FRIDAY 24TH MAT 2019

Senate Addresses Buhari’s Concerns, Passes PIG Bill YABATECH upgrade bill, 12 others scale hurdles Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday passed 15 bills, including the reworked Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), which President

Muhammadu Buhari had earlier declined assent to.

Among the bills passed is the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Administration Service Bill 2019, which seeks to re-

introduce park-and-pay system in Abuja.

The PIG Bill was passed after the upper legislative chamber had removed all the ambiguities and legislative drafting observed

Park-and-pay system underway in FCT

by the president, which include expansion of the scope of Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF), which is at variance with present administration's policy.

Seven out of the 17 bills

passed were those from House of Representatives, which went through concurrence.

Three of the bills that were passed after both second and third readings, include the City

University of Technology, Yaba, Lagos Bill 2019, which upgraded Yaba College of Technology to a university; Continued on page 8

Osinbajo to Outgoing Govs: Your Service Days Not over Yet… Page 8 Friday 24 May, 2019 Vol 24. No 8810. Price: N250

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Masari Seeks Security Chiefs’ Help to Stop Killings… Page 9

Fayemi’s Emergence as NGF Chair Positions Him as a S’West Numero Uno Vows not to sacrifice national interest

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti With the election of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the political calculations in the South-west could begin to change.

As it happened in the past, governors who had chaired the NGF had used the office to position themselves for relevance in the polity.

Former Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki Continued on page 9

Buhari, Governors Confirm Adamu as IG Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja

The Police Council, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday confirmed Mohammed Adamu as the substantive Inspector General of Police (IG).

Consequently, Adamu who had been serving in acting capacity since January 15, this year, when his predecessor, Ibrahim Idris, bowed out of service, promised to restructure the Nigeria Police to foster

efficiency and effectiveness.

At the meeting of the council whose membership comprises governors and Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Musiliu Smith, Buhari pronounced Adamu as the substantive IG. "The council has approved the recommendation of Mohammed Adamu as the Inspector-General of Police.

We congratulate him," Buhari said.

Continued on page 9

LEADERSHIP IN NGF… Ninth N’Assembly: Lawan, Gbajabiamila NEW L-R: Former Chairman, Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF), Abdul-Aziz Yari of Zamfara State; Kogi State Governor, Yaya Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and new Chairman, NGF, Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, during NGF Extend Reach to Stakeholders… Page 8 Bello; meeting in Abuja… yesterday

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Osinbajo to Outgoing Govs: Your Service Days Not over Yet Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday urged outgoing governors not to see their exit from power as an opportunity to run personal businesses or sleeping for long hours.

Instead, they should see their exit from power as another opportunity to further serve the country in various capacities, using their influence for instance, to contribute to healthcare and education.

Osinbajo said at a valedictory session of the National Economic Council (NEC) in Abuja that donor agencies would be glad to work with some of the outgoing governors, especially those with records of accomplishment of healthcare provision and other humanitarian needs.

Membership of the NEC, statutorily chaired by the vicepresident, comprises governors of the 36 states of the federation and select federal government officials.

The vice-president, who thanked the governors for the encomiums showered on him by various speakers at the meeting, said of Nigeria's population of about 200 million, only 74 persons, comprising the president, vice-president, 36 governors and their deputies, were given the responsibilities of formulating policies and executing projects to improve people’s living conditions.

He sought more commitment from the governors to better the lots of the citizenry.

According to him, having led their various states for some years, the governors do not need anyone

to advise them any longer on the imperative of unity or security of lives and property just as he identified the availability of food and water as the main priorities of citizens.

However, the vice-president lamented that most people dissipate energy to stoke the embers of disunity and ethnicity, advising the governors to condemn those who engage in such acts and resist them because the country does not belong to them only.

He reiterated the need for the outgoing governors to be challenged by the enormity of problems at stake and consequently use their influence as former governors, when the time comes, to contribute to continued efforts to address such problems.

He said: "In the next few years, our population will double with the attendant challenges of jobs, education, healthcare, security and infrastructure. Every nation that has moved its people from misery to prosperity has depended heavily in fact almost completely on the political elite. Our people have nowhere else to look or to go, it is as they say, at the collective table that the bulk stops.

"I should advise that you should use your influence and reach to the advantage of Nigerian people. You have seen and heard for yourselves the enormity of our national problems. Very few people have the advantage to see closely as we do, the issues that concern our country - issues that even concern our different states. We here have that unique advantage. So, I think that we can help in one way or the

other; we can do something in our states and other states in a way of advocacy or action on education and healthcare in particular, and jobs.

"I think is important for those of us who have had the benefit of all of this experience and leadership not to now settle down to a life of business or perhaps of enjoyment or sleeping for eight hours. We need this time for action."

In his speech, the outgoing Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) and Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, commended the vice-president for his sterling leadership in the last four years.

He advised the council on the need to work hard, block leakages in the system and take proactive measures to expand the economy.

He also commended the federal government, which he said had done well in the agriculture sector with N200 billion spent since 2015.

However, he said if N2 trillion could be spent on oil development every year, much more should be spent on agriculture.

Yari warned that if Nigeria failed to plan for the future, the country would be sitting on a time bomb and the aftermath would be catastrophic in the next few years.

"Mr. Chairman, we have a very gigantic job and we have to start now. If other associations are doing nothing, we have to lay a foundation.

Otherwise, in the next 10 to 15 years, if we did not plan properly, we will be faced with a serious problem," Yari added.

Yari’s counterpart from Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode,

who spoke on behalf of South-West governors, recalled the challenges facing the states when NEC came into being in 2015.

He narrated how 27 states could not pay workers' salaries, a trend he said led to the decision to seek bailout funds for states from the federal government, and which was promptly approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Describing the vice-president as tolerant, friendly, accommodating and a stickler for good governance and accountability, Ambode urged the next NEC to address the issue of power and steel, saying doing so will go a long way in reflating the economy.

"I want to say that this set of governors is the class that the subsequent council should emulate.

With a set of team spirit and some set of freedom, we were able to talk freely and express ourselves without actually considering whether somebody was PDP or APC. "The common objective was the economic issue that pervaded the whole country, considering the fact that we all came in when we had a backlog of salaries. I want to congratulate us because when we came in, almost about 27 states could not pay salaries and then, two subsequent meetings led to Mr. President giving us the intervention which also led to the clearing of the backlog," the governor said.

Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, who spoke for his South-east colleagues, suggested the need to set target as performance benchmark.

According to him, where there

is no target, most people don't feel motivated to perform, noting that the trend among governors over the years has always been that some perform well, another over-perform while others under-perform.

Spokesman of North-west governors, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, commended the vice-president for providing the right direction to the council.

However, he expressed concern that while various decisions were taken at NEC meetings, some of them had not been implemented.

In his own submission on behalf of North-central governors, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, said NEC in the last four years had provided economic direction for the country through an inclusive system run by the vice-president.

According to him, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been championing moves to diversify the country's economy to reduce its total dependence on oil.

He also called for the need to translate various NEC resolutions to action.

He said whereas security challenges had been parts of the issues addressed by the council, security still remains a challenge to the country.

But he is optimistic that the security challenge will be overcome in the end.

Also, Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shetima, while speaking on behalf of North-east governors, said the vice-president had proved himself as a man of character.

According to him, Osinbajo has

exhibited the spirit of humility, robust intellectual capacity and leadership with a sense of direction.

Representative of the South-south and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, said since the inception of the council in 2015, party affiliation had never been an issue.

According to him, the vicepresident provided the platform for freedom of expression and association, saying the sense of unity in the council was unprecedented.

Emmanuel, however, advised the council on the need to invest in human capacity, saying that the problem of Nigeria is not unemployment as commonly believed, but rather human capacity development.

A former Governor of Osun State, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, who was a guest at the meeting, said the Nigerian economy was too small compared to the nation’s huge population.

He said the issue of population explosion in the country must be addressed while efforts must be made to expand the economy.

He cited the example of Cuba, which he said usually generates as much as $50 billion annually, despite a total population of 12 million, to buttress his point on the need to correct the mismatch between the nation’s population and its revenue.

Aregbesola tasked the governors to live up to their responsibilities, saying being elected as governors shows that a huge responsibility has been thrust on their shoulders to discharge.

Ninth N’Assembly: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Extend Reach to Stakeholders Hold consultations with APC govs, PDP lawmakers Deji Elumoye and Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja The race for the leadership of the Ninth National Assembly is getting keener as the frontline aspirants to the Senate presidency and House of Representatives speakership extended their consultations to other critical stakeholders that would guarantee them victories.

The Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, who is the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Senate presidency has commenced consultations with the 22 governors of the ruling APC, THISDAY has learnt.

Also, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and APC’s anointed candidate for the position of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday met with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House to seek their support.

On his part, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Danjuma Goje, who is vying with Lawan for the Senate presidency, has met with the national leader of

APC, Chief Bola Tinubu, in Saudi Arabia to seek his support.

THISDAY gathered that Lawan has already met with four governors from the North Central states of Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Kebbi.

It was learnt that the Senate leader who visited the governors in their respective states in the company of the governor of his home state, Yobe and Senator-elect, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, would visit the remaining 17 governors from next week.

THISDAY gathered that the visit to the APC governors, which was at the instance of Gaidam, is aimed at galvanising the support of senators-elect through their governors.

Sources privy to the consultations told THISDAY that Gaidam, apart from speaking on the telephone to his colleagues, also met with them in Abuja during the meeting of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) where Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, emerged the new NGF Chairman.

The APC governors, it was also learnt, gave Gaidam their commitment to ensure the election of Lawan as the next

Senate president.

They committed themselves to meet again with senators-elect from their respective states on the need for them to support Lawan.

Gbajabiamila Woos PDP Lawmakers Gbajabiamila also yesterday took his campaign for the speakership to the PDP caucus in the House and pleaded for their support for his aspiration.

The PDP caucus had on Wednesday met other APC contenders, including Hon. Segun Odebunmi (APC, Oyo); Hon. John Dyegh (APC, Benue); Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago (APC, Niger); Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (APC, Abia); and Hon. Jide Olatunbosun (APC, Oyo), who were also seeking the support of the opposition lawmakers.

The PDP Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema, said the meeting was intended to avail the PDP members information on what the aspirants planned to achieve if they emerged winner.

"Everybody came to tell us why they want to be speaker; what they are going to do to improve

Goje meets Tinubu in Saudi Arabia

the House and the relationship among the members. That is the whole essence of the meeting.

"All the candidates who appeared before us said they know they cannot run the House without the minority parties, especially the PDP, against a statement credited to someone to that effect.

"We don't have any preferred candidate yet; we are going to sit as a caucus, deliberate on it, analyse it and then come up with our position. I wish we could strike a deal but no deal yet,� he said.

The Director-General (DG) of the Femi Gbajabiamila Campaign Organisation, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano), told journalists that an understanding is expected to be reached with the main opposition party within two days as negotiations are ongoing.

According to him, "On the issue of apportionment of responsibilities at the Ninth Assembly, we requested the PDP to raise a committee to meet with the APC caucus in the next 48 hours to cede some positions to the PDP in the spirit of unity.

"The reality is that after winning the election, it is again, one House. So, we have confirmed

to the PDP that we will run an inclusive House and we have commenced a negotiation to see the kind of positions to cede to the PDP members.�

parking laws in the FCT. The new bill empowers the FCT administration, in collaboration with the FCT Internal Revenue Service, to embark on the overall enforcement of parking rules.

The bill also saddles the proposed agency with the responsibilities of producing and administering vehicle and drivers’ licences in collaboration with relevant federal agencies.

The specific functions of the FCT traffic management service as contained in the bill include regulating road traffic management and motor vehicle

administration within the FCT. The agency will also regulate, register, revoke, licence and renew motor vehicle documents and issuance of vehicle identification number plates in the FCT. It will also conduct roadworthiness test and issue road-worthiness certificates to all categories of vehicles for the purposes of ridding the FCT of non-road worthy vehicles.

The agency will be responsible for training and testing drivers to ensure competence for issuance of driver’s licences in the FCT.

Goje Meets Tinubu in Saudi Arabia THISDAY also gathered yesterday that Goje representing Gombe Central, and former twotime governor of Gombe State, was in Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj, where he met with Tinubu in Medina on Tuesday.

The senator who is believed to be eyeing the Ninth Senate presidency is yet to formally declare his ambition.

He was said to have met with Tinubu who was also in Saudi for Umrah, after the breaking of fast.

Although details of their meeting were sketchy, THISDAY gathered that Senator Abu Ibrahim (Katsina South) was with Tinubu when Goje met with the former Lagos State governor.

A former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, who is also a contender for the same position, has also arrived in Medina, for Umrah.

SENATE ADDRESSES BUHARI’S CONCERNS, PASSES PIG BILL Federal Polytechnic, Iwerekun, Ibeju-Lekki Establishment Bill and the Federal College of Education (Technical), Korinya, Benue State Establishment Bill.

The seven bills sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North), that went through concurrence include the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Administration Service Bill 2019; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi Act (Amendment) Bill 2019; University Veterinary Teaching Hospitals and Veterinary Specialist Hospital, Abuja (Constitution of Boards)

Bill 2019; Obafemi Awolowo University (Transitional Provisions) Act (Amendment) Bill 2019; National Biosafety Management Agency Act (Amendment) Bill 2019; University of Maiduguri Act (Amendment) Bill 2019; and Defence Intelligence Agency Civilian Pension Board (Est, etc) Bill 2019.

The five other bills that were passed after going through the third reading are National Road Fund (Establishment, etc) Bill; School of Mines and Geological Studies, Guyuk, Adamawa State (Est, etc) Bill 2019; Federal

University, Uga (Est, etc) Bill; Federal University of Aquatic Studies, Ogharu, Anambra State ( Est, etc) Bill 2019; and the Federal College of Education (Technical), Aghoro, Bayelsa State (Est, etc) Bill 2019.

Specifically, the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Administration Service Bill 2019 seeks to establish road traffic and motor vehicle administration service agency in the Federal Capital Territory.

The proposed agency, if the bill is assented to by Buhari, will among others, review the parking fees and enforce the

THISDAY gathered that Ndume who arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday might met with Tinubu.

Also yesterday, the Deputy Senate Presidency ambition of Senator Kabiru Gaya (Kano South) received a boost with a Coalition of Northern youths organisations supporting his candidature.

The youth bodies, which include Northern Youths Council, Northern Youths Anti-corruption Frontier, Arewa Youths Development Forum, Northern Youths Assembly of Nigeria, Network for Northern Nigeria Youths and Fulbe Global Youths Network, said in a statement that Gaya's emergence as Deputy Senate president would benefit the country.

The statement by the Coordinator of the coalition, Alhaji Aminu Saleh, said Gaya’s election would ensure equity and fairness among geopolitical zones.

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Masari Seeks Security Chiefs’ Help to Stop Killings Suspends inauguration activities Shola Oyeyipo, Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Francis Sardauna in Katsina Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari, has urged security chiefs to come up with measures to end the killings and kidnapping going on in his state.

The governor said the deadly attacks, if unchecked, would hamper the state’s economic growth and trigger off a food crisis by the end of this year's farming season.

He spoke in Katsina when he received a team set up by the Nigeria Army, led

by Maj. Gen B I Ahanotu, to assess the recent attacks on communities in Batsari, Faskari and Danmusa Local Government Areas.

The team was set up on the order of President Muhammadu Buhari who had directed the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, to constitute an assessment team to intervene on the security challenges facing the state.

The team is also to find out how the attacks were carried out by the bandits and put structures in place to avert future occurrence.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Mannir Yakubu, said the state government had done its best to tame the criminals through the introduction of amnesty programme.

However, he expressed regrets that such measures could not address the banditry; hence the outcry for help from

the military to end the orgy of killings in the state.

He attributed the persistent killings and abduction in the state to the porous nature of the country's borders, adding that the insecurity facing states such as Zamfara and Kaduna has jeopardised the relative peace being enjoyed in Katsina previously.

According to Masari, "Even before this administration came on board, there were cases of herdsmen and farmers clashes. But when we came in, we did our best to tame it by introducing the amnesty programme and as of that time the situation stopped.

"Unfortunately, banditry and kidnapping surfaced. The latest was the very sad incident that happened in Batsari where dead bodies were brought to Government House and the emir's palace.

"There is certainly a great need to bring peace to the state. Raining season is already on and our people need to go back to their farms. If we did not get them back to the farm by the end of this year, there will be food crisis.

"So, I hope this assessment will be done as soon as possible to bring peace back to the state. Prompt action should be taken to ensure that peace is restored in Katsina State."

He assured the delegation that the state government would continue to support the security agencies with equipment and funds to boost their operations.

Earlier, Ahanotu had informed the governor that his team was in the state to ascertain circumstances surrounding the recent attacks

on some communities.

He said the team after its assessment, would put in place proactive measures to end banditry in the state.

Bandits had attacked some communities in the state, killing no fewer than 34 persons and injuring many others.

The bandits invaded Mara Zamfarawa village in Danmusa LGA; Sabon-Layin Galadima community of Faskari LGA and Yar’Gamji village of Batsari LGA, shooting sporadically.

Hundreds of youths from Batsari LGA had marched on the Government House, Katsina and the palace of the Emir of Katsina with 18 of the bodies of the victims.

They protested what they described as persistent killings of residents in the area by bandits.

The banditry in the state forced the government yesterday to announce the cancellation of all activities lined up for the inauguration of a new administration in the state.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Mustapha Inuwa, said in a statement that the decision was to commiserate with the families and victims of the recent attacks.

"The attacks have led to the death of many people and left many others injured and homeless. To this end, all activities that are usually organised for the event have been cancelled, except the mandatory.

According to him, only the swearing-in of the governor and his deputy, as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), will hold on May 29.

Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Oppose Plans to Set up ‘Herdsmen Radio’ Meanwhile, leaders from the southern and Middle Belt parts of Nigeria under the umbrella of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), have expressed reservations over a plan by the federal government to establish a Fulani language-speaking radio station.

The body, in a statement

by Yinka Odumakin (Southwest), Prof Chigozie Ogbu (South-east), Senator Bassey Henahaw (Sout-south) and Dr. Isuwa Dogo (Middle Belt), said setting up the radio station would amount to impunity. “The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum received with rude shock the in-yourface impunity of the Buhari-led government announcement of plan to set up an AM Radio Station for Fulani herdsmen to broadcast in Fulfude. “It smacks of hypocrisy and deception for a government that has in the last four years denied responsibility on behalf of the Fulani herdsmen for crimes they even owned up to, to now tell us it wants to set up a radio for them to address the same issues. “Section 55 of the 1999 Constitution recognises English, Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo as languages in which the official business of the National Assembly can be conducted. There was no mention of Fulani, which is not a language most northerners even understand. “Why this sudden

promotion of a language? Will it also set up radio stations for the officially recognised languages and the over 250 languages spoken in different parts of Nigeria? “We fear seriously that the proposed radio will become a weapon of spreading hate propaganda against other nationalities in Nigeria given the kid gloves treatment with which the Buhari administration has handled the killings of thousands of Nigerians in the last four years. “We are guided by the genocide-aiding role radio played in inciting ordinary citizens to take part in the massacre of Tutsis and moderate Hutus during the Rwandan Genocide,� SMBLF stated.

The leaders said the federal government setting up a radio for herdsmen would threaten national unity.

In a related development, the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) yesterday claimed it killed 20 Nigerian soldiers in Gubio, Borno State.

A security source and a humanitarian worker, both requesting anonymity because they were not allowed to speak to media, said insurgents struck the northeastern town of Gubio on Monday evening, in vehicles mounted with heavy machine guns and on motorbikes.

The insurgents and soldiers exchanged fire for more than an hour before the army withdrew, said the humanitarian worker, who

counted the corpses of more than 15 soldiers.

A Nigerian military spokesman said he would send a comment on the Islamic State claim, but at the time of writing had not.

Efforts made to reach Army Spokesman, Col Sagir Musa, were unsuccessful as he neither picked his calls nor replied text messages sent to his phone.

Nigeria has said the terror group, and its rival Boko Haram, are on the back foot, as the sides engage in a battle of propaganda to show who has the upper hand in the decade-long conflict.

The war has killed more than 30,000 people and displaced millions more.

The Islamic State said in its claim of responsibility, translated into English and published by SITE Intelligence, that its fighters had attacked an army barracks and killed 20 soldiers in Gubio on Monday.

In a separate video also released on Wednesday, Islamic State West Africa showed the execution of nine Nigerian soldiers. It was not immediately possible to independently verify the video.

Before their executions, the soldiers identified themselves by their military service numbers, units and names.

Some said where and when they had been captured. For others, it was not immediately clear.

The video also showed Islamic State fighters pledging allegiance to the group’s leader Abubakr al-Baghdadi, along with artillery, tanks and boats it said it had captured from the military and attacks on Nigerian military bases.

the Nigeria Police and putting the right police officers in appropriate places. “What it means for us is that we have been given a huge task to make sure that we provide security within the country and make the country crime-free, which means that we have re-doubled our efforts. “Whatever strategy we have put in place, we have to look at it, and re-strategise day in, day out to make sure that insecurity

in the country goes down to the barest minimum.

"We have to look at our strategy and re-strategise and also look at our personnel to re-organise the way our system is structured, identify the right personnel in the right places to have them do the job.

"So, it requires re-strategising for us to be able to dig deep into what is happening in the North-west so as to deal with the situation squarely," Adamu added.

in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, congratulated Fayemi on his emergence as Chairman of NGF. The president said Fayemi’s choice by consensus indicated the degree of confidence in him by his colleagues.

He urged the new chairman to see the election as a unique opportunity to forge a harmonious and fruitful working relationship with the federal government and other tiers of government. “The focal objective of the NGF at all times ought to be the higher interest of the people of this country above partisan, political, religious or regional differences,� he said.

Buhari said the federal government would continue to support the Forum in its laudable objectives.

Also, Fayemi’s predecessor as governor of Ekiti State, Mr.

Ayodele Fayose, in a statement by his Media Aide, Lere Olayinka, said the governor’s emergence as NGF chairman was well deserved to him and the people of the state.

Fayose said: "I congratulate Fayemi on his appointment and elevation as the chairman of the NGF. "It is well deserved for you and the entire people of Ekiti State. Politics will come and go, but Ekiti State will remain eternal."

An APC chieftain, Dr. Olusegun Osinkolu, while congratulating Fayemi, advised him to use the highly influential status to ensure that there is equity and justice in the distribution of the country's wealth.

Another APC chieftain, Kayode Ojo, urged Fayemi to take actions that would not heat up the polity but bring development.

ISWAP Kills 20 Nigerian Soldiers

BUHARI, GOVERNORS CONFIRM ADAMU AS IG Briefing journalists after the meeting, which lasted for about 45 minutes, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and his Cross River State counterpart, Prof. Ben Ayade, said Adamu was unanimously confirmed because he had performed creditably well.

According to Fayemi, all members of the council attested to his sense of discipline and professionalism.

Fayemi said Adamu was the first police personnel in Africa

to earn an international status as a Director of Interpol, Germany.

Ayade also narrated how he called Adamu when his state was having security challenges, and he promptly intervened to restore order.

He said his response underscored his sense of responsibility and accessibility, which an IG should exhibit.

Fielding questions from State House correspondents on his confirmation, the IG said he briefed the council on security

situation in the country and the efforts the police were making to control the situation.

According to him, what followed was his confirmation as IG. “I was ushered in and I briefed the council on the security situation in the country and the efforts we are putting in place or have put in place to address the security challenges.

After the presentation, I was confirmed as the IG,� he said.

Adamu described his

confirmation by the Police Council as a challenge to further deploy energy and commitment to combat the security situation in the country.

According to him, his confirmation is a call to strategise and re-strategise on how to address banditry in the North-west and rid the country of prevalent criminal activities.

He also said his confirmation placed on his shoulders the responsibility of re-organising

FAYEMI’S EMERGENCE AS NGF CHAIR POSITIONS HIM AS A S’WEST NUMERO UNO and former Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, who both chaired the NGF, had used the platform to position themselves for more relevance in the current political dispensation.

Saraki, who left the Kwara Government House for the Senate, subsequently became the Senate president while Amaechi emerged as the Director-General of Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2015 and a powerful cabinet member in the outgoing administration.

So, with Fayemi’s emergence now, given his education and skill, he is likely to be in contention for South-west leadership between now, 2023 and beyond; given that he is young and could be in pole position with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

He is the youngest among former Lagos State Governor, Chief Bola Tinubu, now a national leader of the All Progressives

Congress (APC) and Osinbajo.

And being elected governor for eight years, by the time he finishes his second term in office, he is in a strong position should he wish to even run for the presidency in 2023. This has made him a politician to watch.

Meanwhile, Fayemi has vowed that political considerations would not make him sacrifice national interest as NGF chair.

He said his leadership would address all issues that come its way “as amicably as possible in the overall interest� of the country.

Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, said he was ready to build on the commitment of his predecessors by ensuring that states have a strong partnership with the federal government.

According to him, his election as the chairman of NGF and that of Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, as deputy

chairman showed that the NGF represents Nigeria regardless of political persuasion.

Fayemi said: “My colleague, Tambuwal, and I are delighted at the choice made by our colleagues this evening through consensus. With the confidence reposed in us and in accepting this onerous responsibility that has been handed over to us, we promise our colleagues that we will step into the big shoes that Governor Yari will be leaving behind. We will build on the success story of this forum right from Governor Abdulahi Adamu to Governors Victor Attah, Lucky Igbinedion, Bukola Saraki, among others. “We will build on this commitment with strong partnership with the federal government as federating unit and thrash out issues as amicably as possible in the overall interest of our country.

"This is something that all

parties of different persuasions have done and as you can see, the leadership comprises I from the majority ruling party and Tambuwal from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). What is most important is that this is unanimously chosen and we represent Nigeria regardless of our political persuasions.

"What we are going to do will be in the overall interest of our country in ensuring that our states are continuously strengthened; our country derives the benefit of strong dedicated states to our citizens and our partnership with all arms of government-federal government, the legislature and the development partners working with us in the overall interest of Nigerians.�

The statement came just as goodwill messages poured in for Fayemi on his election as the NGF chair.

President Muhammadu Buhari

FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

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

At $67, Crude Oil Price on Track for Biggest Weekly Drop Ejiofor Alike with agency reports Crude oil prices plunged to $67 per barrel yesterday, losing about five per cent as trade tensions dampened the demand outlook, putting the crude benchmarks on course for their biggest daily and weekly falls in six months.

Reuters reported that oil coursed downward with other global markets as concerns grew that the trade conflict between China and the United States was fast turning into a technology cold war between the world’s two largest economies.

While the trade war is the main cloud over economic growth and demand predictions, market participants also pointed to weakening United States data and overfull US crude stockpiles.

Brent crude futures, Consequently, the international benchmark, Brent settled down $3.23, or 4.6 per cent, at $67.76 a barrel.

The United States West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also dropped $3.51, or 5.7 per cent, to $57.91 per barrel. Earlier, the contract touched $57.33 a barrel, the lowest since March 13.

That was a second consecutive daily decline for the benchmarks. WTI fell 2.5

per cent on Wednesday after government data showed US crude inventories rose last week, hitting their highest levels since July 2017.

Fears of supply disruption amid heightened tensions in the Middle East had earlier overshadowed swelling United States crude inventories and raised crude price above $76.

Crude price was then drawing support from the risk of conflict in the Middle East, with helicopters carrying US staff from the US embassy in Baghdad last week out of apparent concern over perceived threats from Iran.

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defence Minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, a son of King Salman, had also accused Iran of ordering an attack on Saudi oil pumping stations that Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi militia had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Tehran had also reportedly denied providing arms to the Houthis.

The drone attack reportedly happened two days after four vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, were damaged by sabotage off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.

The other ships were a Norwegian-registered oil

Atiku Calls for Lai Mohammed’s Arrest over False Alarm Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has demanded for the arrest of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, for raising false alarm that the PDP and its presidential candidate were planning to upstage the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The former vice president said he was abreast of some other plans to plant fictitious stories in some mushroom media outlets aimed at discrediting him and his party.

Atiku in a statement yesterday by his Media Adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, said it had uncovered the grand plot being orchestrated by some agents of evil to stagemanage pockets of crisis targeted at attacking the reputation of Atiku.

“It is very unsettling that senior administration’s officials, especially those who are the mouthpiece of government will make reckless but calculated comments to tarnish the image of Atiku Abubakar and government will sit idly on it.

“With the conclusion reached by Premium Times’ investigative reporting that there is no evidentiary proof to back the claim

by Lai Mohammed that the

opposition was planning to upstage the government, we demand that the information minister should be arrested for raising false alarm and an apology rendered to Atiku Abubakar and the PDP,” the statement stated.

He emphasised that by the merit of what is beginning to unfold, there are plans to create some upset across the country whereby alleged perpetrators of such crimes would engage in phantom names -dropping of Atiku and some senior personalities in his party.

The former vice-president said that it becomes preponderant that he alerts the public of the “demonic plan’’ and to say that it would be imprudent to compromise the peace and security of Nigerians in order to score a cheap political goal.

According him, “we wish to blow the whistle as an early warning alert of the grandiose scheme being put together by some unscrupulous elements aimed at jeopardising the reputation of Atiku Abubakar in the coming days and weeks.

“Towards this end, and for the umpteenth time, we call on the federal government to be awake to its responsibilities of providing security and ensuring peace, and to desist from actions and utterances that are capable of exposing our fault lines,” the statement added.

products tanker and a UAEflagged bunker barge.

All these attacks took place against a backdrop of United States-Iranian tension following Washington’s decision this

month to try to cut Tehran’s oil exports to zero and beef up its military presence in the Gulf in response to what it called Iranian threats.

Though the tensions have

pushed up oil prices, a rise in US crude oil inventories to their highest since 2017 helped to cap prices.

Also keeping prices in check is uncertainty about whether the

Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other producers will continue supply cuts that have raised oil prices by more than 30 per cent so far this year.

REWARD FOR HARDWORK...

President Muhammadu Buhari (right), in a handshake with the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, during his confirmation by the Police Council at the State House, Abuja...yesterday

Again, ASUU Threatens Industrial Action Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday threatened to disrupt academic activities through strike, accusing President Muhammadu Buhari-led government of not keeping to its own side of the bargain in the 2019 Memorandum of Action (MoA).

The ASUU National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, who made this known in statement in Abuja, said the N25 billion, which the federal government, through the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said it had approved for the union, was meant to be a part-payment

of the Earned Academic Allowances and should have been released in February.

He also said the current leadership of the government team clearly lacked the academic disposition and humility needed to undertake the task of negotiation with the body for a better learning environment.

“Since information on the amounts mentioned in the media went round, the ASUU has been inundated with enquiries on the union’s perspective to the story.

“Funding for the revitalisation of public universities has for years been of very high priority to ASUU. Reaching an agreement with the federal

government has often been a frustrating journey for our union. It is often marked with protests, strikes and requires a conscious and focused engagement,’’ the statement stated.

He said that the 2001 agreement, which gave birth to the 2009 agreement, was not an exemption, adding that the exception is the personality leading the government negotiation team.

ASUU further stated, “the current leadership of the government team clearly lacks the academic disposition and humility needed to undertake such task.

“Our members enjoy their work and hate to see any

disruption in the smooth running of our universities.

However, the level of frustration occasioned by the lackadaisical attitude of the government towards meeting the terms of the 2019 Memorandum of Action that was freely signed with our union is increasingly becoming unbearable,’’ he explained.

The union called on all Nigerian patriots, parents and students including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to prevail on the government to keep to the terms of the agreement, warning that the union should not be held responsible for any disruption in the system.

Court Convicts Ex-NIMASA Acting DG, Obi, to Be Sentenced May 28 Davidson Iriekpen Justice Mojisola Olatoregum of a Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday convicted a former Acting DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Calistus Obi, for N136 million fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had preferred an eight-count charge against Obi, who was also a former Executive Director of the agency.

He was charged along with one Alu Dismas, an aide to Patrick Akpobolokemi, a former

Director-General of NIMASA. Also charged are two companies, Grand Pact Ltd. and Global Seal Investment Ltd. The court convicted the defendants yesterday, after it found them guilty of the allegations in the charge.

In a judgment that lasted for about two and half hours, Olatoregun found the first defendant (Obi) guilty of counts five, six, seven and eight of the charge, and also found the second defendant (Dismas) guilty of counts two and four of the charge.

Meanwhile, the judge discharged the defendants

of counts one and three of the charge.

She adjourned the case until May 28 to hear allocutus (plea for mercy) of the convicts, after which the court will deliver its sentence.

The judge ordered the defendants to be remanded in prison pending sentencing.

The defendants had each pleaded not guilty to the charges on arraignment, and were admitted to bail in the sum of N5 million each, with sureties in like sum.

EFCC closed its case on January 31, 2017, while the defence filed a no-case

submission.

The court dismissed the no-case submission on February 21, 2017, and ordered the defence to open its case.

According to the charge, the defendants committed the offences on August 5, 2014.

The prosecution said that they conspired to convert the money from NIMASA, with the knowledge that it was a proceed of stealing.

The alleged offences contravene the provisions of Sections 15 and 18(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibitions (Amendment) Act, 2012.

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NEWSEXTRA

NERC Grants More Discos, MAPs Metering Permits Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued permits to Kaduna and Eko Discos as well as their Meter Asset Providers (MAPs), as part of efforts to close the metering gap, while eliminating the practice of estimated billing in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

They got the permits barely a month after NERC granted same licences to Port Harcourt, Yola, Enugu and Ibadan Discos as well as their MAPs. NERC said in a statement yesterday that it issued permits to the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC) and the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC)’s MAPs, in accordance with the MAP Regulations- NERC- R-112 of 2018.

It said that the permits were issued to MAPs that were successful in the procurements conducted

by KEDC and EKEDC, adding that Section 4(3)

of the MAP Regulation 2018 requires all electricity distribution licensees to engage MAPs that would assist, as investors, in closing the metering gap and thus eliminating the practice of estimated billing in the NESI. The General Manager, Public Affairs Department of NERC, Dr. Usman Arabi, in the statement, said the commission had also directed that the rollout of meters should commence no later than the May 1, 2019.

He stated that, “customers of these Discos should expect from the commencement of rollout date for meters to be installed in their premises within 10 working days of making payment to MAPs in accordance with section 18 (3) of the MAP Regulations 2018.

“KEDC has appointed Crest Hill Engineering Limited, Holley Metering Ltd, Integrated Power Nigeria Limited and Mojec International Limited, while EKEDC has appointed Armese Consulting Limited, Bendoricks Integrated

Police Nab 24 Suspected Kidnappers, Armed Robbers in Kogi Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The Kogi State Police Command has said it arrested 24 persons suspected to be kidnappers, armed robbers and bandits.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Hakeem Busari, stated this yesterday in Lokoja, the state capital, while briefing journalists.

He said that four persons – Adamu Hassan, Umar Salihu, Ibrahim Musa, Usman Abubakar and Muhammed Bello – suspected to be herdsmen were arrested by the operatives of “Operation Puff Adder,” following a tip-off.

Busari said that the police had received distress calls and other information that the suspects were behind series of kidnapping on Obajana-Kabba road.

He said that 10 suspects were arrested in connection with robbery incidents in Lokoja, Ogugu, Olamaboro, Ayangba and Dekina local government areas (LGAs).

He said that two pistols and one locally-made single-barrel gun were recovered from three of the suspects, whose name he gave as Aliyu Sule, Danjuma Isah and Musa Seidu.

According to the commissioner, four rifles, comprising one AK47, two pump-action and one singlebarrel gun and 30 rounds of live ammunitions and 12 cartridges were recovered from them.

He said that two other suspects, Friday Abah and Ogbaje Chukwuma, were held for robbing one Mr. Ojochenemi Baba and a filling station manager of their cars, cash and other valuables on March 11 at Olamaboro.

Busari said that a Toyota Camry with registration number Lagos EKY 473 DZ, one Sharon car, three

handsets, a TV decoder, one flat screen television, one single-barrel gun and six live cartridges were found in their possession.

Also arrested for alleged armed robbery, he said, were Abdulkarim Sunday and Benjamin Stephen, who were caught at Ayangba on May 5, adding that one locallymade gun and a telephone were recovered from them.

He disclosed that two suspects, Danlami Mohammed and Abdulkadiri Ismail, were apprehended for motorcycle snatching, and Martin Igwe and Emeka Okeke for being in possession stolen vehicle parts.

Busari also stated that four other suspects – Alhaji Usman, Usman Arome, Ogwu Shaibu and Yakubu Stanlus – were arrested for attacking herdsmen passing through Ulara village in Dekina LGA on March 18.

According to him, the Fulani herdsmen stopped over in the village to break their fast when they were attacked by the armed youths.

He said that three herdsmen and 846 cows were still missing, adding that many of the cows were believed to have been killed by the villagers.

The police boss said that a team of operatives of SARS Unit of the command that went to the village to assess the situation were engaged in a gun duel by the armed youths.

“In the process, the four suspects were arrested and one unknown corpse recovered, with a gun,” he said.

He promised to get to the root of the attack on the herdsmen and bring the culprits to book, adding that all the suspects would be charged to court.

Limited, CIG Metering Assets Nigeria Limited, Gospel Digital Technology, Integrated Resources Limited, Mojec International Limited and Turbo Energy Limited, respectively to provide meters within their respective franchise under MAP.” The MAPs will also charge an upfront amount

of N36,991.50 for single-phase meters and N67,055.85 for three phase meters.

The statement said the cost of the meters is inclusive of supply, installation, maintenance and replacement of meters over its technical life.

He also assured that the commission would monitor

closely the rollout plan of the distribution licensees and overall compliance with the regulation and various service agreements by the MAP and electricity distribution licensees.

NERC had issued permits to MAPs to roll out new meters, not later than May 1.

The Chairman of

Momas Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company Ltd (MEMMCOL), which emerged as MAP for the Ibadan Disco, Mr. Kola Balogun, had revealed that the meter manufacturers had started massive production of meters to meet NERC’s directive of May 1 rollout deadline.

CREDIBLE ELECTION IN FOCUS…

L-R: A guest, Dr. Erepamo Osaisai; former President Goodluck Jonathan; and former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Timi Alaibe, during a workshop on Credible Governorship Election and Good Governance organised by Ijaw Elders’ Forum in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State...recently

Open Sinking, Escrow Accounts to Repay Your Debt, China Tells Nigeria Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The Chinese Government has advised its Nigerian counterpart to as a matter of priority, open a sinking fund and an escrow account to be able to seamlessly repay the loans which it borrowed from the Asian country for the construction of rail projects, particularly the Abuja-Kaduna rail.

Two years after the commencement of operation of the Abuja-Kaduna railway, the federal government has stated that it was yet to commence the repayment of over $500million Chinese loan for the standard gauge rail line.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Chibuike Ameachi, disclosed this yesterday during his valedictory press briefing in Abuja.

The minister expressed dismay that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) managing director was yet to follow his directive to create a sinking fund or escrow account that can be used to pay back the loan, saying it is important that the ministry start repayment even before the federal government starts.

Amaechi stated that the Nigerian Government is seeking another $1.8 billion from the China Exim Bank for the construction of the coastal rail line, noting that federal government had not paid any of the Chinese loans even though full commercial operation had commenced on the Abuja-Kaduna railway corridor.

According to him, “The NRC had announced that their revenue generation had increased by 400

percent in 2018 as against the revenue it was generating in 2017.

“The NRC Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria, had disclosed that in 2017, the corporation was earning N16million monthly, however, in 2018, the figure rose up to N80million monthly as against the N100million target.

“The NRC MD had initially put their cost operation on a monthly basis at N56million but later announced that their cost operation had increased to N100million, attributing it to the high cost of diesel.”

Amaechi stressed that the need to start repaying back the loan was because of the reservation of the Chinese on the inability of some African countries to repay their loan, adding that the Chinese

had insisted “we open two accounts-the escrow account and the sinking fund account.”

Speaking further, the minister said: “They know I am going and that I may not come back but I want the permanent secretary to hold him to that instruction.

The instruction was that all the money they realised from the Abuja-Kaduna railway line should be kept in an account and the cost operation should be removed while the remaining one should be used to pay back the loan.”

He further observed that the Chinese wanted them to put repayment fund in the sinking fund account annually while the money of the management of the operation should be put in the escrow account.

Russia Plans Stronger Economic Ties with Nigeria Chris Uba The Russian Federation is planning to increase the tempo of economic relationship with Nigeria as part of the ongoing efforts to renew the Soviet Union era relationship with Africa, which went down after the collapse of the union.

The Executive Director of Russia-Nigeria Business Council (RNBC), Mr. Valeriy Vozdvizhenskiy, who stated this when he led a 15-man business

delegation to Nigeria, said the Russian Government has planned to increase economic relationship with Nigeria because of the strategic position the country occupies in Africa.

Currently, according to Vozdvizhenskiy, who spoke during a Business Forum hosted by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) last Wednesday in Lagos, the Russian total investment in Nigeria is $300 million, an amount which he considered very low.

The visit, he said, was designed to improve on this.

He said following the ongoing effort to strengthen relationship with African countries in line with what was obtained during the era of the defunct Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR), the tempo of trade between the two countries would increase even as he added that President Muhammadu Buhari has been selected as one of the leaders to participate in the Russian-African Summit slated to hold in Moscow later this year.

The summit, he added, would be presided over by President Vladimir Putin.

Vozdvizhenskiy said the delegation was in Nigeria to explore business opportunities, adding that their interests include agriculture, energy, information, technology, petrochemical, construction, transportation, communication and manufacturing.

He urged Russian companies to invest in Nigeria because it is the largest and most important economy in Africa.

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NEWS

FG: Social Investment Schemes Gulped N470. 82bn in Three Years Says $22.21m disbursed from Abacha loot

James Emejo in Abuja The Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments, Mrs. Maryam Uwais, yesterday disclosed that N470.82 billion had been released and spent on the various National Social Investment Programmes (NSIPs) of the federal government between 2016 and 2018, out of the annual approved N500 billion.

Giving a breakdown of the expenditure, she said the sum of N79. 98 billion was disbursed in 2016; N140 billion in 2017; and N250.84 billion in 2018.

She further hinted that a bill seeking to create a legal entity for the NSIPs for the purposes of sustainability had already been drafted and currently receiving attention.

Addressing journalists on

the progress of the first phase of the various social investment programmes initiated by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration from 2016-2019 tagged “From Conception to Consolidation,” the minister added that a five-year road map had also been designed and being considered by relevant policy makers.

The special adviser further disclosed that out of the $322 million Abacha loot released and kept at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), an equivalent of $22.21 million had so far been disbursed for NSIPs. Uwais further clarified that all ongoing social welfare intervention initiatives, particularly the conditional cash transfer (CCT) to the “poorest of the poor” are free of charge, as it is meant to address their consumption needs as well as encourage them

to save and invest.

She however, added that all loans disbursed to petty traders under the scheme should be repaid.

She noted that the social protection scheme was the initiative of Buhari’s administration on assumption of office in 2015, to improve the lives of all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, political affiliation and social class.

The four broad programmes of the social investments included the N-Power; Conditional Cash Transfers (CTC); National Home-Grown School Feeding and Government Enterprise (NHGSFP) and Empowerment Programmes (GEEP).

The presidential adviser stated that there are currently about 526,000 N-Power youths - both graduate and non-graduate - whose identities have been

After 61Years, Israeli PM Plans toVisit Nigeria The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Shimon Ben-Shosan, said yesterday that his Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, and the President, Mr. Reuvin Rivlin, could visit Nigeria soon, 61 years after an Israeli PM came to Nigeria in 1958.

Ben-Shosan also said Israel would want President Muhammed Buhari to pay a visit to the country, saying that such visits from the topmost political leaders on both sides would be “historic.”

He spoke at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when he presented his Letters of Credence to the Nigerian President.

Buhari had already invited

Netanyahu to attend Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebrations coming up on June 12.

The ambassador did not say whether Netanyahu would honour the invitation, but he spoke of the many years of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Israel.

He said, ‘‘Next year will be 60 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Israel, and the last time a Prime Minister of Israel visited Nigeria was in 1958. ‘‘My dream is to bring my Prime Minister and President to visit Nigeria and for President Buhari to visit Israel.

“That will be historic for us.”

A State House statement released by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said Buhari, while receiving the envoy, acknowledged the diversity of Nigeria as being the “strength for the development of the country.”

The statement added, “The President said Nigeria and Israel have enjoyed cordial bilateral relations, highlighting that many Nigerian Christians look forward to performing pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Israel.”

He congratulated Ben-Shosan on his appointment, urging him to go ground the country and appreciate its beauty.

‘FEC Divided over Establishment of Nigeria Air’ The Federal Executive Council (FEC) is divided on the modality for the establishment of the proposed national carrier called Nigeria Air, the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has said.

Amaechi, who disclosed this yesterday during his valedictory press briefing in Abuja, also revealed that China had insisted that Nigeria opens a sinking fund and an escrow account in order to be able to seamlessly repay the

loans which Nigeria borrowed from the Asian country for the construction of rail projects, particularly the Abuja-Kaduna rail.

The minister stated that members of the federal cabinet had different beliefs and positions as regards the establishment of a national carrier for Nigeria, but was quick to state that the project had not been abandoned.

He said, “On national carrier, (the) cabinet is divided on the issue of modality. There are

those who believe that the Federal Government should invest and then we can sell the equity later.

“There are also those who believe that no, and from day one they say ‘let us get investors in and give them the franchise of Nigeria Airways or Air Nigeria or whatever is called’. That is where we are and that is what held it down. But as for whether it is still in our plan, it is and has not been abandoned.”

Oyo Workers Give 24-hour Notice of Strike Kemi Olaitan inIbadan Few days to the end of the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi in Oyo State, workers in the state yesterday gave a 24-hour notice to commence strike and consequently paralyse government activities.

The workers under the aegis of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in a statement made available to journalists also catalogued what it called the ‘un-doings’ of the outgoing All Progressives Congress (APC) government of Ajimobi.

The state Chairman of NLC, Bayo Titlola-Sodo, had last Wednesday night given a hint of the impending strike while hosting journalists to ‘Iftar’ (breaking of fast) at the NULGE secretariat in

Ibadan.

According to him, “No government should treat workers as slaves. Let there be justice on how we relate with fellow citizens.

A number of teething issues had been on ground since 2011 when the outgoing government came to power.”

The NLC chairman, who lauded the federal government on the directives to the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) on local government allocations, was quick to add that the state government had usurped the powers of the local government for too long.

He also said there was no excuse for any state government not to pay the new minimum wage of N30, 000 recently signed into law

by President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, few hours after TitilolaSodo stated that the union was not getting favourable response from its negotiations with the outgoing government on a number of unresolved issues including how to end the ongoing primary school teachers’ strike, the labour leaders released a statement, giving ultimatum of a 24-hour strike notice to commence 12 noon today.

Part of the demands in a twopage statement jointly signed by the state NLC Secretary, Mohamed Ibrahim, and the Secretary of Joint Negotiating Council, Lukman Balogun, after a meeting of all public service union in the state, included payment of at least one month arrear of salary to some local government workers.

thoroughly verified and engaged under the programme.

According to her, N-Power is the employability and enhancement programme of the federal government aimed at imbibing the learn-workentrepreneurship culture in youths between the ages of 18 and 35 for graduates and non-graduates.

Under the NHGSFP, Uwais said there were 103,992 cooks on government payroll, with the government also feeding 9,714,342 pupils in 53,715 governmentowned primary schools around 31 States, while all the remaining states were at various stages of meeting the criteria laid for feeding to commence.

“These children are able to eat a balanced diet, towards improving their learning outcomes. “Furthermore, the agricultural value chain has been increasing by the day, assuring of a sustainable income for the small holder farmers, especially those that reside around our public schools,” she explained.

NDDC Chief Hails Amaechi on Rail Development In recognition of the performance of the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, in the task of improving public transportation in Nigeria, the Executive Director, Finance and Administration (EDFA) at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Chris Oyirinda Amadi, has commended the former Governor of Rivers State for his achievement.

In a statement personally signed by the NDDC chief, he pointed out that Amaechi has surpassed all expectations in the task he was given, especially given the indelible landmarks he made in the rail sector.

He noted that the minister has had a rich track record of performance, right from his days as the governor of Rivers State where he courageously embarked on several grand projects including the revolution in education and health sectors, including the Greater Port Harcourt project, and also in the mandate of delivering the election of President Muhammadu Buhari on the two elections of 2015 and 2019, as the Director General of the Campaign.

“I cannot but notice and commend the extra-ordinary accomplishment which the Hon Minister of Transportation, Rt

Hon Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has shown in the execution of the tasks of his ministry. He has done expressly well in all the various sectors of the ministry, including projecting the interest of the Niger Delta region, and he deserves the commendation of all and sundry,” the statement said.

The statement further noted that the fact that the hitherto neglected and abandoned rail transport in Nigeria is now a veritable option in some parts of the country, “is an eloquent testimony of the capacity to perform and a proof of how well the minister has taken and executed the brief of revamping the entire sector”.

FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°Í˛Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

COMMENT

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

POLITICS AS AN ART OF WAR

Justin Chukwuebere argues that the renewed probe of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, by the EFCC is politically motivated

“

The Art of War,� an influential work written by the late Chinese general, military strategist, writer and philosopher, Sun Tzu, perhaps provided official answers to the current intimidation and apparent persecution of the Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki. “When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil,� wrote the strategist. “When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.� The current travails of the outgoing Senate President and Director - General of the Atiku Presidential Campaign from the so-called fiscal watchdog, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which came days after his appointment as International Human Rights Commission’s ambassador at large cannot be divorced from politics or as Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki’s media adviser correctly put it, “a witch-hunt.� In their eyes, perhaps, the Senate President is not good enough to be so rewarded. How bad are things likely to get?

To be sure the EFCC has long been used as a tool to harass and indeed subdue political opponents over the years. But in this political dispensation, it has assumed a shameless dimension, consumed solely by the interest of its masters. Contrary to the act establishing it which emphasises that all persons should be treated without bias and prejudice, the commission has become a tool by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to cow, hunt and whip the opposition into line. In the present instance the commission is perhaps out to tactically force the opposition out its chosen path - withdraw the petition against President Buhari’s election from the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

Indeed, the renewed probe of Saraki could not be better termed. Two weeks ago, the EFCC had visited the Ikoyi area of Lagos where Saraki have some properties. Not sure of the exact properties belonging to him, except the three which were duly declared in the asset declaration form, the EFCC, in accord with its trademark of putting the cart before the horse, marked several buildings in the environs since it was “unsure of which of the properties that actually belong to the Senate President.� How does one describe this kind of investigation where properties were marked down for seizure before charges were filed and even worse, where incomplete information is leaked to the media? More confounding, the commission also had written a letter to the Kwara State Government House asking for the details of all of Saraki’s earnings - salaries, allowances and estacode during his eight years as governor. What could be the motive of this present hounding? What is more worrying is that the issue being exhumed by the commission had been ruled upon by the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) case which was obviously instigated by politics and before which Saraki was dragged, went beyond asset declaration. It went deep into criminal matters as to the source of funds for the properties in question, manner of purchase, when they were purchased and other details. So why does

THE EFCC OWES THE PEOPLE OF NIGERIA THE DUTY OF EXECUTING ITS MANDATE WITHOUT INFLUENCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY

the commission want to reopen litigation on a concluded matter? For instance, check out counts seven, eight and nine of the 18-count charge filed at CCT which went up to the Supreme Court. Excerpts from count seven states: “That various cash lodgements made into your Guarantee Trust Bank account at GT Bank, GRA, Ilorin through your aides as the Governor of Kwara State and your account officer and which funds you handed over to them in cash at the Kwara State Government House, Ilorin for the repayment of a loan you obtained from the said bank to acquire No. 17A and No 17B, McDonald, Ikoyi, Lagos....which sums were not fairly attributable to your income, gifts or loan approved by the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.� Count eight reads:�...cash lodgements into your current account with Guarantee Trust Bank Plc, which sum is not fairly attributable to your income.� Even count five reads: “That you acquired No. 17B McDonald, Ikoyi, Lagos on 6th September 2006 from the proceeds of sale of rice and sugar commodities whereas the said properties was (sic) acquired by you in the aggregate sum of N240,900,000 through loan you obtained from Guarantee Trust Bank Plc and other cash lodgements made into your account and you thereby committed an offence....�

I am compelled from the foregoing to fall in line with the words of the media adviser to the Senate President that the present investigations, as indeed like several in the past, were less than noble and patriotic because they “a mere witch-hunt exercise, aimed at settling scores, laced with malicious and partisan motives.� Nothing else can explain the commission’s desperation to please its masters than the resort to comb all the activities of the Senate President while he was holding as Governor of Kwara State. It is apparent that the directive to the commission is to search everywhere to find incriminating evidence against Bukola Saraki.

But why must a government be so obsessed to make enemies out of individuals who think differently in politics? How many outgoing Senate Presidents are subjected to this kind of treatment? And how many of his mates who were governors in the states are so deliberately hounded and harassed? Or in the words of the national publicity secretary of the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere Yinka Oduma, “Why is it that it is only Saraki that the EFCC is investigating, starting from 2003 when he was state governor and Senate President?�

There is no doubt that President Buhari’s war against corruption has long been compromised. The commission is failing so badly. It is unfortunate that even on eve of his inauguration for a disputed second term, the outlook is still darkening. This selective war is doing incalculable damage to the already waning image of the administration.

Trends in the war had since bore them out. Is it a coincidence that only opposition politicians are the only subject of enquiries of anti-graft agencies even when mounting allegations of corruption against many of its leading officials, including ministers remained uninvestigated?

The EFCC owes the people of Nigeria the duty of executing its mandate without influence from the government of the day.

WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM CHINA Nigeria should be serious on how to lift many of the people from poverty, writes Olusegun Adeniyi

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am delighted to participate in this important Roundtable on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) under the auspices of an evolving Abuja Beijing Consensus. Even before I was appointed into the Council of the Belt and Road News Network (BRNN) inaugurated last month in Beijing, I was already an advocate of the BRI that I believe has both the potential and capacity to disrupt the current international economic order for the benefit of most people, especially in Africa, if only our leaders can put their act together.

While as at the end of March this year no fewer than 125 countries and 29 international organisations had signed up to the BRI, I am also aware that there are still questions as to what exactly it means. Initiated in 2013 by President Xi Jinping, the multi-trillion dollar programme is about connecting the world by building infrastructure in the critical sector of transport and energy: roads, bridges, gas pipelines, ports, railways, and power plants.

So successful has the BRI become that by the end of last year, trade between China and other BRI countries had reached $1.3 trillion.

This underscores President Xi’s pledge in 2017 that what China “hope to create is a big family of harmonious co-existence.� We have seen the evidence of that in Nigeria with the roads and rail lines being built across the country with Chinese investment. Just recently, the federal executive council (FEC) approved a fresh $1 billion loan from the China-Exim Bank for the Gurara II Hydropower project.

However, if we are to derive maximum benefit from the BRI, we need to do more as a country. Last week, I published a rejoinder to my column from Mr Tony Ejinkeonye, the Business Development Director, Africa,

Esilknet Network; and National Vice President, NACCIMA. He has been involved with the BRI since inception through the Silk Road Chamber of International Commerce (SRCIC).

He admonished: “At all times in my private and public discourse with the Chinese, the emphasis has always been on doing business on a win – win basis. But like every business or nation, you don’t get what you deserve but rather what you negotiate. There is no free lunch anywhere. Western nations ate our breakfast. Eastern nations are now eating our lunch. Nigeria and Africa need to ensure that they don’t also eat our dinner.�

That is very instructive against the background that a June 2017 report by global consulting firm McKinsey on China’s financial flows to Africa, says there is considerable upside for the continent if Chinese investment and business activity accelerate. “At the macroeconomic level, African economies could gain greater capital investment to boost productivity, competitiveness, and technological readiness, and tens of millions more African workers could gain stable employment�. However, the paper also argues that at the microeconomic level, there will be winners and losers, “particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, where African firms are significantly lagging behind global productivity levels�. It therefore stated that “African incumbents will need to dramatically improve their productivity and efficiency to compete—or partner effectively—with new Chinese companies on their turf.�

The report cites one advantage that is fast becoming a problem: young population. With some estimates showing that 60 per cent of Africa’s total population is between the ages of 15 and 25 that should be a plus. But it is

not. Basically because more than 50 per cent of these young people are illiterate, and many of them have little or no skills. Even “those who have some education often exhibit skills irrelevant to the current demand in the labour market�. We have to tackle this challenge, especially in our country. As China therefore uses the BRI to open the space for expanding inclusive economic growth and diplomatic ties on a global scale, our country must position itself very well to take advantage of the opportunities. But much more importantly, we must learn from the experience of China.

I have been to China seven times but the most memorable was the visit in April 2012 as one of the 36 participants (drawn from Africa, Middle East, South East Asia and Eastern Europe) to attend a three-week “Seminar on Press and Publications in Developing Countries�. One thing that I found fascinating throughout the programme was that all the officials who interacted with us projected China as both big and small, old and new, rich and poor—all in equal measure. They kept reminding us that while their country may be the second in economic size after United States, the per capita GDP of $4371 at the time also ranked her as 95th in the world.

Speaking about what she described as the fixation of the West about China, Ms Yao Junmei, a top official at the China Society for Human Rights Studies, told us, “You need to visit our rural areas to understand the challenges our people still grapple with�, as she tried to explain the reason behind the one-child policy that has in recent years been relaxed. “I am the 7th of eight children by my parents and going to school was difficult. In some families, only one child among many could go to school while in many others

nobody could because of poverty. In my own case, things were so rough that I never ate banana until I graduated in 1981.�

With visionary leadership, China has turned the tide and is lifting its people from poverty to prosperity in an unprecedented manner such that Ms Yao also told us: “When I visited Italy and the Prime Minister told me, ‘you Chinese are now so prosperous that you wear the same cloth as we do’, I replied: “On the contrary, it’s you who wear the same cloth as we do because we Chinese produce the materials that are then exported to Italy.�

There are significant lessons there for us in Nigeria. The first is about the false impression we create. Nigeria is by all accounts a poor nation though with enormous potential yet we have for decades deceived ourselves into believing we are rich on account of mismanaged oil rent. We need to wean ourselves of that illusion and get serious. With all her wealth, China is more concerned about its people that still live in poverty. The second is about our growing population that is not backed by investment in education and health. Can we do something about it as China did? The third is the national pride that comes with achieving something great.

At the end, the ultimate lesson I took away from my trip to China in 2012 which will also serve us today is that there is nothing we cannot achieve if we are ready to work together as a team in pursuit of a common goal. That is the value China now brings to the world with the BRI. Excerpts from a paper presented by Olusegun Adeniyi, Chairman, Editorial Board, THISDAY Newspapers at the Abuja-Beijing Consensus Roundtable on Belt and Road, in Abuja

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2019

EDITORIAL The Challenge Before NEDC The commission should make judicious use of the resources at its disposal

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ith 541 government parastatals, commissions and agencies (statutory and non-statutory) in the country, many of them with parallel functions, the consensus is that we do not need to create another bureaucracy to solve a problem. Yet, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) was added to the list of quangos last week when President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated its board. The harder part now is for the commission to justify the reason for its existence by making judicious use of resources in such a manner that the distressed and the displaced people in the northeast can benefit. Members of the NEDC must also see their assignment as a sacred trust and should avoid the pitfalls of similar interventionist agencies.

In signing into law the establishment of the NEDC in October 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari said the mission of the commission is to spearhead the reconstruction and development NEDC SHOULD BRING of the northeast, which SUCCOUR TO THE has been ravaged REGION AND ITS PEOPLE by a decade-long THROUGH A REBUILDING insurgency. But it is important to remember PROCESS ANCHORED that there had been ON WELL-PLANNED other initiatives saddled INFRASTRUCTURE with the same assignDEVELOPMENT AND ment of alleviating the EMPOWERMENT problems of the people INITIATIVES of the northeast which have borne the brunt of the Boko Haram insurgency for more than a decade. They include the Victims Support Fund (VSF), Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE) and Presidential Committee on the North East Initiative (PCNI).

Sadly, the operations of many of these initiatives have been mired in scandals, corruption and mind-boggling abuses to the detriment of the long-suffering people of the region they are meant to serve. We therefore hope that the coming of NEDC will bring succour to the region and its

Letters to the Editor

people through a rebuilding process anchored on wellplanned infrastructure development and empowerment initiatives. By its instrument, the NEDC is to be funded from various sources, including the federal government, international bilateral donors, the African Development Bank, the World Bank, the United Nations, European Union, USAID, UKAID/DFID, as well as local donors, among others.

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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

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.

LEADERSHIP FOR LUXURY BUS OWNERS ASSOCIATION

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t has been a flurry of lamentation as founding members of the Luxury Bus Owners Association of Nigeria complain about the inability of the association to continue on a seamless delivery of transport services to Nigerians due to the failure of the association’s leadership to convene a meeting to elect new leaders.

The failure of the leadership of the association to relinquish office has crippled the activities of the association at all levels, as pending crucial issues affecting the welfare of members have been left unattended to. The neglect of the affairs of the association, and failure to convene a general meeting has been jeopardising the ability of the association to regulate and monitor the activities of its members across the country.

It is expected that the leadership would have handed over the reins of power to the next in command or at least conduct an election for new officials to emerge. It must be placed on record that the association had since inception played a crucial role in the economic development of the country, as well as regulate the conduct of its members as they interface with hundreds of thousands of travellers on a daily basis. This has ensured that road travellers are availed of the best services by luxury bus operators across the country.

A situation where a vacuum exists in the leadership of the association while urgent matters are neglected is not only unacceptable but morally reprehensible. It remains confounding among the founding members of the association how a commissioner in Enugu State will be able to run the affairs of the association located in faraway Lagos State.

e have confidence in the integrity of the NEDC Chairman, General Paul Tarfa. But given how such bodies operate, the real work will be done by bureaucrats. Therefore, for it to succeed, the NEDC should learn from the mistakes of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The board will do well to avoid turning the commission into another slush fund for a privileged few, and it must not be one of those usual government agencies driven by political patronage to provide “jobs for the boys”. With global attention on the terror-weary region and its people, the NEDC authorities will be compelled by factors beyond their design to deliver results. We urge them to be work towards actualising their specific objectives by developing a broad master plan and template with timelines for delivery.

Fortunately, there are hundreds of local and international NGOs currently responding to the humanitarian crisis in the region. More than ever before, the NEDC should rally these institutions and ensure that Nigerians affected by these crises feel their presence and relevance. Coordinating these various actors, each with diverse objectives, will require some set skills so as to avoid duplicating projects and programmes. Besides, leveraging on the activities of these NGOs in close consultation and partnership with states and local governments in the region is a critical success factor. The NEDC should also reinvigorate all other public institutions that offer humanitarian support, protection and assistance to Nigerians affected by the Boko Haram insurgency and other conflicts in the region, such as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Refugee Commission.

The NEDC should not only turn the tide, it should represent progress.

It must be restated that the absence of an effective leadership has adversely affected the welfare of members of Luxury Bus Owners Association and rendered their activities comatose.

This is capable of impacting the morale of members negatively, majority of whom convey passengers across the country on a daily basis.

It is therefore befitting that LUBOAN appeals to the federal and Enugu State governments to prevail on the commissioner concerned to immediately relinquish his position as LUBOAN president and organise an election for a new leadership of the association.

It is also important we use this opportunity to call on the Nigerian Police to investigate the recent molestation of a luxury bus driver whose vehicle was damaged by a team of policemen at kilometre 60 along Kaduna-Abuja highway. The incident which arose following an argument between the driver and the policemen resulted in the breaking of the company’s bus glass.

Another issue of concern among the members is the incessant abduction of luxury bus drivers along the Lokoja-Okene highway by men in military uniforms. We urge the security agencies to swing into action and arrest the situation before it gets out of hand.

Perhaps if there is a focused leadership at LUBOAN, the plight of the luxury bus operators and their workers would have been receiving adequate attention by the relevant authorities, and the leadership is hereby urged to convene a general meeting without further delay.

Boniface Nwufo, Onitsha

BULKACHUWAVOLUNTARY RECUSAL

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he Appeal Court ruling dismissing the request for head of the Presidential Election Tribunal Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa to recuse herself from the case is an indication of the decline in the sensitivity of Nigerian judges to vital issues of the day.

We only need to recall that in 1999, Justice Umaru Abdullahi as President of the Court of Appeal did not even wait to be asked before voluntarily recusing himself from presiding over the Presidential Election Tribunal at the inauguration, admitting that his wife was an election official. But Zainab Bulkachuwa, the judge at the centre of present issue, did not see any possibility of being perceived as susceptible to undue influence presiding over an election petition between APC and PDP while her husband and son remained prominent members of the APC. She ignored sustained public outrage and established judicial pronouncements and precedence on filial relationships as basis for biased considerations in adjudication and recusal of judges. When she finally succumbed she claimed it was “voluntary” and conjured vindication from the validation contrived by her subordinates’ professed inability to detect any link between husband and wife or mother and child, capable way of swaying Her Lordship’s human judgment.

Left to them, she should stay on the panel emulating the statue outside the court depicting a mature, blindfolded lady, with open ears, wielding a sword above a book in a symbolic indication of what might befall anyone thinking blindness is deafness!

Justice Umaru Abdullahi obviously belonged to a different era, morally conscious and sensitive. Justice Abdullahi didn’t need any further “evidence” or “proof of connection” to determine that he should not be a judge in a matter with which his wife had a link, remote or direct. His conscience and high moral standing was enough for him to place the fear of God above the pleasures of the world.

Adamu Gwazuwang, Abuja

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FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY

FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY

17 A DV E R TO R I A L

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019

POLITICS

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

In Abia, Tomorrow Starts Now Sam Hart

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am excited about the tomorrow of Abia State. It has started now. For me, the most outstanding feature of the Okezie Ikpeazu Administration is the foundation that has been laid for tomorrow.

This is a trans-generational administration and one we will be talking about for a long time to come. I’ll try to explain why.

The Made-in-Aba Project There is always a place called forward. The beauty of ideas is that it opens doors to other hitherto dormant ideas which equally off-shoot other ideas and the domino effect is unquantifiable. Ikpeazu conceptualized and drove the Made-in-Aba Project in his first term. It opened many doors. Doors of international relevance for the Aba producer. Aba Producers are now regular featuresfeature at international events. They have gone abroad in several batches to different countries. China, South Africa, Rwandan, Gambia, Egypt, the United States of America.

Aba has gone global. They are signing partnership agreements with new markets, funders and development partners and accessing funds hitherto out of their reach. They are no longer pesky irritants and fake goods merchants. They now have a seat at the table of all Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises conversations in Nigeria and beyond. A new respect has been put on the name of Aba. With the opening of new markets and expansion of the conversation, new factories are opening within the Aba axis. Existing producers are hiring more hands and there is a general upswing in the commercial outlook of Aba and Abia State by extension. Things can only get better. Tomorrow will be exciting in Abia State. Tomorrow has started today.

Revitalisation of Moribund Industries As you read this, you can now order your favourite Golden Guinea Breweries range of products at a bar close to you in Abia State and beyond. The revitalization of Golden Guinea Breweries is a metaphor. A poster-boy for what is possible with determination and the right mix of credible core-investors and a supportive government providing political and sovereign will and cover for the right things to be done for enterprises to thrive. While commending the doggedness of the new owners of Golden Guinea Breweries, Pan Marine Investment Limited promoted

by Chief Okey Nzenwa (Okeosisi Mbaise), one is not unmindful of the indispensable yeoman’s role played by Ikpeazu all through the process of the journey to the reopening of Golden Guinea Breweries Plc. The implication of this milestone for the economy of Umuahia – nay Abia State – is unquantifiable. Countless direct and indirect jobs will be created and a new set of empowered individuals will emerge. Closely related to this is the elixir the re-opening of Golden Guinea Breweries will herald for other industries equally moribund.

Ikpeazu

Attention will immediately shift to Modern Ceramics next door and there will be pressure to resolve its issues and have it re-opened. Tomorrow will be

Countless direct and indirect jobs will be created and a new set of empowered individuals will emerge. Closely related to this is the elixir the re-opening of Golden Guinea Breweries will herald for other industries equally moribund.

Attention will immediately shift to Modern Ceramics next door and there will be pressure to resolve its issues and have it reopened

exciting in Abia State. Tomorrow has started.

Enyimba Economic CityCity This is unarguably the most ambitious project ever embarked upon or executed east of the Niger. The first Free Trade Zone in South East Nigeria. The first Special Economic Zone in Nigeria alongside the Kano and Lekki Special Economic Zones. We are yalking about 9,800 hectres of massive industrial area spread across three local government areas. Factories, assembly plants, Manufacturing Hubs, Clusters, residences, hotels, hospitals and schools are being developed.

There are 650,000 jobs, 300,000 units of urban housing, population of 1.5 million people, 2,000 industrial/business units and annual value output of USD5 billion. This project is so iconic that even the Federal Government of Nigeria has invested into it by taking 20% equity worth N100 billion. The list of anchor-tenants already signed-on are intimidating. They are international consortia. Ruyi Group is the largest garment and power producer in the world. They are just one of the anchor-tenants that have come on board. The entrepreneurial explosion that is about to engulf that axis and spread to the rest of Abia State is better imagined. Tomorrow will be exciting in Abia State. Tomorrow is here.

There are other exciting proj-

ects, all maturing and ready for fruition in Abia State under Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. Some of them are: r 5IF /*#3" 4IPF 'BDUPSZ Obuaku, Ukwa West LGA for which foundation stone has been laid and NEXIM Bank committed $10Million. r 5IF "CJB 4IPF 'BDUPSZ "CB for which 30 Shoemakers were sent to China to learn shoemaking and the equipments they learnt with already arrived Aba. r 5IF )FSJUBHF $JUZ 1SPKFDU Owerrinta, Isialangwa South LGA - the first Smart City in Abia State with facilities for lightmanufacturing, education hub, services, residential area and Diaspora Village where Abians in the Diaspora are already taking up allocations and getting ready to commence development.

If the first term of Ikpeazu was about setting out his pillars and enablers, his second term is going to be about casting the trans-generational structures that will rest on those pillars and enablers. It has become obvious that Ikpeazu was deliberate and calculated from the get go.

Everything has dovetailed into everything and it is all making sense now. He has laid the foundation for a prosperous, exciting Abia State of tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be exciting in Abia State. Tomorrow is here.

-Hart writes from Umuahia

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019

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PERSPECTIVE

Considering the Humane Side of Rotimi Amaechi Ogbonna Nwuke

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time comes when men roll out the drums in celebration of others whose imprint on the sands of time cannot be readily ignored.

It may be that such mortals who walk the path of excellence, or who aspire through life to change the circumstances of their birth eventually climb dizzying heights.

It may even be that such mortals come upon a new age of realization like the Prodigal son did, and men are compelled to celebrate them in respect of that which turns them into a new leaf.

Yet, comes a time when all who are born remember when they first arrived planet earth.

In a sense, birthdays represent a process of transition. While man adds one new age to a lifespan on earth, for instance, one year is surreptitiously removed from the number of years allowed for his existence on earth by nature.

It doesn’t matter if, in pursuit of overriding dreams, one makes it big. What matters is that people, when the time comes, are able to recall their birthdays.

Some celebrate these times. So, they plan well ahead and tinker with ideas that could best make the celebration of their date of birth a memorable one.

Others don’t.

They cannot afford the luxury of such celebrations. Neither can they understand the need to, given their slim resources; nor afford a strange culture of celebration that was not part of an upbringing in early life.

Those close to great achievers gather in their numbers to celebrate their hero, associate, relative and friend. For the unsung, the date of birth simply glides through or is completely drowned by worry, want and poverty.

For those able to celebrate and those who don’t, the birthday of a life time provides à rare opportunity for sober reflections.

In truth, when those who by sheer hard work and a stroke of nature’s benevolent smile make it up the ladder to the top celebrate, it is usually time to catalogue their giant strides; time to capture those rare memories that have made life worth living.

For the unsung who have no stars to guide and no one to mark their day, the occasion of their birthdays turn out to be time to look in the direction of heaven. Time to ask why benevolent spirits didn’t crack their kernels; time to reflect on opportunities lost and desires that have remained a mirage.

Amaechi

Such is the nature of life and the composition of society that it is difficult to say where the thin line which separates success from failure lies.

After all, men were not born equal. So, some are astonishingly rich while others fall within the realm of those largely categorized as common men.

Some are greedy, wicked and mean while others are kind hearted and ever willing to lend a helping hand.

This is perhaps the beauty of society. The fact that we talk in terms of the rich, those endowed with some effort who fall within the middle class and the poor who depend on alms and other kinds of support to scrap through life. The fact that by the nature of Nature itself, these classes found in different strata in a rational society that has become compartmentalized and specialized have clear roles to play.

At times, in some climes like Nigeria, mortal man has to scavenge for a morsel of food to eat.

Others who reside in the same society don’t. They have so much to waste while hunger deals a cruel blow on the less privileged.

All said, not all can be hunters of great fortune, beneficiaries of an unfolding civilisation, or pioneers of commerce and industry.

This may very well explain the notion of the weak and strong links of a chain. Linked together, the chain is strong, difficult to pull apart and resilient. When torn apart under

pressure, the presence of the so-called weak links which exist in a chain becomes easily discernable.

Those who engage in a tug-of-war would probably understand this phenomenon better. They know why some are victors and others losers.

In my father’s Kingdom, there are so many mansions. Those are not our words. They are the words of the Son of Man who was born in a manger many years ago and whose teachings remain relevant to this day.

It is proof perhaps, of the differences that exist in the way men are placed, up or down the ladder of society. A veritable explanation why some literarily own big and magnificent places of abode while others dwell in shanties and “L-shaped” structures, the type that Nigerians describe as “face-me-I-face-you” buildings.

Perhaps, no day reminds man of the great strides that he has made, the many rivers he has crossed, or the shipwrecks and the great falls than the remembrance of the day he was born.

For Rotimi Amaechi, the day of his birth would be here pretty soon. Close associates of one of the most famous men in Nigeria today are already falling over one another in a bid to celebrate him.

I understand that a colloquium is being planned as part of activities to mark his birthday. I have heard that movers and shakers from across Nigeria are primed to deliver

speeches that capture the real essence of the occasion.

They include the rather controversial Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El Rufai who kept the Abuja masterplan intact, a one time Senator and Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Senator Mamora Okorunnimbe Adeleke, Prof. Owunari Georgewill of the University of Port Harcourt and Barrister Bele Tariah, a beneficiary of Amaechi’s scholarship.

The organisers think that the speakers would use the opportunity to discuss a man who has made, and is still making, contributions to the development of the nation; a man who has risen from grass to grace; and a man who in many ways is an enigma.

Amaechi must count himself lucky. Not many are as blessed as he. But most Nigerians hope that the occasion of his birthday would be a rare chance for the Ubima-born politician and administrator to re-assess himself.

His adversaries point to his perceived arrogance. They even accuse him of being plainly rude, suggesting when they find it convenient, that a stream of successes strewn along his path is gradually beclouding his judgment.

His friends murmur about what they perceive as an emerging brickwall; an artificial hedge which now stands as a barrier between Amaechi and the free flowing communication they once shared.

There are those who refer to him as the problem of Rivers politics. Amaechi has loved Rivers State with a passion; contributed to the growth of the state and refused to look the other way in matters that affect the ordinary people.

How then can a good intention translate to evil? Why should ideas that are noble run into a brickwall? Who gains from these misconceptions? Why? Could there be something wrong in his approach? As he dons a new age, are there lessons he can learn from all these?

Only Amaechi can tell or attempt answers to these questions. He would need, in the process to look seriously inwards.

-Nwuke, a former member of the House of Representatives was Chief Press Secretary, Commissioner of Information and Commissioner, Commerce & Industry under the administration of Governor Rotimi Amaechi NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

More Vindication for Akpabio Udeme Ankott

I

n recent times the former governor of Akwa Ibom State and currently a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Godswill Akpabio has been a serial victim of characters who construe politics as a platform for demonizing people and casting slur on their personality. However, he is being vindicated and absolved of presumed wrong doings while he served as the governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 – 2015.

Part of Akpabio’s reign as governor was unfortunately mired in violent crimes like armed robbery and kidnapping. But it was not peculiar to Akwa Ibom State as it had assumed the proportion of a national malady. While the Akwa Ibom State government under Godswill Akpabio invested enormously in the area of security and evolved sophisticated strategies to combat the growing menace, his traducers rather than applaud the effort, put the spiraling crime rate at his doorstep, unabashedly, accusing him of responsibility in kidnapping or murders which they alleged to have been politically motivated. But these were not true. Crimes of violent hue were high and rife in the Southern part of the country.

Hardly was any state in the South spared of the menace of violent robbery and kidnapping. From Anambra to Imo to Abia and other states, cases of these untoward

incidents dominated daily reports.

In Akwa Ibom, rather than support government with intelligence to unravel the then widespread acts of kidnapping and violent robbery, there was undue politicization, leading to the demonization of major political actors of the era. As the head of the administration of the era, Akpabio was in the eye of the storm. He was a victim of malevolent fabrications and image savagery. Even as pedestrian as some of the allegations, like kidnapping for paltry ransom were, then governor, Senator Akpabio was accused of kidnapping to stockpile funds for his second term election. How ridiculous! General Edet Akpan (rtd), His Highness, Robert James Obot, who was the paramount ruler of Nsit Ubium and Dr. Udosen of St. Luke’s Hospital were victims of the prevalent crime of that period. The then governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio was fingered for their travails. While the paramount and Dr. Udosen were killed outrightly, General Edet Akpan who was abducted in a church during service was later released after some ransom was reportedly paid. Erroneously, the blame as usual was put at the doorstep of the Akpabio administration which on the contrary fought crime more than any other administration before and after it. It bears restating that no administration before or after invested as much in the security architecture of the state.

Recent developments have not only vindicated Senator Akpabio, it has further reiterated that most of the allegations were unfounded and merely the handiwork of his traducers.

The recent arrest of kidnappers who abducted one Gassan Naser, a staff of Zenith Construction Company on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 has revealed some facts on the innocence of Senator Akpabio and how he has been so serially maligned unjustly.

The arrested kidnappers have confessed to the crime as well as disclosed many other activities which they were masterminds.

Among the crimes they have confessed to, are: the abduction of General Akpan many years ago, the killing of the paramount ruler of Nsit Ubium, late Royal Highness, Robert James Obot and Late Dr. Udosen of St. Luke’s Hospital. The hoodlums who made their confession in full public glare of security agents and journalists, volunteered information on their criminal escapades at their own behest.

It would be recalled that when those incidents took place, people who should presumably know better openly accused the Akpabio administration as masterminding the dastardly acts. Some queer and curious logics were fitted into the narratives to give them some semblance of factuality. For instance, the gruesome murder of the paramount ruler was said to have stemmed from His Royal Highness’

vociferous opposition to Akpabio’s second term bid. They had argued that being an influential paramount ruler, his working against Akpabio was likely to imperil his return to Hilltop Mansion. Similar crude logics were infused in several other narratives thus painting Akpabio as a Lucifer in government. But today, the criminals have come out to confess to their crimes several years later with the innocent and unblemished Akpabio not mentioned as complicit in those nefarious activities.

One can recall with some feat of anger that the long list of people of Akwa Ibom that Akpabio was alleged to have killed, features these three names prominently.

Now that the criminals have confessed, how would the spin doctors who fabricated this falsehood undo the damage they have done to Senator Akpabio’s reputation. It is often disheartening that we allow politics to nibble our conscience to bear false witness against innocent people. This is indignant and condemnable. Every man of good conscience should stand on the side of the golden rule which insists that we should do unto others, what we wish others to do unto us. Allegations of violent robbery and kidnapping are repugnant and should not be preferred against persons as charges except ascertained to have unequivocal veracity.

-Ankott writes from Lagos

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FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019

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Group Business Editor Obinna Chima

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

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Quick Takes Bankole to Chair LAAC Conference

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, has been selected as the Chairman of the forthcoming Conference and Awards of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC).

Speaking with the committee in his office, recently, Bankole said the resolutions reached at the conference in the past had helped to shape the industry.The event, which is scheduled to hold on July 17, 2019 at Raddison Blu Hotel, has the theme: ‘Boosting Aviation Investment Through Policy.’

Bankole stated that members of the league had been able to put the government on its toes through objective and analytical writings, while the policies of the government for the industry are reviewed by reporters on the beat.

He said: “LAAC over the years has been our partner in progress.

Members of the league have been tremendously useful to the growth of the airline and the industry at large. Without you doing the informative reporting, the industry won’t be where it is today even though, we know there are still a lot needed to be done.”

He said the relationship between the two bodies had been symbiotic over the years and promised that the airline would continue to support the programmes of the league.

Besides, Sen Hadi Sirika, the Minister of State for Aviation was selected as the Special Guest of Honour, while Chief Executive Officers of aviation agencies in the country as well as private service providers would also grace the occasion.

SAHCO Gets ISAGO Recertification

STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIP

L-R: MD/CEO Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole; Chief Executive Officer/Chairman of National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), Barr. Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, and Assistant Director, Legal Services, Mr. Alhassan at the signing of 2019 Hajj airlift agreement at the NAHCON office in Abuja...recently

How Nigeria Lost Cargo Transhipment Hub Status to Neighbouring Countries Eromosele Abiodun Customs agents in the country KDYH LGHQWLÀHG LQH΀FLHQF\ LQ the system and low draught level of the Nigerian ports as the main reason why the country lost the transhipment hub status to other West African countries.

The agents in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, dated May 19, 2019, that was obtained yesterday, stressed that except there was a change in infrastructure rehabilitation, Nigeria would continue to

MARITIME

lose cargoes to neighbouring countries which have deep seaports and better facilities.

National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), the umbrella body of customs agents in the country, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, in the letter, said Nigerian ports cannot accommodate mega ships with 8000-20000 TEUs, arguing that this was against the trend in

neighbouring ports.

He also called on the federal government to address the unwholesome practices of manipulated delays by providers of shipping services and other government agencies which have led to high demurrage, rent and high transactional costs.

Describing such practices as LQLPLFDO WR WKH H΀FLHQF\ RI WKH port system, Amiwero said such issues in Nigerian ports need to be addressed for the sake of national economy.

“There is the need to re-claim

our cargo from neighbouring West African countries that is now hub for Nigeria cargos, by working out mechanism for a better developed regional hub to consolidate on our destination of Nigerian cargo that has been siphoned by regional ports.”

He decried other problems OLQNHG VSHFLÀFDOO\ WR WKH 1LJHULD Customs Service (NCS) as multiple alerts as inimical to trade facilitation.

“The process of multiple Continued on page 22

Scarcity of Pilots May Hamper Commercial Flight Operations in Africa Chinedu Eze Industry experts have expressed concern that in the coming years, Africa may not have enough SLORWV WR Á\ FRPPHUFLDO SODQHV LQ the region due to global scarcity of pilots and inadequate training of such skilled manpower in the continent.

World’s major aircraft manufacturer, Airbus has projected that there would be global need of about 600,000 pilots in the next 20 years, to operate about 50, 000 aircraft and expressed the fear that such manpower might

AVIATION not be readily available.

This, the experts say, would be worse in Africa, as airlines from the region may not sustain competitive emoluments needed to keep pilots, who are free to move to any parts of the world where there are more attractive salaries and better welfare packages.

Industry consultant and CEO of Plane Talking Communications, Linden Birns, noted that with increasing demand of air

travel, it was envisaged that airlines in the continent would acquire more aircraft and the challenge the airlines would face would be to get the pilots that ZRXOG Á\ WKH SODQHV He said that in the next 20 years the region would require about 1000 commercial airplanes and there would be need for pilots to operate them.

“We are talking about the requirement of well over a thousand commercial jetliners over the next 20 years. There will be need for people who can operate those aircraft, people

who can support and maintain them.

“At the same time, we have an aging pilot community and aging engineering community and there is not enough investment in recruiting pilots. The ÀUVW WKLQJ LV WR JR EDFN WR the basic education and high school education. “There is not enough investment in science and technology, engineering and mathematics in learning and teaching in Africa.

“So there is not enough efContinued on page 22

The Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc’s (SAHCO) Corporate Headquarters, Lagos and Abuja station have been recertified by International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The recertification was issued to SAHCO after it passed the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) standards audit conducted on the company after the expiration of the previous certification.

The company said by the recertification, it meanr that SAHCO had continued to model its operations in Lagos and Abuja to ISAGO standards, as a result making a commitment to continue to operate to globally accepted industry best practices. The Audits cuts across Load control, Passenger and Baggage Handling, Aircraft Handling and Loading, Aircraft Ground Movement, Cargo and Mail Handling.

“Asalreadypledgedtoitsclients(currentandprospective),itisSAHCO’s resolve to continually provide quality and efficient Passenger, Ramp and Cargo Handling Services in line with best practices and the highest International Standards to the delight of its customers and benefit of all stakeholders, utilizing State-of-the-art equipment, skills, pro cedures and facilities, and employing a dedicated workforce.

Airlines, NAHCON Seal Deal

Medview Airlines and two other indigenous carriers have formally sealed a deal with the National Hajj Commission in Abuja (NAHCON), to airlift pilgrims to the Holy Land in the 2019 Hajj operations.

According to the spokesperson of NAHCON, Sanda Usara, Max Air has been allocated 51 per cent slot for pilgrims airlift from Adamawa, Bauchi,Benue,Borno,Gombe,Jigawa,Kano,Katsina,Kwara,Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba and Kogi.

Medview has a 14.00 per cent allocation of pilgrims from Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Kaduna, Ogun, Ondo, Yobe, Abia, Imo, Anambra, Bayelsa, Rivers and Armed Forces. Flynas is charged with transportation of 35.00 per cent of pilgrims from Sokoto state, Oyo, Osun, FCT, Edo, Kebbi, Lagos and Zamfara states.

The airlines went through strict process as NAHCON screened airlines to ensure that they would be able to safely airlift the pilgrims and to also ensure they have the capacity to fly the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and bring them back to Nigeria.

However,industryobservershave wonderedwhyMedviewwasgiven only 14 per cent of the slot, considering the fact that the airline has successfully operated the Hajj services successfully for several years.

“Aero has successfully conducted three C-checks on 737 CL Boeing aircraft relying wholly on our indigenous engineers”

MD/CEO, Aero Contractors,

Captain Ado Sanusi

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019

22

BUSINESSWORLD HOW NIGERIA LOST CARGO TRANSHIPMENT HUB STATUS TO NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

alerts should be harmonised and comply with International best practice on a One-stop-Shop as Contained in WCO revised Kyoto Convention that compel contracting parties to harmonise, Simplify their procedure to remove complexities. The Federal operation Unit (FOU) should be streamlined and concentrate on anti-smuggling activities 40 PLOHV UDGLXV IURP WKH 3RUW LQ line with its formation. ´$OO LPSRUW SURFHVV VKRXOG EH FRQGXFWHG LQ WKH 3RUW DV RQH stop-shop process and eliminate the double examination, delays GHPXUUDJH DQG WKH RͿ ORDGLQJ of goods at the federal operation, which is additional cost to the Importer/Customs Agents. ´7KH DFWLYLWLHV RI PXOWLSOH FKHFNV GXSOLFDWH SURFHGXUH DQG increase cost which contravene WCO Kyoto convention, IMO FAL Convention and :&2 6$)(IUDPH :RUN RI Standard to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade, it increases cost, duplicate procedure and is a disincentive to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on complying with international conventions and protocol which we are contracting and the concern of our international trading partners.�

He said the neighbouring ports have already positioned WKHLU SRUWV DV ´0LOOHQQLXP 3RUWV 3UHIHUUHG 7UDQVKLSPHQW RU /RDG centre,� adding that most West African ports built their ports to accommodate Nigerian bound FDUJR NQRZLQJ DERXW WKH country’s poor infrastructure.

SCARCITY OF PILOTS MAY HAMPER COMMERCIAL FLIGHT OPERATIONS IN AFRICA

fort and energy being put into recruiting or bringing together a pool of talent that we can tap from,� Birns said.

He also noted that pilot demand was international VR DLUOLQHV WKDW ZDQW WR NHHS them must provide them enough incentives and pay them competitive salaries in RUGHU WR NHHS WKHP ´7KH RWKHU FKDOOHQJH LQ $IULFD LV WKDW WKH VNLOOV DUH LQWHUQDWLRQDO demand because the demand for air travel and the growth of the industry is not only happening in Africa; it is happening all

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

NIMASA Commences Process to End Gas Emission on Vessels Stories by Eromosele Abiodun

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commenced the process to end gas emission on vessels with the recent installation of the Thorium-X tablet, a fuel consumption data collection device, on board a 1LJHULDQ Ă DJJHG IXHO WDQNHU vessel, MT KINGIS. The agency, in a statement, said the process was targeted at ending green-house gas emissions on vessels. It added that the pilot project, which came as a fallout of the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTCC) conference held in Kenya in March, aims at reducing fuel consumption by vessels.

The MTCC, it stated, is targeted towards developing countries, and Nigeria was made a priority and nominated for the pilot project.

The Director-General of 1,0$6$ 'U 'DNXNX 3HWHUside, reiterated the agency’s commitment to global best practices in the execution of its mandate of regulating the maritime industry.

3HWHUVLGH VDLG ´1,0$6$ LV HQVXULQJ WKDW ZH DUH NHHSLQJ to global best practices with a FRPPHQGDEOH WUDFN UHFRUG LQ administration and regulation in the maritime sector. ´1,0$6$ ZDV FKRVHQ WR lead the project in Nigeria, being the chosen country in the West and Central Africa region. This pilot project will last a year. But the data will be reported to the Kenyan portal, and then it goes to the IMO global portal after every voyage.

Reports will be collated and sent after a three-month period.

7KH ÀQGLQJV DQG DQDO\VLV DUH then recorded and reported at the end of the year to inform the country the amount of fuel being consumed annually on each voyage and how much GHG is being emitted.� +H DGGHG ´7KH ODXQFK of the fuel consumption data collection device is in line with the decision of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to reduce

fuel consumption by vessels as well as Green House Gases (GHG) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emission on voyages.

NIMASA was nominated to operate the project in Nigeria, which has become a focal point and so nominated as a country of interest in Africa for the pilot project.

The NIMASA-nominated vessel for the programme is indigenously owned by an

award winning company, Sea Transport Services Nigeria Limited. Nigeria was chosen for the launch of the pilot scheme for the West and Central Africa sub-regions. ´7KH WDEOHW LV HTXLSSHG with inbuilt internet capability for ease of communication of data, and also dedicated software to calculate Energy (΀FLHQF\ 2SHUDWLRQ ,QGH[ (EEOI) of voyaging vessels.

The information that results IURP WKH ÀQGLQJV ZLOO IDFLOLWDWH decisions in maritime policy formation as it relates to GHG emissions from ships DQG LWV HͿHFW RQ FOLPDWH DQG environment. The Marine Environment Management unit of NIMASA has been DW WKH IRUHIURQW RI HͿRUWV WR ensure an environmentally safer and cleaner maritime domain.�

STAKEHOLDERS’ GATHERING

L-R: Special Adviser, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Timothy Okon; Chairman, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Lagos Section, Mr. Onyebuchi Okereke; President, Nigerian Gas Association, Mrs. Auddrey Joe- Ezigbo; Executive General Manager, GSR/Asset Management, Total E&P Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Olatunji Akinwumi, and Chairman, SPE Nigerian Council, Mr. Debo Fagbemi, at the SPE technical symposium in Lagos‌ recently Photo: ETOP UKUT

‌ To Partner Port of Antwerp $V SDUW RI HͿRUWV WR ERRVW trade and encourage foreign direct investment opportunities in the Nigerian maritime sector, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is set to SDUWQHU WKH 3RUW RI $QWZHUS in Belgium.

This position was made NQRZQ E\ WKH 'LUHFWRU General of NIMASA, Dr. 'DNXNX 3HWHUVLGH ZKHQ KH KRVWHG D WHDP IURP WKH 3RUW of Antwerp in Belgium led E\ WKH 'LUHFWRU $IULFD 3RUW of Antwerp International, Mr. Nico Vertongen, in Lagos. +H VWDWHG WKDW WKH 3RUW RI Antwerp had a long standing relationship with the ports

community in Lagos, noting that from 2017 till date, 302 vessels have called between WKH 3RUW RI $QWZHUS DQG WKH ports community in Lagos.

He said within the period, 33 vessels conveyed export goods from the port of Lagos WHUPLQDWLQJ DW WKH 3RUW RI $QWZHUS ZLWK %HOJLXP Ă DJJHG vessels calling at Nigerian ports and several other volumes of transaction.

3HWHUVLGH VDLG WKH DJHQF\ ZDV willing to consolidate on the gains of the Nigeria-Belgian relationship. ´:H KDYH DOZD\V KDG D business relationship with the port of Antwerp either as destination ports or ports

RI RULJLQ :H DUH JODG WR NQRZ that you are in Nigeria and planning to lead a business mission sometime in NoYHPEHU WR WKH /DJRV 3RUW Community. Our position is straight forward and clear; we welcome the business mission with our doors open and believe there is a lot we can do together,� he said.

3HWHUVLGH DOVR VWDWHG WKDW WKH November meeting would be the beginning of a mutually EHQHÀFLDO UHODWLRQVKLS LQ GLYHUVH ways that will also give opportunities for exchange of ideas. ´,W ZLOO DOVR RSHQ RSSRUWXQLties for training for our people and it will give you a better

understanding of how the ports in Lagos, Nigeria, in Africa ZRUN OHDGLQJ WR WKH YROXPH of trade between ports and other operations,� he added.

3HWHUVLGH ZKR H[SUHVVHG concerns about the isolated negative representation of the Nigerian maritime sector LQ WKH PHGLD VDLG HÍżRUWV ZHUH being made to stem it.

He told the delegation that the agency, which has the responsibility to ensure maritime security in the ports and waterways, had put in place a number of strategies, LQFOXGLQJ D OHJDO IUDPHZRUN RQ piracy and maritime crime and DFTXLVLWLRQ RI DVVHWV WR EXLOG up response capability, to stop

the pirates and criminals from operating within the coastal waters.

Earlier in his address, VerWRQJHQ ZKR VSRNH RQ EHKDOI of the delegation noted that the 3RUW RI $QWZHUS LQWHQGHG WR come to Nigeria in November on a business mission with the intention of boosting the already existing relationship between the ports community in Lagos and the Antwerp port.

He also expressed their readiness to partner the Agency on port security, safety and also possible areas of training, adding that the meeting will further be an opportunity for the duo to EH R΀FLDO SDUWQHUV

APM Terminals Nigeria Gets New Managing Director Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed has been appointed as the new 0DQDJLQJ 'LUHFWRU RI $30 Terminals Nigeria.

In this capacity, Ahmed would oversee the operations of the company in Nigeria, Benin Republic and Ivory Coast.

7KH QHZ $30 7HUPLQDOV Managing Director is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of GHOLYHULQJ VWURQJ ÀQDQFLDO results in shipping, logistics, maritime, ports, towage, lightRͿVKRUH DQG RLO JDV VHUYLFHV DFURVV D QXPEHU RI PDUNHWV

and industries spanning Africa, Asia, Middle East and Europe. ´, DP GHOLJKWHG WR EH EDFN in Nigeria to contribute my TXRWD WR WKH GHYHORSPHQW RI this great country. Nigeria is D KXJH PDUNHW ZLWK D JUHDW potential for growth. ´:H ZLOO ZRUN ZLWK WKH 1LJHULDQ 3RUWV $XWKRULW\ 13$

and other government agencies to reposition Nigerian ports for optimum performance and HQVXUH H΀FLHQF\ DQG SURPSW service delivery to customers. ´:H DUH DOVR FRPPLWWHG WR supporting the Federal Government’s export drive to diversify

the nation’s revenue base and reduce overdependence on oil,� he said.

Ahmed holds a BSc in (FRQRPLFV 6RFLDO 3ROLF\ %LUNEHFN 8QLYHUVLW\ RI /RQGRQ and brings about two decades experience into his new role.

3ULRU WR WKLV DSSRLQWPHQW Ahmed served as the Managing Director of Svitzer for Asia, Middle East, Africa and Russia (AMEA) from January 2016 to December 2018, where he supervised the operation of D PRGHUQ Ă HHW RI YHVVHOV operated by over 1,200 highly trained and professional crew

DQG RQVKRUH VWDͿ +H DOVR KDG full responsibilities for managing the company’s operations in India, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, U.A.E, Sohar (Oman), Muscat (Oman), Angola, Egypt, Morocco and Russia, serving oil and gas majors and port operators.

Ahmed had earlier served in Nigeria as General Manager, &RPPHUFLDO 3ODQQLQJ IURP 2008 to 2010 where he had responsibility for trade strategy, performance management, FDSDFLW\ PDUNHW LQWHOOLJHQFH and business development, among others, in Nigeria,

Ghana, Benin, Niger and Togo. $30 7HUPLQDOV RSHUDWHV RQH of the world’s most comprehensive port and integrated LQODQG VHUYLFH QHWZRUNV :LWK D team of 22,000 industry profesVLRQDOV LW RSHUDWHV D QHWZRUN of 76 ports and over 100 inland services locations across the globe. The company leverages more than a century of industry experience to design and EXLOG KLJK TXDOLW\ FRQWDLQHU terminals, and provide port and inland services for cargo handling and transportation between port facilities and inland locations.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019

23

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

FG Inaugurates IPP, Others at Abuja Airport The federal government has inaugurated a 10-megawatts Independent Power Plant (IPP) electricity to boost power supply at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Inaugurating the project, the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, HPSKDVLVHG WKH VLJQLĂ€FDQFH of the project, stating that it was a response to the GHĂ€FLHQF\ LGHQWLĂ€HG ZLWK WKH new international terminal of the airport, which power demand could not be met by existing electricity supply at the airport.

He explained that the new terminal meant additional power needed for the airport, adding that the government decided to engage the independent power provider to address the challenge.

´,W LV YHU\ VLJQLĂ€FDQW that we commission this project now because immeGLDWHO\ ZH WRRN RYHU R΀FH Mr President directed that we must complete all ongoing projects including that at Abuja airport. “There was a lot of planQLQJ GHĂ€FLHQFLHV LGHQWLĂ€HG with the new terminal because they didn’t take into cognizance the issue of power supply. In response WR DGGUHVV WKLV GHĂ€FLHQF\ we commenced this project amongst many others. This independent power plant is SDUW RI WKH GHĂ€FLHQF\ RI WKH DLUSRUW WKDW KDV EHHQ UHFWLĂ€HG MXVW QRZ Âľ KH VDLG Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Mr Rabiu Yadudu, who spoke on the project, said the expansion of the

airport and the completion of the new terminal came with the demand for additional power supply, adding that this power plant had commensurate capacity with the airport facility. “In the light of the very low power capacity in the country, FAAN decided to provide this 10 megawatts IPP facility to meet up with the power supply that is needed in this airport. This appropriately aligns with the federal government’s plan in decentralising power supply aimed at attracting private sector investments in ensuring reliable and adequate power supply to consumers. ´7KLV LV DOVR LQ IXOĂ€OPHQW of our promise to the stakeKROGHUV WR HQVXUH DQ H΀FLHQW DQG VDIH DLUSRUW RSHUDWLRQV Âľ he said.

NCAA Reads Riot Act to Unregistered Travel Agents Chinedu Eze

Part 18.9.4.1 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations The Nigerian Civil Avia- (NCARs) 2015 states that all tion Authority (NCAA) has travel agencies shall register warned any travel agency with the authority after fuloperating in Nigeria and was ÀOOLQJ WKH QHFHVVDU\ UHTXLUHyet to register with the agency, PHQWV VSHFLÀHG LQ ,6 VD\LQJ VXFK ÀUP ZDV YLRODWLQJ LLL WR WKHVH UHJXODWLRQV ¾ D extant Nigeria Civil Aviation statement from the agency signed by its spokesman, Sam Regulations.

The NCAA noted that the Adurogboye said.

The agency also noted that controversy in certain quarters that lampoon the alleged ab- the Civil Aviation Act. 2006, sence of legislation concerning Part IX, Section 30 (4) (a) interthe registration of travel agen- alia empowers the authority to regulate, supervise and monicies is misguided.

It said for the avoidance of tor the activities of travel and doubt, the Nigeria Civil Avia- other Aviation Agents operattion Regulations (Nig.CARs) ing in Nigeria. “To join the IATA BSP (Inconfers power on NCAA to UHJLVWHU DQG LVVXH FHUWLĂ€FDWHV ternational Air Transport Asto travel agencies without sociation Billing and Settlewhich no travel agency shall ment Plan), Part 18.9.4.2. of the NCARs states that all regoperate in Nigeria. “Part 18.9.1 (iii) of (Nig. istered travel agencies shall CARs) unequivocally and in- join and trade on IATA BSP controvertibly states that no Platform. “It is important to note that person shall undertake the business of travel agency in WKH IXOĂ€OPHQW RI WKH DIRUHPHQNigeria without obtaining a tioned regulation Part 18.9.4.1 &HUWLĂ€FDWH RU /LFHQVH LVVXHG is a mandatory requirement for IATA to accept a travel by the NCAA. “As a corollary to this, agency on its BSP platform.

However, it is after registration that a travel agent can commence business on the IATA %63 SODWIRUP Âľ 1&$$ VDLG The agency said it was taking concerted steps to instil sanity and orderliness into the operations of travel agencies in Nigeria.

The authority would be collaborating with IATA to provide a robust regulatory oversight on this sector of aviation downstream operations.

The NCAA explained that all IATA accredited agents have 60 days within which to register and obtain NCAA’s &HUWLĂ€FDWH RI 5HJLVWUDWLRQ which ultimatum commenced from May 7, 2019. “On the strength of this, IATA has been directed not to accredit forthwith any agency ZLWKRXW 1&$$¡V &HUWLĂ€FDWH of Registration. Therefore, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority will continue to carry out its regulatory oversight in all facets of air transport operations with all the seriousness WKDW LV UHTXLUHG Âľ WKH DJHQF\ added.

SAA Partners RadissonBlu to Enhance Customer Experience

South African Airways (SAA) has announced that it has entered into a partnership with RadissonBlu Anchorage Hotel, Lagos, to provide exceptional travel and hospitality experience for corporate travellers in Nigeria and beyond.

At a corporate travel managers’ forum held in Lagos, both SAA and RadissonBlu PDQDJHPHQW RͿHUHG EHWWHU travel and hospitality deals and packages for the growing corporate travellers’ community in Nigeria.

South African Airways, National Sales Manager, Kemi Leke-Bamtefa in Nigeria, advised the corporates to take advantage of all SAA corporate deals which include, ticketing discount, group corporate fares, special fare for MICE and Voyagers programme. “SAA corporate deals allow you to save up to 15 per cent

GLVFRXQW RQ Ă LJKW WLFNHWV 2XU Voyager programme, SAA’s award-winning loyalty reward SURJUDPPH DFFUXHV \RX EHQHĂ€WV according to your spend, among other numerous gains. “SAA Y-up fare is currently active, allowing passengers to book Economy Class ticket and HQG XS Ă \LQJ %XVLQHVV &ODVV GHSHQGLQJ RQ DYDLODELOLW\ Âľ Leke-Bamtefa disclosed.

The SAA National Sales Manager used the opportunity to explain SAA new direct route between Johannesburg and Guangzhou, China and VDLG WKH Ă LJKW ZLOO FRPPHQFH on September 18, 2019 with WKUHH Ă LJKWV SHU ZHHN IURP Johannesburg to Guangzhou.

RadissonBlu Anchorage Hotel Lagos Director of Sales, Wellington Mpofu, said the 5DGLVVRQ%OX EUDQG ZLWK ÀYH properties in Nigeria was available to complement SAA’s

DPD]LQJ Ă LJKW H[SHULHQFH E\ RÍżHULQJ KRVSLWDEOH VHUYLFH WR guests. “With just one call to any of the RadissonBlu hotels, JXHVWV FDQ ERRN DQ\ RI WKH Ă€YH RadissonBlu brands in Nigeria indicating our seamless service RSHUDWLRQ Âľ :HOOLQJWRQ VWDWHG Radisson Rewards Programme, the RadissonBlu loyalty rewards initiative covers all the RadissonBlu brands all over the world.

The Radisson Blu Anchorage Lagos is currently giving 15 per cent discount on room bookings with 10,000 bonus points which will end 14 June this year.

7KH ÀYH 5DGLVVRQ%OX brands currently in Nigeria are, RadissonBlu Anchorage Victoria Island, Park Inn Hotel Victoria Island, RadissonBlu Ikeja, Park Inn Ikeja and Park Inn Abeokuta.

As Aero Celebrates 60 Years of Operation Kwara Hajj

Chinedu Eze

Ibru, former CEO of the airline, Captain Dapo Olumide, former Director General In many ways Aero Contractors remains of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority the number one airline in Nigeria because (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren and othit is the oldest operator in the country with ers. high safety record. It has also operated The Aero CEO, Captain Sanusi descheduled commercial service for over 15 scribed the hard times the indigenous years and at the same time it maintained ÀUP IDFHG DV D SURFHVV WKDW VHW WKHP RQ robust rotor service, which provided lo- the path to become dominant player in gistics service to oil exploration and pro- the sector. duction companies for several years.

He said with the commitment of the The airline on Tuesday marked 60 federal government to support indigyears of providing services to the aviation enous companies through Asset Manindustry, boosting the highest number of agement Company of Nigeria rescued it indigenous technical personnel that re- IURP WRWDO FROODSVH WR Ă€QDQFLDO VROYHQF\ main unrivalled and also broke the jinx He said through the turbulent times by becoming an indigenous airline that they were able to become a national brand developed its maintenance capability to RÍżHULQJ VNLOOHG HPSOR\PHQW WR 1LJHULDQ conduct checks on big body aircraft up to aviation professionals and contributing to C-check level. deepening the aviation sector, while not ,W LV DOVR WKH Ă€UVW DLUOLQH LQ 1LJHULD WKDW LQJ WKDW $HUR LV WKH Ă€UVW GRPHVWLF DLUFUDIW sent part of its workforce on redundancy company to obtain Nigerian Civil Aviaand was able to, not only bring them back, WLRQ $XWKRULW\ 1&$$ FHUWLĂ€FDWLRQ DV DQ but promoted them. That was made pos- approved maintenance organisation to sible because when the airline was at the conduct C-checks on B737 classics. nadir of its existence, it was rejuvenated “Aero has successfully conducted three by a visionary leadership through the As- C-checks on 737 CL Boeing aircraft relyset Management Corporation of Nigeria ing wholly on our indigenous engineers (AMCON) that appointed an ambitious, with technical support from Messrs AJA/ hardworking and dynamic management SAA as our technical partners, which under Captain Ado Sanusi as the Chief VWDPSV 1LJHULD Ă€UPO\ LQWR GHVWLQDWLRQ RI 2SHUDWLQJ 2΀FHU choice for comprehensive aircraft mainThe story of Aero is also a story where tenance-capable countries in West Africa triumph defeated despair; where the will and Central Africa. to go on over stripped the desire to give “From February 2013 to August 2016, up when the future seemed strewn with Aero faced hard times. Due to a combilabyrinth of uncertainty. nation of endogenous and exogenous Aero Contractors was formed in 1959 factors and was under performing and DQG R΀FLDOO\ UHJLVWHUHG LQ 1LJHULD LQ almost insolvent, navigating from one cri1960. At that time, it was a wholly owned sis to another, which threatened its very

by Schreiner Airways B.V. of the Nether- existence. lands. ´7KH YLVLRQ SDLG RÍż RYHU WKH \HDUV It became a company with initially 40 Aero became a dominant player and a per cent Nigerian holding in 1973 and brand noted for its excellence within the subsequently 60 per cent in 1976, antici- Nigerian aviation sector, with the appating the requirements of the Nigerian pointment of receiver manager by AMEnterprises Promotion Decree of 1977, CON with oversight on guiding a realso known as the indigenization decree. solvency programme with the objective In January 2004, Schreiner Airways RI UHWXUQLQJ $HUR WR SURĂ€WDELOLW\ Âľ KH VDLG was bought by CHC Helicopter (CHC), Sanusi added, “The airline service has which acquired a 40 per cent holding in since December, 2016 returned to full Aero, while the 60 per cent majority share RSHUDWLRQV DQG JURZQ LWV Ă€[HG ZLQJ RSremained within the Ibru family. erational aircraft from one to four, with On July 1, 2010, CHC sold its interests expectation to grow to six by close of this in Aero and the airline became wholly year. The present four aircraft improved owned by the Ibru family.

RXU GRPHVWLF à LJKW RSHUDWLRQV WR GDL$IWHU ÀQDQFLDO LQWHUYHQWLRQ WKH $V- O\ ¾ set Management Corporation of Nigeria On her part, the former CEO of de(AMCON), an arm of the Federal Gov- funct Oceanic bank, Mrs. Cecilia Ibru, ernment of Nigeria, held 60 per cent of remarked that the Aero journey so far is Aero, and in August 2013 AMCON took a story of hope, while recognizing the efover the management of the airline.

IRUWV RI VRPH MXQLRU VWDÍż ZKR VXSSRUWHG The airline was almost going under the management during the trying times. when in February 2017 AMCON ap“Aero has become the backbone of pripointed Sanusi to head the company.

YDWH FRPSDQ\ LQ 1LJHULD ¾ ,EUX VDLG During the celebration of the 60 years Ibru’s statement summarises the foranniversary on Tuesday, which was at- tunes and future success of Aero Contractended by the Ibru family, led by Cecilia tors.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019

24

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Sirika: With Huge Travel Market, Nigeria Needs Strong Airlines The Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who spoke at the sixth stakeholders PHHWLQJ LQ /DJRV UHFHQWO\ VDLG WKH RQO\ ZD\ 1LJHULD FDQ EHQHĂ&#x20AC;W IURP LWV KXJH DLU WUDQVSRUW market is to grow very strong airlines with capacity that will enable them compete with other international carriers. Chinedu Eze who was there and brings the excerpts: National Carrier he centrality of Nigeria in the JHRJUDSK\ RI $IULFD EHLQJ HTXDO distance from all locations within Africa is also a good candidate IRU D YHU\ UREXVW FDUULHU $QG whether there is a reason or need for JRYHUQPHQW WR VXSSRUW WKH HVWDEOLVKPHQW RI WKH FDUULHU \HV WKHUH LV <RX DOO DJUHH with me that we are yet to have an airline WKDW LV WUXO\ DQ DLUOLQH WKDW LV DQVZHULQJ WKH TXHVW DQG WKH \HDUQLQJV RI WUDYHOOHUV LQ 1LJHULD 6R ZH PXVW VXSSRUW HYHU\ HQWUHSUHQHXU ZLOOLQJ WR HVWDEOLVK DQ DLUOLQH or who already has an airline existing. We PXVW VXSSRUW EHFDXVH WKDW LV WKH SXUSRVH of government being there. :H PXVW DOVR VXSSRUW SHRSOH ZKR ZLOO EXLOG FDSDFLW\ WR EH DEOH WR HTXDWH RU WR EH DEOH WR VXUSDVV ZKHUH RWKHU DLUOLQHV are now. Say, for example, Ethiopia, when 1LJHULDQ $LUZD\ ZDV Ă \LQJ DOO RYHU WKH SODFH (WKLRSLD $LUOLQHV ZDV MXVW QRZKHUH 7KH\ PXVW KDYH VWDUWHG EHIRUH XV EXW WKH\ ZHUHQ¡W DQ\ZKHUH %XW EHFDXVH RI WKDW YDFXXP WKHQ \RX ZLOO JR WR SHRSOH OLNH (WKLRSLD UHFHQWO\ \RX KDYH 5ZDQGD 1DPLELD FRPLQJ HYHU\ERG\ %XW EHOLHYH me this is where the market is. And at a WLPH ZKHQ ZH GLG WKH QXPEHUV ZH IRXQG RXW WKDW PRVW RI WKLV EXVLQHVV LV FHQWUHG DURXQG WKLV FRXQWU\ 1LJHULD %HFDXVH WKLV is where the market is. I have done some speaking somewhere in England last week and we analysed all of this movement in WKH JOREH DQG ZH IRXQG RXW WKDW LI \RX look at centre of Americas to centre of (XURSH WR PLG (DVW DQG WR 6RXWKHUQ $VLD that is where the activity of aviation is happening. %XW PRVW RI LW LV GXH WR WKUHH IXQGD PHQWDO WKLQJV WKDW , IRXQG RXW 2QH LV WKH geography; we are blessed or God given. I XVHG WR VD\ WKDW WKH PDS RI $IULFD LI \RX WXUQ LW LW ORRNV OLNH D JXQ DQG WKH WULJJHU WKH\ VDLG LV ZKHUH 1LJHULD LV ,I \RX consider this belt where we are operating, the west and central Africa, if that is the best belt for Africa, economically, politi FDOO\ DQG VRFLDOO\ WKHQ 1LJHULD PXVW EH WKH EXON RI WKH EHOW IRU $IULFD Another thing is that we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a YHU\ DFWLYH YLEUDQW DLUOLQH LQGXVWU\ :H DOO NQRZ WKH VWRU\ RI 'XEDL LW LV MXVW WKHLU airport and their airline simple. We also see Singapore, the thing that development their commerce and their train and their Ă&#x20AC;QDQFH DQG WKHLU *'3 EHOLHYH LW RU QRW it is the aviation. I stand to be corrected RQ 'XEDL DQG RQ 6LQJDSRUH DQG QRZ UHFHQWO\ ZH DUH VHHLQJ 0DXULWLXV WU\LQJ WR FRPH XS DQG FXUUHQWO\ WKH FDVH VWXG\ QRZ LV ,VWDQEXO LQ 7XUNH\ 1RZ WKH\ DUH EXLOGLQJ WKH ELJJHVW DLUSRUW RQ HDUWK WR handle150million people or more. And their airline has grown in leaps and ERXQGV %HFDXVH WKHVH FRXQWULHV KDYH WKH DLUOLQH DQG EHFDXVH WKH\ DUH EXLOGLQJ capacity for the airport, that is why they are drawing people in and their people DUH JRLQJ RXW 6R LW LV QRW PDJLF RQFH \RX DUH DEOH WR KDYH WKH YHKLFOH WKDW ZLOO EULQJ LQWR ZKHUH \RX DUH DQG WKH\ JR RXW DQG \RX FUHDWH D KXE DURXQG \RX (YHQ WKHUH LV DQ DUJXPHQW QRZ KDV WR KRZ with the development of bigger, more capacity airliners, as in aircraft that will Ă \ QRQ VWRS DQ\ZKHUH LQ WKH ZRUOG WKDW PD\EH WKH GD\V RI KXEV DUH SKDVLQJ RXW ,W LV LQFRUUHFW EHFDXVH SHRSOH ZLOO JHW WLUHG

beat, to one, remove that free zone, two, remove the market, remove the state radio PDVW EHFDXVH LW LV GLUHFWO\ RQ DSSURDFK 1RZ ZKDW ZH DUH GRLQJ RQ WKH UXQZD\ LV WKH FXW DQG SDVWH RI SDWFK\ SDWFK\ ZRUN LQ 1LJHULDQ ODQJXDJH WR HQVXUH WKDW LW LV VDIH IRU RSHUDWLRQV 6R GDLO\ RXU PHQ DUH WKHUH Ă&#x20AC;[LQJ WKH UXQZD\ RQFH \RX Ă&#x20AC;[ RQH section it fails the next week. Similar to ZKDW $EXMD ZDV GRLQJ EHIRUH ZH FORVH LW down.

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Projects )URP WLOO QRZ ZH KDYH DERXW 157 projects for the sector, and we have completed 130, and they are 100 per cent completed. 13 of them are above 50 per cent and 13 of them are below 50 per cent. $QG ZH KDYH GRQH DERXW SROLFLHV 7KLV LV MXVW D VXPPDU\ RI ZKDW ZH KDYH GRQH WKLV LQFOXGH DOO WKH $EXMD ,/6V ,QVWUXPHQW Landing System) and everything that we KDYH GRQH ,W ZDV VR GLÎ&#x20AC;FXOW WR DFKLHYH DOO RI WKHVH EHFDXVH ZH ZHQW WKURXJK D ORW RI FKDOOHQJLQJ WLPHV <RX NQRZ WKH income of government has lessened, that LV ZK\ VRPHWLPHV \RX VHH DYLDWLRQ KDYLQJ SHU FHQW RI WKLV RQ WKH EXGJHW :KHQ \RX EXGJHW IRU OHW¡V VD\ 1 ELOOLRQ DQG LW KDV EHHQ UHGXFHG WKURXJK VRPH SURFHVV WR 1 ELOOLRQ DQG RXW RI WKDW \RX JHW UHOHDVH of 11 per cent; it is only magic that can let \RX GR VRPH RI WKHVH WKLQJV %XW OXFNLO\ ZH ZHQW WKURXJK DOO RI WKHVH DQG ZH DUH WR DQQRXQFH WKDW ZH KDYH GRQH RXW RI 157 projects.

Sirika

RI Ă \LQJ KRXUV LQ WKDW SODQH Passenger TraďŹ&#x192;c , MXVW UHDG VWDWLVWLFV IURP P\ RÎ&#x20AC;FH WKDW we have moved over 18 million passen JHUV ZLWKLQ WKH ODVW \HDU XQGHU UHYLHZ :H XVHG WR EH DW PLOOLRQ EXW VXUSULVLQJO\ WKH QXPEHUV KDYH JRQH RQWR SOXV and almost 19 million passengers. And WKLV LV D KXJH GHYHORSPHQW LQ RXU VHFWRU and this is also a sign that we are going in the right direction. So there are more SHRSOH Ă \LQJ QRZ DQG SURSHQVLW\ WR Ă \ LV LQFUHDVLQJ LQ WKLV VXE VHFWRU 2I FRXUVH \RX KDYH KHDUG WKDW ZH FHUWLĂ&#x20AC;HG WKH /DJRV DQG $EXMD DLUSRUWV ZH DUH \HW WR GR 3RUW +DUFRXUW DQG .DQR :H VRRQ ZLOO do that and we may possibly, pending ZKHQ ZH Ă&#x20AC;QLVK (QXJX ZH PD\ GHJUDGH LW LQ WHUPV RI WKH LQWHUQDWLRQDO VWDWXV EHFDXVH WKH UXQZD\ FRQGLWLRQ LQ (QXJX LV WHUULEOH $QG ZH KDYH LVVXHV WKHUH , KDYH EHHQ WKHUH WKUHH WLPHV , GLVFXVVHG ZLWK the governor and told him things to do, so that we can rehabilitate the airport.

Enugu Airport I read some in London two, three day DJR WKDW $LU 3HDFH VXÍżHUHG ELUG VWULNH WKH\ KDG WR PDNH DQ DLU UHWXUQ %HFDXVH DV \RX DSSURDFK (QXJX WKHUH LV D PDUNHW there and the market is an abattoir, and that attracts birds. We sympathise with WKHP RQ WKH ELUG VWULNH DQG OXFNLO\ WKH\ PDGH DLU UHWXUQ DQG WKHUH ZHUH QR LVVXHV %XW WKLV LV SDUW RI WKH SUREOHP DV \RX DSSURDFK \RX KDYH WKDW PDUNHW DQG DW WKH HQG RI WKH UXQZD\ DOVR \RX KDYH this free trade zone. The government is trying to establish free trade zone and the H[WHQGHG FHQWUHOLQH RI WKH UXQZD\ $QG ZH DOO NQRZ WKDW (QXJX LV WKH .DGXQD RI

WKH HDVW LW LV WKH KHDGTXDUWHUV RI WKH HDVW and the travelling passengers are always there and we really have international Ă LJKWV JRLQJ LQ WKHUH 7UXH WR 1LJHULDQV DWWLWXGH RQFH WKH\ KHDUG WKDW WKH\ ZRXOG EH SDLG VRPH FRPSHQVDWLRQ LQ (QXJX PDQ\ SHRSOH FDPH DQG EXLOW KRXVHV EXW LQLWLDOO\ RQO\ DERXW WZR RU WKUHH KRXVHV were there. When the governor wanted WR FRPSHQVDWH WKH KRVW FRPPXQLW\ VR WKDW ZH FDQ H[SDQG WKH UXQZD\ WR PDNH LW PHWHUV ZLGH DQG VKRXOGHUV DQG WR H[WHQG WKH OHQJWK WKH\ MXVW VWDUWHG VSULQJLQJ XS EXLOGLQJV WKHUH %HIRUH \RX know it within nine months there have EHHQ WRR PDQ\ KRXVHV LQ WKDW SODFH $QG the government keeps promising them WKDW KH ZLOO GHPROLVK WKH KRXVHV IRU XV WR FRQWLQXH 6R ZH FDQ¡W FRQWLQXH DQG , DP DIUDLG MXVW OLNH \RX UHFHLYHG WKH QHZV ZKHQ , VDLG , ZLOO FORVH GRZQ $EXMD , DP DIUDLG WKDW (QXJX ZLOO KDYH WR EH FORVHG GRZQ EHFDXVH KRQHVWO\ , FDQ¡W WDNH WKH risk. And I have said to the governor, I went there three times and it was on WKH QHZV 3OHDVH SOHDVH OHW XV JHW LQWR (QXJX RQFH DQG IRU DOO Ă&#x20AC;[ WKH UXQZD\V it is very important. Extend it, expand LW DQG SXW DOO RI WKH ODQGLQJ DLGV DQG VR RQ DQG WKDW PDUNHW PXVW PRYH :KHQ , ZDV D NLG ZH XVHG WR JR WR D PDUNHW that was 16 kilometres away and we WUHNNHG 6R SXVKLQJ LW PD\EH WZR WKUHH kilometres away will not harm to save lives. And to improve on the operations of (QXJX DLUSRUW ZH KDYH MXVW VSHQW VHYHUDO KXQGUHGV RI GROODUV WR GR WKH QHZ (QXJX terminal. Who is going to go in there? No one. Ethiopian airlines going there will stop going and in fact even if they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop going we will stop them going there.

So think the earlier the governor does his

Rebuilding of MMIA Terminal :H DUH JRLQJ WR UHEXLOG WKH 0XUWDOD 0XKDPPHG $LUSRUW LQWHUQDWLRQDO WHUPL QDO :H PHW ZLWK -XOLXV %HUJHU DQG WKH\ JDYH XV D ELOO 0U 3UHVLGHQW ZDV ZLOOLQJ WR VRXUFH WKH PRQH\ DQG GR LW 6R WKH WRWDO SURMHFWHG FRVW LV DERXW 1 ELOOLRQ RU WKHUHDERXW WR EH VSHQW DV SDOOLDWLYHV /RRNLQJ DW WKH DLUSRUW IURP RXWVLGH \RX ZLOO WKLQN HYHU\WKLQJ LV RND\ EXW EHOLHYH me what is behind it, I was scared when , VDZ LW 7KLV LV EHFDXVH WKH\ FDUULHG RXW comprehensive investigation. First the LQWHJULW\ RI WKH VWUXFWXUH DQG DOO RI WKH services there, some of the cabling has melted together. So, we have to invest WKDW 1 ELOOLRQ LQWR LW DQG WKHQ ODWHU ZH WU\ WR GR LW DJDLQ DQG PDNH LW PXOWL OHYHO PD\EH WZR OHYHOV $QG \RX NQRZ WKDW we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t receive any federal government VXEYHQWLRQ LQ WHUPV RI 9$7 ZH WU\ WR LPSURYH RXU LQFRPHV DQG EORFN DOO WKRVH drainages and see how we can maximise WKH DPRXQW RI PRQH\ DQG Ă&#x20AC;[ WKLV DLUSRUW especially Lagos.

I explained in the stakeholder meeting VRPH WLPH DJR WKDW LPDJLQH \RXUVHOI OLNH ZKHUH , FRPH IURP ZKHUH WKHLU PXOWLSOH ZLYHV OLNH IRXU EXW LPDJLQH \RXUVHOI ZLWK RQH ZLIH DQG RQH VRQ DQG \RX DUH LQ D Ă DW RI WZR EHGURRPV ZLWK RQH WRLOHW SOXV \RX DQG WKHQ DXQWLHV LI LW LV /DJRV DQG $EXMD WKDW LV H[DFWO\ WKH VWRU\ RI /DJRV DLUSRUW %XLOW DQG LQWHQGHG IRU people and now is doing eight million.

7KH VDPH VWUXFWXUH LV VWLOO LQ SODFH VR LW PXVW FROODSVH 3HRSOH WDONHG WR PH DERXW WKH WRLOHW \RX VHH LW LV WKDW VDPH WRLOHW WKH UDWH RI WKH XVH RI WKH WRLOHWV ZLOO OLWHUDOO\ PDNH \RX NHHS WKH SOXPEHU WKHUH ,W KDV been my headache for the last three years VLQFH , EHFDPH 0LQLVWHU EXW OXFNLO\ ZH KDYH IRXQG D VROXWLRQ QRZ

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019

25

BUSINESSWORLD

MARITIME

Government Charges and Fleet Development Eromosele Abiodun writes on the need for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety $JHQF\ WR XUJHQWO\ GHVLJQ D ZHOO WKRXJKW RXW LQGLJHQRXV ÁHHW GHYHORSPHQW SURJUDPPH ZKLFK

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T H I S D AY â&#x20AC;˘ FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019

26

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Designing Labour Policies to Foster Inclusive Growth Romain Duval and Prakash Loungani

orâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;where administrative capacity allowsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; in-work tax credits. For instance, Dibao in China and Bolsa Familia in Brazil have successfully provided income support targeted to the poor. Another route may be to have lower minimum wages for certain groups of workers or in certain regions where they are particularly high relative to the local median wage.

The IMFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advice to the Philippines and South Africa over the past few years illustrates the former route. In the case of South Africa, while advocating that the national minimum wage be set so as to not hurt job creation, the IMF has also recognized the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals of reducing inequality and providing minimum household income needs, and has advocated that social transfers and progressive taxation be used to meet these goals. The latter route was advocated in Malaysia, where the advice was to lower minimum wages in some regions.

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merging market economies have enjoyed good growth in recent decades but are still far from closing gaps in living standards with advanced economies. Emerging markets also need growth to be shared by everyone, particularly by providing their growing populations with good jobs and social protection. ,Q D QHZ ,0) VWDÍż SDSHU ZH ORRN DW KRZ the design of labour marketsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;institutions and policiesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;could foster inclusive growth in these countries.

The design of labour market policies in HPHUJLQJ PDUNHWV GLÍżHUV VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQWO\ IURP that in advanced economies, as shown in this VLPSOH VXPPDU\ Ă&#x20AC;JXUH â&#x20AC;˘ Only half of emerging markets have unemployment insurance systems in place, while they exist in nearly all advanced economies. This means that workers in emerging markets have less to fall back on in the event that they lose their jobs. â&#x20AC;˘ In contrast, employment protection legislation is just as prevalent in emerging markets as in advanced economies. In fact, emerging markets out-rank advanced economiesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;at least in lawâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;on one important component of such legislation, severance pay (what companies must pay workers if they dismiss them).

MREV E\ NHHSLQJ FRPSDQLHV IURP H[FHVVLYH Ă&#x20AC;Uing or reallocation of workers.

Though the context in emerging counWULHV LV GLÍżHUHQW WKH H[SHULHQFH RI DGYDQFHG economies suggests it may be better to protect workers more through unemployment insurance than through very stringent employment protection legislation. The model â&#x20AC;˘ Collective bargaining agreements cover in Nordic countries like Denmarkâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;moderate only about 20 percent of workers in emerg- and predictable employment protection coming markets and about half of workers in ad- ELQHG ZLWK KLJK XQHPSOR\PHQW EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV EXW vanced economies. with active policies to get the unemployed back into jobsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;is a prominent example. â&#x20AC;˘ The ratio of the minimum wage to the In emerging markets, the need to provide median wage is higher in emerging markets workers some insurance against the risk of inthan in advanced economies. This means that come loss is greater than in advanced econoin emerging markets, the minimum wage is mies. However, the risk that policies fail is also closer to the median wage, which partly re- greater owing to widespread labor market inĂ HFWV ORZ PHGLDQ ZDJHV formality and limited administrative capacity.

Does the design of labour markets in ad- This may help explain why emerging markets YDQFHG HFRQRPLHV RÍżHU VRPH JXLGDQFH IRU rely more on employment protection legislaemerging markets? tion, which, however, protects only a fraction of workersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;risking a dual labor market of Protecting workers protected formal sector workers and a large Creating high-paying jobs requires that jobs unprotected informal sectorâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and can be one rendered unproductive are replaced by more of the obstacles to creating jobs in the formal productive ones. But workers need some ba- sector. sic protections in the face of these job reallocaHence, as informality is reduced and adtions. This can be done partly through an un- ministrative capacity improves, there is a case employment insurance system, which gives for emerging markets to gradually expand workers who lose their jobs some income unemployment insurance and move toward support while they search for new jobs. By less stringent and more predictable employcontrast, employment protection legislationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; ment protection legislation. rules such as valid grounds for eliminating This has been the direction advocated by jobs and provision of severance payâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;protect the IMF over the past decade, based on our

Maersk to Accelerate Growth in Logistics & Services through Integration Eromosele Abiodun

lio to an even broader customer base.â&#x20AC;?

APM Terminals, he added, would conAPM Terminals Inland Services will be in- tinue to serve shipping line and landside tegrated into Maersk Logistics & Services customers with services on and around from 1 August 2019, providing customers the port premises such as traditional storwith seamless access to a wider range of age and terminal handling as well as newORJLVWLFV VHUYLFHV RÍżHULQJV &KLHI 2S- ly developed services such as fast-gates.

HUDWLQJ 2Î&#x20AC;FHU $ 3 0ROOHU 0DHUVN 6ÂĄUHQ ´:KLOH IRFXVLQJ RQ LWV FRUH RÍżHULQJ Toft has said.

APM Terminals is also continuing to colThe move, Toft said, was a next step for laborate with Maersk for customers who A.P. Moller - Maersk in the implementa- are looking for end-to-end solutions, â&#x20AC;&#x153;he WLRQ RI LWV VWUDWHJ\ WR RÍżHU HQG WR HQG VR- added. lutions to our customers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The even closer collaboration enables According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Inland Services both APM Terminals and Maersk to reportfolio is a network of inland terminals duce complexity and eliminate service around the globe consisting of 36 business overlaps, so that both brands can focus on units with over 100 locations. By bringing their core strengths and provide greater together all operations skills and capabili- value and a better experience to customties within logistics, it creates a base for ers, â&#x20AC;?said CEO APM Terminals, Morten growth and enables Maersk to excel in Engelstoft. the execution within Logistics & Services He added:â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today, Inland Services ofproducts. fers a vast arrange of services for both â&#x20AC;&#x153;APM Terminals can fully focus on be- shipping line customers and landside cuscoming a world-class port operator, while tomers. For shipping line customers, the Maersk, with the integration of Inland RÍżHULQJ RI ,QODQG 6HUYLFHV FHQWUHV DURXQG Services, will continue to focus on ocean depot, container equipment maintenance transportation as well as logistics and ser- and repair and transportation. For landvices product development and delivery.â&#x20AC;? side customers, Inland Services is supâ&#x20AC;&#x153;By structurally adding Inland Services porting these customers by integrating to Maersk, customers will have a seamless their supply chains locally through servicaccess to a wider range of logistics and ser- es such as transportation solutions, CFS YLFHV RÍżHULQJV ,W SXWV 0DHUVN LQ DQ HYHQ and warehouse, depots and temperatureEHWWHU SRVLWLRQ WR GLÍżHUHQWLDWH LWV RÍżHULQJ controlled handling and storage environand scale the Logistics & Services portfo- ments.â&#x20AC;?

survey of advice to 30 emerging and frontier market economies. For example, Chile, Malaysia, and Turkey were advised to introduce or expand unemployment insurance systems while lowering severance payments. Several others, such as Morocco and Indonesia, were advised to lower very high legal severance payments, which can channel work to the informal sector and foster segmentation of labor markets.

Appropriate wage levels When it comes to minimum wages, the approach, level, and design that work well will vary by country. Minimum wages serve an important distributional purpose in emerging markets by providing a basic standard of living for workers. They are helpful to alleviate the poverty of those whose jobs may not as yet pay enough to make ends meet. They can also reduce the risk that employers will underpay workers. If set too high compared with median wages, however, minimum wages can also dissuade companies from KLULQJ ORZ VNLOOHG ZRUNHUV LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW SODFH keeping them from accumulating the skills that would move them later in their career into higher-paying jobs.

The setting of the minimum wage thus has to balance essential distributional needs against possible adverse impacts on job creation. One route is to set minimum wages to a reasonable level (relative to the median wage in the country) and to complement them with programs such as cash transfer programs

Collective bargaining: trust matters Along with legally required minimum wages, collective bargaining between workers and their employers can play a useful complementary role in setting decent wage and working conditions. But making bargaining work on a VHFWRU ZLGH EDVLV LV PRUH GLÎ&#x20AC;FXOW DOWKRXJK advanced countries like Germany or the Netherlands have succeeded. A lot depends RQ VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F GHWDLOV RI WKH EDUJDLQLQJ DUUDQJHments, including whether the interests of all individual companies are well represented at the bargaining table, worker representatives coordinate among themselves, and the sectorlevel agreement provides some minimum Ă H[LELOLW\ WR DFFRPPRGDWH WKH GLÍżHUHQW QHHGV RI LQGLYLGXDO Ă&#x20AC;UPV The IMFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s labour market advice has evolved over time, as it increasingly emphasizes the need for social protection and more inclusive growth. While the IMF continues to assess how labor market institutions can be designed in a way that supports economic HÎ&#x20AC;FLHQF\ LW LV DOVR SD\LQJ PRUH DWWHQWLRQ WR reducing inequality.

Overall, IMF advice has been broadly consistent with lessons from the academic OLWHUDWXUH RQ KRZ WR IRVWHU Ă H[LELOLW\ ZKLOH strengthening safety nets. Getting labor market policy right in emerging markets will require important next steps, such as better inteJUDWLQJ HÎ&#x20AC;FLHQF\ DQG HTXLW\ FRQVLGHUDWLRQV SURYLGLQJ PRUH VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F DGYLFH LQ HDFK DUHD DQG DFFRXQWLQJ IRU KRZ GLÍżHUHQW SROLF\ DUHDV interact. â&#x20AC;˘ Culled from the IMFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Maritime Tourism Can Grow Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Economyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Eromosele Abiodun Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has FDOOHG IRU FRQFHUWHG HÍżRUWV E\ VWDNHholders towards the development of coastal and maritime tourism in Nigeria, stressing that when fully harnessed, the sector can contribute greatly to the economy.

Peterside said this while receiving an award at the second edition of the National Tourism and Transport Summit held in Abuja, with the theme: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tourism and Transportation Interdependencies for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development.â&#x20AC;?

Peterside charged stakeholders and investors to tap into the huge opportunities in maritime tourism, which is a crucial part of the Blue Economy. He assured potential investors that NIMASA would help to create an enabling environment for their businesses to thrive.

The DG urged coastal states to follow the example of Lagos in making conVFLRXV HÍżRUWV WR KDUQHVV WKHLU PDULWLPH potential.

Peterside, who was represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, explained

that with Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maritime endowments, maritime tourism could be a major revenue earner and huge contributor WR WKH JRYHUQPHQW¡V HFRQRPLF GLYHUVLĂ&#x20AC;cation agenda. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While the tourism potential in other aspects of the economy are being maximised to a reasonable extent, the potential of coastal and maritime tourism in Nigeria remains grossly under-tapped, â&#x20AC;?Peterside stated.

He challenged coastal states in the country to emulate Lagos, adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;it is the only state that has shown substantial commitment towards developing maritime tourism as a critical pillar of its economic development.â&#x20AC;?

According to him, with a coastline of about 852 kilometres and an inland waterways of over 8, 000 kilometres, Nigeria has the natural habitat to grow its maritime tourism industry to be one of the biggest in the sub-region.

The Institute of Tourism Professionals (ITP), organisers of the National Tourism and Transport Summit, said they presented the award of Outstanding Maritime Operations Regulator of the <HDU 6HD DQG 2ÍżVKRUH WR 1,0$6$ LQ recognistion of the Agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment and strategic initiatives towards the development of the sector.

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

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

2019 Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day: Nigerian Prodigies Ruling their World

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COVER 2019 CHILDRENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DAY: NIGERIAN PRODIGIES RULING THEIR WORLD In Nigeria, the International Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day is marked on May 27 as against other nations that celebrate the day on different dates. However, despite the disparity in dates, the objective is the same; a day set aside to celebrate children. It was on that premise that the United Nations adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1959 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1989. This year, THISDAY celebrates a mixture of young progidies who are either girl-child advocates or coding programmers, ďŹ lm makers, musicians, saxophonists, comedians, environmentalist and gender equality advocate. Although the list is truly endless, CHIEMELIE EZEOBI highlights the achievements of a few Photo and additional credit: Google, Ventures Africa, Konbini.com, morebranches.com

Marylove Edwards: Tennis Star Referred to by BBC as Nigerian â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Serena Williamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Marylove Edwards started her tennis career at age four when she won the 2015 U-14 CBN Junior Tennis Championship and the NNPC Junior Tennis Masters. Born on March 18, 2005, she also made history by ranking No.4 in the in the latest women

Zuriel Oduwole- Activist Born in 2002, Zuriel Elise Oduwole, a girl education advocate and film maker best known for her works on the advocacy for the education of girls in Africa. While her advocacy has taken her far, her talent as the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youngest filmmaker is not in doubt. She had selfproduced and self-edited her film, which showed in two movie chains, and then went on to screen in Ghana, England, South Africa, and Japan.

In her line of work, Oduwole has met with countless presidents, prime ministers, leaders of thought and highly placed persons around the globe.

singles tennis ranking just released by the Nigerian Tennis Federation (NTF). In 2017, Edwards, won her first U.S. match during the USTA Celsius Level six girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 14 & Under tournament, barely 20 days after she joined IMG Tennis Academy, a world-renowned academy founded by veteran tennis coach, Nick Bollettieri, in Bradenton, Florida.

Misimi Isimi: Environmentalist and Gender Equality Advocate Isimi is a young Nigerian environmentalist and gender equality advocate. In 2017, when she was just nine years old, she was already an active environmentalist and advocate for the rights of children. Through her Eco Kids Green Club, where she is the president she enlightens people about the benefits of protecting the environment, as well as the future generation. Already in her kitty, she has led awareness programmes on World Environment Day and Earth Day about environmental protection. She is also passionate about teaching other children about the importance of gender equality and personal hygiene. To do this, she has taken her sensitisation campaign yo primary schools.

Demilade Adepegba: Saxophonist For master saxophonist and music star, Adepegba, his dexterity when the handles the saxophone is phenomenal. Although he started playing the flute and keyboard at age four, he later delved into playing saxophone and hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t looked back since then.

He has wowed guests in school competitions, church programmes, birthdays, weddings and at the Beejay Sax Live concert in Lagos where he was the star of the night after sharing the stage with other gospel acts.

Tomisin Ogunnubi: Coding Programmer Ogunnubi treads where even many adults fear to cross. As a programmer, she is probably the youngest Nigerian in her field having created a mobile tracking app called: â&#x20AC;&#x153;My Locator,â&#x20AC;? to help children find their way home from any location.

The 15-year-old student of Vivian Fowler Memorial College made the app in 2016 and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s available on the Google Play Store. The app includes current location, alert button and remembered location. Most importantly, the appâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alert button is connected to the Lagos State Emergency Service number (767) so that when the button is pressed, the emergency number is called and a message showing the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current location will be sent to them for help.

Ozzy Bosco - Musician Born January 7, 2007, Oziomachukwu Chukwujama, popularly known as Ozzy Bosco, rose to fame after winning the Season 7 of the Nigerian Kids Got Talent award. Since his win, the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wonderkidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; has recorded songs with the likes of Flavour, Terry G and all time favorite, Olamide. His profile also boasts of several portfolios including being the youngest African entertainer to be signed as Brand Ambassador by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Tigo Milk (CWAY Food & Beverages).

Emmanuella Samuel: Comedian Born July 22, 2010, nine-year-old Emmanuella Samuel is a young comedian that took the world by storm. Having gained prominence at age six when a debut appearance in the comedy skit, â&#x20AC;&#x153;My Real Faceâ&#x20AC;? shot by Mark Angel Comedy went viral, her presence has gained traction over the years. According to Wikipedia, in 2017, MarkAngel Comedy YouTube channel became the first ever Nigerian-owned YouTube channel to hit a million subscribers and in 2018, she was invited to the National Assembly by Senate President Bukola Saraki on account of her landing a role in a Disney film. In 2016, Emmanuella won the award for Top Subscribed Creator from YouTube at the inaugural edition of the Sub-Saharan African YouTube Awards. She also won the Best New Comedienne & Princess of Comedy awards at the Afro-Australia Music & Movie Awards (AAMMA). She was hosted by CNN in November 2016. In 2015, she won the G-Influence Niger Delta Special Talent Award.

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NEWS

Clever Clogs Book Hosts First Akada Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Book Festival Stories by Mary Nnah The much anticipated inaugural edition of the Akada Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Book Festival (ACBF) has come and gone but the memory lingers on.

Held recently at the British Council premises in Ikoyi, Lagos, the event was designed to showcase childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s books written

by African authors or books written by authors from around the world for children of colour.

It featured an array of activities such as workshops for writers and illustrators, author showcase, interactive and engaging workshops for children, soft skill masterclasses for teachers and parents amidst a whole lot more.

The festival, an initiative of the publisher of Clever Clogs Books, Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi, was officially declared open by the special guest of the day, Publisher of The Guardian Newspapers, Lady Maiden Alex Ibru.

The workshops kicked

L-R : Chairman, Punch Nigeria, Mrs Angela Emuwa; Convener of the Akada Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Book Festival, Mrs Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi and Executive Director at WIMBIZ, Hansatu Adegbite at the event

off with a session titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;When I Grow Upâ&#x20AC;? facilitated by Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Young Leader awardee and MTV Europe Generation Change award winner, Hauwa Ojeifo, while Dr. Seun

Akinbohun took the session â&#x20AC;&#x153;Good with Moneyâ&#x20AC;?.

Founder of Lagos Mums, Yetty Williams and Programmes Manager, Schools, Education and Society at the British Council,

Lynda Ashaolu, both spoke at different sessions of parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; workshop on child protection on the same topic, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being Your Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Superhero.â&#x20AC;&#x153; Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Book author

VeterinariansImploreNigeriansonRegularVaccination A professional body of veterinarians, Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Lagos Chapter, has called on Nigerians to embrace vaccination of animals as a priority, whether they are pets kept for personal use or livestock reared for consumption.

Speaking recently as a guest speaker during the 2019 World Veterinary Day Clinical Seminar with the theme, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Value of Vaccinationâ&#x20AC;?, a member of the association and also Group Managing Director of theAMO Conglomerates, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, said vaccination would save lives of animals and also the lives of the humans around them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you vaccinate your animals, you are actually protecting yourself because disease like rabies and some of the other diseases are in one way or the other, transmissible to humans,â&#x20AC;? said Oduntan, who also owns both Byng Nigeria Limited and Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited, The veterinarian, who said he came into veterinary medicine so he could produce a lot of foods for a lot of people, posited that quacks thrive in the veterinary industry as a result of lapses in the profession.

Chairman, Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Aroso Olufemi Joseph delivering his speech during the event

He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to observe and make sure that we take very good care of our investors so that they do not resort to looking for cheaper alternatives, which are usually quacks. We also need to make sure that the practitioners within the industry stay committed and work for the right channels.â&#x20AC;?

Speaking further on how the association would tackle quackery, Oduntan said â&#x20AC;&#x153;First is to insist on establishing an entity

of the claim of the profession and also bring the full weight of the law on quacks who are adding to the challenges of the farmers and pet owners around the country.â&#x20AC;?

Another practitioner, Dr. Kehinde Makinde said the veterinary profession has come of age and has been of great support to investors in livestock businesses especially in the poultry industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These are great investments

that they cannot do alone. Most times, if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the necessary support, you may end up wasting your resources and that is where the professional veterinarian comes inâ&#x20AC;?, he added.

He explained: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vaccination mainly is a preventive means ensuring that our livestock do not come down with diseases that could destroy the livestock.

So, vaccination is highly valuable and so we are teaching our colleagues how best to go about it and to encourage investors to ensure that they vaccinate their animals regularly.â&#x20AC;?

He noted however that, for now, there were shortage of professional veterinarians to attend to the increasing number of investors in the livestock industry and that has brought about a wide gab. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There has been wide gap in the farming industry because we do not have enough veterinarians in the country and at the same time many of the farmers are unable to access professional veterinarians. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A number of the investors are not making best use of the opportunity they can get from the professionals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;

and Co-pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Nomthi Odukoya read her book at the pop-up library and spoke at a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workshop on the topic, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You May, But I Will Not.â&#x20AC;?

Also at Pop-up library were series of book reading sessions including one by the special guest of the day Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru and another by the Chairman of Punch Mrs. Angela Emuwa among others.

There were also professional workshops for book writers and illustrators. At one of them childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book author and convener of the Akada Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Book Festival, Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi spoke to writers and aspiring writers on the topic, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Writing Engaging Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Books.â&#x20AC;?

Other sessions were facilitated by Founder of OloriSupergal, Tosin Ajibade; Omilola Oshikoya - CEO of the Omilola Oshikoya International Company; award winning design artist Michael Okoroagha; illustrator, Ebuka; and Chika Ezeabiama - partner, Epoch Comics.

Family Life Therapist, Praise Fowowe and Medical Director of Pinnacle Medical Services, popularly known as the Celebrity shrink, Dr. Maymunah Kadiri both spoke on different sessions of parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; popular workshop â&#x20AC;&#x153;Reading the Signs, Hearing What They Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Sayâ&#x20AC;?, while former Big Brother Naija housemate and media personality, Alex â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unusualâ&#x20AC;?

Asogwa spoke on the topic â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stop That Bully.â&#x20AC;?

A keenly contested writing competition, which began before the festival with participants having to write on the topic â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hidden Treasuresâ&#x20AC;?, had the results announced on the day of the festival.

Ademide Onafowokan emerged first overall with a total of 85 marks, the first runner-up was Victor O. Momoh with 75 marks and the second runner-up was Folajinmi Agaba with 70 marks. Some other honorable mentions include Nesochi Okonkwo, Moradeke, Olamide Ogunlary and Iremide Olubona â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all with 70 marks also.

ORSExcitesHairstylists Organic Root Stimulator (ORS) produced by African Consumer Care Limited last weekend honoured hairstylists who make artful hairstyles possible during the 2019 National Hairstylists Appreciation Day held in Ikeja, Lagos.

The Business Head, SubSaharan Africa region, Mr Sanjay Kashyap said apart from celebrating and honouring these very key stakeholders, ORS has also made it a duty to train hair stylists every quarter adding that the hair brand has trained 32,000 hairstylists across the 36 states in Nigeria per quarter on active education, trends and proper use of ORS products. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are also using this platform to entrench our strong partnerships and rollout our activity calendar for the year with the national and state chapters of invited hair associations across the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today is not only about celebrating but a lasting partnership with the ORS brand to drive expert hair care practices, product knowledge amongst a cross section of hairstylists, present,â&#x20AC;? he told teeming hairstylists who at-

tend the event from 19 states.

Speaking further on his brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effort to entrench best hair care practice amongst hair professionals across Nigeria, Kashyap said the brand is driving best hair care practice at the state and national levels of the hairstylist associations, via education support. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are driving best hair care practices at both state and national chapters, through active education support at accredited LABHCA and NASHCO Hair Institutes, where we teach the students on latest hair care trends, practices and product usage to guarantee the best results,â&#x20AC;? he said.

At an event that had in attendance over 100 hairstylists from Lagos, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Delta, Abia, Enugu and other 12 states, hairstylists lauded the ORS brand for its support through active education and product usage.

Reinforcing the stylistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; position, the President of Lagos State Barbers, Hairdressers, Cosmetologists Association (LABHCA), Mrs. Ijaoba Oladipupo said it is an excellent programme that should be sustained.

Pointek Targets 1,000 Technicians for Skill Acquisition Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading retail store for technology products, Pointek, is poised to tackle unemployment with a training programme targeted at 1,000 gadget technicians in Nigeria.

Speaking during a press conference held in Lagos penultimate Tuesday, the Managing Director, Pointek, Emeka Oguchi, revealed that the training was basically meant to bridge the unemployment gap in the country.

Considering the fact that employment generation can be duly facilitated through small and medium scale businesses, Oguchi stressed that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;with the youth constituting about 70 per cent of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rising population, we need to have an inclusive economy that will spur national socio-

economic growth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While it is the role of the government to provide an enabling environment for business, private institutions and other stakeholders have to consistently create and support activities that will improve the economy.â&#x20AC;?

According to Oguchi, competent gadget technicians and entrepreneurs will be produced through the trainings, while also making sure that the beneficiaries harness hidden opportunities in the technology sector. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are extremely proud of our brand reputation among customers across Nigeria and we intend to leverage on this to improve lives by creating jobs and building new businesses.

We also believe that this

L-R: Retail Manager, Pointek, Darlington Nnakwe; Izy Head Human Resource, Pointek, Wilson-Alika; Managing Director, Pointek, Emeka Oguchi; Chief Financial OďŹ&#x192;cer, Pointek, Ifeyinwa Oguchi; Business Manager, Pointek, Jimoh Mustapha at the event

will be effective in curbing social vices as the trainings are

focused majorly on students and prison inmatesâ&#x20AC;?, he said

while adding that the first set of training was recently

carried out at the Technical School, Agidingbi, Lagos.

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MUSIC SHOWBIZ

â&#x20AC;ŚYour weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

Review: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Boney Manilliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Finds an Inquisitive Audience in Lagos Stories by Vanessa Obioha

B

y the end of the over an hour musical performance of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Boney Manilliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by visiting artists from Edgar Arceneaux Studios, most members of the audience gathered at the theatre hall of Terra Kulture in Victoria Island, Lagos, grappled with the direction of the show. But they were too shy to voice their curiosity. The daring ones however queried the intent of the playwright and filmmaker Edgar Arceneaux.

On the surface, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Boney Manilliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; chronicles the downfall of the popular German disco group â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Milli Vanilliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of the 90s, with more attention on Rob Pilatus, one half of the duo who died in 1998 from a drug overdose.

While the musical attempts to mirror Pilatusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fight for redemption after the hiccup at an MTV event in 1989 exposed the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lip-syncing act, it also cast the spotlight on the German record producer and songwriter who founded the group Frank Farian. Farianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first experiment, Boney M, the 70s pop group known for hits like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Daddy Coolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; were also featured.

A performance, exhibition and film rolled into one, the theatre hall was delicately deployed to accommodate an elevated screen on stage and a swinging light strobe which in different scenes took the shape of a church, a burial ceremony and a discotheque. For most part of the performance, the audience interacted with the seven-man cast who pleaded their indulgence in some scenes.

The performance opened with a broken Pilatus, wondering how to right his wrongs while seeking the embrace of the world.

Arceneaux depiction of the world is that of a mother. He painted Pilatus as a prodigal son seeking the warmth of a mother. The following scene shows the effervescent Farian, interacting with the audience as he prepared to showcase his golden talents to them.

Frank Lawson, a black American stage actor was peerless in his interpretation of Farian. He sang, mocked and showed his deceitful nature with every move he made on stage. Be it when he is pushing the Milli Vanilli boys to go beyond their strength, bask in the momentous fame, or when in his moment of weakness, he realised that he was born in the wrong body, as he prepared

Boney Manilli is based onthe pop duo Milli Vanill

to make a name for himself with Boney M, he was entertaining to watch. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Boney Manilliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is mostly satirical. It mocks Pilatusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pain through its dialogues. When Pilatus overwhelmed by guilt sought for a way out, his friend and other half of the group Fab Morvan reminded him of his heritage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are a descendant of Pontius Pilateâ&#x20AC;?, he told a weak Pilatus, emphasising that he can be as defiant as the Roman prefect who is known for adjudicating on the trial and crucifixion of the Son of the Supreme God, Jesus Christ.

Most of the dialogues mocks the church as characterised by the Russian monk Rasputin, ( a song by Boney M bears similar name). His jest of the religious way the church handles issues was depicted in a

scene where Rasputin told Pilatus that his redemption will not come from resurrection but from revolution.

It was important for Arceneaux to paint that imagery there, going by the recent sexual allegations against Catholic priests. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wanted people to see that duality of religion, that it can be a powerful tool to unite as well as a strong weapon to destroy,â&#x20AC;? he explained to his rapt audience at the end of the show. But the audience was more concerned about the end of the play.

Who was the villain? Who was the hero?

They werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to get a direct answer from Arceneaux.

Known for his love for history, Arceneaux said that his play was structured in such a

way that both Milli Vanilli and Farian were responsible for their choices. In real life, the Milli Vanilli boys claimed they were deceived by Farian who encouraged them to lip-sync. The duo was so popular for the song â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Girl, You Know Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which fetched them several awards including a Grammy. But on discovering that they were not the original singers, they were stripped of their awards and fame.

While the show which screening in Lagos was made possible by the U.S Consulate in Lagos, was challenging for the audience, they however were entertained by the score of songs performed by the female singers of the fictional Boney M. At least, they memorised the catchy song â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mama, you gotta goâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

At MPANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inaugural Town Hall Meeting, COSON, NCC Take the Heat The growing crisis over copyright issues in the music industry took centre stage at the first town hall meeting of The Music Publishers Association of Nigeria (MPAN).

Graced by music stakeholders and artistes including Programme Director Beat 99.9FM, Olisa Adibua, and Efe Omorogbe of Hypertek Digital, the conference sought to address the varying issues of publishing rights rocking the industry under the theme â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Music Publishing Business in Nigeria - Regulations, Challenges and the Futureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

While each of the panelists made up of MPAN members gave an overview of the issues plaguing the music industry, they all agreed that the Copyright Society of Nigeria has not been transparent enough in some of its functions.

This was elucidated by MPAN Chairman, Olumide Mustapha, a technology and entertainment

attorney during his presentation. He explained the avoidable loss of revenue was as a result of lack of industry knowledge and know how around music publishing, adding that lack of data was responsible for the irregularities and that specific distribution of revenue is key.

But it was Ibukun Abidoye, the Executive President of Chocolate City, who was more vocal during her presentation on the Future of Music Publishing in Nigeria.

Citing American Publishing companies such as The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, called for the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) NCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intervention on COSONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s account.

In recent times, COSON has been heavily pilloried for not giving musicians their royalties as well as its shaky leadership status. Omorogbe who was once declared the successor of chairman of the collecting body Tony Okoroji argued that the issues in COSON is more than Okoroji. He hinted that until there is a face to the unnamed persons hiding under the body to carry out treachery, that the body will not function properly.

There were also calls for the federal government to appoint a music stakeholder to helm the NCC. The practitioners argued that they were tired of the commission controlled by persons who lack adequate knowledge on the business of the

music industry. Abidoye further said that there is need to establish a joint committee to address music publishing tariffs to determine if the rates are sufficient.

Also lending her voice was Isioma Idigbe, a well seasoned media and entertainment lawyer. She provided an overview of music publishing and highlighted its importance within the music industry.

MPAN members and attendees reviewed current policies and regulations,agreeing that measures must be put in place to protect the interests of creators within the industry. Useful solutions to restructuring the collecting society were suggested, and four petitions intended to achieve this were signed at

the meeting. They include a petition that NCC should issue a directive to all collecting societies in the music industry to allocate not less than 60 per cent gross profit to specific distribution; carry out a forensic audit on COSON account as well as directing collecting bodies on certain functions such as licensing and invoicing.

Hosted by the Universal Music Group Nigeria which is a member of MPAN, the meeting also gave members a better perspective of the music publishing business, and the extent of revenue loss from the absence of a proper music publishing structure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are pleased to have hosted the first MPAN town hall meeting which was well attended by

industry stakeholders.

The meeting provides an opportunity for key stakeholders within the industry to come together to discuss the challenges currently being faced within music publishing in Nigeria. Our aim is to work with the relevant bodies to ensure that we put structures in place that not only aids the growth of the music ecosystem but protects and compesentes music creators and this meeting was definitely a step towards the right direction,â&#x20AC;? stated Ezegozie Eze, General Manager, Universal Music West Africa.

MPAN is an association of owners of thousands of copyright catalogues, both locally and internationally.

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WandeCoal,Niniola ThrillFansAtRedNightParty

The black diamond Wande Coal, Niniola and Skiibii set the stage on fire recently at national premium lager, Gulderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flagship consumer engagement platform, The Red Night Party.

Held at the blue roof LTV 8 ground, consumers were treated to non-stop entertainment. True to its name, The Red Night party was categorized by musical performances, entertaining games, and exciting giveaways. Host, Bollylomo gained mastery of the audience with an epic anchoring performance which kept the audience at the edge of their seats all night long.

Fans and lovers of music were treated to great performances from the black diamond as he left the crowd asking for more. The afro pop singer thrilled fun-loving partygoers by delivering electrifying performance that lit up the night. He set the mood for the night with his evergreen hit â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Bumper to Bumperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, before delivering other smashing songs like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You Badâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iskabaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

The audience not wanting to be outdone by the music star took up to the stage to display some energetic dance moves.

Niniola and Skibii refusing to be outdone equally brought their A-game to the show with their astounding performances.

Brand Manager Gulder, Kolawole Akintimehin prior to the show affirmed that the brand is centered on encouraging itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s esteemed consumers to own their journey. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are excited to kick off the first

Niniola at the Red Party

ever Gulder Red Night Party, The theme of owning your journey is an incentive which will help individuals, and consumers have a good definition of their personal journeys in all spheres of their

endeavours, encouraging them to own their journey to success and be the best version of themselves as they journey through life,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Gulder beer is renowned for being a

staple of the young, bold and courageous Nigerian. Celebrating the daring and brave spirit of modern Nigerians, whilst cheering them on as they go on their quest towards success.

Osas Ighodaro, MeditolWalk for Malaria Luxuria Lifestyle International Magazine Sets Eyes on Nigeria

Osas Ighodaro

Iyke Bede Former beauty queen and host, Osas Ighodaro-Ajibade was part of the volunteers who participated in the advocacy walk for World Malaria Day. For the first time ever, Ekulo Group, Group Company for Evans Industries commemorated the World Malaria Day in Nigeria through an advocacy walk to sensitise the general public on the malaria pandemic.

To help concretise the goal of the exercise, Meditol, an anti-mosquito soap formulated to actively combat malaria by warding off mosquitoes was unveiled. Having lost a sister to malaria, Ighodaro emphasised that she will continue to use her celebrity status as an ex-beauty queen to harness resources to combat malaria through her Joyful Joy foundation. This walk provided a veritable platform for a partnership with the Ekulo Group to help eradicate malaria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe it is just a community at a time.â&#x20AC;?

Ighodaro said explaining the aim and process of the advocacy walk. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe in any form of change, any form of action towards change is a good one... it takes one person to make a change, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we are all about: going from community to community, making a difference, spreading more joyâ&#x20AC;?.

The World Malaria Day is held each year on April 25. The group marked the event with the rest of the

world on Saturday, April 27. With the kickoff point being the National Stadium, volunteers arrived as early as 7:00am to partake in the walk. Prior to the walk, participants engaged themselves â&#x20AC;&#x201C; through the guidance of a fitness instructor â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in warm-up session of low intensity exercises to help them prepare for the 3km walk. The walk was planned to come to a halt at the National Theatre, Iganmu.

For its maiden outing, the walk witnessed a massive turnout from participants who cut across various age demography and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Despite these differences, each volunteer synced with the common goal to kick malaria out â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a scourge that currently affects over 200 million persons worldwide.

Speaking at the event, group manager of Ekulo Group, Joseph Okonkwo expressed satisfaction at the number of people who partook in the walk. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are really impressed with the turnout today, and the enthusiasm. These people came out and embraced the whole exercise. I see a lot of young people; people of even older age; working class people, who decided to make this day a reality by massively turning out, and they are excited about whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on.â&#x20AC;? In addition, he elaborated on the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intent to organise the event.

One of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading luxury lifestyle e-magazine, Luxuria Lifestyle International and premium events groups are expanding their global operations into Nigeria while forming an exciting new joint venture with the Hole19 luxury retail group, based in Abuja. With offices in 10 countries, Luxuria Lifestyle International is renowned as an all-encompassing guide to the affluent lifestyle, including informative and interesting articles on the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most luxurious products and services, together with industry news, reviews and editorial features. They also create world class business to consumer events for connoisseurs of luxury, corporate businesses and wealthy consumers from around the globe.

According to Kevin Rose, CEO of Luxuria Lifestyle International,

â&#x20AC;&#x153;with the fast-moving world of luxury digital media and the growing need for premium companies to promote themselves to the required level of audience and to access new pre-qualified clients, we are delighted to be partnering with the Hole19 team to bring our premium e-magazine and luxury events business into Nigeria.â&#x20AC;?

Luxuria Lifestyleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business model in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will be include three new divisions: A new highprofile luxury lifestyle Nigerian online e-magazine featuring, reviewing and reporting about the world of luxury in Nigeria with a local and global reach; a new Nigerian business to consumer events; and seminar division, bringing together the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest brands to allow them to easily connect and reach each

otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pre-qualified clients, luxury press, celebrities, VIPs and the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top social media influencers.

Additionally, a new Luxuria Lifestyle strategic partnership programme with a personal account manager and an annual fee, to provide a professional and structured gateway for luxury brands in Nigeria and from around the world to meet and market their products and services to wealthy consumers throughout the country.

Luxuria Lifestyle recent event in Dubai included 35 premium brands and over 250 VIP guests and was sponsored by Bentley, Panerai Watches, Red Bull, McLaren Supercars, Execujet Private Jets, Gamma Aviation and many other leading luxury marques.

WaleOjo,RGDMediaUpcomingFilmSetforNovemberRelease

Wale Ojo (2nd right) with his cast

RGD Media recently announced the date for its upcoming film â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Get Mad, Get Evenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The film which marks actor Wale Ojo first directorial work will be released in cinemas across the country in November.

Although no specific date has been announced yet, Ojo and RGD Media are optimistic that audience across the country will be delighted with the movie.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Get Mad, Get Evenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is a story that revolves around the conflicting lifestyles of two brothers who are complete opposite in nature. Jaiye, the elder brother is an uptight, religious and cautious man, while Juwon is a very adventurous and an incorrigible Casanova, who believes he is Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s special gift to all women until he met Ada. The story written by Raphael

Dedenuola features film stars like Femi Jacobs, Yemi Solade, Deyemi Okanlawon, Kenneth Okolie, Toyin Abraham, Patience Ozokwor, Jide Kosoko, Wale Ojo, Saheed Balogun to mention a few.

As part of its promotional campaign for the film, RGD Media will kick off a social media and a street challenge this month where fans can win fantastic prizes.

32

F R I DAY Ëž ͰͲË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

POTPOURRI

SONAGroupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sChairman Gets EnlistedinTop25CEOs Mary Nnah SONA Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chairman Mr. Arjan Mirchandani was declared one of the top 25 CEOs and adulated for his leadership as well as the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unflagging contribution to growth, development and business opportunities across various Nigerian industry sectors.

He was enlisted at the recently concluded Top 25 CEOs & Next Bulls Awards, which held Friday, May 10, 2019 at EKO Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Put together by Business Day, in conjunction with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the award recognises and appreciates key industry players who have remained steadfast in their efforts to see Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s industry sectors grow, despite the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic challenges.

During his appreciation speech, Mirchandani, who dedicated the award to the entire staff of the company whilst thanking them for their ardent dedication, stated that â&#x20AC;&#x153;this award is not for one person but a team of 6000 people who have all contributed to this achievement, and I say a very big thank youâ&#x20AC;?.

The chairman went on

to praise the organisers of the event; thanking them for honouring the efforts of industry players and stakeholders to create more business opportunities for various industry sectors in Nigeria, so as to bring about continuous growth to the nation.

The Publisher and Managing Director of Business Day, Mr. Frank Aigbogun, elucidated the purpose of the awards, describing it as an avenue to drive businesses to do more for the development and growth of the Nigerian industry sectors.

He advised attendees on leadership and growth, saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;businesses that we lead must focus on growing their bottom line continuously, so they can be a shining and guiding light for others looking to come into this country and together, we can continue to create jobs for the youths of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;?. Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Oscar Onyema congratulated the winners of the awards and expressed the NSEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest in working with industry leaders to help precipitate Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth.

He stated â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the Nigerian

Stock Exchange, we want to be your trusted partner.

We want to work with you to grow your businesses and find various avenues to create more growth opportunities in Nigeria and Africa at large.â&#x20AC;?

A number of other estimable organisations were also recognised and presented with awards at the ceremony for their noteworthy contributions, including Chemical and Allied Products Plc, Aje Limited, Enyo Retail and Supply, Alpha Mead Group, Eterna Oil Plc and a host of others.

L- R: CEO Nigerian Stock Exchange; Oscar Onyema, Chairman SONA Group; Mr. Arjan Mirchandani. and Managing Director Business Day; Mr. Frank Aigbogun at the Top 25 CEOs & Next Bulls Awards held recently in Lagos

Edmark Holds Team Building Camp, Shopping Fiesta Peter Uzoho Multi-Level Marketing company, Edmark, has held its Leadership/Team Building Camp (LTBC) and Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Podium Shopping Fiesta aimed at increasing the leadership skills of its staff, distributors and customers as well as strengthening their camaraderie among each other.

The company is committed to drive positive change through several seminars, trainings, boot camps and team buildings and its biggest leadership training is the

LTBC, known as the biggest gathering of champions from across the globe.

The programme held in Lagos last month with over 500 participants, also targeted at promoting EDpoint App, which is one of the companies online platforms for buying goods and services from Edmark partner merchants.

Driven by the desire to assuage pandemic health conditions and provide business opportunities to all, Edmarkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continuous innovation and expansion has given birth to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ED2Eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (Edmark to Everything), a portal that connects users to merchants through

a cashless mobile payment platform using a QR code technology. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On top of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continuous expansion, Edmar introduced its online portal, EDClick and its online shopping portal, EDShop in 2017, making it possible for distributors to place orders of products from the palm of their hands, wirelessly on their devices connected to the Internet. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With its physical and digital enhancement, the company is able to better cater the flourishing market of Nigeria,â&#x20AC;? Head, Marketing, Edmark, Marvin C. Deundo, was quoted to have said in a statement.

ACTIV to Mentor Growth, Development in West Africa Ayodeji Ake Africa Canada Trade Investment Ventures (ACTIV) has promised to facilitate trade and investment in Africa as part of its major aim of mentoring business growth and development among individuals, organisations in West African Nations.

Speaking at a two-day event which took place in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, ACTIV Director, Kenneth Oguzie emphasised on the benefits of strengthening business relationships between Canada and West Africa with a focus on Nigeria as a nation.

Oguzie noted that the international trade investment ventures will support businesses in Africa by looking forward to penetrating the Canada market as well as looking forward to build new partnership in addition with the existing ones.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;ACTIV is an organisation that focuses on a value-based, ethical approach of creating platform to allow investment in key sectors with demonstrable scale potential, profitable returns and sustain-

Chief operating oďŹ&#x192;cer, Nova Scotia Business Incorporated, Peter Askill; His Excellency, the Nigeria High Commissioner to Canada, Adeyinka Asekun; Chair Halifax Chambers of Commerce, Cynthia Dorrington; and Director, Africa Canada Trade and Investment Venture, Kenneth Oguzie

able growth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We look forward to straightening and strengthening business relationships between Canada and West Africa, with a focus on Nigeria and Ghana and see to how ACTIV can support businesses to penetrate the Canada Market and to build new partnership. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will act as a bridge

between Canadian businesses and businesses in Africa by bringing together stakeholders in business from different parts of the world, sharing different experience in the global business to facilitate growth.â&#x20AC;?

He also affirmed that West African trade and investment will definitely grow and develop into its full potential if only

stakeholders and business owners can build a good relationship and think global in their various investments.

Also speaking at the event, Nigeria High Commissioner to Canada, Adeyinka Asekun said the partnership will do nothing but help both countries, harnessing its full potential in trade and investment.

Start-upsCompaniesWoo InvestorsAtARMDemoDay Ayodeji Ake As the Fintech ecosystem in the country continues to grow and attract patronage and support, six start-ups companies have impressed industry watchers, stakeholders and potential investors at a Demo Day organised

by ARM in partnership with Ventures Platform.

The Demo Day which signaled the end of ARMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s corporate Accelerator programme aimed at showcasing the progress made by the six start-ups was held at Impact Hub, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The programme tagged â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Labs by ARMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is an innovative plan designed to support start-ups to leverage technology, applications, and services to solve specific problems, and unlock verticals and markets thereby changing how users access and consume financial services.

As part of the project, a 12-week Accelerator programme was launched in February 2019, designed to help six early and growth stage Fintech start-up companies commercialise and grow the distribution of products and services.

The selected teams participated in deep-dive sessions to ascertain the health status of the start-ups and were supported to create unique strategies for solving the challenges.

Programme mentors and advisors, who are thoughtleaders in their field, provided support around business growth, product-market fit, and distribution; helping the startups navigate specific challenges.

Within three months, one of the companies went live with their mobile app, another start-up grew the number of onboarded customers from 6000 plus to 10,000, further securing a partnership to onboard an additional 250,000 customers. Explaining the rationale behind the project, Managing Director, ARM Financial Advisors, Herrietta Bankole-Olushina said they came up with the idea of Labs by ARM to partner and find a way to collaborate with the Fintech ecosystem.

According to her, the project was organised to tap into innovation available within the Fintech space and address many of the challenges they see with ARM as a business while also growing their market especially within the retail space.

ClericChargesChurchestoBridge Religious,PoliticalDivide Ayodeji Ake Convener, Diaspora Connect and Founder, He Lives Bible Church, Abraham Great, has appealed to Nigerians on the need to bridge religious, tribal and political divide, towards building a sustainable nation.

Great in his open letter titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The role of the Church in politics and governance todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; noted that Nigerian Christians can gain greater influence both economically and spiritually as the light of the nation, and not just the star of individual churches.

He posited that Christians should be the bridge between communities, the hope for reconciliation, and the resource center for integrity, ethics and values. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The recent moves from Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to stretch a hand of fellowship to the government in power should be commended rather than criticised. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is conspicuously evident that our nation has been polarised by greedy politicians who take advantage of the already existing divisions in the land to further create a split even within our folds while their sanity is at the mercy of grandiose delusions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As the body of Christ, we must remain 100 per cent committed to non-partisanship as a founding principle of our mission and in our work, as a unifier, not a divider, not undermining any conversation pertaining to the state of affairs in the nation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although in the past, we might have erroneously ignored some conversations, brazenly taken sides, and appeared clandestine in our support for candidates that appeal to our minds, even from the pulpit.

We need to do more than those. Now is the time to launch re-invigorated dialogue and movement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our role as the church: this is the time to stay awake, alert, participate in whatever ways we can to create understanding, knowledge, and a more peaceful Nigeria to shine the light in the midst of this gross darkness that has crept in on the world.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;To begin grooming and investing in young men and women who would eventually penetrate the political sphere bearing the doctrine of honesty and integrity.

Aligning ourselves with our brothers and sisters in power and giving them maximum support, they need to help function effectively in their assignment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let us negotiate with the present government to set up a committee who would revisit and review the 2014 National Confab Report so that would have been justified that no stone is left unturned by this administration towards economic growth, wealth creation and poverty alleviation. We have an opportunity as a people to harmoniously rewrite the history of our nation.

33

F R I DAY Ëž ͰͲË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

ART WEEKEND

â&#x20AC;ŚFor pure art enthusiasts

Painting Super Heroes-Inspired Murals for Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital Ward YINKA OLATUNBOSUN writes on the hospital mural project initiated by the Arts in Medicine Fellows led by the artist, Kunle Adewale for children fighting cancer

L-R: Kunle Adewale, Founder and ED, Arts in Medicine Fellowship; Board Member, Mrs Achenyo Idachaba Obaro; Ms. Agboluaje and fellow, Ms. Splendour Ighorodje and a child cancer patient

It is the best Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day season for the children at the Pediatric Oncology Ward at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) as the Arts in Medicine Fellows embarked on a mural project recently. First, the children were asked what characters make them feel strong. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Black Pantherâ&#x20AC;?, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Captain Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Black Widow, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Supermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hulkâ&#x20AC;? were some of the warm responses received from the children, some of whom had been in the ward for months.

The task fell on the visiting fellows to recreate these childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fantasies in colourful murals. Some super heroes wear cape, others do not. They have unique strengths and personalities just as the children receiving medical care.

Invariably, the children are superheroes as they battle with the dreaded disease called Cancer. It is against this backdrop that the super heroes mural project was executed by artists, medical students, patients, caregivers, hospital staff as well as art in medicine fellows made up of students and professionals in arts and healthcare. The artists include Julius Agbaje, Lasisi Damilare, Saheed Garuba, AdenleKehinde, Nmadinachi Egwim and Arts in Medicine Fellows 2019 Cohort.

The founder and Executive Director of Arts in Medicine Fellowship, Kunle Adewale explained the reason for this project. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The painted super heroes in this Pediatric Oncology Ward empowers children

Patrick Diabuah Stars in 3Some Play at MUSON Stage inJune Stories by Yinka Olatunbosun The poster boy of contemporary musical in Nigeria, Patrick Diabuah will star in the steamy drama, 3some. This psycho-erotic drama, written and directed by Jude Idada is about to hit the stage on June 8 and 9 at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

The much-anticipated play returns this season by popular demand with support from Pay Attitude and Durex Condoms. A huge box office success at the 2018 Lagos Theatre Festival, 3Some was not just a talk-of-the-town but a choice for theatre reviewers with its unconventional and boldtreatment of the subject matters of sex and marriage.

Jude Idada is preparing the cast to taunt the audience whileraising relationship issues such as fidelity, communication and responsibility with strong technical details of lighting, make-upand costume.

Although, the resolution of the conflict of the drama remains controversial, the drama will definitely excite, arouse and ignite passion in fun seekers who wish to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;get their freak onâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which is why it is rated 18.

The Executive Producer and Founder, Duke of Shomolu Productions, Joseph Edgar, while speaking on the rationale for restaging this drama observed that â&#x20AC;&#x153;todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relationships are buffeted by the intrusion and seamlessness of social mediawhich has led to the blurring of lines and exposing relationships to the stress of infidelity especially that of the mind. It is for this reason that the Duke of Shomolu Productions is

staging this play,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he said.

Showbiz impresario, Olisa Adibua and one of the godfathers of stand-up comedy in Nigeria, Alibaba are co-Executive Producers for this show which has an after-party hosted

by Kohinoor.

Duke of Shomolu Productions is an indigenous theatre production company headed by the veteran theatre artist, Mofoluwake Oriyomi Edgar, with a mandate to retell the Nigerian story through strong and powerful performances. The production company has delivered N100m in topline budget productions include Oba Esugbayi, performed in December 2018 with the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode as host.

Super heroes mural

and adolescents living with chronic illness to remain brave, strong and resilient in the face of pain and life-threatening challenges. The mural becomes a lens through which patients, caregivers, health workers and hospital staff must see themselves as super heroes,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he said.

For arts in medicine, there is a proven link between a patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s physical surrounding and positive health outcomes.

Adewale added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Hospital Mural project is one of the Arts in Medicine project that advocates for the United Nationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good health and well-being and it has potentials to inspire hope, healing and happiness in the hospital environs.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

One of the board members of the Arts in Medicine Fellowship, Mrs. Achenyo Idachaba-Obaro urged individuals as well asorganisations to support the initiative which provides therapeutic healing to patients, and their caregivers.

A 600-level medical student, Simbiat Rahmon expressed her joy at being a part of this laudable project. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was overwhelmed by the joy of trying something new and thrilled at the satisfaction that came with it. I learned many things about mural painting which I thought at first were magical,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; she declared.

The project was completed in memory of Dr. Omada Idachaba.

At Nico Public Lecture, Stakeholders Push for Cultural Diplomacy Yinka Olatunbosun Stakeholders in the culture sector have made an emphatic call on government to appropriate culture as a tool for foreign relations. This is one of the highlights at quarterly public lecture organised by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) on May 14 at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos.

NICO, a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, was established in 1993 through a joint initiative

of the federal government and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Hence, the lecture was conceived as a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on how to use culture as one of the building blocks for economic and national development.

In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary, NICO, Louis Eriomala observed that culture can be positively deployed in foreign relations to create understanding; promote our national heritage and market the Nigerian brand.

For the Minister of Informa-

tion, Alh. Lai Mohammed, the theme of the lecture is timely, coming at a time â&#x20AC;&#x153;when government is concerned with entrenching its foreign relations with other countries of the world, through strengthened cultural diplomacyâ&#x20AC;?.

To this end, the guest lecturer, Dr. Sharkdam Wapmuk, a senior research fellow and foreign affairs expert at the NIIA spoke on the roots of culture in trade and migrations. Asides the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s indigenous cultural heritage, Wapmuk observed that Nigerian film is one of the most influential and accessible media of cultural diplomacy.

ForChildrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sDay,Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sStoryTheatrewithGrandmaWura

Patrick Diabuah

Theatre with Grandma Wura, a musical experience with rich spectacle is back this season. The show which opens today will end with a special performance on Monday, May 27 which is Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day. This time, the musical features â&#x20AC;&#x153;Adio the Musicalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a piece written, directed and produced by Bola Edwards with songs composed

by Patrick Edwards. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This year, we worked with physically challenged children from Pacelli School for the Blind in Lagos just to emphasise the importance of gifts and talents

despite any challenges we face.

It is a family show as well as schools, corporate organisations and the entire society. We intend to tour with this tory to begin to engage society about leadership issues by starting a conversation that a great leader starts with the heart,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Patrick said. Meanwhile the character of Grandma Wura was created to push the Back2MyRoot project. Mrs. Edwards explained that the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Story Theatre with Grandma Wuraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; combines all the elements of Grandma Wuraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission of raising a new

generation leader through her school tours, contents, events and other activities into a single unforgettable theatrical experience. â&#x20AC;&#x153;An audience of over 2000 in total is expected to be in attendance which includes schools, families, religious worship groups and government officials as well as celebrities from various works of life,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; she said. She added that the production assembles seasoned professionals in acting and theatrical production while discovering and developing child actors.

p

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34

F R I DAY Ëž MAY 24, 2019

FERTILITY

with DR. KEMI AILOJE Info@lifelinkfertility.com; Website: lifelinkfertility.com 08033083580

DANGER SIGNS IN PREGNANCY (Part 1) baby. Being aware of these danger signs can help one know when the need for special care from your healthcare provider/specialist arises.

W

omen across the world were reported to have died from pregnancy and childbirth-related complications.

It is estimated that the majority of global maternal deaths occur in Africa. The major complications that accounts for 80% of all maternal deaths are severe bleeding, infections and high blood pressure during pregnancy, obstructed labor and unsafe abortion. However, many maternal deaths can be prevented if appropriate action is taken early and promptly byhealthcare care givers/specialists.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s topic will highlight the global pursuit for safe motherhood initiative where every woman needs to be aware of the danger signs that occur during pregnancy, as complications can be unpredictable. These signs usually indicate the presence of an obstetric complication that may arise during pregnancy, delivery or post-delivery. Knowledge of these danger signs will help women to make the right decisions and take appropriate healthcare seeking actions, which means receiving immediate and appropriate care, which reduces maternal mortality (death rate) and morbidity (incidence of disease).

The ongoing efforts to improve maternity care has resulted in the adoption of the World Health Organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focused antenatal care (FANC) program consisting of only four visits for low-risk pregnancy (that is pregnancy without complications). This version of an antenatal care (ANC) program includes health promotion, prevention, detection, and treatment of existing diseases. This program allows couple access critical information for birth preparedness including the danger signs of pregnancy.

Most women will go through pregnancy

DANGER SIGNS/ SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE Ëž Ă?Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; lasts for several days Ëž Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ëž Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ëž Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ë? Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153; ͚͸͸п Ě&#x2122;͝ͿË&#x203A;Î&#x20AC;Đż Ě&#x161; Ëž Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ëž Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x152;ĂŁ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? baby Ëž Ă&#x;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2DC; ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ě&#x2122;ÍšË&#x203A;Í˝ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; ÍťĂ&#x2022;Ă&#x2018; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Í˝ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Íż Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁĂ?Ě&#x161; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă?ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x153; ankles, face, or hands Ëž Ă?Ă&#x201C;äĂ&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ëž Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ëž Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ëž Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2039; Ëž Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;tion, or itching Ëž Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă? ͝Ϳ ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁ Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Íź Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; ͚ͽ Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă? apart Ëž Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ Ëž Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă?ËšĂ&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ëž Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039; with some uncomfortable symptoms but no serious problems.

Normal discomforts of pregnancy can include nausea (especially in the first 3 months) heartburn, a need to urinate often, backache, breast tenderness, swelling, and physicaltiredness.

However there are some other symptoms that may mean danger for mother or the

SEVERE NAUSEA AND VOMITING Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ě&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; sickness)that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop in the first 3 months of pregnancy, could result in loss of too much weight and fluid from the body with mother and baby notgetting enough nutrients. The bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s electrolytes and chemicals may become imbalanced. The need for treatment in the hospital may berecommended in some women. Morning sickness usually gets better after the first 3 months of pregnancy in most women.

CRAMPING, CONTRACTIONS, AND BLEEDING Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D;ing during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ě&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039; covering the opening of the motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cervix) placenta abruption (placenta detaching from the womb), miscarriage and possible loss of baby. Women experiencing any of the above symptoms need specialist Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă? can be avoided with complete bed rest and sometimes it is inevitable. Even if eventually the baby is lost, there is need to still see the healthcare provider/specialist to ensure that no tissue from the pregnancy is left in the womb which cancause an infection later.

ABDOMINAL PAIN: Aches and pains are to be expected to an extent during pregnancy since the baby is growing bigger by the day and the muscles and ligaments will need to be stretchingto accommodate the growth.

The discomfort caused by that is called round ligament pain and is not worrisome. Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; not be accompanied by bleeding or other Ă?ĂŁĂ&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; or pressure during the first 3 months of pregnancy could mean that the fertilized egg may be outside the womb. This is called an ectopic or tubal pregnancy. The pain may be worse on one side of the abdomen or in the shoulder, coupled with dizziness or even fainting, with nausea or vomiting. A baby cannot survive in an ectopic site, as this may cause severe internal bleeding and threatens the life of the mother. Early diagnosis depending on location requires termination with medications, otherwise, surgery must be done to remove the ectopic pregnancy if diagnosed late to be continued next week

XTRA

FrieslandCampina Celebrates 2019 World Milk Day

The story of milk as an essentials for life Nature might not always be on your mind but what nature has to offer is truly one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest gift to humankind.

When next you walk on the lawn, Feel the grass beneath your feet, the sky above you and the air youbreath in, because something magical happens right beneath your feet.

The cows graze peacefully for hours and hours. Secretly they are making something that no factories in the world can produce.

Something so rich with nutrients that our bodies need and we cannot in any way make ourselves, this is magic. Whether you are behind or ahead in age, in life, there are things you should not do without and this is one. The whole story of milk starts from the grass and ends in a glass.

But how does the cow eat the green grass and produce the nutritious white material called MILK? Cows produce milk in a clever and unique way. The grass and other feed they eat are digested and partially converted in their stomach system (rumen) due to the presence of a variety of micro-organisms.

The milk is produced in the mammary gland. To produce 1 litre of milk, about 500 litres of blood has to pass through the udder. A cow that produces 60 litres of milk per day circulates 30,000 litres of blood through the mammary gland. The blood provides a continuous supply of nutrients to the milk synthesizing cells, which are organized in clusters and deliver lactose (milk sugar), a variety of proteins and fat-like components, minerals, vitamins and other factors involved in the protection of the calf or the mammary gland against infections.

Milk is created by the cow through its special ability to convert indigestible grass into a valuable nutritious food.

Before it comes into our various homes or purchased off the shelves, milk has already passed a chain of various steps; this includes safety and quality processes at the farm, transport to the factory, at the production line while making dairy-based products,safeguarding the natural nutritional value during product development and transport to the warehouses and supermarkets and finally ends up in your glass.

Milk has proven to be very worthwhile for growth, development and health maintenance of human beings beyond the neonatal phase.

Milk is a natural source of nutrition with valuable nutrients such as Proteins, Vitamins, Minerals, and Fats. All of which are necessary for growth, health, and wellbeing.

Milk is nutritious by nature. Its composition in terms of macro- and micronutrients is unique.

Due to this nutrient richness, it is possible to meet your daily recommended intakes of important nutrients to significant levels with only a few dairy servings a day.

This means that you can easily experience the nutrient benefits by incorporating dairy in your daily eating patterns.

The different components in milk and dairy products work together to generate specific nutrition and health benefits for all.

What is the goodness you benefit from Milk & Dairy products?

Milk and Dairy products contain a unique package of essential nutrients Milk and dairy foods are naturally rich sources of a wide range of essential nutrients. Many people associate milk and dairy with calcium and bone building, but dairy foods offer much more extensive nutritional benefits. Milk contains high

quality protein, carbohydrate in the form of lactose, as well as different fatty acids and a wide range of micronutrients including vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

Milk is a natural source of calcium, vitamin B12, riboflavin (vitamin B2), phosphorus and potassium. It also contains smaller amounts of other nutrients including vitamin A, niacin, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin D, magnesium, selenium and zinc.

The nutrients present in milk and dairy foods are involved in several important functions in the body.These include the well-known benefits of calcium for bones and teeth, and protein for muscle. But dairy nutrients also play a part in nerve and muscle function, energy release, vision, blood clotting and red blood cell formation, digestion, blood pressure, skin health, the immune system, psychological function and in childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth.

The proteins in milk have superior quality to build and maintain muscles, which is relevant for all age categories. Magnesium and vitamin D in the milk contribute to the muscle building process. Milk is an important source of B-vitamins, incl. vitamin B12 does not occur in plant-derived foods. The B-vitamins fulfill many different functions in our body. They are required for digestion and production of energy from the sugars and fats in foods, are involved in bone health, proper functioning of the nervous system, production of red blood cells, and contribute to healthy skin.

Milk is good for strong Bones and teeth Adequate daily dairy intake of milk and dairy products is important at all stages of life, for the pregnantmother, the baby, during the building and the

maintenance phase of the bones. Dairy intake during the first 30 years of life is an excellent investment in good quality bones during aging. Heaney R.P. in his report featured in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition in 2009 concluded that Milk and dairy products are world famous for the presence of calciumneeded for the growth and maintenance of bones and teeth. Bone is renewed every day in a continuous process. With only a few servings, milk delivers not only the high requirement for calcium but also other nutrients that are needed for this process, such as protein, phosphorous and vitamin D. Without consumption of dairy products, it is almost impossible to achieve the recommended intake of calcium per day to keep the bones healthy.

Milk drinking supports your weight management plan Milk delivers a good balance between nutrient richness and calories for energy and hence is a very convenient and nutritious food when managing weight. Major GCet al confirmed in his report published by Obes Rev. In 2008 that milk consumption does not lead to increased body weight or body fat; the bone health benefits of milk can be enjoyed without having to fear thatconsumption will lead to fattening. ...Nutrition Manager, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Dotun Owolabi, wrote in from Lagos.

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

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COLLAGE EVENTS

NACCtoHoldFoodandProductsConference

L-R: Lagos State Governor-elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; CEO Sujimoto Group, Sijibomi Ogundele and Ogun State Governor-elect, Prince Dapo Abiodun, at the thanksgiving reception by the Regional Headquarters of RCCG Church, Kingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Court Chapel in Lagos...recently

The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce is set for its third African food and products conference and exhibition (AFPE) themed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sustainability and Innovation; Pathway to Business Success for SMEsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; scheduled to hold on Friday, May 24 and Saturday, May 25, 2019, in Lagos. The exhibition which is aimed at promoting the development of trade, commerce, investment and industrial technological relationships between the public and private sectors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Africa and the United States will witness the presence of industry expert speakers, market leaders, trade promotion agencies, venture capitalists, seed investors, export houses, business clinics, policymakers, franchisors, franchisees, produce merchants, analysts and research professionals, startup hubs, government regulatory agencies and will have in attendance the Presidency, federal ministers, state governors, CEOs of Leading Nigerian and multinational firms, captains of industries, agencies of the United States Mission amongst others.

The AFPE 2019 will attract SMEs, Start-up business owners, MSMEs, International & local manufacturers, suppliers & distributors of food, beverage, agro commodities, apparel and fashion products, chain stores, independent sellers, business service providers, key decision and policy makers from leading Nigerian, African and American companies showcasing their products/service offerings to visitors, with a view to further promote their products and services to visitors and buyers and increase export sales by maximising the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

In 2018, the event had over 1500 attendees with about 90 Exhibitors from within Nigeria and the United States. This year, over the two-day period of the event we expect to have over 2,500 attendees from across Nigeria, Africa and the United States, thus presenting a viable opportunity for exhibiting companies to grow their sales, showcase their products to a target audience and strike million dollars international deals.

Kathryn Faseghaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;2 Weeks in Lagosâ&#x20AC;? to Screen Worldwide

Mary Nnah

L-R: Secretary Organising Committee, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), 2019 Annual Lagos Public Relations Week, Mrs. Mojisola Olurotimi; Chairman Organising Committee, Mr. Odion Aleobua; Chairman, NIPR Lagos Chapter, Mr. Olusegun McMedal and Secretary NIPR Lagos Chapter,Mrs. Thelma Okoh, during the oďŹ&#x192;cial unveiling ceremony 2019 Annua Week in Lagos ...recently.

KOLAWOLE ALLI

L-R; Chairman, Iru Victoria Island LCDA, Hon Rashidat Abiodun Adu; Chairman Lagos Mainland Local Government,Hon Rashidat Omolola Esasen; Senator Representing Lagos Central Senatorial District,Senator Oluremi Tinubu presenting the key of the Tricycle to one of the beneďŹ ciaries,Miss Adejoke Adekunle,during the Youth Empowerment Skills Acquisition Scheme (YESAS), in Lagos ABIODUN AJALA Central Senatorial District,; Ikoyi...recently

After a successful premiere at the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest film festival, the Cannes Film Festival on Friday, May 17, in Cannes, France, Kathryn Faseghaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;2 Weeks in Lagosâ&#x20AC;?, is set go screens in cinemas around the world.

The movie is an unusual love story set in Lagos Nigeria, featuring prominent Nollywood actors like Mawuli Gavor, Beverly Naya, Joke Silva, Jide Kosoko, Toyin Abraham, Shaffy Bello, Tina Mba and many more. â&#x20AC;&#x153;2 Weeks in Lagosâ&#x20AC;? captures the excitement and vibrancy of everyday life in Lagos and reflects the complexity of life in Lagos, a dynamic city where anything is possible in 2 Weeks.

It was first premiered at the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest film festival, the Cannes Film Festival on Friday, May 17, in Cannes, France. After which it would be screening worldwide.

Speaking on the movie, Fasegha expressed joy for the privilege to have her movie showcase at the Cannes Film Festival in France. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am very excited to be at the Cannes Film Festival. For me, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just about directing a movie, it is also exciting to see my movie placed at one of the biggest film platforms in the worldâ&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Cannes film festival is one where movies from different parts of the world are showcased to promote film making, and I am grateful to everyone who contributed to bringing this movie to life, from the cast to the crew and everyone indeedâ&#x20AC;?, she added.

2 Weeks in Lagosâ&#x20AC;? is a captivating, turbulent and thrilling journey into the Love affair of Ejikeme (Mawuli Gavor) and Lola (Beverly Naya). Their paths cross when Ejikeme, an investment banker comes home from the United States to invest in Nigerian businesses.

It is love at first sight for them and as they embark on a journey of discovering this new love, they must contend with the political ambitions of Ejikemeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother who is planning a marriage between him and the only daughter of Otunba Ayodeji, a political juggernaut who is considering Ejikemeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father as his running mate for the Nigerian Presidency. His motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actions create a rift between Ejikeme and Lola that puts their families on a deadly collision course.

Director, Kathryn Fasegha, is a Canadian-based filmmaker who is known internationally for her award winning movie, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Treacherous Heartâ&#x20AC;? which she directed in 2012. The movie won awards outside Africa such as Best Drama in Diaspora at the African Oscars in North Carolina, USA 2012.

PVC Ride To Hold Award Ceremony Ayodeji Ake

The couple, jennifer & valentine ďŹ&#x201A;anked by sponsor of the wedding, chief and mrs chidi obi. At the solemnization of holy matrimony of the couple at catholic church of divine mercy lagos...Recently

The first power of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) Ride officially announced it honourary award scheduled to hold on June 8, 2019 at Barracuda Beach Resort in Ajah, Lagos.

In a press release co-signed by the organiser of the event, Chief Executive Officer of BKleff Entertainment, Mr. Korede Balogun noted that the essence of the event is to honour those who believed in the effect of the PVC ride advocacy and supported the initiative.

The release also signed by the Media Spokesperson of BKleff Entertainment, Clementina Olomu, said the essence of the award and after party is to further bring to the Independent National Electoral Commission and Nigerians the awareness of the journey towards a successful election come 2023 starts now. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It will be recalled that the power of the PVC Ride is the first private individual initiative in sensitising Nigerians on the power of their PVC and the project took them to some states where people were sensitised in different communities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It would be noted that people were sensitised in different languages and the crew used drama to drive home their messages. Rites foods supported the campaign with all their brand and was a major attraction everywhere they went. We can only get things right if we prepare early . ln this opinion, the preparation for 2023 election should start nowâ&#x20AC;?, it stated.

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LIFE

Awujale at 85: Olukotun, Moghalu Seek Grassroots Empowerment Revered monarch and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, political scientist and columnist, Professor Ayo Olukotun and presidential candidate of the Young Peoples Party (YPP), Professor Kingsley Moghalu, have urged that the local government system be either restructured and empowered or be scrapped outrightly.

Speaking at the third annual professorial chair lecture of the Awujale of Ijebuland, with the theme, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Grassroots Governance: The soft underbelly of Nigeria political Architectureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, held at the weekend in Ijebu-Ode, Olukotun noted that the country is experiencing a serious governance deficit and that politicians are not addressing the resulting woes.

He expressed that the glaring deficit in governance at all levels is breeding insecurity, social banditry and overall lack of development. According to the university don, â&#x20AC;&#x153;they are jostling for 2023 while social banditry is on the upscale and insecurity is looming large. The Abuja/Kaduna road is a passport to death while the nation is fast disappearing. The politicians are accumulating power; they are not fighting to alleviate our suffering and woes.â&#x20AC;?

Alluding to the ineffectual local government administration in the country, Olukotun said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The local government system is dead, they have failed, we need to replace them, they are the dregs of under-development. The local government is an artificial salad of communities living in an uneasy co-existence. We need to rejig the DNA of our institutions so there will be dynamic activities at the grassroots.â&#x20AC;?

He further argued that the civic agencies cannot do it alone without the collaboration of state structures and securities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The combination of state and non- state will provide a redemptive alternative of what we have now. What we have in our local governments today are the errand boys of political godfathers. The local

L-R: Ogun State Governor-elect, Prince Dapo Abiodun; former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba; the AlaaďŹ n of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona; wife of the monarch, Olori Kemi Adetona and Director, Globacom, Folu Aderibigbe at the 85th birthday celebration of the Awujale and third Annual Professorial Chair lecture held at Ijebu-Ode...recently

governments in the country have failed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t develop until we get to the grassroots, stressing that the ungoverned spaces where nobody is responsible for anything will give rise to banditry, illegal miners encroaching our spaces. We need to develop a special kind of local government areas and we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it in isolation. It is a constitutional imperative that must be revived by authorities.â&#x20AC;?

Also, the presidential candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Professor Kingsley Moghalu, called for the scrapping of the third tier of government whenever the call for restructuring is heeded.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Prof. Ganiyu

Olatunji Olatunde, described the professorial chair, as one of the budding legacies of the Awujaleof Ijebuland with the aim of permanently creating a basis for research into the problems and issues of governance and with the delivery of governmental processes to the attractions of the citizenry.

He said; â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is worthy to note that the monarchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professorial endowment that was flagged -off three years ago with over N500 million is the biggest in the history of endowments in this country with supports from members of the board of trustees.â&#x20AC;?

He further said the topic of the lecture is apt because governance is critical to the survival and the continuing existence of society and national political systems.

Also speaking, Moghalu noted that the local governments have failed and should be scrapped. According to him, it would be hard to put the local government together. There should be two tiers of government; the national government and the subnational government. If the current government is opposed to the restructuring, then we will take it as the failure of the government. Responding, Oba Adetona thanked guests for honouring him, revealing that he is optimistic that Nigeria would benefit from the initiative and enjoined other well-meaning people to lend their support to a good cause.

Tribute to a SelďŹ&#x201A;ess Inspiration and Motivator, Balogun Kunle Delano Adedayo Adejobi The name Edmundson Olakunle Delano, means so many things to many people. For some, it means motivation, inspiration and for the others, he is simply their essence for living.

Born over 93 years ago to the distinguished author, late Chief Dr. Isaac Oluwole Delano, precisely on February 16, 1926, Late Edmundson Olakunle Delano can be described as a Jack of many trades and ventures and master of all.

This quintessential man who is the father of the popular music icon Lanre Delano, sole distributor of Allen Organ in Nigeria and Founder of the Church Organ Projects in Nigeria(CHOPIN), can be described as a peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s man as he is involved in many organisations and associations locally and internationally.

His physique which one of his children, Lanre Delano took after can be said to be a sharp contrast to the man inside of him. A huge and intimidatingly tall person of over six feet, brown skinned, handsome and with a positively overwhelming aura that endears people to him any day, is an epitome of humility.

He had his elementary education in Lagos after which he proceeded to Abeokuta Grammar School in Abeokuta where he had his secondary education under the principalship of the accomplished eminent educationist, Rev I.O. Ransome Kuti.

Upon successful completion of his secondary education, fired by the spirit of youthfulness and entrepreneurship, he toyed with the idea of being a master baker, an idea that even his father found alarming because his father desired him to be a lawyer, (another resemblance of his son Lanre on choice of career who unlike the rest of the children decided to study music at the university).

However, he was persuaded to pursue something more respectable and more â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;dignifyingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and this led him to work with the Department of Meteorological Services for a short stint in Lagos and Kaduna.

After this experience, he moved on from there, going abroad to study Mechanical Engineering at the Chelsea School of Aeronautical and Automobile Engineering. He topped up his qualification by also passing the examination of the prestigious Institute of Motor Industry, London, thus becoming and Associate Member.

He returned to Nigeria and worked briefly

Chief Delano

at the Lagos Town Council as Inspector of Works, Mechanical Division from 1957-1960.

He then relocated this service to the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), now Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) for fifteen years from 1960- 1975, rising from the rank of Workshop Superintendent to that of Mechanical Engineer.

In 1976, he suffered the fate of many in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;gale of retirement with immediate effectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and was compulsorily retired at the age of 51. Without wasting time and as art of his optimistic attitude, he proceeded to answer the clarion call of the Federal Government of Nigeria to diversify into the field of Agriculture. In partnership with other Nigerians and foreign partners, he set up a modern poultry farm in his community in Ifo, which at a stage employed over 45 workers in the locality. He also ventured into Timber business.

Balogun Kunle Delano as he was fondly called led an active life of service to humanity and to his active participation in sports.

As a student in London in 1953, instead of winning and dinning in his spare time, he engaged in sporting activities being a member of the Boxing Club at Chelsea. He enjoyed and participated in boxing and wrestling. He returned to Nigeria and

continued with his sporting activity and interest. He also gyrated to the sport of basketball where he went on to become the Chairman of Lagos State Basketball Association and later that of Ogun State Basketball Association till his death on the 5thof May 2019 after a brief illness, his contribution to the game and development of basketball stars in Nigeria was enormous.

With a great zeal to serve humanity which has been inculcated in him from his early years, Delano joined the Boys Scout in 1933 as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wolf Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. In 1949, he became a member of the YMCA (Young Men Christian Association)through St Michael Anglican Church, Kaduna. In 1964, he made it a double, first by joining the Boys Brigade and later in the same year he joined the Yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Men Club of Lagos as a pioneer member.

The body became chartered in 1968. As a member of these bodies, he attended their conventions and meetings both at local and international levels in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Far East; and participated fully in their charitable activities.

Also he served as their officer at different levels, culminating in being made Area President of Yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Men International for Africa from 2006-2008 at age 80, a history as the oldest Area President ever.

This widely travelled man did not also fail to accord the Almighty his own well deserved space in his life as he is also an active churchman. Delano was an active churchman both in Lagos and his hometown Ifo in Ogun State. Upon his return from the United Kingdom in 1956, he settled in Lagos worshipping at St Judeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church Ebute Meta Lagos (now Cathedral) and remains a financial member of the church to date.

Indeed, he did more than worship. He was Sides man for over 40 years (nine of it as Vicarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Warden) and rose to become DeputyLeader General and finally Leader- General before voluntarily stepping aside when he turned seventy years old. In his church in his hometown in Ifo, the Holy Trinity Church Okenla now (now The Cathedral of Holy Trinity), he was Synod Delegate and Parish Counsellor for 20 years before his death.

On the community font, he was involved fully in their activities and development. He was the current Balogun of Ifo town till his death early this month, a chieftaincy title that made him next to the traditional ruler, Olu of Ifo in order of seniority. As Balogun, along with five other chiefs, he was till his death, the Chairman of the Council of Kingmakers.

His other chieftaincy titles were Balogun Onigbagbo, Okenla, Ifo and Bajito Ake,

Abeokuta.

Delano can be described as a core family man both to his nuclear and extended families. He was blessed with six children including Lanre Delano, all of whom has distinguished themselves in their different stations in life.

Till his death, he was the Head of Family (Olori Ebi) of Edmund Delano Descendant Association (EDDA), a position he earned by the right as the eldest surviving member of Edmund Delano, his grandfather. He was a motivator of the Okenla community under the auspices of Egbe Omo Abule Okenla.

His philosophy in life was that of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;live and let liveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and God has a purpose. He believed that this can best be achieved by overcoming the seven spirits of evil which are fear, jealousy, hatred, greed, anger, revenge and superstition. Papa was a very optimistic and positive person who always looked at the brighter side of any situation. He rarely exhibited disappointment as his favorite saying was from Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s letter to the Romans 8 vs 28; that â&#x20AC;Ś. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everything worketh for good for those who love Godâ&#x20AC;?.

Delano has inculcated in him the spirit of serving and giving to humanity quite early in life. He was married to former Miss Wuraola Alalade for 35 years before her death in 1989 at the age of 61. They were blessed with five sons and a daughter, 19 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Mamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continuous and fervent support for him in her life time, together with her excellent community and voluntary work are also reflected in Balogun Kunle Delanoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success in this direction.

During his later stage in life, when asked what the panacea for his long life, he would always say it was due first and foremost to Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grace, followed by an active positive lifestyle, eschewing negative values and above all being contented with what you have. But to those who knew Balogun Kunle Delano very well, his greatest attribute was humility. You will hardly see him annoyed as he bantered both with the young and old. As he always said â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;with grace, warmth and utmost humility, you will always stay young and mentally alert. At 93, Balogun Kunle Delano can be said to have successfully conquered all, striding majestically in Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love and grace to eternal life from above which we all are awaiting by Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grace. Until his death on May 5, 2019, he was mentally active.

Adieu to a man of the people, a king of many hearts. Goodnight father!

37

F R I DAY Ëž ͰͲË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

ENTREPRENEUR

Lola Adeoti: Making Fashionable , Affordable but Luxury Handbags

Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂĄË&#x153; Nume EkeghĂ? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Sunday Ehigiator Ă?âĂ&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x203A;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2022; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ë&#x203A; Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ě&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;

Lola Adeoti showcasing her craft

T

he truth is, no matter how much women adore clothes, shoes and make-up, they always appreciate complimenting handbags more. For women, a handbag is much more than just an accessory. It is the friend that accompanies one all day long while sharing with them its elegance, support and space.

A â&#x20AC;&#x153;handbagâ&#x20AC;? is a larger accessory that holds objects beyond currency, such as personal items. The term handbag began appearing in the early 1900â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

Initially, it was most often used to refer to menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hand-luggage. Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bags grew larger and more complex during this period, and the term was attached to the accessory. Today, with handmade brands like Lolaadeoti, handbags has gone beyond an accessory used for holding objects to a fashionable accessory that compliments beauty.

Speaking with THISDAY, C.E.O Lolaadeoti Bags, Lola Adeoti said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Lolaadeoti brand which was derived from my first and last name, was inspired by my love for two things; Nigeria and hand made items. I started off by selling Ankara accessories and training women all over Nigeria on how to do the same. And I decided on the name because of how close the brand is to my heart. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Lolaadeoti bags has been up and running for four years. The very first collection was launched on January 1, 2015, but it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t much of a success.

Although I lost all my capital, but I went

back to the drawing board and relaunched in July 2015. This time, because I had lost all my savings, I had to ask intending customers to pay ahead and I would then buy leather and produce with their money and deliver. Prior to the launching of the brand, I had gone through a four months apprenticeship training program in the art of bag making and was trained by a local artisan in

The brand derives its uniqueness in the fact that they are made of locally sourced full grain leather, calf skin, goat skin and lined with velvet.

All designs by Lola Adeoti are unique to Lolaadeoti bags and promises to make the owner stand out. The bags are made with the highest grade of leather that is built to last for a very long time when handled with care and love

the heart of Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153; The brand derive its uniqueness in the fact that they are made of locally sourced full grain leather, calf skin, goat skin and lined with velvet. All designs

by Lola Adeoti are unique to Lolaadeoti bags and promise to make the owner stand out. The bags are made with the highest grade of leather that is built to last for a very long time when handled with care and love. And when I say care, I mean consciously caring for your bag which entails, that after using your handbag, you start with the first step of emptying it of its contents and dust it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then wipe the exterior of the bag softly with a damp paper towel and polish with the polish that is provided.

Store your bag in the dust bag provided, while refraining from hanging your bags because, this will distort the shape of the handles. Then line your bags up on a shelf in your closet. If the shelf is not tall enough, do not allow the handles of the bag to be pressed down; in this case, the bag should lie flat.â&#x20AC;?

Speaking on the affordability of the bags, she said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the prices of the bags are comparably very affordable. They are pocket friendly and it ranges between N20,000 to N85,000 depending on your preferences. And we basically trade online via our Instagram and Facebook page @lolaadeoti or Whatsapp at 08073218933 for order placement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Asides handbags, we likewise produce leather bags, leather wallets, belts and other portable leather goods suitable for everyday use and

as souvenirs. And since July 2015, the brand has grown in quantum leaps gaining customers not only in Nigeria, but also Ghana, Togo, Kenya, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, Indonesia, United States of America and Canada. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This international recognition of the brand only attest to quality of all of products which are simply very durable; so no peelings, easy to clean and strong structure. We have products that are fashionable and are likewise large enough to carry stuff; hence nursing mothers can rock it and slay; even as they nurse, while also providing young ladies the advantage of switching from their carrier bags for it; since your heels can enter.â&#x20AC;?

Speaking on one of the products, she said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;we have a Gidichic bag in Gem Turquoise; a color that commands attention. The bag is so vintage, yet so modern in a color that is so striking. It is a head turner, for the chic woman. For the woman who is inspired by the past but can predict the future of fashion and even finances; the leader of the pack; the alpha female; Gem Turquoise Gidichic bag is just right for you.â&#x20AC;?

In a testimony by one of her clients, @ balkyzzz; who visibly couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t curtail her love for the brand after using it, she said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I rock @lolaadeoti bags because they are sturdy, she makes her bags with the most durable and adorable materials, and because I like good and trendy things. I also love durable goods, so Lolaadeoti bags are the first to come to mind when shopping for a new bag.â&#x20AC;?

38

F R I DAY Ëž ͰͲË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

METRO

â&#x20AC;ŚYour city life in print

BringingSuccortoVictimsofInsurgency,Famers/HerdsmenCrisis Daji Sani in Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039; ĂĄĂ&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁË&#x153; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; âĂ&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x2122; ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x152;ĂŁ Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;ĂĄĂ&#x2039; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?

T

he recently displaced persons, living at Chambaaji Village, last week Saturday burst into singing and dancing in their native language on receiving relief materials from Eroton Exploration and Production Company and the Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC).

While appreciating the group for bringing help to them, the community narrated their respective ordeals.

For Mrs Aisha Mohammed, who said they were displaced by the recent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Demsa Local Government Areas and had to flee from the area to Chambaaji Village in Yola South LGA of Adamawa state for safety, it was an experience that left a sore taste in their mouths â&#x20AC;&#x153;We trekked with our husbands and children from Damsa LGA to Chambaaji village which is about 15 km to 20 km with no food to eat because we were fleeing from the crisis to a safer ground,â&#x20AC;? she said She revealed that the reason behind their singing and dancing was because since they arrived Chambaaji Village no help allegedly came from goverment and they have being eating from hand to mouth, adding that their children were forced out of school due to the crisis.

According to her, â&#x20AC;&#x153;we are happy and dancing because the relief materials brought to us is going to reduce our current hardships and sufferings. We have been starving because our livelihood have been detroyed as a result of the crisis.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today my children will eat good meal they have not eaten for a very long time and they will also sleep on a mattress,â&#x20AC;? she added as she chanted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;God is mighty and answers prayersâ&#x20AC;?.

Despite the intervention by the Federal Goverment, local and international donors, checks revealed that there are so many displaced persons in Numan , Demsa Lamurde, Girei LGAs who were victims of the rampaging herdsmen, who are presently starving and might be prone to diseases like cholera, Measles, malaria fever, Lassa Fever and other diseases due to the incoming rainy season if nothing is done very quickly.

Ahead of the distribution of relief materials at Chambaaji village,the delegation of Eroton, NNPC,Red Cross and the state government had paid a courtesy call on the paramount ruler of the Fombina dynasty and Lamido of Adamawa, Dr Barkido Aliyu Mustapha at his palace.

The paramount ruler while addressing the delegation, described the directive issued to major oil production companies operating in the country by the NNPC to assist distressed Nigerians, especially those affected by insurgency and herdsmen/farmers crisis as a step taken in the right direction.

Mustapha further explained that the magnitude of destruction caused by Boko Haram insurgents in the North-east is least to be desired.

He also appealed that drastic security measures must be taken with high sense of seriousness and urgency so as to help our beloved Nigerians who are suffering due to this security challenges across the nation.

Lamido who insisted that enough is enough, said security operatives should endeavor to curtail the rampaging use of small weapons by individuals, which are used to terrorise, kidnap and carry out other forms of criminality across the country.

The traditional ruler however thanked his visitors warmly saying that the gesture is part of human concern and affection to fellow human at a critical time of need, while urging other to emulate the good gesture.

Earlier in his remarks Leader of the team, Mr.Dele Alkhionbare, Head of Business Development Eroton said they were in the state to extend hands of friendship to the victims of the insurgency in their little way.

Alkhionbare said the essence of human lives is to help those in the condition of need on time adding that â&#x20AC;&#x153;a brother in need is a brother indeed.

At Chambaaji village during the distribution of relief materials

Truck loaded with relief materials being uploaded at Chambaaji village

Mr Dele of Eroton, Kalu of NNPC in the middle and Dr Mahmood Suleiman representing the state governor putting heads together during the distribution of relief materials at Chambaaji village

Dr Mahmood Suleiman presenting relief materials to one of IDPs with the help of Red Cross oďŹ&#x192;cial

â&#x20AC;&#x153; We must prove to our brothers that we are concerned in order for them not to feel neglected. The quantom of destruction l saw cannot be expressed on pages of the newspapers or in the radio and television.

Somebody needs to visit the IDPs camps to see

for themselvesâ&#x20AC;?.

He expressed concern over the condition of living of some displaced persons visited at Malkohi settlement camp in the state calling on governments and well to do Nigerians to come to their aid.

He also mentioned that the assistance brought will be distributed to displaced persons in Yola South ,Madagali Michika and Mubi LGA respectively.

Also receiving the delegation in his office, Adamawa State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon.Kabiru Mijinyawa said the innovative gesture must be commended by all and sundry considering the fasting period in which people are encouraged to help and forgive.

Mijinyawa expressed gratitude to the company and NNPC on behalf of the government and good people of the state for the show of love and togetherness.

While flagging of the distribution of relief materials at Chambaaji village of Yola South LGA, Aikhionbare said the idea was to carter to the need of the victims and give them hope again.

He said four local governments of Michika, Madagali, Yola South and Mubi will benefit from the first phase of the distribution, subsequently other local government areas affected will also benefit from the gesture.

The Chambaaji villagers mostly Fulanis who were recently affected by farmers/ herder crisis around Sourthen Adamawa and relocated to the Nana Asmau Nomadic Primary School, Chambaaji, Yola South LGA were the first to be cartered for.

The villagers at Chambaaji received items which included, Maize, mattresses, bedcovers, buckets, per boiled rice, vegetable oil, millet, soaps, hygiene pad, mats, cooking pots, knifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, sorghum, mosquito nets, tarpaulin and cloths.

These items came in several trailer loads to the Chambaaji village under the supervision of the Lamido Adamawa HRH Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, who was represented by the District head of Yola South, Chikasoro Adamawa.

Aikhionbare said the company had compassion on the plight of internally Displaced Persons IDPs in the North-east and decided to go into a joint venture with NNPC to try and salvage the situation.

Aikhionbare pointed out that Eroton has been embarking on such similar projects to reduce hardships being faced by the people affected by diverse crisis around the country.

The Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation ( NNPC) Engr Maikanti Baru, who was represented by Ogbonnaya A. Kalu, thanked Eroton, NEMA and Red Cross for assisting in the distribution of the items.

He said NNPC was compassionate about the sufferings of IDPs in the North-east and had developed the joint venture to bring succor to the thousands of people displaced, especially women and children.

He called on all other stakeholders involved to contribute in elevating the harsh conditions of the IDPs by bringing items that would better their conditions.

Kalu revealed that Baru had given them a mandate to provide for the needy especially those affected by Insurgency and other forms of crises in Nigeria.

One of the beneficiaries at Chambaaji village expressed joy, saying that since they were displaced recently by herder/farmer crisis in Demsa LGA they have not received any help from anywhere.

She further explained that their living conditions was bad, just as she thanked Eroton and NNPC for coming to their rescue, adding that the gesture will go a long way to reduce their sufferings.

The respresentive of the Adamawa state governor, Senator Mohammed Jibrila Bindow, who doubled as the Executive of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), Dr Mahmood Suleiman, said the goverment welcomed the gesture.

He said the intervention was timely and will go a long way to alleviate the hardships and sufferings of the citizens especially the Internally Displaced Persons in the state .

Suleiman further explained that the state government will do everything humanly possible to support the idea of NNPC as it open its hands to receive those oil companies that are yet to bring their aid.

FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

39 A DV E R TO R I A L

40

F R I DAY Ëž ͰͲË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

POLSCOPE

ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x17D;ĂŁ Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă ĂĄĂ&#x153;Ă&#x201C; Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x17D;ĂŁË&#x203A;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă ĂĄĂ&#x153;Ă&#x201C;ĚśĂ&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁĂ&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ë&#x153; ͸Î&#x20AC;͸ͽ ͝͸͞ Π͝ͽ͞

What Nigerians Expect from Buhari Henceforth

Canticlesâ&#x20AC;Ś.

Saraki and the Cross of the 8th Assembly

I

n about a dozen or so days, the eight senatewill expire and Nigerians will be ushered into another dispensation of new legislative leadership.

Indeed. And we shall all heave a sigh of relief?

Sigh of relief? Were Nigerians under bondage with the 8th Senate?

Need you ask? What greater bondage could we have experienced than we went through in the last four years?

Really? Bondage? Are we talking about the same senate? The senate led by Dr AbubakarBukola Saraki, the youngest senate president in the last 20 years? Are you talking about thesenate led by the most strategic visionary politician of our time?

Buhari

I

n five days, the second term of President Muhammadu Buhari will officially commence. Barring any hiccup, he should steer the affairs of this country till May 29, 2023.

It will be the third time, so to speak, or write, that Nigerians will be experiencing the General, turned politician. Having been Military Head of State (1983 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;85); elected president (2015â&#x20AC;&#x201D;2019) and now re-elected from (2019 [hopefully] to 2023), Buhari is neither a stranger to the Nigerian people nor are Nigerians strangers to him.

No doubt, Mr President would have noticed that the campaign for his re-election was rather tedious. The opposition to his return was fierce and ferocious. So many people did not want him re-elected. Luckily, a few more people voted for his return.

And here we are, at the doorpost of the second inauguration.

President Buhari won with greater ease in 2015, against a sitting president, than he did in 2019, while he is the sitting president. The reason is that in 2015, many of those who voted for Buharibelieved that he is a no nonsense person. That he was coming with a messianic panache, to clean the Augean stable.

But the truth is that, in the last four years, under Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s watch, there has been plenty of nonsense. So much nonsense that it became a mess. A humongous mess.

It seemed Mr President abdicated his responsibilities to some faceless mandarinsotherwise called cabal.

They were literally in charge. They dictated what happened. They influenced all the controversial appointments. They defended the oddities with so much gusto and defiance.

They literally operated with the attitude of â&#x20AC;&#x153;we-are-in-charge-andthere- isâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;nothing-you-can-doâ&#x20AC;?.

Those who are quick to adduce metaphysical ends,had accused the cabal of bewitching Mr President,in such a way that they always had their way unchecked.

It was so bad that even the wife of Mr President,Aisha Buhari had had to cry out , stressing that some cabals have hijacked both her husband and the government. But nothing changed.

Agreed, Mr President once had some health challenges, which reduced his grip in governance. Sadly, there is hardly a striking difference in his firmness between when he was sick and when he recovered.

Nothing seems to have changed in his governance style. But all that should change now.

And that is the crux of this piece.

The style of governance has to change.

At 76, this should be President Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last chance to write his name in gold in such a way that he will be remembered for redeeming the Nigerian federation from thralldom.

He has four full years to change the public narrative and sweeten the experience and memory of Nigerians.

Too many things are wrong with the Nigerian state. Sure, Buhari cannot do everything. Nobody can. But he must identify and define his core areas of focus, beside the anti-corruption fight.

Even on that, it has been anything but thorough. Yes, the fight against corruption is huge, deep and complex, it must be seen as being fought blindly, without deference to certain persons.

Indeed, the cry about its selective nature has been loud. This cannot be wished away. Those serving in government should not use the cover of office to wrap themselves in some kind of illegal immunity.

Those whose hands stray into the cookies jar, whether they be Jews or Gentiles, must be nabbed and given the Babachir treatment. And MrPresident has to open his eyes and ears. Those close enough to the seat of power say a lot happens without the knowledge of the president. This should stop. Mr President must not only be in charge dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;affaires, he must be manifestly seen to be so. He must own his government. No more proxies!

Perhaps one sore area where Nigerians want a remarkable difference between the first and second term, is security. Nigerians want to have an unassailable sense of security. The spate of kidnappings and killings must stop. Not reduce. It must stop.

The security of lives and property caps everything about governance.

And as a nation, we have come to a very worrisome point. Of what use is the fruit of governance when nobody is sure of safety?

Once, it was armed robbers, then Boko Haram; then Fulani herdsmen; then kidnappers, and nowbandits and reckless killers. No country worth its salt survives with this degree of uncertainty and threat.

In President Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second term, all those, and I mean all, who represent any form of threat to security must be wrestled down. They must be wracked and crushed, even if it means hiring more policemen and soldiers. We cannot surrender the nation to brigandage. Response time must improve. Government cannot be wringing its hands in helplessness in the face of this wild threat to our collective safety. We certainly cannot continue like this. Last Sunday a pastor, his daughter and 14 others were kidnapped during a church service in Kaduna. Nothing can be more bizarre

and frightening.

People are now scared stiff to travel.

Kidnappers have literally seized our highways.

The incoming service chiefs must work out a winning strategy or we remain in this tragedy.

Another sore point is the economy.

The poverty index in the land is damn high. It is not abating, rather, it is worsening. Nigerians have heard enough of how past governments wrecked their past. It is incumbent on this government to rework the economy to get reflated and save our tomorrow. There is too much poverty and suffering in the land. That is why N10,000 Traderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Money will mean so much to the village people.

The huge wealth of the country is in very few hands. The oppressive political elite are alreadymassing up wealth meant for the common people, in preparation for 2023. And we are all feeling cool. No, we cannot be cool with that! The system must be re-jigged in such a way that access to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commonwealth is not passworded by the few selfish leaders.

Nigerians should have access to the wealth of the nation.

One way of ensuring unfettered access to better life is by ensuring that the notorious problem of stable electricity is solved. The government must break this jinx and covenant with darkness. We have spoken too much grammar around this matter.

We have given too many excuses over this issue. We have had too much motion without movement on this issue.

Stable electricity is not an enigma. We should overcome all the problems and give Nigerians stable electricity.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all that will matter, not the excuses and exegesis of why things are as they are.

Finally, the faith and confidence of Nigerians in Nigeria must be deliberately re-inforced. And this is as it concerns all spheres, especially our health system. Hey, what medical equipment or machine or device is in that British, German, American or Cuban hospital that Nigeria cannot afford? Neither the primary nor tertiary health institutions are equipped to handle our health needs. Why canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t we equip our hospitals enough such that medical tourism, even by the President is stopped? We are not lacking in human medical personnel as many of the great medical facilities abroad are manned by Nigerian doctors. One sure way of boosting this confidence in the Nigerian brand is for even MrPresident, his Vice and all the lawmakers etc., to stop running abroad for their medicals. That is when the Change-Begins-with-Me campaign will make more sense

You can save yourself and your fans those adulating adjectives. As far as right-thinking Nigerians are concerned the senate under BukolaSaraki literally held down the nation for four years.It was a senate bedraggled by suspicion and distrust.

It was literally a back-to-back fight with the executive for four years.

That is even why you must salute the astute leadership qualities of Dr Saraki. Despite all the grudge ďŹ ght between the executive and the legislature, he held his own end tightly and courageously, even when federal might was unleashed on him, he neither failed nor faltered. He served out his term, despite potent threats of impeachment. Not even when he decamped from the ruling party did he fall. Go and ask Evan Enwerem, Chuba Okadigbo, Anyim Pius Anyimwhat the notorious Banana peel did to them. And you will appreciate how Saraki survived all the plots against him.

I am telling you that Saraki has shown great feat in leadership and courage, refusing to be bent or distracted. He was such aâ&#x20AC;Ś (cuts in, raising his right palm).

Enough! He was such a what? Do you know that Nigeria would have moved forward if there was enough co-operation between the executive and the legislature? Ok. Tell me, what did the so-called leadership of Sarakiachieve for the nation?

Now listen, let me educate you on the Sarakiphenomenon. For your information, no senate has been as effective and robust as that which was led by Saraki. Do you realize how effective the senat e was in checking the excesses of the executive? Do you realize that the 8th senate passed a total of 293 Bills, while the 7th senate passed 128 Bills, andthe 6th and 5th senate passed 72 and 129 Bills respectively?

Do you realise this Saraki-led senate passed the Not-Too-Youngto Run Bill? Do youâ&#x20AC;Ś (cuts in again) So how many young people won election in the last general election? They merely passed the Bill but ensured the young people will never have the muscle to run and win.

Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you see through the deceit?

You call it deceit? Do you remember it was this senate that discovered the fraud in the Treasury Single Account? Do you reliase this senate discovered and stopped the fraud in the arbitrary Import duty waiver to the tune

Saraki

of N447 billion? This senate also passed a bill that stopped the NCC from hiking the cost of datathus making Nigeria the 11th out of 57 countries in Africa where data is cheapest? Didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t this senate also cause fund-generating MDAs to remit the funds they generate to the federal till, instead of spending it as in the past? You think it is for a joke that agencies like JAMB, NIMASA,WAEC etc started swelling the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s treasury?

So how has all those monies bettered the lot of ordinary Nigerians?

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget the Senate is only to make laws and not to implement them Stop interrupting me. You must be reminded of how the senate passed the Bill against sexual harassment in higher institutions.

Or didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you follow the story of Monica Osagie and the randy professor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife? The 8th senate passed the Bill on Nigeria Police Trust Fund aimed at giving the Nigeria police personnel a beďŹ tting welfare plan. It is this same Saraki-led 8th senate that helped to stop the perennial fuel scarcity in the country, just as it stopped the banks from slamming arbitrary charges on customers.

Hmmm, has it stopped? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t banks still impose all kinds of charges on customers today? They charge Maintenance fee on all ATM cards, when they do not maintain anything on the cards. So what is the essence of that so-called Bill?

Look, You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget his farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; revolution in Kwara State while he served as governor. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tell it all here. But one thing certain is that Saraki has proven that he is imbued with salient leadership attributes that marks him out for greater roles in Nation building.

You speak as if he is such an angel.

Is Saraki not part of the problem of this country? Have you forgotten the tons ofâ&#x20AC;Ś. (cuts in) Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remind me of anything. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget even a bad clock is twice right in a day. And nobody tests the depth of a river with both feet at the same time.

Saraki may not be going back to the senate now but heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been the Thane of Glamis, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been the Thane of Cawdor and he could even be King.

Hmmmmm, perhaps I must remind you that this is not Shakespearan era, it is Buhari era.

FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

41

42

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ͰͲË&#x153; 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Sanwo-Olu Pledges Transparency in Budget Process FDIs Nume Ekeghe The Governor-elect of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide SanwoOlu has pledged to be more transparent and accountable to Lagos citizens when he assumes office.

Sanwo-Olu, who said this during a media briefing in Lagos yesterday, pledged to institute a quarterly interactive session on the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget in order to give Lagosians updates and progress report on public expenditure.

The incoming governor also vowed to make the environment more conducive to attract foreign investments into the state.

Responding to a question on how to make the budget transparent and procurement open, he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The state government still publicises its budget on a year-on-year basis. We intend to continue, but beyond that, we would also do a quarterly review of our budget performance so that people can ask questions and we are accountable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In terms of transparency, we have a procurement law and we have a procurement agency.

It is important for people to access them more. The ones that need to be published in terms of who gets the procurement, we

would do it if it is not currently being done.â&#x20AC;?

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;So we would let people know on a quarterly basis how you are running your budget and how well you are doing and issues around transparency reduces.â&#x20AC;?

Commenting on his intention to ensure that increased foreign investments are attracted to Lagos state, Sanwo-Olu added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Investments are just moving around and if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take them and the opportunities, they move to some other jurisdiction.

That is because money is always moving around the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For us in Lagos, we believe it is a unique time and it is a rear opportunity for us to not only make the environment conducive for international investors to come, but to also ensure that what they need and what they require for them to be able to do businesses very well are available. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is, the Ease of Doing Business and the things that are within our control such as approvals, registration are within our own purview by ensuring those things are done in a timely manner and in a manner where they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t leave with a negative experience.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also need to go back to the core civil service and make them understand that

change of investment works when you receive investors warmly.â&#x20AC;?

Furthermore, he assured that he would introduce further measures that would enhance support micro, small and medium scale enterprises.

According to Sanwo-Olu, his government would help businesses tap into the various single digit funding of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We would work with the central bank because some of these things are not within our control. So we would ensure that the grants can be accessible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to put people in clusters and strength in the numbers they can very quickly access the kind of single-digit funding from the central bank and they can upscale capacity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We would encourage people and putting resources in that space,â&#x20AC;? he added.

He also promised to work towards improving power supply in Lagos, which he stressed was important for economic development.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the power side, I imagine that in 90 days, we should have had a clear-cut policy with the Discos and Gencos on how we must ensure that Lagos get powered up very quickly.â&#x20AC;?

NPA Partners Navy on Maritime Security Eromosele Abiodun The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Navy (NN) have resolved to work in unison towards ensuring the security and safety of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s territorial waters and maritime domain.

Receiving a team of Naval officers led by the flag officers commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Bamidele Daji, who paid a visit to the management of the NPA in Lagos, the Managing Director of NPA Hadiza Bala-Usman said the agency was desirous of sustaining the existing collaboration between the agency and the

Nigerian Navy On the importance of Hydrographic chart in the operational activities in the sector, Bala Usman enjoined the NPA hydrographers to synergise efforts with the Nigerian Naval Perspective in order that the realities of purpose be prioritised.

The NPA boss reiterated the preparedness of the agency to contribute to the issue of the effective functionality of the Naval Defense Jetty and urged the Nigerian Navy to take advantage of the NPAsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; simulation center in the training of their staff especially the Naval Pilots.

Similarly, she said plans were in top gear towards ensuring that the Navyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;falcon eyeâ&#x20AC;? and the NPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Command and Control were compatible on matters to do with operational efficiency, safety and security, channels, revenue generation and other relative areas of concern.

The flag officer Western Naval Command Rear Admiral Oladele Bamidele Daji leader of the Naval Delegation heralded the numerous contributions of the Bala-Usman led NPA since mounting the saddle, especially concerning the innovations occasioned by the sustenance with the Ease of Doing Business.

L-R: One of the winners of $500 shopping card in the first draw of Season 2 of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;FCMB SME Race to China Promo,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Mr. Demola Idowu of Kingdom Ideas Integrated Limited, receiving his prize from the Regional Head, South-west, FCMB, Mr. Adelaja Adeleye and Manager, Challenge Branch, Mr. Kamoru Omotosho, during the South-west regional draw of the promo held in Ibadan, Oyo Stateâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

NOVEMBER 2018 Money Supply (M3)

31,794,803.44

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

6,333,064.28

Money Supply (M2)

25,461,739.17

-- Quasi Money

14,773,076.98

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,688,662.18

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,711,763.59

---- Demand Deposits

8,976,898.59

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

18,990,400.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

12,804,402.66

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,062,986.22

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,980,229.66

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

7,093,619.43

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

-4,144,571.43

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

23,082,756.56

--Other Assets Net

13,258,583.57

Reserve Money (Base Money

6,811,192.37

--Currency in Circulation

2,100,129.91

--Banks Reserves

4,366,259.05

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

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR)

Chivita Gets Recognition A large section of consumers interviewed agreed that the Frooty Happy Hour by Chivita was creating a positive impression in the marketplace, a report has stated.

According to the report, the Frooty Happy Hour by Chivita was resonating with consumers desirous of a healthy and refreshing fruit drink.

Available in 100ml pack size, the brand offers more in terms of natural fruity benefits for a shot of refreshment to upwardly mobile consumers and is also the most affordable quality fruit drink on the market shelf.

Speaking about the product and the positive feedback from consumers, Marketing Director of CHI Limited, Mr. Probal Bhattacharya, said the response from consumers was a validation of the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s avowed commitment to being the leader in innovation and price strategy in the fruit

beverage space.

He added that at a price point of N25, Frooty Happy Hour by Chivita was the most affordable value for money offering for a healthy refreshment drink in the market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are driven relentlessly by a desire to refresh the Nigerian consumer in a way that resonates with their evolving lifestyle of healthy living and quest for great tasting refreshment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Frooty Happy Hour by Chivita is a result of such quest, and we are pleased that consumers love it,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Frooty Happy Hour by Chivita 100ml pouches are currently available in three exciting variants of Orange, Pineapple and Red Berries. It can be purchased at Roadside kiosks, Chi Shoppe, Departmental Stores and Neighborhood shops all across Nigeria.

It quoted Daniel Elijah, who

is based in Lagos, to have said Frooty Happy Hour by Chivita was uniquely refreshing, affordable, great tasting and comes in a variant of his favourite fruit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Frooty Happy Hour by Chivita comes in my preferred fruity variant of Red Berries and is ideal for frequent shots of great tasting refreshment throughout the day. It is very affordable and its 100ml size ensures that I can take several packs along with me to the office to ensure optimal value addition in terms of quality refreshment from my beverage,â&#x20AC;? he added.

In the same vein, Joseph Eteng, who runs a graphic design outfit in Calabar, praised Frooty Happy Hour by Chivita for being a healthier and affordable beverage option for refreshment from the range of products available on the shelf.

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 AS AT WEDESDAY, 22 MAY 2019

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $71.03 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $71.71 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

43

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ͰͲË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

MARKET NEWS

Dangote Cement Raises N50bn via CP to Support Short -term Funding Goddy Egene Dangote Cement Plc is raising N50 billion in the fifth, sixth and seventh series of its N150 billion Commercial Paper (CP) programme.

The series 5 is for 93 days tenor with effective yield of 12.38 per cent, while series 6 is for 178 days and has effective yield of 13.08 per cent. On the other hand, series 7 is for 269 days and has a yield of 13.16 per cent.

The offer opened last Wednesday and will close today.

Minimum subscription is for each series is N5 million and multiples of N1,000 thereafter.

According to Dangote Cement Plc, the proceeds of the CP would be used to support its short term financial requirements.

The leading cement manufacturing firm, last year recorded a revenue of N901.21 billion, with Nigerian operations accounting for N618.30 billion, representing

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

an increase of 11.9 percent over N552.36 billion in 2017.

Pan-African operations recorded revenues of N263.26 billion, an increase of 9.6 percent over N258.44 billion posted in the corresponding period in 2017.

Profit after tax stood at N390.32 billion, up from N204.25 billion while earnings per share rose from N11.65 to N22.83. The company directors are proposing a dividend of N16 per share.

A further analysis of the

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

performance showed that Dangote Cement maintained its dominance of the Nigerian market, accounting for 65 per cent of the total volume sold in the domestic cement sector in 2018. The company also exported 800,000 metric tonnes (MT) of cement to West African countries, strengthening Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position as a cement exporting country, creating jobs in the economy, and earning foreign exchange.

The company sold a total of

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

23.54 MT of cement across Africa indicating an increase of 7.4 per cent over 21.92 MT sold in 2017.

Nigerian operations accounted for 14.18 MT representing an increase of 11.4 per cent over the volume of 12.72 metric tonnes sold during the preceding year.

The increase in the Nigerian volume is attributable to higher building activities as the economy recovered from recession.

Commenting on the results, Group Chief Executive Officer,

O F

Dangote Cement, Joe Makoju, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a record financial performance by Dangote Cement, driven by a strong increase in our home market, Nigeria, despite heavy rains and uncertainties about the election. Although PanAfrican volumes were unchanged in 2018, I am confident that we will see an increase in 2019, driven by higher volumes in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Congo and Sierra Leone.

Now that we have gas turbines operating in Tanzania .

2 3 / 0 5 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2019

44

Friday, May 24, 2019 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index Gains 0.4%

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

Yesterday, the Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index rose by 42bps to ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϭ͕ϯϭϰ͘ϭϲ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ GUARANTY ;нϭ͘ϴйͿ͕ DANGCEM ;нϭ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ NESTLE ;нϯ͘ϰйͿ͘ dŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϯϴ͘ϴй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

>ŽĐĂů ŽƵƌƐĞ ^ƵƐƚĂŝŶƐ WŽƐŝƟǀĞ DŽŵĞŶƚƵŵ͙ ASI up 1.1%

zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ůŽĐĂů ďŽƵƌƐĞ ŵĂŝŶƚĂŝŶĞĚ ŝƚƐ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůů ^ŚĂƌĞ /ŶĚĞdž ; ^/Ϳ ƌŽƐĞ ϭ͘ϭй ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϯϭ͕ϰϳϳ͘ϱϭ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͘ dŚŝƐ ǁĂƐ ďƵŽLJĞĚ ďLJ Ă ďƌŽĂĚ-ďĂƐĞĚ ƌĂůůLJ

Ticker

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

Price Previous Current Change Price Weightin YTD Change g

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

1,314.16

0.42%

-10.5%

31.4%

16.8%

6.0%

4.6x

0.7x

6.3%

1 Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

31.05

1.8%

19.4%

-9.9%

-10.0%

33.1%

5.3%

4.6x

1.5x

8.8%

21.6%

2 Zenith Bank PLC

18.80

-1.1%

11.4%

-18.4%

-9.4%

24.7%

3.2%

3.2x

0.8x

14.8%

31.7%

3 Dangote Cement PLC 4 Nestle Nigeria PLC

15.9%

205.00

1.0%

11.0%

8.1%

10.2%

40.1%

21.8%

9.2x

3.4x

8.2%

10.8%

1,365.00

3.4%

8.4%

-8.1%

-7.5%

81.2%

27.4%

22.9x

17.2x

4.3%

4.4%

61.70

0.0%

4.9%

-27.8%

-19.4%

9.5%

4.4%

28.3x

2.8x

4.1%

3.5%

6.95

0.7%

5.2%

-12.6%

-13.1%

10.0%

1.1%

4.2x

0.5x

3.7%

24.0%

5 Nigerian Brew eries PLC

ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ͕ ĂůƚŚŽƵŐŚ DANGCEM ;нϭ͘ϬйͿ͕ NESTLE ;нϯ͘ϰйͿ͕

6 FBN Holdings Plc

14.00

0.0%

and GUARANTY ;нϭ͘ϴйͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŵĂŝŶ ĚƌŝǀĞƌƐ͘ Ɛ Ă

3.6%

-27.8%

-27.8%

4.7%

4.3%

4.1x

0.5x

2.8%

24.6%

8 United Bank for Africa PLC

5.65

-0.9%

3.6%

-26.6%

-27.6%

15.5%

1.7%

2.4x

0.4x

15.0%

41.7%

9 International Brew eries PLC

20.00

0.0%

2.6%

-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%

8.5%

7 Cement Co Northern Nigeria PLC

ƌĞƐƵůƚ͕ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ďLJ Eϭϰϲ͘ϰďŶ ƚŽ

10 SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

4.9x 5.1x

Eϭϯ͘ϵƚŶ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ Ăƚ Ϭ͘ϭй ŝŶĐŚĞĚ ŝŶƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ

11 Access Bank PLC

5.85

-1.7%

3.3%

-14.0%

-10.0%

22.2%

2.1%

1.5x

0.4x

ƌĞŐŝŽŶ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ĮƌƐƚ ƟŵĞ ƐŝŶĐĞ DĂƌĐŚ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů

12 Ecobank Transnational Inc

9.15

0.0%

2.1%

-34.6%

-36.0%

15.3%

1.2%

2.6x

0.4x

ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƵƌŐĞĚ ϵϬ͘Ϯй ƚŽ ϱϱϵ͘ϳŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĚŝƉƉĞĚ ďLJ ϱϬ͘ϯй ƚŽ Eϴ͘ϳďŶ͘ SOVRENINS ;ϮϴϬ͘ϴŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ UBA ;ϰϰ͘ϰŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ĂŶĚ MTNN ;ϯϰ͘Ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁŚŝůĞ MTNN ;Eϱ͘ϮďŶͿ͕ DANGCEM ;Eϵϱϰ͘ϰŵͿ ĂŶĚ ZENITH ;EϲϯϬ͘ϳŵͿ ůĞĚ ƚŚĞ ǀĂůƵĞ ĐŚĂƌƚ͘

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%

32.00

3.2%

2.4%

-13.5%

-13.5%

12.7%

7.7%

17.9x

2.2x

4.7%

5.6%

15 Lafarge Africa PLC

10.00

0.0%

1.5%

-19.7%

-16.7%

-53.7%

-7.9%

0.7x

14.6%

-63.0%

16 Guinness Nigeria PLC

50.50

0.0%

1.0%

-29.9%

-29.9%

6.8%

3.7%

16.9x

1.3x

3.8%

5.9%

17 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

74.00

0.0%

1.4%

-2.9%

-2.9%

21.0%

16.0%

11.7x

2.4x

4.3%

8.6%

18 Total Nigeria PLC

162.00

0.0%

1.2%

-20.2%

-20.2%

19.3%

4.5%

9.5x

1.8x

10.6%

10.6%

19 11 PLC

175.00

2.9%

1.3%

-5.7%

-5.7%

38.0%

16.8%

5.8x

2.0x

4.9%

17.1%

14.40

-7.1%

0.8%

-37.7%

-35.1%

6.6%

2.0%

6.7x

0.4x

7.1%

15.0%

21 Oando PLC

4.35

-4.4%

1.1%

-13.0%

-9.4%

14.3%

2.5%

2.0x

0.3x

22 Fidelity Bank PLC

1.65

0.0%

1.0%

-18.7%

-18.7%

12.7%

1.4%

2.0x

0.2x

6.7%

50.7%

23 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.14

-3.4%

1.0%

-13.6%

-9.5%

16.4%

3.6%

4.3x

0.7x

2.6%

23.5%

24 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

13.40

0.0%

0.9%

-12.1%

-9.5%

22.3%

12.6%

6.7x

1.5x

8.2%

14.9%

2.0x

20 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

25 Diamond Bank PLC

^ĞĐƚŽƌĂů ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ůĂƌŐĞůLJ ďƵůůŝƐŚ ĂƐ ϱ ŽƵƚ ŽĨ ϲ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ

26 FCMB Group Plc

1.60

0.0%

0.6%

-15.3%

-11.1%

8.8%

1.2%

27 UAC of Nigeria PLC

6.40

-3.0%

0.4%

-34.4%

-33.0%

-7.9%

-3.6%

ƚŚĞ / d ƐĞĐƚŽƌ ŝŶĚĞdž ĐƌĞĂƚĞĚ ďLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ tĞƐƚ ĨƌŝĐĂ >ŝŵŝƚĞĚ͘ The "AFR-/ dΗ ŝŶĚĞdž ůĞĚ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ͕ ƵƉ Ϯ͘ϴй͕ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ MTNN ;нϮ͘ϵйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ƚƌĂŝůĞĚ͕ ĂĚǀĂŶĐŝŶŐ ϭ͘ϯй ĂƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƚŽŽŬ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶ ŝŶ NESTLE ;нϯ͘ϰйͿ and UNILEVER ;нϯ͘ϮйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ƌŽƐĞ Ϭ͘ϴй ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ DANGCEM ;нϭ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ BETAGLAS ;нϳ͘ϲйͿ͘ LAWUNION ;нϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ MOBIL ;нϮ͘ϵйͿ and CONOIL ;нϳ͘ϬйͿ ŵĂƌŐŝŶĂůůLJ ĚƌŽǀĞ ƚŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ Kŝů

Ϭ͘Ϯй͕ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ ZENITH (-ϭ͘ϭйͿ͕ STERLING (ϴ͘ϯйͿ ĂŶĚ UBN (-ϭ͘ϰйͿ͘

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ

;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϲdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϰdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŝŽƌ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ ϭϰ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ

8.7%

50.0%

9.7%

-30.6%

43.7%

2.10

-8.3%

0.6%

10.5%

10.5%

9.3%

0.9%

6.5x

0.6x

0.0%

0.4%

-9.4%

-9.4%

37.0%

24.8%

2.3x

0.7x

3.6%

30 NASCON Allied Industries PLC

17.00

-5.3%

0.4%

-5.6%

-5.6%

32.2%

12.9%

11.1x

3.6x

5.9%

31 Forte Oil PLC

27.80

0.0%

0.4%

-3.1%

-0.7%

48.9%

7.4%

32 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

7.00

-1.4%

0.5%

25.0%

25.0%

6.6%

1.2%

12.2x

0.9x

33 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

23.00

0.0%

0.3%

14.4%

4.1%

19.9%

2.3%

4.7x

0.9x

34 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

36 Wema Bank PLC

8.2% 8.7%

0.2%

-29.8%

-30.9%

0.8x

1.8%

0.2%

-2.4%

-2.4%

68.7%

31.5%

11.5x

7.2x

8.5%

8.7%

0.60

-3.2%

0.2%

-4.8%

-4.8%

7.3%

0.7%

6.2x

0.4x

5.0%

16.0%

7.6%

0.2%

9.8%

9.8%

-3.0%

0.4%

132.8%

141.7%

-15.8%

-5.1%

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

0.0%

0.1%

-1.6%

-1.6%

11.0%

3.1%

1.2x

1.7%

2.5x

1.2%

12.0x

0.7x

2.8%

7.9x

0.9x

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

LA WUN ION

0.44

10.0%

J A P A ULOIL

0.24

9.1%

8.3% 12.7%

T ic k er

Vo lum e

SOVR EN IN S

P ric e C hg %

280.8

0.0%

UB A

44.4

-0.9% 2.9%

3.41

7.9%

M TNN

34.2

B ET A GLA S

75.00

7.6%

Z EN IT H B A N K

33.5

-1.1%

C ON OIL

21.55

6.9%

T R A N SC OR P

17.4

-3.4%

10.95

4.3%

UC A P

15.7

-8.7%

1365.00

3.4%

A C C ESS

14.1

-1.7%

32.00

3.2%

FCM B

12.5

0.0%

M OB IL

175.00

2.9%

ST ER LN B A N K

10.2

-8.3%

M TNN

149.00

2.9%

FB NH

9.1

0.7%

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

T o p 10 L o s e r s

ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ Ϯϰ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͛Ɛ ƚŽƉ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ ǁĞƌĞ

-7.1%

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

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

UN ILEVER

21.5%

0.0%

75.00

C A D B UR Y

9.0% -7.6%

0.0%

15.95

NA HCO

2.1x

8.50

37 Beta Glass PLC

T ic k er

15.4%

34.00

38 Dangote Flour Mills Plc

N EST LE

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ

0.2x 0.3x

58.00

35 Chemical and Allied Products P

15.1%

50.6%

29 Presco PLC

28 Sterling Bank PLC

Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ŚŝŐŚĞƌ ďLJ Ϭ͘ϴй ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉ ƐŝĚĞ͕ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĞŵĞƌŐĞĚ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ůŽƐĞƌ͕ ĚĞĐůŝŶŝŶŐ

67.2% 38.8%

14 Unilever Nigeria PLC

ƵůůŝƐŚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŐƌĞĞŶ͕ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ĂĚĚŝƟŽŶ ŽĨ

-1.8%

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

A C A D EM Y

0.27

-10.0%

M TNN

5238.8

2.9%

;нϳ͘ϵйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ACADEMY (-ϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ LIVESTOCK (-ϭϬ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ

LIVEST OC K

0.54

-10.0%

D A N GC EM

954.4

1.0%

UCAP (-ϴ͘ϳйͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ůŽƐĞƌƐ͘ &ŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĐĞŶƚ

UC A P

2.10

-8.7%

Z EN IT H B A N K

630.7

-1.1%

C OUR T VILLE

0.21

-8.7%

N EST LE

441.1

3.4%

CHA M S

0.33

-8.3%

UN ILEVER

262.1

3.2%

ST ER LN B A N K

2.10

-8.3%

UB A

256.5

-0.9%

LAWUNION ;нϭϬ͘ϬйͿ͕ JAPAULOIL ;нϵ͘ϭйͿ ĂŶĚ NAHCO

ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƌƵŶ͕ ǁĞ ĚŽ ŶŽƚ ƌƵůĞ ŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ ƉŽƐƐŝďŝůŝƚLJ ŽĨ ƐŽŵĞ ƉƌŽĮƚ -ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƐƵďƐĞƋƵĞŶƚ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ͘

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

T ic k er

C A VER T ON

2.26

-7.8%

GUA R A N T Y

139.7

1.8%

C H IP LC

0.25

-7.4%

M OB IL

123.9

2.9%

F LOUR M ILL

14.40

-7.1%

D A N GSUGA R

89.9

0.0%

N A SC ON

17.00

-5.3%

A C C ESS

83.3

-1.7%

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

Adedayo Bakare | abakare@afrinvest.com

45

FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

PZ Celebrates 120 years, Restates Confidence in Nigerian Economy Goddy Egene Shareholders and other stakeholders of PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc should expect better value in the year ahead as the company has restated its confidence in the Nigerian economy after 120 years in operations.

The Chief Executive Officer of PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Mr.

Christos Giannopoulos, said that having been in Nigeria for 120 years and 48 years as a quoted company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the company was very well positioned to deliver better value in the years ahead.

Speaking at the Closing Gong ceremony on the floor of the NSE in Lagos, to mark the company’s

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

120th anniversary, on Wednesday, Giannopoulos, said the company was very proud to operate in Nigeria.

“We are very proud to be here today. Contrary to reports some months back, I want to reiterate that PZ Cussons is here to stay. We are not going anywhere. We are confident of in our shares, we have confidence

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 22May-2019, unless otherwise stated.

in our company. We have about 76,000 shareholders, they expect returns and they are getting returns through continued dividend payment over the years of being a listed company. The future is bright,” he said.

According to him, the prospects are bright because Nigeria has a population of about 190 million and is the biggest economy in

Africa.

He explained that the company would continue to invest in order to expand capacity and upgrade to make sure it has the latest and best its equipment manufacture ultimate quality products.

“We are going through what I will call challenging times right now but the fundamentals of the company are extremely good.

Our market share is very good.

We are competing in the market and our market share is positive and not negative,” the CEO said.

Meanwhile, the stockbroking community commended the PZ Cussons on its performance over the years. The Doyen of the stockbrokers, Mr. Sam Ndata said PZ has been growing from strength to strength.

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 145.36 147.15 -7.66% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 8.11% Nigeria International Debt Fund 276.90 276.90 1.35% 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 0.87 0.88 3.80% ACAP Income Funds 0.63 0.63 13.23% 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 13.29% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.29 2.31 3.15% 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 15.55 16.02 -6.30% ARM Discovery Fund 345.56 355.98 -3.11% ARM Ethical Fund 29.16 30.04 3.25% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.10% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.75% Paramount Equity Fund 12.00 12.09 1.56% Women's Investment Fund 105.65 106.19 1.96% 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 12.70% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 98.91 99.37 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 98.87 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 1.00 1.00 12.04% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.82 0.83 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.19 1.19 6.61% 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 12.50% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.26% 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 1,188.28 1,189.11 6.45% FBN Heritage Fund 142.81 143.77 0.02% FBN Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 115.77 116.26 4.83% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 115.75 116.23 5.07% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 137.85 139.80 -8.10% 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 3.40 3.40 4.78% Legacy Equity Fund 1.12 1.14 -7.95% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 1.87% 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 2,960.91 2,990.04 -0.79% Coral Income Fund 2,892.59 2,892.59 5.59% 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 11.75% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 107.34 107.72 -0.06% GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A

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 12.45% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.13 2.15 -1.06% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.61% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 130.19 130.27 4.17% 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 1.22 1.24 6.03% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,099.81 1,099.81 5.35% 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 10.73 10.82 -6.76% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.09% 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 N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 120.25 120.63 -0.47% 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 5.48% 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 2,351.91 2,365.53 1.63% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 201.37 201.37 5.91% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.91 0.92 -3.68% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 254.38 254.48 4.96% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 158.28 160.21 -2.93% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.69% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,094.70 8,198.55 -4.61% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.11 1.11 2.45% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.19 1.20 -0.15% United Capital Bond Fund 1.69 1.69 6.26% United Capital Equity Fund 0.68 0.69 -3.86% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.10% United Capital Eurobond Fund 110.79 110.79 3.29% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.12 1.12 2.41% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.60 10.76 0.72% Zenith Ethical Fund Zenith Income Fund Zenith Money Market Fund

11.97 21.80 1.00

12.11 21.80 1.00

-0.39% 13.08% 11.86%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.40 120.77 52.38

-44.85% 2.58% 1.24%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.89 98.98 81.54

9.99 101.07 83.04

-6.24% -15.63% -8.05%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.42 6.13 13.26 11.14 155.57

3.46 6.21 13.36 11.34 157.57

-14.36% -19.45% -11.25% -9.79% 8.32%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

106.90

17.40%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

46

FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

Theresa May Expected to Resign as British PM Today EU parliament elections take place across Britain Theresa May is expected to announce her resignation as British Prime Minister today, most British newspapers reported yesterday.

This news came as voters across Britain yesterday cast their ballots for the European Parliament elections as it is widely forecast that Brexit Party would take a lead.

May’s resignation will trigger a race among senior ministers

to replace her as leader of the Conservative Party, and herald a new approach to the deadlocked Brexit negotiations that have besieged her premiership, local media said.

The latest blow for May came on Wednesday night when one of her staunchest supporters, leader of the House of Commons, Andrea Leadsom, resigned.

Leadsom said she could not present the prime minister’s

withdrawal bill — which May plans to publish Friday — to parliament because she opposed a second referendum.

With opposition growing among MPs from May’s own Conservative Party, a number of her senior ministers tried in vain Wednesday night to plead with May to pull her proposed withdrawal bill and to announce her resignation.

May has a meeting slated

Interpol: 50 Children Rescued in Operation against Sex Abuse Website Fifty children have been rescued from abuse in an international probe into a website depicting child abuse, international police agency, Interpol on Thursday said.

Interpol child abuse researchers came across images of the abuse of 11 boys in early 2017 during routine monitoring of secret internet sites, the so-called darknet or darkweb.

Investigators relied on the physical features of the 11 victims and managed to track them and the abuser to Thailand, where

the latter was identified as the website’s main administrator.

A second administrator was arrested in Australia and police found thousands of images taken in both Thailand and Australia on his devices.

Australian, Bulgarian, New Zealand and U.S. authorities all assisted the probe, Interpol said.

The main website administrator was sentenced to 146 years in prison in Thailand in 2018 on child rape, human trafficking and child sex abuse material

charges.

An associate got a 36-year sentence.

The Australian-based administrator was jailed for 40 years and three months last week in what Interpol said was the longest ever sentence imposed in Australia for child sex offences.

Interpol said that they were still trying to identify another 100 children they believed had been abused. Investigations, arrests and rescues are likely to continue for several years.

Friday with Graham Brady, Chairman of the 1922 Committee which represents Conservative backbench MPs in the House of Commons, to discuss whether the prime minister should resign, newspapers in London said.

Brady will have with him sealed letters from committee members with their verdicts on whether rules should be changed to allow an immediate vote of confidence in May, they said.

Downing Street said May still intends to present her bill to the House of Commons early June, but it is widely expected to be defeated again like on the three previous occasions when the bill has been presented.

The drama came as millions of people in Britain cast their ballots on Thursday for the European Parliament elections.

Currently Britain is scheduled to leave the EU by Oct. 31.

Meanwhile, voters across

Britain cast their ballots yesterday for the European Parliament elections as it is widely forecast that Brexit Party will take a lead.

Britain, split into 12 regions for the elections, is among the first European countries to kick off the elections.

A total of 73 members, known as MEPs, will be elected in the constituencies.

Polling stations in Britain are open from 7:00 to 22:00 BST. Results will come out after all EU nations have voted during the next three days, with the voting process completed by 22:00 BST on Sunday.

A man, who works there and whose name is Jeremy, said that he had not decided whether to vote or not, because the election has descended to the de-facto second Brexit referendum in the country.

“People will take sides about Brexit and that would make the

elections meaningless,” he said, adding that he expects a low turnout throughout the country.

The results from Britain will show whether the newlylaunched Brexit Party, founded by veteran Euro-sceptic Nigel Farage, would win the largest number of the 73 British seats in the European Parliament as is forecast.

The latest poll gave them 37 per cent, while Theresa May’s Conservatives are down to seven per cent, with the likelihood of the party’s worst ever performance in an election since it was founded in the 1830s.

In Liverpool, retired teacher Pauline Roy said she will vote for Labour.

Roy said she had considered spoiling her ballot paper.

“But upon reflection, I have decided I must vote (for) Labour, mainly because I trust them, more than any other party, to deliver Brexit,” she said.

Egyptian Court Orders Release of Al Jazeera Journalist An Egyptian court on Thursday ordered the release of Al Jazeera journalist, Mahmoud Hussein after being detained for more than two years, legal sources said.

Hussein, an Egyptian national, was arrested in December 2016 when he was on a holiday in Egypt.

At the time, Egyptian authorities accused him of spreading false news and belonging to the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood.

On Thursday, the Cairo Criminal Court ordered his release under “precautionary measures’’ that include placing him on probation, the sources said without details.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

Egypt has repeatedly accused Al Jazeera of biased coverage and being a mouthpiece of the Muslim Brotherhood, charges that the Qatari television network has denied.

Egyptian authorities have arrested hundreds of Islamists and secular activists since the army’s 2013 overthrow of democratically elected-but-divi s i v e president Mohammed Morsi, a Brotherhood official, following mass protests against him.

I, formerly known and addressed as IROAWULA LINDALUCY CHINONYEREM, now wish to be known and addressed as IMOH-ITA LINDALUCY AKWAISUA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as USMAN AKAJI RHODA, now wish to be known and addressed as OTABO AKAJI RHODA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ABUBAKAR ZULIAT AZIMEYE, now wish to be known and addressed as ABDULKADIRI ZULIAT AZIMEYE. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OYELEKE WUMI SAINT , now wish to be known and addressed as OYELEKE OMOWUNMI ADENIKE . All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MAUREEN OGORO, now wish to be known and addressed as ELO GIFT AUGUSTINE. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as TEBUN SIKIRAT TITILAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as TEBUN AISHA TITILAYO . All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as SAMSON OLAKUNLE JOSEPH, now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNDANA OLASUNKANMI JOSEPH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

MR EUGENE JUSTICE OBUNIKE ONUNKWO who passed away on 5th May 2017, He resided at 19, Kadiri Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos. He was an employee of the Nigerian Customs Service.

His next of kin are MRS CHINYERE CORDELIA ONUNKWO (wife) and MR EMMANUEL CHIKPEREM OBUNIKE (Son). All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Customs Service and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ASIOVU OSETOHANMEN ESTHER, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS AZOBOR OSETOHANMEN ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OMONIYI FATIMA ADEGOKE , now wish to be known and addressed as MIFTAU ADEJOKE FATIMAH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MR IHIEME ONYISI, now wish to be known and addressed as MR IHIEME HAPPY EJIME. All former documents remain valid. Zenith Bank, Embassies and the general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MONYE BIANCA OZIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as WAKILI BIANCA NAILA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as NNAEMEKA, CHINYERE CHIDINMA N., now wish to be known and addressed as NWABUNIKE CHINYERE CHIDINMA N. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS GRACE ALHERI NUHU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS GRACE ALHERI ADEJOKUN . All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public of the loss of ORIGINAL PROPERTY DOCUMENT of plot N0 7 Carr Street, Asata Native Location, Enugu State with registration number 25/26/107 issued in favour of OKAFOR EUGENE C. and ORIGINAL PROPERTY DOCUMENT of Plot N0 6 Agunwa Lane, Uwani Location, Enugu State with registration number 51/51/18 issued in favour of OKAFOR MICHAEL O. All efforts made to trace the said documents prove abortive. If found please

I, formerly known and addressed as LATTY SIYA LATOYA ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as SIYA LATTY EBHABHA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as DANIEL DORCAS DAMILARE, now wish to be known and addressed as ALETOR DORCAS DAMILARE . All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

return to the nearest police station. Authorities concerned please take note

47

˾ FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2019

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

The Night of Decree and The Last Ten Days in Ramadan Shiekh Hany Helmy

H

ere we are at one of the last stations, and it is time to work hard and strive. We are in the phases for “hurry” and “race” in order to make the best out of these special times. Do your best for the reward is magnificent and the frit deserves the hard work in order to obtain it. This fruit is Laylat al-Qadr.

Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, (i.e. 83 years and 4 months). Therein descend the angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees. Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.” [Al-Qadr 97, 2-5 Abu-Musa al-Ash’ar (RA) strived to a great extent before his death. He was told, “Why don’t you take it easy on yourself a little?” He replied, “When horses are near the end line, they give their best.” Hence, this great companion worked really hard and gave it all he has.

The Prophet (SAWS) used to pray during the night, wake up his family and strive harder than ever before during the last ten days of Ramadan. [Agreed Upon] Ayesha (RA) said, “The Prophet (SAWS) worked harder during the last ten days than in any other time.” [Reported by Muslim] Advice for the ten days: 1- No sleep in the last ten days: The Prophet (SAWS) used to stay awake on those nights through night prayer.

2- Encourage your family to enjoin you in good deeds: In a hadith reported by Abi Dhir (RA), the Prophet (SAWS) lead them in prayer on the nights of the 23rd and 25th mentioned that he called his family and wives to the night of the twenty seventh especially. This proves that he made sure to wake them up to pray during a night suspected of being Laylat al-Qadr.

Sufian al-Thawry said: “The most favorite to me and closest to my heart when the last ten days are near is to pray at night and strive in it, to wake my family and children for prayer (if they are able to).”

3- Increase supplication on this night: The Prophet (SAWS) asked the mother of the believers Ayesha (RA) to make supplication on those nights.

Ayesha (RA) said to the Prophet (SAWS), “What do I say if it is indeed Laylat alQadr?”

The Prophet (SAWS) said: «Say, ‘O Allah, You are oft-forgiving and love to forgive so forgive me».

Sufian al-Thawry said: “Supplication on such a night is more preferable to me than prayer. Increasing supplications is better than prayer in which one does not do excessive supplication. And if one reads then makes supplication, then that is fine too.”

4- Purification of what is seen and what is hidden: Pious worshippers used to make ghusl (complete ablution) during each of the lat ten nights. There are many who also used to wear cologne on nights which they hoped to be Laylat al-Qadr. For indeed one needs to be in their best state on the outside and the inside, when supplicating to the Lord of the worlds.

5- Its night is like its morning, don’t forget that. Many scholars stress the fact

that the benefits of the morning of that day are just as great as those of its night time. It is important to note the need to continue good deeds and worship during the day as well.

The great scholar Imam as-Shafi’e said: “I prefer to strive during its day than its night. This necessitates doing the same throughout the last ten days, striving equally during the day and at night.”

6- Among the most honored acts of worship is to devote yourself completely to Allah...

Allah said in what can be translated as, “And remember the Name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with a complete devotion. (He Alone is) the Lord of the east and the west, La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He).

So take Him Alone as Wakil (Disposer of your affairs).” [al-Muzammel: 8-9].

So dedicate your heart wholly to Allah (SWT) with no arguments, discussion, idle talk, unnecessary intermingling. Turn off your phone, let go of your worries and forget your concerns. Dedicate yourself completely to Allah and enjoy worshipping and praying to him.

7- Sense your heart and watch your intention, for a person’s intention is better than his/her deeds. So make your intention and dedicate yourself to Allah.

8- Remember that your status will be set according to how hard you strive. Do not let a door for good deeds go closed.

Commit yourself to the different types of obedience to Allah in order to make sure you do not get tired or bored of any particular one.

9- You must strive hard while being patient. It has been said that whoever wants to always be committed to the

good deeds must wait for a long while.

10- Speak less. Count your words per day and at night. Whoever speaks little is more careful of their sayings and actions.

11- Remember that these are the time of races; so do not settle for coming last.

Someone once said, “If a man hears of another who is more obedient, passing away out of grief is not too much.”

Would you settle of being deprived of this?, Would you accept that other people win the forgiveness, pardon from the hell fire while their good deeds are multiplying?, Meanwhile, you are burdened by your sins.

Do not accept this. Do not settle down for this, instead opt for racing towards Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.

12- Have faith in Allah. If you miss something, turn around and try to make up for it. If you have true faith in Allah, you will indeed love Him dearly. Oh Lord, we ask you to bless us with Your love and the love of those who love You. We ask you to bless us with deeds which bring us close to Your love.

13- Perform some of your acts of worship in secret, with no witness to it but Allah.

This will bring you closer to true sincerity.

The Prophet (SAWS) said, «The voluntary prayer of a man where people cannot see him is equivalent to twenty of public prayers» [Reported by Ya’la and reviewed by al-Albany].

14- Combine the quantity and quality.... We want magnificent deeds the like of which you have never accomplished before in your life. This year, you will accomplish them...

Yes, indeed you will. This is the true sign of your sincerity in seeking the pleasure of Allah and His bountiful blessings. You will never settle for anything less than that.

You must do the best you can.

48

FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

49

50

FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

51

FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

52

NEWSEXTRA

Court Revokes Former Niger Gov, Aliyu, Nasko’s Bail Laleye Dipo in Minna A Federal High Court sitting in Minna, Niger State capital,

has revoked the bail granted former governor of the state, Dr. Babangida Aliyu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate

FG: Nigeria Lost N4.6tn to Import Waivers in Two Years Francis Ndubuisi in Abuja The federal government has stated that it lost N4.6 trillion to waivers granted to importers in 2017 and 2018.

As part of her commitment to block leakages and improve the revenue base of the country, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, has received the Full Business Case Certificate of Compliance for the Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) project from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

The certificate of compliance was presented to the minister by the ICRC Director-General/CEO, Chidi Izuwah, in Abuja.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the minister’s media aide, Mr. Paul Ella Abechi, the minister, who was pleased with the development, commended the director general of ICRC for expediting action on the project.

She said: “it is really a good time for me that this project that I was really

particular about since I came is coming to operation.”

Ahmed who commended the director general of ICRC for expediting action on the project, urged the ministry’s staff to “take full advantage of the IDEC portal and put it into full use to enable the federal government get full value for its revenues.”

The Full Business Case Compliance Certificate is for the development, deployment and management of automated customs gateway portal for Import Duty Exemption Certificate under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with Forecore Technology Solution Limited, as the preferred partner to develop, deploy, manage and transfer for a 10-year concession period.

Ahmed lamented that government has “been experiencing significant drain in revenues due to the inability to adequately control the IDEC processes. It is really a good time for me that this project that I was really particular about since I came is coming to operation.”

Ghanaian Court to Deliver Judgment on Dispute Between Nigeria, US Company The Superior Court of Judicature in the High Court of Justice of Commercial Court Division in Accra, Ghana, will today (Friday) deliver a ruling in a civil dispute between a Nigerian company, Fortune Global Shipping & Logistics Limited, and 11 other respondents/defendants in the suit No. CM/RPC/0641/2018.

According to the court papers obtained by THISDAY, the 11 respondents are a vessel, DLB Sea Horizon; the Master of the vessel, DLB Sea Horizon; the owners of the vessel, DLB Sea Horizon; Consolidated Shipping Agencies; Ranger Subsea Nigeria Limited; Suntx Capital; Ranger Offshore USA Inc; Ranger International Limited; Technixs Oilfield Support Limited; and WAG SPV 1.

The affidavit in support of application for joinder and service of court processes outside the jurisdiction on Akirfa Holdings LLC, was deposed to by Elijah Amponsah, a Ghanaian and litigation executive with Alliance Partners of SSNIT

Pension House, Tower Block, Accra, who are the solicitors to the applicants/plaintiff.

Ranger Subsea Nigeria Limited & WAG SPV1 LLC, which is an American company was alleged to be the owners of the barge, Sea Horizon, which is said to be currently within the territorial jurisdiction of the court and has since been a subject of warrant of arrest by order of the court since 2018.

It was alleged that Fortune Global Shipping & Logistics Limited provided logistics services to Ranger Subsea Nigeria Limited but the debts have not been paid.

The real ownership of Ranger Subsea Nigeria Limited, WAG SPV1, Akirfa, and Rangers Offshore Inc is also a subject of dispute.

Rangers Subsea Nigeria Limited was also alleged to be indebted to some clients in Nigeria.

Akirfa Holdings also allegedly owns100 per cent equity of the Sea Horizon, have 6,000,000 preferential shares in Ranger Subsea Nigeria Limited.

in the March 2019 governorship election, Alhaji Umar Mohammed Nasko.

Justice Aminu Aliyu who revoked the bail granted the duo also issued a bench warrant for their arrest.

Aliyus action followed the non-appearance of the Aliyu and Nasko at the resumed sitting of the court on Thursday.

Justice Yellim Bogoro had granted the duo bail in the case of N1.9 billion instituted against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (ECC) and, at the last sitting, reportedly adjourned the case to May 28.

However, following the assignment of Justice Bogoro to one of the election tribunals, Justice Aliyu was assigned the case.

The PDP had, however, expressed reservation about the action taken by the new trial judge.

The Niger State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Tanko Beji, said the new trial judge was strange to the defendants because they were never informed that the case has been transferred to another judge.

Beji said the defendants were not served any hearing notice for

Thursday (yesterday), adding that “What we know is that the case is supposed to come up on the 28th of this month.”

“This is why both the defendants and their counsel and even the prosecution were not in court,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Monday next week has been fixed for the continuation of the hearing of the case.

LEAH MUST BE FREED…

Former presidential spokesman and #FreeLeahSharibu campaigner, Reno Omokri (left), and Lead Singer of United States’ R & B Group, Shalamar, Howard Hewitt, pose in their #FreeLeahSharibu shirts in Reading, England...yesterday

Lagos Debunks Allegation of Sabotage against Polio Vaccination The Lagos State Government has clarified that no Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) was engaged in the recent vaccination against polio campaign in the state.

The state government described as untrue reports that an unidentified NGO was going round public schools to undermine the just-concluded programme by administering vaccines that could compromise the health of pupils.

According to statement by the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), the vaccination campaign was carried out by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Lagos State Ministry of Health and LSPHCB, in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children Fund

(UNICEF), CDC-AFENET and Rotary International.

The statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, LSPHCB, Dr. Tayo Lawal, described the reports as false, untenable and a misrepresentation of the position of the government on the successful implementation of the oral polio vaccination campaign held from May 18 to 22.

According to the Lawal, the justconcluded campaign was carried out by government-funded health institutions and service organisations.

According to the permanent secretary, the administration of oral polio vaccines was the sole responsibility of health workers, trained to conduct the exercise and no NGO was directly involved in the administration of the vaccines on

children as reported in the media.

The statement reads: “As a state, we laud the contributions of these development and supporting partners as well as NGOs who have over time through their various volunteering efforts helped to maintain a ‘polio-free status’ for the State and have continued to intensify advocacy and awareness against the childhood killer disease by putting vast resources into this noble cause.”

Restating government’s commitment to sustain partnership with well-meaning organisations, development partners and NGOs to kick out polio and other vaccinepreventable diseases from the state and Nigeria at large, Lawal assured that another round of polio vaccination campaigns will hold

in June and July with the support of the implementation partners.

He emphasised that the polio vaccine being administered is free, safe and effective for protection of children, assuring that the administration of the vaccine is neither hazardous or dangerous to human beings as being falsely propagated.

“In fact, WHO recommends that all children below the age of five years get this vaccine for protection against polio” the statement affirmed.

Lawal urged all stakeholders, including parents, political and religious leaders, civil society organisations and administrators of schools to ensure the immunisation of pupils below five during the forthcoming polio eradication campaign.

Another 195 Nigerians Return from Libya The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received another batch of 195 stranded Nigerians from Libya.

The Coordinator of the Lagos State Territorial Office of NEMA, Idris Muhammed, who confirmed the development to journalists yesterday in Ikeja, the state capital, said this was the largest batch of voluntary returnees since the exercise began in April 2017.

Muhammed said the Nigerians arrived at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed

International Airport, Ikeja at 8.20 p.m. on Wednesday aboard a chartered Al Buraq Air aircraft with registration number 5A-DMG SEB. He disclosed that they were the 69th batch of returnees brought back by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU) under the Assisted Voluntary Returnees (AVR) Programme.

According to him, after profiling, the breakdown of the new returnees shows that they comprise of 71 female adults, 25

female children and 17 female infants.

“They also include 60 male adults, 12 male children and 10 male infants.

“Among them were three male returnees with minor medical issues and seven pregnant women,” Muhammed said.

Welcoming the returnees, he advised Nigerian youth to look inwards and utilise the money they had set aside for embarking on perilous journeys, to set up good businesses in the country.

“Since the EU closed their

borders for irregular migrants, the journeys through irregular means have become wasteful and dangerous.

“If you had used the huge amounts of money spent on these fruitless efforts in Nigeria to start a business, you would have been very successful in your endeavours.

“Therefore, you need to strive and embrace the federal government’s enabling initiatives to empower the youths,” Muhammed added.

FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Nigeria at Crossroads, Bode George Cries out Segun James The former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and elder statesman, Chief Olabode George, has decried the current ugly state of the country, saying Nigeria is now at the crossroad and that it would take the grace of God to bring it back.

This is even as he criticised the purported presidential ambition of the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, describing it as “a silly and inordinate ambition”.

George, in a statement on “Nigerian Democracy at 20: Our Challenges, Our Ordeals,” said despite the fact that the nation has reached an epochal stage in its democratic development this month, with 20 years of successive, uninterrupted continuity and maturation, such achievement ought to have been celebrated if Nigerians were in normal times.

He said: “This, by any standard or any stretch of historical interpretation ought to be celebrated if we were in normal times.

But unfortunately, we are not in normal times. This is a period of ferment and tumult. Our nation is not at ease.

“I speak today devoid of

partisan frame, stripped of political identification, removed from any ethnic prejudice. I speak today as a concerned Nigerian elder and patriot.

“We are all ill-defined, ill-shaped, broken into a thousand pieces. The democratic purity is dangerously distorted, bruised, disfigured, savaged, hurled to the brink of a ruinous precipice. Our once glorious and beautiful mosaic of cultural plurality and sectarian diversity are being mangled, forfeited on the altar of infantile partisan and parochial divisions.”

The PDP chieftain further lamented that “this nation is without ethical leadership, without honour, without credible vision, lacking in purposeful articulation”.

He said the scourge of nepotism, the poisonous bile of tribal triumphalism, the hate infested curse of provincial fixities were gaining grounds everywhere, defining the thematic aberrations of our times.

George also said: “Let us be truthful and frank: our nation is embattled, scourged and savaged by the virtual selfishness of our collective elites. We are all guilty for the present ravaged state of our troubled nation. The ogre created by the selfishness of the few has

come to haunt us all.

“But beyond the harsh confines of ethnic divisions, beyond the savageries of partisan furore, we are yet confronted by the murderous furies of bandits and faceless herdsmen who continuously subject every inch of this nation to a vast killing fields where none can claim a refuge of undisturbed safety and guaranteed protective cordon.

“Now, both the rich and the poor are easy targets. The dividing lines are now blurred, indistinguishable, flung upon the whims and the reckless

inflictions of murderous bandits who negotiate with no one except when the price is right.

“Alas! We are now in a conundrum. Our nation is affrighted, thrown upon a suspended animation.

We are hindered and halted in a cul de sac. Nothing seems bright and sunny anymore.

“But there must be a better way. We must return to the path of fairness and enlightened equity. We must return to the path of balanced ingredients of democratic purity where the logical essence of checks and balances prevail

among the tripodal branches of the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. Justice must prevail over partiality, inequity and unfairness.

“The enlightened society can only be established when everyone, regardless of tribe and tongue, is treated fairly in the Nigerian commonwealth.”

However, he faulted the presidential ambition of Tinubu, saying that should not have been made an issue even before President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in for a second term.

George stated: “I am shocked by his ambition. It is a silly and inordinate ambition such as this that is driving our people into the gutters. He is ignorantly arrogant. We should pray for such characters.”

He wondered why Tinubu should be talking about 2023 presidency now even when only God determines who would be alive by then, adding that what the APC leader should be thinking about now is the legacy he would be remembered for and not a presidency that is beyond his control.

Wike Moves to Tackle Insecurity in Ogoniland Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that his administration is working with security agencies to tackle rising insecurity and cultism in Ogoniland.

Addressing Ogoni political leaders, traditional rulers and youth groups yesterday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike said the government was deploying all necessary machinery to restore peace in the troubled area.

He said: “All of the persons involved in cultism are known by the community leaders. We are coming after them to restore peace to the Ogoni communities.

“This time, no effort will be spared. Attention is on the Ogoni area to check the rising insecurity. All through yesterday, the State Security Council met and resolved on the best way to tackle the cultists”.

The governor charged community leaders to also work out modalities to tackle cultism, saying that the state government would give them full support to achieve desired results.

He warned against the illegal removal of government-recognised chiefs by unauthorised persons.

He added that such illegal actions lead to conflicts that degenerate into insecurity. He regretted the situation in Eleme where a government-recognised traditional ruler was illegally removed by some unauthorised persons.

Wike noted that the state government was taking measures to reach out to traditional rulers who were not recognised by the government, so that they can contribute to the promotion of security in their respective communities.

He, however, pointed out that part of the problem in Ogoniland was the planned resumption of oil

production, saying he has received a letter from the National Security Adviser on the commencement of production at OML 11. He noted that he was not duly informed on the process.

Wike added that going forward, the state government and Ogoni people should be carried along on the OML 11 issue, saying that dialogue would yield better results.

He further said: “I got a letter from the national security adviser.

Part of the problem is OML 11. I have written back to them and said you did not inform me when you were going there. If you want to go into a community, tell me as a governor. But even if there will be, we need to sit down and resolve issues.

“I have told the federal government that they cannot use force in doing everything.

We need to sit down and resolve issues. As a government, we are losing revenue, no doubt, but the people must be involved so that everyone is part of what is happening .

“I will not support anything that will make Ogoni people not to benefit from their resources. I will not do anything to betray the people who have given me their mandate. I will never do that”.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Usman Belel, has urged the people of Ogoni to support the security agencies to fight insecurity. He called for confidential information to help the security agencies track down cultists in the area .

According to him, cultism is not a way of life, but a criminal action that will be checked by the security agencies.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Supreme Ogoni Council of Chiefs, King Godwin Giniwa, assured the Rivers State Governor that Ogoni people will support his drive to promote peace and security in the area.

PROMOTING COMMUNICATIONS…

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, MainOne, Funke Opeke; representative of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senator Femi Ojudu; Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Dambatta; Board Chairman, (NCC), Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye; and the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Omobola Johnson, at the NCC Leadership Summit held in Lagos… yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

Court to Hear Saraki’s Fundamental Rights Suit against EFCC, Others, June 24 The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 24 to hear two separate fundamental rights enforcement suits filed by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, challenging the decision of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe him.

The court had in a ruling on an ex parte motion last week, ordered the anti-graft agency and other agencies involved in the probe of Saraki over corruption allegations to suspend the probe.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Mr. Sunday Onobi, counsel to Saraki, informed the court that he had served all parties

in the suit with the processes of the court, including the order of the court.

“We have served all the respondents the originating process and the order of the court and we have also received the fourth respondent’s (EFCC) counter affidavit to which we need to respond,” the counsel said.

The Solicitor -General of the Federation, Mr. Dayo Apata who represented the Attorney -General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), also told the court that he had filed a counter affidavit to the originating summons filed

by Saraki.

Counsel to EFCC, Mr. Chile

Okoromma, also said that he had filed a counter affidavit and a written address in response to Saraki’s suit and will serve the processes on all parties.

The trial judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo ruled that parties should serve and reply to all processes and adjourned the matter until June 24.

Saraki had approached the court with an ex parte application filed along with the substantive suit praying the court for an order to stop the respondents from probing him.

The respondents include the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of

Police, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission and the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The court had ordered the respondents to stay action on the probe pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by Saraki.

Justice Taiwo said he granted Saraki’s prayers to avert a situation where the court would be faced with a situation of fait accompli.

He also said that granting the order was in line with a settled principled of law that once a suit was filed, all parties to it must refrain from taking any action capable of rendering the suit nugatory.

Justice Ajumogobia Challenges Criminal Trial Davidson Iriekpen A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday fixed May 31, for hearing in a motion filed by a former Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, challenging her trial in the court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Ofili-Ajumogobia and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Godwin 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.

They were re-arraigned on May 15, and had both pleaded not guilty to all counts of the charge.

The court had granted them bail in the sum of N10 million each, with two sureties in like sum.

When the case was called on yesterday Chief Robert Clarke (SAN), announced appearance for the first defendant, while Chief Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), appeared for the second defendant.

Clarke then informed the court of a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the charge against Ajumogobia.

He argued that the first defendant had not been dismissed as a judge of the Federal High Court, since there were no gazette evidencing her said dismissal.

He said that a failure to show evidence of such dismissal denied the court of the requisite jurisdiction

to entertain the case.

Besides, he also argued that the contention of the prosecution in paragraph ‘L’ of its affidavit that the defendant had not been tried was wrong.

He argued that the defendant was prosecuted for about two and half years before an Ikeja division of the Lagos High Court, with 18 witnesses called by the prosecution, before the court dismissed the suit.

He, therefore, urged the court to hear the defendant’s application.

On his part, second defence counsel, Orbih also informed the court of his motion seeking to split the charge and try the second defendant separately.

He also argued that his

application was not challenging the validity of the charge, but the purpose to which it is being used.

Orbih argued that the use of the process of the court was oppressive, and abusive, having in mind that the same issue is being contested at the Court of Appeal.

He urged the court not to “Share” jurisdiction with the appellate court, but to first hear the various motion pending before it.

In his response, the prosecutor, (Oyedepo) urged the court not be persuaded to hear the motions alone, but that where the court is inclined to hearing same, it should also proceed with trial, following which the court would deliver a composite judgment in the end.

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FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Pensioners Threaten Court Action against Govs over Unpaid Entitlements James Sowole in Akure Disturbed by the untold hardship facing retirees, which was caused by unpaid gratuities and pensions, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), yesterday said members would institute a legal action against the 36 state governors in Nigeria.

The decision announced by the South-west Zonal Chairman and Spokesman of the NUP, Chief Ayo Kumapayi, and Mr. Olusegun Abati respectively, was part of the resolution at the zonal meeting which ended yesterday in Akure, Ondo State capital.

Speaking to journalists, Kumapayi blamed the failure of the state governors to pay gratuities and pensions regularly on reckless spending on humongous salaries and allowances of political office holders.

He said: “Humongous salaries and allowances of public office holders especially, senators and House of Representatives members who take home N13 million and N14 million monthly need to be reviewed.

“How can those people be collecting such huge money in a country where 80 per cent of the people is battling to meet daily meal.”

He also demanded the review of the law setting up the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to empower it to place all the political office holders, including the president, governors, ministers, federal and state lawmakers on the same salary scale with civil servants from Grade Level-18 to Grade Level-25 in the country.

This, he said, would save the country’s economy from collapsing and enable government to have more money to take care of the needs of the less-privileged Nigerians who wallow in abject poverty and deprivation.

“President Muhammadu Buhari should use his second term in office to do something about the emolument of our federal lawmakers. They should be placed on same salary scale with the civil servants to reduce pressure on the nation’s economy.

“Those who want to genuinely serve, will be willing to take whatever is prescribed because political offices have been turned to money making ventures and no longer for service to humanity.

“Let the President be on GL 25, Vice President will be on GL 24, governors on GL 23 downward like that, this will save our nation from reckless and killing salaries

and allowances”, Kumapayi said.

He commended President Buhari for the step he took to grant financial autonomy to local government, saying the decision would prevent many state governors from spending local governments’ money.

Also speaking to journalists,

Abati said the legal action became imperative in view of the rising cases of sick and untimely death of pensioners as a result of unpaid entitlements by the state governments of Ogun, Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, Osun and Ondo as well as other parts of the country.

Also commenting on the

decision of the zone, the National Deputy General Secretary of the union, Chief Joseph Okunade, said the national leadership of the pensioners was in full support of the legal action against the state governors.

Okunade said: “Like our SouthWest zone, we at the national level

call for the inclusion of retirees in the new N30, 000 minimum wage; and let it be known as the National Minimum Pension.

We advise governors who are grumbling over the payment of the new wage to shun frivolous spending to enable them meet workers’ and pensioners’ needs”.

Minister: Technology Critical to Achieving Self-sufficiency in Sugar Production Jonathan Eze The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar, has identified technology as a critical factor to Nigeria’s drive to grow its sugar industry, adding that production could be fast-tracked through the use of cutting edge technologies by sugar factory owners.

She dropped this hint at the official inauguration of a sugarcane bio-factory in Ilorin, Kwara State, which was established by the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) in collaboration with the University of Ilorin Sugar Research Institute.

The minister said the factory is expected to make good use of tissue culture to produce and multiply a few sugarcane varieties,

thereby ensuring the provision of pure, clean and good quality sugarcane seeds for the growth of the sugar industry.

Speaking on the importance of the project to attain the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), the minister noted that the facility was designed to “address the critical constraint facing the Nigerian sugar industry by ensuring timely provision of high quality seeds to our sugar estates and farmers.”

The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Sunday Edet Akpan, noted that the efficiency in the cultivation and supply of quality sugarcane is essential for milling and production of sugar and associated by-products like ethanol and electricity.

“The sugar master plan would not be achieved without investing in modern technology like we are witnessing today. The bio-factory is to rapidly micro-propagate under a controlled laboratory environment, disease-free crop seedlings for planting.”

In his remark, the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council, (NSDC), Dr. Latif Busari, said the bio-factory facility, which is the outcome of a collaborative effort between the NSDC and the University of Ilorin Sugar Research Institute, is a bold step towards addressing problems linked to the production of clean, pure and disease-free sugarcane seeds in the country.

According to Busari, “The application of biotechnology in agricultural development in

Nigeria is experiencing some push recently. This is necessary if we must achieve food security and provide raw materials for our agro-based industries. The sugar industry is part of the larger picture and our expectation is that this facility will contribute its quota to the attainment of the goals of the NSMP.” Busari stated further that “technological innovation involving Biotechnology techniques, especially tissue culture and the more advanced Temporary Immersion Bioreactor System (TIBS) which have revolutionised cane seed multiplication in the laboratory to reduce the time for the production of planting materials; ready for field planting, instead of the conventional seed multiplication in nurseries.”

55

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY,MAY 24, 2019

ÜÙßÚ ÚÙÜÞÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ Duro Ikhazuagbe

FRIDAYSPORTS

×ËÓÖ˝ duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 08111813083

POLAND 2019

Flying Eagles Go for Three Points against Qatar Two-time runners up Nigeria will go all out for the three points when they take to the pitch of the 15,300 –capacity Tychy Stadium against Qatar in the opening match of Group D of the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup finals this evening, according to team captain Ikouwem Udoh Utin.

“It is a big match for us, as every other match in this competition. We know the importance of picking up the three points in our first match, which is why we are determined to go all out.

“Taking the first three points will help us plan our approach better for the remaining matches in the group phase, and also boost our confidence,” Utin said at the team’s Vienna House Hotel in Katowice on Thursday.

The team will leave their hotel in Katowice for the short drive to Tychy today.

Tonight’s game kicks off at 5pm Nigeria time. The second match of Group D, between Ukraine and USA, will begin at 7.30pm Nigeria time.

Coach Paul Aigbogun and his assistants have somewhat calibrated a new ensemble, leaving out half of the squad members from the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Niger Republic in February, where the team earned the ticket to Poland, and infusing a number of exciting talent in midfield and attacking realms.

While the choice for the number one shirt is between Detan Ogundare and Olawale Oremade (who was custodian in Niger), Valentine Ozornwafor and Igoh Ogbu are likely to keep their spots in central defence. Captain Ikouwem

Utin would be at left back while Jamil Muhammad could be at right back.

In the midfield, much attention will be on the England –based duo Nnamdi Ofoborh and Ayotomiwa Dele-Bashiru, as well as AC Perugia of Italy’s former junior international Kingsley Michael. In this sector also are home –based professionals Effiom Maxwell and Aniekeme Okon, who are rapid raiders on their day.

Dele-Bashiru, of England champions Manchester City has already been tipped by world football –ruling body, FIFA, as one of the players from whom much is expected in Poland.

At the fore, Nigeria has a cosmopolitan flavour with England –based Chinonso Emeka, Norway –based Jerome Adams, Czech Republic –based Tijani Muhammed, Sweden –based Henry Offia and home –based Success Makanjuola vying for available spots.

Aigbogun told thenff.com yesterday that the group is aware of the pedigree of Nigeria at the FIFA U20 World Cup and cannot afford to under-perform.

“We have a tough history to match. Silver medals on two occasions and bronze medals once, and a number of quarter final appearances. That’s why we must start very well, by taking the points against Qatar and then march on with confidence and self assurance.

“We are flying the flag of nearly 200 million Nigerians, as well as that of the African continent. We have put a lot of work into building a squad that will make Nigeria and Africa proud.”

Nigeria has a number of

Flying Eagles players in final training session ahead of their match tonight

exciting moments at the FIFA U20 World Cup to her name.

The old Soviet Union won the first edition of the FIFA U20 World Cup (then known as FIFA World Youth Championship) in Tunisia in 1977. Six years later, Tarila Okoronwanta’s first half goal condemned old Soviet Union to defeat in Monterrey, Mexico in Nigeria’s first –ever match at the competition.

In 1985, Monday Odiaka scored after only 14 seconds against Canada in a group phase match, which remains a record. At the same tournament,

reserve goalkeeper Christian Obi thwarted host nation Soviet Union in the penalty shoot-out of the third place match to hand the bronze medals to Nigeria.

Four years later, Christopher Ohenhen’s bullet-like free kick that gave Nigeria a 2-1 win over host nation Saudi Arabia was the competition’s 500th goal.

Few days later, midfielder Christopher Nwosu’s blistering run and shot in the last minute earned a 1-1 draw with old Czechoslovakia in the final group phase match and took Nigeria to the knock –out stage.

Nigerian Athletes Set to Battle for Honours at Okpekpe Race The country’s athletes have set their sights on competing keenly with their East African counterparts as the seventh Okpekpe 10km Road Race takes centre stage in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government of Edo State.

The IAAF Silver Label Race has been won in the last six editions by athletes from East Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia to be precise, but some of the long distance runners in Nigeria have set their targets on achieving something from this year’s edition.

The organisers are targeting a Gold Label after this year’s

race and some top athletes from Nigeria believe this will even make them to perform better running side-by-side with some of the top distance runners across the world.

Speaking on Thursday, Emmanuel Gyan, who just got married to his lover of many years, Deborah Pam, another top athlete the country can boast of, said they were ready for the race.

“I have been available for the race in the last six editions, this time around, I am ready to do better than I have been doing in the past,” he said.

“Although we are going to

be competing with some of the best in the world, but that will only ginger us better especially those of us from Nigeria.

“It is not going to be easy, but we are all battle ready and nothing will stop us from getting our dues as an athlete in Nigeria.

“I got married recently and my wife also ready to achieve a better position this time around.

She has been the best from the country but now ready to compete with the other top women runners.”

On her part, Pam said marriage would not stop her from achieving the goal of coming

out on tops at this year’s Okpekpe Race.

Meanwhile, the organisers have announced the arrival of all the athletes expected for the race and will embark on the tour of the course on Friday (today) in line with IAAF requirements.

Head of the race secretariat Mercy Etukudo said this year’s race would be explosive as only the best athletes over the 10 km distance have been assembled for the race.

The race will be live on the terrestrial platform of the Africa Independent Television, AIT.

In the quarter finals, the Flying Eagles came back from 0-4 down to defeat the same old Soviet Union after penalty shoot-out.

In 2005, in The Netherlands,

Chinedu Obasi’s television goal unsettled Argentina in the final in Utrecht, but two penalty kicks

by Lionel Messi gave the South Americans victory.

Obaseki Commiserates with Ogbeide’s Family, Insurance, NFF The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has commiserated with the family of late Solomon Ogbeide, over the recent passing of the football veteran and coach, who had an illustrious career managing clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

In a statement, the governor said late Ogbeide contributed significantly to sports development in Edo State, carved a niche for himself in the NPFL and paid his dues in the footballing world with a career draped with laurels.

He said, “I commiserate with the family of late Solomon Ogbeide, Bendel Insurance Football Club, Edo State Sports Commission and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) on the passing of Ogbeide, whose achievement in sports leaves an indelible mark in the history of sports development in the state. He was a great

football tactician and veteran coach, who worked tirelessly for the development of the game, building teams that put up good showing in national and continental football championships.”

He said the late Ogbeide was a refined gentleman, whose expertise and experience will be missed, noting, “On behalf of the people and state government, I send my condolences to his family and pray that God grants them the fortitude to bear the loss. They should be consoled by the fact that he led a boisterous life and made an indelible mark in his chosen field.”

Late Ogbeide, before his death, was the Head Coach of Lobi Stars FC since 2017.

He led the Pride of Benue to the group stages of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League this year, after helping the team win the NPFL title last season.

Nigeria Qualify for 2019 All Africa Games Volleyball Nigeria senior men’s volleyball team has qualified for the 2019 All Africa Games in Morocco.

Nigeria beat Burkina Faso 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-15) to secure the sole ticket of Zone 3 which consists of Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Niger Republic.

The head coach of the team, Japhet Nuhu at-

tributed the feat to the determination of the players as well as the support from the volleyball Federation led

by Engineer Musa Nimrod.

He said the boys knew what was at stake and could not disappoint the over 180 million Nigerians.

The Niger brass coach said, “I am glad this team has qualified for the 2019

All Africa Games in Morocco. It could have been disastrous if we did not qualify because the board led by Musa Nimrod has invested so much in the team.

“Before the boys went to the court, I told them the volleyball family is expecting good news and we cannot afford to disap-

point them. This is a new beginning for volleyball in Nigeria”.

Also speaking, the captain of the team, Daniel Nathaniel thanked his teammates for playing as one unit.

Nathaniel said, “This is a dream come true for me because I will be leading Nigeria to the All Africa Games as a captain. We

promise not to lower the standard of our game when we get to the 2019 All Africa Games in Morocco”.

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod praised the players for qualifying for the 2019 All Africa Games in Morocco.

He urged them to continue to make the country proud

in whatever capacity they find themselves.

Nimrod said, “It is a great pleasure that Nigeria will be in Morocco for the All Africa Games. I am excited that these new set of players are performing beyond expectations and the board promise to support you ahead of the games”.

Friday, May 24, 2019

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MISSILE Wike to GOC “Someone who says he never met me before and has never been to Government House would say I am fighting him because I tried to bribe him with billions of naira. The man you have not met, how could he have offered to bribe you?”

– Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, faulting the allegation bribery levelled against him by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sachem.

AKINOSUNTOKUN Beyond Ganduje and the Emir DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

“I

have reflected over and over on my speech and I still don’t see what I said that is so wrong and offensive. I didn’t say the North cannot survive as a country. After all, Niger Republic is there with some help from Paris. I didn’t say that the North in the past had no glory. I know it has a rich history. I didn’t say the North cannot be rich and better. In fact, I think it can and it is a disgrace we are where we are” – SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI “It is instructive to know that the 19 Northern states which accounts for over 54 per cent of Nigeria’s population and 70 per cent of its landmass, collectively generate, only 21 per cent of the total subnational IGR in the year 2017. Northern Nigeria will continue to fall behind if the respective states governments do not move to close the development gap” – ALIKO DANGOTE It is not a coincidence that Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, have been the weightiest and most critical voices enacting the role of the conscience of the North and reformer extraordinaire. They are merely acting out the logic and orientation of their role model background as icons of modernisation and the development ethic-to fill a (socioeconomic development role) vacuum that is desperately yawning to be filled. And it is a priority role fulfillment that should trump any other considerations or petty concerns with character imperfections of either of the two symbols- if we are truly committed to salvaging the little that is left of the potential of society to break out of the cyclical underdevelopment trap.

In the governorship of Umar Ganduje, Kano State has reached a nadir, where something has to give-one way or another.

It has reached a stage where the Kano State of Ganduje must now stand up in the city centre to square up against the Kano State of Dangote and Sanusi. Either of them would have been the ideal presidential candidate from the North-more so Aliko.

His even temperament and unfathomable humility are the qualities needed to perfect the imperfections of Sanusi.

Sustainable socio-economic development of society is rooted first and foremost in a mind that is predisposed to the acculturation of the work and development ethic-governed by the principle of a positive correlation between productivity and reward. And this is where President Muhammadu Buhari, advertently or inadvertently, has failed the North, going forward-a presidency that is long in pampering and indulging the worst instincts of the Northern elite for consumption politics and short on the administration of the cane to whip errant behaviour into line. It is called tough love. The cornerstone of his political ideology is populist partisanship towards the North-fair enough, to the extent that such partisanship is not irreconcilable with

Ganduje

the development of the North and Nigeria at large. What is not fair and is indeed self-destructive is his personification of the notion that somehow between 1999 and 2015, the North had suffered political patronage marginalization bordering on persecution; and the prioritisation of the overcompensation of this unfounded injury as his political agenda. It is a grudge that has no basis in reality but quite profitable as a tool of political demagoguery.

President Olusegun Obasanjo who governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2007 is ideologically incapable of marginalising the North or any other part of Nigeria, for that matter. Ironically, it is his inherent sensitivity to this perception and going out of his way to deliberately cultivate the profile of politically distancing himself from the ethno regional anxieties of his Yoruba origins that has rendered him prone to the allegation of kowtowing to the North.

It will almost amount to a contradiction in terms to suggest that the interest of the North had suffered under Obasanjo’s presidency.

He was on record as publicly directing the security agencies to shoot on sight anyone who calls himself “OPC” albeit in the expression of his frustrations with the excesses of the irredentist Yoruba organisation. And we of course remember his infamous stricture of “CAN my foot” to his fellow Christians in the course of arbitrating between the proxies of Christianity and Islam in the Jos anarchy. I should of course not be misunderstood that he thereby gloried in a self-hating sacrifice of the legitimate dues and interest of his religious and ethnic affiliation. What he sacrificed was the posture of being liable to the perception of discriminately pandering to parochial interests. He was succeeded by a Fulani Moslem, Umaru Yar’Adua, who presided over Nigeria for three years from 2007 to 2010. And I wouldn’t know to what extent it is reasonable or logical to accuse him of marginalising the North.

Next was President Goodluck Jonathan.

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

Beyond being the beneficiary of the premature termination of the Presidency of his principal, Umaru Yar’Adua, I remain to be persuaded to discern marginalisation of the North in his presidential incumbency from 2010 to 2015. Unless the inadvertently delayed gratification of the expected two term tenure of eight years incidental on the implicit assumption of the North/ South power rotation convention can be attributed as such.

Now, I don’t need to be critical of Buhari to accept the general conclusion that his Presidency has never fought shy of being attributable with the charge of Northern nepotism. This is a fact, what is left to seek is the rationale for this conspicuous governance lapse. And the most compelling inference from this reactionary attitude is the belief that a perceived injustice has to be addressed and doing so requires that the North must be pampered whilst other Nigerian stakeholders must be made to dutifully understand and accept the need to pay penance. Before his arrival, the disappointment of the North (in not wielding the Nigerian Presidency to perpetuate parochial indulgence and favoritism) was turning into the blessing of being under positive pressure to develop a competitive spirit and outlook towards bridging the meritocracy gap between the region and the rest of Nigeria. This positive momentum is what has suffered course reversal under Buhari’s indulgent and overly discriminatory patriarchy.

I have not undertaken a conscious classification but I will not be surprised to find out that many up and coming Nigerian private sector players of Northern origin had abandoned the competitive and meritocratic model of Aliko Dangote to take up shop at the Buhari growth industry of nepotism laden misrule. It is a sad commentary that by the default of omission and commission, Buhari has not only abdicated the guardian angel role, he has actually become a stalwart in the camp of those thwarting it. This is my own understanding and perspective on the deepening development crisis of the North lately symbolised by the notoriety and accelerating political regression of Kano State.

There is no way to sugarcoat the mercenary role that Sanusi played in the national elite conspiracy against Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election. What is of imperative, right now, is the manner in which he has compensated for this chicanery by holding fire to the foot of the backward see-no-evil ideology that is sinking the North. It is erroneous to believe that Sanusi is somehow oblivious of the risk he takes and that those risks are not worth taking for the betterment of society. It would similarly amount to the height of hypocrisy for anyone familiar with his antecedence to imagine that he would behave differently especially when it is the right thing to do.

The vicarious responsibility of Buhari for what has become of contemporary Kano began with the cheerleader role he played at the wedding ceremony of Ganduje’s daughter over a year ago. This was how one of the most sincere friends of the president, Pastor Tunde Bakare, captured the folly: “And somebody came to say, let me explain to you, it is Islamic tradition, before this time, they had agreed, that he (Buhari) will be the one to give the bride away and (Bola) Tinubu will be the one to pay the dowry, and present the son. I looked at him and said the president of Nigeria wanted to come to my daughter’s wedding, and I said to him, sir, don’t come. That is beneath your office. Face the work of the State and keep serving.

And 22 governors showed up to mark register, when 110 daughters of citizens of your nation were captured by Boko Haram that you said you have already technically defeated?”

Is a development in which the governor of the same Kano State is caught on video clip stuffing dollar bribes into the expansive folds of his babaringa not gross enough to merit a commensurate drastic response from a responsible Kano and national political elite?. Here was the chief public servant of Kano State caught, on audio visual device, (in first hand evidence), mocking the anti-corruption rhetoric of Buhari with this shameful barbaric deed and what was the President’s response?

He denounced the evidence as suspicious and contrived by cut and paste technologythereby prompting the puzzle of why he was this eager to give a peremptory premature exculpation? Rather than utilize the weight of his office to err on the side of promoting the culture of technology as a force for public good, he was more interested in de-marketing technology as prone to abuse and misuse-to preempt any other conclusion that may not serve the end of Ganduje’s exoneration.

Is this what the Buhari Presidency is all about? Is this how to validate an ostensible reputation as promoter of the interests of the masses against a thieving reprobate political elite? This instructive display of moral ambivalence was the precursor to the outright and violent subversion of the general elections in Kano State by Ganduje- attaining a dangerous crescendo in the bloodthirstiness of the supplementary governorship election.

Fresh from this governorship equivalent of armed robbery, he followed up with more of the same and sought to settle scores with his immediate powerful nemesis with dispatch; and capped his impunity with uncommon disdain for the rule of law. Thumping his nose at the restraints of civilized society, he charged ahead to become a trail blazer on how to subject the rule of law to the reign of a rampaging rogue leadership-claiming that the court ruling restraining his overreach came too late!

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