TUESDAY 18TH JUNE 2019

Inflation Sustains Upward Rise to 11.40% James Emejo in Abuja The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation, again rose to 11.40 per cent year-on-year in May compared to 11.37 per cent in April, according to the

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The CPI figures for May, which were released by the NBS yesterday, showed that core inflation, however, stood at nine per cent compared to 9.3 per cent in the preceding

month.

The composite food index rose to 13.79 per cent in the period under review compared to 13.70 per cent in April.

The NBS stated that the urban inflation rate also increased to 11.76 per cent

(year-on-year) from 11.70 per cent in April while the rural inflation rate stood at 11.07 per cent in May from 11.08 per cent in the preceding month.

On month-on-month basis, the urban index rose to 1.15 per cent in May 2019, up by

0.15 points from one per cent recorded in April, while the rural index also rose to 1.07 per cent in May, up by 0.17 per cent from the rate recorded in the preceding month.

However, the statistical agency attributed the rise in

the food index to increases in the prices of meat, oils and fats, bread, cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, as well as fish, milk, cheese, egg, and vegetables.

Continued on page 8

CBN: Nigeria Recorded $14.2bn Capital Inflows in Five Months... Page 8 Tuesday 18 June, 2019 Vol 24. No 8835. Price: N250

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Boko Haram Kills 30, Injures 40 inBuhari Fresh Suicide Attacks in Borno commiserates with victims NAF jets hit Sambisa forest Zamfara gov turns to Dubai for solution to banditry Omololu Ogunmade and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja with agency reports The orgy of violence in Borno State persisted on Sunday night as Boko Haram killed 30 persons and injured 40 others in multiple suicide bomb attacks on a viewing center in Mandarari, Konduga Local

Government Area of the state.

The attacks, which were confirmed yesterday by the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), drew a strong rebuke from President Muhammadu Buhari, who commiserated with the victims of the blasts Continued on page 6

INEC: We Only Experimented with Server in 2018

Insists it was not used for 2019 general election Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday insisted that the results of the 2019 general election were not transmitted electronically to its server, stressing that the commission only experimented

with the technology during some staggered elections held in 2018.

The commission said that the clarification was necessary because of rising controversy on the transmission of 2019 presidential election results from states to the INEC server.

Continued on page 6

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

L-R: The celebrants, renowned Economist, Dr. Titus Adeboye, and former Head of Service, Ms. Ama Pepple; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe; and Mrs. Bosede Adebayo, during the church service to mark the 80th birthday of Adeboye and 70th birthday of Pepple at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp, Abuja… recently godwin omoigui

S’Court Fixes July 5 for Judgment on Osun Gov Tussle... Page 6

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S’Court Fixes July 5 for Judgment on Osun Gov Tussle Oyetola, APC, INEC ask court to dismiss appeals INEC wrong to conduct supplementary election, insists Adeleke Alex Enumah in Abuja The Supreme Court yesterday reserved judgment till July 5 in the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) suit challenging the election of the All Progressives Congress’ (APC), Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, as governor of Osun State.

A seven-man panel of justices of the apex court presided over by the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad, announced the date after counsel in the matter adopted and argued their briefs of argument.

While Oyetola, APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in their submissions urged the apex court to dismiss Adeleke's appeal for lacking merit, the PDP candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on

the other hand is laying claim to the governorship of the state on the grounds that INEC could not cancel and conduct a supplementary election without an order of the court.

Other members of the panel that heard the appeals are Justices Olabode RhodesVivour, Kumai Aka'ahs, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Amiru Sanusi, Paul Galunmje and Uwani Abbah-Aji. The PDP and Adeleke in their appeal specifically asked the apex court to set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal and restore the decision of the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal, which declared Adeleke as winner of the governorship election.

Adeleke had filed four appeals marked: SC/553/2019; SC/554/2019; SC/555/2019 and SC/556/2019, challenging the

return of Oyetola as winner of the September 2018 governorship poll in Osun State.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, the apex court held that its decision reached in the main appeal - SC/553/2019, will be applied to two other similar ones, filed by Adeleke against the Court of Appeal's decision in relation to the appeals filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC, marked: SC/554/2019 and SC/555/2019 respectively.

In their arguments, lawyers to the respondents - INEC, Oyetola and the APC faulted the appeals and prayed the court to dismiss them for lacking in merit.

While Mr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) represented the appellants, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) represented counsel for the 1st

respondent (Oyetola) in respect of appeal marked: SC/553/2019.

In the fourth appeal marked: SC/556/2019, Ikpeazu again represented the appellants; Mr. Yusuf Ali (SAN) (INEC); Olanipekun (SAN) (Oyetola) and Mr. Olumide Olujinmi (APC).

The respondents prayed the court to uphold the judgments as given on May 9, 2019 by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had affirmed Oyetola as the winner of the governorship election held in the September 2018.

Responding, Ikpeazu while moving Adeleke's appeal prayed the Supreme Court to allow the appeal and set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja division and restore the majority decision of the state election petition tribunal, which declared Adeleke as the winner.

The appellant counsel informed the court that INEC was wrong in cancelling election in seven polling units and conducting a supplementary election without an order of court.

Ikpeazu said that Paragraph 44 of the INEC guidelines used to cancel the election and conducting the supplementary election was in violation of Section 179 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, adding that the appellant had already met constitutional provisions to be declared as the winner of the election without the supplementary election.

He, therefore, pleaded with the apex court to resolve all the issues in favour of his client.

The INEC had declared Oyetola winner of the September

22 and 27, 2018 governorship and rerun election in Osun State, an action which gave rise to Adeleke and PDP's petition at the state election tribunal.

The tribunal in its judgment in March this year sacked Oyetola as governor of Osun State on the grounds that he did not win the majority of lawful votes to emerge winner of the governorship poll.

Following his sack, a two-toone majority decision delivered

by Justice Peter Obiorah at the tribunal, Oyetola and the APC, approached the appellate court, which in its own judgment returned them as winner of the governorship poll.

The decision of the final court of justice in the land comes July 5, and would put to rest the legal tussle for the number one seat in the Osun State.

Alaramma Ibrahim, who has been in detention for almost two years, over alleged drugs trafficking. “From our findings, his arrest followed a frame-up initiated from the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano. “While in Dubai, the governor will also meet with officials of African Development Bank and some investors interested in investing in Zamfara economy.�

terrorism," he said.

Owosanonye, who spoke during the visit of students of the Basic Intelligence Officers' Course 12/2009 of the Defence Intelligence College, Abuja, said terrorism is funded through illegal transfer of funds.

"Terrorism is funded through illegal transfer of funds mostly acquired through corruption.

So far as the flow of funding continues, it empowers terrorism to continue," he said.

He also flayed the appointment of managers of the terror war based on considerations such as nepotism other than merit.

"When appointments to the highest positions of the fight against terror is based not on merit and ability but, favouritism, ethnic and religious considerations, it is bound to fail before it starts," he said.

The ICPC chairman, who was represented by the Acting Chairman of the Commission, Hon Justice Adamu Bello (rtd), said weak controls in the importation and exportation of arms could make weapons end up in dangerous hands.

A presentation by Assistant Commissioner of ICPC, Azuka Ogugua, contended that bribery allow criminals to cross borders, acquire visas and other official documents and gain access to buildings.

BOKO HARAM KILLS 30, INJURES 40 IN FRESH SUICIDE ATTACKS IN BORNO and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The SEMA Director of Search and Rescue Operations, Mr. Usman Kachala, who briefed journalists yesterday, said three suicide bombers detonated Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Mandarari community around 8 p.m. on Sunday, explaining that the bombers, comprising two females and a male, perpetrated the act in a local tea joint and film centre in the community.

He said about 17 persons died instantly, adding that the death toll increased to 30 yesterday as a result of lack of immediate medical attention.

He said his staff could not reach the spot of the incident as the military had closed the road to traffic and the hospital in Konduga did not have enough facilities to handle the situation. “When I and my team arrived Konduga early this morning, the military prevented us from gaining access to the community to assist the victims,� he said, adding: “They told us they were given order from above not to open the road until 9 am.�

It was gathered that the wounded victims were conveyed by their relations to hospitals in Maiduguri, the state capital, a distance of about 80 kilometres from the town.

Buhari Commiserates

with Victims President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja commiserated with families of the victims.

His former special adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement, said the president sent a message of condolence to the government and people of the state over the suicide attacks.

According to him, Buhari decried the heinous acts, saying judgment awaited perpetrators of evil acts, not only from man, through the long arms of the law, but also from God Almighty.

Adesina said Buhari also urged security agents to sustain surveillance in all flash points in the country, bearing in mind the unconventional methods deployed by terrorists to harm innocent and unsuspecting victims.

He added that the president commended the efforts of emergency response workers and humanitarian organisations, praying that God will grant the souls of the departed eternal rest and as well comfort their families.

NAF Jets Hit Sambisa Forest Perhaps angered by the suicide attacks, the Nigerian Air Force yesterday rained bombs on

the terrorists bases in Sambisa Forest, taking out their strategic military hardware and killing several of them.

The Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole said it conducted the air strikes as part of its determination to stamp out the terrorists.

It said in a statement: "In continuation of its sustained air strikes against terrorists’ targets in Borno State, the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole has severely degraded another Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) hideout in the Sambisa Forest.

"The operation was executed after persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions revealed heavy presence of BHTs at a new camp with several structures hidden under the thick foliage of the Forest.

"Accordingly, the ATF dispatched an Alpha Jet to attack the location. Its bombs hit the target area, with devastating effects on several of the camouflaged structures, neutralising their BHT occupants."

The statement issued by NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said further: "The NAF, operating in concert with surface forces, will sustain the effort to completely degrade the terrorists in the North-east."

Zamfara Gov Turns to

Dubai for Solution to Banditry Meanwhile, the worsening banditry in Zamfara State and the apparent inability of the security agencies to helm it has forced the governor, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, to seek help from security experts in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the state government has said.

A statement by the DirectorGeneral, Press Affairs, in the Zamfara Government House, Alhaji Yusuf Idris, said the governor, who travelled on Sunday to perform the lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia, would stop over in Dubai to meet with security experts to seek advice on the security crisis that had consumed so many souls in the state.

The security situation in the North-west state has assumed an epidemic proportion second only to the terrorists’ reign in the North-east of the country.

According to the state government’s statement, “The governor will meet with security experts in Dubai and share ideas on the best way to end the menace of armed banditry in the state. “He is also expected to meet with the officials of Saudi Arabian government to discuss ways towards the release of the Zamfara-born

Corruption Fuels Terrorism, Says ICPC In another development the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission said corruption has snarled insurgency operations in the North-east, hampering military operations as a result of diversion of funds.

It said weak controls as regards importation of arms, left arms in the hands of criminals, fuelling more violence.

Speaking on the topic: "The benefits of Globalisation in the Fight against Corruption", Chairman of ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owosanonye, said terrorism is funded through illegal transfer of funds acquired through corruption.

"When funds meant to equip the army to fight terrorism are diverted, they will be illequipped against insurgents.

This sets back the fight against

INEC: WE ONLY EXPERIMENTED WITH SERVER IN 2018 Speaking during the postelection retreat organised by the commission for its staff and ad hoc staff engaged for the last general elections in Osun State, INEC National Commissioner, Mr. Solomon Soyebi, explained that many factors forced the commission to drop the idea of electronic transmission of the results to a central server.

Soyebi added that INEC experimented with electronic transmission of results during Anambra, Sokoto and Osun States’ elections held before 2019 elections but the commission did not sustain the use of the technology during the 2019 general election.

He maintained that the late release of INEC’s budget for the 2019 elections and controversy over the Electoral Act, among other reasons, forced the commission to jettison the idea of using the technology to transmit results to the central server.

He explained: “We piloted the use of transmission of election results electronically in Sokoto,

in Anambra, even in Osun.

What happened was that we were trying to pilot to see the desirability of such technology in our electoral process. “First, our budget came out very late; there was also issue (with) the Electoral Act. For these and some other reasons, the commission did not adopt that option. 2019 elections were conducted according to law. “We used the Constitution of the Federal Republic; we used the Electoral Act and our guidelines for 2019 elections. If you look at the three instruments carefully, the issue of server was not highlighted. “Once in a while, you will see an experiment going on but we have to pilot it before we will deploy wholesale for election.

We did not use it because of circumstances beyond the control of the commission.�

In his opening remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Mr. Segun Agbaje, said that the 2019 elections were largely

successful despite daunting challenges that characterised its conduct.

He, however, lamented the “do-or-die� attitude of some politicians, which involved different illicit practices, including use of thugs to win an election at all cost.

He added that the commission in collaboration with security agents in the state drastically reduced the phenomenon during the general election

IRI, NDI Submit Reports Today In a related development, a presidency official yesterday indicated that the report of European Union observers on the last general election was made public by the observers due to perceived breach of faith by the federal government.

The report of the European Union Election Observation Monitoring (EU-EOM) was released last Saturday and it

was not particularly rosy for the federal government as its sundry agencies were indicted for a couple of infractions of the rules of the game, concluding that the election did not quite meet best international practice.

The International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) are billed to release their reports today even as analysts say they may not be substantially different from the EU conclusions.

According to the presidency official, who spoke to THISDAY on condition of anonymity, the observers released the report because they felt that the federal government breached an agreement it had with them to institute certain security reforms immediately after the election.

A senior government functionary told THISDAY in Abuja yesterday that the presidency had an understanding with the international election monitoring groups that they would not release their observations to

the general public, while on its part, the presidency promised to carry out certain reforms within the security agencies and the presidency.

The source said the failure by the president to keep to his promise may have informed the recent releases of the groups’ reports.

In their report, the EUEOM criticised the outcome of the elections stating that the election was marred by irregularities, including incumbency factor in the presidential and governorship elections, while also stating that the suspension of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, few weeks to the election was without due process and an intimidation of the judiciary.

The Chief Observer of the mission, Maria Arena, said from cross references, it was noted that 150 persons were killed during the election.

In the same manner, the Continued on page 8

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NGN NGN 0.05 0.55 2.90 32.30 0.04 0.41 0.02 0.23 0.01 0.25 NGN 0.02 0.22 0.19 2.80 0.02 0.31 OANDO 0.20 3.70 UNITEDCAP 0.11 2.22 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś1,460.00 Volume: 2.864 million shares Value: N3.922 billion Deals: 3,360 As at yesterday 17/6/19 See details on Page 31

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NEWS

CBN: Nigeria Recorded $14.2bn Capital Inflows in Five Months Denies report on drop in FDI Obinna Chima Total capital flows to Nigeria between January and May 2019, stood at $14.2 billion, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revealed last night.

Of the aforementioned amount, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) accounted for $2.87 billion, representing 20.18 per cent of the total amount.

The CBN revealed this in a statement that was signed by its Director, Corporate

Communications, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, while reacting to a Reuters report which stated that FDIs in the country dropped last year.

The apex bank said its attention was drawn to the news item on Reuters quoting the World Investment Report, 2019, recently released by UNCTAD on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to African countries. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria

(CBN) has been drawn to the news item on Reuters quoting World Investment Report, 2019, recently released by UNCTAD on FDIs to African countries,â&#x20AC;? the statement said.

The UNCTAD report had alleged a decrease of over 40 per cent in FDI inflows to Nigeria in 2018.

The CBN statement added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;While the CBN is not privy to the methodology used in arriving at the figures, we wish to state that available

records show a significant increase in FDI in Nigeria during the period 2018, contrary to the Reutersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; report. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For instance, in 2018, the total capital inflows to the country stood at $19.07 billion out of which FDI accounted for $7.78 billion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Furthermore, total capital flows to Nigeria, from January to May 2019 stood at $14.2 billion of which FDI accounted for $2.87 billion, representing a 20.18 per cent

of the total amount. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The country continues to enjoy steady capital flows due to the prevailing stable macroeconomic environment and sustained investorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; confidence in the economy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Against this background, we wish to urge the public to take advantage of several publications by the CBN and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which give adequate and accurate statistics on the subject matter,â&#x20AC;? the statement added.

CBN Governor, Godwin EmeďŹ ele

INEC Laments Lack of Power to Deregister Parties Promises automatic employment for NYSC members Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday lamented its lack of constitutional power to deregister any of the existing 91 political parties in the country.

The electoral umpire has also promised to identify members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who performed creditably during the 2019 general election and reward them with automatic employment in the commission.

Declaring open a postelection review meeting on the last general election in Lokoja yesterday, the INECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Federal Commissioner in charge of Nasarawa, Kogi and Kwara States, Malam Muhammed Haruna, said the clamour

by Nigerians for a reduction in the number of registered parties could only be done through an amendment of the constitution.

He agreed that the provisions in the 1999 Constitution that state that parties must be national in outlook and have headquarters in Abuja had led to unexpected problems but explained that INEC was helpless.

The commissioner advocated a consensus among stakeholders to resolve the issue, explaining that constitutional amendment was the only way out.

Haruna identified logistics as the major challenge the

INEC encountered in the conduct of the last general elections, saying that steps would be taken to prevent a re-occurrence.

On the just-released European Union Observersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; report on the last general elections, the commissioner said all the issues raised in the report were outside the purview of the INEC. He said that the review meeting was organised to identify success factors in the elections with a view to consolidating and sustaining them and to share knowledge among staff and key stakeholders.

Also speaking, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kogi State, Prof. James Apam, admitted to security lapse during the last elections in the state.

He said efforts would be made to correct this and other identified areas of failure before the November 16 governorship election in the state.

In a related development, INEC has promised to identify members of the NYSC who performed creditably during the 2019 general election and reward them with automatic employment in the commission.

The commission also said that the gesture would also be extended to the corps members that will participate in the Bayelsa and Kogi statesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; governorship elections scheduled for November this

year.

The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known yesterday in Abuja during the presentation of laptops and phones donated by the European Election Observation Mission to 75 corps members who were carefully selected by a panel of NYSC and EU delegation.

Yakubu said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There cannot be any election in Nigeria without the NYSC; it is simply impossible. I said this before, I will say it again and I cannot be tired of saying it, that the youth corps members are the most dedicated, the most educated, the most patriotic, the most willing, the most able, readily available, the most numerous and the most committed election duty observers in Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And it is not just about the election, it is what we called the electoral process. You are available for voter education, you are available for voter registration, available when we display the voter register and available on election day as presiding officers. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;You count the votes, you record them and you take the votes to the collation centres.

You travelled to various locations by land and by sea.

Let me repeat, there cannot be election in Nigeria without the NYSC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You go through challenging experiences, I recall that in

2015, when we conducted the governorship election in Bayelsa State, and something happened when I saw the boat carrying election duty staff and materials to Okproma in Southern Ijaw, and to Ekeremo and Brass, I saw the way the youth corps members were transported, I doff my hat doubly for the NYSC â&#x20AC;&#x153;And then in Ondo State, when we conducted the governorship election in 2017, I will never forget this experience for the rest of my life, youth corps members bringing back result from Ilaje had a boat accident at night, one of the boats capsized, thankfully there was the Navy in the background and the Navy came to their rescue.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; The INEC boss added that the commission did not lose a single life on that occasion, but on other occasions it was not so lucky, saying for the rest of his life, he will continue to remember the memory of Okonta Samuel, one of the corps member who was killed after he submitted the results from his polling unit and he was killed on his way home in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

Yakubu further stated that any day election is conducted; none of his commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staff sleeps until they account for every election day staff particularly the NYSC. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;let me say this, in addition to what the EU is going to do

today, by presenting you this equipment, the commission has embarked on the review of the 2019 elections. There are many of you here, there are many of you not in this hall, who did very well in the elections, we will identify you and we will reward those who have done excellently in the elections with automatic employment in INEC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By doing so, we hope that those of you who have done very well will form the core of conscientious of election duty staff going into the next general election. Now, we will extend this beyond the general election to the two major elections we are going to conduct in November, the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship elections, and all those who are going to man all the polling units.

Those who do very well in the elections will also be rewarded with automatic employment

by INEC,â&#x20AC;? Yakubu assured.

Earlier, the Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, said considering the fact that 292,000 corps members participated in the elections, he noted that elections wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been possible without their participation, describing them as the backbone of democracy.

He added that while the 2019 elections were not perfect, there is room for improvement provided the youth participate actively in electoral process.

Karlsen stated: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wanted to make the process leading to the election a process about engaging youth, more than 60 per cent of the population in Nigeria are youths, the vast majority of the voters are youth. So, we wanted to optimise to the extent possible engaging youths in the elections and we did that by reaching out in the six geo-political zones having participation of wonderful artists and influencers, with that convening power that we cannot pretend to have. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whether Europe, whether Africa and certainly in Nigeria, you should not take democracy for granted. Did we have perfect elections, of course not; and is there room for improvement, of course there is. But for that to happen we need above all the participation of youths and that is what todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event is all about also,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Karlsen noted that he and his team were able to convince the European Parliament to handover the equipment that was used during the observation mission to 75 youth corps members.

On his part, the Director General of NYSC, Brig-Gen. Shuaib Ibrahim, said that corps members with their intellectual capacity, resilience and malleability, have become veritable agents of promotion of national unity, cohesion and economic transformation.

that the US based elections monitoring groups will release their reports on Tuesday (today)."

Meanwhile, while submitting the Joint reports of the NDI and IRI yesterday at the INEC Headquarters, Dr. Chris Fomunyoh, NDI senior associate for Africa Regional Director for Central and West Africa, and Ms. Elizabeth Lewis told the INEC Chairman, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu, that they will officially release the NDI and IRI report today by 11 am at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.

In response, the INEC chairman said that the NDI and IRI were among the 39 foreign organisations accredited by the commission to observe the 2019 general election.

The INEC chairman said that the NDI and IRI joint-team deployed only 40 international observers to 16 states for the presidential elections and only 20 international observers to 10 states for the governorship and state assembly elections.

Apparently, pre-judging the reports, Yakubu said IRI and NDI monitored the general elections based on a

partnership that predates the general elections, adding that based on the strength of the Joint NDI and IRI observation group that it would be difficult for any observer to cover all the polling stations in the country.

Yakubu said INEC accredited 159 organisations, of which 39 were foreign; 120 were domestic, which covered the election with 73,258 observers.

He assured them that INEC would study their recommendations and implement those that require administrative action in a bid to improve democracy in Nigeria.

(CBN) which had been struggling to keep inflation rate at single digit as well as contain the rising prices and stabilise the exchange rate.

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

The consecutive monthly drop in inflation in previous months had allowed for a rare opportunity for the CBN to tinker with the monetary

policy rate (interest rate) which was reduced by 50 basis points recently to the excitement of the markets.

The adjustment in MPR finally came after holding the rate at 14 per cent for about two years, largely due to inflation as the former rate cannot go below the latter rate.

There had been increasing expectations that the declining rate of inflation could possibly lead to further slash in MPR by the monetary authorities

but the latest rebound could spell otherwise.

The sudden upward trajectory in the headline index beat analystsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; forecasts, some of who had predicted that going by the liquidity management system and other related conditions, including the fact that elections are over, the rate may continue to decline.

Expectedly, inflation continued to be a focus of the MPC and had often determined decisions around interest rate.

INEC: WE ONLY EXPERIMENTED WITH SERVER IN 2018 National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday that they will release their reports on the observation of the general elections today.

According to THISDAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s source, the officials of the presidency agreed with some of the international based elections monitoring group that there would be no need to make their observations public, provided federal government was willing to carry out some reforms

within the security agencies as a result of the growing insecurity in the country, and sack some presidential aides that were seen as clogs in the affairs of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

According to the source, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;The international election monitoring groups are apparently not happy with the presidency for not keeping to its promise. I'm aware that there were some agreements reached with some of these international election monitoring groups and senior government officials that they will pass their observations

privately to government for necessary actions.

"In the said agreements, it was agreed that some government officials especially some senior aides of President Mohammadu Buhari, including top military hierarchy, would be relieved of their jobs. It seems they are not happy that two months after the general elections nothing is happening.

They are now rushing to release and make their reports public as you can see with what the EU-EOM and the NDI and IRI are doing.

"We have been informed

INFLATION SUSTAINS UPWARD RISE TO 11.40% Month-on-month basis, the food sub-index increased to 1.41 per cent in May 2019, up by 0.27 per cent points from 1.14 per cent recorded in April.

Inflation had dropped in January 2019 when it declined to 11.37 per cent from 11.44 per cent in December in 2018.

The headline index further reduced to 11.31 per cent in February and 11.25 per cent in March before resorting to the upward trajectory in April to 11.37 per cent- and further

to 11.40 per cent last month.

Month-on-month, the core sub-index increased to 0.75 per cent in May compared to 0.70 per cent recorded in the preceding month.

According to the NBS, the highest increases were recorded in prices of domestic and household services, tobacco, actual and imputed rentals for housing, medical, dental and hospital services, cleaning, repair and hire of clothing, as well as repair and hire

of footwear and repair of household appliance.

The average 12-month annual rate of change of the index was 9.77 per cent for the 12-month period ending May, which is 0.14 per cent points lower than 9.91 per cent recorded in April.

The rebound in the headline index will be a major source of worry to Nigerians amid rising in the prices of basic commodities.

It is even of greater concern for the Central Bank of Nigeria

TUESDAY JUNE 18, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

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List of Delinquent Debtors of Access Bank Plc. In line with our recovery drive and in the interest of our depositors, we are constrained to publish the following details of chronic debtors of Access Bank Plc. ACCOUNT NAME

AMOUNT (NAIRA)

STATUS

REGISTERED OFFICE ADDRESS

NAME OF DIRECTORS

Topbrass Aviation Limited

7,442,313,393.35

In Court

43B, Oduduwa Cresent, G.r.a, Ikeja, Lagos.

Iyayi Roland Isibor, Oehlers Kenneth Romano, King Kola, Ojo-Osagie Dipo, Nze-Ekpebie Ruby

Roche Imo Palm Limited

2,415,114,064.36

In Court

Plot 72, World Bank Housing Estate, Area A, Owerri, Imo

Roche Ian Thomas, Roche Paul P., Nyitni Philip Peter

Magchem Nigeria Ltd

1,297,881,805.32

In Court

No. 11, Ajibade Oke, Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos.

Mahtani Deepak Rupohand, Melwani Renuka

Homus Steel Limited

875,034,406.41

In Court

1R 2JXQGDQD 6WUHHW 2Æ© $OOHQ $YHQXH ,NHMD /DJRV

Mrs. Odimegwu Grace, Odimegwu Ikenna, Anthony Odimegwu, Balakrishnan Kasupathy Thambipillai

Choice Point Services And Supply Ltd

381,047,879.03

In Court

No.9, Gbelegbo Street, Magodo Isheri, Lagos.

Omijeh Esemokhai, Omijeh Ifeanyi Egbuna, Joseph Samuel Oneshoagba, Adesimbo Sampson Ayodele

Lamboil Limited

368,747,270.70

In Court

No.19, Onayade Street, Fadeyi, Lagos.

Aribo Olatayo, Aribo Mojisola, Adeniyi Emmanuel Abiodun, Adeniyi Wilhemina Olajumoke

The Greenline Bus Company Ltd

366,058,587.72

In Court

No.22A, Adeleke Adedoyin Street, Victoria Island, Lagos

Ogunlade Oludare, Aloni Nir, Maduneme Izuchukwu, Elemamba Nnamdi Udochukwu, Teniola Ajibike (Mrs), Ogunsuyi Olumide

Delkta Global Resources Ltd

302,378,931.85

In Court

Plot 9, Samuel Edosa Street, Magodo, Lagos.

Odiete Ufuoma Henry, Onohworua Omamuzo Julius, Okorodudu Mudiaga, Odiete Justina Oduma

F - Meg Nig Ltd.

287,713,774.62

In Court

%ORFN % )ODW 0RVKHVKH (VWDWH $LUSRUW 5RDG (Æ©XUXQ :DUUL Delta

Mr. Kingsley Megwara, Mr. Nnaemeka Megwara, Chibuzo Megwara, Mr. Nnamdi Megwara, Mr. Ikenna Megwara

Compagnie Generale De Logistique (N

231,209,134.80

In Court

No.20, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos

Alain Laurent Bolo, Sylvain Kluba, Tijani Babatunde Folawiyo

Britanica Hori. Direct Drilling Ltd

230,515,694.49

In Court

Lagos.

Dixon Colin Marcel, Torty Nwokeji, Stanojev Anthony Edwin, Anigabor James Olie, Omonade Rukevwe, Edemode Isaac

Onyeocha Anselem Assoc. Ltd

220,865,775.45

In Court

No.6, Adelabu Street, Surulere, Lagos.

Chidiebere N. Igboanugo, Francis Igboanugo, Ugochukwu Igboanugo, Uchechukwu Igboanugo

Eko Akete Engineering And Const Coy

193,906,806.92

In Court

No.19A, Abibu Oki Street, Lagos Island, Lagos.

Oki Fouad Alade, Akeju Adebayo, Akeju Adenrele Abiodun

Watchwell Global Ltd

193,274,228.87

1R (IHVRPD 6WUHHW 2Æ© .RVVLQL 5RDG :DUUL 'HOWD

Osaigbovo Innocent, Ukpebor Maria (Mrs)

Onezh Oil And Gas Ltd

192,527,842.99

In Court

No.5, Akubueze Street, Ogwuagor, Abakpa, Enugu.

Oneh Donatus, Oneh Francisca

Internex Limited

170,397,020.58

In Court

No.116, Akim Market Road, Calabar, Cross River.

Ibiang Oden Ewa, Patricia Ibiang Oden Ewa, Oden Ibiang Oden Ewa, Essien Ibiang Oden Ewa, Bassey Ibiang Oden Ewa

Iweror Nigeria Ltd

165,588,540.85

In Court

No.4, Wopara Street, Rumuomasi, Obio Akpor, Port Harcourt Rivers.

Hon Ken Iwezor, Emmanuel Biragbara, Christy Biragbara

Elo International Limited

164,456,702.46

In Court

No.28, Bridge Street, Lagos.

Onyebumuo Simon Elobuike, Onyebumuo Nnonye

Moragof Power Generator Limited

160,452,214.35

In Court

No.54, Kudirat Abiola Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

Oyekunle Adewale Morufu, Oyekunle Rashidatu, Oyekunle Shola Boluwatife

Kayriott Oil And Gas Ltd

159,676,170.04

In Court

.D\ULRWW +RWHO 6XLWHV .P 5HƪQHU\ 5RDG (ƩXUXQ :DUUL 'HOWD

Afe Oberuakpafe Anthony, Efe-Afe Oghenerume Theresa, Efe-Afe Oghenekaro Bruno, Afe-Afe Oghenekevwe Ursula, Efe-Afe Oghenekefe Aquila, Efe-Afe Oghenekesiri Silas, Adeleke Olaodu Adewale,

Valor Oil And Marine Support Services Lt

147,593,381.60

In Court

1R $QXROXZDSR &ORVH 2Æ© 2SHEL ,NHMD /DJRV

David Olu, David Toluwani, David Sola, David Patience

Usain Oil And Gas Company Limited

144,127,060.93

In Court

Road 59, House L 89, Vgc, Lagos.

Emeka Johnson Anyakee, Azubuike John

Chywhite Nig Ltd

138,515,823.03

In Court

No.6, Adelabu Street, Surulere, Lagos.

Chidiebere N. Igboanugo, Francis Igboanugo, Ugochukwu Igboanugo, Uchechukwu Igboanugo

Danmaliki Nigeria Limited

132,818,692.97

In Court

1R -LEULQ %DZD 6WUHHW ,VRKRQ .DVXZD .HƬ 1DVDUDZD

Bala Mulki Ibrahim, Idris Mulki Jabir, Mulki Sani Muhd Ulang Adie Ulang, Ulang Adie Cornelia, Ulang Adie Jeremiah

Ulanzi Global Ltd

131,444,693.26

In Court

No.3, Abel Nwokeah Street, Eliohani, Port Harcourt, Rivers.

Levbiks International Ltd

129,945,845.49

In Court

No.2, Alhaji Sansu Street, Obanikoro, Lagos.

Ifediotu Onwubiko Tony Ifeanyi, Onwubiko Ngozi, Onwubiko Ekene, Onwubiko Onyeka, Onwubiko Iruka

Sovereign Limited

113,382,192.42

In Court

No.10, Itapeju Street, Apapa, Lagos.

Asuzu Chima, Sovereign Savings & Loans Ltd, Sweet Asuzu

2Æ©VKRUH 3URGXFW 1LJHULD /LPLWHG

111,002,276.56

In Court

1R 8GRƪD $YHQXH (NHW $NZD ,ERP

Ekwere Austine, Oduah Ogiemwony Stella, Agbega Brigbene

Crush Stones Industries Limited

109,989,060.95

In Court

Kilometer 20, Port Harcourt Aba Express Way, Oyigbo, Rivers.

Ezenduka Michael, Ezenduka Edith, Onunkwo Chika (Mrs)

E.n.c Ifediorah &Sons Ltd A/C3

108,885,525.55

In Court

No.11, Port Harcourt Road, Fegge, Onitsha.

Mr. Emmanuel C. Ifedorah, Mr. Kenneth C. Ifedorah, Godwin Nonso Ifedorah, Ifedorah Augustine

Obidoms Nigeria Limited

107,273,078.49

In Court

No.133, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers.

Chief Brown Okparaocha, Mr. Brown Dominic Junior, Mrs Nnenna Brown

Ehitor Nigeria Limited

104,246,505.30

In Court

21 Road, F Close, Flat 279B, Festac Town, Lagos .

Emiehinor Uadiale, Mr. Godfrey Uadiale

Citeco Global Investment Limited

103,619,033.29

In Court

No.7, Ashabi Cole Street, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

Ogunlude Ayodeji David, Ogunlude Olanrewaju (Mrs)

Above And Beyond Clothier Limited

100,629,505.85

In Court

No.8, Majekodunmi Street, Ikeja, Lagos.

Bamisaiye Anthony, Bamisaiye Mosope-Foluwa

Axxis Petroconsultants Limited

18,338,239,565.33

2Nd Floor, Legacy Place, 2Nd Lekki Roundabout, Lagos Island, Lagos.

Sola Adepetun, Amberpoints Nigeria Limited, Bukola Bakrin, Sastry Karra; Adrain Lebeouf, Adcax Nominees Limited

Dajcom Limited

1,809,122,718.52

20, Elias Close, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Safa David, Meyer Olivier

Michael Okaredje Limited

513,652,359.40

8PXHGDIH 6WUHHW 2Æ© 3WL 5RDG :DUUL 'HOWD 6WDWH

Okaredje Onoriode, Olerimi Benedicta

Piccolo Brunelli Eng. Ltd

512,993,919.19

23, Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja

Piccolo Brunelli Francesco, Francesco Brunelli Piccolo Giovanni

Carnco Foods Nigeria Limited

383,400,658.90

94, Broad Street, Lagos.

Chief Sankey Charles Sampson, Chief Lawson Adeyemi Olusola, Coomassie-Estate Of Ahmadu, Garba-Estate Of John Mamman, Ugochukwu & Sons Limited, Madona Properties Limited

Feanchat Group Limited

326,696,606.93

49, Herbert Macaulay, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

Atueyi Chinyere Beatrice, Atueyi Chukwudi Felix, Atueyi Ifeyichukwu Purity, Agwu Onwuka Ukwa, Ihuoma Di-Richie Ifeanacho Josiah, Dada Oludayo Olusegun

Mickmonis Ltd.

247,550,784.53

20, Ahmadu Bello Way, Jos.

Michael Ani, Pauline Ani, Michael Michelle Ani, Michael Jesse Ani

S A Major Services Ltd

239,974,585.53

1R 3DUDGLVH $YHQXH 2Æ© (UHPD 6WUHHW 2PRNX 2QH /JD 5LYHUV

Anthony Major, Anthony Victor, Anthony Emmanuel

Belco Petroleum Nigeria Limited

183,169,848.54

No.kofo Abayomi Avenue, Apapa, Lagos.

(]LULP &KLND %OHVVLQJ (]LULP 1JR]L 2NRURLJER 1JR]L &RQƪGHQFH

Emack Integrated Resources Ltd

169,742,755.90

Powa Shopping Plaza, Enugu Road, Near Cps, Onitsha, Anambra.

Umeugo Evarist Igbahu, Umeugo Onyedikachi

Vancol Crop Care Limited

164,873,032.53

8B, Sulaiman Crescent, Nassarawa G.r.a, Kano.

Nweke Collins, Achimugu David

6LQJPRÆ© /WG

158,155,748.62

27, Emubarovwe Street, Ugheli, Delta State.

Omofakpo Blessing, Blessing Omofakpo Blessing, Great-God Blessing, Favour Blessing

O.b.d Petroleum Ltd

142,120,486.76

3, Baye Street, Ibefun Estate, Ayetoro, Ijanikin, Lagos

Umeanor Obinna Michael, Umeanor Chinonso Olufemi , Umeanor Joseph Chinyere, Olawoye Rotimi

Valeeshcol Nigeria Limited

139,147,413.27

White House, Igbekele, Km33 Badagry Express-Way, Ajibade Bus Stop, Morogbo, Badagry L.g.a, Lagos.

Okwunalu Ikechukwu, Ibekwe Victor, Olaniyi Gbadebo, Asuquo Edet, Olaoluwa Janet

Maycon International Company

133,774,304.47

2NDUHGMH 6WUHHW 2Æ© 3 W L 5RDG (Æ©XUHQ 'HOWD 6WDWH

Okaredje Onode

Chagyah Resources Nigeria Limited

132,502,620.47

45, Okporo Road, Artillery Junction, Rumuoegba, Rivers State.

Ojiakor Olisa, Ojiakor Chide Emmanuel

Nnesca Global Services Limited

131,433,683.79

5, Mamman Nasir Crescent, Asokoro, Abuja

Ubani Nnenna Doris, Ubani Ijeoma Elizabeth, Ebeku Christian Amezi

Raluny Ventures Limited

128,928,709.57

20, Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos

Ekundayo Adekunle Ralph, Ralph-Ekundayo Olubunmi, Ralph -Ekundayo Ifelewa, Ralph-Ekundayo Ifedayo

Global Meridian Nigeria Limited

123,813,002.84

1, Ogunlana Drive, Lukogbe, Ijebu Water-Side, Ogun State

Shodimu Benjamin Olukayode, Shodimu Jonathan Oluwole

Honesty Oil And Pet Mkting (Nig) Ltd

122,372,883.05

438, Ikorodu Road, Ojota-Lagos

Adebowale Lawal, Adebowale Monsuratu, Adebowale Jamiu

Kety Petroleum Ltd

116,993,354.77

1R .DVDOL 6WUHHW 2Æ© 2\HWRUR 6WUHHW 0HUDQ /DJRV

Ogunleye Oluyemi; Ogunleye Funmilola; Oluyemi Kehinde; Oluyemi Taiwo

Cipher Haulage And Logistics Limited

110,336,677.55

1, Stephen Osibote Close, Ire Akari, Isolo, Lagos.

Fayiga Dolapo, Lawson Oladapo

Vindair Nigeria Limited

110,207,855.86

No 12, Captain Lambert (Ike God) Street, Behind Chivita, Ajao Estate, Lagos

Janardhana Nara Yana Rad, Madukwe Bonny Chuaka, Okaroh Columbus

Frontier Networks Limited

109,406,256.04

0RULWD &ORVH 2Æ© $GHWRNXQER $GHPROD &UHVFHQW :XVH ,L Abuja.

Ibrahim Kuchi Musa, Ibrahim Kuchi Zainab, Dr. Ajoritsederi Josephine Awosika, Alhaji Baba Mohammed, Umar Farouk Ahmed

Azego And Company Nigeria Limited

107,841,843.22

% $ELPEROD $ZRQL\L &ORVH 2Æ© 6DND 7LQXEX 6WUHHW 9LFWRULD Island, Lagos.

Mr. Ofuje Joseph Apeji, Apeji Ayesha Zainab

Rimec Investment Limited

104,416,381.26

56/58 Iweka Road, Onitsha.

Chidi Okoli, Chidi Emesiani

Torlak Nigeria Limited

102,928,285.06

79, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere, Lagos.

Sir Eze Emecheta, Ranco Dakic, Emecheta Anuli P.

TUESDAY JUNE 18, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍŻÍśË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

COMMENT

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

TASK BEFORE THE NINTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Tony Ademiluyi urges the assembly to give attention to the welfare of the people

S

ince the inception of democracy in 1999, the National Assembly has been in a battle of supremacy between its members and the apparatchik of the party in power at the centre. The members have been locked in a battle for the selection of their leaders as a way of asserting their independence while the party leaders have always wanted to impose their own stooges on the top echelon as a way of ensuring that there is less friction between them and the executive so that the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;dividends of democracyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; can be better delivered to the hoi polloi.

In 1999, the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wanted late Chief Evan Enwerem as the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s number three man but the majority of the senators wanted the charismatic late Dr. Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo as the National Assemblyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chairman. There was a great altercation between the two elephants with the former carrying the day. The Presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo witnessed the ascension of five senate presidents because of his desire to control the national legislature. The last of them, Ken Nnamani said he had taken care of the infamous banana peel that led to the sweeping away of his â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;capableâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; predecessors. It was the same story in the lower chamber which saw the emergence of Ghali Umar Naâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;abba as the Speaker after the ouster of Alhaji Salisu Buhari over an age and certificate forgery scandal. The Kano-born speaker was a thorn in the flesh of Obasanjo and he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t allowed to return in 2003 when he lost the primaries in very controversial circumstances. His successor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari who is the current Katsina State Governor gave Obasanjo less troubles.

In 2015 when Buhari first won the presidential elections, he concealed who he wanted at the helm of the National Assembly leadership. His inauguration speech â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I belong to everybody and I belong to nobodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; portrayed him as not willing to impose his will on the legislative arm of government. However the party leaders insisted on Sen ator Ahmad Lawan and Hon Femi Gbajabiamila as its leaders. The duo of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara outsmarted the party leadership and became the helmsmen to the chagrin of the bewildered leaders.

In 2019, the party leadership still insisted on Lawan and Gbajabiamila. They were determined not to repeat the mistake of 2015 with the anointed ones reaching out to the opposition PDP in order not to leave anything to chance. Gbajabiamila went as far as promising them 60 chairmanship slots. In the end victory was theirs as they both defeated Senator Ali Ndume and Hon. Umar Bago with a landslide.

Now that Lawan and Gbajabiamila have emerged as winners, there is the need to first and foremost extricate themselves from the vicious grip of the party leadership and assert their independence. They shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t allow themselves to be pawns in the hands of the party leadership by being yes men and

THERE SHOULD BE TOPMOST PRIORITY TO BILLS THAT HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE

invariably having a rubber stamp legislature.

Buhari in a recent speech said that he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a good working relationship with the eight senate. This doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean that the ninth senate shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do due compliance in the interest of the masses who elected them there in the first place. There is the need to checkmate the tyranny of the executive through adequate checks and balances which the 1999 constitution duly provides for.

There is the need for the leadership to show magnanimity to their opponents who they shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t regard as foes. The APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was quoted to have said that the sins of the opponents wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be forgiven so soon. There is no need for this act of vindictiveness as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s totally unnecessary. There is the need for the leaders to behave like statesmen instead. The Zulu leader, Mangosuthu Buthelezi was giving Nelson Mandela hell on earth as the Minister for Home Affairs. The veteran liberation fighter responded with tact by not only giving him more powers but making him acting president when he and Thabo Mbeki were away on an official visit. The current National Assembly leadership should disregard Oshiomhole and co-opt Ndume and Bago by giving them the chairmanship of juicy committees in order to douse the tension that the election generated. Their supporters should also not be made to feel inferior as they should be gracious in victory. National interest should supersede petty party or personal interest.

There are many issues begging for attention ranging from insecurity to unemployment. We were recently declared the poverty capital of the world and an extremely terrible image abroad as our nationals are treated worse than dogs there.

These issues should be on the front burner and the leadership should ensure that they are given the much needed attention that they urgently deserve.

There should be topmost priority to bills that have a direct impact on the lives of the people. Views from the opposition should be heartily welcomed. This is not the time for needless petty bickering along party lines. The needs of the nation should be put first before any other considerations.

The other members of the National Assembly must not follow their leaders sheepishly or merely for the sake of getting chairmanships or memberships of juicy committees. The interest of the electorate must be put first. If the leadership doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t act right, nothing stops them from changing them as quality representation must be top of their agenda.

When the dust finally settles, posterity is the ultimate judge.

Like death, nothing can be altered when it judges. There will be no public relations specialists or spin doctors to play any mind games. It is the final and harshest judge. I hope the ninth National Assembly members pass its litmus test when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finally time to settle scores and the chickens come home to roost.

Ademiluyi wrote from Lagos

RE: THE WAR IN EDO STATE The state government is doing its best to contain insecurity in the state, writes Crusoe Osagie

N

igeria has had its fair share of insecurity in recent times. In fact, if one were to be sincere, the spate of crime across the world has increased in recent years, calling for intervention from local and global actors. In the light of this, THISDAY editorial of Friday, June 14, 2019, which suggested that there was a war in Edo State as a result of activities of cultists was an exaggeration of the reality on the ground. To put it clearly: there is no war in Edo State.

Edo State is experiencing its fair share of security challenges and social vices, which include human trafficking, kidnapping, cultism, among others.

The state government has acknowledged the existence of these issues and has moved to contain them through a number of initiatives aimed at criminalizing and punishing deviants, engaging and empowering youths in productive ventures, protecting the weak and vulnerable and fortifying the security architecture to be proactive and better respond to challenges.

The state government enacted a Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Law 2018, which led to the setting up of the Edo State Task force Against Human Trafficking, with a robust collaboration with local and international actors. The task force has worked to curb the men-

ace, leading to a drop from the first to sixth position in the ranking of irregular migration to Europe.

The governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s determined effort to rid the state of cultism has led to the enactment of the Anti-Cultism Law, which proposes 21-year jail term for cultists and a seven-year term for anyone harbouring a cultist. This strengthens the legal framework to deal with the issue with stiff measures to discourage and punish cult members in the state. There is no denying that the law grinds slowly, but in no distant time, the public will be disincentivized from cultism, as more offenders will be made to face justice.

In a coordinated response to the security situation in the state, the government set up the Edo State Security Architecture made up of the various security agencies in the state. The Edo State Security Trust Fund has been initiated with Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede as chairman. Companies, charitable groups and individuals contribute to the fund, as part of the support for security agencies. The state government set aside N2bn in the 2019 budget for the fund, while Mr. Aig-Imoukhuede contributed N200 million to the pool, with more contributions coming from well-meaning members of the public. The Trust Fund and the Security Architecture have provided a backbone for security agencies operating in the state to better serve the

public, ensuring that they are provided with equipment and other materials to protect lives and property in the state.

Much as these efforts are yielding fruits, the agencies are also counting on the cooperation of members of the public to fish out criminal elements.

Also, the state government has enacted the Violence Against Persons (VAP) Prohibition Law, which provides a proactive framework to deal with violence, and protect the weak and vulnerable from abuses and attacks. This ensures that those with the tendency to instil fear and peddle violence are dealt with appropriately to discourage such conduct.

While these measures are in motion, the state government is also pursuing far-reaching programmes to train and empower youths through various initiatives of the Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs), which include the Edo Innovation Hub, Edo Production Centre, Edo Food and Agriculture Cluster (Edo-FAC) and Edo Creative Hub. Over 90,000 youths have benefited from the programmes. The agency is also backed by law. These are aimed at getting youths engaged, equipping them for employment and entrepreneurship and opening up space for young people to contribute to the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic fortunes.

Closely linked with this is the reinte-

gration of victims of human trafficking back into society through skills acquisition being implemented in collaboration with international agencies.

The editorial which insinuated that it was only the traditional institution in the state that rose to the occasion to tackle cultism is a disservice to the coordinated efforts of the state government in tackling the menace. While we acknowledge the contribution of the great Benin Monarch, Omo Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Oba Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Edo Ukuakpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, in tackling crime in the state, the state government has also led spirited effort to check the activities of cultists and other security challenges in the state.

It is also important to state that most of the measures taken were backed by law, ensuring a sustainable institutional framework to respond to the issue of insecurity in the state.

According to surveys by local and international bodies, Edo State remains the safest state to live and work in the South-South, which is also the safest geopolitical zone in the country.

As the state government ramps up efforts to reduce crime to its barest minimum in the state, it is important to appreciate these moves and acknowledge their impact, while also recognizing the input of the traditional institution in the multi-pronged, all-inclusive strategies to curb crime and criminality.

15

T H I S D AY TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2019

EDITORIAL The Exit Of CJN Onnoghen The retirement of Justice Walter Onnoghen holds lessons for Nigeria

T

he acceptance by President Muhammadu Buhari of the voluntary retirement of Justice Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) has elicited commendation from the National Judicial Council (NJC) which made the recommendation.

It is a fitting end to an unfortunate saga as the nation can now heave a sigh of relief on an issue that became very polarising. But some bad precedents have been set in the process.

Under the current democratic dispensation in Nigeria, the judicial powers of the state are vested in the courts. For them to discharge such duty impartially and independently, their autonomy is constitutionally guaranteed. As commendable as the decision of the president to accept Onnoghen’s retirement may seem, it does not obliterate the armtwisting tactics employed by the executive in the drama to get the former CJN out of office, whatever may have been the THE END OF JUSTICE IS justifications for it.

SUBVERTED WHEN THE Right from the EXECUTIVE INTIMIDATES commencement AND ABUSES THE of the process that CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER led to Onnoghen’s retirement, the executive showed an obvious disdain for due process and rule of law. The presumption of innocence until proven guilty was observed in the breach. Since it was obvious that the executive had made up its mind that Onnoghen had to go, what was left was how to arrive at that goal. In a democracy, that should not be allowed to happen.

Where the rights of an individual are at stake, every requirement of the law must be strictly complied with. After announcing in open court that he was not going to grant an ex-parte order, the CCT Chairman, Mr Danladi Umar secretly went behind Onnoghen’s lawyers to issue an ex-parte order which the president relied on in suspending him. But there are other lessons to be learnt from

Letters to the Editor

Onnoghen’s case that will also serve our judiciary, especially at a time like this.

W

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

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGEDENGBE DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PATRICK EIMIUHI, SAHEED ADEYEMO CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

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

BREAKING THE CLUTCHES OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE

A

s we commemorate World Sickle Cell Day tomorrow 19th June, we create awareness about the clutches of the Sickle Cell Disease, a disease that has brought untold hardships and misery upon many families.

While 70% of the world’s population are carriers, Nigeria has the highest burden of SCD in the world and is also the top sickle cell endemic country in Africa, with an annual infant death of about 150,000, representing more than eight per cent of infant mortality in the country. Every 1,000 babies born in Nigeria, 20 are born with SCD which means that they carry the SS genotype.

The term ‘sickle cell’ describes a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. In sickle cell disease, the red blood cells become hard and sticky and looks like a C-shaped farm tool called a sickle. Sickle cells die early which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells. Normal red blood cells can live between 90 to 120 days in the blood circulatory system but sickle cells die after only about 10 to 20 days.

Awareness of the disease and its consequences is very limited, and so are the treatment options or cure. Nigerians in rural and urban areas seem to be unaware of the existence of genotypes or the importance of a genotype test and genotype compatibility. Many people don’t know that for each pregnancy in which both parents are AS, there is a 25% chance of them giving birth to a child with the sickle cell genotype.

These actions and inactions eventually affect such

hile Judges, like Caesar’s wife must be above board, it is common knowledge that justice in Nigerian courts is most often out-rightly denied by corrupt practices. Yet, those who have the power to deny others their freedoms should themselves be beyond wrongdoing. It is therefore unacceptable, and even criminal, for a judge to ‘forget’ to declare his assets while sitting in judgment over others who had committed similar offences. Also, a public servant who has soiled his hands should have the decency to resign his appointment and should not wait until he is disgraced out of office.

That many now resort to violence or other forms of extra-judicial means in the settlement of personal disputes is an indictment on our judiciary.

It is therefore high time all stakeholders sat down to realistically salvage the judiciary from the doldrums of inefficiency and corruption that have combined to render it ineffectual. For instance, in our country today, it takes a minimum of eight to 15 years in a normal situation to start and conclude a simple civil case from the High court to the Supreme Court. Commercial litigants who could not tolerate this anomaly have stopped taking their cases to court.

On the whole, we call on our judges to shun corruption and abuse of powers which are antithetical to the virile judiciary that is badly needed at this most challenging period of our national life. But we must reiterate that respect for the rule of law is the linchpin of democracy. Under the current dispensation, this principle has been routinely breached due to a seeming disregard for court rulings and the rights of accused persons. The end of justice is subverted when the executive intimidates and abuses the constitutional order. The president must resist the temptation to subordinate the law to political expediency.

families physically, financially and psychologically if they give birth to a child with SCD. To those who have plans of getting married, do your best not to gamble with the life of your child even before he is born and to all stakeholders in the fight against SCD, this is a wake-up call that the choices we make before marriage can save our unborn children from sickle cell disease. Know your partner’s health status, before you plan to start a family.

That notwithstanding, if you already have a child with SCD, you should not give up but should rather have some few things in mind. Parents should give them all the love, motivation, education and health care that they need and not see them out of frustration as some transient beings who do not deserve any worthy investment. Parents should also know that with advancement in health care, having SCD does not mean he child is bound to die today or next year. As concerted efforts are being made towards reducing the SCD prevalence, government must as a matter of urgency place SCD on national health agenda and people must be informed on how to avoid giving birth to sickle cell children.

Government and private funders must be willing to develop sickle cell centres in Nigeria. This would serve as centres where parents, patients and intending couples would have access to expertise and knowledge about the disease and as a result would be able to receive supportive care for the SCD patient.

Yusuf Hassan Wada, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

THE WAR IN THE NORTHEAST

I

am the product of the loins of a former Nigerian Army soldier, a civil warrior who almost lost his life fighting to establish a federal beachhead at the Onitsha sector of the River Niger in the heat of the civil war and whose very young wife (my late mother) had the rare, almost un-regulation privilege to visit a pacified warfront (Asaba, really) in 1969 and she was duly entertained when my dad’s CO, the late Gen. Sani Abacha, a young man back then, upbraided my dad for permitting such a young wife to come visiting when armistice was not declared yet. I grew up amongst soldiers in the confines of a couple of army barracks appreciating what a call to service and valour and patriotism and fighting to protect the fatherland were all about.

Basically, “soldier no dey fear death because ‘im don sign to die” but no one ever told us that getting slaughtered like chickens in an ill-defined war is a cool way to serve one’s country and this is why I am really bothered about the lack of a workable battle strategy to finish off the war in the Northeast. Yes, war indeed because we are at war! Denial of the realities on ground and covering up for the mass slaughters of our

defenceless soldiers in the Northeast are a twin evil that every Nigerian must rise up against. I have argued a couple of times that the old-fashioned big artillery-propped, close air support Pattonneque division-wide push, hold-and-occupy pincer movement is the best battle strategy the Nigerian army must adopt to uproot Boko Haram. Alas, when you talk to gung-ho soldiers who have been on military tours of the Northeast and who barely survived ambushes by a bunch of undisciplined rag-tag terrorists you will hear complain of frustration about how the top military brass want these fighting soldiers to “capture alive” as much as possible suicideprimed Boko Haram elements so that these terrorists will be enrolled in some highfalutin “de-radicalisation” programme. To what end is this “de-radicalisation” programme, if I may ask? Is it to boost the political standings of certain ones so that they will continue to con international donor NGOs to continue to keep the cash spigot open? Isn’t anyone out there bothered that Nigeria cannot afford to bleed soldiers indefinitely?

Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

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TUESDAY JUNE 18, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ T H I S D AY

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TUESDAY JUNE 18, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

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18

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JUNE 18, 2019

POLITICS

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

TRENDING NEWS

INEC Server Leaves Room for Controversy Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that prolonged public discussion on whether the Independent National Electoral Commission has a computer server and if it was deployed to work in the 2019 national elections encourages all types of theories

Buhari

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t the beginning of the week, the latest twist to the debate trailing the availability of a computer server in the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had emerged as presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubaker denied a statement credited to him. A group, YouthSupportPDP had twitted part of a speech supposedly by Abubakar, saying, “My server results are authentic and if the judges frustrate justice we will take over the street. I will lead all Nigerians in a massive protest that mankind have never witness before.” On the surface, it looked like a piece of communication from a sufficiently aggrieved person like Abubakar.

On closer examination, however, it could be observed that the message was filled with many errors including antiquated spellings that is not in the character of the Abubakar public communication team.

It was, therefore, not a surprise when Abubakar said the statement did not emanate from him or his aides. Reaffirming his believe in the rule of law and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Abubakar said he will not take any action that will stand against democracy. “My attention has been drawn to a statement circulating in the media, to the effect that I plan to lead a street protest in the event that the election petition tribunal rules against my party and I on the issue of a server for the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Such a statement did not emanate from me or my privies. It is the work of mischief makers who want to mar my spotless prodemocratic record and lay the ground work for their threatened actions against me on false charges of being a threat to national security. For the avoidance of doubt, I believe in the Rule of Law and in the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In my almost four decades in politics, I have never taken action or spoken words against democracy and I will not start now,” he stated.

The current round of argument over INEC computer server started after the announcement of the result of the 2019 presidential election which showed that President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had defeated Abubakar with over three million votes.

Abubakar and the PDP promptly rejected

Abubakar the result, which it described as a sham.

INEC had declared Buhari winner of the election after polling 15,191,847 votes. Atiku polled 11,262,978 votes to place second.

In their petition to the Presidential Election Tribunal on March 18, Abubakar and the PDP contended that “from the data” obtained from INEC’s server, “the true, actual and correct results” showed that they polled 18,356,732 votes to defeat Buhari, who they said scored 16,741,430 votes. Abubakar in April, gave the tribunal what he called the “unique MAC address and Microsoft product ID of the INEC server. The figures and votes were transmitted to the first Respondent’s Presidential Result’s Server 1 and thereafter aggregated in INEC_PRES_RSLT_SRV2019, whose Physical Address or unique Mac Address is 94-57-A5-DC-64-B9 with Microsoft Product ID 00252-7000000000-AA535,” he said.

The PDP Presidential candidate and his party were said to have made unauthorized intrusion into INEC’s computer server. Dr. Kayode Ajulo, a constitutional lawyer denounced hacking the computer server of the INEC, describing it as an act of terrorism. According to him the provisions of cybercrime act 2015 recognised INEC server as one of the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII). Taking steps to address the issue, the APC on March 25 petitioned the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Service (DSS), accusing the PDP of illegally accessing the server of the INEC. Festus Keyamo, spokesman of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, urged the security agencies to question the leadership of the PDP on their claims relating to the INEC server.

Though the APC has accused the main opposition party of hacking, the PDP has not said if it obtained the information in its possession through criminal hacking of the server or through criminal conspiracy of some INEC officials.

Returning the barrage of attacks against his party and its presidential candidate, the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, alleged that the APC was panicking because of the case instituted before the tribunal by the party and Abubakar.

The PDP further said President Buhari was overweighed by the burden of illegitimacy, following overwhelming evidence before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal that

Yakubu he stole the presidential mandate, according to the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan.

Last week, INEC created a very unpleasant situation, in which a lot of people got very angry and complained, when the electoral body claimed at the presidential election tribunal sitting in Abuja that it did not have or use any electronic server for the 2019 presidential election. The PDP and its presidential candidate Abubakar had earlier moved a motion seeking for access to inspect the server and data of smart card reader used by the INEC in the conduct of the presidential election. The PDP argued that the order will be in the interest of justice, fair hearing and neutrality to enable the petitioners to maintain their petition.

Responding to the application, counsel to INEC, Mr. Yunus Usman asked the tribunal to refuse the request of the petitioners. “The PDP said we should bring something we don’t have,” Usman told the court. The All Progressives Congress (APC) through its counsel, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi aligned itself in asking the tribunal to dismiss the application of the PDP. Documented evidence dating back to March 10, 2015 shows a report by Mr. Kayode Robert Idowu who served as Chief Press Secretary to then INEC Chairman detailing, ‘INEC Statement on Card Reader Demonstration’.

It gave a comprehensive account of field reports from the public demonstration of Smart Card Readers (SCRs) conducted in 12 states. Paragraph four of the report reads, “(iv) The SCR sends the data of all accredited voters to INEC’s central server, equipping the Commission to be able to audit figures subsequently filed by polling officials at the PU and, thereby, be able to determine if fraudulent alterations were made. The public demonstration also succeeded wholly in this regard.” If the INEC admitted the existence of a functional ‘central server’ in its offices in 2015 and allocated monies under several sub-headings to computer server related items in the 2019 national elections, why has it denied these facts?

Buhari allocated N189 billion to INEC to fund the 2019 general election. INEC proposed to spend N143.5 billion on 209 items. Out of that amount, N2.27 billion was budgeted for server-related procurement items, with budget code 230808. “N1.37 billion was budgeted for nationwide replacement of servers for 25 states and National Data

Centre, N99.7 million for an upgrade of the server version of OpenVR for compatibility with new Dell server, and N800 million for the migration of voter registration database from MySQL Open Source to OracleDB (both database administration services).

INEC also budgeted N157.5 million for the renewal and maintenance of cloud infrastructure, with budget code 230709.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, excused himself from making a statement on the issue when this reporter contacted him.

He said, Unfortunately, I cannot comment on the matter because it is subjudice.” He, however, sent video of his boss interview on a national television network to answer our probe. In the interview, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC chairman said, “As for the reason we are not transmitting electronically (election results), we had meetings with the Nigerian Communications Commission and through the NCC we had meetings with the telcos and we have identified many blind spots in Nigeria that are not covered by any of the networks. How do you effectively transmit results from those blind spots? In order to address the issue of the blind spots, we also had a meeting with the Nigeria Communications Satellite.

We have not concluded our meetings with the Nigerian Communications Satellite in that respect. There are two issues, the first is communication with several blind spots.

How do you communicate? Secondly, the percentage of the country that is covered by 2G, let alone 3G or 4G network and we have no 5G in Nigeria, is very small. How do you, in addition to sending raw result from the Polling Units, meaning figures, which is just like sending text message, in addition to sending copies of the EC8A? Sending figures is different from sending images. We have challenges in the area of communication. Equally important, we have a challenge in the area of security, particularly in this era of cyber insecurity.

I think we need to do lot more before we then deploy this technology for the purpose of the result nationwide.”

The latest on the INEC computer server controversy is, arguably, the statement by the Deputy Chief Observer for the European Union Observer Mission (EU EOM), Hannah Roberts that the Mission knew nothing about the INEC server, but simply relied on results that were released by INEC.

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T H I S D AY ˾TUESDAY JUNE 18, 2019

TRENDING NEWS

The Task of Converting Honour to Dividends Victor Ogunje writes that participants at a recent conclave in Ado Ekiti to celebrate June 12 came to an understanding that the Democracy Day needs to be transformed to a more beneficial rallying point for Nigerians

Akinrinade

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he giant strides taken by President Muhammadu Buhari to honour the late Chief Moshood Abiola, presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election have been widely applauded. Buhari made a marked difference where his predecessors in office failed.

Though former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar ’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan had the same privilege of idolizing Abiola since 1999, none of these perceived beneficiaries of Abiola’s supreme sacrifice deemed it necessary to erect a fitting memorial to his name.

In doing this, Buhari applied a three-pronged approach to confer posthumous honour on the man fondly called the martyr of Nigeria’s democracy. One, he bestowed the highest honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic on him. Two, he named the National Stadium Abuja after him. Three, he declared the June 12 Democracy Day, instead of May 29.

Notable Pro-democracy groups, particularly the arrowhead of the fight against the annulment of the election, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), commended the gesture with a caveat that more needs to be done.

It was on this premise that notable Nigerians and activists converged on Ado Ekiti on Friday, June 14 to ruminate on how to covert the honour bestowed on Abiola to gains, for Nigerians not to view Buhari’s action from the prism of politics, rather than a broad spectrum of promoting unity ad democracy in Nigeria.

Leading the discussion was Governor Kayode Fayemi, who operated the guerilla broadcast station, Radio Kudirat that constituted a torn in the flesh of the Gen. Sani Abacha-led regime during that pulsating era.

The Ekiti governor was supported by a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Alani Akinrinade, former Editor of Diet Magazine, Niran Malaolu, a NADECO chieftain, Hon. Wale Oshun, former Executive Editor, Tell Magazine, Mr. Dare Babarinsa and Dr. Femi Orebe.

Other discussants were, Speaker of the Ekiti State House of As-

Fayemi

sembly, Hon Funminiyi Afuye, Professor Bolaji Aluko, General Secretary, Afenifere Renewal Group, Chief Ayo Afolabi and others who participated in the Pro-democracy struggle during the dark days of military rule, particularly against the annulment of the June 12, which has been adjudged freest and fairest presidential election in the country.

It was a general consensus at the elaborate public discourse tagged: ‘June 12: Lighting the Candle of Democracy ‘ that it was imperative for government to take the issue of honouring Abiola beyond politics, by entrenching good governance that would checkmate crime, insecurity, unemployment, poverty and other social vices in the country. They opined that this remains the best way to keep alive Abola’s hope for a rejuvenated country.

Speaking more pointedly, Akinrinade advised President Muhammadu Buhari to make June 12, the new Democracy Day to become also the day for inauguration of the President, governors and other political office holders in the country.

He was of the opinion that having another rival day like May 29 in place will reduce the purity of June 12 and its significance to the nation.

Akinrinade also described the Fulanisation and Islamisation theory raised against Buhari, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo as a misdirected venom, which has been settled by the honour bestowed on the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential poll, Chief Moshood Abiola.

Akinrinade applauded Buhari for branding June 12 as Democracy Day, but insisted that it should also be the day for inauguration of elected executive office holders to add glamour to it.

The war veteran added, “President Buhari was one of the first retired generals to stand up for June 12, but they became disappointed at a time because of the inordinate ambition of our people here in Yorubaland, so they became scared until they were told that not all Yorubas are treacherous. What he did was not for MKO Abiola, but for the growth of our democracy.”

On the poser raised by Obasanjo

Abiola

that Buhari was allegedly plotting to Fulanise and Islamise Nigeria, Akinrinade said, “Don’t let us have the intention that President Buhari will Fulanise us. I have always believed that a criminal is a criminal, whether you are a Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa, when you commit offence, you must be treated as a criminal.

It is not good to link every Fulani man to Buhari.”

Akinrinade appealed to Buhari to cooperate with the governors on the issue of insecurity, saying, “We can’t have peace when our people are being kidnapped and money taken from them”.

Governor Fayemi, in his contribution, said the annulment of the June12, 1993 presidential poll and the honour conferred on the presumed winner of the election, Chief Abiola shows that the country needs a strong and virile political institutions.

The governor described many of those who fought over the annulment of June 12 as committed patriots, who made the sacrifice in the interest of democracy and not for the late Abiola.

“Some of those saying the June 12 was not worth dying for were poor students of history and not abreast of the war waged by people to restore democracy to the country.

Over 70 percent of our close to 200 million population did not have first-hand information about June 12, so those of us who knew what transpired must acknowledge the struggle. One thing is clear, there won’t be May 29 without June 12 and that was why President Buhari decided to honour the late Abiola.

The honour was not just about the man, but about Nigerians who voted for Chief MKO Abiola.

“Some of us in the radical fold believed Chief Abiola was a military collaborator, who used his money to fund coups. He was a capitalist but a populist on the other hand, because of his strong philanthropic gestures.

The man represented Nigeria in all its ramifications and he understood all the contradictions, so there are lessons to be learnt, especially with the way President Buhari decided to honour this man, who died for democracy. That is why we have to

strengthen this democracy, we are not yet where we are supposed to be,” Fayemi stated.

He added that the war they waged against military was not solely about Abiola’s botched victory, but about giving Nigerians a government that can defend their rights through participatory governance.

One of those who felt a dose of incarceration under Abaçha time as the leader of NADECO, Hon. Wale Oshun, said the country will have nothing to gain from June 12, if the government fails to set up strong institutions that will drive democracy in Nigeria and reposition the country for quality governance.

Going down memory lane, Oshun recounted how many of those who fought against military were killed and some hounded out of the country, saying the return of democracy in 1999 gave them a reprieve.

Oshun specifically lauded Abiola and his slain wife, Kudirat, for defending democracy with their blood. He said history will never forget them as patriots, who shed their blood for Nigeria to return to civil rule.

“We knew what people like Chief Gani Fawehinmi and many heroes, who lost their lives and those of us living played an important role to ensure this democracy came into being.

“For Abiola’s death not to be in vain, there must be good governance in Nigeria. He died for democracy, because it is a government of the people and once we have got democracy, our people must feel the benefits,” he said.

Though, many honours have deservedly been bestowed on Abiola, there is a need for concerted efforts that is driven by a well-designed template of activities. These undertakings must be spear-headed by government at all levels. This will immediately transform the gesture from a presumed nominal political catalogue to a more beneficial rallying point to Nigerians. Only then will many elevate their notion of June 12 Democracy Day from being a populist deed by the Federal Government to a bastion of hope and development that connects every Nigerian.

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍśË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

FEATURES

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

Strengthening the Nigeria-Nordic Relationship The 2019 edition of Nordic Nigeria Connect themed, 'Innovating for Change' saw the coming together of five independent countries â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nigeria, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark - for the purpose of strengthening the rapport between the Nordic countries and Nigeria. Mary Nnah and Peace Obi report

C

hange they say is constant! And that can best describe the phases of the business relationship between Nigeria and the Nordic countries â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Demark- even as they continue to evolve. Over the years, this bilateral relationship which has existed over 100 years has seen a single item export of Norwegian stock fish to Nigeria grown to accommodate several other goods and services.

Now, as the Nordic states take cognisance of the gradual emergence of Nigeria as a hotbed of innovations cutting across the financial services, agriculture, hospitality and entertainment, the need for collaboration amongst these countries for more mutually beneficial partnership has become necessary more than ever before. A step in that direction saw the hosting of the 2019 edition of Nordic-Nigeria Connect: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Innovating for Changeâ&#x20AC;? which sought to combine the ideas and solutions from the Nordic countries and Nigeria companies, investors, government representatives and other stakeholders for a better impactful trade relationship.

Coming at the backdrop of the need for the countries to collaborate for mutual benefits, government officials, industries leaders, experts and stakeholders in different sectors defied the horrendous traffic that made movement in and out of the Island between May 22 and 23 to converge on the Radisson Blu, Victoria Island to connect and reconnect for a better future.

Declaring the two-day event open, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who was represented by the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim commended the organisers for the initiative and said that it would enable participating countries â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nigeria Sweden, Norway, Finland and Demark to connect, reconnect and see how they can be beneficial and useful to one another.

According to Osinbajo, the event would enable stakeholders to deliberate on issues and come with up with recommendations, adding that the FG will look into the recommendations the stakeholders will come up with after the event.

Stating that the Nordic countries excel in innovation, the vice president said the FG has deliberately put some policies in place to support innovation in different sectors of the Nigerian economy. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe that we can leverage on their development and learn a lot. First, Nigeria has many policies that support innovation like Executive Order 003 and Presidential Order 005. These policies are purposely designed to support our indigenous technology and innovationâ&#x20AC;?.

Speaking further, Osinbajo said the FG through the National Information Technology Development Agency has established about eight world-class IT hubs in different parts of the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In addition to the IT hubs, the government has been providing specialist training for startups and sometimes provides seed funds for them. This is to make sure that they develop their own idea of innovation. I believe we are on track but we need to double our efforts to catch up with other nations, particularly the developed ones,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Finlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Prowess The Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, HE, Dr. Jyrki Pulkkinen on his part, reiterated his countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prowess in innovation, technology and education, adding that huge potentials in terms of human and materials resources abound in Nigeria.

According to him, it is a fact the Nordic countries have taken cognisance of and therefore considers Nigeria strategic for trade and investment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think in Finland and other Nordic countries, the politicians are already realising what Nigeria actually is. It is the biggest economy, the biggest country in West Africa and the whole of Africa and it has huge business potential for all of the Europeans. Finland has been a very innovative society for a long time now, especially in education and technology.

We are here to learn together and to create new innovation. There are huge potentials in this country â&#x20AC;&#x201C; great people, great resourcesâ&#x20AC;?, Pulkkinen said.

Speaking further, he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria is a very strategic country. I think in Finland and other Nordic countries, the politicians are already realising what Nigeria actually is. It is the biggest economy, the biggest country in West Africa and the whole of Africa and it has huge business potential for all of the Europeans.â&#x20AC;?

Describing education to be the bedrock of Finlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transformation from an agrarian society into being globally recognised as having the best

L-R: Minister Counsellor, Consulate General of Denmark, Lagos, H.E. Mr. Poul Jacob Erikstrup; Charge d'aďŹ&#x20AC;aires, Embassy of Sweden in Nigeria, H.E. Mr. StaďŹ&#x20AC;an Tillander; First Secretary, Embassy of Norway, Ms. Aida Ghebreselassie; Representative of H.E. Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo, Vice President of the Federal TRepublic of Nigeria, and Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim, and Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, H.E. Dr. Jyrki pulkkinen

L-R: Trade Commissioner West Africa, Business Finland, Mr. Olu Raheem; Director, SPIDER Center - Swedish Program for ICT in Developing Regions, Mr. John Owuor; Group CEO, Hofstede Insights, Mr Egbert Schram; and Head of Strategy and ICT Development, Council for Creative Education (CCE) Finland, Representative of Mr. Janne Lauanne, CEO WeBuust), Mr. Heramb Kulkarni education system, a leading force in technology and innovation, Pulkkinen said infrastructure and education are critical to the development of any nation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think education is the key for all the countries to be developed. That is why you see everybody harps on educationâ&#x20AC;?, he added.

Tracing Nigeria-Finland relationship to the 1960s, the ambassador said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been here for a long time. We have been here since the 60s. Finland has been very keen on introducing ideas like gender equality, education, innovation, mobile phone technology like Nokia, etc. Of course, we are not necessarily happy yet at the level of the development we have achieved because there is much more to do, we are really working so that we can lift it to the next level not only in Nigeria but also in other Africa nations. That is really what should be happening in the future.â&#x20AC;?

Norwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expansion Speaking also, the Defence Secretary for the Embassy of Norway, Aida Ghebreselasie, remarked that though Nigeria and Norway enjoy a long existing business relationship, investors are seeking to expand their investments in oil and gas, seafood and shipping, and maritime, adding that the shift in focus on renewable energy in Africa and Nigeria in particular. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have about 15 Norwegian companies that are focused on oil and gas out of the major 17

companies we have in Nigeria. So, the biggest sector here is the oil and gas but we are also dabbling into renewable energy. There are a lot of renewable energy actors in East Africa at the moment and they have done a lot of feasibility studies and an interesting market to push the engagement over to is West Africa, especially Nigeria.

form the basis of the Swedish model and it has made Swedish industries so innovative and dynamic. No economy will prosper if half of all her geniuses, entrepreneurs and others are held bound for no other reason than gender,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Swedenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Innovation The Swedish Ambassador in Nigeria, H.E. Mr. Staffen Tillander, in his remarks, said itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s necessary that countries collaborate to achieve economic and social development. Adding that some of the things the platform was created to achieve were to strengthen existing relationships, to inspire each other and build new partnerships for the future.

Stressing that innovation is strong in all the Nordic countries Tillander said that as home to billion-dollar tech companies, Sweden has its business model built around infrastructure, gender equality, cooperation and dialogue and that it has made Swedish industries so innovative and dynamic. According to him, business and innovation turn threats to hope as it deploys possibilities to utilise potentials that are discovered through education and learning.

He however warned that without the creation of well-functioning infrastructure, no development will be possible. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cooperation and dialogue, infrastructure and gender equality

Denmarkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leverage The Minister Counsellor, Consulate General of Denmark, Lagos, H.E. Mr. Poul Jacob Erikstrup in his remarks said that innovation, connections, partnerships, knowledge, technology exchange are keywords for development of all countries.

Stressing that though societies are different in many ways, Erikstrup said there are a number of ways to inspire each other to new innovations and better future.

According to him, countries are unique and strong in different areas, just as Denmark is renowned to be at the forefront with innovations in the food, agriculture and processing sector, yet common goals can be achieved by innovatively leveraging each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strength. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You get inspired by good neighbours and good friends when you develop your own country.

Our societies are different in many ways but there are a number of ways to inspire each other to new innovations and better future.

And a common goal can be achieved through innovative use of goods, services and raw materials,â&#x20AC;? he said.

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

‘I WEPT, WHEN I READ ABOUT ONNOGHEN’S TRIAL’

18.06.2019

Chief Folake Solanke, SAN

2/DASHBOARD

18.06.2019

Constitutionality of Disbursement of Funds for the Judiciary by the Executive PAGE 4

Sanwo-Olu Swears in Alogba as Acting Chief Judge, Promises to Partner with FG, Judiciary, to Decongest Prisons PAGE 5

Tribunal Strikes Out Petition Challenging Faleke’s Victory PAGE 5

Capital Market Solicitors holds Luncheon on how to bridge Nigeria’s Housing Gap PAGE 6

‘A Good Lawyer Must Possess Win-Win Negotiation Skills’

QUOTABLES ‘Corruption, particularly in the political arena, is dangerous for Africa and dangerous for any country....

This continent can no longer survive, if corruption is what we embrace.’

– Professor Patrick Lumumba, Professor of Law, Director, The Kenya School of Laws, former Director, Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission

‘The implication of the Imo Judgement, is that all you now require is that, once you are contesting an election, find the returning officer; on the eve of that election or after the election, go and kidnap him, hold him to ransom, either put a gun to his head or do whatever comes under duress, and get him to announce you as winner. That is what this judgement is saying, and it is dangerous.’

– George Eke, Legal Practitioner, Lagos

PAGE 6

COLUMNIST DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN, OFR, FCIARB, PH.D, LL.D Constitutional Democracy, means a system of government, in which political and governmental power, is defined, limited and shared by a grundnorm called the Constitution, which provides inbuilt checks and balances.

This column seeks to fiercely discuss constitutional, legal and political issues, with a view to strengthening, deepening and widening the plenitude and amplitude of democracy and good governance, without fear or favour.

The writer of this column, Dr. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, is a Constitutional Lawyer, Human Rights Activist, Pro-Democracy Campaigner, Notary Public and Motivational Speaker. He co-founded the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Nigeria's pioneer human rights league, on October 15,1987, the Universal Defenders of Democracy (UDD), in 1992, and with Chief Gani Fawehinmi and others in 1998, the Joint Action Committee of Nigeria (JACON), to push out the military. In his early days, he lectured at the University of Ife. Dr. Ozekhome is an author of many books. He is also a Special Counsel at the International Criminal Court (ICC), at The Hague.

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE EDITOR JUDE IGBANOI DEPUTY EDITOR AKINWALE AKINTUNDE REPORTER TUNDE BUSARI GROUP HEAD OCHI OGBUAKU II ART DIRECTOR

/3

Between Promises and Delivery

F

or those who were sorely disappointed on May 29, 2019, when President Muhammadu Buhari (Baba) failed to deliver an inaugural address during his swearing in ceremony, I hope you are happy now – Baba was obviously ‘saving the best for last’ - for June 12, 2019 (as I had speculated), the day which Baba was instrumental to having designated as ‘Democracy Day’, in honour of late Chief M.K.O. Abiola GCFR. I also hope that Baba’s address, met your expectations.

All in all, I found Baba’s 2019 address, to be a bit more detailed than that of 2015 – it was acceptable, and showed a slightly better understanding of the Nigerian situation. If it was not just a motivational speech, and his administration is actually able to do all that was contained in this address, Nigeria will be transformed, and Baba will certainly go down in history, as one of the best leaders Nigeria has ever had. Regretfully, many remain sceptical, about his capacity to deliver, judging by the last four years.

President Buhari’s 2015 Inaugural Address Now that Baba has spoken, it is probably apposite for us, to consider some of what he said in 2015, vis a vis what was actually done in the last four years, and try to determine what to expect, during the next four years.

In his 2015 address, Baba said that his executive would not encroach on the duties and functions of the legislative and judicial arms of government – they did. He also said that, law enforcement authorities would be charged to operate within the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)(the Constitution) – whether they were charged or not, many a time, they did not. While Baba’s first term administration’s scorecard, with regard to the rule of law, was not that impressive, in an unrefined and unconstitutional way, the Executive set about trying to undertake some reforms in the Judiciary (usurping the role of the NJC).

In Baba’s 2015 inaugural address, he said: ”The most immediate, is Boko Haram’s insurgency....

But, we cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other persons held hostage, by the insurgents”.

In April 2014, 276 girls were abducted from their school in Chibok, by Boko Haram insurgents.

None of them were rescued, by the Jonathan administration. Baba’s administration, on the

President Muhammadu Buhari

other hand, was able to secure the release of 21 girls in October 2016, and another 82 girls in May 2017. Progress has been made in this regard, though over 100 Chibok girls are still unaccounted for, and Leah Sharibu, now a prisoner of conscience, the last of the Dapchi girls who were also abducted by Boko Haram in February 2018, still remains in captivity. Though the rescue of these girls is a step in the right direction, according to Baba’s pledge in his 2015 address, we cannot consider Boko Haram to be defeated, until all the girls and others held hostage by the insurgents, have been rescued.

Baba actually referred to the Nigerian press, as “the most vibrant in Africa”, in his 2015 address. Isn’t it ironical that, subsequently, it is this same vibrant press, that Baba’s administration has sought to gag and intimidate, contrary to Sections 22 and 39 of the Constitution, possibly because of their criticism of Baba’s performance. Baba had also appealed for unity, but sadly, some of the key appointments made by his administration, and some of their other actions and inactions, were divisive, and resulted in many Nigerians drawing the conclusion that, Baba did not live up to his oath to serve as President to all Nigerians, as our country has never been as divided on ethnic and religious lines since the Nigerian Civil War, as it is today.

Baba undertook to tackle the issues of fuel and power shortages, ‘head on’. For quite sometime now, fuel shortages seem to have become a bad memory of the distant past.

The issue of constant power supply, however, still remains a major challenge, though output has certainly increased. To better the lot of the Nigerian worker, the minimum wage was increased from N18,000 to N30,000. Even though this is still a pittance, considering the fact that the Naira has depreciated, it is still better to earn N30,000 than N18,000. As small as the N5,000 a month social intervention program for the poorest of the poor is, N5,000 is still better than N0 (Section 17(3)(g) - provision of public assistance in deserving cases or other conditions of need).

The administration also developed a little bit of infrastructure, like trying to improve the road and rail networks, some from scratch, and others, by way of completion of projects commenced by previous administrations.

The 2019 Address Though Baba’s administration did not achieve the milestones that he set out to

accomplish in the three principal areas which he had placed emphasis on in 2015, namely security, corruption, and the economy, Baba stated in his 2019 address that, his administration had made appreciable progress, or to quote him, ‘solid’ progress in addressing these challenges.

I was however, glad that Baba honestly admitted that, what is required now, is for us to get our act together. This statement in itself, evinces the fact that (even though Baba seems to have given his administration a pass mark in his 2019 address), he acknowledges that, there is still much that needs to be done, plenty of which he made mention of, in the course of making his submissions.

He acknowledged the fact that, lapses are inevitable in all human endeavours, and the thrust of his second term, will be to make corrections. A good place to start, is to begin to truly actualise the provisions of Chapter 2 of the Constitution, that is, the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.

Baba reiterated his commitment to lifting the bulk of Nigerians out of poverty. He mentioned that, this goal is attainable, as China, India and Indonesia, countries that are burdened with large populations like Nigeria, had been able to do it. According to the World Bank, China has lifted about 800 million people out of poverty, since it started its economic reform about 30 years ago. China was able to achieve this stunning feat, through the ‘open door policy’ – trade liberalisation, foreign direct investment, topping the list as one of the foremost manufacturers/industrialists in the world, improving its human capital and the business investment climate for the private sector. According to a UNDP Report, between 2006 and 2016, 271 million Indians were lifted out of poverty.

I was reading a story on the internet, the other day. A Deputy Mayor of a City in China, was sentenced to death for corruption. He was accused of taking £120 million in bribes.

Baba mentioned the need for “a collective resolution to address corruption”, in his address. I concur. While many who are against the death penalty, will certainly oppose it as punishment for conviction for corruption charges, Government needs to take the fight against corruption, much more seriously.

I was listening to the radio in the car the other day, and the discussion was centred on the railway system that Government is trying to build. The discussants were demanding for an explanation, as to why the cost of the railway of a particular distance in Nigeria, is double the cost for the same distance in Ghana! The answer to that is obvious - probably the cost of the contract in Nigeria, has been inflated - corruption.

Whether we develop rural areas, increase agricultural and industrial output, develop mining, create jobs, invest in education and skills acquisition, and do all the other things necessary to eradicate poverty, if the issue of corruption is not tackled effectively, all these efforts will be in vain.

I somehow was of the opinion that, Baba downplayed the challenges of insecurity, in his 2019 address. Kidnapping, which he stated is restricted to the rural areas, occurs nationwide. Just last week, I was shocked to hear of a recent abduction, which occurred on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

If kidnappings, banditry and violence were restricted only to rural areas, the Kaduna Train Station for one, would not be inundated with passengers travelling between Kaduna and Abuja, to avoid that dangerous road.

It was good that Baba mentioned the congestion at the seaports, and the roads leading up to them. “Seaports strengthen the economy” - their importance to trade (being one of the cheapest ways of transportation of goods) and job creation, cannot be overemphasised. To be in a coastal area is advantageous, so, to have a seaport that is inaccessible because of trailer traffic, is not only the height of insouciance, but a stunt

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE

THE ADVOCATE onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive.com onikepob@yahoo.com

“.....BABA’S 2019 ADDRESS….IF IT WAS NOT JUST A MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH, AND HIS ADMINISTRATION IS ACTUALLY ABLE TO DO ALL THAT WAS CONTAINED IN THIS ADDRESS, NIGERIA WILL BE TRANSFORMED, AND BABA WILL CERTAINLY GO DOWN IN HISTORY, AS ONE OF THE BEST LEADERS NIGERIA HAS EVER HAD” to economic activity. On June 12, I decided to seize the opportunity of the work-free day, to visit my friend who lives in Apapa.

I was disgusted with the condition of the bridge, and as we were passing over it, I was praying that it would not collapse, as a result of the weight of the trailers parked on it – a bridge that is already in dire need of serious maintenance. The trailers blocked the usual entrance to Apapa, and we had to divert through the Kirikiri exit, to enter Apapa GRA. The bridge looked old, filthy, and generally unkempt, with garbage dumped right in the centre of the intersection, at the point of exit from Apapa.

‘The Next Level’ Baba has undertaken to assemble a strong team of Nigerians and allies, to move the country to the ‘next level’, and achieve the goals set in his 2019 address. The question is, when exactly will this team be assembled? In this century? Considering the fact that this is a second term, this should have been done by now. Hopefully, ‘the brightest and the best’, reflecting an acceptable spread, and not just a concentration of people from the North (Section 14(3) of the Constitution) and a few other mediocres, who are APC faithfuls/ loyalists. As Baba rightly pointed out, “correcting injustice is a prerequisite for peace and unity”. But, it will take more than naming a stadium after Chief Abiola, to correct injustice. Presently, the South East zone is nowhere to be found, in the first seven slots in our Government’s hierarchy. Peace, unity, security and stability, attract foreign investments. Most importantly, if we continue in the same culture of ‘square pegs in round holes’, as we have done in the past four years, it is certain that, Baba’s 2019 address will not move beyond being a motivational speech, very little or nothing will be achieved, and the future will continue to be bleak for Nigerians.

4/LAW REPORT

18.06.2019

Constitutionality of Disbursement of Funds for the Judiciary by the Executive

T

the court processes, decided not to file any response thereto.

Facts

he Government of Kogi State had proposed and adopted a parade/table payment exercise across the State, which was to proceed simultaneously with a Biometric Data Capture and Enrolment of Public Servants.

The Judiciary refused to participate in the exercise, on ground that the exercise negates the principle of separation of powers. The Claimant subsequently, commenced this action against the Defendants by Originating Summons, seeking the determination of various questions, and seeking the following reliefs, among others: 1. A Declaration that, pursuant to Section 121(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and Section 5 of the Kogi State Public Finance (Judiciary Special Provisions) Law No. 6 of 1991, the 1st to 5th Defendant lack the power to withhold the salaries and emoluments of the 6th to 9th Defendant (who are members of the Claimant), by refusal to release the amount standing to the credit of the Kogi State Judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State, payable directly to the heads of the courts concerned.

2. A Declaration that, the continuous refusal of the 1st to 5th Defendant to pay the monthly salaries and emoluments of the Kogi State Judiciary from July, 2018 to February, 2019, which subventions total is N1,529,885,261.92 being aggregate of the sum of N191,235,607.74 per month to each head of court at the rate of N135,821,049.83; N26,310,922.39; N23,781,827.83; and N5,321,807.69, is unconstitutional.

3. A Declaration that, the continued refusal of the 1st to 5th Defendant to pay the said monthly salaries and emoluments of the 6th to 9th Defendant, has severely crippled the operations of the Judiciary in Kogi State, and severely jeopardised their means of livelihood.

Issues for Determination Seven issues were posed by the Claimant, for determination of the court thus: 1. Whether the Claimant, an umbrella body for judicial staff in Nigeria, and in Kogi State, is entitled as of right, to be paid the monthly salaries and emoluments from the amount standing to the credit of the Kogi State Judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State, as at when due.

2. Whether the 1st to the 5th Defendant, have the power to withhold the payment of monthly salaries and emoluments of the members of the Claimant.

3. Whether the 1st to 5th Defendant have the powers under Sections 120(2) and 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution, to subject the 6th to 9th Defendant to the Executive Arm’s screening or data capturing or any other device including table payment, without respect to the doctrine of separation of powers and financial autonomy of the Judiciary, as contained in the Kogi State Public Finance (Judiciary Special Provisions) Law No. 6 of 1991.

4. If the answer to question 2 above is in the negative, whether the continued refusal by the 1st to 5th Defendant, to pay the salaries and emoluments of the members of the Claimant by withholding the release of funds to the 6th to 9th Defendant, which subvention is in the sum of N1,529,885,261.92, at the sum of N191,235,607.74 per month, is not a gross violation of their fundamental right guaranteed under Section 34(1) of the Constitution.

5. Whether the 1st to 5th Defendant have the constitutional powers to interfere in the direct payment of salary of judicial workers, when by Sections 125(2)(6) of the 1999 Constitution and 121(3) thereof, such funds can be audited by the AuditorGeneral of the State, only which reports are sent to the State House of Assembly.

6. Whether the 6th to 9th Defendant have received any amount standing to their credit in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State or Subvention as Heads of Courts and Commission with effect from 1st July 2018 to date, as provided under Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution, so as to pay the salaries and emoluments of members of the Claimant.

7. Whether the 1st to 5th Defendant can embark on table payments, data capturing or any other act capable of affecting or relating to the employment of judicial staff, without reference and approval of the 9th Defendant.

Arguments In his submission on Issues 1 to 5, Counsel for the Claimant argued that, the principle of separation of powers as constitutionally provided for under Section 197 of the 1999 Constitution, remains that the three arms of government shall operate independently with checks and balances. The staff of Kogi State Judiciary are appointed or deemed to be appointed by the 9th Defendant, who controls their employment; thus, the 1st to 5th Defendant are excluded from dealing with any

Hon. Justice E.N.N. Agbakoba

In the National Industrial Court of Nigeria In the Abuja Judicial Division Holden at Abuja On Monday, the 3rd day of June, 2019 Before His Lordship Honourable Justice E.N.N. Agbakoba Suit No: NICN/LKJ/12/2019 Between Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN)

.....Claimant

And 1. The Governor, Kogi State 2. The Attorney-General, Kogi State 3. Commissioner for Finance, Kogi State 4. Accountant-General, Kogi State 5. Auditor-General, Kogi State 6. The Chief Judge, Kogi State 7. The Grand Kadi, Kogi State 8. President, Customary Court of Appeal, Kogi State 9. Judicial Service Commission, Kogi State ..........Defendants

staff matters of the Judiciary, including appointment, control and dismissal – REGD. TRUSTEES OF C & S v IJADOLA (2007) 4 FWLR (Pt. 389) 5921 at 5953. Counsel posited that, by way of checks and balances in the release of funds and for purposes of accountability, the Auditor-General of the State, by virtue of Section 125(2)(6) of the 1999 Constitution, is the only competent body appointed by the organic law, to audit the accounts of the courts. He submitted that, where the Constitution has given direction on how a thing should be done, only that way should be followed – EHUWA v OSIEC & 3 ORS (2006) 11-12 SC 102 at 109.

The Defendants on their part, despite being served with

“ENCROACHMENT ON THE FUNCTION OF ANOTHER ORGAN, IS CONSEQUENTIALLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL....TABLE PAYMENT (PURPORTEDLY PROPOSED BY THE 1ST TO 5TH DEFENDANT), OR ANY OF SUCH OTHER METHOD OF PAYMENT NOT EXPRESSLY MENTIONED IN THE LAW, OR FOR WHICH THE PRIOR CONSENT OF THE WORKER HAS NOT BEEN OBTAINED, IS ILLEGAL....”

Court’s Judgement and Rationale Deciding Issues 1-3, 5 and 7 together, the learned Judge considered the provisions of the relevant laws, especially Sections 120(1) and 121(3) which provide that, any amount standing to the credit of the Judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State shall be paid directly to the heads of the courts concerned. The duty of courts is to interpret the words contained in the Statute, and not to go outside the words in search of an interpretation which is convenient to the court, or to the parties. Thus, where the provisions of a Statute is clear and unambiguous, as in this case, the court in the exercise of its interpretative jurisdiction, must adopt the literal rule and not re-write a Statute – ARAKA v EGBUE (2003) MJSC 17.

Section 197(1) of the 1999 Constitution provides for the establishment of the State Judicial Service Commission, while Section 158(1) specifically provides that the powers of the National Judicial Council (NJC) shall not be subject to the direction or control of another authority or person. By adopting the word “shall”, it presupposes that the independence of the NJC, is imperatively guaranteed. Section 81(3) of the Constitution further provides that, any amount standing to the credit of the Judiciary in the Federation Account, shall be paid directly to the NJC, for disbursement to the heads of the courts established for the Federation and the States, under Section 6 of this Constitution.

Now, the doctrine of separation of powers presupposes that each of the three organs of government is in the hands of different persons, and that one organ does not have control over the other, or perform the function of another. Encroachment on the function of another organ, is consequentially unconstitutional. In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/ CS/667/13 JUSUN v NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL & 73 ORS., the court described the disbursement of funds for the Judiciary by the Executive, as unconstitutional and a threat to the independence of the Judiciary. The Executive is charged with transferring funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to the NJC under Section 120, 121(2) and (3), while the NJC is empowered to collect, control and disburse these funds for the Judiciary in matters of policy and administration, for transmission to the heads of courts. The Auditor-General of the State (5th Defendant), is charged with auditing accounts of the State. It follows that, the Nigerian Judiciary is constitutionally guaranteed to be financially independent from the Executive arm of government. The issues were thus, resolved in favour of the Claimant.

Deciding Issue 4, the court had recourse to the provisions of Section 34(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to respect and dignity of every individual. In OVERLAND AIRWAYS LIMITED v AFOLAYAN (2015) 52 NLLR (Pt. 174) 214 NIC at 224, it was held that, the courts view the employer’s obligation in respect of payment of wages, as a key element of the employment contract ... and the fact that the employer may have good reasons for failing to make payment in accordance with the terms of the contract, is irrelevant. The court concluded that, the deliberate non-payment of salary of members of the Claimant, amounts to inhumane and degrading treatment.

With regard to Issue 6, His Lordship held that, Section 254(1) confers exclusive jurisdiction on the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) to, among others, determine civil causes and matters relating to, or connected with disputes arising from payment or non-payment of salaries of judicial officers or any civil or public servant in any part of the Federation, and matters incidental thereto. The Labour Law has determined in its Section 1(2) of Labour Act, 2014, that except where otherwise expressly permitted by the Act, wages payable in money shall be paid only in legal tender or with prior consent in writing of the worker concerned, by Cheque or Postal Order, and payment in any other form shall be illegal, null and void. It suffices to agree that, table payment (purportedly proposed by the 1st to 5th Defendant), or any of such other method of payment not expressly mentioned in the law, or for which the prior consent of the worker has not been obtained, is illegal, and the court of law cannot sanction an illegality, in furtherance of its mandate to prevent unfair labour practices. These issues were also resolved in favour of the Claimant.

Claim Succeeds; Reliefs granted.

Representation Chief U.M. Enwere with C.M. Enwere and A.C. Ibor for the Claimant.

Umar Abdu Led for the 1st to 5th Defendant.

Peter O. Abang with H.O. Umar (Mrs) for the 6th to 9th Defendant.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited (Publishers of Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR))

18.06.2019

NEWS/5

The newly appointed Acting Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba being congratulated by Lagos Sttae Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu after being sworn-in, last Thursday

L-R: Immediate Past Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke, Lagos Sttae Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, newly appointed Acting Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba and Lagos State Deputy Governor, Babafemi Hamzat

Sanwo-Olu Swears in Alogba as Acting Chief Judge, Promises to Partner with FG, Judiciary, to Decongest Prisons Akinwale Akintunde Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that his administration will work with the State Judiciary and the Federal Government, to find a lasting solution to prison congestion in the State.

The Governor, who stated this last Thursday while swearing in Justice Kazeem Alogba as the new Acting Chief Judge of Lagos State, said the issue of prison congestion has become a major challenge to the State's justice system.

According to Sanwo-Olu, the current situation where over 70 percent of inmates in prisons constitute awaiting trial inmates, is not acceptable as it is not a reflection of an efficient justice delivery system.

“We will also not hesitate

to do whatever is required to sustain the ongoing reform in the judicial sector, so the desired result of ensuring that the wheel of justice rolls as fast as it could, will be achieved", he added.

The Governor further stated that, his administration would embark on the review of the State's Judiciary, noting that the three arms of government must form a synergy, for the development of the State. He also promised to continue with judicial reforms, in the State. ‘‘We are all partners, in progress. We must continue to work together, to deliver the good for the teeming Lagos populace.

This is what governance is all about'', Sanwo-Olu said.

While congratulating

the acting Chief Judge, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence in his capacity to continue on the path of progress that has been created in the State Judiciary, since the beginning of the fourth republic. ''I have absolute confidence in your ability and capacity to sustain and improve on the enviable reputation which the Lagos State Judiciary has built for itself over the years, particularly since 1999 under the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“During the tenure of that administration, a solid foundation was laid through the introduction and implementation of critical reforms and initiatives, that are aimed at building a judicial system

that is efficient, reliable and courageous to uphold the fundamental principles and ideals of equity, fairness, natural justice and the rule of law”, he stated.

Justice Alogba, while thanking the Governor for the honour, promised to exercise the powers of his office conscientiously, for the good of the common man and the furtherance of the administration of justice in Lagos State.

The new Acting Chief Judge suggested that, traffic and environmental offenders should, henceforth, serve their sentences at the point where the offences are committed.

He said no one likes to wear a toga of an exconvict, so community service or some other forms of punishment should be handed to offenders, at the

Law Firms, Others Join International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria Akinwale Akintunde No fewer than eight Nigerian Law firms, were among the new members that recently joined the International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria (ICCN).

The law firms, which include Legal Icon Chambers, The City Law Associates, Rose O. Ojiako-Nwosu & Co, Nnenna Ejekam & Associates, Africa Law Practice, Ozioma Izuora & Co, Sola Ajijola & Co, Ali Zubairu & Associates, were introduced and formally welcomed by Chairman of ICC Nigeria, Mr. Babatunde Savage and other Board Members, at the Annual General Meeting held last Thursday at the Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Other new members from last AGM into the Chamber are, Palmadex Global Integrated Services Ltd, Nigeria Export Processing Zone

Authority, Multichoice Nigeria and Suntrust Bank Nig. Ltd. This year’s ICCN AGM, which was the 20th in the series, was witnessed by members of the Diplomatic Corps, notable business leaders and captains of Industry, in both private and public sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The ICCN traditional Post AGM was delivered

by Victor Ajieroh, PhD, Senior Program Officer, Nutrition, Nigeria, Gates Foundation on “The Future of Food Systems”.

Declaring the AGM open, the host and ICCN Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Savage said “this AGM is very special, as it marks one of the Regional programmes for the 100th Anniversary of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the 20th Anniversary of

the re-organisation of ICC Nigeria”.

“I am glad to inform you that, the choice of the theme for this year’s post AGM, wisely tagged, “The Future of Food Systems”, is not only remarkably apt and carefully chosen, but also timely. The Post AGM talk theme, could not have been more relevant for this time and season.

“Food Security is very germane to our situation, as a country and people.

This is particularly so, because it forms a core plank upon which the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of the current government is anchored. The Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS), a transformational initiative by this administration, is really delivering on its set objectives and goals, but that is for the moment,

what about the future? I shall leave the treatment of this to our Guest Speaker, who is set to do justice to the subject-matter by way of exploring the trajectory, analyse the challenges, as well as prescribe ways out, while peeking into the future as well”, ICCN Chairman added.

Guest Speaker of the Post AGM Talk, Victor Ajieroh, said the world is fast changing and increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.

Ajieroh listed bleak, uncertain and blight, as three major perspectives to the future of food systems, adding that food systems primarily produce food, comprise a broad set of components from production to consumption, and are influenced by social, political, demographic and CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

point of contravention.

Justice Alogba also promised speedy and effective dispensation of justice, zero tolerance for corruption and corrupt tendencies, rigorous, adequate and continuous training of judicial staff, as well as improvement on the use of ICT for the delivery of justice.

We will pursue the use of information communication technology, and dwell on staff welfare. We pledge our support for the new administration”, Alogba said.

Justice Alogba’s appointment, is in accordance with Section 271 (1) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

He was appointed in that capacity, pending the recommendation of the

National Judicial Council (NJC), and subsequent confirmation by the State House of Assembly.

Also, his appointment as Acting Chief Judge, is consequent upon the need to prevent a vacuum in the State Judiciary, given the retirement of the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke. Prior to his appointment, Justice Alogba was the most senior of the 58 Justices in the State Judiciary, next to the immediate past Chief Judge, and had chaired the Committee on the Review of the High Court Civil Procedure Rules, which culminated in the new High Court of Lagos (Civil Procedure) Rules of 2019, that came into force on January 31, 2019.

Tribunal Strikes Out Petition Challenging Faleke’s Victory Peter Taiwo An Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has struck out an application challenging the victory of a member of House of Representative, Honourable James Abiodun Faleke, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, at the last general election.

The tribunal headed

by Justice Kunaza M. Hamidu, struck out the application last Friday, following a motion filed by the Petitioner, Mutiu Olakunle Okunola, candidate of People's Democratic party (PDP), who contested with Faleke at the last election Okunola who recently defected to All Progressive Congress (APC), had dragged Faleke alongside

APC and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the tribunal, for reversal of Faleke's victory and asked the tribunal to declare him as the winner of election.

At Friday’s proceedings, Okunola's counsel, Owoyemi Ibrahim, told the panel that his client has decided to withdraw the application against all the Respondents.

Ibrahim told the panel that, in withdrawing the application he filed a motion pursuant to Section 145(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010, with an 11 paragraphaffidavit deposed to by the Petitioner, Okunola.

He therefore, urged CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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18.06.2019

Capital Market Solicitors holds Luncheon on how to bridge Nigeria’s Housing Gap Akinwale Akintunde The Capital Market Solicitors Association (’’CMSA’’) under the leadership of Mrs. Ayotunde Owoigbe, had its Annual Business Luncheon recently, at the Balamoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The theme of the event was, “Bridging Nigeria’s Housing Gap - Role of the Capital Market”, with the Keynote Speaker being Mr Femi Adewole, the Chief Executive Officer of the Family Home Funds Limited.

The keynote address, which was divided into three central themes, delved into the nature of our housing deficit, and its implication for policy and practice; the Why, What and How of the Family Homes Funds Limited, and the role of the Capital Market in bridging the Housing Gap in Nigeria.

The keynote address triggered discussions and cross-pollination of ideas, on the role of the capital market in addressing the significant housing deficit, with which Nigeria grapples.

The Panel Discussants - Mr. Kehinde Ogundimu, CEO Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company; Mr. Chinua Azubike; CEO, Infracredit; Mr. Benson Ajayi; CFO Mixta Africa; Mr. Seun Olatidoye, Head, Debt Capital Markets; FBN Quest Merchant Bank - all gave their different perspectives, all centered around the keynote address, which led to a great

question and answer session.

The event was a great avenue for key players in the capital market eco-system; namely, the issuers, capital market operators (solicitors, investment banks, trustees, rating agencies etc), the investor community, regulatory and other market participants, to share ideas and network over a great meal.

Speaking at the Luncheon, Mrs. Ayotunde Owoigbe noted, “Our Association, the CMSA, continues to serve primarily, as a platform to articulate and promote the interest of legal practitioners engaged in capital market transactions”.

“Further, the Association is concerned with developing the legal and regulatory framework within which the Nigerian capital market operates, and it pursues these objectives by, amongst other efforts, organising training sessions, workshops and seminars, for its members and other participants on topics, issues and developments.

“In furtherance of its said objectives, the CMSA organises an Annual Business Luncheon, which is its flagship event every year. The Annual Business Luncheon, targets participation by all players in the capital market eco-system; namely, the issuers, capital market operators (solicitors, investment banks, trustees, rating agencies etc), the investor community, regulatory and other market participants.”

Trustee of the Association, Chief Anthony Idigbe, SAN (Right) presenting an appreciation plaque to Keynote Speaker, Mr. Femi Adewole

Some Members of the CMSA Exco, Keynote Speaker and Panelists for the day

Legal Personality of the Week Akinyemi Ayinoluwa

‘A Good Lawyer Must Possess Win-Win Negotiation Skills’ that, this challenge has become culturally entrenched. Some have also considered Nigerian Lawyers as endangered professionals, because the market is saturated, and the supply outweighs the demand.

Please, give a brief introduction of yourself My name is Akinyemi Ayinoluwa. I live and work in Lagos, Nigeria. I am the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Hightower Solicitors and Advocates, a corporate law firm situate at Ikoyi, Lagos.

Prior to qualifying as a legal practitioner, I was a songwriter, vocalist and entertainer.

Since qualifying, I have worked in the creative industry, to represent creative industry practitioners, investors and talents.

Due to the scarcity of knowledge of intellectual property rights in the creative industry, particularly Copyrights, I have been at the forefront of advocacy for songwriters, record producers and artists in the music industry. I blog actively and create enlightening contents, to educate creatives via my social media channels. I have also had the good fortune, of representing some of them.

Have you had any challenges in your career as a Lawyer, and if so, what were the main challenges?

My introduction into the legal profession, has got to be the biggest challenge I had to deal with. The opportunities to work and undergo tutelage in the top-tier corporate law firms in Lagos, are not available to most people. I did not have that good fortune.

But, I was resolute to make the most of what I had. My passion for entertainment, grits, and perseverance. This helped me pivot from my experiences with poor remuneration and a suffocating law firm, to starting my own practice.

The second notable challenge as a young Lawyer, was getting the briefs needed, as a newly minted sole proprietor of a law firm. A lot of young lawyers are ill equipped with the fundamentals that must be in place, to build a profitable law firm. Most of us are not familiar with entrepreneurship and the concept of cost, investment, building partnerships, branding and marketing, profit,

What was your worst day as a Lawyer?

My worst day occurred, when I was a young Lawyer. I was immaculately dressed, and enroute court with my briefcase. It started to rain, and I got drenched, because I could not afford to be late for my appearance in court. As if that was not enough, a car sped past me, and I got covered in muddy water.

What was your most memorable experience as a Lawyer?

I think that would be, the first time I got a retainer. It was five times the monthly salary I earned, at the law firm I worked. I did not resume, the next day. And I embraced my entrepreneurial journey, as a Lawyer.

Akinyemi Ayinoluwa

accounting, and productising legal services.

Without proper guidance, a lot of Lawyers will remain in the woods for a long time, and will not be able to build a profitable law firm.

Another challenge, which I am still bogged down with, is the slow pace of administering justice in Nigeria. Even with the introduction of ADR Mechanisms, it still takes a long time to resolve disputes in our legal system.

This affects everyone, investors, litigants, and even Lawyers. The reality of difficulty in enforcement of laws and endless adjournments, is at odds with our expectations as law students.

Getting clients to pay for legal services, is another notable challenge. I acknowledge that, this is not peculiar to young Lawyers. Even notable Senior Advocates of Nigeria, have had to institute debt recovery proceedings against clients who have refused to pay for their legal services. I am tempted to believe

Who has been most influential in your life?

I believe different people have made an impression on me, and influenced me. I have a lot of heroes in many different disciplines, who remain shinning examples for what is possible, if we work hard and fight for our dreams. As a young boy bursting with energy and an opportunity to express myself, I credit my mother for her guidance. As a young songwriter and entertainer, Robert Kelly, Tuface Idibia, and John Legend, had the most influence on me. As a young Lawyer, my senior colleagues, Efere Ozako, Audu Maikori, and Uduak Oduok, influenced my choice of settling for a practice in entertainment law. I also credit a classmate, Ladun Olokodana, for gifting me an Entertainment and Media Law text book, after his return from the United Kingdom. This book and his advice, has done tremendous good to me professionally. I also have a senior colleague, Mr. James Akinwande, to thank

for his mentoring in the last couple of years.

Why did you become a Lawyer?

My dad is a Lawyer. That must have been the first attraction, for me. I also admired the likes of Gani Fawehinmi, SAN and Femi Falana, SAN, as a result of what I saw on television, and in the newspapers. I made the decision at 15, and I think it was hinged on the fact that, like my heroes, I wanted to champion the interest of the vulnerable members of the society. I believe I am still able to do this, with my law practice’s focus on the creative industry.

What would be your advice to anyone wanting a career in law?

I believe that to thrive in the legal profession, one must be driven by a deep interest to use the law as a weapon, to advance positive causes in the society. I believe identifying with these causes, can help fuel the fire for a pursuit of excellence. Also, successful Lawyers possess certain skills, that elevate them above their peers. Skills such as the ability to persuade others, broker win-win negotiations, rain-making skills, building social capital via networking, public speaking, brief writing, and the ability to communicate sound advice effectively, orally or in written form.

If you had not become a Lawyer, what other career would you have chosen?

I would have worked in the music or sports business, as an entertainer, athlete, or talent manager.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

I see myself running a bigger and more profitable law firm, with a robust clientele that can boast of creative industry giants, local and international businesses, and high net worth individuals. I also want to collaborate with my colleagues and seniors to train more young Lawyers, via the Create your Future workshop.

18.06.2019

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TALKING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN

SMS only to 08098898888

Is Democracy the Best form of Government? (Part 1)

I

Introduction n the afternoon of Thursday, November 19, 1863, American President, Abraham Lincoln, delivered a famous speech at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, four and half months after the Union Armies which he led, had defeated the Armies of the Confederacy at the “Battle of Gettysburg”. The speech was to honour the soldiers, who had sacrificed their lives for the country.

In just 271 words, Lincoln delivered one of the greatest speeches ever made in history, when he told his transfixed audience: “That these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth”.

The same Abraham Lincoln is quoted to have said on August 1, 1858, as follows (the circumstances in which he did so, are not quite clear): “As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy”

Questions The questions that beg for answers are: Is democracy really the best form of government? If so, why? How many forms, types, systems or structures of government do actually exist? My research on these questions, shocked me to no end, when I discovered that there are well over 65 forms and structures of government. But, why has democracy stood out with such luminousness, prevalence and endearing love, by most countries of the world? What is it that makes democracy tick? Why is it so unique, adored and adulated by all? Why has it become the yardstick or international best practice, with which a ruler or government is weighed and measured?

Today, I am starting a new series on the different types, forms and structures of government. The revelations in my write-ups, will shock many readers. From thousands of continuous feedbacks by reading members of the public, I have come to discover that the readership of our popular the “Lawyer” pull-out pages in every Tuesday edition of Thisday newspaper, is no longer restricted to only Lawyers and allied professionals. It has since expanded to a global readership of all persons who thirst for democracy, knowledge, information, law, history, literature, scriptures, good governance, human rights, rule of law and constitutionalism. A litany of daily telephone calls, letters, whatsapp messages, facebook messages, SMS, twitter and other online handles and platforms interactions with me, readily testify to this wide readership. I am greatly encouraged by these reactions to this my self-imposed sacrificial, but tasking, mission, of educating members of the public, sharing my little God-given knowledge and research capabilities, to illuminate the dark crevices of our ignorance, and enhance national discourse.

Today, we shall commence this lengthy discourse (which will span several months), with, arguably, the mother of all forms and structures of government – democracy.

I shall break up from time to time, from this stream of conversation, to attend to more emergent urgent national issues. When I so do, please, permit and pardon me. So, let us now start with the most loved concept of government.

Democracy The word “democracy” has its original roots in the ancient Greek political and philosophical thought, in the city state of Athens. It means ‘demokratia,’ meaning ‘rule by the people’ (“demos” means ‘people’ and “kratos” means ‘rule’.) It is a political system in which people, not monarchs (king or queens) or aristocracies (like lords), rule.

“DEMOCRACY IS A TYPE OF SOCIAL SYSTEM, IN WHICH EVERYONE HAS AN EQUAL SHARE OF POWER”

President Muhammadu Buhari

Democracy also has roots in the Magna Carta, England's "Great Charter" of 1215, that was the first document to challenge the authority of the king, subjecting him to the rule of the law, and protecting his people from feudal abuse.

Democracy as we know it today, was not truly defined until the Age of Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th centuries, during which time the U.S. Declaration of Independence was penned, followed by the U.S. Constitution (which borrowed heavily from the Magna Carta). The term evolved to mean a government structured with a separation of powers, provided basic civil rights, religious freedom and separation of Church and State.

Theodore Parker defines it as, “government of all the people, by all the people and for all the people”. Seymour Lipset (1960) gives a working definition of democracy as, “a political system supplying regular constitutional opportunities for changing the government, by allowing the population to choose between alternative sets of policy makers”.

While delivering a speech on the importance of democracy to the people of Annapolis in 1809, Thomas Jefferson said “Where the law of the majority ceases to be acknowledged, there government ends; the law of the strongest takes its place, and life and property is his who can take them”.

According to Larry Diamond, a Political Scientist, democracy consists of four key elements: A political system for choosing and replacing the government, through free and fair elections.

The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life.

Protection of the human rights of all citizens.

A rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens.

Democracy is a type of social system, in which everyone has an equal share of power. In large complex societies, however, it is impossible for every citizen to be involved in the political process. Thus, when we refer to ‘democratic’ power structure, we mean those structures in which people are allowed to vote for elected representatives.

To me, my understanding is that, democracy is a system of government borne of the hopes and aspirations of a people, and in the shaping of which, the people have a real say and commitment to a political structure to which people, in consequence, have intellectual, ideological, and emotional attachments. This means a system of government that is considered by the people as their own, and which they are prepared to protect and defend to the hilt. This is a government of the people, one that has its roots in

the people, in their goals, values, ideals, experiences, and aspirations. It is not a type of governmental system, the nuances of which can be imposed on the people from outside, though some aspects of those nuances can be influenced, or even borrowed externally. But, it is a system of rule that is nurtured, refined, and modified by the people to reflect their wishes, desires, and experiences. The lack of all these desiderata, makes a people’s appreciation of, and attitude toward, a particular form of democratic practice merely tentative and tinkering.

Most societies that describe themselves as political democracies, are actually representative democracies in which citizens elect politicians, who actually hold and exercise political authority. Pure democracy is quite rare.

This is because, the definition of ‘everyone’ always excludes some portion of population.

The origins of democracy as an idea and a practice, goes back to the city-states of Greece in the 5th century BCE. But, contemporary democracies, are very different from the above ancient Greek model. It is a paradox that, though modem democracy first emerged in the Greece, yet the Greeks were always suspicious of democracy.

They felt that people often made bad decisions, that went against their interests. People could be manipulated, by demagogues and vested interests. The pattern that emerged in England in the 17th century and slowly became the model for the entire world, was one of “representative democracy” or “parliamentary democracy”.

Here, citizens elected their leaders by ballot, who promised to represent the interests of those citizens in debates and decisions, which typically took place in some central national forum, such as Parliament or Congress. Thus, ideally, the parliament becomes a miniature demos.

In India, this type of democratic political system, developed after independence. It is said that, in ancient India, the people led a democratic way of living (Ram Rajya), but, the political democracy of the modem form, did not exist.

In practice, politicians in a democracy usually belong to parties which propose general policies or programmes, rather than responding to citizens on issue-by-issue basis.

Parties thus, become independent centres of power.

The experience of the 20th century seems to show that citizens’ interests are best represented by either two, or at the most, three parties - as in Britain or the United States; although there are many one-party systems in the world which claim to be democratic, on the basis that they represent the collective will of the people. Political processes (elections, political socialisation), are the lifeblood of all types of democracies. Political organisation, political competitiveness, and the big political gesture - all these are integral to democracy. Without these, democracy is hollow.

Ingredients of Democracy It is widely now accepted that, for real democracy, the following necessary conditions must be present: free and fair elections; a genuine choice between candidates and policies; real parliamentary power; the separation of powers between the executive, legislature, judiciary and the politicians; civil rights for all citizens; rule of law and equality before law; inter-party competition; real representation of different interests, free, strong and responsible media; personal freedom; freedom of speech and the press, freedom of religion and public worship, and freedom of association and of assembly; freedom from arbitrary arrest; and political choice, etc.

Although, democracy is based on majority rule, the protection of minority rights, has always been regarded as an essential aspect of the democratic system. Thus, although the majority may always have its way, the minority must always be allowed to have its say.

There is always room for unlimited disagreement and contestations, about the exact meaning of any and all of the above conditions. That is why democracy continues to be, and remains, the focus of intense public and academic debate. There thus, exist, many paradoxes of democracy, which have equally engaged the attention of sociologists and political scientists. (To be continued).

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “The government, which was designed for the people, has got into the hands of the bosses and their employers, the special interests. An invisible empire has been set up, above the forms of democracy”. (Woodrow Wilson).

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18.06.2019

Chief Folake Solanke, SAN Photos: Kolawole Alli

‘I Wept, when I read about Onnoghen’s Trial’ Her list of firsts, seems almost inexhaustible. The first female Commissioner in Western Nigeria, first female Chairman of the Board of Western Nigeria Television and Broadcasting Service, first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, first non-Caucasian to be elected President of Zonta International. She is fondly referred to as, ‘Queen of the Bar’, ‘Lady SAN’, ‘Lady Silk’, ‘Grandma Silk’. Amongst her numerous honorary doctorate degrees, is the one which she received with pride in 2013 from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Doctor of Letters, and Doctor of Laws, which she received from Bayero University, Kano, last week. In a recent conversation with Onikepo Braithwaite, Chief Folake Solanke, SAN who turned 87 recently, went down memory lane on her journey to becoming the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, shared her thoughts about Nigeria, and revealed why she shed tears when she read in the newspaper that, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, was facing prosecution. She gave an insight, into why there are fewer females at the Inner Bar. She also explained, why she named her Law firm,‘Alabukun Chambers’

S

ince your elevation into the Inner Bar in 1981, less than 20 female Lawyers have managed to attain the rank. What does this say about the legal profession in Nigeria? What measures can be put in place, to ensure that more female Lawyers get into the Inner Bar? You know, we are now in what I call, the ‘selfie’ generation. That is, everything must be instant. People don’t wait to grow

and develop. That cannot happen, in the legal profession.

After leaving the University and the Law School, practicing law is extremely different. I always tell the new wigs that, their certificate and degrees are only passports to knowledge and that, it is when you now start to practice law, that you will know that the theory is different from the practice of law. Not only female Lawyers, many Lawyers are in a hurry, in this selfie generation. Everything must happen now, now. For example, when I qualified as a Lawyer in the last century, in 1963, I spent one year with my brother in-law — Mr. M.A. Odesanya — who later became a Lagos

State High Court Judge. I also spent one year with Chief FRA Williams, SAN in pupillage. I spent those years trying to understand the intricacies of law practice, before I established my own Chambers in 1966.

Many Lawyers, including female Lawyers, like to go to corporate organisations for employment. That way, they are not really practicing law, in the law courts. I would appeal to them that, Rome was not built in a day. They must be ready to learn in pupillage, and to be attached to reputable seniors who will teach them and show them how to practice law. I am hoping that, we will have more

18.06.2019 “WHEN I BECAME THE FIRST FEMALE SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA IN 1981, IT TOOK ANOTHER EIGHT YEARS BEFORE MY LEARNED FRIEND OF THE SILK, CHIEF PHOEBE CHIADIKOBI AJAYI OBE, SAN BECAME THE SECOND FEMALE SAN. FROM 1981 TILL TODAY, YOU HAVE ABOUT 20 FEMALE SANS! I AM HOPING THAT, MORE WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE INNER BAR” females at the Inner Bar. When I became the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1981, it took another eight years before my learned friend of the silk, Chief Phoebe Chiadikobi Ajayi Obe, SAN became the second female SAN. From 1981 till today, you have about 20 female SANs! I am hoping that, more will be admitted to the Inner Bar. We must spend time in the practice of law to become SAN, not in corporate organisations.

Female Senior Advocates should mentor and encourage promising young female advocates to stay in practice in the law courts, in order to become eligible candidates for the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. I now repeat my usual plea, that learned seniors should pay adequate remuneration to the new wigs. Only slaves are not paid for their work. Lawyers are not slaves.

As an active Member of the NBA for over 50 years, are you satisfied with the NBA as it is today? Do you agree with the zoning policy for aspirants to positions in the NBA? What are your views about the recent issue between the EFCC and the NBA President?

There is no situation, that is perfect. I approve of the system of voting by delegates in the NBA elections. What I do not agree with, is that there is a lot of money involved now in NBA elections. I am opposed to that. There should not be any financial consideration, before you vote for a candidate. You vote for a candidate whom you know has character, professional knowledge, and all that the profession expects of the candidate, including professional experience. We have to make sure we do not bring politics and money, into NBA elections.

Zoning reminds me of Section 14(3) of the Constitution on Federal Character. Federal Character has drastically diminished the quality of service, in all sectors of the country.

We have sacrificed excellence, on the altar of mediocrity. I have never agreed with the concept of Federal Character.

COVER/9 In that context, for me, there should be less power at the centre, and more autonomy for the States. That is what I consider, as federal character. Consequently, you have the same as in the NBA now, whether you call it zoning or federal character, it is the same. You are sacrificing excellence, for zoning.

What are your views on the Hijab and Call to Bar/Wig and Gown controversy of last year? Should Lawyers be allowed to be called to the Bar in their religious attire?

I do not agree. In every institution, there are rules and regulations. If you want to join that institution, you must be prepared to abide by the rules and regulations. Can you imagine if we allow everybody to come for the Call to the Bar, in their religious attires? I cannot imagine it. I don’t want to mention any particular religion, but even our Babalawos, if you allow them to come in their attires, it will cause chaos in the courts! If we allow every religion to be displayed in ‘what we wear at the Bar’, it will cause confusion! Can you imagine people coming with feathers in their wigs, and all types of agbadas? It has nothing to do with religion, but with the profession and what we know it to be.

The traditional court outfit to wit: wig & gown and black & white attire, should be retained. Agbadas, bubas, babanrigas, coral beads, caps and hats and geles “et cetera”, should not displace the wig and gown as court wear. Otherwise, the court room will be turned into a pantomime stage for court jesters. It must not happen.

The court room is too serious, for this land of riotous mix of costumes and colours. A Lawyer who appears in court, not wearing his wig and gown, is NOT visible to the court and will not be heard. On one occasion in the Ibadan High Court, as “amicus curiae”, I respectfully directed the attention of the Hon. Court to the “invisble” Lawyer. He was not heard by the Court. The wig and gown tradition, enhances the dignity of the Bar and the Court.

For about a decade or so, you have continued to express concern over the falling standards in legal education and ethics of the profession. The situation appears to be worsening, as nothing appears to have changed. What measures would you suggest can be applied, to ensure improvement?

The poor standard of the Bar and elsewhere in the Nigerian society, is something that causes me a lot of pain.

“I CONSIDER IT AN ABOMINATION, THAT ASPIRING JUDGES NOW HAVE TO FILL APPLICATION FORMS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE SACRED JUDICIAL POSITIONS”

No country can progress, without its people really attaining certain standards. I think that we have to go back, to the educational system that we have. I have been horrified to hear that in universities and colleges, they are now accepting 40%, 45% as pass mark! For me, that is failure!

I used to teach Mathematics and Latin, in England and Nigeria. Anything below 50%, is failure. I was aghast when I was told that the National Universities Commission (NUC) has advised that, 120 out of 400 should be acceptable. That is 30%! NUC advised that universities can adjust it as they want, but I think that the NUC should be in the forefront, of making sure that a higher standard is expected of students.

I am looking forward to an opportunity to meet with the Secretary of the NUC — Prof. Abubakar A. Rasheed — to engage him in a conversation. I used to teach Latin and Mathematics. So, for me, 120 over 400 is a dismal failure.

That is where we must start, and it touches every discipline, not only law. If you allow them to progress educationally with such poor grades, that translates into the poor standards which they bring into the professions, including law.

Some graduates cannot construct simple English sentences, and that horrifies me! How can you expect to practice law, if you cannot put together simple sentences in English — the language of the Court? Thus, we must start at the beginning.

The Law School should reexamine the curriculum, and prepare students for the IT age. The infrastructure at the Law School must be adequate, so that the students can study law and be prepared for the Bar with a measure of comfort, constant water supply and electricity, and other amenities.

The Alabukun Powder (I take it when I have a headache), which your late father invented, recently marked its 100 year centenary. Your office is named Alabukun Chambers. As a Scion of the late Chief Jacob Odulate dynasty, how do you feel about your father’s enduring legacy?

I am very proud of my father. He was a genius! That is why, I named my law chambers after him. He formulated about 150 medications, for different ailments. Unfortunately, there are no written records. What has survived him is the Alabukun Powder for the relief of pain, which is everywhere now. There is also another medication, the Alabukun Mentholine Balm. Somehow, through his staff, it became Aboki and then later, Aboniki. Its origin was Alabukun Mentholine Balm. The “bottles” of Aboniki on sale on the streets and in the markets in Nigeria, are exactly the same kind of glass bottles which my father imported from the United Kingdom for his Alabukun Mentholine Balm. In my updated Autobiography: “Reaching for the Stars”, in the index, I published his lectures and papers.

He had tremendous foresight. The pamphlet titled “Golden Precepts: A Collection of Essays”, is on the Rule of Life.

Of course, the Rule of Life is synonymous with the Rule of Law. I featured it, in the revised edition of my book.

The price of the pamphlet was 1 Shilling! It had a preface and had many interesting articles like, “Help Yourself, Oh Africa, Be Honest Oh Africa, Wake Up Oh Africans, Africa Shall Rise: When? United We Stand Oh Africa.” I remember reading all these. He used to publish, an annual Alabukun Almanac. I am still trying to get a copy, of one of the almanacs. I have been to the Alake of Egba, and I have not been able to find a copy.

So, the reigning Ooni of Ife, Kabiyesi Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II recognised my father’s centenary. The Ooni has also given me an award, “IrawoNla”, “Big Star”.

My father was a genius, and I am very proud of him.

What are your recommendations, about the mode of appointment of Judicial officers in both Federal and State High Courts? In the past few years, lots of criticisms have trailed judicial appointments.

The mode of appointment for elevation to the Bench, should be what it used to be. That is, you were invited to become a Judge. You were in practice, you appeared in court, judges observed you, knew your character, your knowledge and your reputation. You were then invited, to come to the Bench.

I was invited to come to the High Court Bench in Ogun State, the Lagos State and the Oyo State, but I declined, because of my love for advocacy. In 1987, after we completed an assignment, of which I was a member of a Tribunal reviewing the colossal sentences imposed on some politicians.

I sat on the Tribunal headed by Hon Justice Bello. At that time, Chief Justice Bello of the Supreme Court, and Justice Nasir, President of the Court of Appeal, invited me to come to the Court of Appeal. I told them to give me time, to think about it. After a lot of deliberation, I went to Lagos to meet the Justices. I thanked them, for the invitation. I told them that I did not have the “Divine push” to go to the Bench, because of my love for advocacy. As soon as I said that, Justice Bello said ‘nobody can counter that!’ That was how it ended.

Now, applicants are filing application forms, to be elevated to the Bench! How did we get to that? I pray that the problems of the Judiciary will be addressed, because confidence in the Judiciary, has been massively eroded.

I consider it an abomination, that aspiring Judges now have to fill application forms to be considered for the sacred judicial positions.

Let me say this at once, not all the Judges are corrupt.

There are Judges who labour day and night, to abide by their oath of office, and deliver judgements purely on law and facts. I have no other recommendation, than to say that people with character, knowledge, scholarship, impeccable CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

10/COVER

18.06.2019

‘I WEPT, WHEN I READ ABOUT ONNOGHEN’S TRIAL’

reputation and experience, should be appointed to the Bench. Nothing to do with who was your father, nothing to do with where you come from, or who you know!

Nothing to do with extraneous or political matters, but pure law, integrity and ability.

Some Senior Advocates are currently facing trials, for corrupt and unethical practices. For the first time in history, a Senior Advocate was convicted on several counts of trying to pervert the course of Justice. What is your opinion about this? In the past few months, some have either been suspended from the Inner Bar or have had their privileges totally withdrawn. Does this suggest that Applicants for Silk are not properly screened? What can be done about this?

Those who engage in corrupt practices, pollute the stream of justice and they break my heart. It’s a betrayal of the law, a betrayal of the trust reposed in them to practice law, as it should be practiced. To engage in corrupt practices, is a huge betrayal of the profession. Now, many people say all Judges are corrupt, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria are corrupt. Well, I am not corrupt! It is not good, that they should stain all of us. Their bad behaviour, stains the law and the profession. They should not bring dirt to everybody, through their own corrupt practices. The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is a very elevated and prestigious position. I am very proud that God enabled me to become the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1981, and I have always been and will always abide by the ethics and traditions of the profession, “Deo Volente”.

What I will say is that, every single Lawyer, whatever status, whether a SAN, a Judge or a Junior, must be corruption free. The legal profession now, is in trouble, because of what is happening. Senior Advocates who corrupt their learned profession, are in violation of the dignity and nobility, honour of their chosen profession, and bring shame to the legal profession. Criteria for being elevated to the prestigious rank should be strictly applied, in order to elevate candidates only on merit, without any extraneous consideration. The Body of Senior Advocates should be extremely concerned about the corrupt practices of some of its members, and initiate some internal mechanisms to call them to account to the Body, in order not to damage the prestigious rank irrevocably. The leadership role of the SANs must not be compromised, as they are expected to be excellent examples for the Juniors.

Do you agree that the October 2016 raids on Judicial Officers, has had a positive effect on cleansing the legal profession in Nigeria?

I do not like, nor support that kind of Gestapo tactics.

Due process must be followed. Due process cannot permit you to go and break down the doors of a Judge in the dead of night, or at any time. No! The National Judicial Council, is there. That is where a complaint should start.

I do not agree with what they did. And I don’t think it has done anything, to cleanse the Judiciary or the legal profession. In fact, the nocturnal assault, has damaged the independence of the Judiciary.

How would you rate the 2019 elections?

Well, I don’t know. But, the turnout was abysmally low.

It created the impression that people were unimpressed, and a lot of money was involved. While I will not condemn all politicians, there are some who only care about their pockets. They do not care about the people. I was extremely sad that, people have lost faith in the electoral process.

We must sit down as government, and see what can be done. We must reduce the influence of money, in our political process. Money can be a cause of corruption, because after spending such huge amounts of money, the politicians would like to recover “investments” when they get into office, and that is corruption.

How would you rate the performance of the Buhari

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

“THOSE WHO ENGAGE IN CORRUPT PRACTICES, THEY POLLUTE THE STREAM OF JUSTICE, AND THEY BREAK MY HEART. IT’S A BETRAYAL OF THE LAW, A BETRAYAL OF THE TRUST REPOSED IN THEM TO PRACTICE LAW, AS IT SHOULD BE PRACTICED. TO ENGAGE IN CORRUPT PRACTICES, IS A HUGE BETRAYAL OF THE PROFESSION”

Administration in its first term, especially in relation to the fight against corruption? Now that he has commenced his second term, what steps do you think he should take to fulfill his primary campaign promises of fighting insecurity and corruption, and fixing the Nigerian economy? What do you expect from the administration this second term?

Last week, I was so disturbed when I read portions of a report, which was published in THE ECONOMIST. It gave such a damning assessment, of the first term of President Buhari. It really made me sad. I do hope that, in his second term, the President will look into the grievances of the people such as corruption, security and poverty of amenities. Unfortunately, people are not happy. If you cannot get rid of corruption, we cannot make progress as a nation. How many successive administrations have promised to resolve the power supply debacle, for instance?

Now, take the Lagos-Ibadan Express Way, which successive administrations have been repairing for over 20 years. Take a look at the railways, for another example. We do not know how many times, different administrations have promised to resuscitate the railways. We do not know how many billions or trillions of dollars, have been paid to Chinese companies to repair our railways. When I was a pupil at Methodist Girls High School in Lagos last century, I was travelling from Lagos to Abeokuta by train. I used to enjoy the train journey. It went through Lafenwa Station where I disembarked, and would continue to the North of Nigeria.

Those are examples, of what the new administration should do something about. Power problem should be solved. How can you expect industrialisation, when you do not have power? It will not happen. Without power, tourism is a joke. Now, I do not want to forget what the former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun introduced, namely the “Whistle blower” Policy, because Kemi Adeosun is no longer there. Every citizen must be involved, in preserving this policy. I remember in a lecture I gave in 2017 in Abuja, at the Chief JK Gadzama SAN 10th Annual Lecture, I spoke about the Whistle Blower Policy, and recommended that government should not just implement it as a policy. If the policy is translated into law, it will continue and survive every other administration, to reduce corruption for the progress of the nation.

I expect the Buhari Administration, in its second term, to review its performance during the first term, and initiate novel policies and programmes to improve their performance, by correcting previous errors of his governance. The President should demonstrate to the people, his government’s commitment to:

r QSPUFDU UIF JOEFQFOEFODF PG UIF +VEJDJBSZ r GPMMPX EVF QSPDFTT JO HPWFSOBODF r FOTVSF UIF PCFEJFODF PG DPVSU PSEFST r QSPUFDU UIF SVMF PG MBX r QSPWJEF BEFRVBUF GVOEJOH GPS UIF BENJOJTUSBUJPO PG justice, r FNCBSL PO BDUJPO UP QSPWJEF TUBCMF FMFDUSJD QPXFS and ensure the security of the people.

An Abuja High Court presided over by Hon Justice Danlami Senchi, recently, imposed a rather huge fine on the Lawyer who filed a suit over the alleged falsification of age of the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Tanko Muhammad, JSC. There has been an outcry, over the N10 million fine the court imposed on the Lawyer. What does this say about the rights of citizens to approach the courts over their grievances?

Let me say that, it is part of the law that we should all have access to the courts. But, the N10m fine is excessive.

I know those concerned, will appeal. But, you do not treat the courts with levity. I do not have the facts of the case, but I read that after filing it, when the case was in court, the initiator of the case was not there. That is what I read, in the print media.

You cannot take anything frivolous, to the court. If you take a case to the court, and for any reason you are unable to attend court, it’s a matter of courtesy that you write a letter to the court, as to why you are unable to come. But, if you feel strongly about your claim, you must go and prosecute your case in court. Apparently, the Lawyer was not there, and nobody was there. Why did he file the case? That probably irritated the Judge.

The time of the court is too precious for frivolous claims, which you are not going to pursue. But, that should not put off litigants, who have serious and genuine claims.

For the first time in the history of our country, we saw a Chief Justice docked (before a Magistrate) on allegations of false declaration of assets. What did you make of the whole saga? Which side of the divide do you belong to - the side that insists that it was a witch hunt and that Government did not follow due process, or the side that applauded Government for its actions in this matter?

I must say to you that, I have practiced law for 56 years, and I have endeavoured to serve the course of justice.

Then, when the Chief Justice of Nigeria was suspended, I was traumatised. I was calling everybody on the phone.

The first time I heard about it, I was with my 96 years old sister — Chief Mrs. S.O. Odesanya. She called me on the phone on a Saturday evening, and told me that she had heard on the television that, the CJN was being prosecuted. I told her ‘Sister, please, it cannot happen. I don’t know what you heard on television’. And, I thought she was saying ‘court one, court two, court three’ and so on. Indeed, she was saying ‘count one, count two, count three...’ I told her ‘Sister, please, nothing like that can happen. Go and have a glass of red wine, and go and sleep, tomorrow is another day’. So, I went to bed.

The next day being Sunday, I came out of Church and bought newspapers. I looked at it, page 1, it was there ‘Chief Justice of Nigeria being prosecuted before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on six (6) counts’. I wept in the car, on my way home. I remembered my sister calling me the previous night, and I couldn’t call her that morning.

But, in the evening I struggled to call her. I apologised to her, that I didn’t understand what she was saying the previous day. She said to me ‘it is alright, now you go and take a glass of red wine, and go to bed’.

Then for the President to say he had suspended the CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

18.06.2019

COVER/11

‘I WEPT, WHEN I READ ABOUT ONNOGHEN’S TRIAL’ Chief Justice of Nigeria on an exparte order, I don’t know how to describe it. “Exparte” is a Latin phrase, which means ‘from one side.’ The person who was going to be affected by the order, was not present. Apparently, they had adjourned the matter in the afternoon, only for people to wake up in the morning, and be told about the nocturnal order advising the President to suspend the Chief Justice of Nigeria. I still cannot get over it. It is a disgrace of the law. It is a disgrace of the legal profession, and a disgrace to the country. The international community would say ‘don’t take your investments to Nigeria. Their Chief Justice is in the dock and has been convicted. They do not have a credible legal system. I cannot imagine anything worse, happening to the Chief Justice of a country’.

I am not talking about misconduct, no. I am talking about breach of due process. I do not rejoice, when anybody falls from the top to the bottom. The suspension and subsequent conviction of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, constitutes a dagger in the very heart and soul of the administration of justice. This national and professional tragedy, is souldestroying. The law must survive, because if the law fails, the country becomes a failed State. I was traumatised by the tragedy. May the nation be healed. “Deo Volente”.

I agonise when a person falls from grace to grass, and crashes down from a pinnacle to the ground. No one should jubilate, over another human being’s catastrophe.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association is being tried in court by the EFCC, over allegations of money laundering in excess of N4.5 billion. Many have demanded that Paul Usoro, SAN should step aside until the trial is concluded. But, he has refused.

Do you support such a call , or do you believe that those who are making the call, should wait for the final outcome of the case?

The trial initiated by the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) of my learned friend of the Silk, Paul Usoro, SAN, the NBA President for allegations of money laundering, is “sub judice”. Suffice it to say, that his declared defence is that, the money was professional fees for a number of Lawyers, including himself, for professional services rendered to clients. Under the rule of law, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

We have to await, the verdict of the court.

The nation is presently on the boil, as every part of the country is facing one form of security challenge or the other, terrorism, insurgency, kidnapping and ritual killings. Is this the Nigeria of your dreams?

What panacea would you proffer, to these intractable problems bedevilling our nation?

Any government is expected to secure the safety of its people, and to design programmes for their welfare. But, today, this doesn’t seem to be the case. A month ago, one of our Ibadan Lawyers was going to the Akure Division of the Court of Appeal, and he was waylaid by bandits along the way, who took him and his driver away. They walked miles in the wilderness, and there was an alert sent everywhere. He was with them, for over 24 hours. That kind of experience, can kill a person. And I understand that, money passed before they were released. This has

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

become a country, where you cannot travel safely. Now, the herdsmen are rampaging farms and everywhere.

Women are being raped every day. May God help us!

The government has to do something about the intolerable high level of insecurity, in the country.

I recommend that: r &BDI .JOJTUSZ TIPVME CF BTLFE UP QSFTFOU B 1BQFS UP be submitted to the President, on how corruption will eradicated in the Ministry. r &BDI 4UBUF TIPVME QSPWJEF FNQMPZNFOU PQQPSUVOJ-

“....I WAS SO DISTURBED WHEN I READ PORTIONS OF A REPORT, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE ECONOMIST. IT GAVE SUCH A DAMNING ASSESSMENT, OF THE FIRST TERM OF PRESIDENT BUHARI. IT REALLY MADE ME SAD. I DO HOPE THAT, IN HIS SECOND TERM, THE PRESIDENT WILL LOOK INTO THE GRIEVANCES OF THE PEOPLE, SUCH AS CORRUPTION, SECURITY AND POVERTY OF AMENITIES”

ties for the jobless youth (who now turn to banditry and kidnapping), by establishing Farm Settlements which will boost agriculture and provide employment for the jobless people. r -PDBM HPWFSONFOUT XJUI UIF DPMMBCPSBUJPO PG UIF 4UBUF Governors, should engage their communities in ways and means of combatting kidnapping, banditry, and the savagery of herdsmen who rape women, kill farmers and burn their villages with deadly impunity. r 5SBEJUJPOBM SVMFST TIPVME QMBZ B QJWPUBM SPMF JO PVS present security challenges, by meeting and deliberating on the horrors which now assail the populace, and making recommendations to the Federal, State and Local Governments. r 5IF NFEJB TIPVME FNQMPZ NPSF WJHPSPVTMZ BOE without negative influences, Section 22 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, to “discharge their obligation to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.

How soon should we expect a sequel to your autobiography, ‘Reaching for the Stars’?

I will pray about it, and get direction from the Almighty God. How soon, I cannot say now.

What has been the response from readers since it was published?

Oh, wonderful! It has been reprinted several times. It was published on my 80th birthday, and updated two years ago on my 85th birthday, in 2017.

12/

18.06.2019

John Hingah Biem v Social Democratic Party: Taking the wind out of the sails of MV Arabella?

This article by Folabi Kuti, about the applicability of Sections 97 & 98 of the Sheriffs & Civil Process Act 2004 to the Federal High Court, with regard to service of court processes outside jurisdiction, welcomes the Supreme Court decision in Biem v SDP, that outside jurisdiction in the Federal High Court, means outside Nigeria

I

t is not often that, the final court gets to review its decisions. When it does make a departure, and a welcome one at that, from a previously taken position of law, it is an event that is greeted with much excitement, by many an enthusiastic legal commentator. The moment is made even more profound, when the decision being departed from appeared flawed from the outset, or was accorded an unintended wide amplitude, by subsequent decisions that dutifully followed the pattern.

In what appears to be a biting departure from its previous holding, the Supreme Court, in Appeal No. SC. 341/2019 Biem v Social Democratic Party (judgement delivered on Tuesday, 14 May 2019) held that, an originating process issued by the Federal High Court in one territorial jurisdiction (within Nigeria) cannot be considered to be service outside jurisdiction when served in a different territorial jurisdiction, and will, thus, not require to be endorsed for service outside a State and marked as a concurrent writ (as stipulated by Sections 97 & 98 of the Sheriffs & Civil Process Act Cap S6 LFN 2004 [hereafter, SCPA]).

The Enduring Sails of MV Arabella It began exactly eleven years ago, when the Supreme Court, in Owners of the M.V. Arabella v. N.A.I.C. (2008) 11 N.W.L.R. (pt. 1097) 182, set aside the writ of summons which was not ‘properly’ issued, and served outside the territorial jurisdiction of the Federal High Court (hereafter, FHC), for failure to seek leave of court.

The holding from MV Arabella soon met many an otherwise meritorious action filed at the Federal High Court, with a roughshod sail indeed. Navigating the rough waters of timeous procedural objections on any of the grounds often associated with the holding from Arabella, soon became most perilous.

Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice Abdul Kafarati

take cognisance of Section 19 of the Act and Order 6 Rule 31. I am of the considered view that, the Originating Summons issued by the Federal High Court, Makurdi which is to be served in Abuja, cannot be considered to be service outside jurisdiction, and therefore, does not require to be endorsed as a concurrent Writ’

as, consider the other issues. The other Justices on the panel, coram RhodesVivour, Sanusi, Bage JJSC, with the exception of Peter-Odili JSC, wrote terse concurring opinions.

Peter-Odili JSC agreed with the leading opinion, but in an instructive obiter which now appears to have ignited and set the decision in Biem on a firm footing, further considered Issues 2 & 3 highlighted above, and concluded at pp. 444-445 of the Report that, the Federal High Court does not come within the ambit of Sections 91 and 92(2) of the Sheriffs & Civil Process Act and that Arabella v NAIC is inapplicable in present context ‘since it was decided on the basis of Section 97 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act, and interpreted alongside the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 1976, which have been repealed. The extant Rules of the Federal High Court being the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009, wherein the requirement for ‘leave to issue’ was removed.’

Without expressly saying so, even as there was an oblique reference to Boko v Nungwa in Biem v Social Democratic Party, the Apex Court appeared not to have pointedly relied on Boko v Nungwa, in view of the fact that, the

A New Dawn?

Roundabout present day, in Boko v Nungwa, a decision made on 13 July, 2018, reported as (2019) 1 NWLR (Pt.1654) SC 395, the Apex Court was confronted with a number of issues for determination. The related issues of whether the portions of the FHC (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009 dealing with service and execution of process, derived their force from Sections 94 and 96(2) of Biem v Social Democratic Party to the SCPA, and whether in view of the the rescue?

In Biem v SDP, the pointed question in provisions of the FHC (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009, the case of Arabella v NAIC the main appeal, was whether the failure was still applicable to vitiate an originatto mark an originating process issued ing process, were flagged as Issues No. by the FHC, Warri for service in Abuja, 2 & 3. The leading judgement, delivered as ‘concurrent’ (section 98 SCPA), was capable of voiding the originating process. by Okoro JSC, resolved the main appeal, answering in the affirmative, the The Apex Court, per Justice Aka’ahs who wrote the leading judgement, intoned jurisdictional question raised as Issue No.1. Having resolved the appeal on an a discernible ratio decidendi at pp.43-44 all- encompassing jurisdictional point, the of the judgement thus: ‘The service of Court, understandably, did not as much any process issued by the Federal High Court, can be carried under the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act, if such service is to be executed outside the territory of Nigeria. Order 6 Rule 31 of the Federal High Rules interprets “BIEM V SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY......HELD THAT, AN outside jurisdiction, to mean outside the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Thus, ORIGINATING PROCESS ISSUED BY THE FEDERAL HIGH to hold that an originating summons which was issued out of the registry COURT IN ONE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION (WITHIN of the Federal High Court, Warri, which was addressed for service at NIGERIA), CANNOT BE CONSIDERED TO BE SERVICE Abuja outside Delta State where OUTSIDE JURISDICTION WHEN SERVED IN A DIFFERENT the originating summons was issued from, should be nullified because it TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION, AND WILL, THUS, NOT did not comply with Section 97 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act as this REQUIRE TO BE ENDORSED FOR SERVICE OUTSIDE A Court did in Izeze v INEC (2018) 11 STATE, AND MARKED AS A CONCURRENT WRIT....”

NWLR (Pt. 1629) 110 at 132, did not

illuminating obiter statements of PeterOdili JSC in that case, did not form part of the lead judgement.

With the decision in Biem v Social Democratic Party, the inevitable question is: has the Supreme Court finally departed from its previous holding in MV Arabella? The question does not lend itself, to an easy answer. Suffice to say that, it is pertinent to introspect a little further.

First, it takes a seven-member panel (that is, a Full Court) of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, to overrule any previous decision of the court. Sodeinde v ACB (1982) 6 SC 137 at 139. Biem, just like Arabella, was a 5-man panel.

Secondly, in what appears an ingenious attempt to depart from its previous position in MV Arabella, the final Court (in Biem) concluded that, its decision in Izeze v INEC failed to take cognisance of the provisions of Section 19 of the FHC Act and the 2009 FHC (Civil Procedure) Rules.

Izeze v INEC (2018) 11 NWLR (Pt. 1629) 110, was however, not alone. And that was equally not the only flawed decision, on the matter under reference.

PDP v INEC, was a related appeal to Izeze’s. Though not referred to in Biem v SDP, PDP v INEC, with a similar holding as in Izeze’s, was also decided on April 13, 2018 (same day as Izeze’s).

Whilst Izeze’s is reported in Part 1629 of NWLR, PDP v INEC is reported as (2018) 12 NWLR (Pt 1634) SC 533.

In PDP v INEC, the Apex Court, as in the other cases, went as far as pronouncing an originating summons issued at the registry of the FHC in Warri for service in Abuja without the endorsement in Section 97 of the SCPA, as worthless and void! This, apparently, is against the ratio from the illuminating decision of the selfsame Supreme Court – sitting as a FULL COURT – in Odu’a V. Talabi (1997) 10 NWLR (PT. 523) P.1, to the effect that, it is the ‘purported service’ and not the writ that will be set aside, in the event of a finding of defect as to service.

At the risk of digression, the point being made here is that, unless this position is revisited at the earliest opportunity, our adjudicating system being precedent- based, this new position will also likely engender a new wave of decisions pronouncing as void any originating process defective as to service, as it is not open to a lower court to disagree with the decision of the higher court on any point, even if the decision of the higher court was reached per incuriam.

Worrisomely, all the cases highlighted here, were decisions rendered majorly between 2018 and 2019. Considering the relatively short span of time between the decisions, this should ordinarily provide an opportune time to discuss, review and avoid conflicting positions in decisions bearing on future cases of similar facts pattern.

In the final analysis, Biem’s decision is a welcome addition to a growing body of case law on the points decided, not least that ‘out of jurisdiction’ for the purpose of service of originating process issued from the Federal High Court, means ‘out of Nigeria’.

-Folabi Kuti is a Partner in the law offices of Perchstone & Graeys

18.06.2019

THE LIGHTER SIDE/13

LEGAL HUMOUR

We Hold Your Brief TOBI SONIYI Dear Counsel, A supermarket where I usually buy provisions for my household was closed down last year, when the owner died of cancer.

For reasons I don’t really know, the shop remained closed for from November last year till a few weeks ago, when it was reopened under the management of another person.

As usual, I went to buy provisions for the children who were returning to school, after their mid-term break. A few days later, I got a call from the children’s House Master, informing me that, the provisions that my children brought to school had expired. In a panic, I rushed to the school, and found out that, it was indeed, true.

I went to the supermarket, and confronted them. Initially, they denied the allegations, but, I insisted that they allow me check the items on their shelves. They reluctantly agreed, and ‘lo and behold’, some of the items had expiry dates which has passed by weeks, and some by months. They promised to remove, all such items.

But, a few days later, when I went back there, I found that most of the products we had identified with expired dates, were still being sold, while some had the dates wiped off, totally. Most annoying is that, they refused to refund the money I had spent, to

buy the expired products for my children.

What can we do legally, to protect the public from such sellers of expired products?

Mrs S.E., Calabar, Cross River State Dear Mrs. S.E., You owe it a duty, to immediately report this to relevant agency, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which is responsible for the control and regulation of food, drinks and drugs.

However, it is a criminal offence, under the Criminal Code Act, Chapter 23 (Offences against Public Health) Section 243(1) : ‘Any person who sells, as food or drink, or has in his possession with intent to sell it as food or drink, any article which has been rendered or has become noxious, or is in a state unfit for food or drink, knowing or having reason to believe that the same is noxious as food or drink, or is in a state unfit for food or drink is guilty of a misdemeanour, and is liable to imprisonment for one year’.

You may also report this matter, to the Police. And, of course, they are bound to refund the money you paid for the expired items, you bought from their supermarket.

LAW FIRMS, OTHERS JOIN INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NIGERIA other drivers.

According to Ajieroh, the Global and Local Food Systems are changing rapidly, and that estimates suggest that, the expected 51% increase in food associated greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 would be reduced to a 7% increase, if WHO guideline diets were adopted.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

He noted that, businesses impact significantly and can play a key role in reshaping the Food Systems.

The Guest Speaker however, suggested ways to improve Food System Governance in Nigeria, as “Better clarifying roles and responsibilities among food systems actors with a clear accountability framework”.

TRIBUNAL STRIKES OUT PETITION CHALLENGING FALEKE'S VICTORY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 the panel to grant the motion, and withdraw the application against all the Respondents.

Responding, Lawyers to Faleke and APC, Kolawole Salami and Ademola Adefolaju, who held the brief of Mr. Gboyega Oyewole, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told the court that, their clients are not opposing the Petitioner’s motion for withdrawal.

Both Salami and Adefolaju further told the tribunal that, their clients have filed a nine-paragraphed affidavit, in response to the Petitioner’s motion.

Equally, INEC's counsel, Z. S. Makinde, despite

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What’s the difference between a Lawyer and a jellyfish? One is a spineless, poisonous blob. The other is a form of sea life. ˾˾˾ Hang ‘Em High ...

How are an apple and a Lawyer alike? They both look good hanging from a tree. ˾˾˾ The Blue Pill ...

What does a Lawyer get when you give him Viagra? Taller. ˾˾˾ Pull! ...

What do you call 25 skydiving Lawyers?

Skeet. ˾˾˾ Why does the bar association code of ethics prevent sex between Lawyers and their clients? To prevent clients from being billed twice, for essentially the same service. ˾˾˾ Unless It’s One of Our Witnesses, Of Course ...

What separates witnesses from the lowest form of life on earth? The wooden partitions around the witness stand. ˾˾˾ You Can’t Get Mad at Gravity ...

How do you get a lawyer out of a tree? Cut the rope. ˾˾˾ What do you call a Priest that becomes a Lawyer? A father in law. ˾˾˾ A: What's the difference between a Lawyer and an Undertaker?

B: A Lawyer doesn't mind getting his hands dirty while burying his victims. ˾˾˾ What is the difference between a catfish and a Lawyer? One is a scum sucking bottom dweller, and the other is a fish.

not filing any affidavit, also told the court that, his client was not opposing the motion.

Following the submissions of parties, the tribunal Chairman, Justice Hamidu held: "having read through the Petitioner’s motion dated and filed on 30th May, 2019, with the affidavit and written address. Also, having gone through the first and second Respondents' affidavits, leave is granted to the Petitioner, to withdraw his motion.

"Consequently, Petitioner’s petition against all the Respondents, is hereby struck out".

“The business and policy making communities can work better, to foster regular dialogues and unite in the best interest of the underserved.

“Demand for more proactive and responsible policy making processes, and outcomes.

“Government can promote more coordinated, supportive and effective regulatory systems.

“Trade associations and related mechanisms can be strengthened, to level up to objectives “Business can embrace elevated responsibilities, towards self regulation.

“We can deploy better data and evidence, to drive improved and transparent governance.”

Other highlights of the AGM, were the appraisal of other major activities and achievements of the Chamber in the year ended, as well as latest developments around the world, as regard trade, commerce and investment.

ICC is the largest, most representative business organisation in the world. Its global network comprises over 6.5 million companies. And its members include many of the world’s largest companies, SMEs, business associations, and local chambers of commerce in more than 130 countries.

14/REJOINDER

18.06.2019

Re: “The Judiciary as an Alternative Electorate” In this Rejoinder, Asiwaju Awomolo discusses the two recent Supreme Court decisions, in the cases concerning the APC Party Primaries in Zamfara and Rivers States vis a vis the comments of Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, which he declares, have no roots in the facts of the cases, concluding that, the court decisions are sound, just and unimpeachable

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Professor Sagay’s Comments he two recent decisions of the Supreme Court, in the cases of intra party disputes of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Rivers State and Zamfara State, have again brought the Supreme Court into the spot light and have attracted diverse commentaries. Indeed, the public statement of Professor Itse Sagay, SAN and the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), a creation of the Executive arm of government, published in many National dailies on Tuesday 4th June, 2019, is seen in many quarters, as a clear reflection of the inner caucus of the Executive arm of Government The learned Senior Counsel believed that, in the case of Rivers State, “the Supreme court effectively returned unopposed, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and that the APC electorates in Rivers State were deprived of their right to vote”.

For Zamfara state, “the Supreme Court transferred all the victories of the APC to the PDP”. He regarded the decision of the Supreme Court, as “bizarre” in Nigeria Democratic practice.

The fulcrum of the learned professor’s criticism of the judgement, is reflected in the few questions he posed. He asked: I.“if the APC primaries were defective, should the electorate be deprived of their democratic and constitutional rights to vote?

II. Is the electorate to be punished for the transgressions of party officials?

III. Should the Judiciary place the electorate's decision and install losers in office?

IV. Could the Judiciary not have drawn on the deep recesses of its intellectual capacity, authority and its inexorable commitment to justice, to prevent this undemocratic calamity?

V. Can the APC officials not be punished, for their lapses without denying the electorate their democratic rights?

VI. Should the Judiciary take over the electoral rights of the electorate?

VII.Is this not a clear case of technical law completely overthrowing justice?

VIII.Have the members of the Supreme Court not achieved a level of creativity and authority, to provide a solution without burying democracy and taking over from registered voters, as the judicial electorate.”

He concluded his thoughts on the decision of the Supreme Court in these words, “if this judgement had been an international one, it could have been described as “shocking the conscience of humanity”; in this case, it shocks the conscience of Nigerian humanity”.

For the education of many Nigerians who read the deep opinion of the respected teacher of law, but not the judgement of the court, I will in this rejoinder make a copious reproduction of the relevant parts of the judgement.

Zamfara State For the avoidance of doubt, the judgement of the Supreme Court was in Appeal No. SC/344/2019 between APC, Inuwa Abdulkadir 1st National Vice Chairman of North West Zone of APC, as Appellants v Senator Kabir Garba Marafa and 180 others as Respondents, delivered on 24th May, 2019.

The learned Justices who delivered the judgement were Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad, the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justices Olukayode Ariwoola, John Inyang Okoro, Paul Adamu Galinje and Uwani Musa Abba Aji, a few of our best legal brains.

The fact of the case as captured in the certified true copy of the judgement, are as follows: “As part of its preparation towards the conduct of 2019 general elections, INEC prepared a time table in which it set out a schedule of activities leading to the general elections. One of the activities was a directive to all the political parties, to conduct their primary elections and submit the names of their candidates for the general elections to it, between 18th August and 7th October, 2018. In obedience to the directive of INEC, the National Working Committee of the first Appellant, in line with paragraph 20 (a)(b) and (c) of the APC guidelines for the nomination of candidates for the 2019 general elections, set up a 7 member election committee headed by Engineer Abubakar Fari to conduct its primary elections in Zamfara State, on the 3rd of October, 2018. On the 3rd of October, 2018, the primary elections which started and continued successfully in some areas, was later halted and suspended by the Committee, due to escalation of violence and protests The National Working Committee of the 1st Appellant, rescheduled the primary elections to the 7th of October, 2018, and appointed a different Committee, this time under the leadership of Major General Abubakar Mustapha Gana Rtd, to conduct the primary elections.

Professor Itse Sagay, SAN

Due to tension and the shortage of time, the election could not hold. The Committee, suspended the election.

The 7th of October, 2018 was the closing date for party primaries and submission of names of candidates.

This being so, the State Government directed the State Party Executives to conduct the primaries at all levels before 12.00 midnight of 7th October, 2018. This was purportedly done within the short period, and the list of those elected were submitted to INEC. A letter from the Acting Secretary of INEC to the 1st Appellant, stated clearly that, for its failure to conduct primary elections in Zamfara State and submit a list of candidates for the general elections within the stipulated period, it had barred itself from fielding candidates for the Governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly Elections in Zamfara State, for the 2019 General Elections.

Being apprehensive that the list submitted by the State Party Executive to INEC, may not be approved, the 141st-178th Respondents in this appeal, as Plaintiffs at the trial court at paragraph 16 of their statement of claim dated and filed on the 30th of October, 2018, claimed the following reliefs:"a) An order declaring as lawful and valid, the primary election conducted by the APC (herein Plaintiff’s party) under the supervision of the 3rd Defendant and security agents on the 3rd and 7th for the purpose of producing candidates to vie for various election offices which produced the Plaintiffs, under the platform of the 1st Defendant. b) A declaration that any decision or steps taken to reverse the result of the primary election duly conducted on the 3rd and 7th day of October, 2018 and monitored by the 3rd Defendant, is, or will amount to a nullity, void and of no effect whatsoever. c) A declaration that the 1st Defendant is bound to recognise, accept and forward to the 3rd Defendant the list of candidates that emerged winner in the Governorship, National and State Legislative Houses Primary Elections of the 1st Defendant in Zamfara State, held on the 3rd and 7th October, 2018, and monitored by the 3rd Defendant. d) A declaration that the 3rd Defendant cannot refuse or shut out the 1st Defendant from presenting, forwarding to it, the list of candidates that emerged winners in the Governorship, National and State Legislative Houses

“THE LEARNED PROFESSOR, WITH RESPECT, ARGUED AS IF THE JUDGEMENT OF THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD BE FOR THE PURPOSE OF SCORING DEBATING POINTS, WITH A VIEW TO ACHIEVING PUBLIC APPLAUSE AND POLITICAL PATRONAGE, ON THE THEORY OF JUSTICE, IN A DEMOCRACY”

Primary Elections in Zamfara State, same having been conducted on 3rd and 7th October, 2018, before the deadline set by the 3rd Defendant for Political Parties to hold their Primary Elections. e) A declaration that the 3rd Defendant cannot refuse to accept and publish the list of candidates that emerged winners of the Governorship, National and State Legislative Houses Primary Elections of the 1st Defendant in Zamfara State, submitted to it for the 2019 General Election f) An order of this Honourable Court directing the 3rd Defendant to accept the Governorship, National and State Legislative Houses Primary Elections of the 1st Defendant in Zamfara State held on the 3rd and 7th October, 2018 and monitored by the 3rd Defendant g) An order directing the 3rd Defendant to accept and accord due recognition to the list of candidates that emerged winners in the Governorship, National and State Legislative Houses Primary Elections of the 1st Defendant in Zamfara State, held on 3rd and 7th October, 2018 h) An order mandating or compelling the Defendants to recognise and accept the list of candidates that emerged winners in the Governorship, National and State Legislative Houses Primary Elections of the 1st Defendant in Zamfara State held on 3rd and 7th October, 2018 I) An order directing the Defendants to recognise only the result of the primary election of the 1st Defendant, held on the 3rd and 7th of October, 2018 in Zamfara State J) An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Defendants either by themselves, through their lawful agents, privies or assigns from taking (six taking) any steps towards cancelling, rejecting the result of the primary election held on 3rd and 7th October, 2018 and monitored by the 3rd defendant.

K) The cost of filling and prosecuting this suit.”

(These are preemptive claims, Plaintiffs being fully aware of the law against them and the INEC position therein).

The trial court entered judgement in favour of the Plaintiffs, and directed INEC to accept the list of names of successful candidates of the APC for the Governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections produced and submitted by the Zamfara State Chairman and the Secretary of the APC. The 1-140th Respondents appealed to the Court of Appeal, and meanwhile, INEC conducted elections and the APC candidates “won by majority of the landslide figures”.

The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal, and set aside the judgement of the trial Judge. When the case came up before the Supreme Court, learned counsel for all the parties argued their briefs. The Supreme Court – in its judgement, dismissed the appeal because: (1) APC violated and disregarded mandatory provisions of Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2010.

(2) The State Executive Committee of the APC in Zamfara State, had no power to conduct primaries and forward the names of the party candidates to INEC, therefore, the APC candidates participation at the elections were invalid and illegal.

In 1999, when Nigeria returned to constitutional democracy, the leadership of all the registered Political parties, was in the hands of former political gladiators of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Republic. They were former Ministers, Governors, political office holders, and party chieftains. In fact, the practice of all the political parties reflected lacked of internal democracy, discipline, loyalty and party supremacy.

Indeed, nominations for elective positions, were at the whims and caprices of the godfathers. Nominations of candidates for elective positions were arbitrarily changed, depending on the mood of party leadership. The Parliament amended the Electoral Act, to insist that to change a nominated candidate, the party must swear to an affidavit to show “cogent and verifiable reasons” for changing the nominated candidates.

The Judiciary, and the Supreme Court in particular, maintained the established principle that, the nomination of candidates for an election is an internal affair of a political party, and the courts should have nothing to do with it. The amendment to the Electoral Act was given Judicial approval and enforcement until 2007, when the PDP in Rivers State, changed the nomination of Rt Hon. Rotimi Amaechi few days to the election, and substituted him with Chief Celestine Omehia.

The Supreme Court, in exercise of its powers as final court in the land, and in doing justice, restored Rotimi Amaechi as Governor of Rivers State, even though it was after the election.

That decision was criticised as a usurpation of the rights of the electorate in Rivers State, who voted for Chief Omehia, and not Amaechi.

The parliament amended the Electoral Act to avoid a repeat of the Rivers State experience, which was replicated in few States. It enacted Section 87 of the Electoral Act, with a view to upholding internal democracy, fairness, party discipline, loyalty

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

18.06.2019

/15

RE: “THE JUDICIARY AS AN ALTERNATIVE ELECTORATE” and party supremacy.

The courts, particularly the Supreme Court, gave judicial authority to these provisions.

Political parties have in subsequent elections, complied strictly with the law, and those who violated the law had their candidates nullified, and the political parties with the highest votes, were made to replace nullified candidates.

Breach and Disregard of Section 87 of the Electoral Act In the case under discuss, there is an established breach and disregard for the provisions of the statute by the Appellants, due to internal indiscipline, disregard for party constitution, hierarchy and authority. There was manifested rivalry in both Rivers and Zamfara States by factious and irreconcilable differences, that robbed the party of its success at the 2019 general election, except that of the President.

The learned Professor, with respect, argued as if the judgement of the Supreme Court should be for the purpose of scoring debating points, with a view to achieving public applause and political patronage, on the theory of justice, in a democracy.

Nigeria is operating a Constitutional democracy, where obedience to the Constitution and the laws of the National Assembly must be held sacrosanct, and none should be persuaded by sentiments and theory of the concept of democracy, that has no place in the law.

The decision of the Supreme Court, concluded with an order to the effect that, “A party that has no candidates in an election, cannot be declared the winner of the election.

This being so, the votes credited to the alleged candidate of the 1st Appellant in the 2019 general election in Zamfara State, are wasted”.

The candidates of parties other than the 1st Appellant APC with the highest number of votes and the required spread, stand elected into the various offices that were not contested for in Zamfara State in the 2019 General Election”.

The learned Professor did not throughout his statement, fault the finding and conclusion of the court. The Supreme Court, as the final court, has the power to make consequential orders to give effect to the judgement of the court.

Zamfara State has a population of over 3 million people, with almost 2 million registered voters. It cannot be stated that, all the 2 million registered voters in the State belong to only one party. It cannot also be argued that, all the registered voters are members and sympathisers of APC. Every citizen of Zamfara State deserves to be governed in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, and the laws of the National Assembly.

The APC as a political party, is bound by the Constitution and Laws of the National Assembly. Participation in an election and fielding candidates for offices in the 2019 General Election was a choice, and the Supreme Court cannot force the party to respect the law or enforce discipline and decorum in the party.

The electorate in Zamfara State, were not deprived of their constitutional right to vote.

Those who voted for APC candidates had options, and were not deceived or misled, because APC leadership and their supporters in the State knew of the violation of mandatory provisions of the law. They knew the fruits of their decision, hence they rushed to court with preemptive prayers, hoping the courts will cover their illegality.

The Judiciary did not replace the electorate’s decision and install losers on Zamfara citizens, because the APC primary conducted by the State Executive Committee of the party, has been pronounced upon in numerous cases, as a nullity. The law has become established that, where voters in the exercise of their franchise, choose a candidate whose standing is void in law, such votes are regarded as thrown away.

A candidate whose candidature is invalid and void, cannot claim to have lawful votes. The votes cast for APC candidates were unlawful votes, so the candidate with majority of lawful votes, is bound to be declared the winner.

Learned Professor perhaps wished the Supreme Court, on the ground of theory of democracy, had reversed its rules, depart and walk away from its well established principles, that Section 87 of the Electoral Act must be obeyed. The choice of the Zamfara State electorate, which the law regarded as void, cannot be a foundation for any benefit.

See EMINEKE v D.P.P. (2012) NWLR

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

(PT. 1315) 556 AT 594, 600, 602.,EMEKA v OKADIGBO (2012) 18 NWLR (PT. 1331) 55 AT 88.

The judgement of the Supreme Court, is no doubt a corrective policy decision, like they did in Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi’s case and many others. Judgements of the Supreme Court address policies, institutions and not individuals.

Corrective and retributive justice, is an aspect of justice, and the Supreme Court has never failed in this respect.

The learned Professor referred to Section 140(1), (2) & (3) of the Electoral Act 2010. With respect, that provision of the Electoral Act, is relevant only in the Election Tribunal where the Court of Appeal is the court in respect of Presidential Election Petitions, while the National Assembly, Governorship and House of Assembly Petitions, are tried at the Tribunal. The Justices of the Supreme Court know the law sufficiently, to have had no regard to the provision of Section 140 of the Electoral Act 2010. The facts of the case, do not justify an order for fresh election; indeed, such order would have been contrary to express provision of the Constitution.

Nigerians are fully aware that, since the learned Professor became the Chairman of the PACAC, he has constantly found nothing good in the Judiciary, and the Supreme Court in particular, where he believes there is “corruption”, even though none has been prosecuted or convicted by a court of law for corruption.

The Judiciary is not the maker of the law, that is the function of the Legislature. No court is permitted to interpret the law, to suit any of the parties. The court is not creative, as to make its decision suit the convenience of the parties in litigation. Indeed, the Supreme Court in the case of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi v INEC (2008) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1080) 207 made a very profound statement, on the beauty and ramification of democracy.

Hon. Justice Dahiru Musdapher, JSC of blessed memory, spoke the word of the court when he said, “Democracy’s world is rich and multifaceted.

Democracy should not be viewed, from a one dimensional vantage point. Democracy is multidimensional, it is based both on the centrality of laws and democratic values, and at their centre, human rights. Indeed, democracy is based on every individual enjoyment of rights, of which even the majority cannot deny him simply because the power of the majority is in its hands.

Roland Dworkin in a Bill of Rights for Britain 1990 pages 35 – 36 stated “ --- true democracy is not just a statistical democracy, in which anything, a majority or plurality want is legitimate for that reason, both communal democracy in which majority decision is legitimate only when it is a majority decision within a community of equals. That means not only that everyone must be allowed to participate in politics as an equal through the vote, and through the freedom of speech and protest, but that the decision must treat everyone with equal concern and respect, that each individual person must be guaranteed. Fundamental civil and political right no combination of other citizen can take away, no matter how numerous they are, or how much they despise his or her race or morals or way of life” pages 339-340 With respect, the learned professor was right when he said “the key word here is that the court has attained a Stature in the pursuit of JUSTICE to provide a remedy, even if one did not already exist.”

That proposition is not new; indeed, the Supreme Court found appropriate remedy in Amaechi’s case, where neither the Constitution nor Electoral Act provided one.

Hon. Justice Oguntade, JSC had this to say: “this court and indeed, all courts in Nigeria, have a duty which flows from a power granted by the Constitution of Nigeria, to ensure that citizens of Nigeria, high and low, get the justice which their case deserves. The powers of the court are derived from the Constitution, not at the sufferance or generosity of any other arm of the Government of Nigeria. The Judiciary, like all citizens of this country, cannot be a passive on-looker when any person attempts to subvert the administration of justice, and will not hesitate to use the powers available to it, to do justice in the case before it.”

One can read between the lines that, the learned Senior Counsel intends that because APC had smuggled itself to contest the election, won by “landslide victories”, it should retain its candidates in offices, and thus, be protected from

Abdul-aziz Yari Abubakar

Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle

the consequences of the party’s unconstitutional and invalid conduct. That, in my view, would have been inconsistent with the principle of rule of law, constitutional democracy and Justice.

Hon. Justice Pius Aderemi JSC (of blessed memory) in Amaechi’s case had a word for that direction of thought. He said : “.....it is true that in modern democratic societies, Judges occupy a privileged position.

Let me say that, that privilege springs from public recognition that democratic government and society as a whole, can only function fairly and properly within a framework of laws, justly, fearlessly and fairly administered by men and women, who have no obligation save to justice itself.

I hasten to enter a caveat, and it is that it does not of course, mean that Judges are licensed to do exactly as they like; quite opposite. They must allow themselves to be guided by well tested principles so fashioned, that lead to justice...”

With respect, one fails to see the relevance of the argument of technicality, rather we see substantial justice having its roots on the clear facts of this case. The mandatory provision of Section 87 of the Electoral Act and the trite law that, only the National Chairman and Secretary of a political party can submit nomination of the party candidates, not State Chairmen or such subordinate office, stuck to by the Supreme Court, promote substantial justice.

Justice is no doubt an abstract concept, and it is easier to describe than to define it. The formula of justice that has spanned world literature from Homer, through Aristotle and the Greek thinkers, Cicero, Antrose Augustine and Roman Jurists. Justician Pandects equated justice with equity, which is defined as Honeste viverer, alterum non laedere suum cuique tribuere - to give honestly, not to hurt another to give each his due.

Justice in my view, means justice to all political parties, justice to the people of Nigeria whose taxes were spent on law makers who enacted the Act, which must be obeyed by all, without exception, the INEC who enforce and carry out the laws.

Justice to all the people of Zamfara and Rivers States, whose political rights were capriciously violated by the political gladiators, who frittered away their votes by disobedience to the Constitution and the law. Justice of course, to the Judges and Justices of our courts, who are the greatest living assets of our race, without whom our democracy would have been truncated by the politicians since 1999, when Nigeria returned to Constitutional democracy.

On the whole, the lamentation of the learned Senior Counsel on the principle of democracy, justice and political rights, with respect, have no root in the facts of this case. The opinion expressed on the judgements, is a mere academic exercise, theories on justice, without relevance to the well thought out decision, based on Constitution, Statute, basic principles of the Rules of Law in an egalitarian society.

Hon. Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, JSC, counselled on the quality of fairness thus: “ The quality of fairness and impartiality, allow the judge to turn the wheels of justice objectively, and not subjectively. In the chambers of the Legislature or the Executive, it may be necessary and at times politically expedient, to listen to the sirens of power and influence. But, in the halls of justice, the battle is against expediency, it is a battle for protection from power- the power of the Executive, the power of the police, the power of prosecution, the power of big business, the power of the wealthy

“ON THE WHOLE, THE LAMENTATION OF THE LEARNED SENIOR COUNSEL ON THE PRINCIPLE OF DEMOCRACY, JUSTICE AND POLITICAL RIGHTS, WITH RESPECT, HAVE NO ROOT IN THE FACTS OF THIS CASE. THE OPINION EXPRESSED ON THE JUDGEMENTS, IS A MERE ACADEMIC EXERCISE....”

status and influence, and the most subtle of all, the power of the majority”.

The statement believed that, “the Zamfara and Rivers State Judgements are a national tragedy which should not be allowed to throw up the unimaginable injustice”. There was a call for application for a review, of the two judgements.

It is conceded that, every court has the power to set aside it’s decision where the judgement had been obtained by fraud. However, the attitude of the Supreme Court to review its decision, has never been for the asking. This is because, where a Court has decided an issue and the decision of the court is truly embodied in some judgement or order, that it has been made effective, then the court cannot re-open the matter and cannot substitute a different decision in its place. To alter it, must in those circumstances, invoke such appellate jurisdiction as may apply.

The Supreme Court restated the law succinctly in the case of TOMTEC (NIG) LTD v F. H. A. 2009 18 NWLR (Pt 1173) 358 @ 382; it was stated thus: “Courts of record have the inherent jurisdiction, to set aside their judgements/ decisions/orders, in appropriate cases, or under certain circumstances, which include when: (a)the judgement is obtained by fraud or deceit, either in the court or of one or more of the parties; (b)the judgement is a nullity: (c) it is obvious that the court was misled into giving the judgement, under a mistaken belief that the parties consented to it: (d) the judgement was given in the absence of jurisdiction; (e) the proceedings adopted was such as to deprive the decision or judgement, of the character of a legitimate adjudication; (f) where there is fundamental irregularity.

I end, as I borrow and adapt the words on Marble of Sir Winston Churchill, which I believe reflect the popular feeling of Nigerians, on the Nigerian Judiciary as the last hope of the common man: “There is nothing like them in our land.

They have to interpret the law, according to their learning and conscience. They are distinguished from great officers of the State, and other servants of the Executive high or low, and from leaders of Commerce and Industry. The Nigerian Judiciary with its traditions and records, is one of the greatest living assets of our race and people and its independence, part of our message to the ever growing world, that is rising swiftly around us”.

They deserve our respect and appreciation.

Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, Abuja

16/

18.06.2019

WORDS OF WISDOM

(Culled from the Internet)

21

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍśË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

FEATURES

Sustaining Professionalism, Operational EfďŹ ciency in the Navy

Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that the recently held second Warrant Officers convention afforded the Nigerian Navy the opportunity to harp on professionalism and operational efficiency

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o ensure that professionalism and operational efficiency are sustained for effective discharge of its responsibilities, the Nigerian Navy (NN) recently held its second Warrant Officers Convention at the conference room of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Quorra auditorium, Apapa, Lagos.

For the navy, engaging the Warrant Officers cadre is vital because they play a pivotal role being the bridge between the higher echelon (the officer cadre) and lower cadre (ratings). Given that they are the backbone of the navy, as they make up the technical foundation of the navy, the convention was themed â&#x20AC;&#x153; Responsive Warrant Officers' leadership and Operational Efficiency in the Nigerian Navyâ&#x20AC;?.

In the navyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s divisional system, junior ratings are expected to refer their problems first, to Warrant officers, otherwise called Senior Rates, in their divisions. Also, the discipline, efficiency and morale of the service depends in great measure, on the manner in which senior rates carry out their duties because since they live and work much closer to junior ratings than officers do, they are therefore, in a much better position to understand and appreciate their problems.

It was against this backdrop that the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, at the two- day convention, explained that the feedback from the implementation of its maiden edition three years ago, spurred him to sustain its hosting, as it gave rise to interesting and far reaching recommendations that were being implemented at various levels of the Nigerian Navy.

He noted that successes achieved by the navy in crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, smuggling, militancy, pipeline vandalism, as well as its support to other services in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations, especially in the North-east, would not have been possible without the role of Warrant Officers.

Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Beegroy Ibe- Enwo, the CNS said the convention was aimed at exposing the concerned personnel to the need to willingly and effectively discharge their responsibilities at all times.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over the years, the Nigerian Navy has developed into a potent force capable of effectively carrying out its constitutional and statutory roles.

The service has imbibed the realities of our national imperatives and has applied the most optimal policies and strategies in the protection of the nation's territorial integrity. The Nigerian Navy has equally tackled the maritime challenges in our Exclusive Economic Zone up to the Gulf of Guinea. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To this end, the Navy has every reason to be proud as our collective efforts have sufficiently reduced illegalities such as; crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, piracy, kidnapping, smuggling, militancy and pipeline vandalism in our maritime domain.

It is equally gratifying that we have continued to give a very good account of ourselves in support of the other services in the ongoing counterinsurgency operations, especially in the North-east. These success as would not have been possible without and enlightened and professional human resource.

The Warrant Officers cadre, play a pivotal role to these successes and we are here to give more impetus to their output. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The need to collectively strive years build a credible navy capable of discharging its constitutional roles and assigned tasks in a sustainable, efficient and effective manner calls for continuous enlightenment and deliberate re-awakening of the tenets of professionalism and excellent work ethics among the naval personnel at all levels. This expectation is what the convention hopes to achieve as Warrant Officers are expected to be experienced, visible and professionally sound. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thus, they are well positioned to instill discipline within the lower chain of command. It is also worthy of mention that Warrant Officers are an important link between the office's corps and the junior ratings cadre. Hence, it is imperative to emphasise that then operational and administrative goals of the Nigerian Navy cannot be attained without a wells disciplined, knowledgeable and highly resourceful class of Warrant Officers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No doubt, Warrant Officers are key players in the lower level of the Nigerian Navy command structure and custodians of unit regimentation.

It is expected that they would willingly and effectively discharge their responsibilities at all times if professionalism and operational efficiency are

A cross section of senior oďŹ&#x192;cers and warrant oďŹ&#x192;cers at the convention

L-R: Naval Doctrine and Assessemnt Centre (NDAK) Rear Admiral Maurice Eno; Chief Security OďŹ&#x192;cer, NAVTRAC, Rear Admiral IB Yusuf; the Flag OďŹ&#x192;cer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji; Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Beegroy Ibe- Enwo; General OďŹ&#x192;cer Commanding, 81 Division, Major General Sanni Yusuf, and Navy Secretary, Rear Admiral FF Ogu, at the event

The Chief of Naval StaďŹ&#x20AC;, Vice Admiral IbokEte Ibas to be sustained in the service.â&#x20AC;?

Also in his remark, the Chairman, Planning and Organising Committee, Commodore K.O Egbuchulam, explained that the idea of organising the convention was conceived after a careful thought of the vital roles Warrant Officers play in ensuring a professional and effective military.

He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The convention was conceived to awaken the consciousness of this cadre of officers to the pivotal role they play in nurturing and building new entrants towards achieving their career dreams. It was also to re-invigorate and enlighten this category of managers on their roles and responsibilities in achieving the objectives and aspirations of the Nigerian Navy in line with the CNS strategic directivesâ&#x20AC;?.

Motivation The need for motivation of this workforce in the Navy formed part of the discuss at the convention in a paper delivered by Rear Admiral Akinsola

Johnson (Rtd), in his paper titled Motivation: An Essential Tool for Enhanced Operational Effectiveness of Warrant officers.

He noted that when the motivation was on the increase, it would enhance operational effectiveness and vice versa. To achieve this in the Warrant Officers cadre, he said it required a mechanism to measure the effectiveness and performance of all warrant officers in the discharge of their responsibilities and an assemblage of senior naval officers who were â&#x20AC;&#x153;achieversâ&#x20AC;? to superintend over all warrant officers.

As a retired senior naval personnel, the resource person said the navy had emplaced a motivational scheme of the Warrant Officers cadre in particular other categories of officers in general.

He said, " The Nigerian Navy Medical Services provide primary, secondary and tertiary health care schemes for NN personnel and their families around the country. In extreme cases and based on the recommendation of a medical board, the NN sometimes undertakes medical evacuation of her personnel abroad. Also, the desire and the on-going effort to provide more accommodation to personnel around the country is a welcome development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since training is a very essential factor in building personnel confidence in the performance of their duties, I am aware that the navy has been very concerned about re-positioning its personnel professionally. There are many more welfare packages that the NN has embarked upon in the recent past. " You may think the NN is not doing much to motivate you as a warrant officer but the truth is that the NN may not be able to do much considering the fragile state of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy. The situation of funding in NN is predominantly tied to the Federal Government sources like the annual budget. All areas of motivation depend largely on adequate funding of the NN. But adequate funding is beyond the office of the CNS." Health and Well-being Aside motivation as key tool for an efficient

senior rate and other personnel, health, was also considered a major enhancer to operational effectiveness.

In another paper titled 'Health is wealth: An Appraisal of Life in active Service and Retirement' , life style, environment, genes or inherited traits were highlighted as factors that could affect quality performance of Warrant Officers cadre and other personnel at all levels.

Surprisingly, the paper revealed that variety of research showed that military service was related to the use of tobacco and alcohol products. It also noted that energy drinks have strong appeal to military personnel.

Unfortunately, the long term effects of over consumption includes mental health problems, aggressive behaviours and fatigue, which may hinder operational effectiveness. Also, the short term effects of over consumption of alcoholic drinks as pointed out in the paper, included increased blood pressure, panic attack, palpitation, anxiety, heart problem, dehydration and insomnia, according to the paper.

As important as the the role of Warrant Officers cadre may seem, they were reminded to take the issue of their health serious, so as to age gracefully and enjoy their retirement life.

Professionalism Another papper on 'Functional Divisional System and Professionalism in the NN: The Role of Warrant Officers, defined the divisional system as the basic system management employed by the navy for the supervision, discipline, training and advancement of end, as well as an organisation for their well being.

Warrant officers were reminded of the importance of their roles and the need to executive them diligently, considering that more ratings were being recruited into the service and therefore, required more painstaking personnel management.

Although the 2019 Warrant Officers Convention may have come and gone, the lessons learnt are inherent.

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TUESDAY JUNE 18, 2019 • T H I S D AY

NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (NNPC) Announces

NNPC 2019 National al Science Scienc Quiz Comp Competition ...we touch your ur lives in many positive ways

BACKGROUND

From left: Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, GCFR; GMD, NNPC, Dr. Maikanti K. Baru, FNSE; Master Okeke Tony Kabilan, 2018 over-all winner; Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, GCFR

The NNPC National Science Quiz Competition, designed mainly for students in the Nation’s secondary schools, was inaugurated in 2000 and limited to participants from the Niger Delta, but went national in 2001. This year’s event is the 17th edition of the competition.

The main objectives of the quiz competition include the followings: · To implement a core element of NNPC Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) package · To promote Science education in the country · To encourage students in the study of Science and Technology related subjects To prepare students in English and General Studies · To prepare students for promotional and qualifying examinations · To build friendship amongst the participating students · To develop students’ competitive spirit · To break down long-held stereotypes and engendering a better sense of national being in participating students, through the cross-cultural interactions that the contest offers · To provide a platform for enlightening the students and the public on the activities of NNPC.

SCHEDULE

Close to two decades of establishing the programme, the horizon of the competition soars.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS (LGAs) LGAs Across the Country STATE States Across the country ZONE South-South Zone South-East Zone South-West Zone North-Central Zone North-West Zone North-East Zone

DATE Thursday, June 20, 2019 DATE Wednesday, June 26, 2019 DATE Monday, July 1, 2019 Wednesday, July 3, 2019 Friday, July 5, 2019 Monday, July 8, 2019 Wednesday, July 10, 2019 Friday, July 12, 2019

VENUE LGA Headquarters VENUE State Capitals VENUE Uyo Owerri Oshogbo Minna Katsina Bauchi

The National Finals/Grand Finale are scheduled for September 16 and 17, 2019 at the NNPC Towers, Abuja.

Note: Timelines subject to adjustments where necessary.

S I G N E D

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BUSINESSWORLD

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima

Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

ÍŻ Ͳ Ë&#x153; Í° ÍŽ ÍŻ ͡ MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

REPO 5.71 % 5.29%

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

5.50% 7.50 % ÍśË&#x203A;ͰͳϹ

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

392.19 %% -0.15% -0.69%

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

1.45% ͡Ë&#x203A;͜;%

EXCHANGE RATE ͹͎;˚ͯ ̊ ̊

Quick Takes Bajaj Tricycless Rated High

COURTESY VISIT

L â&#x20AC;&#x201C; R: Assistant Secretary General, Association of Corporate and Marketing Professionals of Banks (ACAMB), Shola Ogunyemi; Director, Corporate Communications, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Isaac Okorafor; President, ACAMB, Charles Aigbe; Head, Communications Strategy, CBN, Isa Abduâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Mumin, and Publicity Secretary, ACAMB, Matthew Obiazikwor, during a meeting at the CBN headquarters in Abujaâ&#x20AC;Śrecently

Expert Proffers Formula for Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Power Sector Transformation Hamid Ayodeji The Managing Director, Growth & Development Asset Management Limited (GDL), Mr. Kola Ayeye, has emphasised the need for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and commercial banks to collaborate with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to reposition the power sector.

According to him, it was time to admit the failure of the last power privatisation exercise, and recommended a new program where NERC, CBN and banks should, on a competitive basis, invite a global player such as GE (General Electric) or such similar player to commit to generate, transmit and distribute a minimum of 20,000 MW daily within five years, increasing same to 30,000MW daily by the 10th year.

Ayeye, while speaking at an interactive forum in Lagos said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;we will be contracting to pay for power successfully delivered to the consumer rather than contracting for the execution of power projects. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Execution of power projects has produced very poor results after huge investments in excess

ENERGY of $16 billion. The nation has invested massively in power projects with poor results so we should change the model. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rather than contracting to execute power projects, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contract best-in-class players to deliver power. It is not our business how they generate, transmit or distribute the power.

They are to deliver the power. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They will only get paid for the power they deliver to the consumers. Such big players exist and the size of the Nigerian power market is sufficient to attract them.â&#x20AC;?

He advocated that the contract with the new concessionaire would be backed with a 10-year payment guarantee for power delivered to the consumer which would be provided either by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank or international banks.

Ayeye added, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let us find a partner who will take over available power assets across the entire value chain. But our commitment will be to pay for power delivered to the consumer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This contract will be between

$8-$12 billion, and is definitely of a sufficient scale to attract a global best-in-class operator.â&#x20AC;?

Ayeye, a former Executive Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, decried the level of default by both electricity generation companies (Gencos) and distribution companies (Discos) to the banks and stated that such entities should be put up for reconcessioning/ reprivatisation either through voluntary collaboration with CBN/NERC/banks or through receivership where the operator refuses to cooperate.

Such Gencos and Discos, together with the TCN, he opined should thereafter be concessioned to the new operator.

According to him, the new program would require collaboration between the CBN, the banks and NERC. He said this radical reform in the power sector was necessary to address the abysmal performance of the present players who have failed to deliver constant power to users in Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Current operators should be compelled to either liquidate

their debts or participate in a better managed program of ceding management and control to a best-in-class operator. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The debts provide a platform for inviting new operators through either voluntary negotiation with the existing owners or receivership. The hitherto privatised entities should not be renationalised. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, the CBN, banks and NERC should initiate a program of using these debts as a basis for re-concessioning underperforming operators to a world class operator. This operator will be responsible for the entire value chain covering feedstock production, generation, transmission, distribution and collection.â&#x20AC;?

Speaking on the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tariff structure, he said investors should not use the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current tariff as an excuse for under- performance of the sector. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tariffs are no longer a big problem. The current tariffs are already close to international parity. Existing tariffs are very close to international averages. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Across the 11 Power Distribution Companies, if Continued on page 24

AfDB Earmarks $38bn for Investment in Africa Gilbert Ekugbe The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved $38 billion as investment commitments to projects in Africa.

The multilateral Development Finance Institution (DFI) has also emphasised the need for Africa to prioritise investments in quality infrastructure; enhanced dialogue and support towards harmonising policy and regulatory frameworks; while also making investments

ECONOMY in projects with regional footprints to make the continent the most favourable destination for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI).

According to a communique posted on its website at the end of its 54th annual meeting of the board of Governors of the Bank, the Governors, representing member-countries of the Bank and state participants, commended the launch of

the Africa Investment Forum.

According to them, its emergence was a unique transaction-based marketplace to attract institutional investments and global financing towards Africa. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We encourage the Bank Group to pursue efforts towards operationalising the forumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s online platform as well as improving its efficiency and financial sustainability, which can help the Forum leverage significant new investment commitments for projects in

Africa,â&#x20AC;? the governors said.

The governors urged the Bank to continue to work with the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to fast-track Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s integration and economic and social transformation, particularly in view of the entry into force of the agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, which they said has the potential to increase growth, enhance Continued on page 24

Tricycle operators in Abuja have dispelled doubts about the quality of tricycles in the country, declaring that there are no sub-standard tricycles ďŹ&#x201A;ooding the Nigerian market.

They stated that all the Bajaj tricycles brought into the country are strong, durable and very reliable.

The Chairman,Tricycle Operators, FCT, ComradeThomas Danjuma, who spoke in Abuja, noted that due to some misunderstanding over the quality of Bajaj tricycles, he was encouraging the operators to leverage on the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s toll-free line which directs the riders to the nearest service centre spread all over Nigeria, including Abuja.

He stated: â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a mark of conďŹ dence on Bajaj Comrade Danjuma of Coalition of Federal Association and Federal Capital Territory Tricycle and Motorcycle Riders, Dealers and Operators purchased 11 Bajaj tricycles for use instantly.â&#x20AC;?

Also, a tricycle dealer, Chief Walter Onyebueke who spoke in an interview with THISDAY, disclosed that Dubai Auto Gallery (DAG industries Nigeria Ltd), who are distributors of Bajaj in Nigeria are importers of genuine Bajaj products.

HenotedthatDAGhasoneofthemostextensivenetworkofservice teams and networks spread across Nigeria to support the riders and ďŹ&#x201A;eet owners.

Onyebueke said the speciďŹ cation of the imported products (Bajaj tricycles) followed stringent quality and product standards.They are manufactured as per BS4 which are equivalent to Euro 4 emission standards.

STACO Insurance Partners Paysack

STACOInsurancePlcsaidithasembarkedonastrategicpartnership with Paystack, an online payment high-tech company. Paystack is a technology outďŹ t solving payment problem for ambitious business ventures with a mission to help business become more proďŹ table while making it easy for business to accept secure payments from multiple online channels.

The company, said the strategic alliance with Paystack would enable its numerous customers transact business and pay for insurance premium at the comfort of their homes or oďŹ&#x192;ces, adding that this was a testament to STACOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategic objectives of adding value to customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs particularly in the area of payment and extending the penetration of insurance services so as to enhance the fulďŹ lment of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision of providing a world class insurance.

Thecompany,saidithasalreadysecuredtheapprovaloftheNational Insurance Commission to deploy e-platform portal for the purchase of thirdpartyMotorandPersonalProtectionPlan(PPP)Insurancepolicies.

STACOInsuranceHeadCorporateCommunications,DrTundeOdeyemi, said the new e-platform portal was a web-based transactions solution that operates 24-hours round the clock payment system and utilises an automated insurance online real time service technology platform.

OAAN Holds AGM

MembersoftheOut-Of-Home(OOH),undertheaegisoftheOutdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) are to discuss the strategic repositioningofthebusinessatthe34thAnnualGeneralmeeting(AGM) of the Association.

A statement signed by the General Secretary of the association, Femi Ogala, gave the theme for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AGM as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Future of OOH in Nigeria: Debt, Ethics and Best Practices.

Ogala, also indicated that the association settled for the Managing Director of Media Perspectives Limited, media planning and buying agency, Jude Odia, as the lead speaker, adding that at the AGM, some agencies will have their membership up-graded and new members inducted into the association.

Accordingtohim,otherhighlightsofthemeetingincludetheelection of new executive members who will be responsible for implementing recommendations reached at the AGM. Ogala said despite the business outlook of the AGM, a number of bonding and relaxing activities have been put in place. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are hoping to make some landmark adoption from the meeting, including reviewing our activities and the ďŹ nancials of the outgoing business year as a body,â&#x20AC;? he added.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;This project is in line with our strategy for financial inclusion. What NIPOST is doing is deploying its over 1,400 locations across the country in collaboration with Fidelity Bank to deploy banking services to all and sundry so that those individuals who currently do not have access to financial services will now be able to do soâ&#x20AC;?

DMD, Fidelity Bank

Mohammed Balarabe

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BUSINESSWORLD EXPERT PROFFERS FORMULA FOR NIGERIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S POWER SECTOR TRANSFORMATION

you add the estimated bills, they may in fact be billing paying customers more than international averages.â&#x20AC;?

Ayeye, lamented the failure of the power sector to deliver regular electricity several years after privatisation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The power sector is a major failure in the civilian dispensation. We have gone 20 years and the power situation has only marginally improved.

If we do not introduce radical reforms, another 20 years will lapse, and the sector will not record any change,â&#x20AC;? he said.

He identified the power sector as an essential requirement for growth in the Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manufacturing sector, saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;unless the manufacturing sector grows, unemployment will continue to grow. We must solve the power problem.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are making incremental progress but what we need is a quantum leap. We must radically change our approach otherwise the power sector and manufacturing sector will not grow,â&#x20AC;? he added.

According to him, adequate electricity remains a powerful engine of economic and social development, adding that no country has managed to develop much beyond a subsistence economy without ensuring at least minimum access to energy services for a broad section of its population.

AFDB EARMARKS $38BN FOR INVESTMENT IN AFRICA

competitiveness, improve the business climate, as well as ensure greater investment and development of regional and continental global value chains.

They also called on the Bank to focus on its areas of comparative advantage within the global development landscape, while exploring areas of synergies and coordination with other development partners for accelerating the implementation of its High 5 priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa as well as the objectives of the African Union Agenda 2063.

NEWS

FG Urged to Provide Tax Waivers for Start-ups Raheem Akingbolu The President, UNIC Foundation, a non-government organisation (NGO), Dr. Christopher Imumolen, has advised the federal government to provide tax waiver for start-ups to ensure survival of such forms of businesses.

Also, the company has unveiled Shakuku digital marketing space to enable members of the foundation and other interested businessmen and women do business at ease.

Speaking at the launch of the Website recently, Imumolen said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Government needs to create enabling environment for business to strive and one of the ways is by giving tax waiver when entrepreneurs create amenities that should be created by the government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For instance, there should be tax waiver for people that are using generators to run their businesses.â&#x20AC;?

He disclosed that his organisation recently launched an empowerment scheme which was geared towards providing grant opportunities to serious entrepreneur who possibly have been frustrated by the present economic challenges.

Imumolen said Shakuku.com. ng was the answer to many businesses and who have been searching for the most affordable means of advertising their products and positioning them

for the much desired visibility.

Throwing more light on the Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grant strategy, Imumolen said over four million entrepreneurs in Nigeria would benefit annually from the ongoing business supports designed by his organisation to create jobs and eradicate poverty

in Nigeria.

He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We discovered that over 70 million Nigerians are unemployed and underemployed. The recent statistic claimed that Nigeria is one of the most difficult places to live. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So who should the people run to? Is it the government

that is still busy with security challenges in the country? â&#x20AC;&#x153;For us at Unic Foundation, we came up with a system that supports numerous Nigerians by giving them grants to grow their businesses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The grant is between N200, 000 to N5 million; we have ap-

proved over N500, 000 to 500 people from March to May 2019. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our target is to support four million businesses in a year. It is a grant not a loan, because they are not paying back; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 100 per cent free. This is our way of giving back to the society,â&#x20AC;? he said.

STOCK-TAKING

L-R: Directors, VDT Communications, Alhaji Garba Imam; Mr. Tunji Gafaar; Mr. Olaolu Adewole; Chairman, Mr.Tokunbo Talabi; MD/CEO, Mr. Biodun Omoniyi and Director, Alhaji Umar Abdulahi, during the 12th Annual General Meeting of the company held in Lagos...recently

NERC Chief Commends Eko Disco on Performance Peter Uzoho The Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof. James Momoh, has commended the management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) for being the best performing distribution company in Nigeria.

Momoh, gave the commendation in Lagos, at the premier 2018/2019 graduation ceremony for newly-employed staff of the disco, who went through the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Eko Distribution Training Programme (EDTP)â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, saying the firm had performed credibly well in discharging its statutory obligations towards effective electricity distribution to customers within its operational area.

He added that the company had attained 100 per cent customer- complaint resolution mark, adding that part of the commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rating indices

which showed that Eko Disco performed well included Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) loss reduction, revenue collection and metering.

Others, according to him, were high voltage fault clearance index, remittance to market operator and remittance to Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company (NBET).

Momoh, however, tasked the newly employed graduates to be more committed, dedicated and focused in the course of their duties.

He said achieving incremental, stable and uninterrupted power in a safe and affordable manner was required of distribution companies which need not to be compromised. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To achieve optimal energy generation, transmission and distribution, there is need for capacity building to design, construct, build and test the

new grid that is sustainable,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Giving more insight into the programme, the Managing Director of Eko Disco, Mr Adeoye Fadeyibi, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are here for an unprecedented premier edition of EKEDC training programme where we have 100 individuals who are graduating today, something that has not been done before in this particular distribution company, where we carefully selected from almost 1,300 applicants. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been able to fairly look at 100 people that we are celebrating today as they are graduating from this programme. We have a mix of 60 per cent of entry level, 30 per cent of mid-level and 10 per cent experts or experienced level. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The idea was for them to go through detailed rotation, to ensure that they are good

in different departments and come out being very confident.

And to also have the capacity to turnaround the power sector.â&#x20AC;?

He explained that the training would bridge the skill gap in both the company and power sector, saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am also excited because as a Nigerian, I see a lot of our colleagues in other Discos probably joining us to do the same or even betterâ&#x20AC;?.

Fadeyibi added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;At EKEDC, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay lip service; there is a lot more to do, not just for EKEDC but for everybody else. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are the number one in the country in the key areas we have focused on and succeeded in the last two years include being accessible to customers.

We are present online, on social media and direct interactions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We ensure that customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; engagement is key. In ensuring quality of service, we ensure to continue to improve our network. We have zero tolerance

for safety issues, you can see the reduced amount of incidence that we have facedâ&#x20AC;?.

According to Fadeyibi, â&#x20AC;&#x153;these are not young graduates, we have the majority that are young graduates but we also have to put a lot of focus on mid-level and the experienced because you can imagine, some of the middle level are taking a chance in their career to move into a new area in most casesâ&#x20AC;?.

He further said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have already started to see the impact, even during their six months. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a little over six month programme, intensive like I said, and what we expect is that they will now move into the departments a little focused, understand the clear mission of the company which is to ensure we are the number one customer-focused utility company, not just in Africa but have to compete globally.â&#x20AC;?

CBN, ACAMB Pledge to Redefine Banking Industry Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT)

Oluchi Chibuzor The role of Association of Corporate and Marketing Professionals of Banks (ACAMB) in providing strategic initiatives to redefine the image of the banking industry has been emphasised.

Speaking at an engagement session during a recent meeting with officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and ACAMBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Exco, the Director of Corporate Communications of the central bank, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, said increasing the synergy between CBN and ACAMB would be beneficial in championing new

ideas to properly manage the image of the sector as a potent vehicle for promoting financial systems stability.

Pledging the support of CBN to ACAMB, a statement from the corporate affairs managersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; association quoted Okorafor to have highlighted frequently reoccurring customer feedbacks that have continued to form perceptions around the banking industry, such as appropriate pricing and bank charges, adding that continuous customer engagement would help clarify misconceptions.

The regulatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spokesperson used the opportunity to inform

ACAMB Exco of the objectives of various funding intervention initiatives of CBN such as NIRSAL, Agribusiness, Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme, among others, being operated to enable many people get access to funding to stabilise the economy.

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The next agenda of CBN is how to grow the economy in a non-inflationary manner or at best, grow side by side with moderate inflationâ&#x20AC;?.

Earlier, while briefing the corporate communications team of CBN, the President of ACAMB, Charles Aigbe, said that the associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

delegation were at the CBN to present ACAMBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strides having resuscitated the body to drive its visions, programmes and activities aimed at promoting the image of the Banking industry.

Listing achievements of the new ACAMB to include conducting election to fill positions in the Exco and ratifying same at its AGM, refurbishing and rebranding of ACAMB secretariat to a modern office ambiance, holding stakeholders engagement with colleagues, started quarterly knowledge sharing sessions, facilitating certification of qualified

members with NIPR and working out same arrangement currently with APCON, launching ACAMB website and social media handles, to name a few, Aigbe stated that the programmes were with clear intentions of providing a platform to groom a vibrant association of members.

The ACAMB president prayed the CBN to give opportunity for ACAMB to make inputs to policy directions of Bankers Committee and also accept invitation to facilitate its 3rd quarterly edition of experience sharing session of the Association slated for July.

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BUSINESSWORLD

ENERGY

Power Supply Under Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Four Years Recently, President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn-in for another four years in office. In his first term, he made promises of improving grid electricity supply to Nigerians, and over the period his government also made claims of improvements. Chineme Okafor, however tracks the power supply situation from May 29, 2015 to May 29, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari recently told Nigerians that during his first four years in office, that Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power sector made remarkable progress.

Also, in 2016, during an Independence broadcast, the president had said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Power generation has steadily risen since our administration came on board from three thousand three hundred and twenty four megawatts (3324 megawatts) in June 2015, rising to a peak of five thousand and seventy four megawatts (5074 megawatts) in February 2016.â&#x20AC;?

He had added that while peak generation rose to 5074MW, renewed militancy and destruction of gas pipelines in the Niger Delta caused acute shortage of gas and constant drop in electricity output available on the grid.

Similarly, the president had said that during the period June 2015 to September 2016, the national transmission system improved its capacity from 5500 megawatts (MW) to 7300MW. He, however, pointed out that the transmission system suffered a total of 16 system collapses between March and July 2016 alone allegedly on account of the gas line vandalism

by Niger Delta militants.

Coming up to 2017, again in his National Day broadcast, Buhari, said power supply was still a huge problem to the country and his government, but added more progress

had been made.

According to him: â&#x20AC;&#x153;As of September 12th, production of power reached an all â&#x20AC;&#x201D; time high of 7,001 megawatts. Government is increasing its investment, clearing up the operational and financial log jam bedevilling the industry. We hope to reach 10,000 megawatts by 2020.â&#x20AC;?

From both broadcasts and declaration in 2016 and 2017, Buhari, explained that 5074MW and 7,001MW were achieved as power production volumes with both years, but did not claim they were actually supplied from the generation companies (Gencos) to the distribution companies (Discos) for consumption by Nigerians.

Operational data Notwithstanding the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claims, the operational record of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on grid power supply obtained from the Advisory Power Team in the Office of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for the periods between May 29, 2015 and May 29, 2019, however showed that on the average, daily power supplies to Nigerians from the grid was 3674.6MW during Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first term.

The record also showed that on the average for this period, 2917.2MW was not supplied to Nigerians daily either because the transmission lines were not available; the distribution networks were impaired; or gas supply to

Gencos was not available as well as water supply management issues encountered by the hydro Gencos.

For instance, from May 29, 2015 when Buhari took over government, to December 2015, an average of 3790MW was delivered daily to Nigerians from the grid while 2413MW was not.

From January to December 2016, it was 3211MW delivered and 3546 undelivered.

Between January and December 2017, it was 3559MW delivered and 2420MW undelivered.

In 2018, it was 3807MW sent into homes and offices from the grid and 3039 unavailable for use by Nigerians. Similarly, between January and May 29, 2019, when Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first term ended, it was 4008MW delivered daily and 3168 not delivered.

Monies were also not earned With regards to potential revenue that could not be earned by the sector on account of the generation failures, the report from Osinbajoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office equally recorded that from May 29, 2015 when Buhari took office to December 2015, it was N246.6 billion unearned.

It further said N622.9 billion was not earned in 2016; N425.1 billion in 2017; N532.4 billion in 2018; and 226.5 billion unearned between January and May 29, 2019.

Cumulatively, the report disclosed the sector had not been able to earn N2.053 trillion

worth of revenue between May 29, 2015 and May 29, 2019.

Responding to the challenges in the sector, power Gencos through their union - the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC), said they were frustrated by the sectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chronic financial challenges, and could file for force majeure to the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

APGCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Executive Secretary, Dr. Joy Ogaji, told THISDAY the Gencos were being hit hard by the financial challenges in the market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every month Gencos are being owed an average 71.28 per cent of their invoice. In the absence of Power Assurance Guarantee (PAG), Gencos cannot survive with this.

Most Gencos find it difficult to meet their performance agreement obligations with BPE and have applied for force majeure,â&#x20AC;?

Ogaji said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Due to high market liquidity squeeze, Gencos (thermal and hydros) lack the necessary funding for their operations, acquiring spare parts and equipment and meeting other obligations for the power generation stations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unless the challenges in the power chain are tackled, power output will continue to be poor. The generation companies are ready and willing to generate power that will sustain the country on a daily basis but they are being constrained by factors beyond their control,â&#x20AC;? she added.

Stanbic IBTC Wins HR Awards Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, a member of the Standard Bank Group, has been recognised for its human resource practices, thus reaffirming its status as a leading employer brand at the HR People Magazine Awards 2019 held recently in Lagos.

Specifically, Stanbic IBTC won the Best Training, Learning & Development Strategy 2018 and the Outstanding Employee Engagement Strategy 2018 Awards.

This made it the third consecutive year the organisation would be adjudged best

among peers for outstanding employee engagement strategy, having received the award back-to-back for 2016, 2017 and most recently 2018.

These awards came on the back of winning an unprecedented five of a total of nine categories at the same awards last year.

According to a statement, Stanbic IBTC Holdings has consistently received in the last couple of years a number of local and international HR related awards for its top notch and effective hu-

man resources strategy, best practices, employee retention, client testimonials and the organisationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reputation throughout the business and wider community, employee engagement and productivity levels, among others performance indices.

Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mr. Yinka Sanni, said winning awards in Human Resources underlined Stanbic IBTCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategy of growing a responsible, disciplined, motivated and highly productive workforce.

It also reinforces the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strong management, systems and its leadership in the Financial Services industry, he said. According to Sanni, being selected for recognition was a constant reminder, â&#x20AC;&#x153;for us to always strive to epitomise one of our eight core values, which is to constantly raise the bar.â&#x20AC;?

He said the organisation would continue to upskill its people and provide them with the most conducive environment, the right tools and adequate incentives to win

their commitment as well as grow its people which is a testament to Stanbic IBTCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continuous investments in its human capital and the establishment of people-friendly procedures and practices. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are indeed grateful to the organisers for these awards and are delighted to be recognised for our strong human capital strategies and deliberate and consistent investments in our people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For us, a highly motivated workforce, one that can deliver better services, is a function of

the level of investment in our human capital for professional and personal development that helps to create a productive workforce whilst fulfilling individual career aspirations,â&#x20AC;?

Sanni said.

The Country Head, Human Capital, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mrs. Olufunke Amobi, expressed her appreciation and thanked HR People Magazine for the recognition, even as she assured that the organisation will not rest on its oars in ensuring a productive and motivated workforce.

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍśË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

Coratella: Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LNG Potential Must Be Unlocked

Growing the Economy

The Godwin Emefiele-led Central Bank of NigeriahasimprovedthefortunesofNigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Chief Operating Officer for E&C Onshore Division at agricultural sector, writes Ugonna Orji

Saipem, Mr. Maurizio Coratella, spoke with journalists on the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan to deepen oil and gas business in Nigeria and beyond as well as how its recent contract award to build LiquifiedandNaturalGasprojectinMozambiquewillfurther enhance productivity. Emma Okonji presents the excerpts:

Coratella Saipem recently secured an EPC contract to build an LNG project in Mozambique in collaboration with McDermott International and Chiyoda Corp. Can you tell us more about that deal?

Yes, we secured the contract and it is a very important contract award for Saipem, which confirms our commitment to the gas value chain and to Africa where we see enormous potential for growth in the sector.

A recent report was credited to Saipem CEO, saying that the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future revolves around gas and renewables.

Can you please elaborate on this statement?

The oil price volatility along with the need to limit GHG emissions is changing the energy industry. We are facing a real energy transition in which gas is playing a fundamental role as transit fuel to allow renewable energies to be increasingly dominant.

The future of Saipem passes through this transition and will be always more focused in providing to our clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; solutions to reduce their carbon foot print. Indeed, most of our clients have embraced ambitious plans for the lowering of Carbon Dioxide emissions, aiming at reaching a Carbon Neutrality of their plants. Saipem is committed to become the partner of choice of such clients providing hybridised solutions, with the integration of renewables energies that would allow tangible reduction of carbon emissions. Liquefied Natural Gas is at the core of our strategy.

How does Saipem see the Nigerian market, and what is the strategy to deepen its market

share in Nigeria?

Nigeria has a lot of potential in terms of energy and in particular LNG, thanks to its significant gas reserves. Surely there are all the necessary ingredients for Nigeria to become one of the top three LNG exporters in the world.

However, this potential needs to be unlocked, as the last LNG Project was NLNG Train Six after which several LNG prospects have been shelved prematurely. As Nigeria is increasingly desirous of unlocking its several opportunities and diversify its revenue base, in order to address the current infrastructure deficit, LNG market no doubt presents an enviable window through which this can be achieved. We are looking very positively to NLNG Train 7 in Bonny Island which, I do hope, will be the beginning of a resumption of a series of LNG developments in Nigeria.

beneďŹ t from oil and gas projects?

With over 50 years of operational experience in Nigeria and a robust local content policy dating back several years before the Local Content Act in Nigeria, we have become adept in delivering local content development, not only in terms of economic contributions but most importantly in human capacity development. A project like Train 7 will bring opportunities for training, technology transfer, mentorship and employment which we are very well experienced in delivering. As you know Saipem is not a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;briefcase companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; but an integrated company with a physical footprint in the country and a long term engagement with the local communities. Saipemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence in Nigeria has been for a continuous and uninterrupted period of 52 years now and we continue to say that we are in Nigeria to stay.

Considering the state of the Nigerian economy, with reduced economic activities, what is Saipemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategy to remain relevant in the long term business in Nigeria?

With our investment in the development of the largest and most modern fabrication yard in West Africa, Saipem is uniquely positioned to remain a dominant player in the Nigerian oil and gas sector and in building the needed infrastructural base that will support the development of Nigeria. A project like Train 7 is very strategic for us in order to continue to deliver value and increase the productive capacity of the country.

What is your view about the Nigeria oil and gas market and what advice will you give to further grow the market?

Historically Nigeria is an important market for Saipem, thanks to the opportunity afforded us to contribute to the development of various and diverse oil and gas infrastructural even in some of the remotest parts of Nigeria.

LNG is our priority and with monumental projects like NLNG Train 7, the Nigerian future remains very bright. Saipem aims to set the standards in order to be the reference for LNG projects in Nigeria and globally as a result of Saipemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s model forprofessionalism, know-how and execution; and conscious of our local content commitment to the countries where we operate.

How do you ensure that the Nigerian people continue to

The CBN, under Emefiele, has managed to provide the country with a stable exchange rate, moderate inflation and reduce import-substitution, while raising the quantity and quality of home-grown products, transforming Nigeria from a mono to a multiproduct economy.

Undoubtedly, the CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anchor Borrowerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Programme (ABP) is the most visible project of the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts. The programme, which was launched in 2015 under the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, to create a linkage between anchor companies involved in the processing and smallholder farmers (SHF) of the required key agricultural commodities, has created over 2 million jobs across the country. At the last count, 225,000 smallholder farmers from 36 states of the federation are already benefiting from the N91.90 billion released through the CBN and 13 participating financial institutions to fund the agricultural programme.

The APB, which initially kicked off with the cultivation of rice and maize, has now been extended to other products such as palm oil, groundnut, cotton, wheat, cassava, tomatoes and fish. In fact, the tomato revolution is already underway, with tomato processing plants springing up across the country, in response to the CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intensive engagement with the agriculture sector.

One of APBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main goals is to transform Nigeria from a major importer of food to a major exporter, to lower reliance on imports and conserve scarce foreign exchange which formed part of the items that consumed a N1 trillion in foreign exchange. There is

EmeďŹ ele

perhaps no other government institution that has engaged young people more than the CBN in recent times.

Another programme targeted at young people is the Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme (AADS), which was introduced in 2017 with plans to engage over 500,000 youth farmers across the country.

The scheme, designed as an extension of the APB (Anchorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Borrowers Program) has also been successful. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In Nigeria, the challenges of youth unemployment and restiveness must be confronted with strategic innovative thinking to provide sustainable solution, There is no gain saying the fact that one of the most effective ways to tackle this scourge, is through entrepreneurship development and easy access to affordable funding.â&#x20AC;?

The CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme, which was established to fast-track the development of the agricultural sector, enhance national food security, reduce the cost of credit in agricultural production and generate employment, has also been hugely successful.

As at the end of 2018, over 200 companies have accessed N147.86 billion for boosting agriculture productivity.

These policies have hugely benefited the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agricultural sector. And, without any doubt, the next four years will see a doubling down, which could truly transform Nigeria and set it on its path to food security.

Ugonna Orji writes from Lagos

27

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍśË&#x153; Ͱ͎ͯ͡

Firm to Enhance Capacity in Mobile App Development Emma Okonji WePrototype Technologies, a company that provides technical support for app development across all industry sectors, has come up with a mobile app building services.

The solution is expected to address identified challenges and help entrepreneurs, especially senior professionals deliver on their entrepreneurial ambitions.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos to announce its mobile app services, its CEO, Mr. Mayowa Okegbenle, said the solutions were built using Google Flutter Software

Development Kit and App Prototyping technique, which offer convenient payment plans for a salary earners.

According to him, Google Flutter is an open source mobile application development cross-platform framework that builds beautiful native apps for Android and iOS users in record time. The company combines Prototyping Google and Flutter technology to build robust and fast mobile apps, that have a better chance of market success, thus enabling salary earners to launch a cost effective side project quickly. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Executing an idea through a mobile app requires more

than software development skills. It requires a whole lot of entrepreneurship experience and this is the first WePrototype advantage that is designed to address skills gap in mobile app development,â&#x20AC;? Okegbenle said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prototyping is an early sample of the app where all adjustments are done, and perfections are made before finally building, and delivering the finished app to the client. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The prototype guarantees perfection and satisfaction.

Prototypes are perfect for concept testing, investor pitches and market testingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Okegbenle, added.

One of its clients, Co-founder

of VendorCredit, Seye Seton, in his testimony, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The team at WePrototype Technologies have been fantastic in getting my project off the ground, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to worry about when they will deliver. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everything was done according to schedule. I am so happy with the app. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now time for me to execute my marketing plans.â&#x20AC;?

Seton, added that all app built by WePrototype Technologies, remained high performing, responsive, error free and completely native and operates seamlessly with device operating system.

Founded and built on the

teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s years of business and technical expertise, WePrototype Technologies supports its clients with every technical support needed to scale their business idea by assuming the position of a technical co-founder, thus addressing skills gap challenge in mobile app development.

Speaking further, Head of Client Relations at WePrototype Technologies, Maureen Omage, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;From experience, one reason why people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seek professional help is because of the cost implications. At WePrototype Technologies, our payment plans are unique.

We craft individual payment terms that is convenient for

every client. Our payment plan can span several weeks or months to coincide with salary payments or other incomeâ&#x20AC;?.

The companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focus is beyond building a perfect app. it is about taking an idea to the market and making sure it succeeds. Every start-up needs a very good technical co-founder that offers unique experiences to each client with the end users in mind and that is what WePrototype Technologies brings to the table. An experience that clients would not get from other Information Technology (IT) outlets who just want to build apps and deliver, Omage said.

BoI, Devt Agencies, OthersTour MSME Facilities in Edo Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City In order to improve the ease of doing business and increase productivity, stakeholders in the investment sector, including officials of the Bank of Industry (BoI), recently toured facilities set up by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration for small and Medium enterprises (SMEs) in Edo. The team of investors were conducted around the Edo Innovation Hub, Edo Production Centre in Benin City and the Edo Food Processing Cluster in Ehor, to get a glimpse of the different hubs for innovation, manufacturing and agroprocessing available to SMEs in the state.

The BoI team was led by Mr Ayo Gbajumo. The tour was held with support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft fĂźr Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ).

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said the stakeholders were in the state to assess how the state government was assisting entrepreneurs to activate their ideas, start and grow businesses

through the use of technological innovations.

She said at the Edo Innovation Hub, in Benin City, the Obaseki-led administration had provided training opportunities for youths to develop skills in graphics and web design, artificial/business intelligence, data analysis, among others.

At the Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness Development Center in Ehor, Dare explained that the Ehor Centre houses the Edo Food and Agric Cluster (EDOFAC), which was initiated by the state government to empower rural farmers, with the training programme focused on enterprise development, food processing, marketing and distribution.

The governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aide added that the goal of the stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tour was to provide an overview of the opportunities for investment in different sectors of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy, noting that government was playing the role of the driver of the process so that more private organisations would participate without hindrance.

At Ehor, the BoI team inspected the shoemaking and poultry farming sections, where trainings were ongoing.

Eatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Go Launches 100th Store in Nigeria Raheem Akingbolu Eatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Go Limited, a franchisee for world class food brands Dominoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pizza, Cold Stone Creamery and Pinkberry Gourmet Frozen Yoghurt, has reached a total of 100 outlets in Nigeria. This comes after the organisation re-opened its Yaba outlet recently, following a refurbishment of the store to better serve its customers and students within the environs.

The company commenced operations in August 2012 with the opening of its Saka Tinubu store with the brands Dominoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pizza and Cold Stone creamery, which received instant validation form the market. From its humble beginning, the company has since further expanded to

several regions across the country, including Port Harcourt, Abuja, Enugu, Ilorin, Akure and Ibadan.

The 100th store opening milestone comes as a combination of all Dominoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pizza, Cold Stone Creamery and Pinkberry Gourmet Frozen Yoghurt outlets in operation across Nigeria.

Eatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Go has continued to reinforce its commitment to extend premium satisfaction to its customers across Nigeria while providing easy access to its products throughout the country.

CEO Eatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Go Limited, Patrick McMichael, who spoke at the event in Yaba, expressed his delight and gratitude to all employees, customers, partners and the public for their loyalty and continued support over the years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are excited to

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

L-R: General Manager, SIFAX Logistics Company Limited, Adewale Adetayo, receiving the Maritime Living Legend Award on behalf of the Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi; from the Chairman, Governing Board of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), General Jonathan India Garba (Rtd.), at the Nigerian Maritime Living Legend Award held in Lagos...recently

NBC Restates Commitment to Pollution-free Environment Raheem Akingbolu The Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) has reaffirmed its commitment towards a safe, clean and pollution-free environment.

To this end, the company led members of its staff and representatives from Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA)in a beach clean-up activity which held to observe the 2019 World Environment Day. Speaking on the coastal beach clean-up exercise which held in Lagos recently, to commemorate the global event, the Public Affairs and Communications Director of Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, Mr.Ekuma Eze, described the action as part

of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contribution to achieve its 2025 commitments geared towards making the environment safe.

Eze, who spoke on the theme of this 2019 World Environment Day tagged â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beat Air Pollution,â&#x20AC;? explained that current environmental challenges demand urgent attention. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Environmental sustainability has remained a major focus for us at NBC. We believe that a concerted effort is necessary to ensure that the environment is preserved for future generations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This duty cannot rest solely on the shoulders of the government, the private sector, or environmentally conscious individuals, everyone has an

important role to play. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are here today to play our own part and to draw the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention to the importance of preserving our environmentâ&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to come to the point in Nigeria where issues of environmental sustainability are integrated into our environmental architecture and strategy. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Environment day is themed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Beat Air Pollutionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and interestingly, this is a goal that we can all contribute towards. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Air pollution comes from household, industry, agricultural, transport and waste management activities. We need to be conscious of the ways our activities in these areas impact on the environment.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;For instance, improved collection, sorting and recycling of waste ultimately reduces the amount of waste that is burned or landfilled. We encourage other individuals or institutions to emulate what we are doing here today and take concrete steps to protect the environment.â&#x20AC;?

He stressed that aside the 2019 coastal beach cleaning exercise, the company continuously reviews and optimises its operational and production processes to drive sustainability. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On our own part, we and our strategic partners, The Coca-Cola Company, are embarking on a comprehensive, multi-year plan that directly addresses issues regarding packaging.

IBM Offers Solution to Boost Food, Crop Supply Emma Okonji IBM has announced the global expansion of Watson Decision Platform for Agriculture, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology tailored for new crops and specific regions to help feed a growing population.

For the first time, IBM is providing a global agriculture solution that combines predictive technology with data from the Weather Company, an IBM Business, and IoT data to help

give farmers around the world greater insights about planning, plowing, planting, spraying and harvesting. According to IBM, by 2050, the world would need to feed two billion more people without an increase of arable land.

IBM is combining power weather data â&#x20AC;&#x201C; including historical, current and forecast data and weather prediction models from the Weather Company â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with crop models to help improve yield forecast accuracy, generate value, and increase both farm

production and profitability. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a farmer, the wild card is always weather. IBM overlays weather details with my own data and historical information to help me apply, verify, and make decisions,â&#x20AC;? Founder/Operator of Paulman Farms, Roric Paulman, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our farm is in a highly restricted water basin, so the ability to better anticipate rain not only saves me money but also helps me save precious natural resources.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;New crop models include

corn, wheat, soy, cotton, sorghum, barley, sugar cane and potato, with more coming soon. These models will now be available in the U.S, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil, as well as new markets across Europe, Africa and Australia,â&#x20AC;? he said.

General Manager of Watson Media and Weather Solutions at IBM, Kristen Lauria, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;These days farmers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just farm food, they also cultivate data â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from drones flying over fields to smart irrigation systems.

28

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JUNE 18, 2019

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Alaro City Achieves 100% Sale of Residential Plots in First Phase Stories by Bennett Oghifo

A

ll the “Buy & Build” residential serviced plots have been fully subscribed in the first phase of Alaro City, a new inclusive city in the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos.

These plots were put in the market only in January and within six months they are gone and the phase two is now open, according to a statement by Rendeavour, Africa’s largest new city builder.

Alaro City was launched in January as a Joint Venture between the Lagos State Government and Rendeavour, to boost foreign direct investment in Nigeria and create tens of thousands of jobs.

“We expected high uptake of the plots, but the rate at which they sold out has been exceptional,” said Odunayo Ojo, CEO of Alaro City.

According to him, “Alaro City is situated in a prime location in the Lekki Free Zone, making it one of the most exciting development projects to come to Lagos State. The location and exclusive benefits have undoubtedly been key selling points for buyers.”

Alaro City is an integrated mixed-use, city-scale development with industrial and logistics locations, complemented by offices, homes, schools, healthcare facilities, hotels, entertainment and 150 hectares (370 acres) of parks and open spaces. Asides the residential sales, there have also been a rapid uptake in commercial plots, he said.

“The Lekki-axis has been a key driver in residential real estate over recent years. Alaro City offers a unique and valued investment proposition that the market clearly recognises,” said Gbenga Olayinan, Chairman of Estate Links Limited, a leading real estate consultancy.

“As with any real estate investment, the real

trick is to key in early.”

Located in the North West Quadrant of the Lekki Free Zone, Alaro City lies in the growth path of Lagos, one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities with a population of over 20 million.

Alaro City is adjacent to the future international airport, the region’s largest deep-sea port, and major Nigerian and international companies.

Rendeavour is building seven new cities in Africa: in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia and Democratic Republic of the Congo. As a master developer, Rendeavour invests over $250 million in each project, creating the infrastructure and living and working spaces that will help sustain and accelerate Africa’s economic growth, meet the aspirations of Africa’s burgeoning middle classes, and serve as a catalyst for further urban development.

Alaro City is an inclusive mixed-income, city-scale development with master-planned areas for offices, logistics and warehousing,

homes, schools, healthcare facilities, hotels, entertainment and 150 hectares of parks and open spaces. Rendeavour and Lagos State Government, have planned Alaro City as a 2,000-hectare, market-led project. Alaro City is authorised by both the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, and the Lagos State Government as an entity to develop, operate, administer and manage the city.

The statement said Rendeavour has over 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres) of city-scale developments in the growth trajectories of large cities in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo.

“Rendeavour is creating the living and working spaces that will help sustain and accelerate Africa’s economic growth, meet the aspirations of Africa’s burgeoning middle classes, and serve as a catalyst for further urban development.”

Julius Berger Donates new Office to NIBUCCA in Abuja, Launches Website for 2nd Niger Bridge Bennett Oghifo Nigeria’s renowned engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has donated a fully functional office and secretariat to the Nigerian Business Coalition against HIV-Aids (NIBUCAA), in Abuja.

Also, the company has launched a dedicated website, www.second-river-niger-bridge. com for the Second River Niger Bridge project. The objective of the website is to make project progress

visible to the general public, said the company’s statement.

On the Abuja office, Julius Berger said the donation was a worthy and commendable show of its commitment to its corporate social responsibility to citizens and society, with regard to the health and safety of workers both in its employ and across the country.

In a keynote address at the ceremony where the Executive Management of Julius Berger handed over the new Secretariat to NIBUCAA in Abuja, the Chair-

man, Executive Committee of NIBUCAA, Dr. Musa Shaibu of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) stated that since 2003, NIBUCAA has passionately galvanised the private sector initiative and executed HIV-Aids and related mitigation programmes for the workplace, as well as for communities. Relevant assistance by these services, he said, had been provided and made available to citizens at zero cost to them.

According to Dr Musa Shaibu,

“…of the estimated 193 million people that make up the Nigerian population, about 1.9million now live with HIV according to the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) Repoert published in March 2019. The statistics meant Nigeria dropped to fourth on the global HIV prevalence rankings.” Dr Shaibu said the situation calls for aggregation of more resources to further influence the drop of the country’s HIV prevalence rate which currently stands at 1.4%.

L-R: Head, Media Relations Office, JBN Plc., Moses Duku; Litto Nucum of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Ltd; Executive Director, Corporate Development, JBN Plc., Tobias Meletschus; Executive Director Admin, JBN Plc., Alh. Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi; Executive GM, CSR, Total E & P Nig. Ltd, Mr. Vincent Nnadi; Exec. Sec. of NiBUCAA, Gbenga Alabi; HR Coordinator, JBN Plc., Mr. Moses Anite; and Head, Corporate Communications, JBN Plc., James Agama, at the handing over of a new office by Julius Berger to NiBUCAA in Abuja… recently

The new Abuja Office of NIBUCAA situated at Utako district of the FCT, is planned to be a reach out secretariat from where NIBUCAA will extend its HIV & AIDS and associated diseases enlightenment programmes and assistance to communities, adolescent youth population and workplace settings within the northern states. Dr Shaibu said: “We will ensure that the services we have been providing through our Lagos office (also provided by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc) are replicated here in our new Abuja office and this shall include HIV Testing services (HTS). We must work collectively and aggressively for the overall well-being of the country. We cannot leave it to the government alone.”

The Managing Director of Julius Berger, Dr. Lars Richter, was represented by the company’s Executive Director of Administration, Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi.

In the company’s delegation at the ceremony was also the Executive Director, Corporate Development, Mr. Tobias Meletschus. The coordinator, human resources department, Mr. Moses Anite, the Head of Media Relations Office, Prince M. Duku, and the head of Corporate Communications Department, Mr. James Agama, accompanied the Julius Berger executive management to the event in Abuja. Others in attendance were officials of the

Julius Berger Workers’ Union, including the National Secretary, Comrade Olufemi Edema and the Abuja FCT Union Chairman, Comrade Otis A. Sule.

Speaking at the occasion, Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi expressed the commitment of Julius Berger to continue to proactively meet and deliver its corporate social responsibility obligations to the well-being of citizens and the country. Bayi, who emphasized that Julius Berger placed the highest value on the health and safety of its premium workforce, said the donation of the Abuja secretariat to NIBUCAA was an active promotion of Julius Berger’s continuing efforts to increasingly sustain workers’ and citizens’ health and well-being in Nigeria. He prayed that NIBUCAA would put the new office to functional and successful use for the furtherance of the worthy NIBUCA initiative. Alhaji Bayi pledged that Julius Berger, within available means, would always meet its CSR obligations and support NIBUCAA as much as it could. He invited all members of the organised private sector to support NIBUCAA’s work in order to entrench an AIDS-free society, a healthy population and engender all-round development for Nigeria.

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

‘We’ve Top-Notch Safety Equipment’, Says PH Mall Management After Gas Outburst The management and owners of the Port Harcourt Mall has described, as unfortunate, the gas explosion that occurred in the facility during the June 12 holiday.

The Mall Manager, Mrs. Chioma Okorie said in a statement that the management has commiserated with all those injured in the incident.

She said, “The Management of the Mall empathise with all the victims of the unfortunate incident that happened recently.

We have undertaken an extensive analysis of the situation alongside other agencies of government and we can assure our customers that the mall is safe for our teeming customers.

“The gas outburst happened in the evening of June 12, 2019, as a Safety Conscious organization,

we have hitherto trained all our security personnel on managing emergencies. Our internal fire fighting team were able to curtail the situation within 20 minutes. Simultaneously, mall staff evacuated everyone from the mall, and all those injured were taken to the hospital immediately, and are currently recuperating, we wish them swift recovery.

“As an organisation, we will want to reiterate that the mall is installed with the best safety measure and our safety equipment are top-notch because the safety of all of our tenants and shoppers is of utmost importance to us,” she added.

She noted that the commitment of the management and the staff of the mall has kept us from such emergencies in the last five years in which the mall has

been in operation. She assured customers that the mall is a very safe place where various family bonding activities takes place and people can get their quality products from all the stores in the mall.

The award winning Port Harcourt Mall located at Azikiwe Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State has been described as the city’s number one lifestyle destination where global brands are located to address various needs of Nigerians. “The mail is ready to serve all residents and visitors to Port Harcourt. The mall was given the Leisure Spot of the Year Award by Garden City Advancement Award in 2016 and 2018, respectively, this was in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the advancement of the city,” she said.

Port Harcourt Mall

29

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY JUNE 18, 2019

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

Govts, Organisations, Businesses, Individuals Should Reflect Climate Change in Decision, Says UN Report Bennett Oghifo

U

N Climate Change Annual Report has stipulated that climate change be reflected in almost every decision that governments, organisations, businesses, investors and individuals make for years to come.

The report, launched recently, also looks ahead at the work to come, in particular the need to put the final touches to the Paris Agreement Work Programme in 2019, for nations to revise upwards their Nationally Determined Contributions.

According to a statement by UN Climate Change, the Annual Report highlights the progress made on tackling climate change in 2018 and the ways in which the international community can raise ambition and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

“Stepping up action has never been more urgent. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report on the impacts of global warming at 1.5 °C, requested at COP21, made this crystal clear,” said UN Climate Change Executive

Secretary Patricia Espinosa. “We are running out of time to stay under this limit,” she added.

“I have hope. Alongside new scientific evidence and the increasingly observable signs of climate change – from melting glaciers to massive storms – 2018 showed that the world is now ready and determined to act. As this annual report illustrates, the UNFCCC secretariat continued to support tirelessly the global climate platform that supports and encourages this progress.”

The report covers the key achievements of the UNFCCC intergovernmental process and the activities of the secretariat, particularly the impacts of those activities in support of the Convention, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.

The statement said, “For example, at COP24 in December 2018 the world agreed the majority of the guidelines to put the Paris Agreement into action through the Katowice climate package.

“The package provides the operational framework for climate action and guidance on tracking and evaluating efforts at the national and

international levels. It outlines how countries will report on their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs - national climate action plans under the Paris Agreement), the specific actions they will take and how they can communicate their progress. This includes efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to the inevitable impacts of climate change, as well as financial support for climate action in developing countries.”

While current pledges under the NDCs fall far short of where the international community needs to go to achieve its climate goals, by finalising the Katowice climate package nations showed they are committed to increasing their ambition.

The conference saw many other commitments, from pledges of billions of dollars in climate funding to a host of businesses and international organisations committing to reducing their emissions.

By efficiently supporting the negotiations and helping to establish the mechanisms for the Paris Agreement, measuring and analysing commitments

Incorporate climate change in almost every decision

under the Kyoto Protocol, and increasing the capacity of developing countries to adapt to climate change through support, training and access to the latest information, UN Climate Change helped build this increased momentum.

In 2019, events such as regional climate weeks, regional dialogues, capacity-building

sessions and meetings, as well as COP25 in Chile in December, will provide vital opportunities to collectively advance efforts and set the stage for the greater action that will be needed over the next years.

Another key moment will be the 23 September UN Climate Action Summit convened by the UN Secretary-General António

Guterres.

He said: “With the adoption of the Paris Agreement Work Programme, we have the framework for an era of action and ambition that will allow us to build a better tomorrow. The time for action is now. In that spirit, I commend this UNFCCC annual report to a wide global audience.”

NCF Urges Donation of Fruit Trees to Schools, Marks WED with High Impact Activities Fadekemi Ajakaiye The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has appealed that fruit trees be donated to schools, at this year’s World Environment Day (WED).

The 2019 WED with the theme “Air Pollution” is to be used to expose the extent of the poor air quality in the world, sensitise people on how to improve the air quality we breathe, to prevent needless deaths.

Pollutants in the air are

detrimental to human health and to the planet, as a whole.

Most of these pollutants come from energy use and production such as burning of fossil fuels (petroleum and other factory combustibles), agricultural activities (insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers in agricultural activities), exhaust from factories and industries, mining operations and indoor air pollution.

Asides the effects that these pollutants have on the environment such as global warming, acid rain, etc., they

have alarming effects on human respiration and health generally. The good news is, we can fix this by embracing practices such as agro-forestry practices, use of clean energy sources like hydro/solar, energy conserving stoves etc.

NCF is imploring Nigerians to explore and adopt renewable energy, clean energy, live sustainably and be deliberate about conservation to improve the quality of air we breathe in.

The activities for the day will be in two segments: The

inter-school competition – interpretation of the student’s understanding of the theme of the event through play, poem, mime songs etc; secondly, Panel discussion: The interactive and moderated discussions will focus on the following - Awareness of air pollution: The discussant will give insights into some of governments’ regulations, protection and enforcement on air pollution; Heath impact of air pollution: Impact of air pollution on human health and environment will be highlighted

by a medical practitioner; Practical Solutions to air pollution: Representative of organisations that have demonstrated practical solution to air pollution e.g.

IHS, will educate how they have been able to achieve this (through the business practice of collocation) and how others can take a cue; Other alternatives: clean energy – manufacturer and promoter of clean energy will show how their alternative provides safer and better option.

There will also be donation of indigenous tree seedlings - fruit

trees specifically to schools and corporate organisations that partner or sponsor the event.

The Panelists are Dr. Femi Ojo, a consultant pulmonary surgeon, representative of LASEPA, Lumous and HIS Towers. The event, which will hold this morning at Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC), is supported by IHS Towers, FCMB, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Topjoy Concept International, Lekki Concession Company, Fanmilk Plc., and Nigerian Bottling Company.

WED: Group Urges Federal, State Govts to Tackle Air Pollution, Address Climate Change

Environmental Challenges Need Water Technology Innovation

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

Micropollutants are present in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.

From pharmaceutical products to pesticides to hormone active pills, the removal of these contaminants at wastewater treatment plants pose increasing challenges to the water industry.

An efficient way to fight the problem is to block the source or their travel routes.

At the IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies (LET) 2019, world renowned experts debate and present solutions to these emerging pollutants.

“Micro pollutants range is from pharmaceuticals to pesticides and all do influence our water quality”, says Uwe Sollfran, President Hollinger AG. “The removal of these contaminants at wastewater treatment plants poses increasing challenges to the water industry.”

The role of water utilities is critical here. “The micro pollutants reach the wastewater facilities within the very large quantity of wastewater. If you want to treat the wastewater and remove the micro pollutant

Incoming administrations at the federal and state levels and the legislatures have been urged to take bold action to beat air pollution, improve health, address climate change, and fulfil citizen’s human rights obligations.

A group, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV Nigeria) gave the recommendation in a message by its Executive Director, Dr. Leslie Adogame, on this year’s World Environment Day. “Since pollution and poverty go hand in hand, and with Nigeria being described as the ‘poverty capital of the world’, the implication is that more people will likely die from air pollution-related diseases in the coming years if urgent public emergency action plans are not put in place,” said Adogame.

He said polluted air in the country is creating a national public health emergency, especially in all urban cities, “threatens everyone from unborn babies to children walking to school, to women

selling their wares in the open, to industrial workers, and even unsuspecting residential/ commercial dwellers to every office worker. The deadly effects are: asthma, other respiratory illnesses and heart diseases, etc., overstretching the nation’s present inadequate health infrastructure.”

He said another concern is that, in the quest for attracting foreign investment for local growth and employment opportunities, Nigeria in the past 20 years slid to a dumping ground for all kinds of unregulated ‘unsound’ industrial practices and activities. “Thanks to President Buhari for recently addressing the ongoing theft of Nigerian jobs by foreigners, particularly Chinese and Indians, but the government must not stop here.

“Our recent survey carried out between September 2018 and February 2019, at the new Lagos-Ogun state industrial corridor - Ikorodu and Ogijo communities, revealed that about 90% of industries operating in those locations (mostly owned by Chinese and Indians) are operating below the required

environmentally accepted standard. These companies openly release toxic substances into the atmosphere and ecosystem, in the name of recycling, while government regulatory agencies look the other way.

“Our finding substantiates that instead of ‘green recycling’, incessant ‘brown recycling’ activities takes place all over, we are stunned by how these complacent industries impact on the nation’s already huge uncalculated environmental and occupational costs. This unwrapping of the recycling industries’ ‘dirty little secret’ was met with shock and dismay,” said Adogame. “Our survey also revealed that babies, school children, women in these poorer communities are those most exposed to the recalcitrant pollutants.”

According to the Senior Programme Officer, SRADeV Nigeria, Mr. Victor Fabunmi, “From our survey, the country is presented with a nightmarish vision of where another lifestyle of ‘toxic colonialism’ and unregulated industry can lead us.

at utility level there is quite a significant investment to make,” states Lydia Whyatt, Resonance Asset Management Ltd. “Instead what you can do is to remove them before it hits the treatment plant. This will improve the efficiency in the wastewater treatment.”

The 16th IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies (LET) closed at the weekend, concluding that water technology innovations are most critical to find solutions for emerging challenges in the water sector and beyond. New critical water technology developments are emerging continuously and we all know about the importance to keep in exchange on latest research, to keep the momentum vibrant.

Bringing innovations, novel technology developments, and leading-edge applications from across the industry is key to our water future. Throughout the week there was a focus on implementation and action of water technology innovations for the emerging challenges the world faces.

Being the window to the world for water sector technology, the LET gathers international experts on water technology innovations for the water sector. “At the Leading Edge Conference we get technology to attract people from the business side perspective from commercialising products to implementing technology for developers, to display new opportunities for them,” states Ana Soares, Cranfield University.

Finding solutions to emerging contaminants such as microplastics and micro pollution or digitalisation of water was among the key issues discussed by the interdisciplinary participants, covering the full range of professions in the water sector from research to practice, from utilities to academia.

“What you see at this conference is the mixture of really good academics, the best academics in the world,” says Simon Parson, Scottish Water, “talking to people from utilities here and actually to people whose job it is to develop technology to make them fit and ready for the world.”

T H I S D AY Ëž +6/& Ä&#x160;Ä&#x2018; Ä&#x2039;Ä&#x2030;Ä&#x160;Ä&#x2019;

Ä&#x152;Ä&#x2030;

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Banks Commit N14.5bn to Boost Agriculture Financing James Emejo in Abuja The Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria IncentiveBased Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Mr. Aliyu Abdulhameed has disclosed that over N14.5 billion had been catalysed in additional financing from commercial banksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; balance sheets while leveraging NIRSALâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Credit Risks Guarantees (CRGs) scheme and other derisking mechanisms.

He added that efforts had reached various stages of approval for an additional N48 billion from banks to boost agriculture financing.

The commitments of the financial institutions were reportedly made possible through an ongoing engagement by NIRSAL with the management credit committees of commercial banks in continuation of its efforts to get more funds into agriculture by strengthening the handshake between finance and agriculture.

The MD stressed that the purpose of the exercise was to notify them of promising investment-friendly developments in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emerging agriculture/agribusiness sector and the expanding opportunities for value chain actors, with the

aim of unlocking banksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; balance sheets to agribusiness lending.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The context for these efforts is that for years, the agriculture sector has received less than 3 per cent of total bank lending, leaving it largely underdeveloped and its vast potentials for economic growth untapped. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To address this, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) created NIRSAL to collaborate with all public and private sector stakeholders to fix broken agricultural commodity value chains and de-risk the sector to enable increased inflow of finance and investments.â&#x20AC;?

NIRSALâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting with banks was mainly to pitch its agricultural finance risk management innovations and agribusiness models that take cognizance of banksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; desire to invest but only in secure, risk-controlled and structured environments.

The agency had been in talks with Union Bank, Sterling Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), United Bank for Africa (UBA), Keystone Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Heritage Bank and Unity Bank over the last five months of the maiden engagement while more banks and other financial institutions have reportedly expressed interest

to be engaged in the subsequent phases over the coming weeks.

The MD stressed that the NIRSAL risk-led agricultural financing approach had so far been adjudged to be in high resonance with banks risk/return imperatives.

He said:â&#x20AC;?The prior perception of high risk by banks is gradually giving way to a new-found faith in the new business opportunities the sector has to offer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Going forward, the enhanced understanding of NIRSALâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role in securing a safe, profitable and a globally competitive agribusiness economy is expected to elicit greater portfolio commitments from Nigerian banks in sponsoring the NIRSAL-led agribusiness initiatives and developing joint frameworks aimed at facilitating a greater flow of finance to structured, agriculture-related investment opportunities in Nigeria.â&#x20AC;?

However, Abdulhameed, in his presentation titled: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unfolding Opportunities in Agricultural Financingâ&#x20AC;?, highlighted NIRSALâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acquisition and planned utilisation of geospatial technologies for identification of the most ecologically endowed areas for specific commodities, and for the aggregation of fragmented farmlands.

SEC Restates Commitment to

Increased Investment in Technology Nume Ekeghe The Acting Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mary Uduk, has reiterated the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to investing more in technology.

This, she stressed would attract more participants in the capital market.

Uduk, said this during the 19th annual conference of the Risk Managers Association of Nigeria, with the theme, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Economic recovery: Leveraging technology innovation,â&#x20AC;? held in Lagos recently, where she spoke on the topic: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Deepening Capital Market Activities through Technological Innovation: Opportunities and Challenges.â&#x20AC;?

Uduk, who was represented by the Head, Risk Management, SEC, Mr. Okey Umeano said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have started to spend money to

learn how we can use technology to make thing more efficient in the sector and facilitate investment for all those who are interested in investing in the stock market.

If our country will compete with other countries in the world, we must put the right regulation in place.â&#x20AC;?

According to her, fintechs were fast growing, saying there was a need to adapt to the changes that technology had brought into the system.

She said the Commission had created a market-wide fintech committee to form a roadmap that would channel the efforts towards the development of the market.

Furthermore, she said protection of the investors in the market would remain a priority to SEC, no matter how the market sought to make profit.

However, she pointed out that adoption of technology comes with challenges such as skills gap and inadequate capacity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Each of these new products is unique and has to be treated as such, and regulators have to be knowledgeable about it,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Another challenge she mentioned, was that the cost of technology acquisition was high, and maintenance and implementation could be difficult.

On her part, the Chairman, RIMAN, Ms. Folakemi Fatogbe said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The topic discussed today is a very apt topic for this time because similar oil producing countries like us such as Saudi Arabia and UAE are actually doing a lot in terms of technology to diversify the economy and the view really is that Nigeria would benefit a lot from technological innovation.

UBA Foundation Celebrates Day of the African Child at the event included Akande is actively involved in facilitating Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153; äĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122; UBA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, yesterday joined the rest of the world to celebrate the International Day of the African Child.

The day which had been set aside by the United Nations to celebrate children in Africa, recognises the courage of students who marched for their right to better education in Soweto South Africa, and is marked annually on June 16.

The foundation brought together students from various secondary schools in Lagos to the Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre at the UBA head office in Lagos, where they were educated on various issues, ranging from financial literacy, importance of reading culture and nation building.

Some of the schools represented

Dahunsi Memorial High School, Lagos; Government Senior College, Maroko, Aunty Ayo International School Ikoyi, and Wahab Folawiyo Senior High School, Ikoyi.

Speaking at the event, the Group Head, Human Resources, UBA, Mrs. Patricia Aderibigbe, said the foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission centres on three key pillars: Education, Empowerment and Environment.

Aderigbe. explained that the bank, through its foundation, recognises the huge role that education and good reading culture play in the lives of the youth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The UBA Foundation is committed to impacting the lives of the African youth across the continent. As a pan-African institution, we believe that the future of Africa lies in her youth.

For this reason, UBA Foundation

educational projects and bridging the literacy-wide gap on a panAfrican scale,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The UBA Foundation is helping to rekindle the dwindling reading and literacy culture amongst African youths as they pursue their education.

Over time, we have worked with various schools and educational institutions across the continent to ensure that the UBA Foundation continues to traverse the continent, contributing positively to the development of African youth, especially in the area of education,â&#x20AC;? she added.

She also explained that the bank through its foundation, aims to make sustainable improvements in the lives of the needy and under-privileged by supporting entrepreneurship programmes, such as social entrepreneurship schemes which benefit the community at large.

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MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

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6 Months Deposit Rate

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12 Months Deposit Rate

Ä&#x160;Ä&#x2030; Ä&#x2039;Ä&#x160;

Prime Lending rate

Ä&#x160;Ä? Ä&#x152;Ä&#x17D;

Maximum Lending Rate

Ä&#x152;Ä&#x160; Ä&#x17D;Ä&#x17D;

t .POFUBSZ 1PMJDZ 3BUF Ä&#x160;Ä&#x152;

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE '3*%": Ä&#x160;Ä? +6/& Ä&#x2039;Ä&#x2030;Ä&#x160;Ä&#x2019;

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $61.25 a barrel on Friday, compared with $61.51 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), Zafiro (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

31

T H I S D AY ˾ JUNE 18, 2019

MARKET NEWS

IFC Moves to Sell 14.1% Stake in Ecobank to Dutch Firm Airtel eyes simultaneously listing on NSE, LSE Goddy Egene The International Finance Corporation(IFC), a member of the World BankGroup, is making moves to divest from Ecobank Transnational Incorporated(ETI), the based parent company of the Ecobank Group. IFC holds about 14.1 per cent equity in ETI. In notification to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday,

ETI said IFC had gone into discussions with a Dutch investment firm, Arise B.V to purchase the 14.1 per cent equity the pan African bank. “ The IFC, a member of the World BankGroup, and investment funds managed by the IFC Asset Management Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IFC, have entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with a leading Dutch investment firm

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

DEALS

F O R

Arise B. V for the sale of their circa 14.1 per cent stake in ETI. Completion of the transaction is expected in the coming months, subject to due diligence, internal and regulatory approvals,” the bank said.

ETI explained that it had worked together with IFC since 1993 to broaden access to finance, enhance trade liquidity, and strengthen Ecobank.

“Since 2009, IFC and the

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

funds managed by the IFC Asset Management Company, through their investments, have been supporting Ecobank’s growth strategy across Africa in building a preeminent banking franchise,” it added.

According to the notification, Arise BV is a leading equity investor in financial institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa(SSA) with a combined asset value in excess of $ 700 million. Its mandate

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

is to capitalize and stimulate growth across all financial services sub-sectors and within SSA. Through partnering with financially sustainable Financial Service providers and helping them to become industry leaders in their respective markets, Arise BV aims to contribute to the economic growth potential of Africa, whilst at the same time achieving long-term investment returns.

O F

Meanwhile, Airtel Africa Ltd, a unit of India’s Bharti Airtel Limited has said it intends to list its shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) at the same time as the London Stock Exchange (NSE).

According to the company, although the listing on the NSE was on, it had set a price range of 80 to 100 pence per share for its planned Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the LSE.

1 7 / 0 6 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

˾ TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2019

32

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

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

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

P ric e C hg %

2696.0

3.2%

0.55

10.0%

WEM A B A N K

32.30

9.9%

F ID ELIT YB K

24.6

1.8%

WA P IC

0.45

9.8%

T H OM A SWY

22.9

-6.1%

C OUR T VILLE

0.23

9.5%

Z EN IT H B A N K

15.6

1.0%

J A P A ULOIL

0.25

4.2%

A C C ESS

10.4

0.0% 9.5%

FO

WEM A B A N K

0.64

3.2%

C OUR T VILLE

9.9

UN ILEVER

32.00

3.2%

UB A

8.2

-1.6%

D A N GF LOUR

16.50

3.1%

FB NH

7.6

-0.7%

A F R IP R UD

3.49

2.6%

M TNN

7.3

-1.2%

1.71

1.8%

NA HCO

5.9

-6.4%

F ID ELIT YB K

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

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

Vo lum e

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

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

R OYA LEX

0.22

-8.3%

WEM A B A N K

1713.0

3.2%

NA HCO

2.80

-6.4%

M TNN

980.3

-1.2%

P ric e C hg %

T H OM A SWY

0.31

-6.1%

Z EN IT H B A N K

315.2

1.0%

OA N D O

3.70

-5.1%

GUA R A N T Y

139.1

-0.3%

UC A P

2.22

-4.7%

FO

107.8

9.9%

LA SA C O

0.29

-3.3%

UN ILEVER

88.2

3.2%

A IIC O

0.67

-2.9%

N EST LE

73.0

0.0%

CHA M S

0.35

-2.8%

A C C ESS

66.3

0.0%

UA C N

6.05

-2.4%

F LOUR M ILL

62.7

0.7%

N EM

2.05

-2.4%

D A N GC EM

55.1

-0.9%

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

33

TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Dangote Cement Shareholders Approve N16 Dividend, Hail Board Goddy Egene Shareholders of Dangote Cement Plc yesterday approved the N16 dividend per share recommended for the financial year ended December 31, 2018 and hailed the board and management of the company for the improved performance.

The shareholders, who approved

the dividend at the 10th annual general meeting (AGM) in Lagos, lauded the decision to increase dividend payout by 52.4 per cent from the N10. 50 per share that was paid in 2017.

In his address to the shareholders, Chairman of Dangote Cement, Aliko Dangote described the shareholders and staff as the bedrock of the company

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

and expressed optimism on the prospects of the company.

According to him, the company will be effectively operating in a minimum of 18 African countries in a short while by increasing the capacity of its Obajana Plant to 16 million metric tons, making it one of the biggest cement plant in the world.

“All these, surely will translate

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 14Jun-2019, unless otherwise stated.

to an enhanced value appreciation to the shares of Dangote cement and more money in the pockets of the shareholders”, he told the excited shareholders.

Dangote said that the plans of the company would attract a $700 million foreign exchange into the Nigerian economy through exporting of the products, thereby helping the federal government

and also the group in its other activities across Africa.

Dangote described 2018 as the most successful for the company as it recorded an increase in cement sales by7.4per cent to 23.5 million tonnes and 11.9 per cent growth in revenues to N901.2 billion.

Speaking on the future prospects, Group Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Cement Plc, Joseph

Makoju said the company in 2019 would focus on efficiency gains and achieving higher sales in domestic and export markets.

He said: “A major priority for us is to get these export terminals on stream so we can replace nonAfrican imports in Cameroon, rake in foreign currency for Nigeria and increase the utilization of our Nigerian plants.”

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 145.21 147.29 -7.66% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 8.11% Nigeria International Debt Fund 277.00 277.00 1.38% 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 N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A 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 3.90% 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 15.33 15.79 -7.62% ARM Discovery Fund 342.47 352.79 -3.97% ARM Ethical Fund 28.89 29.76 2.30% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.21% 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 96.10 96.78 -5.03% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.45% 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 12.66% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.62% Paramount Equity Fund 11.87 11.97 0.51% Women's Investment Fund 105.39 106.12 1.80% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.59% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 98.91 99.37 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 98.87 99.18 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.59% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.82 0.82 Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.20 1.20 7.18% 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 1,193.31 1,194.15 6.87% FBN Heritage Fund 143.46 144.41 0.48% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.83% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 116.08 116.56 5.10% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 116.04 116.52 5.33% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 136.94 138.85 -8.71% 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 5.56% Legacy Equity Fund 1.12 1.14 -8.24% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.05 1.05 2.16% 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 9.47% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 108.30 108.80 0.67% 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 10.00 10.00 12.90%

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 12.41% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.15 2.17 -0.01% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 0.00% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 131.41 131.50 5.15% 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 5.47% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,109.13 1,109.13 6.20% 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 10.69 10.78 -7.04% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.92% 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 124.18 124.92 2.93% 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 1.03 1.03 6.64% 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 2,349.13 2,362.60 1.51% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 201.92 201.92 6.20% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.89 0.91 -5.26% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 256.78 256.88 5.93% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 152.65 154.41 -6.41% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.86% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,964.55 8,065.59 -6.15% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.11 1.11 2.76% 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 0.75% United Capital Bond Fund 1.71 1.71 7.30% United Capital Equity Fund 0.69 0.70 -3.08% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.20% United Capital Eurobond Fund 111.23 111.23 3.70% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.13 1.14 3.68% 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 10.51 10.69 -0.31% Zenith Ethical Fund Zenith Income Fund Zenith Money Market Fund

11.19 22.05 1.00

11.34 22.05 1.00

-6.11% 14.30% 12.23%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.40 121.48 52.39

-44.85% 3.19% 1.26%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.83 96.90 79.91

9.93 98.95 81.39

-6.81% -17.40% -9.88%

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

3.55 6.09 13.02 10.45 155.76

3.59 6.17 13.12 10.65 157.76

-11.20% -19.98% -11.05% -15.35% 17.45%

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.

TUESDAY JUNE 18, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

34

INTERNATIONAL

Former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi Dies in Court Egypt’s former President Mohammed Morsi, ousted by the military in 2013 after one year in office, yesterday collapsed in a courtroom and died, officials said.

A top figure in the nowbanned Islamist movement Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi had just addressed the court from a cage at a hearing on charges of espionage.

Morsi, who was 67, had been in custody since his removal after mass protests.

The Muslim Brotherhood said the death was a “full-fledged murder” and called for crowds to gather at the funeral.

Activists and his family had long complained about his prison conditions, saying Morsi was not receiving treatment for serious health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and was constantly being held under solitary confinement.

Morsi collapsed moments after addressing the court in Cairo at a hearing related to charges of espionage emanating from suspected contacts with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which had close ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

He spoke for five minutes from a soundproof glass

supporters denounced the trials as politically motivated and attempts to give legal cover to a coup based on unreliable witnesses and scant evidence.

The death of a leader, remembered by many as Egypt’s first democratically elected president, is certain to inflame passions among his supporters and allies in Egypt and beyond. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been quick to describe him as a martyr. Others are certain to do the same.

There has long been concern about the politicised trials which have kept him in prison, as well

Mohammed Morsi cage which officials said was designed to prevent him disrupting proceedings.

The cause of death was not immediately confirmed but Egypt’s public prosecutor said an initial report showed no signs of recent injuries on the body.

Last month, his family said authorities had repeatedly denied access to him and that they knew little about his health conditions, a situation that “violated constitutions applied all over the world”.

In March last year, his

youngest son, Abdullah, said officials were “doing this on purpose, since they want to see him dead ‘from natural causes’ as soon as possible”.

Morsi, who became Egypt’s first democratically elected leader after winning polls in 2012, had already been sentenced to more than 45 years in prison in three separate trials, including leading an outlawed group, detention and torture of anti-government protesters and leaking state secrets.

He had always rejected the authority of the courts, and his

172 Die of Encephalitis, Heatwave in India At least 176 died of encephalitis and blistering heatwave in the eastern state of Bihar, where health authorities are grappling with a surge of cases in the disease that causes the brain to swell.

While 100 children have died of encephalitis 76 people have died as a blistering heatwave swept through eastern state of Bihar.

Encephalitis is a brain inflammation mostly caused by viral infection.

The risk of the disease increases during summer and rainy seasons between June to October.

The deaths, reported since early June, occurred mostly in the Muzaffarpur District, considered the epicentre of the outbreak, Principal Health Secretary Sanjay Kumar said.

“Eighty-three children died in the state-run Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital in Muzaffapur,’’ hospital Superintendent Sunil Kumar Shahi said.

He said that additional 17 children had died at a private hospital in the city.

Shahi said that the victims were all children under the age of 7.

Some 291 additional children fom Muzaffarpur and nearby districts have been admitted to hospital, he added.

The number of deaths spiked over the past few days as the toll had been put at 67 on Friday.

Kumar said there could be multiple reasons behind the outbreak of encephalitis.

Some health officials cited hypoglycaemia, a condition caused by very low level of blood sugar and electrolyte imbalance, as the main reason for deaths.

Health professionals suspect the deaths to be linked to toxins present in lychee fruits, which had been detected in urine samples of patients, local media reported.

Children with low blood sugar levels caused by malnutrition could develop encephalitis after

eating a large amount of the fruit which is grown in the region.

The Japanese encephalitis virus is the most common cause of encephalitis syndrome in the country, causing up to 35 per cent of the cases, the reports said.

On the heatwave, officials at the State Disaster Management control room said 33 people had died in Aurangabad, 31 in Gaya and 12 in Nawada districts on Saturday and Sunday.

“Most of the victims were farmers and labourers who were outdoors.

“The heat has been especially severe this time, with the mercury breaching 46 degrees Celsius in certain areas in the past few days,’’ an official said.

“It is the first time in the state that so many deaths have been reported due to heatwave in just two days,’’ he said, requesting anonymity.

State health officials have appealed to people to avoid going outdoors in the afternoon and drink lots of fluids to prevent heatstroke.

UN Scribe Urges Urgent Action on Desertification The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an urgent action to protect and restore the world’s degrading land in a bid to reduce forced migration, improve food security and address the global climate change emergency.

Guterres made the call in his message to the 2019 World Day to Combat Desertification and the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on Monday in Ankara, Turkey.

The UN scribe who noted that the world was losing 24 billion tons of fertile soil and dry land to degradation,

added that this had reduced national domestic product in developing countries by up to eight per cent annually.

Guterres also said that much remained to be done.

According to the UN scribe, the imperative of combating desertification is part of efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the international community adopted the Convention to Combat Desertification in Paris on June 17, 1994 out of concerns that “desertification and drought are problems of global dimension affecting all

regions.”

NAN also reports that in 2015, the international community also agreed to pursue a global target to ensure all countries work toward keeping a healthy balance of productive land by accelerating the recovery of lands that had been degraded , while avoiding and reducing land degradation.

Also, Ibrahim Thiaw, the Executive Secretary of UNCCD, said that the world’s only agreement should be binding on countries to tackle land degradation, desertification and to mitigate the effects of drought.

as his conditions of confinement.

Morsi had a history of ill-health.

But last year, a British parliamentary panel reported he was being kept in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day, which they concluded could be classified as torture.

They warned this could lead to premature death.

His sudden collapse comes at a time when the United States, reportedly at the request of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, is working to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organisation.

The death of one its most senior figures will deepen the anger

and anxiety in this global Islamist movement.

The Muslim Brotherhood’s political arm, the Freedom and Justice, said Morsi’s death amounted to an “assassination”, and urged supporters to demonstrate outside Egyptian embassies around the world.

“They placed him in solidarity confinement throughout his detention which exceeded five years, prevented medicine and provided poor food... They prevented doctors and lawyers and even communicating with his family. They deprived him from the simplest human rights.”

El Salvador Withdraws Recognition of ‘SADR’ El Salvador has decided to withdraw its recognition of the so-called “SADR”, Salvador’s Government said in a statement at the weekend.

“The Government of Salvador informs the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco of its decision to withdraw its recognition of the SADR and sever all ties with this entity,” the Salvadoran government pointed out in a joint statement signed by Morocco’s minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nasser Bourita, and his Salvadoran counterpart, Alexandra Hill Tinoco, in the

presence of President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele. “The decision will be communicated to the United Nations and the other relevant regional organisations,” the statement added.

“El Salvador’s government supports the territorial integrity and the national sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as its autonomy initiative that represents the only possible solution to this regional conflict,” it said.

Also at the weekend, the government of Chile expressed its full support to the autonomy

plan offered by Morocco to reach a realistic, viable and definitive political solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara.

In a joint statement issued in Santiago, following the visit of Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita, the government of Chile voiced its “support to the efforts made by the UN Secretary General and his Personal Envoy” for the Sahara, hailing Morocco’s serious endeavour seeking a realistic, practical and lasting political solution to the artificial conflict over the Sahara.

37

TUESDAY JUNE 18, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Insecurity: Yoruba Council Urges FG to Caution Herdsmen, Threatens Retaliation Sunday Okobi and Oluchi Chibuzor The Aare Onakakanfo- inCouncil, chaired by Gani Adams has called on the federal government to caution the herdsmen operating within the South-west region as it will not hesitate to retaliate against any action that threatens their peaceful co-existence.

In a statement signed and made available to THISDAY recently by the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams; the Balogu Aare, Wale Abel; Baaregunwa, Hon Taofeek; Agba Akin Aare, Olusegun Dare, the body said Fulani herdsmen have been ravaging Yoruba land, kidnapping, killing, maiming and raping the people in recent years, adding that the federal government allegedly decided to shy away from truth by refusing to label them as Fulani bandits.

The council also warned violent herdsmen to leave the zone, warning that failure to live peacefully “may warrant maximum retaliation as the principle dictates that a ‘bully only respects a bully’.”

The group said also that the threat posed by the existence of the marauders cannot be overlooked, lamenting that despite several appeals, the herdsmen have continued to wreak havoc in the region.

According to Aare Onakakanfo in the statement, “They have proven that they have come to steal, destroy and kill as evident in the unmitigated attacks on communities where their nomadic enterprise takes them.

“As true spawns of Oduduwa, we are unequivocally forthright about this threat posed by these herders which the federal government has turned a blind eye to by refusing to

call a spade by its name by dubbing the Fulani marauders as criminals, bandits, and pillagers.

“We are acquainted with the nature of Fulani nomads in the past, and we know as a

matter of fact that they were not carrying AK47s. It is because of this naked truth that we ask that these people be labeled what they are. We are clamoring that the appropriate moniker should be used to tag them.

They should be addressed as Fulani bandits.”

They however advised Obas and local chiefs to show more than ‘’passing interest in the activities of people in their domains,’’ saying they must

know that they cannot be blameless for their failure to account for and monitor strangers in their areas of jurisdictions, particularly those whose activities run contrary to peaceful coexistence.

James Hope College Scholar, Amucheazi Wins Cambridge Scholarship James Hope College (JHC) has reaffirmed its impressive stance on academic excellence with its recent award for the Cambridge Immerse Scholarship.

Just a few months after the College published its outstanding IGCSE result, recording 100 per cent score in 14 subjects (A - C), one of JHC’s students, Akajiugo Amucheazi won the highly sought-after 2019 Cambridge Immerse Scholarship, following his qualification through the rigorous nomination round.

Akajiugo will be joining other award winners worldwide in Cambridge, from August 11 to August 24, 2019 for their intensive course. The Scholars Programme is an excellent accolade for any highperforming student interested in pursuing further studies at a leading university.

Immerse Education,

the award provider of the Cambridge Immerse Scholarship, is an awardwinning academic programme in the United Kingdom. Its unique academic enrichment programmes provide an unparalleled glimpse into university-level education.

All programmes are designed by expert, experienced tutors, which include some of the brightest minds from some of the world’s leading universities.

James Hope College is one of the educational initiatives of the Jim Ovia Foundation, which offers its students world-class education at a subsidised rate. James Hope College is supported by an endowment fund and currently has 40 per cent of its students on full scholarship. It is located in the serene environment of Agbor, Delta State.

THREE HEARTY CHEERS…

L-R: Registrar of Christopher University, Mr. Aloysius Udeoke; human rights activist/Head of Falana & Falana Chambers, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN); and founder/ Chancellor, Christopher University, Chief Christopher Ezeh, during the university’s third matriculation/second public lecture held in Mowe, Ogun State… recently

Ihedioha Suspends LG Chairmen, Other Political Appointees Amby Uneze in Owerri Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State has approved the suspension of the chairmen, vice chairmen, councilors and political appointees of the local government areas of the state.

He has subsequently constituted Interim Management Committees that would last for six months to manage the affairs of the local government areas.

The suspension is contained in the statement signed by the governor, pursuant to the recommendation made to him by the Imo State House of Assembly.

This is in pursuant also, to the provisions of Sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Local Government Administration (Amendment) law, 2019 and S.73(3) of Imo State Local Government Administration Law No. 15 of 2000 (as amended) and all

other laws enabling him.

Consequently, the Director of Administration and General Services (DAGS) of each local government area has been directed to take over management, pending the confirmation of Interim Management Committees by the State Assembly.

In a similar development, the governor approved the dissolution and removal of the chairman and members

of the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC).

This followed a resolution supported by two-thirds majority of the state assembly passed on June 6, 2019 seeking their removal from office.

The action is also in accordance with the provisions of S.7(1) of the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission Law and all other extant laws of the state.

Abiodun: Suspension of 75 Obas Not to Undermine Amosun Keffi FMC Workers Accuse MD of High-handedness Femi Ogbonnika in Abeokuta look into the cases to discover Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has said the setting up of a committee to review the appointment and promotion of 75 traditional rulers by former Governor Ibikunle Amosun was not to either score cheap political points or undermine the former governor.

Abiodun described the action of the former governor as unprecedented in the history of traditional council in the state.

He stated this yesterday during the inauguration of the chieftaincy review committee led by the Olu and paramount ruler of Yewaland , Oba Kehinde Olugbenle.

The governor had suspended all the 75 Obas appointed and promoted by Amosun’s government and had set up a review committee to

whether their emergence and promotion passed through a normal procedure or not.

Addressing the committee members after the inauguration, Abiodun gave the assurance that his administration would not allow any form of assault on the traditional institution or its value.

He said his government placed a very high premium on the traditional institution and acknowledged the invaluable roles and contributions it plays in promoting good governance at the grassroots.

He decried what he called the unprecedented approval, appointment and upgrade of some chiefs and Baales to coronet Obas, which he said generated reactions from the traditional institution and members of the public.

We run all-inclusive administration, Adamu insists Martins Ifijeh There are worrying signals at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, Nasarawa State as health workers are alleging high handedness by the hospital management.

THISDAY gathered that the relative peace in the hospital is currently being threatened by some decisions being taken by the new Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Yaya Adamu.

In a petition made available THISDAY and signed by a concerned worker, Mallam Isiak Abdullahi, the workers condemned the 100 per cent price hike in delivery fees at the hospital from N30,000 to N60,000.

The workers, who pointed

out in the petition that the increase was not in the interest of the people of Nasarawa State, disclosed that the hospital is witnessing a drop in public patronage which may not be unconnected with the new hike in prices.

According to the petitioner, currently, patients are forced to make compulsory deposits before the commencement of any treatment.

They further accused the medical director of authoritarian leadership style, adding that he has since jettisoned social services in the hospital.

The petition also noted that staff and the indigent public are no longer happy with the situation at the hospital.

The workers in the petition alleged that the medical director recently sold the hospital’s properties without the board’s approval.

According to them, although, the board has queried the medical director, proceeds from the sales were yet to be returned to the hospital.

Some of the properties alleged to have been sold include ambulances and vehicles purportedly claimed to be scrap.

Meanwhile, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Adamu has denied the allegations.

Responding to series of text messages sent to him on the petition, Adamu said he was unaware of such thing

as high-handedness.

“Thanks for your interest in our institution. As far as I am aware there’s no such thing as high-handedness in federal medical centre Keffi as we run an all-inclusive administration.”

On the alleged sale of hospital properties and hike in delivery fees, he said: “As per sale of hospital properties, I am not aware of any hospital property that was sold, or being planned to be sold.

“There hasn’t been an increase in delivery fees.

You may take statistics of the cost of delivery in similar government hospitals around us and see if the allegation can be substantiated,” he added.

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TUESDAY JUNE 18, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS EXTRA

SEC, Academics to Develop Curriculum for Capital Market Studies Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has entered into partnership with the Association of

Capital Market Academics of Nigeria (ACMAN) to develop a curriculum for the Nigerian Capital Market Institute (NCMI), the educational and training arm of the commission.

ABSU to Inaugurate Kalu Centre The Ogbu Uke Kalu Centre for Christianity and African Culture will be inaugurated at the Abia State University on June 20, 2019.

A statement made available by a member of the planning committee, Edward Kalu, said late Ogbu Kalu was a Nigerian preeminent scholar of Christianity.

The inauguration will also be marked by an international conference with speakers from different parts of the world.

According to Kalu, the keynote will be delivered by a distinguished scholar of Humanities from the University of Texas, United State, Professor Toyin Falola.

Other notable speakers are Professor Afe Adogame of Princeton Theological Seminary and Professor Chima Korieh of Marquette University, Wisconsin, USA. Speakers will address various themes such as the intersection of popular and traditional culture; African problems with traditional modernisation methods; linguistic identities and culture in Africa; Cosmopolitanism, hybridity and African pluriversalism; globalisation, Afropolitanism and African religious futures.

“In his keynote address, Professor Falola will tie all the themes together as they relate to the works of late Professor

Kalu, while also explaining what the Centre stands for as well as its future goals and contributions to Nigeria.

Falola will also show how Kalu created many ideas of his own that involved the ‘unsung heroes’ from five perspectives which are his account of the African agency, which makes his work so revolutionary and significant,” the statement explained.

Kalu explained further that the late Professor Kalu was one of the world seminal scholars, focusing mostly on African Christianity, Global Missions and Global Pentecostalism.

He argued that historically, African Christianity grew out of African cosmology and primal religion.

The Centre would not only to preserve his legacy but to continue with his work on the relationship between Christianity and Africa.

The Centre will focus on inter-religious dialogue and assist Nigeria to avoid religious violence.

A book by Kalu, ‘The Divided People of God’, will be re-launched and distributed for free at the conference.

The new Centre will build on Professor Kalu’s approach, while also extending the value of his work to current and future generations who are interested in the study of Christianity.

Lagos Shuts Mile 2-Apapa Road for Repairs The Lagos State Government has announced the closure of the road from Mile 2 to Tincan Island ports’ corridor to allow palliative repairs.

The closure which is to last for 48 hours takes effect from yesterday.

Announcing the closure, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Taiwo Olufemi Salaam, stated that the closure was to allow Hitech Construction Company to speed up the palliative repair works on the corridor due

to incessant and avoidable accidents experienced by motorists.

The permanent secretary advised all trucks to avoid the corridor to allow the repair works, which is done in the interest of motorists.

He opined that these repairs and so many others that are in the offing are in consonance with the top-rated plans of the administration of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to make Lagos traffic-free for its teeming citizenry.

Customs Intercepts N208m Contrabands in Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted various smuggled items with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N207, 856,713.00 between May and June 2019.

Giving the breakdown of the seized consignments yesterday in Katsina, the FOU Comptroller, Mustapha Sarkin Kebbi, said the seizures included 2,540 bags of rice

and 789 jerry cans of vegetable oil.

“The command also intercepted 510 cartons of spaghetti, 150 bags of sugar, 10 bales of second-hand clothes and six vehicles. These items were conveyed on 70 vehicles,” he explained.

Kebbi reiterated that many suspects were apprehended in connection with the seizures and would be charge to court after preliminary investigation by the NCS.

The curriculum would enable the commission and the association to set the required benchmark to be adopted by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in the accreditation of capital market studies in tertiary institutions.

SEC said the partnership was the high-point of a meeting between the association led by its Interim President, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, and the commission led by the acting Director-General, Ms. Mary Uduk.

Uduk noted that the Nigerian capital market regulator would work with the association to improve the standards in the NCMI.

“Working with this academic body is vital to moving the capital market forward.

“Research that comes out of the university must be actionable and should help boost the growth and development of the capital market.

“We will partner with you to develop curriculum for the Nigeria Capital Market Institute given where we want to take NCMI to.

“This association will make our job a lot easier.

We appreciate your coming and we will work together to leverage on your expertise to develop the capital market.”

In his remarks, Uwaleke said the idea behind the association

was to advance the frontier of capital market research and promote market issues in the tertiary institutions.

He said being the apex regulator of the capital market, there was the need for the association to collaborate with the commission to set standard for capital market programme.

The university don said the need to set standard for capital market studies was based on the conviction that it would help promote the growth and development of the market.

Uwaleke said that the association would also be partnering with the commission to create more awareness on the benefits of

the capital market in tertiary institutions.

He urged the commission to leverage on the expertise of the association by allowing it have representation on the Capital Market Committee.

He said, “The SEC has done a lot in creating capital market curriculum in secondary school but we feel that the low hanging fruit is in the university because that is where we have more literate people.

“We need to emphasise capital market studies in our universities because of the role it plays in economic development. We will do all we can to expand the frontiers of capital market.”

St. Francis PTA Organises Luncheon The Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of St. Francis Catholic Secondary School, Idimu, Lagos, will organise a capital campaign luncheon on Saturday, June 22, 2019.

According to the organisers, the event scheduled for 12.00 noon at the Loyola Jesuit Jubilee Building in

the school premises, is for infrastructural upgrade of the school to guarantee conducive learning environment and a transformative and allround education of Nigerian children.

“Any donation to the school will be greatly appreciated.

Little drops of water make a mighty ocean. The school

invites people of goodwill and corporate organisations to be part of the vision, innovation, and transformation for the greater glory of God. By the special grace of God, the school is a rising citadel of learning in Nigeria, Africa, and globally,” the statement by the organisers explained.

“It is a model Jesuit-

Catholic school for training Nigerian youths in leadership and service. You can also donate to the school’s account: St. Francis Catholic Secondary School, Idimu, Union Bank, 0037575222.

God bless you. Rev. Fr. Maduabuchi Leo Muoneme, S.J. Administrator,” the statement added.

TUESDAY JUNE 18, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

39

TUESDAYSPORTS

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

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

Gallant Super Falcons Lose 1-0 to France Duro Ikhazuagbe African champions Super Falcons lost their last Group A match of the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Rennes to France after a twice-taken Video Assistant Referee (VAR) penalty by Wendie Renard gave the host a 1-0 win over Nigeria.

With the victory, France topped the group on maximum

nine points from three matches.

Norway that defeated South Korea 2-0 is the runner up on six points with Nigeria third on three points.

The initial penalty - awarded after a VAR review for a foul on Viviane Asseyi - hit the post and rolled to the touch line.

But keeper Super Falcons’ Goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie was ruled to have

Pinnick Confident Egypt 2019 Will Be a Success President of the Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria’s Amaju Melvin Pinnick has given assurance that this year’s finals, which hold in the Arab Republic of Egypt between 21st June and 19th July, will be a roaring success despite being the biggest-ever event in the history of the championship.

The first-ever Nigerian to head the organising committee for the biggest football championship in the continent, Pinnick flew into Cairo on Sunday and will be in the Egypt till the end of the championship.

“I am delighted at the general arrangements. Everything that we agreed in our meetings for a successful tournament in the past months have been brought to life by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and staff of CAF. Everything looks great.

“Of course, there have been concerns in several quarters over the little time that the Egyptians had to prepare for the competition, but we could all see from the show they put up hosting the Draw Ceremony that they are always ready for the big event. I have confidence that all will go pretty well,” observed the AFCON 2019 presiding chief.

Egypt 2019 is the biggest AFCON tournament in history,

with 24 teams to battle for honours over a period of 28 days. It’s a pretty long way from the beginning, 62 years ago, when only three teams contested the inaugural AFCON in Sudan.

The North African country hosted the finals in 1959, 1974, 1986 and 2006, but has had less than six months to prepare for this big show. The Confederation of African Football snatched the hosting right from Cameroon, judged not to be ready, at the end of November 2018 and awarded it to Egypt only in January this year.

However, work has gone remarkably well in all the designated centres and CAF and the LOC have in abundance persons with institutional knowledge and dedication to drive the process for a hitch –free tournament.

Matches will be hosted in six stadia located in four different cities: Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and Ismailia. The Cairo International Stadium, one of the biggest football stadia on the African continent, is home to Group A headed by host nation and record seven –time winners Egypt, with two –time winners Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Zimbabwe as fellow contenders.

Okpekpe Race Promoter, Itemuagbor, Loses Father-in Law The Promoter of the IAAF silver label Okpekpe International 10km Road Race and Chief Executive Officer of Pamodzi Sports Marketing, Mike Itemuagbor has lost his father-in-law, Dr. Michael Okhionkpamwonyi Richard.

Dr Richard who at various times was a member of board of governors as well as the academic board of Auchi Polytechnic in Auchi, Edo State died on Wednesday May 29, 2019 aged 78 years.

Pastor (Mrs) Susan Itemuagbor, the eldest child of the departed announced the passing of her father in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday.

“With deep sense of loss and total submission to the will of God, we announce the passing on to glory of our father, Dr Michael Okhionkpamwonyi Richard (FRICS, FNIVS, RSV), Principal Partner Mike Richard and Associates. Dr M.O Richard was at numerous times Head of Department of Estate Management and Head of School of Environmental Studies, Auchi Polytechnic

before retiring to private practice,” observed the statement.

Born on September 29, 1940, Dr Richard is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.

His funeral rites will begin on Friday, June 28, 2019 with Service of Songs and Tributes at his residence, No 4, Ire Street, off Wire Road, Benin City.

It will be followed by a Lying-in-State also at his residence between 7am and 9am on Saturday 29th June.

Funeral service will start at 10.00am the same day at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Upper Room Parish, No 3, Redeemed Christian Church of God Way, off Adesuwa Road, GRA, Benin City.

Interment will follow immediately after church service at his residence, No 4, Ire street, off Wire Road, Benin City and only family members will be allowed at the venue.

Reception of guests will then begin at 1.00pm at the Military Base on Airport Road

by Ihama Junction.

moved off her line early and Renard slotted the re-taken spot kick.

Nnadozie was a victim of one of the new FIFA rules which came into effect on June 1.

That specific rule says: ‘The goalkeeper must have one of her feet partly on the goal-line (or above it if jumping) when the kick is taken. She cannot stand behind or in front of the line.’

Despite the set back, Falcons still have a big chance of making the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams. They are presently third in the overall Third best teams

standing behind China and Australia.

With only three points from their three matches and a two-goal deficit, the Falcons’ progress to the knockout rounds for the first time in 20 years will be sealed if Argentina are unable to accomplish a handsome win over Scotland in their final Group D game on Thursday, or Cameroon are unable to defeat New Zealand by more than one goal in their final Group E duel on Friday.

China, with four points in Group B, and Australia, with three points already from two matches in Group C, look

already good enough for the Round of 16.

With the USA and Sweden packing all the points in Group F, third –placed Chile is still pointless and must defeat Thailand by more than three goals to get in the way of Nigeria. The four best third –placed teams in the six groups will join the two top –placed teams in each group to the Round of 16.

France, meanwhile, heads to Le Havre to play a last-16 tie against, as yet, unknown opponents on 23 June.

Yesterday’s game was an unconvincing display by

Corinne Diacre’s side against a team they had previously walloped 8-0 in a friendly last year.

Nigeria’s Falcons are ranked 38th in the world. France was guilty of wasteful finishing before the late drama in Rennes.

The Thomas Dennerby’s Nigerian ladies who had produced a gritty defensive performance, were on course for a deserved point when that VAR check proved Ngozi Ebere fouled Asseyi from behind.

Ebere, who had been booked in the first half, was sent off for a second yellow card before Renard’s first penalty hit a post.

France’s Gaetane Thiney misses a chance during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France Group A match between Nigeria and France at Roazhon Park Stadium in Rennes, France…yesterday. Nigeria lost 1-0 Photo: Getty Images

Star Lager Set to Bring Shining Moments to AFCON 2019 With the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicking off in Egypt on Friday, Star Lager beer has concluded plans to thrill fans with unforgettable moments.

At a media parley held at Warehouse Kitchen on Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase One, Star Lager beer reeled out plans to engage consumers and create memorable experiences for football fans across the country during the AFCON tournament.

Aside the top echelon of sports media at the event, former Africa Cup of Nations winners with Super Eagles like Victor Ikpeba and Mutiu Adepoju Efe Ambrose and Juwon Oshaniya were also present.

Star Lager beer is an official

sponsor of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), as well as the official beer of the Super Eagles, one of the prime contenders of the African title when the competition kicks off on June 21.

The brand is set to literarily give Nigerian fans memorable experiences with 17 Star Fan Parks in eight cities across the country where they can go and enjoy carnival like environment during the broadcast of the 52 matches of the competition running from June 21st to July 12th, 2019.

Apart from the thrills expected from the competing teams on the fields, Star Lager will also excite the fans to best of entertainment at the Star Fan Park, which would be activated on all match days.

The Portfolio Manager, National Premium, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mrs. Sarah Agha, explained that the reason is to make Nigerians enjoy the best of African football under a very relaxed atmosphere especially as the tournament is about to set a record as the most attended event by African players plying their trades in Europe.

“Nigerians are very passionate about football and ready to stand behind the Super Eagles as they hope to conquer Africa again and with Star Lager as a foremost brand when it comes to entertainment, consumers and numerous fans are in for wonderful moments of football.

“With the seasons across the globe in recess, the Africa Cup

of Nations provides an exciting atmosphere for fans to behold most of the African stars that thrill global audiences in the various leagues in Africa and Europe” she continued.

At the designated parks, visitors would be entertained by foremost DJs, and seasoned Nigerian artists will be on ground to entertain the fans.

Ever since Nigerian Breweries Plc through, Star Lager, ventured into Nigerian football as the official beer of the Super Eagles, the national team’s profile has continued to rise and a solid fan base similar to the passion Nigerians attach to major football clubs in the European leagues restored.

L-R: Ex-Internationals and AFCON winners with Super Eagles, Juwon Oshaniwa, Mutiu Adepoju and Victor Ikpeba, Portfolio Manager, National Premium, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mrs. Sarah Agha, First Vice President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Seyi Akinwunmi and former AFCON winner Efe Ambrose at the Star Lager’s formal announcement of AFCON 2019 package for fans and consumers of the brand last Sunday in Lago

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Tuesday June 18, 2019

UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE Gani Adams to Buhari

“The campaign of blood by Fulani herdsmen, who have been ravaging our land, kidnapping, killing, maiming and raping our people in recent years has become a serious source of concern for the Yoruba race; a race renowned for their staunch passion for peaceful coexistence, national cohesion and development” – Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to take concrete action against the activities of Fulani herdsmen in Yorubaland before the situation degenerates.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

INEC and Nigeria’s Many Political Parties

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igeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of its review of the 2019 General elections in the country is reportedly working on a proposal for the alteration of the 1999 Constitution as amended to enable it reduce the number of political parties in the country. A total of 91 political parties participated in the 2019 general elections, the highest number ever.

There were 71 Presidential candidates. The ballot paper was quite long. Festus Okoye the INEC Commissioner in charge of information and voter education says this created a “logistics nightmare,”, and “confused many voters, particularly the less educated during the election.” INEC wants the Constitution amended to enable it register and deregister parties that are at best “mere platforms for political jobbers.”

Indeed, many Nigerians have expressed concern about the length of the ballot paper used for the February 23 and March 9 general elections in Nigeria. You necessarily had to search for the party logos, despite the fact that the logos were arranged alphabetically. If INEC says many voters particularly the uneducated were confused, we can only assume that INEC as the umpire is giving this information based on the feedback that it got. The truth of the matter is that many of the 91 political parties were unknown. Most of them were registered at the last minute and some of them in fact were known only by the name of the founder/chairman. The emergence of many political parties may give the impression of a flourishing multi-party democracy but when these political parties are no better than special purpose vehicles or briefcase parties to promote a personality or to raise funds and launder money, then indeed, there should be cause for concern.

But where should INEC draw the line?

This question is pertinent in the light of constitutional provisions in Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution which guarantee the freedoms of association, assembly, expression and belief, key issues at the heart of the political party formation process. Those who argue that the more political parties we have, the better also often rely on the Supreme Court 2002 judgement in Gani Fawehinmi vs INEC where the court held that the right of association is a fundamental human right. Chief Gani Fawehinmi whose contributions to the development of our jurisprudence through advocacy and litigation remains evergreen had gone to court to challenge the electoral commission’s refusal to register the National Conscience Party (NCP). The Supreme Court dismissed 12 of the 13 guidelines used by INEC for party registration as “unconstitutional.”

However, a political party is a creation of law, and it must be remarked that no right is absolute.

Section 222 of the 1999 Constitution refers. Political parties are registered based on stipulated rules and guidelines, and where those provisions spelt out in the relevant statutes are not met, such parties do not live up to the billing of being regarded as political parties. This much was demonstrated in August 2011 when the then INEC, with Professor Attahiru Jega as Chair, de-registered six political parties for having failed to participate in the April 2011 elections. The parties failed to field even a candidate! INEC relied on Section 78(7) of the Electoral Act 2010. In the 2011 election, there were 63 political parties. In 2019, the number had increased to 91!. As Nigeria prepares for the 2023 general elections, there can be no doubt that more political parties would emerge. But is the proliferation of political parties good for our democracy? Does INEC need to have the constitution altered to be able to de-register political parties?

I think not. It will be recalled that in March 2019, Femi Falana, SAN had expressed an opinion on

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu this matter, and in a piece titled “INEC’s power to deregister political parties.” His whole point is that the law already grants INEC the powers to de-register political parties. He correctly referred to the May 2017 amendment to the 1999 Constitution, to wit, the Fourth alteration to the Constitution, Section 225 thereof, wherein it is stated that INEC is empowered to de-register political parties on the following grounds: “(a) a breach of any of the requirements for registration; (b) failure to win at least 25 per cent of votes cast in: (i) one state of the Federation in a presidential election; or (ii) one local government of a state in a governorship election; (c) failure to win at least (i) one ward in the chairmanship election; (ii) one seat in the national or state House of Assembly election; or (iii) one seat in the councillorship election.”

This particular alteration having been signed into law, albeit President Buhari assented to the fourth alterations piecemeal, (he withheld assent on five issues), represents the true position of the Constitution. INEC therefore needs not seek any further alterations or amendments to the Constitution. Falana has argued, and he is right that if the law is applied, there would be fewer than 10 political parties standing.

What remains is for INEC to apply the law.

But I must add a caveat here: the de-registration of political parties must not end up as an act of vendetta, witch-hunt or intimidation. Any political party that is de-registered on the basis of performance or violation of the law, has every right to re-apply for registration and should the same political party meet the statutory conditions, it should be registered afresh. The rules must be upheld but at the same time, constitutional rights must be respected. Where does that leave us? We are left with the need for INEC as the regulatory body doing everything possible to respect the rules and thereby deepen the electoral landscape.

Nigeria’s political party system must not be allowed to become a scam, the political equivalent of the notorious 419. I am reliably told that the biggest lottery in Nigeria today, is the formation of a political party. The political parties are also fast becoming like churches. Anybody can set up a political party, and use it to raise funds: you can sell tickets to aspiring candidates who need a platform, you can raise funds online, all you need to do is to print a few posters and make as much noise as possible. You can even at the last moment, step down and declare support for a richer party and collect a ransom! This may sound cynical but that is precisely what I understand is going on in the real sector of Nigeria’s political party system. It is unjustifiable and it must not be sustained. Once upon a time in Nigeria, we had political parties that were ideas-driven. In the First and Second Republics, political leaders tried to push ideas. Political leaders were identified with particular visions. Today, many of our political leaders know next to nothing about anything.

The naked desperation for power is all that we

see on display. This is shameful in a country that produced Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Ernest Ikoli, SLA Akintola, Adegoke Adelabu, Aminu Kano, Ibrahim Waziri, Nwafor Orizu, Mbonu Ojike, Anthony Enahoro, Kenneth Mbadiwe. Where are the visionaries of today?

We are unfortunately in the age of Godfathers.

Men who fight over positions, and who play God over the fortunes of their compatriots and our country. We are in the season of mediocrity, incompetence, and opportunism. Professor Pat Utomi even puts it better. He says “criminals” have taken over Nigeria.

INEC has a lot more to worry about, beyond the size of the ballot paper and the number of registered political parties. I will return to that shortly. In the Presidential and legislative elections conducted on April 17, 2019 in Indonesia, the ballot paper was so large, it could serve as a wrapper.

Each voter had five ballot papers! But that is because for the first time, Indonesia conducted its Presidential and legislative elections, federal and local, on the same day to save cost. There were 18 political parties on the ballot, much fewer than ours, 190 million voters, and over 240, 000 candidates. Indonesia managed to conduct an election that was considered free and fair, with incumbent President Joko Widodo (a.ka. Jokowi) winning with over 55% of total votes cast. I am not an admirer of President Widodo. I think he, like Marie Le Pen (France) and Boris Johnson (UK) is too Trumpian, but the negative influence that US President Donald Trump has exerted on the balance of geo-politics and the character of global politics, is a subject for another day. India also held general elections this year between April 11 to May 19. It was an election in seven phases, 900 million voters, and 67% turn out. Incumbent President Narendra Modi of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recorded what you could call a landslide victory.

The election was actually a referendum on Modi’s leadership even if I consider his propaganda, presidential style campaign approach and his partisanship a bit too much for India. But whereas we have seen incumbents in many of the elections this year holding on by hook or crook to power (a notable exception is Ukraine), I believe that

there are lessons that Nigeria’s INEC can learn from other jurisdictions about institutional capacity and processes. The review that INEC seems to be ready to embark upon must take a holistic view of what has happened this year in other jurisdictions. What lessons can we learn?

I add to that the fact that there are some urgent issues arising from the 2019 general election in Nigeria that will require special attention. Section 225 of the 1999 Constitution is effusive about the “finances of political parties”. Section 226 insists on “annual report of finances” but as we know, every election in Nigeria is over-monetized. Those who have the deepest pockets buy the votes and short-change Nigerians. There were stories of bullion vans being moved around during the 2019 general elections. INEC has been very quiet about that.

Who are the owners of the bullion vans? Who used bullion vans to buy votes? Section 227 of the 1999 Constitution is very eloquent about objection to the use of “physical force or coercion in promoting any political objective or interest” Where was INEC? The 2019 general elections in Nigeria raised many questions about security, campaign finance and the integrity of the democratic process. It is good news, absolutely good news, however, that INEC under Professor Yakubu Mahmoud is now showing a willingness to listen and to make amends and respond to the urgent need to deepen Nigeria’s electoral process.

I commend that and I note in particular, INEC’s response to the report by the European Union Electoral Observer Mission. The EUEOM came up with 30 recommendations. Both INEC and the Presidency have said they would pay careful attention to the recommendations. This is a laudable departure from the needless arrogance and contempt with which the Buhari government habitually attends to criticisms. One more observation here: INEC says it did not use but only experimented with an electronic server during the 2019 elections. In the 21stcentury, that sounds asinine, like 14thcentury stuff. All things being equal, President Buhari has one more general election to conduct: the 2023 general elections. He can either turn it into a legacy event, or a source of compounded disgrace.

The choice is his to make.

Aisha Buhari:‘Call Me First Lady’

I

wrote a piece recently (THISDAY, May 28) in which I referred to Mrs Aisha Buhari, the wife of the Nigerian President. I argued that she is not “joking” and that with her husband being elected for a second term in office, Nigerians should watch out for her. That piece attracted an offensive rejoinder in at least one newspaper. The person who tried to respond to me spent the whole time ignoring the issues and called me names. It is very difficult, in this business, to join issues with quacks who cannot even write a successful sentence and those who publish them.

I am actually a fan of Mrs Aisha Buhari, the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari.

She is beautiful, classy, smart and assertive. In four years, she has shown that she cannot be silenced, and that her husband cannot confine her to the kitchen or “the other room”. She has proven that her husband spoke wrongly about the other room when he visited a non-existent “West Germany”. She has established that she belongs to the present, and in that wise, she has not disappointed with her contemporaneity, cosmopolitanism and politics. She has turned “pillow talk” into a tool of power. She has shown that “the other room” can be a place of truth.”

She has had her public moments of doubt but we can all see that she is enjoying the place where

she is. She is strong and courageous.

The other day, she reportedly made a statement that nobody should refer to her henceforth as “wife of the President” but as “First Lady of Nigeria.” She pointed out that in 2015, she had opted for the title of “wife of the President” out of her own volition but she soon discovered that many Nigerians are confused about who the real First Lady is, because the wives of state Governors also use the title of “First Lady.” Mrs. Buhari has a point but she also misplaced the point.

As Presidential spokesman of Nigeria, I used to tell Commissioners of Information and Chief Press Secretaries in the states who referred to Governors’ residences as State Houses that there is only one State House in Nigeria - the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. Governors live in Government Houses. Only the President lives in State House! The difference is that while one is a matter of protocol, the other, Mrs Buhari’s case, is controversial. The Office of the First Lady of Nigeria is unknown to the Nigerian Constitution.

It is an American convention which we have inherited and promoted. Mrs Buhari may very well be asserting herself afresh to remind us that she is the First Lady of the “other room”.

But what do I know – an innocent newspaper columnist spinning tales! As for Mrs. Buhari, she is actually wife of the President in truth!.

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