FRIDAY 14TH JUNE 2019

Bankers Seek N2tn Pension Fund to Finance Homes for Contributors Laud reappointment of Emefiele To disburse funds to creative industry

James Emejo in Abuja The Bankers' Committee yesterday canvassed for the release of N2 trillion out of the N9 trillion pension fund assets, for pension contributors

to own houses. The Managing Director of FSDH Merchant Bank, Hamda Ambah, told reporters yesterday that the decision was one of those taken at the committee’s meeting in Abuja.

According to her, the contributors of the fund will use the 25 per cent, amounting to N2 trillion as equity injection, to own houses. She said: "Twenty-five per

cent of N9 trillion is worth over N2 trillion and this fund can be used to stimulate demand for mortgage loans in our economy. "It was agreed that the central bank would talk to

fellow regulators and also work with government of various states to make the whole process of land transfer and titling a lot easier so that many more people across the nation can access mortgage

financing thereby stimulate demand in our economy." The committee also commended the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari Continued on page 8

British Court Hears Suit on Seizure of Nigeria’s $9bn Assets... Page 9 Friday 14 June, 2019 Vol 24. No 8831. Price: N250

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APC to Tribunal: Dismiss Atiku’s Petition, He’s Ineligible to Run Insists PDP’s candidate not a Nigerian Panel defers ruling in opposition’s request to inspect INEC server, card reader Alex Enumah in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday asked the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, to strike out the petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, against the election of President Muhammadu

Buhari. It said the petition was defective, ab initio, because the former vice-president and PDP candidate “is not a Nigerian by birth.” Atiku and the PDP had in the petition, urged the tribunal to declare him as the lawful winner of the February 23, Continued on page 9

Troops Kill 64 as Bandits, Boko Haram Murder 75

NEMA confirms recovery of 40 bodies in Niger Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Laleye Dipo in Minna Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) have killed 64 Boko Haram terrorists and captured eight others after a fierce gun battle in the Lake Chad area. The terrorists, however, killed 18 people, comprising

10 soldiers and eight civilians, according to a statement yesterday by the multinational troops. This came as news broke yesterday that the death toll in the attacks on eight villages in Niger State, which began on Sunday, has risen to 57. Continued on page 8

TOWARDS A BRIGHTER FUTURE... L-R: Director, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Halima Aliko Dangote; Executive Director, Commercial, Fatima Aliko Dangote; Managing Director, Paul Farrer; and Chairperson, ‘Yemisi Ayeni, at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos… yesterday

Welfare Matters Force Senate to Adjourn Plenary… Page 8

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Welfare Matters Force Senate to Adjourn Plenary Rejects motion to debate Buhari's inaugural speech Senate, House to resume July 2 PDP names Abaribe minority leader, Bwacha deputy Chuks Okocha, Deji Elumoye and Shola Oyeyipo in Abuja The Senate was yesterday forced to adjourn till July 2 following senators’ complaints that they have no office accommodation and lack work tools. It has, therefore, constituted a 12-man ad hoc committee to look into the matter after an executive session of the senators that lasted for about an hour. The House of Representatives has also adjourned plenary till July 2 just as it sets up three ad hoc committees to oversee the activities of the Green Chamber. The adjournment came as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after a meeting of party leaders with the Senate caucus, picked former Abia State Deputy Governor, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, as the minority leader while Senator Emmanuel Bwacha from Taraba South retained his position of deputy minority leader. Senator Philips Aduda (FCT) also retained his post as the minority whip. A ranking senator told THISDAY after plenary that the closed-door session deliberated on the complaints about non-availability of offices for both returning

and fresh senators. Senators, across political divide, told the meeting that they were unable to perform their legislative duties as there were no offices to operate from. They reportedly complained of operating from their personal cars in the last two legislative days and said they could not continue this way. THISDAY gathered that the Senate leadership after listening to the complaints, decided to take immediate remedial steps, including adjourning sitting to address the issues. The upper chamber of the National Assembly was initially scheduled to proceed on recess next Thursday but had a rethink due to the aforementioned reasons. Findings yesterday revealed that all the offices of the two principal officers and 107 other senators were virtually empty as members of the Eighth Senate went home with the office equipment. The Clerk of the Senate, Nelson Ayewoh, had in a memo to the outgone senators, gave them the go-ahead to go away with the office items that include refrigerators, photocopying machines, television sets, settees, printers. The items which were given to each of the disengaged senators at a token price of

N375,000, to be deducted from their severance allowances, were packed out of the offices last week. The Senate has also set up a 12-member ad hoc committee to liaise with the management of the National Assembly on issues bordering on allocation of seats and offices to the senators. Senate President Ahmad Lawan said at the end of the closed-door session that the committee should submit its report in two weeks. The committee, headed by Senator Abubakar Kyari (Borno North), has as members Senators Aisha Ahmed Modibo (Adamawa Central), Gabriel Suswam (Benue North East), Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North), Betty Apiafi (Rivers West), Akpan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East) and Barau Jibrin (Kano North). Other members of the committee are Senators Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East), Olubukola Tofowomo (Ondo South), Adeola Olamilekan (Lagos West), Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North) and Stella Oduah (Anambra North). The committee will work with Ayewoh towards ensuring that seats and offices are allocated to all the senators within the time frame. However, the Senate, at its

plenary, rejected a motion to debate the National Democracy Day speech delivered on Wednesday by President Muhammadu Buhari. Senator Dung Gyang (Plateau North) had come under Order 55 of Senate Rules to bring matter of urgent national importance that has to do with the president’s inaugural speech. According to him, "this speech is already in the public domain. I am asking that in view of the interest it has generated‌" At this point, Lawan cut him short, saying he needed to seek the consent of other senators whether he should proceed with the motion or not. Lawan, therefore, put the motion to a voice vote and the nays carried the day. The Senate later adjourned plenary till July 2 to allow enough time for the allocation of seats and offices to senators. This was sequel to a motion to this effect moved by Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege and seconded by Senator Philip Aduda.

House of Representatives Sets up Three Ad Hoc Committees At its plenary yesterday, the

House of Representatives set up three ad hoc committees to oversee the activities of the legislative House. The ad hoc committees are: Committee on Selection, Committee on Media and Committee on Welfare. The House also adjourned plenary till July 2 to allow members embark on a twoweek break to settle down for legislative business. Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin told reporters that Hon. Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim would head the 10-man ad hoc committee on media pending the setting up of substantive committees. Briefing the reporters on the outcome of the House executive session, Ibrahim said the lawmakers were determined to forge ahead as elections are over. “We belong to one whole House. There are not going to be any prejudices, there is not going to be leaning towards one party. We are going to work towards the unity and progress of our country; as one together. We must do it. In brotherhood we all stand. “The traditional victory party which normally holds after elections have been conducted for Mr. Speaker has been cancelled due to the fact that we have a lot of work to do and in the two weeks within which we

have been given our recess we are going to work, we are not going on holiday. New members are going to look for accommodation and come together and try and settle down in Abuja,� he added.

of other villagers were also injured. Giving the report in Minna, the senator said 19 people were killed in Kwaki village, 14 in Barden Dawaki village while eight died in Ajatawyi village. In addition, seven died in Gwassa, five in Ajayin Bataro, four others in Bwailo, three in Baton village and two in Giji village. According to him, the injured are being treated at public and private hospitals within and outside the affected local government area. Umaru called on President Muhammad Buhari to “come to the rescue of the innocent villagers by deploying military men in the area. "I am also calling on the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 1 Division of Nigeria Army, Kaduna, to deploy more personnel to save the villagers from the onslaught of the bandits," he added. The police, on their part, did not give details of villages where the casualties occurred but said only 18 people were injured. The police spokesman in the state, Muhammad Abubakar,

a Deputy Superintendent of Police(DSP), told THISDAY that normalcy had returned to the areas with the deployment of armed security men in the troubled communities. The state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmad Mohammad Ketso, has visited the injured at the hospitals where they were receiving treatment and assured them of government’s determination to secure lives and property. Ketso who was accompanied by various heads of security agencies in the state, said the government would track down the perpetrators and also bring them to book.

PDP Names Abaribe Senate Minority Leader, Bwacha Deputy Meanwhile, after a three-hour meeting between members of the party's National Working Committee (NWC) and its elected senators, the PDP yesterday announced Abaribe as the minority leader in the Senate. Abaribe, a former deputy governor, is from Abia State. Also appointed is Bwacha as deputy minority leader while Senator Philip Aduda from the Federal Capital Territory retained his former post of minority whip and Senator Clifford Ordia from Edo State emerged the deputy minority whip. The meeting to decide on the positions held at the Abuja residence of the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus. The party's NWC will meet its members in the House of Representatives today for the selection of its principal officers.

TROOPS KILL 64 AS BANDITS, BOKO HARAM MURDER 75 Over 1,000 others were displaced in the attacks on the eight villages in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. The MNJTF, in a statement by its spokesman, Col. Timothy Antigha, said the battle, which lasted several hours between troops of Sector 1 of the MNJTF and 300 Boko Haram fighters, occurred, on Tuesday in Darak, Northern Cameroon. The MNJTF confirmed yesterday that 10 of its personnel were killed while eight civilians also died. It said three Boko Haram boats were destroyed while many people were wounded. "For the record, two days ago, about 300 heavily-armed Boko Haram terrorists invaded Darak. However, they were met with stiff MNJTF resistance resulting in a bloody gun battle, which lasted for several hours. "At the end of the fire-fight, the following statistics were recorded: 10 MNJTF personnel killed in action; eight wounded and evacuated for medical attention; eight civilians killed and one wounded,� MNJTF said in the statement.

The statement added that "64 Boko Haram terrorists were killed while eight were captured and several wounded. "Three Boko Haram boats were destroyed and several arms and ammunition confiscated." "This bold and ruthless response by the MNJTF is in keeping with the resolve of the force to make the Lake Chad Area untenable for terrorists of whatever persuasion, Antigha added. MNJTF has, however, accused some local and foreign media organisations of slanting their stories to depict Boko Haram as winning the insurgency battle. It said the casualty figure given by AFP in the Darak attack was unfortunate. He stated that the emerging pattern of international and local media coverage of the crisis in the Lake Chad suggested sympathy and support for Boko Haram activities and narrative, at the expense of the efforts being made by a coalition of the armed forces of countries of the Lake Chad Basin. "This pattern of coverage

has been observed over a period, but the recent report of the clash between Sector 1 of the MNJTF and Boko Haram Terrorists in Darak in Northern Cameroon, which portrayed Boko Haram as being dominant, has called for serious concern. "In this instance, the casualty figures quoted by the AFP and slant given by its local collaborator the News Express (online) are very unfortunate. “The MNJTF understands that the news business thrives on timeliness. However, it is always desirable to ensure that facts and accuracy are not lost in the quest for urgency, in order not to give the impression that evil is favoured over good," MNJTF added. Antigha said the military task force was prepared to provide and confirm information within its area of operation. "To facilitate the need of accuracy, the MNJTF is always ready to respond to requests for verification or confirmation of information on occurrences within its Area of Operation. The media is therefore urged to keep faith with a key tenet

of the profession, which is the sanctity of facts", he said.

Bandits Kill 57 in Niger, Sack Eight Villages Also yesterday, Senator David Umaru, representing Niger East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, briefed reporters in Minna on the attacks on the eight villages in Shiroro Local Government Area, which began on Sunday. He said the death toll had risen to 57. So far, at least 40 of the bodies have been recovered, according to the spokesman of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Audu Hussein. The bandits, who rode on motorcycles, fired indiscriminately at residents of the Niger villages and stole cattle. However, Umaru’s death toll conflicted with that of the state police command, which put the casualty figure at 18. Umaru said in the last six days, no fewer than 57 people had been killed while over 1,000 were displaced. Scores

BANKERS SEEK N2TN PENSION FUND TO FINANCE HOMES FOR CONTRIBUTORS to retain the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, saying it is good for financial stability and economic growth. Besides, Emefiele’s retention will also ensure the continuity of export stimulation programme of the apex bank. CBN Director, Banking Supervision Department, Mr. Ahmed Abdullahi, also said

the committee had resolved to commence disbursement of funds under the creative industry financing initiative. Abdullahi said the committee believed the sector remained critical to job creation, poverty reduction and inclusive growth. Giving more details on the plan to fund the creative industry, the Managing Director, FBN Quest

Merchant Bank, Mr. Kayode Akinkugbe, encouraged interested applicants to submit applications to their banks for approval and disbursement. He also urged them to prepare the business plan or statement on how much they required for their businesses. On real estate financing, he said the committee would unlock the huge liquidity that

various people have in the sector, adding that this would enable the banks to boost their contributions to the real estate sector towards adding value to the consumers. "We have had good dialogue in the past and there is recognition in the Bankers' Committee that it is time to execute a lot of the initiative that has been considered by

the various sub-committees and acted on immediately. "Another initiative discussed is in the real sector, we want to release the trapped liquidity that various investments that people have in the real estate in land or in property. Recognising that there are some obstacles but ultimately we must find a way to navigate through," he added.

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British Court Hears Suit on Seizure of Nigeria’s $9bn Assets Ejiofor Alike with agency reports A firm incorporated in the British Virgin Islands will today ask a British court for the right to seize up to $9 billion of Nigerian government assets over an aborted gas project. Reuters reported that the request is part of a longrunning saga over a 2010 deal in which the federal government agreed to supply gas to a processing plant in Calabar, Cross River State, that Process and Industrial Developments Ltd (P&ID) – a little-known firm founded by two Irish business men specifically for the project would build and run. P&ID had won a $6.6 billion award at arbitration, based on what it could have earned during the 20-year

agreement. The firm is now claiming that the total owed has ballooned to $9 billon because of interest accrued since 2013. The federal government has tried to nullify the award, saying it was not subject to international arbitration but British courts rejected the argument. P&ID is now asking the Commercial Court in London to convert the arbitration into a judgment, which would allow them to try to seize international assets. Reuters quoted a source close to President Muhammadu Buhari as saying they were fully aware of the matter and the government “is not sleeping.� The source added that the federal government was optimistic the matter could be resolved in the courts.

There are also proceedings pending at a US District Court in Washington, D.C. Officials contacted by Reuters said the lack of an attorney general or petroleum minister made it difficult for anyone to comment on the record. While assets that are used for diplomatic purposes – such as the Nigerian High Commission building in central London – were off the table, commercial assets were up for grabs. In 2008, a UK court ruled that proceeds of oil sales from Chad held in an international account intended to repay World Bank loans were fair game for seizure. Experts also said that the involvement of hedge fund VR Group, which has a stake in P&ID, signaled that it is unlikely to let the issue drop.

Buhari

Tanker Attacks Push Oil Price to $62 Ejiofor Alike with agency reports

Crude oil prices jumped more than four per cent yesterday following attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman near Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, is the busiest route for crude oil tankers as it accounts for the shipment of 40 per cent of oil that goes to the international market. With the attacks on the two vessels, the price of the global benchmark crude, Brent, was up $2.19, or 3.65 per cent, at $62.16 a barrel, while the West Texas Intermediate was up $1.79, or 3.5 per cent, at $52.93 per barrel. Before yesterday’s incidents, oil prices had slumped in the previous session on an unexpected

rise in United States crude stockpiles and a dimming outlook for global oil demand. The development had raised concerns on the funding of the 2019 budget, which was predicated on oil price of $60 per barrel. But the attacks on the two oil tankers drove oil prices up over worries about Middle East supplies. Also supporting oil bulls were signs that the members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) were close to agreeing on continued production cuts. One of the vessels, the Marshall Islands-flagged Front Altair, carrying naphtha was said to be on fire between the Gulf Arab states and Iran, following an explosion blamed on magnetic mine. Reuters reported that the second vessel, the Panama-

flagged Kokuka Courageous carrying methanol, has been evacuated and the crews are safe. The charterer of the Front Altair reportedly said the vessel was “suspected of being hit by a torpedo�. Its owner was quoted as saying it was on fire, while the manager of Kokuka Courageous said it had been damaged because of a “suspected attack� but that its cargo was intact. Front Altair’s 23-member crew abandoned ship after the blast and were picked up by the nearby Hyundai Dubai vessel. The crew was then passed to an Iranian rescue boat, according to a statement by Hyundai Merchant Marine. Iranian search and rescue teams later picked up 44 sailors from the two damaged tankers and took them to the Iranian port of Jask, Iran’s IRNA reported.

The incidents followed last month’s sabotage attacks on vessels off the Fujairah emirate, one of the world’s largest bunkering hubs. The Bahrain-based US Navy Fifth Fleet said it was assisting the tankers after receiving distress calls following “reported attacks�. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, part of the Royal Navy, said it was investigating. US National Security Adviser, John Bolton, had said on May 29 that naval mines “almost certainly from Iran� were used to attack the tankers off the United Arab Emirates last month, and warned Tehran against conducting new operations. Tensions in the Middle East escalated since US President Donald Trump withdrew from a 2015 multinational nuclear pact with Iran and re-imposed sanctions, notably targeting Tehran’s oil exports.

Iran, which has distanced itself from the previous attacks, said it would not be cowed by what it called psychological warfare. The attacks on the two vessels came a day after Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis fired a missile on an airport in Saudi Arabia, injuring 26 people. The Houthis also claimed an armed drone strike last month on Saudi oil pumping stations. Yesterday’s attacks also came as Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Shinzo Abe, a big importer of Iranian oil until Washington ratcheted up sanctions, was visiting Tehran with a message from Trump. Abe has urged all sides not to let tensions escalate. But Iranian Supreme Leader, Khamenei, reportedly told Abe during his visit to Iran that Tehran would not repeat its “bitter experience�

of negotiating with the United States. “I do not see Trump as worthy of any message exchange, and I do not have any reply for him, now or in future,� the Iranian leader reportedly said. Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, described yesterday’s incidents as “suspicious� on Twitter, noting they occurred during Abe’s Tehran visit. The minister called for regional dialogue. Oman and the United Arab Emirates, which both have coastlines along the Gulf of Oman, did not immediately issue any public comment. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, both majority Sunni Muslim nations with a long-running rivalry with predominantly Shi’ite Iran, had previously said attacks on oil assets in the Gulf threatened global oil supplies and regional security.

Olanipekun told the tribunal that it lacks jurisdiction to overrule itself while Fagbemi urged the tribunal to be wary of making an order, which it is not capable of enforcing, because INEC has said it has no server. Consequently, Justice Garba said the ruling in the application would be reserved to a date to be communicated to the parties and adjourned the pre-hearing of Atiku and PDP's petition till June 24. Earlier, the tribunal heard the motions filed by INEC, Buhari and APC urging it to dismiss the petition of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and its presidential candidate, Chief Ambrose Oworu, for being incompetent and being an abuse of court processes. Olanipekun had said there was no petition filed by the party before the tribunal because what was served on the respondents was a petition against referendum, which

the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain. The tribunal, however, reserved ruling till a date to be communicated to parties in the suit and adjourned the pre-hearing of the HDP's petition till June 23. Atiku and his party, are among the three other political parties and their presidential candidates currently seeking the nullification of Buhari's victory at the presidential poll. The fourth petitioner, Geff Ojinaka and his party, the Coalition for Change (C4C), had without reason on June 10, applied to withdraw their petition against the election of Buhari. The application, which was not objected to by the respondents in the suit, was accordingly dismissed, leaving that of the PDP, Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and the Peoples Democratic Movement and that of their candidates.

APC TO TRIBUNAL: DISMISS ATIKU’S PETITION, HE’S INELIGIBLE TO RUN 2019 presidential election. Counsel to the APC, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), called on the tribunal to declare Atiku ineligible to run for the presidency while responding to the petitioners’ motion seeking the striking out of APC’s reply to the petition. He said: “My Lord, I am opposing this application on the qualification of the first petitioner (Abubakar). I am standing by the proof we have supplied in our reply. “The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the February 23 presidential election was not qualified to contest the election in the first place. “I therefore, pray the tribunal to strike out the petitioners’ application for lacking in competence and merit.’’ The APC, which is the third respondent in the petition, reiterated its submission that Atiku was not a citizen of Nigeria by birth and ought

not to have even been allowed in the first place to contest the election. Counsel for the petitioners, Mr. Chris Uche (SAN), argued that historic records showed that the former vice-president was a citizen of Nigeria by birth. He, therefore, urged the panel to disregard Fagbemi’s submission by granting the application.

Tribunal Defers Ruling in Atiku, PDP's Request to Inspect INEC Server, Card Reader Also yesterday, the tribunal reserved ruling on the application filed by the PDP and Atiku for access to inspect the server and data of smart card readers used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the conduct of the February 23 presidential election.

Justice Mohammed Garba, who chairs the five-member tribunal, reserved date for ruling in the application shortly after counsel in the matter adopted and argued their briefs of argument in the suit. Garba said the panel would communicate the date of the ruling to the counsel once they were ready. In moving the motion for inspection of the INEC server and other electoral materials, one of the lead counsel to Atiku and the PDP, Uche, said the request was essential to their petition challenging the return of Buhari in the election. The petitioners, in their petition, had stated that by figures obtained from the INEC's server, they and not Buhari and the APC won the presidential election. According to the figures allegedly obtained from the server, Atiku said he scored 18, 356,732 votes as against

that of Buhari, whom he said scored 16, 741,430. Uche told the tribunal that the inspection of the server and data was necessary in the interest of justice, transparency and neutrality on the part of the first respondents, INEC. Responding, lawyer to INEC, Yunus Usman (SAN), opposed the application for inspection because the Court of Appeal had on March 6 refused the prayers of the petitioners to inspect INEC server and smart card readers. He added that the court, having refused the prayers, lacked jurisdiction to revisit the same application. Usman, therefore, urged the tribunal to dismiss the application, adding that, "we do not have server." The lead counsel to Buhari, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), and that of the APC, Fagbemi, also made similar arguments in opposing the application for inspection.

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NEWS

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

Court Okays NBC, DAAR Communications’ Out-of-court Settlement Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday gave approval for an out-of-court settlement of the dispute between the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and DAAR Communications Plc. The approval was sequel to an oral application moved by Maliki Sylvanus, holding the brief for Chief Mike Ozekhome

(SAN), counsel to Daar Communications Plc, owner of AIT and Ray Power FM. At the resumed hearing yesterday Sylvanus informed the court that parties in the suit were engaged in talks with the aim of amicably settling the matter out of court. He accordingly prayed the court for a date for parties to report settlement to the court. Defence counsel in the matter

Court Fixes July 12 for Judgment in Suit against Acting CJN’s Appointment Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday fixed July 12, 2019 for judgment in a suit seeking to stop the appointment of Justice Tanko Muhammad, as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Justice Ekwo fixed the date shortly after parties made their final submissions for and against the suit. The suit was filed by the Board of Incorporated Trustees of Malcolm Omirhobo Foundation, an advocacy group. The plaintiff in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/420/2019, urged the court to declare that Justice Muhammad, having made himself available as a tool that was used in the violation of the constitution, especially with regards to the alleged illegal removal of the former CJN, is therefore not a proper and fit person to be recommended for appointment to head the judiciary. But, in his response, Justice Muhammad who has been on acting capacity as CJN since January 25, following the suspension of the then CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, now retired, urged the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that the plaintiff lacked the necessary locus standi to file the suit in the first place. But the plaintiff in his argument submitted that he has every legal right to institute the suit. Earlier while arguing his case, Justice Muhammad submitted that his appointment as Acting CJN was made shortly after the former CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen was suspended from

office based on the order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), which heard the case of false asset declaration against Onnoghen. He equally submitted that President Buhari, who appointment him is legally vested with the powers to suspend a CJN including Onnoghen. The CCT had in an exparte application directed Buhari to suspend Onnoghen pending the hearing and determination of corruption charges against him and appoint the most senior justice, (Muhammad) to replace Onnoghen as CJN. In a 39-paragraphed counteraffidavit that was deposed to by one Sadiq Ahmad, the Acting CJN, argued that President Buhari, being the appointing authority, “has the power to remove or suspend any person occupying the office of the CJN.’’ Muhammad further submitted that in exercising his powers to suspend a CJN, the President needs not seek the approval of the National Judicial Council (NJC), or the Federal Judicial Service Commission, (FJSC). Justice Muhammad equally maintained that there was also no need for President Buhari to approach the Senate “for support by majority of twothird votes, before the erstwhile CJN could be suspended from office.’’ “That the 5th Defendant (Buhari) followed due process of law in the appointment of the 3rd Defendant as the Acting CJN. Justice Muhammad, therefore prayed the court to dismiss the plaintiff’s suit against his appointment.

Lawan Swears in Okorocha as Senator Deji Elumoye in Abuja The President of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan, yesterday sworn in a former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, as a senator. Okorocha was not inaugurated on Tuesday because he had yet to collect his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). But the electoral body later on the same Tuesday issued a Certificate of Return to the embattled former governor as winner of the election in Imo

West senatorial district. Shortly after collection of the certificate within INEC headquarters in Abuja, Okorocha had told journalists that he was called upon at exactly 6.14 pm that his certificate was ready. INEC denied him his Certificate of Return following an allegation by the Returning Officer that he declared the former governor winner of the election under duress. A Federal High Court in Abuja, had however ordered INEC to issue him a Certificate of Return.

did not raise any abjection to the application for out-of-court settlement. Subsequently, Justice Ekwo adjourned until June 26 for report of settlement. The NBC had on June 6 suspended the licence of DAAR Communications Plc, owners of African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower “until further notice”. The Director-General of NBC, Modibbo Kawu, who announced the shutdown, said the action was as a result of Daar Communications’ continued breach of broadcasting code. Reacting to its suspension, the media outfit accordingly approached the court to declare NBC’s action as illegal, unlawful, ultra vires, null and void. The plaintiff, represented by its founder, High Chief

Raymond Dokpesi, in a exparte motion, prayed the court to restrain the defendants from blocking and/or interfering with the air waves of Daar Communication Plc in any way and manner howsoever, in its broadcast and airing of news, views, documentaries, or any other legitimate broadcast material that is usually associated with television, radio or social media broadcast, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed along with the exparte application. The plaintiff also prayed the court to restrain the defendants from invading or closing down the premises of Daar Communications, its operations or broadcast services, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed

along with this application. Alternatively, the plaintiff prayed for an order for maintenance of status quo ante bellum, as at May 30, 2019, pending the hearing and final determination of the motion on notice filed along with the exparte application. Delivering ruling, trial judge, Justice Ekwo however ordered parties in the suit to maintain status quo ante bellum as at May 30, 2019, pending the hearing and determination of Daar Communications Plc’s suit challenging the closure of its broadcast stations. He also ordered the NBC and other defendants in the suit to appear before the court on June 13, 2019 to show cause why they should not be stopped from interfering with the operations of Daar Communications Plc.

Following the suspension of the licence of DAAR Communications Plc., the President of the Nigerian Press Organisation ( NPO ) comprising the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Prince Nduka Obaigbena, had convened a meeting with all critical stakeholders in the sector. The meeting which included the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria ( BON ), Nigerian Guild of Editors ( NGE) and Nigerian Union of Journalists ( NUJ), successfully proffered amicable solution to the issues in the interest of the country. The stakeholders asked NBC to lift the suspension of the broadcast licence of DAAR Communications Plc, and also encouraged DAAR Communications to withdraw its case in court, against the NBC.

HOMAGE TO THE LEADER…

L-R: Chief of Staff to the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon Sanusi Rikiji; Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu; and member of House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Hon. Babajimi Benson, during a courtesy visit by the speaker to the APC leader at his Asokoro, Abuja residence...yesterday

US Embassy Wants FAAN to Provide Mobility Access in Lagos Airport Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The United States Embassy has urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to link the international and domestic terminals of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, to facilitate transit of passengers. The Deputy Economic Councilor, US Embassy, Mr. Michael Carney, made the call when he visited the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Hamisu Yaduda yesterday in Abuja. Carney said that the current arrangement, where transit international passengers would have to struggle to access the domestic terminal before flying to other destinations, was not good for its personnel. He urged the authority to

take urgent action to address the situation, adding that the embassy was ready to provide technical support to FAAN, if called upon. According to him, the airport transfer in Lagos was not effective and convenient for travellers. The councilor said it was especially cumbersome, to take another private transport in order to move from one terminal to another. He, therefore, advised FAAN to provide authorised vehicle for the transfer of passengers between terminals at the airport. “At US Embassy, we have many people who want to travel to Nigeria and often times they would want to combine trips.

“Some may be coming from South Africa, some from Uganda and different places. But my point is this; Abuja is very limited in the number of international flights. “Trying to work schedules out is not as convenient as trying to get people to Lagos. “The problem is that US government is not going to allow its personnel to go on public transport and find their way on public travel, to get away to Abuja. “It is not going to happen for obvious reasons. “Our request is that, if there are ways in which FAAN can mobilise transport between the various terminals, behind the secured parameter, to facilitate transfers of passengers even if they have to wait for an

hour, it is okay. “There should be some sort of route in which the bus can move from one terminal to the next. “I just want to put the request to you, that at least it is in the interest of the country to facilitate passenger traffic, especially in Lagos, where you have the highest number of flights and passengers. “But particularly for US government, we will directly benefit from that because we need to facilitate travels for our personnel who travel to Nigeria,” he said. While responding, Yadudu assured the delegation that the authority had a plan to construct a short monorail, between the domestic and international terminals.

Aisha: Address Me as First Lady, No Longer President’s Wife Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari last night in Abuja said she did not want to be

addressed as above henceforth, but as the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. According to a statement by her Special Adviser on Media,

Bisi Olumide-Ajayi, Mrs. Buhari made this known at an award night and dinner in honour of the wives of immediate past and new governors at

the Banquet Hall of the State House. Since 2015, Mrs. Buhari had always been addressed as wife of the president.

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FRIDAY JUNE 14 , 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

N3.4bn Fraud: Kano Anti-graft Agency Disagrees with Sanusi’s Claim Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has described the claim by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, that he was not the accounting officer of the Kano Emirate Council as a misrepresentation of facts. This is contained in a preliminary report of the commission on the investigation being carried out in respect of the alleged misappropriation of over N3.4 billion by the Kano Emirate Council between 2014 and 2017. The report was signed by the commission’s Chairman, Mr. Muhuyi Magaji, a copy

of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano yesterday. The report, with reference number PCAC/GEN/6/ VOL.I, dated June 11, 2019, was addressed to the Secretary to the State Government. Part of the report read: “In furtherance to the commission’s earlier communication No. PCAC/GEN/6/V.I, dated 31st May, 2019, on the above subject matter and the unfolding events, the commission deemed it necessary to make some clarifications as follows:“It is imperative to state categorically that, the commission’s investigation is on alleged misappropriation and questionable expenditures but

INEC Records over 1,689 Litigations from 2019 General Election

not on the funds left behind by the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, and we still maintain our stance. “In the cause of investigation we undertook an analysis of the main account belonging to Kano Emirate Council and domicile at First Bank with Account No. 2005888452 starting from the era of the late Emir to enable the commission have an idea of how the money is being managed.” According to the report, there were 783 activities bordering on withdrawals, transfers and placements from January 2, 2013, to June 6, 2014, during the time of the late Emir. “As from 2nd January 2013 to 13th April, 2017, the opening balance is N432,338,412.98. Total credit made in the account during this period was N6,784,146,335.73,

while the total debit during the period under review is N7,209,035,163.09.” However, it added that, “the closing balance as at April, 2017, is N7, 449,585.62. It further revealed that on February 13, 2014, and February 26, 2014, payments were made to Philko Ltd, the company said to have undertook the construction of Ado Bayero Royal City via inter bank transfers of the sum of N776,159,519.50. “There were transfers of N388,079,759.75, N338,079,759.75 and N50,000,000.00 made on Feb. 13, 2014, and Feb. 26, 2014, respectively; making the total quoted figures for Philko Ltd.” The report also alleged that during the period, fixed deposit placements were made to the tune of N581,884,729.54 (placement and rollovers)

while net withdrawals on some engagements both cash and withdrawal stood at N1,056,533,728.31. “In summary, the total withdrawal made from the account under the late Emir was N2,414,577,977.35, subtracting this amount from total debit on the account which is N7,209,035,163.09. “It is evidently clear that the current Emir is responsible for the expenditures to the total sum of N4,794,457,185.74 from the Emirate Council Account domicile in First Bank Plc,” it said. Similarly, it alleged that all the expenditures made by the Emirate Council were either based on the approval or instructions of Emir Sanusi. The commission attached copy of a payment voucher in respect of one of the withdrawals to buttress its claim,

which read “Being payment to the above named in respect of making special prayers for peace as directed by Emir of Kano respectively“. “Therefore, any claim that the Emir is not the accounting officer of the Kano Emirate Council is a deception and a misrepresentation of facts. “Specifically, the reason of our recommendation for the suspension apart from obstruction of investigation which formed the basis, investigation further reveals that Rufa’i Buhari (Senior Accountant) usually made cash withdrawals directly from the account and change it to dollars on behalf of the Emir. “Sometimes direct transfers from the account are made to a Bureau de Change belonging to one Jazuli Sani who was said to have died.

To partner N’Assembly in subsequent electoral law amendments Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it recorded over 1,689 court cases arising from the 2019 general election. The electoral commission has disclosed its preparedness to partner the leadership of the ninth National Assembly in subsequent electoral amendments in the country. INEC’s National Electoral Commissioner in charge of Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa states, Mohammed Haruna, said this yesterday in Lafia, Nasarawa State capital, during the state-level post-election review retreat. Haruna said more than 890 of the cases were pre-election matters arising from the conduct of political party primary elections, while 799 were election petitions at the various tribunals across the country. According to him, the preelection cases indicate that political parties need to put their acts together in order to deepen the nation’s democratic process. He also said that the cases before the election petitions tribunals showed that much still needed to be done to improve on the electoral process.

“We are here to review what we did for this year’s general election with a view to improving on our subsequent outing. “You will agree with me that any document is work in progress, you can never get it perfectly,” Haruna said. He expressed optimism that from the review of the 2019 general election with inputs from the various stakeholders, subsequent elections would be better than the previous as noticeable pitfalls would be addressed. Haruna cited the unprecedented number of political parties that participated in the 2019 general election as one of the challenges that the commission faced during the conduct of the polls. Meanwhile, INEC has also disclosed its preparedness to partner the leadership of the ninth National Assembly in subsequent electoral act amendments in the country. This, the commission said, is to strengthen the legal framework of the country’s electoral system. The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this yesterday during a review of the 2019 general election with some stakeholders in Abuja.

Fayose Berates Obasanjo, Commends Buhari for Honouring Abiola Victor Ogunje in Ado-Ekiti A former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, yesterday, said the ego of a former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo stopped him from honouring the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, while he was in office. On his verified Twitter handle, Fayose said, Obasanjo was the biggest beneficiary of the 1993 election, yet failed to honour Abiola. He tweeted, “Honouring MKO Abiola by @MBuhari is to

Obasanjo’s shame. It remains a sore-point of his political history that because of ego, Obasanjo, who’s the greatest beneficiary of the June 12, 1993 struggle failed to honour his kinsman, MKO Abiola. So, I commend President Buhari.” President Muhammadu Buhari had last year recognised June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, as well as giving national honours to him posthumously. The president had at the maiden edition of the newly recognised June 12 Democracy Day celebration renamed the National Stadium after the late Abiola.

GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY…

L-R: Head, Media Relations Office, Julius Berger Nigeria (JBN) Plc, Mr. Moses Duku; Litto Nucum of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Ltd; Executive Director, Corporate Development, JBN Plc, Tobias Meletschus; Executive Director, Administration, JBN Plc; Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi; Executive General Manager, CSR, Total E & P Nig. Limited, Mr. Vincent Nnadi; Executive Secretary of Nigerian Business Coalition against HIV-Aids (NiBUCAA), Mr. Gbenga Alabi; HR Coordinator, JBN Plc, Moses Anite; and Head, Corporate Communications, JBN Plc, James Agama, at the handing over ceremony of the new NiBUCAA Abuja Office donated by Julius Berger… recently

Nigeria Joins IPI Executive Board Esther Oluku Leading editors from the Philippines, Kenya and Nigeria have joined the Executive Board of the International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom. At last week’s IPI World Congress in Geneva, Switzerland, the IPI General Assembly elected to the Executive Board, the CEO and Executive Editor of the Philippine news website, Rappler, Maria Ressa, who is also a leading voice in the defence of press freedom globally.

The CEO of the Nation Media Group, a top publisher of independent media in East Africa, Stephen Gitagama; and the Chairman of the Nigeria’s People’s Media Limited and a long-time member of IPI’s Nigerian National Committee, Wada Maida were also elected. “We are delighted to welcome Maria Ressa, Stephen Gitagama and Wada Maida as members of the IPI Executive Board,” IPI Executive Board Chair Markus Spillmann said. “As press freedom comes increasingly under pressure around the globe, their voices will further strengthen IPI’s mission to defend independent

journalism and protect the press’s right to disseminate information in the public interest.” The General Assembly also re-elected the following Executive Board members to new three-year terms: Editor-in-Chief, SME (Slovakia) Beata Balogová; Managing Editor, Norwegian News Agency (Norway) Ole Kristian Bjelaanes; Editor, Chosun Ilbo (South Korea) Woosuk “Kenneth” Choi; Editor, the British Journalism Review (UK) Kim Fletcher; columnist, Al Monitor (Turkey), Kadri Gürsel; New York and Canada Bureau Chief, ZDF German

television (Germany) Johannes Hano; Editor-in-Chief, The Mainichi Shimbun (Japan), Hiroshi Komatsu; Deputy Editor, Público.es (Spain), Virginia Pérez Alonso; and Founder and CEO, SPILLMANN Media Management GmbH (Switzerland), Markus Spillmann. The director general and founder of Community Media Network in Jordan, Daoud Kuttab, was elected by the Executive Board as one of its four vice chairs, joining Balogová Choi and Khadija Patel, editor-in-chief of South Africa’s Mail and Guardian newspaper, respectively.

Second Niger Bridge Gets Website Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has launched a dedicated website, www.second-riverniger-bridge.com for the Second River Niger Bridge project. The objective of the website, according to the company, is to make

project progress visible to the general public. Visitors to the site will have access to visually driven content mainly photos and videos reflecting the actual status of construction works along with key facts and regularly updated data

relevant to project progress. The Second Niger Bridge is a federal government’s project that is being managed by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in collaboration with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority. It will bring great

relief to the many commuters who currently use the over 50 year old existing bridge. It will also link the great markets of Onitsha and Aba, as well as the industrial hub of Nnewi and beyond, to both the Northern and Southern parts of the country.

FRIDAY JUNE 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

Abebe vs Statoil: It’s Illegal to Keep Records of Nigerian Companies Abroad, Witness Tells Court Davidson Iriekpen The trial of Dr. John Abebe for forgery before the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja yesterday took a dramatic twist when a defence witness and Deputy Director of the National Archives, Mrs. Roseline Ovesuor, informed the court that based on the provisions of sections 37 and 38 of the National Archives Act, it was an offence for companies registered in Nigeria to take their records outside the country. Ovesuor made the revelation

at the resumed hearing of the case before Justice Mojisola Dada. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had last July arraigned Abebe, who is a younger brother to the late former First Lady, Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, before the court on a four-count charge of forgery, fabricating evidence and attempt to pervert the course of justice. According to the charge sheet, the defendant was accused to have on June 22, 2010 knowingly forged a letter dated November 30,1995 and belonging to BP Exploration

Jonathan Felicitates with Abdulsalami at 77 Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has felicitated with ex-Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) as the latter celebrates his 77th birthday. In a goodwill message he personally signed, Jonathan described Abdulsalami as a promoter of peace and national cohesion. The former president also highlighted Adulsalami’s role in midwifing the Fourth Republic, describing it as a testament to his patriotism and selflessness. The message said: “As a statesman, you have dedicated your life to promoting peace

and national cohesion not just in Nigeria but across Africa. “Your role in the military-tocivilian transition, as a Head of State in 1998-1999 which birthed the Fourth Democratic Republic in Nigeria is a testament to your patriotism to our country. “Through your selfless service, you have deepened the conversation for national rebirth by leading the crusade for a peaceful nation. I pray that Allah grants you your heart desires and may you enjoy more glorious years of peace, health, and joy as you celebrate.”

Nigeria Limited to that of his company, Inducon Nigeria Limited. The defendant had however pleaded not guilty to the charges. Counsel to Abebe, Uche Nwokedi (SAN), argued that judgments had been delivered on the same matter in favour of his client by a Federal High Court and also by the Court of Appeal, thereby leaving the matter pending before the Supreme Court. He also challenged the jurisdiction of the Special Offences Court to hear the matter. However, the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that the charges before the Supreme Court were entirely different from what is before the High Court. In the course of the proceedings, the EFCC through the Managing Director of Statoil Nigeria Limited, Paul Piche, who is the prosecution witness one (PW1), and PW2,

Joanne Cross, who works with British Petroleum (BP) United Kingdom Plc, had produced documents before the court to allegedly prove the charge against Abebe. The documents, which were prepared by BP Exploration Nigeria Limited and Inducon Nigeria Limited (both Nigerian companies), were said by PW2 to have been produced from a privately managed archive in London known as Iron Mountain. But in part of Abebe’s case as argued by Nwokedi in his no-case submission which was dismissed by Justice Dada, he contended that the act of exporting or sending the documents to the United Kingdom for archiving is an offence prohibited by Nigerian law. The counsel stated that the action contravenes the provisions of sections 37 and 38 of the

National Archives Act, and that the documents were legally inadmissible for proving the charge against the defendant. Flowing from the argument, Mrs. Ovesuor who said she has been working there for more than 30 years at the Department of National Archives of Nigeria, stated that by the provisions of sections 37 and 38 of the Act, it was an offence for a Nigerian company to take its records outside Nigeria. The witness, who testified under examination-in-chief led by Nwokedi, said the Department of National Archives is responsible for the management and preservation of documents of historical value in Nigeria for federal ministries, parastatals, agencies, commissions as well as private companies, institutions, multinational companies and individuals. She added that the National

Archives is also mandated to assist ministries, agencies, departments at the federal level, state level, private organisations, business houses to establish their archives when necessary. The defence witness testified that the National Archives Act is the law that regulates their activities and was promulgated in July 1992. She explained that in every organisation, public or private, there exist three levels of records: that is, current, semi-current and non-current. She noted with an organisation, private or public, incorporated in Nigeria and is functioning in Nigeria, the law states such records must be housed by the organisation within the country where that organisation was established and is operating.

Asset Declaration: Nwaoboshi Gets Reprieve as Court Halts Arrest Davidson Iriekpen The senator representing Delta North senatorial district, Peter Nwaoboshi, yesterday got a reprieve from arrest and other punitive actions against him by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP) for recovery of public property. A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice J. T. Tsoho, who granted the order, directed that the status quo as at May 31, 2019, be maintained in respect of the matter of alleged non-declaration of assets, which the presidential panel has been investigating against the senator. “Upon this motion, ex-parte dated, 08/6/2019 but filed on 10/06/2019, the court ordered that the status quo as at 31st day

of May 2019, in respect of this matter be maintained pending the hearing and determination of the applicants.” The suit was adjourned to June 25, 2019 for hearing of the applicant’s motion on notice. In the originating motion, Nwaoboshi asked the court for an order of interim injunction restraining the Respondents (SPIP and its Chairman, Okoi ObonoObla), by themselves or any one of them, their servants, agents, officials and/or privies from continuing to harass, intimidate, threaten and or disturb the applicant (Nwaoboshi) over and, concerning any alleged declaration of assets; and in particular, from taking any step or further step and/or action in furtherance of the purported.

Oyetola Takes Osun’s Security Challenge to Buratai Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola yesterday met with Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai in a bid to upgrade the security situation in the state. During a visit on the military top brass at his office in Abuja, the governor requested Buratai to speed up action on his promise to allow his soldiers to be part of the joint security team to combat rising crime in the state. Osun is reputed for its status as the safest state in the country. The state government has decided to set up a joint security patrol team of policemen, soldiers, and other agencies to patrol the highways and the dark spots from where criminals launch attack on innocent citizens.

According to a statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Adeniyi, Adesina, Oyetola told his host that his visit was a follow up to the letter of request the state sent to Gen. Buratai to support the security in the state with his soldiers’ participation in the joint security patrol plan. The governor said: “We believe security is paramount and it is the key to development. We need your full support for the joint patrol plan.” Oyetola also commended Gen. Buratai for the efforts of the military whose engineers are constructing a bridge across River Osun that connects Ede with Kuta and other communities.

ACTION TIME…

Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (left), and Managing Director of K-TON Building Wave Nigeria Limited, Mr. Oladayo Kolawole (right), during the governor’s inspection tour of ongoing construction work at the Diaspora Gardens Estate, Enugu, being sponsored by the Office of Diaspora and Special Projects, Enugu State Government in collaboration with Olsommic Dwellers… yesterday

NLC Pushes for Sanctions against Morocco over Western Sahara Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded isolation of Morocco by the international community until it accepts to grant independence to the people of Western Sahara. NLC also said it is spearheading a national solidarity of the Nigerian labour movement and other allies in the academic, civil society, professional groups, peasants

and students to mobilise the Nigerian populace in support of the struggles of the people of Western Sahara. The acting President of NLC, Najeem Yasin, made the position of Nigeria labour movement known during the visit of the President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), Brahim Ghali, to NLC headquarters in Abuja yesterday. Yasin, who said NLC had

earlier led a protest to the Moroccan embassy in Abuja, insisted that the North African country must be isolated in the global space by all countries as part of measures to force it to allow the Western Sahara gain sovereignty. According to him, “As long as Western Sahara is not free, Africa is not free, and all Africans and African countries must be involved in this struggle. So we must

renew our collective demand that Morocco must be isolated in the global space by all countries, not just in Africa but in the world until Western Sahara gains sovereignty and be free from all colonial control.” He further said NLC and its labour allies are strategically involved in the struggles of the Saharawi people against the colonial grip by Morocco.

EFCC to Clamp down on Illegal Use of PoS Machines Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said yesterday it would begin a clampdown on the fraudulent use of Point of Sale (PoS) machines in the country. This was disclosed by the commission in an interactive session with regional bank managers at the EFCC’s zonal office in Makurdi, Benue State. Speaking at the meeting, the

Acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, charged banks to ensure proper monitoring and strict compliance by those to whom they issue PoS machines. “We are having serious challenges with the banks giving PoS machines to individuals with questionable characters and without proper documentation,” he said. He pointed out that there was a need for some of the PoS machines to be withdrawn from

such individuals. He also warned banks to adhere strictly to the PostNo-Debit (temporary freezing of account) order placed on banks found to be involved in suspicious transactions. “Default will not be tolerated,” he said. He noted that it was unfortunate that some staff of banks were in the habit of giving prior notice to customers whose accounts were being placed on Post-No-Debit, thus “aiding and

abetting crime and obstruction of justice, instead of assisting the commission as stipulated by law”. He further urged the banks to “respond on time to the letters of investigations sent to them by the commission”, stressing that prompt response will help in speedy dispensation of cases. “You need to always report any suspicious transactions as required by law,” he said, according to a statement by the commission.

FRIDAY JUNE 14, 2019 • T H I S D AY

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COMMENT

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

PLEASE, KEEPYOUR SALARY

Governors will impact the society better if they genuinely serve their people with all their hearts and abilities, writes Adewale Kupoluyi

W

hat is becoming trendy are public announcements by Nigerian politicians of their desire to donate their monthly salaries to the society. In the last few weeks, more state governors have joined the fray by telling the world that they are giving up their salaries for people’s welfare. The current political structure in the country makes governors very powerful. The governors largely decide who gets national appointments, who become ministers, national and state assembly members and what also happens at the grassroots level, as far as their states are concerned. Governors appear to be demigods in Nigerian politics. Not only do they wield so much power, they also control immense resources flowing from federal allocations, internally-generated funds and special intervention monies released to states. One can comfortably say that aside the president and vice-president, state governors assume the most influential post in the nation’s power equation. It is for these reasons that a lot of attention is being given to the affairs of governors. The urge to maintain favourable reputation and positive image is always the driving force behind many activities, programmes and projects embarked upon by governors. It is, therefore, not surprising that these powerful politicians are shifting their attention to how to win the hearts of the people at all cost by being perceived as good, giving and generous. In many African societies, the spirit of giving is a manifestation of kindness, empathy, piety and togetherness. It is good to give, but it is worse to give with the left hand and take back with the right hand. Reasoning along this line, the governors would feel that giving up their huge salaries would ring the right bell in the ears of their people that they are truly kind. Such altruism - though not bad - could be a ploy to distract the people from demanding good governance, accountability and stewardship from their state chief executives. After all, they are not getting salaries; they would say! Good governance is serious business. It demands consistency of certain basic indicators and elements from leaders such as fiscal prudence, transparency, rule of law, democracy, sustainable development, free media, women and youth empowerment as well as safety of lives and property. Good governance entails the systematic designing, formulation and implementation of public policies that are enthroned in the identified indicators and elements. Achieving these is what quality and purposeful leadership mean and it does not require state governors giving up their salaries. Rather, the rat race by governors in giving up salaries looks like publicity gimmick with little or no value towards bettering the lives of the people. A genuine spirit of altruism does not need publicity unlike what is being ascribed to the governors. By the way, how much is a governor’s salary when compared to the huge resources demanded of a state government to carry out virile public administration and their constitutional responsibilities? Can a governor’s salary be enough to

GOVERNORS SHOULD CUT COST BY NOT APPOINTING REDUNDANT AND UNQUALIFIED PERSONS INTO GOVERNMENT, STOP OVERSEAS MEDICAL TRIPS, ALLOW LOCAL COUNCILS TO FUNCTION, AVOID MISMANAGING SECURITY VOTES AND SHUN TRIBALISM AND NEPOTISM

provide pension, adequate housing, education, hospitals, roads and other facilities for the people? There is no need to personalise governance. The governors should just keep their salaries. They sincerely need to take care of their huge commitments, too. If this is not allowed, the governors could actually give up their salaries and recoup from other sources in multiple-folds. It is disturbing that many past and incumbent governors are battling with a litany of corruption allegations. The governors could extend personal gestures to the many poor, less advantaged and needy in our society through churches, mosques and philanthropic channels, but they should desist from embarking on what looks like tokenism using public bureaucracy and instrumentality of the state. For instance, the newly-inaugurated governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde promised to donate his salary to pensioners while the Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle stated that he would donate half of his monthly salary to an orphanage. Recall that in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo announced a 50 per cent pay cut. How has this turned to economic prosperity for Nigerians? Most of our nation’s woes have little to do with governors’ relatively meagre pay. The main issues fuelling bad governance are centred on nepotism, corruption and waste in government that are traceable to undisclosed allowances, claims, estacodes, jumbo severance package and not basic salaries. Sadly, 14 former governors, their deputies and 434 state lawmakers, not returning to government, are to collect over N26b, as severance package. They include the former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha; those of Kwara, Abdulfatah Ahmed; Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode; Adamawa, Bindo Jibrila; and Bauchi, Mohammed Abubakar. The severance allowance is separate from other packages which many states have as retirement benefits or pension packages for their former governors and deputy governors. The juicy packages include unlimited health care benefits and housing in any place of choice within their states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The immediate past Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola recently stated that he voluntarily forfeited his official salaries totalling about N115 million for the eight years he was governor. Despite this, the Osun State is reportedly bogged down with salary arear of public servants and other debts, as many states across the country have similar unpleasant records. That is why the advice by the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State that the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu should emulate his counterparts by donating his salary, is untenable. In some of the countries that we copy, such as the United States of America; it is instructive that New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo once took a five per cent salary reduction; Michigan Governor, Rick Snyder with a net worth of about $200 million did not collect salaries while Florida Governor, Rick Scott, who donated his salary, is said to have a net worth of over $132 million. Kupoluyi wrote from Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS IN ELECTION LITIGATION (1)

Isa Ayo Salami canvasses a review of rules of conduct to guard against lawyers charging excessive fees and colluding with politicians to rob the state of its wealth

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he theme “The Use of Public Funds in Election Litigation and the Integrity of the Judiciary� could not have come at a better time. Being an election year, it is a period in which we have the highest numbers of election matters in Court. I reliably gathered that there were about 639 pre –election cases that arose from the various primaries and 736 election petitions emanating from the just concluded elections. This clearly reveals the heated nature of electoral contest in Nigeria. Notwithstanding that our laws provide for resolution of disputes arising from electoral process through the courts, the alarming number of election petitions in court leaves much to be desired. The development calls for a review of our electoral process. This is a matter for another day. Our focus is on the use of public funds by political office holders to pursue election cases, for personal or private gains. This remains a major source of concern in Nigeria because of the negative impact it has on our socio-economic development. Over the years, public funds meant for developmental projects, aimed at improving the lives of the citizenry are diverted and embezzled by selfish individuals in government, through the awards of inflated or phony contracts. Funding of election petitions has become one of the ways through which public funds are mismanaged and wasted. It is an open secret that election matters have become sort of a windfall to the legal practitioners engaged in election matters. The humongous fees being charged by these lawyers in pre and post-election matters are mostly paid with public funds or taxpayers’ monies, especially where the client is a public office holder who has no right to use such monies to defend his election. Lawyers have become complicit in this decadence; taking undue advantage by charging high fees in naira and foreign currencies. Most of the time, the senior lawyers insist on collecting their professional fees in cash, in order to avoid the funds being traced directly to them and also to evade payment of tax. It may be necessary for the Central Bank to flag cash withdrawals from government accounts that exceed

a certain threshold and demand a purpose for the withdrawal. A common trend now is having over 10 Senior Advocates appearing in a matter for just one of the parties and you wonder what value those numbers are adding to the legal representation in court. Unsurprisingly, the litigants with the highest number of Senior Advocates are invariably those that have unfettered access to public funds. Why this is the case, your guess is as good as mine. Again and quite disheartening, I have it on good authority that public funds used by some state governors to prosecute election matters concerning them individually is far more than the entire budget appropriated for the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary in the respective states. By this, they are inadvertently weakening institutions and empowering a few individuals who probably have no stake in the affected states. However, the ministries of justice across the nation need to be revamped and strengthened as they are now shadows of what they were in the past. Sadly, most senior lawyers who should ordinarily be role models and persons of integrity in the society display acts or conducts unbecoming of persons of the noble profession. They have become conduits to launder public funds. A case which readily comes to mind is a criminal charge by the EFCC against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria relating to converting to personal use, concealing the source of, disguising the origin of and retaining in his account huge amount of money to the tune of about a billion naira belonging to a state government. The money was allegedly paid with state’s funds for legal services rendered in personal capacity to the governor, who was then a governorship candidate. I understand trial is ongoing in respect of the matter and I do hope justice will be served at the end. From the above, it clearly shows that lawyers handling election petition matters for political office holders charge excessive and arbitrary fees simply because they feel the politicians have access to public funds to service these fees. It goes without saying

that these politicians are forced to tamper with public resources because they are under pressure to do everything possible to retain their seats. Granted that lawyers enjoy a wide liberty charging for their services; the charges must be reasonable and not arbitrary. Charging and collecting fees for legal services in an opaque manner does the society no good; it stands to promote corruption, tax evasion and money laundering. The Rules of Professional Conduct, 2007 (RPC) is a guide, containing the ways and manner lawyers must conduct themselves whilst relating with colleagues, clients and to the legal profession itself. Rules 48 – 54 of the RPC, 2007 clearly provide for specific guidelines to follow when charging clients. These rules unfortunately did not put a limit on the amount to be charged in respect of any transaction but only puts a guide on how to go about it. However, Section 15 (3) Legal Practitioners Act (LPA) 2014 (as amended) gives a bit of a leeway and I believe this is a section the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation may wish to take a closer look at. Section 15. (1) There shall be a Committee, to be called the Legal Practitioners Remuneration Committee, which shall consist of (a) the Attorney-General of the Federation, who shall be the chairman of the committee; (b) the Attorneys-General of the States; and (c) the President of the Association and three other members of the Association. (2) The quorum of the committee shall be three, of whom one shall be the Chairman of the committee or some other member of the committee nominated by him to act as chairman of the committee on the occasion in question. (3) The committee shall have power to make orders regulating generally the charges of legal practitioners and, without prejudice to the generality of that power, any such order may include provision as to all or any of the following matters, that is to say- (a) the maximum charges which may be made in respect of any transaction or activity of a description specified by the order; (b) the ascertainment of the charges appropriate for any transaction or activity by reference to such considerations as may

be so specified; (c) the taking by practitioners of security for the payment of their charges and the allowance of interest with respect to the security; and (d) agreements between practitioners and clients with respect to charges. The above in my considered opinion may be an opportunity for the Hon. AGF to use the instrumentality of his office through the Committee to regulate fees charged by lawyers particularly in election related matters. This power seems only to have been exercised in respect of legal practitioners remuneration for legal documentation and other land matters under the Legal Practitioners (Remuneration For Legal Documentation And Other Land Matters) Order S.I. 7 of 1991. The Nigerian Bar Association also has a pivotal role to play in ensuring that lawyers abide by the provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct. A review of the rules has become necessary to guard against lawyers charging excessive fees and colluding with politicians to rob the state of its wealth. Sometime in 2010, I recommended for a reduction of the involvement of the Judiciary in electoral matters. I wrote to the then President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and also copied the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives wherein I stated inter alia that: “By this singular act of involving the Supreme Court in election controversy, it seems to me with the greatest respect, that the political class is widening the frontier of judicial intervention in a matter that is principally or primarily a political issue. It is my respectful view that our efforts should be to find a permanent and enduring solution to extricate our courts from election matters. To my little knowledge, it is only here in Nigeria that the outcome of an election is not known until it goes through the labyrinth of legal procedure. Rather than seek to reduce this anathema, if not completely eliminated, it is being promoted to a status of festivity, so much so that after an election to a political office there could be four or more petitions. Hon. Justice Salami, OFR, is a retired President, Court of Appeal

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EDITORIAL The War In Edo State Security agencies could do more to contain the rising wave of crimes in the state

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hat cult wars and gang violence have exacerbated the climate of lawlessness and fear in our country is no longer in doubt. But in no state are these atrocities more prevalent than Edo where cultists of various stripes act with impunity, killing, raping and maiming victims while causing widespread destruction. There is hardly a day when some young men and women would not fall victims to this goring spectre of criminal violence most of which are as a result of battles for turf between rival cult groups. In Benin and environs, gang wars are now almost a daily fair with several innocent bystanders becoming victims. What is more worrisome is that members of many of these cult gangs are also involved in armed robbery and kidnappings. To address the problem, the Benin Palace is invoking traditional powers against these criminals. In an unprecedented move, traditional priests and priestesses of difTHE RESPONSIBILITY ferent deities, native FOR SECURITY OF LIVES doctors and different AND PROPERTY RESTS ancient traditional SQUARELY WITH THE worshippers in their traditional regalia AUTHORITIES recently paraded some major streets in the city. They were out to invoke the age-long traditional practice of scrubbing the ancient kingdom, and assuaging the gods given the seeming inability of security agencies to stem the drift. They heaped curses on those responsible for what they described as sacrilege in the land. The curses were also targeted at traditions’ violators, sponsors of cultism, kidnappings and other atrocious crimes in the land. For a people that respect the Benin Palace, the intervention is commendable. At a period when hundreds of lives are being lost on daily basis, businesses are ruined and the populace living in fear, any effort to address the problem deserves support. While the situation undoubtedly poses a serious danger to gov-

Letters to the Editor

ernance and socio-political economic growth in our troubled country, the government’s action or inaction has also proved to be unable to secure the citizenry. That those who started as cultists, especially in Benin and environs, have ‘diversified’ into armed robbery and kidnappings and thus worsening the security situation in Edo State is worrying and that is why the invocation of traditional powers may not be out of place. But the responsibility for security of lives and property still rests squarely with the authorities.

F T H I S DAY EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI AJAYI, 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

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NEXT LEVEL: PRAY NOT FOR NIGERIA The vultures had a banquet in Libya, who will save Nigeria?…Ena E. Orugbo

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resident Barack Obama’s legacy is the destruction of Libya. Libyans were complicit, they prayed for their brotherly leader, Muammar Gaddafi to leave the office. Nigerians are fervently praying “die, die, die” but the demons plaguing Nigeria are still alive. It is typical for Pa E. A. Adeboye to instruct “somebody shout hallelujah”. Nigerians usually comply, but the walls of corruption and mountain of debt have refused to fall. “Who wants to be a millionaire” allows multiple lifelines. Nigerians have prayed. The next level is to cry and groan because it took the cries and groans of the Israelites for God to commission a saviour, Moses to deliver them from bondage, Exodus 3:9-10. The Convener of Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare eyes the Presidency of Nigeria. It is pertinent to note for posterity that Moses only brought the children of Israel out of Egypt and regressive thinking Israelites never made it to the Promised Land. It took a Caleb and Joshua, proteges of Moses to take them into the Promised Land. This implies that saving Nigeria is not enough. There is also a need to change Nigeria and this is where it gets foggy. In 1994, South Africans were saved from Apartheid, but the welfare of the average black South African has barely changed. In the fall of 2011, Libyans were saved from Gaddafi and his goons. Today, Libya and Libyans are worst off. Sighs!

or sure, cultism is not new in Nigeria. For a long time, several people have identified with one form of cultism or another either for personal/ family protection or for the promotion and safeguard of certain interests. Four years ago, some prominent personalities were among 67 suspected cultists arrested and quizzed in Benin City, by men of the special squad deployed in the state by the police authorities to curb the growing killings and cult activities. In the days preceding the deployment of the police team, some criminals said to be members of ‘Eiye’, ‘Black Axe’, ‘Buccaneers’, ‘Aiye’ and ‘Jurist’ confraternities had unleashed hell on the streets of Benin. The body count was 22 dead. Among those arrested for their alleged involvement in the mayhem were 14 Junior Secondary School students between the ages of 12 and 15. Given the prevailing situation, the response by the Benin Palace is timely, and it also shows serious concern by the respected traditional institution. But from the unfolding happenings, it appears the security agencies are yet to fully understand the nature of the challenge they confront, hence the inability to proffer the right solutions. We therefore call on the federal government to take appropriate measures against the sponsors of this savagery. It should not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law in dealing with culprits involved in this depraved social behaviour.

There are three kinds of change transitory, developmental and transformational. In 1999, when the Nigerian military handed over power to civilians, it was called a transition to civilian rule. It will be disingenuous to claim that a lot has not changed such as the introduction of the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication and implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) but all these are developmental. The change that Nigeria urgently requires to take her to the next level, from a compulsive borrower to a lender is transformational. This is what the black South Africans regrettably lack hence the recurrent xenophobic attacks on their kith and kin. Pa W. F. Kumuyi has advised, “Don’t attack the President of the country whether in words or the newspapers or through the internet. Honour kings; don’t disrespect or dishonor the governors. Don’t disrespect leaders of the community and leaders in the church”. A few eggheads such as Pastor Reno Omokri and Senator Shehu Sani have chosen to disregard this wise counsel. Firstly, President Goodluck Jonathan was viciously attacked for his inadequacies. Secondly, Jonathan was disrespected by governors, the mainstream media and self-appointed judges of public opinion. Thirdly, Jonathan was forced into early retirement by the opposition, but Nigeria is yet to attain the next level. God answers prayers but not all prayers are endorsed such as “die die die” because demons are not killed but cast out. Pa W. F. Kumuyi spoke from a higher pedestal, when he said, don’t attack or disrespect leaders. Dr. Enameguolo Orugbo, jetageNG@gmail.com

A PEEP INTO THE NINTH NASS

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he election of presiding officers for the leadership of ninth assembly has come and gone. The APC has carefully perfected its plan to avoid the repeat of what happened in 2015 and ensured that only their anointed candidates were elected as presiding officers. With the emergence of Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila as senate president and speaker House of Representatives respectively, APC has learnt a lesson and has put its house in order. During the election into the eighth assembly, those who were the preferred candidates of the APC were edged out. After Bukola Saraki emerged as the senate president, Buhari was reported to have said that he would work with any person as senate president. But the relationship throughout the four-period was hardly smooth. From how the ninth National Assembly leadership emerged, it will be different from the preceding one. While the eighth assembly had resisted any

influence from the power that be, the present one is the product of planning, choice and endorsement. If President Buhari could blame the last national assembly for some of his failures and inability to implement policies for the betterment of Nigerians, the ninth assembly which emerged with his consent should change this narrative. The National chaiman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole has stated after the national assembly election that there would be no excuses for the APC not to perform. The inauguration of ninth assembly has come at the right time. The country is bleeding profusely due to the alarming rate of insecurity. The menace of Boko Haram, kidnapping and banditry has become matter of great concern. The new leadership of the assembly should come up with enabling laws that would address these problems squarely. The high rate of poverty and unemployment are some of the burning issues that require prompt actions. Ibrahim Mustapha, Pambegua, Kaduna State

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FRIDAY JUNE 14, 2019 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JUNE 14, 2019

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Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG

POLITICS

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

How Effective Planning Assisted Buhari’s Re-election

Buhari

Funsho Arogundade

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t is no longer news that President Muhammadu Buhari won the 2019 Presidential elections. What is, however, news is how his victory came about. For the critics of that election, especially those in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the victory of Buhari was the result of a one-day rigging adventure. The PDP did not reckon with the fact that while it was grand standing and making noise all over the place, the Buhari team was working quietly in the background. Because it did not raise the kind of alarm associated with the PDP, many thought the APC presidential machinery had gone to sleep. It was a wrong assumption, as they would later learn from the result of the presidential election. What this group of individuals fail to realise is that the victory came from the work of a broadbased team of individuals with different skill sets carefully selected from diverse professions and groups, and with a clear mandate of delivering Buhari and his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, at the polls. This team, named the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PPC), was put together by Buhari, in consultation with the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), and other critical stakeholder groups across the country. The PPC was subdivided into various directorates to oversee specific aspects of the electioneering processes that would ensure Buhari’s successful outing. Nothing was left to chance in the work of this team. Even the inauguration ceremony of the team was well timed. The

Amaechi

composition of this team was not done until the tension that arose as a result of the unopposed adoption of President Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s presidential flag-bearer of the party was successfully managed. This was to allow for better cohesion in the party, which would be necessary if the party was to emerge victorious in the presidential election. Buhari even noted this in his speech at the inauguration ceremony of this team when he said, “having waited for all the dust raised in the nomination exercise, and the carefully worked out reconciliation processes to ensure some measure of healing, we are better placed to put together an all-inclusive campaign council that will effectively engage the entire voting public throughout the length and breadth of our federation, and deliver a resounding victory for us at the general elections. And to the glory of God, this is exactly what happened! Those in contact and mobilisation directorates traversed the nooks and crannies of the country touching almost every household selling the candidacy of President Buhari to the electorates, and the strategic communications directorate anchored its communications on the performance of the threeyear-plus administration of the incumbent, as directed by Mr. President. “Our campaign will be anchored on our performance in the last four years. There is no doubt that our party has succeeded in taking Nigeria to a new level of enduring peace, economic growth, political stability, justice and progress,” Buhari charged in his team inauguration speech. The team

showed the electorate the comparative difference between 2015 and 2019 in the areas of security, economic development and fight against corruption, the three major electoral promises made by Buhari in 2015. One directorate that stood out in the PPC in the area of innovation was the Directorate of Election Planning and Monitoring (DEPM). Reaching to over 80 million voters across the country could be daunting, but not to be compared to monitoring and collating results from the 119,973 polling units and 57,023 voting points nationwide. This is where the DEPM showed its prowess for novelty. It built the trust and confidence of the rank and file who formed the crux of its workforce. The directorate’s approach to its duties was built on empirical research and verifiable evidence which it brought to bear on its interventions. It was a gamechanger and a major boost to the eventual victory that the party recorded in Presidential election, where Buhari scored a whopping 15,191,847 votes, beating the main opposition, PDP by 3, 928.869 votes. Knowing the task ahead of it, the team recruited and trained over 15,000 frontline party agents across the 36 states and the FCT, and provided training materials to over 550,000 party faithful nationwide. The training sessions came in handy in tackling the menace of fake news and in managing the logistics of collation and reporting of the electoral outcomes during the Presidential elections. The directorate, headed by Babatunde Fashola with Rotimi Amaechi serving as the Director General of the Buhari Presidential Campaign and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as co-chairman of

the campaign council, fostered partnerships with other directorates and leveraged the underutilized assets of the party for teamwork and coordinated, coherent campaign strategy. It built a vast network of support groups especially, the progressive governors’ forum. The team set a new record in the utilisation of technology in election planning and monitoring. It established a Situation Room manned by highly skilled diverse team who optimally utilized the benefits of social media, call-centre operations, online portals for real time reporting and feedback. Working in concert with the national party structure, state party chairmen, state coordinators/gubernatorial candidates, national assembly candidates and the Director of Organisation, the National Situation Room collated and managed over 200,000 datasets from polling units to state level using an exclusive online portal. It made over 81,000 calls from the national situation room to party agents and stakeholders across the 36 states and the FCT. Every election victory comes with lessons for future use. The re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari has a lot to offer those who would be managing campaigns in future election. These lessons are in the areas of utilisation of technology including new media and online/internet facilities, network of stakeholders, and the use of empirical research and analytics for reach, reporting, feedback. These were the game changers and the most evident boost of the Presidential Campaign Council. -Arogundade, a journalist, writes from Lagos

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JUNE 14, 2019

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PERSPECTIVE

Imo’s New Narrative Championed by Ihedioha Charles Odibo

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et no one underestimate our resolve to do what is right for the good of our people. There is nothing wrong with Imo which cannot be cured by all that is right in Imo.” This was part of Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s inaugural speech to the people of Imo State. Hardly had the ink dried on the signed documents affirming the handover of government to Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha as the 6th elected Governor of Imo State than a fortuitous incident provided for him a golden opportunity to walk his campaign talk that endeared him to Imo people and earned him massive support. On this fateful day of May 30, 2019, at about noon a video clip went viral on social media, of an excavator earth moving equipment hacking at a gargantuan, 50-feet Akachi statue, built by the administration of the immediate past governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, in Owerri, the state capital. An appreciative crowd, reflective of the sentiment of majority of Imo people who loathed the previous administration’s profligacy of building meaningless statues and projects, urged them on. But in a swift and decisive response in line with his mantra of strict adherence to due process and rule of law, the government of Ihedioha directed security agencies to halt the mob action and disperse the crowd. However, this was not communicated appropriately and missed a perfect opportunity to frame an issue dear to the government, thereby giving the unruly propagandists of the unpopular out-gone administration an undeserved opportunity to enter the fray and create doubts in peoples’ minds about government’s action. Projected as a man who keeps faith with his words, Ihedioha, by this first public action of going against seemingly popular sentiments of a people impoverished by maladministration, but sticking to what he promised will guarantee a stable state where the underlying principles of good governance reigns supreme. He has sign-posted the core fundamentals of his rebuild agenda. A quick recap of how Imo State got to this sorry pass will do because our people say that a person who does not know from where the rain started beating him will not know where

Ihedioha

the rain stopped. In the past eight years, Imo state people had to endure a cruel administration that inflicted hardship on them through flagrant disregard for rule of law, abuse of due process, and loathing of all accepted and established norms and ordinances that guide civilized societies that are greatly admired. Former Governor Okorocha arbitrarily cut civil service working days from five to three. He was reported to have coerced civil servants and pensioners to sign-off some percentage of their earnings. He made a mockery of the state by constructing a statue of indicted former President Jacob Zuma of South Africa. He created a laughable Ministry of Happiness and Couples’ Fulfillment (sorry, Purpose Fulfillment); and he publicly admonished the youth to take to robbery instead of smoking Indian hemp. But in his maiden address to ndi Imo, Ihedioha rekindled hope, reminded Imolites who they are, and changed the narrative, promising that “the task of rebuilding our broken state is a sacred one. We are armed with the courage of our conviction. We are not captives of fear, for if we were, we would not have dared and if we

did not dare, this day would not have come.” The dawn of a new Imo is encapsulated in the governor’s shared vision to build an Imo economy that is anchored on good governance, wealth creation, rule of law and sound management of state resources. However, the government will face a real test of consistency and continuity with which it communicates its purpose to define the essence of this administration. The real challenge will be that of credibility, how Imo people will quickly develop a ready to act attitude that is consistent with the aspirations of government, but also of demands that government makes of them as consequences of its aspirations, and this sits in the domain of amity between government and the people. Some key critical objectives that the government has to quickly pursue in fulfillment of the governor’s vision for Imo to be a “South-east Nigeria state that will become one of the top three most developed state economies in Nigeria by year 2025,” are awareness, brand equity, connection, and affinity. Imo state has to have Top of Mind (TOM) awareness with constituents and also rank within the top three

states in Nigeria with highest TOM awareness, which means that when asked to mention three leading states in Nigeria, Imo State should be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd to be mentioned. This is what will get Imo state into the competitive set to achieve the governor’s economic vision of top three most developed state economies. Consequently, the government should create a new meaning for the state given the litany of negative associations the past administration gave the state in the past eight years, and build a state that stands for something in the minds of the constituents who must see it as being able to deliver on promises around desired benefits. Also of significance is the urgent need for the government to connect with the people because this is what will make ndi Imo stand up for the governor even in the face of obvious weakness, or the propaganda of opposition. This will happen when every Imo person believes that the state is for him/her; is forward-looking; and can lead them to their desired future because it understands them, knows their fears and aspirations. Across Imo State, he is fondly addressed and referred to as Ome Nke Ahuru Anya (the one whose accomplishment is visible). Before assuming office as Governor, he had between 2003 and 2015, represented two Local Government Areas, (Aboh Mbaise and Ngor Okpala) in the House of Representatives, but over 180 infrastructural development projects which he funded or attracted from the Federal Government cut across the three senatorial zones of Imo State. It is this public service pedigree that is his testimony and gives Imo people the confidence that he has the capacity to lead from the front. The new Imo narrative, therefore, is an Imo State where the Governor is humble and requests “to be treated as an ordinary citizen once I am before God,” and not the “iberiberism” leadership that attacks revered men of God. The new Imo is the state where the governor runs an open-door policy and insists that, “security men should allow Imolites access to Government House…to see what the Government House looks like.” The new Imo of due process is a state where the people are now willing to develop a ready to act attitude that is consistent with the aspirations of Government. -Odibo is a Marketing and Communications Practitioner

The Many Options Before Dickson Stanley Nkwazema

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fter the 2019 national elections, the Independent National Electoral (INEC) has revealed November 16 as the new date for gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa and Kogi states. Interestingly, as the date gets closer, the battle for the soul of the seat of government in the two states is indeed becoming more of who gets to take over the within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa and the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) in Kogi. The situation in the heart of Niger Delta particularly Bayelsa is generating more than enough public attention when viewed against the background that the two leaders of the party in the state, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson and former President Goodluck Jonathan, may decider who takes over. Both men are chieftains of the PDP but hirelings and politicians are now bent on causing disquiet, rocking the table to warm their hearts to both leaders in the guise of sampling who will be the choice of the two. In the past two years, the position of the two leaders looked hazy and it was all an apprehensive situation when the names of Jonathan and Dickson who is incidentally the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum props up at discussion tables within and outside the state. Events of the last two months are gradually giving a lead as to the position and shape of things to come concerning who of the two leaders should have the final say. To the Governor, when the time comes, he would consult with Jonathan and other major stakeholders in Bayelsa state. Dickson says he is not fighting Jonathan over who emerges the next governor. The governor disclosed this

while reacting to recent reports of a serious friction between him and the ex-president. He said, “Let me say that that events should have shown you that there is no problem between us. Jonathan is my elder brother and my leader and will continue to get his due respect. We know what to do quietly. In this transition, if there is one person I am going to sit down with; it is going to be Jonathan. When I am ready after all these prayers, I will visit him because he is an elder and we will compare notes,” he said Dickson explained that any of the aspirants that has the experience and capacity should make their case to the party and Bayelsans. “I led a party to victory against a vicious opposition. I can lead PDP to victory. I have done it repeatedly. In the primary election, there will be no form of manipulation. People talking about manipulation are anticipating that they should be imposed. I’m not going to impose any of them. Any of them who feels they have experience and capacity should go and make their case to the people of Bayelsa State.” One is that is dear to Dickson’s heart is to sustain his legacy projects in Bayelsa. “I hope that the right person with competence and capacity emerges to build on the foundation I and my team have laid over the last seven years plus. I have no doubt that the right person would emerge with my support, The PDP is the most prepared party. I have in the last few years built a solid, formidable and all-inclusive party such that even those who left found it as the most attractive platform to return to. “I have made it very inclusive and everybody will be consulted. Every person that has a role to play would be allowed to play that role. The party leaders will play their role and delegates ultimately will decide who the

candidate shall be. I take this opportunity to call on those who are interested in the platform that we have worked hard to create to tell the state and us how farther they can deepen what has been started. The PDP is an all-inclusive, big and strong platform backed by concrete performance on ground with credible leadership.” The choice of who decides the flag bearer for PDP in Bayelsa State has become part of the odds facing party faithful as if only the two leaders will go to the polls to elect the new governor even as the APC struggles to put its house in order to pick an acceptable candidate. It is not a hidden fact that the former president who is also a former governor, may not be coming out openly to challenge or direct Dickson, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state and a parliamentarian on some of his programmes. There seems to be a new rapport existing between the two prominent party men. By February2020, Dickson will bow out of office after serving two terms of four years each. Although he may not be exhibiting worries over who takes over, Dickson is worried about who will be the preferred candidate of the party and even his eventual successor. According to INEC “The official notice for the elections will be issued on August 1, 2019, while political parties that intend to sponsor candidates are to hold their primaries for the nomination of such candidates from August 2 – 29, 2019. Campaigns by political parties in public shall commence on August 2, 2019 and end on October 31, 2019.” Only recently in Yenagoa, Dickson announced the appointment of the former Nigeria leader as His Honorary Special Adviser on the Bayelsa Education Trust Fund Board,

explaining that the gesture was in recognition of Dr. Jonathan’s educational strides when he laid a solid foundation for the state’s education system as governor. While acknowledging the former president as “our leader,” the governor pleaded with Jonathan to use his influence to attract donations to the fund, adding that he would sit on the board of Bayelsa State Educational Development Trust Fund as a former teacher. Perhaps, as a result of his simplicity and desire to be of service to the state, the former president accepted the appointment, assuring that he would do his best to persuade all Bayelsa people to support the trust fund. But, no sooner had the exchanges been completed than words started making the rounds in Bayelsa and the federal capital, describing the appointment as part of the shadowboxing by the two leaders to cleanse the negative image being spawned about their perceived political differences. Sources disclosed that while Jonathan’s disposition favours sorting out the various political players who were aggrieved in the bid to make Dickson governor in 2011, the outgoing governor prefers a successor who is in tune with the dictates of his Restoration Agenda for the state. Some of the names that are being touted to fly the PDP governorship flag in Bayelsa include; Kombowei Benson, the current Speaker of Bayelsa House of Assembly and Dr. Nimbofa Ayawei, chairman of Bayelsa Inland Revenue Board. Other key players are Senator Douye Diri and the Director of Protocol, Dr. Joseph Akedosu who is the Chairman of the Land Use Allocation Committee. Kemela Okara, the current SSG is also one of the many choices before Dickson.

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FRIDAY JUNE 14, 2019 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˞ ͯͲ, 2019

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO 10.86 % 11.43 %

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

11.50 % 12.25 % 12.63 %

J U N E

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

7 , 2 0 1 9

S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

393.05 % -0.52 % -0.48 %

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE 1.67 % YEAR TO DATE 10.11 %

EXCHANGE RATE N306.95/1US DOLLAR* ĚŠ

Quick Takes Lufthansa Relocates, Hosts Partners

Lufthansa German Airlines has relocated its Nigerian head office in LagosfromVictoriaIslandtoIkoyi,Lagos The airline is now located at the British AmericanTobacco Building on Olumegbon Road, Off Alfred Rewane Road in Ikoyi. Speaking on the development, Lufthansa Group General Manager, Sales, Nigeria and EquatorialGuinea,AdenikeMacaulay,reiteratedtheairline’scommitment toqualityandefficientservice. “WehavebeenoperatinginNigeriasince1962andhavebecomerenowned for our quality and efficient services which our customers have come to expect. I am assuring our clients and partners that we will continue to uphold that fine tradition here at our new office which is open to all,� shesaid. Macaulay, said the event was an opportunity for the airline to bond and interact with its clients and partners, as well as foster networking opportunitiesamongstthosepresent. She commended the cordial relationship between the airline and its stakeholders,particularlyitstradepartners,sinceitsdebutinthecountry, andnotedthatsuchsupporthashelpedtheairlinetodeliveranexcellent levelofservicetohercustomers. ManagingDirectorandCEO,FinancialDerivativesCompanyLimited,Mr. BismarckRewane,commendedtheairlineforitsdiligence,andefficiency: “IhavebeenflyingLufthansaforover20yearsandmyexperiencehas beenpleasantanddelightful.ItisapleasuretovisitLufthansainthenew ambienceandmodernofficeintheup-marketIkoyilocation.Lufthansa isanairlinethatisreallycommittedtotheNigerianroute,andinmymind remainsaclassyandsuperwelldeservingairline,�hesaid.

STAKEHOLDERS’ ENGAGEMENT

L-R: Executive Director, Lagos and South-west, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nneka Onyeali- Ikpe; Managing Director/ Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Nnamdi Okonkwo; and Non- Executive Director, Chief Charles Umolu, when the bank met with business leaders, trade groups and aďŹƒliates of Auto Spare-parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) at the trade fair complex in Lagos‌recently

Nigeria, Benin Move to Enhance Trade Eromosele Abiodun In a bid to ensure seamless trade between both countries, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Customs administration in Benin Republic have agreed to establish a bilateral connectivity aimed at facilitating trade and. But as both countries plan to forge closer trade ties, economic activity along the Lagos - Badagry expressway, a major road that leads to neighbouring Benin Republic and other West African countries, has been paralysed due to a failed section and illegal checkpoints on the road. The road, which is also very important to residents along that corridor, is now riddled with potholes as transit between

MARITIME Agbara to Badagry that usually takes 30 to 35 minutes now takes four hours. As at the time of filing this report, not less than 21 illegal checkpoints manned by men of the NCS, police are along that stretch. Also, numerous pot holes frustrate commercial activities along the road on a daily basis. THISDAY observed that security personnel manning several checkpoints were issuing identification numbers to commercial vehicles after collecting N300 from each of them per day. An officer with the Seme border Customs told THISDAY

that the state of the road has affected the command’s revenue generation drive. The officer who does not want his name in print said transit cargoes now go through Idiroko border instead of Seme border because of the bad road. Meanwhile, speaking at a stakeholders’ sensitisation workshop at the Seme border, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs in charge of ICT, Benjamin Aber, said the agreement between Nigeria and Benin customs, when fully implemented would address security challenges, prevent revenue losses and curb smuggling along the borders. He explained that under the new system, declarations made

for import transiting from either country will be electronically shared. This, he said, would help create a win-win situation for both countries to achieve coordinated border management where the two Customs administration will use a single platform to handle trade transactions. According to him, “It is not good for us in this modern time to be doing things manual when we have opportunity to leverage on technology that will assist us to streamline and harmonise processes that can seamlessly assist us in harvesting the opportunity of trade between these Continued on page 22

Outbound Passenger TrafďŹ c Rises Despite Visa Restrictions Chinedu Eze There has been an increase in outbound passenger traffic since this year, as airlines indicate higher load factor on passengers travelling out of the country. According to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), no fewer than 3,319,720 air travellers passed through Nigeria airports between January and March 2019, and there are indications that the number may double by the end of June. It was also projected that the number of people who travel out of the country would increase by 50 per cent by the end of the year. Travel expert, Ikechi Uko told

AVIATION THISDAY that there had been desperation by many Nigerians to leave the country because of what they perceive as uncertainty and despair. “I think the stories I hear about what is happening in Nigeria is that everybody wants to move to somewhere. There is this seeming discontent or I don’t know what is going on that is prompting people to look for an escape. Some of them emotionally, some spiritually and some physically, but I prefer the physical part to the guys who are killing themselves (suicide). “If somebody decides to travel out of the country instead of killing himself, I think it is

okay,� Uko said. Uko, who is the organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, told THISDAY that many Nigerians feel that the environment over the last two years in Nigeria has conditioned people to movement, “but I cannot say what is driving the increase in movement. “For now this is the summer season so you expect that there should be influx in outbound movement.� Information from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) showed that many foreign airlines are recording high passenger traffic for outbound flights despite the fact that some embassies in Nigeria have introduced very

strict conditions against those who request for visa to travel out of the country. Reacting to this development, Uko said, “That is a sad one. We thought it was only the Americans that put the restrictions, but we have noticed that there is now a pattern of embassies finding reasons to turn away Nigerians. “A rejection letter from the Swedish embassy best explains what is actually going on. They think the Nigerian economy is not likely going to improve so people are going to be more impoverished so when they travel they are not likely going to come back. “They also think that with Continued on page 22

Air Peace Losses Iwarah

The management and staff of Air Peace Limited has announced with great sadness the sudden and shocking death of its Corporate Communications Manager, Mr Christian Iwarah, which occurred on Friday, June 7, 2019. He was knocked down by a negligent bus driver along the Lagos/ Abeokuta expressway. Iwarah,alawyerandjournalist,joinedAirPeacein2016.Themanagement oftheairlinesaidIwarahwasanintelligent,courageousanddedicated staffwhocontributedimmenselytothedevelopmentoftheCompany. He is survived by his aged parents, wife, son and other relatives. Funeral arrangements would be announced by the family.

Boeing’s Deliveries Drops

Boeing delivered 30 commercial aircraft in May, down from 68 in the samemonthlastyear,asthegroundingofthe737MAXseriescontinues toweigh,Airwisehasreported. Ofthe30,sixwerefortheUSmilitaryandfivewerefreighters,leaving just19passengeraircrafthandedovertocustomersinMay. Incomparison,February,thelastfullmonthof737MAXdeliveriesbefore theyweresuspended,saw26ofthetypedeliveredoutofatotalof49. Fourofthetotalweredestinedforthemilitaryandthreewerefreighters. Boeing continues to produce 737 MAX aircraft at a rate of 42 per monthafteriteasedbackfromitsprevioushighof52.Thecompany’s delivery website shows the last MAX handed over was on March 11 to lessorAviationCapitalGroup. TheChicago-basedcompanyceaseddeliveryoftheMAXaftertheaircraft wasgroundedworldwidefollowingtwofatalcrashesinfivemonths. Dana Air Partners Soccer Project DanaAirhasannounceditspartnershipwithsoccerstarsprojectTMwith Nigeria’sexinternational,SamsonSiasia,scheduledtoholdbetween July15andAugust15,2019.Theprojectwillholdacross13statesofthe federation,namelyLagos,Rivers,Abuja,Enugu,AkwaIbom,Ondo,Kano, Plateau,Abia,Delta,Sokoto,ImoandPlateau.Itisaimedatdiscovering and promoting young talented football stars in Nigeria. SpeakingatapressconferenceinLagos,theMediaandCommunications Manager of Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa, said Dana Air’s commitment to youth and sports development in Nigeria is unwavering. “As you know, we are proud sponsors of two Nigerian Professional league teams – Akwa United fc of Akwa Ibom and Heartland fc of Imo state for the second year running and our sponsorship is just our contributiontowardsmakingtheleagueglamorousandkeepingthe players motivated.’’

“As we continue our push towards being Nigeria’s most reliable and trusted banking partner, we remain focused on improving the profitability of our business and delivering value to all our stakeholders – shareholders, customers, business partners and employees� Chairman, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc,

Mr. Cyril Odu

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BUSINESSWORLD NIGERIA, BENIN MOVE TO ENHANCE TRADE

corridors. “This is why we called the stakeholders that the Nigeria and Benin Customs have agreed to harmonise their business processes of temporary or transit import into Nigeria and export into Benin and to make sure that the process is done once. “This means any truck that leaves Benin Republic, the information is already remotely sent in English to Nigeria Customs Service’s system.� On the benefits of the bilateral connectivity, Aber said, “Henceforth, there will be single declaration to be used by both countries. The system is predictably transparent. It will deal with corrupt tendencies and ensures accurate revenue generation. “Insecurity will be addressed as the new system will include the deployment of non-intrusive equipment such as scanners, which will help deal with the challenges of trans-border crimes including insurgencies. “The electronic platform will integrate the two countries single windows trade platforms and also improve the compliance to trade regulatory and fiscal policy measures of both countries. “This platform will create effective, predictable and transparent risk management system and reduction in smuggling activities.� OUTBOUND PASSENGER TRAFFIC RISES DESPITE VISA RESTRICTIONS

increased spate of insecurity in the country, most Nigerian would want to go somewhere,� he explained. Uko, recalled that during the last election, 250, 000 Nigerians went online and wrote that they wanted to leave Nigeria to Canada or elsewhere, noting that the embassies obviously read those reports and followed the trend. By introducing very strict conditions against Nigerians who wished to secure visas to travel, Uko said the embassies were ripping off Nigerians because they collect visa fees even when they knew they would not give visa to applicants. “But these embassies are benefitting from Nigeria. If you want to reject a visa, then just charge service fee and don’t collect visa fee. I am beginning to see that some embassies have turned it a cash making industry.�

NEWS

‘Nigeria Committed to Leading War against Maritime Crime in Africa’ Stories by Eromosele Abiodun The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has declared Nigeria’s commitment to its leadership role in the war on piracy and maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea region, an area widely considered the global challenging maritime crime base in Africa. Dakuku, made the declaration in a keynote address he delivered at a symposium on Security in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London. The meeting was jointly organised by IMO, Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), and the International Chamber of Shipping. It had in attendance MDs and CEO’s of top multinational shipping, oil and gas, and logistics firms. Dakuku, said the GoG countries were facing serious security challenges that had affected their economies severely and, therefore, needed global support and cooperation to tackle the problem. He, however, said the location of the Gulf of Guinea held enormous advantages, as it holds a significant percentage of the world’s total oil and gas reserves as well as rich deposits of solid

minerals, such as diamond, bitumen, copper, uranium, granite, quartz, lead, fluorite, and marble. Already, Nigeria has committed to the hosting of a Global Maritime Security Conference (GMSC), which comes up in the country’s capital, Abuja. Dakuku, stated that the conference would afford the international community a

platform to develop actionable strategies to put an end to piracy and other security threats in the African geological and maritime region. Dakuku, who is also Chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA), noted that the Gulf of Guinea occupied a strategic location in international seaborne trade. It is

home to two regional economic blocs: Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), comprising 26 countries. “It is, therefore, seen as a resource provider and critical contributor to national growth and prosperity of the nation’s lining its coasts and even those inward and with no shared

boundaries, due to the access it grants to them,� he said. He disclosed that the region’s waterways were a key navigational route for international commerce, connecting the Far East to countries in the North and South of the Atlantic. “It is the hub of extensive Trans-Atlantic trade linking Africa with Europe and the Americas,� he said.

CAPACITY BUILDING

L-R: Head, SME Liability, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Paul Adebo; Head, Digital Marketing & Communications, Mrs. Lola Egboh; Managing Director, Krifon Foods Limited, Mr. Christopher EďŹƒong; Chief Executive, Plural Links Limited, Mrs. Peace Peters and Lead Consultant, Lepton Consulting, Mr. Tochukwu Ezeukwu, during a Business Empowerment & Sustainability Training programme organised by the bank for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State‌recently

Josepdam Terminal Gets ISO CertiďŹ cation Josepdam Port Services (JPS) Limited, operator of Terminal A at the Tin Can Island Port Complex, has been certified with ISO 9001:2015 by a certification firm in the United Kingdom. The ISO 9001:2015 certification is about management system improvement that ensures the management system of the organisation is continuously improving and responding to situation, changes, risks and other measures including regulations. The certification is a symbol that the system is compliant to a particular standard of quality management system, which means the system of the organisation is compliant to quality and doing the right

thing, developing appropriate processes and procedures and complying with it. Commenting on the achievement, the Managing Director of JPS, Simon Travers enjoined the staff of the organisation to maintain the momentum and continue to improve on the organisation’s processes and system that led to the successful certification of the ISO 9001:2015. Travers who was represented by the Port’s general manager, David Iriabe commended the staff of the organisation for their steadfastness in achieving the feat. He said, “We are here to celebrate excellence, hardworking and teamwork because without it, we won’t gather

here today. The certification is not a one off thing but a continuous engagement which must show in the way we work, respond to customers, and for the first three years of the certification, I know the staff are more than capable to get the renewal.� Also speaking, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) commended the terminal operator for subjecting its processes and procedures to global check and certification. The Port Manager, Tin Can Island Port, Engr. Emmanuel Apotherhe, however, said the certification was the beginning of success for the company. “It is an occasion that gladdens my heart because it is not an easy thing to get

certified because it involves someone watching over you and ensure you do the right thing, but I believe it’s a start of greater things, “he said. On his part, the ISO certification consultant stated that the certification of an organisation showed that the right processes and procedures are followed. The managing consultant of DU&T, John Aderibigbe, stated that when an organiation is certified, it shows they have developed the right processes and someone have come to audit them to ensure that they are actually conforming. He added, “The certificate shows you pass an exam that you are conforming and to maintain the certificate there is need to out a measure in

place to ensure continuous improvement and when we say continuous improvement we are reviewing your processes, customer requirement, what is the new requirement and must be up to date with the requirement.� “The certification are talking about trying to ensure that the management system of the organisation is continuously improving and responding to situation, changes, risks and other measures including regulations because, if government regulation changes, the organisation should be able to change alike, “he disclosed. Aderibigbe, however charge the terminal operator to be steadfast in other to maintain the certification.

Maintenance Firm Gets NCAA’s Approval Chinedu Eze Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Ogene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă— Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

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

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

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued an Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) Certificate on Non-destructive Testing (NDT) to indigenous Company, DAVAAKY Nigeria Limited. The firm based in Lagos is to carry out NDT inspection to ensure aircraft airworthiness and serviceability. With the certification, the company is now approved to inspect and carry out Non Destructive Testing on aircraft and aircraft components with

a specifications covering Eddy Current Testing, Magnetic Testing, Dye Penetrant and Ultrasonic Testing inspection on all types of aircrafts and aircraft components. DAV-AAKY Nigeria Limited is the first NDT AMO holder of its kind in Nigeria. Speaking to the media after the AMO certification ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of DAV-AAKY Nigeria Limited, Ayoola Stephen, explained that the NDT tests are carried out on aircraft whole or components to detect cracks, corrosion, etc, on the aircraft or aircraft components. He also added that the company has trained and competent

NDT personnel with certification to EN4179 and/or NAS410 which is internationally recognized. And as a result they can carry out NDT inspections internationally. The NDT tests are not restricted to aviation as they are carried out in automobile, sea, rail, oil and gas industry. “We carry out NDT inspection on aircraft and its components to ascertain its serviceability. Also, not really on only aircraft, we also carry out inspection on automobile, in the sea, marine, ships bridges and the rest but presently, NCAA has given us an AMO on NDT inspection in

aviation and this is the first of its kind in this country,� Ayoola said. According to him, “DAVAAKY Nigeria Limited is approved to offer NDT inspection services. You don’t need to come to our base for us to carry out inspection, if your aircraft is in Kaduna, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt, anywhere your aircraft is or anywhere the equipment or part you want us to work on we will come down there and carry out your job which makes it the first mobile NDT service provider in the country. “We are filling a gap and it is a good advantage to our clients,

our services make it easier for us to reach you and also for you to reach us, it cut costs to airlines because you don’t need to fly the aircraft down. It reduces a lot of cost for clients who would want to employ the services of DAV-AAKY Nigeria Limited, plus we are affordable, reliable and efficient.� On his plans for the future, Stephen said he envisioned a scenario where his company would train no fewer than 500 people in the next five to ten years as professionals in the field of NDT are few and far in between, “ he said.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

NCAA Supports NAPTIP Ohinedu Eze The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Muhtar Usman, has assured the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Person (NAPTIP) of the agency’s unflinching support in its fight against the scourge of human trafficking in Nigeria. Usman, gave the assurance when he received a NAPTIP delegation, led by its Director General, Dame Julie Okah-Donli on advocacy visit. Okah-Donli, said it was important for her team to visit NCAA as the regulator of the aviation industry in Nigeria, since young

Nigerians are lured out of the country through the airports, which are major exit points. She said the visit would enable the two government agencies chart a course to successfully stamp out human trafficking from Nigeria. Okah-Donli, therefore urged the NCAA to ensure that airlines are mandated to fulfill part of their obligations under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015. During the visit, she presented some of the sensitisation materials developed for the aviation industry for review and validation by the Authority before its

implementation. She added that a workshop to engage relevant operators in the industry was forthcoming. While responding to the visiting team, NCAA Director General promised on behalf of the authority and other aviation agencies to partner NAPTIP in achieving its mandate of stopping the menace of human trafficking from Nigeria. Usman assured that the NCAA while discharging its regulatory functions would ensure all airline operators adhere to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) at all times. He promised to review and validate the documents he received from the body.

AIB, Air Peace Spat over Hard Landing

Kwara Hajj

‘SAATM’ll Reduce Dominance of Mega Carriers in Africa’ Managing Director, Ethiopian International Services, Mr. Esayas Haliu, has said the success of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is the key to reducing the dominance of international mega carriers, which have 80 per cent of the African travel market. Haliu, who made this known in an interview with journalists in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia recently, said Africa has only three per cent of the global air travel market and 80 per cent of that market is dominated by international carriers, leaving African carriers with only 20 per cent. He said the full implementation of SSATM would free the market from mega carriers, as the treaty guarantees access to African airlines to all signatory nations. “When Single African Transport management which is advocated by African Union commission, when that one comes people think that only a few airlines will benefit from that, No! As we are speaking 80 per cent of African traffic is taken by non-Africans, so all of us put together we have only 20 per cent so we need to attack that 80 per cent. “We need to eclipse, 80 per cent should be African airlines and 20 per cent should be non-African airlines. This is our continent,

that is our traffic and so for more African countries to come, the traffic, which is not in the hands of the African airlines is much more. “So we have a lot more to play with, it’s not as if we have to scramble that same 20 per cent. No! We don’t settle for that and we want to contribute more than three per cent of the global air traffic which we are doing now, it’s only three percent. He said that it was in the bid to make such major contribution that Ethiopia Airlines was going to every African country and helping to establish regional national carriers. He argued that if the SAATM was allowed the opportunity one of its benefits would be to redistribute wealth by reducing capital flight from Africa to non-African countries. “All this effort is for African airlines to grow thrive and dominate the 80 per cent of the market so that employment, taxes, revenue, opportunity the capital sinks in the African continent and does not fly away,� he added. He, however, frowned at the uncooperative stance of some African countries preferring to sell traffic rights to non-African countries at the detriment of African carriers. “Right now many of the

African nation’s have been given traffic rights to nonAfrican nations more and when fellow Africans ask they deny them services. In some places people go from one part of Africa to another part of Africa via Dubai, Doha why? For what reason? Even some non-African airlines are given fifth freedom to airlift and disembark passengers in the continent of Africa without having to go through the home base, but when such request incoming from a fellow African such nations hesitate or decide not to. “So SAATM is a very good solution for Africa to put its hands together, organise itself together and to thrive, so SAATM is the best thing that can happen to Africa because air traffic connectivity is a tool for economy, cultural exchange, tourism, regional tourism as well as people and goods transaction. “Africa has been transacting with overseas 90 per cent and only 10 per cent local economic transaction, why? Africa needs to buy and sell with each other, we need to do business with each other, so for that instead of building 30,000km rail and road, just 3km if runway can connect people and goods in the continent of Africa, as simple as that to start with.�

Asky Connects Lagos to Johannesburg The pan African airline, Asky has launched its first flight to Johannesburg, South Africa. The became effective on June 15, 2019 The General Manager of the airline, Mr Mobolaji Simon, stated said the flight would be Asky’s first long haul flight considering that the airline operates within West and Central Africa.

“We are proud of this achievement and we want to thank all our numerous customers who have stuck with us over the years. “This new route is Asky’s first out of its usual coverage but we want to showcase to the world that we are not just a regional airline, but an airline with vision and stability, ready to expand beyond Africa,� Simon said.

The Johannesburg daily operation would be routed via Douala on some days and Libreville on other days with 40mins ground time before it heads directly to Johannesburg. The airline said it dedicates a B737-800 ER for this new destination with a world class crew on board to deliver excellent on-board service all the way.

Chinedu Eze There has been mixed reaction over the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB)’s alleged infraction by Air Peace for not reporting an incident involving its flight’s hard landing incident. The Bureau’s allegation suggested that the airline wanted to hide the incident even when it reported to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which regulates the industry, the company that manufactured the aircraft, Boeing and the engine manufacturers, CPM International. “The Accident Investigation Bureau wishes to express its displeasure over the persistent failure of some airlines to report accidents or serious incidents to the Bureau as mandated by Law. “On the 5th of June 2019, the Bureau received notification about a serious incident involving a Boeing 737-300 aircraft with registration marks 5NBUK, belonging to Air Peace Limited from a passenger onboard. It was reported that the said incident occurred on Wednesday, 15th May 2019, while the aircraft was on approach to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos from Port Harcourt. The aircraft was said to have experienced a hard landing as it touched down on the runway (18R),� the Bureau said. It also noted that Section 29 of the Civil Aviation Act 2006, which is the Act establishing the Bureau, “confers the prerogative to determine the classification of an accident or serious incidents on the Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria. All Airlines are therefore enjoined to report these occurrences at all times.� It went further to describe the incident as “a high probability of an accident� when no one was injured and no major damage was done on the aircraft, as industry observers noted that an example of an accident is if a passenger sustains an injury in an incident or when there is major damage to the aircraft. According to industry experts who spoke to THISDAY, nobody sustained any injury in the incident and the aircraft did not suffer any major damage, so it was wrong for AIB to suggest that it was an accident. Reacting to the allegation, Air Peace management disagreed with the contents of the statement released by the AIB, suggesting that the airline had consistently failed to file Mandatory Occurrence Report (MOR), on incidents involving its aircraft. In a statement signed by the airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Toyin Olajide, Air Peace expressed the doubt whether the statement issued by AIB was done in good faith because it was a misrepresentation of facts concerning the incident in question. “In the night of May 15, 2019, an Air Peace Boeing 737-300 with registration number 5N - BUK made a hard landing

in Lagos on account of sudden change in weather at the point of touch down. “But AIB grossly misrepresented the facts when it alluded that the airline only reported the incident, after the Bureau’s team visited its corporate headquarters in Lagos on June 6, 2019, which was about three weeks after the incident occurred. “Contrary to the press statement issued by the AIB, Air Peace duly notified the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) of the incident on May 16, 2019, before it followed up with a written communication and subsequently filed an MOR on May 17, 2019, with reference number APL/ QM/279/19. “The said MOR filed by the airline was received and signed for by the NCAA on the same date. The airline complied with the statutory time-lime for the filing of MOR,� the management said. The airline said it was still in shock over the deliberate misrepresentation of facts by the AIB, and questioned the motive behind the press statement. Air Peace wondered if AIB’s statement was, “intended to scare the flying public against an airline that has consistently demonstrated zero tolerance for unsafe practices.� The airline also expressed surprise at AIB’s “dredging� up of the incident, which occurred on December 14, 2018, en route Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, when oxygen masks were automatically deployed as a result of change in cabin pressure, noting that matters related to masks dropping during flight is not peculiar to Air Peace, but common to airlines the world over. “Air Peace questions if it is not an aberration for an Accident Investigation Bureau to do acts capable of not only misleading the flying public, but also deliberately creating unnecessary fear in their minds�, adding that it was smokescreen for AIB to say that some other airlines do not report their incidents without naming those airlines. Reacting to the controversy, a senior official in NCAA said ideally the airline should have reported the matter to AIB but noted that if the regulatory authority and the Bureau are working harmoniously together, such infractions would not exist because the agencies would share such information that are appropriate to them immediately the report comes. “But instead of working harmoniously with NCAA, there is always a seeming animosity between the two agencies and there are occasions AIB had indicted NCAA for not implementing its recommendation, even when the regulatory authority insisted that one of the recommendations made by the Bureau was not implementable. Perhaps, AIB was miffed that Air Peace reported the incident first to NCAA,� the official said.

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Advancing Technology in Aircraft Manufacturing Despite the anxiety caused by the technological innovation that led to the accidents involving Boeing B737 MAX8, major aircraft manufacturing company, Airbus, said technology advancement in aircraft manufacturing is inevitable. But aircraft must be made safer, writes Chinedu Eze

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uring a recent interaction with the CEO of Airbus, Guillaume Faury, THISDAY sought to know if the company will slow down in developing new technology in aircraft manufacturing, considering that the introduction of Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) in Boeing’s B737 MAX 8 led to two tragic accidents that involved the death of 346 persons. But Faury pointed out that advancing technology in the building of aircraft by Airbus has become inevitable. But he pointed out that time is devoted to ensure that every advancement in technology is made safe. The CEO who was fielding questions from journalists who attended the Airbus Innovation Days 2019, in Toulouse, during a dinner on the first day of the event, said Airbus has developed fly by wire (FBW) technology, which is a system that replaces the conventional manual flight controls of an aircraft with an electronic interface. In other words, Airbus would continue to introduce technology in flying, which takes more responsibility from the pilot, considering the fact that about 75 per cent of air accidents is caused by human error. But as part of safety check, as technology is introduced, it would be accompanied by redundancies, which could serve as a safeguards against malfunction of the system. This is because technology also has its weakness. One major example is the Boeing B737 MAX tragic accidents and there have been major incidents when pilots lost control of computers, which became masters of themselves, giving conflicting signals and actions against the wishes of the pilots in control. It has been noted by aircraft engineers that even in fly by wire technology, the failure of electrical systems such as short circuits, system overload could lead to system shutdown. Airbus Innovation Technology and Safety In a co-presentation done by Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, Christian Scherer, Executive Vice-President, Programmes and Services, Philippe Mhun and Head of Service, Airbus, Remi Maillard, the company said it is developing technology that would make it easier to manufacturer aircraft. “We need to have aircraft, which are easier to manufacture. There is a growth of the global market, on the other hand the environment and pressure is pushing us down. There is really the constraint we have to face for this new aircraft and the new aircraft is for tomorrow. “But the question is what is this new aircraft? Clearly, the global trend behind that is that whatever we do, we must have an aircraft, which is easier to manufacture. That is the next aircraft number one. “The second point is that whichever technology we develop, has value when it allows us develop an aircraft, which is sustainable in all its dimensions, from the design of materials, carbon emissions on the environment at large; and, it has to be more automated,� said Scherer. The company said the new aircraft would have to be more automated and more connected. “It has to be safe. When it is safe, thereafter it has to be safer. I think that is a fundamental point that is the value number one; that is the marker of all growth-safety. This industry has grown over the years and decades by making air transport safer. “And that is the journey we have to continue on, whichever instruction, whichever new technology we make, safety is our key priority. All of us; and that is not only an Airbus story, it is a global question,� he said. Aircraft Manufacturing Scherer, noted that the challenge in aircraft manufacturing still exists but today’s aircraft manufacture involves aerodynamics to stress deterioration, which means that initially the engineers compute the aerodynamic performance of an aircraft that creates loads for the overall aircraft. This makes development faster; enhanced by quantum computing, which would make the manufacturing easier.

Maillard, explained that Airbus is working on new materials for the manufacturing aircraft, noting that the company is developing materials from Algae fibres with the ambition to turn this into structural materials with the ultimate goal one day to replace possibly carbon fibres. “This is one example, something even a bit more visionary than synthetic fibre silk,� she said. Such materials, she explained, enables significant weight savings and as such reduction of fuel consumption and emissions as a consequence. “So we at Airbus are very active on a broad area of development and research project. This is incredible fibres developed in a laboratory with a stronger steel, with the toughness beyond the ones that exist, with incredible flexibility properties, giving us the opportunity to genetically tailor their properties with no whatsoever oil needed during the manufacturing process. So it’s a very, very interesting development potential,� she said. Energy and Fuel Saving Airbus said it was also working on how to reduce the energy need to power modern aircraft and has continued to work on further reducing fuel consumption. This is aimed at making aircraft lighter and also more functional. In an aircraft, you need power, which is what is required to fly the aircraft. There is power available, provided by the engine. Definitely we can work and make even bigger engines but at the end of the day, we make heavier aircraft to carry bigger engines, and that is a kind of a vicious circle. Or you turn the wheel the other way round, which is decrease the required power on-board. There are viable solutions for that. “If we want to target a significant fuel savings and emission reduction, we are going to be going for more breakthrough type of technologies. So, with the long-term ambition to go for zero emission aviation, on the way to achieving that ambitious target, certainly electrical and hybrid proportion will play a major role,� Maillard explained. In addition, Airbus said that it is taking a major leap in technology innovation, which is going to advance the aircraft manufacturing industry. Such development would mark a natural transition in the progress of aircraft manufacturing. This, the company said, was one of the significant changes it intends to bring to the aerospace in terms of operating system, which is to change the type of energy and fuel used in aircraft. “This is not the type of change that the big aerospace industry, like Airbus will run alone. It

will have to be combined in collaboration with major airlines, with airports or sometimes with energy companies like oil and gas companies. “But before we get there, as we say in our language, we must have an aircraft. So the point is about getting these technologies and aircraft. And we must find solutions, which as I have said before, on-board the new technologies but also potentially optimise the way we fly,â€? Maillard said. Air TrafďŹ c Management Furthermore, Airbus noted that air traffic management has become a challenge in airspace with heavy traffic like in Europe, which causes delays both in the air and on the ground. This leads to more fuel consumption and flight delays. So the company said it is looking at developing a system that could ease the flow in air traffic management. “The aircraft is not the only part of the issue; we have traffic congestion being an issue of an airline traffic management. That is about the air traffic management systems, it is about the link of the aircraft to the air traffic management. “You could say, so what, that is a matter between an aircraft and the ground. In terms of sustainability I think we have one of the most fundamental issues here. We all know the number of delayed flights we have over Europe. “Next is the time spent or wasted by aircraft circling over Europe while waiting for the coast to be cleared because their plan was not anticipated enough, so they flew in and then they orbit around the airports of Europe. “There is a technical figure that floats on the amount of fuel wasted because the aircraft are wasting time airborne. So, before we talk about any technology improvement of the aircraft, what if we just improve the way the traffic flow is managed. “And that is a joint effort that we have together with the air navigation service providers, together with the industry of air traffic management and aircraft manufacturers,â€? Maillard said. Airbus A350 One of the aircraft that has benefitted from Airbus’ new technology is Airbus A350. The A350 is the first Airbus aircraft with both fuselage and wing structures made primarily of carbon fibre reinforced polymer. According to the company, 70 per cent of the frame of the aircraft was made out of combustive materials and most of that being carbon fibre. “So you have a lighter airplane, you have a very fuel efficiency and you have lower operation

cost. And you have an environmental friendly aircraft but remember it is also assembled in a very eco-friendly environment. “The versions 900 of the aircraft has 325 passengers on a standard layout, the stretch version, the 1000 version with a 366 passengers on a standard layout and also the URL version which is physically exactly the same as the 900 version with some slight difference. So all these models all of them are assemble here in that building (in Toulouse),� the company said. Right now Airbus has close to 265 of them out of the 893 firm orders that have been made by airlines. The A220 Airbus also introduced its new single aircraft, Airbus A220 and announced that the newest addition to its single-aisle portfolio, would now be offering increased range starting from H2 2020. The company explained that the A220 aircraft maximum takeoff weight (MTOW*) is now confirmed to increase by 2,268 kg (2.3 metric tonnes). The new MTOW will increase the respective maximum range capabilities to 3,350 nm for the A220-300 and 3,400 nm for the A220-100, some 450 nm more than currently advertised. “In true Airbus tradition we improve our products constantly. This new MTOW will allow operators to reach markets, which today cannot be served by other small single-aisle aircraft types. “Since its entry-into-service close to three years ago, the A220 aircraft has already proven that it is meeting or beating its initial performance targets, bringing more flexibility and revenue potential to customers,� said Rob Dewar, Head of Engineering & Customer Support for the A220. “Today, Airbus is reinforcing its confidence in the A220 platform and further enhancing its capabilities to meet upcoming market requirements,� said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer, Airbus. This performance increase, he said, is achieved by taking credit of existing structural and systems margins as well as existing fuel volume capacity, adding that this would allow airlines to tap into new routes that were not possible before, connecting key cities in Western Europe with the Middle East or from Southeast Asia to Australia. The A220 has been purpose built for efficiency. It brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latestgeneration PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20 per cent lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft,� Scherer said.

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NPA’s Improved Revenue Generation Eromosele Abiodun examines the improved revenue generation and inflows into national treasury recorded by the Nigerian Ports Authority despite government policies discouraging importation

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n her maiden press briefing as the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), in July 2016, Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, had promised that the new management would strive for enhanced operational efficiency for improved revenue generation and inflows into national treasury. The ports, she stated, are the critical arteries of the economy and it is their duty to ensure that the operators deliver ports services in line with the standards deserved in the 21st century. She said that the new management would support President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda of economic diversity. “We will listen to our customers, importers and exporters and other agencies working in the ports to improve on our service delivery to the nation. Anything less than the world class services are simply not acceptable. “Attaining such height is the mission to which we can all subscribe to. As a team leader, I have come to add my best efforts to yours so that we can collectively achieve result for our industry.� She added that the new management would prioritise investments in primary equipment and infrastructure and services with commitment to fulfilling NPA’s concession agreement to hasten clearance of imports and exports from the ports. She noted that collectively, the hard work of staff members could position NPA as a modern agency, “to function as regulator, all of us at NPA must be committed to the highest standards of performance. Let us uphold the most diligent work ethics in our individual beats as well as collective undertaking to achieve result. “Everyone at the NPA has a role in promoting best practices in upholding good governance, standards and delivering quality services. We would jointly work hard with integrity and zero-tolerance for corruption. As the new management settles, we would be listening to your concerns and suggestions as we navigate the best options for effectively discharging the NPA’s mandate.� Few days after she made the promise, she announced the immediate implementation of Revenue and Invoice Management System (RIMS), an effort meant to improve both revenue generation and ports operations using real time modern methods and techniques. Speaking, at the Go-live and launching of the RIMS, Bala-Usman said that the platform was a fully convergence system which helps to integrate business in the ports industry through the use of internet based devices. As part of the effort to improve revenue generation, the NPA also collaborated with the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS). Both agencies reiterated their resolve to work together to enhance revenue generation strategies of the federal government at the nation’s seaports by creating conducive working environment that will be of mutual benefit to both agencies. Improved Revenue The above efforts manifested in the agency’s 2017 results as it declared a total revenue of N299.56 billion for the 2017 fiscal year. The 2017 revenue, which exceeded the previous year’s N162.20 billion by 84.65 per cent, is the highest generated by the agency in five years. The NPA had in a statement stated that the 2017 figure was made up of revenues from traffic, harbours, administrative and other sources in the sums of N136.04 billion, N66.80 billion, N86.06 billion and N10.75 billion, respectively. Earlier, Bala-Usman had expressed concern about the condition of the port access roads and its impact on revenue generation for government, adding that

remitted in 2017.

Bala-Usman

more revenue would have been generated if the roads were not so bad. Earlier this week, the NPA announced a revenue of N67.19 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2019, representing 24.8 per cent of the N270.56 billion earned in 12 months ending December 31, 2018. The agency’s financial profile (unaudited) showing revenue and remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) obtained by THISDAY revealed that the NPA raked in the amount via operating revenue while other revenue and investment income, which forms a bulk of its revenue are yet to be available for the period under review. Also, analysis of the agency’s six years’ revenue and remittances to CRF between

Everyone at the NPA has a role in promoting best practices in upholding good governance, standards and delivering quality services. We would jointly work hard with integrity and zero-tolerance for corruption. As the new management settles, we would be listening to your concerns and suggestions as we navigate the best options for effectively discharging the NPA’s mandate

2013 and 2018 showed quantum leap in revenue and remittances despite the downturn in ship and cargo traffic as a result of certain federal government policies that are discouraging importation. The financial results showed that the NPA recorded consistent growth in revenue and remittances in the last three years compared to what was obtainable in the past. A breakdown of the six years’ revenue and remittances showed that the NPA recorded a revenue of N157.31 billion in 2013. Of the 2013 revenue, it made N137.9 billion through operating revenue and N15.08 billion, N1.24 billion from other revenue and investment income respectively. However, it remitted N13.17 billion. In 2014, the agency recorded a total revenue of N172.8 billion, N149.7 from operating revenue and N22.4 billion and N636.5 million from other revenue and investment income respectively. However, its remittance for the year, improved by a little over N4 billion to N18.56 billion. In the year 2015 the agency’s revenue improved by N4.4 billion as it recorded revenue of N177.2 billion compared to N172.8 billion the previous year. However, its remittance for 2015 declined by N130 million as it remitted N18.43 billion as against N18.56 billion in 2014. In 2016, the NPA’s revenue jumped by N5.1 billion as it recorded a revenue of N182.42 billion compared with N177.26 billion in 2015. The agency’s remittance for the year 2016 also jumped by N5.4 billion as it remitted a total of N23.87 billion as against N18.43 billion the previous year. In 2017, the authority’s revenue went up by a massive N83.2 billion as it raked in N265.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017 as against N182.4 billion in 2016. The NPA recorded the highest remittance in its history in 2017, remitting N30.31 billion. This showed a N6.44 billion increase over the N23.87 it remitted in 2016. The revenue growth trajectory continued in 2018 with historic revenue of N270.56 billion almost twice it 2013 revenue and N4.9 billion increase over its 2017 revenue. However, its remittance to the CRF declined by N5.6 billion as it remitted a total of N24.65 billion compared with N30.3 billion

Looking Ahead Meanwhile, THISDAY findings revealed that the NPA may not be able to continue to generate increased revenue in the years ahead owing to government policies that are discouraging importation. Also, the federal government automotive policy that saw a massive increase in used car tariff in the last two years has impacted negatively on importation. During the 2019 budget defence before the House of Representatives Committee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways recently, Bala-Usman admitted that government policies are affecting the revenue of the authority. She said: “We have noted a reduction in traffic coming into our ports. We attribute this to the fact that Nigeria has been advocating for self-sustenance in terms of manufacturing and consuming what it produces. “And so, this attendant reduction in cargo, in our understanding, is attributable to that because some of the items that constitute this drop include for example, the automobile policy, which had increased the cost of importation of automobiles from 30 to 70 per cent in order to stimulate manufacturing in Nigeria. So, there is steep decline in the importation of vehicles.� “We also have an additional list of items that have been banned from importation. This is to try to stimulate production of certain items in the country and also ensuring that most agric produce are produced and consumed in Nigeria. “So you can see the number of ocean going vessels reducing. The agencies that work around revenue generation for importation of cargo will be seen not to have performed,� she said. Bala-Usman, added that the nation’s seaports are losing ship and cargo traffic because of certain government policies that are discouraging importation. “And so, this attendant reduction in cargo, in our understanding, is attributable to that because some of the items that constitute this drop include for example, the automobile policy, which had increased the cost of importation of automobiles from 30 to 70 percent in order to stimulate manufacturing in Nigeria. So, there is steep decline in the importation of vehicles. “We also have an additional list of items that have been banned from importation. This is to try to stimulate production of certain items in the country and also ensuring that most agric produce are produced and consumed in Nigeria,� she said. Bala-Usman, disclosed that the projected internally generated revenue of NPA for 2019 was N276.75 billion while net revenue from oil source is N255.69 billion. The organisation’s total expenditure for the year, she further disclosed, is estimated at N229.91billion. This is made up of N110.71 billion for operating expenses; N52.13 billion for overhead costs; N58.8 billion for pension cost and N119.21 billion for capital expenditure. She said NPA plans to remit N20.62 billion into the Consolidated Revenue Fund from its projected 2019 operating surplus of N25.77 billion. Chairman of the House Committee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways, Pat Asadu, however, said poor cargo clearing processes at the port may have contributed to the drop in cargo volumes. He said: “I don’t want us to just dismiss this. You may want to look to see what other things are going on. I think maybe we should look at things like efficiency of cargo clearance. We know what is going on with the congestions at the ports. I have no doubt in my mind that there are a lot of other factors.�

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BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Rewarding Customer Loyalty Ugo Aliogo writes on First Bank of Nigeria Limited’s reward scheme which is also aimed at promoting financial inclusion

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riving financial literacy is one of the core mandates of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with support of commercial banks. Under the CBN’s revised National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS), the strategy is designed to ensure that 80 percent of adults have access to financial services by 2020. The CBN stated that the major goal of the revised strategy is to reduce the proportion of adult Nigerians that are financially excluded to 20 percent in year 2020 from its baseline figure of 46.3 percent in 2010. As part of its desire to drive financial inclusion, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has taken the campaign beyond the regular adult customers to the youth segment between 18-29 years, especially in tertiary institutions and informal sector. The bank launched its financial literacy campaign with a promotional activity known as XploreFirst promo. But for an individual to participate in the reward scheme, such a person must have the Xplore first savings account. The account is a FirstBank savings account variant designed specifically for students between the age ranges of 18–29 years. A minimum amount of N0.00 is required to open the account and the account holders are to maintain a minimum balance of N100 to run the account. Customers are offered scholarship of N150, 000 as incentive to maintain a certain amount of deposit, in this case, N10, 000 in their account over a 30-day period to qualify for the monthly draws and giveaways. Customers who successfully maintain the set balances over six months period were eligible to win the jackpot of N150, 000. As seen in most cases, the target audience usually prefers accounts with the zero account balance over those that require minimum deposits. The purpose of this promo is to improve the savings culture among the youths, whilst preparing them for the future. For customers who participated in the promo, XploreFirst customers are encouraged to save or maintain a minimum amount of N10, 000 in their accounts during the promo period to be eligible for the scholarship raffle draw. Incremental deposits of N10, 000 in the account entitles the account holder to multiple tickets for the raffle draw. A total of 198 winners emerged from the promo with 18 account holders (three from each of the six geopolitical zones) being rewarded with scholarships of N150, 000 in a grand finale raffle draw and N5,000 airtime as consolation prizes to 180 account holders (5 from each of the six geopolitical zones). The promo which kicked off on October 1, 2018 ran for six months to March 30, 2019, after which there was a grand finale draw. In the promo, the bank splashed scholarships worth N2.7 million to 18 winners in the XploreFirst promo initiative as part of efforts to boost savings culture and promote financial inclusion among students. The winners were drawn from the six geopolitical zones. The winners emerged through an electronic draw conducted by Tequila on behalf of the bank and supervised by KPMG, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Lagos State Lottery Board and Consumer Protection Commission (CPC). Speaking at the grand finale draw in Lagos recently, FirstBank Group Executive, e-Business and Retail Products, Mr. Chuma Ezirim, said XploreFirst is a savings account variant designed specifically for students between the age ranges of 18 to 29 years. Ezirim said a minimum amount of

0.00 naira was required to open the account and account holders were to maintain a minimum balance of N100 to run the account. He said that the XploreFirst promo was one of the special benefits of the account. According to him, the 18 winners that emerged at the final draw would be offered scholarships of N150, 000 each. Ezirim said that the initiative was targeted at youths, especially those in tertiary institutions and informal sector to enhance savings culture and drive financial inclusion across the country. “Customers are offered yearly scholarships of N150, 000 as incentives to maintain a certain amount of deposit; in this case, N10, 000 in their account over a 30-day period to qualify for the monthly draws and giveaways. “Customers who successfully maintained the set balance over the six months period are eligible to win the jackpot of N150, 000, the grand finale prize,� he said. Ezirim noted that the initiative would

As seen in most cases, the target audience usually prefers accounts with the zero account balance over those that require minimum deposits. The purpose of this promo is to improve the savings culture among the youths, whilst preparing them for the future

be sustained by the bank in the future as a way of promoting the CBN financial inclusion mandate. Also speaking, the FirstBank Head, Youth/Women Banking, Mr. Olufemi Odumuboni, said the promo dynamics was centered at making people to engage in financial discipline. Odumuboni said that winners were selected based on certain principles that made them eligible to qualify for the draw. He explained that apart from the N2.7 million set aside for the yearly scholarships that the bank had splashed about N900, 000 to customers that emerged winners at the various monthly draws for data purchase on their mobile phones. “Winners from the monthly draw selected from the bank’s six geopolitical zones, are entitled to N5, 000 each for data purchase on their mobile phones,� Odumuboni stated. The Chief Planning Research and Statistics Officer, Consumer Protection Council, Ms Susie Onwuka, commended the bank for ensuring transparency throughout the promotion process. Onwuka said the bank had implored modern technology in the promo process to eliminate bias, noting that the agency was happy with the process and the bank. “Promotions should be registered to show transparency and ensure fairness to the consumers,� she stated. Onwuka added that the regulatory body would follow up with the winners to ensure they were rewarded accordingly. THISDAY gathered that some of the scholarship winners were Mr. Offiong Micheal, Mr. Ezugba Chukwuebuka, Mr. Olorunfemi Oluwatunmise, Mr. Adekale Adenike and Ms Agbakwuru Dorcas, and others. In his remarks, the Head, Retail Business and Community Banking, FirstBank, Abiodun Famuyiwa, noted that as a bank they believe in investing in the youth segment of the market, adding that youths are the hope of the country, therefore the bank has devised a platform where they would be able to interact with them. He also noted that the focus of the bank in organising the promo is to have more of the youths in the bank’s database, stating that traditionally, people see the first bank as the bank for the old people. He noted in line with the bank’s desire to get the youths onboard

for the promo, it embarked on mass sensitisation through the social media channels, and campus tour. Famiyu, added that the Chairman and some executives of the bank were also involved in the camp sensitisation tour, “we were at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife in last year, and some other campuses to let students know that from a young age they can be taught financial education and be prepared for the future.� According to Famuyiwa, “The focus of the bank actually goes beyond promo. We are actually using it as one of those areas that we want to support the youths, but importantly the bank is after what we can actually do to impact the youth population. We have series of programmes to be able to build them up and prepare them for the future. We do this programme regularly and we have just finished a set. Hopefully, we will have another one. Before we do another promo, we will do another sensitisation. We also want to bring the youths onboard and interact with them. “As a bank they believe in investing in the youth segment of the market because we believe that they are the hope of the nation. The bank has devised a platform where they would be able to interact with the youths and the focus of the bank in organising this programme is to be able to have more of them in our books. “Traditionally, people see FirstBank as old bank for the old people. When we look at our database, we realised that we have much of the youth population than the other banks. We are not there yet; we still want to have more of them. We want to have many of these youths opening accounts with us, and be able to fill the bank because FirstBank is a youth friendly bank, because we have so many products focused on the youths. We have a drive towards digitalisation presently in the bank. The promo ran for six months October 2018 to March 2019. “We have been doing this promo for years. In December, we followed at the qualifying candidates. Then we picked one of them just like it is done in a draw. A draw was conducted in the six geo-political zones, and winners emerged. The The same was done for January, February, and March. On the six month, which is May, we had the grand finale.

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

Idris Aregbe Celebrating Values, Promoting Culture

NEWS METRO THISLIFE ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 0701051030

F R I DAY ˾ JUNE 14, 2019

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COVER

IDRIS AREGBE

Celebrating Values, Promoting Culture For 11 years, Nigeria’s premiere beauty pageant, Sisi Oge, has empowered over 50, 000 models and 11 queens. The concept which recently rebranded as Culturati, is believed to be Africa’s largest cultural fiesta. As the brand holds its 12th edition on June 30, the brain behind the initiative, Idris Aregbe, in this interview with Mary Nnah, reveals that the idea of rebranding was inspired by his love and passion for celebrating values that promote the African culture. Excerpts:

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hat informed your decision to rebrand from Sisi Oge to Culturati? Culturati is a cultural festival inspired to showcase African culture. As a matter of fact, it is a concept designed to showcase the good side of Africa to the world. We have quite a number of people who are doing great things African in Africa and all over the world - people who are growing the African continent. That was why I decided that we needed to take this brand further by rebranding from our usual Sisi Oge, which has been an annual cultural event to a more encompassing brand,

Culturati, after celebrating the 11th edition, which was a resounding success. Now in its 12th year, the brand has passionately rewarded the contributions of creative minds, nurtured cultural ambassadors, and empowered burgeoning art and fashion enthusiasts, while propagating the beauty of the African culture within and beyond the proximity of Africa. Culturati is an edutainment cultural festival channelled towards a thorough acknowledgement and enlightenment of Africa’s rich history and values; It is a sustainable fusion and celebration of Africa’s arts and culture with a mission to revive indigenous g culture on the brink of extinction on account of reckless abandon, as well as the rapid p influx of westernisation. Now, this cultural amalgam g is intended to celebrate Africa’s exotic culture with a variety of entertaining g engagements gg from, arts and fashion exhibition, music/dance drama, cultural festival/pageantry pg and a host of other electrifying performances. Culturati, formerly y known as “My y Heritage, My y Pride & Sisi Oge,” g is not jjust an annual festivity, y it’s a cultural movement aimed at promoting p g the African heritage g with a strong g commitment to instil our fading g cultures in the hearts of today’s y y youths. It is designed g to sustain our culture and of course, we are also incorporating p g SMEs and expanding our scope. So, the notion behind Culturati 2019 is to

explore nature’s creative beauty, create a renaissance of our cultural heritage, raise cultural ambassadors, and grow SMEs in the creative industry. To this end, we are building up programmes that are ongoing, to create the right momentum for the major event. The objective is to see how we can empower Nigerians. We are looking at culture from the prism of business and trying to tell the world that Culturati is not just about beauty pageants, nor events but promoting our culture with a perspective to also explore the business angle of culture. The brand Sisi Oge was rebranded to Culturati in order to create an urban appeal that will distinctively capture the vast beauties of the African culture in its entirety. The objectives of Culturati include, amongst others, to rebrand and re-introduce African cultures and traditions such as art, dance, fashion, music, food amongst others to the international community. It also aims to attract international tourists to Africa as well as to resuscitate our fading cultures through enlightenment, education and association. It will also create a favourable market to showcase our amazing heritage while stimulating discourses around shared valued themes that participating bodies and individuals can buy into to foster socio-economic development - beneficial to all and sundry. It will alsoreward creative excellence and provide soft footing to tenderfoots in the creative industry, which is why Culturati Fashion Hub was orchestrated. What are the business angles of culture you feel people should explore? We are fully ready to launch the Culturati online business hub, which would profile business owners in terms of fashion, arts, crafts, entertainment, and everything that has to do with African value and heritage where anyone who is interested in any aspect of these businesses can hook up with individual owner of these businesses. We are also talking to banks to see how they can give some kind of zero interest loans to support these ones. That is why the exhibition we are holding this year is also to identify those key brands in the market, which we believe can sell and which we can also give support. What exactly differentiates the forthcoming edition from the previous ones? Like I said, with Culturati the concept is bigger and we have more to offer. We are offering additional content and a wider scope and reach. We are going beyond the mere fashion show and pageant to look at the business angle of culture. We are looking at promoting unsung heroes who are actually growing the economy of the country. For example there is a a business dealing in smoked beef (suya) at Allen Junction, Ikeja, called University of Suya, which has been running for about 37 years. We have like three generations that have been doing the business. They have been growing the business and empowering young people from one generation to another. This is what Culturati stands for. We want to identify some of these key businesses and see how we can engage and empower them and also help them redefine what they are doing and then put them on the world map. We want to encourage them and let them know that there is a brand observing them and that they just need to continue to move forward and see how they can continue to give out their best to the society. Whether we like it or not, if grow our local business, we are equally growing our society. So, we are looking at turning passion into wealth and to also continue to see how we can empower young people do SMEs. So it is not just about another pageantry event but is about celebrating African values. You mentioned that there is a line-up of activities for the coming event. Can you talk about them? Well, as a build up to the Culturati Night Grand Finale, which comes up on June 30 at the Balmoral Conventional Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos by 5pm. We have a line of activities which include interactive symposium held on June 11; Culturati Celebrity Football Match for June 20 by 7pm at Fun Turf, Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; Hair Braiding Festival on June 23 by 12noon at Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, and an Art and Fashion Exhibition on June 30 by 10am at the Balmoral

Conventional Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. The event is primarily aimed at acknowledging and appreciating our treasured cultural heritage and traditions. The night will feature thrilling experiences from arts and fashion exhibition, musical performances, dance drama, cultural festival and pageantry, special recognition and awards amongst other. The hair braiding festival/competition aims at celebrating the best hands in the industry, that is local stylists who are capable of making unique hairstyles, see how we can empower them set up businesses for men and also connect them to one of our sponsors, Lush Hair, a brand of synthetic hair extensions, so that we can easily achieve our aim. We also have the food aspect, which we are trying to come up with different recipes that have to do with the African vibes and for the African people. In terms of fashion show, we have seen different sorts but now we are looking at things that are targeted towards promoting the African values and cultures. This concept has been running for over 10 years and it’s growing day by day. How would you describe its impact on Nigerians? It’s been great, with the pageants alone, we have trained over 50,000 models and we have had 11 queens over the years. When you look around today, you would see some of our models featuring in most of the big shows in the fashion and entertainment industries. I’m glad that in the last 11 years, we have been empowering young people, directing them in the right path and providing them with amenities to excel. So, for us, we are not just a pageant promoter, it is about trying to redefine the African youths and the African woman in particular. So we thank God for where we are today and I also thank God that we are fully rebranded and that we are fully ready for a proper businesses platform to see how we can take small business owners from the level they are at the moment to a better level. That is why for this year’s edition of the show, we are partnering with a lot of big brands that also would be giving values to our youths. So, 11 years is not a joke. It has not been easy but we thank God for where we are today. We are here today because we understand what we are doing. Today, we are not just celebrating the 12th edition but we are rebranding into a bigger and better platform to accommodate many more youths, more local business owners and to encourage more local Culturati heroes – those who believe in Africa and in African businesses. So, Culturai is not just an event but a platform for many to excel. Now, you are going beyond the usual beauty pageant, extending your scope to incorporating budding SMEs and others. Won’t this make you deviate from the original concept of Sisi Oge? Well, I have always said that I am not a pageant promoter. I wasn’t doing that because I wanted to parade models. I was doing it because I understood that with this concept, we can grow a better content. And that is what we have witnessed today with the birth of Culturati. Sisi Oge has always been content and it is that content that has grown to be what we are today – a better content, better platform. Looking back at 12 years ago when you started Sisi Oge, did you envisage what it has turned out today? Maybe I didn’t see it this way but I knew it was going to be different from what was on ground then because I understood what my content and concept were all about. I was ready for it. And I thank God that today; it is even bigger than what I envisaged. Starting about 12 years ago was tough but because it was what I really believed in, I had to push hard on it. I didn’t allow any obstacle to hold me back. I was willing and ready to contribute my own quota to the society; I was willing and ready to support people because I am also a product of people’s support. What is your vision for Culturati? It is for us to continue to grow and create more platforms for the younger generation, so that in the next five years, we would have so many beautiful things to show. I am using this opportunity to call on Nigerian youths, to come up with beautiful ideas that would better our society.

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NEWS

CCD Commends NASS for Gazetting the Disability Act Expresses commitment to strengthening capacity of PWDs

ORS hairstylists at Sango Ota

ORS Activation Campaign Train Berths in Sango-Ota ..Launches three new products range Stories by Mary Nnah

There was excitement among t he tens of thousands of hairstylists in Ogun State Chapter of the National Association of Hairdressers & Cosmetologists (NASHCO) as ORS, Olive Oil hair brand campaign activation themed “Get Noticed, Get Confident” berthed in Sango-Ota, a commercial suburb of the state. The brand activation, which coincided with NASHCO election and inauguration of the new executive witnessed huge number in attendance that also have the opportunity to sample the ORS range of products. Speaking on the project, the Marketing Manager for ORS West Africa Adejoke Akindolie said that besides the project being the brand’s corporate social responsibility (CSR), the campaign themed “Get noticed, Get confident” is based on the importance women attach to their hair and overall appearance. “Our aim is to educate women to celebrate individual beauty, through their hair. When a woman owns her individual beauty, she becomes

confident and this is reflected in her daily achievement. This is also our corporate social responsibility to the society by training these hairstylists across the nation, “Akindolie said. She said presently, the brand is undergoing a tour across the country to ensure that hairstylists are trained on product knowledge. “We are doing a tour across the country to pass on product knowledge to hairstylists across the nation, so that they have a better understanding of the ORS brand, how to use the product to get effective result in their respective salons,” she said. On the importance of Ogun State to the brand, the marketing manager, ORS West Africa said, “In fact, every state in Nigeria is important to us. But Ogun State is pivotal to the success of the ORS brand because due to the proximity to Lagos, whatever education or styling events that we organse, filters down, to Ogun state before we go to other states in the nation.” While describing the product acceptability, quality and usage among the hairstylists and con-

sumers, Adejoke Akindolie said “ORS has been in the country for over a decade and one thing that consumers can attest to, is the products quality. We do not joke with quality,” adding that “we ensure that each product batch goes through a rigorous evaluation before we release to the market, we go to salons to test it with the end users, because without their approval we can’t release these products into the market”, she said. According to her, “Once they have given us the assurance that the product has passed the mark then we release each product batch into the market, currently we have done about 1000 salons’ evaluation across Nigeria and this, we will continue to do to maintain quality and efficacy of the product.” On acceptability she said, “Consumers love the brand, they always affirmed that the ORS brand is gentle on the scalp. We are not just a relaxer company; we have products that are made for both women who have natural hair and women who also have relaxed hair. So, we are pleasing everybody and today, we are

training 1,000 stylists in Ogun State NASHCO chapter.” Speaking further on the activation tour, Rosemary Ogundele, Senior Educator for ORS said, “We activated Ogbomosho on Monday and we are in Sango-Ota today. From Sango-Ota, we will proceed to other locations within the South west and Eastern parts of the country.” The brand also used the medium to launch three new products into the market- ORS Black Castor Oil Range, Vatika Afro Naturall, Long and Lasting. According to Ogundele, each of these product range, attend to the needs of women with ‘Protective Hairstyles and Natural Hair’. “For consumers with Natural hair, Vatika Afro Naturals is perfect while ORS Black Castor Oil Range is suitable for consumers, desiring to provide moisture, prevent breakage while they have braids, weaves or wigs installed. And for Long and Lasting product, it is meant for consumers who desire product efficacy without necessarily breaking the bank to achieve it,” she said.

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has lauded the leadership of the National Assembly for Gazetting the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act. In a statement signed by CCD Executive Director, David O. Anyaele, he noted that with this gazetting, the Disability Act regime has been announced by the government as part of laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and could be sited at the court of law now. While acknowledging the fact that the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act was signed on January 23, 2019 by President Mohammadu Buhari after a protracted campaign by organisations of persons with disabilities in Nigeria, Anyaele also appreciated the fact that the passage of the Disability Bill into an Act is in fulfilment of Nigeria’s obligation to the international community and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He however called on the Federal Government to take urgent actions to ensure implementation of the National Disability Act so as to ensure that the purpose of the Act is met. He stated further that the Act will ensure full integration of persons with disabilities into the society and also establish the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities as well as vests the commission with the responsibilities for their education, health care, social, economic and civil rights is achieved, is implemented fully. “The first step expected from the government is the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities as provided in part 7, section 31 of the National Disability Act”, Anyaele noted. He called on the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to take urgent action to ensure the full implementation of part 1, section 2 of the Act which provides that the ministry shall make provisions for promotion of awareness regarding- the rights, respect and dignity of persons with disabilities; capabilities, achievements and contributions of persons with disabilities to the society. Meanwhile CCD has joined PWDs in Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole to applaud Governor Yahaya Bello and members of the sixth State House of Assembly for the passage of the Disability Bill into law in the state. “We commend your efforts and commitment in ensuring that no one is abused by reason of disability”, said the Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities. Speaking further, he said the signing of the Disability Bill into law by Kogi State Government has placed the state in the Royal Hall of Disability friendly states in Nigeria. Anyaele appealed further for total implementation of the #DisabilityActNGR in Kogi State to ensure the attainment of the objectives of the law, and improved PWDs participation in democratic governance in the State. CCD Executive Director, David Anyaele

Disruptive Innovation Crucial to the Future of PR Practice, Modupe Expounds The Chairman and Lead Consultant of TPT International, Mr. Adetokunbo Modupe has expounded that disruptive innovation remains the critical life support that will define the future of Public Relations (PR) practice in Nigeria. Modupe, one of the leading lights in Nigeria’s PR practice, and a keynote speaker at the 2019 edition of Brandcommfest held recently at Onikan-Lagos, explained that “the future will be service driven as no one will own anything.” In no distant future, Modupe who spoke on Digital Disruption and the Future of Public Relations Practice, noted material possession will have a little significance in today’s global market as realtime lending equips us with the many benefits of ownership. “Uber doesn't own any vehicle, Airbnb doesn't own any real estate. Facebook, as the

world’s most popular social platform, almost creates no content. Alibaba, as the world’s most valuable retailer, has no inventory,” he said. Quoting Clayton Christensen who described disruptive innovation as a technology or concept whose application significantly affects traditional market or industry functions, Modupe maintained that disruptive innovation is like a virus which does not happen suddenly, but surely will change the ways things are done. “An example is how the internet as a disruptive innovation has caused the remodelling of the book selling industry. All the big book selling chains market share have been swallowed by Amazon because without having to own brick and mortar stores, it can display its inventory,” he said. He also pointed out other dimensions of disruptive innova-

Adetokunbo Modupe

tion to include a process by which a product, service or culture takes root slowly and is sometimes ignored but relentlessly climbs up to displace tradition, citing the local example of Cowbell versus Peak Milk. According to him, the future of Public Relations practice will be anchored on three C’s of Culture,

Concept and Content. While emphasising that the world is now divided into two – The Physical and The Digital, Modupe explained that culture remains the willingness to unlearned traditional ways of doing things, learning to adjust to global culture, which is driven by technology cannot be over

emphasised. He added that Concept can be deliberate, accidental or a fall out of conversation mood. “With the cultural adjustment and alignment, comes the challenge of idea generation. What will differentiate successful practitioners will definitely be how big and compelling your ideas are. If your agency is known for great ideas you will remain relevant,” Modupe noted. While reminding the gathering that substantial part of PR business is storytelling – creating content, managing content and leveraging content, the TPT Lead strategist emphasised that the world has moved from traditional media to new media and now to every media. “Until recent times, content consumption was predictably from established media platforms. But not anymore as the number of smart phone users may equal the number of publish-

ers. What will determine who and how your content is received is the content itself,” he told the appreciative audience. His paper was thereafter dissected by a panel of discussants made up of seasoned practitioners such as Managing Consultant, Quadrant MSL, Uche Ajene; Group Head, Corporate Communication, Access Bank, Amaechi Okobi, and Managing Director, Precise Communication, Bolaji Okusaga. Others include Founder, BHM, Ayeni Adekunle; CEO, Red Media, Adebola Wiliams, and Group Head, Corporate Communications, BUA Group, O’tega Ogra. The panelists agreed with Modupe that strategic innovation holds the key to the future of PR and marketing communication industry in Nigeria and enjoined practitioners to brace up for the challenges of the ever changing world.

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E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ NOLLYWOOD

…Your weekly entertainment delight

Falz is Still the Bahd Guy

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Iyke Bede writes that despite the one year hiatus, the second edition of the Falz Experience pulled in some good figures

ith songs, exuberantly choreographed dance moves and a handful of featured acts, The Falz Experience returned last weekend to wow thousands of fans and music lovers for its second edition at the Eko Convention Centre, two years after the first. Following the success of the maiden edition in 2017, expectations for a sequel the following year were high. In fact, music lovers were certain it would take place; sadly, it never did due to personal reasons stated by the rapper. With the concert’s unexpected hiatus, critics almost tagged it a one-hit wonder. The concert’s saving grace from that infamous label was the announcement of The Falz Experience II last month, marking it as the official second concert in the series of what is now shaping up to become a franchise. But the big question remained “how was it going to be different this year?” Well, in comparison to the first, not much changed, but it sure came with a few tweaks. Just like in 2017, the second edition revisited a lot of aspects like venue, stage and concept. It isn’t thematically different in terms of its core message of activism and pop culture but for a few, newly introduced performance styles affected by new material from the musician's recent effort “Moral Instruction”. A better part of what was revisited remained the energy he brought on stage backed with the effortless choreography from dancers on song and interlude performances. A documentary having the rapper’s alter egos elaborately discussing the theme for each scene helped guide the audience through each performance. Somehow, it also managed to highlight trends in the industry and the country at large. In one of the scenes, Falz subliminally addressed the ‘40 seconds’ internet saga that transpired between Tonto Dike and her ex-husband Olakunle Churchill. Starting off on a warm note set by his speech, Falz launched into performing ‘Soft Work’ before progressing to ‘Jeje’. The evening’s warm ambience shifted to a sensual one when Falz performed a stripped down, R&B version of ‘Sweet Boy’. Unaware of stunts planned for the evening, the crowd were thrilled to a strip tease session that saw the singer almost replicating signature moves from the ‘Magic Mike’ films. This singular concept wowed the packed hall beyond expectation. A proof to this excitement laid in the encore performance that featured

FEMI ODUGBEMI BEMOANS THE DEARTH OF CHILDREN PROGRAMMING Stories by Vanessa Obioha Revered filmmaker and Academic Director (West Africa) of the MultiChoice Talent Factory, Femi Odugbemi has bemoaned the seemingly neglect of children programming in the country today. He expressed his concerns during his keynote address at the 2019 edition of the Lagos International Animation Festival held at Freedom Park recently. With the theme 'Creating the Future', Odugbemi stated that it was astonishing that in a country like Nigeria with such a high population, children’s programming has been so totally neglected by our entertainment industry. Children’s programming is huge across the world of

Sola Sobowale and Falz on stage

the delectable Sola Sobowale in her usual feisty mode. Whilst the crowd were thrown into frenzy in that brief moment of excitement, what came next was unexpected in the main performance of ‘Sweet Boy’. Timini Egbuson who appeared in the visuals for the song was called up on stage alongside Tobi Bakre and Mawuli Gavor to strut the runway in a fashion that revealed their alpha male status. With this exhibition came along the attention showered on them by daring, voluptuous ladies. Apparently, this didn’t sit well with some other celebrities who felt they had lost their magic at garnering attention from their female counterparts. Basketmouth, IK Osakioduwa and JJC Skillz with their wives seated right next to them apparently fell into this group. Despite their wives being present, they all rushed to the stage to upstage the youngsters who received all the love that evening, instantly incurring the wrath of their wives who snagged them from the clasped hands with the ladies onstage. The unrestrained nature of actor Funke Akindele had the entire audience in shock; her act came off as real. Also, the internet reacted positively to this, thus making the video go viral moments after. A couple of concepts introduced in this edition were brilliantly executed in a fashion that added flavour to the entire

mix, and also reflected the idea behind the songs performed. One of those moments was the choral themed performance of ‘Brother’s Keeper’ that also used ballet influences for effects. It projected the song’s essence in a manner that had the audience ruminating on the lyrics, although not for too long. Soon, the aura switched from a sombre one to an impassioned one where voices from the audience served as backup vocals to the lyrics of the activism tinged track ‘This Is Nigeria’. The vision behind the track was brought to life on stage as rendered in the actual video that sparked controversies nationwide. This helped those present at the venue to connect well to his career defining track. Other tracks that applied similar messaging were ‘Hypocrite’, ‘Follow Follow’, and ‘Talk’. On stage presence, the chemistry between Falz and his featured acts remained unmatched. It was a thorough re-enactment of what the actual visuals to the songs portrayed. From his collaboration with YCEE, and Ice Prince, both, where braggadocio reigned supreme, to his lovey-dovey moments with Simi, simply went to speak of his musical flexibility at working with just about anyone in the industry. Simi’s introduction onstage to feature soon turned into a solo performance where she basked in matching yellow jumpsuit and shades, single handedly swaying the

audience as she walked from one end of the stage to the other. Her performance was mellow, yet it was effective at capturing attention. Simi’s performance was a kickoff of solo female performances. Right after her vocal showcase, Seyi Shay emerged on stage to perform her recent offering ‘Koma Roll’ before going full salsa mode on ‘YOLO’. If Simi set the pace with Shay increasing the tempo, then, house music diva Niniola brought fire and ferocity to the stage during her medley performance of ‘Designer’, ‘Bana’ and ‘Maradona’. Her performance had a good fraction of the audience on their feet dancing for the first time during the show. In short, she made all the other performances look like the opening act. As far as number count goes, The Falz Experience II pulled in some good figures. This is especially impressive considering that the maiden edition gained traction off the festive period and more so at a time when Falz had more songs on the charts. Whether it lived off the success of the first or the demand that grew from its scarceness, what’s undeniable is the brand Falz has built; one which seemingly cannot be dulled by a lack of fresh concept, an hour and a half delay, or a lack of seamlessness in track transition that couldn’t match the swiftness of his wardrobe changes between sets.

content everywhere else apart from Africa." He warned that the arrival of Disney in the guise of Disney+ would eventually lead to the westerners taking bin charge of our stories. "It is an initiative that shows that they value the market potential, and if they, the reigning kings of the box office, consider the market viable enough to invest in, then we would be shortchanging ourselves not owning it with storytelling that shapes how and on what terms our children view the world." To the filmmaker, children’s programming goes beyond entertainment. "It is actually a battlefield for the mind and soul of our children. Content is their first window into the world and it shapes how they view their heritage, their nationality, their sense of a global order and their history. Animation offers a dynamic digital language to help us connect our children to heroes of their own cultures, their ancestors and history, all embedded

into vibrant shapes and dynamic movements”. He concluded by encouraging filmmakers to go the extra mile using animation which "enables your content scale up in spectacle, while keeping your costs manageable. Finally we can have car chases, as well as our very own superhero stories. “It would require innovation, creativity, resourcefulness, and a lot of sacrifice, but in the end, when it’s all said and done, we would finally be tapping into a new market that’s been waiting for us for decades. “The audience is ready, willing and demanding experiences beyond the ordinary. Spectacle is the language of entertainment in the immediate future. Animation, Computer Generated Imaging CGI, Artificial Intelligence, 3Dimensionality and many more inventions integrating live-action are the currency to creating the future of storytelling. “ You are the new army and creative

leaders shaping our response. Your vision and your stories are what Nollywood is waiting for to confront our yawning gap in innovation and to take our industry into a bright new future." The Lagos International Animation Festival is the brainchild of Muyiwa Kayode and has been running for two years. It is an annual event which provides a platform for animators to interact with other stakeholders for optimum value creation and rapid growth of the animation film industry. For its third edition, the festival received 461 entries from 71 countries. However, only 39 are screened at the festival. The festival recognises winners in four categories: Best 2D Animation, Best 3D Animation, Best Animation Commercial and Best Visual Effects.

ADEKUNLE GOLD, DYO TEASES IN ARENA REMIX Internationally acclaimed songwriter

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F R I DAY ˾JUNE 14, 2019

E-TRENDS Dyo, formerly known as Ms. D proved her mettle as a singer when she released her hit single ’Arena’. The song was a smashing success for the artiste such that she decided to take it up a notch, presenting a love song in a way that is a little different from the usual. With its catchy hook and rhythmic beats, 'Arena' remix welcomes listeners to a fun time, only just barely focusing on the romance angle. Produced by Jay Weathers (who has also worked with Mr Eazi and Not3s) and Parker Ighile (who has worked with Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj), the song features guitars from AOD, and vocals by Afropop veteran Adekunle Gold. The video, directed by kaykaysublime, also takes an interesting direction. We see the two singers in separate vast spaces, quite possibly a reference to vast and open their love for each other is as we hear in the chorus. The visuals are endearing in their simplicity, making use of a lot of warm and neutral tones. 'Arena' brings to mind cool summer days where you can hang with your friends by the pool, or have a house party. Right off the bat, you’re pulled in by the good vibes, which is undoubtedly Dyo’s signature on every track.

BUSISWA, LIRA TO PERFORM AT MALIBONGWE ARTS FESTIVAL Multi-platinum selling Afro-Soul singer Lira; award-winning house and pop singer Lady Zamar; multi-award winning afro pop singer Amanda Black; poet and singer/songwriter Busiswa are among the music artistes who would be performing at the upcoming Malibongwe Arts Festival – A Tribute To Women. This year will mark the second edition of the festival organised by Sheer Entertainment and The Alore Group. Set to take place on Saturday August 10, 2019, Malibongwe Arts Festival is a culmination of Mzansi’s favourite musical genres and cultures all one stage in celebration of women from South Africa. Held at the Emmarentia Botanical Gardens, Malibongwe Arts Festival

DYO

combines a picnic vibe with an extraordinary music line-up for a single daytime concert, and will boast a premium selection of music, food and beverages. There will also be performances by other South Africa's female musicians.

MOBOLAJI JOINS THE MERCELO GUSTAVO FAMILY

Some cast members of Bling Lagosians

For the 'Bling Lagosians' Premiere, Dress for the Cash

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s far as movie premieres go, Filmhouse Cinemas in Lekki Phase 1, has become the luxury venue for filmmakers. Not necessarily because of the IMAX Cinemas, but the panache and glamour that accompany any movie premiere held at that venue. Whether the concept of the premiere is a product of the filmmakers or the cinema owners as a market strategy, one thing is certain, it pulls in the crowd and good figures. Take for instance the crowd it pooled at the King of Boys premiere, which the film production arm of the cinema was a partner. Thus, for the much anticipated Bolanle Austen-Peters film 'Bling Lagosians' premiering this Sunday, June 16, the cinema house is encouraging guests to fabulously dress the part to win cash prizes worth N1m. This hat-trick by the cinema is one that will not only draw a mammoth crowd but also increase publicity for both the film and the cinema house. With a theme like 'Eko for Show', guests are expected to arrive at the venue dripping in all shades of glitz and glamour. There is no limit to the extremity of their fashion statements as long as it reflects the theme of the premiere. Perhaps, this may be the Nollywood version of camp, a word that gained notoriety this year at the annual Hollywood's Met Gala event. The organisers may in a way be setting another trend in movie premieres. In recent times, movie premieres have become a fertile ground for publicity. Fashion designers hop on it to showcase their creativity, celebrities leverage on

the red carpet to attract media attention, brands throw in sponsorships for good positioning. Indeed, movie premieres in Nigeria is becoming a burgeoning business on its own. No doubt, 'Bling Lagosians' will attract great audience being that AustenPeters is a name revered in the creative industry, particularly the art space. She is renowned for critically acclaimed musicians such as 'Wakaa' and 'Fela and Kalakuta Queens'. With 'Bling Lagosians', Austen-Peters is paying homage to the flamboyant lifestyle of Lagosians. The story centres on the lifestyle of a Lagos family that is presently living in their past glory. Although, they are not as wealthy as they once were, they still want to live that lifestyle they once used to live. They want to host the talk of the town kind of party, they want to wear the best designers and ride the fastest of cars even if they are wallowing in debt. This movie is intended to show how people go the extreme to keep up appearances in public. The movie will have its theatrical release on June 28. The film also marks her feature film directorial debut and stars Jide Kosoko, Elvina Ibru, Denola Grey, Monalisa Chinda, Helen Paul among others. However, the organisers didn't say how they will arrive at the best dressed for the premiere, or who will be the judges. What they have revealed so far is that the most dressed will smile home with N500, 000, the first and second runners-up will be rewarded with N350,000 and N150,000 respectively.

British Council to Host 'Daughters of Chibok' Today

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he British Council will host the screening of the VR documentary 'Daughters of Chibok' today at its premises in Ikoyi. Produced by Joel Kachi Benson, 'Daughters of Chibok' centers on Yana Galang, a woman leader in Chibok, whose daughter was among the kidnapped Chibok girls. The 11-minute film mirrors Galang's pain as she hopefully awaits the return of her daughter. The documentary was first screened to the public on April 14 at selected Lagos Parks and Gardens across the state to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the girls' abduction. Today’s screening, which is organised by VR360 Stories, in partnership with Imisi 3d, Northeast Humanitarian Innovation Hub, and the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, also doubles as a fundraiser for the mothers of the missing girls.

According to Benson, the womenfolk of Chibok play a vital role in sustaining their families, and it is important that they receive support, whilst they wait for the return of their daughters. “It is one thing to lose your child and spend years waiting for her return, and it is another to still be living in abject poverty. We must remember that these women have other children to cater for, and when you don't have the means of taking care of them, that is extra pain. If we can't bring back their girls now, at least we should be able to do something about their economic situation," he said. 'Daughters of Chibok' is the firstever virtual reality film on Chibok. It also marks the second VR film by the filmmaker on the plight of victims of the insurgent group Boko Haram. His first, 'In Bakassi' focused on children living with PTSD in Internally Displaced Persons Camps in the North-east region.

Joel Kachi Benson

Fast rising musician Mobolaji is a happy man. He recently bunked a recording deal with one of the top Nigerian record label, audio-video production company, Mercelo Gustavo. The new deal will see the company showcasing Mobolaji to the world through his music. President/CEO Dijo Group, parent company to Mercelo Gustavo, Innocent Oboh, expressed confidence on Mobolaji’s ability to put back-on-track a music industry that has been accused of lacking content over the years. According to Oboh “I have always known Mobolaji to be a great talent and all he needed was a credible platform that can make his dreams come true. There is no better platform than Mercelo Gustavo to take him from the point of talent, brand, exposure, management, marketing, positioning, and consumption by music lovers.” Oboh explained further that his company will offer Mobolaji all the support he needs to succeed in a keenly competitive Nigerian entertainment industry, and globally. "Mobolaji inspires people with his music and this impacts on life which is what music or any work of art should do. While you dance to the instrumental you should also gain value through incisive messages in the music.” The company also promised to bring in the full weight of all its sister companies to ensure Mobolaji becomes a household name in the world of music. For the stage-trained talent, it was a dream come true. He expressed great enthusiasm at the recording deal. “I am so excited and I don’t know where to start. I have been working with Mercelo Gustavo underground on songs that inspire and encourage the mind because that is what Nigerians need now. I want to touch not just the feet of those who listen to my music but more importantly to touch their hearts and inspire them to believe they can make it in life no matter the odds. My kind of music is called InspirationalHighlife because I inspire and heal with music.” Mobolaji, whose full name is Mobolaji Okotore, started music from childhood as he was born into a musical family and started performing on stage very early in life. He is one of few real musicians in Nigeria who can play virtually every instrument including vocals. He is also a music producer and has an in-depth knowledge of a variety of music genres.

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F R I DAY ˾ JUNE 14, 2019

ART WEEKEND

…For pure art enthusiasts

Two Giant Murals for Psychiatric Hospital Yinka Olatunbosun writes on the art initiative at the Drug Ward Unit of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos to mark the end of the mental health awareness month

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ental health is a serious subject in our contemporary society. That is why the month of May is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health across the globe. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that four per cent of Nigerians suffer from depression. Recently too, there has been an increase in the reported cases of suicide nationwide. According to WHO-AIMS report in 2006, there were just 11 mental health professionals per 100,000 persons. This spells crisis for mental rehabilitation in Nigeria. In order to raise the awareness for mental health and contribute to the efforts at patients’ recovery, the Art in Medicine (AIM)Fellowship launched a therapeutic art project at the Drug Ward Unit of the Federal NeuroPsychiatric hospital in Yaba in May with two giant murals as the result of the two weeks of intensive painting. One of them is called “Wings’’. It is a life-size painting showing large colourful wings on the flanks of an individual whose head is substituted with a bass. The background to that image is the blue skyline. The other one is titled, “Music’’ showing a huge headset that is synonymous with music. Music is an essential part of the therapy used by professionals to heal mental health patients. However, some individuals have a complicated relationship with music. “During the time I was addicted to drugs, I never thought I would enjoy music without drugs. But my time here has shown that I can enjoy music without being involved in drugs,’’ said a patient simply known as F.O. The project began with a familiarisation tour of the facility and then direct

meeting with some of the patients to assess their interest in art and music. One of the contributing artists, Julius Agbaje revealed that many patients responded very well to music and the arts. “In our continuous interaction with the patients, I discovered how powerful their minds are wired and how talented they are as well. Amongst them are gifted draughtsmen, painters, musicians and even sportsmen. It was an enlightening and enlivening experience for me,’’ he said. For the Executive Director, Arts in Medicine Fellowship, Kunle Adewale, the ‘wings’ is laden with strong message for the patients. “The painting of the wings was adopted in this space to inspire freedom, greatness and that sense of security for patients who are undergoing rehabilitation. Through this painting, we see patients overcoming their drug addictions, suicidal tendencies, depression and other related mental illnesses,’’ he said. The project was done in partnership with SystemSpecs which has as its Executive Director, Deremi Atanda. It is an organisation that is committed to such initiatives that use creativity to complement Medicare. Other contributing artists on the mural project are patients from the Drug Ward Unit, some hospital staff, as well as the 2019 Cohort of the Art in Medicine (AIM) fellowship namely Julius Agbaje, Lasisi Damilare, Bisola Alagbede, Ogechukwu, GarbaSaheed, Toluwalase Awolaja and some volunteers. In his remarks, the Medical Director, Dr. Cecilia Ogun expressed her appreciation for the art initiative which is a further boost to the rehabilitation of the patients.

Mural titled, 'Wings'

‘Our Husband has Gone Mad Again’ Storms Abuja Yinka Olatunbosun Theatre buffs are in for a treat this week at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The production of Ola Rotimi’s classic comedy, Our husband Has Gone Mad Again has commenced since June 12 featuring A-List actors such as Patrick Diabuah, Omololu Shodiya, Ada Erojikwe and a host of others. The play which holds at the Merit House, Maitama, Abuja runs till Sunday June 16 with two shows per day. Produced and directed by Agozie Ugwu, the production is set to change the cultural landscape in Abuja. While theatre is a cultural staple in Lagos, Abuja is fast becoming an emerging market for theatre producers like Ugwu. Courtesy Diamante Global Services, in partnership with Mosaic Theatre Production and Cruise Entertainment,

the production offers a few free tickets on social media for those who want to share in this splendid experience. The story is based on the life of an ex-military major, Lejoka-Brown who ventures into politics for selfish reasons. His campaign strategy is ‘surprise and attack’. His three wives compound his problems as the latest wife, Liza who is a medical student in the US pays a surprise visit. Lejoka-Brown had inherited Mama Rashida from his late brother while Sikira, his second wife is a daughter to the President of the National Union of Nigerian Market Women whose votes he needs to clinch his political post. The earlier production of the play had featured Ramsey Noah. According to the director, the production company has toured major cities in Nigeria. But this weekend, it is all about Abuja theatre goers.

Book Reading Tour with Moremi Ajasoro Beauty Queen Yinka Olatunbosun

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er height was stunning. She walked into the room with her crown and a staff, with such commanding presence. The young beauty Queen, Tolu Adedamola Oreoluwa is the current Queen Moremi Ajasoro for the 2018/2019 edition of the pageant. Recently, she embarked a tour of cities nationwide with book reading and music to encourage reading culture amongst Nigerian youths. The undergraduate of the Department of English Language, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife spoke briefly with journalists in Victoria Island, Lagos before travelling to Enugu for one of her scheduled book reading sessions. The pageant which is in its third edition is designed to celebrate the legacies of Moremi Ajasoro, the legendary heroine who saved the people of Ile Ife from the massacre orchestrated by the enemies. Hence, the beauty Queen

has made the literary work on Moremi Ajasoro her work tool in initiating conversation about leadership and courage in young people. As regards the Enugu book reading, she revealed that the show is designed for children in secondary schools. “This is my project because reading makes a woman,’’ she began. “So, I will be reading for the children for them to know how powerful Moremi is to the Yoruba culture. We move from school to school. From there, we are moving to Kwara, Abeokuta and Lagos. Moremi Ajasoro book is detailed in history and culture. “Moremi is an epitome of heroism andleadership. We are using the book to tell children how strong they can be and that they can achieve whatever they want to achieve.’’ The book reading tour started on May 27 which is observed globally as the Children’s Day and continues this June and next month. For the Queen, it is not just about the Yoruba culture but to draw attention to womanhood and

Queen Moremi Ajasoro (middle) flanked by students students after a book reading session

girl-child issues. Since the beginning of her reign, she has dedicated her time towards motivational speaking which she admitted was not her forte initially. “I usually go out to speak to people to

motivate them which has been on of the things I didn’t have much knowledge about. This role has opened my eyes to a lot of things in the society. Youths are the ones who need this enlightenment more than anyone else,’’ she said.

JUNE 14, 2019 ˾ F R I DAY

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FERTILITY

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

Danger Signs in Pregnancy (IV)

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n the previous editions we have been looking at the likely signs to indicate danger to a pregnant woman. This edition aims at enumerating the danger signs a pregnant women should look out for in the late or third trimester: PROM and Post Term Pregnancy A “trimester” is, most simply, a period of time. In terms of pregnancy, a trimester refers to three roughly equal portions of the time you are pregnant. Since pregnancy lasts, on average, 40 weeks, a trimester lasts roughly three months, or 13 1/3 weeks. The concept of the trimester is used to help health care providers and expectant moms divide the process of pregnancy up into specific portions. During each trimester, mom-to-be and her baby have specific discomforts, nutritional needs, and physiological changes that will occur. Premature rupture of membranes (prom): Rupture of membranes is a normal part of giving birth. It is the medical term for saying your “water has broken.” It means that the amniotic sac (watersac) that surrounds the baby has broken, allowing the fluid to flow out. While it is normal for the sac to break during labor, if it happens too early, it can cause serious complications. This is called preterm / premature rupture of membranes (PROM). The cause of PROM is not always clear, but sometime genetic factor and infection of the amniotic membranes can be a cause Treatment for PROM varies. Women are often hospitalized and given antibiotics, steroids, and drugs to stop labor (tocolytics). When PROM occurs at 34 weeks or more, some doctors might recommend delivering the baby. At that time, the

28 weeks) usually survive.

Photo credit: pink or blue care.com

risks of prematurity are less than the infection risks. If there are signs of infection, labor must be induced to avoid serious complications. Occasionally, a woman with PROM experiences resealing of the membranes. In these rare cases, a woman can continue her pregnancy to near term, although still under close observation. The risks associated with prematurity decrease significantly as the fetus nears term. If PROM occurs in the 32- to 34-week range and the remaining amniotic fluid shows that the fetus’ lungs have matured enough, the doctor may discuss delivering the baby in some cases. Availability of improved intensive care nursery services, many preterm infants born in the third trimester (after

Post-term pregnancy About 7 percent of women deliver at 42 weeks or later. Any pregnancy lasting longer than 42 weeks is considered post-term or post-dates. The cause of post-term pregnancy is unclear, although hormonal and hereditary factors are suspected. Sometimes, a woman’s due date is not calculated correctly. Some women have irregular or long menstrual cycles that make ovulation harder to predict. Early in pregnancy, an ultrasound can help to confirm or adjust the due date. Post-term pregnancy is not generally dangerous to the mother’s health. The concern is for the fetus. The placenta is an organ that is designed to work for about 40 weeks. It provides oxygen and nutrition for the growing fetus. After 41 weeks of pregnancy, the placenta is less likely to work well, and this may result in decreased amniotic fluid around the fetus (oligohydramnios).This condition can cause compression of the umbilical cord and decrease oxygen supply to the fetus. This may be reflected on the fetal heart monitor in a pattern called late decelerations. There is a risk of sudden fetal death when the pregnancy is postterm.Once a woman reaches 40+ weeks of pregnancy, she usually has fetal heart rate monitoring and a measurement of the amniotic fluid. If the testing shows low fluid levels or abnormal fetal heart rate patterns, labor is induced. Otherwise, spontaneous labor is awaited until no more than 42 weeks, after which it is induced. These options depend on the managing physician. Prevention of maternal mortality Recent studies shows that every day, approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these deaths occur in low resource settings and most of them could have been prevented by

focused antenatal care. Maternal mortality is when a woman dies during pregnancy or up to 42days after the end of pregnancy from health problems related to pregnancy Women die as a result of complications during and following pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these complications develop during pregnancy and most are preventable or treatable. Other complications may exist before pregnancy but are worsened during pregnancy especially if not managed as part of the woman’s care. The major complications that account for nearly 75% of all maternal death are: r 4FWFSF CMFFEJOH NPTUMZ BGUFS DIJME birth): causes of bleeding include placenta Previa, placenta abruption and Placenta accrete, increta and pancreta. Most of these can be can be diagnosed during routine ANC and appropriate management implemented. r *OGFDUJPO NBZ CF EVSJOH QSFHnancy or child birth): most infections can be prevented from resulting in complication by immunization and proper treatment. r )JHI CMPPE QSFTTVSF EVSJOH QSFHnancy r $PNQMJDBUJPOT GSPN EFMJWFSZ r 6OTBGF BCPSUJPO r 0UIFS BTTPDJBUFE EJTFBTFT TVDI BT Malaria and AIDS. Most maternal deaths are preventable, as the health care solution to prevent or manage complications are well known. Every woman going through the stress of pregnancy deserves to experience the joy of parenthood. Safe motherhood is key, all women need to access antenatal care in pregnancy and all birth must be attended to by skilled health professional as timely management and treatment can make the difference between life and death for both the mother and child. Skilled care during child birth,care and support in the weeks after child birth is advocated.

XTRA

The Fayemi-Dangote Synergy in Kano as a Panacea

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he intervention of the duo of Governor Kayode Fayemi and Alhaji Aliko Dangote in the crisis that had recently bestirred the relationship between Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II has been welcomed across the country. Before the intervention, it looked as if the cherished traditional heritage that Kano which is known across Africa for its rich traditional heritage was about to be swallowed up in the intrigues that had shaped the conversation between Governor Ganduje and Emir Sanusi. It was a conflict between the political leadership and the traditional leadership of the state. The conversation flowed from alleged discretions between the two leaders. Compromising video clips of the governor in alleged financial misdemeanor had been celebrated on social media. Perhaps on account of that, the emir was believed to have distanced herself from the governor’s re-election. The emir had also been reported in the media to have been critical of some of the projects of the governor. So it was not surprising for many that following the governor’s declaration as winner of the governorship election in May that the gulf between the two leaders widened. )PXFWFS GFX FYQFDUFE UIF SFMBUJPOTIJQ between the two men to deteriorate in the

way and speed with which it did. Indeed, the governor and his camp were apparently eager to take their pound of flesh. The first move was the decimation of the 200-year-old Kano Emirate to a fifth of its pre-Ganduje dimension. That was followed by the query to the emir over alleged financial misdeeds with the emir reportedly accused of misappropriation of an estimated N3.4 billion. Pointers were to the effect that Emir Sanusi was about to be deposed by the governor. It was at the point of responding to the query that the duo of Governor Fayemi and Alhaji Dangote responded. Fayemi’s intervention was obviously in his role as the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, an office to which he was elected to about a month ago. Dangote’s participation was upon the fact that he is from Kano State. There is no doubt that this intervention has helped to stop what could have further eroded the royal dignity and prestige of the Kano emirate. It is easy to envisage that had the crisis continued to simmer and Emir Sanusi had been disgraced out of office that it would have further diminished the image of the traditional institution in the country. )PXFWFS XIBU JT NPSF FODPVSBHJOH JT UIF proactive intervention of Governor Fayemi in helping his colleague in Kano not to slip into error.

While the success of this intervention continues to re-echo across the polity, it must, however, be stressed that the resolution of the conflict between the governor and the emir should not be seen as a way of suppressing misbehavior where it exists. Governor Fayemi must not see his role as NGF chairman as one that enables him to go about covering up infractions where they exist. If there are infractions on the part of his colleagues or anyone else, they should be properly addressed by the institution. Indeed, it would be a legacy to Governor Fayemi’s stewardship of the NGF if he is able to move his colleagues and the Federal Government to ensure that institutions are allowed to work. The intervention by Governor Fayemi was undoubtedly pegged on the States Peer Review Mechanism, SPRM, a programme that had been conceived by the Bukola Saraki leadership of the NGF. That programme aims to stimulate good governance among states and bring states to subject themselves to a minimum benchmark on good behaviour. Whatever anyone can say, Governor Fayemi must be commended for quietly intervening in a way to promote good governance in another state without much fanfare. 6OMJLF NVDI PG UIF BDUJWJUJFT PG UIF /(' that have lately been much fanfare without much traction in terms of raising the level of governance, this new approach by the

Fayemi leadership of the NGF must be commended and dare say, raised to a higher level. All over the country there are issues where the approach adopted by Fayemi can be brought to bear. Whether in the case of insecurity, economic malaise as represented by backlog of salary or other governance parameters, the Fayemi leadership of the NGF has with its approach to the issue in Kano taken off well. Also encouraging was that Governor Fayemi used Dangote, a respected son of Kano as an entry point towards resolving the crisis in Kano. Identifying key stakeholders and influencers who can help direct governance in the positive direction is an option for the NGF to exploit. Even more, Nigeria requires more contributions from the likes of Dangote who can contribute towards resolving issues in their states without as much as seeking to exploit differences between key players. In some instances, it has been observed that patrionising comments from prominent citizens aimed at winning the favour of governors have helped to simmer local conflicts instead of resolving such. We need more men like Dangote who can look their governor in the eye and direct him towards better behaviour. In all Governor Fayemi and Alhaji Dangote have done well and more of such synergy will be better for the country.

F R I DAY ˾ JUNE 14, 2019

34

COLLAGE EVENTS

Group Moves to Close Unemployment Gap

L-R; CEO, Price Waters, Deacon Samuel Alabi; President, Nigeria Union of Journalist, Chief Chris lsiguzo and NUJ Secretary, Shuaibu Liman during an emergency meeting of all Pen Jewel Estate Subcribers with the National Leadership of NUJ at the Upper Chamber of Radio Lagos/Eko Fm hall, lkeja, Lagos...recently ABIODUN AJALA

L-R: The children of deceased, Mrs. Toyin Lawal; Mrs . Helen Oseni; Mrs. Ngozi Nosiru; Mrs Gloria Oparah; and Son -inLaw, Pastor Kingsley Oparah, at the service of songs in honour of Late Pastor (Mrs) Justina Idiatu Ajoke Anokam in Lagos..recently ETOP UKUTT

From Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja As part of measures to bridge the unemployment gap in the country, a group has embarked on technical and vocational skills competition aimed at promoting technical and vocational skills. The group, under the aegis of iCreate Africa observed that until Nigerians celebrate those who are willing to learn a skill that is in demand, the battle to close the skills gap and solve the huge youth unemployment will not succeed. The Chief Executive Officer of iCreate Africa, Mr. Bright Jaja, said the group has embarked on a nationwide tour with the aim of promoting technical and vocational skills while upgrading the profile of skills professionals in the country. He revealed that the extraordinary competition has been scheduled to hold in three states representing three regions: North, South East and South West. According to him: "On April 26 to 27, 2019, iCreate Africa held the Northern regional skills competition in Kaduna state. The skills competition took place at Yar'Adua Hall, Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna. "Sixty four contestants competed across 12 skills trades comprising four categories namely; Construction and Building Technology, Information and Communication Technology, Creative Art and Fashion, Hospitality and Social Services". Jaja, noted that the competition played a huge role to further sensitise the youth and the public that the way to solve the problem of unemployment is by placing the spotlight on skills, churning the raw skill in the youth and making them world class. He further stated that 12 contestants were crowned skills champions of the North across the various skill trades and will be representing the Northern region at the national skills competition in Lagos by December. Jaja added that the South-east regional skills competition will come up next and it has been scheduled to take place on July 19 to 20 in Enugu State, stressing that the event will also commemorate the United Nations World Youth Skills Day on July 15. "Expectations are high and plans are being made to make the event even more memorable than previous events. The team believes it can only get better. The young and skilled are already looking forward to participating in this "Olympics of Skills" as iCreate Africa's annual technical and vocational skill competition. "Promoting skills excellence, showcasing skills standards, demonstrating benchmarks of excellence in teaching/learning and creating interest for public sector agencies, private organisations and individuals to invest in skills development across the continent are what will be achieved from yet another historic event in the making", he affirmed. He therefore called on all hands to be on deck, adding that applications from candidates between the ages of 18 and 28 years who are practicing artisans or graduates from technical schools are already pouring in. The skill trades that will be represented during the competition include graphics design, website design, cooking, carpentry, plumbing, and tiling. Others include automobile mechanic, solar/electrical installations, garment making, make-up art, shoe and leather works, art and App development. The winners will go home with cash prizes, equipment, endorsement deals, internship, job placement, training and mentoring that are already allocated and will be awarded at the end of the competition.

Moët & Chandon Grand Day Returns to Lagos to Celebrate the Iconic Impérial Mary Nnah

L – R; Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO,Ben Langat; President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), Dr B.I.C Brai and Marketing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Chris Wulff-Caesar during the World Milk Day celebration with staff of the company in Lagos...recently

Moët & Chandon has announced its annual Moët & Chandon Grand Day, a day of sparkling celebrations around the globe where for 24 hours, in 80 regions worldwide, friends and guests of the Champagne House will come together to raise their champagne glasses in a worldwide toast to the 150th anniversary of Moët Impérial, a global icon of celebration since 1869. Consequently, the French Champagne House will delight the world on June 22 as it toasts to Moët Impérial 150th anniversary. This year, the fourth annual Moët &Chandon Grand Day, will continue its festive tradition with a grand line up of events celebrating the epic journey of Moët Impérial which, from the world’s podiums to Hollywood’s red carpet, has marked personal & public milestones launching global celebratory traditions for 150 years. From day to evening and well into the night, Moët &Chandon will bring together over a million people from New York City to Ibiza and London to Tokyo, in a bubbling toast to its universal icon of celebration. The dress code is gold and glam for this event and it is invite-only. However, a few tickets are set aside for purchase on Nairabox. So, wherever you live, wherever you travel, on June 22, you are likely to find a Moët Grand Day event, so seize the #MoetMoment and join the global movement. Be sure to catch up with the #MoetGrandDay festivities! Founded in 1743, Moët & Chandon contributed to introduce champagne to the world by offering a range of unique wines for every occasion. From iconic Moët Impérial to the Grand Vintage Collection, from the extroverted Moët Rosé Impérial to the innovative Moët Ice Impérial, each champagne dazzles and delights with bright fruitiness, an enticing palate and an elegant maturity. Moët &Chandon celebrates the thrill of living. With a bottle of its champagne opened every second around the globe, Moët &Chandon knows that every second is an experience, and every experience is a #moetmoment to live now.

A graduate of Babcock University, Ogheneovo Ojakovo (middle) flanked by his parents, Barrister Godswill Ojakovo and his wife, Joy during the 17th convocation ceremony of the university in Ilisan,Ogun State... recently

Moët and Chandon Grand Day, Oreka Godis, Toni Tones, Uzor Osimkpa, Elizabeth Oputa at last year’s edition

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F R I DAY ˾ JUNE 14, 2019

ENTREPRENEUR

Titilope Lisk: Working to be the Biggest Fashion Brand in Africa Titilope Abiodun Lisk is the co-founder of Lisk Fashion Company, one of Nigeria’s top indigenous fashion brands with speciality on male wears. In this interview with Mary Nnah, she talks about the brand’s unique selling point, plans for future expansion and most importantly, plans to delve into female and kids fashion line soon. Excerpts:

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ell us about Lisk Fashion as a brand? We are a fashion brand, although we do mostly male wears for now but we will soon launch female and kids line very soon. Yes, we want to sew cloths that are fashionable and cloths that people can wear. So, we strive to cater for as many people as possible and that is what we build the brand around. Although we majored more on corporate but we have now included urban wears, native wears and other fashionable wears that in a couple of years this brand will be seen as a full fashion brand. We just want to be in everyone’s wardrobe. That is the idea. Who are the brains behind Lisk Fashion Company? My husband and I are the co-founders of Lisk Fashion Company. I am a graduate of the University of Lagos. I used to be a banker till last year when I resigned to follow my dream. My husband, Seun Lisk, is a trained engineer. He has worked in the finance sector for a couple of years and he still works there. He founded this about 12 years ago. He was 18years old when he started doing fashion at the University of Lagos. He studied engineering. He started making cloths for himself when he was in school. Lisk has always been there but we are two years now as a business entity in Nigeria. What inspires your designs? I have an interest in fabrics and travel. Fabrics give me loads of idea on what I can do with the fabrics. I even get ideas from people doing the wrong things. Nature also gives me inspiration. Two years down the line, what are your success stories? Before we became a business entity, I’m talking about eight years after we started this; I have never had to do any advert, not even as simple as Whatsapp but this brand has been consistent for the past seven years. We have had referrals and people have testified of still wearing their wedding suits after six years we made them. Most of what we had done for the past seven years were referrals and there have never been a period we have never been busy, even without advertising. So, what we have done is to work on our quality and make sure we give out the best. We try our best to meet international standards, such that people have had to ask questions as to whether our products are actually made in Nigeria. We have worked on our quality and fabrics, stitches and we have hired the best of hands. What we have also done in the last seven years is to build a team that can do different things. We have worked with a lot of celebrities. We have styled awardees for the hip-hop awards; we have worked with Ice Prince, Praise, Dotun, Mofe Duncan, Bryan Okpara and a whole lot of them. What challenges have you encountered since you started? The major challenge revolves around production. I think this is the major challenge every fashion designer faces in the country. We have issues with power. We have to train people to meet the standards acceptable internationally. So, another challenge is getting the right people to fit into production aspect and getting them to do the right thing. The devaluation of the currency is also affecting the business and the buying power of people. These challenges exist but the major has been with production. As a result of production challenge, we have to struggle to meet up with timing.

sell fabrics. So we source from local importers and from international markets. What kind of fabrics do you use to make your male outfit? For our suits, the preferred fabrics are wool-blended materials. We also use cotton and African prints but it is based on demands. We don’t want to box ourselves to a corner. For the female clothing line, it is a mix of everything. Like I said, we have different people who want to make different things. We try as much as possible to cater for everyone. We do the African print, the urban and corporate. What steps are you taking to put your brand in the global map? For quality, what we have done in the last st eight years is to ensure that our products m meet international standards. So, apart from producing locally, our tailors are trained to meet with the international standards. We also produce some of our outfit in otherr al countries and they also follow international ing standards of production. We are also infusing technology into our brand to enhance our lan production and reach to people. We also plan to do e-commerce by having a mobile app, where people can order for whatever they want. Right now, we have a lot of people that order for our products from all over the world, especially Africans in diaspora. d Some of them may want to get married and they stay in America and Germany and wee deliver to them. So, from the patronage wee n are getting, it is clear that people believe in African designers. I have some friends in end America who order for our suits and we send git to them. The designs we have are cuttingedge designs. What are your unique selling points?? his The truth is that you cannot survive in this business without having the basic things. ity So, you have to look at the basics and quality is crucial and we are never going to trade y this for anything. The designs are also very rics important. Not everyone has this. The fabrics one we use and the cut are very unique. Everyone has unique size and body structure, so we y. y ensure it fits everyone’s unique personality. Also, like I said, we are adding technology to everything we do. So, technology is going to be one of our major selling points. So, we are building something that has not been seen or done in this part of the world and that iss going to be an advantage for us. Being a wife, how are you able to partner with your husband in this busi-ness and still maintain the home front?? This was the major reason I had to quit my job. We are blessed with two children, a boy and a girl, ages four and two. It is not easy but it is just about being organised and setting your priorities right. I wake up every day as early as five, get the kids ready for school and go on with the daily activities. Sometimes I stay up late at night doing one thing or the other. I would say being organised is key.

What is your staff strength? We are about six but we have contract and indirect workers which sums up to over 30 workers.

Is your clothing line one for profit makaking or just for the love or passion that drives designers? There is a market for this business in Nigeria. People will always wear cloths. I have seen businesses with lowest profit margins but I think the margins in a business ess should be enough to sustain it. So, passion ble alone cannot sustain you. You need to be able ths to grow as a business. When you make cloths ing that really look beautiful but no one is buying it, then there is a problem. For me, passion is n very necessary but you also need to have an ow entrepreneurial spirit. You have to know how to cut cost, maximise profits, market your products and all these put together builds a brand. Fashion business in my opinion is just like every other business. There are certain strategies you may need to deploy at times on the job.

How do you source for raw materials? We have local importers that bring in the products and they also have direct affiliation with some foreign companies that make and

How will you compare fashion business in Nigeria to other developed countries? Like every other sector, we are still

behind; we have a lot of catching up to do. The good thing is that we have the market in Nigeria and there are lots of gaps to still cover. In other countries, fashion designers have taken themselves out of the business and allowed it run as a real business. I am yet to see this happen in Nigeria. Business continuity has become something difficult to achieve in Nigeria. There are brands that are over 100 years old but Nigerian brands hardly outlive their founders. This is the problem. We do not have enough capacity and funds to run the fashion business the way it’s supposed to be. I think there are lots of Nigerian designers that are big, yet people don’t wear their cloths. They need to start g themselves out of the business and taking allow it run as a business entity, y where they y will employ p y capable p hands to run the business in the proper manner. In ffew y years to come, where do you see this brand? In the next few years, y we hope p to be the biggest gg fashion bran nd brand in Africa. We are working g towards this and we are putting p g plans in place. p p We are doing g some things g now that we can’t disclose but in future, you y will see the manifestation. We have a vision to be the biggest gg fashion brand in Africa.

Passion alone cannot sustain you. You need to be able to grow as a business. When you make cloths that really look beautiful but no one is buying it, then there is a problem. For me, passion is very necessary but you also need to have an entrepreneurial spirit. You have to know how to cut cost, maximise profits, market your products and all these put together builds a brand

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F R I DAY ˾ JUNE 14, 2019

METRO

…Your city life in print

Sahara Foundation: Passionate about Transforming Lives An unwavering commitment to empowering lives and giving wings to aspirations has continued to drive the interventions of the Sahara Foundation which serves as the vehicle for Sahara Group’s Corporate Responsibility activities across the energy conglomerate’s locations in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. In this interview, Babatomiwa Adesida, Sahara Foundation’s Private Sector Engagement Specialist, speaks about the foundation’s achievements and Sahara’s growing profile as a global promoter of the Sustainable Development Goals. Sunday Ehigiator brings excepts:

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ow did the Sahara Foundation journey begin? Sahara Foundation initially began as a platform to enable Sahara Group contribute to the wellbeing of our immediate/host communities in our areas of operation. The main objective was to leave positive business footprints in these areas by empowering the people to become more productive and self-reliant. Though Sahara Foundation was formally institutionalised in 2007, several projects had been successfully implemented by Sahara since 2000. One of the first initiatives by the foundation was the construction of hand pump boreholes in many hard-to-reach rural communities across Nigeria. These boreholes served as the only clean source of water supply in these communities that were struck by Guinea Worm disease due to contaminated water supplies. Since the year 2000, we have donated clean water sources to over 200 communities across Nigeria, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. What was the initial structure and focus of the foundation? The foundation initially operated on specific and tailored community need basis working with community representatives and Sahara staff in the areas of education, healthcare, environment and sustainable community development projects. Activities carried out include provision of healthcare services to combat malaria and HIV/AIDS, eye care services, hospital upgrades, human capacity development projects for students and teachers as well as vocational skill training programs. What were the teething challenges the foundation encountered? I would say building trust between the foundation, implementing partners and our host communities. This was a major setback before we developed a clear structure through our partner and project selection criteria. Which of the early interventions continue to linger in your memory? Our eye care programmes across West Africa remain indelible in my memory. The instant relief and gratification the beneficiaries experienced from the surgeries was mind blowing. Imagine the joy of victims having their sight restored after five years of blindness. All they needed was a platform to help them achieve their aspiration. The foundation adopted the tag "PCSR". How did this emerge and how did it shape the activities of the foundation? Sahara’s signature model of Personal and Corporate Social Responsibility (PCSR) is not about a single team, isolated from the core activities of the company, but a holistic way of doing business. The PCSR approach is hinged on the premium Sahara places on involving employees in the journey of serving and giving back to our ecosystem. Sahara employees have always played a critical role in the activities of the foundation. Through their hard work and innovative thinking, the Foundation was able to scale up activities in all our countries of operation. The significant contribution of our staff volunteers paved the way for the foundation’s board to formally approve the adoption of PCSR with a specific emphasis on the ‘’Personal’’ to highlight the important contribution of our staff volunteers. Since the formal adoption, we have continued to see an increase in staff volunteer hours which has led to a more integrated and sustainable system of giving back. We have recorded over 10,000 staff volunteer hours across the group on several interventions coordinated by the foundation. I recall a medical outreach in Ebonyi State, Nigeria where a female Sahara volunteer carried an elderly woman on her

Babatomiwa Adesida, Private Sector Engagement Specialist, Sahara Foundation

back, from one section of the hospital to the other, in an attempt to perform various medical tests prescribed by doctors. This woman, who had difficulties walking, was extremely grateful for the kind gesture of the volunteer. We have also had staff volunteer teachers and counsellors who have been a huge source of inspiration for many young people across our locations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Foundation activities took you to several locations. Would you say the issues are the same everywhere? While the issues are generally similar, every location has its peculiarities. What we have tried to do is identify issues that are unique to the locations we operate. Upon identification of such issues, we work with the residents in these areas to develop local solutions to these general problems. By doing this, we continue to engage the local people and empower them to improve their lives. Which partners have you worked with over the years and the outcomes? We have worked with many local and international civil society and private sector organisations. We have also partnered various governments at the local, regional and federal levels. More recently, we have entered into partnerships with many of the United Nations agencies such as United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), International Trade Center (ITC) and International Labour Organisation (ILO). The outcomes have been transformational for our partners, the ecosystem we support and to us as an organisation. It inspires us to do more and keep looking for every opportunity to remain consistent and scale up our impact rate. What impact has the foundation made in terms of beneficiaries and the spread of interventions? Since the establishment of Sahara Foundation, our programmes and interventions have directly impacted well over 2,000,000 beneficiaries across our locations. These interventions cut across health, education environmental and skills empowerment sectors. Some were also carried out in countries we do not operate in but were identified to be in dire need. In Nigeria and Zambia, we have set up vocational centres where about 2000 youth acquire skills from tailoring, hair making, catering, and employability skills on a yearly basis. Our eye care programme has benefited 50,000 people in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria since 2011 while we have also invested in infrastructure projects such as school and hospital upgrades in our host communities, school libraries in Tanzania, provision of agricultural tools and seedlings for farmers in

Sahara Foundation CSR's in action

South Sudan and cancer care programmes in Singapore, Switzerland and United Arab Emirates. These are just some of the projects carried out over the years. The foundation has some high profile partnerships with the United Nations. How has this shaped its activities and achievements? With the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDG-F) was tasked with coming up with a solution that would prevent some of the challenges they faced in the implementation of programs that were scalable and sustainable. The SDG-F looked to the private sector as a possible contributor to the success of sustainable goals mainly because they had observed how many private companies in various countries had carried out very successful and thriving CSR projects with little or no involvement of the host governments. 13 companies were selected globally for this partnership with Sahara Group and SAB Miller as the only African companies. Not only was Sahara selected to be part of this elite group, we were appointed to play a leading role. Our engagement with the UN led to the establishment and inauguration of the Private Sector Advisory Group in Nigeria by the President in February 2017. It has also led to co-designing, co-funding, co-implementing and evaluating an excellent project, the Food Africa project, in Nigeria. These engagements have put Sahara Foundation on the global stage and opened the doors for new partnerships not only with other UN agencies, but also with other global organisations such as the OECD in Paris. Based on these achievements, Sahara is now widely acknowledged as the go-to private sector organisation in the drive to promote awareness of the SDGs. What is the focus of the Sahara Foundation going forward? From staff volunteer activities to global sustainable development projects, Sahara’s model reflects the values and business practices needed for the private sector to effectively contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. By

codifying social responsibility into our corporate governance models, Sahara is leading the way as an ambassador of the global private sector, serving as a role model to companies across industries and geographic locations, on how business can transform the society. We intend to continue championing this cause by leveraging our global partnerships which offer us platforms for wider reach and more effective interventions. A starting point for us is the recently signed partnership with UNDP which focuses primarily on sustainable and renewable energy in a bid to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 for Africa – access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. Access to such energy is crucial to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals – from poverty eradication via advancements in health, education, water supply and industrialisation, to mitigating climate change and achieving inclusive economic growth. Starting with a pilot phase from August 2019 to August 2021, this partnership between Sahara Group and UNDP Africa will focus on providing communities with access to clean and affordable energy and exploring collaborative ways to scaleup energy initiatives in Nigeria, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. On a personal level, what does Sahara Foundation mean to you? Words are unable to describe what Sahara Foundation means to me. It has provided a platform for me to use my time and expertise to create shared value and contribute towards creating a sustainable and progressive world with the support of Sahara Group. My experience with Sahara Foundation has opened doors for me to work with global organisations like the United Nations in New York and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris. Through this, I have been able to contribute to global high-level meetings on sustainable development and co-authored publications that have been useful to the work of the United Nations in developing countries. Sahara Foundation has shaped me to become the man I am today and for this, I will forever be grateful.

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JUNE 14, 2019 ˾ F R I DAY

LIFE

T.B Joshua: A Cleric and his Passion for Charity Kayode Fasua, in this report, reviews the various acts of generosity ascribed to Nigerian-born televangelist and founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet T.B Joshua, who turned 54 last Wednesday

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ike rivulets trickling down the cottage rack, a stream of heads was bound to converge on Wednesday, June 12 on the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) headquarters, located in Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos. The motley crowd, assuredly, is largely to be composed by peasants, the physically challenged, widows, and several others, who are in want. They will gather to felicitate with the founder of the SCOAN, Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, to mark his 54th year birthday. Assuredly, the visitors will all smile home. A human deluge is anticipated this time round, as Joshua’s birthday coincides with Democracy Day-a day recently declared as public holiday by the federal government, in remembrance of the annulment of 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief M.K.O Abiola. Joshua, whose genre of Christian evangelism is stupefying in its streak of stunning miraculous deeds, is arguably Nigeria’s most travelled preacher, as, according to inside sources, he had visited no fewer than 60 countries across the world. But beyond evangelism, fresh revelations have also shown that the cleric has an irrepressible obsession for charity works, as he commits a huge chunk of the church’s resources to catering to the need of the less-privileged, both in Nigeria and outside the country. Going through the latest publication of “The Emmanuel TV team”, a charity emblem of SCOAN’s television station, the man of God, as Joshua is fondly called, may have spent a conservative N2.1 billion on charity efforts, in the last four years. In SCOAN’s latest publication entitled, ‘Reaching out to a troubled world’, the bearded prophet, who hails from the little community of Arigidi in Akoko North-East Local Government area of Ondo State, had on the surface, spent a total NI.I billion on donations to the tribe of the enfeebled and the poor across the world, apparently between 2014 and 2018. But according to Mr. Ifeanyi Ugochukwu, an adherent of the SCOAN, “that amount would have doubled in view of the fact that, if The Emmanuel TV team is travelling to any part of the world to help those in need, it is the church that pays for all expenses, covering flight tickets, vehicle renting, hotel accommodation, feeding, and others.” Ugochukwu added that in most cases, T.B Joshua himself leads his humanitarian team to, sometimes, very remote parts of the world, without recourse to the inevitable challenges that a new-comer is bound to face. For instance, in 2014, Joshua was in Colombia where he donated US$100,000 (about N35 million) in support of those who were widowed, orphaned or wounded in the service of the country. Musing on how imperiled this country was, at the time of Joshua’s visit, the publication states, “After his crusade, T.B Joshua and the Emmanuel TV Team visited a less-privileged area in downtown Camil, to meet hundreds of single parents and their children. “Many of them (Colombian peasants) succumbed to social and economic pressures, entering a life of drugs and prostitution and were in dire need of assistance.” Around the same period too, The Emmanuel Team was in Mexico and later, Pakistan, bringing relief to those widely famed as the wretched of the earth. According to the publication, “The Emmanuel TV Team was in Chiapas, Mexico, to share the love of Jesus Christ with the indigenous and isolated tribes who live in the Lacandan jungle. “They are largely gatherers and farmers, and the team purchased items ranging from foodstuff to essential utensils and tools for life in the jungle, to take care of the Naha community and improve their quality of life.”

TB Joshua

In Indonesia, T.B Joshua also brought smiles to the faces of those in the rehab of the homeless, with some mouth-watering contributions. “Following his crusade in Indonesia, T.B Joshua visited the House of Love, a charity home established to take care of the homeless and rejected people, in Surabaya. Overcome by emotion, Mrs. Hana Ananda, the charity home’s founder, tearfully prayed as T.B Joshua and his team presented a sum of US$10,000 (about N3.5 million) in support of the charity work,” the publication recounts. The Emmanuel Team, within the four-year duration of 2014 to 2018, also visited the Haborovski region of far eastern Russia, to visit The Open Heart Homeless Project’s location, where more than 150 men and women were fed and housed every day. In that region, frostbite often claims the limbs of many, owing to extremely low temperature. There, the team provided hundreds of pairs of winter gear, essential foodstuffs and firewood to help protect the homeless from harsh winter conditions. In nearby Ghana, T.B Joshua is also reputed to be a household name, going by his various contributions to elevate the standard of the lessprivileged in the country. For instance, the man of God donated hundreds of bags of rice to support the Ghana Prisons Service in feeding inmates. He also recently gave various gift items to Krachi West District Hospital in that country. Meanwhile, way back in June 2015, during a devastating flooding in Accra, the Ghanaian capital, the cleric’s humanitarian team had promptly responded with relief items comprising 1,000 bags of rice, cooking oil, soap, mattresses, pillows and other relief items worth over US$40,000 (about N14 million). However, Joshua’s contribution to the Ghana-

But beyond evangelism, fresh revelations have also shown that the cleric has an irrepressible obsession for charity works, as he commits a huge chunk of the church’s resources to catering to the need of the less-privileged, both in Nigeria and outside the country

ian humanitarian needs reached a crescendo when he donated operational vehicles worth $US140,000 (about N49 million) to the Ghana Police Service. Joshua’s team was also recently at the Mountain Ministries Ranch in Washington, USA, being a facility set up to rehabilitate those recovering from drug and alcoholic addictions. There, he donated sums in thousands of dollars to the inmates. Gary Miller, founder of the ranch, who got a cash gift of $2,000 (about N700,000), simply leapt for joy, the publication recalls. In the inglorious era of Ebola disease scourge in Sierra Leone too, Joshua’s Emmanuel TV Team was on hand. Then, T.B Joshua reportedly chartered a plane, loaded it with anointing water (for spiritual healing) and sent the sachets with a cash donation of $US50,000 (about N17.5 million) to bring succour to the Ebola victims. This is besides the fact that the cleric has permanently instituted a culture of restoring victims of human trafficking, especially as it pertains to Nigeria, his home country. The man of God, the publication adds, has always been there for Nigerians trapped in the Libyan serfdom, who yearn to return home and live a free life. In the last three years, his SCOAN has been home to many Libyan returnees who keep testifying to how Joshua brought them back to Nigeria and not only gave them financial and material supports, but also ensured that they were resettled to live a normal life. An insider in the SCOAN, who would want his name under wraps, told THISDAY that this singular effort had gulped as much as N300 million. As for the virulent Boko Haram insurgency that had claimed many lives, especially in the Northeastern part of the country where hundreds of thousands were displaced, the Joshua team had reportedly spent several millions of naira to fend for the victims. Of note, as recalled in the SCOAN publication, was the cleric’s recent N10 million donation to support inmates of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in New Kuchingoro, Abuja. His humanitarian efforts, it was also learnt, were carried to the heartlands of crisis-prone areas in Borno, Jos in Plateau, Adamawa, Yobe, and Kaduna. Indeed, his Ikotun-Egbe community which is his host in Lagos, has reportedly been having chummy moments courtesy of the cleric’s rare act of generosity. “When our electricity transformer got burnt recently, we simply smiled, knowing T.B Joshua would rise up to the occasion, and he did not let us down”, said Mr. Adeyinka Yinusa, a resident of Bolorunpelu settlement in the Ikotun-Egbe area. Meanwhile, T.B Joshua’s Arigidi hometown is particularly enlivened by his display of the prosaic aphorism that “charity begins at home”. The community, it was gathered, had been in darkness for close to four years as a result of vandalism brought to its electric cables and transformer. When told of the cost implication by his community leaders, T.B Joshua reportedly sent N20 million across. Today, Arigidi is enjoying electricity supply. Commenting on the gesture, the Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Public Utilities, Mr. Tunji Ariyomo, said, “What T.B Joshua did is commendable and worthy of emulation by other well-to-do indigenes of Ondo State, as by his act, he has complemented government’s efforts in ensuring that electricity supply is brought to all rural communities in the state.” Meanwhile, an inside source in the SCOAN has explained that Joshua’s source of income in giving back to the society “is a simple arithmetic, born out of God-given heart of generosity.” “The man of God does not collect money from anyone to obtain prayer or miracle; but once God meets you at the point of your need, and you come with money to show appreciation, he would immediately set aside a reasonable percentage to charity works, to meet the needs of the less-privileged members of the society,” the source enthused.

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F R I DAY ˾ JUNE 14, 2019

POLSCOPE

with Eddy Odivwri eddy.odivwri@thisdaylive.com, 0805 306 9356

Emir Sanusi and Goje: What Happened to their Probes?

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f the fight against corruption is to be meaningfully fought and won, then it should not defer to status or sentiment. Recently two cases of alleged corruption that came to the public stage are those of the Emir of Kano, HRH Mohammadu Sanusi II, and that of Alhaji Danjuma Goje. While the one was accused of fraudulently spending the sum of N3.4 Billion belonging to the Kano Emirate Council, the other is accused of misappropriating the sum of N5 billion while he was governor of Gombe State between 2003 and 2011. But surprisingly, those two cases may have been trashed. In the case of the Emir of Kano, he seems to have been let off the noose by the intervention of the duo of Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Gov Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State. The Kano State Public Complaint and Anticorruption Council had investigated allegations of fraud made against the Emir and his emirate, prompting an investigation into his transactions. The findings have revealed troubling recklessness on the part of the Emir. It would be the second time he would be indicted since he mounted the throne. But it keeps being swept under the carpet. It is not certain whether it is all politics. But the point must be made that those who live in glass houses should avoid throwing stones. Sanusi lives in glass houses , but loves to haul stones at people. He, it was that alleged that about $21 billion realised from crude oil sales were not in the Central Bank account of the Federal Government. That and many his many other acts led to his suspension as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria by the then President Goodluck Jonathan administration. The Emir had seemingly worked against the re-election of Governor Ganduje during the last election. As a repercussion for that disloyalty, the governor balkanized the Kano Emirate by creating four other emirates. This was meant to whittle down the effect of Emir Sanusi. When the courts halted the act, then an old 19-page report on Emir Sanusi’s financial malfeasance was released. That is the report that says the anti-Corruption council found him guilty of misappropriating the sum of N3.4 billion for which the commission recommended suspension from office pending the determination of the full and final investigation.

Emir Sanus

Goje

It is interesting to note that the complaint against Sanusi by a faceless “Concern(sic) Friends of the Emirate” is dated March 28, 2017. Question is: why did the Kano State government file away the findings and recommendations of the anti-corruption commission all the while, and remembering to root it out only when the courts disallowed the splitting of the Emirate into bits and pieces? Is it true that Ganduje is merely playing politics? Is it true that the Emir misappropriated N3.4billion belonging to the Kano emirate? If no, then why the “persecution”? But if yes, so what happens to the money? Does the intervention of Dangote and Fayemi wipe off the crime of misappropriation of public funds? So who returns the money to the coffers of the

Emirate and what will be the punishment? If it was an “ordinary person” that misappropriated (semantics for stealing) people’s funds to the tune of N3.4 billion, would he not have long ended in the back end of Gashua prisons? If it was an ordinary person, would Dangote and Co intervene to save him from going to jail? Why is the Emir now being shielded from the effect of the fire he lit? Do we have two sets of laws and two sets of morality? It is ironic that in a domain defined by poverty, squalor and lack, its ethno-religious leader can be associated with a financial binge that bothers on recklessness. How can it be explained , for instance, that while the Emir is expending the sum of N360 million in installing CCTVs in the palace, many of his

folksmen are on the street begging even for food? Many of the transactions of the Emir have accumulated from chartering private jets, hotel accommodation and generally engaging in opulent life style ( like riding in exquisite limousine cars) which contrasts sharply with the status and (mis) fortune of his subjects. Some truce has been achieved between the Kano Government House and the Kano Emirate now. Is that the end of the investigation? Will the file be dusted again whenever the Emir steps out of political order? What a country! The other case is that of Danjuma Goje. This was a man the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused of laundering the sum of N5billion while as a governor. He was taken to court and slammed a 21-count charge of laundering the said sum. Yes, sometime ago, a Federal High court in Jos struck out 19 out of the 21counts. That means 2 more counts were yet pending. What has happened to the remaining counts? But few days to the National Assembly Election, it was reported that part of the deal that made Goje to step down for Lawan was he (Goje) requesting that the EFCC drops the case against him. The President allegedly obliged him and ordered the EFCC to drop the case, or officially put: transfer the case to the Ministry of Justice . Pronto, Goje announced his stepping down for Mohammed Lawan. So is it that the stepping down for Lawan has deleted the crime of Goje? Were the allegations against him frivolous? If they were not, why would his stepping down from contesting, step down his alleged crime too? Indeed, the fact that such a heavy case of corruption was hanging on his head, should, in the first place, disqualify him from seeking such a prized office in the land. To further compensate him by dropping the case against him is to indulge and inadvertently promote fraud and corruption in our public governance system. It puts a big question mark on the sincerity of the president’s avowed fight against corruption. It is bad enough that there are so many people with corruption baggage in the National Assembly, but it is doubly worse that the same government that has drawn the sword against corruption will be shielding and even projecting those whose records are not clean.

Canticles….

NASS Leadership: Oshiomhole Now a Few Inches Taller

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Deputy Senate president in a chamber his party is clearly in the minority, as if it is an inheritance. It is exemplary show of greed and mischief. He thought another Saraki was yet in the senate. This is someone who had promised to quit the senate after 16 years. Now he is gonna leave with a damp badge of disgrace. For him and his ilk, it will no longer be business as usual. So do you think the man who defeated Ekweremadu, Ovie Omo-Agege, will be a better legislator and Deputy Senate President?

urray, it has been confirmed now that indeed, the taste of the pudding is in the eating. Who ever doubted that before?

All those of you who wanted Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be thrown out of the party. Have you people not been put to shame now? Put to shame? How? How else? Some of you people were in conspiracy with the opposition party, the PDP, to frustrate the arrangement put in place by the NWC of the APC about the NASS Leadership. Some of you wanted the election to go the way of 2015 manipulation so you will justify the clamour for the removal of Oshiomhole. God has disappointed you all now. Hmmmm…. You speak as if the so-called Oshiomhole is the oxygen of the APC. There have been chairmen before him and sure there will be more after him. Can you not see the ruin the short man brought on the party? For a party in power to lose seven states in one full blast, what kind of leadership is that? Wrong! I say wrong! The party did not lose seven states. But even if it did, does the reclaim of the leadership of the Executive and the Legislature by the APC, under Oshiomhole not prove his leadership mettle and political sagacity? Look, I can tell you with all confidence that the same Oshiomhole is a few inches taller now. He has delivered. He is the David that slayed the Goliath called PDP in the National Assembly. We must salute and celebrate the Edo-born politician. Don’t forget his predecessor, John Oyegun, is also Edo-born politician, a former governor of Edo State, just like Oshiomhole But under Oyegun, the PDP bigots mas-

Oshiomhole

querading as APC chieftains, hijacked the National Assembly and succeeded in stalling the progress and pace of the country for four years. Never again! But you still have PDP activists in the National Assembly even now, especially the senate. They are lying in wait. The APC does not have the two-third majority to pass any bill without the support of the PDP senators. Don’t rejoice too much or too soon for the victory of last Tuesday. The APC may have merely scorched the snake, not beheaded it. The PDP has been degraded and technically diffused. Did you not see how Ike Ekweremadu, the PDP pawn, was defeated and disgraced? A man who had served as Deputy Senate President, for 12 years, yes, 12 years, he still came forth to be elected as

That is very certain. Have you been following the political history of that vibrant senator? He is the future of legislative leadership. He is the Obarisi of Urhobo land. Do you know what that means? He is dutiful and articulate. He has a rousing support from his constituency. He is one sharp legislative asset, I can assure you. Hmmmm, you speak so glibly of people you hardly know enough. Don’t depend on media profiling. There’s more to these politicians than the media can pick. Pray, was he not the same person who was linked with the invasion of the senate last year, when the mace was snatched by some hoodlums? Raw rubbish! That’s pure Bunkum with a capital ‘B’ People like you merely suspected. Nobody established any such thing against him. He is a lawyer, and cannot be seen to be breaching the laws of the land in such brazen manner. Those ill narratives are the handiwork of his opponents, in and outside the senate. But the victory of last Tuesday has finally sealed their lips. Look, what Nigerians want is a Nigeria that works. A Nigeria where life is not harsh and brutish. A Nigeria where the executive and the legislature will be on the same page on how to improve the life of the man on the street. Not a legislature that is interested only in their own fat allowances to the detriment of their constituents. That is what this new leadership stands for. Trust

me! Are you implying that because the APC now controls both chambers of the National Assembly, and almost arms of government, President Buhari will be more proactive and fast-paced in governance? Will the list of ministerial nominees get to the National Assembly in a week or so from now? Don’t forget this is New Level government Indeed! What is really bothering many discerning Nigerians is whether or not this National Assembly will not become the annex of Aso Rock. Whether both Lawan and Gbajabiamila will not be willing nad effective stooges in the hands of the executive , given the pivotal role the president and the entire executive structure played in their emergence. In other words, won’t they be servile lackeys masquerading as independent lawmakers? Hmmmm, you have asked vital questions, I must say. But be rest assured that neither Lawan nor Gbajabiamila will be a push-over. They will not be rubber stamp leaders. I am certain they will assert themselves and stand for what is true and for the overall good of Nigeria and Nigerians. But having said that, I must add that we need a legislature that will accord with the executive, not the one that will do battle with the executive like the one we had before now. In otherwords, it will literally be a “we-we” government, isn’t it? Well, the implication is that there will no longer be any excuse for non-performance since the executive practically has both the knife and the yam now. Nigerians will be itching to see the benefits on their tables, their schools, their hospitals, their roads, their labour market etc. Blessed are those who believe without seeing! No! Not in the Nigerian politicking arena where everything appears magical.

FRIDAY JUNE 14, 2019 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍ˛Ëœ 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FG Urged to EnhanceTechnology Adoption Nume Ekeghe The federal government has been advised to embrace technology so as to aid economic growth in the country. The Chief Executive, Kainos Edge Consulting, Dr. Adedoyin Salami, gave the advice in a keynote address he delivered yesterday, at the Risk Management Association of Nigeria 19th annual lecture, where risk managers gathered to discuss the topic: “Economic Recovery and Development: Leveraging Technological Innovation.� Salami, also said that if properly harnessed, the Nigerian could grow at double digits and could become a world power in 20 years. Salami said: “The time frame in which countries are developing and achieving rapid growth is reducing sharply, largely on the back of technology and that is one of the key reasons why for me, the conference theme is crucial. “When you look at what has happened to other countries, technology has been a major player therein. Nigeria should pay attention to it. “Most governments in this country are unable to appreciate how quickly this economy can grow on the basis of technology. As a country,

we need to understand that it is about out. “At the end of 2018, Nigeria was about the 30th economy in the world and if we must achieve our goal of the 20th the largest economy by the year 2020, we must double the size of this economy in the next one year.� Furthermore, he pointed out that in addressing infrastructure deficit, it is important to bring in private capital to supplement government’s efforts. He added: “If we define our targets of where should we be going, the federal government should define and be encouraged to achieve to where we have set as destination. “For me, it is clear that Nigeria is a capital deficient country and to that extent, you cannot rely on public capital. So, private money must be brought to the table in order to supplement government money if we are going to get to where we are going.� “In other words, the federal government should incentivise for growth. These incentives can be economic incentives but there are also institutional incentives, so can we not build institutions that ensure that over a period of time our country makes progress in

a well-defined manner. “ On his part, President RIMAN Mr. Magnus Nnoka, who spoke on what prompted the discussion for the conference, said: “Every year, RIMAN as part of its mission tries to provoke discussions around topical issues of the moment. This year we have chosen to discuss economic recovery and development leveraging through technological innovation. “If you look at what is happening globally why economies are not growing, whether it is in Asia Europe, America or Latin America where the economies are shrinking, so we feel at this point in time, the typical issues for most of the economies is on how to achieve a faster economic growth and how to take people out of poverty to achieve economic development.� “The world is in the fourth industrial revolution today silently and if you also look at the history of developed economies most of them leveraged technologies to get to where they are. “And for us particularly in Nigeria and Africa as the fourth industrial revolution comes, we need to see how we can tap into it to enhance the productive capacity of the economy.�

Bayero University to Honour Elumelu The Bayero University Kano (BUK) will tomorrow confer an Honorary Doctor of Business on the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa Plc and founder, The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Mr. Tony Elumelu. According to the university, the honour was in recognition of Elumelu’s innumerable and worthy contribution to the country as an economist, entrepreneur and a philanthropist. The Vice Chancellor of BUK, Prof. Muhammad Bello, in a letter to Elumelu, who is also the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, also stated that Elumelu’s, “philanthropic activities through the TEF have reached every nook and corner of our nation and have impacted positively

on many lives.� He also said his “efforts in the area of entrepreneurship are making immense contributions to the economy.� Elumelu is an investor and philanthropist. In 2011, he conceived the term Africapitalism, which has catalysed the African entrepreneurial landscape, positioning the private sector as the engine for growth and empowerment, and prioritising social and economic wealth creation. In 1997, he founded Standard Trust Bank, which grew to be the fifth ranked bank in a 90bank industry, in eight years. In 2005, he led the merger between Standard Trust Bank and the United Bank for Africa (UBA), which at the time was

sub-Saharan Africa ex South Africa’s largest financial services transaction. He became chief executive of the new group, implementing a Pan-African strategy, that created one of Africa’s largest financial services groups. Heirs Holdings, a familyowned investment company, is committed to improving lives and transforming Africa. Heirs Holdings’ portfolio spans the power, oil and gas, financial services, hospitality, real estate and healthcare sectors, operating in twenty-three countries worldwide. He also chairs Nigeria’s largest quoted conglomerate, Transcorp, whose subsidiaries include Transcorp Power, the largest generator of electricity in Nigeria.

R-L : Coordinator, Pragmatic Shareholders Association, Mrs Bisi Bakare; Secretary-General, Association for lnvestors’ Liberation, Hamza Ridhwan; Zonal Shareholder, Samuel Adesogan and National Coordinator, lndependent Shareholders’ Association of Nigeria, Mr. Adebisi Adeniyi, during a press conference on the suspension of Oando Plc Annual General Meeting by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Lagos‌recently ABIODUN AJALA

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS 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)

Femi Solaja More than 150 food and drink businesses, both local and international, are set to take part in a new trade show in Lagos, with the launch of Food and Beverage West Africa (FAB). The event holds in Lagos between June 18th and 20th. The organisers have secured the backing of many businesses and trade associations, which recognise the significant opportunities the show would bring to food and drink retailers, restaurant owners and food distributors in Nigeria and West Africa, according to a statement. “Such is the interest, more than 5,000 visitors from the F&B industry are expected to attend the free to-attend three-day event. “JustFood, the region’s leading provider of quality, global food equipment brands, is a Gold Sponsor of FAB West Africa,�

the statement added. It quoted JustFood’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tunde Ogunrinde, to have said: “The food & beverage industry is rapidly growing across West Africa; we are supporting FAB because we want to continue to be part of the growth and this event provides the platform to meet all key stakeholders in one place.â€? Other businesses partnering FAB include SPAR, the largest chain of hypermarket stores in Nigeria of which saw sales of â‚Ź110,781,000 (N44.7 billion) in 2018, and NASCO, a leading export and wholesale company based in the UK. Also, FoodPreneurs Hub’s spokeswoman, Ms Olushola Oladejo, said: “We are supporting FAB West Africa because it is giving food entrepreneurs like us a great opportunity to showcase our businesses to the world at the same time partner with

international businesses. “The retailing sector in Nigeria is growing fast, due to Nigeria’s rapid urban developments and the country’s fast-growing middle class. “This is a huge opportunity for retailers. Supermarkets are also increasing in their numbers across the country.� In addition to food and beverage businesses, several trade groups are partnering with the show, including REFSPAN (Restaurant and Food Services Proprietors Association of Nigeria), NASON (the National Association of Supermarket Owners of Nigeria), the Balogun Business Association, the Oke Arin Traders Association, Onitsha Main Markets Traders Union (OMMATU), Ogbaru Main Market Traders Association (OMMTA), Eziukwu Road Traders Association and the Association of Food Vendors in Nigeria (AFVN).

18,990,400.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

12,804,402.66

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,062,986.22

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,980,229.66

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

7,093,619.43

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

-4,144,571.43

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

23,082,756.56

--Other Assets Net

13,258,583.57

Reserve Money (Base Money

6,811,192.37

--Currency in Circulation

2,100,129.91

--Banks Reserves

4,366,259.05

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

Food & Beverage W’Africa to Showcase Opportunities in Nigeria

(MILLION NAIRA)

NOVEMBER 2018

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT WEDNESDAY, 12 MAY 2019

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $61.01 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $62.56 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

41

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍ˛Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

MARKET NEWS

NASCON to Increase Market Share via Product Innovation Goddy Egene NASCON Allied Industries Plc is targeting more market share in the food sector through increased product range and innovation that will lead to more returns on investment. Executive Director, Commercial of NASCON, Fatima Aliko-Dangote, who said this, noted that having introduced three new products in 2018, would be introducing more

products this year as part of strategies to meet the needs of its varied customer base. Speaking at the annual general meeting (AGM) of the company in Lagos yesterday, the director said NASCON products are widely accepted in the market. Managing Director, NASCON, Paul Farrer said the company, having demonstrated its resilience in the challenging environment of 2018, is strongly focused on capacity growth and increased

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R

DEALS

market penetration. He disclosed that the company would be leveraging on a number of synergies including improved output in terms of quality, quantity and business efficiency to deliver value for all stakeholders. The shareholders of the company unanimously approved the payment of a total dividend of N2.65 billion for the financial year ended December, 31, 2018 and commended the board and

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

management of the firm. Speaking at the meeting, Founder, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Mr. Sunny Nwosu, lauded the dividend declared by the company during the period under review. Nwosu commended the board and management for their ability to declare and pay dividends despite the harsh operating environment which resulted from the Apapa Wharf gridlock and

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

the downturn in the national economy. Also speaking, Mrs Bisi Bakare of Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, commended the quality of the product mix from NASCON. Bakare said that the product mix compares with the best in the market. Another shareholder, Olagoke Olusegun commended the quality of the board of directors, which he said consists of vibrant

O F

and experienced members who oversee and influence the activities of the management team. According to him, the good synergy between the board and management is seen in the performance of the company despite the harsh operating environment manufacturing companies faced in the year 2018. He also tasked the management to pay more attention to the welfare of staff who are key to the performance of the company.

1 1 / 0 6 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

42

˾ FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019

7 R S * D L Q H U V T ic k er

P ric e

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 R O X P H P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

P ric e C hg %

GLA XOSM IT H

8.35

9.2%

GUA R A N T Y

78.3

1.0%

M A YB A KER

2.35

6.3%

Z EN IT H B A N K

34.0

-0.2%

M B EN EF IT

0.21

5.0%

UB A

25.5

-0.8%

UC A P

2.30

3.6%

ET I

18.1

0.0%

A F R IP R UD

3.49

2.3%

M TNN

9.5

0.1%

WEM A B A N K

0.60

1.7%

NB

9.0

0.9%

A IIC O

0.68

1.5%

F ID ELIT YB K

7.1

0.0%

OA N D O

3.80

1.3%

FB NH

5.6

0.0%

GUA R A N T Y

30.80

1.0%

FCM B

5.2

0.6%

FO

26.75

0.9%

A C C ESS

4.0

-1.6%

7 R S / R V H U V T ic k er

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 D O X H

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

C ILEA SIN G

6.30

-9.9%

GUA R A N T Y

NP FM CRFB K

1.30

-9.7%

M TNN

UA C -P R OP

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

2407.0

1.0%

1291.3

0.1%

1.51

-8.5%

Z EN IT H B A N K

681.3

-0.2%

55.00

-5.2%

NB

514.7

0.9%

LIVEST OC K

0.60

-4.8%

D A N GC EM

386.6

-1.1%

J A P A ULOIL

0.24

-4.0%

ET I

177.0

0.0%

NA HCO

2.99

-3.2%

UB A

158.9

-0.8%

UA C N

6.20

-3.1%

UN ILEVER

45.2

0.2%

D A N GSUGA R

10.70

-2.7%

FB NH

38.7

0.0%

WA P IC

0.40

-2.4%

A C C ESS

25.3

-1.6%

P R ESC O

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

Vo lum e

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

43

FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Oando Shareholders Call for Federal Government’s Intervention Goddy Egene Some minority Shareholders of Oando Plc have called on the federal government to save the company from its current crisis following the decision of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to penalize its directors after the conclusion of a forensic audit of the company’s

activities. SEC had directed the immediate resignation of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Wale Tinubu and his deputy, Mr. Omamofe Boyo and other directors of the company. The commission equally barred Tinubu and Boyo from being directors of public companies for a period of five years. Tinubu and Boyo

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

went to court to secure an interim injection from Federal High Court sitting in Lagos restraining SEC from removing as GCEO and DGEO respectively. However, the commission last Monday announced the suspension of Oando annual general meeting (AGM), which was already fixed for Tuesday. Worried by these developments,

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 11Jun-2019, unless otherwise stated.

the minority shareholders of Oando Plc on Wednesday said the federal government should intervene and stop further value erosion in the company’s shares. The Secretary-General, Association for Investors Liberation, Mr Hamza Ridhwa, who spoke on the behalf of the shareholders in Lagos, noted that already the equity has depreciated from N4.20

on May 31, to N3.75. According to him, it was not acceptable for SEC to attempt to take down the company, noting that Oando Plc adds significant value to the Nigerian economy as an employer of labour and attract foreign direct investment into the country. He said the way and manner SEC suspended the AGM was

disappointing and disheartening. Ridhwa said: “We condemn in absolute terms the way and manner chosen by SEC in announcing the cancellation on the eve of the event, despite having ample time to do the same. We have shareholders who have come in from all over the country; it is disappointing and disheartening to think that SEC did not think it worthy to consider us.

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: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 145.42 147.46 -7.54% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 8.11% Nigeria International Debt Fund 276.77 276.77 1.30% 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 4.06% ACAP Income Funds 0.76 0.76 34.08% 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 13.17% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.31 2.33 3.76% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 15.39 15.85 -7.24% ARM Discovery Fund 343.23 353.58 -3.76% ARM Ethical Fund 28.98 29.85 2.63% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.42% 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 96.20 96.88 -4.93% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.49% 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 1.82 1.82 12.83% 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 N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 N/A N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A 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 12.57% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.82 0.83 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.20 1.20 6.87% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,192.66 1,193.51 6.82% FBN Heritage Fund 143.62 144.58 0.59% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.89% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 116.07 116.47 5.09% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 116.02 116.42 5.31% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 137.27 139.19 -8.49% 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 3.42 3.42 5.45% Legacy Equity Fund 1.12 1.14 -7.95% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 2.12% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A Coral Income Fund N/A N/A N/A GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.86% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 108.40 108.88 0.72% 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 12.47% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.15 2.17 -0.16% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.89% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 131.28 131.37 5.04% 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 1.21 1.23 5.40% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,107.98 1,107.98 6.10% 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 10.65 10.74 -7.39% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.96% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.27 1.29 3.40% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.53 11.60 3.57% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.62% 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 119.64 120.43 -0.81% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 5.21% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,339.37 2,352.82 1.09% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 201.94 201.94 6.21% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.90 0.91 -4.74% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 256.53 256.63 5.83% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 153.90 155.75 -5.62% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.63% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,894.31 7,994.59 -6.97% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.11 1.11 2.72% 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 1.20 1.21 0.80% United Capital Bond Fund 1.70 1.70 6.93% United Capital Equity Fund 0.69 0.70 -2.95% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.20% United Capital Eurobond Fund 111.08 111.08 3.56% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.13 1.14 3.66% 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 10.59 10.77 0.34% Zenith Ethical Fund Zenith Income Fund Zenith Money Market Fund

10.81 22.02 1.00

10.96 22.02 1.00

-4.50% 14.20% 11.60%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.40 120.61 52.31

-44.85% 2.45% 1.10%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.91 97.11 80.21

10.01 99.16 81.69

-6.02% -17.22% -9.54%

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

3.54 6.15 13.07 10.53 155.82

3.58 6.23 13.17 10.73 157.82

-11.48% -19.15% -10.73% -14.69% 17.49%

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.

FRIDAY JUNE 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWSEXTRA

NIMASA Creates 7,000 Jobs in Maritime Sector Says anti-piracy bill will aid maritime development Peter Uzoho The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has said that the Agency had already keyed into the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari by creating over 7,000 jobs in the last six months through the New Cabotage Compliance Strategy and is set to do more, as there are vast opportunities in the maritime sector. Dakuku stated this yesterday in Lagos while speaking with journalists on the activities of NIMASA. He said the agency had come up with strategies that had ensured a steady rise in the number of jobs created through manning, crewing, stevedoring, and dockworkers engagement. This, he said, has positioned the maritime industry as one of the key sectors that will support the realisation of President Buhari’s pronouncement during his Democracy Day broadcast of bringing 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years, as maritime possesses a vast opportunity for our economic growth. According to the NIMASA DG, the implementation of a five-year plan for the cessation of waiver has encouraged the employment of more Nigerians by vessel owners. He said the effect of the new Cabotage regime was still yielding positive

results, as more Nigerians are set to be engaged in various subsectors of the maritime industry due to the discouragement of the dominance of the sector by foreigners. “We have always known that the political will to deal with the issue of waivers in the Cabotage regime had been the challenge in the past. Our pronouncement and implementation of the New Cabotage Compliance Strategy has led to the engagement of over 7,000 Nigerians in various sub-sectors within the industry. This has also resulted in 32 per cent increase in vessels operating under the Cabotage regime in the first two quarters of 2019,” he said. Detailing the achievements of NIMASA, Dakuku said that the agency had inspected and surveyed over 600 vessels calling at Nigerian ports, an unprecedented feat, which he said showed that Nigeria was alive to its port state and flag state responsibilities. He said the increased inspection and survey had ensured that sub-standard vessels no longer call at Nigerian ports, which has also improved safety on Nigerian waters. The DG also pointed out that in line with the Ease of Doing Business initiative of the President Buhari’s administration, it now takes less than 24 hours to issue sailing clearance to vessels that call at Nigerian ports, from about seven days at the time the current management of NIMASA came

Labour Party Gets New Leadership Chats new course for national cohesion The Labour Party (LP) has re-elected its National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, alongside other national officers to lead the party for the next fours under a keenly contested and peaceful national convention of the party held in Akwanga, Nasarawa State. Also, other newly elected officers at the June 10, 2019 convention, ardently observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deployed from its national headquarters in Abuja, included, Maria Lebeke, Alhaji Bashiru Apapa Lamidi and Platform as Deputy National Chairmen. The elected National Vice Chairmen include Sunday innocent Okeke for Southeast, Bode Simon, South-west, Prince Favour Reuben, South-south, Adi Shirsha, North-central, Alkali Ibrahim Moh’d North-east and Umar Faouk Ibrahim, North-west. While Julius Abure emerged the party’s National Secretary, Mr. Kenedy Chigozie A and Alhaji Saleh Lawan were elected Deputy National Secretaries, respectively. Other elected officers include, Mrs. Oluchukwu Oparah, National Treasurer, Mrs. Dupe Seyaolu, National Women Leader, Gbenga Daramola, National Financial Secretary, Innocent Lagi, National Publicity Secretary, Clement Gbazuagu Ojukwu, National Organising Secretary, Akingbade Samuel Oyelaki, National Legal Adviser, Lami

Ahmed, National Auditor, and A Eregbe, National youth Leader. The party said it left the positions of National Women Leaders and that of Deputy Youths Leaders, respectively to be filled by the National Executive Council (NEC). Addressing the elated convention, the National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, vowed to steer the party to achieve its principles of humanistic, patriotic, Pan-African and in line with global best practices. According to him, “The imperative of today therefore demand that all genuine social democrats, patriots and progressives must at this historic junction salvage and liberate the nation along the path to democratic renewal and development. “The challenge calls for a new social contract that must bring together committed and altruistic political actors for democratic consolidation in Nigeria. This is the mission of our party. “The Labour Party will address the issue of political power not as an end but as the vehicles for national transformation and governance which is consistent with the tenets of social democracy.” Abdulsalam added that, “In furtherance of mission, our reinvigorated Labour Party shall embark on programmes aimed at ensuring that national cohesion, peace, security, stability and prosperity is practically achieved.”

on board. He noted that this had greatly improved vessel turn-around time and made Nigerian ports more attractive. Dakuku said the agency was taking strategic steps to deal with the issue of piracy, disclosing that the Anti-piracy bill sponsored by NIMASA has been passed by the National Assembly, adding that

as soon as it gets the required executive assent, it will help tame the piracy monster and open up more opportunities in the sector. He stated that though the steps taken were challenging, the agency was committed to ensuring a safe and secure maritime environment to promote participation in maritime

business. He said, “The issue of maritime crime has been challenging, not only to us as a nation but also the entire Gulf of Guinea. To achieve the objective of a safe and secure maritime environment that will guarantee the realisation of the president’s pronouncement, commitment is critical and we at

NIMASA have decided to take the challenge head-on with the various strategies formulated at the agency’s level to drive the process.” To this, he noted that the world will be coming to Nigeria in October to brainstorm on ways of collectively tackling the menace of maritime insecurity.

OIL & GAS AFFAIR...

L-R: Programme Manager, National LPG Expansion Plan, Dayo Adesina; President, Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) and Co-Founder/ Executive Director, Falcon Corporation Limited, Audrey Joe-Ezigbo; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO Techno Oil Limited, Nkechi Obi; President, Nigeria LPG Association, Nuhu Yakubu at the Commissioning of the Techno LPG Cylinder manufacturing plant by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in Lagos... recently

NIGERIA’S SPIRALLING INSECURITY Buhari was one of those individuals who fuelled the Sharia movement with his radical utterances and great verve. In August 2001, Buhari at a seminar in Kaduna organised by the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria, even called for the introduction of “total” Islamic law across the country. He had said with gusto to a charged nation: “I will continue to show openly and inside me the total commitment to the Sharia movement that is sweeping all over Nigeria. God willing, we will not stop the agitation for the total implementation of the Sharia in the country.” In reaction to the pushback against Sharia, Buhari had queried: “Why should Christians be concerned when Muslims cut off their limbs? After all, the limbs cut off are Muslim ones.” Earlier in 2001, he had called on Muslims to vote at the 2003 presidential polls only for someone who would defend their faith. He eventually contested the election because he believed that with his track record, he had convinced the core Muslim faithful enough that he was someone that would do it. From day one, he projected himself as the defender of the Muslim faith to get votes; a firm believer in theocratic state. By all these utterances, Buhari helped to nurture the seeds of radical religious intolerance and division that has grown into full blown terrorism under the guise of wanting the full implementation of Islamic Sharia. In return, he amassed huge political capital in the form of support and votes from the Muslim North starting from the 2003 elections. It is generally acknowledged that the language of his campaign in 2011 election led to the violence that claimed several

lives, including the lives of 12 youth corps members after he lost the election. In November 2012, Boko Haram nominated Buhari among six northerners to negotiate with the federal government on its behalf. Why the choice of Buhari? Of course the terrorists trusted him more than any other person to defend their interests due to his track record. On June 4, 2013, the Jonathan government approved the proscription of Boko Haram and splinter group Ansaru as terrorist organisations. What was the reaction of many Northerners? They condemned the action of the government. Many Nigerians won’t forget in a hurry the role played by the Borno Elders’ Forum to undermine the war against Boko Haram. Is it not instructive that since Buhari assumed power, no one has heard about them despite the worsening security situation in Borno State? In the same June 2013 that Boko Haram was proscribed, Buhari flayed the way the Jonathan government was handling the security situation, saying unlike the special treatment being given to the Niger Delta militants by the federal government, the Boko Haram members were being killed and their houses demolished by the government. For more damaging effects, he upped the ante in his poisonous ethno-religious comments saying, “A declaration of a state of emergency would be anti-North. Buhari did all he could to undermine the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo with his strong support for Sharia and radical religious urgings to Muslims to only vote someone who would defend their faith. The Sharia he supported nurtured the

seeds of radical Islamic groups such as Boko Haram that the nation is today grappling with. To twist the knife still further, Buhari also voiced support for Boko Haram and lamented the killing of members of the sect. He did this purposely to undermine Jonathan’s government. It is noteworthy that Buhari like members of the northern intelligentsia never condemned the terror group then for all the atrocities it committed. His utterances arguably emboldened the sect in its reign of terror. Don’t be fooled, he only began to move away from the group when it was looking likely he would seek the presidential ticket on a broad coalition platform; he would later on become the standard-bearer of the then-newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC). He went on to campaign on the mantra of “Change” just as he assured Nigerians that he had also changed from his bad ways. Well, in the land of my fathers, there is this saying: “The chameleon changes colour to match the earth, the earth doesn’t change colour to match the chameleon.” Buhari only pretended to have changed when his promoters packaged and rebranded him in 2015. And I should borrow this quote from Soyinka’s description of Jonathan when he endorsed Buhari in 2015: “The predator walks stealthily on padded feet, but we all know now with what lightning speed the claws flash into action. We have learnt to expect, deplore and confront certain acts in military dictatorship, but to find them manifested under supposedly democratic governance?” Now, between Buhari and Jonathan, who is a better fit for this description? Soyinka must be gasping with embarrassment.

Obasanjo’s government as well as Jonathan’s was a victim of Buhari’s harsh and destabilising ethno-religious rhetoric. It is therefore most uncharitable of Soyinka to play to the gallery and blame Obasanjo for compromising on Boko Haram because he was ambitious and needed the support of “that governor” who wanted to turn his state into a theocratic one. Blaming the victim of Buhari’s undermining tactic, while giving him (Buhari) credit for fighting a Frankenstein’s monster he helped create but has turned on its creators flies in the face of reason. Sometimes I wonder what kind of spell was used on these people. You see, despite the withdrawal of support for Boko Haram by the Northern intelligentsia and other groups, thereby giving Buhari a head start over Jonathan in the fight against the sect, he has failed to defeat the terrorists he once gave moral support. Nigeria is now a Savage Kingdom under him. Buhari’s reign since 2015 has reinforced the public’s perception of him as an ethno-religious irredentist. After being sworn in for a second term in the midst of spiralling insecurity, his first official act was a hurried departure for Saudi Arabia for a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) without delivering his inaugural speech. What does this particular behaviour tell those who pretend Buhari cares about them and the country? He doesn’t, he cares only about himself. With a track record such as this, is it any surprise that the government under him has sat back while anarchy is loosed upon the land?

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Nigeria’s Oil Revenue The Quranic Meaning of Iman Hits N85tn in Five Years, Says Report Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Mansoor Alam/IslamiCity

Nigeria earned about N85 trillion, or $236.2 billion from oil between 2014 and 2018, the 54th edition of Annual Statistical Bulletin by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has revealed. The figure puts Nigeria in sixth place and the highest oil revenue earner in Africa among the 14 OPEC member countries surveyed in the report. The highest revenue in the review period was N27.1 billion or $75.2 million recorded in 2014, followed by 2018, when

N19.6 billion, about $54.5 million was earned. The country earned N14.8 billion, translating to $41.2 million, N9.8 billion or $27.3 million and N13.7 billion, that is, $38 million, were earned in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. OPEC records showed that Saudi Arabia was the highest revenue earner with $194.4 billion followed by United Arab Emirates’ $74.9 billion, Iraq’s $68.2 billion, Iran’s $60.2 billion and Kuwait’s $58.4 billion. According to the report,

OPEC-member countries sold an average of 24.67 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2018, a slight increase of about 14,000 b/d, or 0.1 per cent, compared to 2017. The major importers were countries in Asia and the Pacific, followed by Europe and the least exports to North America. The OPEC bulletin showed that Nigeria’s daily crude oil production in 2018 was 1.601 million b/d, a 4.3 per cent increase from the 1.535 million b/d recorded in 2017.

June 12: Fani-Kayode Berates Kingibe for Attacking Obasanjo A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has exonerated former President Olusegun Obasanjo from the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and berated a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe for alleging that Obasanjo knew about the annulment. “I have immense respect for Ambassador Babagana Kingibe and I congratulate and commend him for the great honor that was bestowed upon him and Chief MKO Abiola by the Buhari’s administration. “I also commend President Muhammadu Buhari for doing the right thing and not only making June 12 our authentic Democracy Day but also naming the National Stadium after Abiola. He however, faulted Kingibe’s

assertion that Obasanjo had any hand in the annulment of the June 12 election, describing it as a lie from the pit of hell. “We must not allow anyone to indulge in historical revisionism or re-write history. Obasanjo was not a member of General Ibrahim Babangida’s administration and neither did he have any hand in that monstrous perfidy and conspiracy against democracy and the Nigerian people. “As a matter of fact the man that insisted on the annulment of the June 12 election literally at gunpoint, Gen. Sani Abacha, was the same person that set up Obasanjo in a trumped up coup plot a few years later, jailed him and attempted to murder him with a lethal injection whilst he was in jail”. According to the former presidential spokesman, the

same Abacha was responsible for the murder of Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’adua when he was also falsely accused and jailed for coup-plotting. “It is the greatest irony of history and fate that the same Kingibe that has made this grevious allegation against Obasanjo and who was a protegee of both Obasanjo and Shehu Musa Yar’adua ended up serving in a government that was led by the same Sani Abacha who not only insisted on the annulment of Abiola’s mandate but also jailed and was intent on killing them both. “It is easy to see and discern who the real villain and traitor is between Obasanjo and Kingibe in this matter. One stood for democracy whilst the other joined and collaborated with those that literally killed it,” Fani-Kayode added.

Ikeja Oba-elect Seeks Installation Kayode Fasua Having lived with the title of Oba-elect for five years, monarch-designate of Ikeja community in Lagos, Prince Samsondeen Adeleye, has said it was time for the state government to consider his plight and install him as the Oba. Adeleye, who spoke with THISDAY in his Ikeja residence yesterday, urged the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to, in the spirit of justice attached to the June 12 celebration, grant him justice by calling for the necessary files relating to his long-anticipated installation. Welcoming the new governor, Adeleye said: “Your Excellency

should not allow my situation to go the way of the annulled June 12 presidential election. “I was elected the Oba by all the living kingmakers in December 2014 after due consultation with the Ifa oracle and after all traditional rites had been performed. “The kingmakers who were then led by the former state Deputy Governor, late Chief Rafiu Jafojo, called for entries from the next Ruling House, which is Oshoja, and I was the only person who indicated interest through a letter to the body of kingmakers. “After my emergence, the Ikeja Local Government Authorities were duly informed, and that was about five years ago. Up till date, we

have been waiting for the state government to give approval for my installation. “We have written many letters to past governors all to no avail. But I am pleading that the new governor should help us get justice in Ikeja.” Adeleye thanked the governor for appointing an Ikeja indigene, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, as his Chief of Staff, saying: “We have absolute confidence in his ability to deliver.” He also commended the governor on the appointment of Alhaji Hakeem MuriOkunola as the Head of Service, describing him as “a thorough-bred public servant who holds the traditional institution in high esteem.”

Group Urges Senate to Amend Land Use Act Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Housing Development Advocacy Group of Nigeria has called on the ninth Senate under the leadership of Senator Ahmed Lawan to amend the Land Use Act 1978, saying its gross misapplication is the major cause of Nigeria’s current housing crisis. The President of the group, Festus Adebayo, in a statement yesterday stressed the need for

the newly inaugurated National Assembly to pursue legislations needed to develop Nigeria’s housing sector after decades of neglect. According to him, “With good legislation, some of the perennial problems, notably the Land Use Act, bedeviling the sector will be ameliorated and led to the reduction of the country’s housing deficit. “The single most important

factor in Nigeria’s housing crisis is the gross misapplication of the Land Use Act 1978, and the resultant denial of access to land to the poor. This would offer to harmonise pre-existing customary land tenure systems and free up land for new development, as the Act constitutes the most aggressive and far-reaching declaration of the power of eminent domain over urban and rural lands in Nigeria.”

The root of the word “Iman” is a-m-n which means: to be calm and quiet (in one’s heart); to be protected from fear; trustworthiness, and truthfulness [Tajal-Urus]. Iman means to accept truthfully, to be convinced, and to verify something, to rely upon or have confidence in something. Iman is usually translated in English as faith or belief, and faith in turn signifies acceptance without proof or argument, without reference to reason or thought, knowledge or insight. According to the Qur’an, Iman is conviction which is based upon reason and knowledge; a conviction that results from full mental acceptance and intellectual satisfaction; the kind of conviction that gives one a feeling of inner contentment and peace. And a Mu’min is one who accepts truth in such a way that it ensures his own peace and helps him to safeguard the peace and security of the rest of humankind. In fact, Al-Mu’min is one of the attributes of Allah Himself (59:23). Allah gives a comprehensive and an objective definition of Iman in the Qur’an: “To believe in Allah, and in the hereafter, and in Malaika (angels or Allah’s forces), and in the Book, and the Prophets.” (2:177)

The Importance of Reason in Iman The Qur’anic view of reason and its place in human life deserves careful consideration. Man has been granted a mind which enables him to think, and through the instrument of intellect, is supposed to build up a system of knowledge. Reason converts the raw data supplied by the senses into knowledge and the Qur’an assigns to reason an important role in life: “Verily, the vilest of all creatures in the sight of God are those deaf, those dumb ones who do not use their reason”. (8:22) This is a graphic description of the degradation of man when he does not employ reason to his service. Such a man, the Qur’an tells us, not only lives a worthless and debased life here but also renders himself unfit for the hereafter which he enters after death: “Many are the Jinns and men we have made for Hell: They have hearts wherewith they understand not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle,- nay more misguided: for they are heedless (of warning). (7:179) This point is again emphasized in Sura Al-Furqan. The Prophet (PBUH) is addressed: “Or dost thou think that most of them listen [to thy message] and use their reason? Nay, they are but like cattle - nay, they are even less conscious of the right way! (25:44) The Qur’an expects man to think and use his power of understanding in the light of the guidance provided by wa‘hi or revelation from Allah. These two sources of guidance, i.e., reason and revelation, are supplementary to each other. If they are kept within their proper spheres, then there will be no conflict between them. The Prophet (PBUH) is commanded to say: Say [O Prophet]: “This is my way: Resting upon conscious insight accessible to reason, I am calling [you all] unto God - I and they who follow me.” (12:108) It is clear from these verses that Allah puts an extraordinary emphasis on (human) reason and intellect. Those who do not use reason are called worse than animals by Allah. The revelation from Allah is meant to be used with reason and understanding in order to enlighten our minds and hearts and not to be followed blindly: Say: “Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know?” (39:9) And most important of all, Allah says that even His revelations are not to be accepted blindly. The Believers (Mu’minin) according to the Qur’an are: “And who, whenever they are reminded of their Sustainer’s messages, do not throw themselves upon them [as if] deaf and blind.” (25:73) Thus, the Qur’an calls upon all human beings to apply their minds (with open minds, not with an a priori bias, prejudice or ancestral customized thoughts) to its teaching, and to strive constantly to grasp its meaning and rationale. The following commands are for everyone (and not just for the scholars): “Will they not, then, try to understand this Qur’an?” (4:82, 47:24) “(This is) a Book (the Quran) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember.” (38:29) Thus, Iman has to be individually acquired which requires that each of us consciously strive to acquire knowledge and understanding by using our own God-given gift of reason and intellect in the light of the revelation given in the Qur’an, so that Iman can enter our hearts.

Characteristics of Iman Here is list of several characteristics of Iman from the Qur’an which shed some further light on its reality:

Iman is not to accept it with the tongue but to accept it with the heart. (2:8-9) To accept everything which the Qur’an says as truth is Iman. (2:26) In order to acquire Iman in Allah, it is necessary to first reject every authority other than Allah. (2:25-26) Iman will lead human beings from darkness towards light. (2:257) In matters of Iman, one’s profession is irrelevant. (26:111-112) Unless Iman enters the heart, it cannot be called Iman. One can only say that one has surrendered to Islam. (49:14) Allah does not discard anyone’s Iman. (2:143) Finally, an important aspect which must be emphasized here is that no form of force or coercion (direct or indirect, temporal or spiritual) can be used in connection with Iman. This is because it contradicts the very definition of Iman. (As we have seen, Iman is derived from a-m-n which means peace in the heart.) So any forced conversion cannot be allowed in Islam. In fact, forced Iman is no Iman at all. Therefore, Iman in Islam is not a (blind) faith held privately and subjectively (without any rationale or reason) between an individual and God. As we have seen, there is a clear, explicit, and objective definition of Iman given in the Qur’an and Allah has Himself explained the process of how to acquire it in various other verses related to this topic. Therefore, it is not proper (for any Muslim, at least) to say that faith is a private, subjective matter between an individual and God. Nevertheless, the maxim “faith is a private matter” is accepted as a universal truth. It seems no one thinks that any serious effort is needed to investigate its in-depth meaning and provide a proof for this oft repeated phrase. A moment’s reflection, however, reveals that those who believe in this maxim are really contradicting themselves in their daily lives. A good religious speaker greatly influences people’s thoughts and beliefs. The moment one opens one’s private belief to be influenced by others, it no longer remains private. So much so, that an accomplished religious leader can cause havoc in people’s lives to the extent that a single statement of his may cause them to give up their lives and/or take other people’s lives. And we know that this scenario is physically as well as psychologically impossible now in the age of the information super highway, World Wide Web, and the Internet. As a matter of fact, this distinction between private and public domain of human life is the product of a concept called dualism which finds no sanction anywhere in the Qur’an. Life is a unity which cannot be bifurcated into private and public parts, religious and secular parts, or material and spiritual parts. In the words of Iqbal: “Thus the affirmation of spirit sought by Christianity would come not by the renunciation of external forces which are already permeated by the illumination of spirit, but by proper adjustment of man’s relation to these forces in view of the light received from within. “. . .With Islam, the ideal and real [i.e. spiritual and material] are not two opposing forces which cannot be reconciled. The life of the ideal [i.e. spiritual life] consists, not in a total breach with the real [i.e. material life] which would tend to shatter the very organic wholeness of life into painful oppositions. . . “Islam, however, faces the opposition with a view to overcome it. . .Islam, recognizing the contact of the ideal with real, says ‘yes’ to the world of matter and points the way to master it with a view to discover a basis for a realistic regulation of life.” [Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam, pages 7-8] Unfortunately, this is what life has become today—comprised of painful oppositions in our feelings and emotions, in our thoughts and actions—because the foundation (i.e. Iman) on which the life’s superstructure is to be built as a coherent system is flawed. Now if the foundation itself is defective, no matter how much tinkering and patch-up job is done to save the superstructure (of a society), sooner or later it is going to collapse. Many of them have collapsed already and many are on the way moving towards their final destiny. In fact, we are all on a mission and a journey, continuously moving towards a final destination whether we realize it or not. The electrons and neurons in our bodies, the earth we inhabit, the solar system, the galaxy—from the smallest to the biggest, everything and everyone and life in general, are all on a journey towards their goal determined by Allah. Allah says in the Qur’an that if all the trees on the planet became pens and all its oceans became ink, the words of Allah (and the meanings contained in them) would not be exhausted (31:27, 18:109). That means we are limited by our finite capacity of knowledge and understanding. But still, Allah enjoins on every one of us (who call ourselves Muslims) to use our reason, intellect, and the up-to-date human knowledge and to directly try to understand and explore the meanings of His revelations (as noted earlier in many verses, especially verse 25:73).

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INTERNA TIONAL

Boris Johnson Tops First Ballot in Tory Leadership Contest Boris Johnson has secured the highest number of votes in the first MPs’ ballot to select the Conservative Party leader and next prime minister. Three contenders - Mark Harper, Andrea Leadsom and Esther McVey - were knocked out in the secret ballot of Tory MPs. Johnson received 114 votes, significantly more than his nearest rival Jeremy Hunt, who came second with 43. Michael Gove was third with 37. Seven candidates progress to the next round of voting next week. The two who prove most popular after the last MPs’ ballot will go to Conservative Party members in a final vote later this month. The winner of the contest to succeed Theresa May is expected to be announced in the week of 22 July. Sources close to Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg he was “mulling over” whether

to withdraw from the contest after coming sixth with 20 votes. Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who came fifth with 23 votes, is understood to be staying in the race for now. Some have suggested his candidacy - with support from Hancock - could take on Mr Hunt to become second in the ballot. Johnson, a former foreign secretary who served for eight years as London mayor, said he was “delighted” to win but warned that his campaign still had “a long way to go”. Foreign Secretary Hunt said: “Boris did well today but what the result shows is, when it comes to the members’ stage, I’m the man to take him on.” Environment Secretary Gove said it was “all to play for” and he was “very much looking forward” to candidates’ TV debates on Channel 4 on Sunday and on BBC One next Tuesday. All 313 Conservative MPs voted in the first ballot, including Mrs. May, who refused to say

Kenya MP Arrested for Slapping Female Colleague A Kenyan MP has been arrested for allegedly slapping a female colleague because she did not allocate money to his constituency. Rashid Kassim is accused of slapping Fatuma Gedi, who sits on the budget committee, in the capital Nairobi. A photo of Ms Gedi crying with blood in her mouth after the alleged assault has been shared widely on Twitter. Female MPs subsequently walked out of parliament in protest after their male colleagues mocked them. Mr Kassim, MP for Wajir East in north-eastern Kenya, is accused of attacking Ms Gedi in the parliament building car park after confronting her about why

she had not allocated money to his area. Male MPs then made fun of their female counterparts in parliament over the incident, MP Sabina Wanjiru Chege told BBC Focus on Africa. “Some of our male colleagues started mocking us and saying it was slapping day,” she said. Chege added that they said “women needed to have manners” and “we need to know how to treat men”. Female MPs subsequently walked out of parliament, demanding the arrest of Mr Kassim, who was subsequently detained. “We are all members of parliament… we are no lesser than them,” Chege said.

whom she had backed. The fourth-placed candidate, former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab, said he was “proud and honoured” and he had a “good base to build on”. Javid said: “I look forward to continuing to share my positive vision and my plan for uniting

three-year-old brother is also infected and is currently undergoing treatment. The three individuals were part of a family group that travelled to DRC to care for a relative, who also died of Ebola, before returning to Uganda. The infections marked the first confirmed cross-border cases of the virus in the current epidemic, which was previously confined to the eastern DRC’s North Kivu and Ituri provinces after emerging 10 months ago. More than 2,000 cases have been recorded in the DRC since the start of the outbreak

candidate, told the BBC’s Politics Live he was “completely over the Moon” to have got through the first vote. He said he had had only six declared votes ahead of the poll, but “more than three times that” had voted for him in the secret ballot.

US Blames Iran for Attack on Oil Tanker US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has blamed Iran for “unprovoked attacks” on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. He said the US had made its assessment based on intelligence about the type of weapons used. A senior Iranian official earlier told the BBC “Iran has no connection” with the explosions on Thursday morning. Dozens of crew members were rescued after the blasts on the Japanese-owned Kokuka Courageous and the Front Altair, owned by Norway. Both Iran and the US said they evacuated the crew. The blasts in one of the world’s busiest oil routes comes a month after four oil tankers were attacked off the United Arab Emirates. No group or country has admitted the incident in May, which also caused no casualties. The US at the time blamed Iran - but Tehran denied the accusations. Oil prices jumped as much as 4% after Thursday’s incident. The Gulf of Oman lies at one end of the strategic Strait of Hormuz - a vital shipping lane through which hundreds of millions of dollars of oil pass. BIMCO, the world’s largest international shipping association, said the tension in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf “is now as high as it gets without being an actual armed conflict”. The association also urged shipowners to “exercise extreme caution” in the region. “It is the assessment of the United States that the Islamic Republic of Iran is responsible for the attacks,” the US secretary of state said at a news conference in Washington. “Unprovoked attacks a clear

Uganda Bans Public Gatherings as Ebola Kills Two after Spreading from DR Congo Uganda has banned public gatherings in western Kasese district as officials attempt to contain an Ebola outbreak which has killed two people in the country days after the virus spread from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Emmanuel Ainebyona, a Health Ministry spokesman, confirmed the move on Thursday hours after officials declared that a 50-year-old Congolese woman had become the second patient to die of the disease in Uganda. Her five-year-old grandson was the first confirmed Ebola death in Uganda. The boy’s

the country.” Hancock thanked his supporters, saying it was “terrific to have more votes from colleagues than I could have hoped for”. And International Development Secretary Rory Stewart, the seventh-placed

in August, the country’s 10th to date, and more than 1,400 people have died. An expert World Health Organization (WHO) committee will convene in the Swiss city of Geneva on Friday to weigh whether to declare the epidemic a global health emergency following its spread into Uganda. Such declarations almost always boost global attention and lead to an increase in aid. Two previous WHO emergency meetings decided the outbreak was not yet fit for a declaration of global emergency despite being of “deep concern”.

threat to peace and security” “This assessment is based on intelligence, the weapons used, the level of expertise needed to execute the operation, recent similar Iranian attacks on shipping, and the fact that no proxy group operating in the area has the resources and proficiency to act with such a high degree of sophistication.” “This is only the latest in the series of attacks instigated by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its surrogates against American and allied interests. “Taken as a whole, these unprovoked attacks present a clear threat to international peace and security, a blatant assault on the freedom of navigation, and an unacceptable campaign of escalating tension by Iran,” Pompeo said. The Norwegian Maritime Authority said earlier on Thursday that the Front Altair had been had been “attacked”, and that there were three blasts on board. Wu I-fang, a spokesman for Taiwan’s CPC Corp oil refiner, which chartered the Front Altair, said it was carrying 75,000 tonnes of naphtha and was “suspected of being hit by a torpedo”, although

this has not been confirmed. Other unverified reports suggested a mine attack. The ship’s owner, Frontline, said the vessel was on fire - but denied reports in Iranian media that it had sunk. The operator of the Kokuka Courageous, BSM Ship Management, said its crew abandoned ship and were rescued by a passing vessel. The tanker was carrying methanol and was not in danger of sinking, a spokesman said. It is currently located about 130km (80 miles) from Fujairah in the UAE and 16 miles from Iran. The cargo remains intact. Iranian state media quoted government officials as saying that Iran had rescued all the crew members of both vessels and they had been taken to the port of Jask. Iran’s Irib state television broadcast what is said was footage of the rescued crew members sitting on a sofa and chatting at the Iranian port of Jas. The video was published by Iran’s Isna news agency with the caption that read: “Images of rescued members of the damaged ship in the Oman sea.”

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as NWAKANMA MARVIN CHIBUZOR, now wish to be known and addressed ABRAHAM-DIO MARVIN CHIBUZOR. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as PIUS ETIM DEMBEN, now wish to be known and and addressed as PIUS CLEMENT ETIM. All former documents remain valid. The general public should to note. I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AJALA, OLUWAKEMI RASHEEDAT , now wish to be known and addressed MRS INNOCENT, OLUWAKEMI RASHEEDAT . All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. I, formerly known and addressed as ADEWALE ADEFUNKE RASHEEDAT, now wish to be known and addressed BALOGUN ADEFUNKE RASHEEDAT. All former docu-

ments remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MERCY OBI, now wish to be known and addressed MERCY JOHN-BAPTISTE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. I, formerly known and addressed as STEPHEN IROEGBU NDUKWE, now wish to be known and addressed NDUKWO STEPHEN M B A . All former documents re-

main valid. The general public should take note. I, formerly known and addressed as OGUNDOKUN MUTIAT TOSIN, now wish to be known and addressed H A M M E D OGUNDOKUN MUTIAT TOSIN . All former

documents remain valid. The general public should take note. I, formerly known and addressed as OMOTAYO OLUBUKOLA OLUFUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed OGUNSANWO OLUBUKOLA OLUFUNMI.

All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. I, formerly known and addressed as OBI KOSI JOSEPHINE, now wish to be known and addressed OKECHUKWU KOSI JOSEPHINE. All former docu-

ments remain valid. The general public should take note. I, formerly known and addressed as MISS UGOJE ANTHONIA MACRINA, now wish to be known and addressed MISS UGOJE ANTHONIA ONIOVOSA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as EZEUGWU CHIAMAKA LAURETTA, now wish to be known and addressed EZE CHIAMAKA LAURETTA.

All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note. I, formerly known and addressed as ADIRO VICTOR OLUSEGUN,

now wish to be known and addressed OLORUNLOGBON VICTOR OLUSEGUN. All former documents

remain valid. The general public should take note.

FRIDAY JUNE 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

47

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 08111813083

ONE WEEK TO KICK OFF OF AFCON 2019

Lack of Funds May Rock Eagles Participation Duro Ikhazuagbe Barely one week to the kick off of the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are going grey over how to raise funds for Super Eagles successful participation at this edition of Africa’s football showpiece. AFCON 2019 is scheduled to begin next Friday with Super Eagles opening their campaign against Burundi the next day in Alexandria. Eagles arrived Ismailia last Sunday for final preparation before kick off. THISDAY however learnt during the week that officials of the federation are running from pillars to poles on how to raise the funds needed for Eagles to have a smooth sail without any hitches. An inside source hinted that because immediate past Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung refused to include NFF’s budget for the year in the ministry’s envelope for appropriation, there is no provision for the federation to prosecute the AFCON 2019 project. “As I speak with you right now, there is no money for Super Eagles to participate at

the AFCON 2019 in Egypt. I am aware that the top leadership of NFF has been running around but none of those approached for assistance has offered to bail them out. The situation is that grim,” revealed the informed football source in Abuja on Tuesday evening. It was further learnt that the problem is not limited to Eagles participation alone. “They had the same trouble prosecuting the Under-20 World Cup in Poland recently. I don’t know wether to be happy or not that the Flying Eagles crashed out early. If they had progressed further, there would have been real trouble in the camp as the players and coaches were owed allowances,” the source further hinted. This perhaps may have been responsible for why Flying Eagles players resorted to protest after they crashed out of the competition in Poland. Some of the players even missed their flights to their respective bases. Unlike the FIFA World Cup where the world governing body provides funds for preparations and participation of all qualified teams, CAF only takes care of accommodation and feeding of teams in AFCON. Participating

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

Upbeat Falcons Land in Rennes for Clash with France It was a spirited Nigeria delegation that flew into the city of Rennes on Thursday morning from Grenoble, venue of their 2-0 defeat of Korea Republic on Wednesday at the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup. The party was much more enlivened than the group that proceeded quietly and without ceremony from Reims to Grenoble, following the 3-0 spanking by Norway on Saturday. Players and officials are upbeat at their Best Western Plus Hotel Isidore in Rennes. The team had light training

session an hour after arrival, with the eleven players who started against Korea Republic using the gymnasium while the others went running in the hotel premises. The Super Falcons have a few days to rest and train hard for Monday’s clash with host nation France at the 28,000-capacity Roazhon Park in Rennes. A draw in Monday’s encounter will most certainty see the African champions qualify for the Round of 16 at the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

Enyimba’s Return to the Continent Good for Nigerian Football, Says Egbe FIFA Match Agent, Ebi Egbe, has hailed Enyimba for emerging champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) after finishing top in the Super Six Championship Playoff on Wednesday in Lagos. He declared that the return of the Aba giants to the continent ‘is good for Nigerian football.’ Egbe, while congratulating The People’s Elephant noted that Enyimba has what it takes to do the country proud in the continent. “I’ m extremely happy over Enyimba’s NPFL victory. I congratulate the club and can’t wait to see them in the continent. Enyimba has got the right players and technical crew as well as an immensely talented administrator in Felix Anyansi-Agwu. The club also boasts of the best playing turf in the country which my

company is proud to have constructed. I see Enyimba ruling Africa again next term,” Egbe boasted. The Bayelsa State born soccer buff also thumbed up Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for supporting Enyimba, pointing out that it is befitting to see the club welcome him back to Government House in Aba with a trophy. Enyimba emerged league champions for the 8th time after dusting the five other clubs that were in Lagos for the Super Six Playoffs. The club defeated Akwa United 3-0 in its last fixture to finish tops on the log with 12 points. Kano Pillars would join Enyimba to fly Nigeria’s flag in the money spinning CAF Champions League, while Rangers settle for the second-tier CAF Confederations Cup.

federations handle their logistics and sundry matters. Except the Presidency in Abuja intervenes in the matter, Nigeria is likely to return to the era of players’ squabble over allowances at the AFCON 2019, a thing not yet witnessed in the almost four and half years of the Amaju Pinnick administration at the Glass House. Apart from the AFCON 2019 and the ongoing Women’s World Cup in France, Nigerian teams have also qualified for the African U-23 Nations Cup and the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which are also scheduled for this year. Reacting to the allegation that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development yanked off NFF’s package from its 2019 budget penultimate Tuesday, its Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola said the ministry should not be held responsible if the NFF’s expenditure is not in the federal budget because the ‘federation is an independent parastatal.’ According to Adesola, “the NFF is responsible for its own budget, which in most cases is included in the Sports Ministry’s envelope. “You know the resources are not limited and so things are prioritized based on available resources. If the NFF did not submit its budget, it is not the ministry’s fault.” The Permanent Secretary’s position was however faulted by a top official of the NFF who disclosed to THISDAY that the Glass House was made to submit its budget three times to the office of the immediate past minister but are surprised it was not included in the ministry’s budget for the year.

HAZARD NOW A GALACTICO...

Eden Hazard was yesterday at the Santiago Bernabeu unveiled as Real Madrid player. He signed on the dotted line for a five-year-deal worth a reported £400,000-a-week to fulfill a life ambition of becoming a galactico

Kwande Commends Buhari for Honouring MKO Abiola with Abuja Stadium Appeals for speedy repair of the facility A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya Kwande, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for naming the Abuja National Stadium after Chief MKO Abiola, 26 years after the June 12, 1993 presidential election was annulled. Kwande, a serving Board Member of the Nigeria

Football Federation (NFF) representing the North Central zone, is also a former Chairman of Mighty Jet F.C. In a statement he issued in Abuja on Wednesday, Kwande observed that legalizing June 12 as Nigeria’s ‘Democracy Day’ and naming the stadium edifice after MKO is historic, saying the new development will bring more dynamism to

our democratic system and boost sporting activities. “President Muhammadu Buhari must be commended for announcing June 12 as democracy day and remembering MKO Abiola and naming the Abuja International stadium after him,” he said. Hon. Kwande urged the President to immediately order

the repair of the stadium as it has been abandoned for long. “The Abuja now (MKO Abiola) stadium has not been considered for any sporting activities for sometimes now. I am urging the president to immediately order for its repair to begin so that sporting activities can immediately resume there,” concludes Kwande.

GTBank Masters Cup Finals Hold Today The final of the Season 8 of the GTBank Masters Cup finals will hold today at the Campus Mini Stadium, Lagos, in both the male and female categories. In the male category, Kings College, Lagos will take on Anwar-Ul Islam Model College, Agege while Leadforte College

takes on Queens College in final. To qualify for the final, Kings College pummelled Whitesands School 4-1, while Anwar-Ul Islam Model College got the better of CMS Grammar School, Bariga. Leadforte College defeated Ansar ud deen Girls High

School, Itire 2-1 in a highly competitive game, while Queens College walked over Atlantic Hall to book their place in the final. The GTBank Masters Cup is an offset of the GTBankLagos State Principals Cup. The tournament was first

conceived when GTBank realized that grassroots football development was incomplete without participation of all schools in Lagos State (Private and Public) especially those that dominated the Principals Cup over three decades ago, since its inception in 1954.

Amstel Malta Congratulates Falcons for Win against Korea Premium Malt Drink, Amstel Malta, has congratulated the senior national female team, the Super Falcons for defeating South Korea at the ongoing Women’s World Cup in France. The Super Falcons defeated the Taegeuk Ladies, 2-0, after an exciting game. Asisat Oshoala scored Nigeria’s second goal after Kim

Doyeon had in the heat of play commited an own goal to give Falcons the lead. Nigeria has become the first African side at the ongoing Women’s World Cup to win a group game at the tournament. Speaking on the win, the Portfolio Manager, NonAlcoholic Drinks, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Ngozi Nkwoji

said, “When we tell you the Super Falcons have got balls, we know what we mean. They played a great game and we’re immensely proud of them even as we look forward to more wins from them.” “As the Official Malt drink of the Super Falcons and all the other national teams, we’re standing solidly behind

the ladies wishing them even more victories in France,” she added. With a powerful marketing campaign highlighting the power of women, Amstel Malta is showing its support for the senior female national team while urging Nigerians across the country to do the same, cheering them on to victory.

Friday June 14, 2019

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Sani to el-Rufai

“Your treacherous history of jumping from one godfather to another is wellknown to all Nigerians. And I have always believed that it’s a matter of time before President Muhammadu Buhari will have a taste of your patented venom and perfidy once you reach a point that he is of no further importance to you” – Senator Shehu Sani describing the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, as a hypocrite.

SHAKAMOMODU THIS REPUBLIC

shaka.momodu@thisdaylive.com

0811 266 1654

Nigeria’s Spiralling Insecurity I

t was the immediate-past Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, who somewhat captured the stark reality of our country’s situation in an audio recording where he said, “Nigeria is helpless and hopeless.” It is difficult not to agree with him on some aspects of his assessment and conclusion. There is an irony here though, because the man is part of the problem of Nigeria - a country frozen in a nightmare of insecurity, lawlessness, helplessness, and near hopelessness. Mere anarchy is loosed upon the land, as evil people unleash violence, arson, kidnapping, banditry and terrorism upon Nigeria, peaking in alternate fashion. The spectre of death and destruction now casts a long shadow on our lives and has become an ominous companion of daily living. You see, Nigeria is tethering on the brink of collapse as the country’s leaders fiddle away. The fault lines have never been so visible. Those in positions of leadership who unfortunately came to power with an ethnic agenda are the ones stoking the fault lines with such contemptuous disregard for the consequences in a way that leaves you numb with disbelief. Some of those who were loud in condemnation of the impunity and abuse of governmental power in the past are now silent in the face of tenfold abuses, impunity, spiralling insecurity and decadence. It frightens me to no end how what was bad and unacceptable in the past is now glorified with sure vein pomposity and reckless arrogance. As if that wasn’t enough, many who should know the frightening implications are applauding the actions of these ethnic jingoists and feudal lords with medieval mindsets; to the extent of even minimising the dangers staring us in the face. Even the ones we once held in high esteem have become lead actors in deliberate misinformation and embellishment of falsehoods and revisionism of our most recent history. Nigerians are watching helplessly and hopelessly as the country is being picked apart by desperate political scavengers, moral harlot, and their dark messengers of death. It’s a haunting tragedy how offhandedly and callously we now tolerate and normalise heinous crimes such as kidnapping, banditry, mass murder, etc. It is frightening how reluctant the government in power is to deal with what is turning to be an existential danger to our republic. It is just incomprehensible. The acceptance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s incompetence in the management of our national affairs has brought difficult consequences and lasting danger to our societal fabric and culture. As is always the case, the enthronement of evil doesn’t come all at once. It creeps in slowly, normalising itself bit by bit, until you don’t realise the danger until it’s too late. From colony settlements for terror herdsmen, a bizarre N100 billion handout to the same Miyetti Allah herdsmen to end the kidnappings, to a Fulani radio station, everything is moving in slow motion to achieving the ultimate conquest agenda. The security of lives and properties was a major plank of Buhari’s campaign in the 2015 elections. Midway into the president’s first term, this insensitive government went to great lengths to compare the number of killings under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government (Jonathan was in power for about five years) with those that had occurred under it, making astonishing and puerile claims that it had brought down the figure. It gave itself a pat on the back for a job well done. Now that Buhari has done four years, this government dare not make that comparison. The security situation across the country has become so precarious that no one is safe

Buhari anymore, either in their homes, at places of work, churches, mosques, or on the road. Interstate travel in the North has become a death wish. This is not an exaggeration of the situation, as to say otherwise is to normalise the reigning evil in the land. There is a list of roads now (from the North to South) that Nigerians are scared to travel on. It never used to be this bad. But the supporters of the government are telling us that the insecurity in the land is not new, and that the ethnic agenda being gradually foisted on the country is a figment of our imagination. Emboldened by an incompetent and corrupt security apparatus, docile citizenry, compromised and conniving pro-democracy/human rights groups that even defend the government’s impunity and human rights abuses, the perfidy of the preachers of change and their “nauseating hypocrisy” are in full flourish. It’s a major tragedy that people no long cringe at the horror of mindless human carnage taking place all over the country. Human life counts for nothing anymore. The acceptance of Buhari’s mismanagement of our country and values on every front has brought disaster on our society, and has even coloured our definition and understanding of national values. It’s just incomprehensible. How can one even begin to understand the lackadaisical attitude of this government to the security of the country and its people; more painfully, its aloofness to the daily deaths, banditry and the utter lawlessness in the land? What of the indescribable lack of empathy and the scandalous inability to stop the drift into chaos and anarchy? How can one even begin to rationalise this strange behaviour of a government that swore to defend the security of the people? How can we accept that despite the huge budgetary vote to secure the country, our security forces are failing so badly under Buhari, an ex-army General? The security of lives of the people is the first obligation of any government, failure which that government loses whatever reason why it is in power. This government at the moment has failed in its duty of securing the country, failed to grow the economy and failed in its own anti-corruption war. The Kaduna-Abuja expressway has become a traveller’s death wish and kidnappers’ prized treasure trove. Hundreds were kidnapped in one fell swoop in broad daylight recently on that road. Strangely, there was neither a whimper of condemnation of the incident, nor was there any explanation, show of empathy for the victims and their families, or reassurances to a

frightened citizenry come from either the federal government or the Kaduna State government. Unfortunately, the nation is so saturated with bad news of killings that we were not even kept abreast of their fate as everyone has simply moved on, hardly able to digest the steady stream of unpleasant news. It is unbelievable just how normal and acceptable killings and kidnappings have become. All Buhari and his Vice President Yemi Osinbajo are interested in is to be in power for the sake of it. Our country increasingly looks big for nothing as aptly captured by the late Col. Kaduna Nzeogu in this timeless statement so long ago: “Our enemies are the political profiteers, the swindlers, the men in high and low places that seek bribes and demand 10 percent; those that seek to keep the country divided permanently so that they can remain in office as ministers or VIPs at least, the tribalists, the nepotists, those that make the country look big for nothing before international circles.” Decades after Nzeogu uttered those immortal words, Nigeria’s torment has only grown worse, orchestrated by more vicious and corrupt actors. The tribalists, the nepotists not only make our “country look big for nothing” before the world, the political profiteers, the swindlers, the men in high and low places that seek bribes and demand 10 percent; those that seek to keep the country divided permanently, have grown in number and are determined to make sure Nigeria does not progress. They have mismanaged our national co-existence and are setting up tribal armies to subjugate the country and its people to their feudal rule. There is insecurity everywhere. Nigeria has become a huge killing field. Just flip through the newspapers and see the appalling carnage in the country: Bandits kill 26 in Zamfara, 25 in Katsina, 40 in Kaduna, herdsmen kill 23 in Jos, 31 in Taraba, 19 in Makurdi, 12 in Kogi, bandits kill 25 in Sokoto, suicide bomber kills scores, injures 30 In Maiduguri, etc. This is happening on a daily basis. And no concrete action is being taken by the people in power to arrest the situation, or bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice. Indeed, here again, I beg to disagree with Professor Wole Soyinka’s view on how Boko Haram was allowed to fester for which he blamed former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Again, Soyinka’s position holds the facts of our recent history in contempt. Recall that in his BBC HARDtalk interview, he had said: “The issue of Boko Haram, if action had been taken at the beginning, and we are not talking about the time of the reign of Jonathan, when the first governor decided to make his state a theocratic state, that was when action should have been taken. “The president of that time compromised because he was ambitious and he needed the support of that governor. And when you start operating a theocracy, a movement will get up and say you are not holy enough and they begin by killing, first of all those who don’t believe in their faith and then turn on to even the co-believers. Well, he (Buhari) certainly has made progress in that aspect...” Really? I pinched myself several times in paranoia and rage at the deliberate misinformation. What progress was Soyinka talking of? It appears our Nobel laureate has allowed himself to be sucked in by propaganda rather than facts. Boko Haram has neither been technically defeated, as Buhari had claimed nearly four years ago, nor degraded as subsequently and repeatedly claimed by his government. One of the deadliest massacres of

Nigerian soldiers by Boko Haram occurred in November 2018 at the 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele, Borno State, wherein scores of soldiers including the commander of the battalion, Lt. Col. Ibrahim Sakaba were killed. The exact casualty figure is still a closely-guarded secret. In the last four years under Buhari, Boko Haram has attacked and sacked 22 military posts, killing hundreds of Nigerian soldiers. The sacked military posts were in Gajiram, Mainok, Rann, Geidam, Sasawa, Magumeri, Malam Fatori, Gashigha, Kanama, Gamboru-Ngala, Mafa, Damasak,Gudumbali, Garunda, Kunduga, Kareto, Jilli, Arge, Zari, Arege, Metele and Buni Gari. It is an irony that long after its purported defeat, Boko Haram is the one on the offensive, and the military, now its primary target, is on the back foot. It is not the hit-and-run style attack on soft targets as the former Information Minister, Lai Mohammed would want us to believe. Rather, what we have are full savaged and humiliating sacking of military formations and killings of several hundred soldiers including senior officers. The United Nations recently revealed that Boko Haram was in firm control of three local government areas in the northeast, despite repeated denials by this government. To me, Soyinka was simply on an image-laundering mission. And he did a bad job, muddling up facts to suit the propaganda narrative of this government. Who is better to do a yeoman’s job than a Nobel laureate? The truth is that Buhari has failed to guarantee the security of the country. He has made things worse than he met them: kidnappings, unprovoked killings, banditry, rape, arson are now so pervasive in the land, that it’s unbelievable how we got here. Deadly danger lurks everywhere under Buhari but his supporters who live in an alternative universe continue to tell us things are better? At the rate at which his supporters are going, if Buhari pulls a gun and shoots innocent people at the Eagle Square Abuja, I can bet an arm and a leg that many of them including the human rights community will defend him for doing so in the national interest. Now let’s take a stroll down memory lane: though the Boko Haram group may have existed since the late 1990s and was organised by the Muslim cleric Mohammed Yusuf, it was officially launched and galvanised into action in 2002 after the declaration of Sharia in Zamfara State in 2000 by then-Governor Sani Yerima. Eleven other Northern states followed suit. It is important to note that Yerima, a member of the APC, did nothing to bring policies of development to Zamfara State to alleviate the extreme poverty ravaging his people instead, he brought “political Sharia” on them. Is Zamfara better or worse off now? How many companies did it attract to the state? How many people did it lift out of poverty? How did it improve student enrollment in schools? One of the reasons Yerima gave for introducing Sharia was to reduce the crime rate in the state. But today, Zamfara has become a haven for bandits, daily breaking its own worst record in killings and medieval barbarity. Now there is a burial ground in every nook and cranny in the state. The Sharia set the stage for nefarious groups, individuals and bigots who not only prefer feudal hegemony but despise and resent evolution in culture, religion and modern civilisation to hide behind it to advance their nefarious base and ruinous prepositions. Continued on page 44

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