\ VKRXOG EH DEOH WR SUHVHQW WKH HYLGHQFH RI WKH SXEOLFDWLRQ , WKLQN WKH RQH WKDW¡V SUHWW\ GLÎ&#x20AC;FXOW LV electronic media but I think we now have IDLUO\ FRPSHWHQW HOHFWURQLF PHGLD PRQLWRUV :KDW GR \RX WKLQN DERXW WKH SUREOHP RI RYHU UHJXODWLRQ DQG LWV HÍžHFWV RQ PDUNHWLQJ GXWLHV RI \RXU PHPEHUV" )RU H[DPSOH WKH UHFHQW FRQĂ LFW ZLWK WKH ORWWHU\ FRPPLVVLRQ" 7KH SRLQW ZH DUH PDNLQJ LV WKDW SDUW of the marketing function is that once in D ZKLOH WKH\ GR FRQVXPHU SURPRWLRQ RU VDOHV SURPRWLRQ DQG ZH DUH DOVR DZDUH WKDW WKHUH LV D ODZ WKDW VHWV XS WKH 1DWLRQDO Lottery Regulatory Commission to regulate WKH DFWLYLWLHV RI FRPSDQLHV WKDW DUH VHW XS IRU WKH SXUSRVH RI ORWWHULHV :KHUH WKHUH LV D disconnect and, by extension, a challenge is WKDW WKH &RPPLVVLRQ LV LQWHUSUHWLQJ FRQVXPHU SURPRWLRQ DQG VDOHV SURPRWLRQ WR EH ORWWHULHV and they are not. For our member association, their articles of association donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cover such activity as lottery. So they couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t actually be doing lottery, if they do it, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s illegal.

But the commission is insisting that if you GR VDOHV RU FRQVXPHUV SURPRWLRQV WKHUH LV a lottery element n them. That has been a VRUH SRLQW , NQRZ WKHUH KDYH EHHQ VRPH GLVFXVVLRQV DQG DW VRPH SRLQW WKHUH ZDV a basic agreement. We did agree that we should continue discussion to close the JDSV WKHQ VXGGHQO\ ZH KHDUG WKDW WKH\ VWDUWHG FORVLQJ XS VRPH FRPSDQLHV IRU QRW FRPSO\LQJ ZKLFK IRU XV LV QRW WKH right thing to do. Again, like I said that if

JHWWLQJ VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQW VXSSRUW IURP FRUSRUDWH Nigeria because of the issues that we had then. So we needed to take the Institute back and, to a large extent, we have done that. If you were at the annual dinner and awards night that we just held, you would KDYH VHHQ WKH TXDOLW\ RI PHPEHUVKLS $ lot of our members who otherwise had withdrawn from the Institute are coming back and they are coming back in their thousands. <RX SURPLVHG PDMRU UHIRUPV DW WKH RQVHW RI \RXU DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ LQFOXGLQJ UHWXUQLQJ VDQLW\ WR WKH ,QVWLWXWH E\ HQVXULQJ SURSHU FHUWLĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQ IRU DOO PDUNHWHUV FDQ \RX JLYH DQ XSGDWH RQ KRZ WKDW KDV JRQH" 7KDW SURFHVV LV RQ )URP WKH EHJLQQLQJ ZH VDLG WKDW RXU SUHIHUHQFH ZRXOG DOZD\V EH IRU YROXQWDU\ FRPSOLDQFH DQG ZH VWLOO stick to that. We believe that voluntary FRPSOLDQFH LV WKH EHVW ZD\ WR JHW PHPEHUV WR FRPH LQ 2QFH PHPEHUV VHH WKH EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV that they are going to derive from being PHPEHUV RI WKH ,QVWLWXWH WKH RSSRUWXQLWLHV we create for training and networking) I am sure they will come in; as they are indeed coming in now. But whilst we drive YROXQWDU\ FRPSOLDQFH LQ WKH HQG LI WKHUH DUH VRPH SHRSOH ZKR ZLOO QRW ZDQW WR REH\ WKH ODZ ZH¡OO EH OHIW ZLWK QR RSWLRQ EXW to enforce the law. But at this stage we Agenmonmen DUH HQFRXUDJLQJ YROXQWDU\ FRPSOLDQFH :H are also having interaction with a lot of SDUWQHUV OLNH $'9$1 ZH DUH DOVR KDYLQJ discussions with NECA. That is the way WKH\ ZHUH ULJKW WKHUH DUH OHJDO SURFHVVHV we are doing it. for driving their claims. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think the lottery commission is a law court. If I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t +RZ KDV WKH IRUPDO &KDUWHU SURFODPDWLRQ SD\ WD[ LW LV QRW IRU WKH WD[ RÎ&#x20AC;FH WR VWDUW DÍžHFWHG WKH 1,01 PHPEHUVKLS GULYH" trying to bring me down.

If you have been following the Institute \RX ZRXOG KDYH VHHQ WKH GLÍżHUHQFH ,I \RX $UH \RX OLNHO\ WR DSSURDFK WKH FRXUW IRU were in Abuja and saw what we had during OHJDO LQWHUSUHWDWLRQ RI WKH UHOHYDQW ODZV" RXU DQQXDO FRQIHUHQFH WKH SODFH ZDV Ă&#x20AC;OOHG You must understand the role of the XS 3HRSOH WUDYHOOHG IURP DOO SDUWV RI WKH marketing institute. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beyond our country for the event. If you were also at role. When it comes to litigation, we are the annual dinner and awards night, the QRW D GLUHFW SDUW\ WR WKH LVVXH HYHQ LI ZH SODFH ZDV HTXDOO\ Ă&#x20AC;OOHG XS /LNH , VDLG went to court today we would not have our members are coming back. I think they locus standing. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beyond our mandate. do now realize that the only thing that :KDW LV \RXU DVVHVVPHQW RI WKH FXUUHQW \HDU LQ WHUPV RI HFRQRPLF SHUIRUPDQFH DQG WKH PDUNHWLQJ LQGXVWU\" There is no doubt about it that it has been a tough marketing environment. I think those who survived best are those who are able to be creative in designing solutions to meet their consumersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs HYHQ LQ WKLV GLÎ&#x20AC;FXOW VLWXDWLRQ %XW , FDQ WHOO \RX HYHQ ZLWKLQ WKDW GLÎ&#x20AC;FXOW PDUNHWLQJ environment, if you look round you will Ă&#x20AC;QG D ORW RI FRPSDQLHV WKDW KDYH GRQH well because they have been able to create VROXWLRQV WR QDYLJDWH WKURXJK WKH GLÎ&#x20AC;FXOW challenges. When the environment is in turbulence you have to ride the wave. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ride the wave you sink, if you ULGH WKH ZDYH \RX VXUYLYH LW¡V DV VLPSOH as that. ,W¡V QRZ WZR \HDUV VLQFH \RX ZHUH HOHFWHG SUHVLGHQW RI WKH 1DWLRQDO ,QVWLWXWH RI 0DUNHWLQJ RI 1LJHULD KRZ ZRXOG \RX UDWH \RXU SHUIRUPDQFH VR IDU" I would have loved that you do this interview with a few members of the Institute and ask them what they think about where we were two years ago and where we are WRGD\ $W WKH SRLQW ZKHQ ZH FDPH LQ WKH equity of the Institute was very low. Our PHPEHUV ZHUH ORZ VSLULWHG WKH\ GLGQ¡W believe so much in the Institute because of the inherited challenges. We were no longer

7KH QXPEHU RI VWDUW XSV LV RQ WKH LQFUHDVH DQG WKH\ KDYH JURZQ EH\RQG RXU H[SHFWDWLRQV E\ SHU FHQW FRQVLGHULQJ ZKDW ZH KDG LQ PLQG ZKHQ ZH ZHUH GHVLJQLQJ '7(& VRPH \HDUV DJR %DVHG RQ WKH UDSLG JURZWK RI VWDUW XSV DW WKH FHQWUH ZH DUH SODQQLQJ WR DGG DGGLWLRQDO VTXDUH PHWHUV RI VSDFH WR DFFRPPRGDWH PRUH FR ZRUNLQJ VSDFH DQG ZH SODQ FRPPLVVLRQLQJ WKH DGGLWLRQDO ZRUNVSDFH LQ WKH QH[W WKUHH PRQWKV

FDQ KDSSHQ WR WKH ,QVWLWXWH LV WR PRYH XS $UH WKHUH DQ\ FKDOOHQJHV WKDW KDYH PDGH LW GLÍżFXOW IRU \RX WR DFKLHYH FHUWDLQ REMHFWLYHV" 2I FRXUVH WKHUH LV )RU XV LQ SDUWLFXODU given the background from where we are coming, we need money. You cannot do anything without money. Our own situDWLRQ LV SHFXOLDU :H VWLOO KDYH KXJH GHEW overhang which we have to manage as well DV GR WKH GHYHORSPHQWDO WKLQJV WKDW ZH QHHG WR GR WR SXVK WKH ,QVWLWXWH IRUZDUG So itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a delicate balance between having to do a whole lot of things and then of course to try to draw down the debts that we inherited. So, if you are talking about challenges, money is a challenge.

But we are thankful because a whole lot of our members have shown faith in the ,QVWLWXWH DQG WKH\ KDYH PDGH VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQW contributions to what we are now. Without WKHLU FRQWULEXWLRQV ZH SUREDEO\ ZRXOG not have been able to have the secretariat WKDW ZH DUH DOO SURXG RI WRGD\ 1RZ WKDW 1,01 KDV UHORFDWHG WR D QHZ RÍżFH ZKDW NLQG RI HÍžHFW LV WKDW OLNHO\ WR KDYH RQ WKH LQVWLWXWH¡V VHUYLFH RÍžHULQJV DQG VWHZDUGVKLS WR LWV PHPEHUV" You know brand building is not a destinaWLRQ LW LV D MRXUQH\ 7KDW VDPH WKLQJ DSSOLHV to the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria. So, having a secretariat that is EHĂ&#x20AC;WWLQJ LV MXVW DQ DVSHFW RI DOO WKH WKLQJV WKDW ZH QHHG WR GR LQ RUGHU WR UHSRVLWLRQ the Institute. I think anybody who has EHHQ WR WKH VHFUHWDULDW LV SURXG RI LW 2XU HPSOR\HHV QRZ ZRUN LQ D FRQGXFLYH HQYLURQPHQW 7KLV ZH H[SHFW ZLOO OHDG WR LQFUHDVHG SURGXFWLYLW\ IURP WKH HPSOR\HHV Then from our membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; side, when we are able to fully furnish it, we are going to have some training facilities there so we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to always rent a room in a hotel to run basic trainings. We also want to KDYH RXU OLEUDU\ IXOO\ HTXLSSHG ZLWK KDUG FRSLHV DQG H FRSLHV RI ERRNV VR WKDW RXU students and members can go there and have access to knowledge that is available. ,Q WHUPV RI \RXU PHPEHUVKLS GULYH ZKDW DUH \RXU SURMHFWLRQV IRU " :H KDYH D QRPLQDO PHPEHUVKLS EDVH RI EHIRUH ZH FDPH LQWR RÎ&#x20AC;FH WZR \HDUV DJR , GRQ¡W WKLQN ZH KDG XS WR SHRSOH ZKR ZHUH DFWLYH +RZHYHU WKDW situation has changed tremendously. Every GD\ SHRSOH DUH FRPLQJ EDFN EHFDXVH WKH\ FDQ QRZ VHH D QHZ ,QVWLWXWH WKDW DSSHDOV WR WKHLU LQWHUHVW VR ,¡P YHU\ RSWLPLVWLF WKDW ZLOO EH DQRWKHU GHĂ&#x20AC;QLQJ PRPHQW IRU the Institute. In the last two years we had D ORW RI WKLQJV WR FOHDU XS EXW ZH DUH LQ D VWURQJHU SRVLWLRQ LQ WR EXLOG RQ WKH foundation of the last two years and that LQFOXGHV DJJUHVVLYH GULYH IRU PHPEHUVKLS We get enquiries everyday so I have high KRSHV &DQ \RX VSHDN RQ \RXU SODQV DQG ZKDW \RX KRSH WR DFKLHYH LQ " Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure that the Council has an encomSDVVLQJ SODQ IRU WKH \HDU ZKHWKHU ,¡P WKHUH RU QRW GRHV QRW GHĂ&#x20AC;QH WKH ,QVWLWXWH ZKDW GHĂ&#x20AC;QHV WKH ,QVWLWXWH LV SOD\LQJ LWV UROHV DV D SURIHVVLRQDO ERG\ 6R LQ WKH QHZ \HDU and the coming years, you are going to VHH 1,01 SOD\LQJ LQFUHDVLQJ UROHV LQ WKH country; when issues of marketing arise you are going to be seeing NIMN. You DUH DOVR JRLQJ WR VHH VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQW HÍżRUWV LQ the training of our members as well as RUJDQLVLQJ PRUH SURJUDPV WR FUHDWH PRUH DZDUHQHVV 3HUVRQDOO\ , DP YHU\ KRSHIXO

T H I S D AY â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019

29

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

%HQHĂ&#x20AC;WV RI 0LFUR 3HQVLRQ 6FKHPH

(EHUH 1ZRML writes on the importance of the micro pension scheme

O

ne of the remarkable reforms instituted by the former president Olusegun Obasanjoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s administration was the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which replaced WKH KLWKHUWR QRQ IXQGHG 'HĂ&#x20AC;QHG %HQHĂ&#x20AC;W Pension scheme.

The CPS, which is funded in nature with the employee contributing eight per cent to his Retirement Savings Account (RSA) and his employer contributing 10 per cent every month gave workers in both public and private sectors, especially the formal sector workers, future hope but left a gap in non -coverage of the informal sector workers.

However, 16 years after the creation of the institution of the CPS, president Muhammadu %XKDUL JDYH D ERRVW WR WKH VFKHPH WKURXJK the launch of the micro pension scheme, with informal sector operators who were not covered by the CPS as the prime target.

At the launch of the micro pension scheme, the president had said the initiative was to address the exclusion of millions of traders, farmers and other entrepreneurs from the GLÍżHUHQW SHQVLRQ SURJUDPV LQ H[LVWHQFH He said it was part of his administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan to ensure the inclusion of all Nigerians in the basic services.

Disclosing the position of his administration regarding the well-being and future of informal sector operators in Nigeria, president %XKDUL KDG VDLG ´,Q WKH SDVW WKUHH \HDUV we provided grants, concessionary loans and technical support through our SME clinics to farmers, traders and SMEs. We have seen lives positively change because of these initiatives. ´7KH PLFUR SHQVLRQ SODQ LV WKH QDWXUDO next step. The program guarantees that when these hard working citizens retire, they can still live in dignity and comfort. ´$W WKLV MXQFWXUH , ZRXOG OLNH WR HQFRXUDJH trade associations, unions, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders in the informal sector of our economy to join hand with the government and the pension industry to enlighten their members and WKH JHQHUDO SXEOLF RQ WKH EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV RI WKH micro pension plan,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Going by federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan, the initiative is expected to cover an estimated 80 million people working in the informal sector of the economy, including market women, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, members of textile, garment and tailoring associations, tricycle operators and Okada riders.

Others targeted for capture under the scheme are butchers associations, workers in the movie and performing arts industry, mechanics and other workers in the automotive industry and single professionals like lawyers, accountants among others.

The Acting Director General National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs Dahir-Umar, recently said the commission is targeting about N3 trillion and 20 million contributors through the scheme.

According to her, the micro pension SODQ KDV EHHQ ZHOO VLPSOLĂ&#x20AC;HG WR VXLW WKH target contributors. For instance, she said under the initiative, 40 per cent of the amount contributed could be accessed by contributors for contingency purpose while the balance of 60 percent would be VHW DVLGH IRU UHWLUHPHQW EHQHĂ&#x20AC;W She explained that while contributors could start drawing from their 40 per cent contributions after three months of making the initial deposit, the 60 per cent balance could only be accessed at the age of 50 or during retirement.

The PenCom boss projected that the successful implementation of the micro pension scheme has the potential of reducing poverty level by 85 per cent. ´7KLV HYHQW LV UHPDUNDEOH EHFDXVH LW XQYHLOV D XQLTXH Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO SURGXFW ZKLFK democratises the savings culture in Nigeria LQ D V\VWHPDWLF DQG HÎ&#x20AC;FLHQW PDQQHU ´7KH SURGXFW DOVR SHUIHFWO\ DOLJQV ZLWK WKH current social empowerment programmes of the federal government, as it seeks to ensure,

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7KH LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ RI WKH PLFUR SHQVLRQ SODQ ZLOO LPSURYH WKH VWDQGDUG RI OLYLQJ RI WKH LQIRUPDO VHFWRU SDUWLFLSDQWV DW UHWLUHPHQW DQG UHGXFH GHSHQGHQFH RQ H[WHQGHG IDPLO\ IRU VXSSRUW 7KH SODQ ZLOO FDSWXUH VHOI HPSOR\HG SHRSOH HVSHFLDOO\ WKRVH ZLWK LUUHJXODU LQFRPH XVXDOO\ LQ WKH LQIRUPDO VHFWRU DQG DUH ODUJHO\ Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDOO\ XQLQIRUPHG ZLWK OLPLWHG RU QR DFFHVV WR Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO VHUYLFHV in the long-term, the sustainability of the EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV RI WKH HPSRZHUPHQW SURJUDPPHV for the participants, who may seize this opportunity to save for their old age. ´2XU REMHFWLYH LV WR HQVXUH HÎ&#x20AC;FLHQF\ DQG HÍżHFWLYHQHVV LQ VHUYLFH GHOLYHU\ DV well as transparency and accountability in the administration of the product by licensed pension operators,â&#x20AC;? she had said.

To drive the scheme, PenCom and the pension fund operators, said they have developed information technology to support the micro pension distribution plan.

2Q WKH EHQHĂ&#x20AC;W RI WKH VFKHPH WR WKH WDUJHWHG FRQWULEXWRUV WKH SHQFRP ERVV VDLG ´7KH implementation of the micro-pension plan will improve the standard of living of the informal sector participants at retirement and reduce dependence on extended family for support at retirement. ´7KH SODQ ZKHQ RSHUDWLRQDO ZRXOG capture self-employed people, especially, those with irregular income, usually in the LQIRUPDO VHFWRU DQG DUH ODUJHO\ Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDOO\ uninformed with limited or no access to Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO VHUYLFHV HVSHFLDOO\ SHQVLRQ SODQ Âľ Section 2(3) of the Pension Reform Act, 2014 legal framework extends the coverage

of the CPS to self-employed persons through the micro-pension scheme. $FFRUGLQJ WR KHU DGGLWLRQDO EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV WR self-employed persons and informal sector workers include the cover being provided under the Pension Protection Fund.

She explained that under the arrangement, the government would bridge shortfalls RU Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO ORVVHV IURP WKH LQYHVWPHQW of their accumulated retirement savings and guarantee them minimum pension in retirement, irrespective of how much they were able to save before retiring.

She also said the plan would be funded by an annual subvention of one per cent of the monthly wage of federal government employees, the annual levy on PenCom and pension operators as well as pension fund investment income.

On their part, Pension Fund Operators said there is no doubt that the initiative was the future of the pension sector and the economy in general.

The operators said they are strategising to reap the gains of the scheme and give hope to self- employed Nigerians and small scale business operators who ordinarily ZRXOG QRW WHVW WKH EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV RI SHQVLRQV savings a chance to save for the future and escape old age poverty.

Long before the formal launch of the micro pension scheme, many PFAs were expected to have calibrated their internal processes and operations to accommodate the new group of retirement savings account holders. )RU LQVWDQFH 6WDQELF ,%7& 3HQVLRQ 0DQDJers Limited, which currently controls N2.8 trillion assets out of the total N8.7 trillion total pension assets in the country, recently demonstrated its leadership position in the industry through the launch of its own PLFUR SHQVLRQ VFKHPH WDJJHG ´*DPH 3ODQ Retire Well.â&#x20AC;?

The PFA at the media launch of its micro pension plan said it considered the pension reforms necessary to maintain the strength and depth of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CPS, adding that part of its engagement with the media was not only to intimate and educate them on the micro pension plan but to also demonstrate its readiness for the micro pension plan.

Some of the engagement platforms Stanbic ,%7& 3HQVLRQ 0DQDJHUV KDG LQVWLWXWHG WR continue to engage stakeholders include town hall meetings and public awareness

programs.

The PFA, said it has a dedicated 24/7 customer care line that can engage its clients in English and the four major Nigerian ODQJXDJHV ² 3LGJLQ +DXVD ,JER DQG <RUXED 6WDQELF ,%7& &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2Î&#x20AC;FHU Eric Fajemisin, explained that the micro pension plan was meant to insulate those not covered in the formal sector of the economy as well as low-income earners against old-age poverty. ´7KH PLFUR SHQVLRQ SODQ ZLOO HTXDOO\ help in deepening asset accumulation in the country,â&#x20AC;? he added.

According to him, the scheme would provide the crucial capital required for investment in critical sectors of the economy. ´$V DQ LQLWLDWLYH GHVLJQHG WR FRYHU DQ estimated 70 per cent of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s working population in the informal sector, the scheme RÍżHUV HQRUPRXV EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV WR WKH VRFLHW\ regardless of challenges associated with its seamless implementation,â&#x20AC;? he said. $FFRUGLQJ WR KLP DPRQJ LWV EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV LV improved standard of living for the elderly, safety of funds and access to other incentives, such as reduction in their dependency on WKH \RXQJHU JHQHUDWLRQ Ă H[LEOH FRQWULEXtion remittances, the opportunity to make withdrawal prior to retirement and the HQKDQFHPHQW RI Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO LQFOXVLRQ LQ WKH country. )DMHPLVLQ H[SODLQHG WKDW ZLWK RÎ&#x20AC;FHV LQ over 200 locations across the country and its electronic platform to engage the technology minded clients via internet or the Stanbic ,%7& PRELOH DSS LW ZDV FOHDU WKDW 6WDQELF ,%7& 3HQVLRQ 0DQDJHUV LV WUXO\ UHDG\ WR onboard the Micro Pension customers The PFA also pledged its readiness and commitment to contributing its quota through its â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Game Plan - Retire Wellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; campaign. $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH 3)$ WKH HÍżRUW LV DLPHG at sensitising and stimulating the informal sector not covered by the current CPS to secure their buy in into the pension scheme.

Speaking on the campaign, Fajemisin said, ´LW LV RXU FDOO RXW WR VWDNHKROGHUV WR VHFXUH their future and reinforce the need to save and plan for retirement, irrespective of the nature of their jobs or the profession they PD\ Ă&#x20AC;QG WKHPVHOYHV LQ ´,W LV DOO DERXW WDNLQJ D GHFLVLRQ WRGD\ E\ signing up for a retirement plan, making the right move now towards a secure future or simply put, having a game plan,â&#x20AC;? he said.

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019

30

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

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T H I S D AY â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019

31

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Revisiting Idea of Coordinating Minister for Economy

Uche Uwaleke

U

QOLNH WKH VLWXDWLRQ LQ 2015 when he was in no hurry to assemble his team many months after being sworn in, President Buhari is expected to constitute a new cabinet sooner WKDQ ODWHU +LV VHFRQG WHUP LQ RÎ&#x20AC;FH SURYLGHV an opportunity to revisit the jettisoned idea of appointing a coordinating Minister for the economy.

It will be recalled that the practice of having a coordinating Minister was introduced by IRUPHU 3UHVLGHQW *RRGOXFN -RQDWKDQ ZKHQ KH PDGH 'U 1JR]L 2NRQMR ,ZHDOD WKH 0LQLVWHU RI )LQDQFH ZLWK DQ DGGLWLRQDO UHVSRQVLELOLW\ of coordinating economic activities of other Ministries. Her appointment, it seemed then, pointed to the need to address the negative spillovers from inadequate synergy among 0LQLVWULHV 'HSDUWPHQWV DQG $JHQFLHV RI government to the extent that in many LQVWDQFHV œ¡WKH ULJKW KDQG GLG QRW NQRZ ZKDW WKH OHIW KDQG ZDV GRLQJÂľ 7KLV XQLTXH coordination role for Ngozi Iweala was criticised at the time not least because it had QR FRQVWLWXWLRQDO EDVLV %HLQJ WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW RI LWV NLQG LQ 1LJHULD¡V KLVWRU\ KHU HOHYDWHG RÎ&#x20AC;FH was seen as equivalent to that of a Prime Minister, which placed her in a position to superintend over every other ministry, department and agency of government.

She was, arguably, the next most powerful cabinet member in that administration after President Jonathan and Vice President 1DPDGL 6DPER $JDLQVW WKLV EDFNGURS LW ZDV QRW GLÎ&#x20AC;FXOW WR XQGHUVWDQG ZK\ WKH %XKDUL administration chose not to continue with the practice. The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, made it clear from the onset that there would be no such designation as â&#x20AC;&#x153;coordinating PLQLVWHU IRU WKH HFRQRP\Âľ LQ 3UHVLGHQW Mohammadu Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s administration.

Nonetheless, there is an economic sense LQ KDYLQJ VRPH VRUW RI IUDPHZRUN IRU policy coordination. Since the fortunes of NH\ 0LQLVWULHV VXFK DV 3HWUROHXP 3RZHU Transport, and Agriculture are heavily LQWHUZRYHQ LW ZRXOG EH GLÎ&#x20AC;FXOW WR KDYH a clear roadmap, with respect to any one of them, until some level of integration LQ HFRQRPLF SROLF\ LV DFKLHYHG &LWLQJ DQ example with the power sector, Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emir of Kano, was reported to KDYH VDLG GXULQJ D VWDNHKROGHUV¡ ZRUNVKRS on Road Transport Management and Mass Transit Operations in Nigeria, organized by WKH )HGHUDO 0LQLVWU\ RI 7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ LQ Abuja in July 2016, that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;one of the reasons why we have not made much improvement RQ SRZHU LV GXH WR D ODFN RI FRRUGLQDWLQJ PHFKDQLVPV Âľ $FFRUGLQJ WR KLP ´YHU\ RIWHQ

Okonjo-Iweala

in this country, we do not give as much focus DV ZH VKRXOG WR WKH RUJDQLF OLQN EHWZHHQ the objectives, our strategies, processes, procedures and our results. The Minister of power cannot boast that he will deliver 1,000 megawatts because he can actually build a gas powered turbine and not have the gas. This is because the gas is under the FRQWURO RI D GLͿHUHQW PLQLVWU\¡¡ 7KH (PLU DOVR mentioned the case of hydro power where WKH GDPV EHORQJ WR WKH )HGHUDO 0LQLVWU\ RI Water Resources while the sites around the dams belong to the state governments. His FRQFOXVLRQ œ¡ZH QHHG WR KDYH VRPH IUDPHZRUN for coordination and harmonization for a clear division of roles and responsibilities and also for ensuring that everything is PDLQVWUHDPHG LQWR RQH VWUDWHJLF REMHFWLYH¾ What could be more spot-on?

Indeed, the importance of a coordinating Ministry for the Economy has since been recognized in many developed and emergLQJ HFRQRPLHV ,Q 7XUNH\ IRU LQVWDQFH DQ (FRQRPLF &RRUGLQDWLRQ %RDUG ZDV HVWDEOLVKHG LQ WR VWUHQJWKHQ FRRUGLQDWLRQ DPRQJ PLQLVWULHV 7KH %RDUG FRPSULVHV WKH 'HSXW\ 3ULPH 0LQLVWHU IRU (FRQRPLF $ÍżDLUV DV &KDLUman, together with the Ministers responsible IRU )LQDQFH 'HYHORSPHQW &XVWRPV DQG Trade, Science, Industry and Technology, /DERXU DQG 6RFLDO 6HFXULW\ ZKLOH WKH 7UHDVXU\

acts as the secretariat of the Board. In South Korea, the coordination role is vested in WKH 0LQLVWHU RI (FRQRP\ DQG )LQDQFH ,Q WKH (FRQRPLF 3ODQQLQJ %RDUG DQG WKH 0LQLVWU\ RI )LQDQFH ZHUH PHUJHG LQWR WKH 0LQLVWU\ RI )LQDQFH DQG (FRQRP\ 02)(

when the government recognized the need for an integrated approach to implementing the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s functions on economic DÍżDLUV LQ DQ HÎ&#x20AC;FLHQW DQG FRKHUHQW PDQQHU Similarly, Italy has a Ministry of Economy DQG )LQDQFH ZKLFK LQ DGGLWLRQ WR ÂśFRQGXFWLQJ WKH WDVNV DQG UHVSRQVLELOLWLHV RI WKH 6WDWH LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;HOGV RI HFRQRPLF SROLF\ Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO SROLF\ budgeting, and tax policies also carries out all activities related to the coordination of public spending and its oversightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s &RRUGLQDWLQJ 0LQLVWU\ IRU (FRQRPLF $ÍżDLUV has responsibility to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;co-ordinate, synchronize and control ministriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; responsibilities in HFRQRPLF DÍżDLUV¡ 7KH PLQLVWU\ LV OHG E\ D &RRUGLQDWLQJ 0LQLVWHU IRU (FRQRPLF $IIDLUV ZKR LV WKH 'HSXW\ 3ULPH 0LQLVWHU IRU (FRQRPLFV )LQDQFH DQG 'HYHORSPHQW 'LWWR IRU 6LQJDSRUH ZKHUH WKH 'HSXW\ 3ULPH 0LQLVWHU LV GHVLJQDWHG WKH &RRUGLQDWLQJ Minister for Economic and Social Policies.

While it is true that the practice of having a coordinating Minister is popular in countries running parliamentary system of government, there is evidence to suggest that it has

also been embraced by countries under the Presidential system. As observed by Richard $OOHQ HW DO LQ DQ ,0) ZRUNLQJ SDSHU WLWOHG Âś7KH (YROYLQJ )XQFWLRQV DQG 2UJDQL]DWLRQ RI )LQDQFH 0LQLVWULHV¡ ÂśPRVW DGYDQFHG countries have developed mechanisms for coordinating policy decisions between the Ă&#x20AC;QDQFH PLQLVWU\ DQG WKHVH RWKHU PLQLVWULHV DQG HQVXULQJ WKDW WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO FRVWV DQG EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV RI VXFK SROLFLHV DUH IXOO\ DSSUDLVHG DQG DSSURYHG E\ WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDQFH PLQLVWU\¡¡ +H DUJXHV WKDW ÂśĂ&#x20AC;QDQFH PLQLVWHUV KDYH WR WDNH responsibility for, or at least a strong interest in, activities of the state across the board, since DOO VXFK DFWLYLWLHV KDYH Ă&#x20AC;VFDO LPSOLFDWLRQV RI RQH VRUW RU DQRWKHU ZKLFK WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDQFH PLQLVWU\ FDQQRW DÍżRUG WR LJQRUH¡ :KDW LV FOHDU IURP the experience of many countries is that the position of a coordinating minister is always FUHDWHG WR DGGUHVV D FRPSOH[ SROLF\PDNLQJ environment and the need to coordinate responses to challenges involving multiple ministries- which is why the position is, in most cases, occupied by a powerful minister with the clout and experience to provide the needed push for coordinated action across government ministries, departments and agencies. A coordinating minister for the economy is also expected to have a thorough XQGHUVWDQGLQJ RI ERWK PRQHWDU\ DQG Ă&#x20AC;VFDO policies and be in continuous consultations ZLWK PLQLVWHUV DQG WKH *RYHUQRU RI WKH FHQWUDO EDQN ZLWKRXW SUHMXGLFH WR WKH ODWWHU¡V DXWRQRP\ RQ LVVXHV ERUGHULQJ RQ WKH HFRQRP\ )RUPHU 3UHVLGHQW -RQDWKDQ IRXQG WKHVH TXDOLWLHV LQ 2NRQMR ,ZHDOD ZKR ZDV RQ WRS RI KHU FDUHHU DW WKH :RUOG %DQN DQG had no qualms appointing her the Minister RI )LQDQFH DQG FRRUGLQDWLQJ 0LQLVWHU IRU WKH economy. While the impact of her double portfolio may have been subdued by the sudden fall in international crude oil price sometime in 2014 which paved the way for the economic recession that followed, many believe that the economy under her grips faired relatively well especially against WKH EDFNGURS RI DWWDLQLQJ WKH VWDWXV RI WKH biggest economy in Africa.

Therefore, contrary to the apprehension in some quarters that a coordinating minister will add another layer of bureaucracy, the role actually puts in place a problem-solving PHFKDQLVP WKDW OHDYHV LQ LWV ZDNH ZHOO JURXQGHG HFRQRPLF SROLFLHV ,W DOVR PDNHV HDVLHU WKH WDVN RI VXSHUYLVLQJ WKH HFRQRP\ E\ WKH 9LFH 3UHVLGHQW ZKR LV WKH &KDLUPDQ of the Economic team. In view of the many EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV DVVRFLDWHG ZLWK WKH SRUWIROLR WKH SUHVLGHQW LV ZHOO DGYLVHG WR QDPH D &Rordinating Minister for the Economy this time around. â&#x20AC;˘Uwaleke is a Professor of Capital Market and the Head of Banking & Finance departPHQW DW WKH 1DVDUDZD 6WDWH 8QLYHUVLW\ .HÎ&#x20AC;

Emirates Commemorates 15 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Second Intra-African Trade Fair Will Generate $40bn Dealsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Years of Service in Nigeria The promoters of Emirate Airlines, have described the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 15 years operation in Nigeria as a success story.

It commenced operation in 2004 with IRXU Ă LJKWV SHU ZHHN IURP 'XEDL WR /DJRV OLQNHG ZLWK $FFUD LQ *KDQD RSHUDWHG by the A330-200 aircraft. The following year, Emirates increased its services from IRXU WR VL[ Ă LJKWV D ZHHN DQG IROORZLQJ further demand, it became a daily operation in October 2005. The airline has seen a steady growth in operations, and on 1 -DQXDU\ /DJRV ZDV GHOLQNHG IURP $FFUD DQG EHFDPH D GLUHFW VHUYLFH WR 'XEDL Emirates started its second daily service WR /DJRV LQ )HEUXDU\ The airlineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Regional Manager, West Africa, Afzal Parambil, while commenting on the anniversary, was quoted in a statement to have said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Emirates

has enjoyed a strong relationship with Nigeria, and remains deeply committed WR WKH PDUNHW 2YHU WKH SDVW \HDUV ZH have not only seen our operations grow, but our product develops to cater to the taste and requirements of our Nigerian customers. We constantly strive to provide our passengers with an unforgettable travel experience, and our growth is a testament to the fact that we are on the ULJKW WUDFN Âľ (PLUDWHV 6N\&DUJR DOVR VWDUWHG RSHUDWLRQV in 2004 and has since carried 14,000 tonnes of mobile phones, garments and personal HÍżHFWV DV LPSRUWV DQG KDV H[SRUWHG RYHU 4,000 tonnes of fresh Kolanuts, beverages DQG PRELOH SKRQHV &XUUHQWO\ (PLUDWHV has 271 aircraft in service and operates to GHVWLQDWLRQV LQ FRXQWULHV ,WV VWDÍż strength in Nigeria is presently almost 150.

7KH VHFRQG ,QWUD $IULFDQ 7UDGH )DLU ,$7) VFKHGXOHG WR WDNH SODFH LQ .LJDOL from 1 to 7 September 2020 will target the execution of Intra-African trade deals worth more than $40 billion, President of the African ([SRUW ,PSRUW %DQN $IUH[LPEDQN 3URI Benedict Oramah has said.

Oramah said this in Kigali, at the signing RI WKH KRVWLQJ DJUHHPHQW IRU ,$7) E\ WKH *RYHUQPHQW RI 5ZDQGD $IUH[LPEDQN and the African Union.

According to a statement, the Minister of Trade and Industry of Rwanda, Soraya +DNX]L\DUHP\H VLJQHG IRU WKH FRXQWU\ ZKLOH 2UDPDK VLJQHG IRU WKH $IUH[LPEDQN DQG $PE $OEHUW 0XFKDQJD &RPPLVVLRQHU IRU 7UDGH and Industry of the African Union, signed for the organisation, during the ceremony.

2UDPDK VDLG IRU ,$7) ZKLFK ZDV EHLQJ RUJDQLVHG E\ $IUH[LPEDQN LQ FROODERUD-

tion with the African Union and hosted by Rwanda, the partners had set themselves the ambitious target of attracting more than 1,000 exhibitors and hosting over 10,000 buyers and conference participants from over 50 countries.

According to him, the trade fair would on WKH WUHPHQGRXV SURJUHVV PDGH LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW ,QWUD $IULFDQ 7UDGH )DLU KHOG LQ &DLUR LQ to achieve more far-reaching results in terms of impact in promoting Intra-African trade.

Oramah who noted that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;52 countries KDYH VLJQHG WKH $I&)7$ DQG KDYH UDWLĂ&#x20AC;HG it, paving the way for the agreement to enter LQWR IRUFH Âľ VDLG ,$$7) ZRXOG LQFOXGH DQ ,$7) 7UDGH DQG ,QYHVWPHQW )RUXP ZKLFK ZLOO ORRN DW WKH SUDFWLFDO FKDOOHQJHV DÍżHFWLQJ $I&)7$ LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ DQG SURYLGH VROXWLRQV on how to address them and exploit the EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV RÍżHUHG E\ WKH $JUHHPHQW

32

BUSINESSWORLD

T H I S D AY â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019

DEVELOPMENT

Promoting Equity in Taxation Ugo Aliogo examines the need to mobilise non-state actors to promote social equity in the taxation process

E

xperts have argued that lack of FRRUGLQDWLRQ RI WD[ MXVWLFH HÍżRUWV in the formal and informal sectors of the economy has led to reduced revenue generation for the country.

The experts explained that the current regime seems to be widening the inequality gap and stressed the non-adherence by tax administrators to the national tax policy.

Speaking at a two-day capacity building workshop for civil society organisation (CSOs), the need to mobilise non-state actors and related groups to enhance capacity in taxation was brought to the fore.

The workshop which was organised by Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group, (NDEBUMOG), with the support from OXFAM, observed that the Nigerian tax system was too complex and unwieldy, thereby leading to abuse and the reduction RI RSWLPDO EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV WR ERWK WD[ SD\HUV DQG the government.

The resolution at the end of the workshop was to promote social equity, and try to FRQQHFW VWDNHKROGHUV ZLWK HÍżHFWLYH GHOLYHU\ because there is a connection between task and budget.

The workshop focused on improving capacity of participants on taxation, revenues WUDFNLQJ IDLU WD[DWLRQ SXEOLF Ă&#x20AC;QDQFH H[SHQditure monitoring, expenditure evaluation DQG LQĂ XHQFLQJ The workshop, which was part of NDEBUMOGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Financing For Development (FFD) project under OXFAMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategic partnership programmeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Consolidated (MEAL) work plan brought together participants from 16 States, such as Abia, Imo, Enugu, Lagos, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Ebonyi, Cross River, Bayelsa, Edo, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti, Oyo and Rivers States.

7KH &KLHI ([HFXWLYH 2Î&#x20AC;FHU 1'(%802* Dr. George Hill-Anthony, said the forum was aimed at mobilising non-state actors and related groups to engender capacity in taxation, adding that it would help citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; awareness and social equity in terms of how taxation should be pursued by the government and relevant stakeholders.

He also noted that in the area of taxation, WKHUH ZDV RSSUHVVLYH DQG VXÍżRFDWLYH WD[HV which he noted put people under pressure, and violates their rights. He said in most cases the tax revenues donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go to government, but political kingpins and local champions, while assuring that the public that the workshop would help raise awareness build the capacity of stakeholders, â&#x20AC;&#x153;to understand which task applies for what whether federal, State or Local government levels.â&#x20AC;?

Hill-Anthony explained that at the end of the workshop, there would be a resolution to promote social equity, and try to connect VWDNHKROGHUV ZLWK HÍżHFWLYH VHUYLFH GHOLYHU\ â&#x20AC;&#x153;because there is a connection between task and budget.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because if you pay your task you know that government owns you an obligation.

What we are also trying to do is notify the citizenry and make them responsive on their social obligations of paying their taxes to the government, so it is a two-sided approach. In taxation, there are things such as waivers, tax holidays, VAIDS and others, some of these things are appropriated or are considered for the rich,â&#x20AC;? he noted.

The NDEBUMOG CEO argued that the main essence of promoting social equity in the tax justice process is to arrive at a justice point both for the collector and the payer, According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;For us as non-state actors, we may not be able to pinpoint where we DUH DV D QDWLRQ :H DUH QRW VDWLVĂ&#x20AC;HG ZLWK WKH level of tax justice in the country because we see where artisans are harnessed. There are communities today where youths appropriate themselves with the power to collect levies and they state how much traders will pay daily. The revenue goes to their community heads or chiefs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are trying to see how we will get a

work they are doing is the right direction or not. It will also build their capacity in terms of exposing them to this knowledge. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Also help in linking what they are doing from the formal sector to the formal sector as well because over time, they have worked on the informal sector and that work has been remarkable, we also want to take it much higher it much higher to see how we can help them work in the formal sector, this is why we are bringing these frameworks together to help guide work as well. So we will also be learning from them as well to see what they think about it and what they have been learning from it.â&#x20AC;?

Measuring Compliance &RQWLQXLQJ 8VKLH H[SODLQHG WKDW HÍżRUWV WR ensure compliance in the tax justice system has been in action since 2016, adding that the focus is to see how to make tax fair in the informal sector, â&#x20AC;&#x153;so we are trying to consolidate on what we have been doing for the past three years.â&#x20AC;?

He added that the work on tax justice compliance would continue until December ZKLOH H[SUHVVLQJ FRQĂ&#x20AC;GHQFH WKDW WKH platforms would begin to come up to that level where they can actually work with the informal or formal sector. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We intend to see how we can actually help maybe at the State level, how we can up the game in terms of tax compliance in order for government to have more for service delivery because government at the state level complain that they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have money for service delivery. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So the focus will be how do we up their game as well to see how they can work with Fowler relevant institutions to see how to strengthen According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In some communities their system for fair taxation and improve collaboration with the collectors and payers, whereby if there is a human right violation in Akwa Ibom State, some Local Government service delivery at their level, so thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is that has to do with taxation, you were to Chairmen have come to sign some MOU the point we want to get to, up our game with the platform in what is known as the from six to 10 per cent.â&#x20AC;? run to.

In his lecture entitled: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Connecting the Tax â&#x20AC;&#x153;So these are connectors we are trying to tax to service agreement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The agreement has it that for every Justice Platforms to the Global Campaign establish and galvanize the citizenry through awareness creation about their social rights tax collected, 20% over a period of time is Against Inequality and Fair Tax Monitor,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the and physical freedom. Physical freedom is returned in terms of services back to those Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre WKDW \RX DUH QRW VXSSRVHG WR EH VXÍżRFDWHG communities and market in form of drainage &,6/$& 3URJUDPPH 2Î&#x20AC;FHU &KLQHGX because of anything that has to do with the systems, latrine and other basic services that Bassey, noted that one major issue that physicality of government whether budget or they need at community level and that has stands out in the tax justice campaign is tax. It is supposed to be social contract, social really improved tax collection at level. It has the issues around the practices, and how the obligation where you know as a citizen you also improved tax compliance. It has also cut processes of collecting taxes is undermining are supposed to pay your tax. When you out some middle people who are collecting the human rights of the people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to beat someone up to pay pay your tax, you should not be harassed.â&#x20AC;? taxes into their pocket at that level as well. It In his lecture entitled: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Connecting the In- has been win-win thing for the communities taxes; you have lock up peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shops for them to pay tax collection processes should formal Tax Economic Sector to the Formal,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;the and the government as well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For us at Oxfam, we have played that adhere to human dignity and respect,â&#x20AC;? he 3URJUDPPH 2Î&#x20AC;FHU 3XEOLF 3ULYDWH 6HFWRU 7UDQVSDUHQF\ DQG $FFRXQWDELOLW\ 2Î&#x20AC;FHU convening role for this local partners and said.

He explained that another major challenge Oxfam International, Mr. Henry Ushie, noted organisations, because we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want be seen that over time, Oxfam had been able to setup DV WKH RQH GRLQJ WKH Ă&#x20AC;HOG ZRUN 6R ZH KDYH which also has strong basis on the practices 16 tax justice system and governance platforms tried to empower local organisations to carry was the use of consultancy, adding that it with the steering committee based in Abuja out that work at their level. This has brought was against the law and that is what is done comprising of Action Aid and Civic Soicety more legitimacy to work with them. Also, in most States.

He noted that in measuring tax collection Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) Oxfam, more legitimacy for the partners to go the processes at the national level, there are communities.

Christian Aid and other coalitions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The communities have also seen Oxfam changes on a progressive level, stating that He explained that within 2016, Oxfam had worked in the informal sector, in strengthening as that convening trust and that has brought before now, the processes of paying was too the sectorial system within that sector, while good remarkable outcomes for us. What we hectic, â&#x20AC;&#x153;and you were you to be given those ensuring that local people or people working have also tried to do today, is to see how tax assessment, it would take you days to in the local economy are not overburdened by we can also reposition the platforms to have read it, but they have reduced everything tax and the issue around double taxation â&#x20AC;&#x153;and better outcomes and scale, with outcome and to a page on the website.â&#x20AC;?

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;All you need to do is illicit tax collectors and the use of consultants scale, we are reviewing what we have done to collect taxes are no longer in existence.â&#x20AC;? in the past, considering the models that we to key in the amount you, then computation will be done for you and tell you are due to Ushie argued that within 2016-2019, it was have used to work at this level. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also want to introduce new framework, pay. The process is simpler and the interface discovered that people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t comply with tax payment because they are not getting we also have three frameworks that we are is friendlier and awareness is very broad now. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the State level, selectively some States services for the taxes they have been paying, introducing to the platform within these two therefore he noted that Oxfam is trying to days, we have the fair tax monitor, and com- are ahead of others, some are totally backward, see how it can work with local communities mitment to reducing inequality. So we have to the extent that the relationship between a couple of framework we are introducing the government authorities that collects taxes and local government.

He stated that the focus of Oxfamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s col- to the communities and platform as well; and the people doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exist. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In some States, there is progress and laboration with local communities and local we have the fair tax monitor index research communities is aimed at seeing how the that will be introduced to the community some other States have started including local governments can provide basic social as well and will be launched sometimes in the people in dialogue to ask questions and give feedbacks on what is happening.

May or June. amenities for the people at that level. ´:H DOVR KDYH WKH SXEOLF Ă&#x20AC;QDQFH URDG There is the issue of discretion on what is He added that Oxfam has been able to record some successes as well, noting that in map which will also strengthen our public provided by the law. States take advantage some communities in Akwa Ibom State, some Ă&#x20AC;QDQFH V\VWHPV LQ RXU VSDFH 7KHVH WKUHH of the loophole in the law to go and make Local Government Chairmen have come to frameworks will help strengthen the work their own laws, instead of abiding by what sign some MOUs with the platform in what that the platforms are doing and expose them has been provided. The state has a list of 21 to certain indicators which will whether the taxes they are supposed to collect.â&#x20AC;? is known as the tax to service agreement.

T H I S D AY â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019

33

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Buhari Inaugurates Ecological Control Projects in Abuja Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

numerous emergency ecological intervention projects across the President Muhammadu Buhari country awarded by the through has inaugurated erosion control WKH (FRORJLFDO )XQG 2Î&#x20AC;FH ()2

projects in Lugbe and Wuye Tender Board on May 28, 2018.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The project district of the Federal Capital was intended to provide culverts Territory (FCT).

This, followed the untold and reinforced concrete drainages hardship due to environment WR SURSHUO\ FKDQQHO ZDVWH Ă RRG GHJUDGDWLRQ DULVLQJ IURP Ă RRGLQJ water into a safe discharge point, and erosion menace in the area. thereby preventing erosion and The President who was rep- Ă RRGLQJ ZLWKLQ WKH FRPPXQLW\ resented by the Secretary to the and to protect lives and property. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The community was expeGovernment of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, while riencing untold hardship due inaugurating and handing to environmental degradation over the police sign post and DGGLQJ IURP Ă RRGLQJ EDQG HURroad improvement works in sion menace which necessitated Lugbe and and gully erosion this prompt intervention from control project in Wuye, said the federal government.â&#x20AC;? the projects were part of the Buhari added that the fed-

eral governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s execution of projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s across the country also demonstrates the sincerity of purpose of Muhammadu Buhari led administration towards enriching justice, equity and fair play to all and sundry.

He stressed that having successfully completed this project, the standard of living of the people in the community and its environs would be enhance.

The president added that this would at the same time reduce dangers that had been experienced in recent times, saying that at this critical point of nation building and economic recovery that there was no doubt

that the project would provide a window of opportunities for economic growth of the community.

While at Wuye, where he inaugurated and handed over WKH JXOO\ HURVLRQ DQG Ă RRG control works at the Federal Government Boys College, Wuye, to the school authority, Buhari stressed that having successfully completed this project, there was no doubt that the school environment would be greatly safeguarded, dangers to lives DQG SURSHUWLHV RI WKH VWDÍż DQG students would be reduced and at the same time learning would also be greatly enhanced.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, EFO, Dr. Habiba Lawal,

said the project was initiated through a request to the EFO by the Lugbe community in order to arrest the continuous erosion DQG Ă RRG PHQDFH LQ WKLV SDUW of Lugbe and to avoid further environmental degradation, loss of lives and property.

She it that the timely completion of the project was made SRVVLEOH WKURXJK WKH HÍżRUW RI the project contractor, Messrs Masarki Nigeria Limited, who had work tirelessly to ensure minimum loss of time in the project implementation schedule and prompt honouring of all contractual obligations by the EFO. Lawal added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Commissioning and handing over

RI WKH SURMHFW WR WKH EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WLQJ community is expected to achieve the dual purpose of enabling the boost community and to take over the project, to ensure its maintenance and sustainability.

The resources which the federal government had committed must not be allowed to waste.â&#x20AC;?

Also, the representative of Masarki Nigeria limited Mr. Michael Chidi, said the 1.5km road with drains on both sides was in a terrible state before the intervention of the federal government, adding that the project has really saved a lot of lives.

He added that it took the company six months before the project was completed.

TSA Tackled Corruption in Civil Service Salary Payment, Says Abah James Emejo in Abuja

L-R: Pastor-in-Charge of RCCG LP 47, Femi Obaweya; Special Assistant to the general Overseer RCCG on Christian Social Responsibility(CSR), Idowu Iluyomade; Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations (FAB), Force Headquarters, Abuja, Aishatu Abubakar and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, Oqua Etim, during the handing over of the K9 Section

by RCCG to the police in Lagos... recently

FG Urged to Drive Economic Inclusion Ugo Aliogo The Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Muda Yusuf, has called on the federal government to drive economic inclusion in the governance.

Yusuf, who disclosed this recently at the swearing ceremony of the newly-appointed president of the Association of Nigeria Courier Operators Mr. Okey Uba in Lagos, noted that economic inclusion allows indigenous people to participate in an economy.

According to him, no government can run an economy without carrying the governed along. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Economic inclusion is the

extent to which indigenous people participate in an economy. You cannot run an economy and your people are not part of the process. Government should focus enough on developing indigenous investors,â&#x20AC;? he added.

He explained that economic inclusion drives economic prosperity and growth, adding that local investors have higher chances of investing their money into the economy, unlike foreigners.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry helmsman who was the keynote speaker at the event, expressed dissatisfaction at governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disposition to the private sector.

He further noted the need

for government to understand the private sector remains a key player in the economy.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Without jobs there are no way you can stabilise an economy whether politically, socially or otherwise. Most of the challenges we are having in so many countries have a relation to high level of unemployment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In other climes the government pampers investors. This is because they look beyond the fact that businesses are making money.

They actually look at the jobs these businesses are creating. As we speak many of the government institutions are almost over bloated in terms of employment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Small Medium Enterprises

Group Supports Education Ugo Aliogo

Shittu said the Principal had complained that the school had $V SDUW RI HÍżRUWV WR LPSURYH challenges with the annex because academic excellence in Clegg High LW ZDVQ¡W IRUWLĂ&#x20AC;HG WKHUHE\ FUHDWLQJ School, Lagos, opportunities for burglars.

1994 graduates from the school In her remarks, the School recently donated a brand new Principal, Mrs. Adeyemi Muslimat, printer and photocopying machine commended the 1994 set for the donation, adding that the gesture to the school.

Speaking at the event, the displayed by the former students President of the group, Mrs. gladdened her heart.

Moriam Shittu, said the silver She added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The alumni came jubilee was symbolic, stating that to my aid when I needed them initially people didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really key services most. God will protect into the idea of celebration, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but and bless them more. There have with continuous push, people been donations from alumni, but keyed into the idea.â&#x20AC;?

ZKHQ , DVVXPHG RÎ&#x20AC;FH DV WKH

6FKRRO SULQFLSDO WKLV LV WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW I am receiving donations from the alumni.â&#x20AC;?

Continuing, Shittu said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe that subsequently, other alumnus will become interested and key into our dinner. The big celebration is that we will have an award and dinner night for 1994 set, we have some very vibrant members who are also goal getters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were able to do this within 48hours and we spent N500, 000.

The school principal told me that WKHUH LV D VLJQDJH IDGLQJ RÍż D VHW Ă&#x20AC;[ LW Âľ

(SMEs) play a very important role in any economy that they pull a lot of value in generating employment, promote income distribution and economic inclusion.â&#x20AC;?

In his farewell speech, the outgoing president of ANCO Mr. Siyanbola Oladapo, said leadership was not about title or designation, but about impact, LQĂ XHQFH DQG LQVSLUDWLRQ He added that impact involves JHWWLQJ UHVXOWV ZKLOH LQĂ XHQFH is about, â&#x20AC;&#x153;spreading the passion you have for your work and you have to inspire your team and customers.â&#x20AC;?

Oladapo, implored members to extend hands of fellowship to the incoming executives.

There has been revelation of the corrupt practices which bedevilled the federal civil service before the adoption of biometric capturing technology.

It was learnt that a particular civil servant (names withheld) was collecting 20 salaries in the federal service before the implementation of biometrics and later the Single Treasury Account (TSA).

This was disclosed by a top consultant on public policy and former Director General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr. Joe Abah, during a presentation to the delegates from The Gambia who are on a two-week study tour of understudy the successful implementation of TSA in Nigeria.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The only way that we were able to catch him was WKURXJK WKH Ă&#x20AC;QJHUSULQWV WKDW KH JDYH WR WKDW YHULĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQ QXPEHU Âľ He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are so many approaches you can take on reform, but I think, whatever approach you make, the citizens must see a tangible improvement.â&#x20AC;?

Abah, further spoke on how the adoption of technology helped in discovering and eradicating ghost workers in the system, particularly when the government computerised the payroll system and then linked account YHULĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQ QXPEHUV WR WKH SD\UROO system. +H VDLG ´:KHQ ZH Ă&#x20AC;UVW computerised our payroll, we discovered about 65,000 ghost workers. When we linked account YHULĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQ QXPEHUV WR WKHP ZH

LGHQWLĂ&#x20AC;HG DQ DGGLWLRQDO multiple payees. These were not ghost workers but workers collecting money from multiple points. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was a particular civil servant that was collecting 20 salaries and the only way that we were able to catch him was WKURXJK WKH Ă&#x20AC;QJHUSULQWV WKDW KH JDYH WR WKDW YHULĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQ QXPEHU Âľ Also, addressing the visitors, the Director of TSA at the OfĂ&#x20AC;FH RI WKH $FFRXQWDQW *HQHUDO Sylva Okolieaboh, spoke about exemptions to the TSA and how technology was essential in driving the system.

According to him: â&#x20AC;&#x153;As long as you can have access online, you can connect to the TSA,â&#x20AC;? he said.

According to Okolieaboh, although the TSA is centralised, transaction and reconciliation on it have been decentralised. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have decentralised transaction, and also decentralised responsibility. If you are the one making the payment, you are the best person to reconcile. â&#x20AC;Śif you look at the size of Nigeria, if we say we want to centralize reconciliation I can tell you we are likely to be on it forever.â&#x20AC;?

Details also emerged on how Remita was chosen to operate the TSA. $ 'LUHFWRU LQ WKH 2Î&#x20AC;FH RI WKH Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) between January 2016 to February 2017 who was the Team Leader for the development and implementation of the TSA, Salawu Zubairu, explained that Remita was chosen to operate the TSA platform after a series of deliberations at various stages.

CISLAC Lauds Bandeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Appointment as President of UNGA Ugo Aliogo

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and CISLAC Global have commended the recent appointment of the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Prof. Tijjani Bande, as the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

A statement made available to THISDAY by the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Rafsanjani, noted that the

appointment was well-deserved, adding that CISLAC Nigeria and CISLAC Global are convinced that the appointment was an appreciation of Bandeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wealth of experience.

The statement added that the appointment revealed the FRQĂ&#x20AC;GHQFH 1LJHULD DQG WKH international community reposes on him and the remarkable legacy lived by his leadership as the Director-General of the Centre African de Formation et de Recherche Administrative pour le Development (CAFRAD), Tangier,

Morocco; Vice Chancellor Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto State; Director-General of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru Plateau state and others.

Rafsanjani in the statement said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also consider the appointment as an endorsement of his competence and commitment in contributing to political and socio-economic development and integration at Nigeria, Africa and global levels which were proven in his decades of priceless service in both public and private sectors.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

34

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Ebola: Examining FG’s Poor Prevention Preparedness Given the lingering Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that has now claimed over 1, 000 lives, Martins Ifijeh writes that should Nigeria be afflicted with the disease again, the Nigerian government is only about 39 per cent prepared to tackle the threat

I

f you tell an average Nigerian that the country’s number one dreaded disease, Ebola is lurking around the corner and may just be few hours away from entering into the country, the most certain reaction will be ‘God forbid’, or ‘It is not our portion’.

But they also forget that it is not the portion of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to experience another outbreak that has now killed over 1, 000 persons. They forget DRC is also as religious and prayerful as Nigeria, yet the virus again found its way into their lands and has lingered on till this day.

The average Nigerians are not the only ones guilty of this. Government thinks same way too through its actions. In the face of impending threats, it will not put optimal measures in place to prevent them. It believes it is a nation under God, hence it is protected. This is the approach it used when Boko Haram was still brooding.

It has used same pattern a number of times in the health sector to the point Nigeria now ranks among lowest among countries in many health indices globally. It was also used in 2014 when Patrick Sawyer brought in Ebola into the country, only that through sheer luck and providence, the country defeated the outbreak at the expense of eight productive lives and at least $180 million, according to World Bank figures.

Fire Brigade Approach This is what is also playing out in the country’s poor preparedness level on prevention of another Ebola outbreak should there be a leak from DRC or any other country at risk, as the virus is just one traveler or even two hours away from making the country activate its usual fire brigade approach.

DRC is about two hours travel by air to Lagos.

And when this fire brigade approach is activated, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s vault would be thrown open, and all the monies it has refused to spend on prevention will be used 100 times over to quell the epidemic. It is the only way Nigeria spends money, especially on health and other human capital areas. After all, politicians argue that they would rather spend money on infrastructural development and other things that are tangible and can be measured in physical terms by their constituents. To them, disease prevention, health in general and other human capital areas cannot be measured, hence the reason they pay lip service to these areas.

This perhaps explains why the country has refused to increase healthcare budget from the abysmally poor amount it presently allocates despite the importance the sector is to economy and security of the nation. Heads of States in Africa’s agreement through an Abuja Declaration of 2001 that healthcare sector be given at least 15 per cent of a country’s national budget and World Health Organisation’s recommendation for at least 13 per cent of national allocation has not changed Nigeria’s stand on healthcare budgeting as the nation is still hovering between three and five per cent.

Underfunding of Disease Preparedness One of the areas that has continued to suffer from this poor healthcare funding is disease preparedness, especially since the lean 3.9 per cent of national allocation given to health will be spread across several areas of healthcare demanding equal and in some cases higher attention.

No wonder a health advocate, Dr. Chioma Nwakanma during the Health Editors Media Roundtable in Lagos last week, and organised by the Nigerian Health Watch, decried that the federal government has not given priority to preventing outbreak as the funds needed for this do not get attention, noting that if eventually outbreaks like Ebola occur for the second time, it definitely would cost the country far more than what it has refused to release for its prevention.

Statistics A research conducted by Nigeria on disease preparedness and published on www.preventepidemics.org has shown that the country is only

Nigeria can prevent another Ebola outbreak

39 per cent prepared for disease outbreaks like Ebola, even though the country is very much at risk of the virus considering travel pattern of Nigerians, proximity to area of outbreaks, and the cosmopolitan nature of the country with different persons from all walks of life visiting the African giant on a daily basis.

The data showed that Nigeria ranks only 20 per cent on National Legislation, Policy and Financing of disease outbreaks; 20 per cent on Biosafety and Biosecurity; Antimicrobial Resistance 40 per cent, while International Health Regulation Coordination, Communication and Advocacy ranks 40 per cent.

The study also showed that on preparedness, the country ranked poorly at 20 per cent, with on emergency response operation, it ranked 45 per cent; medical counter measures and personal deployment ranked 20 per cent; linking public health and security authorities ranked 20 per cent; and risk communication ranking 48 per cent.

On national laboratory system, the country ranked 40 per cent, 55 per cent on real time surveillance, 50 per cent on reporting, and 60 per cent on workforce development.

In summary, Nigeria ranked 31 per cent on

All levels of government in Nigeria have, for many years, neglected and underfunded the health sector in general and disease surveillance, in particular. As a result, the country has been unable to detect, rapidly and efficiently control or respond to outbreaks

‘Stop Outbreaks’, 37 per cent on ‘Protect from Other Health Threats’, 39 per cent on ‘Prevent Outbreaks’, and 51 per cent on ‘Find and Verify Outbreaks’.

The Nigerian Situation In a recent article authored by a Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof. Oyewale Tomori and published in the Conversation, it was argued that Nigeria still lags behind in addressing disease outbreaks, and most importantly in preventing them.

Tomori said weak system of disease control and over dependence on foreign aids for surveillance were some of the reasons Nigeria still suffer from various outbreaks, including Lassa fever.

He said: “All levels of government in Nigeria have, for many years, neglected and underfunded the health sector in general and disease surveillance, in particular. As a result, the country has been unable to detect, rapidly and efficiently control or respond to outbreaks.

“As a result, Nigeria now depends too much on foreign aid for disease surveillance. It’s difficult for the country to coordinate assistance programmes that are funded and run by international NGOs and other partners with defined objectives. This has resulted in a haphazard and uneven development of the national disease surveillance system and the failure to establish a national functional laboratory network. The country has failed to sustain the structures and facilities that were used to control Ebola in 2014.”

Tomori said the control of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Nigeria was a combination of chance and an eventual commendable but rare performance of the country’s national disease control system, adding that Nigeria was able to limit the Ebola epidemic through a combination of factors – the laboratory confirmation of Ebola virus disease outbreaks, the rapid declaration of an emergency by the government, the setting up of an emergency operation centre and the aggressive tracing of contacts.

He said soon after Nigeria was declared free of Ebola, the emergency operation centre was closed.

Relaxed Borders, Habit It is no longer news that travelers coming into Nigeria are no longer checked by the usual ‘Ebola

machine’ for high fevers or other symptoms of the dreaded disease. One then wonders if the airports, with high human travelers, relaxes its precautionary style on Ebola prevention, what then happens at sea ports and land borders.

The citizens are not left out of this. During and after the last Ebola outbreak in Nigeria, institutions, as well as homes imbibed the culture of using hand sanitisers. But as a country often used to fire brigade approaches, almost everyone has relaxed on the highly recommended habit.

Cost of Ebola Aside the human loss associated with Ebola outbreaks, the World Bank in 2015 estimated that it cost Nigeria $186 million, and that the country’s economy was indirectly affected mostly by lost trade through closed borders, disrupted supply chains, marked reduction in travel and tourism, and cancellation of international events, and that was just with the relatively small outbreak the country had.

World Bank also said at the time that based on the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) evaluation, Nigeria would only need roughly US$0.40 per person per year to establish a preparedness infrastructure that protects Nigerians.

It also warned that should there be a pandemic in the country, it would cost an annual loss of US9,662,722,821 (that is 3.51 trillion naira) and annual loss per capita of US$53.03 (19,269 naira).

While everyone believes Ebola is only in DRC and may likely not find its way to Nigeria, it is important to state that DRC is closer to Nigeria in terms of distance (2058km) than Liberia (2925km) were the 2014 index case, Sawyer came from, and they both about two hours away by air.

And whether it comes from DRC or any other nation, it might only be a matter of time until our preparedness levels are tested.

A famous quote by Vital Strategies, an international organisation says: “An infectious disease can travel around the globe in just 36 hours. It is not a matter of “if” there will be a new disease outbreak that threatens millions of lives, but when.”

Therefore, the most important question remains thus; will Nigeria get its priority right as the incumbent government commences its second tenure later this month? That remains to be seen.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

35

NEWS

Foundation Calls for Equal Rights in WASH, Education for PLWD Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Ceder Seed Foundation has called for equal rights in the implementation of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), education, health and other areas that will improve the lives and wellbeing of Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD).

The Founder and Executive Director, CSF, Ms. Lois Auta who made the call during a three-day training on WASH, organised by ActionAid in Abuja recently, also said the newly passed Act for PLWD should be implemented.

She lamented that PLWD, despite being the most intelligent in the world, have not only been sidelined in policies but also in the construction of public places such as construction of

doors and toilets among others.

She said even government owned establishments such as ministries, agencies, parks, gardens, schools, hospitals were also guilty.

Auta said:” If you go to most public buildings, including those owned by the government, you will discover that several of their amenities do not cater for the needs of PLWD. You will begin to wonder if the government has us in mind when constructing the facilities.

“You will also notice that most policies don’t capture PLWD when they are being developed. PLWD should be given equal rights when it comes to WASH, and this should be seen in hospitals, parks, banks and other public places.”

Experts Proffer Preventive Medicine as Solution for Healthy Living Rebecca Ejifoma Health experts have urged Nigerians to adapt to simple lifestyle changes and preventive medicine as the way forward against non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Stating this at a free medical outreach organised by Ashley Dennis Wellness Clinic in collaboration with Onikan Health Centre in Lagos, themed: ‘Beat Non-Communicable Diseases Together’, they said Nigerians often take their health as a last priority.

The Medical Director, Research Team, Ashley

Dennis Wellness Clinic, Dr. Chima Oti, said, “The things one has power over are simple life changes, dieting, eating in smaller portions. Manage your diet and do exercises regularly.

“If you can’t afford seeing a doctor then target outreaches like this. NCDs are the ones people carry about that we don’t see. Its burden is huge.

Every population has its own problem. for the Africans, hypertension is the problem.”

He said the problem with the healthcare system in Nigeria was that everyone waits for an emergency to have an operation or an

accident.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), NCDs kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 71 per cent of all deaths globally.

The doctor expressed that ailments like high blood pressure doesn’t come with symptoms. “If you can catch people doing simple tests like this, you can save them from having stroke, kidney problem”, he added.

To attend to the beneficiaries, five doctors from Onikan Health Centre and five medical officers from Dennis Ashley were on ground. Being its third year of free services to

humanity, the clinic holds free medical services biennially across Lagos.

Speaking also, Dr. Ikunna Onwuanibe of Dennis Ashley, noted that some people carry too much weight and do not know how important those aspects are to their health.

“Hopefully, we are here to increase awareness of being physically fit, good weight, eating well and making sure people look after themselves.”

Meanwhile, she advised that persons above age 40 should see their doctors once a year, as well as those above 30 with family history of blood pressure or diabetes.

CIAPS toTrain African Health Managers Funmi Ogundare Lagos based international graduate school, Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) is set to train and equip health managers who would oversee over 35 hospitals, clinics, diagnostic and health centres across the African continent.

The programme, an initiative of CIAPS with input from ECAPS, Cambridge, other health and management professionals as well as institutions in the USA, Australia and Canada is designed for experienced and new health organisations that want to improve their performance and increase revenue, among others.

CIAPS Centre Director, Professor Anthony Kila in a statement said: “participants will be managers, doctors and other health practitioners with experience in the health sector and those who are new to the role, but want to reach high levels.”

He stressed that the programme has been designed in

such a way that would consider the need of and with a lot of inputs from patients, families and friends of patients, health regulators, medical directors, potential and present investors in health care as well as academics, practitioners and top consultants.

According to Kila, “one of the important roles that a lot of people dangerously under estimate is that of managers in healthcare. It is very shameful and painful to see medical directors trying to be business and general managers or nurses trying to be administrators.”

Also speaking, an expert, Mr. Ikenna Anabor, observed that there was a lot ICT can do for the health practices but unfortunately hospitals, clinics and other health centres in Africa were not taping into these potentials.

CIAPS Administrator and Events Coordinator, Sadie Davies noted that partnership was also a major factor in the way health managers of the future will perform their roles and responsibilities.

FP 2020: Stakeholders Urge FG to Implement BHCPF Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The federal government has been urged to release and disburse the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) currently domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the state governments towards meeting Family Planning deadline of 2020. The Coordinator, Community Health and Research Initiative (CHRI), Dr. Aminu Magashi, made the call while speaking with journalists at the validation meeting for the Motion Tracker aimed at strengthening the fulfillment of the commitments of Every Woman Every Child (EWEC) global strategy and Family Planning (FP)2020, in Abuja recently. He noted that the tracking mechanism was aimed at supporting the Nigerian government and the 36 state governors to track progress in

addressing FP2020 and EWEC policy of the government.

“From what we have seen in the 2018 BHCPF, only 25 per cent of that fund has been released to the Federal Ministry of Health through a dedicated CBN account.

“That money is still seating in the account, it has not been disbursed to the state governments and to the agencies that are supposed to deliver. It means that it is not useful for now because it is still in the account.

“We are calling on the federal government to hasten the disbursement and ensure accountability,” Magashi said.

He further explained that “as you are aware, N55 billion last year was allocated to the BHCPF. In 2019, N51 billion has been allocated. We have to track this money to know where it is going and how it is impacting on the people of Nigeria.”

CHATTING A WAYFORWARD FOR UHC

L-R: Director, Centre for Population Health & Policy Bayero University Kano, Prof (Mrs) Hadiza Galadanchi; Associate Fellow, Chatham House, Prof Aliko Ahmed; Chairman, Senate Committee on Primary Health Services, Senator Mao Ohuanbuwa; Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Dr Lanre Tejuoso; Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Clifford Ordia; Minister of Health, Prof, Isaac Adewole, during a conference on Universal Health CoverageatChathamHouse,Londonrecently

30,000 FCT Residents Benefit from Africare Malaria Intervention Martins Ifijeh Africare, a non-profit organisation has reached no fewer than 30,000 residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja with the 2019 ‘Power Forward’ Malaria Awareness Programme aimed at eradicating the disease in the country.

The Officer in Charge, Africare Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Adah, made this known during its outreach in Kobi Community of Abuja Municipal Area Council.

The programme, which was implemented by Africare in partnership with the National

Basketball Association (NBA), was supported by ExxonMobil.

Speaking during the outreach in Kobi, Adah noted that the programme was part of activities to mark the 2019 malaria day which held April 25.

According to him, “Nigeria represents about 25 per cent of the malaria burden in the world. So it is important that we all take the issue of malaria very seriously.”

The officer- in-charge said Kobi community was chosen because of the high burden of malaria in the community.

He said, “If you go to the clinic

you will find out that malaria prevalence is very high, we are here to sensitise this community, to let them know that malaria is treatable and preventable. We will reach 30,000 people and conduct free test to 500 people.

“We will also distribute free treated nets to pregnant women and children under the age of five. The treated net we are distributing today is very effective against mosquitoes.

Sleeping under a treated net will prevent about 50 per cent of malaria cases in a year.”

Also speaking, a representative of NBA, Tunde Adekola, said

the ‘Power Forward’ Malaria Awareness Programme which is in its sixth year has been key in reducing malaria burden in the FCT. According to Adekola, at least 6000 treated nets have been distributed and about 3,000 people have been given free test and treatment. “The NBA will keep partnership and support Africare and ExxonMobil in the fight against malaria,” he assured.

Meanwhile, a chief in the community, Mr. Audu Kaura said the outreach will help improve the health conditions of the residents.

Royal Exchange Partners Collinson Group to Launch Health Insurance Ugo Aliogo Royal Exchange Healthcare Limited has partnered Collinson Group to launch a new international health insurance product to the Nigeria market.

Speaking at the launch in Lagos recently, the Managing Director, Royal Exchange Healthcare Limited, Dr. Emenike Onwuka, said with smart health

international plan, it is a top up to the local cover.

He also noted that the product presupposes that whoever is going to benefit from it must have the local cover from Nigeria, adding whatever is not covered in Nigeria would require treatment abroad.

“Collinson group has relationship with many top class hospitals in the world.

Our products cover high tech treatment methods for conditions that are very complex in nature and expensive for an individual to undertake.”

He added that due to the group’s international contacts with top class hospitals in Europe, Indian and South Africa, the partnership would allow Royal Exchange to get the mileage in the relationship

by ensuring that Nigerians get the best. According to Onwuka, “the benefits of the products are so many, when individuals go abroad for very serious medical conditions, they spend a lot of money, some of them spend their life earnings, but with this product, what they need to do is to pay a $3000 to $4000 to get first class treatment worth over $120,000.

36

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

HEALTH

Tackling Sickle Cell Anaemia through Advocacy, Proper Management The Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative recently held a roundtable where it x-rayed the challenges and the task ahead in defeating the health challenge. Sunday Ehigiator reports When Dolu went into sickle cell crisis on a certain night, his mother never knew it would be the last time she would see him. Having no one to turn to, she sought consultation from neighbours who gave advice that worsened the situation. By daylight, she rushed him to a hospital where the medical personnel had limited knowledge about the disorder or empathy about the situation. Unfortunately, due to their mismanagement, Dolu died. Unfortunate as it is, this scenario happens often.

The Sickle Cell Anemia Disorder (SCD) is a hereditary blood disease of the red blood cell that affects over four million Nigerians; the highest in the world. It is estimated that out of 150,000 children born annually, only about 25 per cent live to see their fifth birthday.

Experts said it is called sickle cell due to the sickle of banana shape of the red blood cell.

Normal blood cells are round and soft, while those of a person with SCD are hard and have a sickle shape.

When there is not enough oxygen in the body, the blood cells get blocked, resulting in extreme bone pains commonly called crises and other complications. It commonly occurs when both parents who have the SS gene, passes it to the child. That is when both parents are AS, or SS, or when either of both is AS, and the other SS. The lack of proper medical and affordable care, ignorance and poverty result in trauma, extreme pain, neglect, abandonment and even death amongst those with the disorder.

Unfortunately, an increasing number of those affected face complications ranging from leg ulcers to avascular necrosis. When these conditions are not treated, they result in social, economic and psychological difficulties and sometimes, even death.

SAMI’s Roundtable From the foregoing, and against the vision of having a society were SCD is reduced and people with sickle cell and their families are able to live healthy, positive and productive lives, Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI) organised a round-table discussion.

In her welcome address, Founder, SAMI, Ms. Oluwatoyin Adesola, a sickle cell carrier who celebrated her 54th birthday recently, hinted on the need for the public to be educated about SCD management.

She said: “Having been a carrier myself who has survived several crises and been in and out of hospitals on several occasions till now that I am 54 years old, I deem it necessary to help those who may not be privileged like me to have reasonable medical attention, care and emotional support.

“It is quiet unfortunate that in this society, people see SCD as a death sentence; hence they don’t bother to send such children to school or provide some luxuries for them as they consider it a waste of resources; even to the point of not spending on their treatment when they have crises. They even set a time frame of 20 years max for victims. This is so wrong. I am a living example and there are several others who has lived for over 90 years with SCD. Due to this ignorance, people living

L-R: Executive Director, Noahs Ark for Sickle Cell Foundation, Ms Osasele Esangbedo; Chairman, SAMI Board, Mr Foluso Phillips; MD, Sickle Cell Foundation, Mrs Annette Akinsete; ED, Sickle Cell Advocacy and Mgt Initiative, Ms Toyin Adesola; Public Affairs Office, US Consulate, Russell Brooks; and ED, Crimson Bow Sickle Cell Initiative, Ms Timi Edwin, at the sickle cell round table recently

with sickle cell suffer extreme pain, sorrow, low self-esteem and stigmatisation and many lack proper and affordable medical care in a disorder that is financially and socially draining.

“When an uneducated family has to take care of not one but sometimes up to five children with SCD, they can hardly afford basic needs let alone medical needs, so there is need for a proper support system from the government.

And not just government, the private sector must also wade in. Just like Guaranty Trust Bank is championing the cause for those living with Autism.”

Red Umbrella Charity She continued, “on the part of my foundation, we have been organising the ‘Red Umbrella Charity Walk’, which is an annual event designed to create awareness about sickle cell disorder in the society, held to commemorate the June 9 world sickle cell day. It involves a partnership with the coalition of sickle cell NGO’s in Nigeria, and involves over 1000 participants from all works of life, from captains of industries, celebrities, government personnel to friends of sickle cell and people living with sickle cell with corporate organisations joining the walk, and identifying their brands with the event and cause.”

Adesola said she hopes for a situation where an organisation would solely champion the SCD cause and be known for that, adding that on her part, she hosts a sickle cell show on Eko 89.7 fm tagged ‘Touch a Cell’.

She said: “We realised that due to the societal perception of SCD carrier, a lot of them are in hiding. They do not go for proper care. But with the programme, a lot of them have become more open about it, and learnt how to better

manage those living with it, and care for them.”

Awareness In his keynote address, Chairman, Philips Consulting, and Member, SAMI Board of Trustee, Mr. Foluso Philips said: “It is a disorder that has become the foremost genetic disorder worldwide, and a lot has been done; including research to see how it could be cured worldwide. Many years ago, in some parts of Nigeria; especially among Yoruba’s, we knew about the concept of ‘Abiku’; a child that is just going to die no matter what. In Igbo, it was called ‘Ogbanje’.

Not until now did we realise that they may have just being suffering from SCD. “It is an inheritable disease, genetic, fatal and all about red blood cell disorder. And yes it can lead to death. It got worldwide recognition, and suddenly, the United Nations General Assembly on the December 22, 2008, adopted the resolution to recognise the sickle cell disease as a public health problem and as ‘one of the world foremost genetic disease’, and therefore declared June 19 as world sickle cell day. “And this is deserving because it is something that affect largely black people. Nigeria has the highest number of people living with sickle cell in the world, with over four million persons and an about 150,000 birth annually that can be avoided. If people are aware that this can be avoided and just understand that marriage isn’t just about love.

“It is fair enough to say that over the years, awareness has improved as well as the life expectancy of people with SCD which has become a lot higher, of which Adesola is a wonderful example. Thanks to research findings for curing SCD like bone-marrow transplant, sickle cell transplant, gene therapy, and discovery of using

HIV envelope etc.”

He commended SAMI for creating its awareness on the scourge.

US Consulate’s Partnership In his remarks, Public Affairs Officer, United State Consulate, Russell Brookes expressed the consulate’s delight to work with SAMI in creating awareness about SCD to the Nigerian public.He said: “We are proud to work with such an organisation and individuals who are committed to educating and empowering fellow Nigerians. The U.S. mission has several objectives here in Nigeria including supporting a healthier population by working side-by-side with Nigerians to enhance public awareness and healthcare.

“Sickle cell disorder affects thousands of Americans; many of them, African-Americans.

Unfortunately, Africa has the highest prevalence rate in the world. The problem that occur due to sickle cell can severely interfere with an individual’s education, work, psycho-social development, and basic survival. The most severe forms of the disorder can cause children to die before the age of five. Unfortunately, systematic screening is not a common practice.

Routine screenings for sickle cell could save many lives and improve the quality of life for those living with the disorder.

“While no known cure exists, early detection may prevent serious complications and people living with the disorder would certainly benefit from information on how to manage this condition. In a population with a high rate of the sickle cell disorder, early detection can help Nigerian mitigate this particular obstacle to its development and prosperity.”

NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre Commences Operation Martins Ifijeh The Nigeria Soveriegn Investment Authority/Lagos University Teaching Hospital (NSIA-LUTH) Cancer Centre in Idi-Araba has commenced operations and now open to cancer patients in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

Stating this during a press briefing in Lagos recently, the Director, NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre, Mignionette Crause said

already, the centre has started treating patients since April 29, 2019, and that it boast of world class facilities as seen in developed nations.

She said: “The centre is an outpatient private facility offering services such as medical assessments, radiation treatments, chemotherapy and later brachytherapy. We have made progress since the commissioning by President Muhammadu Buhari in

February.”

According to her, appointment of most of the core staff and initial training by the international supplier of radiotherapy machines have been done.

She said the initial treatments offered to the public are basic and simple regimes, adding that complex treatments will start later. She also said its halcyon treatment machine has been commissioned and

ready for use.

The director disclosed that the opening of different departments would be phased, revealing: “The information technology system is currently being implemented and staff training on the electronic record system will commence shortly.

“Also, we have a specialised team comprising newly appointed staff, including LUTH staff to man the different

departments necessary to operate the centre”.

The Chief Clinical Oncologist, NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre, Prof Francis Durosinmi-Etti, on his part, said the cardinal vision of the facility was to run as a centre of excellence and flagship of cancer treatment in the West Africa sub-region.

He said: “Initial patients are to be treated by international doctors. We also have chemotherapy experts to run the

department of chemotherapy.

It is our duty to ensure that staff are trained on a regular basis. We will ensure that international conferences are held with specialists once a year.

“We pride ourselves here as a one-stop centre for all cancer treatments. We want a situation where a patient can walk into the centre and get all that is needed for his or her treatment. This is a dream come true.”

37

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

OPINION

Health Security and the Buhari Administration Prof. Isaac Adewole One of the biggest priorities of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s led government in its first tenure, was to strengthen and revitalise Nigeria’s health sector. This was evident in several ways. Perhaps one of the most valuable long-term investments of this administration is the passage of the Act establishing the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). This agency which was established in 2011 to lead the response to the challenges of public health emergencies and to enhance Nigeria’s preparedness and response to epidemics, had existed for over 10 years without a legislative mandate. This led to some uncertainty about its role and mandate. This has now been resolved by the leadership of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, providing an unambiguous mandate to NCDC as contained in the new Act. Across the world, there is a rise in the awareness of people, on the critical importance of science driven national public health institutes, in protecting the health of its citizens. In several global health meetings which I have been privileged to attend and in some cases chair, Nigeria’s national public health institute is often cited as a model for other countries. In recognition of this, the Director General of the World Health Organisation, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited the agency in 2018, together with all his regional directors from across the world.

They were impressed by the progress made by this nascent but vibrant new centre.

Prior to 2017, the ability of NCDC to completely deliver its mandate was limited by the absence of a legislative mandate. Other factors that limited effective and smooth operationalisation of activities included inadequate funding, limited development partners support, a non-effective incident coordination mechanism, limited laboratory diagnostic capacity, lack of standard operation procedures and guidelines, etc.

This had a negative impact on outbreak preparedness and response in the country.

However, since the Buhari administration prioritised health security and universal health coverage in the last four years, we have recorded incredible progress across several areas.

In 2017, NCDC on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health coordinated the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of International Health Regulations (IHR) for Nigeria. This described the country’s gaps and defined the progress that has been made in health security. Subsequently, this led to the development of a National Action Plan for Health Security which I was privileged to launch in December 2018. This plan has an outline of roles for every player in health security, within and outside the Nigerian health sector. For the first time, we have a concise and well defined plan that speaks

Adewole and CEO, NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu

to health and ‘non-health’ sector leaders.

The plan has helped us interact better, as members of the Federal Executive Council, to assure Nigeria’s health security.

Prior to 2015, Nigeria depended largely on other African and Western countries for laboratory testing. In 2017, the new National Reference Laboratory was operationalised in Abuja, and now leads public health laboratory diagnosis in the country. The laboratory together with its network of laboratories across the country, has the capacity to test for the six epidemic prone diseases in Nigeria; Lassa fever, measles, cholera, yellow fever, cerebrospinal meningitis and monkeypox. This is in addition to leading surveillance on antimicrobial resistance, external quality assessments and other important areas.

The National Reference Laboratory also served as the central laboratory for the National AIDS Impact and Indicator Survey (NAIIS). This is evidence of national

ownership in ensuring sustainability of investments in the country. We are now leveraging on outputs from the AIDS survey to improve our knowledge of the burden of other diseases.

In line with President Buhari’s agenda for a digital Nigeria, a new digital surveillance tool- Surveillance and Outbreak Review Management System (SORMAS), was developed and introduced for ease of reporting. This has been fully deployed in 211 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 16 States in Nigeria. This enables digital reporting of infectious disease data, improved response time and better data management. This new system will position Nigeria as a leader in infectious disease surveillance in Africa.

Following the 2014 Ebola outbreak, several structures were lost after the response. The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) that was used for the response was shut down.

The emergence of NCDC has now changed

this landscape. Nigeria now has a new National Emergency Operations Centre, known as the Incident Coordination Centre (ICC) within NCDC. This was set up in 2016 and has led the coordination of over 10 outbreaks till date. In addition, NCDC began a project to establish state level Emergency Operations Centre for coordination. By the end of April 2019, this project had been completed in 14 states with plans for further expansion to cover the entire country. A National First Responders Team (N-FIRST) for highly pathogenic infectious disease outbreak was set up in 2018 in alignment with the Emergency Medical Team (EMT) concept. This includes health workers of different cadre from various health facilities in Nigeria, prepared to respond to highly pathogenic outbreaks with NCDC’s coordination.

As part of the overall mandate of the Federal Ministry of Health, NCDC has contributed significantly to research and development, especially for infectious diseases. Nigeria is now at the forefront of Lassa fever research globally. There is a new national Lassa fever research plan, working with partners to understand and push for the production of new countermeasures such as Lassa fever vaccines. In addition, Nigeria now contributes to the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System, one of the new threats to global health.

Given the increased trust and renewed vigor in the health sector and NCDC, there has been an increase in partnerships and support globally. NCDC has built partnerships with other national public health institutes in United Kingdom, Germany, United States of America and other countries.

In addition, NCDC receives support from the World Health Organization, Africa CDC, West African Health Organization, UNICEF, Gates Foundation, a credit facility from the World Bank and other international agencies.

Finally, in 2018, the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) was passed into law for the first time. Of the five per cent earmarked for emergencies, 2.5 per cent is for health emergencies and will be managed by NCDC. Our Government recognises that universal health coverage and health security are two sides of the same coin. Therefore, this sustainable act and several others that we have built, will support NCDC in continuing its mandate of protecting the health of all Nigerians.

As the first tenure of President Buhari draws to an end, we celebrate one of its most important achievements. The full operationalisation of NCDC will protect the health of Nigerians for generations yet unborn. t "EFXPMF JT UIF )POPVSBCMF .JOJTUFS PG )FBMUI BOE B QSPGFTTPS PG HZOBFDPMPHZ BOE PCTUFUSJDT

Special Olympics Nigeria Commemorates World Malaria Day Duro Ikhazuagbe Special Olympics Nigeria through her ExxonMobil Foundation sponsored Skillz for Life Initiative last Saturday, celebrated the 2019 World Malaria Day in Ibadan the Oyo State capital at the Home School for Handicapped, Ijokodo.

The event themed “Zero Malaria Starts with Me”, witnessed a series of activities such as the Family Health Forum (FHF), where health talks on malaria and HIV were done, voluntary counselling and testing on malaria and HIV, distribution of mosquito nets and a unified soccer tournament.

In an opening remarks

by the Project Coordinator, Special Olympics Nigeria Skillz for Life Programme, Sylvester Oboh, he stated that despite the availability of a cure for malaria, it has remained a killer disease across the country.

Hence, the need for a continued awareness creation and provision of necessary support to communities prone to malaria especially for people with intellectual disabilities.

“We also express our profound gratitude to our partners like ExxonMobil for their support, we have achieved a lot over the years in helping parents of children with special needs,” he added.

Oboh also noted that the delay in this year ’s celebration was to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities (PWID) in the state’s education system had the chance to participate in the celebration following the Easter holidays.

The event also recorded a huge turn out with over 350 PWID and their family members from all over Ibadan and its surrounding environs in attendance.

Also, in attendance were community members from around the Ijokodo community who were truly amazed at the great work Special Olympics Nigeria was doing with PWIDs in

the state.

Also addressing guests at the event on malaria infection, causes, prevention and treatment was Olusegun Ralph of Royal Heritage Health Foundation, who stated that, malaria infection is transmitted when bitten by a female anopheles mosquito.

He also admonished participants to always sleep under insecticide treated nets and to keep their environment clean and free from stagnated water as it is the only way to prevent malaria infection.

Olusegun also advised that malaria treatment should only be sought from qualified medical professionals

and never treat malaria with traditional herbs.

Highlight from the event was the unified soccer match between “Team Doctor” and “Team Malaria”. The match ended in favour of “Team Doctor” who defeated “Team Malaria” by five goals to four on penalties after playing a 3 – 3 draw during regular time.

Free malaria and HIV testing was conducted for attendees by the medical staff of Royal Heritage Health Foundation and those who test positive were given anti malaria drugs. Insecticide treated nets were. also distributed to all present.

The Special Olympics

Skillz for Life Initiative has made significant impact within Africa and intends to continue in educating PWIDs on malaria, HIV prevention methods and treatments through collaborations with platforms like the Grassroot Soccer (GRS) South Africa by driving narratives that challenges the negative stereotypical beliefs towards acceptance and inclusion of PWID within the society.

The Skills for Life Initiative has been implemented in four geopolitical regions in Nigeria such as the Southwest, South-east, South-south and North-central with over 8,000 PWID participating and graduating from the programme.

38

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ë&#x153; 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Nigerians Not Averse to PayingTax, Says Alade Nume Ekeghe The Chairman, Nigeria Economic Summit Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (NESG) Fiscal Policy Roundtable, Mrs. Sarah Alade, has said Nigerians would always be responsive to paying tax if there is proper education and full disclosure by the government.

Alade, who is a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said this yesterday, at the launch of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Better Taxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; campaign initiative by the NESG, in conjunction with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

She said the Better Tax initiative was aimed at improving tax compliance and increasing the standard of living of Nigerians.

She said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The NESG is committed to building a globally competitive economy with the Bill

and Melinda Gates Foundation, to see Nigeria achieve sustainable fiscal consolidation that would ensure that the government has the capacity to invest in its people and undertake sustainable development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The core concept of the roundtable was to reflect the needs and objectives that formed the basis of the robust fiscal platform focused on mobilising and growing the countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tax revenue.â&#x20AC;?

She also said with the consistent low revenue and over-dependency on oil, it was important now than ever to speed the tax compliance initiative to avert external shocks.

Alade added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This overdependence on oil limits Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to credibly execute its development plan and fund critical social sector programs.

It also leaves Nigeria very

vulnerable to macroeconomic shocks from low oil prices. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The most recent fall from oil prices threw Nigeria into a fiscal crisis with spill over effect on the economy resulting in a recession in 2016. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Building a strong revenue base that is balanced between the oil and non-oil sector is therefore critical to sustainably financing Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development program and long term macroeconomic stability.â&#x20AC;?

Furthermore, she said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The fiscal policy roundtable engaged in research and analysis of the Nigerian fiscal policy environment, the fiscal structure and the impact of tax reform on revenue mobilisation and made specific policy recommendations that would increase revenue mobilisation and free up fiscal space for spending in critical areas of development.

MTN Nigeria Eyes Debt, Equity Sale after NSE Listing MTN Nigeria is arranging local debt financing and plans to sell shares to new investors through a public offering, after listing its shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange today.

Nigeria, MTNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest market with 52.3 million users in 2017, accounts for a third of the South African groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual core profit, but it has faced problems in the country in recent years.

In December, MTN agreed to make a $53 million payment to resolve a dispute in Nigeria. The move ended a multi-billion-dollar dividend repatriation row, hitting its share prices in Johannesburg.

MTN, owned by South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MTN Group, has been one of the main beneficiaries of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s push to liberalise its economy over the past two decades. But it has come under increased pressure from the government to boost local ownership.

Reuters quoted MTN Group CFO, Ralph Mupita, to have said the listing was an important step towards increasing local ownership in MTN Nigeria and building the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equity capital markets. The company also said it was relying on local funding in naira to mitigate exchange rate volatility.

The company also said the Nigerian unit would raise debt, adding that the total level rose 44 per cent to N252 billion in the first quarter. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is just the beginning, we still intend to pursue a future public offer giving more Nigerians greater access to the MTN opportunity,â&#x20AC;? chief executive of MTN Nigeria, Ferdi Moolman said. MTN decided to list its local company in Nigeria in 2016 after agreeing to pay a $1.7 billion fine to settle a SIM card dispute with the government. Earlier, the company said it planned to list in the first half of 2019.

Auditors Urged to Adhere to Professionalism Oluchi Chibuzor Auditors in the country have been advised to discharge their duties in line with global practices because of the critical roles they play in detecting and deterring fraud in organisations.

The Country Leader, West Africa, Ernst & Young (EY), Henry Egbiki, made this call at an audit committee roundtable event organised by EY in Lagos yesterday, with the theme: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Change the Game to Drive Quality& Value.â&#x20AC;?

According to Egbiki, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It takes appointing people with proven records of competence to improve the quality of audit and financial reporting in the country.â&#x20AC;?

Earlier the Financial Services Leader, EY, Anthony Oputa, noted

the importance of building a better working condition through information sharing, adding the reality was that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;if we want to build a better working world with information available to financial institutions then those who sit at top of governance, especially the audit committee members, need to be able to access information in real time and efficiency manner.â&#x20AC;?

According to him, this would help auditors in their task and guide them in the discharge of their responsibilities in line with global best practices.

In a presentation on Code of Corporate Governance and the Role of the Board, the Advisory Leader, EY/West Africa, Ben Afudego, said the onus was on audit committee members to display duty of care, loyalty

and in compliance, which he described as key expectations of the board on corporate governance.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Corporate governance is the system by which companies are directed and controlled, giving due consideration to all stakeholders of the company, to facilitate effective and prudent management for the protection of shareholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; interest. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Moral and ethical issues should be considered when making decisions relevant to the organisation; the board of directors should ensure the organisation complies with the relevant laws where it operates and directors should disclose material information in a timely and accurate manner,â&#x20AC;? he noted.

Access Bank Set to Reward DiamondXtra Customers Access Bank Plc has disclosed its resolve to reward more than 1000 DiamondXtra customers this month in its first quarterly draw.

The bank stated this in a statement obtained yesterday.

According to the Executive Director, Retail Banking, Access Bank, Victor Etuokwu, the bank would, â&#x20AC;&#x153;continue in this spirit as we embark on this exciting retail journey with our loyal customers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We rewarded 10 people last month with N1million each

at the monthly draw and are set to reward more than 1000 lucky customers with cash and other prize categories in the DiamondXtra quarterly draw taking place this month of May. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To join our winning train, all you need to do is to save or open a DiamondXtra account with just N5, 000 and save multiples of N5,000 to increase your chances of winning.â&#x20AC;?

The rewards for the quarterly draw include Salary4Life (N100,000 every month for 20

Years); education allowance for five years (N100,000 every month for 5 years) and rent for a year (1,000,000). The statement described the reward scheme as the most rewarding way to save, just as it urged its customers not to, â&#x20AC;&#x153;miss out on this opportunity to become a millionaire or a star prize winner.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;To participate; open a DiamondXtra account, save in multiples of N5,000 and you stand the chance to win amazing prices in the quarterly draw this month.â&#x20AC;?

L- R: Regional Bank Head, Rivers/ Bayelsa 2, Fidelity Bank Plc, Evi Kanu; Grand Prize Winner of N10 million in Fidelity Get Alert in Millions (GAIM) Savings Promo, John Silus Poubo; Executive Director, South, Fidelity Bank, Mrs. Aku Odinkemelu and wife of the star prize winner, Mrs Mary John Poubo, at the grand prize presentation ceremony of GAIM Season 3 in Port Harcourt ... recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

NOVEMBER 2018 Money Supply (M3)

31,794,803.44

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

6,333,064.28

Money Supply (M2)

25,461,739.17

-- Quasi Money

14,773,076.98

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,688,662.18

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,711,763.59

---- Demand Deposits

8,976,898.59

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

18,990,400.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

12,804,402.66

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,062,986.22

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,980,229.66

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

7,093,619.43

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

-4,144,571.43

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

23,082,756.56

--Other Assets Net

13,258,583.57

Reserve Money (Base Money

6,811,192.37

--Currency in Circulation

2,100,129.91

--Banks Reserves

4,366,259.05

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

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ë&#x153; ÍŻÍą Ͱ͎ͯ͡

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $70.66 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $71.21 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

39

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ë&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

MARKET NEWS

Market Records 9.6%Year-to-date Decline on Negative Sentiments Goddy Egene The year-to-date (YTD) decline of the Nigerian stock market worsened to 9.5 per cent yesterday following continued negative sentiments at the market. Sell-off in bellwethers further depressed the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) by 0.48 per cent to close at 28,286.08, while market capitalisation shed N51.3 billion to close at N10.6 trillion yesterday.

Market analysts said the depreciation in Dangote Cement Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc largely contributed to the negative trend recorded yesterday.

Also , the activity level was lower as volume and value traded fell 11.7 per cent and 22.8 per cent to 176.7 million shares and N2.1 billion respectively. The top traded stocks by volume were Access Bank Plc (35.8 million shares), UAC of Nigeria Plc

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

(21.5 million shares) and UBA (18.8 million shares) while the top traded stocks by value were GTBank (N551.1 million), Nestle Nigeria Plc (N360.1 million and ZENITH Bank Plc (N255.6 million). The sectoral performance was equally bearish as all indices tracked trended southwards. The NSE Industrial Goods Index led decliners shedding 2.3 per cent following sell pressures in Dangote Cement Plc and Cement Company of Northern Nigeria

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Plc. The NSE Insurance Index NSE Oil & Gas Index with 1.0 per cent decline apiece. Similarly, the NSE Banking Index closed 0.7 per cent lower, just as the NSE Consumer Goods Index shed 0.1 per cent.

A total of 17 stocks depreciated as against 11 that appreciated.

WAPIC Insurance Plc led the price losers with 10 per cent trailed by Forte Oil Plc with 9.8 per cent. Champion Breweries Plc shed 9.7 per cent, while Cement

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

Company of Northern Nigeria Plc depreciated by 9.1 per cent.

Some investors in CCNN are taking profit after the stock witnessed significant patronage following its impressive first quarter (Q1) results. The company posted a jump of 213 per cent in revenue from N5.394 billion in the corresponding period of 2018 to N16.886 billion in 2019, while profit . This was the highest in the history of the company and it reflected the impact of

O F

the increased combined capacity and the gradual realisation of the synergies following the successful completion of the merger with Kalambaina Cement Company Limited. Meanwhile, Chams Plc led the price gainers with 9.0 per cent trailed by ABC Transport with 8.0 per cent, while Thomas Wyatt Nigeria Plc appreciated by 7.4 per cent. Veritas Kapital Insurance Plc and Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc chalked up 5. 0 per cent and 4.7 per cent respectively.

1 5 / 0 5 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

40

Thursday, May 16, 2019 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index Declines 59bps

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

Yesterday, the Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index declined 59bps to ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϭ͕ϯϰϭ͘ϯϳ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůů-ŽīƐ ŝŶ DANGCEM (-Ϭ͘ϯйͿ͕ CCNN (-ϵ͘ϮйͿ ĂŶĚ UBA (-Ϯ͘ϰйͿ͘ dŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

ĨŽƌ ϭϲ͘ϱй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

Bears Maintain Grip on Local Bourse͙ ASI down 48bps

zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ĚŽŵĞƐƟĐ ĞƋƵŝƟĞƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĚ ĂƐ sell-ŽīƐ ĚƌŽǀĞ ƚŚĞ ůů ^ŚĂƌĞ /ŶĚĞdž ; ^/Ϳ ϰϴďƉƐ ůŽǁĞƌ ƚŽ Ϯϴ͕Ϯϴϲ͘Ϭϴ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͘ zd ůŽƐƐ ĚŝƉƉĞĚ ƚŽ –ϵ͘ϲй ǁŚŝůĞ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ůŽƐƚ Eϱϭ͘ϯďŶ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϭϬ͘ϲƚŶ͘ WƌŝĐĞ ĚĞƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ

Ticker

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

ĐŽŶƚƌŝďƵƚĞĚ

ƚŽ

LJĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͛Ɛ

ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ

ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ͘

dŚĞ ƐĞĐƚŽƌ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŝŶ LJĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͛Ɛ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ǁĂƐ bearish as all ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ ƚƌĞŶĚĞĚ ƐŽƵƚŚǁĂƌĚƐ͘ dŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ůĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƌƐ ƐŚĞĚĚŝŶŐ Ϯ͘ϯй ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƐĞůů ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞƐ ŝŶ DANGCEM (-Ϭ͘ϯйͿ and CCNN (-ϵ͘ϮйͿ͘ dŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ trailed, as sell-ŽīƐ ŝŶ WAPIC (-ϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ MANSARD (-Ϭ͘ϲйͿ ĂŶĚ FORTE (-ϵ͘ϵйͿ ƉƵůůĞĚ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž ĚŽǁŶ ďLJ ϭ͘Ϭй ĂƉŝĞĐĞ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĐůŽƐĞĚ Ϭ͘ϳй ůŽǁĞƌ͕ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ UBN (-ϯ͘ϲйͿ ĂŶĚ UBA (-Ϯ͘ϰйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƉƌŽĮƚ-ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ DANGFLOUR (-ϰ͘ϰйͿ ĂŶĚ CHAMP/KE ;-ϵ͘ϴйͿ ĚƌĂŐŐĞĚ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž Ϭ͘ϭй ůŽǁĞƌ͘

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

-8.6%

34.1%

18.4%

6.9%

4.9x

0.7x

6.0%

15.2%

19.4%

-8.3%

-8.4%

33.1%

5.3%

4.7x

1.5x

8.7%

21.2%

2 Zenith Bank PLC

20.00

0.0%

11.8%

-13.2%

-3.6%

24.7%

3.2%

3.4x

0.8x

14.0%

29.8%

178.00

-0.3%

9.3%

-6.2%

-4.3%

40.1%

21.8%

8.0x

2.9x

9.0%

12.5%

1,430.00

0.0%

8.6%

-3.7%

-3.1%

81.2%

27.4%

24.0x

18.0x

4.1%

4.2%

65.00

0.0%

5.1%

-24.0%

-15.0%

9.5%

4.4%

29.8x

3.0x

3.7%

3.4%

3 Dangote Cement PLC 4 Nestle Nigeria PLC 5 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 6 FBN Holdings Plc

7.25

0.0%

5.3%

-8.8%

-9.4%

10.0%

1.1%

4.3x

0.5x

3.6%

23.0%

13.90

-9.2%

3.5%

-28.4%

-28.4%

4.7%

4.3%

4.0x

0.5x

2.9%

24.8%

8 United Bank for Africa PLC

6.00

-2.4%

3.7%

-22.1%

-23.1%

15.5%

1.7%

2.5x

0.4x

13.6%

39.2%

9 International Brew eries PLC

20.00

0.0%

2.5%

-34.4%

-36.5%

-23.8%

-3.2%

520.00

0.0%

3.2%

-18.8%

-16.2%

10.1%

6.3%

0.5x

3.5%

19.8%

7.4%

10 SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

4.9x 5.1x

-1.8%

6.75

-0.7%

3.7%

-0.7%

3.8%

22.2%

2.1%

1.7x

0.4x

10.20

0.0%

2.3%

-27.1%

-28.7%

15.3%

1.2%

2.9x

0.5x

13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

44.05

0.0%

2.7%

-8.1%

-5.1%

30.3%

4.6%

6.6x

1.7x

3.4%

14 Unilever Nigeria PLC

31.00

0.0%

2.2%

-16.2%

-16.2%

12.7%

7.7%

17.3x

2.1x

4.8%

5.8%

15 Lafarge Africa PLC

10.70

0.0%

1.6%

-14.1%

-10.8%

-53.7%

-7.9%

0.7x

13.6%

-58.9%

16 Guinness Nigeria PLC

50.00

0.0%

1.0%

-30.6%

-30.6%

6.8%

3.7%

16.8x

1.2x

3.7%

6.0%

17 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

74.00

0.0%

1.4%

-2.9%

-2.9%

32.9%

24.4%

11.7x

2.2x

4.1%

8.6%

18 Total Nigeria PLC

162.00

0.0%

1.1%

-20.2%

-20.2%

19.3%

4.5%

9.5x

1.8x

10.5%

10.6%

19 11 PLC

174.00

0.0%

1.3%

-6.2%

-6.2%

38.0%

16.8%

5.8x

1.9x

4.7%

17.2%

16.00

0.0%

0.9%

-30.7%

-27.9%

6.6%

2.0%

7.4x

0.4x

6.3%

13.5%

20 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

Bearish Sector Performance

P/BV

0.0%

ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĨĞůů ϭϭ͘ϳй ĂŶĚ ϮϮ͘ϴй ƚŽ ϭϳϲ͘ϳŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ

;Eϱϱϭ͘ϭŵͿ͕ NESTLE ;EϯϲϬ͘ϭŵͿ ĂŶĚ ZENITH ;EϮϱϱ͘ϲŵͿ͘​͘

P/E

-0.59%

12 Ecobank Transnational Inc

ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ ǁĞƌĞ GUARANTY

ROA

31.60

11 Access Bank PLC

ACCESS ;ϯϱ͘ϴŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ UACN ;Ϯϭ͘ϱŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ĂŶĚ UBA ;ϭϴ͘ϴŵ

ROE

1,341.37

ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ĨƵƌƚŚĞƌ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ

EϮ͘ϭďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ dŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁĞƌĞ

Price Change Index to Date

1 Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

7 Cement Co Northern Nigeria PLC

DANGCEM (-Ϭ͘ϯйͿ͕ UBN (-ϯ͘ϲйͿ ĂŶĚ UBA (-Ϯ͘ϰйͿ ůĂƌŐĞůLJ

Price Previous Current Change Price Weightin YTD Change g

58.2% 34.9% 15.1%

21 Oando PLC

4.70

0.0%

1.2%

-6.0%

-2.1%

14.3%

2.5%

2.1x

0.3x

22 Fidelity Bank PLC

1.81

-0.5%

1.1%

-10.8%

-10.8%

12.7%

1.4%

2.2x

0.3x

6.1%

46.2%

46.9%

23 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.16

0.9%

1.0%

-12.1%

-7.9%

19.3%

4.3%

4.3x

0.7x

2.6%

23.0%

24 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

13.85

1.8%

0.9%

-9.2%

-6.4%

22.3%

12.6%

7.0x

1.6x

7.9%

14.4%

26 FCMB Group Plc

1.71

0.0%

0.6%

-9.5%

-5.0%

8.8%

1.2%

2.1x

27 UAC of Nigeria PLC

7.55

3.4%

0.4%

-22.6%

-20.9%

-7.9%

-3.6%

25 Diamond Bank PLC 0.2x

8.2%

46.7%

0.4x

8.5%

-25.9%

43.7%

2.50

-5.7%

0.7%

31.6%

31.6%

9.3%

0.9%

7.7x

0.7x

29 Presco PLC

58.00

0.0%

0.4%

-9.4%

-9.4%

37.0%

24.8%

2.3x

0.7x

3.5%

30 NASCON Allied Industries PLC

17.95

0.0%

0.4%

-0.3%

-0.3%

47.0%

17.5%

11.7x

4.2x

5.6%

31 Forte Oil PLC

31.50

-9.9%

0.4%

9.8%

12.5%

48.9%

7.4%

32 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

6.75

-3.6%

0.4%

20.5%

20.5%

6.0%

1.1%

11.8x

0.9x

33 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

23.00

0.0%

0.3%

14.4%

4.1%

23.0%

2.7%

4.8x

0.9x

28 Sterling Bank PLC

34 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC 35 Chemical and Allied Products P 36 Wema Bank PLC

13.0%

2.4x

8.5% -6.7% 8.5%

8.7%

20.7%

8.50

0.0%

0.2%

-29.8%

-30.9%

0.8x

1.8%

34.00

0.0%

0.2%

-2.4%

-2.4%

80.4%

35.8%

11.5x

8.5x

8.4%

8.7%

0.66

-2.9%

0.2%

4.8%

4.8%

7.3%

0.7%

6.9x

0.5x

4.5%

14.6%

6.4x

37 Beta Glass PLC

68.95

0.0%

0.2%

1.0%

1.0%

21.1%

14.7%

38 Dangote Flour Mills Plc

16.25

-4.4%

0.4%

137.2%

146.2%

-3.2%

-0.9%

39 Transcorp Hotels Plc

5.40

0.0%

0.1%

-11.5%

-9.2%

6.0%

3.2%

40 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

1.80

-0.6%

0.1%

-1.6%

-1.6%

10.7%

3.1%

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

1.2x

1.9%

15.7%

2.3x

1.2%

-6.9%

12.0x

0.7x

2.8%

7.9x

0.9x

8.3% 12.7%

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

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ tĞĂŬĞŶƐ T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

A C C ESS

35.8

-0.7%

UA C N

21.5

3.4%

7.4%

UB A

18.8

-2.4%

0.21

5.0%

GUA R A N T Y

17.4

0.0%

0.22

4.8%

Z EN IT H B A N K

12.8

0.0%

0.48

4.3%

F ID ELIT YB K

10.6

-0.5%

UA C N

7.55

3.4%

J A P A ULOIL

5.8

-6.7%

UC A P

2.45

2.1%

D A N GF LOUR

5.2

-4.4%

D A N GSUGA R

13.85

1.8%

FB NH

5.1

0.0%

0.61

1.7%

LA SA C O

4.1

0.0%

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ

CHA M S

0.36

9.1%

;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϲdž ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ

A B CTRA NS

0.27

8.0%

T H OM A SWY

0.29

VER IT A SKA P M B EN EF IT J A IZ B A N K

LJĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ ĂƐ ϭϭ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ ϭϳ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ KƵƚƉĞƌĨŽƌŵŝŶŐ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ǁĞƌĞ CHAMS ;нϵ͘ϭйͿ͕ ABCTRANS ;нϴ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ THOMASWY ;нϳ͘ϰйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ WAPIC (ϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ FORTE (-ϵ͘ϵйͿ ĂŶĚ CHAMPION (-ϵ͘ϴйͿ ůĞĚ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ͘ tĞ ĂŶƟĐŝƉĂƚĞ Ă ƉŽƐƐŝďůĞ ƌĞďŽƵŶĚ ďĞĨŽƌĞ ĐůŽƐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ǁĞĞŬ ĂƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ďƵLJ ƚŚĞ ĚŝƉ ĨŽƌ ĨƵŶĚĂŵĞŶƚĂů ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ǁŝƚŚ ĂƩƌĂĐƟǀĞ

N EIM ET H

T o p 10 L o s e r s

ĞŶƚƌLJ ƉƌŝĐĞƐ͘ T ic k er

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

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

WA P IC

0.36

-10.0%

FO

31.50

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

GUA R A N T Y

551.1

0.0%

-9.9%

N EST LE

360.1

0.0%

1.29

-9.8%

Z EN IT H B A N K

255.6

0.0%

CCNN

13.90

-9.2%

A C C ESS

241.7

-0.7%

C OUR T VILLE

0.24

-7.7%

UA C N

161.4

3.4%

J A P A ULOIL

0.28

-6.7%

UB A

114.0

-2.4%

ST ER LN B A N K

2.50

-5.7%

D A N GF LOUR

85.0

-4.4%

R EGA LIN S

0.20

-4.8%

D A N GC EM

60.7

-0.3%

D A N GF LOUR

16.25

-4.4%

FB NH

36.9

0.0%

UB N

6.75

-3.6%

D A N GSUGA R

34.5

1.8%

C H A M P ION

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

T ic k er

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Ola Belgore | obelgore@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

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

Jolomi Odonghanro | jodonghanro@afrinvest.com

41

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

NSE Plans More Measures to Attract Retail Investors to Capital Market Goddy Egene The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) will roll out more measures directed at encouraging retail investors to play in the Nigerian capital market. The Divisional Head, Trading Business, NSE, Mr. Jude Chiemeka, disclosed at a retail investor coverage workshop, themed: “Investment Masterclass: Making Your Money

work” in Lagos.

According to Chiemeka, over the next few years, various investment workshops will be held across the country, starting with this one here in Lagos.

“Investors can look forward to regular engagements targeted at promoting Financial Literacy, building investor confidence, as well as the introduction of innovative and technology driven

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

solutions to stimulate investor participation,” he said.

Chiemeka explained that Nigeria has a population of over 190 million people and is the largest economy in Africa and the current financial inclusion indices of 48 percent leave much to be desired.

“Currently, there are about three million retail investors in the Nigerian capital market,

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 14May-2019, unless otherwise stated.

representing only three per cent of the total adult population in the country. The Exchange recognises the need to improve investor participation, and is leveraging recent capital market initiatives such as the Tiered know your customers(KYC) requirements for capital market investments, as well as promoting the introduction of globally competitive investment products with low entry

thresholds, to achieve Financial Inclusion goals.

He said: “These initiatives have begun to yield positive results as the market has in recent times witnessed an upturn in retail investor participation. Market data from 2019 shows that retail investors outperformed institutional investors by eight per cent in January, and again by two per cent in March 2019.”

He noted that financial inclusion is a priority of stakeholders in the capital market, stressing that the “NSE makes it a primary concern to contribute towards the achievement of Nigeria’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy of reducing the proportion of adult Nigerians that are financially excluded to 20 per cent in the year 2020.”

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 0.88 4.36% ACAP Income Funds 0.63 0.63 13.01% 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 13.27% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.29 2.31 3.07% 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 15.72 16.19 -5.27% ARM Discovery Fund 347.23 357.69 -2.64% ARM Ethical Fund 28.99 29.86 2.65% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.15% 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 97.30 97.99 -3.84% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.78% 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 14.04% Paramount Equity Fund 12.01 12.10 1.64% Women's Investment Fund 105.96 106.49 2.26% 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 12.63% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 98.89 99.42 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 98.45 99.18 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 12.46% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.39% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,183.46 1,184.29 6.04% FBN Heritage Fund 143.18 144.16 0.28% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.18% 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 142.15 144.18 -5.23% 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 Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.28% Legacy Debt Fund 3.39 3.39 4.49% Legacy Equity Fund 1.14 1.16 -6.51% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 1.77% 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 2,968.87 2,998.45 -0.52% Coral Income Fund 2,885.04 2,885.04 5.31% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 10.95% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 108.78 109.12 1.03% GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name GDL Money Market Fund

assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng

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 12.38% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.13 2.16 -0.66% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.01% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 129.92 130.01 3.95% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.16 1.18 1.59% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,095.81 1,095.81 4.99% 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 N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.26 1.29 3.02% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.37 11.43 2.21% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.93% 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 121.70 122.09 0.73% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 5.21% 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 2,347.03 2,359.42 1.40% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 200.36 200.36 5.37% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.91 0.92 -3.68% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 253.83 253.88 4.72% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 157.47 159.15 -3.50% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.67% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,044.91 8,135.04 -5.27% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.11 1.11 2.33% 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 1.18 1.19 -1.34% United Capital Bond Fund 1.68 1.68 5.34% United Capital Equity Fund 0.69 0.70 -2.62% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.00% United Capital Eurobond Fund 110.31 110.31 2.85% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.12 1.12 2.53% 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 10.26 10.42 -1.64% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.93 12.06 -0.03% Zenith Income Fund 21.75 21.75 12.90% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.98%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.40 120.61 52.31

-44.85% 2.45% 1.10%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.65 101.83 82.24

9.75 103.98 83.75

-8.52% -13.20% -7.26%

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

3.63 6.44 13.34 10.79 154.96

3.67 6.52 13.44 10.99 156.96

-9.32% -15.42% -10.73% -12.61% 7.91%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

106.90

17.40%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Bid Price 10.00

Offer Price 10.00

Yield / T-Rtn 12.80%

Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

42

THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

Militants Kill 17 Nigerien Soldiers in Ambush Near Mali Militants have killed 17 Nigerien soldiers in an ambush near the border with Mali, Niger government spokesman

has told the BBC. Eleven soldiers are missing after the attack near the western village of Tongo Tongo,

UN Calls on Tunisia to Immediately Release Detained Official The United Nations on Wednesday called on Tunisia to immediately release a U.N. official who was detained more than six weeks ago as part of an investigation by a Tunisian anti-terrorism unit.

Tunisian national Moncef Kartas is a member of a panel of experts that monitors sanctions, including an arms embargo, on Libya and reports their findings to the UN Security Council.

He was detained in late March at Tunis airport.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the detention and prosecution of Kartas was “in violation of the privileges and immunities

Abdourahaman Zakariyyah said.

Militants killed four US soldiers at the same place in 2017.

Niger and other countries in the Sahel have been facing a growing militant threat from several Islamist groups.

Militants belonging to alQaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) - an affiliate of al-Qaeda - are active in the

region and are known to conduct cross-border raids.

They are most active in neighbouring Mali, where French troops intervened in 2013 to prevent them from advancing on the capital.

Zakariyyah said the soldiers were in pursuit of militants who attacked a high security prison 50km (30 miles) on Tuesday outside the capital, Niamey.

“One of the soldiers’ vehicles drove into a landmine and then the assailants started firing at our soldiers,” Zakariyyah told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme.

He did not identify the perpetrators of the attack but said it happened near where US troops and five Niger soldiers were killed two years ago.

Six injured soldiers have been evacuated to a hospital

in the capital, as a search operation, aided by French and American troops, who have a base in Niger, continue, Zakariyyah said.

Niger is part of a five nation anti-insurgency force operating in the Sahel. It includes Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Mauritania.

The G5 Sahel, as it is called, is backed by a 3,000-strong French force.

that have been granted to Mr Kartas in the interests of the United Nations.”

He told reporters on Wednesday that the United Nations has formally asked Tunisia for Kartas’ “immediate release and for the charges against him to be dropped.”

A spokesman for a Tunisian anti-terrorism judiciary unit told Tunisian state news agency TAP on March 30 that the detained official had traveled in a private capacity on his Tunisian passport, meaning he was not entitled to diplomatic immunity and could be arrested.

Sudan Military, Opposition Agree to Three-year Transition Period Sudan’s military and opposition leaders have agreed to a three-year transition period to a civilian government, local media reported on Wednesday.

The agreement, which will see the main opposition grouping, Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces (DFCF), get two-thirds of the seats on the interim transitional council, is expected to be signed on Wednesday.

“We pledge to fully complete the agreement about the transitional period in less than 24 hours,’’ a Military Negotiator, Yasser al-Atta told newsmen.

Al-Atta said that the remaining third of seats would go to other political parties.

However, the two sides have yet to agree to the

formation of a “sovereign council,’’ the highest level of power, which would rule the country until elections.

There is still disagreement over the percentage the military and the civilian sides would take on that body.

Anti-government demonstrations began in Sudan in 2018 with protesters calling for long-time leader Omar al-Bashir to go.

The military stepped in April, launching a coup and arresting him.

However, protesters say the new military rulers are a continuation of alBashir’s former regime and have clamoured for more concessions and a transition to civilian government.

Alabama Passes Bill Banning Abortion Alabama has become the latest US state to move to restrict abortions by passing a bill to outlaw the procedure in almost all cases.

The law includes a ban on abortion in cases of rape or incest.

Supporters say they expect the law to be blocked in court but hope that the appeals process will bring it before the Supreme Court.

They want the court, which now has a conservative majority, to overturn the 1973 ruling legalising abortion.

Alabama’s 35-seat Senate is dominated by men, and none of its four female senators backed the ban which will

now go to Governor Kay Ivey.

She has said she will only sign it into law once she has considered it.

Sixteen other states are seeking to impose new restrictions on abortion.

Earlier this year the Supreme Court blocked implementation of new abortion restrictions in Louisiana. However the ruling was made by a narrow margin and the case is due to be reviewed later this year.

The bill’s architects expect that it will be defeated in the lower courts, but hope that it will therefore eventually come before the Supreme Court.

CEMENTING TIES....

L-R: US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. W. Stuart Symington; Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Mrs Whitney Baird; and Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, during the governor’s visit to the American Embassy, in Abuja....Tuesday

US Pulls Some of Its Employees from Iraq Washington on Wednesday ordered the departure of non-emergency government employees from Iraq, after US repeatedly expressed concern about threats from Iranian-backed forces.

The embassy said in a statement that the US State Department had ordered the pullout of the employees from both the US Embassy in Baghdad and its consulate in Erbil.

“Normal visa services at both posts will be temporarily suspended,” the embassy said, recommending that those

affected depart as soon as possible.

It was unclear how many staff would leave.

On Tuesday, the US military reaffirmed concerns about possible imminent threats from Iran to its troops in Iraq, although a senior British commander cast doubt on that and Tehran has called it “psychological warfare.”

US President Donald Trump’s administration has stepped up sanctions pressure by ending waivers for some countries to purchase Iranian oil, part of efforts to roll

back the Islamic Republic’s expanding regional clout.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said on Tuesday he was getting indications from talks with both the US and Iran that “things will end well” in spite of the rhetoric.

Washington has sent additional military forces to the Middle East, including an aircraft carrier, B-52 bombers and Patriot missiles in a show of force against what US officials have said is a threat to its troops and interests in the region.

A senior Iranian

Revolutionary Guards commander has said Tehran would retaliate against any aggressive US moves.

Spokesman for the US State Department, Morgan Ortagus said the decision to withdraw non-emergency staff was based on a security assessment, but, however, did not give details on how many personnel were leaving.

“Ensuring the safety of US government personnel and citizens is our highest priority and we are confident in the Iraqi security services’ ability to protect us.

Transnational Crimes: ECOWAS Commission Calls for Collaboration The President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Brou, on Wednesday called for a collective approach by members-countries to fight transnational crimes in West Africa.

Brou made the call at the 16 Annual General Meeting of West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO) and Meeting of the Forum of Ministers in charge of Security in Abuja.

He was represented by ECOWAS Commissioner in charge of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Gen. Francis Behanzin.

He said that in spite of the collaboration among member-

countries, attacks by terrorists still persisted in the region.

“Terrorists are willing to do anything because they are fearless. They have unfailing determination to carry out their acts.

“We will continue to resist by putting measures, including treaties in place to tackle the menace,’’ he said.

The president said that terrorists collaborate with drug and arms traffickers to perpetuate their acts, adding they also engage in money laundering.

He said that the commission still rely on the resilience of the heads of state in the region to fight transnational crimes.

“Our hope still remain on the determination of our heads of state and security chiefs to curb transnational crimes and local threats,’’ he said.

On his part, Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, attributed transnational crimes to internal and external migration and territorial borders crisis within the sub-region.

Dambazau, who was represented by an official of the ministry, Mrs Georgina Ehuriah, urged the participants to share their experiences from their various countries and possible areas of support and collaboration.

“The safety of the West African Sub-region is a joint responsibility; so, if this is to be achieved, give it our all,’’ he said.

Also, the acting InspectorGeneral of Police (IG), Mr Mohammed Adamu, urged participants to re-strategise and find a common ground to cooperate and prevent movement of criminals in the region.

“We must work out how intelligence can be shared and how joint operations can be carried out,’’ he said.

The IGP said that the meeting was aimed at synergising activities of police and security agencies in their various countries.

43

THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS XTRA

Senate Urges FG to Set up Unemployment Support Fund Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday called on the federal government to set up an Unemployment Support Fund to help the unemployed till they are employed.

It also urged the federal government to declare an emergency on unemployment in Nigeria, create more pro-poor social safety nets, dedicate 20 per cent of recovered loots to fund same, and take other urgent measures to stimulate production and other economic activities to engage young citizens of the country.

It further urged the federal government to adopt a policy to establish one factory per local government all over Nigeria, to create employment opportunities, towards tackling the vices emanating from the galloping unemployment in the country.

The upper legislative chamber also enjoined the federal government to increase the budgets to education by allocating and effectively implementing 26 per cent of their yearly budget to education beginning from the next budget cycle in 2020 and enjoin states to do same.

The senators made these resolutions sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Chukwuka Utazi ( Enugu North), entitled: “Bridging the gap between the haves and the have-not in Nigeria to nip in the bud the seeds of a looming violent revolution”.

Leading the debate on the

motion, Utazi noted that there was a huge gap between the haves and the have-not in Nigeria, a situation that was slowly triggering a quiet but certain revolution, championed by the down-trodden.

Highlighting the various insecurity vices afflicting the different zones of the country, he observed that the North-west states of Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano and Sokoto are under the grip of armed militias and bandits.

He lamented that these criminal elements terrorise villages, kill and maim recklessly, regretting that these activities imposed hunger on the people as a result of stoppage of farmers from accessing their farms by killer herdsmen.

Utasi further lamented that travelling through most Nigeria’s highways had become an ordeal of frightening proportion as the likelihood of attack by hoodlums is higher than not, citing the Kaduna-Abuja highway as a den of bandits and kidnappers.

According to him, due to fear of attacks by bandits and kidnappers on this road, the elite had abandoned the road and had taken to rail, thereby jacking up the cost of rail transportation, and forcing poor people, who hitherto patronised the rails, out of the rail transport system.

The senator also expressed concern that in the North-east, terrorism and insurgency had assumed a full blown war and the armed forces and other security services of the country are having a hard time containing all the

LG Funds: Again, NFIU Warns Banks, Others on Full Compliance to Financial Regulations James Emejo in Abuja The Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) yesterday reinforced the June 1, 2019, deadline to all financial institutions, other relevant stakeholders, public servants and the citizenry to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the guidelines already submitted to financial institutions and relevant enforcement agencies, including the full enforcement of corresponding sanctions against violations.

The unit observed that there had been isolated comments from a section of the public which were in conflict with its initial pronouncement regarding the commencement of investigations into revenue allocations to local government areas across the states of the federation and the need for relevant stakeholders to abide by financial regulations as spelt out in the constitution.

The unit, in a follow up statement issued by its Chief Media Analyst, Ahmed Dikko, a copy which was emailed to THISDAY, reiterated it warning that any contrary action to its circular to affected institutions would be sanctioned.

The statement noted that “NFIU is using this second statement on the above subject to reiterate its position that the June 1 effective date of the guidelines to all financial institutions and public officials on the local government funds stands.

“The unit also maintains its understanding of the 1999 Constitution that no debit is allowed on any local government funds

unless and until the funds are credited to and reach the bank accounts of a local government in any state of the federation.”

The agency further stressed that “the provision of the cumulative cash withdrawal not exceeding N500,000 per day is also firmly in place effective from June 1, 2019.

“We observed isolated comments to the contrary in the past few days which in our assessment only amounted to willful misinterpretation of the 1999 Constitution and therefore of no consequences to the operations of the entire financial system.

“The provision of the guidelines to the financial institutions was also on account of legitimate powers provided by the NFIU Act 2018, and any violations of the said guidelines will be sanctioned appropriately.”

The NFIU had in its May 6 release reaffirmed its resolve to “uphold the full provisions of section 162 (6) (8)of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended which designated State Joint Local Government Account into which shall be paid allocations to the local government councils of the state from the federation account and from the government of the state.”

NFIU noted that its action had become necessary in order to check abuses and embezzlement of funds meant for the local government development which are often seized or siphoned by state governors.

points of gruesome activities of the insurgents.

“Every illusion as to the magnitude of what the country is facing in the North Eastern flank should have evaporated by now with the mass killings going on there and the high deprivation it has engendered for citizens”.

He also noted that “in the North-central, armed gangs and murderous herdsmen kill without any considerations, forcing

farmers off the farms, razing down whole villages and settlements, and imposing an imminence of famine”.

The senator said he was “alarmed that in the South-west, kidnappers and ritual killers are having a field day. In the Southsouth, the nightmare continues as long stretches of roads, like the East-West road, are declared too dangerous to ply and the Police have officially placed an advisory

of danger over the road. Gang payoffs have become the new normal.

“In the South-east, it is the unrestrained wave of marauding herdsmen who devastate farmlands, kill people, rape women, and of kidnappers and ritual killers executing with precision their nefarious activities”, the lawmaker explained.

The senators, in their contributions, described the motion

as a wake-up call to government and Nigerians in general, to rise from slumber and fashion out enduring solutions that could navigate the country out of the debilitating problem.

On his part, Senator Shehu Sani urged the federal government to tailor its social programmes towards addressing the problems of unemployment, poverty and the concomitant criminal tendencies on the citizens.

UNDERSTUDYING NIGERIAN MODEL…

L-R: Accountant General, Republic of Gambia, Momodou Lamin Bah; Director, Treasury Single Account (TSA), Sylva Okolieaboh; Divisional Head, Public Service Sector, SystemSpecs Limited, Abayomi Oniku; Legal and Financial Consultant, Dammy Stephen Chambers, Professor Oludare Osibote; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Republic of Gambia, Ada Gaye, during the ongoing TSA workshop organised by the federal government to enable the understudying of the policy by the Republic of Gambia in Abuja… yesterday

FEC Approves Fresh $1bn Chinese Loan The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved another $1billion Chinese loan.

The loan will be sourced from the China-Exim Bank for the Gurara II Hydropower project, which will generate

360 megawatts of electricity.

The Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu, confirmed the

approval of the loan by FEC. President Buhari presided over the FEC meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Lawyer Sues SEC, Asks Court to Stop MTN Listing Akinwale Akintunde A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has been asked to stop the attempt to listing MTN shares on the floor of Nigeria Stock Exchange (SEC).

ALagos-based lawyer, Dr. Charles Mekwunye, made the request in a suit he filed against SEC, MTN and Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE).

In the suit marked as FHC/ABJ/ CS/2019, Mekwunye is asking the court for a perpetual injunction restraining SEC from going ahead with the listing of MTN shares,

pending the determination of a suit before the Supreme Court bothering on alleged breach of contract in the divestment of MTN assets.

Mekwunyeisalsoprayingthecourt todeterminewhetherSECcanapprove thelistingofMTNsharesintheNigerian Stock Exchange in view of the pending suit before the Supreme Court.

The plaintiff, in his Motion on Notice of Interlocutory Injunction, also want the court to restrain the defendants or their agents from advertising, publishing or listing MTN shares on the NSE, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The plaintiff is also asking the court to direct the defendants to maintain status quo ante regarding the listing of MTN shares and a further order nullifying all approvals given to MTN

by SEC and NSE towards facilitating the listing of its shares.

Mekwunye is also praying the court for an order of mandatory/ restorative injunction setting aside and or nullifying all actions taken including notices, resolutions and authorisations by MTN with a view to facilitating the listing of its shares.

Mekwunye had in 2008 dragged MTN, Lotus Capital and Stanbic

IBTC Asset Management, IHS Holding LTD and INT Towers Ltd before the Federal High Court over alleged breach of contract in the massive divestment of MTN assets.

Mekwunye claimed at the lower court that MTN through its appointed nominee, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management and LOTUS Capital, defaulted in a share investment agreement with him. He urged the court then, to restrain MTN from listing its shares on the stock market, pending the determination of the suit.

Ekiti Govt, PDP Clash over Move to Register Herders in Ekiti Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Ekiti State Government and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are currently embroiled in crisis over alleged move to register cattle rearers domiciled in the state.

Firing the salvo, the PDP described the decision of the state government to allegedly register Fulani herdsmen in the state as part of the campaign promises of Governor Kayode Fayemi to the presidency which made him to become the governor of the state.

But reacting to the allegation, the government through the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua, said the

government had no intention to register the organisation.

The sacked Coordinator of the Anti-Grazing Marshall, Mr. Sola Durodola, had, while granting an interview, said the government was planning to register herders.

Sequel to this, Fayemi sacked Durodola and appointed Major Tajudeen Awe as replacement.

The PDP stated that the move has confirmed its statement before the election that Fayemi did promise Miyetti Allah, an umbrella body of the Fulani herdsmen, that he would create cattle colonies for the association if they could support him to hijack the state government.

In a statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Jackson Adebayo, PDP

maintained that the current move to register Fulani herdsmen by the state government was just a tip of the iceberg, adding that the issue of creation of the cattle colonies was still in the pipeline.

The party further said that the Fulani herdsmen had been on the neck of the state government since the inauguration of Fayemi last year October.

Adebayo said the party was not unawared that the attack on the people of Iyemero in Ikole Local Government Area some months ago was actually a warning from the herdsmen to the governor as consequences of failing to fulfill his promises before supporting him to become the governor.

PDP noted that base on this

premises, it took governor Fayemi many weeks before taking any step to address the dastardly act with a confused and conflicting reports on the attack.

“We are calling on all well-meaning Ekiti sons and daughters to urgently wave in to prevent the state government from ceding Ekiti land to this killer herdsmen before it is too late, while calling on the federal government to call Governor Kayode Fayemi to order to avoid calamitous crisis in the state,” PDP said.

Meanwhile, the government in its adverts on the state radio and television, insisted that no such plan was in the offing.

44

THURSDAY MAY 16, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Okowa: Why I Adopted Non-confrontational Style in Politics Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that his adoption of non-confrontational approach to politics has enabled him to record more mileage in governance, in terms of visible achievements during his first four years in office as the state’s chief executive officer.

Okowa, who made the remarks while declaring open a three-day strategic political communication post-election and first terminal review workshop yesterday in Asaba, stressed that confrontational politics leads to distraction from set goals.

He noted that by ignoring mischievous elements often seeking to draw him into confrontation, much has been achieved by remaining focused and committed to the policies and programmes of his government.

The workshop organised by the Office of the Executive Assistant to Delta State Governor on Communications, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), primarily targeted political appointees especially those concerned with

strategic information dissemination at the state level and across the 25 local government areas of the state.

The strategic communication training was also meant to sharpen skills of the state’s communication and media practitioners in readiness for the “‘Stronger Delta Agenda” of Governor Okowa, which is the development mantra for his second term in office.

Okowa who was represented at the opening ceremony of the workshop by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Festus Ovie Agas, urged the participants to follow in his footsteps by ensuring that they remain focused on their duty by transmitting to the people of the state the policies, programmes and activities of government in order to elicit the cooperation of the people in its developmental strides.

He said: ‘”Our strategy as a government is nonconfrontational, because we don’t want to be distracted from our focus on delivering well-intentioned programmes to uplift the wellbeing and living standards of all Deltans. A good manager does not listen to side

talks; he focuses on doing his job and doing it well”.

While noting that his administration had done a lot in the provision of infrastructure, which earned him the nickname

“Road Master”, Okowa observed that all the wonderful performance would come to naught in the absence of effective communication machinery, saying those who desired to communicate

effectively and professionally must never get tired in the acquisition of knowledge.

However, the Communications Manager to Okowa, Mr. Jackson Ekwugum, enjoined

the participants to challenge themselves to mental rigour demanded by their jobs, saying they could not afford to dwell on or be guided by frivolities and unprofitable personality clashes.

360 HEARTY CHEERS…

L-R: Business Development Manager, Smile 360 Dental Specialists, Mr. Olukayode Fadele; Clinical Head, Dr. Latre Bakoshi; Founder/ CEO, Dr. Amy Traore-Shumbusho; and Health and Quality Manager, Dr. Apara Akinsanmi, during a press conference celebrating World Orthodontic Health Day organised by Smile 360 Dental Specialists in Lagos...yesterday ETOP UKUTT

Halt Planned Oil Exploration in Ogoni, Akwa Ibom Gov Sacks Agric Commissioner Elders Warn NPDC Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Elder statesmen and seasoned professionals of Ogoniland in Rivers State have warned the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) to reconsider its planned resumption of oil exploration activities in the area.

The elders also accused the NPDC of violating industry standards and regulations in its hurry to resume oil production in the area.

The elders, under the aegis of Gbo Kabaari Ogoni (Ogoni Elders Forum), in a letter to the managing director of NPDC, expressed concern that the company had ignored its earlier letter in which they raised serious concerns about the advertised Oil Mining Lease (OML)11 re-entry plan and called for an opportunity for dialogue.

In the letter jointly signed by the Chairman and the Secretary of the Forum, Senator Bennett Birabi, and Dr. Desmond Nbete, respectively, the elders said the planned reentry activities deliberately failed to recognise that oil activities in OML 11 and Ogoni have a unique history that cannot be wished away by an executive fiat for a restart of oil exploration and production activities without duly engaging the people in a proper and painstaking conversation.

They noted: “Production activities in OML 11 stopped about 26 years ago, and in line with industry practices, such fields like OML 11 ought to be treated as Greenfields, and not Brownfields. It is not acceptable to summarily commission an Early Production Facility (EPF) to start oil production, without the necessary procedures and approvals for a Greenfield

Okon Bassey in Uyo

development. Therefore, we expect that the extant provisions and industry regulations for greenfields, would be followed appropriately.

“According to DPR guidelines for the design and construction of oil and gas surface production facilities, there are four stages of approval for execution of any project: Conceptual design, pre-commissioning/oil & gas surface facilities operating permit, and decommissioning.

The conceptual design, which we believe is the current stage, ought to be accompanied by a copy of an approved field development plan (FDP), and a copy of letter of approval of preliminary EIA Report, among other requirements.”

They accused the NPDC of not having an approved FDP, adding also that no EIA has been done for the project.

“The Ogoni environment is already severely stressed and dangerously polluted. This is not a speculative statement, as the UNEP report clearly documented the toxic baseline of Ogoniland. For instance, in the Korokoro oilfield, which you have earmarked First Oil for second quarter 2019, the UNEP Report noted that the soil and groundwater has been contaminated by total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), at levels greater than 14,000 mg/kg (for top soil) and 5,000 – 6,000 mg/kg (for four to five meters depth), respectively, all of which exceed the EGASPIN acceptable threshold,” they said.

They also said the UNEP Report made clear recommendations for clean-up and remediation of the area, which had not been done.

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, yesterday sacked the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Sufficiency, Dr.

Uduak-Inyang.

A three-paragraph statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, which was issued last night, did not state the offence of the

commissioner.

Accordingly, the governor has directed the state Commissioner for Science and Technology, Professor Nse Esssien, to take over the duties of the sacked commissioner

with immediate effect.

“The governor thanked the erstwhile commissioner for his service to the state and wishes him goodluck in his future endeavors,” the statement said.

Alleged Corruption: EFCC Re-arraigns Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, Obla The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned a former judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Godwin Obla, over alleged money laundering charges.

EFCC charged Ofili-Ajumogobia and Obla on 18 counts bordering on conspiracy, unlawful enrichment, retention of crime proceeds and money laundering.

The defendants are standing trial before Justice Rilwan Aikawa.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts of the charge.

The defendants were first charged before an Ikeja Division of the High Court, but the charge was struck out on jurisdictional grounds.

Consequent upon the dismissal of the charge, the prosecution

preferred same charges against the defendants, before the Federal High Court.

While s Ofili-Ajumogobia took her plea to the charge on April 18, the second defendant (Obla) was absent from court.

Ajumogobia had pleaded not guilty to the charges, and was granted a bail of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.

The court had, consequently, ordered Obla’s appearance in court to answer to the charges.

Yesterday, Obla showed up in court and was re-arraigned alongside Ajumogobia.

They each denied complicity in the criminal charge marked FHC/L/139C/19.

Messrs Robert Clarke (SAN), and Ferdinard Orbih (SAN), announced appearance for the first and second defendants,

respectively.

After their pleas, the prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, urged the court to give a trial date, while the defendants be remanded in custody.

But defence counsel to the defendant, Orbih informed the court of a bail application filed on behalf of Obla since April 24, adding that same had been served on the prosecution.

In response, Oyedepo described the bail application as “strange” on the grounds that the charge had not even been served on the defendant before his bail application was filed.

According to prosecution, the charge was only served on Obla in court this morning and so he could not have filed an application for bail while the charge had not been served on him.

Responding, Orbih informed the court that he got wind of the proceedings on the pages of newspapers, following which he approached the court to get a copy of the charge even before receiving same from prosecution.

He told the court that the defendant was desirous of attending court and defending the allegations against him rather than evading.

He urged the court to hear and allow the bail.

In his decision, Justice Aikawa also granted Obla a bail of N10 million with two sureties in like sum, who must be landed property owners in Lagos, or grade level 16 in the Federal Civil Service.

The court adjourned the case until May 23 for trial.

Ogun LG Commissioner, Ojuko, Resigns Femi OgbonnikaninAbeokuta Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and an associate of the outgoing governor, Chief Jide Ojuko, has tendered his resignation letter from the state cabinet.

Ojuko, in his resignation letter to the outgoing governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Adeoluwa Taiwo,

titled, “Resignation of Appointment” and dated May 14, 2019, faulted a recent directive on “Obaship Issue” in some areas in Ota constituency “runs”, a development which he said was against his conscience and the wish and yearnings of the people he represented.

According to him, by carrying out the directives of the outgoing governor would make him an outcast among his people.

“At my age, this is avoidable.

Recent events have made me believe that this plan may not be feasible if I have to continue serving in my present capacity as the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

“Sir, by my background as a civil and public servant, my training is to be obedient and loyal to my boss, but your recent directive on the issue of Obaship in some areas in Ota constituency runs is

against my conscience and the wish and yearnings of the people that I represent. The ultimate, therefore, is that I shall become an outcast among my people.

“However, sir, I am pained to give a notice of my resignation to a boss I love so much.

“By my appointment, I represent theAwori stock, my local government and the entire state. After service, I will go back home and settle with total peace of mind.”

45

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ´Ë&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

May 15, 2019

PRESS STATEMENT

Stop Whining, Face Your Self-Inflicted Woes, PDP Replies FG The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press conference by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in which he, once again, veered off issues of governance and dwelt on hauling insults, misplaced accusations and threats against our party and our Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The ministerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tone, to say the least, betrays the frustration of a failed administration seeking excuses and scapegoats, instead of accepting its failures and self-inflicted woes.

It is incontrovertible that the PDP, as a highly responsible political party, committed to the unity and stability of our dear nation, nurtured our democracy for 16 years and has continued to express its full respect for every arm of government including the judiciary It is equally undisputable that the All Progressives Congress (APC), within a period of four years, has wrecked our democratic structures, relegated and harassed judicial officers, disregarded our laws and judicial pronouncements, divided our people and practically brought our nation to its knees only for them to now turn to look for scapegoats where there are none.

It is instructive to state that, in the course of serving our dear nation for sixteen years, the PDP was never known for intimidating and harassing judicial officers at any level.

It is therefore unfortunate that the Minister of Information and Culture could suddenly recourse to making irresponsible allegations against the PDP and our Presidential candidate instead of accepting their failures.

As a party we consider it awkward for the APC and its government, under whose only four years tenure, our judiciary has been thoroughly embarrassed, to make frivolous allegations against our party and Presidential candidate.

It is manifestly clear that the PDP and our Presidential candidate are in court to seek justice and the issues of bias raised by our party are in public domain and in the general interest of majority of Nigerians who gave their Presidential mandate to Atiku Abubakar.

The fact remains that the APC and its failed government owe it as a responsibility to be accountable to Nigerians; the PDP has a constitutional role to play in this accountability process and our party will not shy away from it.

The PDP therefore charges the Federal Government to stop inventing excuses and making frivolous allegations of treason for its mass failures.

The expectation of Nigerians is for the Buhari Presidency to live up to the demands of their offices instead of blaming our party for their self-inflicted woes.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan National Publicity Secretary

46

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

THURSDAYSPORTS

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

NPFL…NPFL….NPFL…

Rangers’ Playoff Status Guaranteed with Win against Insurance Duro Ikhazuagbe Rangers International FC became the first team to book a place in the Super Six Playoff of the abridged 2018/19 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season yesterday with a 1-0 defeat of Bendel Insurance in Enugu.

Felix Ogbuike’s 85th goal was all the Flying Antelopes needed to pick maximum points at their famous Cathedral in the Coal City.

With 37 points from 20 games

MATCH DAY 20 Tornadoes 1-0 MFM Rangers 1-0 Insurance A’Warriors 2-1 El-Kanemi TODAY @4pm Remo Stars v Enyimba Katsina Utd v Sunshine Wikki v Kwara Utd Rivers Utd v Lobi Stars Nasarawa v Gombe Yobe Stars v K’Pillars Ifeanyi Ubah v Heartland Go Round v Plateau Utd Delta Force v Akwa Utd

now, Rangers are certain to finish Group A as leaders going into the playoff with two matches left.

However, Insurance’s capitulation with just five minutes left of play yesterday certainly was not what Monday Odigie and his crew expected as they battle to remain in the topflight of Nigeria’s club football.

After picking three points at home in Benin from Katsina United in the rescheduled game and two more valuable away points against Kwara United and Niger Tornadoes, they had hoped for at least one point from the clash with Rangers yesterday.

Now, the heat is back on the Edo Arsenal’s faithfuls again as the 34 points from 20 games they currently have standing seventh cannot guarantee them safety.

Miracles from their remaining two games will decide the fate of Insurance who returned from the wilderness after 11 years in the second tier league.

Elsewhere, Ismaila Sarki’s second minute goal in Minna condemned MFM FC to yet another defeat that has made their top-three finish more difficult.

Felix Ogbuke (2nd right) celebrating his goal against Bendel Insurance with team mates…yesterday

The Olukoya Boys remain in No 4 but are likely to be pegged further back when all the Match-day 20 fixtures are concluded today.

In Group B, a penalty converted in six minutes of added time by Samson Obi completed Abia Warriors’ fight-back to grab maximum points after falling

to a second minute goal by visiting El-Kanemi Warriors’ Sulley Mohammed.

Atilola Tunde Salami had cancelled the home side’s early

deficit in the 39th minute.

The Maiduguri side may lose their third position when the remaining fixtures of the group are played today.

U-20 WORLD CUP

Amstel Malta is Okpekpe Beating Qatar Key to Flying Eagles Group Stage Race’s Official Malt Drink

Success, Says Aigbogun Flying Eagles Head Coach, Paul Aigbogun, has stated that three points from their FIFA U20 World Cup opener against Qatar in Tychy next week Friday would greatly boost confidence in Nigeria’s approach to the remaining games of the group phase.

“Our target is to get those three points in our first game and set off on a run. It would be a big booster. Our game-plan is to get off on a good footing at the World Cup and then carry on from there.

“The Nigeria Football Federation has done very well to camp the team in an exquisite facility ahead of the FIFA World Cup. We can only repay their support and effort, and the confidence of

the people of Nigeria, with a good outing in Poland.”

Seven-time African champions Nigeria will open their FIFA U20 World Cup against Qatar on Friday, with matches against USA and Ukraine to follow in Group D. On Tuesday, the Flying Eagles continued their preparation for the global tournament with a 1-1 draw against Austrian Bundesliga II side Red Bull Salzburg.

Aigbogun’s lads had to dig deep in the second half to find the equaliser which came off the boot of substitute Tijani Muhammad.

Salzburg had gone ahead midway into the first half and held on to go into the break ahead. It took the

Flying Eagles time to settle and when they did they took the game to Salzburg.

The introduction of Tijani Muhammad, Chinonso Emeka, Success Makanjuola and Peter Eletu saw Nigeria control the second half and could have scored more if not for the heroics of the Salzburg goalkeeper.

Aigbogun said at the end that he was impressed with his lads even though there is still work to be done before the tournament starts.

“It took us time to get settled in the game and when we did I think we took control of the game.

This Salzburg team is a very tough one. They play in the Bundesliga II and it showed in their game but I’m glad

my boys rallied back to get a draw. “ We could have won it if not for their goalkeeper.

We had two good chances in the second half and I thought we should have won it at the end. The team is progressing even though there is work to be done.”

Aigbogun concluded.

The Flying Eagles will play their final preparatory match against Red Bull Leipzig in Germany on Friday.

Nigeria will fly out of Germany to Poland on 19th May for this year ’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals.

The Flying Eagles are in Group D of the competition alongside Qatar, the United States and Ukraine.

Organisers of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) silver label Okpekpe International 10km Road Race have unveiled the low sugar malt drink, Amstel Malta as the official malt drink of the seventh edition of the race which comes up on May 25 in Okpekpe near Auchi, Etsakor East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Director of Organisation of the race, Zak Amodu, told the media in Lagos Wednesday that Amstel Malta, brewed by Nigerian Breweries Plc, the pioneer and largest brewing company in Nigeria will be the official malt drink for the first IAAF Label road race in West Africa and the only silver label road race in Africa in 2019.

“We are delighted with the coming on board of Nigerian Breweries as a friend and strategic partner of the race. Nigerian Breweries and Okpekpe race have a lot in common. It is the

pioneer and biggest brewing company in Nigeria while one of its products, Amstel Malta is a premium malt drink with rich international heritage. Okpekpe race is also the first road running event to be granted an IAAF label status in Nigeria which means the race is the first road race in Nigeria to be granted international recognition,” said Amodu who explained that IAAF road race label events are races that the world governing body for the sport designates as one of the leading road races around the world.

“What an IAAF Label denotes are high standards in event organisation and full application of the IAAF competition rules,” said Amodu who also revealed that the Okpekpe road race is the first in Nigeria to have its race course measured by an IAAF and Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) accredited course measurer.

El Hadji Diouf, Seven Others Expected Today for The Match Former Liverpool FC forward, El Hadji Diouf, 38, is among the eight African football legends expected to arrive Lagos today for The Match to celebrate Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Saturday in Lagos.

The Senegalese superstar who was largely responsible for his country’s first ever quarter final finish at the 2002 World Cup jointly hosted by Korea/Japan, is to fly into Lagos from France later today.

Though retired from football since 2015, El Hadji Diouf still have his eyes on the game, working as a Government Goodwill

Ambassador and Adviser on Sport to President Macky Sall.

He is also running his own sports newspaper business in Dakar and operating his own gymnasium.

Diouf was signed in 2002 for £10m by Gérard Houllier ahead of the 2002 World Cup. His impressive performances in the tournament for Senegal, led to much excitement for his arrival at Anfield.

Apart from the spat incident at Liverpool, Diouf distinguished himself in the Premier League before moving on to Bolton Wanderers and other clubs

elsewhere.

Coordinator of The Match, Waidi Akanni could not hide his feelings yesterday with the arrival of former Bolton Wanderers’ midfielder, Khalilou Fadiga.

“As you can see, the excitement is building as the former African stars have started to trickle into Lagos to honour Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his laudable strides in sports developments in the state,” gushed the ex international.

He also listed those coming into Lagos today to include another Senegalese midfielder, Diomansy Kamara who played

three Africa Cup of Nations for the Teranga Lions.

He was a regular for Fulham before other stints with Leicester City and West Brom. He retired from the game on June 1, 2016.

Former Black Stars of Ghana Captain, Stephen Appiah is also on the card to arrive this evening. Appiah represented Ghana at the youth, Olympic, and senior levels. He captained the Black Stars at their World Cup debut in 2006 and was a member of their squad for the 2010 World Cup. Didier Zokora is also confirmed on the flight into Lagos

this afternoon for The Match.

He’s an Ivorian former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder for both club and country. He represented the Ivory Coast national team for 14 years, beginning in 2000, and is currently the nation’s most capped player.

Others former African stars expected to arrive this evening include; Herita Illunga, a retired Congolese footballer who played as a left-back. At club level, he represented Espanyol B, Saint-Étienne, Toulouse, West Ham United, Doncaster Rovers, Rennes, Carquefou, and US

Creteil.

Two Ivorians, Tienne Siaka who last played for Montpellier and Kader Kaita complete the lists of those coming into town today.

Former World Footballer of the Year and President of Liberia, George Weah is listed amongst other retired top African soccer legends like Essien, Samuel Eto’O Fills, Abubarkar Titi Camara, and Yaya Toure, Richard Kingston, Christian Karembeu (former Real Madrid and France World Cup winner), Aaron Mokoena and Mamodu Sissoko who will be in Lagos on Friday for The Match.

47

THURS Ë&#x153; ÍŻÍ´Ë&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡ Ëž T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

Brilliant Ajax End Season with Dutch Double Ajax capped a memorable season with their first league title since 2014 as a 4-1 final-day win at De Graafschap secured a domestic double last night.

Erik ten Hagâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side - who came so close to a place in the Champions League final - needed just a point to win their 34th title.

First-half goals from Lasse Schone and Nicolas Tagliafico ensured that the title was added to their Dutch Cup win.

Dusan Tadic then scored twice - goals in an 11th consecutive league game.

Youssef el Jebli had briefly equalised for the hosts, whose season is not over yet - they go into the relegation play-offs to try and stay in the Eredivisie.

Ajax were again outstanding for long periods in the final appearance for midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who agreed to sign for Barcelona for ÂŁ65m in January, while captain Matthijs de Ligt is one of several other brilliant young stars who are also expected to leave this summer.

Ajax only missed out on a place in the Champions League final thanks to a stunning lastminute goal from Tottenhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lucas Moura and Ten Hag may now have a reluctant, if lucrative,

Ajax players celebrating winning the 2018/19 Eredivisie title last night rebuilding job on his hands.

Tadic and De Jong both went close early on at the end of typically fluent moves before Schone opened the scoring

with a brilliant free-kick from 22 yards.

The hosts responded when El Jebli got the wrong side of De Ligt and fired in at the

near post.

But Hakim Ziyech then danced into the area and put a goal on a plate for left-back Tagliafico to regain the lead,

and when De Jong won a second-half penalty with a brilliant driving run, former Southampton man Tadic fired in his 37th goal of an unforgettable

campaign.

The best was yet to come Tadic lashing in from a tight angle with a thumping late shot.

Coutinhoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Agent Refutes Reports Access Bank Unveils Polo Star, Neku, as W Griezmann to Replace the Brazilian at Barca Brand Ambassador Antoine Griezmann will not replace Philippe Coutinho at Barcelona at the end of the season, according to the Brazilianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agent.

Despite an encouraging start to life at Barca, Coutinho has failed to recapture the form he showed at Liverpool before his â&#x201A;Ź160million switch in January 2018.

There have been speculations that the Blaugrana are expected to sign the France international from Atletico Madrid, but the Brazilianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agent says he will not be a replacement This term, the attacking midfielder has managed only five La Liga goals in 34 appearances and failed to nail down a place in the starting XI, with 12 of his league outings coming from

the bench.

C o u t i n h o â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s underwhelming form has seen him become a target for Barca supporters who have jeered him on several occasions in recent months, while media reports have linked him with a move.

Griezmannâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s announcement on Tuesday that he will leave Atletico Madrid in the coming months will likely increase speculation surrounding Coutinho, though his representative is convinced the Frenchman potentially joining Barca will not impact his client. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s untrue that Griezmann is going to replace Philippe at Barcelona,â&#x20AC;? Andrea Bertolucci told AS. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know why they are saying that. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know

about that and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to talk anymore, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s false.â&#x20AC;?

Coutinho has a contract at Camp Nou until 2023 and is said to be interesting Manchester United, who look set for a major rebuild over the close-season.

Barcelona have already wrapped up La Liga, as the club has amassed 86 points to Atletico Madridâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 75 through 37 matches.

The champions will wrap up the La Liga campaign against Eibar on Sunday while Atletico Madrid take on Levante on Saturday in their final match.

Barca will then turn focus towards the Copa del Rey, where theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll face Valencia in the finale.

Special Olympics Nigeria Commemorates World Malaria Day Special Olympics Nigeria through her ExxonMobil Foundation sponsored Skillz for Life initiative last Saturday celebrated the 2019 World Malaria Day in Ibadan the Oyo State capital at the Home School for Handicapped, Ijokodo, Ibadan.

Highpoint of the event was the Unified Soccer Match between â&#x20AC;&#x153;Team Doctorâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Team Malariaâ&#x20AC;?.

The match ended in favour of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Team Doctorâ&#x20AC;? who defeated â&#x20AC;&#x153;Team Malaria 5-4 on penalties after playing a 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3 draw during regular time.

The event themed â&#x20AC;&#x153;Zero Malaria Starts with Meâ&#x20AC;?, witnessed a series of activities such as the Family health forum (FHF), where Health Talks on Malaria and HIV with demonstrations, Voluntary Counselling and Testing on Malaria and HIV, distribution of mosquito nets and a Unified soccer tournament.

In an opening remarks by the Project Coordinator, Special Olympics Nigeria Skillz for Life

Programme, Sylvester Oboh, stated that, despite the availability of a cure for malaria, it has remained a killer disease across the country hence, the need for a continued awareness creation and provision of necessary support to communities prone to malaria especially for people with intellectual disabilities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also express our profound gratitude to our partners like ExxonMobil for their support, we have achieved a lot over the years in helping parents of children with special needs,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Sylvester also noted that, the delay in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s celebration was to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities PWIDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education system had the chance to participate in the celebration following the Easter holidays.

The event also recorded a huge turn out with over 350 people with Intellectual Disabilities and their family members from all over Ibadan and its surrounding environs in attendance.

Also, in attendance were

community members from around the Ijokodo community who were truly amazed at the great work Special Olympics Nigeria is doing with PWIDs in the state.

The Special Olympics Skillz for Life initiative has made significant impact within Africa and intends to continue in educating PWIDs on malaria, HIV prevention methods, treatments through collaborations with platforms like the Grassroot Soccer (GRS) South Africa by driving narratives that challenges the negative stereotypical beliefs towards acceptance and inclusion of PWIDs within the society.

The Skills for Life Initiative has been implemented in four geopolitical regions in Nigeria such as the South-West, SouthEast, South-South and NorthCentral with over 8,000 Persons with intellectual disabilities participating and graduating from the programme.

Face of African polo, Neku Atawodi-Edun has been unveiled as Access Bank W brand ambassador.

Access Bank Coordinator, Women Banking Initiative, Ayona Aguele-Trimnell who unveiled the new ambassador at a media event in Lagos yesterday, described Neku as a Nigerian polo player, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and an investor.

Access Bank Group Head, Corporate Communications, Amaechi Okobi, described the W Ambassador as a consummate brand who champions healthy lifestyle and promotes the development of women polo in Nigeria and beyond.

Neku Atawodi-Edun, who accepted the endorsement, said she is thrilled at the opportunity offered by Access Bank to carry through her passion for promotion of women empowerment and encouraging women polo in Nigeria to an acceptable international level.

She told media executives in an interactive session that as Access Bank ambassador, she hopes to be playing more in the European season that recently galloped off after

the climax of the US season in April.

Neku listed some of the countries she would be flying the flag of Access Bank, to include United Kingdom, France, Spain and Germany.

Neku hopes to play more in Africa, with the forthcoming 2019 Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield tournament billed for Kaduna in June.

Highly revered as one of the few black female polo players in the world, and the first to play professionally, Neku Atawodi-Edun is an equine sports scientist, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and investor.

Neku grew up in Kaduna and her childhood revolved around a local polo club in Kaduna, northern Nigeria.

At age 16, Neku told her parents she wanted to play polo professionally, at a time when the â&#x20AC;&#x153;sport of kingsâ&#x20AC;? was only synonymous with men and royalty.

About a decade later, Neku followed up her passion and today, she had played polo professionally in 14 cities professionally, bagged a degree in Equine Sport Science, an MA in International Business, and the first woman of color to play the game of polo

professionally.

Neku is also the founder of Ride to shine â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a self-funded non-profit organization that teaches African Orphans about Equestrian Sports. She is an Associate fellow of the Royal Commonwealth society and was a Clinton Global Initiative Lead mentor.

In 2016, Neku was named in Forbes Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 30 under 30: Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Most Promising Entrepreneurs list. She is also a Global Shaper for the World Economic Forum and has represented Nigeria at the WEF in Davos.

Neku is also the Nigeria Country Director of MEST, where sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overseeing incubator operations and strategy, startup support, stakeholder engagement, business development and fundraising efforts. Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) is a year-long entrepreneurial training program, seed fund and incubator for African tech startups.

In 2018, Neku was named the face of Africa Polo Open, an offshoot of the 110-year old Prince of Wales Polo Cup, Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest polo tournament.

Egbe Drums Support for NDDC Boss Bayelsa State born stadium facilities construction expert, Ebi Egbe has called on Niger Deltans to support acting NDDC boss, Prof Nelson Braimbraifa.

Just recently, the NDDC Boss pledged to engage youths through the provision of standard sports infrastructure in the region to help them realize their potentials in sports.

Braimbraifa in a release signed by his SA Media, Barrister Igbeta Ayebakuro alleged that some powerful politicians in the region were blackmailing him for selfish reasons.

The NDDC boss has however vowed not to waste

the commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fund on any individual but to pursue the development of the region in line with NDDCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mandate.

Egbe in a statement urged those fighting the NDDC boss to sheathe their sword, describing him as a worthy Ijaw son that deserves the support of everybody in the Niger Delta region. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What is happening now for which Braimbraifa has cried out is a sad trend. Braimbraifa is a square peg in a square hole. He is a competent person. I urge those fighting him to sheathe their sword and allow him to do his job which is the development

of our region,â&#x20AC;? Egbe stated.

Egbe stressed that this is not the time to fight a man who is determined to take the NDDC to the next level with his new vision on how to impact positively on the youths of the region. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Only recently I read about the new blueprint the NDDC is coming out with to ensure our region is peaceful. The NDDC is planning big for the youths so anybody or group trying to distract him do not mean well for the Niger Delta region.

We must all also stop this pull him down syndrome that is becoming the hallmark of some people,â&#x20AC;? Egbe stated.

Thursday, May 16, 2019

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Price: N250

MISSILE President Buhari to Nigerians “When I drive around the country what upset me very much is the status of our poor people – you see young people, the so-called Almajiris with torn dresses, with plastic bowl. They are looking basically for what to eat. The question of education (to them) is a luxury. I think Nigerian elite we are all failing because we should have a programme that will at least guarantee some basic education for our people, no matter how poor they are” —Lamentation on the situation in Nigeria.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI Those Who Dare, Still Win THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

F

or someone who publicly expressed aversion for, and cynicism about, social media and for years refused to join any of the platforms, it is remarkable that I am now almost hooked on Twitter. Since the four things I look for in a story are education, inspiration, entertainment and humour, there is no better place to be than on Twitter, although that is also where you find some crazy people who fight over inanities, including elections that were lost and won before their fathers were born!

I have in recent days been moved by two particular stories posted on Twitter. The first is about one ‘Iya Yellow’ who used to live in Manchester, United Kingdom but is now an ‘alabaru’ (load carrier) in Mile 12, Lagos.

Even in the most advanced of societies, life happens but when it knocks you down, you have a choice to either stay down or pick yourself up. “I don’t put all my problem on my children. They don’t know I’m here. I just told them I’m not around for the time being. I cannot be begging. I cannot go and be meeting family and they say you should have come yesterday. It is better you live on what your hand can do,” said ‘Iya Yellow’ who struggles to repay a loan so as not to lose her property. The second story is about another woman who sells ‘akara’ (bean cake) and effectively used the proceeds of a N50,000 loan to build a house which she rents out.

Notwithstanding the subtext to the two stories, they speak to resilience and the never-say-die spirit which still abound in our country today. You find it in both the low and high places as I did on 30th April, a day before my ‘Platform Nigeria’ session when I visited Mr Obi Ezeude, the man behind Beloxxi biscuit at Agbara industrial estate in Ogun State. After listening to his inspiring story as he took me round the expansive factory and the odds he had to confront along the journey, I felt encouraged that even in our climes there is no limit to what those who dare can achieve if they stay true to cherished values and are ready to do the hard work. Incidentally, I was meeting Ezeude for the first time, despite the fact that we had established a friendship on WhatsApp. The story started at age 27 in 1994 when Ezeude incorporated Beloxxi & Company Limited (BCL) as an importer and distributor of Hwa Tai and Luxury cracker biscuit brands from Malaysia and Dean’s shortbread from Scotland. By the turn of the century, Ezeude had prospered so much that he began to nurture the idea of going into manufacturing of the same products so that he could add value to the society by creating enduring wealth. But he could not convince his foreign partners that the investment climate in Nigeria was ripe for the manufacturing of cracker biscuits of the highest standard. “I was importing no fewer than a thousand containers to the country on an annual basis which showed that the market was huge. But every time I broached the idea of them (the Malaysian partners) setting up a factory in Nigeria, there were always a thousand excuses about why it would not work”, said Ezeude as he reflected on his first disappointment as a businessman.

The turning point for Ezeude came with

Ezeude democracy in 1999 and the ascension to power of President Olusegun Obasanjo who kept pushing many of the young entrepreneurs who were trading in commodities to venture into manufacturing. When in 2003, the federal government banned the importation of biscuits, Ezeude felt he had finally won the argument with his Malaysian partners. He was wrong.

His partners still didn’t buy the idea of manufacturing in Nigeria. Determined to make the transition from trading to manufacturing, Ezeude approached his Nigerian bankers. That was when he encountered disappointment number two: His bankers made it clear to him that they would not risk their money on manufacturing. But Ezeude would not be deterred.

Having schooled in the United States, Ezeude decided to approach the US Export and Import Bank (US-EXIM). The process was long and tedious but in December 2003, a $2.2 Million loan facility was approved for him to build a fully integrated and automated biscuit factory in Nigeria. “I had series of meetings with their management and even when I did not have all that they requested, the management and officials were more interested in my ideas and how it would work whereas my Nigerian bankers were only interested in collateral”, said Ezeude who contrasted his US-Exim Bank experience with that of Nigerian banks.

With the money, Ezeude leased an abandoned warehouse in Agidingbi, Ikeja where he started his factory. Before he ventured out, Ezeude had met Obasanjo and promised to deliver a first class biscuit manufacturing company in Nigeria to which he got a response: “If you can do that and with it employ many of our people, I will give you whatever support you need.” At that period, duty on equipment was 35 percent so Ezeude went back to Obasanjo to tell him that a government that sought to promote industrialization could not be asking for 35 percent duty on importation of machine. “President Obasanjo asked me, ‘what do you want me to do that will help your business?’ I said the best way to go was for manufacturers to pay zero duty on machine. Despite the resistance from Customs, that was exactly what President Obasanjo

did. He enacted the policy and enforced it.”

By 2005, Ezeude delivered. But in a market dominated by Lebanese and Indians, he had to embark on an aggressive marketing by using personal networks to get distributors. “Wives of my friends were the first set of people I recruited before I got others to buy in. The Indians and Lebanese responded by trying to squeeze me out of the market. I fought back. I was producing 6,000 cartons a day but by then the customer base had become huge. People were paying and waiting for as long as between three to six months to get their consignments. At that point, I started looking for land. Then I thought of Agbara where many of the multinational companies had set up shop. I wanted to compete with the Big Boys.”

Moving from trading to manufacturing is never easy, more especially in an environment like ours where there is never policy consistency aside the fact that the infrastructure is not there. But it can also be very rewarding for those who dare as we have seen with the example of Dangote who made the transition and in the process turned a Nigerian name into a global brand. That exactly is what Ezeude is replicating in the confectionary industry where, having conquered the cracker biscuit market, he has now set his sight on the production of sweet biscuit.

In a strategic move to further consolidate its grip on the biscuits market, Ezeude’s Beloxxi in August 2016 offered minority stake of $80 million to a consortium of international private equity firms made up of German Development Bank (KWF-DEG), ACA of Nigeria and 8Miles of the UK. With that fund, Ezeude commenced its latest expansion to nine production lines, with a packaging factory in Ikeja from where the company started. When I visited Beloxxi about three weeks ago, the fully-automated third phase expansion project which commenced in February 2018, was almost completed and it gladdened my heart when he told me the critical role my late boss, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua also played, following an encounter he had with him. With the oven section alone measuring 60 meters, “it will be the best, latest, integrated and ICT compliant sweet biscuits production line in Nigeria and Sub Saharan Africa”, said Ezeude. Apart

from Kellogs, the Anglo American cereals giant, Beloxxi is the second company in Nigeria to deploy the Racking System which underscores its strategic vision in terms of quality, infrastructure and human capital.

My interaction with Ezeude was quite revealing but it is also a story that speaks to the challenge of business ownership in our country. He generates his own electricity with gas supplied by Shell and the Badagry express road which links Agbara Industrial estate is a disgrace. I hope President Muhammadu Buhari, whose administration has done a lot in transport infrastructure, will make the expressway a priority in his second term.

But for us to grow the economy, we may need to take lessons from Ghana that focuses more on production than taxation. With a population of 28 million people, Ghana is embarking on a massive industrialization drive called One District, One Factory, essentially targeted at putting its people to work. There are 216 districts in Ghana. We need such idea to create jobs for our teeming young population.

Meanwhile, Ezeude, who only employs fresh graduates and trains them so that they could imbibe the ethos of Beloxxi, has adopted a unique model. “If you are in school, we pay your school fees. If you are on holidays, you come back here to work,” he told me.

That perhaps explains why despite having thousands of people working for him, Ezeude knows many of them by name as I found out in the course of walking with him within the premises. “The idea is for anybody who works in Beloxxi to feel that they are here to add value to the company and to themselves by enjoying what they do” said Ezeude.

At a period members of the Nigerian elite seem fixated with, and fighting over, a fast depleting asset, we need a new attitude. In all strata of our society, we need entrepreneurs, whether they sell biscuits in a big factory like Beloxxi or ‘akara’ by the roadside and we also need workers with the unique mentality of ‘Iya Yellow’—citizens who see problems as opportunities to learn, improve or adjust and would handle challenges in a most dignifying manner. And if Nigeria must develop, we need more entrepreneurs like Obi Ezeude, the biscuit man!

On Book Tour

B

ookcraft Limited in collaboration with some bookstores is organising a book tour in Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Benin, Port Harcourt and other major cities in Nigeria to promote my latest book, ‘From Frying Pan to Fire’. The tour kicks off this Saturday at RovingHeights

bookstore on 145 Ademola Adetokunbo street, Wuse 2, Abuja between 3 and 5pm.

For seat reservations, please send an email to: hello@rhbooks.com.ng. Meanwhile, Chinyere Obi-obasi will today in Abuja present ‘Even with Talent’, a book that will serve many of our young people who are still looking for direction in life.

Time to Legalise Marijuana?

Please check my take on this issue on page 14.

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