MONDAY 1ST JULY 2019

Tributes as Hundreds Bid Eniola-Olaitan Farewell Eromosele Abiodun It was torrents of tributes as Nigerians from all walks of life, including former ministers, former governors, politicians, publishers, families and friends gathered in Lagos

yesterday for the outing service for Mrs. Helen Olufunke Eniola-Olaitan, the late wife of the Managing Director of THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Eniola Bello, to bid her final farewell.

Among the dignitaries at

the occasion were former Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; former Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; former Deputy Governor of Kogi State,

Mr. Yomi Awoniyi; former Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello; former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa; and former Presidential Adviser on Political Matters, Akin

Osuntokun.

Others were: the Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu; Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Mr. Waziri Adio; Publisher of

the Source Magazine, Mrs. Comfort Obi; Editor-in-Chief of TELL Magazine, Mr. Nosa Igiebor; spokesman of the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Continued on page 10

Nigeria's Crude Oil Export Drops by 1.6m Barrels in May… Page 51 Monday 1 July, 2019 Vol 24. No 8848. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Protests Rock COZA in Abuja, Lagos over Alleged Rape Police: We are yet to receive formal complaint Iyobosa Uwugiaren, Kingsley Nwezeh, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and Sunday Ehigiator in Lagos Following the rape allegation

leveled against the founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, by a popular musician, Timi Dakolo's wife, Mrs. Busola Dakolo, human rights groups

and other Nigerians yesterday took protest to the church headquarters in Abuja and its worship centre in Lagos to call for the resignation of the clergy man, pending the determination of the case by

a competent court.

However, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command said it was yet to receive any formal complaint against Fatoyinbo.

But as early as 7a.m.

yesterday, protesters had already arrived at the church premises in Abuja carrying several placards with different inscriptions to send in their messages and demands to the public.

It was gathered that before their arrival, heavy security presence including that of men from the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and Continued on page 8

Finish the War against Terror, Buratai Orders Frontline Soldiers Military ramps up attacks on terrorists, arrests 20 bandits Air Force chief charges personnel to step up air strikes

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai yesterday charged soldiers in the North-east to

redouble their efforts and end the war against Boko Haram terrorists.

He said this was necessary for them to be able to quickly reunite with their families in Continued on page 10

Presidency: Ruga Won’t Be Imposed on States… Page 8

THEIR CONDOLENCES… L-R: Vice Presidential Candidate, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi; widower and Managing Director, THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Eniola Bello; business woman, Mrs. Bola Shagaya and former Secretary to Lagos State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, during a service of songs and outing service in honour of late Mrs. Helen Bello-Olaitan in Lagos… yesterday kola olasupo

2

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 • T H I S D AY

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 • T H I S D AY

3

4

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 • T H I S D AY

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 • T H I S D AY

5

6

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 • T H I S D AY

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 • T H I S D AY

7

8

MONDAY, ͹˜ ͺ͸͹΁ ˾ T H I S D AY

PAGE EIGHT

Presidency: Ruga Won’t Be Imposed on States Again, Southern, Middle Belt leaders, reject policy Omololu Ogunmade, Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City, George Okoh in Makurdi and Segun James in Lagos The presidency last night in Abuja reacted to the raging condemnations of the move by the federal government to establish rural grazing areas (RUGA) in states, saying the federal government had no plan to impose the idea on any state.

It described the idea as a voluntary concept conceived to end protracted conflicts among herders and locals and simultaneously put paid to the threat of deprivation and loss of people's freedom.

The presidency made this position known through a statement by a presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu.

According to the statement, 12 states have so far applied to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for participation in the programme, adding that the number is enough for the pilot phase of the project.

The statement accused some state leaders, which it said had not applied for the project and also not on the invitation list of the government, of fuelling the controversy and advised states to cooperate with the federal government in its search for a solution to the lingering crisis.

"Stripped of the politics and howling that has attended the recent comments, there is no government plan to seize state land, colonize territory or impose Ruga on any part of the federation. Government has made it clear time and again that the programme is voluntary.

"So far, 12 states have applied to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, making lands available for the take-off of the scheme in their states. This number is sufficient for the pilot scheme.

"Unfortunately, some state governments that have not signified interest in the scheme and, therefore, are not on the invitation list have been misleading people that the federal government is embarking on a scheme to take away their lands.

"Mostly, these are state leaders that have no explanation to offer their people for continued nonpayment of workers’ salaries. It is true that government at the centre has gazetted lands in all states of the federation but because the idea is not to force this programme on anyone, the government has limited the take-off to the dozen states with valid requests.

"We urge states to join the federal government at the centre in encouraging all sides to these conflicts to make efforts towards finding a peaceful resolution. As we seek a permanent solution to these unwanted conflicts, efforts must be made to ensure that no innocent person faces any kind of deprivation or loss of right and freedom under our laws," the statement said.

The statement which further said the idea was meant to contain the roaming of cattle herders and the consequent clashes they often have with farmers, added that RUGA would help to settle the herders in an organised place with the provision of basic facilities.

Explaining that the project would also be beneficial to all and sundry who engage in animal husbandry, presidency insisted that RUGA would help to end open grazing and the security threat it posed to both farmers and herders.

It listed other benefits of the project to include a boost in animal protection including the quality of hygiene of the herd, beef and milk production as well as other accruable benefits such as job creation and access to credit facilities.

It added: "'Ruga Settlement' that seeks to settle migrant pastoral families simply means rural settlement in which animal farmers, not just cattle herders, will be settled in an organized place with provision of necessary and adequate basic amenities such as schools, hospitals, road networks, vet clinics, markets and manufacturing entities that will process and add value to meats and animal products.

"Beneficiaries will include all persons in animal husbandry, not only Fulani herders. The federal government is planning this in order to curb open grazing of animals that continue to pose security threats to farmers and herders.

"The overall benefit to the nation includes a drastic reduction in conflicts between herders and farmers, a boost in animal protection complete with a value chain that will increase the quality and hygiene of livestock in terms of beef and milk production, increased quality of feeding and access to animal care and private sector participation in commercial pasture production by way of investments.

"Other gains are job creation, access to credit facilities, security for pastoral families and curtailment of cattle rustling."

Again, Southern, Middle Belt Leaders, Reject Policy The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) yesterday sustained its opposition to the establishment of Ruga settlements for herdsmen, warning the federal government to review its decision.

Also, communities under the Akpa Community Development Association (ACDA) in Otukpo, Benue State, have condemned the hoisting of Ruga settlement

signpost in the area, describing those that erected it as criminals.

SMBLF in a statement by Messrs Yinka Odumakin (South-west), Prof. Chigozie Ogbu (South-east), Senator Bassey Henshaw (South-south) and Dr. Isuwa Dogo (Middle Belt), said the Ruga settlements were in furtherance of the ethnic domination and conquest of the Fulani in Nigeria, with the alleged encouragement of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

"The idea is repugnant, repulsive and provocative as it seeks to colonise the rest of Nigeria under the guise of promoting cattle rearing, which is private business that should not have the involvement of any responsible government, as lining the might of the federal government behind the business of one ethnic group in a multiethnic country like Nigeria can only come from a government that is not interested in its unity," SMBLF said.

The forum argued that in the last four years, "We have seen the rate at which the Fulani herdsmen have turned non-Fulani communities into killing fields with the government turning a blind eye to all their crimes while using the instrumentalities of state to defend and shield them from interrogation."

It said that the SMBLF was in Benue State in January 2018 where over 73 people were killed in one day by suspected Fulani herdsmen and then in other various communities in the last four years through the shedding of innocent blood by marauders.

"We challenge the federal government to tell us any court in the country where any herdsman is being tried today for all the killings, kidnappings, raping of women and destruction of farmlands they have carried

out against innocent citizens.

As if the sinful silence of the government is not enough, it has now decided on a provocative measure to secure territories for them in all the 36 states of the federation,” it said.

In Benue State, the National President of ACDA, Dr. Fidelis Otebe, said it was an act of criminality to erect the signpost despite protests from the state that the people did not want any settlement for herders in their domain.

Otebe said yesterday that he had consulted Akpa sons and daughters at home and in the Diaspora and they rejected the intention of the federal government to establish grazing reserves in Akpa land.

“The people have no land to give as grazing reserves in whatever form to anybody, including Fulani herdsmen and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resource,” he added.

He said as agrarian settlers, who earned their living through cultivation of agricultural crops, the people have no land for grazing reserves and warned those with the idea to locate the grazing reserves in Akpa to stay clear from the area.

According to him, the people have given land to Agricultural Training Institute, Otobi; Otukpo Multipurpose Dam, Otobi; University of Health Sciences, Akwete; Federal Government College; and Federal Government Tourism Centre for Crafts, among others where compensation were paid to the people.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has said that it has not donated land or showed any interest in the project.

Special Adviser, Media and Communication Strategy to the governor, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said in Benin City yesterday that the reason behind the passive interest of the state was that the state

government had agricultural programmes that cut across farm settlement, fisheries, livestock and other animal husbandries.

According to him, this is why the governor has not made a commitment on the matter or move to donate land for the project.

However, despite the protests of the establishment of Ruga settlements for Fulani herdsmen, the federal government has commenced the award of contracts for the projects in some states, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.

THISDAY gathered that the cost of eight-brick Ruga infrastructure with sanitary facilities awarded in Taraba State was N166.3 million.

Taraba is one of the 12 states where the Ruga settlement for herders is to be set up, under a pilot scheme to test run the programme aimed at finding a lasting solution to the perennial clashes between herders and farmers over grazing routes and destruction of farm produce.

Other states are: Adamawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Kogi, Katsina, Kebbi, Benue, Zamfara and Niger.

THISDAY, however, gathered that despite the stiff opposition to the scheme, the federal government had commenced the award of contracts for the construction of the settlements.

In one of the letters of contract dated May 21, 2019, and signed by a Director in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developments, one of the contractors was directed to mobilise to contract site in Taraba State and ensure that the contract was delivered within four weeks and according to specifications.

The contractor was warned against asking for contract variation, as it would not be entertained.

in the oppression of the whole country. There will be no political change without social change.

Too many educated derelicts among us who just went to school but don’t think. And there’s a growing number who didn’t but because they make money they assume they are knowledgeable."

Another user, @donsidink said, "Seriously, I'm disappointed in most people on this case. I get to learn brain is scarce and understand the main reason why the politicians kept deceiving us every time is because we have lot of fools than the brave ones in this country. So, he's guilty by your standards but not innocent by his members'.

Busola have her side of the story and the pastor said his. You have chosen to believe Busola's story which is your right but COZA members can’t believe their pastor because it negates your truth. Think again."

There was also a counter protest organised by the church in solidarity with the embattled pastor.

But while the protest was going on, the church, conducted a session of testimonies that featured some female members who attested to how they had benefited from the church under Fatoyinbo’s leadership.

They said they had witnessed dramatic improvements in their lives since they started worshipping in the church.

Fatoyinbo later addressed

worshippers during which he announced the suspension of the church’s yearly programme of fasting for seven days. The programme was initially billed to start from today.

He said he had to suspend the special programme titled, ‘Seven Days of Glory’ that usually takes place from July 1 to July 7, to avoid protesters from embarrassing invited preachers.

He said: “We will have prayers for those who are interested in coming but we are not going to have the seven days of glory. It has been suspended because I don’t want all those kind of stuff.

“So, if you want to pray, come but the regular seven days of prayer, having preachers, come in, you don’t want to put your guest speakers through that. We love to host people properly.”

As he spoke, the worshippers interrupted his speech with chants of ‘We love you pastor.’

“As we start our fasting, even though we are not doing the seven days of glory (programme) as we usually do, those of you who are led to come and pray here, as you come, the Lord will lift you up,” he stated.

He also got a morale booster from his wife, Modele, who dismissed allegation of rape against her husband.

She said: “Not even as an unbeliever would my husband rape someone. Hello, let me talk, please, not even as an unbeliever.”

But her husband interrupted her speech and said: “The elders are stepping into it, please let them handle it,” in an apparent reference to the allegation.

Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command said it was yet to receive any formal complaint against the pastor.

Operatives of the Department of State Security Service (DSS) and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) had Saturday cordoned off the

PROTESTS ROCK COZA IN ABUJA, LAGOS OVER ALLEGED RAPE men from the Nigerian Police Force, had been stationed at the front of the church premises as the church's protocol officers in a chained hands formed a barricade around the Abuja church, to prevent the protestants from gaining entrance into the church premises.

In Lagos, only few security operatives were available as the protesters took turns to scream for the removal of Fatoyinbo through public address system.

There were altercations between the protesters and security operatives, as a result of uncivil behaviour of some of the operatives, who were accused of manhandling them.

Some of the inscriptions written on the placards are: "Rape is not a gift from God," "Pastor step down. No to rape," "The altar of God needs sanctification," "I stand with Busola Dakolo.”

Tension gripped the entire Guzape Hill neighbourhood, Abuja, as different activist groups made up of youths, including the #ChurchTooMovement, laid siege to COZA as early as 8 a.m. and blocked the access road leading to the church, from the NNPC filling station.

One of the conveners of #BringBackOurGirls, Aisha Yesufu, was among the crowd of protesters, clad in white t-shirts and touting different placards outside the church premises.

Their placards were inscribed with stirring messages like

‘Thou shall not rape,’ ‘No to sexual abuse in my church’ among others.

Trouble, however, ensued after they were pushed back by policemen, officers of the DSS and some thugs, allegedly hired by the church, shortly after they started to march to the church building along Nasir el-Rufai Road.

The heavily armed policemen were brought to the church in about eight patrol vehicles. They prevented the protesters from marching into the church.

While the members of the #ChurchTooMovement were protesting, some church members, workers and street urchins in tattered garbs, appeared from the opposing direction with their own placards, in solidarity with the embattled pastor.

One of the # C h u r c h To o M o v e m e n t conveners, Ms. Bukola Shonibare, told THISDAY that the allegation of rape against the pastor was too strong and enough for him to step down and allow for proper inquisition.

Shonibare condemned the rising incidences of sexual abuse against women in the country.

She also vowed that they would ensure that Dakolo gets a closure against the pastor by protesting at the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, Inspector General of Police and all relevant federal authorities.

She also charged the Board and leadership of COZA to immediately investigate the allegation leveled against the pastor, who must in addition step down from the pulpit to allow a thorough investigation.

She also tasked the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and other relevant Christian bodies to wade into the matter.

“Allegations of human rights violations, especially sexual abuses, have become prevalent in the church today.

The pattern and repetitiveness of these allegations is worrisome, one that calls for urgent and immediate action. We believe that leaders in positions of authority must be subjected to scrutiny and accountability and desist from taking advantage of their positions of influence and power over their members, which often causes unquantifiable and sometimes, irredeemable damages to the victims,” Shonibare said.

The social media was likewise not spared, as the protest sparked up several debates and counter opinions on Twitter and Instagram.

One of the respondents with the username,@ayosoginro said, "For all those who think the energy of #COZA should be directed to politics, this is politics. The oppression of women is a part of the systems of oppression that ultimately end

Continued on page 10

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN % FORTEOIL 2.65 29.40 9.9 UNITYBANK 0.06 0.70 9.3 ROYALEXCHANGE 0.02 0.70 9.0 COURTVILLE 0.01 0.21 5.0 WEMA 0.02 0.62 3.3 TOP LOSERS NGN % THOMASWYATT 0.03 0.33 8.3 INTERBREW 1.45 20.00 7.2 JAIZBANK 0.02 0.46 4.1 FIDELITY 0.05 1.68 2.8 AFRPRUD 0.09 3.40 2.7 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦1,460.00 Volume: 145.277 million shares Value: N2.831 billion Deals: 2,445 As at 28/6/19 See details on Page 35

10

MONDAY, ͹˜ ͺ͸͹΁ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS TRIBUTES AS HUNDREDS BID ENIOLA-OLAITAN FAREWELL Kola Ologbondiyan; former Commissioner for Information, Edo State, Mr. Louis Odion; Deputy Managing Director of THISDSAY, Mr. Kayode Komolafe; Chairman, Editorial Board THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Segun Adeniyi; Editor of THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi; Managing Director of Telegraph Newspaper, Mrs. Funke Egbemode; former presidential adviser, Dr. Reuben Abati, spokesman of the former Senate President, Alhaji Yusuf Olaniyonu, and Mrs. Modele Sharafa-Yusuf.

The service commenced with a rendition by the choir of Realm of Glory Church and was preceded by the first Bible reading by Blossom Bello Odofin.

Wife of the General Overseer of Realm of Glory Church, Rev. Grace Aiyedogbon took the special song titled, ‘It is Well,’ followed by the second Bible reading by Air Commodore, Tunde Daramola (rtd.).

The third Bible reading was taken by a friend of the deceased, Aduke Daniel while the fourth Bible reading was taken by Mr. Dave Okeme.

In his tribute, Ven. Paul Femi described Eniola-Olaitan as very generous, down to earth, a prayer warrior and preacher.

According to him, “Helen was an encourager, honest in her dealing. She was always smiling at all time. She was a true mother indeed, even until death, caring for her family and anybody that came around her

knew she was a true mother.

She was very dedicated to the things of God. In summary, her elder sister asked me to say this, ‘we shall meet at the bosom of Christ; we shall forever be with Him again,’ thank you.”

On her part, the sister-in-law of the deceased, Mrs. Nkechi Bello Odofin, said EniolaOlaitan was loving and caring, adding that it was impossible to sum up her beautiful life in a few words.

She said: “There are many beautiful things that I want to say about her, but how can I be able to talk about such a wonderful person in just a few minutes. How can I explain the kindness in her heart, the contagiousness of her joy or depth of her loving? How can

I ever be able to sum up her beautiful life in a few words?

I will never forget the first day her husband brought her home to introduce to me. She was so beautiful; I could not help but fall in love with her. Instantly we bonded.”

Her cousin, Mrs. Yemi Omofe, said she sowed her life as a seed for the rest of her family.

“Your brief and meaningful life thought me so many things as an adult; and as children growing up, I learnt a lot from you. Your love and the sense of value you gave to everyone can never be forgotten,” she said.

In the same vein, her closest friend, Mrs. Hanna Oladunni, said a day was not enough to talk about who the deceased

truly was, describing her as an embodiment of what a true friend is.

In his sermon, the General Overseer of Realm of Glory International Church, Abraham Sam Aiyedogbon, said the gathering was a celebration of life.

He stated that planning and writings notwithstanding, Helen, like John the Baptist, was a burning and shining light.

Aiyedogbon, who likened Helen to Dorcas in the Bible, stated: “The world is filled with darkness, but from what we have heard from the people who had the privilege of interacting with her, we can see that there are burning and shining lights in the darkness of the world. I went through

the scripture and was trying to look for the woman who will capture what sister Helen represented.

“And the person I could find is found in Acts 9:36, popularly known as Dorcas. The meaning of her Greek name is a deer, which is an emblem of love. So she represented a great lover, not just a lover of people, but a lover of God. As I read that scripture, I saw the life of our late sister there, “he said.

To honour her memory, the General Overseer called on everyone to bring back the values she lived for and imbibe her virtues.

He added that for her not to be forgotten, her good works and everything she represented must be brought back to action.

to any of my divisions. As at today (yesterday), we are yet to receive any formal complaint," he said.

The CP said if a complaint is received, the command would look at "the merits and demerits" of the case.

"We should be able to tell the truth of what we have seen. It is normal; that is the routine.

If there is a formal complaint, we will look into it," he said.

SERAP Condemns Arbitrary Arrest of Protesters Meanwhile, the SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has strongly condemned the harassment, repression and arbitrary arrests by Nigerian law enforcement and security agents of anti-rape activists, who have been peacefully

protesting today outside the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Abuja.

In a statement by SERAP Deputy Director, Mr. Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: "The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all those detained and allow them to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly."

offensive operations and Air interdictions conducted by troops of the Multi National Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) and Operation Lafiya Dole in Doron Naira, Ngouma in Cameroun, Arege, Malkonory and Tumbun Rego, where several insurgents were neutralised, including an ISWAP Commander.

Nwachukwu noted that "the insurgents were equally, recently defeated in the battles of Goniri, Nbaga and Gero by the gallant troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.

"Suffice to mention that huge cache of arms, ammunition and other weapon systems were recovered from the insurgents during the offensive operations".

The statement urged "members of the public not to fall for the propaganda antics of ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists and to discountenance the false video.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff has charged NAF personnel to sustain the tempo of attacks on insurgents and armed bandits He said the current security challenges facing the country, if left unchecked, pose grave danger to the collective coexistence of Nigerians. He therefore urged them to redouble their efforts in order to make the service more relevant and effective in addressing the current and future security challenges in the country.

The CAS stated this while commissioning a renovated block of 30 x 2 bedroom apartments for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) at the NAF Base in Kaduna today, 29 June 2019. This is coming just a few days after he commissioned three newly renovated blocks of officers' accommodation and a warehouse at NAF Base Bill Clinton Drive Abuja.

In a related development, the CAS said physical fitness was imperative for the military to win the war against insurgency.

Abubakar stated this during the NAF 2019 Second Quarter Route March Exercise, held in Abuja.

The exercise, which also held in NAF Units across the country, was led by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Emmanuel Anabi, who represented the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, at the event.

The aim of the exercise is to keep officers and men of the service physically and mentally fit for the effective performance of their various duties towards fulfilling NAF’s constitutional roles.

At the weekend, the Nigerian Army arrested 20 armed bandits in Sokoto and Katsina.

It said troops have in a renewed efforts arrested several gangs of bandits terrorizing Isa, Rabbah and Burkusuma communities around Sububu Forest in Sokoto State as well as in Batsari, Safana and Kankara in Dumburum Forest of Katsina State.

Similarly, troops deployed in Super Camp covering Bena, Jega, Danko and Wasagu encountered and annihilated uncomfirmed number of bandits and destroyed five bandits' camps in Gando Forest of Kebbi State.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy has appointed Prof.

Omojo Omaji as the substantive Vice+ chancellor of Admiralty University.

In his address at the ceremony held at the Naval Headquarters, the Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas charged the VC to position the university into a world class institution of higher learning reputable for uninterruptable quality education, research, academic excellence and discipline.

In his acceptance speech, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Omaji thanked the Chief of Naval Staff and other founders of the university for the rare privilege given to him to lead the institution.

Prof. Omaji pledged to discharge his duties in line with the vision of the proprietors and the business ideology of ADUN.

PROTESTS ROCK COZA IN ABUJA, LAGOS OVER ALLEGED RAPE church premises to a avert any breakdown of law and order.

Bukola, wife of popular musician, Timi Dakolo, had accused the COZA pastor of defiling her.

Fatoyinbo has since denied the allegations, saying he never raped anybody even as an unbeliever.

But Dakolo had alleged that the pastor raped her severally at age 16, exploiting his relationship

with her parents who were members of the church.

She further alleged that the pastor had told her after the rape incident that she should be happy that "a man of God did this to you."

Dakolo's revelation had triggered protests by different groups asking the pastor to step down.

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also condemned

the incident saying it was "ungodly, wicked and reprehensible."

But in a chat with THISDAY, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Mr. Bala Ciroma, said as at yesterday, he was yet to receive any formal complaint against the COZA pastor.

"I wouldn't know if they have written. This is weekend and offices are closed. I don't know if they have reported

FINISH THE WAR AGAINST TERROR, BURATAI ORDERS FRONTLINE SOLDIERS the barracks.

The COAS made the charge at the interdenominational service jointly held by the Headquarters of Counter-insurgency operation in the Northeast (Operation Lafiya Dole) and 7 Division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri to mark the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2019.

He said: "I urge you all officers and soldiers of Operation Lafiya Dole to remain focused and redouble your efforts in the war against terrorism and insurgency."

Buratai, who was represented by the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Benson Akinroluyo, said: "The NADCEL is an annual event, which culminates on July 6 every year. It is an occasion used as a platform for the Nigerian Army to reflect on our performance and celebrate our achievements, as well as highlight our operations as key instruments for national power, unity, integration and development."

He added: “The Nigerian Army has been leveraging on the event to showcase our commitment as a professionally responsive force. On the other hand the Combat Support and Arms Training (COSAT) is an important training activity, which provides a platform for combat support arms to reappraise their performance in providing combat support to the Nigerian Army operations.”

He said the NADCEL and COSAT 2019 will be held jointly this year and is designed to focus on the Nigerian Army's commitment as a professionally, responsive force in the discharge of it's constitutional role.

Buratai said: "It will be recalled that the NADCEL 2018 afforded the participants and guests the opportunity to be embedded in the real time military operations code named Operation Last Hold. The benefits we derived from the exercise were quite enormous as it enable us to test virtually

all aspects of our logistics and operational activities, as a fighting force.”

He said: "In the period of insecurity and insurgency, security is a collective responsibility and as soldiers, clerics and parents what shall we do? Clerics and parents should pray for us, while as soldiers we should rededicate ourselves and have the courage to fight.”

He urged the troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole to redouble their efforts and be courageous in the fight against insurgency, as victory is certainly theirs, noting that “God is always with them. So finish this war and go back to your barracks.”

In his sermon, Rev. Haruna Godiva said: "What shall we do as congress, tax collectors and as soldiers, we should know that what we do on earth, is what we see in heaven. If we are not doubting heaven, we should also not doubt about hell."

He told them that: "When soldiers asked John the Baptist what shall we do as a soldier, he replied them that you should not intimidate, you should not accuse people falsely and be contented with what you have, your salaries and allowances.

If we do these, surely victory is ours.”

He, therefore, urged soldiers not to intimidate, accuse people falsely or take what does not belong to them, like collecting bribe and extorting motorists on the highways.

Military Ramps up Attacks on Terrorists, Bandits Meanwhile, the Nigerian military weekend ramped up attacks on terrorist hideouts in the North-east. While the Nigerian Air Force launched air strikes in Gbogara and Bakassi in Borno State, the Army arrested 20 armed bandits in Sububu Forest in Sokoto and Katsina States.

This is coming as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) denied capture of a naval base by the Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) in Lake Chad.

The denial came as the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, charged NAF personnel to sustain the tempo of attacks on terrorists and armed bandits in order to secure Nigeria's territorial integrity.

The Air Force Chief spoke as the Nigerian Army arrested 20 armed bandits in Sokoto and Katsina States.

NAF conducted air strikes that killed several terrorists of the Boko Haram hue in Gbogara and Bakassi in Borno State.

"The attack on Gobara, a settlement in the Sambisa Forest area, was carried out by two Alpha Jets after Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions had identified a segment of the settlement being used by Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) fighters to store their logistics and other equipment.

"The jets scored accurate hits in the target area, leading to the destruction of some of the structures and equipment as well as the killing of several terrorists," a NAF statement said.

It said in continuation of Operation Green Sweet 2 the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole had destroyed terrorists’ hideouts and killed some fighters at Gobara and Bakassi, Borno State in separate air raids.

In a similar vein, another active camp belonging to Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements located at Bakassi on the fringes of Lake Chad in Northern Borno, was successfully attacked and several terrorists killed in air strikes carried out later in the day.

"Overhead the target area, the NAF ISR platform observed significant presence of ISWAP fighters who were attempting to flee the location, upon hearing the sound of the aircraft.

"The attack platforms

were vectored to the area of concentration of the terrorists, unleashing their munitions on the target and causing significant damage to the camp and neutralising many terrorists", NAF Spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said it was alerted to another mischievous video footage being circulated online by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), insinuating the capture of a naval base in North-east Nigeria.

It said: "In its usual mannerism, after suffering major defeats in encounters with counter-terrorism and counter insurgency troops, the terrorist group has cloned another video, in an unwitting attempt to disseminate and propagate false information in order to gain accolades and present a public image of a virile force."

It added: "It is crucial to recall that the terrorists group had earlier circulated a similar video, following an encounter with troops in Baga area of the Lake Chad region, where they claimed to have taken over the naval base, in Lake Chad.

"Apparently, this video, shows ISWAP occupation of a disused boat yard, which is still being mischievously circulated, after careful doctoring, to portray a phantom capture of a naval base in Baga, as if it were a recent victory in its insurgency campaign".

The statement signed by Defence spokesman, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said "the video footage is undoubtedly an unclever and amateurish attempt to save face, having suffered enormous losses in several encounters with troops in the last seven months.

"It is also another failed ISWAP propaganda effort to project itself as a potent force with maritime capabilities".

DHQ said both ISWAP and BHT have severally suffered defeat during fierce

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 • T H I S D AY

9

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 • T H I S D AY

11

12

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Gunmen Kill 23 Persons in Benue, Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina and George Okoh in Makurdi Gunmen have killed 23 persons in Benue and Katsina States in attacks on two local government areas in both states While 11 persons were yesterday morning killed in Okokolo village by gunmen from Abugbe village in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, bandits reportedly killed at least 11 persons in nine communities of Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The gunmen attacked Okokolo while the locals went to churches.

Several houses were also said to have been burnt down while many people were reportedly still missing at the time of this report.

A native of Okokolo village, John Ikwulono, told journalists that there were no prior issues between the communities before the attack.

“This barbaric, unwarranted and inhuman attack occurred even when series of peace meetings have been called. Just few days before these attacks, Agbaduma community and Abugbe community, it was gathered, signed peace agreement and promised to remain peaceful and ensure that there would be no further problem among them.

Ikwulono listed those who are confirmed dead from Okokolo to include Mr. Baba Odoje, Mr. Shaidu Magaji (a retired military officer), Mr. Oloche Obiabo (Kaddo), Adehi Imaikwu and Mr. Maji Baba.

Others are Ngbede Ibrahim, Bello-Gene-Galih, Mr. Ekoja,

Adams Dogara (Pastor Dogara’s son) and one Francis Idu’s wife and her two children.

While noting that bodies of some persons who were suspected to have been killed in the attack were yet to be found, Ikwulono, a former supervisory councillor of the council, said so many persons, including Mrs. Mary Adakonye, a health worker, who sustained bullet wounds in the attack, were currently receiving treatment at different hospitals in Agatu.

Ikwulono, who lamented the development, said the situation, if not properly handled, was capable of destroying the entire Agatu.

According to him, “And then, there might be no place to call Agatu in the nearest future. God forbid it anyway, but this is my candid advice to our leaders.

“I appreciate all those with genuine intentions to bring peace to the area, but those instigating crisis in the area shall know no peace for the rest of their lives.”

When contacted, the Caretaker Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council, Hon Usman Alilu, who confirmed the report, said he had directed soldiers to the area to deal decisively with the perpetrators of the crime and arrest them.

“We are on top of the situation now. Thank you for your genuine concern and your tireless efforts,” he said.

Similarly, the Benue State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sir John Ngbede, in a telephone conversation, expressed bitterness over the unfortunate situation.

Power Crisis Worsens as National Grid Collapses Again Chineme Okafor in Abuja Nigeria’s feeble national grid collapsed again yesterday morning just about 43 days after the last collapse on May 9, 2019, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), has disclosed.

Before the grid collapsed, electricity supply, according to the System Operator (SO), a department of the TCN, was 3825 megawatts (MW).

The SO and TCN did not disclose the volume of electricity available for distribution after the collapse, which occurred in the Benin area of Edo State.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the General Manager Public Affairs of TCN, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, stated that grid experienced a system collapse at 9.10a.m. yesterday due to high voltage following massive drop of load by electricity distribution companies (Discos) in the country.

Mbah, noted that the high voltage also resulted to a fire outbreak in the 75MX reactor in TCN’s Benin power transmission sub-station.

“The massive load drop led to high voltage in the system, which shattered the lightning arrester in close proximity to the 75MX reactor in Benin sub-station.

The shattered lightning arrester porcelain hit the reactor bushing causing further explosion on the reactor resulting in fire outbreak,” Mbah said, in the statement.

She however, explained that

restoration of the grid commenced immediately, adding that as at 1.30 p.m., bulk power supply to most parts of Nigeria had been restored.

According to her, the TCN was grateful to the government of Edo State and Benin Disco, as well as the Fire Service for their collective efforts in putting out the fire and restoring normal power supply.

Mbah, also disclosed that TCN had commenced the movement of another reactor to Benin City to replace the burnt reactor and ensure voltage stability in the city as well as prevent a re-occurrence.

“Management would also ensure a review of the entire protection and earthing system nationwide. This is done in addition to the overall upgrading of the system through the TREP program being financed by multilateral donors.

“The installation of three-no reactors on the Ikot- EkpeneUgwuaji –Jos line has reached an advance stage. It is expected that once these three reactors are installed and commissioned, the grid would be further stabilised,” she noted, while stating TCN’s assurance to Nigerians that it was doing everything possible to modernise, upgrade and stabilise the grid.

About 43 days ago, the country’s grid experienced a collapse which TCN’s Managing Director, Mr. Usman Mohammed, linked to multiple tripping on its substation in Onitsha, Anambra State, and purported generator trip off.

Ngbede, who is an indigene of Agautu, said he had already informed the caretaker chairman to make sure soldiers arrest everyone involved in the attack to serve as a deterrent to others.

“Even if it is a stone you find there, don’t spare anyone, pick them up and deal with them mercilessly,” the visibly angry PDP chairman said.

Efforts to get the reaction of the police were not successful at the time of filing this report as phone calls put to the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, were neither picked nor returned.

Meanwhile, armed bandits have reportedly killed at least 11 persons in nine communities of Kankara Local Government Area

of Katsina State.

The communities invaded by the hoodlums include Pauwa, Katoge, Danhayi, Gidan Guge, Kaurawa, Jan Bago, Kadanya, Gidan Kwaki and Lambar Kantoma.

The fresh onslaught on the communities, according to local sources, occurred last Saturday at about 6:23 p.m. when the hoodlums numbering about 70 invaded the communities on motorcycles.

But police in the state gave the number of those killed as seven, and blamed members of the communities for not informing the security operatives on time.

Confirming the development to THISDAY yesterday, a staff of the council who pleaded anonymity, said: “The bandits attacked nine villages and killed 11 persons

yesterday (Saturday) evening and raped many women in the communities.

The source added that many women and children were declared missing after the invasion, saying those injured were receiving treatment in different hospitals in the state.

When contacted, the Katsina State police spokesman, SP Gambo Isah, confirmed the incident, saying seven persons were killed and two are currently receiving treatment.

“Thebandits came with more than 100 motorcycles, and each of the motorcycles carried three persons armed with AK47. We got the information late, and already the bandits had laid ambush for the security operatives,” he said.

The police spokesman added

that security personnel had been deployed to the villages to restore peace, while the hoodlums were being trailed to their hideouts by the police and army to arrest them.

Isah appealed to residents of the state to always help the police with positive information on criminals’ hideouts for urgent interventions.

Disturbed by the carnage, hundreds of aggrieved youths at the weekend besieged Kankara town and blocked major roads leading to the council for about three hours.

The protesters alleged that both the state and federal governments were not doing enough to address banditry, kidnapping and other crimes in the state.

WORTHY HONOUR...

R-L: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Managing Director, Nigeria LNG Limited, Mr. Tony Attah; his wife, Mrs. Oma Attah; former Managing Director of SPDC and CountryChairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria , Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu; and Managing Director, SPDC and Country Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, at a reception in honour of Mr. Attah’s father, in Ososo, Akoko Edo Local Government Area, Edo State...recently

US Promises to Help Nigeria Rescue Leah Sharibu Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The United States Government during the week in Washington DC promised to assist Nigeria in the effort to rescue Leah Sharibu, the lone Christian girl held back

by Boko Haram when it released 104 Dapchi schoolgirls it kidnapped on February 19, 2018.

The assistance, according to Empowered Newswire, a United States news agency, was offered when Vice President Yemi Osinbajo met

his United States counterpart, Mike Pence in Washington DC. According to the agency, during the meeting between the two vice presidents, Osinbajo explained how President Muhammadu Buhari worked to ensure the release of over 100 of the Chibok girls abducted on April 14, 2014.

Osinbajo was also said to have assuaged the minds of Pence of beliefs that the Nigerian Muslim President deliberately opted not to work for the release of Leah because she is

a Christian.

It was further learnt that following Osinbajo’s submission, the US government offered to assist the Federal Government of Nigeria in securing the freedom of Leah and other abducted girls, while admonishing the Nigerian government, however, not to relent in the effort to secure the release of all abducted girls.

The agency which further reported that both vice presidents shared common attributes, added that the meeting between the duo

was perfected by the US embassy in Abuja following the request of the Nigerian government for a meeting between Osinbajo and Pence, and the latter promptly obliged the request.

It was also reported that both vice presidents were known to be very fervent men of faith and aside sharing some of their Christian faith values in the meeting, both men also took time to pray together after the meeting in the office of Pence.

We Can Sell Grasses to Herdsmen, Say S’East Govs Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki As reactions continue to trail the federal government’s proposal for the establishment of Ruga settlements in some states of the country, the South East Governors Forum has declared that no part of the region would be given out for the purpose of establishment of Ruga settlements, adding that the zone is purely agrarian with limited landmass for farming and therefore, cannot accommodate Ruga settlements.

Chairman of the South East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, said though there is no plan for any Ruga settlements in any part of South-east

and South-south, the zones can engage in a very good business of selling grasses to the herdsmen in exchange for cow meat.

Umahi who spoke in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, disclosed that the South-eat zone actually proposed a deal with Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

The governor said under the deal, MACABAN will take their cattle to the northern parts where grazing reserves were established long time ago and rely completely on the grasses grown in the south for feeding their cattle.

Umahi was the Chairman of the Technical Committee on

Farmers and Herdsmen, which recommended the revamping of the already existing grazing reserves in various parts of the north to enable farmers have unhindered access to their farmlands while herdsmen rely solely on proceeds from the farmers.

“Umahi was the Chairman of NEC Sub-Technical Committee on farmers and herdsmen clash and he toured the states of Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Zamfara and two other states where he made in one of his recommendations to the federal government for revamping of grazing reserves in the north where all the cattle rearers in the south will take their cattle to but rely on the grass that are grown in the

south” “The way it works is that the herdsmen will bring down their cows to the South-east and sell to us as meat while they will load the grasses which are grown here in the same trucks with which they transported their cows to feed their cattle in those grazing reserve which should be made comfortable for them “ The statement also quoted Umahi as saying that with this proposed deal, herdsmen are expected to embrace anti-open grazing by returning to the ranches in the north to do their business on the trade by barter basis by selling cows to the south and buying grasses to feed their cows in the north.

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 • T H I S D AY

13

14

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

COMMENT

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

THE EDO POLITICAL REFORMER Crusoe Osagie pays tribute to Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki

L

ess than three years into his first term as Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, with his governance style, has etched his name in Edo people’s hearts. His brand of politics is gaining grounds speedily despite the odds posed by the old politics of entitlement and gratification, without any value addition.

His approval ratings in the streets are at an all-time high, over 80 per cent, as he continues to change public perception of governance with his insistence on putting Edo people and residents first as well as doing more and talking less.

Obaseki’s resolve to frugally apply the state’s resources to critical sectors such as education, health, infrastructure, job creation programmes, civil service reforms amongst others, has put the state on the path of prosperity.

He has altered the old political order with a commitment not to fritter Edo people’s resources. Instead he has adopted policies and programmes that are empowering millions of Edo people economically and socially.

This rare stance resonates with millions of Edo people, who have since rolled up their sleeves to fight on the side of the governor, in the battle to take the state from a few greedy individuals who want to feed fat on the state’s resources. As proof of the people’s growing support for the governor, they handed Obaseki his first victory in the last local government election, in which the All Progressives Congress (APC) cleared all the chairmanship and councillorship seats in the 18 local councils. Same landslide victory was repeated in the last house of assembly election. The 24 available seats were won by the APC. His impressive management of the state’s resources dominates conversations across the state. His large-hearted and civil disposition to governance, accommodation of opposing views and criticisms as well as his firm belief in the oneness and progress of all Edo people, irrespective of their political leanings and convictions, class and stature, have continued to endear him to millions of people in the state and beyond.

The governor’s progressive politics has been seen at play in the way he resolves very complex and knotty issues in the course of governing. One of such knotty issues was the resolution of the issues around the Ojuromi of Uromi, His Royal Highness, Anselm O. Aidonojie II. Obaseki reinstated the traditional ruler and extended his developmental programmes to Esan land, a major power bloc in Edo State politics.

The resulting goodwill and open governance style created inroads for the APC in Edo Central Senatorial District, a former stronghold of the opposition party. The growing public appeal of Obaseki’s governance model also stems from the even distribution of infrastructure and impactful programmes across the nook and cranny of the three senatorial districts.

The ‘Wake and See’ sobriquet, which amplifies the Obaseki brand among his millions of followers, continues to reverberate across all parts of the state as more people wake up daily to witness the construction of new roads, bridges, revamped schools, health centres, in areas far flung from the city centre, and where no influential politicians reside. Obaseki has redefined governance with his people-centric governance style and the

OBASEKI’S RESOLVE TO FRUGALLY APPLY THE STATE’S RESOURCES TO CRITICAL SECTORS SUCH AS EDUCATION, HEALTH, INFRASTRUCTURE, JOB CREATION PROGRAMMES, CIVIL SERVICE REFORMS AMONGST OTHERS, HAS PUT THE STATE ON THE PATH OF PROSPERITY

positive reviews and commentaries over his brand of politics have cast him in the mould of the late Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia and the late Prof. Ambrose Alli.

As the Edo State governor’s positive ratings soar, governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) recently snatched him into their hierarchy by electing him Vice Chairman of the APC Governors Forum.

The move according to the governors is to strengthen their league and tap from Obaseki’s rich boardroom experience and people-centric politics that have made Edo one of the best performing states in the country.

For example, Edo currently is in the lead in the ease of doing business reforms. Basic education reforms and efforts to bring an end to human trafficking in the state have been applauded by the World Economic Forum, the European Union and several national governments.

Current statistics put the number of illegal migrants entering Italy from Nigeria at 10 people per day, from the former figure of 1000 per day, where Edo State accounts for 60 per cent of the ugly trend.

The significant drop in the figures of illegal migrants from Edo has been linked to the far-reaching work of the Obaseki-led administration, in partnership with the traditional institution and other stakeholders to nip the problem in the bud.

On the giant strides of the governor in the education sector, the World Economic Forum in its recent report said: “The governor of Edo State is becoming an international symbol of successful public-sector education transformation. Godwin Obaseki has become a trailblazer, quickly and dramatically lifting the quality of government schools and up-skilling teachers in his low-income state. The forum added: “He has described his reforms - known as EdoBEST - as a means of boosting the economy and improving people’s life chances. Institutions such as the World Bank and the IFC have been looking at how Obaseki has so effectively reformed state education in only one year.�

Obaseki’s empowerment initiatives such as the Edo Production Centre, the Edo Innovation Hub and the Agriculture cluster have put Edo youths to work and transforming their lives.

His clean politics has continued to endear leaders of opposition political parties to the governor. Recently, some prominent leaders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) such as Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Chief Tom Ikimi and Chief Osamede Adun, popularly known as Bob Izua, visited the governor and hailed his pro-people policies, programmes and openness to ideas and contributions from the constituents.

For these political actors and millions of Edo people and residents, Obaseki does not need any aggressive campaign to secure a second term in office.

Though the gubernatorial election in Edo State is still over a year from now, Edo people are angling to sustain the transformation they have witnessed under Obaseki in the last two years and a half.

Osagie is the Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy

SHOULD WE ALL BECOME BOOTLICKERS?

People of all stripes should be appointed into offices as long as they are competent, argues Onyema Omenuwa

W

hen Chief Bola Ige was appointed minister by a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in 1999 and he seemed to carry on with the conviction that it was a call, on merit, to serve the nation, Chief Sunday Afolabi had to, unapologetically, caution restraint, telling Ige that he was only invited to “come and chop.� For the fact that Chief Ige was a chieftain of a rival political party, the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Afolabi considered him undeservedly lucky, of course owing to the belief, if not the fact, that political appointments in Nigeria open a floodgate of benefits for appointees. Chief Ige remained in that administration, first as Minister of Power and later as Attorney General and Minister of Justice, till he was assassinated on December 23, 2001.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo may not be a likeable person but what he demonstrated with Ige’s appointment would qualify as clearness of purpose to lead, informed by the conviction that once elections are won and lost, leadership ought to assume a life propelled by statesmanship, with party politics really de-emphasised. That is a hallmark of true leaders. The progress or development of their nation is their preoccupation. The flipside would showcase opportunistic characters who are consumed with the desire for self-aggrandisement, which is usually fed by shameless sycophancy.

Naturally, sycophants would usually expect reward, by way of political appointments, irrespective of whether or not they have the capacity to discharge critical assignments needed for national growth.

For some two days recently, the nation was abuzz over an appointment made by the new Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, which would evoke the Afolabi-Ige scenario, but with an unsavory outcome

that saw mob mentality eventually triumphing over what was evidently a patriotic gesture; even when the appointee is not known to belong to any political party, much less a rival one. Obviously convinced that he needed a competent hand as media aide, the Senate President had headhunted Festus Adedayo, newspaper columnist and a known critic of the incumbent administration of Muhammadu Buhari. However, no sooner had his appointment been made public than members of Buhari’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their supporters went into a frenzy of rage. All hell broke loose, with babel of voices protesting that Adedayo had usurped an APC appointment. Barely 24 hours later, they won: Lawan caved in to the blackmail and reversed Adedayo’s appointment.

Much more than anything else, the Adedayo experience offers an opportunity to interrogate the purpose of political appointments. Are they exclusively for political patronage, in which case bootlickers, some of whom are actually party thugs and, unsurprisingly, lack any form of professional competence, are rewarded? Or should a leader like Lawan see in it a chance to pull and pool together professionally-tested hands for his own benefit of achieving results, and as well for the benefit of the nation, which stands to eventually gain from such results? The fact shouldn’t be disregarded that success at elections is premised on promises of results. Then consider also that more often than not, wherever and whenever a group of Nigerians are gathered, the subject of discourse can’t be completely divorced from politics. And there is usually a consensus that the country has remained stagnated, many years after independence, in spite of the abundance of intellectual capital needed to launch any country to enviable heights. In equal measure, opinions would also always coalesce into one factor

as reason for that sad reality: bad leadership! Of course, it goes without saying that bad leadership thrives where people are entrusted with positions of responsibility or authority, the sole qualification for which is just their praise-singing prowess whenever they find themselves amongst politicians. An added qualification would be the capacity to hurl attacks, verbal or otherwise, against known and imaginary enemies of such potential political benefactors.

Interestingly, such political minions who are readily available to execute evil assignments are always for the asking in the polity and they are almost always rewarded, unless their masters don’t succeed in their quest to clinch positions. Given this reality, Lawan committed an unpardonable sin against his party, the APC, when he went outside of their fold to pick an aide. It doesn’t really matter to the APC people that if the Senate President succeeded in his national assignment, courtesy of a non-partisan appointment, it would be to the glory of their party. No, an ordinary Nigerian, particularly one who shuns sycophancy and hypocrisy, and takes the government of the day to task on its obnoxious policies, is not worthy of any political appointment. And woe betides any such Nigerian who takes his criticism of the present administration a notch further by mentioning Buhari. Such a one instantly becomes an enemy of state.

It has never been this bad, that dissenting views cannot be tolerated by an administration and its supporters. And in a democracy! In fact, extremism displayed in every facet of life appears to be the bedrock on which the present administration rests. In the history of Nigeria it has never been that if a citizen held contrary opinion to that of the ruling party, that citizen automatically hated the president. Maybe only during the dark days of Abacha! So, should every Nigerian become an

APC or Buhari bootlicker to enable them to find space in APC’s good books and thereby qualify for political appointments? The fact cannot be overstated that competent Nigerians abound who cannot touch party politics even with the longest pole, yet they are enthusiastic for public service. It’s obviously for such Nigerians’ inclusiveness that past administrations allowed a window through which professionals with absolutely no party affiliation could come on board and deploy their expertise for the ultimate benefit of the nation.

The argument, as canvassed by APC members and their supporters that criticism of an administration disqualifies the critic from serving in that administration, therefore, flies in the face of patriotism.

If so, Ige of the AD shouldn’t have been minister when the PDP held sway. Dr. Reuben Abati, not any party man though, but once a vitriolic critic of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, ended up serving as spokesman therein. Indeed, an administration that is desirous of change would see a critic as an asset and be disposed to experiment with his alternative approaches.

The point needs be emphasised that an invitation deliberately extended to a citizen to serve in an administration that he’s a fierce critic of, can only be for their knowledge, competence and experience to be exploited. Even in the midst of the deafening noise that trailed Lawan’s action, he has demonstrated with it that there are indeed Nigerian politicians who are ruled by altruistic considerations.

Sadly, the ravenous ones overwhelmingly outnumber them and this multitude is strutting about in the APC. Today, they have had their way but it is, sadly, a way that has the potential to rob the nation of the services of quality professionals.

Omenuwa is a lawyer and commentator on national issues

15

T H I S D AY MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019

EDITORIAL Nigeria And The Afcfta Controversy The African Continental Free Trade Agreement is welcome

A

fter more than a year of hesitation, there were signals last week that Nigeria may soon sign the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). This was after the submission of the report of a committee established to review the concerns about the possibility of our country becoming a dumping ground for all manner of goods from the continent. “Our reports show that on the balance, Nigeria should consider joining the AfCFTA, and using the opportunity of the ongoing AfCFTA Phase one negotiations to secure the necessary safeguards required to ensure that our domestic policies and programmes are not compromised,” said committee chairman, Dr. Desmond Guobadia.

Against the background that the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa reckons that the AfCFTA could increase trade between African countries by as much as $35 billion, an increase of more than 50 per cent from WE ENDORSE THE the current levels, we POSITION OF BOTH endorse the position THE COMMITTEE AND of the committee. It is PRESIDENT BUHARI also in tandem with the argument made THAT NIGERIA SHOULD last year by President SIGN THE AGREEMENT AFTER PUTTING IN PLACE Muhammadu Buhari MECHANISMS TO ENSURE on the trade in goods and services on the OUR COUNTRY IS NOT continent. “A single, SHORT-CHANGED unified market would lead to a comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade agreement amongst African Union member states.

If we integrate Africa’s market for trade in goods and services, we will not only double intra-African trade, but also negotiate with other regions or continents on trade matters. If we increase our trade, we grow faster, create more jobs and reduce poverty,” Buhari said.

For decades, African leaders have toyed with the idea of bringing their fragmented economies together through an integrated market. And since trade is a

Letters to the Editor

catalyst for economic development, a single market which enables free movement of goods and services within the 55 countries will boost the economy of a continent that increasingly lags behind others as it has the least percentage of intra-regional trade. Its inability to interconnect and pull resources together has cost it much in development and influence.

H 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.

A LETTER TO WOLE SOYINKA

THE DAKOLO-FATOYINBOGATE SCANDAL Misinformation is an acute form of injustice…Ena E. Orugbo he Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has responded to Mrs. Busola Dakolo’s rape allegation against Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo. CAN did what Pontus Pilate will do. In Matthew 27:24, when Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that a riot was starting instead, he took water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. See to it yourselves!” Rahm Emmanuel says, never let a good crisis go to waste.

However, some observers want to let the Dakolo-Fatoyinbogate scandal go to waste. Pastor Reno Omikiri doubts Busola’s account of the alleged gory incident.

Pastor Nike Adeyemi waxes technological, GOD is watching in 3D. The doctrine of necessity originates from a maxim by Henry De Bracton. A cursory look at the Bible shows that Jesus’ acts of love can be classified as acts of necessity. In the days preceding Jesus, it was unlawful to work on the Sabbath day, but he did the unthinkable. He healed a crippled lady on the Sabbath day and all hell broke loose, Luke 13:10-17. Nigerians and the Jonathan presidency salute the seventh Senate led by David Mark, for invoking the doctrine of necessity to fill the leadership vacuum created by the political rigmarole of the Yar’Adua Cabal. The CAN and distinguished Pastor Reno Omokiri are the losers

T

owever, African leaders had repeatedly made a compelling case for strengthening of economic ties through the creation of a common market without success. They tried to reduce the thickness of their artificial borders and exploit the economies of scale, all in a bid to speed up the development of the continent and to curtail the deep-seated challenges of poverty. The Lagos Plan of Action which was adopted more than three decades ago set out with the ambitious target of integrating Africa’s market by the year 2000. The apparent failure of that plan gave rise to the Abuja Treaty of 1991, aimed also at the creation of a common African market, but which ironically is getting little or no attention by way of implementation. Africa’s first generation of leaders, and indeed, up till now, dragged their feet and could not summon the political will to enforce treaties and measures that would lead to the prosperity of their people. Many of them were more interested in pinching funds from the commonwealth.

While questions remain as to whether the current crop of leaders on the continent are genuinely committed to Africa’s development and that they can put their house in order and take on the larger issues of sustainable economic reforms, it is also important for Nigeria to weigh its options carefully. The consensus is that our country cannot afford to stand outside a continental body from which we stand to benefit given our size and population. But we also agree that we should go into AfCFTA with our eyes clearly open. We therefore endorse the position of both the committee and President Buhari that Nigeria should sign the agreement after putting in place mechanisms to ensure our country is not short-changed.

of the Dakolo-Fatoyinbogate scandal.

“Wale Jana, the CEO of Sapphire Group and a member of COZA church, has apologised for bashing singer Timi Dakolo and wife, Busola Dakolo, for her explosive interview in which she accused COZA pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo of raping her”. James 1:19 is explicit: let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. Nike Adeyemi’s response to the Dakolo-Fatoyinbogate scandal was encrypted, classy and sassy. Ralph Waldo Emerson says the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Architect Nike Adeyemi is married to Pastor Sam Adeyemi, equipped with an MBA from the Netherlands and the founder of The Real Woman Foundation. They are real women, though none is infallible. The economic exploits of Rwanda can be attributed to increased participation of women in government. The strength of a nation is not based on modernized weaponry, but on the resilience and sophistication of her systems to protect the vulnerable. Rape is a serious allegation; no sane society can condone the same. Legally Gucci Pastor remains innocent until proven guilty by the courts, because he said, “I have never raped before”. The interview by Mrs. Busola Dakolo shows that she is of sound mind and noble birth. A maxim says the truth need not be argued, it is as sure as day and night. Mama Peace famously said, there is GOD oh!

Dr. Enameguolo Orugbo, jetageng@gmail.com

I

write neither to sympathize nor castigate you on the recent flight seat brouhaha. I had longed to meet you in person prior to this incident. Even as old age closed up on you, I have not capitulated on the dream of having a lengthy conversation with you in person. I had the opportunity to meet you at the grand opening ceremony of the 2018 Festival of Food and Identity presented by the Institute of Cultural Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University.

My effort in holding a lengthy discourse with you was futile but I had the privilege of a memorable handsake. I would have continued nurturing the hope of meeting you in silence but the recent occurrences have rendered my nerves restless.

Prior to the airplane incident, it was reported in 2017 that you were persuaded before gracing the matrimonial ceremony of your son, Tunlewa and his fiancee, Nneka, due to age and ethnic barriers. It became a national discourse on the social media that you had to clear the air at the Freedom Park on Lagos Island during the presentation of these books: “Between Defective Memory and the Public Lie” and “Green Cards, Green Gods.” Few days ago, it was about a young man’s refusal to give up his airplane window seat. Tomorrow, it may be a debate on your walking or eating style. My generation has

unquenchable passion for such typical debates.

The intent of such debates is innocuous. It is intended for catching fun. My generation is much more engrossed with cyber bullying for satisfaction. A new day comes with a new drama: that is my generational direction. Moreover, the deliberate misconception and concocted lies against your personality can’t totally be disconnected from the ruling class fight back. This hidden agenda is being ignorantly championed by the youths through the social media. My generation has failed to understand the clash of interest between your humble self and the establishment. The unending reign of frivolities continues as my generation awaits tomorrow’s drama.

I need not recount your heroic struggle in emancipation of the oppressive class. It is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf. No amount of sponsored defamation against your personality can withstand the test of time. My generation seems to have misplaced its priority. I beseech you not to regard my generation as clueless. Your landmark legacy would live forever. Sooner than later the menace bedevilling this generation will be duly addressed. The country shall be delivered from the current shackles of bad governance and leadership crisis.

Binzak Azeez, Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife

16

ADVERTORIAL

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 • T H I S D AY

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 • T H I S D AY

17

18

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëž ͚˜ ͺ͸͚Î

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG

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

M O N D AY D I S C O U R S E

Designed to Create a Favourable Impression Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Udora Orizu write that inclusion of Civil Society Organisations in the processes of national elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission may be an adroit, but superďŹ cial presentation to gain a favourable impression

Yakubu

I

t’s 11.45 in the morning in the Abuja offices of one of the leading non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that was very active in the period leading to and during the 2019 national elections. Activities have slowed down considerably, down from the enduring commotion of that period to a relaxed pace. Only a single staff at the front office is on duty.

There are a variety of civil society organizations (CSOs) and NGOs operating at different spheres of the Nigerian spectrum. The return of democratic rule in 1999 revived interest in groups that campaign for good governance and all the processes that guarantee a deepening of democratic values in Nigeria.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accredited 156 observer groups to monitor the conduct of the 2019 national elections in the country. This figure represents 120 domestic and 36 international observer groups. These observers were compelled to abide by the code of conduct for election

Mbamalu

observers. While issuing the accreditation, the electoral umpire warned that it reserved the right to cancel and withdraw the accreditation of any organisation if its members or agents breach the code of conduct. The commission also cautioned that it would tolerate any group other than those accredited, found in any state for the elections.

Some of the accredited foreign observer groups were African Bar Association, African Parliament of The Civil Society, African Union, British High Commission, Democrat Union of Africa, ECOWAS, the European Union and the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa. Other accredited foreign observers are Embassy of France, Embassy of Japan, Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Embassy of The Republic of Korea, European Centre for Electoral Support, German International Agency, High Commission of Canada, and the International Foundation for Electoral System.

The International Human Rights Commission; International Peace Commission; International

Buratai

Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, the Network for Solidarity, and the Empowerment and Transformation for All were also accredited to cover the elections.

Other international observers accredited are Nigerians in Diaspora Organization; Pan African Women Projects, Pan African Youth Training and Enlightenment Centre, Queen Zara Foundation for Human Resources Development, The Commonwealth and the United States Embassy The Nigerian groups that were on INEC’s official list of election monitors included, Action Aid Nigeria, Advocacy for Quality Leadership and Health Awareness Foundation, African Centre For Leadership, Strategy and Development, African Christian Care Trust Organization, Transition Monitoring Group, and YIAGA Africa Initiative. Others that played an observer role were African Initiative for Sustainable and Positive Development; African Youth Leadership Roundtable Initiative, Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, Alliance for Credible Election,

Asabe Shehu Yar’adua Foundation, Centre for Citizens With Disabilities, Centre for Strategic Conflict Management, and the Centre for Transparency Advocacy. Expectedly, the domestic list of election monitors comprised Children and Youth Awareness Development Foundation, Christian Association of Nigeria, Christian Council of Nigeria, Church Of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Citizens Rights and Leadership Awareness Initiative, and the Citizens Rights For Peace and Good Leadership Initiative. Others that got approval to monitor the election were The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Cleen Foundation, Conscience Women of Africa Initiative, Jama’atu Izalatau Badi’ah Wa Ikamatu Sunnatu, Justice Development And Peace, Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria, and the National Orientation Agency.

Also prominent on the team of domestic election monitors were the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Policy And Legal Advocacy Centre), Nigerian Bar Association, Northern Patriotic Front, Northern Youth And Elders

Some CSOs Have the Tendency to Blow Issues Out of Context’ Nseobong Okon-Ekong holds a discussion with Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on the need for an enduring collaboration between the commission and Civil Society Organisations How many international and Nigerian CSOs were accredited by INEC for the 2019 national elections?

A total of 120 local and 36 international observers were accredited for the 2019 General Elections.

What area of collaboration does INEC see as more beneficial with CSOs? The Commission benefits from the CSOs in two ways - through the feedback they send from the field on Election Day and the reports they submit at the end of the elections. All Observers are required to submit their individual reports at the end of their observation missions.

How do you react to instances where INEC declared result do not match those collated by the CSOs? The commission is the only entity empowered by the constitution to declare

election results, and there are processes leading up to that.

In what areas do you reckon INEC needs better synergy with the CSOs? INEC opened its doors to CSOs before and during the general elections. Apart from the quarterly meetings that the Commission holds with CSOs, several consultations also take place both formerly and in formerly. There has been a lot of synergy and this has helped the Commission tremendously in many ways.

Do you sometimes think the CSOs are somewhat meddlesome?

Not at all. However, some of them have the tendency of reporting or blowing issues out of context/proportion.

CSOs will do well by respecting their boundaries and being patriotic.

Should the relationship between INEC and CSOs end after the election period?

Elections never end in Nigeria. Between 2015 and 2019, INEC conducted about 195 off season elections. Right now, the Commission has fixed Nov 16 for the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship polls. The Commission will continue to rub minds with CSOs. This is very important.

What possible areas of collaboration are open to INEC and CSOs after an election?

There are several areas. For instance, we need to share experieces with CSOs representing the interests of Persons Living with Disabilities and Individuals with Special Needs, in terms of obtaining accurate statistics about their requirements and where they are concentrated across the country, to help INEC plan

Oyekanmi

better for them in future elections. The Commission also needs to work with the CSOs to, among other things, spread our campaigns against vote buying, electoral violence and do-or-die politics.

These are critical areas of cooperation that we need to strengthen.

19

T H I S D AY ˾ ˾ ͹˜ ͺ͸͹΁

MONDAY DISCOURSE

Adamu

Olugbo

"XBSFOFTT 'PSVN 1PMJDF 4FSWJDF $PNNJTTJPO 4IFIV .VTB :BS BEVB 'PVOEBUJPO BOE 5IF "MCJOP 'PVOEBUJPO *U NBZ CF BSHVFE UIBU UIF OVNCFS PG $40T PQFSBUJOH JO /JHFSJB T QPMJUJDBM TQBDF BSF DPNQFUJOH GPS BUUFOUJPO XJUI /JHFSJB T QPMJUJDBM QBSUJFT 5IF BDUJWJUJFT PG UIF $40T JT POF PG UIF OFDFTTBSZ QBSUOFSTIJQT UIBU MFOET DSFEJCJMJUZ UP FMFDUPSBM QSPDFTTFT *O JUT CJE UP CFFO TFFO BT IBWJOH DPOEVDUFE GSFF BOE GBJS FMFDUJPOT JU IBT CFDPNF JNQFSBUJWF UP FOHBHF BT NBOZ $40T BT QPTTJCMF PO FNFSHJOH FMFDUPSBM JTTVFT .S 3PUJNJ 0ZFLBONJ $IJFG 1SFTT 4FDSFUBSZ UP UIF */&$ $IBJSNBO FYQMBJOFE UIF WBMVF UIBU NBZ BDDSVF UP IJT PSHBOJTBUJPO CZ FOHBHJOH DJWJM TPDJFUZ HSPVQT "DDPSEJOH UP IJN i5IF DPNNJTTJPO CFOFàUT GSPN UIF $40T JO UXP XBZT UISPVHI UIF GFFECBDL UIFZ TFOE GSPN UIF àFME PO &MFDUJPO %BZ BOE UIF SFQPSUT UIFZ TVCNJU BU UIF FOE PG UIF FMFDUJPOT "MM 0CTFSWFST BSF SFRVJSFE UP TVCNJU UIFJS JOEJWJEVBM SFQPSUT BU UIF FOE PG UIFJS PCTFSWBUJPO NJTTJPOT u #FZPOE CFJOH EFTJHOFE UP DSFBUF B GBWPVSBCMF JNQSFTTJPO */&$ EPFT OPU SFBMMZ BEPQU SFDPNNFOEBUJPOT GSPN UIFTF FMFDUJPO NPOJUPSJOH HSPVQT .BOZ PG UIFTF SFQPSUT BSF VTVBMMZ OPU áBUUFSJOH PG */&$ QVUUJOH UIF FMFDUPSBM VNQJSF NPTU UJNFT PO UIF TQPU TUSVHHMJOH UP UISPX NPSF MJHIU PO HSFZ BSFBT .JEEMF PG MBTU NPOUI UXP PG UIF GPSFJHO FMFDUJPO PCTFSWFS HSPVQT UIF &VSPQFBO 6OJPO BOE UIF +PJOU /JHFSJB *OUFSOBUJPOBM &MFDUJPO 0CTFSWBUJPO .JTTJPO PG UIF *OUFSOBUJPOBM 3FQVCMJDBO *OTUJUVUF *3* BOE UIF /BUJPOBM %FNPDSBUJD *OTUJUVUF /%* SFMFBTFE UIFJS SFQPSUT PO UIF OBUJPOBM FMFDUJPOT #PUI BDDPVOUT HBWF B DMFBS JOEJDBUJPO PG GBJMVSF PO UIF QBUI PG */&$ 5IF &6 0CTFSWFS .JTTJPO EPDVNFOU IJHIMJHIUFE TFWFO QSJPSJUZ SFDPNNFOEBUJPOT BNPOH JUT SFDPNNFOEBUJPOT "DDPSEJOH UP UIF SFQPSU PG UIF &60. i/JHFSJB T HFOFSBM FMFDUJPOT XFSF NBSLFE CZ TFWFSF PQFSBUJPOBM BOE USBOTQBSFODZ TIPSUDPNJOHT FMFDUPSBM TFDVSJUZ QSPCMFNT BOE MPX UVSOPVU 1PTJUJWFMZ UIF FMFDUJPOT XFSF DPNQFUJUJWF QBSUJFT XFSF PWFSBMM BCMF UP DBNQBJHO BOE DJWJM TPDJFUZ FOIBODFE BDDPVOUBCJMJUZ u *U JEFOUJàFE UIF OFFE GPS GVOEBNFOUBM SFGPSN 5IF *3* 1SFTJEFOU %S %BOJFM 5XJOJOH EJE OPU DMPBL IJT TUBUFNFOU JO OJDF XPSET )F TBJE i5IF HFOFSBM FMFDUJPO GFMM TJHOJàDBOUMZ TIPSU PG TUBOEBSET TFU JO $JUJ[FOT DPOàEFODF JO FMFDUJPOT XBT TIBLFOu )JT DPVOUFSQBSU /%* 1SFTJEFOU "NCBTTBEPS %FSFL .JUDIFMM PCTFSWFE UIBU i5IF FMFDUJPOT IJHIMJHIUFE GPS NBOZ /JHFSJBOT UIF OFFE GPS B OBUJPOBM DPOWFSTBUJPO BCPVU UIF DPVOUSZ T EFNPDSBUJ[BUJPO TJODF UIF USBOTJUJPO UP DJWJMJBO SVMF u 4FU VQ JO BIFBE PG UIF HFOFSBM FMFDUJPOT JO SFTQPOTF UP UIF OFFE UP FOIBODF

QUICK FACTS: r5IF *OEFQFOEFOU /BUJPOBM &MFDUPSBM $PNNJTTJPO BDDSFEJUFE PCTFSWFS HSPVQT UP NPOJUPS UIF DPOEVDU PG UIF OBUJPOBM FMFDUJPOT 5IJT GJHVSF SFQSFTFOUT EPNFTUJD BOE JOUFSOBUJPOBM PCTFSWFS HSPVQT r 5IF BDUJWJUJFT PG UIF $JWJM 4PDJFUZ

Nwankwo

DJWJM TPDJFUZ DPPSEJOBUJPO BOE FOTVSF DPOTUSVDUJWF BOE QSPBDUJWF FOHBHFNFOU PG UIF FMFDUJPO QSPDFTT UIF /JHFSJB $JWJM 4PDJFUZ 4JUVBUJPO 3PPN 4JUVBUJPO 3PPN FNFSHFE UP NBYJNJ[F UIF WBSJPVT SFTPVSDFT PG DJWJM TPDJFUZ HSPVQT GPS JOGPSNBUJPO TIBSJOH BOUJDJQBUJOH QSPCMFNT EVSJOH FMFDUJPOT BOE SFTQPOEJOH SBQJEMZ XIFO UIFZ PDDVS 5IF 4JUVBUJPO 3PPN JT NBEF VQ PG $40T XPSLJOH JO TVQQPSU PG DSFEJCMF BOE USBOTQBSFOU FMFDUJPOT JO /JHFSJB BOE JODMVEFT TVDI HSPVQT BT 1PMJDZ BOE -FHBM "EWPDBDZ $FOUSF 1-"$

$-&&/ 'PVOEBUJPO "DUJPO "JE /JHFSJB $FOUSF GPS %FNPDSBDZ BOE %FWFMPQNFOU $%%

1SPBDUJWF (FOEFS *OJUJBUJWF 1(* &OPVHI JT &OPVHI /JHFSJB 8"/(0/&5 1BSUOFST GPS &MFDUPSBM 3FGPSN +%1$ BOE :*"(" "GSJDB 0UIFST BSF %FWFMPQNFOU %ZOBNJDT $FOUSF GPS $JUJ[FOT XJUI %JTBCJMJUJFT $$% 4UBLFIPMEFST %FNPDSBDZ /FUXPSL )VNBO 3JHIUT .POJUPS 3FDMBJN /BJKB $*5"% "MMJBODF GPS $SFEJCMF &MFDUJPOT "$& $*4-"$ BOE TFWFSBM PUIFS $40T OVNCFSJOH NPSF UIBO *O UIF FMFDUJPOT UIF 4JUVBUJPO 3PPN FOHBHFE */&$ PO UIF OFFE UP FOTVSF UIBU UIF FMFDUJPOT BSF DPOEVDUFE JO B GSFF BOE GBJS NBOOFS BT XFMM BT UP FOTVSF UIBU JUT QSPDFTTFT BSF SFTQFDUFE BOE JNQMFNFOUFE 4JUVBUJPO 3PPN BMTP FNQIBTJTFE UIF JNQPSUBODF PG FOTVSJOH UIBU MPHJTUJDT GPS UIF FMFDUJPOT BSF JO QMBDF BOE UIF DPMMBUJPO PG SFTVMUT DPOEVDUFE JO B USBOTQBSFOU NBOOFS *O B TUBUFNFOU JTTVFE CZ POF PG JUT MFBEFST %S $MFNFOU /XBOLXP 4JUVBUJPO 3PPN DBMMFE PO TFDVSJUZ TFSWJDFT JOWJUFE CZ */&$ UP BTTJTU XJUI UIF DPOEVDU PG UIF PG FMFDUJPOT UP DPOEVDU UIFNTFMWFT JO B OPO QBSUJTBO BOE QSPGFTTJPOBM NBOOFS *U GVSUIFS QMFBEFE XJUI UIF TFDVSJUZ TFSWJDFT UP EFNPOTUSBUF UIFJS DPNNJUNFOU UP OPOQBSUJTBO TVQQPSU UP FMFDUPSBM TFDVSJUZ )F IFME UIBU i0XJOH UP UIF DMPTF DPOUFTU BOE IJHI TUBLFT JO UIF FMFDUJPOT UIF QPUFOUJBM GPS TFSJPVT MPDBM JOTUBCJMJUZ UIBU NBZ GVSUIFS BOE ESBNBUJDBMMZ BGGFDU UIF BMSFBEZ EBNBHFE DSFEJCJMJUZ PG /JHFSJB BT B XIPMF JT SFBM u $ZOUIJB .CBNBMV 1SPHSBNNF .BOBHFS PG :*"(" "GSJDB XFOU JOUP B MPOH DMBSJàDBUJPO UP KVTUJGZ UIF XPSLJOH SFMBUJPOTIJQ CFUXFFO $40T BOE UIF FMFDUPSBM VNQJSF )FS BTTFTTNFOU PG UIF JOUFSWFOUJPO PG DJWJM TPDJFUZ PSHBOJTBUJPOT JO UIF OBUJPOBM FMFDUJPOT XBT RVJUF SFWFBMJOH 4IF FNQIBTJTFE UIBU UIF $40T BDUVBMMZ CFHJO UIFJS FOHBHFNFOU XJUI WPUFST BOE */&$ CFGPSF UIF FMFDUJPOT .CBNBMV TQFDJàDBMMZ QPJOUFE UP SFQPSUT $40T UIBU ESFX BO FBSMZ BUUFOUJPO UP QPUFOUJBM WJPMFOU QSPOF BSFBT i5IF DJWJM TPDJFUZ PSHBOJ[BUJPOT QMBZFE B NBKPS SPMF JO UIF FMFDUJPOT QSPWJEJOH UFDIOJDBM TVQQPSU UP UIF FMFDUPSBM DPNNJTTJPO CFGPSF UIF FMFDUJPO XF IBE MPUT PG $40T UIBU QSPWJEFE UFDIOJDBM TVQQPSU UP */&$ 5IF FMFDUPSBM HVJEFMJOFT XBT SFMFBTFE

JO +BOVBSZ 5IF DPNNJTTJPO JOWJUFE $40T UP TIBSF UIF ESBGU DPQZ PG UIF NFNPSBOEVN XJUI B KPJOU SFWJFX PO UIBU BOE SFDPNNFOEBUJPOT NBEF PO TFDUJPOT UIBU OFFEFE UP CF SFWJFXFE :*"(" XSPUF B EFUBJMFE NFNP PO UIF HVJEFMJOFT GPS UIF FMFDUJPOT QSPWJEJOH TQFDJàD SFDPNNFOEBUJPOT PO TFDUJPOT UIBU TIPVME CF SFWJFXFE UP JNQSPWF PO UIF JOUFHSJUZ PG UIF FMFDUJPOT XIJDI CFDBNF POF PG UIF BEWPDBDZ UPPMT UIBU XBT VTFE UP FOHBHF UIF DPNNJTTJPO 5IFSF XBT BMTP B MPU PG WPUFS FEVDBUJPO UIBU XBT EPOF CZ UIF DJWJM TPDJFUZ PSHBOJ[BUJPOT JG ZPV MPPL BU UIF :*"(" iXBUDIJOH UIF WPUFu QSF FMFDUJPO PCTFSWBUJPO SFQPSU GSPN UIF àSTU UP TJYUI SFQPSUJOH QFSJPE IJHIMJHIUFE UIBU UIFSF XFSF $40T DBSSZJOH PVU WPUFS FEVDBUJPO JO EJGGFSFOU MPDBM HPWFSONFOUT BT XF PCTFSWFE UIF BDUJWJUJFT PG $40T JO UIF MPDBM HPWFSONFOUT 8F TBX EJGGFSFOU $40T BU UIF OBUJPOBM MFWFM BOE HSBTTSPPUT MFWFMT FOHBHJOH JO WPUFS FEVDBUJPO 8F BMTP IBE HSPVQT EPJOH B MPU PG TFDVSJUZ UISFBU BTTFTTNFOUT JG ZPV MPPL BU UIF %S #FOTPO 0MVHCP MFE $-&&/ 'PVOEBUJPO SFQPSU ZPV IBWF HSPVQT USBDLJOH JODJEFOUT PG WJPMFODF àHIUJOH BHBJOTU GBLF OFXT MJLF $FOUSF GPS %FNPDSBDZ BOE %FWFMPQNFOU UIFZ IBE SFQPSUT QSPWJEFE "MM UIPTF QSF FMFDUJPO SFQPSUT IFMQFE UP CVJME BO FBSMZ XBSOJOH TZTUFN BHBJOTU WJPMFODF GPS UIF FMFDUJPOT IFMQFE QSPWJEF JOGPSNBUJPO UP FOHBHF TFDVSJUZ BHFODJFT */&$ BOE JOUFSOBUJPOBM PCTFSWFST NJTTJPO 5IFTF SFQPSUT IFMQFE QSPNPUF TPNF TFOTF PG DJUJ[FOT QBSUJDJQBUJPO JO UIF FMFDUPSBM QSPDFTT 'PS UIF FMFDUJPOT EJGGFSFOU $40T IBE EJGGFSFOU NFUIPEPMPHJFT UP MPPL BU TQFDJàD BTQFDUT PG UIF FMFDUJPOT BOE POF PG UIF UIJOHT UIBU XBT BDIJFWFE JT UIBU JO FBDI PG UIF SFQPSUT ZPV XJMM TFF QPJOUT PG DPOWFSHFODF XIJDI BNQMJà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àDFST TVCKFDUFE UP JOIVNBOF USFBUNFOU BOE WJPMFODF BOE FWFO SFQPSUT PG SBQF *G XF EJEO U IBWF UIFTF PCTFSWFS HSPVQT EFQMPZ UIFJS QFSTPOOFM UP UIF àFME UIFTF UIJOHT XPVME IBWF HPOF VOEFS UIF DBSQFU 8F XPVMEO U IBWF TFFO BMM UIF NBMQSBDUJDFT BOE UIF DBMM GPS B SFWJFX GPS UIF FMFDUPSBM QSPDFTT "MTP XIFO UIF FMFDUJPOT XBT QPTUQPOFE EJGGFSFOU HSPVQT

0SHBOJTBUJPOT JT POF PG UIF OFDFTTBSZ QBSUOFSTIJQT UIBU MFOET DSFEJCJMJUZ UP FMFDUPSBM QSPDFTTFT r5IF /JHFSJB $JWJM 4PDJFUZ 4JUVBUJPO 3PPN DPNQSJTJOH BCPVU HSPVQT

FNFSHFE JO UP NBYJNJ[F UIF WBSJPVT SFTPVSDFT PG DJWJM TPDJFUZ HSPVQT GPS JOGPSNBUJPO TIBSJOH BOUJDJQBUJOH QSPCMFNT EVSJOH FMFDUJPOT BOE SFTQPOEJOH

SBQJEMZ XIFO UIFZ PDDVS r$40T CFHJO UIFJS FOHBHFNFOU XJUI WPUFST BOE */&$ CFGPSF UIF FMFDUJPOT FNCBSLJOH PO FOMJHIUFONFOU PG WPUFST BOE QPJOUJOH UP QPUFOUJBM WJPMFOU QSPOF BSFBT UP ESBX BUUFOUJPO PG UIF BVUIPSJUJFT r#FUXFFO BOE */&$ DPOEVDUFE BCPVU PGG TFBTPO FMFDUJPOT

IFME QSFTT DPOGFSFODFT FYQSFTTJOH BOHFS BOE GSVTUSBUJPO XJUI UIF FMFDUPSBM DPNNJTTJPO PO XIZ UIFZ XBJUFE UJMM UIF MBTU IPVS UP QPTUQPOF UIF FMFDUJPOT *O FWFSZ TUBUFNFOU UIFSF XFSF DBMMT UP DJUJ[FOT UP SFNBJO DBMN *G XF EJEO U IBWF HSPVQT DBMMJOH PO DJUJ[FOT UP CF QBUJFOU BOE TUJMM DPNF PVU UP WPUF XF QSPCBCMZ XPVME IBWF IBE B MPXFS QFSDFOUBHF PG WPUFS UVSOPVU u $40T IBWF CFDPNF B EFQFOEBCMF TPVSDF PG XFMM SFTFBSDIFE EBUB BOE JOGPSNBUJPO QBSUJDVMBSMZ GPS UIF NFEJB BOE UIF HFOFSBM QVCMJD &OPVHI JT &OPVHI BOE #VEHJ5 BSF UXP $40T UIBU IBWF EJTUJOHVJTIFE UIFNTFMWFT CZ EJHHJOH JOUP UIF BGGBJST PG NJOJTUSJFT UIF MFHJTMBUVSF BOE HPWFSONFOU BHFODJFT CZ CSJOHJOH FTQFDJBMMZ UIFJS NPOFUBSZ USBOTBDUJPO UP UIF QVCMJD TQBDF BOE QSPNQUJOH NFNCFST PG UIF QVCMJD UP BTL RVFTUJPOT #Z UIFJS BDUJWJUJFT UIFTF $40T BSF IFMQJOH UP IJHIMJHIU FWFSZ UISFBU UP /JHFSJB T EFNPDSBDZ "DDPSEJOH UP .CBNBMV DJWJM TPDJFUZ HSPVQT IBWF HBJOFE B MPU PG DPOàEFODF GSPN XIBU UIFZ BOE UIFZ XJMM DPOUJOVF UP TFSWF UIF MBSHF JOUFSFTU PG UIF /JHFSJBO QVCMJD 4IF TBJE i*G ZPV MPPL BU DFSUBJO QPMJUJDBM EFDJTJPOT * CFMJFWF UIFSF T B MPU PG XPSL UIBU OFFET UP CF EPOF UP CVJME PVS EFNPDSBDZ 8F IBWF DFMFCSBUFE ZFBST PG EFNPDSBDZ CVU DBO XF USVMZ TBZ UIBU UIJT UIF EFNPDSBDZ XF XBOU DBO DJUJ[FOT DMBJN UIBU UIFZ IBWF FOKPZFE EJWJEFOET PG EFNPDSBDZ 8IBU T UIF MFWFM PG QPWFSUZ BOE VOFNQMPZNFOU "SF XF NPSF TFDVSFE UIBO XF XFSF CFGPSF $BO XF TBZ UIBU UIF FMFDUJPOT BSF CFUUFS UIBO UIFZ XFSF CFGPSF *G ZPV MPPL BU BMM PG UIFTF BOE UIF SPMFT UIF QPMJUJDBM QBSUJFT QMBZ JODSFBTF PG FMFDUPSBM WJPMFODF BOE MJWFT XF MPTU TP ZFT PVS EFNPDSBDZ VOEFS UISFBU CVU XF DBO NPWF GSPN XIFSF XF BSF *U CFHJOT XJUI UIF SPMFT XF QMBZ BT DJUJ[FOT XF OFFE PVS MFBEFST UP BDUVBMMZ XBOU UIJT EFNPDSBDZ *G UIFZ EPO U DBSF BMM UIF XPSL XF BSF EPJOH XJMM CF JO WBJO 8F OFFE UP IBWF B MFHJTMBUJWF BSN PG HPWFSONFOU UIBU JT DBQBCMF BOE XJMMJOH UP QSPUFDU BOE QSPNPUF UIJT EFNPDSBDZ u 0ZFLBONJ CFMJFWFT UIF SFMBUJPOTIJQ CFUXFFO $40T BOE UIF DPNNJTTJPO JT OPU TIPSU MJWFE CVU SFNBJOT QFSTJTUFOU BT UIF FMFDUJPOT DZDMF DPOUJOVF )JT TUBUFNFOU NBZ CF B CJU ESBNBUJD CVU JU EFTDSJCFT UIF FOEVSJOH OBUVSF PG FMFDUJPOT JO /JHFSJB i&MFDUJPOT OFWFS FOE JO /JHFSJB u IF TBJE UP VOEFSTDPSF UIBU SPVOE UIF DMPDL FOHBHJOH BDUJWJUJFT PG UIF DPNNJTTJPO )F DPOUJOVFE i#FUXFFO BOE */&$ DPOEVDUFE BCPVU PGG TFBTPO FMFDUJPOT 3JHIU OPX UIF DPNNJTTJPO IBT àYFE /PW GPS UIF ,PHJ BOE #BZFMTB HPWFSOPSTIJQ QPMMT u NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

r5IJT ZFBS /JHFSJB DFMFCSBUFE ZFBST PG VOCSPLFO DJWJM SVMF r.BOZ /JHFSJBO $40T EFQFOE PO GPSFJHO GVOET UP DBSSZ PVU UIFJS BDUJWJUJFT r#Z UIFJS JOUFSWFOUJPO $40T BSF IFMQJOH UP EFFQFO UIF EFFQFO UIF EFNPDSBUJD DVMUVSF PG USBOTQBSFODZ JO HPWFSOBODF

20

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

FEATURES The Black Women Fighting Discrimination at UK Universities

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi

Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 08152252325

OreOgunbiyifromNigeriaand ChelseaKwakye,aGhanaian, went toCambridge and now they want more black girls to do the same, writes Solomon Elusoji

O

re Ogunbiyi and Chelsea Kwakye met at a career event just before they got into the University of Cambridge, one of the UK’s most prestigious universities, and went on to become really close friends. Kwakye grew up in East London.

Her parents were Ghanian immigrants who came to the UK with just 70 British Pounds between them. Ogunbiyi was born in Croydon, a town in South London, to Nigerian parents, who are both graduates; her father is an academic.

When she was seven, the family moved back to Nigeria, but she returned six years later to attend boarding school in Surrey, a county in South-East England.

After arriving at Cambridge, it didn’t take long for Ogunbiyi and Kwakye to realise being black was going to make things different for them. “When you walk into your first supervision (a personal tuition system at Cambridge), you will probably be the only black girl in the room,�

Ogunbiyi wrote in a 2017 open letter to other black students in UK universities. “Get used to it, because it won’t get much better�.

Ogunbiyi, who studied Human, Social and Political Sciences at Cambridge, was frustrated when her lecturer didn’t talk about the role of slavery while they studied the industrial revolution. “You’re probably going to study more BrontĂŤ sisters than black women in your academic lifetimeâ€?, she said. When she wanted to write her dissertation on the role of international organisations in Nigeria’s energy sector, she couldn’t find a faculty staff who knew enough about the subject to supervise her.

Kwakye studied history and she also struggled with being ‘black’. “What I struggled with the most was expectation,� she told the Guardian UK recently. “There was an expectation that I was a ‘professional black person’. Someone who supposedly knew everything about race or black feminism or “Africa�. I felt a constant pressure to be a representative for the whole black population because that was the burden put on my shoulders. I feel like lecturers and tutors expected you to contribute something different all the time just by virtue of being black�.

Being black in most British universities can still be daunting. According to data released by the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency, British universities employ more black staff as cleaners, porters and receptionists than they do as lecturers. Also, just 1.8 per cent of all academic staff in the UK are black, and it’s 0.6 per cent at professorial level.

But neither Ogunbiyi nor Kwakye (she was the only black woman in her 2015 history cohort) allowed their skin colour to limit their ambitions.

At Cambridge, they were President and Vice President of the university’s African-Carribean Society (ACS); they organised mentoring schemes, an access conference (to get more black people into Cambridge), and a student portrait of the ‘Black Men of Cambridge’, which went viral.

Ogunbiyi even contested for president of her college student’s union, although she lost to someone she felt “did not have as much experience as me�. Since leaving Cambridge last year, she has completed a Masters in Journalism at New York’s Columbia University, while Chelsea is in the midst of a conversion course at London’s University of Law. On the back of their activism for black students while at Cambridge, the ladies got contacted by Merky, a UK publishing outfit backed by British artist Stormzy and Penguin House, to write a book, which has now been published on June 27 as Taking Up Space: The Black Girl’s Manifesto for Change.

The book has been described by writer Hattie Crissel as “a survival guide for black British girls

Ore Ogunbiyi and Chelsea Kwakye

Being black in most British universities can still be daunting. According to data released by the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency, British universities employ more black staff as cleaners, porters and receptionists than they do as lecturers.

Also, just 1.8 per cent of all academic staff in the UK are black, and it’s 0.6 per cent at professorial level.

But neither Ogunbiyi nor Kwakye (she was the only black woman in her 2015 history cohort) allowed their skin colour to limit their ambitions

considering university, including the collective experiences of their graduate friends, and an impassioned argument for the rethinking of higher education in the UK.� “We’re not just statistics and frameworks and theories – we are real people, and these are our experiences at university,� Kwakye told Crissel during a recent interview. “It’s sad that there isn’t much attention, investment or research that’s been put into that.� “We need teachers to read it, to see how a lot of black girls feel failed by their teachers,'' Ogunbiyi said. “We need parents to read it, so that they’re not pushing their daughters

to do things that they don’t want to do. We need friends who are not black to read it, to see how they can support us in those spaces in society – and black men need to read this book to understand how we feel let down by them�.

Now both 22, Ogunbiyi believes what got her through Cambridge was finding her ‘tribe’. “The reason why the beginning of my time at Cambridge was so miserable was because I hadn’t found my people yet,� she said. “Once I’d found them, I realised a lot of them were going through the same things, and then I didn’t feel so homesick. I met so many great

people who supported me and whose energies I really needed to thrive.

She also told the Guardian UK that she “couldn’t have survived without my girlfriends.

I was lucky at my college as I had two other black girls in my year who I’m still very close with, and with Kwakye, that was our squad. We needed each other, we thrived off each other, and each others’ energies are what kept us going when things got bad and our mental health suffered and we needed a little cry. It’s about making sure that even if you have no one, you have this book and you find some kind of solace in reading about our experiences.

You don’t ever want to be the black girl who’s done really well but not left the door open for everyone else to come behind you. You don’t ever want to be that person.�

21

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

FEATURES

The Knowledge Salesman: Wale Babalakin’s Legacy at 59 Ayodeji Olaosun writes that Wale Babalakin, who turns 59 today, is a product of educational excellence

W

ale Babalakin is a man fascinated by the transforming power of education. He is a legal luminary, a visionary and intrepid entrepreneur, but education is his legacy.

He believes the mind can absorb knowledge and create magic. If every other thing about him is lost in translation, his activism for quality education will never be. It is the foundation on which everything he has built stands on.

His education philosophy has earned him enemies, insults, even persecution, all of which are mediocre, pedestrian and ephemeral. It’s a curious phenomenon though, because Babalakin’s idea that Nigeria should focus on developing and sustaining quality education is one of the smartest ways to lift the country from its cesspool of poverty and cluelessness. No country - whether to the east or west or nonaligned - can rise without properly educating its citizens. But very few people have listened to him, because many can’t see beyond their noses; many are trapped in the misleading notion of egalitarian mediocrity, evenly distributing half-formed, undernourished opportunities.

Babalakin’s fiercest critics are quick to tag him elitist. As an offspring of a Supreme Judge and a multi-millionaire himself, he is, of course, an elite. But his ideas are not.

That quality education would cost more, while talented, financially disadvantaged students have access to an education bank and scholarships, is not even remotely bourgeois; instead, such a system will help to self-correct most of the current inefficiencies in Nigeria’s educational sector, enthrone meritocracy and provide a firm, eternal base on which knowledge - unvarnished, local and cosmopolitan - can flourish.

Still on meritocracy, Babalakin doesn’t believe in an equal, blanket pay for university academics. Remuneration should be tied to the quality of scholarship; this stance has won him the ire of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) . Babalakin, who has represented the federal government severally in meetings with the labour union, is on the side of the diligent scholars, not the ‘quacks’ and ‘misfits’ parading what should be the hallowed corridors of this country’s ‘Knowledge Halls’.

Meanwhile, Babalakin is not a mere philosopher king. He goes into the world and acts; he grapples with the demons he speaks against. As Pro-Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, he helped to improve the institution’s infrastructure.

Wale Babalakin is a man fascinated by the transforming power of education. He is a legal luminary, a visionary and intrepid entrepreneur, but education is his legacy.

He believes the mind can absorb knowledge and create magic. If every other thing about him is lost in translation, his activism for quality education will never be. It is the foundation on which everything he has built stands on

Babalakin

Now, as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, he has continued his activism, quietly contributing to the university’s overall progress, amid the fractious politics that has replaced intellectual curiosity in the majority of Nigeria's educational institutions.

Babalakin is a product of educational excellence. He attended the University of Lagos when Nigerian universities were still the toast of the world. In 1974, the University College Hospital in Ibadan was ranked fourth among Medical schools in the Commonwealth of Nations. From Lagos, he attended the University of Cambridge and received his PhD when he was barely 26. So it is easy to trace the origin of his worldview, the source of his earnest yearnings when he cries out that Nigeria should reform its educational system.

In 2017, writing in THISDAY, Adeola Akinremi posed a succinct question: Is Babalakin Nigeria’s example of inefficient use of talent? He is. The country is designed to shackle those with beautifully-crafted and rigorous vision that doesn’t conform to the present needs of the bottomless stomach. But Wale Babalakin, as evidenced from the past few decades, isn’t a fan of captivity; he has a voice and, all things equal, he should continue to speak and

act against the forces that seek to keep Nigeria in darkness.

Last year, Babalakin gave one of his most emotional speeches while addressing graduands at the University of Lagos’ 49th convocation ceremony. There, he described Nigerian intellectuals as an endangered species. “The Nigerian intelligentsia have largely lost out in the battle for Nigeria,� he said. “Today I’m making a clarion call to you all that it is not sufficient to earn a living. It is not sufficient to be well paid.

It is more important to participate in the development of your country. For having the courage to pursue a subsequent degree, you have already shown clearly that you intend to be part of the intelligentsia, but it shouldn’t end there. We hope we’ll see UNILAG graduates actively participating in all aspects of government and the civil society; and generally found in places where we are seeking to enhance our nation. “An endangered species is the type of animal that will soon disappear from the world. We have to stop this. Not by running away; not by saying that governance is for those who cannot do better. Governance is for us all. Let us participate. Let us contribute, so that at the end of the day, we

will create a great nation. I have no doubt in my mind that UNILAG is at the forefront of making this happen. Be determined. Be ready to turn every stumbling block into a stepping stone for the attainment of a greater height. It is important for you to be change agents in the society. “The society can only develop if we have a united elite determined to protect the gains of the society. If you look round at all the societies that have sustained their growth, it has happened because of the selfless interest of the elite. The dictionary describes the elite as a body of people who are interested in developing the society with the knowledge they have. That is who I want you to be because fortune will fade away rapidly, generations of good people have passed on anonymously, but those who live for long are the ones who live in the minds of people and those who commit their efforts to changing the society.�

As Babalakin, Atanda, Erinjogunola omo Balogun turns 59 today, one hopes that he never stops speaking and standing for the intellect’s illuminating power and capacity to transform our present condition. r "yodeji Olaosun is the Media Manager for Resort International Limited

22

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 • T H I S D AY

23

T H I S D AY Ëž JULY 1, 2019

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T REPO

4.68 % 4.0 %

J U N E

7 ,

2 0 1 9

1-MONTH

4.0 % 888 %

S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY

397.78% 0.57%

3-MONTH

10.13%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.72%

CALL

Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

2.90% 11.43%

EXCHANGE RATE N306.90/1US * *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Oriental Energy Opens Scholarships

Oriental Energy Resources Limited has announced the commencement of applications for the 2019/2020 University Scholarship Award Scheme targeted at undergraduate students from Akwa Ibom State, particularly indigenes of Effiat community and Mbo Local Government Area.

Full details on the application process, including eligibility criteria and supporting documentation can be found on the company’s website. A statement from the company explained that entries would close on 31st July, 2019.

Oriental Energy Resources introduced the online application last year to ensure transparency in supporting students with a more efficient and cost-effective application process. “Our aim is to support our host communities and the future leaders of Nigeria by giving them a competitive advantage through access to uninterruptedandqualityeducation.Humancapacitydevelopmentis oneofthefocalpointswithrespecttoourcorporatesocialinvestments in Akwa Ibom State,�Head of Community Relations, Dr Uwem Ite, explained in the statement.

Applicants were expected to have obtained admission for undergraduate studies in a Nigerian university. Shortlisted candidates would be invited via e-mail for an aptitude test. Based on test results, awards are made for a maximum duration of four (4) years, subject to continuous satisfactory academic performance.

CBN Announces Fresh FX Intervention

ECONOMIC CONFERENCE

L-R: CEO, Daystar Power, Christian Wessels; South African Consulate General in Nigeria, Honorable Darkey Africa; CEO, Nigeria Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema and CEO, Rand Merchant Bank, Nigeria and Regional Head, West Africa, Michael Larbie, during the RMB Nigeria annual Economic & Business Conference held in Lagos...recently ABIODUN AJALA

Report: $900bn ‘Dead Capital’ Abound in Nigeria Obinna Chima A report has estimated that Nigeria holds at least $300 billion or as much as $900 billion worth of dead capital in residential real estate and agricultural land.

It estimated that the high value real estate market segment holds between $230 billion and $750 billion of value, while the middle market carries between $60 billion and $170 billion in value.

PwC, one of the leading global professional services firms stated this in a report titled, “Bringing Dead Capital to life: What Nigeria should be doing,� obtained at the weekend.

In 2001, Hernando de Soto coined the term ‘dead capital’

ECONOMY to describe assets that cannot be converted to economic capital.

Capital is any resource that can be used to increase productivity and generate wealth in the economy.

De Soto posited that the differentiating factor between developed and developing countries was the ability of convert physical assets to capital that creates value. According to De Soto, capital is the most essential component of societal advancement and deserves the utmost priority when developing solutions for developing countries.

On its part, PwC in the report, pointed out that there many forms of dead capital, but stated that its report was

focusdd on real estate. “At least $300 billion or as much as $800 billion worth of dead capital in residential real estate and agricultural land alone across Nigeria,� it stated. “Lack of access to finance is a major contributor to persistent poverty. Research has long shown a positive relationship between financial development and poverty reduction. Individuals and businesses benefit from a range of financial services such as saving, loans and insurance products that allow them to mitigate financial risks and access capital for value-creating endeavors. “Presently, a large proportion of Nigeria’s population operate in the informal sector by living

in informal dwellings and/or working in the informal sector.

For many, the cost accrued in the formal sector outweigh the benefits. However, this creates a large stock of dormant assets.

Capital is scarce in societies with large stock of dormant assets. “Ideally, a standard description of assets lowers the costs of economic transactions, as it provides security for parties involved by making transactions legitimate and legally binding.

However, a lack of description makes transaction costs too high to be economically beneficial for both parties. The poor are therefore unable to leverage their assets and possessions Continued on page 22

Qatar Airways Seeks to Partner FG on National

Chinedu Eze

There are indications that Qatar Airways is willing to offer aircraft and funds as core investor in the planned national carrier by the federal government of Nigeria.

THISDAY learnt that the federal government might be inclined to partnering with the Middle East carrier on the project.

Qatar Airways Company Q.C.S.C., operating as Qatar Airways, is a state-owned flag carrier of Qatar headquartered in the Qatar Airways Tower in Doha.

The airline operates a huband-spoke network, linking over 150 international destinations across Africa, Central Asia, Europe, Far East, South Asia, Middle East, North America, South America and Oceania from

AVIATION its base at Hamad International Airport, using a fleet of more than 200 aircraft.

Qatar Airways Group employs more than 43,000 people. The carrier has been a member of the Oneworld alliance since October 2013, the first Gulf carrier to sign with one of the three airline alliances.

Industry consultant and CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe who confirmed the commitment of Qatar Airways to partner with Nigeria on the national carrier project, noted that there are other highly rated airlines like Korea Air, Etihad, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa and many others Nigeria could partner with.

Ethiopia Airlines had also

expressed its readiness to partner with Nigeria on the project, saying anytime Nigeria is ready, it would be willing to partner with the country to realize that goal of having a national airline.

The Managing Director of Ethiopian Airlines International Operations, Esayas Hailu, had said the airline was willing to partner with Nigeria and noted that Nigeria needs a national airline by its sheer size and travelling public.

But Aligbe noted that although the N47 billion earmarked for the project by the federal government may look big, in dollar terms it was about $111 million, which could not even buy one large-body double isle aircraft. “AfreximBank said it is prepared to provide $300 million that might be required for

the project but there must be evidence of government input, which was why government had to earmark the aforesaid sum in the budget,� he added.

Aligbe, also confirmed that the government had resolved that it won’t have more than five per cent stake in the new national airline and expressed optimism that once a major international carrier is appointed as the airline’s technical adviser the private sector would invest in the project.

He said Qatar Airways may stick with the whole processes and might succeed to become core investor for the national airline.

The federal government had approved N47 billion for the take

In continuation of its intervention in the interbank foreign exchange market, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday, injected the sum of $242.04million into the retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) and CNY 32.3million in the spot and short tenored forwards segment of the inter-bank foreign market. The Bank’s Director, Corporate Communications Department, Isaac Okorafor disclosed that the intervention was for requests in the agricultural and raw materials sectors, adding that the ChineseYuan, on the other hand, was for Renminbi-denominated Letters of Credit. Okorafor further expressed satisfaction over the stability of the foreign exchange which according to him, was largely due to sustained intervention by the Bank. He assured that the apex bank remained committed to ensuring that all the sectors of the forex market continue to enjoy access to the needed foreign exchange.

He reiterated that with improved inflow of foreign exchange, the exchange rate had remained stable around N360/$1 for the past 27 months. The Bank had on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, offered authorised dealers in the wholesale segment of the market the sum of $100million, while the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the invisibles segments each received the sum of $55 million.

Agusto & Co Rates MTN Nigeria

Nigeria’s first credit Rating Agency and one of pan African leaders in credit reports, Agusto & Co. Limited has assigned an Aa+ rating to MTN Nigeria Communications Plc. According to a statement made available to THISDAY, the rating assigned to MTN Nigeria Communications Plc was based on the fact that MTN Nigeria is the largest mobile operator in Nigeria, with over sixty million subscribers and 20.3 million active data users, controlling about 42 per cent of the Nigerian telecommunications industry’s subscribers.

The statement explained: “The firm’s strong financial condition, which is characterized by very good profitability, strong cash flow, low leverage and experienced and stable management team.� “Also the rating takes into cognizance MTN’s market leadership, its extensive network coverage and growing voice subscribers as well as active data users. “MTN Group has a strong presence in twenty countries and over two hundred and thirty seven million subscribers,“In May 2019, MTN became a public limited liability company following its listing by introduction of 20,354,513,050 ordinary shares of 0.02 each on the Nigerian Stock Exchange to comply with regulatory requirement.

The government acts like everything is fine and as if they have done well. The truth is things are not fine.

The problem we have in Nigeria is that we keep problems until they become so big that we have to fix them. We have serious problems in this economy.

The problems are that of growth, unemployment and productivity Vice Chairman, Alpha African Advisory,

Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi Continued on page 22

24

T H I S D AY Ëž JULY 1, 2019

BUSINESSWORLD REPORT: $900BN ‘DEAD CAPITAL’ ABOUND IN NIGERIA for economic gain,� it added.

Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa with a GDP of $US 530 billion, a long term average growth rate of 3.5 per cent and was expected to grow 2.3 per cent in 2019.

Oil revenue contribute more than two-thirds of the nation’s revenue and constitutes nine per cent of the GDP. The informal economy accounts for 65 per cent of GDP which is amongst the highest in the world.

It noted that land tenure system in Nigeria was still largely in the communal and informal sectors. Sporadic efforts by the government on formalisation of property rights through certificate of occupancy in cities like Lagos were yet to meet the intended goal, the report pointed out. “ Land ownership has been quite a stressful process as a result of this complex land tenure system. The current legal status overseeing the formalization of land ownership is the Land Use Act, which was created to support fair access to land by establishing a certificate of occupancy system with fees and taxes.

QATAR AIRWAYS SEEKS TO PARTNER FG ON NATIONAL off of Nigeria Air. Hadi Sirika, former minister of state for aviation had said the fund for the take of the national carrier project had been provided in the 2019 budget passed by the National Assembly recently.

Sirika had said President Muhammadu Buhari had directed that the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) be provided for the Nigeria Air Project which was suspended eight months ago.

He had said: “President Muhammadu Buhari had directed that the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for the project be provided for in the 2019 Appropriation; which the National Assembly has graciously done. I assure the general public, and more importantly, the prospective partners and investors, that Nigeria Air project is fully alive and on course.�

It was gathered that the VGF is $155 million.

Sirika had on Monday, March 25, said plans were underway by the federal government to revisit the national carrier project.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

NEWS

Insurance Sector Recorded N400bn Premium in 2018 Ebere Nwoji The Nigerian insurance sector, in 2018, grew its total premium from N363 billion in 2017, to N400 billion in 2018.

This represented a 10 per cent growth in the volume of business written by the industry operators. But it was below the decade old target of N1 trillion.

Disclosing this at the 48th Annual General Meeting of the umbrella body of insurance underwriters, the Nigeria Insurers Association(NIA). Held in Lagos, President of the association, Mr Tope Smart, said during the year under review, the insurance industry contended with a lot of negative factors. He highlighted these to include poor operating environment which the insurance sector like every other sector of the economy waded through in the year under review. In addition, he identified poor power outage, which according to him continued to be a major challenge to businesses in Nigeria, He further noted that failure to abolish or amend the CITA 2007 remained a huge burden to the insurance companies.

Section 16 of the company income tax requires insurers to pay tax on every claims that is up to 25 percent of their gross premium which they saw as double taxation.

Highlighting other negative factors that affected the insurers and the economy in general during the year, Smart, said

“Growing herdsmen/farmers’ clashes across the country, insurgency and armed banditry in the north, rising cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes as well as communal clashes in some states all combined to negatively affect the bottom line of many insurance companies.�

He however said the association was working closely with the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to promote the business of insurance and increase its contribution to national Gross

Domestic Product (GDP). “Some of these initiatives include the insurance industry rebranding project, regulation on micro insurance, collaboration on financial inclusion, bancassurance guidelines and others which will impact positively on the business of insurance companies,� he explained.

The NIA chairman, noted that the circular issued by NAICOM on the new capitalisation for insurance and reinsurance companies, was part of the regulator’s initiative towards promoting the insurance

industry.

The regulator, had on May 20th, announced a new capital regime for the industry, saying that with effect from June 2020, insurance firms underwriting life business should increase their operating capital from the present level of N2 billion to N8 billion, those into General business are expected to increase theirs from N3 billion to N10 billion, composite firms would raise their capital base from N5 billion to N18 billion, while reinsurance firms would move from N10 billion to N20 billion.

Smart, however, noted that the association has started engaging NAICOM with a view to defining the components of the new capital level as well as the incentives and palliatives that members will enjoy to ensure that as many companies as possible scale through.

He urged the association members to contact the secretariat if they face challenges and also for updates, “on our part we will continue to update you as we make progress in our engagements with the commission.�

CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVE

Ě‹ Ë? ĂŽĂ Ă“Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŁ Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ăž ĂĄ Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ëœ ĂœË› Ă˜ĂŽĂœĂ?ĂĄ Ë› Ă?Ă Ă“Ă˜Ëž Ëœ Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;ĂšËœ ĂœË› ĂŒĂ“ĂžĂ? ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă?ĂŁĂ?Ëž Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ă‹ĂĄ ĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă?Ëœ ĂœË› Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă&#x;ÚÙ Ă’Ă‹Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă—Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ăž Ă–Ă“Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ?

Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ëœ ĂœË› Ă–Ă&#x;Ă—Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă‹Ëœ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ăœ Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă?ĂŽĂ?Ę¨Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ë›Ë›Ë›ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ

‘Judiciary Most Critical in Recovering N5trn AMCON Debt’ The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice A.A. Kafarati has again reminded the nation that the success of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in the discharge of its recovery mandates will only be enhanced if other safety net players and stakeholders, which include the judiciary effectively play their respective roles.

AMCON is saddled with the arduous task of recovering over N5 trillion owed by recalcitrant obligors.

However, the management of the corporation is bent on recovering the debt especially as its sunset date draws closer.

The development has led the management of AMCON led

by Ahmed Lawan Kuru, Managing Director/CEO to switch its recovery strategy to more of enforcement.

According to a statement,

Justice Kafarati who spoke at the weekend during the opening of the AMCON 2019 annual seminar for judges of the Federal High Court, which was organised in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI), in Abuja reiterated the fact that AMCON’s success at recovering the outstanding huge debt would to a large extent depend on the corporation AMCON received from sister agencies as well as critical stakeholders especially the judiciary since most of the cases of AMCON and its obligors end up in court.

Kafarati who was represented at the event by Hon. Justice J.T. Tsoho, said, â€œâ€Ś AMCON is a paramount feature of the financial system stability in Nigeria. AMCON sets out to accomplish this critical objective of stabilising the macro economy by

off-loading toxic assets from the balance sheet of banks.

It must be made clear that AMCON cannot be the only panacea for resolving all banks failures or all other issues in the financial system, as it is only one of the critical partners or components of the financial safety arrangement responsible for the promotion of financial system stability. “The success of AMCON therefore in the discharge of its mandates would, to a large extent be enhanced if other safety net players and stakeholders, which include the judiciary would effectively play their respective roles. I am particularly pleased that AMCON has recognised the judiciary as an important stakeholder, which has a critical role to play in the sustenance of financial integrity in Nigeria.�

Earlier in his remarks,

the AMCON boss told the judges that the corporation had always emphasised that the huge portfolio of AMCON debt was not the problem of the corporation as an entity, but a national debt, which if allowed to crystalise would portend serious negative economic and social consequences for the entire nation. AMCON he said was constantly under the observation of international monetary institutions and have entertained visits and inquiries from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with respect to our strategies for resolving the debt.

According to Kuru, “In April this year, the IMF released its Country Report No. 19/92 where it recognised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as AMCON’s main creditor and that the AMCON debt

creates additional contingent liabilities for the federal government. This underscores the need for a serious concerted effort by all relevant stakeholders, especially the judiciary towards achieving the most effective loan workout option. “As part of our renewed strategy for recovery, AMCON is focusing more on enforcement. It has become clear to us that in order to attain the target as we approach sunset of 2024, we must redouble our efforts in the area of recovery.

The AMCON Act anticipated a situation where we may need to enforce if negotiations fail.

Negotiations have failed us, given our sun set date. It is also clear to us that we cannot go very far without the strong support of the judiciary. My Lords would have noticed that the volume of AMCON cases have grown since June/July 2018,� he added.

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Ogene AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT)

Expert Expresses Concern Over Housing Deficit in Nigeria Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă— Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă&#x; A player in the Real Estate sector of the economy and the Chief Executive Officer of Metro and Castles Homes, Adekunle Abdul, has expressed concern over shortfall in affordable housing in Nigeria, which he said had rendered many people homeless. He spoke at the unveiling of the Phase 1 of Metro & Castles Homes Estate in Lagos.

While calling on government and stakeholders in the Real Estate sector of the economy to think out of the box and come out with solutions that would make housing affordable in the country, he pointed out that having a shelter should not be seen as a luxury, but a right for any individual that has a good job and is credit worthy.

This, he stated informed why Metro & Castles has rolled out initiative to build affordable

houses for people in a serene environment complemented with social amenities like gym, swimming pool and playground for children, among other facilities.

According to him, the houses in the Phase 1 Estate has been fully purchased by subscribers at a price of N36 million, which he said was relatively cheap compared to other houses in that axis. They were built into duplexes with three major rooms

and one extra room for visitors.

The businessman revealed that SunTrust and Keystone Bank were major partners of Metro & Castles on the project and the company also markets by itself. He pointed out that another good thing about the project, is that subscribers can pay within the space of 36 months with an initial 40 per cent, adding that the company has concluded to extend the payment offer to five years in

the future. “This is a lifetime offer.

All the materials used are locally sourced with a touch of class and each duplex is fully equipped. Furthermore, the Phase 2 of the scheme is commencing immediately based on popular demand. Anyone that is credit worthy, be it a salary earner, to partake in this scheme, either by coming to us directly or go through our partners,� he stated.

T H I S D AY Ëž JULY 1, 2019

25

BUSINESSWORLD

MARKET REPORT

Bargain Hunting in Bellwethers Halts Three-week Decline ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?

A

late rally on the back of bargain hunting in bellwethers assisted in halting a threeweek losing streak at the stock market last week, with the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index appreciating by 0.39 per cent to close at 29,966.87. Gains in stocks such as Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Nestle Nigeria Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc, led to the recovery witnessed in the last week of June. Consequently, the market shed 3.55 per cent in June and 4.6 per cent in the first half of the year. A look at the daily performance of the market showed that it commenced on a bearish note on Monday with a decline of 0.14 per cent. The negative trend continued on Tuesday and Wednesday as the ASI dipped 0. 47 per cent and 0.20 per cent respectively. But the market rebounded on Thursday with a gain of 0.47 per cent and consolidated the growth with 0.73 per cent on Friday.

Performance across sector was bullish as four of the five sectors closed on a positive note. The NSE Consumer Goods Index led with a gain of 3.2 per cent, while the NSE Oil & Gas Index trailed with 0.7 per cent. The NSE Industrial Goods Index rallied 0.6 per cent, just as the NSE Banking Index garnered 0.2 per cent. Conversely, the NSE Insurance Index shed 1.5 per cent. Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Ăž ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă™Ă Ă?Ăœ Meanwhile, investors traded 1.771 billion shares worth N28.036 billion in 18,660 deals during the week under review compared with 7.476 billion shares valued at N91.107 billion that exchanged hands the previous week in 17,192 deals.

The Financial Services sector led the activity chart with 1.336 billion shares valued at N17.894 billion traded in 8,783 deals, thus contributing 75.4 per cent and 63.8 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Consumer Goods sector followed with 115.835 million shares worth N5.282 billion in 2,969 deals. The third place was Industrial Goods industry with a turnover of 90.705 million shares worth N1.707 billion in 1,991 deals. Trading in the top three equities namely, Zenith Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Wema Bank Plc accounted for 840.903 million shares worth N15.266 billion in 2,938 deals. Also, a total of 505,460 units valued at N39.278 million were traded last week in 27 deals compared with a total of 662 units valued at N990,530.00 that was transacted two weeks ago in four deals.

A total of 47,212 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N49.976 million were traded in 34 deals compared with a total of 21,682 units valued at N22.552 million transacted preceding week in 29 deals.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, was last week optimistic that the plan by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to raise the capital base of commercial banks above the N25 billion minimum level will be beneficial to the market.

He said the NSE was studying the pronouncement by the CBN so as to know what the banking sector regulator intends to achieve.

CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, while announcing the plan to recapitalise the banks, had said the 2004 banking industry recapitalisation, which increased banks’ capital base from N2 billion to the current N25 billion, had weakened.

He said: “You will all agree with me that it was Governor Soludo in 2004 that did the last recapitalisation we had, moving the capitalisation from N2 billion to N25 billion. “And I must commend those efforts because it resulted in positioning Nigerian banks not only in Africa, but also being among the banks in the world in terms of capitalisation and it also increases or helps to strengthen the banking industry capacity to take on large ticket transactions- and those are some of the things we badly need today. “And if you relate N25 billion in 2004 exchange rate, which was about N100 to N25 billion, it is certainly only about $200 million. Today, if we relate N25 billion at N360, you can see that it is substantially even lower than $75 million. What we are trying to say is that recapitalisation has weakened quite substantially and there is a need for us to say it is time to recapitalise Nigerian banks again.�

Commenting on the plan by the CBN, Onyema said: “We are still studying the pronouncement that was made yesterday, so we are not quite sure what it means. But what I can say is that historically if you look at the last big recapi-

talization efforts for the banking sector, the capital market was greatly used for raising the financing and indeed it was very beneficial to the capital market to the extent that the market became more sophisticated and a lot more players came into the market from the investors perspective.�

According to the NSE boss, the financial sub-sector on the NSE remains one of the most liquid sectors listed on the stock exchange. “So, we know that potentially, it could be very beneficial to the capital market. So, we are studying it and we intend to engage and see how we can serve as a trusted partner in implementing that recapitalisation whenever it comes,� he added.

Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer, Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria/Regional Head, RMB West Africa, Mr. Michael Larbie, welcomed the move by the central bank, saying that a bank is just as strong as its balance sheet.

According to Larbie, the capacity of a financial institution to lend to industries and other sectors would be dependent on the capital they have. “I think stronger and well capitalised banks would be good for the economy.

And the important thing is clear, being big is one thing, but having the right assets and industries to lend to, sensibly, where you don’t have accumulated nonperforming loans (NPLs), is really going to be the balancing that we need to have. “Really, providers of capital expect to get a return on the capital. So, return on capital is going to be very important and I think it is something that our industry, collectively working with the Governor and the people at the CBN need to find

what the optimal answer is. “But I have no doubt that well-capitalised banks is certainly good for the economy and no doubt if those capital raised are deployed prudently, then it can go a long way in creating more industry giants to support the economy,â€? the RMB Nigeria boss added. ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?

The price movement chart showed that 36 equities appreciated higher than 34 in the previous week, while 32 depreciated, lower than 33 equities in the previous week. Champion Breweries Plc led the price gainers with 19.0 per cent, trailed by Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc with 18.1 per cent. Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc chalked 15 per cent, just as Associated Bus Company Plc and UAC of Nigeria Plc gained 11.1 per cent and 9.9 per cent respectively.

B.O.C. Gases Plc garnered 9.5 per cent, while International Breweries Plc, Courtville Business Solutions Plc, Ikeja Hotels Plc and Glaxosmithkline Consumer Nigeria Plc appreciated by 9.5 per cent, 9.5 per cent, 9.1 per cent, and 9.0 per cent respectively.

On the negative side, NPF Microfinance Bank Plc led the price losers with 19.2 per cent, followed by NEM Insurance Plc with a decline of 18.9 per cent.

Forte Oil Plc shed 14.1 per cent, while Beta Glass Plc and Sterling Bank Plc went down by 9.9 per cent and 9.0 per cent in that order.

Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc and Unity Bank Plc shed 8.4 per cent each. Prestige Assurance Plc dipped by 7.4 per cent, just as Chams Plc and FBN Holdings Plc lost 6.4 per cent apiece.

T H I S D AY Ëž JULY 1, 2019

26

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

De Junaic: Political Control Hinders Open Sky in Africa The Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Alexnadre de Junaic, in this interview said liberalisation of African airspace is hindered by sovereign and government control. He also said cost control is a major key to successful airline operation. De Juniac spoke to journalists at the just concluded IATA AGM held in Seoul, South Korea. Chinedu Eze brings the excerpts

E

Africa is not the only place where the cost of fuel is high, India is the same for various reasons, the cost is also high in Brazil, which is a big oil producing country. IATA has been lobbying everywhere to see that the prices of aviation fuel are reduced. It is such an important cost factor for us.

ast Africa has been expanding and building new airports and in your speech you raised the issue of the cost of infrastructure, how can the region recoup funds expended on such infrastructure? You also said airlines operate in high cost environment in Africa, how can this unfavourable situation be reversed?

On the cost control of big investment either on traffic management and even more on airports, the solution we always propose is to have a very early collaboration with users mainly airlines. To define a project which is at the right level in terms of size, in terms of level of service at the right level for the airlines that are serving the airport. So those managing the airports should have broad and early stage consultation with the airlines.

This is very important in order to avoid building facility that will be very expensive or will have inappropriate design.

So you will have highly expensive infrastructure and with a wrong design that will not fit in with airlines’ expectations.

I was surprised when IATA talked about congestion in the European airspace and calculated that the manpower loss would be huge, but in Africa it is a different thing, we don’t have that problem, we are struggling with Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), and it is neither here nor there for now. What are the impediments to achieving SAATM? I think they are similar to those of the Yamoussoukro Declaration. First is the political reason because you are touching a subject that has to with sovereignty. You have economic reasons, start up airlines are not comfortable with the incumbent airlines, sometimes; but also governments want to protect their airspace and their operators against what they perceive as threatening competition from more established carriers. And thirdly, for those countries that don’t have operators (their own airlines), they are sometimes hesitant to open their borders because they think that it will kill any initiative to build a national or flag carrier. So the reasons why SAATM is yet to be fully embraced include protection, political control and sovereignty issues.

That has affected airlines in Africa and they are yet to grow and are very weak, and we believe that IATA will push further on collaboration, so how are you engaging governments in Africa?

We think that any initiative that is favourable to opening the sky is generally favourable for airlines. It generates traffic and usually it allows the creation of new airlines and the expansion of existing airlines, then it brings prosperity, GDP, jobs, and so many other things.

Is there a cooporation between Africa Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) and IATA?

Junaic

Of course, all the time; we were in Rabat (Morocco) not too long ago and we held specific meetings on the subject (SAATM) with all the regional associations along with the African Development Bank, the Head of AFRAA (African Airlines Association) and AFCAC. That effort actually led to the release of funds from the World Bank to the African Union to support the conducting of the 55 countries study to show the value of aviation across all of Africa. That study will be conducted before the end of this year, which will be used to convince all the governments in Africa of the economic values of opening up their skies and opening up their borders to increase interconnectivity. So we continue to work in partnership with all the regional bodies and the specific governments within Africa.

Why are there divergent views about SAATM, since it is an opportunity to advance air transport in the continent?

It is politically motivated and the political situation of each country is different.

We have seen that in Europe.

How many African countries are still with airlines’ blocked funds? Are there other countries apart from Angola?

We have solved the problem, both in Nigeria and Egypt as well and prior to that in Sudan as well. There are problems now in Zimbabwe with $73 million. We have started discussions with the government of Zimbabwe. We immediately start discussion anywhere there is a problem of blocked funds on different levels until we reach the highest level of authority in that country and in this case the Director General of IATA will be traveling to Zimbabwe in July to

meet the President and address this particular issue.

If I was to appoint you the CEO of my airline, Kenya Airways or Ethiopian Airlines in Africa, what will you do to make sure that you operate proďŹ tably?

When you run an airline, wherever it is, it is not particular to Kenya or to France or to America; the cost control is permanent and a key obsession. We are a cost-driven industry and the competitiveness of the organisations in the sector is linked to cost control. You have to have a good product adapted to the market segment you are addressing. It is useless for you to propose a first class where nobody is able to afford it. And as I remember in Africa not having a business class is also a mistake because you have a lot of people asking for that as well. And thirdly I would also invest on distribution system and digitisation of distribution to improve the efficiency, the market access and reduce the cost of distribution. The digitisation has heavily impacted on this part of the business, probably the main impact of the distribution and saving cost. Distribution method is key; the next is customer relation management systems.

What will you do about fuel in the continent because your report said Africa pays 35 per cent more than other regions on aviation fuel?

We are lobbying each state in Africa to reduce taxes on fuel by all means.

What makes the fuel price expensive can be attributed to physical restriction on supply; it can be taxes or the supply chain. Lifting up monopolism in certain airports where there is only a single fuel supplier thereby giving other suppliers the free hand to operate and compete.

According to IATA projection, in 2035, passenger trafďŹ c in Africa will double and there is this desire to have expanded infrastructure that will meet the passenger surge. But most African countries or the governments cannot build airport facilities and IATA is not inclined to privatisation.

How best do you think this can be achieved?

We tell government that you have to manage your infrastructure. You have several ways of doing it and please be cautious before rushing to privatise. You have management contract, you have concession contract before selling the asset, so we urge government to consider all possibilities. Whatever system they choose whether it is privatisation, concession or selling of the airports, we have a kind of guidelines to tell them how to proceed. Based on experience, we have seen so many bad arrangements and a few good ones but we have been able to establish a kind of guide of best practices. And we understand that many governments might go for privatisation to attract private funds because they don’t have enough budget or public funds to finance the airports. But we advise that they be careful because privatization is not the magic solution.

On SAATM, we have 28 membercountries that have joined the market. I think the major challenge is the arbitrary charges. A Nigerian airline going to Ghana or Senegal may face outrageous charges to discourage it from coming. So is IATA looking at having uniform charges?

Yes, not uniform but at least there is ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) principle will be applied and we try to make this principle applied in each country in terms of airport charges.

So ICAO has prepared standards and we ask them to implement them as world standard. And we also follow that with the framework that we developed which is called the IATA smart regulations framework. That really helps authorities when they issue regulations that will impact this bilateral agreement between countries that they will really take into consideration all aspects when they have done things properly. So regulations will be friendlier to the aviation industry rather than hurting it. So, the ICAO standard and our own smart regulation framework that we are actually advocating will solve that problem.

You said safety in sub-Sahara Africa has improved substantially, but would you say there is a bias or subContinued on page 28

T H I S D AY Ëž JULY 1, 2019

27

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Chukwu: FG Encouraging Corruption

by Subsidising Consumption The Chief Executive Officer, Cowry Assets Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, in this interview on Arise Television, a sister broadcast station of THISSAY newspapers, speaks on the five-year target that was unveiled by the Central Bank of Nigeria last week. He also stressed the need for the federal government to end the controversial fuel subsidy policy. Hamid Ayodeji brings the excerpts:

W

hat is your assessment of the ďŹ ve-year policy plan unveiled by the CBN Governor, are they achievable?

The target he set are the overall economic target of the country. If you look at each of those things he mentioned - reducing the level of inflation to single digit, increasing the GDP growth rate to double digit, financial inclusion of 95 per cent by 2024 - those should be the basic policies of the government in terms of economic development. One of the key challenges is that the economy is growing at a very slow rate. There is macro economical instability because we have high interest rate and high inflation rate.

So, the capacity to carry out some of these pronouncements would be highly dependent on the policies of the fiscal authorities. Right now, we do not have a Minister of Finance nor a clear vision of what the government economic policy is. With the best of intention the efforts of the CBN to achieve these goals would largely depend on the fiscal authorities.

Let us say for instance, they said they were going to encourage mortgage lending and consumer lending, to encourage those a lot of things have to be put in place. The per capita earnings of average Nigerians is very low so they cannot afford to properly service a mortgage loan. So for CBN to encourage mortgage loans it has to work with the fiscal authorities at the state and federal level to bring down the cost of properties. In that case, you are talking of the government subsidising prices of land and properties so they are cheaper and an average employee can afford to service a mortgage. In addition, the CBN can introduce a finance initiative to mortgage banks so that they can lend at sub-optimal rates or below market rates.

So it is not enough to say you want to encourage mortgage lending, you have to look at the possibility of someone actually paying back. Can an average employee who earns N30,000 take a loan of N5 million and payback? That is also not possible. We already have an institution like Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Company; although unfortunately we are not seeing its effectiveness presently because it seems like there is a shift in government policy. For such an agency to be effective in supporting mortgages these factors I stated have to come in to place. For instance, the issue of consumer lending, a couple of things have to be put in place, such as card identity management, so the person who borrows in Kaduna and runs to Kano can still be tracked trapped. You also have to consider the cost of such lending because if you have a high interest rate it is impossible for you to borrow for consumption.

You mentioned that the government could subsidize land, which takes us to the comments by the Emir of Kano concerning subsidy and the effects it has on the Nigerian economy.

He said the subsidy on petroleum products and electricity are making us bankrupt; what is your take on that?

What the former CBN governor was trying to say is that subsidising consumption is not the way to go.

seedlings to small holder farmers and also incentives in terms of access to credit across ten commodities, rice cassava, maize, cotton, poultry, livestock?

I feel the central bank should look for the appropriate government agencies to work with. Issue of providing improved seedlings should not be the duty of the CBN. What they should focus on is providing proper funding to rural farmers. The basic thing is how we provide funding which is what they are looking into; they want to support the rural farmers by providing credits.

If you look back at providing seedlings you are going to be taking risks. We have a Ministry for Agriculture at the state levels, the ministry for agriculture should develop extension services in order to educate the rural farmers on the best seedlings and enabling them to access the best seedlings. So for CBN to be in charge of providing such seedlings I think that would be over bordering the responsibilities of the CBN.

Chukwu

Right now, we do not have a Minister of Finance nor a clear vision of what the government economic policy is. With the best of intention the efforts of the CBN to achieve these goals would largely depend on the ďŹ scal authorities. Let us say for instance, they said they were going to encourage mortgage lending and consumer lending, to encourage those a lot of things have to be put in place There is nothing wrong with subsidy as an item to encourage economic activities, it is what you subsidise. You do not subsidise what you do not produce because it leads to an abnormal behavior. For instance the subsidy on petroleum products, he mentioned that we are spending about N1.5 trillion in subsidising petroleum products, and during his time we earned $16 billion on export from crude oil, spent $8 billion on importing refined petroleum products and used $8.2 billion to subsidise those products. So, when you subsidise consumption, the tendency is that you would encourage corruption.

Let me take you back to the 95 per cent ďŹ nancial inclusion target you mentioned earlier which is part of the CBN’s plan. How do you think that can be achieved?

What I think the CBN is going to do is bring in a lot of alternative service delivery in terms of providing financial services to the unbanked. For example, when you talk of payment institutions that the Central Bank introduced recently, some of the payment institutions are like pharmacies or chemists in rural areas where through the payment platform the CBN would provide, an average person can receive payment on the mobile phone and go to a nearby chemist to get it cashed. So, we are not looking at a situation where the banks would expand, that is why he is going to leverage on technology and then introduce alternative paying system or partner with financial institutions or banks that are not financial institutions.

Also looking at the telecommunications services, today we have more than 150 million active telecommunication lines.

The implication is that through those telephone lines, those who are living in areas that do not have access to financial services can also enjoy financial services through their phones. They are also simplifying accounts opening process.

You do not need to feel bulky documents to open an account. Presently, you can open accounts using your telephones as long as you have your BVN which can be accessed through your telephone number and because your phone is a unique identity instrument you can have financial transactions by using your phones. So basically the CBN is going to introduce multiple channels for financial services delivery so as to allow those who live in places that do not have physical access to financial institutions to enjoy financial services.

What do you think of the proposal by the CBN to provide improved

What is your take on the NIRSAL MFB? I have actually battled with the issue of NIRSAL MFBs, which are microfinance banks. We should try avoid creating such government institutions that end up not achieving anything and becoming a draining pipe to the national purse. It is a micro finance bank so it should have access to the rural areas. I have my concerns concerning the institution, in the first place we are trying to create another National Bank in the like of People’s Bank, and meanwhile there are existing alternative channels the CBN and federal government could have used to provide micro credit to the rural areas. We have micro finance banks that are supposed to be located within the vicinity of the micro and small scale entrepreneurs. They have direct access to these customers, so why don’t we set up a wholesale financial institutions that would on-lend to the microfinance finance bank who would now lend to the ultimate micro and small scale entrepreneurs.

Can you speak on the CBN governor’s reference on the role of the silo operators stabilising maize prices?

The silo’s that were set up by the government where eventually privatised.

In terms of stabilising the maize price, the basic thing about the silo is that you are able to take products that have seasons in terms of their yields and put them in the locations where the flow of supply can be managed, in the sense that off season periods there would still be enough to meet the demands of the consumers. However, we are not providing enough maize for local consumption.

Secondly, the silo’s are located in places that are too far from the point where the maize are produced. So, the possibility of moving the maize from where they are produced to the silos is very difficult. Even some of these maize farmers do not know where the silos are located.

And the processes of storing in those silos are not properly structured. In as much as we have those silos they are Continued on page 28

T H I S D AY Ëž JULY 1, 2019

28

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

De Junaic: Political Control Hinders conscious bias when events happen in Africa? It is like the initial thing that hit the West is, oh, it is in Africa; they always get it wrong?

If you are referring to the Ethiopian case, frankly it was not the first reaction.

I heard the blame is on the plane system.

it expensive, it is because of the cost of the instructors and the logistics. So digitizing the training channels will help in reducing the cost and make the training material much more affordable and available for youths around the world not only in Africa.

Even with the improvement in safety, over 25 per cent of airlines in Africa are yet to meet with ICAO standard and recommended practices?

What are you doing about that?

It is not only airlines that have not met the ICAO safety standards. It is actually the regulators and authorities and both ICAO and IATA are working in partnership in organizing workshops, trainings, issuing documents and initiatives to help the authorities, airport operators and the airlines to lift up the safety standards. We have the ones that relate only to airlines, which is IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and ISAGO (IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operation), by implementing the standards of IOSA and ISAGO, it automatically you would uplifted in your compliance of ICAO recommended standards. So they go hand in hand, and ICAO has accepted IOSA as means to uplift countries standards to what it should be.

I want to know the level of collaboration you have with regulatory bodies like the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and others in ensuring air safety?

Usually we have quite a good level of corporation with the FAA but we are not doing the job at that place. For instance, in the Boeing 737 Max, we are not in the certification process. We just express our need to have harmonised, aligned, collaborative certification process.

At what stage are you bringing Africa in on the turbulence awareness system?

It is a product we are developing and when the product is available, that is after the trials and after the systems acceptance; the airlines will subscribe for it.

We learnt that the fee for the turbulence tool will be $10,000, is it going to be one off or annual fee?

I am not sure that the pricing model has actually been established, and again it is still in development.

Junaic

For many Africa youths who aspire to work in the industry, many of them want to ďŹ rst do some IATA training but for those developing countries it looks as if it is still a very big challenge to them ďŹ nancially? Is IATA thinking of making them more affordable?

There are two things you said, one, for people who are trying to enter the industry who are not yet employed by an airline or airport. This is one aspect that we have looked at when we redesigned our training strategy. And we have an ongoing programme to really look into the entire way of how IATA offers training worldwide and then regionalise it and the priorities in each region. The cost could be managed by introducing technology, so it could be online training rather than instructive training. The traditional instructive training is normally expensive; it is not because IATA makes

If you look at what FAA did on the issue concerning the Boeing Max, are you optimistic that when the aircraft is recertiďŹ ed people won’t be apprehensive to y and buy the equipment?

People will probably be apprehensive that is for sure and that is the reason why we are urgently pushing the regulators to have this transparent, aligned and collaborative process of recertification to restore confidence into the system. This is because the confidence has been damaged and it needs to be restored and properly too. Otherwise it will blow not only on Boeing or FAA, it will blow on all the aviation system.

Middle east carriers have adopted a number of procedures to adjust to situations and slow down with growth to confront the current ight challenges. Are those procedures efďŹ cient to help Middle East carriers to overcome those problems?

For me it is difficult to comment on

individual airlines or group of airlines.

The measures that are being taken by the Middle East carriers are classical measures of usually capacity control or programme reshuffling. The only difference is that for the Gulf carriers it is something pretty new, compared to the other carriers that have not had to do it for decades. So it depends on each carrier, so it is difficult to give you a precise and uniform response.

What is your evaluation of the airlines in the Middle East in the last three to six months?

We have published regional figures; Middle East in terms of profitability is suffering more than US, of course, and Europe and even Asia and Africa. So their situation is probably worse.

One of the problems that you mentioned was about constricted airspace in the Middle East, what kind of dialogue is IATA having in trying to encourage the opening of the airspace?

Usually we ask the civil aviation to do two things: to invest in better technology and also to corporate more. In the Gulf before what happened with the blockade, there was already a problem of closed corporation to optimise the design of the sky. After the blockade it has become even worse, so we are pushing governments to cooperate when the political situation allows it. We do work jointly with all the civil aviation authorities and we also leverage our relationship with the Arabs civil aviation organisation. That is the association for all the civil aviation of the Arab countries, to leverage their ability to bring all to the same table and do the two things mentioned here which is investment and technology and investment in integrated redesigning the airspace of this very congested area. And it is an ongoing process.

Chukwu: FG Encouraging Corruption by Subsidising ConsumptionOpen Sky in Africa not operationally effective presently.

What kind of investment and trade policies can be enforced to ensure that we encourage local manufacturing and local production?

The trade policy is the responsibility of the federal government, while the CBN is responsible for the monetary policy. But let us look at what sort of trade policies should the federal government come up with that would encourage export. We have to start from the foundation which is the baseline and that is only crude oil as at today. Our annual export of non-crude oil products presently is just $4 billion. So our export in terms of non-oil export is very low.

Thus, the first thing is to look into how we can grow the value chain of what we produce locally so they meet the standards for exportation. When we are able to produce products that are being demanded for outside the country, and at the same time the cost of production of those products are competitive, that is when you can talk of having a trade policy that creates a barrier that does not inhibit improvement of quality and also a trade policy that would ensure your products are not too expensive because you have to use our exchange rate policies to manage the competiveness of our products in the foreign market.

What are your thoughts on the re capitalisation of the banks?

My take is that the central bank should not come up with a one side fit all capital requirement. The capital

My take is that the central bank should not come up with a one side ďŹ t all capital requirement.The capital requirement the CBN should come up with should be risk-based.

We have moved beyond a one side ďŹ t all capital requirement, thus riskbased capitalisation requirement is what we should be going for Chukwu

requirement the CBN should come up with should be risk-based. We have moved beyond a one side fit all capital requirement, thus risk-based capitalisation requirement is what we should be going for. If you look at what we have on ground today, we have four tiers of banks in Nigeria. We have the merchant banks that require capitalisation of N10 billion; we have the commercial banks that have N15 billion capital requirement and capital ratio of 10 per cent, and we have the national banks that

require N25 billion and capital adequacy ratio of 10 per cent. In addition, we have the international banks, that is Nigerian banks that are operating outside the country, they require N100 billion capital requirement and 15 per cent capital adequacy ratio. Beyond all these we have what the CBN categories as the tier one banks which require capital adequacy ratio of 16 per cent which means the central bank has also redefined some level of capital requirement based on the risk taken. If you look at the shareholders of Nigerian

banks the first six banks which are tier one banks. So, I think the CBN should come up with a guideline that requires banks to carry the capital that would meet their risk operations otherwise we would have a capital base that is not profitable to investors, because they would look at return on equity. I cannot put in money when the return on equity would decrease from the current fifteen percent to five percent.

Do you think the stock market is strong enough to absolve this recapitalisation or we are likely to see mergers and acquisitions?

If you look at the capital market, if you bring in instruments in the markets that have very good yield low risk, the market would mobilise funds for it, like what happened in the case of MTN. So, basically there must be value. Good instruments would attract investment anywhere in the world.

According to the proposal, the aim is to position Nigerian banks into the top ďŹ ve hundred bank. But according to reports, four Nigerian banks have already cracked the top ďŹ ve hundred, namely, First Bank, UBA and Zenith, since that has been achieved already what else will be the pimpact of bank recapitalisation?

What the CBN is looking at is to maintain financial services in terms of sustainability. What the CBN is trying to do is to find away to resolve any deficiency in the banks.

29

T H I S D AY Ëž JULY 1, 2019

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Google Extends ‘Digital Skills For Africa Initiative’ to Abia State Ă—Ă—Ă‹ Ă•Ă™Ă˜Ă”Ă“ Having trained three million people in different levels of digital skills in 29 countries across Africa, with 50 per cent of the beneficiaries coming from Nigeria, Google has extended the training to small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Aba and other communities in Abia State.

Tagged ‘Digital Skills for Africa Program,’ Google seeks to empower SMEs across African countries with digital skills

through face-to-face training as well as virtual training through its online platform, designed to enable them use technology tools to improve productivity and how to better showcase their local products and solutions to the entire world, through internet connectivity.

Google’s Digital Skills for Africa program offers training courses to help individuals and communities develop and grow digital skills, find jobs and advance in their careers.The

program provides free online courses, tools, and in-person digital training to students, educators, job seekers and businesses.

Speaking during the launch of the initiative in Aba, Head, Brand and Reputation at Google, Mojolaoluwa AderemiMakinde, said up to 60 per cent of African youths remained unemployed, hence developing digital entrepreneurship and creating new job opportunities for them was critical to Africa’s transformative growth. “Google

is doing this because it believes that more needs to be done to empower young Africans to succeed in the digital world,�

Aderemi-Makinde added.

Pleased with the training initiative and for extending such initiative to Aba and its environs, the Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, while welcoming the Google team during the launch of the training initiative in Aba, said the people of Aba were creative minded with innovative skills but lack the digital skills and

empowerment that will enable them do more local production for the state and the country as a whole. The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chris Ezem, welcomed the training initiative and challenged Google to establish Information and Communications Technology Hubs (ICT Hubs) and provide Internet services to different sectors in Aba communities that will further empower the citizens. “The government of Abia

State is excited to have Google introduce the Digital Skills Training to the business community and local manufacturers in Aba, Abia State, that will drive business expansion, help to increase sales and create employment opportunities in the state. “The world is now a global place as a result of information technology and Abia, through the Digital Skills Training by Google will be able to key into the digital narrative,� Ikpeazu said.

C & I Leasing Plc Partners OCS Services DMCC in Joint Venture ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜

Ě‹ Ë? ĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂœËœ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ăž ÓÞã Ă™Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜Ă• Ě™ ĚšËœ ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă—Ă“Ě‹ ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă‹Ëž Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĘŠĂ?Ă?ĂœËœ Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ù×ÚĂ?ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ęś Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?Ăœ ĂœĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ĂœË› Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ‹ ËÔË˞ Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă‹ĂŽËœ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ëœ ĂœË› Ă‹Ă–ĂŽĂĄĂ“Ă˜ Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă“Ă‘ĂŒĂ™Ëž ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžËœ ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă‹ Ă&#x;ÖÞÓÚĂ&#x;ĂœĂšĂ™Ă?Ă? Ù̋ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ ĂŽĂœĂ‹ĂĄ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂœË› Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜Ă•ĂĄĂ™Ëž Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁËœ ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă‹ Ă&#x;ÖÞÓÚĂ&#x;ĂœĂšĂ™Ă?Ă? Ù̋ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ ĂœË› äĂ? Ă–Ă&#x;Ă&#x;Ëž Ă‹Ă˜ ÙʊĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă™Ă? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ÙʾĂ?ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ë› ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă? åÙÕÙãĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹ĂŽËœ Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË Ęś Ă™ĂœĂžĂ’Ëœ ĂœË› Ă—Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă– Ă•Ă?Ă”Ă&#x;Ëœ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂŽĂœĂ‹ĂĄ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ô˲˛˛ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ

NNPC/Chevron JV Contributes N5.5bn To Development Of Egbema, Gbaramatu Kingdoms ĂŁĂ–Ă Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ ÎÙåĂ&#x; in Warri To address needs in the areas of education, health, and economic development, the NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture has so far contributed over N5.5 billion, through its Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), to the Egbema and Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF).

General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs of Chevron Nigeria Ltd (CNL), Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, disclosed this at the 9th Annual General Meeting of the EGCDF in Warri, Delta State. Brikinn, who was represented at the event by the CNL’s Area Manager, Warri, Mr. Sam Daibo, said the fund spanned the inception of

the GMoU in 2005 till date and acknowledged that the current leadership of the EGCDF had shown sincerity and prudence in the spending of the funds meant to develop the riverine communities.

Brikinn, urged the communities to continue to support the implementation of the GMoU process to enable them to reap more dividend from the understanding, adding that “the current leadership of the EGCDF has executed and commissioned 22 infrastructural projects since its inauguration in 2017.� “Some of the projects include concrete jetties, concrete link roads and drains, cottage hospitals in Polobubo and Oporoza. Seven more projects spread in different EGCDF communities will be commit-

ted in the year. Since inception, we have contributed over N5.5 billion to the EGCDF which has been used judiciously through the GMoU to address community needs in the areas of education, health, and economic development. “We constantly review the GMoU process to keep up with the stakeholders’ expectations and emerging development.

This year, we embarked upon the evaluation of the GMoU process and has analysed the outcome and quality recommendation made. The GMoU now align more with the Sustainable Development Goals. “The additional features include Operational Excellence, Creativity/Innovation, Sustainable Economic Empowerment Programme, and Small

Business and Enterprise Development,� he said.

Brikinn thanked the Delta State government for creating an enabling and peaceful environment for the GMoU to thrive and also expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers, community leaders and members of the EGCDF for their support towards actualising the objectives of the GMoU. Deputy Governor of Delta, Kingsley Otuaro, while addressing the AGM, urged the communities to create a more conducive environment to enable Chevron to operate optimally. Otuaro, who was represented by Mr. Ema Agbatuba, urged the youth to learn relevant trades, especially those provided by Chevron that would be useful and attractive to the oil companies.

Sekibo Call for Stronger NigeriaRussia Busines Relationship The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Bank Limited, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, has called for stronger partnership between Nigeria and Russia for technological and infrastructural development.

Making this call at the sidelines of the recently held 2019 Annual Meetings of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in Moscow, Russia, the bank chief executive noted that Africa and Nigeria in particular has a lot to learn from the Russian Federation.

He stressed that Nigeria could leverage on stronger ties with Russian to enhance development in the area of infra-

structure, aviation, technology, solar, hydropower energy and mining.

Sekibo said: “If we carefully listen to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, he said the Russian investment in Africa had increased over the years to almost $20 billion in 2018. This clearly shows Africa and Nigeria especially need to key into these investments and get the best out of it. “What we are seeing in Russia today is a testimony that they are giants in several areas of development and Nigeria has a lot to learn and gain and learn from them. Today Nigeria

suffers from huge infrastructural deficit and a lot could be achieved from other countries of the world including Russia. “Russia is advanced in technology and in mining and I feel such cooperation with them will help Nigeria harness its mineral resources. We have huge mineral resources deposit in a lot of states in Nigeria and we can tap from the wealth of experience of Russia either in training of geologists or mining practises.�

Also speaking on the importance of Nigeria being part of African Free Trade Area Agreement (AFCFTA), Sekibo said it was important for Nigeria to

join forces with other African countries on the agreement being the biggest economy in Africa. “Nigeria today is seen as the Big Brother when it comes to the economy and African trade and we cannot shy away from such agreement. Such agreements give access to big markets and improved competitions among the member countries. “I feel strongly that Nigeria has a lot to gain if AFCFTA is signed. I also believe if it is properly leveraged on, it will do us better as a nation,� he added.

C & I Leasing Plc over the weekend in Lagos, announced a joint venture partnership with OCS Services DMCC (OCS) India.

The joint venture which would operate in Nigeria under the brand name OCS Integrated Services Nigeria Limited (OCSISNL) was set up to operate and maintain offshore assets with emphasis on floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units used by the offshore oil and gas industry for the production and processing of hydrocarbon and storage of oil.

Speaking to newsmen at the official unveiling of the partnership to a group of stakeholders in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, Managing Director of C&I Leasing Plc, Mr. Andrew OtikeOdibi, said the partnership was like bringing together two forces, adding that, “C & I Leasing has strength in marine services and managing marine assets.

OCS is a specialist in managing and operating FPSOs. OCS is an affiliate of PW Offshore, one of the top most FPSOs providers in the world. So what this does is that it brings the expertise of PW Offshore in to the country and C & I Leasing has a partner with strength in the Nigerian oil and gas industry that we can provide that specialized service to operators in the industry.�

The joint venture, he said, was expected to offer excellent, differentiated service to businesses in the Nigerian Oil and Gas sector by leveraging on the cumulative decades of experience and expertise from both organisations providing

offshore support in Africa and Asia along the lines of business process outsourcing, personnel management, offshore vessel operation and maintenance.

He stated further that the joint venture operating as ‘OCSISNL’ was also committed to impacting the sector by identifying and nurturing talent in the sector and creating prospects for more jobs and skill development opportunities for interested young Nigerians.

Speaking on the size of the market in Nigeria, he said, “There are other FPSOs or FSOs like Agip’s Abo, which is being managed by BW Offshore, Oriental Energy has an FSO that it is working with, so there are opportunities even in Chevron.

You might not have the total outsourcing of the maintenance, but you can have some of it and that for us creates a room for growth.

We believe that once the expertise and the professionalism is seen and with the use of the Nigerian oil and gas advantage that C & I Leasing has then we should be able to gain traction in that industry. “C&I Leasing Plc serves both indigenous and multinational organisations in Nigeria along three business lines: Fleet Management, Business Process Outsourcing and Marine Services.

The Company which has its shares listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange since 1997 has been in operation since 1991 and is currently invested in two subsidiaries; Leasafric (Ghana) and EPIC International FZE (United Arab Emirates) in addition to six office locations in Nigeria,� he added.

Capri-sun Introduces 100ml Brand for Consumers At a retail price of N50, Capri-Sun has introduced a new 100ml pouch size in order to meet an increasing consumer demand.

The new pouch size was an addition to excite consumers, but more importantly, to give them the power of choice, the company explained in a statement.

Still with the same delightful signature taste and playful pouch, the Capri-Sun 100ml pouch is handy, pocket-friendly and keeps to the brand’s promise of ensuring a taste of fun in every pouch, the statement added. “Consumers will enjoy the variety of options, ease and convenience in the 100ml pouch, as well as its healthy, naturally tasty and satisfying experience that promotes an atmosphere of fun and adventure. “The introduction of the new 100ml pouch size is in keeping with current trends, and is based on a richer understand-

ing of consumer desires to enjoy handy, affordable, convenient and unique Capri-Sun experience in exciting options. “For now, only available in Orange and Apple variants, the launch presents a key advantage to drive value and excitement into the category byoffering an appealing product option in line with consumer expectations,� the statement added.

According to Deepanjan Roy, Managing Director of Chi Limited, the Capri-Sun 100ml pouch size was uniquely designed in response to consumer demands. “Capri-Sun’s playful pouch and signature taste which lead to unique experiences of fun, adventure and carefree pleasure, have made it the preferred fruit drink for children in Nigeria. The 100ml pouch size will delight consumers who have craved for handy and pocketfriendly product choices,� he explained.

T H I S D AY Ëž JULY 1, 2019

30

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

PenCom Commences Verification of Prospective Retirees Today Ă—ĂŒĂŁ Ă˜Ă?äĂ? in Owerri The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has finalised arrangements to commence the verification exercise of prospective retirees who would be retiring from public service next year.

The Acting Director General of the commission, Mrs Aisha Dahir-Umar, made this known during her opening remarks at a pre-retirement workshop organised by the commission in Owerri. The seminar was also

conducted in 14 other states.

Dahir-Umar, who was represented by a senior staff of the commission, Mrs Patience Uzoma, said the workshop was aimed at educating prospective retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) on how best to enjoy their post-retirement life.

According to the Acting DG, the verification exercise which would take place in 15 centres across the country had been scheduled to hold from July 1 to August 2, 2019. The Owerri

exercise covers states like Abia, etc. She called on participants at the workshop to remain positive about post-retirement life, while describing them as senior citizens and very important stakeholders whose support has been quintessential in the life of the commission. “We have finalised arrangements to commence verification of prospective retirees for the year 2020 starting from July 1.

This is one out of fifteen verification centres nationwide and we are capturing Abia and Imo

states. “This is because we want to help you CPS contributors to effectively plan your post-retirement life. We consider you senior citizens without whom we would not have been here today.

Feel free to make suggestions and contributions�, she said.

Some of the prospective retirees expressed delight over the workshop, while thanking the commission for taking the initiative.

Imo Commissioner of Police and prospective retiree, Mr

Rabiu Ladodo, said: “I will be retiring in December 2019, so the workshop is very important for me. I have learnt today that with good communication a retiree is not a liability to himself or the community. “I advise the commission to start the seminar from the beginning of one’s employment because a minute after employment is a journey towards retirement.�

Another participant, Mrs Grace Osuoha, a staff of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), thanked Pen-

Com for creating the awareness while calling on other participants to key in to the opportunities presented by the CPS. “I’m so glad that there is a plan for me as I prepare to retire in June 2020. I call on my fellow intending retirees to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the CPS and workshop,� she said.

The workshop had more than 500 prospective retirees from treasury funded ministries, agencies and departments participating.

Lagos-Ibadan Rail Project Cost Below $2bn, FG Insists

Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă— Ă&#x;Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

Ě‹ Ë? Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂœËœ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ•Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă”Ă‹Ëœ Ă?Ă’Ă—Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă“Ă•Ëž Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă—Ă&#x;ĂœËž Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂœËœ ĂœĂ‹Ă Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă’Ă“Ă–Ă“Ăš Ă•Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Ëž Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ•Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă— Ă‹ĂœĂšËž Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂœËœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? Ă¤ĂŒĂ?Ă• Ëœ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’ Ă™Ă? Ă&#x;ĂœĂ•Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?ËŞ Ă™ĂœĂž Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂž ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂžËœ Ă™ĂœĂž Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂžË&#x; ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ

CEO Launches Book on Entrepreneurship Ă&#x;Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă?Ă‘Ă’Ă?

The Chairman and CEO of NEROS Pharmaceuticals Limited, Dr Poly Emenike has launched a book that focuses on factors entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners require to succeed.

He also said business owners don’t need huge capital to succeed, saying that the most essential thing to have is a desire and mental “pictures of what you want to accomplish, and steps on how to achieve them; which must surely crystallise according to your strong will and faith in your abilities to achieve your defined mission.�

Emenike, said this during the public presentation of the book titled: “Think & Grow

Rich, African Perspective,� in Lagos recently According to him, the book, an adaptation of Napoleon Hill’s classic, “Think & Grow Rich,� came at the right time based on the economic challenges in the country, similar to 1937 Great Depression in the US, when the first book was introduced by Hill.

He, however, advised Nigerians and other Africans that might be witnessing different challenges in in their respective businesses and professional endeavours not to lose hope, saying the book offers them light at the end of the tunnel.

Speaking about the book, Emenike said: “The chief aim of the book is to encourage everybody, irrespective of age and educational back-

ground to ensure they know what they want out of life before hitting the roads for its accomplishment. Thus, if you are disciplined enough to read and carry out the instructions provided, you are sure to achieve anything you set your eyes on as your defined purpose in life. “Most importantly, what I have said in the book are based on personal practical experiences, which was the reason, Don Green, the CEO of Napoleon Hill Foundation encouraged me to write this book so as to enable many people read a more simplified version of the most classic book of all time: Think and Grow Rich. This will help the readers know how to apply the principles to what they do. What I have done in this

book is like stepping down the principles into the African environment.�

While reviewing Emenike’s work, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof.

Chukwuma Soludo, said the word ‘Rich’ in terms of material wealth was only used in the title as an illustration; “as a catchy case study�.

He explained that the principles enunciated in the book “seem to apply to success in any field generally; be it in academics, sports, music, religious ministry, professions, etc.�

According to Soludo, the principles embedded in the book were said to have helped thousands around the world to accumulate wealth, implying that the principles have universal application.

Medview’ll Bounce Back Stronger, Bankole Assures Shareholders

Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x; äĂ?

The Managing director/Chief Executive Officer of Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, has assured shareholders of the company that the airline will soon regain its footing on its routes, especially the domestic scene, saying all efforts were on by the management to bring three aircraft back to operations soon.

He gave this assurance during the 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the airline, saying that the airline has secured loan from its banker, First Bank Nigeria Limited, to finance the maintenance of one of the aircraft at Aero maintenance

base in Lagos, adding that the others that were in Israel and Estonia would soon be on ground in Lagos.

He also disclosed that the airline, from the loan, secured a B777-200 that would be used for Hajj operations beginning from July 10. “Medview airline is one of the airlines approved by the Federal government for hajj operations, we have 17 States and we have covered 15, we signed a contract to airlift a lot of pilgrims for 2019. We got a loan from First bank so we got the B777-200 aircraft for the company. The aircraft would be used to commence hajj operations in Kaduna by July 10 and we have a

total of 10,600 pilgrims from Kaduna, we expect a turnaround in 2019,� he said.

On domestic operations, Bankole said: We have three classic aircraft which were all due for C-check at the same time. One was in Israel, another was in Estonia and third was flying, but we got the money from the bank to put the second aircraft to use and so, it had been taken to Aero Maintenance base, I assure you that the third aircraft would soon be on ground, because domestic operations is our major market, we promise to do more than expected. “Expect a beautiful operations when the three aircraft

would be fully operational soon and each aircraft would be yielding about N376 million in a month. We also assured you that we Will not lease aircraft, therefore, we are working with a strategic partner in order to get a new aircraft into our fleet. 50 cabin crew have already completed their recurrent recurrent training while 10 workers have been recalled to join the training in preparation for operations�, he said.

Bankole, who disclosed that Medview had signed an agreement with Ethiopian airline on maintenance of its B777 aircraft, explained that the company disposed off one of it aircraft because of huge maintenance cost.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Sabiu. Zakari, has said that the total contract sum of the Lagos-Ibadan railway project is US$1, 581,847,371.00 as against the US$2 billion that had been alleged, adding that the cost index/km was US$4.09million as against the US$13.6million also alleged by a section of the media.

Zakari, in a statement by the Acting Director of Press of the Ministry, Anastasia Ogbonna, noted that the clarification became imperative following insinuations by some media houses that the project was inflated over and above a nonexistent one in Ghana.

He added that information has it that the said Ghanaian project was still at conceptual stage as there were neither construction designs nor cost estimates While speaking with journalists in his office, the Permanent Secretary noted that the Lagos-Ibadan railway project was being executed in the spirit of transparency and accountability of which the present administration stands for.

According to him, “to give credence to the fact that there is no basis for comparism as

raised by the allegations, the Ghanaian government has since refuted the publication,� describing it as “containing a lot of factual inaccuracies.�

He further explained that the Lagos-Ibadan railway was actually 386km since it is a double track rail line as against the 156km alleged which is just the distance from Ebute Meta (Lagos) and Ibadan terminal stations only.

Of note too, according to him, was the fact that railway project does not depend solely on the distance between terminal points but rely on various factors which include but not limited to terrain, core operation accessories, land acquisition and compensation, earthworks, bridges, culverts and stations.

Furthermore, he stated that due diligence was followed in the award of the contract as the project was approved by the Federal Executive Council after a Certificate of No Objection by the Bureau of Public Procurement was issued.

The first segment of the project was approved in 2012 while the current administration approved the second segment to link Ebute Meta (Lagos) to Apapa port complex to ease the perennial traffic gridlock that has defied.

EY Appoints Four New Partners

Ernst & Young Nigeria (EY) has announced the appointment of four new partners to the firm.

The move was part of efforts to continually provide quality and exceptional services to its clients across board. The new admitted Partners are Adedapo Adewole, Damilola Aloba, James Adeagbo and Benson Uwheru. The appointment takes effect from today, according to a statement from the professional services firm.

Dapo was admitted as a Partner in Advisory Services. Prior to his admission, he was an Associate Director in the Advisory practice of the firm. In his new capacity, he leads the Technology & Digital practice across West Africa. Dapo has over 18 years’ experience in technology consulting, specialises in Digital Strategy and Transformation solutions. Prior to joining EY, he was an Executive at Accenture, responsible for leading Technology across Financial Services Also, Damilola was admitted as a Partner in Transaction Advisory Services. Prior to his admission, he was an Associate Director in the Transaction Advisory Services of the firm.

In his new role, Damilola leads the Consumer Markets in Transaction Advisory practice of the firm across West Africa, focusing on supporting EY’s priority clients, private equity clients and middle-market companies towards achieving their strategic growth objectives. He brings on board over 18 years’

experience in investment banking, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, infrastructure and project finance. James was admitted Partner in the Tax arm of the business. Prior to his admission, he was an Associate Director in Tax Services of the firm. In his new capacity, he focuses on the Consumer sector, supporting global and local priority clients in the firm’s Global Compliance and Reporting unit.

James currently serves as the Tax Account Leader on several priority accounts.

Finally, Benson was admitted as a Partner in Advisory Services. He was an Associate Director in the Advisory practice of the firm, prior to his admission. In his role, he leads the Risk Management practice across West Africa.

Commenting on the new appointments, Henry Egbiki, EY Regional Managing Partner for West Africa said: “I am delighted with these new appointments and want to wish them all every success in their new roles.

Our purpose is to build a better working world, and we cannot achieve this avowed commitment without the right people— exceptional people who want to work with the best, develop their skills as leaders and create positive change across the entire value chain of our business. I strongly believe their appointments will help us demonstrate that we are the most connected, responsive and insightful professional services firm�.

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 • T H I S D AY

31

32

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 • T H I S D AY

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 • T H I S D AY

33

T H I S D AY ˞ JULY 1, ċĉĊĒ

ÄŒÄ?

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

NDIC Seeks Speedy Amendnent of Enabling Act Nume Ekeghe The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Umaru Ibrahim, has appealed to the ninth Senate to speedily pass the NDIC Act, 2006 (as amended) currently before the National Assembly.

The NDIC Boss made the plea when the Management of the Corporation paid a courtesy call on the newly elected President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, in Abuja, recently.

Responding, the Senate President promised that the lawmakers would immediately commence work on the Bill to Amend the NDIC Act 2006 afresh as the work earlier done by the

8th Senate had lapsed with the expiration of that Assembly. He noted the importance of the Bill and assured the Management of the Corporation that the 9th Senate would give the bill the accelerated consideration it deserved.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, a statement signed by the Director, Communication & Public Affairs Department, NDIC, Sunday Oluyemi, quoted the NDIC boss to have congratulated the Senate President on his election, along with the returning and first time Senators on their victory at the polls. He stated the resolve of the corporation to work closely with the Senate leadership and the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and

Other Financial Institutions to ensure a stable banking system which is critical to the stability of the nation’s financial system.

He recalled that in the past, the Corporation had worked with the Senate on the Bill to Amend the NDIC Act 2006 through the holding of seminars, workshops and active participation in public hearings, stating that the Senate of the 8th Assembly was unable to pass the Bill unlike the House of Representatives which accorded the process the priority it deserved. He appealed to the Senate, under its present leadership, to pass the Bill in earnest in view of its importance to the stability of the financial system.

Fidelity Bank Boss Harps on Technology Innovations Nume Ekeghe The Managing Director, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, has advised Chief Audit Executives (CAE) to adopt technology innovations in tackling imminent risk and opportunities that come with technology advancement in banking.

He said this at the 42nd Quarterly Meeting of the association of Chief Audit Executives (ACAEBIN) where banks’ CAE, representatives from fintech companies and representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria gathered to discuss ‘Internal Audit and The New Digital Frontier.’ Okonkwo was represented by the Deputy Managing Director,

Fidelity Bank Mr. Mohammed Balarabe.

He said: “By the way the theme has been coined, it is very clear that you guys in the control community have to get prepared for the challenges that would come about because of the digital age. So there is a need for us to really be prepared to embrace it but most importantly walk through it. “What you find is that advancement in technology has enabled the automation of several processes and procedures in the banking industry. And what that means is that some services that used to appear very complex, and difficult for the public to access have now become so simplified.

All you need to do now is just touch a button on your computer, laptop, or phone and the service is available to you. That is a very good development, but it comes with its own challenges and I think sessions like this should take time to look at what those challenges are, and how can we overcome them. “In Fidelity Bank, today, 80 per cent of our transactions happen on the digital platforms. And the aspiration is that within the next two years, we should have 90 of all our transactions outside the banking hall on the digital platforms. And that obviously poses challenges for all of us, especially we in the community of auditors.�

SEL Capital Launches Customer Experience Centre SEL Capital Limited has technology, product knowledge Individuals (HNIs). launched Customer Experience Centre (CEC) to improve and deliver exceptional experience for its clients.

In a statement, Managing Director/CEO of SEL Capital Limited, Mr. Segun Opaleye, said the launch of the centre provides a great opportunity for the financial services firm to effectively attend to all of its customers’ enquiries, requests as well as address their complaints. “We are pleased to announce the launch of our Customer Experience Centre (CEC) at Still Earth Capital Finance. The CEC has been set up to promptly receive and attend to all your enquiries, requests and complaints,� the statement added. “Equipped with the latest

and effective customer handling skills, our customer service officers are available to deliver a unique experience each time you contact us for enquiries, requests and complaints about our products and services,�it explained.

Opaleye, said the company would continue to provide exceptional service experience to clients and financial partners, while enhancing the growth and success of their businesses.

He said SEL Capital offers financial advisory services, wealth management, investment advisory services and funding solutions to individuals, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs), corporate institutions, government and High Net-worth

According to him, the company is committed to becoming a gateway and catalyst for mobilizing capital for growth and development across Africa.

He said clients can make enquiries on the company’s services including but not limited to consumer finance, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) funding and structured finance.

They can also enquire about the company’s project finance, financial advisory and wealth management services.

Opaleye also said the company provides investment advisory to HNIs adding that the HNIs have their buyers’ value which SEL Capital has to go for, by providing them the needed solution.

Eunisell Supports Sports Development Speaking on the development, the focus of the award is bigger The decision by one of the Nigeria’s leading Chemical Specialty Fluids and Production Solutions companies, Eunisell, sponsors of the biggest individual award in Nigerian football, The Eunisell Boot, to reward two players instead of one in this year’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) leading marksman race, has been hailed by football enthusiasts.

Nasarawa United’s Sunusi Ibrahim and Akwa United’s Mfon Udoh, were each presented with a trophy and a cheque of N2 million for the 10 goals they scored during the 2018/2019 NPFL season, at the event that held in Lagos at the weekend.

The Eunisell Boot Award values a goal at N200, 000.

Eunisell’s Group Managing Director, Chika Ikenga, said the company’s decision to reward both players was taken based on the simple fact that the two players scored the same number of goals.

Ikenga said the rationale behind the firm’s introducing the award in 2018 was three fold. “First, we set out to help improve the standard of professional football in Nigeria through incentives and awareness; second, to demonstrate to the youth that playing football in the Nigeria professional league is a viable career worth venturing into; and third, to increase spectator interest and support for local teams and players.�

Ikenga added that for the brand,

than the prize money. “It’s about investing in the future of the sport, the clubs, the players and spectators. More than anything, football helps people in terms of keeping faith and provides opportunity for our young people to stay out of trouble. So, we want to help pull people and pull them out of poverty and out of hopelessness.

We do know that football and other sports do provide significant opportunities to do that. “But we can’t do everything, but we thought we could do football.

That was why we got involved in sponsoring a team and total we are providing more entertainment by rewarding the goal scorers in the national football league.�

L-R: Second Vice Chairman, Association of Chief Audit Executives of Banks in Nigeria (ACAEBIN), Felix Igbinoba; Deputy Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mohammed Balarabe, and Chairman, ACAEBIN, Yinka Tiamiyu, at the association’s 42nd Quarterly General Meeting held in Lagos...recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

NOVEMBER 2018 .POFZ 4VQQMZ .Č

ČĊ Ä?Ä’Ä? đĉČ Ä?Ä?

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

Ä? ČČČ ĉÄ?Ä? Ä‹Ä‘

Money Supply (M2)

Ä‹ÄŽ Ä?Ä?ÄŠ Ä?ČĒ ÄŠÄ?

2VBTJ .POFZ

ÄŠÄ? Ä?Ä?ÄŒ ĉÄ?Ä? Ä’Ä‘

/BSSPX .POFZ .ÄŠ

Ċĉ Ä?Ä‘Ä‘ Ä?Ä?Ä‹ ÄŠÄ‘

$VSSFODZ 0VUTJEF #BOLT

ÄŠ Ä?ÄŠÄŠ Ä?Ä?ÄŒ ÄŽÄ’

%FNBOE %FQPTJUT

Ä‘ Ä’Ä?Ä? Ä‘Ä’Ä‘ ÄŽÄ’

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

ÄŠÄ‘ ĒĒĉ Ä?ĉĉ Ä?Ä‘

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

ÄŠÄ‹ đĉÄ? Ä?ĉċ Ä?Ä?

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

Ä‹Ä? ĉÄ?Ä‹ Ä’Ä‘Ä? Ä‹Ä‹

$SFEJU UP (PWFSONFOU /FU

Ä‹ Ēđĉ Ä‹Ä‹Ä’ Ä?Ä?

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

Ä? ĉĒČ Ä?ÄŠÄ’ Ä?ÄŒ

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

Ä? ÄŠÄ?Ä? ÄŽÄ?ÄŠ Ä?ÄŒ

$SFEJU UP 1SJWBUF 4FDUPS $14

Ä‹ÄŒ ĉđċ Ä?ÄŽÄ? ÄŽÄ?

0UIFS "TTFUT /FU

ÄŠÄŒ Ä‹ÄŽÄ‘ ÄŽÄ‘ÄŒ ÄŽÄ?

Reserve Money (Base Money

Ä? Ä‘ÄŠÄŠ ÄŠÄ’Ä‹ ÄŒÄ?

$VSSFODZ JO $JSDVMBUJPO

#BOLT 3FTFSWFT

t 4PVSDF $#/

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

*OUFS #BOL $BMM 3BUF

15.16

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

ÄŠÄ? ĉĉ

Treasury Bill Rate

ÄŠÄŠ Ä‘Ä?

Savings Deposit Rate

Ä? ĉÄ?

1 Month Deposit Rate

Ä‘ Ä‘Ä‹

Č .POUIT %FQPTJU 3BUF

Ä’ Ä?Ä‹

6 Months Deposit Rate

Ċĉ ĒČ

ÄŠÄ‹ .POUIT %FQPTJU 3BUF

Ċĉ ċĊ

Prime Lending rate

ÄŠÄ? ČĎ

Maximum Lending Rate

ČĊ ĎĎ

t .POFUBSZ 1PMJDZ 3BUF ĊČ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE 5)634%": Ä‹Ä? +6/& ċĉĊĒ

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $65.61 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $65.60 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

35

T H I S D AY ˾ JULY 1, 2019

MARKET NEWS

SUNU Assurances Boss Lists Benefits of Insurance Sector Recapitlisation Goddy Egene The Managing Director, SUNU Assurances Nigeria Plc, Mr. Samuel Ogbodu, has listed the benefits of the proposed increase in the capital of insurance firms by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) ,saying it will help to consolidate the sector lead to the provision of the more buoyant opportunities for large ticket transactions.

He added that recapitalization would also position insurance

companies in the country as big players, instead of serving as agents to foreign insurance underwriters.

Ogbodu stated this last Friday while speaking at Lagos at the Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) Quarterly Forum themed, “Deepening insurance penetration through effective broker engagement.”

The Sunu Assurances boss noted that insurance brokers would have more creative roles

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

DEALS

F O R

to play towards harnessing the benefits of the new capital base requirement.

According to him, the Nigerian insurance sector, if well positioned, would take its rightful place in the country’s economy.

He said insurance companies at the end of the recapitalisation programme would be able to take up opportunities hitherto taken by foreign companies.

Ogbodu also urged NAICOM to implement the compulsory housing and transport insurance

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

policies to deepen insurance penetration in the country.

He noted that NAICOM was well positioned to drive the implementation of the compulsory housing policy, which was valued at over one trillion naira.

“If you look at some estates in Lekki, Ikoyi and Victoria Island alone, securing policies for them would amount to over N500 billion, and when you consider houses across the country, it will be over N1 trillion,” Ogbodu stated.

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

According to him, the various efforts aimed at boosting the insurance sector contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to surpass its present 0.1 per cent level would be accelerated with the implementation of the new capital base.

Speaking on the role of insurance brokers, he said the sector’s earnings were mainly due to the contributions of the brokers.

“Without the brokers, there won’t be insurance. They con-

O F

tribute about 80 per cent of the earnings. We place very high premium on brokers,” he said.

He also commended the efforts of brokers in the industry in strengthening insurance penetration.

Ogbodu said that brokers helped in product development, maintenance of high vast network, enhanced negotiation, helped towards risk mitigation and help clients to stay updated on policy and regulatory developments, among others.

2 8 / 0 6 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

˾ MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019

36

DKE z͕ :h>z ϭ^d͕ ϮϬϭϵ ŽŵĞƐƟĐ ƋƵŝƟĞƐ DĂƌŬĞƚ͗ ƵLJ /ŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ ĞůůǁĞƚŚĞƌƐ

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

hƉƚƵƌŶ DĂƌŬĞƚ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ͙ ^/ ƵƉ Ϭ͘ϰй t-o-t ŌĞƌ ƌĞĐŽƌĚŝŶŐ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚƌĞĞ ĐŽŶƐĞĐƵƟǀĞ ǁĞĞŬƐ͕ ƚŚĞ ůŽĐĂů ďŽƵƌƐĞ ƌĞďŽƵŶĚĞĚ ĂƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƚŽŽŬ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶ ŝŶ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďĞůůǁĞƚŚĞƌƐ – GUARANTY͕ E/' Z/ E Z t Z/ ^

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

Ticker

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

ĂŶĚ d/͘ Ɛ Ă ƌĞƐƵůƚ͕ ƚŚĞ ůů ^ŚĂƌĞ /ŶĚĞdž ; ^/Ϳ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ Ϭ͘ϰй W-Ž-t ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ Ϯϵ͕ϵϲϲ͘ϴϳ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ zd ůŽƐƐ

ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ƚŽ -ϰ͘ϳй͘ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ EϱϬ͘ϵďŶ ŝŶ ǀĂůƵĞ ĂƐ

ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĨĞůů ϳϮ͘ϴй ƚŽ Ϯϰϴ͘ϰŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ϰ͘ϱй ƚŽ Eϱ͘ϰďŶ͘ E/d, ;ϰϬϵ͘ϳŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ t D E< ;ϮϬϬ͘ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ĂŶĚ 'h Z Edz ;ϭϮϴ͘ϱŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁĞƌĞ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ďLJ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ǁŚŝůĞ E/d, ;Eϴ͘ϮďŶͿ͕ 'h Z Edz ;Eϰ͘ϬďŶͿ ĂŶĚ hE/> s Z ;Eϭ͘ϳďŶͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

KŶ DŽŶĚĂLJ͕ ƚŚĞ ĚŽŵĞƐƟĐ ĞƋƵŝƟĞƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐŽŵŵĞŶĐĞĚ ŽŶ Ă ďĞĂƌŝƐŚ ŶŽƚĞ ĂƐ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ d/͕ EE ĂŶĚ E/' Z/ E Z t Z/ ^ ĚƌĂŐŐĞĚ ƚŚĞ ďĞŶĐŚŵĂƌŬ ŝŶĚĞdž ĚŽǁŶ ďLJ ϭϰďƉƐ͘ dŚĞ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ ƚƌĞŶĚ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞĚ ŽŶ dƵĞƐĚĂLJ ĂŶĚ tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ

ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ^/ ĚŝƉƉĞĚ ϰϳďƉƐ ĂŶĚ ϮϬďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ƚŚĞ ůŽĐĂů ďŽƵƌƐĞ ƌĞǀĞƌƐĞĚ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ďĞŶĐŚŵĂƌŬ ŝŶĚĞdž ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ϰϳďƉƐ ĂŶĚ ϳϯďƉƐ ŽŶ dŚƵƌƐĚĂLJ ĂŶĚ &ƌŝĚĂLJ

WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌ ǁĂƐ ďƵůůŝƐŚ ĂƐ ϰ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ϲ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ƵŶĚĞƌ ŽƵƌ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŽŶ Ă ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ŶŽƚĞ t-Ž-t͘ dŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ůĞĚ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ͕ ƵƉ ϯ͘Ϯй t-Ž-t ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ , DW/KE ;нϭϵ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ /Ed Z t ;нϵ͘ϲйͿ͘ dŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ƚƌĂŝůĞĚ͕ ƌŝƐŝŶŐ Ϭ͘ϳй W-Ž-t ŽŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ĂŶ ƵƉƟĐŬ ŝŶ d ZE ;нϴ͘ϮйͿ ĂŶĚ

ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ Ϭ͘Ϯй t-Ž-t ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ 'h Z Edz ;нϱ͘ϯйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉ ƐŝĚĞ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚĞdž ůĞĚ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ͕ ĚŽǁŶ ϭ͘ϱй ŽŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ƐĞůůŽīƐ ŝŶ E D ;-ϭϴ͘ϵйͿ ĂŶĚ // K ;-ϰ͘ϯйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ &Z-/ d ŝŶĚĞdž ƐŚĞĚ Ϭ͘ϳй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ Ă ůŽƐƐ ŝŶ DdEE ;-Ϭ͘ϳйͿ͘

ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ϯϰ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ ϯϭ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ dŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞƌƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ǁĞĞŬ ǁĞƌĞ , DW/KE ;нϭϵ͘ϬйͿ͕ D E &/d ;нϭϱ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ dZ E^ ;нϭϭ͘ϭйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ EW&D Z& ;-ϭϵ͘ϮйͿ͕ E D ;-ϭϴ͘ϵйͿ ĂŶĚ &KZd ;-ϭϰ͘ϭйͿ ůĞĚ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵŝŶŐ ǁĞĞŬ͕ ǁĞ

ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƚŽ ƚĂŬĞ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶƐ ŝŶ ĂƩƌĂĐƟǀĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂŚĞĂĚ ŽĨ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ƌĞůĞĂƐĞƐ͘

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

P/E

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

1.77%

-9.8%

32.5%

17.1%

5.6%

4.9x

0.7x

6.4%

6.8%

20.4%

-4.5%

-4.6%

33.1%

5.3%

4.9x

1.6x

9.0%

20.4%

2 Zenith Bank PLC

19.80

-0.3%

11.9%

-14.1%

-4.5%

24.7%

3.2%

3.3x

0.8x

14.1%

30.1%

4 Nestle Nigeria PLC

16.3%

184.00

-0.5%

9.8%

-3.0%

-1.1%

40.1%

21.8%

8.3x

3.0x

8.7%

12.0%

1,390.00

-0.7%

8.5%

-6.4%

-5.8%

81.2%

27.4%

23.3x

17.5x

4.3%

4.3%

63.00

9.6%

5.0%

-26.3%

-17.7%

9.5%

4.4%

28.9x

2.9x

4.2%

3.5%

6.55

-1.5%

4.8%

-17.6%

-18.1%

10.0%

1.1%

3.9x

0.4x

4.0%

25.5%

13.20

0.0%

3.4%

-32.0%

-32.0%

4.7%

4.3%

3.8x

0.5x

3.0%

26.1%

6.20

0.8%

3.9%

-19.5%

-20.5%

15.5%

1.7%

2.6x

0.4x

13.6%

38.0%

5.2x

0.5x

3.4%

19.4%

7.5%

5 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 6 FBN Holdings Plc 7 Cement Co Northern Nigeria PLC 8 United Bank for Africa PLC 9 International Brew eries PLC 10 SEPLAT Petroleum Development C 11 Access Bank PLC

18.30

0.0%

2.4%

-40.0%

-41.9%

-23.8%

-3.2%

530.00

0.0%

3.3%

-17.2%

-14.6%

10.1%

6.3%

4.5x

-1.9%

6.50

-3.0%

3.6%

-4.4%

0.0%

22.2%

2.1%

1.7x

0.4x

11.00

5.8%

2.5%

-21.4%

-23.1%

15.3%

1.2%

3.1x

0.5x

13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

40.25

1.9%

2.5%

-16.1%

-13.3%

30.3%

4.6%

6.0x

1.6x

3.7%

14 Unilever Nigeria PLC

33.00

3.0%

2.4%

-10.8%

-10.8%

12.7%

7.7%

18.4x

2.2x

4.5%

15 Lafarge Africa PLC

12.00

-0.8%

1.8%

-3.6%

0.0%

-6.3%

-1.6%

16 Guinness Nigeria PLC

47.65

0.0%

1.0%

-33.8%

-33.8%

6.8%

3.7%

16.0x

1.2x

3.9%

17 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

64.00

0.0%

1.2%

-16.0%

-16.0%

21.0%

16.0%

10.1x

2.1x

4.7%

9.9%

18 Total Nigeria PLC

150.00

0.0%

1.1%

-26.1%

-26.1%

19.3%

4.5%

8.8x

1.7x

11.4%

11.4%

19 11 PLC

170.00

0.0%

1.3%

-8.4%

-8.4%

30.5%

12.8%

7.1x

1.8x

4.9%

14.1%

14.00

0.0%

0.8%

-39.4%

-36.9%

6.6%

2.0%

6.5x

0.4x

7.1%

4.00

1.3%

1.0%

-20.0%

-16.7%

14.3%

2.5%

1.8x

0.2x

12 Ecobank Transnational Inc

20 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 21 Oando PLC

60.5% 32.3%

0.8x

16.6% 5.4% -5.0% 6.3%

15.4% 55.1%

22 Fidelity Bank PLC

1.70

0.0%

1.0%

-16.3%

-16.3%

12.7%

1.4%

2.0x

0.2x

6.5%

23 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.13

3.7%

0.9%

-14.4%

-10.3%

16.4%

3.6%

4.2x

0.7x

2.7%

23.7%

24 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

11.35

0.0%

0.8%

-25.6%

-23.3%

22.3%

12.6%

5.7x

1.3x

9.7%

17.6%

26 FCMB Group Plc

1.63

0.6%

0.6%

-13.8%

-9.4%

8.8%

1.2%

2.0x

27 UAC of Nigeria PLC

6.65

6.4%

0.4%

-31.8%

-30.4%

-7.9%

-3.6%

49.2%

25 Diamond Bank PLC 0.2x

8.6%

49.0%

0.3x

10.0%

-29.4%

2.20

0.0%

0.6%

15.8%

15.8%

9.3%

0.9%

6.8x

0.6x

29 Presco PLC

52.00

0.0%

0.3%

-18.8%

-18.8%

7.3%

4.6%

13.6x

2.0x

3.8%

7.4%

30 NASCON Allied Industries PLC

15.00

0.0%

0.3%

-16.7%

-16.7%

32.2%

12.9%

9.8x

3.2x

6.7%

10.2%

31 Forte Oil PLC

26.80

-2.2%

0.3%

-2.4%

-4.3%

48.9%

7.4%

32 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

6.85

-2.1%

0.4%

22.3%

22.3%

6.6%

1.2%

12.0x

0.9x

33 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

21.90

4.8%

0.3%

9.0%

-0.9%

19.9%

2.3%

4.4x

0.8x

34 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

14.7%

2.1x

-7.8% 8.3% 9.1%

22.5%

7.10

0.0%

0.2%

-41.3%

-42.3%

0.7x

2.1%

27.50

0.0%

0.2%

-21.1%

-21.1%

68.7%

31.5%

9.3x

5.8x

10.5%

10.7%

36 Wema Bank PLC

0.66

1.5%

0.2%

4.8%

4.8%

7.3%

0.7%

6.9x

0.5x

4.5%

14.6%

37 Beta Glass PLC

66.35

0.0%

0.2%

-2.9%

-2.9%

6.4x

1.1x

2.0%

15.5%

38 Dangote Flour Mills Plc

17.50

0.0%

0.4%

155.5%

165.2%

-15.8%

-5.1%

39 Transcorp Hotels Plc

5.40

0.0%

0.1%

-11.5%

-9.2%

6.0%

3.2%

12.0x

0.7x

40 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

2.00

3.1%

0.1%

9.3%

9.3%

11.0%

3.1%

8.8x

1.0x

35 Chemical and Allied Products P

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e T ic k er

2.7x

-6.4% 2.8%

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

83.6

6.8%

IKEJ A H OT EL

ET I

25.1

5.8%

NB

Z EN IT H B A N K

18.2

-0.3%

B ER GER

7.00

8.5%

FB NH

17.4

-1.5%

C A VER T ON

2.57

8.0%

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

1.43

10.0%

63.00

9.6%

0.29

7.4%

WA P C O

16.2

-0.8%

CHA M S

A C C ESS

10.4

-3.0%

GUA R A N T Y

F LOUR M ILL

9.2

0.0%

UA C N

M A N SA R D

6.4

3.1%

ET I

11.00

5.8%

R EGA LIN S

5.1

0.0%

J B ER GER

21.90

4.8%

FCM B

4.6

0.6%

M B EN EF IT

0.23

4.5%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e T ic k er GUA R A N T Y

Value

32.90

6.8%

6.65

6.4%

T o p 10 L o s e r s

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

2603.5

6.8%

NP FM CRFB K

1.05

-9.5%

707.5

-0.7%

C OUR T VILLE

0.23

-8.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

362.2

-0.3%

A IIC O

0.66

-4.3%

M TNN

325.2

0.0%

A C C ESS

6.50

-3.0%

26.80

-2.2%

N EST LE

ET I

269.7

5.8%

FO

WA P C O

195.2

-0.8%

UB N

6.85

-2.1%

SEP LA T

158.9

0.0%

A F R IP R UD

3.48

-2.0%

F LOUR M ILL

129.0

0.0%

FB NH

6.55

-1.5%

FB NH

115.2

-1.5%

N EM

2.27

-1.3%

NB

96.5

9.6%

WA P C O

12.00

-0.8%

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

Brokerage

8.3% 11.4%

GUA R A N T Y

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ƵŶĐŚĂŶŐĞĚ Ăƚ ϭ͘ϭdž͕

ROA

32.90

^ W> d ;нϯ͘ϵйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ Z' Z ;нϳ͘ϳйͿ ĚƌŽǀĞ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž Ϭ͘ϲй t-Ž-t ŶŽƌƚŚǁĂƌĚƐ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕

ROE

1,324.62

28 Sterling Bank PLC

ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘

Price Change Index to Date

1 Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

3 Dangote Cement PLC

ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ƚŽ Eϭϯ͘ϮƚŶ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕

Price Previous Current Change Price Weightin YTD Change g

37

MONDAY, JULY 1, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Mutual Benefits Assurance Posts N14bn Underwritten Income Goddy Egene Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc posted an underwriting income of N13.9 billion for the year ended 31 December 2018, representing a 19 per cent increase from the N11.77 billion recorded in 2017.

Gross premium written also grew by 13 per cent from N14.03 billion in 2017 to N15.84 billion in the year under review, while net premium income rose by 18 per cent from N11.46 billion to N13.47 billion.

Profit before income tax stood at N1.381 billion, compared with N1.335 billion, while profit after income tax grew by 12 per cent from N1.02 billion to N1.149 billion.

Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc paid claims amounting to N3 billion in the period under review with motor claims accounting for the highest of N1.10billion.

Fire followed with N664 million, while general accident recorded N330 million just as aviation risks attracted N441.90 million. Claims

paid on other classes of business include engineering N166 million; oil and gas risks N108.90 million and marine N241.60million.

Commenting, Managing Director, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Segun Omosehin, said: “The claims paid shows our commitment to meeting our obligations to our esteemed customers.”

According to him, the company has put in place systems and processes to ensure efficient claims service delivery.

“We are committed to prompt settlement of all genuine claims, as this aligns with our mission statement of “Transcending the expectations of our customers for the satisfaction of their wealth protection needs through the provision of qualitative insurance and risk management services thereby creating values for all stakeholders,” he added.

Speaking further, the Mutual Benefits Assurance boss said 2019 is the third year of our five year strategy plan, disclosing that

remarkable progress has been made.

“Our information technology (IT) transformation will soon be completed which will take our service delivery level to greater heights with innovative customer centric solutions,” Omosehin said.

Meanwhile, the company said it remained committed to the principles and practices that promote good corporate governance.

“We recognise that sound corporate governance practices are necessary for effective management and control of the company. Prior to the introduction of the Code of Corporate Governance for Companies in Nigeria, we had already adopted a responsible attitude towards corporate governance and issues of Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria. The company conducts its business with integrity and pays due regard to the legitimate interest of all stakeholders,” it said.

NOTICE FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE FUND MANAGERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (FMAN) Notice is hereby given to all members that the Annual General Meeting of the FUND MANAGERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA will hold on Thursday, 18 July 2019, at 11:00AM at the SEC Auditorium, 3, Idejo Street, Opposite ICON House, Off Adeola Odeku Street, V.I. Lagos to conduct the following business.

1. To receive the audited accounts of the association and the report of the Executive Committee for the year ended 31 December 2018 2. Any Other Business According to Article 10.3 of the Association’s Constitution, “The quorum at all general meetings of the Association shall be two-thirds of the members of the Association or 10 members (whichever is less)”.

By Order of the Executive Committee FUND MANAGERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (FMAN) c/o 16 Amodu Ojikutu Street, Victoria Island, Lagos FUND MANAGERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER, 2018

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

2018 N 2,716,097

2017 N 223,387

Cash and Cash Equivalent Trade Receivables Other receivables

45,369,906 13,750,000 472,500 59,592,406

36,808,810 8,500,000 135,000 45,443,810

TOTAL ASSET

62,308,503

45,667,197

500,000 1,764,862 2,264,862

500,000 6,729,485 7,229,485

NET ASSET

60,043,641

38,437,712

Financed by: Accumulated fund

60,043,641

38,437,712

NON-CURRENT ASSETS Property, Plant and Equipment CURRENT ASSETS

L-R: President , Association for the Advancement of the Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS) , Dr.Faruk Umar; Chairman ,Jaiz Bank Plc, Dr. Umar Mutallab, and Director, Jaiz Bank Plc, Umar Kwairanga at the bank’s Annual General Meeting in Abuja, recently

FBNQuest’s FBN Heritage Fund Renamed FBN Balanced Fund Goddy Egene FBNQuest Asset Management, a subsidiary of FBNQuest Merchant Bank and part of the FBN Holdings Plc group, has changed the name of the FBN Heritage Fund to FBN Balanced Fund. The change of name was approved by unitholders of the Fund at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of the Fund in Lagos.

Speaking at the EGM, the Managing Director of FBNQuest Asset Management, Ike Onyia, explained: “In 2008, there were 34 funds, today we have almost 100. We thought it important to change the name of the fund into one that is reflective of the investment strategy of the fund, hence the change to FBN Balanced Fund”. “The underlying strategy remains the same, the asset allocation structure has been streamlined to enhance the distinct investment style of the Fund and enable

investors situate how to best to benefit from this investment approach, within the context of their goals, risk profiles and expected portfolio returns.”

The FBN Balanced Fund was launched in 2008 as a multiasset mutual fund, suitable for investors with an appetite for earning greater rewards over a long-term period. The focus of this Fund is to invest in equities, bonds, money market instruments, and other securities in the capital markets.

Onyia said the fund is featured on their easy to use, self-service application, FBN EDGE, which is available at either of the apple or google stores.

“Through the app, investors can begin the journey to fulfilling their financial goals and implementing their disciplined investment plans by investing a minimum of N50,000 in the FBN Balanced Fund,” he added.

The investment strategy

of the FBN Balanced Fund, which was established in 2008, is designed to provide investors with portfolio exposure to a mutual fund that invests across multiple asset classes. This asset mix ensures that investors profiled in the medium-risk category can consider this fund, given its implicit portfolio diversification strategy, an appropriate tool for achieving their financial objectives. The FBN Balanced Fund invests in a mixed portfolio of instruments such asStocks of high quality Nigerian companies, Long-term debt instruments of Nigerian federal and state governments, Long-term debt instruments of Nigerian corporates and high quality money market securities such as treasury bills, and commercial paper.

According to the fund, over the past 10 years, it has appreciated by over 140 per cent, outperforming its benchmark.

CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade Payables Other Payables TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

ADEDOTUN SULAIMAN CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

BISMARCK REWANE SECRETARY, BOARD OF TRUSTEES

FRC/2013/ICAN/00000002885

FRC/2014/CIBN/00000006624

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 31/12 /2018 31/12/2017 INCOME N Membership Dues/Subscription 25,236,749 17,174,926 Other Income 4,807,160 4,629,946 30,043,909 21,804,873 Administrative expenses (8,437,980) (12,919,001) Surplus for the year 21,605,929 8,885,872 Other Comprehensive income Total Comprehensive income 21,605,929 8,885,872

38

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

CITYSTRINGS

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

A Stand against Drug Abuse, Human Trafficking Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that for the fourth year running, crime reporters in Nigeria have taken up the gauntlet in championing the cause against drug abuse and human trafficking in persons

T

he International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit TrafďŹ cking is a United Nations campaign against drug abuse and its illegal trade.

It has been observed annually on June 26, since 1989. The observance was instituted by General AssemblyResolution 42/112 of December 7, 1987.

In commemoration of this, the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) has for the fourth year running held series of seminars to take a stand against the menace. To mark this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drug day, they took stakeholders and guests to Radisson Blu, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos to reiterate on the menace breeding crime in the society.

Themed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Drugs are Addictive, Escaping is Hard, Don't Start', the seminar attracted representatives of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Army (NA), religious groups, NAPTIP, NGOs and the entertainment industry.

Odumakinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stance In her address, Human rights activist, Dr. Joe Odumakin said there is need to declare the state of emergency as there are not enough hands dealing with the menace of drug abuse and human trafficking in the society.

She said: "Drug abuse is an abnormal use of drug and too much of everything is bad. There is a nexus between drug abuse and human trafficking as the recruitment are sometimes through drug use. They use the drug either to cope, control or as a reward.

"This is why I always tell people that always want to be like someone that it is wrong because you may not be able to do what they do. To overcome drug abuse and human trafficking, one needs to deal with the triggers which sometimes come in form of boredom, depression, loneliness, anger, rejection, anxiety and stress.

"We also need to talk to ourselves as the root is the heart. We can replace these bad habits with good habits like sports. Choose to make difference, no matter the case, be part of the situation. Don't just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles.â&#x20AC;?

Immigrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Role The special guest of honour, Comptroller General of Immigration, Mohammed Babandede, who was represented by Mrs Helen Onwuzuwike, a Contoller of Immigration, observed that more people are going into drugs which breeds crime in the society.

He said: "It also leads to suicide which is happening at an high rate in the society. Adult and even children are not left out which should be curtailed.

We are happy for a seminar like this which aims at spreading the message to curb the menace.

We at the immigration will also spread the word that drug is not good for us, it's not good for our children, our parents and members of the society. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You find people taking sniper to commit suicide which is as a result of drugs which came through our borders. We appreciate this gesture by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria and we will also join in spreading the message.â&#x20AC;?

She added that the Federal Government is working â&#x20AC;&#x153;towards making the border more secure to control illegal movement of persons especially those involved in human trafficking.

We have a lot of officers posted to the border to make sure this irregular movements of people and drugs are stopped. The officers are trained on border management as the CGI do not sleep.

We all have to come together with other security agencies to curb this menace. It's a continuous battle so on behalf of our CG, we will make sure we do our bestâ&#x20AC;?.

The Clergyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Liturgy Ven. Adegoke Agara, Dean Archbishop Vinning Memorial Cathedral Church (AVMCC), Anglican Cathedral, who was a guest lecturer at the event said drug abuse and human trafficking has been a menace which the church should also join

L-R: President, The Drug Salvation Foundation, Wilson Ighodalo; President Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, Odita Sunday; and representative of Freedom House Foundation, represented by Mr Steve Nduka

L-R: Odita Sunday; Controller of Immigration, Helen Onwuzulike; Steve Nduka and Colonel Kingsley Umoh

L-R: Mrs. Odita Sunday; frontline activist, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Founder Women Arise Initiative and Democracy for Change; and Odita Sunday

Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin ďŹ&#x201A;anked by immigration oďŹ&#x192;cers that attended the seminar

CEO Strict Guards Security, Dr. Bone Efoziem and other stakeholders indicating their stand against drug abuse and human traďŹ&#x192;cking

in tackling. He added that the situation is so

bad that it had eaten deep into the primary

school level.

He said: "We need to make people know that drug is dangerous and we should not succumb to peer pressure as a lot of destinies have been destroyed because of this. If there is a problem in a place, God does not come down to solve the problem but puts the burden on people, who will act on it which is what we are doing now. I pray that we act on whatever we discuss here today.

"Human trafficking is also a modern day slavery and I pray that God will see us through.

On the other hand, drug abuse is taking illegal substances that causes addiction and loss of consciousness. An average child has the tendency of going out and get influenced with drugs but it takes a trained child to desist from it.

"The theme of today's seminar is "Drugs are Addictive, Escaping is hard, Don't Start" which is why we should not go into it. Churches should be involved in educating people not to go into it at all."

He added that people should learn from the cases of some artistes and famous individuals who are now a shadow of themselves due to drugs.

CRANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Position CRAN President, Mr. Sunday Odita said the event was a seed that CRAN is sowing to stop the menace of drug abuse.

He said: "We deemed it fit to kick start this campaign to enlighten people being deceived into drugs and human trafficking. How long are we going to continue saying the menace of drug abuse is not our concern, what happens when our children become victims. Everyone has to come together so that we can talk about how we can at least reduce drug abuse.

"The challenge we however have in reporting cases of drug abuse and human trafficking is that victims shy away from sharing their stories because of the stigma.â&#x20AC;?

He urged members of the public to speak up whenever they find themselves in situations like this adding that it's cheaper to prevent than having to cure the addiction.

NAPTIP Mrs Comfort Sanni, who represented the NAPTIP Lagos Zonal Commander, Mr Daniel Otukolo emphasised the need for all security agencies to embrace partnership in tackling the menace of drug abuse and human trafficking.

According to her, the media and members of the public are not left behind as it is a menace to be tackled by all.

Security Experts Dr Bone Efoziem, CEO Strict Guards said it's difficult for a society to have a future without the younger generation, adding that the menace of drug abuse needs to be tackled as it is affecting the youths more.

Stressing that the issue of drug abuse needs to be addressed as it concerns everyone, he said: "Drug abuse is all about any urge to use a drug not minding the consequences therefore addiction makes it difficult for you to resist. There is need to look at the root cause of addiction which is abuse. Without abuse, there can't be addiction."

He urged parents to always check on their children as any vaccum created can be occupied with bad habits.

Deputy Director, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Colonel Kingsley Umoh, said: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about awareness creation and the advocacy that goes with such awareness creation. We should all be conscious about what the issues are and how we can avoid the menace.â&#x20AC;?

To round off the seminar, CRAN presented an award of excellence to Pastor Tony Rapu of God Bless NIGERIA Church, and founder, Freedom House Foundation, for the massive work they have been doing in rehabilitating drug abuse victims. Represented by Mr Steve Nduka, he said they have been doing it in the past 30 years and have no plans of stopping.

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

39

&

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Revenant Security Trends

Oseloka H. Obaze Nigeria is security challenged. No national interest issue has singularly dominated Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political and socio-economic discourse as insecurity and governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s antipathy towards related public outcry. No nation is insulated from security challenges.

Some nations have well-developed response systems and mechanisms. In contrast, Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s systemic modalities for responding to insecurity focus on â&#x20AC;&#x153;safeguardingâ&#x20AC;? establishment and policy options that are not working.

Concerns are being expressed of a diametric failure in the security sector; the emergence of ungoverned spaces and governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;crude surrenderâ&#x20AC;? to security threats posed by militancy. This amounts to governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s failure to undertake fully the responsibility to protect its citizens.

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inability to tackle insecurity holistically is an overarching factor. Her much-touted security sector reform have yielded less than the desired results as affirmed by the fact that no fewer than 25,794 Nigerians may have died in violent crises in the first four years of the Buhari administration. Such evidential recidivism of revenant insecurity calls for a pause.

The prevailing nature and scope of insecurity in Nigeria attest to an admix of â&#x20AC;&#x153;receding, emerging and resurging issues and trends in the security sector.â&#x20AC;?

Overall, insecurity has been incremental even as one must admit that the present scope has its genesis in the failings of successive governments. For Nigerians, the multidimensional nature of insecurity is a cause for deep trepidation; and a shared sense of bleakness, imminent threat and present danger. Another broadly shared view is that â&#x20AC;&#x153;very few parts of Nigeria are exempt from menace of banditry and kidnappings.â&#x20AC;? Relatedly, the government, via policy miscues and dismal response to insecurity, has wittingly engaged in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;beatification of stealingâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;pacificationâ&#x20AC;? of violent and pillaging herdsmen.

Globally, the nature of insecurity and the methodologies required for tackling them

have metamorphosed. Correspondingly, Nigeria now resorts to multilateral measures and mechanisms, such as the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to tackle Boko Haram, the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy (EIMS) and the Gulf of Guinea YaoundĂŠ Code of Conduct to tackle piracy.

Domestically, government now deploy variants of military operations to tackle insecurity.

What is missing is a strategic balance in the use of military â&#x20AC;&#x153;hard powerâ&#x20AC;? and civilian institutionsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;soft powerâ&#x20AC;? mechanisms and civilian police conflict resolution methods.

We are a nation in denial. Rising insecurity in Nigeria did not happen in a vacuum.

The â&#x20AC;&#x153;indicators of conducivenessâ&#x20AC;? were discernible. Disconcertingly, their cumulative negative impact are being exacerbated by the lack of state penetration, lack of state monopoly of force, lack of border controls, external interference, shifting demographics, and rogue non-state actorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; obvious possession of adequate infrastructure and funding.

The six most dominant security issues and trends in Nigeria are; farmers-herders conflict, Boko-Haram/ISWAP terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and cultism, oil-related militancy, and separatist agitations. That these challenges fester can be linked to governmental shilly-shally, as evidenced by its unwillingness to deal decisively with herdsmen violence.

Meanwhile, the national death toll from various incipient and entrenched conflicts are spiralling upwards; while 3,641 people died in the clashes from 2015 to late 2018,

We are a nation in denial.

Rising insecurity in Nigeria did not happen in a vacuum. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;indicators of conducivenessâ&#x20AC;? were discernible. We compartmentalize security to our own detriment

presently the fatalities are over 4,000 lives. The resultant effect of Boko Haram and herdsmen attacks have resulted in an unprecedented peacetime internally displaced persons (IDPs), now estimated at two million.

Now in its seventeenth year, the fight against Boko Haram is mutant. While Boko Haramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attacks on soft targets may have waned, there is evident upsurge in its attacks on military installations. Since 2015, Boko Haram has attacked and sacked twenty-two military posts and annihilated scores of Nigerian soldiers. Its cleft splinter, the Islamic Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s West Africa Province (ISWAP) is increasingly robust. ISWAP now occupy parts of Borno State, collect taxes and provide basic services to occupied communities. Both entities also continue to exploit a large swathe of impressionable and unemployed youths. So long as their funding and rearmament sources are not determined and curtailed, their destructive capacity will not abate.

Well beyond its most debilitating and destructive phase, militancy in the southsouth is â&#x20AC;&#x153;recedingâ&#x20AC;?, but the downturn bears no correlation to any governmental preventive action. Rather, the militants and the government seem to have found a dubious common ground; militants, who hitherto engaged in disruptive attacks of national oil facilities, now resort to less disruptive activities of making money from crude oil theft. Government, for its part, has opted for this route of least resistance. It is â&#x20AC;&#x153;accepting oil theft because it is less injurious than militancy.â&#x20AC;? Whilst this disposition may represent a pragmatic approach of â&#x20AC;&#x153;cutting lossesâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;cost of doing business,â&#x20AC;? its flip side represents an insidious invitation to other criminals to join the kidnapping and oil theft fray.

In the realm of outlawry, a clear nexus exists between the twin scourge of banditry and cultism. Whereas cultism is receding from the campuses of our tertiary institutions, it is being entrenched incrementally in our under-monitored streets and homesteads.

Yet our national ambivalence to cultism persists, even as some deem its proliferation as â&#x20AC;&#x153;something that cannot be separated

from the poor environment where students live and learn.â&#x20AC;? Nigerians canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ignore a troubling corollary; cultism promotes human insecurity and vice versa.

With youth unemployment hovering around 30%, the assertion by Andrew Nevin that â&#x20AC;&#x153;being young in Nigeria is very challengingâ&#x20AC;? assumes a damning and insidious meaning. Moreover, semantics matters little when grappling with banditry or cultism in Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In reality, the usage conflates two underlying problems;â&#x20AC;? ineffective law enforcement and the emergent crisis of ungoverned spaces.

The eerie spectre of separatism continues to haunt Nigeria. Despite exhortations and protestations, little attention is being accorded to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ethnic proclivities. That Nigeria continues to encounter trenchant calls for restructuring and separatist agitation is indicative of simmering discontent.

Also resurgent calls for Biafra are now buffeted by calls for Oduduwa Republic, Arewa Republic, and Niger Delta Republic.

Such clamours underpin existing separatist fault lines. The political will to address the separatist agitations robustly seems lacking as evidenced by the recent â&#x20AC;&#x153;unbalancedâ&#x20AC;? leadership change in the legislative arm of government, which have only aggravated this insensitivity.

Dangers posed by emerging conflicts are as bad as those arising from recidivism.

Hence, lack of political will and purposeful leadership will continue to impact negatively on how Nigeria responds to receding, resurging and emerging security issues. We must, nonetheless, be cognizant that for our security mechanisms to be efficacious and â&#x20AC;&#x153;for security to last, we have to move from safeguarding it to actively promoting it.â&#x20AC;?

We must also eschew divisive rhetoric and avoid sectionalizing and compartmentalizing security threats, challenges and solutions.

Finally, Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political leadership must find ways of regaining public trust and confidence on critical national security issues.

It must also explore the security solutions that serve national interest at all times.

Obaze is the MD/ CEO Selonnes Consult, Awka.

40

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

41

42

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

43

44

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

45

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

Trump Sets Foot in North Korea, Agrees with Kim to Resume Talks United States President Donald Trump became the first sitting US president to set foot in North Korea.

Trump met its leader, Kim Jong Un, on Sunday in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas and agreed to resume stalled nuclear talks, and expressed hopes for peace.

The two men met for the third time in just a year on the old Cold War frontier that for decades has symbolised the hostility

between their countries, which are technically still at war.

Trump, escorted by Kim, briefly crossed a military demarcation line into the North.

Moments later, they returned to the South Korean side and joined South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in for a brief chat, marking an unprecedented three-way gathering.

Trump and Kim held a closed door meeting for nearly an hour.

Britain Closely Monitoring Events in Hong Kong, Says Hunt Britain will closely monitor events in Hong Kong and continue to press the Chinese government to respect the terms under which the former colony was handed over.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Sunday, ahead of the 22nd anniversary of the handover on July 1.

Hunt said in a statement that recent protests made it even more important to reiterate that Britain’s commitment to the Sino British Joint Declaration

“The meeting was a very good one, very strong … We agreed to work out details,” Trump said.

“We’ll see what can happen,” he added.

He said both sides would set up teams to push forward stalled talks aimed at getting North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, adding that he is in no rush for a deal.

Trump and Kim met for the first time in Singapore in June 2018, and agreed to improve relations and work toward the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

But there has been little progress since then.

A second summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, in February broke

down after the two sides failed to narrow differences between a U.S. demand for North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and a North Korean demand for sanctions relief.

Kim looked relaxed and smiled as he chatted with Trump amidst a throng of press photographers, aides and bodyguards.

“I was surprised to see your message that you wanted to meet me,” he told Trump, referring to Trump’s Saturday offer, in a Twitter posting, to meet.

“This is an expression of his willingness” to work toward a new future, Kim said.

Kim said it would be a great honor if Trump visited his capital

of Pyongyang.

“To cross that line was a great honor,” Trump said, referring to his brief incursion into the North Korean side of the DMZ. “It’s a great day for the world,” he said.

“We moved mountains” to arrange the meeting at such short notice, he said.

Trump arrived in South Korea late on Saturday for talks with Moon after attending a Group of 20 summit in Osaka, Japan, during which he made the surprise, spur of the moment offer to meet Kim, who accepted it.

Trump and Kim met in the so-called Joint Security Area (JSA), which is patrolled by soldiers from

both Koreas. Moon joined the two after their initial handshakes.

Trump said he had “plenty of time” and was in “no rush” to reach a deal.

“We want to get it right,” he said.

North Korea has pursued nuclear and missile programmes for years in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions, and easing tensions with North Korea is one of the U.S. president’s top foreign policy priorities.

The DMZ was set up after the 1950 to 53 Korean War ended in an armistice, not a truce, leaving North Korea and a U.S. led UN forces still technically at war.

was unwavering.

“We will continue to closely monitor events in Hong Kong,” he said in a statement.

“Recent protests in Hong Kong made it even more important on the anniversary of the handover to reiterate that the UK Government’s commitment to the Sino-British Joint Declaration is unwavering. “ It is a legally binding treaty and remains as valid today as it did when it was signed and ratified over thirty years ago.’’

Another Man Arrested in Pregnant Woman’s Fatal Stabbing in London The British police on Sunday said it has arrested a second man on suspicion of stabbing a 26-year-old pregnant woman in south London to death.

The woman, who was identified by the police as Kelly Mary Fauvrelle, was around eight months pregnant. Her baby, delivered at the scene and taken to hospital, remains in a critical condition.

Police said the second arrested is 29-year-old and have kept him in custody.

They had initially arrested a 37-year-old man on suspicion of murder but he has since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

The motive behind the killing has not yet been established, police said.

Deadly Unrest as Masses Oppose Military in Sudan Vast crowds have taken to the streets in Sudan to demonstrate against military rule, with reports of deaths and injuries.

The state news agency said seven people had died and 181 were hurt, citing the health ministry.

The pro-opposition Central Committee of Sudan Doctors spoke of at least five protesters being killed.

Sudan has been in turmoil since the military ousted President Omar al-Bashir in April.

That followed a popular uprising against his rule. Mr Bashir seized power in a coup on 30 June 1989.

Sunday’s protest has been the biggest since dozens were killed in a crackdown on pro-democracy activists on 3 June.

Tens of thousands defied the heavy presence of troops to demand that the ruling military council

hand power to a civilian-led administration.

The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors said four people were killed in Khartoum’s twin city of Omdurman while one protester died after being hit by a bullet in the chest in the town of Atbara.

“There are several seriously wounded by the bullets of the military council militias in hospitals of the capital and the provinces,” it added.

The deputy head of the Transitional Military Council (TMC), Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, said: “There are snipers who are firing on people, they shot three members of the Rapid Support Force and five or six citizens. There are infiltrators, people who want to jeopardise progress.”

Security forces fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators near the presidential palace and three other districts in Khartoum, AFP reported.

Protesters on the streets to demand an end of military rule in Khartoum…yesterday

EU Leaders Split over Bid for Top Jobs EU leaders meeting in Brussels are divided over who should get the EU’s top jobs, including a successor to Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker.

Centre-right leaders from the EU’s biggest political group played down the chances of agreement on Sunday on a new Commission president.

They oppose a plan to give the post to Dutch centre-left politician Frans Timmermans, a deputy to Juncker.

Soon after the working dinner began the talks were suspended.

Summit chair Donald Tusk decided to have a break for bilateral talks, and his spokesman said the

summit would resume later.

Tusk was reported to be proposing Timmermans for the top job, as part of a balanced package. But there is intense national rivalry.

Politicians in Poland, Hungary and Romania dislike the way Timmermans, a veteran of Brussels politics, has enforced the EU rule of law policy.

The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) nominated Germany’s Manfred Weber for the top job.

He is the candidate under the “Spitzenkandidat” (lead candidate) procedure, which the European Parliament supports as

a democratic way to reflect the European election outcome.

But while the EPP got the most votes in the May elections, it does not have a majority, and French President Emmanuel Macron is among those opposing the “Spitzenkandidat” system.

The elections saw big gains for the liberals - including Macron’s alliance - and Greens, so the long-established centre-right and centre-left blocs can no longer dominate EU business. Nationalists also made gains.

The Commission drafts EU laws, oversees national budgets, enforces EU treaties and negotiates international trade deals. The

rare Sunday summit was called because EU leaders failed on 20 June to agree on candidates for the Commission president’s job and other top posts: European Council president (to replace Donald Tusk); high representative for foreign policy (to replace Federica Mogherini); European Parliament president and European Central Bank president.

If necessary the talks will continue at breakfast on Monday, Mr Tusk says.

“The vast majority of EPP prime ministers don’t believe that we should give up the presidency quite so easily, without a fight,” said Irish Taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Varadkar.

Turkey Threatens Libyan Strongman, Haftar as Six Citizens Detained Turkey has said the forces of Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar will become a “legitimate target” if they do not immediately release six Turks.

The Turkish foreign ministry said the detention of its citizens amounted to “banditry and piracy”.

Gen Haftar’s forces said on Friday they would attack Turkish targets over Turkish support for the internationally

recognised Libyan government.

They also claimed they had destroyed a Turkish drone at a Tripoli airbase.

Libya has been torn by violence and division since longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011.

Gen Haftar started an offensive against the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, in April.

Turkey supports the GNA, supplying drones, weapons and trucks to boost its efforts in the ongoing conflict with Gen Haftar’s forces, which control most of the east and south of Libya.

Gen Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) said it would strike Turkish vessels in Libyan waters and viewed Turkish businesses as targets.

It also banned commercial flights from Libya to Turkey.

Earlier on Sunday, Turkey said it would “retaliate in the most effective and strong way” to any threats from Gen Haftar’s army.

Turkish Defence Minister Huluski Akar warned that LNA forces would pay a “very heavy price” for any attacks on Turkish interests.

Turkey says it wants to rebalance the fight against Gen Haftar, who has backing from the UAE and Egypt.

46

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Stop Blaming a Tribe for Insecurity, Sultan Tells Nigerians The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar lll, has charged Nigerians to stop blaming a particular tribe for the insecurity challenges facing the country.

Rather than blaming a tribe, the Sultan tasked every Nigerian to be patriotic to correct things that are wrong in the society, saying “it is important for us to be courageous and expose those behind unlawful and criminal activities in the society.”

Speaking at the inauguration

of Sheikh Idress Faazazi Morgaji Central Mosque in Iwo, Osun State at the weekend, the Sultan said habouring such a belief could cause an enemity among the ethnic groups and consequently affect the nation’s peace and unity.

Represented by the Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Prof. Dawud Noibl, the Sultan condemned the pronouncement that one ethnic group brought insecurity to Yorubaland.

He maintained that those engaging in criminal activities in Yorubaland could not operate successfully without the collaboration of the natives and local people.

The Sultan said: “Some people in Yorubaland must surely cooperate with those involving in kidnapping and others social vices to succeed.

Foreign criminals don’t know how to move around without the assistance of the insider. They are given accommodation and they are also supplied food.

“Some Yoruba people must be giving the evil perpetrators the moral support to describe the area where the families of victims can pick them after collecting their ransom,” he explained.

He advised Imams to use their position to change the mindset of the people from bad behaviour to doing the will of God. Maintaining that mosques are owned by Allah, he advised that Muslims must pray together without any form of discrimination, irrespective of

colour, tribe or nationality.

He said: “The Prophet, Muhammad, (SAW) has told us that whoever builds a mosque on earth for worship of Allah, Allah will build a house for he or she in paradise. It is a reminder for us that we should not focus only on earthly materials. We should also prepare for our end in the above after which we go to paradise.”

Also, the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, TeluI, admonished Imams to demonstrate the

fear of Allah, be transparent, responsible and accountable in administration of the mosques under their guidance and supervision.

The monarch, who corroborated the Sultan that Allah owns the mosques, charged the Imams to always follow the footsteps of Prophet Mohammad in caring for the spiritual needs of the people, saying mosques remain places of worshipping God “and people must be encouraged to enjoy have free access at all times.”

Three Confirmed Dead as Boat Capsizes in Lagos 16 others declared missing Chiemelie Ezeobi A pregnant woman and two others have been confirmed dead in a Lagos boat capsize, just as 16 others have been declared missing.

The incident occurred at the Badore area of Ajah as the boat, conveying about 20 passengers was heading to Egbin Ijede.

According to reports, the casualty figure might be on the high side because none of the passengers wore their life jackets when the incident occurred.

While two of the passengers were said to have swam to safety, others were yet to be seen.

As at press time, rescue efforts by emergency workers was still ongoing.

Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), however said it was yet unclear the number of people on the boat at the time of the accident.

LASEMA Chief Executive

Officer (CEO), Femi Oke -Osanyintolu, said it was only two bodies that have been recovered so far, just as he identified one as Aniyikaye Oluwaseunfunmi, aged 40.

He said: “A boat mishap occurred at Ipakan Boat Jetty, Egbin, Ijede, Investigations conducted revealed that the boat was enroute Badore (Ajah) to Egbin (Ikorodu) with between 17 and 21 passengers on board.

“The boat allegedly capsized due to overloading. It was gathered that the boat was overturned by the heavy current. Three persons were rescued and were taken to hospital.

“Unfortunately, the lifeless body of an adult female, identified as Aniyikaye Oluwaseunfunmi, 40, and an unnamed person were found and bagged by the agency’s response team.

“Rescue and recovery efforts continue for the other missing passengers by LASEMA, LASWA officials and the Marine Police.”

2020 UTME: Only Candidates with NIN Will Be Registered, Says JAMB Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has revealed that to tighten the registration process for its 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) only candidates with National Identification Number will be allowed to register.

The Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, who stated this in Abuja, said the move was aimed at purging the UTME registration process and eliminating identity theft, adding that the board was ready to go to any length to enforce biometric verification.

Fabian vowed that the board would no longer conduct UTME in school-based centres operated by private individuals as they have become enclaves for fraudsters to perpetrate malpractice, except such centres are owned and operated by the schools hosting them.

He said, “Each time we have a case of examination malpractice, we write to the Attorney General to give us a fiat to prosecute the case ourselves; subsequently, you must have a National Identification Number (NIN), to register for JAMB examination to eliminate the issue of identity theft.”

Recall that despite measures adopted by JAMB to curb all forms of infractions, the 2019 UTME was marred by malpractices as examination syndicates infiltrated centres across the country, giving a free rein to fraud and criminalities with the intent of undoing the credibility of the process.

JAMB said in one instance, a particular candidate registered a record 222 times, while some registered 46 and others 56 times or more, forcing the exam body to delay the release of its results till after May 11, 2019.

CONGRATULATIONS…

L-R: President, Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Prof. Fola Lasisi; Group Managing Director, Arco Group Plc, Mr. Alfred Okoigun; his wife, Julie; and Chairman Emeritus, Stanley Consultants, Mr. Greg Thomopulos, at a dinner hosted by Okoigun in honour of Thomopulos, who was inducted as a Fellow of Nigerian Academy of Engineering in Lagos...recently ABIODUN AJALA

Repentant Bandits Surrender 216 Rifles in Zamfara A total of 216 rifles mostly AK47 have been recovered by Zamfara State Government from bandits terrorising innocent people in the state.

This was contained in a press issued by Director General, Press Affairs, to Governor Bello Matawalle, Mr. Yusuf Idris, and made available to journalists in Gusau, yesterday.

It said that the governor made the revelation when he received former Head of state, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) at the Government House, Gusau at the weekend.

The statement said that most of the weapons were voluntarily

returned to the government by repentant bandits who surrendered to embrace peace while denouncing their bad ways.

The governor described the elder statesman’s visit to the state as timely and sought for professional advice from the retired general on the best practicable ways to end banditry in the state.

“Matawalle maintained that Nigeria now needs more of his personality with the current situation of banditry, kidnapping and other heinous crimes in order to advise current leaders in handling the terrible

situation.

“He further said that tapping from the wealth of Gowon’s experience as a former Army General and Head of State who fought for the corporate existence of the country will assist his administration positively on security intelligence and intervention.

“On his government efforts to end the menace of armed banditry the Governor informed the leader that his administration has adopted various methods that include reconciliation which have started to yield positive results as over 216 AK47 rifles have been surrendered to the

authorities by surrendering bandits,” the statement added.

In his response, Gowon said he was in the state for his Nigeria Pray initiative, to pray for an end to the violence in the North west and seek for God’s blessings and wisdom for leaders to offer good governance as well as sustainable unity in the country.

“General Gowon who said Nigeria is a prayer Nation enjoined all well-meaning citizens of the state to continue to pray for peace and unity of the country and Zamfara.”

Wike Tasks NYSC Members on Entrepreneurship The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has advised members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), deployed to the state to take advantage of the dynamic programmes provided in the course of the NYSC service to become future entrepreneurs and employers of labour.

Wike said the NYSC which is packaged with skill training and developmental programmes is a veritable platform for youths to become innovative and versatile in being productive in the areas of entrepreneurship.

The governor gave the charge recently during the swearing-in ceremony of Batch ‘B’ members at the orientation camp in NorwaGbam, Tai council area.

Represented by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Dr Tammy Danagogo, Wike advised the corps members not to take for granted the three weeks orientation programme as it provides important physical, emotional and psychological intelligence to enable them meet up with the challenges of the service year and beyond.

He added that the NYSC scheme has immensely contributed to the development of rural areas across the country, and enjoined them to follow the footsteps of their predecessors who had made concerted effort through community development projects across the state.

The governor further advised the corps members to follow the disciplinary measures of camp rules “if youths must be leaders of tomorrow, then they must learn to abhor social vices such as corruption, cultism, tribalism, ethnic bigotry,

religious intolerance, violence and indiscipline.”

He thanked the management and staff of NYSC for sustaining the synergy with the state government for the smooth running of the scheme, and promised that the camp auditorium would be completed soon.

The state Coordinator of NYSC, Mr Chinwendu Chukwu, thanked the state government for the continuous support for the success of the programme and stated that a total of 2,626 corps members have reported to the camp.

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

47

48

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

49

50

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Atiku Files N2.5bn Libel Suit against Buhari’s Aide, Lauretta Onochie Davidson Iriekpen in Lagos and Chuks Okocha in Abuja A former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has carried out his threat to sue President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, for her alleged libelous tweet via her twitter handle on May 7, 2019.

The post allegedly suggested that Atiku was on the watch list of security operatives in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and had travelled to shop for terrorists in the Middle East.

Atiku, through his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), filed a N2.5billion suit against Onochie before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on June 26.

“To say that the claimant is shopping for terrorists knowing same to be untrue and without any foundation is not only dishonest and reckless, but is calculated and politically designed to instigate security agents against him not only in the UAE, but across the world,” he stated in his statement of claim accompanying the suit.

Denying the allegations contained in the said tweet, Atiku said the tweet was “politically orchestrated” “solely to cause maximum damage” to his “high reputation” while challenging “the purported victory” of Onochie’s boss, President Buhari in the last presidential election at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 23, 2019 poll had in a May 14, 2019 letter, demanded an apology, retraction and payment of N500million compensation from Onochie “to assuage” the damage

allegedly caused him by her social media post.

He also threatened to sue her should she fail to accede to the demand “within 48 hours”.

Alleging that Onochie was unmoved by his demand letter, Atiku, in his statement of claim accompanying his suit, stated that rather than show “remorse by retracting her earlier publication,” she further, on May 20, made “another derogatory publication and also published same globally online in the social and other print media” against his person.

He said sometimes in May this year, he had embarked on a foreign trip to the UAE as he had done over the years, and while on the said trip, Onochie on May 7, 2019, wrote, through her twitter handle: “Atiku on UAE watchlist- Security sources Security operatives in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are keeping a close tab on a former Nigerian Vice Pres Atiku Abubakar who has been in the Middle East nation for several weeks now. What is he doing there? Me: shopping for terrorists?”

The claimant said “the defamatory publication” was also published by several newspapers nationwide and on several social media news.

He denied the allegations contained in the said publication, which he described as “a figment of the imagination of the defendant”, but said it portrayed him “as an evil man, mentor of terrorists, someone who has links with terrorists, and a person who is interested in destabilising the peace and unity of Nigeria”.

“The publication also portrayed the claimant as a security threat and terrorist to right thinking members of the public and the

Halogen Security to Unveil New Operating Companies Sunday Okobi The management of Nigeria’s foremost security risk solutions company, Halogen Security Company Limited, has announced plans to formally unveil details of its transformation into a digital group, as it is set to offer technology-centred security risk solutions.

The brand launch event, which is scheduled to hold on July 5 in Lagos, is expected to attract Halogen’s top clients, notable CEOs, select invitees from top multinational businesses across different sectors of the economy, regulatory agencies, industry associates and a cross section of Halogen staff.

The Halogen transformation unveiling event will also be used to launch Halogen Group six operating companies.

Speaking on the grand unveiling of its transformation, Halogen Group Managing Director and CEO, Wale Olaoye said: “Management and staff of Halogen are excited to announce its rebirth. For nearly three decades, we have had the honour of being trusted by a vast majority of Nigeria’s top businesses, public organisations and individuals, as their preferred security risk solutions provider. Their trust and

satisfaction with our differentiated solutions delivery approach have made us Nigeria’s and indeed, West Africa’s most sought after security company. With Halogen’s transformation, we are yet again staying true to our tradition and heritage of innovation leadership.

“In this journey of radical redefinition, our singular focus and goal has been the complete rebuilding of Halogen in step with the increasing complexities and changing nature of security risks in today’s digitally connected, open and continuously volatile world.”

Olaoye noted further that with the transformation, Halogen has invested aggressively in developing the infrastructure and tools to provide end-to-end security solutions that comprehensively address the security risks which businesses and individuals and indeed Nigeria face today. With the evolution of a digitally connected, open and continuously volatile world, security risks and needs have changed in step with deep and radical changes in lifestyles and business dynamics.

Halogen further explains that in response, it embarked on an aggressive programme of business re-engineering, necessitating deep and profound changes in the way the company designs and delivers security risk solutions.

society at large,” the former vice-president added.

He noted that “the odious publication has clearly rubbished the claimant’s image and reputation. It has caused him national and international backlash and embarrassment and has done incalculable damage to him.”

He added, “He has thereby been subjected to the shame and infamy of being viewed by members of the public as not only corrupt, but as a terrorist and sponsor of terrorism.”

He said following the

publication, he received numerous telephone calls, emails, visits, letters and private social media chats by his family members, friends, political and business associates, and international statesmen and women, confirming “the alarm and serious concerns generated by the defendant’s false publication.”

The claimant said he would tender the call logs showing the text messages, and calls received by him in the aftermath of Onochie’s post.

He described “the entire opprobrious and denigrating

story” as “most misleading, baseless, false, malicious and totally bereft of any foundation howsoever”.

He noted that the “inference and grave conclusions” contained in the posts were “politically orchestrated” and “invented by the defendant and others of her ilk, solely to cause maximum damage to the high reputation of the claimant, who is currently before the Election Petition Tribunal against her employer and boss, President Buhari, challenging the latter’s purported victory in the

last presidential election.”

He said contrary to the said “derogatory, disparaging, mendacious and unrestrained defamatory statement, as published in various print, electronic and online media platforms” he had “never been on the security watch list of the UAE, or any other country, for that matter.

“That claimant was at the time of the said publication in the UAE and was never accosted by any security agencies over the said frivolous and baseless allegations.”

OILY AFFAIR…

L-R: Director, EMEA, Oil and Gas Council, Pippa Brown; Managing Director, Asharami Energy, a Sahara Group upstream company, Olajumoke Ajayi; Group Managing Director, Sahara Power Group, Kola Adesina; Head, Commercial and Business Development, Mariah LuccianoGabriel; and SVP, Corporate Development, EMEA, Wesley Johnson, at the Oil and Gas Council’s Africa Assembly in Paris, France…recently

CAN Asks Kaduna Govt to Stop Attacks on Churches John Shiklam in Kaduna The Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has asked the state government to fish out those behind the frequent attacks on St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Tudun Wada area of Kaduna metropolis and bring them to justice.

The association also wondered why despite the repeated attacks on the church, the police have not been able to arrest anybody.

The latest attack was last Friday, when some people, yet to be identified, invaded the church at about 11:30p.m.

and burnt the sanctuary, setting ablaze loud speakers, chairs, vests, crucifix, altar bell and altar clothes among others.

The Parish Priest, Fr. Joshua Achiar, said the latest attack on the church is the eighth time.

However, speaking on the incident yesterday at a special “prayer for God’s intervention on the preaching bill” at the ECWA Church in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, the state CAN Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab, urged the state government to go beyond the rhetoric of being on top of the situation and take immediate action against the perpetrators condemnable act.

“If we live in a country like

Nigeria where we are supposed to freely practice our faith, is there a particular place in Kaduna that we shouldn’t reside or Christians should not have churches?” Hayab asked.

He said: “We have been working hard to reduce the problems of segregation, but things like these just keep frustrating such efforts. ”Some people are deliberately insisting that people of other faiths must not live among them or religious symbols or structures of other faiths should not be in their area.”

He said CAN is not happy with this kind of situation and

called on government to do everything possible to bring the perpetrators to justice. ”We feel the government must go beyond this rhetoric of ‘we are on top of the situation’, and take action. ”Yesterday, there werea lot of calls from government officials to Catholic leaders, that is not what we want, we want action!

Let the government go after these evil people. We cannot continue like this. I want to see Muslim practicing their faith in Sabon Tasha, I want to see Christians practicing their faith in Tudun Wada ...this is what we want to see,” he said.

Leah Sharibu: Buhari’s Govt is Anti-Christ Regime, Says Omokri Martins Ifijeh Former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri has described the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as an anti-Christ regime for accusing Leah Sharibu’s mother, Rubecca Sharibu of lying.

In a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, he said he was devastated that the Nigerian government stooped so low to discredit the speech made by Rubecca in the United States recently.

Rubecca had on June 11, at the Heritage Foundation in the

US, testified that both her and Leah were victims of religious persecution and that she had not heard from the Nigerian government for months about efforts to rescue her daughter after President Buhari promised to do his best to secure her release.

Omokri said, “Rubecca’s statements are that of facts, which are very obvious and the denial by the Buhari junta of this truth casts suspicion on the genuineness of their efforts to free Leah Sharibu and bring her abductors to justice.

“Let us examine Rubecca’s claims. One, she said that both her family and her daughter are

victims of religious persecution.

Is that a lie?

“The only reason why Boko Haram released 104 other girls and kept Leah Sharibu back is that she refused to deny her faith in Jesus Christ and accept Islam.

Is that not a textbook definition of religious persecution?” he queried.

He said secondly, Nigerians have seen how slow the Buhari government has been to assisting Leah’s family, adding that this was in sharp contrast to the case involving Zainab Aliyu, a Muslim girl who was caught with tramadol in Saudi Arabia.

Omokri said the usually slow Buhari became a superhero and personally engaged in diplomacy with his Saudi counterparts until Zainab was released.

“The fact is that Buhari has failed to show this same urgency in the case of Leah Sharibu, despite the fact that his government once publicly boasted of having back channels to Boko Haram.

“On the second claim that she had not heard from the Buhari administration on the release of her daughter for months, this is a self-evident fact.

51

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Nigeria’s Crude Oil Export Drops by 1.6m Barrels in May Obinna Chima Nigeria’s crude oil export fell by 1.6 million barrels in May, representing a 6.8 per cent decline from data for April export, according to figures obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The CBN, in its economic report for May, put oil export for the period at 1.37 million barrels per day (mbd) or a cumulative of 42.5 million barrels, as against 1.47 mbd or 44.1 recorded the preceding month, The allocation of crude oil for domestic consumption was 0.45 mbd or 13.5 million barrels in the review month, according to the report obtained yesterday.

In addition, Nigeria’s crude oil production, including condensates and natural gas liquids, was 1.82 mbd or 56.4 million barrels (mb) in the reviewed month. This also represented a decline of 0.01 mbd or 5.2 per cent compared with 1.92 mbd or 57.6 million barrels (mb) produced in the preceding month.

The average spot price of

Nigeria’s reference crude oil, the Bonny Light (37° API) rose to $73.70 per barrel in the reviewed period, compared with $73.03 per barrel recorded in April 2019.

This represented an increase of 0.9 per cent, in contrast to the level in the preceding month.

The rise in crude oil price was attributed largely to the growing tensions across the Middle- East, which threatened crude oil supply; escalating trade war between the US and China; supply losses from Venezuela, Libya and Iran and compliance with supply-cut pact by most OPEC member countries.

The UK Brent at $72.05/b and the Forcados at U $73.90/b exhibited similar trend as the Bonny Light, while the price of WTI at $58.32/b declined by 3.8 per cent in the review month.

Also, average OPEC basket of 15 selected crude streams was $70.01/b in May 2019. This showed a decline of 0.8 per cent and 5.5 per cent, compared with the $70.59/b and $74.09/b recorded in the preceding month and the corresponding period of

2018, respectively.

Owing to this, federally collected gross revenue stood at N733.82 billion in May, which was lower than the provisional monthly budget estimate of N1.107 trillion by 33.7 per cent.

Similarly, it fell below the receipts in the preceding month by 7.7 per cent. The decline in federally-collected revenue (gross) relative to the monthly budget estimate was attributed to the shortfall in receipts from oil revenue during the reviewed period.

“Gross oil receipts, at N410.18 billion or 55.9 per cent of the total revenue, was below both the monthly budget of N640.21 billion by 35.9 per cent and the preceding month’s receipts of N472.38 billion by 13.2 per cent, respectively.

“The decline in oil revenue relative to the provisional monthly budget estimate was attributed to shut-ins and short-downs at

some NNPC terminals due to pipeline leakages and maintenance activities,” the CBN report stated.

Also, non-oil revenue, at N323.64 billion or 44.1 per cent of the total revenue, fell below the provisional monthly budget estimate of N466.91 billion by 30.7 per cent. It, however, exceeded the preceding month’s receipt of N322.93 billion by 0.2 per cent.

“The lower non-oil revenue relative to the provisional monthly budget was due to the shortfalls in receipts from all the non-oil revenue components, except Customs and Excise Duties.

“Of the total N667.29 billion retained revenue in the Federation Account, the sums of N92.63 billion, N48.76 billion and N24.73 billion were transferred to the VAT Pool Account, the Federal Government Independent revenue and “Others”, respectively, leaving a net balance of N501.18 billion for distribution to the three tiers of government,” it said.

Of the amount, the federal government received N239.65 billion, while the state and local governments received N121.56 billion and N93.71 billion, respectively. The balance of N46.26 billion was shared among the oil producing states as 13 per cent Derivation Fund.

Similarly, from the N92.63 billion transferred to the VAT Pool Account, the federal government received N13.89 billion, while the state and local governments received N46.31 billion and N32.42 billion, respectively.

In addition, N0.81 billion was distributed in the month as exchange gain with the federal, state and local governments receiving N0.39 billion, N0.19 billion and N0.14 billion, respectively, while the 13 per cent Derivation Fund received N0.10 billion.

Overall, total allocation to the three tiers of government in May amounted to N594.62 billion,

according to the report.

This, it stated, was below the provisional monthly budget estimate of N923.39 billion by 36.4 per cent and below the preceding month’s allocation of N602.41 billion, by 1.3 per cent.

“Total non-oil export earnings, at $396.62 million, indicated a decline of 16.3 per cent and 23.9 per cent, compared with the levels in April 2019 and the corresponding period of 2018, respectively.

“The fall in earnings from nonoil exports in May 2019 was due to 46.1per cent, 41.0 per cent, and 10.8 per cent decrease in the proceeds from food products, agricultural and minerals sub-sectors, to $19.76 million, $85.47 million, and $186.59 million, respectively.

However, export receipts from the industrial sector, manufacturing and transport rose to $48.28 million, $56.49 million and US$0.02 million, respectively,” it added.

Big Brother Naija Season Four Officially Opens Vanessa Obioha The much anticipated fourth season of the Big Brother Naija has officially kicked off on a high note with a surprising announcement that the housemates will be spending 99 days in the famous new Big Brother Naija House.

The host, Ebuka ObiUchendu, revealed that Big Brother “is so impressed by the housemates that he has decided to add another extra week.”

Usually, housemates spend 90 days in the house. With this new tweak, viewers will be excited to see how the 21 housemates will endure the long stay.

The first three housemates that were introduced to the audience were Khafi, Omashola

and Avala. Other housemates in the house include Frodd (Fresh and Odd), Ike, Nelson, Jackeye, Sir Dee, Tuoyo, Kimoprah, Isilomo, Mike, Jeff, Tacha, Seyi, Thelma, Esther, Mercy, Diane, Gedoni and Ella.

The housemates are an interesting mix of personalities.

There is Seyi Awolowo, the grandson of Obafemi Awolowo; Tuoyo, a psychotherapist and parttime stripper, beauty queen and King-like Nelson and Kimoprah, and Khafi, a Nigerian but Londonbased police officer; video-vixen Mercy; fashion designer Gedoni, social media sensation Tacha and the British athlete Mike.

They exude confidence and has their eyes set on the coveted golden prize N60 million and the enviable title of Big Brother Naija House.

MOMENT OF ANGER...

Members of civil society organisations protesting over rape allegation against the founder of COZA Church at the church premises in Abuja... yesterday KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

SEC Urges Shareholders of Defunct Skye Bank to Claim Dividends

Malabu Scandal: Adoke Asks Court toVacate Arrest Warrant

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

Former Attorney-General of the federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, has asked the Federal Capital Territory High Court to stop his arrest by security operatives in Nigeria and across the country’s borders.

In an application challenging an April 29 order for his arrest, Adoke asked the court to grant his request in the interest of justice and fair hearing.

The court had on April 17 granted an earlier order for the ex-minister’s arrest for evading trial.

On April 24, Adoke filed an application challenging the order.

In his latest application, Mr Adoke said the second arrest warrant by the same court amounted to an abuse of court process. He asked the court to nullify the order.

To further prevent his arrest for his alleged roles in the Malabu OPL 245 scandal, Adoke also made an ex-parte application

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reinforced its earlier directives to shareholders of defunct Skye bank to claim their dividend payment.

This, the SEC said, was part of its investors’ protection programme designed to ensure shareholders get the benefits of investing in the capital market.

According to the acting Director General of SEC, Ms. Mary Uduk, in an interview in Abuja, the SEC recently released a circular to shareholders of the defunct Skye bank to claim all outstanding dividends.

She said: “We have informed shareholders of the defunct Skye bank that unclaimed dividends declared by the bank are being held in trust on their behalf.

This will further help reduce the volume of unclaimed dividends in the market and boost investors’ confidence

“Investors that have unclaimed dividends are therefore advised to contact Cardinalstone Registrars to process their dividend payments.”

Uduk said the commission has also directed Cardinalstone Registrars and STL Trustees to ensure that all genuine claims of beneficiary shareholders are addressed forthwith.

The acting DG said since the company is no longer in operation, these unclaimed dividends have to be made available to the rightful owners that are the shareholders as that will go a long way in boosting investors’ confidence in the market.

“They invested in a company, and since the company has gone under, there is no reason why they should not have access to their unclaimed dividends. That is why we are calling on them to take advantage of this opportunity and claim their dividends,” Uduk stated.

Davidson Iriekpen

to stop the federal government from making further attempts at arresting him.

The ex-parte motion which can be granted without hearing from the other parties, was dated June 20.

Justice D. Z. Senchi had on April 17 ordered the arrest of Adoke alongside former Minister of Petroleum, Duazia Louya Etete (aka Dan Etete) and four foreigners, Raph Wetzels, Casula Roberto, Pujato Stefano, and Burrato Sebastiano.

The order followed their alleged involvement in the N1.1 billion Malabu scandal.

The court order followed their failure to turn up for their arraignment in a fraud charge relating to the Malabu Oil scandal.

Ruling on the ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 17, Justice Senchi ordered that the Nigeria police, the INTERPOL and any other law enforcement agency should arrest them anywhere they were

found.

However, in a motion on notice filed before the court through his lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, Adoke asked the court to vacate the order for his arrest on the grounds that the court lacked the jurisdiction to have granted the order in the first instance.

The EFCC had since 2017 pressed charges against Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Co. Ltd, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited, Eni Spa, Raph Wetzels, Casula Roberto, Pujato Stefeno, Burrato Sebastiano, Mr Etete, Mr Adoke, Aliyu Abubakar and Malabu Oil & Gas Limited.

In the suit marked: FCT/HC/ CR/124/17, all the defendants repeatedly failed to appear before the court.

Following their repeated absence in court, the EFCC through its counsel, Aliyu Yusuf, brought a motion praying the court for a warrant of their arrest, and an order for leave to execute the warrant outside of the jurisdiction of the court.

On April 17, according to the EFCC, Justice Senchi granted the prayers of the anti-graft agency, and ruled that the Nigeria Police, the INTERPOL and any other law enforcement agency ”should arrest them anywhere they were found including outside jurisdiction of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) High Court”.

Although Etete has not appeared in a Nigerian court, his lawyer has appeared during trials at the Italian court.

The Nigerian trial was adjourned to July 11, 2019, for further hearing.

The Malabu scandal involved the transfer of about $1.1 billion by oil multinationals, Shell and ENI, through the Nigerian government to accounts controlled by Etete.

From accounts controlled by Etete, about half the money ($520 million) went to the accounts of companies controlled by Abubakar Aliyu, popularly known in Nigeria as the owner of AA oil.

52

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Falana Asks Court to Compel FG to Recover $40bn, N481bn Davidson Iriekpen Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to compel President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to recover the sum of $40 billion and N481 billion based on the audit of the extractive industry carried out by the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

In the originating summons, Falana is asking the court to grant a declaration that by the

express provisions of Sections 2 (a), (b) and 3 (f) of the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Act, the 1st defendant is under a legal obligation to recover the unremitted sums of $22.06 billion and N481.75 billion owed the Federal Government of Nigeria by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and other oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria.

He also asked the court to declare that by the express provisions of Sections 2 (a), (b) and 3 (f) of the NEITI Act,

the 1st defendant is under a legal obligation to recover the sum of $28 billion lost in revenues that are due to the Federal Government of Nigeria due to failure to review the terms of the 1993 Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) with International Oil Companies (IOCs), in line with Section 16 (2) of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Act, Cap D3, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Consequently, it asked for an order directing the 1st defendant to recover the unremitted sums of $22.06 billion and N481.75

SERAP Urges Kalu, Goje, Okorocha, Others to Stop Collecting Pensions Davidson Iriekpen A civil society organistion, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has urged all former governors in the ninth Senate to publicly commit to stop collecting pensions from their states while they serve as senators.

SERAP equally urged the former governors to return pensions already collected to the public treasury, and push for the abolition of double emoluments laws for former governors and deputies in their states.

Several of the 36 states have enacted pension-for-life laws for former governors and deputies.

Among former governors in the ninth Senate that would enjoy such pensions are two ex-governors Abia State, Orji Kalu, and his successor, Theodore Orji; former Governor of Ebonyi State, Sam Egwu; former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha; former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosu; and former Governor of Gombe State, Danjuma Goje.

SERAP in a statement yesterday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said: “As members of the ninth Senate resume Tuesday, there is a lot at stake.

The leadership and members must now take meaningful

steps to improve citizens’ trust and confidence in the Senate’s authority and ability to positively impact on their lives, by embracing the values of transparency, accountability, responsibility, solidarity and respect for human rights.”

The group added that Nigeria deserves a Senate that is fully committed to transparency, accountability, the rule of law, proper management of public resources, and human rights.

It noted that it was time for the leadership and members of the Senate to show the commitment and courage to end double pay for former governors among them.

The statement read in part: “Given the large number of former governors in the ninth Senate that would be receiving pensions, the Senate leadership and members should be the loudest voice urging action against pension for life laws across many states. Senators are already receiving several allowances, including ‘severance allowance’, ‘welcome package’, and at least N15 million monthly allowance as senators.

“Double pay and selfenrichment for ex-governors now senators have continued to contribute to ‘resource curse and the paradox of plenty’, with corrosive effect on governance

and ultimately, respect for human rights, including the rights to quality education, adequate healthcare, clean water and regular electricity supply.

“Double pay for former governors and now senators will continue to have a negative impact on the ability of the Senate to exercise constitutional oversight over the use of public funds and limit avenues for public accountability.

“Payment of pensions to former governors in the Senate will continue to have an extremely negative effect on Nigeria’s development and the well-being of the population, particularly in the states with life pension laws.

Life pension laws have depleted the public resources that would have been spent on the basic needs of Nigerians.

“The Senate President, Ahmed Lawan should also use his political position and influence to sponsor a resolution and prevail on senators to stop double pay for public office holders. Double pay for ex-governors amounts to misuse of public funds, as it diverts resources away from support for essential public services, invariably allowing politicians to maintain control over the political and economic resources of their states.”

Amnesty Beneficiaries to Use 23 NAFDAC Technology Incubation Centres for Food Production Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja Beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) are set to use 23 technology incubation centres of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to boost food production.

This is coming as PAP also partnered the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) to improve the quality and certification of agricultural and other products of its beneficiaries trained and empowered in the agriculture and allied sector.

To this end, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator, Amnesty Programme and the NBTI will be signed tomorrow in Abuja.

A statement issued by Murphy Ganagana, Special Assistant (Media) to the PAP Coordinator, Prof. Charles Dokubo, said this followed an approval granted the programme by the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof.

Mojisola Adeyeye, to use 23 technology incubation centres allocated to it by the NBTI for cluster manufacturing by beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme.

The centres will be used by beneficiaries of the programme trained and empowered in the agriculture sector to produce their products for the purpose of obtaining NAFDAC registration numbers with a view to enhancing quality and acceptability of products in the market.

Beneficiaries, who are trained

on production of rice, Garri, plantain flour, plantain chips, ‘chin-chin’, smoked fish, chicken, snail, fruit juice cosmetics, among others, will benefit from the partnership.

The 23 NBTI technology incubation centres approved for the programme to be used by the beneficiaries are located in Edo, Abia, Imo, Ondo, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta States.

Apart from the MoU with the NBTI, the Amnesty Programme Small Business Support Desk, an initiative of the Coordinator of the Programme, Dokubo, is to ensure that all graduates of the programme vocational training centres trained on production of NAFDAC regulated products are registered for safety, efficacy, distribution and sale of their products.

billion owed the Federal Government of Nigeria by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and other oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria.

In the affidavit in support of the originating summons, Falana stated that he had confirmed

from NEITI that the federal government had failed to recover the outstanding sums of $22.06 billion and N481.75 billion owed by the NNPC and the NPDC and other unremitted payments by some IOCs. Falana who attached the audited reports of the NEITI to the supporting affidavit, further stated that “Nigeria is

presently losing much needed revenue due to the failure of the federal government to ensure that all payments due to the federation from all extractive industry companies involved in the PSCs, including taxes, royalties, dividends, bonuses, penalties, levies and such like are duly paid to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Protest in Maiduguri as Militia Kills Driver at Checkpoint Protests yesterday rocked Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as thousands of people trooped out to demand the outlawing of a militia group assisting the military in fighting Boko Haram insurgency.

According to an agency report, the people accused members of the Civilian Joint Task Force(CJTF) of killing a rickshaw driver.

The protesters blocked major roads in the Suleimanti area of the city and set fires, causing chaos despite pleas from police and military officers, according to the report by the AFP. “We want the CJTF to be banned from the city because of the abuses we suffer in their hands.

“They have become a law unto themselves and are treating us badly. And now they have started killing us,” a resident, Bukar Saleh, said.

The CJTF militia tried to stop the demonstration, attacking protesters with batons and arresting scores of them.

The protest erupted hours after a rickshaw driver was shot dead near a militia checkpoint.

“The victim was a known resident and his name was Modu but the CJTF just shot him for no reason,” Saleh said.

The CJTF insisted however that the victim was shot for failing to stop at a checkpoint during nighttime curfew hours.

The militia have intensified night patrols in the area in recent days following incursions by the Boko Haram insurgents, he said.

“The driver’s refusal to stop raised the suspicion of our men and one of them took him down, because they believed he was a Boko Haram terrorist on a mission,” Babakura Abba-Ali, the CJTF head in Suleimanti area, said.

The militia man was handed over to the police for investigation, Abba-Ali added.

The CJTF emerged in 2013 as a vigilante group in response to Boko Haram’s deadly attacks in Maiduguri.

Young men and women mobilised and started going doorto-door hacking to death known Boko Haram members and forcing the jihadists to flee the city.

The vigilantes were later organised into a militia force and embedded with the military to fight the jihadist group.

Late Saturday, Boko Haram jihadists killed four people and looted food supplies when they raided Gamurari village, some 90 kilometres from Maiduguri, militia and residents said.

The decade-long Boko Haram conflict has killed at least 27,000 people and forced some two million to flee their homes in Nigeria alone.

MONDAY JULY 1, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

53

NEWSEXTRA

NGE Mourns as Deputy President Dies in Kano Road Crash Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has expressed sadness at the news of the death of its Deputy President, Malam Umar SaiduTudun Wada.

According to a statement signed by NGE President, Mrs. Funke Egbemode and General Secretary, Mrs. Mary Atolagbe, the ace broadcaster died yesterday June 30, 2019 following a car crash on his way from Abuja to Kano.

Tudunwada was on his way back to Kano from Abuja where he attended Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) meeting when he met his end.

He was on the vehicle with one of his wives; a daughter and the driver when the accident occurred 30 kilometres away from Kano metropolis.

The former deputy president of

NGE was a media aide of former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, twice and a former Assistant General Manager with Freedom Radio Group.

Mallam Umar Saidu was the immediate past Managing Director of Kano State Radio Corporation and was at one time a Principal Editor at the then CTV, now Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV).

He was a broadcaster with Voice of America, freelance correspondent with Hausa and English services of DeutscheWelle and also Editor, Concern Magazine.

The deceased served twice as Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

He also served as Secretary, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kano State Council.

The Guild wishes to condole with the family of Malam Umar SaiduTudun Wada, especially his wife, Aisha, who was a former Deputy President of the NGE and the management and staff of Radio Kano.

Malam Umar Saidu would

be greatly missed by his family, professional colleagues and friends around the globe.

A committed family man and broadcast journalist per excellence, he was elected as the Deputy President of the Guild during its last biennial convention in

May this year.

We pray that almighty Allah console the family of our departed colleague and grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Former Managing Director of Kano State Radio Corporation

and also Deputy President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Malam Umar Saidu Tudunwada, is dead.

He died yesterday in a road accident at Kura town in Kura Local Government Area of the state.

We Don’t Owe PDP Explanation on Buhari’s Cabinet, Says APC The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that it does not owe the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) any explanation on the cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Reacting to the comment by PDP’s spokesman, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, alleging that there is infighting among APC leaders because of appointments and “booty sharing,” the spokesman of the ruling APC, Lanre Issa-Onilu, asked the PDP to engage his party on issues and not “idle talk.”

He said it is taking too long for the PDP to learn how to play politics as an opposition party.

“Judging by the latest antics and laughable allegations of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it is now clear that the rejected party has again resumed its idle chatter and specious remarks. How long will it take PDP to learn proper opposition politics?” Issa-Onilu asked.

“PDP’s allegation of ‘infighting’

within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the presidency over appointments is the latest of shameful interventions of PDP in our nation’s affairs. The party that was sent into a state of shock following the outcome of the National Assembly election is now accusing APC of infighting.

“The accusation is coming from the PDP that failed to rally its members to support its own candidates for principal offices at the National Assembly. Perhaps, to the delusional PDP, it is a sign of division within our rank to successfully mobilize our members behind our candidates for the National Assembly election.

“While the APC does not owe the PDP any explanation on the modalities for appointments, we assure Nigerians that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration would always appoint deserving individuals who share our progressive ideals and Change Agenda into positions.”

GOOD HEALTH ON THEIR MINDS…

L-R: Pain management specialist, Gbadebo Adebayo; consultant, neurosurgeon and anatomist, Lagos State University College of Medicine and Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Professor Olufemi Idowu; neurosurgeon, Mr. Andrew Folusho Alalade; consultant, critical care physician and Chief Medical Director, Genesis Specialist Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Roger Olade; and Medical Director, Sterling Surgicare, Holmdel, New Jersey, Dr. Ayotunde Adeyeri, during a two-day medical conference in Lagos at the weekend.

AKINYELE ABAYOMI

NLC Cautions FG, States against Accumulation of Huge Arrears on Minimum Wage Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has advised the federal and state governments to quicken the pace of negotiations on the template to implement the new minimum wage of N30,000 The federal government minimum wage implementation committee under the chairmanship of the Head of Service has been deliberating on the modality for spreading the new wage across board.

Also, some states have constituted a negotiation team

made up of government and workers representatives, while others are yet to commence the process.

The N30, 000 new Minimum Wage Act came into effect on May 18 when the bill was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking with THISDAY yesterday, the General Secretary of the NLC, Mr. Esom Peter Esom, said there is a need to make haste in arriving at the payment template so that the government would not have to be faced with fresh challenge of

offsetting accumulated arrears.

On whether there is a timeline for the talks, Esom said: “No, the only thing is that we expect negotiations to be concluded fast because allowing it to drag unnecessarily for too long will bring another problem of accumulated arrears.”

Esom, who said NLC is not directly involved in the ongoing negotiations, however, stated that the congress is monitoring the process from the background and is prepared to intervene if the need arises.

“There is a team made up

civil service based-unions joint negotiating council which is negotiating the consequential aspect of the new minimum wage. We have not received report from them but we know that they are yet to conclude their work,” he said.

When further asked whether there has been deadlock in the negotiations as was being speculated, Esom said although there may be disagreeable areas, negotiations are still in progress and there is every chance of reaching a compromise at the end of the day.

Market Development in Niger Delta (MADE II) has organised a stakeholders’ conference to share its achievements, as well as receive feedback from participants on projects aimed at tackling human trafficking and forced labour in Edo State.

Themed: ‘Strengthening Marketbased Approaches to Stimulate Livelihood Opportunities,’ the event held in Benin City, the capital.

It was organised as part of the organisation’s Edo State Investment Portfolio (ESIP) Project.

In his welcome address, MADE’s Team Leader, Tunde Oderinde, applauded partners in the state, including the government, for embracing the project’s recommendations and approach.

“Like travellers, we came into

Edo State specifically to look into a new terrain, a new dimension, and how to strengthen livelihoods for the teeming youth,” he said.

“We knocked the doors, we met some of our potential victims, and we met some of the returnees.

We came with honest intentions and you did one thing: you opened your doors, you’ve shared knowledge with us, and in 2018, July 24 specifically, we came back to share our recipe with you, what we intended doing: aspirational sector on one side and also to look at livelihoods within the agricultural sector on the other side.

“Today, we currently have a portfolio with suites of interventions within the agricultural value chains and also in some aspirational sector.

And we are here today also to sit with you, share the soup with you, learn from you, and also chart a

way forward.”

Oderinde added that the event was also put in place to validate ideas that can be implemented subsequently and suggest means of further stimulating investment into Edo State.

Rufus Idris, who manages ESIP, provided an overview of the project.

He explained that ESIP aims at reducing the incidents of human trafficking and irregular migration by increasing the state’s capacity to provide aspirational economic opportunities to raise the incomes of returnees and vulnerable persons.

The project especially focuses on such sectors as agribusiness, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), entertainment, trading, renewable energy, and fashion. Its objective is to facilitate investments and partnerships that

will positively impact 40,000 persons and increase the earnings of 30,000 residents of the state.

“ESIP is a new component that came into MADE II sponsored

by DFID focusing on Edo State and the northern part of Delta state,” he said.

“These regions are unique because of the issue of human trafficking and irregular migration with data showing that prevalence of this is more is this region.

“MADE through ESIP is here to see how we can help Edo State increase its human capacity to provide aspirational economic opportunities for people that are vulnerable and potential victims; and we believe by doing this we will reduce the incidents or temptation to want to embark on human trafficking.”

Osun Guber Judgment: Coalition of Civil Society Urges Judiciary to be Impartial MADE Shares Achievements, Lessons from ESIP Project Onyewuenyi said the onus is with Stakeholders in Edo Chuks Okocha in Abuja now on the Supreme Court to As Nigerians await the judgment of the Supreme Court on the Osun State governorship elections, a coalition of civil society organisation, Crusade for Greater Nigeria, (CGN), has urged the apex court to ensure the independent of the judiciary by being fair and impartial in its pronouncement.

Leader of the CGN, Ben Onyewuenyi said yesterday said that the judiciary should actually prove its independence in the Osun case.

According to him, “the eyes of the world will be on the nation’s judiciary next week even as he called on this arm of the government to walk his talk of being independent as the justices of the apex court get down to the business of writing their judgment in the next few days”.

prove that indeed, the law is sacred at all times.

According to him, “the judiciary shouldn’t care which party takes the seat but should deliver their judgment without any form of inducement or harassment.

“Do not forget that recently the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Tanko stated that nobody living or dead can influence the decision of the apex court. He added that the court will not dance to the tunes of anybody. I do believe he will write his name in gold if he keeps faith in these words”.

Onyewuenyi who claimed that he was in Osun State as an independent observer during the polls, however, urged the people of Osun State to remain calm.”

Ë&#x153; ͸͚Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Π˞ T H I S D AY

54

MONDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Madagascar Shock Awful Eagles to Top Group B Madagascar produced the biggest shock so far at the on going 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt as they beat three-time winners Nigeria 2-0 to reach Last 16 with seven points from three matches.

Madagascar is to join three other group winners to play against third-place finishers in the Round of 16.

The Indian Ocean islanders have been the surprise package on their AFCON debut, claiming four points from their first two games in Egypt.

And Lalaina Nomenjanahary stunned Nigeria by pouncing on a defensive error to punish Eagles with an early opener.

Carolus Andreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deflected free-kick then ensured Madagascar went into the last 16 as winners of Group B. Madagascar are ranked 108th in the world - 63 places below Nigeria, who

go through as runners-up having won their first two group games.

Super Eagles dominated possession but were punished when trying to play out from the back.

John Ogu under-hit a square ball to Leon Balogun on the edge of their own box and the Brighton defender hesitated, allowing Nomenjanahary to nip in and round goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa before slipping the ball into an empty net.

Nigeria replied with Samuel Kalu curling a shot wide but Madagascar continued to make the better chances as Andrea produced a tame volley after exchanging passes with Jerome Mombris, before captain Faneva Andriatsima lashed a shot wide after being slipped in by Andrea.

Madagascar doubled their lead as Andreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

25-yard free-kick deflected in off Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who had come on at half-time for Nigeria.

Ndidi produced his sideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first shot on target on 57 minutes but not even the introduction of Arsenal forward Alex

Iwobi could spark a Nigeria fight back.

Nicolas Dupuisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wards were the first team to qualify for the AFCON

2019, and have gained tremendous confidence on their debut with the draw with Guinea and victory over Burundi

Lalaina Nomenjanahary (centre), scored his third international goal as Madagascar defeated Nigeria 2-0 â&#x20AC;Śyesterday

Aruna Quadri Joins Gewoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fold FEMIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S AFCON 2019 FLAKES Madagascar End Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Winning Streak

Before the final Group B match with Madagascar yesterday, Super Eagles of Nigeria had their longest winning streak for themselves in the history of participation at the tournament.

Eagles won their last six matches starting with the 2-0 win against Ethiopia at 2013 group stage match, and then the 2-1 win again CĂ´te dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ivoire, 4-1 win against Mali in the semi final and 1-0 win against Burkina Faso to give Nigeria her third AFCON title.

Minnows Turn Giant Killers

When minnows, Madagascar picked a valuable lone goal win against Burundi in their second group stage match last Thursday to put them in pole position to reach the next phase of tournament. It was a memorable record anyway. It was the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first win at the tournament in 72 years. An incredible win! Nigerian football fans didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know the Indian Ocean nation has surprise in wait. A 2-0 victory over Eagles yesterday evening sent them to the top and emerge as Group B winners.

Mali Shows Adama Red Card!

Malian top striker, Adama Niane will play no more part at the ongoing tournament. The reason has nothing to do with injury nor loss of form. The Malian FA showed the forward the exit door for gross misconduct in camp. Niane slapped team captain, Abdoulaye Diaby following an argument in camp.

See how not to be a professional footballer?

Senegal is Most Valuable Team

In spite of their disappointing lone goal defeat to Algeria last week, the Teranga Lions of Senegal are the most valuable team of the tournament if going by the respective wages of their players at the AFCON tournament. The team is ranked top at â&#x201A;Ź383.8m and followed by CĂ´te dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ivoire at â&#x201A;Ź284.8m and Nigeria and Algeria at â&#x201A;Ź196.6m. The host nation, Egypt were ranked sixth at â&#x201A;Ź196.2 followed by Morocco, Cameroon, Mali, Guinea and Ghana.

The Senegalese side hopes to bounce back today when they take on Kenya in the last group match.

Barcaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dembele Spotted in Cairo!

FC Barcelona forward and World Cup winner with France, Ousmane Dembele is among numerous tourists in Egypt enjoying the great moments of AFCON 2019. The dark skinned striker was spotted in the stand during Algeria versus Senegal match which the North African side won by alone goal through Youcef Belaili in the early minute of second half. The result no doubt would be disappointing to the Barcelona striker, whose mother is of Senegalese descent.

After more than ten years with Joola, Aruna Quadri formally joined another Germany-based kit firm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gewo on a three-year renewable contract.

The Nigerian is expected to be kitted for the next three years and he will be paid monthly allowance based on his world rating

by Gewo.

Quadri who remains the best ranked African table tennis player in the world was with Joola for more than a decade, but decided to team up with Joola based on the interest

showed by the company led by its founder Wolfgang Sohns .

According to Sohns, Gewo decided to sing the Nigerian following his conduct on and off the table. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aruna Quadri is such a fantastic player who exhibits the qualities of our brand. We are aware of his popularity in Nigeria and Africa as well as large followership across the globe and this also endeared us to him. He has shown to be a good ambassador of table tennis wherever

he goes. He is calm and sociable and for us at Gewo, we value these qualities and that is why we have decided to team up with Aruna Quadri after initially having the Nigeria national team in our fold,â&#x20AC;? Sohns said.

The contract was facilitated by Chairman of WEO Allsports, Wahid Oshodi, who facilitated the switct described the new deal as a new vista for the Nigerian. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aruna Quadri is a global brand and those who appreciate the qualities of

this young man are ready to go all out and sign him.

This is another leap for Aruna Quadri toward his preparation and readiness for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. We are happy for him and we hope this will surely rub off on his performance on table being the highest ranked player in the fold of Gewo,â&#x20AC;? Oshodi said.

Gewo was founded 120 years a g o a n d h a s since developed into one of the leading m a n u f a c t u re r s o f t a b l e tennis tables.

Bello Rules NTTF National Women Singles Open Championship Seventy-two hours after emerging as champion at the All African Games trial, Fatimo Bello showed her quality to dominate the maiden Nigeria Ta b l e Te n n i s Federation (NTTF) National Women Singles Open Championship concluded weekend at the Molade OkoyaT h o m a s H a l l o f Te s l i m Balogun Stadium.

S h e f o u g h t h e r way into the final brushing aside the likes of national player, Cecilia Otu-Akpan as well as returnee Ganiat Aruna to set up a final clash against former junior champion â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tosim Oribamise.

Despite not having the chance to compete in international tournaments like her opponent in

the final â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Oribamise, Bello made nonsense of the experience of her opponent.

Oribamise who is cons i d e r e d to be Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most travelled and experienced player in recent times, was no match to Bello who thrashed the Ekiti Stateborn Oribamise 4-0 (11 -7, 11-6, 11-8, 11-4) to cart home the N200,000 star prize money.

An excited Bello said she is determined to make the Nigeria team to the 2019 All Africa Games in Morocco. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very happy a n d excited about the victory. This is going to help me a lot because I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop training and continue to work h a r d . Tr a i n i n g i s t h e

k e y t o m y s u c c e s s and hopeful I will continue to win. I actually started training two months ago for the trials and this Women Singles championship and I was expecting to win, so it is not something surprising.

As the first winner of this tournament which means Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m one of the best players in Nigeria, I will like to play abroad and do all my possible best if I get the opportunity. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking forward to play for the National team and excel with the team,â&#x20AC;? she said.

The tournament sponsored by the NTTF President, Ishaku Tikon was to rate female players and select team for major

championships and the NTTF boss admitted that the objectives of the tournament was achieved. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have gotten the result of why we staged the competition. A new queen has e m e rg e d a n d the line-up according to their ranking have also been established, we are good to go a n d we are prepared to conquer Africa and we are on our way to dominate table tennis in the region,â&#x20AC;? Tikon said.

Former President of NTTF, Wahid Enitan Oshodi, said that the performa n c e of the players was encouraging and with constant training and regular competitions, the players would be ready to compete w i t h the best.

55

Ë&#x153; ͸͚Ë&#x153; ͺ͸͚Π˞ T H I S D AY

MONDAYSPORTS

Netherlands, Sweden Secure Tickets to Tokyo 2020 Netherlands and Sweden have completed the European line-up at the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Olympic Football Tournament Tokyo 2020 after setting up a semi-final against each other at the FIFA Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Cup France 2019â&#x201E;˘ The Oranjeleeuwinnen defeated Italy at the weekend to ensure they would head to a Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time, an accomplishment that coach Sarina Wiegman described as â&#x20AC;&#x153;a dream come true.â&#x20AC;? Headed goals by Vivianne Miedema and Stefanie van der Gragt secured the history-making 2-0 victory

in Valenciennes.

They were joined by Sweden after they saw off Germany in their own France 2019 quarterfinal. The Germans took the lead through Lina Magull, before goals from Sofia Jakobsson and Stina Blackstenius turned the game around for the Blagult, who head back to the Olympic stage after their silver medal last time out at Rio 2016.

The two join Great Britain, who will compete at a Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Olympic Football Tournament for only the second time as a unified team of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

NBC Excites Fans at 2019 Boat Racing Championship South Africa in make or mar clash with Morocco tonight

Bafana Set for Make or Break Clash with Morocco

Bafana Bafana Coach Stuart Baxter and striker Percy Tau have said that the team is in high spirits and will give a good account of themselves this evening when they take on the Atlas Lions of

Morocco in the crucial match at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.

Speaking to media yesterday ahead of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s match, coach Baxter said Morocco were a good

side but added that Bafana Bafana were slowly getting into their stride and the match will be a great one. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Morocco were strong against CĂ´te dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ivoire, have a very experienced team and will be a tough opponent for us. But we feel that we are settling more and more into a good rhythm and we feel we can give a good game,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The players are quite confident and the preparations have been going quite well.

We were a bit late with our preparations because of some cancelled games so these games in the tournament are actually bringing us closer

together to where we want to be. We are quite confident,â&#x20AC;? he added.

He said Dean Furman trained with the rest of the team on Saturday and seemed to have shrugged off his injury concern but will be further assessed on Sunday afternoon at training.

The resolute midfielder, who has been a critical figure in Bafana Bafanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campaign, is set to play an important role in the match against Morocco if selected.

Baxter also revealed that Thami Mkhize had fully recovered from the concussion he suffered in the Namibia game towards the end of the match.

Team Delta Emerges Tops in Navy Swimming Competition Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa The Nigerian Navy operating in the Niger Delta weekend concluded its intra-command swimming competition, comprising mainly military personnel from Bayelsa and Delta states.

The event which took place in Yenagoa, had in attendance, team headquarters, team Delta, Lugard and Soroh during which team Delta emerged tops.

It featured freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, medley relay among other styles which the Navy said was to ascertain its menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capability while patrolling the waterways of the region.

At the end of the event, team Delta clinched 12 gold,

five silver and one bronze, the Headquarters, Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, won five silver and two bronze while NNS Soroh came third with one silver and five bonze.

Speaking during the event, the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Saidu Garba, said the exercise was to pick the best swimmers at the Central Naval Command. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Swimming is not just because of the profession, but it is a survival asset. We are surrounded by water and the CNS has directed that all naval personnel must learn to swim. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is also now a condition for promotion. So, they must have the minimum required standard,â&#x20AC;? he said.

He said there will soon be an inter-command competition to get the overall best in the military.

He said it was not just about the level of fitness , but that the exercise also provides an environment for comradeship and friendship in the military.

Special Guest of Honour, Air Vice Marshal, Peter Uzezi, Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Nigerian Air Force, said he was optimistic that the exercise will help harness the talents in the navy to fight crime in the Niger Delta. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have observed the capabilities of the Nigeria Navy in the Niger Delta, focusing on various operations to curtail criminalities. These are laudable ways to develop personnel.

â&#x20AC;&#x153; I believe that this competition will enhance effectiveness of personnel in discharge of your duties and assist in developing confidence, physical fitness for optimum performance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This a wonderful initiative as this helps in harnessing collective talents of the personnel who took partâ&#x20AC;? he said.

During the three-day event which featured collaboration with sister agencies, including the police, the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) the navy urged its men to henceforth take the issue of physical and mental health seriously.

It was all fun as boat race lovers in Lagos were treated to an exciting experience at the seventh edition of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) sponsored Lagos Yacht Club Annual Boat Racing Competition which held penultimate Saturday, at the Lagos Yacht Club, Onikan, Lagos.

Speaking shortly after the end of the competition, the National Marketing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Mr. Patrick Tyler revealed that the decision to support the competition is in line with the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to promote a healthy lifestyle among consumers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a company, we seek to improve wellbeing in our local communities by focusing on strategic areas including water and environmental protection, sport and physical activity, as well as women and youth development.

Over the years, NBC has been consistent in its support of many sporting activities. This is the

seventh edition of the Coca-Cola Regatta Yacht Club in Lagos. We support this event as a means of showcasing how boat racing can be a fun component of an active and healthy lifestyleâ&#x20AC;?, he said.

Tyler assured that the company would continue to support the Lagos Yacht Club, and other sporting platforms, which according to him would enhance sports development in the country.

In his remarks, ViceCommodore, Lagos Yacht Club, Julian Hardy commended the management of Nigerian Bottling Company Limited as well as Coca-Cola Nigeria for their unwavering support in making this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition a success. Hardy noted that the commitment of the company towards the 2019 edition of the competition was responsible for the increase in the level of participants, adding that Nigerians are becoming more aware about the sport and excited over the competition.

Quadre, Sylvester Are CBN Tennis Champions Teen sensation, Oyinlomio Quadre, clinched her first Central Bank of Nigeria Open singles crown on Saturday with a resounding 6-0, 6-1 win over Christy Agugbom while defending champions Sylvester Emmanuel retained his menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s singles title with a 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Abdulmumin Babalola.

Apacked final at the Centre Court of the National Tennis Centre, Abuja saw the Morocco-based Quadre dominated the clash to announce her arrival at the top of domestic stage. Quadre, one of the best talents in junior tennis in Africa in recent times, said she would work harder knowing that all eyes are on her. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very happy to win my first CBN title; this is a dream comes true for me because CBN is one tournament that every Nigerian player cherished,â&#x20AC;? said the 16-year-old In the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s singles final, Babalolaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chase for a record seventh CBN Open title was dashed by Emmanuel who has now cemented his position as the undisputed top player in Nigeria. The champions

each pocketed N700, 000 while the finalists got N500, 000.

Quadre also paired Mary Tenu-Michael to beat the duo of Agugbom and Blessing Samuel to clinch the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doubles with Babalola and Lawal Shehu clinching the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doubles at the expense of Joseph Imeh and Christian Paul.

Alex Adewale and Kafayat Omisore both clinched the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; singles in the wheelchair tennis with Adewale clinching his sixth-successive title by beating Wasiu Yusuf 6-1, 6-0 while Omisore edged Chituru Nwazuru 4-6, 6-4, 11-9.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, said at the prize presentation ceremony that the apex bank is totally committed to the sponsorship of the tournament.

Emefiele, who was represented

by CBN Head of Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, said the championship has served as the springboard to limelight for Nigerian tennis players and CBN is determined to take it to a higher level.

Guinea Win to Keep Hope Alive

CBN Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor presenting the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s singles trophy to the champion, Sylvester Emmanuelâ&#x20AC;Śat the weekend

Mohamed Yattara scored twice as Guinea beat 10-man Burundi 2-0 to keep alive their hopes of reaching the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 as one of the four third place finishers.

Yattara swept in the opener from a corner before Christophe Nduwarugira was sent off for Burundi after committing a foul as the last man.

Yattara made the win safe in the second half with a composed strike.

Guinea must now wait to discover if they will progress as one of the best third-placed teams.

They finish the group stage with four points. The four third-placed sides with the best records will go through.

Madagascarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2-0 win against Nigeria meant the Africa Cup of Nations debutants topped Group B with the Super Eagles progressing to the knockout stage as runners-up

TR

Monday July 1, 2019

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE Olubadan to Ajimobi

“When he wasn’t patient and was doing what pleased him, I kept observing him. But I knew that everything he was doing, he was just putting himself in trouble. He did what pleased him. He didn’t carry me along and how would I have consented to what was against the tradition of the land? And I thank God the new governor has listening ears; he is calm and he acknowledges the supremacy of kings.” – The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, berating former Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, setting him and members of the Olubadan-in-Council on a collision course.

OKEYIKECHUKWU

EDIFYING ELUCIDATIONS

okey.ikechukwu@thisdaylive.com

The Leadership I Mean F

our questions shall guide our conversation about the Nigerian State today. The first is: Is it wrong to use the rational standards for measuring success in any enterprise to measure performance in public office? The second is: Does public office place anyone above the culture, traditions and norms of propriety and decency among his people? The third is: Does public office make anyone a superior authority to priests, Imams, pastors and religious leaders? The fourth is: Can a person who deliberately comes late to church, or to the mosque, enters with security men, greets whosoever he likes and briefly cracks jokes before sitting down (while worship is going on) be said to really believe in God? Finally, are there norms for normalcy, and the lunatic fringe, in everything we do as leaders and as human beings?

Is it really any wonder today that many people in leadership positions throng prayer houses, bury cows and do all sorts of things for power? Is it a wonder that pastors mostly celebrate “testimonies” from people who come to sudden wealth without doing any work and who claim it came from tithing and the sowing of seeds into the pastor’s pocket?

Will anyone think of wealth creation and entrepreneurship when only idlers are made the subject of envy in prayer houses? Is it any wonder that luck and unconscionable notions of god-fatherism dominate our political and leadership landscape today? Is it any wonder that speaking in tongues, the laying of hands, weekend-long adoration outings, the spraying of holy water from various priests and the carrying of presumably sacred religious objects are now taken more seriously than business plans, ICT literacy, opening a business and being diligent about anything? For that matter, is it any wonder than towns and cities that had free-flowing pipe-borne water in the cities now how expensive public ceremonies to launch and celebrate boreholes?

The real issue is actually not the fact that education and knowledge are in decline, no! It is the fact that education along the paths of proper human and national development are being replaced by another form of negative education. It is also the fact that the alternative education that is on the table today represents a reversal of the natural trajectory of societal evolution.

It is the fact that the wrong leadership and followership paradigms are being entrenched and training in real skills is being replaced by cash for economically non-productive activities. The absence of constructive and sustainable engagement are reigning everywhere, spewing out a generation of thugs, beggars, pickpockets, aspiring kidnappers, bag carrying youths and “leaders” who earn stupendous salaries while doing nothing particularly significant in an ocean of poverty! It is

President Muhammadu Buhari

a polity wherein positive contributions of any sort are beating steady retreat.

The average senator, governor and former governor, state and federal legislator, head of parastatal or even a local government chairman moves about with fierce looking security personnel and pilot vehicles. The security men and the sirens must drive the people out of the way whenever the leaders are coming, or going. The vehicle headlights must be on in broad daylight, probably help them find the afternoon sun, as they drive at speeds of between 120 and 160 kilometres per hour, sometimes on a village road.

And it is not as if anyone is chasing them, to warrant their driving as if the very devil himself is hot on their case.

The convoys do not slow down, or stop, to avoid running over people’s chickens and goats, or to minimise the amount of dust unleashed on confounded villagers.

It is all a sign of power – and “arrival.”

Besides, there are new chieftaincy titles and knighthoods, or eldership in the church, thrown in here and there.

These leaders now inspire a new generation of young Nigerians, for whom they are role models. As society that celebrates such “leaders,” endorses bad manners and sudden, stupendous and inexplicable, wealth. Where no traditional, or religious leader, is seen to ever quietly call any such leader aside and ask whether he had left the straight path, the youths will aspire to become “illustrious” like these mentors of questionable credentials.

It is thus that the Nigerian state of today, as exemplified by the conduct, comportment and trajectory of our leaders, has become a criminal enterprise.

It embodies spiritual criminality in its enthronement of blasphemy in places of worship and in the conspiratorial silence of religious leaders about the curious wealth of their members in public office.

It also embodies criminality in the secular sense, because it is driven by unmitigated impunity and aggravated misconduct.

Ours has become an ecosystem that is structured to self-destruct, unless something dramatically transformational happens.

Those who say that all we need is a new crop of “younger” leaders should remember that these are the very ones who have been watching and following the footsteps of their reprobate mentors of today. It is not every youth that belongs to the 21st Century and the future, as the biological age of a person and the age of his ideas and reflexes may be worlds apart? While “knowledgeable and selfless” Nigerian youths with global exposure and personal integrity, brought us independence, another species of Nigerian youths with limited knowledge, practically no global exposure and no respect for God laid the foundations for today’s problems when they mistook impunity and access to state power for superior wisdom.

We have political leaders but limited responsible leadership everywhere, because the proper upbringing of children is being undermined by bad role models.

Our society is upholding and rewarding those who hold no prospect of a better future for anyone, including themselves.

While political, religious and economic leadership are all in kukuland, better paying sectors of the economy are draining the university system of the best, and even second best, graduating students. While youths are ruined by abandonment, we are saddled with a political, economic and academic elite that is predominantly made up of third-rate citizens. In sum: we have a political environment that can be likened to the chaotic Church of Antioch, a university system that can be likened to a Jewish temple without the Holy of Holies (and where the alter hands are semi-apostates) and a human capital development sector that can be likened to the Ngbuka auto parts market in Onitsha, where practically any contraption can be put together for you.

Our nation is not developing despite huge budgets, because we have a predatory leadership political elite – irrespective of political party affiliation. We are also not producing the right type of youths for a 21st century world, because our unemployed, underemployed and unemployable young population has become a bulge that is retooling itself in criminality in a way that is being reinforced by the reflexes of our political leadership. It is because hard work, thrift, responsible wealth acquisition and attention to personal and group safety and social stability are in decline that we are where we are today.

Because proper socialisation and sound morals are distorted and undermined by many wrong role models, hypocrisy has become the walking stick for anyone who wants to move up in the society. You can no longer meet large groups from different parts of the country who have

the same ideas about national interest.

Inspirational and dynamic leadership of the type sought by Sowore, Moghalu, Ezekwesili and Durotoye during the last national elections focused on the ideal.

Their respective projects were wrecked by the fact that it is not easy to gain real traction when your core challenge is a depraved society whose political economy is driven by subtle atheism, moral decay, fraudulent distribution and consumption and commitment to no ennobling values.

A nation that is producing more criminals and miscreants and less responsible parents, less informed teachers, less competent professionals and less patriotic leaders is in a hole and must stop digging. But the Federal Republic of Nigeria is still digging furiously, if the last elections and the body language of the new National Assembly is anything to go by.

A political elite that runs annual budgets, but has no vision of measurable outcomes, will continue to pay for personal security and SUVs to navigate bad roads and bad neighbourhoods. It will not have reliable statistics for meaningful planning, but will watch declining standards of excellence, crumbling social and infrastructure and still come out to speak of “leaving no stone unturned” to solve the problems.

It’s probably time to get the stone out of the way.

We have more churches than schools, hospitals and skills centres combined. We have more pastors than doctors, teachers social entrepreneurs combined. We have more born again Christians and Muslim faithful preaching righteousness today, even as corruption thrives. We pray before and after government management meetings, yet contracts are inflated and looting discussed in some of such meetings. We visit prayer houses and pay mallams, yet we lack morals and crime have overrun the land. We bind the devil several times every day (and before we sleep), yet wake to bind him the next day. The city of Yaoundé in Cameroun, alone, has about 4,000, along with the poverty in the area. The city of Abidjan has 4100 churches in only the city of Abidjan. Kinshasa has 7,000 churches in only the city of Kinshasa.

Our own Lagos has 10,000 churches.

Yet Nigerians are leading the world in corruption and crimes.

What we need today, the leadership I mean and which we have lacked in the last 20 years of democracy, is a leadership with a national vision that rests on genuine development, equity, 21st century policies and goals, plans of action designed for results and a holistic strategic implementation template with short, medium and long term targets. The absence of the aforementioned variables explains the absence of measurable outcomes, defined time lines and a monitoring for feedback and continuous growth as a nation.

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3085, 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com