THURSDAY 3RD OCTOBER 2019

CBN Debits 12 Banks N499bn for 60% Loan Ratio Default Credit to private sector rises to N16.397tn

Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has deducted a total of N499,175,535,097 from the accounts of 12 banks under its supervision, over their failure

to meet the September 30, 2019 deadline it had stipulated for them to maintain 60 per cent loan-to-deposit (LDR) ratio.

The banks are Citibank, FirstBank of Nigeria, FBNQuest Merchant, First

City Monument Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Jaiz Bank, Keystone Bank and Rand Merchant Bank.

Others are Standard Chartered Bank, Suntrust, United Bank for Africa and

Zenith Bank.

A one-page document by the CBN obtained by THISDAY last night, showed that the respective accounts of the affected banks at the central bank have already

been debited.

A breakdown of the sum showed that while Zenith Bank was debited N135.629 billion; Citibank was debited a total of N100.743 billion; United Bank for Africa – N99.676

billion; FirstBank –N74.669 billion; Standard Chartered Bank – N30.027 billion and GTBank – N25.148 billion and FBNQuest – N2.697 billion.

Continued on page 6

Buhari’s Economic Advisory Council Set for Inaugural Meeting... Page 6 Thursday 3 October, 2019 Vol 24. No 8942. Price: N250

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Stay of Execution, Evidence of Strong Case against P&ID, Says FG Appeals $200million security for stay Insists P&ID bribed Nigerian official with billions of naira to secure failed deal Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja The federal government yesterday said it was confident that it would overturn the $9.6bn arbitral award by a London Arbitration Tribunal, and confirmed by a United Kingdom commercial court, to an Irish company, Process and Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID), saying its preliminary success in securing a stay of execution

was a pointer to the viability of its hope.

It also said that it had directed its lawyers to appeal the $200 million security deposit, which the court set as condition for sustaining the stay of execution of enforcement of the award, pending the resolution of its appeal at the appellate court in the UK. Continued on page 5

Govt Reintroduces Tolling on Highways PDP rejects move Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Tollgates are coming back, 18 years after the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo scrapped them. And that is official.

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, told State House reporters yesterday after a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC)

in Abuja that the country was returning to tolling its highways because no law prohibited it from doing so.

However, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has kicked against the decision, which it described as part of the orchestrated attempts by the Buhari administration to further Continued on page 6

STATE MATTERS...

L-R: Minister of State, Transportion, Senator Gbemisola Saraki; Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; and Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu, during the federal executive council meeting in Abuja... yesterday godwin omoigui

Tribunals Confirm Tambuwal, Ganduje, Lalong as Govs... Page 5

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Tribunals Confirm Tambuwal, Ganduje, Lalong as Govs Buhari congratulates victors Alex Enumah in Abuja, Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano and Seriki Adinoyi in Jos The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunals in Sokoto, Kano and Plateau States yesterday upheld the elections of Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) and Simon Lalong (Plateau) as governors of the aforementioned states.

While Tambuwal belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the two other governors are of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In its ruling yesterday, delivered in Sokoto, the tribunal dismissed the petition filed against Tambuwal's election by the APC governorship candidate, Ahmed Aliyu, for being incompetent and lacking merit.

Aliyu and his party, the APC had in the petition challenged the return of Tambuwal as the duly-elected governor of the state.

The petition was predicated mainly on alleged over-voting and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 by the Independent National Electoral Commission

(INEC) in the conduct of the governorship election in the state.

However, the three-man panel led by Justice Abbas Abdullahi in the unanimous judgment, held that the petition lacked merit.

In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Abbas Abdullahi, the panel held that the petitioners failed to prove allegations of over-voting and other electoral matters.

The panel in dismissing the petition held that relevant witnesses were not called while those who testified based their evidence on hearsay.

The tribunal also held that witnesses' statements recorded in Hausa and translated into English language by an interpreter were not tendered, adding that their evidence during cross-examination was at variance with pleadings in the translated statement.

Worse still, the tribunal chairman held that the witnesses discredited their own evidence when they admitted during hearing that they were seeing their witness depositions in court for the first time.

Justice Abdullahi, in the judgment, rejected some of

the documentary evidence tendered by the petitioners on the grounds that the documents were not properly certified as required by law.

Having resolved all issues against the petitioners due to inability to substantiate their allegations as required by law, the tribunal said that it had no choice than to dismiss the petition for being incompetent and lacking in merit.

In Kano, the tribunal while upholding Ganduje’s election, dismissed PDP’s petition, in which its candidate, Abba Kabir-Yusuf, had challenged the victory of Ganduje in the March 23 governorship election.

Delivering judgment, the three-man panel led by the Chairman, Justice Halima Shamaki, upheld Ganduje as the duly elected and held that PDP failed to prove all the allegations against him.

“It is only when a petitioner proves his case before the tribunal that he will have a case, the petitioners failed to prove the exact number of valid votes in each polling units,” she said.

In a unanimous judgment, the tribunal struck out some paragraphs of the petition

because they were just speculations and held that the petitioners failed to give the number of votes for the March 9 election by tendering certified true copies of result sheets.

“Some Local Government Areas (LGA) results like Wudil, Magwan, Nasarawa and Gama Ward presented were not stamped, apart from that they were not true certified copies,” she said.

Shamaki said the Gama Ward result presented was written with pen, which was carted away by the petitioners.

She also said that since results were carted away in some polling units leading to over-voting, INEC had to order for a rerun according to the Electoral Act, as amended.

“The petitioners failed to discharge the burden of proof placed on them by the law,” Shamaki said.

In Plateau State, the tribunal affirmed the election of Lalong and dismissed the petition of PDP candidate, Senator Jeremiah Useni. In the petition, Useni and PDP had prayed the tribunal to declare them winners of the election, alleging the disparity in the names

supplied by Lalong in Form CF001.

Delivering judgment, the panel of three justices, led by Justice Halima Salami, held that the petitioners did not adequately prove their case.

The tribunal held that the information made in Form CF001 by Lalong bordering on the disparity of name, was not fundamental in nature.

The tribunal also held that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations of electoral irregularities bordering on falsifications of results and over voting against Lalong and the APC. Reacting to the judgment, Lalong described it as a victory for the entire people of the state and an affirmation of the mandate freely given to him in the last general election.

In a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, the governor said the verdict of the tribunal spoke of the unshaken confidence the electorate demonstrated when they massively voted for him and the APC. Extending hands of fellowship to the opposition PDP, Lalong asked the party to

join him to rescue the state from underdevelopment, insecurity and poverty and consolidate on the achievements of the last four years, saying “there is no winner or loser in this verdict; Plateau State is the winner.”

Also, Mr. Edward Pwajok (SAN), counsel to Useni and the PDP, said they were not satisfied with the verdict of the tribunal and would appeal the judgment.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the two APC governors for their victories.

Buhari, who is travelling to South Africa on a state visit, extended his goodwill to the duo yesterday shortly before departing the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The president, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja, described the verdicts of the tribunals as a victory for democracy.

He commended the people of Kano and Plateau States for maintaining peace and allowing the due process of law to prevail as well as respecting the role of the judiciary in a democracy.

was adequately protected.

“Of course, the payment, transferred in three tranches, could only have been made in appreciation of the 'good deed' done to P&ID by Mrs Taiga. Also, billions of naira in suspicious cash transfers were made by P&ID. Investigations continue into these transfers.”

According to the GSPA, the gas for the project, to generate electricity for Nigeria, was expected to come from OML 67 operated by ExxonMobil and OML 123 operated by Addax but the federal government said none of the two companies was even aware of the agreement.

Mohammed said for such a supposedly important project, there was no budgetary provision for the implementation of the GSPA in the budget of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in 2010 and P&ID did not obtain the necessary licence to deal in petroleum products from the Department of Petroleum Resources as stipulated by extant laws, adding that the firm also neither filed tax returns nor paid VAT to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as required by law.

Explaining further the judgment, he said the federal government now has an unconditional permission to appeal against the decision of the commercial court, recognising and converting the $9.6 billion arbitration award in favour of P&ID to a domestic judgment.

Mohammed said: “The Nigerian government won a leave of the commercial court to appeal the judgment, which P&ID had vehemently resisted.

The court granted the federal government unconditional permission to appeal against its own decision, and the court rejected P&ID’s arguments that there was no basis for any appeal.

“On the contrary, the judge expressly recognised that the case was of major importance to the government and people of Nigeria, and that the federal

government had a serious case to present to the Court of Appeal that his decision was wrong.

“All but one of the six proposed grounds of appeal by the Nigerian government were allowed by the commercial court. This is a huge success.’’

He said the judge also recognised that the ownership of P&ID was opaque and that a vulture fund stands behind it which had engaged lawyers determined to pursue a strategy, including the temporary seizure of assets, regardless of state immunity claims.

According to him, the federal government looks forward to its day in court in the appeal, where it is confident that it will receive a fair hearing and the order permitting enforcement of the arbitral award will be set aside.

The minister thanked the Nigerian media for its largely objective and patriotic reportage of the GSPA saga, despite the alleged attempts by P&ID to muddy the waters.

STAY OF EXECUTION, EVIDENCE OF STRONG CASE AGAINST P&ID, SAYS FG The federal government’s confidence was expressed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who addressed newsmen in Abuja yesterday and said it had enough evidence of fraud to frustrate the enforcement of the award.

The Irish company had dragged the federal government to the arbitration tribunal, which awarded it the hefty sum for the failure of a gas to power project signed in 2010.

It got a UK commercial court to confirm the award recently, forcing Nigeria to approach the appellate court to reverse the lower court’s judgment on the ground that the contract was grounded in fraud.

Mohammed anchored the government’s optimism on last Thursday’s decision by a British commercial court to grant its request to appeal the case, saying if the appeal stands no good chance of being successful, the court would not have allowed it.

He spoke on the outcome of the government delegation’s activities in London last week to attend a court hearing on the bid by P&ID to get judicial nod to seize Nigeria’s assets to recoup the $9.6 billion claim, and said it had instructed its lawyers to appeal against the ruling of the London commercial court for it to deposit $200 million as a precondition for staying the execution of levying the arbitral award on its assets.

In granting Nigeria’s request to suspend hearing on the P&ID’s bid to seize Nigeria’s assets so it could appeal the case, Justice Christopher Butcher had given Nigeria 60 days to pay the $200 million into a court account, as a precondition to grant a stay on seizure of national assets.

Mohammed, who briefed journalists on behalf of the federal government, also told them how P&ID made suspicious payments, running into billions of naira, to a former Legal Director in

the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Grace Taiga, who is currently being tried for her alleged roles in the Gas Supply and Processing Agreement (GSPA) between P&ID and the ministry.

According to Mohammed, who was on the delegation to London, the payment, transferred in three tranches, could only have been made in appreciation of the alleged 'good deed' done to P&ID by Taiga.

In addition to Taiga, who is currently on bail, the federal government has secured the conviction of two directors of P&ID, Mr. Mohammed Kuchazi, who is of P&ID BVI, and Mr. Adamu Usman, who belongs to P&ID Nigeria, on charges of money laundering and economic sabotage.

The court also ordered the winding-up of the company and the confiscation of its assets by the federal government following charges of tax evasion.

The minister said: “P&ID has every reason to be worried that the $9.6 billion arbitration award to it has a good chance of being overturned.’’

Another condition the court imposed on Nigeria to stay the execution of giving P&ID the go-ahead to seize national assets is for the federal government to also pay £250,000, representing P&ID’s solicitors’ advance costs, within 14 working days.

However, Mohammed said Nigeria had no problem with the second condition as it would be able to demand a refund of the £250,000 payment to P&ID, if the government wins on the appeal.

The federal government delegation to London comprised the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN); Mohammed, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele; Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu; Assistant

Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde; and Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

Mohammed said the team set off to achieve three main objectives: change the narrative, especially on the international stage, on the entire P&ID issue, more so in the run-up to the September 26, 2019 court hearing on the case; apply for leave of the commercial court to appeal the judgment that affirmed the $9.6 billion arbitration award, and seek a stay of execution on the UK judgment that recognised the arbitration award to P&ID over a botched 20-year gas deal with Nigeria.

He said the team’s visit was a huge success.

He said: “Without being immodest, I can say categorically that we achieved all three objectives. First, we took London by storm, taking our case to international media outlets and Think Tanks like AP, AFP, Reuters, Bloomberg, BBC, Financial Times, The Economist, The African Confidential, Royal African Society and the Red Lions Chambers, a leading Barrister's Chambers in London, among others. We also met a group of experts and stakeholders.

“Our message was simple: P&ID, a company without a physical address and no known investment anywhere in the world, set out to dupe Nigeria from day one, with the connivance of unpatriotic, corrupt and greedy Nigerians. ‘’The entire Gas Supply Processing Agreement (GSPA), which P&ID entered into with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, is nothing but a fraudulent contraption with no chance, or expectation, of success.’’

He said the “unprecedented” $9.6 billion in arbitral award to P&ID constituted an unreasonable reward to a company that has done nothing more than to engage in fraud and economic sabotage, saying

it runs contrary to the course of justice and could bring harm and hardship to Nigeria.

He said a contract of that magnitude could not be said to have been valid until it has been vetted by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and approved by the Federal Executive Council.

“The sham contract was also signed in contravention of the Bureau of Public Procurement Act and the Infrastructural Regulatory Commission Procurement Act,” he pointed out, adding: “While the MoU for the project was signed in 2009 by P&ID Nigeria Limited and the Nigerian government (Ministry of Petroleum Resources), a trick clause dubiously inserted in the MoU was curiously activated that allowed British Virgin Island (BVI)-registered P&ID to replace the original contractual party, P&ID Nigeria Limited, to sign the contract on January 11 2010.

He explained: “P&ID incorporated in BVI is a shell company that has no history of any business except the phantom GSPA in Nigeria. Please note that there is no board resolution approving the assignment of the contractual interest to P&ID BVI. P&ID never kick-started the construction of the project facility despite its claim to have invested $40 million in Nigeria. It also never acquired any land to build the gas processing plant.

“Besides, there is no proof of any financial commitment

by P&ID toward the execution and implementation of its own obligation as stipulated in the 2010 agreement, while the CBN confirmed there was no trace of any funds brought into Nigeria by P&ID.” He explained Taiga’s alleged involvement in the deal: “Suspicious payments were made to Mrs. Grace Taiga, the Legal Director in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. Mrs Taiga was supposed to ensure that the interest of the country

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Buhari’s Economic Advisory Council Set for Inaugural Meeting Obinna Chima Barring any unforeseen circumstances, members of President Muhammadu Buhari’s newly constituted Economic Advisory Council (EAC) would hold their inaugural meeting this weekend.

A source in the presidency told THISDAY yesterday that the meeting would hold in Abuja.

According to the source, after the EAC’s inaugural meeting, members of the council would meet with the president on Tuesday to brief him on the outcome of their meeting and possibly offer some recommendations.

The president had about a fortnight ago, constituted an eight-member EAC to replace the Economic Management Team (EMT).

A statement by Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Femi Adesina, had said the newly constituted council, chaired

by Prof. Doyin Salami,

would report directly to the president.

Other members of the council are Dr. Mohammed Sagagi (Vice-Chairman), Prof. Ode Ojowu, Dr. Shehu Yahaya, Dr. Iyabo Masha, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo – Member, Mr. Bismark Rewane and Dr. Mohammed Adaya Salisu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Development Policy, who will serve as secretary.

The statement had said: “The Economic Advisory Council (EAC) will advise the president on economic policy matters, including fiscal analysis, economic growth and a range of internal and global economic issues working with the relevant cabinet members and heads of monetary and fiscal agencies.

“The EAC will have monthly technical sessions as well as scheduled quarterly meetings with the president.

The chairman may, however, request for unscheduled

Salami meetings if the need arises.”

A member of the EAC, Soludo, had on Tuesday proposed strategies that would help catalyse economic transformation in Nigeria and make the country less reliant on oil.

Soludo had stressed the need for institutional rearrangement that would make the Nigerian economy sustainable. This, he said should focus on the political, legal and governance

institutions.

He explained that such institutional restructuring was necessary to grow the nation’s economy, considering the population challenge Nigeria would face between the next 30 and 80 years when the population of the country would have risen to about 400 million and 752 million respectively, thereby throwing huge socio-economic problem for the country.

Soludo stated this in Lagos at the 2019 Platform, an annual non-denominational conference organised by the Covenant Christian Centre.

According to him, since 1962, Nigeria has implemented several national economic plans to diversify the economy away from oil without achieving desired result.

The former CBN Governor had said: "You can’t build a 100 storey-building upon a foundation of an old bungalow. A post-oil economy requires that

all agents maximise their fullest potential, and what is required will be a national rather than a federal response.”

According to Soludo, the economic restructuring strategy of the future entails thinking through the alternative future scenarios and mapping out alternative possible proactive responses.

"Nigeria has signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Insularity won’t be an option. The name of the game of the future in an increasingly integrated world is innovate/compete or die.

"Let’s break it down.

Economic restructuring of the future is about positioning Nigeria to compete and win in an increasingly complex world thereby guaranteeing the security, prosperity and happiness of the 400 or 752 million Nigerians, in a world without oil.

"It will require deploying

a gamut of legal-regulatorygovernance regimes, macro and sectoral policies and programmes to alter the spatial/geographical concentration of economic activities, structure of production from primary to industrial and post-modern service sectors, from peasant to commercial agriculture, from exhaustible natural resources to renewable and dynamic human resource as engine of sustainable development; etc," he added.

In addition, Soludo noted that with a current GDP of about $400 billion (down from $540 billion) and negative per capita income growth (with rising unemployment and poverty), the restructuring of the future would entail transformational changes to generate and sustain broad based growth of at least seven per cent, (from recent one to two per cent) required for poverty reduction and employment generation.

collecting information to know what to do with which place and what."

Fashola also responded to a question on how the private public partnership (PPP) could be explored to assist the government in construction and maintenance of roads.

He recalled the recent signing of Executive Order Seven by President Muhammadu Buhari on PPP arrangements in such a way that companies that offer to partner the federal government on road construction will enjoy 30 per cent tax relief.

According to him, only a few companies can embrace that initiative because the cost of construction is relatively high when compared to the profit accruable to most companies.

He said only companies like Dangote Group, which is currently reconstructing Apapa-Oworonshoki Expressway, can dare to undertake such ventures.

Earlier, Fashola had said FEC approved an upward review of contract sum for the construction of IbadanAbere-Ilesha road from N6.7 billion to N9.8 billion.

FEC also approved an upward review of SulejaAlanbata road awarded in two phases in 2012 and 2015 respectively from N23.6 billion to N36.2 billion.

PDP Rejects Plans to Return Tollgates Reacting to the plans by the federal government to return toll booths on major highways, the PDP described the idea as insensitive, illconceived and anti-people.

The PDP said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, that at best, such an idea amounted to executive bullying, which could not be justified under any guise, as it would lead to more increase in cost of goods and services nationwide.

It said: "Only recently, President Buhari approved the increase of Value Added Tax (VAT) from 5% to 7.2% despite outcry by Nigerians, who are also being made to pay exorbitant tariffs for electricity and other essential services.

"Since President Buhari came into office in 2015, his administration had continued to increase prices and impose all manner of levies on Nigerians, which proceeds are being frittered by the cabal in the presidency leading to a bleeding economy and despondency among the citizenry."

According to the party, instead of putting more

pressure on “already impoverished” Nigerians by introducing toll gates at this point in time, Buhari should exert himself, seek ways of creating wealth out of the abundant resources at the disposal of his administration or resign.

The party said Nigerians could recall that the PDP administration, in keeping with its determination to ensure the wellbeing and economic prosperity of citizens, dismantled tollgates, cut tax profiles and applied energies towards wealth creation.

"It is therefore certain that if our nation were under a PDP administration, as desired by Nigerians, competent hands would have been on the deck to proffer ways to create wealth for governance instead of turning our citizens into vassals who are overburdened by heavy taxes.

"The PDP states that it is lamentable that at the time Nigerians ought to be enjoying the benefits of the Atiku Abubakar economic recovery and wealth creation blueprint, they are faced with suppressive policies,” it said, adding: "The PDP, therefore, charges President Buhari to immediately rescind the decision to return toll gates on our highways as such is not in the best interest of Nigerians."

with the provisions of its earlier letter to the financial institutions, it decided to raise the minimum LDR target for all banks from 60 per cent to 65 per cent.

It said: “Consequently, all DMBs are required to attain a minimum LDR of 65 per cent by 31 December 2019 and this ratio shall be subject to quarterly review.

“To encourage SMEs, Retail, Mortgage and

Consumer Lending, these sectors shall be assigned a weight of 150 per cent in computing the LDR for this purpose.

“Failure to meet the above minimum LDR by the specified date shall result in a levy of additional Cash Reserve Requirement equal to 50 per cent of the lending shortfall implied by the target LDR. “Banks are required to

continue to strengthen their risk management practices particularly with regards to their lending operations.

“The CBN shall continue to review developments in the market with a view to facilitating greater investment in the real sector of the Nigerian economy whilst promoting a safe, sound and resilient financial system. This letter is with immediate effect.”

GOVT REINTRODUCES TOLLING ON HIGHWAYS impoverish the people, especially with the policy coming so soon after the federal government jacked up value added tax (VAT) from five per cent to 7.2 per cent.

Fashola said the designs for the new toll plazas had been concluded and materials to be used for the construction had been factored into the designs as well as every necessary consideration about the plan.

According to him, what is currently being examined is the method of banking transactions as toll transactions at the plazas would be largely done electronically because the aim is to limit cash transactions.

Also, the government is looking into how the electronic transactions would be done without impeding vehicular movement while the government is also confronted with the challenge of acquiring more land to accommodate the 10-lane plaza plan.

He said: "Let me just clarify this impression about tollgates. There is no reason why we cannot toll; there is no reason. There was a policy of government to abolish tolls or as it were, dismantle toll plazas, but there is no law that prohibits tolling in Nigeria today.

"We expect to return toll

plazas. We have concluded the designs of what they will look like; what material they will be rebuilt with; what new considerations must go into them. What we are looking at now and trying to conclude is how the bank end runs. And that is important because we want to limit significantly, if not totally eliminate cash at the plazas while ensuring that electronic devices that are being used do not impede rapid movement.

"We are also now faced with the need to acquire more land to establish the width of the toll plazas because I believe we are looking at 10-lane plazas so that there can be more outlets. So, we need to acquire more land. That is the work that is currently being done now."

The minister, however, dismissed the assumption that money used for road construction could be recovered through tolling, saying a survey carried out on major highways showed that vehicles transiting on the roads are not enough to recoup the cost of construction.

He used the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Abuja-Kano Expressway and AbujaLokoja road, which are the busiest roads, as illustrations.

He said: "The two or

three heavy routes are the Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kano, Abuja-Lokoja. Now, on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the heaviest traffic you will find is between Lagos and Shagamu. It is about 40,000 vehicles. After Shagamu, heading to Ibadan, it drops to about 20,000. So, most of it has gone eastward, going towards Ondo and Ore and by the time you get to Benin, the number significantly drops.

"It goes up again at the confluence where they are heading towards the Niger.

So, you can see that it is not a static 50,000 all the way. Same thing with AbujaKano-Zaria. After Kaduna, the traffic significantly drops. It is about 40,000 there too but after Kaduna, it begins to drop; by the time you get to Zaria, if you have driven to that road before, by the time you are driving between Zaria and Kaduna, you see how thin the recurring number of vehicles you meet is and as you begin to head closer between Kaduna and Abuja, the number of vehicles begins to increase.

"So, I think it is important to have that at the back of your mind; not all roads have those traffic counts. I also want to let you know that what we are doing is not accidental. We are being deliberate and methodical-

CBN DEBITS 12 BANKS N499BN FOR 60% LOAN RATIO DEFAULT Similarly, while FCMB’s account with the central bank was debited N14.371 billion; Jaiz Bank – N7.525; Keystone Bank – N4.163 billion; Rand – N2.823 billion, and Suntrust – N1.703 billion.

The central bank had on Tuesday raised the minimum LDR to 65 per cent.

It had in the circular on the directive in July, stated that, “Failure to meet the above minimum

LDR by the specified date shall result in a levy of additional Cash Reserve Requirement equal to 50 per cent of the lending shortfall of the target LDR. “The CBN shall continue to review development in the market with a view to facilitating greater investment in the real sector of the Nigerian economy.”

In a related development, the central bank yesterday

disclosed that the total value of banking sector credit increased significantly by N829.40 billion or 5.33 per cent, from N15.568 trillion as at the end of May 2019, to N16.397 trillion as at September 26, 2019, since it announced the new LDR rule in July.

Therefore, the CBN pointed out in a letter to all banks, that in order to sustain the momentum and in line

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

Third Term Agenda: PDP Berates APC, Presidency Chuks Okocha in Abuja Ripples of the perceived third agenda for President Muhammadu Buhari continued

as the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the cabal in the

Osinbajo Pledges Loyalty to Buhari Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has promised not to compromise his loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria.

The pledge came amid reports of a crack in the presidency.

The promise of the VP was contained in a magazine entitled, ‘This is Nigeria’ circulated on Tuesday night during the October 1, 2019 Independence Day Dinner, held at the old Banquet hall of the State House, Abuja.

The message titled ‘Uncompromised Loyalty’ was contained on page 15 of the Brands International Special Edition of the magazine, which is the official magazine for Buhari’s Next Level Agenda, 9th Assembly and One Nigeria, locally and internationally.

The message said, “Vice President Yemi Osibanjo commemorates with Nigerians on the 59th anniversary celebration, while pledging his loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari. This day means everything to us as a people, because it is our day of freedom.

“Let me first congratulate my boss, President, Muhammadu Buhari; His Excellency and our national leader, Ahmed

Bola Tinubu; First Lady and mother of the nation, Dr. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari.

“Also, I celebrate every Nigerian out there on the street trying to make ends meet, not forgetting those who stand out in different areas of human endeavours, home and abroad.

“Fellow Nigerians, be rest assured that President Muhammadu Buhari is totally committed to his promises and the Next Level Agenda. He is the best boss and I find it thrilling to serve Nigeria under him.

It is only responsible of me to give my unwavering loyalty to President Buhari and Nigeria as I promise to stand by him, while contributing my quota at all times to the growth of Nigeria.

“I call on all well-meaning Nigerians to queue behind President Buhari as he leads us to build a stronger bigger and greater Nigeria.”

Recall that the recent replacement of the Economic Management Team headed

by Osinbajo with the Economic Advisory Council mandated to report directly to Buhari, had fuelled speculations about division in the Presidency.

Buhari Presidency against plots to push a third term agenda for the president.

The PDP described such plots as a dangerous underhand politics capable of derailing the nascent democracy and a destabilising act capable of setting Nigeria ablaze.

The party, in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, also berated the statements by the presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as an unhealthy ploy to introduce a repugnant issue into official discourse in a bid to give it a life and achieve its fruition in the political arena.

The PDP said, “It is

preposterous for the presidency cabal and the APC to think that Nigerians cannot see through their shenanigan to import and elevate what they labeled as rumor and internet-based gossip, into official national discourse.

“Our party notes that Nigerians will not be surprised when, after the statements by the presidency and APC, new groups surface to orchestrate more forceful agitations in the public space for the alteration of the 1999 Constitution to achieve an ignoble aim”.

The PDP, however cautioned the presidency and the APC to note that Nigerians are already aware of individuals and political

interests in the presidency cabal in addition to known APC agents who are behind the street demonstrations for a third term for President Buhari.

The party invited Nigerians to note how, having been busted, the presidency cabal and the APC are now groping for ways to cover their trails by making frivolous allegations which directly point back to them.

It therefore urged President Buhari to personally speak out and immediately call his supporters to order as Nigerians would never allow anybody, no matter how highly placed, to alter any part of the constitution to serve a selfish interest.

The PDP insisted that this has

become imperative in view of the series of constitutional violations and provocative undermining of the laws by the APC and power mongers in the Buhari Presidency.

President Buhari had on Tuesday rejected rumours making the rounds on social media that he was seeking to amend the constitution to spend a third term in office.

The president, who was reacting to messages and commentaries on social media, alleging that he had no intention to leave office upon the expiration of his second term in 2023, described the insinuation as inconceivable and uninformed.

DSS: Maina’s Son Pulled Gun During Arrest Drone, pistol, foreign currencies, others recovered EFCC grills ex-PRTT chair, to arraign hm, retired Perm Sec Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday revealed that the son of the former Chairman of Pension Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina, who was arrested on Monday in Abuja, pulled a gun at the operatives of the agency who went to effect his arrest.

The agency said Maina’s 20-yearold son, Faisal, resisted arrest and pulled a pistol against security agents involved in the operation.

It said the young man was eventually overpowered by the combined team of security agencies and later disarmed and arrested.

A statement by the DSS listed items recovered during the operation to include a pistol, bullet proof Range Rover SUV, a BMW car, foreign currencies, a Phantom 7 drone and sensitive documents.

The statement issued by the DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, said Maina and his son were arrested at the Pennsylvania Avenue Hotel in Uptake, Abuja.

He said the suspects would be handed over to the EFCC for further investigation and necessary action.

“This is to confirm that the Department of State Services (DSS), in a combined operation, on September 30, 2019, arrested Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT).

“The arrest which was effected at the Pennsylvania Avenue Hotel,

Utako, Abuja followed a request by the EFCC to the Service to assist in the apprehension of the suspect,” it said.

The statement said, “Maina was arrested in company of his 20-year-old son, Faisal Abdulrasheed Maina, who unsuccessfully tried to resist the arrest.

“The lad even pulled a pistol against the security agents involved in the operation. He was, however, disarmed and arrested. He is a final year student at the Canadian University of Dubai where he is studying Telecoms Engineering,” the statement added According to the DSS, the suspects and the recovered items will be handed over to the EFCC for further investigations and appropriate necessary actions.

“It is instructive to note that the operation is as a result of a renewed interagency collaboration among security and law enforcement agencies.”

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which took over Maina’s case after he was handed over to the commission by the DSS yesterday was last night still undergoing interrogation.

A competent source told THISDAY that another top retired permanent secretary was quizzed by the commission in connection with billions of naira siphoned by the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT).

DECISION MAKERS....

R –L: President Muhammadu Buhari; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha and the acting Head of the Civil Service , Mrs. Yemi Folashade -Esan, at the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Council Chambers of the Presidentual Villa, Abuja …yesterday GODWIN OMOIGUI

NCAA Threatens to Revoke Licence of Private Jet Owners Who Engage in Charter Services Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has reiterated to revoke the certificate of any private jet operator caught engaging in charter services.

THISDAY learnt that the authority has instituted a committee to work out the modalities on how to identify those who breach the rule with their private jets.

NCAA said owners of private jets operate their aircraft with a different licence and flexible maintenance regime so they are not allowed to engage in charter services.

But licensed charter operators go through stringent licensing process with strict maintenance schedule because they are approved to carry out charter services, airlifting people from one destination to another for reward and for hire.

Spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, who spoke to THISDAY, said such arbitrary engagement in charter operations without recourse to regulations is not in line with the agency’s statutory responsibilities of safeguarding

the interest of the general public and that of the investors in the aviation sector as contained in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 2015 Part 18.2.3.1.

Warning members of the public to patronise only the authorised operators, Adurogboye said, “No person shall use any aircraft in Nigeria for hire and reward in public transport category to provide non scheduled or charter air service unless such a person holds an ATL or Airline Operating Permit (AOP) issued by the Authority. ‘’By this, any operator caught engaging in such unauthorised services will have its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) suspended or revoked. ‘’Consequently, the general public is hereby reminded that holders of Air Transport Licence and Airline Operating Permit with valid AOC are the only authorised operators to carry out charter operations. ‘’It therefore follows that any members of the public transacting business with any unauthorised operators will be doing so at a high risk as such operations may not have valid

insurance cover.’’

He also said that the list of current holders with appropriate authorisation to carry out charter operations is listed on its official website.

THISDAY also learnt that the regulatory authority may want to check the excesses of privately owned aircraft owners who use their equipment to operate charter without the appropriate licence, insurance cover and certification.

NCAA explained that these illegal charter operators have licence that allows them to use their aircraft to airlift the owners, relations and friends of the owners but not for hire and for reward.

However, over the years some of the private jet owners are known to break this rule in order to earn revenues for the routine maintenance of their aircraft, payment of aircraft crew and also to pay for insurance, including airport charges.

THISDAY also learnt that it is difficult to monitor the activities of the illegal charter operators who could airlift for hire and reward while claiming that passengers in the aircraft

are friends and relations of the owners.

Adurogboye explained that the major objective set up by NCAA on this issue is to find out how abuse of the regulation could be identified and punished, disclosing that the private jet’s operator licence could be withdrawn.

An official of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) told THISDAY that currently if NCAA noticed that a private jet is being used for charter, it could direct NAMA to deny the aircraft start up at the point of take off and other punitive measures could be taken thereafter.

A charter operator disclosed to THISDAY that by venturing into charter services, private jet operators squeeze out the licensed charter operators out of the market “We pay VAT; they don’t pay such taxes. We are strictly regulated, while they are not. We pay charges as commercial charter operators; they don’t pay those charges, so they can afford to charge lower fares,” a charter operator told THISDAY.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 3, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

Senate: Nigeria Loses N7tn for Failing to Amend PSC Act Set to review oil law to boost revenue To allocate more funds to security agencies to fight insecurity Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday lamented the loss of about N7 trillion ($21billion) by the federal government over a 20-year period due to failure to review and amend the Production Sharing Contract ( PSC) Act. It has, therefore, resolved to amend the Act with a view to boosting the nation’s revenue base.

To this end, a draft of the bill to amend the PSC Act will be presented for debate at Senate plenary today.

The resolution of the upper chamber was sequel to the consideration of a motion titled: ‘Urgent need to review

and recover additional revenue accruable to the Government of the Federation from the Production Sharing Contracts pursuant to Section 16 of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract Act’ sponsored

by Senator Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah (Anambra South) and 33 other senators.

The Senate also mandated its Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Finance and Judiciary to investigate the reasons for the failure to review the provisions of the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) Act before now.

President of the Senate, Ahmad

Ibrahim Lawan, while summing up the decision of the Senate on the motion emphasised that Nigeria’s economy will gain significantly if the Act was amended.

According to him, “the monies can be injected into financing the 2020 budget. This is one important and patriotic motion we have taken so far in the Ninth Senate.

“Let me say that tomorrow (Thursday), the bill that needs to be amended is coming up at plenary for consideration and I believe what we need to do is to give it the most expeditious consideration ever.

“We also pray the executive arm of government will give it expeditious treatment because this is one bill that if amended and signed, will give us N160 billion proposed for the 2020 budget.

So time is of essence here, and therefore, we will do everything possible to pass it, and of course follow it up, so that the effect is seen in money available to finance the 2020 appropriation which will be presented possibly next week,” he stated.

Presenting the motion earlier, Ubah had said the non-review and amendment of the PSC Act had cost the federal government

about $21 billion (about N7 trillion) in the last 20 years.

“Nigeria, having lost trillions of naira due to non-review of the PSA Act, stands to gain an additional sum above N30 billion naira monthly (360 billion naira annually) if the Act is reviewed and amended,” he added.

Contributing, Senator George Sekibo (Rivers East) frowned upon the attitude of the executive, the operators of the law, saying it was agreed that the sharing formula be reviewed when the price of crude oil moved to $20.

“The price of crude has since 1999 been on the rise; it

was supposed to be revised after 15 years since the law was formulated. The country can make more money from PSC, but it hasn’t. Why have we failed? I understand that there is a cartel frustrating it because they make money at the expense of Nigeria.

The president must personally take this upon himself and recover all the outstanding arrears,” he said.

Senator Gabriel Suswam (Benue North East) stressed the need to understand the PSC and how the international oil companies investing are recouping

Continued on page...50

Labour Issues FG Seven-day Ultimatum to Conclude Action on Minimum Wage Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union (TUC) have given the federal government till next week Wednesday to reconvene and conclude negotiation on consequential adjustment for the new minimum wage.

In a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting between NLC, TUC and the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC-Trade Union Side) in Abuja yesterday, the labour movement rejected the offer by the government for salary adjustment of 11 percent for public workers on salary grade level 07 to 14 and 6.5 percent consequential increase for public workers on grade level 15 to 17.

It said the government is not realistic and therefore not acceptable to the workers.

According to the unions’ leadership, “We demand the reconvening of the meeting of the committee negotiating the consequential adjustment with a view to concluding the process that started on May 28, 2019, within one week.”

In the communiqué, organised labour tried to give credence to its demand for enhanced pay by reeling out economic indices which it said has watered down workers’ pay package since the previous N18,000 minimum wage was implemented.

The communiqué was jointly signed by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba; TUC President, Quadri Olaleye, and JNPSNC Chairman, Simon Anchaver, and Secretary, Slade Bashir Lawal.

Labour said since the last national minimum wage of N18, 000, workers have been forced to suffer huge inflation and astronomical hike in the prices of essential goods and services.

Furthermore it said petroleum price has been hiked from N87 per litre to N145 per litre translating 60 percent price increase. Also, it said electricity tariff has been increased by 60 percent while Value Added Tax (VAT) has recently increased from 5 percent

to 7.2 per cent. The organised labour blamed the government negotiating team for its alleged insensitivity to the sacrifices being made by Nigerian workers, adding that such uncooperative attitude had led to the delay in reaching a deal on the implementation of the minimum wage.

Organised labour said that it has out of its patriotic disposition demonstrated a great deal of restraint, consideration and patience with government.

“In the course of negotiations for consequential salary adjustment, organised labour had to moderate its initial position of having 66.6 per cent upward salary adjustment for workers on salary grade level 07-17 by accepting an upward adjustment of 29 per cent for officers on salary level 07-14 and 24 per cent adjustment for officers on salary grade level 15–17. Despite this patriotic gesture, government has kept insisting that it can only pay 11per cent for officers on grade level 07-14 and 6.5 per cent consequential wage increase to public workers for officers on level 15-17,” it said Labour argued that the country’s currency, the naira, had suffered devaluation from N150 to $1 in 2011 to N360 to $1 in 2019, a depreciation of 140 per cent.

Responding to the one week ultimatum issued by the leadership of the organised labour, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, promised that federal government would restart negotiations on the minimum wage consequential adjustment.

Ngige, who spoke to THISDAY on telephone last night, said though ministries are presently busy with matters relating to 2020 Appropriation, he was optimistic that a meeting of minimum wage committee would be summoned to deal with the latest issue raised by labour.

He said: “The Secretary to the Government of the Federation will do something about that and government team will meet the labour soon.”

FINANCIAL EXPERTS...

L-R: First Vice President of FCIB, Mr. Bayo Olugbemi; Chief Executive Officer, First Bank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan; President of Council CIBN, Mr. Uche Olowu; Group Chief Executive Officer, United Capital, Peter Ashade, during the dinner of 12th annual banking and financial conference in Abuja...recently

Military Committed to Constitutional Role, Says Buratai Army, NAF repel attacks in Borno, rescue 51 captives Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Military authorities yesterday restated commitment to their constitutional role of safeguarding the territorial integrity of the nation even as they intensified operations against criminal elements across the country.

This comes as the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force, repelled an attack on Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State, killing two insurgents and recovering one gun truck and anti-aircraft gun.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, said the military was unwavering in its resolve to protect the territorial integrity of the country in aid of civil authority.

He said the military had stepped up operations nationwide designed to contain criminal activities in a bid to ensure peaceful and conducive atmosphere for all and residents of the country in the last few months of the year.

“In the light of the daunting security challenges facing the country, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai wishes to reassure the good citizens of our country of the unwavering resolve of the Nigerian Army to safeguard the territorial integrity of our country in aid of civil authority.

“The Nigeria Army hereby requests our good and law-abiding citizens to go about their normal economic activities without fear of molestation. The populace is equally requested to please assist the Nigerian Army with any useful information that will assist in our operational efforts aimed at ridding the society of criminal elements and other miscreants”, an Army statement said.

The statement signed by the Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col Aminu Iliyasu, said: “In continuation of its step-up operations nationwide, Nigerian Army troops in various operational theatres across the

country continue to decimate and frustrate activities of criminal elements.

“This is in line with the resolve of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai to ensure the prevalence of a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for all citizens and residents in the country in this year’s ember months”.

On the attack in Gubio, Borno State, the Army said it killed two insurgents when troops of Sector 3 supported by the Air Task Force (ATF) successfully repelled an attack on Gubio in Gubio LGA of Borno State.

It said the troops neutralised two terrorists and recovered one gun truck, two AK 47 rifles and one anti-air craft gun.

Additionally, 51 civilians hitherto held hostage by the insurgents were rescued during the encounter.

The troops continue to dominate the area with fighting/clearing patrols, ambush, raids as well as cordon and search operations.

“Similarly, troops of 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison while on aggressive patrol to deny criminal insurgents freedom of action within their Area of Responsibility (AOR) discovered two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted along the route in Buni Gari, Gujba LGA of Yobe State. The IEDs were safely detonated by the Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) team.

“Nigerian Army troops continued to cover other parts of the country within the ambit of Operation MESA to ensure the safety and security of the citizens. Troops of 245 Battalion while responding to a distress call, promptly intervened and averted a bloody clash at Mkpani community in Yakuur LGA of Cross River State between the youths of Ajare and Edume clans during a New Yam Festival held in the community. Items recovered from the scene include two Dane guns, one locally-made pistol, two axes and one cutlass,” it said.

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House to Exercise Full Legislative Oversight on MDAs, as Gbajabiamila Inaugurates 105 C’ttees N99.8bn needed for N’Assembly c’ttees to function effectively Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday inaugurated 105 standing committees, as he said the House intends, without reservation, to exercise the full authority of the legislature with regards to the oversight of the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) He, however, pointed out that the purpose of such oversight would not be punitive, neither are they intended to be adversarial, but in furtherance of the green chamber’s shared objectives of national development, peace, progress and prosperity for all.

The Speaker stated this at the plenary during the inauguration of the committees of the ninth House which had in attendance the presiding officers, former principal officers and members, former clerks, service chiefs, and representatives of MDAs. He said the legislative committee system is as old as the legislature itself, stressing that it is through the committees that most of the work of the legislature is done, and accomplishments are achieved.

The Speaker noted that whatever the judgment of history would be for the ninth House, whether for good or not, would depend largely on the conduct and activities of the committees.

Gbajabiamila stressed further that in constituting the committees, the leadership of the House had taken time to ensure that members are assigned to committees that fit perfectly with their legislative interests and priorities; their prior experience and skills as well as the identified needs of the constituencies they represent.

The Speaker said it was now left to the chairmen and members of the committees to go forward and show themselves capable of meeting the responsibilities to which they have been assigned and deserving of the mandate which they hold in trust for the Nigerian people.

He, therefore, charged them to be dutiful in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities of

oversight and law-making, while ensuring that at all times, their conducts are without reproach, and their service is motivated only by considerations of the best interests of the country.

According to Gbajabiamila, “Let me use this opportunity to appeal to the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the government for their cooperation and collaboration. It is only through our joint efforts that we can meet the objectives of the administration and keep the promises we have made to the Nigerian people.

“We in the House of Representatives intend, without reservation, to exercise the full authority of the legislature as it relates to the oversight of the MDAs. However, our purposes are not punitive, neither are our intentions adversarial, but in furtherance of our shared objectives of national development, peace, progress and prosperity for all. To this extent, we will be fully supporting and empowering our committees for effective oversight, particularly the Committee on Legislative Compliance.”

The Speaker, therefore, directed the Ad–hoc Committees on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and that on the Ports and Harbours to conclude their investigations and submit their reports by October 4, 2019.

He also directed that all other ad hoc committees should conclude their activities and submit their reports before the October 14, 2019.

While commending the chairmen and members of the ad-hoc committees for their dedication and a job well done, Gbajabiamila said the House had begun to act on some of the issues they have unearthed and the recommendations they have made, adding that these efforts would continue through the respective standing committees.

Earlier, the former DirectorGeneral of National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Ladi Hamalai, while presenting a paper on ‘The role of committees in the presidential system of

government’, said there was very little legislative committees can do if they are not effectively funded.

She stressed that oversight visits, training, public hearings, inquiries, analysis of bills referred among others gulp money, adding that without funds, these activities cannot be carried through.

According to her, committees must be properly funded, saying it could be one of the reasons legislators are accused of being funded by the same agencies they oversee.

Hamalai noted that the total budget for the National Assembly has been between N120 billion and N130 billion, adding that it has been declining in terms of proportion to the national budget.

She stated: “In dollar terms in 2015, it was about $600million.

The United States Congress had $4.3billion to spend. Committees in the US Congress spend $295.4million in 2015. The US Congress spent $106million on only library and books in 2015.

The N18.8million allocated to the National Assembly committees can be gulped by only oversight functions and may not even be enough.

The former NILDS DG stressed that this is contrary to public outcry, while stating that the National Assembly is underfunded, adding that the committees are impoverished and compromised.

She said they are left to depend on MDAs and the sponsors of bills to fund their activities, which she said, was a negation of their independence and some of their ethical codes She added that there was an urgent need to improve the funding of committees through budget allocations On his part, the Speaker of the fifth House of Representatives, Hon. Ghalli Na’Abba, said the engine with which the parliament works is the committees.

He said he felt highly embarrassed when committees visit ministries and parastatals, stressing that he felt these parastatals and ministries should be invited to come to the National Assembly.

Again, Police Uncover Baby Factory in Lagos, Rescue Pregnant Girls Barely two weeks after 19 girls were rescued from a baby factory in Lagos State, another set of pregnant girls have been found by policemen attached to the Isolo Police Division.

The seven victims had reportedly escaped from another baby factory in the Isolo area and were fleeing when the attention of the police was called to them.

The girls, aged between 13 and 27, had fled where they were camped after they discovered that their babies would be sold.

Stranded and lost, they loitered at Cele bus stop, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway around 1a.m.

yesterday.

It that gathered that the Isolo Divisional Police Officer led a team to area and took them into custody.

The pregnant girls reportedly had a two-year-old girl with them.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, who confirmed the development, said the seven girls claimed that they were tricked to Lagos.

“They said they were about 20 in the facility and they were brought from different places, including Imo, Abia and Rivers states. Five of them came from Imo State.

“They were all brought

under different guises, mostly employment. Some of them were promised help.

“The 13-year-old among them said she was raped in her village and she became pregnant. When she was confused on how to handle the situation, somebody offered to help her and that was how she was brought to Lagos, not knowing that she was deceived.

“When they all discovered that it was a baby factory and their babies would be sold, they wanted to go, but the madam held them hostage.

However on their own, they ploted their escape and eventually fled last night,” he added.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͱ˜ 2019

COMMENT

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

THE AIG IDEA FOR PUBLIC SECTOR

The selection of Ifueko Omoigui Okauru as visiting fellow at Blavatnik School of Government is well- deserved, writes Olusegun Adeniyi

T

he recent confirmation of the former Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service of Nigeria (FIRS), Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui Okauru as the 2019-2020 Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) Visiting Fellow of Practice at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, was one of the easiest decisions taken by the Advisory Board. The annual Fellowship is awarded to an individual from either Nigeria or Ghana who has demonstrated evidence of outstanding contribution to public good, through exemplary leadership.

Omoigui Okauru comes highly recommended as a public official who does her job with professionalism and integrity and that stood her out in the course of the selection process led by our Advisory Board Chairman, former President Olusegun Obasanjo. “Our partnership with AIG continues to bring inspiring individuals to the Blavatnik School and to the wider Oxford community,” said Professor Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government, in accepting the recommendation. “We look forward to welcoming Mrs Okauru as the new AIG Fellow, and to learning from her invaluable experience of reforming and increasing the capacity of Nigeria’s tax authority.”

Past recipients of the AIG Fellowship are former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega and the immediate past (and first female) Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice (Mrs) Georgina Wood. “AIG Fellows are selected on the basis that they have a record of professional excellence in public service,” said Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, AIG founder and chairman, who added: “Our Fellowships are not just a reward for good service; they provide an opportunity for Fellows to think through the work they have done and to use the knowledge they gain at the Blavatnik School to explore other ways of adding value to public service in West Africa”.

Mrs Okauru currently serves on the boards of several reputable public and private organisations in several states in the country. During her time at the Blavatnik School, she is expected to serve as a mentor to the AIG Scholars at Oxford and to deliver a public lecture at the University. “The AIG Fellowship is, first of all, recognition of one’s work and the need for that work to be replicated,” said Mrs Okauru, “It is also a challenge to continue building on what one has done in the past, examine what others elsewhere have done and, ultimately, to be part of a coalition of people who develop solutions which will change the African continent in a meaningful, practical way”.

It has been exciting serving on the AIG Advisory Board alongside Dr Enase Okonedo, Dean of the Lagos Business School (LBS); Alhaji Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); Mrs Yemisi Ayeni, a former finance director of the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company; Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister of Ghana and Mr Ernest Ebi, Chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc and a former CBN Deputy-Governor. Even with former President Obasanjo as our chairman, the driving force has been Aig-Imoukhuede, the founder and promoter who remains a study in tenacity.

Taking up the goal to reform Nigeria’s public service by providing scholarships for some brilliant and career-driven young men and women as well as Fellowships for accomplished professionals is no doubt noble.

However, to expect that you can create a tiny pool that would serve as a catalyst for change in a vast sea of rot is a big ask. But Aig-Imoukhuede is always looking at the positives. If we give in to discouragement, he keeps emphasising at every of our meetings, that can only hamper vision and the attainment of goal. Rather, he argues that we should target

AS AIG-IMOUKHUEDE IS WONT TO ARGUE, THE VALUE THAT A PUBLIC SERVANT PROVIDES, THROUGH THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS, IS DEPENDENT ON THE LEVEL OF INVESTMENT YOU MAKE ON THEM

incremental change. “It doesn’t matter if the big change we envisage does not happen in our lifetimes, what is important is for us to set the process in motion.”

That precisely is what Aig-Imoukhuede has been doing. Every year since 2017, AIG has awarded fully funded Scholarships to no fewer than five young, outstanding men and women from all backgrounds who are passionate about the public sector, to pursue the Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government. After their study at Oxford, it is expected of every AIG Scholar to return to their home country and apply their learning experience in the public sector. The 2019/2020 AIG Scholarship recipients are Babafemi Adebola (Nigeria), Onyekachukwu Erobu (Nigeria), Nasir Mohammed (Nigeria), Kwame Sarpong (Ghana) and Hakeem Onasanya (Nigeria).

If there is any joy I derive from the annual selection process (which involves round-robin interviews and informal interactions with the prequalified candidates), it is the fact that we have several brilliant young men and women in Nigeria who are passionate about making a difference in the public sector. “I felt an overwhelming sense of joy and relief to have met the exceptionally high standards set by AIG for the prestigious Scholarship”, said Nasir Mohammed, a Mechanical Engineering graduate of King’s College, London and a member of the 2019 cohorts. “Being selected as an AIG Scholar is a vote of confidence in my latent abilities which I intend to nurture during my time at the Blavatnik School, in preparation for my contribution to public service. I intend to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop myself both personally and professionally,” he added.

To develop as a nation, we must improve on the human capital in the public service. Yet, as Aig-Imoukhuede is wont to argue, the value that a public servant provides, through their knowledge and skills, is dependent on the level of investment you make on them. It would appear from our experience that Ghana appreciates this point better than Nigeria, given the way their authorities have embraced the scheme. The AIG Scholarship, according to Sarpong, one the recipients from Ghana for the current session who holds degrees in Administration and Law, “is a stamp of recognition of my academic abilities and leadership potential, which not only humbles me, but also spurs me to do more for the benefit of humanity.”

Despite all the challenges, the disposition of Aig-Imoukhuede reminds me of a story I once shared in one of my ‘Platform Nigeria’ lectures of a young girl who was walking with her parents along a beach upon which thousands of fish had been washed up after a terrible storm. When she came to each fish, the girl would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. Her parents and all the people watched her with amusement. She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You cannot save all these fishes. What you are doing won’t make a difference!”

For a while, the girl kept quiet, thoroughly deflated. But in her innocence, after a few moment, she bent down, picked up another fish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man with a smile of satisfaction and said, “Well, I made a difference to that one!”

That is the spirit with which Aig-Imoukhuede nurtures AIG. To change this society, that precisely is the attitude we need.

Adeniyi is Chairman, THISDAY Editorial Board

NIGERIA’S GIFT TO MANKIND

Pat Okon pays tribute to Ebiekure Eradiri, businessman, entrepreneur and director-general of BYMEDA

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t is incontrovertible that leadership is the capacity to positively affect the led or institutions. This has been one of the major areas of drawbacks for the leadership of continental organisations like the African Union Commission. This can easily be explained from the prism of lack of attention to the concern for merit and competence in selecting the leadership of various continental organisations in Africa.

This fact is hidden in the reality that you gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. And, this can only happen if competence, gained through experience and knowledge is prioritised over other considerations in leadership selection or nomination.

In terms of robust reservoir of competent human capacity supply, Africa is not lacking behind, most especially, Nigeria, which has been globally acclaimed to be a nation of immense human capacity gain.

As the process for who represents and/or gets nominated into the sensitive commissioners’ circuit of Africa Union Commission begins, West Africa and Nigeria must put forward the best, who will not only represent the region and the country well but win laurels, accolades and project ECOWAS and Nigeria positively as the true giant of Africa.

One example of such depths of Nigeria’s human capacity is Ebiekure Jasper Eradiri, who was not only born into the royal Eradiri family of

Agudama-Ekpetiama in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Nigeria, but traversed many fields of human endeavour through dint of hard work and stubborn adherence to result-oriented life-style.

All Ebiekure Jasper Eradiri has ever stood and lived for, is service to God through humanity. From his elementary to secondary and tertiary education, which eventually qualifies him as a Chemical Engineer, he has never forgotten his source, first love, which is bringing succour to the depressed and distressed.

As a man of uncommon courage and dexterity, Eradiri ventured into the world of business, after a short stint in Oil/Gas operations as field engineer with several international oil companies. His foray into the entrepreneurial world saw him midwifed a chain of businesses under the group, Stromberg Holdings with activities in facility management/ real estate services, lubricants/petroleum fluids, specialist engineering and Slickline services, amongst others.

In furtherance of his service to fatherland, he has offered his expertise in various fields and at more times that can be counted.

One of the contending challenges of the 21st century is unemployment. This is doable and has been successfully tackled in some other climes.

To help his home state of Bayelsa overcome the challenge of youths unemployment, Eradiri went further to become the Bayelsa State consultant on

micro, small & medium enterprises development attaining the status of train-the-trainer with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Abuja.

One of the pillars of an effective leadership is the depth of knowledge as it is believed that no man can give what he does not have. In search of best practices, Eradiri proceeded further with professional development courses and certificate programmes in Business/ Enterprise Growth at the Harvard University, Theory and Practice of Negotiation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, USA, Open Day Engagements in London School of Economics and the Lagos Business School. He has been in the micro, small & medium enterprises development space for over 10 years as an entrepreneur, consultant to governments, senior special advisor to Governor of Bayelsa State on micro, small and medium enterprises where he bagged the award of Best Senior Special Assistant of the Year 2015 at the Bayelsa Media Awards.

He is a trustee of several non-profit organizations, board member of BDIC Organic Polymers Ltd, governing body member of the World Association for Small & Medium Enterprises (WASME), Chevron Pin Awardee of International Association of Lions Clubs, amongst numerous other global recognitions.

Presently, he is the Director-General of the Bayelsa State Microfinance and Enterprise Development Agency (BYMEDA), which is the foremost

parastatal of the government mandated by law to promote, support and develop the micro, small & medium enterprise subsector in Bayelsa State and the activities have generated over 10,000 (direct and indirect) jobs, a feat that is being applauded globally.

He is also the alternate chairman representing the advocacy body AAASME for the SME development framework positions over the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement to the African Union Commission and also advancing the interest of African SMEs to the United Nations Economic Commission on Africa, United Nations Council for Trade & Development, United Nations Global South South Development.

Again, being a Chevron Pin awardee of the International Association of Lions Clubs, he is also a member of the select delegation to the United Nations Africa Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

He considers himself a budding social entrepreneur desirous of impacting on every community he finds himself and setting goals such as the Project Generate 30,000 (direct and indirect jobs) by Year 2020 in Bayelsa State.

In the age that Africa is challenged, if we get things right, men of immense knowledge, capacity and capability like Ebiekure Eradiri should be given an opportunity to make Nigeria proud at the continental level.

Okon is the DG, Editorial Advisory Board, Headline News

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

EDITORIAL CURBING GROWING DOMESTICVIOLENCE The law prohibiting violence against persons should be enforced

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recent study commissioned by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development and the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) with support from the Norwegian government found out that 28 per cent of Nigerian women aged 25-29 have experienced some form of physical violence since the age of15. This is, to say the least, very disturbing. To worsen matters, such abuse is not restricted to women. Last Friday in Lagos, a Federal High Court sentenced a 58-year-old farmer to 10-year imprisonment for rape and defilement of his teenage daughter. In sentencing the accused, the Judge noted the rising wave of domestic abuse of children in the country.

From physical and verbal abuse, to rape and even murder, it is evident that the authorities are not doing enough to stem the tide of domestic violence which manifests in many forms in Nigeria today. While spousal abuse cuts across both sexes, women are predominantly the THE FEAR OF BEING victims in our country.

OSTRACISED, THE LACK OF Yet abused women MATERIAL AND FINANCIAL rarely report the violence they endure RESOURCES AND THE for fear of being GENERAL LACK OF SYMPATHY AND SUPPORT stigmatised by the society. Besides, the FROM THE PUBLIC HAVE CONTRIBUTED IMMENSELY patriarchal interpretations within our TO THE GROWTH OF various faiths preach DOMESTIC VIOLENCE endurance. Inevitably, the victim and the abuser (where summoned) are usually advised to go home and find a way to settle their differences, rather than make public the injury or the violence within.

The fear of being ostracised, the lack of material and financial resources and the general lack of sympathy and support from the public have contributed immensely to the growth of domestic violence in many Nigerian homes. Curbing these tragic incidents is therefore a collective responsibility. It is also the duty of governments, at all levels, to protect the most vulner-

Letters to the Editor

able by supporting the establishment of the necessary infrastructure and wherewithal, including safe houses, wherein abused children and women can be securely accommodated, counselled and enabled to regain some confidence and self-respect.

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T H I S DAY EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI DEPUTY EDITOR YEMI AJAYI, DAVIDSON IRIEKPEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR JOSEPH USHIGIALE

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NIGERIA AT 59: THE WAY FORWARD

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t is often said that, “hard times make great men, great men create good times”. It would not be unlikely to say that Nigeria is witnessing troubled times. People are crying and lamenting about different plight and it seems the governments are not sensitive or responsive to the masses, but can we blame them? How much can they do?

To grapple with the situation bedevilling the country, we must first of all change our narratives of the concept of leadership and power. An average Nigerian sees leadership as having an exalted position and power, as having undue advantage for selfish gains. The concept of hard work and delayed gratification now lies in a silent limbo, and everyone is trying to employ quick means that are often detrimental.

What really then is leadership and power? “Leadership” is characterised by selfless service that leaves a blueprint.

“Power” on the other hand is basically influence and when used wrongly, it only causes chaos. We tend to think that only political office holders could be regarded as leaders, which is not even slightly true. We complain about the country; government and economy. What efforts have we made to improve the status quo?

Rather than sit down bemoaning, we may not wield absolute power but we have the power to affect our immediate environment through contributions that may seem insignificant; contributions such as keeping our environments clean, supporting the less privileged, creating jobs and

hile it is possible to institute criminal action against the abuser in our country, the investigative and prosecutorial capacities of our law enforcement agencies are a huge disincentive for taking such action. Civil suits for damages can be filed where a conviction is obtained, but again, the system takes a long while, giving sufficient time for interventions by ‘well-meaning’ relations as well as religious and community leaders to dissuade the abused from seeking solace from the law courts. The police need to seek for specialisation in handling cases reported by these unfortunate women, and alerted to the fact that battery and assault remain felonies in our law books, even where inflicted between spouses.

It is noteworthy that four days to the end of his administration, on 25th May 2015, President Goodluck Jonathan signed the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill into law. But it has been of little or no effect in many of the states. Perhaps it is much more important that vulnerable groups (such as women and children) be placed on the concurrent list in the constitution thereby ensuring that consistent and uniform standards apply across board and can be accessed by and for all such Nigerians. This is necessary because the incidence of violence is oblivious to ethnicity, faith or culture.

Locating vulnerable groups on the concurrent list would not preclude states from making laws on matters that are peculiar to their own contexts and jurisdictions; it would merely ensure that any Nigerian woman or child could be accorded basic and uniform protections anywhere in the country. Ultimately, it behoves all Nigerians to remain diligent and cast away the complacency that has hitherto been the bane of the victims of abuse in our midst. Ignoring the subtle signals of violence inflicted on our women and children can only lead to disruption in our families and in our society. If we therefore fail to act or report, we are all complicit.

abiding by the rule of law. All of these and more can go a long way to improve our standards of living and reputation as a nation. Nigerians should not always wait for government interventions to get certain things done. Tony Elumelu, CEO of UBA, is a great example of a leader with monumental impact. He empowers over a thousand Africans through his foundation, annually. You may not have to do what he has done, but what have you been able to do within your capacity? Have you not wondered why some politicians get traumatised over losing an election? To them it is not a call to service but a call to affluence, so such losses would be considered as a missed opportunity for selfish gains.

To narrow it down, the little efforts we make to cause a progressive change within our society are reflective of a true leader. Therefore, we are the government, each and every one who sees service to country as a duty and not a burden that only a few should bear. You do not have to be in an elective position to bring about change. It is high time we see leadership as what we can give rather than what we can get.

I do not condemn having political aspirations, because it is also our duty to take elective positions if we feel we are most suitable for it. But we should not feel that winning elections or getting appointments are the only ways we can help build a better society. Nigeria would always be our country and we are left with an option to make it or mar it by our actions or inactions.

Lance Momodu Jnr, reallancespeaks@gmail.com

FRAUD IN THE NAME OF BAIL

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silence falls upon us all…

Sadness and fear and hate, how they well in the heart and mind, whenever one opens the pages of these broken tribe, for the law and custom that is gone. Aye, and cry aloud for the men who are dead, for the courageous souls who are no longer with us, for the women and children bereaved. Cry the beloved Aniocha South, these things are yet at an end.

The sun pours down on the earth, on lovely land that man cannot enjoy…

On a daily basis the fraud going on at Ogwashi-Uku Police station in the name of bail calls for serious concerns by wellmeaning citizens of Aniocha South Local Govt Area of Delta State, Inspector-General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Delta State and the Area Commander of Police in Ogwashi-Uku. The continuous extortion of money ranging from N50,000, N30,000, N20,000,N15,000 to N10,000 from poor hapless citizens of Aniocha South all in the name of bail should be condemned by

all law abiding citizens. But what puzzles us the most is that the local branch of Nigerian Bar Association is not bothered about the violation of the fundamental human rights of the citizens.

We are beginning to believe that the police authorities are truly giving their officers target of how much money they should raise for them because these officers always claim that they were given targets by their bosses. Yet they campaign daily on the social and traditional media that the police are against corruption.

Another issue that puzzles us is that when one goes to police station to bail someone you are asked to buy dettol, toilet rolls or drop money for these items. They also claim that money for biros and papers for writing statements are not provided which made the resort to extortion of monies in the form of bails.

We call on the federal government to beam their searchlight on anti-corruption to stop these corrupt practices in police stations across the country and in particular Ogwashi-Uku. Eziokwubundu Atuegwu, Abuja

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 3, 2019 • T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 3, 2019 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY OCTOBER 3, 2019

POLITICS

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

‘Politicians in Nigeria see Politics as a Platform to Make Ends Meet’ Nseobong Okon-Ekong interacts with Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, an All Progressives Congress chieftain and Managing Director of Kano Electricity Distribution Company on Nigeria’s independence, democracy and good governance

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ow would assess the economic, political and social development of Nigeria since independence?

We have made some achievements as a people, but we are far from the expected destination. Nigeria is so blessed that our resources can cater for the whole of West Africa. But years of mismanagement and waste has kept us weak even when we are a strong nation by our resources and manpower.

We would have been there if only we had a sincere government over the years. Corruption has robbed us of our place among the comity of nations. Nigeria is complicated today not because of our diversity as a people but because of the nature of corruption that has taken our commonwealth into the pockets of a few. With the current administration in place and the willingness to fight corruption; I think we are gradually getting back on track.

This is the sincerest investment in terms of good leadership and I commend President Muhammadu Buhari for being focused in spite of the several attempts being thrown by corrupt persons to distract him from the task of governance.

You speak so well of President Buhari but some Nigerians believe that his approach to governance is slow Anyone that is serious about developing the country will do exactly what Mr. President is doing in agriculture and social investment programmes. We have had agricultural interventions by past administrations but how many worked to give farming the prominence that it now has? Many persons today are investing in agriculture all because the administration of President Buhari has done a lot to make agriculture lucrative and fashionable even to the youths and that’s why many are making a vocation out of the sector while the social investment programmes has been on and running with ordinary youths getting N30, 000 which many workers at the state level do not receive.

Believing that Mr. President is slow in his approach to governance is not bad, but I ask, the years of speedy implementations of policies by previous administrations; where has it taken us? It is not the speed but sincerity. If you are slow and yet get it settled whenever you do things, it is far better than quick implementation for personal aggrandizement that has brought us to the level we are today. Personally, I am not concerned with speed but that the right thing is done with sincerity of purpose. We have a country that we must guide and allow for the right things to take shape.

Why should Nigerians consider October 1 a special day?

Independence is a gift to every individual and by extension Nigeria as a country and people.

When a man is given the right to exercise his or her divine gift, there is nothing better than that. Many will be quick to see the negative in the country but every nation has its challenges and these challenges sometimes consume the growth and development of the country. Today is special because we got independence as a nation and we are celebrating together in spite of our differences and challenges, tribal divide and ethnic consideration. Nigeria is in unity and all credit goes to the ordinary people in the farthest rural areas from Kano to Calabar, Katsina to Akure, Ibadan to Umuahia, Aba to Makurdi. That we are still together lends credence to the fact that God cares about Nigeria and that’s why statistics and figure of specifications that the country will break up have continued to fail. I think it is a special day because we still have a country with such diversity that has contributed immensely to

learn to allow the process and system to run in accordance with the laws of the land. Nigeria is a country with laws and when people allow for desperation to build houses in their hearts, then you would have more cases in court than ever. Politicians must learn to accept defeat especially when justice has been followed and seen to have been followed.

Having been a grassroots politician and businessman, what would say to the people as we celebrate independence?

The people are the major reason we still have a country we now call our own. Nigerians from north to south, east to west are extremely passionate about what they believe in. My call is for Nigerians to believe in Nigeria; that we can build and make her better again for posterity. When Nigerians believe in peace there will be peace. We can be different from what we believe in. Many of our people still believe that retaliation is the best way and not the law. This is one of the major impediments in the fight against insecurity and other crises in some parts of the country. My message is for Nigerians to believe in peace because without peace development will elude us.

We have come a long way as a people. Let’s support the current administration and see how we should contribute our quotas to better our present situation.

Gwamna our unity.

Are we making the right political moves as a nation?

The uniqueness of politics is best appreciated when we go down to the grassroots to see how it is run. Politics has done a lot to move countries like America, Canada and many other developed countries to the level where they are today. The framework and platform that politics provide are enough to institutionalize progress and development for a nation whose leaders are sincere in terms of their purpose in leadership. When the purpose of a thing is not known, the inevitability of abuse is certain. Over time, many politicians in Nigeria have seen politics as either an occupation or a platform to make ends meet while other developed countries see it as an opportunity to serve the

There are matters in the tribunal that ordinary investigative journalism could unravel but you see such in court for months. In such matters, the challenge can be thrown to the media through a simple press release instead of going to tribunal to seek a knockout of your opponent through frivolous technicalities. We must learn to know when the people speak loud and then get some pride by not wasting the time of Nigerians and heating up the polity for personal reasons by going to court

people who gave them their mandate to do so.

I commend Mr. President for changing the political norm in that regard. He has made politics more people driven than money driven. We must find our compass politically because of the power of politics as a tool for revolutionizing development.

As a major stakeholder in the power sector, what exactly do you think are the challenges of the sector?

The issue is, in our country everything bows to the authority of politics.

Those who pilot the affairs in the sector must steer clear of politics so that power sector can experience the expected outcome for Nigerians to feel the impact. Without politics, we can achieve the feat of Egypt where in one year and 6 months, got additional 10, 000MW. Also, the Ethiopians are building a 6, 450 MW dam at the Nile River. So, if it can work out there, it can work here in Nigeria too. This is why I commended the new power deal by the Federal Government with Siemens that is at the fore front of Egypt’s recent power reformation.

You just mentioned elections which is key to democracy, how do you perceive the norm of elections ending in courts?

Politics in Nigeria is unique and to be very frank, Nigerian politicians are some of the smartest in the world. They know what the people want as well as the weakness of the people. Some of them take advantage of the weaknesses of the ordinary man as a ladder to gain power and when they do, become unreachable and highly immune to certain criticisms. Not until there is sincerity of purpose, we will continue to end our elections in courts.

I am not saying the rights of politicians to go to court isn’t a right. As a people we must allow for national interests to take the center stage in our quest for governance. For instance, there are matters in the tribunal that ordinary investigative journalism could unravel but you see such in court for months. In such matters, the challenge can be thrown to the media through a simple press release instead of going to tribunal to seek a knock out of your opponent through frivolous technicalities. We must learn to know when the people speak loud and then get some pride by not wasting the time of Nigerians and heating up the polity for personal reasons by going to court.

You are in the distribution chain of power sector, what challenges are you facing as a DisCo? We also have our own fair share of the problems in the sector. Chief amongst these is the issue of power theft. This is a major issue and it can come in form of illegal connection, meter by-pass and other economic sabotage in transformer theft and so on. We have had to count our losses in that regard and people are still in the business of doing damage to us.

Also, the refusal to pay bills is another challenge with some customers piling up debts amounting to billions of Naira and that is not good for business. Customers must learn to pay their bills because we also purchase power for distribution.

What recommendations would you put forward to mitigate elections ending in courts?

The most important thing to note is the fact that it is the right of anyone to go to court in a democracy to seek redress when aggrieved and that must remain the case in the interest of peace and unity. We can’t deny anyone his or her constitutional right in court. The only recommendation I have is what Mr. President has initiated and I want to see that being strengthened. The issue of independence for the electoral body is very key. I observed the past elections meticulously and I discovered that President Buhari did not interfere with the electoral process with a view to influencing the result. That is the way to go. We must

What is being done to address these challenges?

We have gone very far in ensuring we tackle this issue and we are making progress. One major channel we have explored is the sensitization approach where we have been able to meet members of several communities and youths to make them know the implication of their act on not just KEDCO but Nigeria and the economy of Northern Nigeria. We are working to have a special investigation and prosecution tasks force on electricity offenses to address that. We also frown at staff assault and legal actions being calibrated to ensure that those that embark on assault on staff or damage to our equipment are made to face the full weight of the law.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY OCTOBER 3, 2019

POLITICS

‘The Government in Kogi State Today is Known for Extreme Violence’

Iyobosa Uwugiaren dialogues with Dr. Musa Wada, Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the November 16 election in Kogi State on how he intends to restore lost values to his people

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know so many aspirants contested the primaries with you; and at the end of the day you won. What effort are you making to bring everybody on board to support you and the party in the main election?

First and foremost, the primary was very free, fair and credible. The chairman of the committee, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State made it clear from the beginning that he was there to conduct free, fair, credible election. From his action, everybody attested to the fact that the election was very free and fair -- from the beginning to the end; before the gun-shot by some hooligans. As at the time of that gun shot, there were 10 ballot boxes, seven had already been sorted and counted, and it was clear, from even the calling of the names of the participants, that I was in clear lead. Fortunately, the security at the arena -- because the counting and sorting was done in public at the stadium; the security was very heavy. About 2:00 am when the criminals came out with gun shots, they were able to protect the central arena, where the voting materials were kept. Everybody scampered to safety and then the following morning we thought the PDP officials who came for the election had all left. Later, we had a sudden call from one member of the committee, a legal adviser that all aspirants should come. At that time, I thought they were already in Abuja; I had a muscle sprain after the gun shot; so I didn’t find it funny to get up; but the call was so sudden, and they said we should come back to the same hotel where members of the committee were staying.

It was opposite the Government House.

When I arrived there I saw other aspirants and after explanation from the chairman that every material from the previous day’s activity was intact, that they were able to save it-from the votes that were counted to the remaining two and half boxes that were not counted. We all agreed that the counting should continue in the presence of INEC officials and all the security agents that were present. Of course, lots of other ballot papers, belong to most of the aspirants were retrieved from the scene; and it was counted along with the remaining two and half ballot boxes that we had. The result was that I was leading with 748 votes. The second person had about 710 votes; and I was declared winner. Definitely, even in a normal election without gunshot the chairman insisted that no election is ever 100% perfect, not even considering what happened. We commended them for being able to protect all the ballot boxes and other election materials. They had the mandate to conclude the election -- because that was the last day or second to the last day for PDP to produce a candidate for the party.

Fortunately, it was accepted by the other aspirants; and there was no issue. Out of 13 of us, 11 aspirants endorsed me and declared that the exercise was free and fair. Only one aspirant went to court; and of course, the party has set up a reconciliatory committee that is going around to reconcile all everybody. I think the committee is doing its job to ensure that the various parties are reconciled before the actual election on November 16. As far as I’m concerned, there is no issue; and I know the elders of the party, who are in touch with the reconciliatory process will carry out the mandate very well. I look forward to a united, stronger party to face the November 16 election.

How prepared are you and your party for the election?

We are very much prepared. Of course there is a government in power in Kogi State; we are in the opposition. You know what happens in Nigeria, it is the party in government that will blow all their trumpet, media hype and other stuff. We are very

we are crying to the government because it has the constitutional duty of ensuring the security of lives and property. That’s why we are shouting now to the government to ensure an enabling environment where free and fair election will take place. So, we are not going to behave like government in power by using guns. Of course, if PDP wants it can follow that trail, what does it take? Are you going to kill the people that you are going to lead? That’s why we are appealing to the government. If nothing is done in Kogi State, it will be more of a war rather than election, which is not good for our democracy.

Wada much on course. We have a lot of issues to campaign with during the election proper.

This election is about issues. Our people know we can make a difference more than the people in power right now. We have a lot of issues to discuss and we are prepared.

Action speaks louder than voice, we know what we are going to talk about in this coming electioneering campaign. As a party, we are prepared; we have a campaign director already -- in the person of Hon. Yusuf. We are prepared; we are waiting for the flag off from INEC. During the campaign, we will talk about the issues.

Considering what happened in the last general election, lots of violence, so much so that elections were cancelled in so many polling units. Do you see that kind of a thing occurring again in the governorship election?

It is the same government that conducted those elections that are still in power. We are urging them to allow the election to be free and fair; people should be allowed to make their choice; violence is too heavy in Kogi politics, and we in PDP are saying the will of the people should be allowed to prevail. The government in Kogi State today is known for extreme violence, thuggery and ballot box snatching. I can confidently tell you that all the elections they claimed they won were not elections. People were driven out by some gun-carrying-young men. What are they doing is to buy guns and give them; shoot their way out and

I will declare a state of emergency because all sectors in Kogi State are dead. From education to health to human capacity development, nothing is working in Kogi State. It is not a matter of coming to lie to people in Abuja.

The real situation in the state is horrible

allow people to run away; thumb print ballot papers and announce that they have cleared all the polling units. We are shouting to the government to allow an enabling atmosphere for free, fair and credible election to take place. I can bet you, traditionally, Kogi is a PDP state. What is democracy? It is the government of the people by the people and for the people. Allow the people to make their free choice. We are appealing to the Federal Government and all the security agencies to beam their search light on Kogi State, because as far as I’m concerned, the government in power in Kogi State today has nothing to show for the last three and half years it has been in power. I want you to go to Lokoja, look around and compare Lokoja to other states in the country. No road is motorable in Lokoja, not even the one that leads to the Government House.

There are issues to debate and argue about in this election. Salaries are not paid. If the state capital is looking the way it is, you can imagine what happens in other local government headquarters. So, PDP has issues to campaign about. What we have in Kogi State today reminds me of the Idi Amin regime in Uganda; you have a conquered colony of people who are afraid to come out. Because you see people, young men in buses -- carrying guns, tormenting people and giving signals that in this election nobody should come out so that they can have opportunity to snatch ballot papers and thumb print them.

Apart from appealing to the federal government, what are you doing to protect your votes?

We do not want violence; we are appealing to the electorates; the will of the people is stronger than the barrel of the gun. Government is to ensure security of all citizens, the election zones should be protected. We are not going to take laws into our hands.

We are appealing to the people that no gun shot should deter them from exercising their right. But nobody has monopoly of violence. Two wrongs cannot make a right.

If we carry arms like government in power -- against our people, is that election or war? Are we doing election when you have dead bodies everywhere? Is this election about service to the people or wanting to stay in power against the wishes of the people? We should ask ourselves those questions. We are civilised men in PDP;

Share with us what you are bringing on board if you become the next governor of Kogi State?

I will change the narrative of governance.

The government must be accountable to the people; government must be transparent.

The government must have programmes, a plan of action through town hall meetings for people to know what you are doing, what you are getting; thinking out of the box to raise the IGR of the state. Kogi State is blessed with natural and mineral resources, limestone is there, that’s why Dangote Cement Factory is in Kogi; there is coal deposit in Kabba. Why don’t we drive the process of improving the state economically through private sector participation? People must be carried along; there must be an action plan. If I become the Governor of Kogi State, I will declare a state of emergency because all sectors in Kogi State are dead. From education to health to human capacity development, nothing is working in Kogi State. It is not a matter of coming to lie to people in Abuja. The real situation in the state is horrible. People are dying of hunger; civil servants are not paid; many pensioners are dead, and we have a government that’s claiming it has done everything that is possible to satisfy the people. If the PDP comes to power, we will be as transparent as possible to manage the resources that come to the state for the benefit of the people. Unlike today when the people and the government are pulled apart, nobody knows what is happening except when they are coming to intimidate people with gun shots. I don’t know whether we are in a military regime or a civilian democracy. So, the government that will come under PDP will be a total departure from what we are getting in Kogi today.

Why should the people of Kogi State trust you in this project?

I have experience. I have worked in the civil service for many years. Governance should be headed by someone who has the background, who has the experience in public service. I worked in the Nigerian Ports Authority; I rose from normal graduate officer to becoming the Chief Port Engineer to Port Manager of two leading ports in this country - Calabar and Onne, and I voluntarily left the public service as a Managing Director of Civic Property Limited, a subsidiary of the Nigerian Ports Authority. If am elected today, I know how it feels not to be paid salary at the end of the month. I know how to manage resources; I know how to think out of the box with a combination of good technocrats to drive the revival process of Kogi State. You need a good doctor to revive that state; bring her to the normal ward, that’s to stabilise and then start the process of growth. With my experience, I will gather the best brains in Kogi. The state has a lot of blessed men and women who can move her forward -- beyond the near comatose state it is now.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͱ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

FEATURES Pushing the Frontiers of Sustainable Agriculture through CSR

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi

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

Chiamaka Ozulumba writes that Lafarge Africa Plc has been pushing the frontiers for sustainable agriculture through its agro-ecological corporate social responsibility initiative

T

he agricultural sector is a significant contributor to the growth of the Nigerian economy. The sector has witnessed remarkable policy changes since the vision 2020 plan was introduced in 2009. In spite of these, the sector still faces many challenges such as reliance on rain-fed agriculture, smallholder land holding, and low productivity due to poor planting material, low fertilizer application amongst others.

It was reported in 2014 that agriculture contributed nearly 40 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Home Product. Unfortunately, that figure has dropped. Now, agriculture’s contribution to the GDP revolves around 21 and 22 per cent behind the service sector, which is over 50 per cent. This decline further confirms the relevance and need for an innovation such as agro-ecology.

Nigeria’s agricultural sector is dominated by smallholder farmers who work an average of four to five acres each, under rain-fed conditions. Most of them lack knowledge of modern practices, have insufficient capital and own little or no equipment of their own.

Only 40 per cent of the farmland required to feed the nation is being cultivated. What this means is that the food security of the country is threatened unless we find sustainable ways to increase agricultural output.

These food security concerns have sparked a broad discussion among stakeholders and policymakers. In 2015, world leaders charted a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The second of these is to “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture” by 2030.

Across the world, responsible organisations through their CSR activities are consistently defying the odds of operational challenges to help achieve the SDG goals and touch the lives of people in the communities which they operate. That succinctly describes the motivation behind Lafarge Africa’s agro-ecology initiative in line with its 2030 sustainability plan on circular economy, people and communities.

To this end, Ashaka Cement Limited, a subsidiary of Lafarge Africa Plc, collaborated with experts and the National Agricultural Extension and Research Lesion Services (NAERLS) ABU Zaria to develop and implement an agro-ecology intervention that will address the interlink challenges of poverty, food security and climate change. Over 600 Farmers were trained on sustainable farming and 100 farmer cooperatives were formed across 10 communities.

“We are aware of the essence of maintaining a source of livelihood and such maintenance is what we are trying to achieve with farmers in Nigeria. Globally, agriculture remains a viable source of livelihood for millions of Nigerians and we are ready to play our part in growing the capacity of these individuals. For us at Lafarge Africa, it is another step in the right direction for our sustainability programme,” said Ibrahim Aminu, the MD of AshakaCem. Human population growth and strong increases in global consumption has caused an ever-rising demand for agricultural produce worldwide. Simultaneously, weather related events and climate change is also impacting the supply of agricultural produce. Every day, countries across the world are saddled with generating ideas and implementing agricultural development programs that would help balance the scale of demand and supply of agricultural produce.

“We have been engaging with farmers at the local level to introduce them to the new solutions provided by agro-ecology. As a company, we are supporting the government and indeed Nigerians to achieve this objective through Agro-ecology” Adedeji Esan, the Plant Manager, AshakaCem.

During Lafarge Africa Plc's Agro-ecology initiative/ training programmes for farmers

Globally, agro-ecology is thriving. In East Africa, The Guardian UK reported that more than 96,000 farmers have adopted a “pushpull” system for dealing with problematic stemborer pests and striga weed resulting in a maize yields increase of an average of 1 to 3.5 tons per hectare without the use of chemical insecticides. In Kenya, nearly 400 farmers switched from single-crop maize to drought-resistant and nutritious sorghum and millet, intercropped with legumes and that

boosted yields and fetched a better price for their crops.

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) also reported that in Brazil, thousands of hill farmers using mulch to cover crops made up of legumes and grasses saw their maize yields jump from three to five tons per hectare without using chemical fertiliser.

Interestingly, in Nigeria, farmers in the Lafarge Africa Agro-ecology initiative have

also reduced seed usage by 30 per cent using new planting techniques and the usage of fertilizers has been reduced by 40 per cent.

“The objective of our agro-ecology intervention is to introduce all year round farming (three seasons) and new farming methods as a way of building local farmers’ capacity.

The initiative was part of efforts to improve sustainable food production in Nigeria; increase the resilience of farming systems and livelihoods in the company’s proximate communities and introduce sustainable farming in selected Nigerian communities,” said Folashade AmbroseMedebem the Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development Director.

Agricultural development can stimulate economic development outside of the agricultural sector, and lead to higher job and growth creation. Increased productivity of agriculture raises farm incomes, increases food supply, reduces food prices, and provides greater employment opportunities in both rural and urban areas.

Acknowledging the benefits of the agroecology programme, Suleiman Haruna, the Village Head of Ashaka stated that “this project has introduced us to new farming methods which we were not known to us. At first, we were not sure about how those techniques will work to improve our farm produce.

“However, we took the advice of the instructors and utilise the ideas. We started with the dry session farming and we recorded a lot of difference compared to our traditional way of farming. Due to the significant success recorded using the techniques for dry session farming, we did not hesitate to apply the techniques for wet session farming.

“We also recorded significant improvement.

From all indication, the yield this time around will be excellent. I sincerely appreciate this company to for their support in building our capacity and for creating means for us to be self-reliant”.

Another beneficiary, Sarkin Lambu, a farmer from the Jugol Borkono Community three Kilometers away from the Ashaka Cement Company added that “we were supported with training, seeds, water pump machine and pesticide. After the dry season harvest, we realised a high yield compared to our traditional method, our income increased and we were able to buy additional water pump machine and a piece of land. We have seen the advantages of this new farming method and it has increased unity amongst us local community farmers”.

As a strategy for driving the agro-ecology project, Ashakacem leased 400 Ha of its land to the local farmers. So far, about 300 farmers were targeted in Jalingo, Feshingo Jalingo, Ashaka Garri, Gongilla, Jugol Gongilla, Lariski and Bajoga areas of Plateau state for training in sustainable weed control and mixed cropping techniques. Until date, more than 75 per cent of the objectives of the initiatives have been actualised.

According to Trading Economics, GDP from agriculture in Nigeria averaged N3,832,973.14 from 2010 until 2019, reaching an all-time high of N5,288,339.21 in the third quarter of 2018 after which there was a decline to N4,978,775.48 in the fourth quarter of 2018 and N3,597,916.08 in the first quarter of 2019.

“In all we believe our interventions will bolster the enviable projections for agriculture in Nigeria, to impact lives and ultimately significantly contribute to Nigeria’s GDP. Evidently, there is no doubt that sustaining growth in agricultural production is essential to meeting an increasing global demand for food to achieve food security. However, the big question often asked is if agro-ecological farming can really feed the world, with the global population racing towards 9.6 billion by 2050. However, it is clear that there is an increasing evidence it could,” Aminu concluded.

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FEATURES

For a Peaceful Voyage Henry Ugbolue who reviewed alice, the the Air Peace inflight magazine, writes that it is more than just a journal to enhance passengers’ flying experience

A

lice, the Air Peace inflight magazine is more than just ajournal to enhance passengers’ flying experience. It is undeniably, a magazine in a class by itself. alice isbeautiful. Anyone who loves design, literature or any form of writing may notlikely escape the charm of its aesthetics and essence.

Apart from the journal’sstriking layout and excellent production that are eye-catching, alice is well packaged. The contributors and their columnsare also unique and real. For anybody familiar with inflight journals here oroutside the country, this latest addition has gone an inch further. It has alsoraised the bar with its writing, research and documentation.

A magazine of this naturedraws substantially from life stories and related issues around culture,history, health, cuisine, people, places, events, festivals and lifestyle. Agood inflight journal should also accommodate reviews, exhibitions, books,theatre, music, visual art, dance and pottery. With the editions at my disposal, it isevident that alice is kicking and on course. And if the room forimprovement is the biggest room, then the onus is now on the production andmarketing teams to consolidate and keep exploring and experimenting. That, clearlyis the only way to maintain the high

standard.

I love alice andthe reasons are not far to seek. I have always maintained that a people withoutknowledge of their history and culture are doomed. If you look around Nigeriatoday, you will agree that there could not have been a better time to addressissues of culture, peaceful co-existence, history, mediocrity in high places, relevanteducation, national

If alice continues to celebrate and document Nigerians and their unique ways, I am sure it would have succeeded in inspiring young peopleand others in search of life. A new Nigeria is still possible if the rightthings are done. I commend alice for being a vehicle and I hope it remains true to its mission

pride and solidarity.

For me, the question thatusually comes to mind anytime I think about Nigeria, is: what is our nationalethos as a people, our tongue and tribenot withstanding? This is a question that most Nigerians do not have easyanswers to for very obvious reasons. But we all know the national ethos of theUnites States of America, which is the American Dream. In the belly of the inexorableAmerican Dream, which is a set of ideals, are democracy, freedom, rule of law,inclusion, human rights, liberty, equality, equity, justice, opportunity andfraternity.

These virtues are either absent or nonexistent here and in mostparts of Africa.

But we can learn very useful lessons from these American standardsand the Americans themselves who live in a far more complex and complicatedenvironment.

But it is heartwarming tonote that alice is filling some of the gaps and drawing our attentionagain to long-forgotten institutions, monuments, dynasties, artifacts, personalities and institutions we once helddear.

In the editions underreview, I had the privilege of reading once again, the moving story of MarySlessor, aptly titled: The Scottish Heroine of the Niger Delta.

There are alsoother interesting stories like the Asaba Monarchy: a Historical

Perspective; The Grandeur of EyoFestival in Lagos; Ikogosi Warm Spring; Historical Facts About the Great BeninEmpire; Connecting the World Through Sharjar, UAE; the Grand Bonny Kingdom and The Rise, Again,of Ghana. There are other features like Museums in Nigeria, 10 Must See Placesin Owerri, Nigeria’s Street Food, Tips on how to Avoid or cope with inflightsickness, Best Places to Shop in Dubai and Must-See Places in Kaduna, amongothers.

The magazine has promise,but it must also innovate. I made this point earlier because the key to itssuccess obviously lies in the journal’s ability to keep updating and adaptingto changes. Personally, I would want to see great interviews, betterphotographs, travels and more festivals. In addition, pictures come alive onlywhen they are captioned.

Therefore, every photography, no matter howinsignificant, must be captioned for identification and effect. Nigerians lovelife; they also like to celebrate. The journal can take advantage of all theseand more.

If alice continues to celebrate and document Nigerians andtheir unique ways, I am sure it would have succeeded in inspiring young peopleand others in search of life. A new Nigeria is still possible if the rightthings are done. I commend alice for being a vehicle and I hopeit remains true to its mission.

22

THURSDAY OCTOBER 3, 2019 • T H I S D AY

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Quick Takes Konga Introduces Independence Promo

Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹ ĂœĂ?Ă?ÎÙ× Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ ÞÙ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă–Ă“Ă Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹ Ă™Ă˜Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁË› ÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?ÒÙÚÚĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă• ÞÙ ĂœĂ&#x;Ă?Ă’ ÞÙ Ă Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹ ĂœĂ?ÞËÓÖ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ă? ÞÙ ÞËÕĂ? Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ë›

Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂŁĂ™ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ ÕÙÞ̋ Ă•ĂšĂ?Ă˜Ă? ĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽËœ Ă‹Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă™Ëœ Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ëœ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‘Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă?ÒÙÚÚĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂžĂœĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĚ‹ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœËœ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ—Ë› Ă’Ă?ĂŁ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ÑÒÞ̋ËĂ?ĂžĂ?Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă“ ͹Ͱ˪˪ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ͳ͎ˏ Ă?Ëœ ÍŻÍł ÖËÚÞÙÚ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ù×Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă’Ă?Ă˜ Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;ÓÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă™Ă? ÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹Ëœ Ă?Ë› ĂœĂŁĂ?ÞËÖ Ă’Ă“ĂŽĂ‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ëœ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă–Ă—Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹ ĂœĂ?Ă?ÎÙ× Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ë› ËŤ Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÖÙãËÖÞã Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ? ÑÙÞ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ĂĄĂ? Ă?âÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽË› Ă? Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ËÞĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?ÞÖã ÞÙ Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ăž ÞÒÓĂ? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ë› Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă•Ă?ÚÞ Ă?ËÓÞÒ åÓÞÒ Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹Ë› ËŤ Ă˜Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ?ĂŒĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂĄĂĄË›Ă•Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹Ë›Ă?Ù× ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜Ă• Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă“Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?ÎÙײ ËŤ Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă?ĂŽËœ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂĄĂ“Ă?Ă’ ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙ Ă–Ă“Ă Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ’ĂŁ ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂŁĚ‹ Ă“Ăž Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁË› Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă• ĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂĄĂĄË›Ă•Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹Ë› Ă?Ù× ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂŁËœËŹ Ă?Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽË› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ĂĄĂ“ĂŽĂ?Ë› ÞËĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹Ëœ ĂœË› Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ–Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? ÖËäË Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ÙÖÎ Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂ“Ă‹ĂžËœ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă? ÍˇĂ‹Ă—Ëœ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ùà Ă?Ăœ Í°Íľ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ăž Í°ÍŽ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă— ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă— Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœË›

BANKING AND FINANCE CONFERENCE

L-R: Registrar/Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr. Seye Awojobi; Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Nnanna; CIBN President, Dr. Uche Olowu; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; 1st Vice President, CIBN, Mr. Bayo Olugbemi; Commissioner for Budget, Lagos State, Mr. Samuel Egbusi, and CEO, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, during the 12th Annual Banking and Finance Conference held in Abuja‌recently

FG Moves to Address Insecurity Issues of Unregistered SIM Cards Stories by Emma Okonji In a bid to tame insecurity emanating from unregistered and improperly registered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), through the directive of the Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, has successfully blocked and deactivated 9.1 million improperly registered SIM cards across all networks in the last one month.

Pantami, who gave the information in a statement signed by the Deputy Director in charge of Information and PR Unit, Ministry of Communications, Mrs. Philomena Oshodin, said

TELECOM the NCC had within the same period, blocked a total of 6.8 million improperly registered SIM cards across all networks and later revalidated and reactivated the 6.8 million SIM cards, after their owners had gone to their network providers to revalidate their SIM cards after they were initially blocked.

According to the statement: “The NCC has ensured that all improperly registered SIM card numbers have been blocked. “This was as a result of Pantami’s directives that no improperly registered SIM card number should remain active beyond 11:59pm of Wednesday,

25th of September, 2019. “Subsequently, according to the report submitted by the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC on Thursday, 26th September, a total of 2,277,311 improperly registered lines have been blocked. “As earlier reported, 6,830,249 lines have been revalidated since the directive was given. Pantami has reiterated the need for all improperly registered SIM cards to remain blocked until they are properly registered.�

Pantami, therefore urged the NCC to redouble its efforts in ensuring that the momentum was sustained.

The actions of the minister and NCC in deactivating

unregistered SIM cards, were not unconnected with the increasing rate of kidnapping in the country, where families of kidnapped victims are notified through phone calls with hidden identities that make it difficult for the Police to trace and track the kidnappers because their SIM cards with which the calls were made, were improperly registered with fictitious identity and wrong image capturing.

The situation, which has lingered for too long, gave the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) serious concern, which prompted several meetings between ONSA and Continued on page 24

CBN to Curb Piracy with Digital Payment Options Worried about the huge financial losses incurred by the Nigerian Creative Industry, through piracy of movies and music, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said it is set to address the challenge by creating digital payment options and contents to enable Nigerians have multiple digital channels to purchase movies and music.

CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, said this at the Creative Nigeria Summit, organised by Think Tank Media, which held in Lagos recently.

He said: “Despite our large population, the lack of widely

TELECOM accessible shopping platforms, smuggling of goods, piracy, as well as lack of digital payment options have limited the growth of the creative industries in Nigeria relative to countries such as South Africa and Kenya. “Indeed, we read about how the income due to our young movie personnel and musicians are stolen through unpaid royalties. We intend to work with your cooperative associations to ensure that all revenues/royalties due our creative youths enter their bank accounts rather than

being stolen.�

Citing a report by PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PWC) that South Africa, with a population of 53 million generated close to $85.3 million in consumer spending on music in 2018, a figure much larger than that amount spent in either Kenya or Nigeria, coupled with South Africa’s per capita music spending of $1.61 that is far greater than 43 cents spent in Kenya and 25 cents spent in Nigeria, Emefiele said: “By this measure, if we are able to address these challenges which have constrained the growth of our creative industries, enormous room for growth

exist in the Nigerian market.�

Emefiele assured Nigerians that the CBN would do its best to ensure that entrepreneurs in the creative sector obtain their fair share of what is derived from their hard work, adding that CBN intends to curb the worrying phenomenon of piracy of movies and music. “One way we intend to curb these acts is by supporting the development of digital content and widely accessible platforms under which every Nigerian can purchase or rent movies/ music via their mobile phones. “We recently granted Continued on page 24

Fintech Association Holds Conference

Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă?Ă• Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă?ÙÚĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞã ÞÙ Ă‹ ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ě‹Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? Ă Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? ÒËÚÚĂ?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ Ă—Ă&#x;ÖÞÓÚÖĂ? Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ?ÙÕĂ&#x;ĂžĂ‹Ëœ Ă•ĂĄĂ‹ ĂŒĂ™Ă—Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ͱ͜ÞÒ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ÞÙ ÍŻĂ?Ăž Ùà Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍˇËœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă™Ă–ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ Ͱ͡ÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ͹͎ÞÒ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă?Ă• ĚŽ ËŤ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ åÓÞÒ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë? Ă’Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?ËŹ ÒÙÚĂ?Ă? ÞÙ ÞËÕĂ? Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ăš Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;ÚÞĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽË›

Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă˘Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă•Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂœĂ“ĂŽĂ‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă‘Ă‹Ăš Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă?Ě‹ ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ËšĂšĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă–ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă?Ă?ËšĂ“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă?Ëœ Ă?ÞÓ×Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ĂŒĂ?ÞÞĂ?Ăœ ÚÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă—Ă?Ëœ Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă– Ă?Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžËœ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ÞËÖĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă? ĂŽĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă?âÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂœĂ‹Ă Ă?Ă– Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂĄĂ‹Ă Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă?Ă˜ ĂŒĂŁ Ëœ Ă–Ă™Ă&#x;ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ‘Ă? Ù×ÚĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă•Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁËœ Ă™ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? ÒÙå ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ë›

Ăž Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ăœ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă›Ă&#x;Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă’Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÙ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă?ÓÑÒÞã Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ëœ ÞÙÚ ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ëœ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ě‹ Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ&#x;ĂšĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÎÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ëž Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹ĂšĂ™ĂœĂ?Ëœ ˛˜ Ëœ Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ëœ Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă&#x;Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă˜ĂŁĂ‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë›

ICSL Wins Connectivity Award

Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞã Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞã Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂœË› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă’Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù× Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ě™ ĚšËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁË› Ă’Ă? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ě™ ĚšËœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă?âĂ?Ă—ĂšĂ–Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“Ě‹ Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ĂĄĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă‹ Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ě™ Ěš Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă“Ăž Ă‹ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă“Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă‹Ăœ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁË› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ù××Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ăž ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă? ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă?âĂ?Ă?ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ë›

“Many young Nigerians have contributed significantly to the impressive growth of the Nigerian economy and have created employment for youth in Nigeria. This is just as the digital economy in Nigeria has continued to soar thereby giving impetus to the growth of ICT�

Minister of Communications,

Dr. Isa Pantami

24

T H I S D AY Ëž Íą, 2019

FG MOVES TO ADDRESS INSECURITY ISSUES OF UNREGISTERED SIM CARDS the NCC. The Federal Ministry of Communications is therefore collaborating with the relevant parastatals and security agencies to ensure that no stone is left unturned in ensuring that the security of lives and property in the nation is not compromised through the use of SIM card numbers.

Pursuant to this, it had directed that the profiles of persons linked to crime, aided and abetted by the use of SIM cards, should be promptly provided to the relevant security agencies when requested and a copy be sent to him for monitoring.

Pantami, had assured Nigerians that the ministry would continue to work with relevant parastatals and security agencies in the background to ensure that SIM card numbers are not used as a platform for committing crime.

CBN TO CURB PIRACY WITH DIGITAL PAYMENT OPTIONS Approval in principle for establishment of Payment Service Bank licenses to firms affiliated with the telecoms and fintech industries. We believe this measure will help accelerate our efforts at ensuring more Nigerians have access to mobile financial services, particularly in underserved parts of the country. “This will also enable Nigerians to purchase music, and movies via bank accounts linked to their mobile phones,�

Emefiele said.

During a panel session at the Creative Nigeria Summit, the Managing Director of GTBank, Mr. Segun Agbaje said the bank had always turned ideas to bankable products that would support the initiative of CBN to address piracy in the creative industry. “Our financial business portfolio is open to young entrepreneurs who are in long term business and are willing to payback loans, Agbaje said.

Addressing the challenges in the textile industry, Emefiele said the CBN had also engaged in efforts to limit the smuggling of textile materials into the country.

Alake: Corporate Governance Key for Firms’ Survival Peter Uzoho

without looking back, adding that the company would continue to thrive because there would be transferred vision and goals. “There would be effective corporate governance and shared operational sustainability.

These are fundamental reasons why a business must have a proper and effective board. “As Chairman/Managing Director of Unilever Plc, he (Dr. Michael Omolayole) initiated a succession system that groomed and trained Nigerians for top

positions. “He was a stickler for sound and strong corporate governance, which to him is of more importance than immediate gratification. Today, he is rewarded for his tenacity with the longest annual running lecture series in management being held in his honour,� Alake added.

Earlier in his remarks, the President and Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), Prof.

Olukunle Iyanda, noted that good corporate governance

was extremely necessary for building trust in corporate Nigeria According to Iyanda, currently, Nigeria is facing a trust deficit that is cutting across both public and private sectors — this trust deficit is due to the abuse of trust and has to be rectified through good corporate governance.

He affirmed that good corporate governance practices were fundamental to a company’s success, enabling access to capital, mitigation of

risks and safeguard against mismanagement.

Also, in her welcome address, the President of AIESEC, Brenda Nwagwu, noted that the lecture series had served as a veritable source of quality management education and insight for Nigerian professional managers.

Nwagwu added that Omolayole was an epitome of integrity and professionalism who played a significant leadership role over the years in the industry.

Corporate governance and proper succession planning has been identified as a key driver for the survival of indigenous companies.

The Group Managing Director of Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Olakunle Alake, made the assertion in Lagos, while delivering a paper titled “Corporate Governance and Succession Planning,� at the 35th Omolayole Management Lecture Series, organised by AIESEC Alumni Association recently.

Alake, also said the absence of sound corporate governance structures and good succession planning was the reason indigenous companies hardly outlive their founders.

He added that many great indigenous businesses collapsed partly because effective corporate governance structures and succession processes were not put in place to ensure that these businesses were sustained.

According to him, “for businesses with poor corporate governance structures, the founder is often the chairman and the chief executive, and made all decisions. “They believe in owning all without a thought for tomorrow. He alone has the vision, energy, strategy, and ran the business. When the man dies, the business dies.�

Alake, however, pointed out that with a good board, sound corporate governance structures L-R: Facility Manager, The Milk Booster Limited, Mr. Obinwanne Chikezie; Distributor\Marketing Manager, Amajioyi Julliet Chidalu; and proper succession plan- Production Manager, Obinwanne Ifunanya and Managing Director, Mr. Obinwanne Chibueze, during a media brieďŹ ng in Lagos‌ PHOTO: KOLAWOLE ALLI ning, the founder could retire recently

MEDIA BRIEFING

Verve Promises EfďŹ cient Payment Solutions Delivery Stories by Emma Okonji Verve Card has promised to continually improve financial inclusion across borders and make payments much more seamless and efficient.

Founder/Group Managing Director, Interswitch Group, Mr. Mitchell Elegbe, promoters of Verve Card, made the promise during a media event in Lagos, recently to mark Verve’s 10th year anniversary.

Elegbe, stated that the card scheme had experienced steady and explosive growth in the payment segment.

According to him, “Our card

scheme has grown from just an idea to solve the payment inefficiencies in Nigeria, into a bouquet of innovative payment solutions for Nigerians, Africans, and the rest of the world. “I consider these first 10 years as years of consolidation and growth. We anticipate the next 10 years to be years of massive investment in unprecedented payment service delivery.�

Noting that nothing good comes easy, Elegbe, said the company had its fair share of turbulent times, but succeeded in overcoming it because of its people. “Our people have trudged

on, ensuring that objectives set are met, projects are delivered, relationships with partners are well nurtured and ultimately, customers are satisfied. “All these have helped the brand to earn its stripes and come this far. Today, the solutions and products Verve has brought to the marketplace demonstrate what can happen to any endeavour when met with the right people, opportunities and environment,� Elegbe said.

CEO, Verve International, Mike Ogbalu III, who narrated the story of Verve, said the product remained one of resilience, innovation, determina-

tion and most importantly, a business proposition that has turned out to be successful.

He added: “At the time Verve was introduced, Nigeria was dominated by international card schemes. There was the need to have a domestic card scheme with better understanding of the needs of the Nigerian populace and Africans at large. “Today, we have built a payment solution that does not only allow ease of payment across Africa, but has a superstructure that the rest of the world is willing to embrace�

He added: “Verve is not only a payment card; Verve

has become a lifestyle for its users. It is the way we pay, play and interact. Verve is both a contact and contactless payment solution, a physical and virtual store of value. It is African’s key to exchange�.

Currently, the Verve Classic card is issued in Nigeria and eight other African countries and accepted in 21 African countries; while the Verve Global card is accepted in 185 countries including the US, UK and Dubai.

Verve is a leading payments technology and card business in Africa established by Interswitch Group in 2009.

‘Creativity, Innovation Will Enhance Investments in ICT’ Group Business Editor

ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă‹ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ă‹ Capital Market Editor

ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?

Comms/e-Business Editor

Ă—Ă—Ă‹ Ă•Ă™Ă˜Ă”Ă“ Senior Correspondent

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

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

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

Citing the over $70 billion contribution to Gross Domestic Products (GDP) by the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, the President of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Olusola Teniola, has said with technology innovation, driven by creativity, the ICT sector could contribute more to the Nigerian economy.

Teniola, who gave the assertion at the third edition of Nigeria Technology Innovation and Telecoms Awards, which held in Lagos, recently, that was organised by ATCON, in collaboration with lnstinctWave, said innovation attracts investments and the ICT sector has

been very innovative and could attract more investments to the Nigerian economy. “To drive further investment into the sector, it is believed that the adoption of creativity and innovation will automatically lead to further investment in the sector both locally and internationally. The new innovations require further investment for its continuity,�

Teniola said.

He further explained that ATCON has identified ICT players that have contributed to the sector growth and decided to reward them through various categories of awards. “ATCON used the occasion to reward individual ICT

players and organisations who see innovation as a key driver of the industry in order to motivate them to do more. “As some companies and individuals receive awards, it is our utmost belief that it would encourage innovation and creativity that would not only disrupt the Nigerian telecom sector but will impact globally. This we believe will influence further investment in the sector,� Teniola said.

According to him, “We also decided to collaborate with lnstinctWave to give the most authoritative and recognised awards to innovative and deserving individuals because our industry has contributed a lot

to the Nigeria GDP, according to latest statistics from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which puts the contribution at l3 per cent.� “Our thinking is that if we decide to ignore the contribution that our sector has made to the development of Nigeria by not recognising the actors that made it possible what we are saying invariably is that we are ungrateful to their concerted efforts in changing the story of our industry. “We hope with this initiative of rewarding excellence, Nigerian government would pay more attention to our sector by removing all barriers that are militating against the growth

of our industry like multiple taxation, right of way issues and lack of disbursement of forex at the official rate to our sector,� Teniola added.

ICT innovation has impacted positively on the products and services being rendered by all these organisations and ‘ATCON thought the only way to encourage further innovation in the industry is to reward those who are not resting on their oasis but striving to make a difference in the sector. “Nigeria as a nation can only take advantage of the digital revolution that is going on in the world if more attention is given towards youth creativity,�

Teniola said.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱ, 2019

25

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Telecoms Still Battling with Multiple Taxation Fifty-nine years after independence, telecoms operators still groan under multiple taxes, despite the positive impact of telecoms on the Nigerian economy, writes Emma Okonji

T

he information and communications technology (ICT) sector, no doubt, has positively changed the Nigerian economy, contributing over $70 billion to Nigerian Gross Domestic Products (GDP) since the telecoms sector was liberalised in 200. Yet the telecoms industry is fraught with challenges, especially the challenge of multiple taxation.

Successive governments across the country have always seen the telecoms sector as a veritable source to raise their internally generated revenue (IGR), and had always imposed multiple taxes on telecoms operations since its inception, a situation that has been described by operators as a cog in the wheel of progress for the telecoms industry.

Having attained independence in 1960, and with 18 years of telecoms liberalisation, one would be quick to think that by now the telecoms sector should have been stabilised from all manners of challenges. However, 59 years down the line, the sector is still faced with myriad of challenges, despite its impactful contributions to national development.

Multiple taxes Governments across the country have continually imposed various taxes on telecoms operations, a development that is giving telecoms operators serious concern.

In an attempt to enforce payment of the taxes, government agencies across states, seal up telecoms sites and disrupt telecoms operations in and around the state.

The Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, for instance, last year and this year, shutdown several Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), commonly known as base stations belonging to telecoms operators in the state for alleged refusal to pay imposed levies.

Telecoms operators have contested the taxes and described them as multiple and overlapping in nature, yet state governments and federal government agencies are still bent on collecting the levy to boost their IGR. Some of the taxes include: Company Income Tax, NITDA Levy, Education Tax, Annual Operating Levy on Net Revenue and VAT on consumption of services, Carbon Emission Tax, Utility Tax, among others.

Apart from Kogi State, several other states have also compelled telecoms operators to pay such levies and taxes and they have gone as far as stopping telecoms expansion work in their various states.

Service quality Since independence, Nigeria has been battling with service quality, but it became more prominent after the licensing of GSM operators in 2001. Since the rollout of GSM services in 2001, subscribers have been battling with service quality offerings across networks. It is either subscribers are unable to effect calls, unable to recharge their phones or they are burdened with intermittent drop calls and non-delivery of text messages, as well as unsolicited text messages and advertisements.

President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Olusola Teniola, however, blamed the issue of poor service quality across telecoms network on lack of investments, which he said, degenerated the quality of service since 2015.

“It is obvious that since 2015, foreign direct investment (FDI) in the telecoms sector, dropped by 85 per cent, which affected expansion in telecoms network, and slowed down network upgrade Base Stations and telecoms towers.

In the last three years, capital expenditure (capex) in telecoms also dropped as a result of the drop in FDI investment. While this was going on, Over The Top (OTT) players like WhatsApp, Skype, and Instagram, made serious incursion into telecoms network by offering free telecoms voice service, while riding on telecoms infrastructure. The situation affected voice calls and there is a paradigm shift from voice calls to data communication.” Teniola said.

He added that the willful destruction of telecoms facilities across some regions of the country, also affected service quality.

To address the challenges, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the

“ New technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), will drive innovation and Nigeria must take advantage of them since we cannot be left out in the digital transformation that is currently cutting across globe,” Teniola said, adding that in harnessing tech talents in the country, government will be able to generate digital capital. He further said the federal government must consider setting up a new broadband committee that would drive the next National Broadband Plan to further boost broadband penetration and internet access.

Government, according to Teniola, must also push for the passage of Critical National Infrastructure Bill that is currently before the National Assembly in order to protect telecoms infrastructure and improve service quality in the telecoms sector.

Adebayo also called on the federal government to address the issue of multiple taxation in the telecoms sector and formulate policy to protect telecoms infrastructure.

telecoms industry regulator, came up with several measures, which included the introduction of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and fines, as well as ban on telecoms promos, yet the mobile network challenges continue to bite hard on telecoms subscribers across all networks.

But considering different measures put in place by the regulator and the telecoms operators, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, said there had been significant improvement in service quality delivery.

He said right of way(ROW) permit from various governments has been a barrier to broadband penetration and better service quality. He called on the various state governments to consider removing ROW barrier in telecommunications to enable faster broadband penetration and better service quality delivery in data and voice communications.

Impact Despite the challenges, industry stakeholders are of the view that the telecoms sector has impacted Nigerians and the Nigerian economy in several ways.

According fo Teniola, “The telecoms sector has brought structured transformation to the Nigerian economy, and international bodies like the International Telecoms Union (ITU),

Governments at all levels and the private sectors, all depend on ICT for their growth and development. This is true because ICT has since become the fundamental and most reliable public infrastructure that we have in the country today

has recognised the immense contribution of telecommunications to Nigerian economy and other African economies.

Corroborating Teniola, Adebayo said at 59 years of independence, Nigeria has course to celebrate. According to him, telecoms has created direct and indirect job opportunities for Nigerians and have raised subscribers’ subscription to over 174 million with a teledensity of 91.65 per cent as at July this year.

He said the progress made by the Nigerian economy since 1960, was largely depended on ICT investments.

“Governments at all levels and the private sectors, all depend on ICT for their growth and development. This is true because ICT has since become the fundamental and most reliable public infrastructure that we have in the country today,” Adebayo said.

“With broadband penetration level currently over 33 per cent, it has created opportunities for technology startups to innovate and come up with more digital solutions that will address specific challenges in the sector,” Teniola said.

While addressing global participants during the 2018 ITU Telecoms World conference in Durban, South Africa, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, said despite the challenges faced in the Nigerian telecoms sector, Its contribution to the Nigerian GDP has surpassed $70 billion.

Danbatta said telecoms investment to GDP was $70 billion as at 2017, explaining that the figure had since been surpassed, following the steady growth in telecoms contribution, adding that telecoms contribution to Nigeria’s GDP rose to 10.5 per cent in 2018, up from the initial 9.1 per cent in 2016.

Target Having achieved so much in 59 years, Teniola, however, called on the federal government to address certain key issues in order to sustain telecoms achievement. According to him, government must come up with a Digital National Strategy that will harness the digital plans of all sectors of the Nigerian economy like health, entertainment, sports, manufacturing, telecoms among others.

Broadband penetration With 33 per cent broadband penetration, stakeholders are of the view Nigeria needs more broadband penetration level to ubiquitous internet access.

In 2010, MainOne and Glo 1, landed their submarine cables from Europe through the western coast to Nigeria, and this was closely followed by the landing of MTN West African Cable System (WACS) in Nigeria, which were addition to the Nigerian SAT-3 Cable System that was resuscitated by ntel. All these were submarine cables, also known as fibre optic cables, designed to drive broadband penetration.

“Despite the avalanche of submarine cables at the sea shores of the country since 2010, Nigeria cannot boast of nationwide broadband access because of lack of investment on the part of government to build a national backbone infrastructure that will carry broadband capacities from the shores of the country to the hinterlands, where the services of internet broadband providers are highly needed. The situation contributed to the high cost of internet bandwidth in the country, industry,” Adebayo said.

According to him, broadband penetration in Nigeria remained largely mobile, and government must see the need to provide national backbone infrastructure for the country.

Telecoms growth Before Nigeria gained independence, communication was mainly through the telegraphic wire, initiated by the colonial masters, but after independence in 1960, the Nigeria Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), was established in 1985, following the separation of postal services from telecommunication services. As at that time, telecommunication was the exclusive right of the affluent in the society as only few people had access to telephony. People had to queue for hours and days, just to make international calls and sometimes local calls with the 090 NITEL line.

However, the advent of GSM in 2001 eventually demystified telecommunications, and gave every Nigerian the access and right to communicate. After 2001, Nigerians could sit at the comfort of their homes and offices to make instant calls within and outside Nigeria, through their personal hand-held devices called the mobile phones. Banking activities are now transacted on the mobile phones, without the bank customer visiting the banks.

The most eventful period was between 2001 and 2015, when the telecoms sector was liberalised.

In 2001, the first set of GSM operators were licensed. They included: Econet Wireless (now Airtel), MTN and NITEL. In 2003, Globacom was licensed and in 2008, Etisalat, now 9mobile, was licensed, while ntel was licensed in 2014, but rolled out services in 2016, after its successful privatisation process through a guided liquidation exercise.

Following the inability of NITEL to cope with competition from GSM operators, it folded up its operations and was eventually sold to NATCOM in 2014, which currently trades as ntel.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͱ, 2019

BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

CcHUB Repositions Acquires iHub to Expand Business Stories by Emma Okonji Co-creation Hub (CcHUB), a technology innovation centre in Nigeria, has acquired Kenya’s iHub for business expansion.

The deal would see iHub’s team become part of CcHUB’s wider central support and strategy network, while retaining its name and senior management structure.

CcHUB’s co-founder, Bosun Tijani, would continue as chief executive officer (CEO) across both locations. As part of the

acquisition, CcHUB would now make key hires in innovation consulting, people management, programme management and community support, as it looks to strengthen its panAfrican network and mobilise its far-reaching resources, network and relationships to accelerate the growth of technology innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa.

An industry first for the African tech hub community, the acquisition of East Africa’s most prolific and reputable

technology centre is the next step for CcHUB as it continues its mission to connect entrepreneurs, technologists and public bodies across the continent.

The move comes just seven months after CcHUB expanded into Kigali, Rwanda, with the launch of its Design Lab - the first creative space in Africa to focus solely on product design and technology innovation.

According to Tijani, “We

are long-time admirers and collaborators of iHub - a world-class community of developers, entrepreneurs and business people who have been instrumental in growing Kenya’s extraordinary technology ecosystem.

“CcHUB’s mandate is to build a formidable innovation ecosystem with a deeply rooted network, cultivating strategic partnerships and practical industry know-how that can

support entrepreneurs in building thoughtful, relevant and scalable solutions. We believe we can only do this if we are intentional and proactive in how we scale and grow our reach, not only across Africa, but also internationally. This is the reason behind our acquisition of iHub and we continue to be bullish in our combined efforts in creating hundreds of thousands more opportunities for businesses

across Africa.”

The Managing Director for iHub, Nekesa Were, said: “Over the past nine years, the iHub has been a catalyst for regional tech acceleration and a role model for innovation hubs across emerging markets. To date, over $40 million has been raised by iHub startups in early and growth stage financing and iHub portfolio businesses have contributed over 40,000 jobs to the East African economy.”

Agency Collaborates to Launch Amplify Digital Academy Amplify Digital Agency, a digital and creative marketing agencies in West Africa, in partnership with the Digital Marketing Institute of Ireland, has announced the launch of the Amplify Digital and Design Academy (ADDA), a one-stop centre for digital and design training, recruitment and consultancy.

ADDA was established to equip marketing professionals and enthusiasts with the appropriate digital marketing and design skills to thrive in their careers and compete in the global marketplace.

Explaining the reason for the establishment of ADDA, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Amplify Digital, Alexander Edem said, “We decided to establish the Amplify Digital and Design Academy because of the huge digital skills gap in Nigeria and around the world.

ADDA is stepping in to fill that gap and equip professionals with the right skills and certifications to succeed in the digital marketing industry.”

The academy offers digital marketing and design training for several groups of people such as traditional marketing professionals, business owners, digital entrepreneurs, and digital marketing professionals.

Brands and businesses in all industries are not exempted

from this list.

Current ADDA training includes the Certified Digital Marketing Professional course (CDMP), Search Engine Marketing Masterclass, Digital Strategy Masterclass, Social Media Masterclass and corporate training based on the needs of marketing and communications team within organisations.

To begin the academy’s operations in digital marketing training, the Certified Digital Marketing Professional course, offered in conjunction with Digital Marketing Institute, Ireland, will commence on October 26. 2019. It will run for six weekends after which the students will be eligible to take an assessment and get a professional certification that is globally recognised as the gold standard in digital certifications.

As the global marketing landscape is currently evolving to entrench the use of digital to reach customers, ADDA also offers consultancy services to marketing teams in a bid to help increase efficiency and drive successful outcomes, ADDA analyzes existing capabilities, discovers hidden challenges, create tailor-made solutions based on insight and research to help position marketing and communications team for growth.

Fuudnet Technology Launches Food Vending App Fuudnet Technology Limited has launched a food vending app for all categories of processed and raw food vendors, that will support fast door-to-door delivery system.

Known as Fuudzie, the mobile app is an online platform that will bring all categories of food vendors together, from where customers could search and order for processed and packaged food as well as raw food items, as soon as they download the app, which is available on Google Play Store and the Apple Store.

Speaking at the launch in Lagos recently, the Chief Executive Officer of Fuudnet Technology, Mr. Emmanuel Lawan, described Fuudzie as a food selling and ordering platform that brings together all categories of food vendors, both local and continental, to a unique online space, where they can share ideas on food

technology.

According to him, the essence is to address customer experience, speed of delivery of packed foods and the convenience in ordering any food of choice from a preferred chef and a preferred restaurant from any location.

“Customers can order from any location and payment can be made through a funded e-wallet on the platform or through the bank debit card,” Lawan said.

Fuudzie App serves as a digital market place for selling and ordering of processed foods. According to Fuudzie team, the solution allows chefs, cooks, kitchen owners, restaurants and processed food vendors to sell their food and food products to a wide audience.

It also opens food lovers to varieties of mouth-watering dishes from the comfort of their various locations.

BUSINESS FORUM

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Compact Communication Ltd, Mr. Chuddy Oduenyi; Executive Director, Leadway Assurance Company Ltd, Ms. Adetola Adegbayi; Publisher/CEO, Business Journal, Prince Cookey; Chairman, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr. Tope Smart; Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communication’s Commission, Dr. Henry Nkemadu; Co-founder, Tech Innovation Academy, Mrs. Aituas Kola Oladejo, and Publisher, Financial Nigeria, Mr. Jide Akintunde, during the Business Journal second Annual Lecture and Awards held in Lagos...recently

Smile Rewards Customers with New SMiFi, Router Devices In furtherance of its quest to always please and excite its customers, 4G LTE pioneer service provider in West Africa, Smile Nigeria, has launched a campaign that is designed to give new SMiFi and router devices to its loyal customers.

The latest offer is targeted at customers who have spent a minimum of 12 months on the Smile network.

Head of Brands and Communication, Smile Nigeria, Lotanna Anajemba, in a statement, explained that to be qualified, customers who have spent the required minimum duration of 12 months must have good data usage history and they must bring their old SMiFi or router

device in exchange for the new device.

Anajemba further said that eligible customers could only benefit from the offer once in a year and would have to update their Know Your Customer (KYC) record with Smile to enable them get notification for the offer. “ The lucky customers will be contacted via SMS and email and requested to visit their nearest Smile shop or kiosk nationwide to claim their new device. A vital aspect of the loyalty programme is that it offers the customer a router or SMiFi device at no extra cost. However, customers will have to trade in their old device for the new one. The

campaign primarily rewards unflinching loyalty.

“We recognise that the internet is becoming more and more important for nearly everybody in their everyday lives, and as such, it is our goal to enable as many people as possible to enjoy the best customer experience on the Smile network,” Anajemba noted.

Applauding the offer, a cross section of keen industry watchers in unison, said the latest loyalty offer would help fortunate Nigerians on the Smile network to become owners of brand new SMiFi or router device. They noted that the offer is part of Smile Nigeria’s objective to extend Internet access to most

Nigerians by delighting current customers and attracting new prospects alike.

Smile’s effort to get Nigerians on to the internet is demonstrated by its aggressive investment in what is now about the largest 4G LTE network in Nigeria, introduction of a wide and affordable bundle portfolio, affordable data enabled devices and now this exciting offer.

The latest offer aligns with the company’s commitment to create a differentiated value proposition and provide customer centric services, which are aimed at adding benefits to its teeming customers spread across major cities and towns in the country.

OPPO Releases ‘A Series 2020’ Smartphones in Nigeria Barely one year that it launched some sets of smartphone into the Nigerian market, global smartphone brand, OPPO, recently launched the new OPPO A Series 2020 in Nigeria.

The OPPO A Series 2020, which includes the OPPO A9 2020 and OPPO A5 2020 smartphones, are the brand’s latest offering for the mid-level smartphone market segment.

With its combination of high quality and affordability, as well as superb photography, gorgeous design and a long-lasting battery, OPPO emphasises that the A series will continue to be the essential handset to generation Z youth.

“We named this two handsets the OPPO A Series 2020 in celebration of the beginning of the new decade, also to commemorate the success of

A series over the past ten years while welcoming a whole new generation of mobile users,” OPPO Marketing Manager, Nengi Akinola, said: “The new name also reflects our vision for the coming ten years. It highlights the brand’s latest technologies, stunning design, superb photography, powerful performance and perfect tuning to the needs of young people.

Now, with these two latest handsets, the OPPO A Series 2020 offers more possibilities than ever before.”

The OPPO A Series 2020 inspires users to “Play”, with its all-purpose 48MP quad camera that pushes the bounds of creativity, and a 5,000mAh ultra battery that provides even longer use. It provides outstanding entertainment to users, helping them ease the

stress of daily life, while inspiring them to be more positive and explore more of life’s possibilities. Tailor-made and well equipped, it’s an exciting phone for young, motivated consumers who are eager to connect with the world, discover more fun and explore their curiosity. Its impressively versatile camera technology broadens users’ creative horizons, and the whole smartphone offers an immersive entertainment experience and powerful performance.

Speaking about the camera features of the smartphones, Akinola said: “The OPPO A9 2020 comes with a multipurpose Quad Camera setup, including a 48MP Main Camera + 8MP Ultra-Wide Lens + 2MP Mono Lens + 2MP Portrait Lens, while the OPPO A5 2020 also comes with a multipurpose Quad

Camera setup but with a 12MP Main Camera. These offer all-around use that can satisfy users’ needs for all shooting angles and scenarios, including the Ultra Night Mode 2.0 and a whole host of artistic portrait styles.

“The A9 2020 is equipped with 16MP selfie camera while A5 2020 with 8MP selfie camera, both using AI Beautification technology for tailor-made selfies to better cater to different markets and beauty trends.

This technology automatically identifies skin tone, age, gender, and skin color. It differentiates users for customized beautification. An all-new algorithm for smoothing out blemishes on the skin and sharper features create a make-up free look, allowing users to embrace a better version of themselves.”

T H I S D AY Ëž Íą, 2019

27

Group Urges FG to Pay Pension Arrears Ebere Nwoji

A group of pensioners under the umbrella body of Association of Retired Federal Senior Public Officers of Nigeria (ARFESPON), Lagos branch, has called on federal government to extend the minimum wage increase to pensioners and to pay arrears of 20.4 per cent increase in workers’ salaries effected by federal government under the leadership of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010.

The pensioners, said increasing pensioners’ benefits alongside salaries of serving workers’ salaries would be in accordance with Nigerian constitution.

ARFESPON President, Mr Olufemi Odewabi, who made this call in a statement made available to THISDAY. He quoted Section 173, sub-section 3 of the Nigerian constitution on Pension benefits as saying, “Pension shall be reviewed every five years or together with any federal civil service reviews, whichever is earlier.�

Commenting on the

20.4 per cent deduction which he said government was owing arrears to pensioner for nine years, Odewabi, said whereas section 173 sub-section 4 of the Nigerian constitution says that pension in respect of service in the public service of the federation shall not be taxed, the committee set up by the Goodluck Jonathan administration taxed the pensioners’ benefits in addition to other deductions it made in 2010, leaving them with just 33 per cent increase instead of 53 per cent, whereas serving workers’ salaries were increased by 53 per cent.

He explained that the above 20.4 per cent outstanding pension benefit was balance of the 53 percent increase effected by Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to workers’ salaries but which was erroneously deducted by the adhoc committee set up by the presidency.

He said though the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has tried by clearing the outstanding 33 per cent increase, it has remained

NIA Launches Fresh Motor Insurance Campaign Ebere Nwoji The Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), has said over 2.5 million vehicles plying Nigeria roads this year got their genuine motor insurance policies from its members.

The association said these represented motor vehicles that have genuine motor insurance policies.

The Director General NIA, Mrs Yetunde Ilori, disclosed this at a media briefing on Monday, to announce a campaign on the Nigeria Insurance Industry Data Base (NIID) and promotion of genuine motor insurance policy tagged: “Wetin You Carry.�

She said the association was determined to ensure that all motorists in Nigeria purchase their insurance policies from genuine

insurers.

She explained that the, “Wetin You Carry,� campaign to be championed by a 33 uniformed men and women team known as ‘The Insurance Court’ on Lagos roads would commence today and would last for one month.

She said the objective was to increase productivity and generate more premium for the industry.

Ilori, also said the target of the association was to ensure that in the next few years, the 12 million vehicles plying Nigerian roads according to Federal Office of Statistics have genuine insurance cover.

She said motorists in Nigeria had continued to patronise quack insurance sellers because they are not able to differentiate between genuine insurers and fake

ones.

This, she said was why the association resolved to concentrate on awareness creation so that vehicle owners would identify genuine operators and stop patronising quacks. “We have a platform from where we capture what insurance companies have been able to sell and what we have here shows that just over 2.5M motorists have bought genuine policies. “In Lagos State alone, we have not done up to 50percent, so where are the rest? It’s either they are not insuring or they are buying fake insurance policies,� she added. “Wetin You Carry campaign will curb the selling of fake insurance policies stressing that the insurance court will enlighten motorists on the USSD code

*556*11 to ascertain if their insurance policy is genuine or fake.�

She noted that the insurance court billed to cover Lagos State in one month and then move to other states would employ friendly approach in creating the needed awareness. “The insurance court is not there to punish anyone but to make sure they are carrying something valuable and to make sure their insurance policies are not expired “People don’t need to get caught before they know that what they have is fake, the USSD code tells you if your policy is fake or not, your expiring date and also allows you to make complaints� she said.

She said the next phase of the campaign would be the accessibility to purchase a policy.

UNDP, Sahara Group Target Energy Access to 10m Households The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Sahara Group have unveiled the Africa Renewable Energy Forum to boost access to sustainable energy for 10 million households in Africa through alternative energy initiatives and interventions.

Launched at the margins of the 74th UN General Assembly that took place in New York, recently, the Africa Renewable Energy Forum was expected to bolster ongoing partnership between UNDP and the Sahara Group that aims to create access to clean and affordable energy in Africa.

The forum would serve as a platform for policy discussions, multi-stakeholder collaboration and funding towards implementation of tailored renewable energy solutions across the continent.

Ultimately, the platform would galvanise the political momentum needed to record significant progress through strong partnerships, effective regulation and mutual accountability.

The event had senior officials from both organisations in attendance including Regional Director and Assistant Secretary General for UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa; Group Managing Director, Sahara Power Group, Kola Adesina; Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group, Pearl Uzokwe; Head Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, Bethel Obioma, and Private Sector Engagement Specialist, Sahara Foundation,

Babatomiwa Adesida.

Africa has the highest percentage of untapped hydropower potential in the world, with only 11 per cent utilisation capacity.

With over 6oo million Africans having no access to electricity, Eziakonwa said the continent urgently needs to embrace renewable energy sources to sustainably connect the poorest and hardest to reach households. “Access to energy will enhance the cause of poverty alleviation and also yield huge benefits for education, healthcare, production, and socio-economic development. “The UNDP-Sahara partnership is extremely crucial as it will provide a model for engaging a wide range of stakeholders to address the continent’s energy challenge in line with the SDG framework,�

Ahunna stated.

On his part, Adesina said the initiative has the potential to create over one million jobs in Africa as the continent continues its march towards achieving the 2030 SDG Agenda. “Renewable energy is still in its infancy as far as Africa is concerned. We need unrelenting awareness initiatives to inspire a mind-set shift to renewable energy in Africa with the various governments, private sector and development agencies leading the charge. “At Sahara Group we believe that interventions like the UNDP-Sahara partnership will enhance productivity and shared prosperity in Africa.�

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: 2nd Deputy President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dele Kelvin Oye, with President Muhammadu Buhari, during a visit to the President, at the villa in Abuja‌recently

Forensic Investigators to Establish Academy for Financial Fraud Detection Udora Orizu in Abuja The Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Professionals of Nigeria (CIFIPN) has said it has concluded every arrangement to construct an academy to serve as the institute’s training ground for prospective members and other forensic investigators.

The Protem President of CIFIPN, who disclosed this in Abuja, at a dinner and award night organised for members and stakeholders of the institute, however did not mention where the academy would be cited when established.

According to her, prospective members would be expected to undergo a one-year training and pass exams in three stages to qualify for professional membership, adding that they must be graduates

in the relevant fields to qualify for admission into the academy. “We are waiting for President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the CIFIPN bill into law following its passage at the National Assembly.

Forensic investigation is an emerging trend; it was not there in the 60s when some of the Acts were established. “Considering our projection of a pacesetter status of CIFIPN, we are hoping to acquire land that will house a state of the art forensic training centre.

The purpose of CIFIPN has been called into question while the naysayers have continued to blackmail and even procure the services of other professionals to discourage the government from doing the needful.�

She added: “We are more like never before persuaded that Mr. President will

assent to the bill in no distant time; it is on this note that we plead with the president to see the urgency that is required in ensuring that the bill is assented to.�

The CIFIPN boss also disclosed that the institute was working on establishing a well-equipped forensic laboratory for fraud investigation and analysis, appealing to stakeholders to, as a matter of priority help the institute in that regard.

She said, “This is no mean project; your support is most needed.

At the moment, we are gradually running out of enough office space. We urgently need an office accommodation that will befit the status of CIFIPN; we are counting on your unalloyed support. “Without any iota of doubt, our most ranked priority at the moment

is to see that the CIFIPN bill is assented to by Mr. President.�

However, the ViceChancellor, Niger Delta University in Bayelsa State, Prof. Samuel Edoumiekumo, urged Enape to allow the institute begin its operation in the institution, promising to facilitate a block of building to CIFIPN for its forensic training pending when the academy would be ready. “I will want this institute to have their training at my university just as we have ANAN in Jos. Some of us are at the forefront of fighting corruption and detecting fraud. “We need to incorporate forensic investigation into our university system and we can discuss with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to see how it can work,� Edoumiekumo said.

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‘Technology Will Accelerate Access to Clean, Sustainable Energy’ Emma Okonji Participants at this year’s Power Nigeria Exhibition and Conference, have stressed the role of technology in accelerating access to clean and sustainable energy in Nigeria.

They advised Nigerian governments to invest more in smart technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics and Internet of Things (IoT), in order to digitalise the power sector.

Speaking on the theme: “How to Capitalise on the Digitalisation of Nigeria’s Energy Sector�, the General Manager, PowerPro Company Limited, Mr. Adebayo Johnson, advised stakeholders in the Nigerian power sector to adopt digital technology that will enhance productivity, while focusing on security and training that will digitise energy production in the country.

The Group Exhibition Director at Informa Markets, organisers of Power Nigeria conference, Mr. Gareth Rapley, said digitalisation cuts across different industries and that conferences like Power Nigeria would help to solve some of the challenges in the power sector. “The power sector needs smart technology tools like data analytics, robotics, automation and Internet of Things that are driving digital transformation across globe. “The power sector needs to implement new technology solutions to enhance

productivity. They need to start from the basics to implement some of the technology solutions identified at the conference,�

Rapley said.

Exhibition Manager, Informa Markets, Mr. Deep Karani, said automation in the energy sector played a very big role in creating transparency and a lot of things have changed compared to what it used to be. “Today every process in global business is tilting towards digital automation and the next ten years will be a complete game changer for the entire world in terms of technology innovations in the area of Data Sciences. “But Nigeria is still running on old systems and there is need for energy efficiency to be put in place through technology investments in the power sector that will drive digital transformation in that sector,� Karani said.

Managing Director, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Adeoye Fadeyibi said, “There are plans being put in place to transform the way energy, particularly electricity, is being produced, consumed and stored, as the government has recognised the need for a smart and flexible energy system. “With the current consumption of energy in Nigeria, I believe that it is time for energy systems to be designed in such a way that optimisation is guaranteed as well as digitalisation of the grid.�

Oramah Seeks Platform to Facilitate Cross-border Trade The President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Prof. Benedict Oramah, has urged African countries to create vehicles that would make it possible for manufacturers to trade across the continent.

Speaking during an event on the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa 2016-2019, organised at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, recently, Oramah argued that manufacturers needed somebody else to handle the export and trading of their products as they were not equipped for those roles.

Export trading companies had been one of the approaches used to tackle that challenge, he said, adding that the creation of the African Continental Free Trade Area also attempted to address the issue.

Oramah, said previous efforts by African countries to use manufacturing and industrialisation as engines for development and growth had failed largely as a result of issues such as lack of access to market, lack of capital

and skills and inadequate infrastructure.

He stated that many large-scale investors had little interest in investing in Africa in a massive way because of the fragmented nature of the African market.

The President suggested that Africa should focus more on labour-intensive manufacturing which had more net effect on the population than on capital intensive industries.

He also stressed the need for Africa to focus on skills development, in particular, by going back to building technical schools and supporting universities of technology in order to equip people with the right skills for the kind of jobs that were beginning to emerge.

Oramah also announced that Afreximbank had launched an equity investment fund, the Fund for Export Development in Africa, which would help attract foreign direct investment to support industrialisation and manufacturing in the continent.

Invest in Your State, Wike Charges Rivers’ Indigenes Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has called on Rivers indigenes to invest their resources in the state as a way of developing the state’s economy.

Inaugurating Oak Haven Hotels and Suites in Port Harcourt, Wike said Rivers indigenes should form the foundation for investments in the state.

He said: “So many people easily criticise, but do nothing for the development of the State.

Some make money and invest elsewhere. “Hon Marcus Nleji has done well. This hotel will create employment and empower the people. It will also generate revenue for the state through taxes.�

He said it was not easy to make money and decide to invest it, but that Nleji left the political terrain over eight years ago and could still muster resources to invest. “Those who love their state will take the business risk and

invest in the State. Those who don’t love the state will give flimsy excuses and resolve not to invest. “To encourage this new hotel and other businesses on this street, we shall dualise Woji Road. Government will patronise this hotel to ensure it succeeds,� he said.

He urged the owner of the hotel to allow the management of the hotel to run it professionally, adding that failure to run the hotel professionally would lead to its collapse.

Earlier, Nleji, Chairman of the Oak Haven Hotels and Suites, thanked the Rivers State Governor for improving the investment climate of the state through the development of basic infrastructure.

He said prominent Rivers indigenes should prioritise investing in the state before they move to other locations.

He said through the construction of the hotel, he has created employment for 70 persons and that the facilities of the hotel are of international standard.

BUSINESS EXPANSION

L-R: Chairman of Atlas Mara/CEO of Fairfax Africa, Michael Wilkerson, Acting President and CEO, OPIC, David Bohigian; CEO Union Bank, Emeka Emuwa, and Founder, Atlas Mara and CEO of Atlas Merchant Capital, Bob Diamond, at an agreement signing ceremony in the United States‌recently

Mr Bigg’s Expands to Amuwo OdoďŹ n Oluchi Chibuzor In its pursuit to reposition Mr Bigg’s, the quick service restaurant brand has opened a new store in Amuwo Odofin.

The first of its contemporary restaurant was opened in Northwest Filling station in Victoria Garden City Lekki in July, 2019.

Meanwhile, residents of Amuwo Odofin and Festac Town, suburbs in Lagos, commended UAC Restaurants, Limited owners of Mr. Bigg’s for locating a contemporary combo store housing two of its brands- Mr Bigg’s and Debonairs Pizza in their neighbourhood.

The UAC Restaurants Limited

recently commenced remodelling of its Mr Bigg’s stores nationwide in a new initiative aimed at positively redefining the lifestyle of its numerous customers.

While commending the new state-of-the-art combo store housed by Peridot Filling station along Festac link road at Amuwo Odofin, Chief Ademola Shabi, a businessman said, “location of this store could not come at a better time as the country prepares to celebrate its 59th independence anniversary.�

Shabi, described the new combo store as fantastic place for family hangout. “Unlike other outlets, this new one meets international standard with quality service and good

ambience for all occasions.�

Another customer, Mrs. Linda Moneme, expressed joy over the new store particularly the state-of-art facilities and excellent customer service. “A good family restaurant is one that offers delicious food that reminds people of the favorite meals their mothers cooked when they were kids,� she said.

Moneme further pointed out that, “Apart from good food, the new store also possesses capacity for customer service and its response time beats others around the environ.�

Corroborating the testimonials of several customers at the combo store, Kenneth Joseph, an entrepreneur said, “I didn’t

know it was Mr Bigg’s until I was told,� adding that “as you can see, their service is top notch and the environment is unbelievable. We are enjoying every bit of it.�

Speaking on the new combo restaurant, the restaurant manager, Olorode Sadiq said, “The new outlet is designed to sustain the heritage of the 33 years old outfit by raising the customer service to a new level. “The new store is patterned to deliver high-quality food and good ambience as the basic standard. The menu offering is aimed at providing wide variety of choices to meet the customer tastes and trends,� he said.

Low Level of Education Barrier to Agric, Says Jamodu Omolabake Fasogbon The British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has blamed poor performance in the agriculture sector on the low level of education among farmers in the country.

This, the BATNF said was causing them to reject modern techniques.

Chairman, Board of Directors, BATNF, Kola Jamodu, stated this during the launch of the foundation’s ‘Wealth is Here’ campaign in Lagos, recently.

Jamodu, acknowledged the prospect in the nation’s agriculture industry, responsible for highest number of employment in the country.

He said despite available resources, agriculture contribution to the economy was still low.

According to him, with the country’s population as an asset, favorable climate and arable land mass of 78.5 million hectares, the agro sector was supposed to be the largest contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

But this has been prevented as a result of low adaptation level of farmers to new trends and youths’ unwillingness to explore the sector, he said.

He added: “ There are predominantly elderly and uninformed smallholder farmers in the field, many of whom live

in rural communities. “Their level of education inhibits their ability to accept and adapt good agricultural practices for high yields, climate resilience and optimum benefits. “On the other hand, many of the educated Nigerian youths are not interested in the business but seem pre- occupied on migrating to Canada, Europe or any other country that looks more promising�.

It was on this ground that the foundation decided to come up with the ‘Wealth is Here’ to stir youths interest in agriculture through necessary support, added BATN Managing Director, Yarub Al- Bahrani.

Al- Bahrani explained that

the campaign was to change popular narratives that Nigeria had nothing to offer. This, AlBahrani said always informed human capital flight among the youths in particular. “He said, “The initiative sought to promote sustainable agriculture through several processes majorly to actively engage federal government and series of empowerment programmes such as the Farmers for the Future project and Lagos Farm Fair, amongst others. “This will certainly push our objectives and improve agriculture output further from 21.9 per cent where it presently stands.�

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NBC: RedeďŹ ning PPP through CSR Initiatives Raheem Akigbolu writes on how corporate organisations can key into Public-Private Partnership to give back to the society

A

ll over the world, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) has become a key driver necessary for development and economic growth of any nation.

Given the fact that government alone cannot be left to provide needed public infrastructure owing to paucity of funds and other constraints, the place of the private sector in supporting the government to improve the standard of living for the populace has therefore become crucial and significant.

According to the World Bank, Publicprivate partnerships (PPPs) are a mechanism for government to procure and implement public infrastructure and/or services using the resources and expertise of the private sector.

Where governments are facing ageing or lack of infrastructure and require more efficient services, a partnership with the private sector can help foster new solutions. Although PPP arrangements are largely seen as tools to increase the pace of development in Nigeria, some corporate organisations have chosen to drive their corporate social responsibility through these partnerships.

Just recently, this type of partnership arrangement was exemplified as Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, the non-alcoholic beverage giant entered into a partnership with Kano State Government to inaugurate several education and water projects in the state. The project, according to the Memorandum of Understanding, is poised to impact no fewer than 1 million people in about 20 communities living within and around the area where the business operates.

The list of the projects that were inaugurated and presented to the people include a refurbished Kano State Water Board Laboratory in Panshekara, the provision of Ultra-modern Water Testing equipment for the laboratory, two Tube Wells drilled and connected to the Main Water Supply Network that directly provides water to about one million residents around the Madobi area, a block of Classrooms and furniture donated to Medile Primary School and the provision of Water Supply to Challawa community.

In addition to this, the company also facilitated the training of senior managers from the Kano State Water Board on Performance Management and Team Maintenance. The company also laid 15 kilometers of new environmentally friendly

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) water pipe lines and conducted a training for Kano State Water Board (KBSWB) technicians trained on maintenance of the special HDPE Pipes.

To the management of Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, the provision of these facilities and projects come as a fitting reward for the tremendous goodwill and relentless support received from Kano state government as well as people of the state since it commenced operations in 1982.

Speaking at the official handover ceremony for all the projects, the representative of Managing Director of Kano State Water Board, who is the General Manager, Productions of the State Water Board, Ibraheem Saad who expressed gratitude to NBC for its unwavering commitment and support from the conceptualization of the projects to their successful execution, explained that the Water Board was happy to note that these investments would bringing lasting solution to the water challenges confronting parts of the state.

While presenting the water and education projects to the people of the state, the Managing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company, George Polymenakos, expressed his profound appreciation to the Kano State Government for its invaluable support to the Coca-Cola system over the years stressing that the delivery of

these community projects comes as a fulfilment of the company’s pledged contribution to the development of the state and the nation as a whole. “We believe that our communities are the bedrock of our business. If our communities are healthy, prosperous and sustainable, only then can our business become strong and grow. This is why we invest in viable programs such as these to develop the productive capacity of the people and drive the sustainable development of our communities�, he said.

With regards to the education projects delivered by NBC, he said “Education is one of the most important investments a country can make in its people and its future. In line with this, we have constructed a block of classrooms with staff office and provided furniture for pupils of Medile Primary School, Kano. This, we hope, will support government’s efforts at bringing education to the doorstep of every child,�

Polymenakos explained that these projects would help in addressing water and other issues confronting the people of Kano while also assisting the company its commitment to scale up its business operations within the state to create more jobs for the teeming youth.

He revealed that the company spent over 4 million Euros on the various projects as a

reflection of the confidence the company has in doing business in the state adding that this further demonstrates its commitment to the wellbeing of the communities where it does business.

In his own remarks, the representative of the Emir of Kano, the Seriki Fulani Jaedanawa of Kano, Abubakar Gwadabe Buhari commended NBC for its show of concern and commitment in meeting some of the important needs of communities in the state. “As a district head, I know the sufferings of our rural communities. I must say NBC has done well in alleviating their hardship.

Let me quickly add that the Emir of Kano is indeed happy with these projects given the fact that it addresses two major challenges, education and water availability in these communities� he said.

On his part, Group Quality, Safety & Environment Director, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC), Zoltan Syposs who was part of the conceptualization of the idea that birthed the projects commended the Kano State Government alongside NBC team on the successful completion saying that the projects form part of Coca-Cola Hellenic 2025 commitment that is focused on making the environment sustainable.

In his remarks, Water Resources & Technologies Manager, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC), Nils Deeke who flew in from Switzerland for the inauguration said the investment in Kano state is in line with the commitment to give back to the society while also playing a crucial role in the economic development of the state.

Deeke stated that the huge investment in those projects comes as appreciation for Kano residents who have been keeping faith and supporting the business for close to four decades. “It is not just enough to sell our products, we want to make positive impact in the lives of people as well as the communities around us. As we speak, over 20 communities have been provided with water supplies. We will also build capabilities that would ensure that the facilities provided are well maintained�, he explained.

Like it is currently doing, the company had made significant footprint in CSR which are seen in different areas that cut across education, health, access to water among others.

Of Creativity, Opportunities and Training In this report, Raheem Akigbolu writes on a recent partnership between the School of Media and Communication of LBS and reckons that it would intellectualise the creative industry

D

espite its huge potential, the creative industry, has for decades, suffered set back as a result of quality of output.

Unlike advertising, which has carved a niche and attracts well educated professionals as practitioners, the entry barrier to the entertainment industry is still very loose.

This explains why stakeholders have consistently insisted on training and partnership to deepen the Nigerian film industry, which produces about 50 movies per week, second only to India’s Bollywood—more than Hollywood in the United States. Although its revenues are not on par with Bollywood’s and Hollywood’s, Nollywood is believed to still generates an impressive $590 million annually.

Succor came the way of the industry last year, when Multichoice, a leading Pay TV company in Africa decided to intervene to grow talent and deepen professionalism by inaugurating Multichoice Talent Factory (MTF).

According to the management of the company, the initiative which was designed to train young men and women of Africa origin, who want to pursue career in film making would also be used to grow and develop African creative industries.

This was considered good news for stakeholders as the continent has for many years endured negative image both locally and internationally.

Some analysts attribute this to prejudices of Western countries that, through their powerful global media system exaggerate negative issues in the African continent and play less on their own bad sides.

However, most African economies have done little to change the unacceptable perceptions.

They are either beclouded in ignorance of the risks of poor image or correcting it is not their priority as they don’t understand the relationship

to economic growth. Good or poor reputation has correlation to level of development.

Branding and image building are about consistent story telling through various platforms such as books, films, documentaries and souvenirs.

Europe and Western countries have used this approach successfully but Africa is yet to fully embrace this approach.

MTF to the rescue As Africa continues to change rapidly, the entertainment industry is ever more relevant and this has shown in many instances. By introducing the talent factory last year, MultiChoice, perhaps recognized the critical role it can play in society to be the driving force behind the development of future talent to help build and strengthen the creative industries across Africa and to play a positive role in Africa by helping to grow Africa’s creative industries into vibrant, economic powerhouses.

At the launch in Nigeria, its Managing Director, John Ugbe, stated that the company believes it can – and must – play an indispensable role alongside government, civil society and communities to solve complex global challenges and drive positive change in communities, thereby creating “shared value�

He said: “Shared Value involves using MultiChoice’s corporate assets and expertise to address stakeholder needs and create shared value for the business and key stakeholders and it’s by creating value for our customers, our employees and society that we’ll build a successful business for the future. “Through the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), MultiChoice Africa will develop emerging TV and film talent whilst simultaneously promoting the growth of local content in key markets through a well-structured and impactful social

investment programme,� he said.

Having been in Nigeria for 26 years the company believed that repackaging Africa cannot be done successfully without training and equipping Africans to tell authentic and well-produced stories.

LBS, Multichoice Partnership As part of efforts to standardize the programme, the Pay TV company was quick at attracting the School of Media and Communication of the Lagos Business School as partner on the academy. As the first set of the beneficiaries of the project graduated last year, it was emphatically stated that the graduating set have not only acquired but a certificate diploma from a world class institution.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dean of Media and Communication, Ikechukwu Obiaya, expressed his conviction that those benefitted from the project had thus been given another opportunity to take an intellectual look at the industry they have passion for. He pointed out that the training is important in building strong foundation for the evolving industry. He agreed that if stakeholders are keen about changing the quality of film, they must first change the quality of film makers.

The road to the graduating day must have begun last year when promoters of MTF inaugurated a multi-tiered Corporate Shared Value, CSV project in partnership with LBS to ignite Africa’s creative industry. In the first edition, it selected and trained 20 young men and women from Ghana and Nigeria out of 3108 applicants.

Earlier at the ceremony, the CEO of Multichoice Nigeria, John Ugbe told the students that the graduation marked an important day in their lives as it is a new beginning of the journey into

their future as the next generation of African storytellers. “You are now part of a small but growing class of young, creative professionals equipped to tell Africa’s stories through authentic lenses while recognising and embracing her growth possibilities and opportunities�

MTF West Africa Academy Director, Femi Odugbemi, described the training as a landmark programme, noting that the students aptly demonstrated their skills as filmmakers. “Over the course of the programme, the students expertly honed their raw talent into professional skill. This is the essence of the MTF Academy – giving upcoming talent the chance to hone their abilities thereby increasing the pool of available talent and world class professionals in the industry. This graduation is therefore a landmark moment both for the students and the programme,� Odugbemi said.

Also speaking, Ikechukwu Obiaya, Dean of Media and Communication said the training is important in building strong foundation for the evolving industry. He agreed that if you are going to change the quality of film, you must change the quality of film makers.

In her speech, Lagos State Commissioner for Art and Tourism, Shulamite Adebolu said her desire is to create a one stop shop in the ministry to streamline regulation of films.

Students who excelled during the programme were rewarded with scholarships and grants.

Gilbert Bassey, a 26-year-old Nigerian, won a scholarship to enhance his skills at New York Film Academy College of Visual and Performing Arts (NYFA), as he displayed his multidisciplinary abilities during the programme.

Also, Edmund Asamoah from Ghana won a two-week internship with Nihilent Limited, a Bollywood production.

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Role of Rule of Law in Attracting Foreign Investment Andrew Skipper

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he strength of the rule of law in a country ranks among the top three considerations when multinationals make decisions about where to locate foreign direct investment – above considerations such as the cost of doing business and access to national and regional markets.

In its simplest form, the rule of law means that, “no one is above the law�.

It is the foundation for the development of peaceful, equitable and prosperous societies.

For the rule of law to be effective, there must be: Equality under the law; transparency of law; an independent judiciary; and access to legal remedy*.

Where investors experience rule of law challenges – particularly political instability, arbitrary or discriminatory treatment and intellectual property violations – it also revealed that they are liable to reduce or even withdraw investment.

These are some of the findings of “Risk and Return: Foreign Direct Investment and the Rule of Law�, based on a survey of over 300 senior decision makers at Forbes 2000 companies with global annual revenues of at least US$1 billion.

Hogan Lovells alongside the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law and the Investment Treaty Forum at BICIL, the Economist Intelligence Unit and the British Institute of International Comparative Law published Risk and Return in 2015.

The foundational values of South Africa’s constitutional democracy include

Skipper human dignity, equality, freedom, transparency and accountability, and the rule of law.

However, the latest Rule of Law Index, released by The World Justice Project (WJP), which measures rule of law adherence, shows that over the last year South

Africa dropped three positions for overall rule of law performance to 44 out of 126 countries.

The new WJP Rule of Law Index scores show that more countries declined than improved in overall rule of law performance for the second year in a row,

continuing a negative slide toward weaker rule of law around the world.

The top three overall performers were Denmark, Norway, and Finland; the bottom three were the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cambodia, and Venezuela. These top performing countries are generally prosperous and peaceful, in stark contrast to the bottom performers.

The Business for the Rule of Law Framework from the UN Global Compact seeks to engage businesses to support the building and strengthening of legal frameworks and accountable institutions.

It acknowledges that all stakeholders, including government and business, must recognise that there is a compelling business case for respecting and supporting the rule of law.

Rule of Law 2030 builds on the empirical research presented in Risk and Return and takes on the challenge set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UN Global Compact in the Business for Rule of Law Framework by forming strategic, sustainable partnerships with business and government to strengthen the rule of law.

The Framework quotes the Risk and Return in support of its conclusion that: “For businesses, an operating environment which is governed by the rule of law, provides the basis for commercial certainty and creates the foundation for long term investment and growth, and sustainable development for all�.

Skipper, is a partner and head of Africa at Hogan Lovells

Setting up Cube Sugar Producing, Packaging Plant Godwin Uba

project are locally available, so you do not bother about importation or running into shortage of supply.

The raw materials are granulated sugar which can easily be obtained from granulated sugar making companies all over the country. Details will be given to prospective investors.

T

he consumption of sugar all over the world in general and Nigeria in particular is very high.

It has been established that the consumption of granulated sugar has been on increase. Health wise it is not advisable and considered medically wrong to consume granulated sugar, which is made specifically for industrial use.

In the developed world it is widely discouraged to consume granulated sugar, instead of cube sugar carefully produced in a very hygienic condition.

Research has shown that here in Nigeria, the consumption of granulated sugar has been on increase due to the higher cost of carefully produced and packaged cube sugar.

From our market research, only two major companies produce cube –sugar in the country at the moment. This two are serving a population figure of over 150 million people in Nigeria and other African countries.

The high level of demand and cost of production has led to the increase in price of the well packaged cube sugar.

The supply therefore has not matched effectively with the very high level of demand. The demand has outweighed the supply position. Therefore more hands are required to increase the supply of cubesugar production in the country.

Prior to our research on this project, we felt that the project requires billions of Naira to set up. After our studies, we found out that one can set up this profitable project at a very much lower cost.

It is therefore a project anybody can establish and run in either cottage, small, medium or even large scale depending on the available funds.

In this brief investment profile, we discussed on the technical, financial, marketing and investment appraisal for setting up and running this lucrative venture.

Location of the Proposed Project The proposed cube-sugar production plant can be established in any apart of the country.

One can set up anywhere in the country

Production Processes The production processes are very simple and includes, mixing, heating, conveying, drying and packaging through a mechanized system which is very easy to operate.

Required Manpower The project can comfortably be run by just five to ten people. The writer will assist in recruiting highly experienced personnel to manage the project.

Those to Invest This project can be embarked upon by anybody in the society; however the politicians, workers in the offices who want to make extra incomes, retirees and those planning for their retirement, and every member of the society, who may wish to develop his community to generate more employment for the unemployed. provided that there is electricity and enough space of land for the project.

Other factors such as good road networks, nearness to markets and related factors can also be considered.

Technical Issues The most important aspect of this project is the technical issues that concern the project. In this case the investor should consider the type and quality of machines to be used for the project. The writer has carried out thorough research, consultations and collaborations with good dealers of the machines for the project.

Interested investors will be able to procure the set of the machines from the writer at the sum of N6 million.

The machine will be made up of full set of the cube-sugar producing line and associated packaging system. This cost will include the installations and training of your manpower.

The machines are available for inspection on contacting the writer.

The machines maintained all the NAFDAC compliance requirements, and the writer will assist in accomplishing all the laboratory test and analysis.

Capacity of the Plant The proposed plant will be able to produce 50 cartons of cube sugar in every double shift.

This implies that the plant will be able to produce average of between 225,000 and 250,000 cubes in a day. Details will be given to prospective investors.

Brands of Products Different products can be produced by prospective investors depending on the target markets. You can produce chocolate & orange flavor cubes. You can also produce low-diet cube sugar for those that are diabetic. Prospective investors will be educated more on this.

Raw Material Requirement The major raw materials required for this

Financial Implications The project can be set up with the sum of N15million on a small scale.

From investment analysis, the payback period is about one year, all things being equal. The Return on investment is about 68%. The Cost-Benefit Ratio analysis is very impressive. Details will be given to prospective investors.

Implementation Arrangement Prospective investors should contact the writer for detailed/comprehensive bankable feasibility studies, reports, sourcing of the required funds, procurement & installation of strong, tested and very functional machines (machines are available for inspections), guidance on NAFDAC requirements, recruitment and training of experienced manpower.

-Uba, is of the Global Trust Consulting and can be reached via 08034494437 or ubagodwin@yahoo.com

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BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Of Leaders, Tribesmen and Citizens Austin Okere

T

he leadership challenge is clear. It will be impossible to achieve true social and economic development without effective Leadership and true Citizenship.

How a leader deals with the circumstances of life tells you many things about his character. Crisis doesn’t necessarily make character, but it certainly does reveal it.

What reveals character the most, however, is Power – Power, it is said corrupts; and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

According to the ancient Greeks, the founders of modern civilization, there are three kinds of people in any society; The first kind of people in any society are the idiots, not necessarily mentally deficient, but rather one who is a totally private person; totally selfish and totally self-centered (sometimes donning expensive suits, uniform or agbada).

The idiot is always out for his personal gain and his personal interest. He does not have a public philosophy, he has no character, no knowledge and no skills to live by and to be able to contribute in a flourishing society or community. He is all out for his personal pleasures and his personal treasures. The Greeks said the idiot is just an upgraded barbarian – you see them every day in society. They are the ones who form tadpole queues and drive against traffic. They toss litter freely out of their cars and appropriate our commonwealth for their personal use; The Greeks refer to these are the IDIOTS. The Greek also said there is a second kind of person in any society called the tribespeople. Tribespeople does not necessarily mean belonging to a certain tribe; which is not bad in itself, but when the Greeks used the word tribespeople, they meant a tribal and a tribalistic mentality. The Greeks said the tribespeople are those not able to think beyond their small tribes and their small social groups.

For the tribespeople, the primary, only

Buhari and ultimate allegiance is to their tribe.

Their tribe is their god and their religion is tribalism. Tribespeople are always afraid of things that are different or are a little alien to them. They are always suspicious and fearful, and they always deal with different people and difficult situations with intimidation, force and with violence. The Greeks also said the ideal person for tribespeople is the warrior, because tribespeople are a war making people.

But it was not so for the Greeks, for them, there was another kind of person, and that for them was the ideal person, and they called this ideal person the citizen.

When we use the word citizen we are not talking about legal status or political status

or the accident of birth; those are outcomes.

We are talking about the idea and ideal of citizenship – which is a choice.

Who then is the citizen you might wonder? the citizen according to the Greeks is someone who has the skills and the knowledge to live a public life, and able to live a life of civility. The citizen recognizes that he or she is a member of a commonwealth and thus strives for the common good.

The citizen knows his right in a society but also knows his responsibility to society.

The citizen can fight for his right but always with an awareness of, and with the respect for the rights and interest of others; of their neighbors, of the smallest minority and of their worst enemies.

It is citizens, the Greeks said that make up a civilized society, because citizens settle their differences with civility, they produce a civilized society, a society that truly lives up to the meaning of the name society. Society literally means friendship and friendliness.

This is the threefold distinction that the Greeks have given of people in a society.

That is the choice that each and every individual, whoever he or she may be, has to make in a society. That is the choice that starkly faces us Nigerians today as we mark 59 years of independence. Will we be idiots living only for ourselves, will we be tribespeople, unable to think beyond our tribes group or will we be citizens.

Today, on the historic anniversary of the independence of Nigeria I hope you and I will make the right choice; and it is with that hope that I address you as my fellow Nigerian Citizens.

Indeed, no sovereign can make any significant advancement when the number idiots and tribesmen far outnumber the number of citizens. When we conducted random surveys on the various cohorts of Delegates at the Ausso Leadership Academy, the perception is that; about 75% of Nigerians behave as idiots, 20% as tribespeople and only 5% as citizens. Do the results shock you enough to want to do something about it?

Nigeria is her people; If we want to see change, we have to start by being citizens of our country. According to Maria Robinson “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

My dear citizens of Nigeria, if dreams are free, why short-change ourselves; let us dream big, and reach for the stars, and with perseverance we will touch the skies. Let Nigeria take her rightful place in the committee of Nations! We can achieve this only through our collective actions as citizens.

Okere, is the Founder of CWG Plc, the largest ICT Company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Entrepreneur in Residence at CBS, New York.

Dangote Empowers 106,000 Women in Four States

Old Mutual Launches Motor Insurance Campaign

MTN Subsidiary, YDFS, Launches MoMo Agent Network in Port Harcourt

Hamid Ayodeji

Ebere Nwoji

Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has reiterated its readiness to empower additional 106,000 women across four states in northern Nigeria, with a sum of N1.1 billion before the end of 2019.

This initiative would be in continuation of its micro-grant programme aimed at poverty amelioration through economic empowerment of women.

The Aliko Dangote Foundation has already commenced the identification of eligible beneficiaries, towards the implementation of the programme across the states and would be actively targeting and empowering 23,000 women in Sokoto, 34,000 women in Katsina, 21,000 women in Kebbi and 28,000 women in Zamfara.

The Dangote Micro-Grant scheme which was launched in 2011 in Kano State is a N10 billion project, targeting indigenous and vulnerable women nationwide and is being systematically rolled out nationwide to cover 774 local government areas in the country.

So far, 334,500 women and youths have benefitted from the programme across Kano, Jigawa, Kogi, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Lagos, Nasarawa and Niger States.

The scheme provides recipients with a one-time, un-conditional N10,000.00 cash grant to meet immediate household consump-

tion and economic needs. As far as possible, participants also receive training tailored to bolster their income-generating activities which are critical for the welfare of millions of Nigerians.

Beneficiaries of this programme are evenly selected from the target communities with primary consideration for vulnerable women, food distressed household with infant or children under-five year old, disabled, divorcee, widow with multiple dependents, extremely poor residents in these communities.

The programme is implemented in partnership with state governments to complement their economic empowerment and poverty reduction drive across the country.

“The Executive Governor of a benefitting state set up a committee to oversee the implementation of the programme alongside Aliko Dangote Foundation in the state.

“From 2016, the Foundation automated the beneficiary enrolment and payment processes.

Also, in addition to the cash grants, beneficiaries were also given mobile phones and SIM cards by the Foundation.

“In the last two states, the scheme was implemented, the Foundation partnered with a leading commercial bank to open bank accounts and provide ATM card for each beneficiary,” the statement added.

Old Mutual General Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Old Mutual Limited has launched a marketing campaign for it comprehensive motor insurance policy tagged “Double Awoof loyalty Programme”.

The company, said the initiative was in furtherance of its resolve to deepen insurance penetration and reward its numerous loyal customers, Old Mutual, said the ‘Double Awoof’ loyalty programme, which commenced in August, would last till November 8, 2019.

The Executive Head Marketing, Old Mutual. Alero Ladipo, said the loyalty programme, rewards policyholders by slashing the cost of procuring comprehensive motor insurance cover to 2.5 per cent on vehicles; then doubles the reward with an instant gift of a Total Service Station’s fuel voucher of up to N30,000.

According to her, for vehicle owner whose car is valued at N2,000,000, the instant fuel voucher is N5,000 to keep vehicle owners moving during the ember months, in addition to the 25 per cent discount of the premium.

She said similarly, a car owner whose vehicle is valued at N3,000,000 and above, gets an instant N10,000 fuel voucher, while car owners with cars worth N20,000,000

and above get an instant fuel voucher worth N30,000 when they buy the insurance product during the loyalty campaign period which lasts till November 8, 2019.

Ladipo, said the move to reward its growing customer base was borne out of its commitment to the Nigerian insurance market.

“We understand the importance of comprehensive car insurance to Nigerians especially during the last quarter of the year, when there is a spike in travel activities, heightened insecurity and other associated risks.

“While we believe it is critical for everyone to buy an insurance policy for his car, we also consider it thoughtful to give back to policyholders who buy our Comprehensive Motor Insurance policy. “So, it is really about buying a great product at a discount and getting rewarded at the same time,” she said.

“When a customer gets an instant reward for purchasing a reliable product, you brighten the day for that customer.

“We are keen to get our customers moving no matter the circumstance they find themselves.

“Today, we are fuelling and filling the tanks of our customers, tomorrow we could be gifting an unimaginable reward”, she added.

Officials of the Y’ello Digital Financial Services (YDFS) Limited, a subsidiary of MTN Nigeria, last weekend were at the Rumuwoji (Mile One) Market in Port Harcourt for the regional launch and sensitisation event introducing the MoMo Agent Network financial service.

The MoMo Agent Network was officially launched in Abuja on August 29 and aims to support the Central Bank of Nigeria’s drive for financial inclusion, by providing safe and accessible money transfer to the millions of Nigeria’s underbanked and unbanked, officials said.

Flagging off the sensitisation campaign in Port Harcourt, YDFS Director, Usoro Usoro, said the MoMo Agent Network opens up a host of opportunities, one that creates employment and facilitates business in rural and urban areas across Nigeria.

According to him, the idea is to leverage MTN’s extensive distribution network and capabilities to provide financial services to the unbanked Nigerians living in communities spread across the country.

“The people we are very passionate about are those who don’t have a bank account, and we are saying that with MoMo Agent, you can

send money to any part of the country. This is why we chose to visit the Mile One Market to demonstrate our service,” Usoro said.

He said the regional launch and sensitisation event was part of the YDFS’s mission to put financial services within easy reach of every bankable Nigerian.

He stated that with the MoMo Agent service complementing existing banking services via extending access to simple money transfer services and other financial services nationwide, the subsidiary plans on rolling out about 500,000 Agents across Nigeria, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

At the launch, interested traders in the market were signed up as MoMo Agents; one such person being Ms. Obilor Ogechi, a trader in kitchen utensils.

Asked why she was signing up, Ms. Ogechi said she was excited with the offering from the YDFS, saying that being a very busy businesswoman, she was certain it would make life easier for her. b“Ideally, my bank is very far from the market, and so it’s usually difficult for me leaving my shop to go send money to someone. Also, look at right now, it is raining and would have been extra difficult if I wanted to go to the bank to send money,” Ogechi said.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͱ˜ Ͱͮͯͷ

NIGERIA’S HISTORY IN IMAGES

Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

The first set of robbers that burgled the Oba market, Benin-City in 1962

Fashion in the 70s at Tinubu Square

Rolls Royce vehicle being transported through a river in Eastern Nigeria (1962)

…

The premier of the Northern region of Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello encouraging female education (1950)

Exterior view of the building of the University College Hospital (UCH), lbadan (1955)

Sade Adu (Born Helen Folasade Adu) is the first Nigerian ever to win a Grammy award. She is also the most successful Solo Artiste in British history to have over 50million sales with 110 music albums

Women dance the night away at a nightclub in Yaba, Lagos (1967)

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍąËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

ËŞ

A child awaits her food voucher from a relief worker at a food distribution center during the Civil War (1968)

The Main gate of University of lbadan (1960)

The man whom Port-Harcourt was named after, Lord Lewis Vernon Harcourt was a rapist and paedophile. After being faced with public condemnation, A young lgbo boy looks in despair during the Civil War (1968)

Lewis Harcourt committed suicide at his London home on February 24, 1922

The ďŹ rst set of medical doctors at the University of lbadan (1951)

The College of Medicine (University of Lagos) was founded in 1962 with just 28 students. Today, the College has produced over 6,000 graduates

The ďŹ rst and oldest medical hospital in Lantoro, Abeokuta, Nigeria was founded by Catholic Missionaries in 1895 and was built to ďŹ ght leprosy outbeak in Egbaland. The hospital is still run by the Catholics till date

34

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍąËœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

Assessing Nigeria’s Quest for Forex Ban for Food Importation Peter Uzoho writes on the need for engagement of stakeholders before the federal government implements its plan to restrict foreign exchange for food importation

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ublic policy analysts and experts have advised the federal government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure industry stakeholders are properly engaged in their plan to restrict access to forex from the central bank’s regulated window for the importation of milk and food.

The experts gave the advice recently at the fourth edition of the Regulatory Conversation, with the theme: “Foreign Exchange Restrictions on Food Imports and Implications for Regulating and Growing the Nation’s Economy,� suggested that the central bank should consult widely with the stakeholders in order to find a way to achieve a positive outcome for the country.

The event was organised by the Integrity Organisation/Convention on Business Integrity in conjunction with Proshare, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, BusinessDay, and ActionAid Nigeria.

Speakers at the panel included the founder of Centre for Values in Leadership, Prof. Pat Utomi; Publisher of BusinessDay, Mr. Frank Aigbogun; Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Muda Yusuf; a member of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Oluwasegun Oshindipe; official of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs. Sussy Onwuka; and Founder of Proshare and moderator of the discussion, Mr. Olufemi Awoyemi.

President Muhammadu Buhari recently disclosed plan by the country to stop providing foreign exchange for importation of food into the country.

A statement by a presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, had quoted Buhari as saying the foreign reserves would be conserved and utilised strictly for diversification of the economy, and not for encouraging more dependence on foreign food. “Don’t give a cent to anybody to import food into the country,’’ he said.

According to the president, some states like Kebbi, Ogun, Lagos, Jigawa, Ebonyi and Kano, have taken advantage of the federal government’s policy on agriculture with huge returns in rice farming.

He, therefore, urged more states to embrace the ongoing revolution in agriculture to feed the nation. “We have achieved food security, and for physical security we are not doing badly,’’ he said.

Similarly, the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, recently confirmed the move by the regulator to restrict milk importation into the country.

According to the Bank, the country spends between $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion annually on milk importation, which it described as unacceptable.

Owing to this, Emefiele, said domestic production of milk had the potential to reduce recurrent farmer-herder clashes, which have stifled the growth of the agricultural sector.

Emefiele had explained: “We believe that milk is one of those products that can be produced in Nigeria. Milk importation has been going on in Nigeria for over 60 years. If you Google West African Milk or Friesland Campina today, they say that they have been importing milk and that they have been in Nigeria for over 60 years.�

But the Director, The Convention on Business Intergrity, Mr Olusoji Apampa, argued that though the forex restriction for food and milk importation were aimed to create more local jobs and save forex, it may accentuate pain for the poor without palliative or remedy.

EmeďŹ ele

Apampa said the forex restriction may also create super profits for special interest groups suspected to have captured the regulator.

He added that the problem for industry would not be solved in the short- to medium term and costs would have to be passed on to consumers if the policy was implemented.

He stated that there was a need for inclusive business models that would improve access to good quality products by the poor, include the poor as producers earning higher incomes and employ the poor or partner with their collectives.

Furthermore, Apampa said the forex ban for food and milk importation would lead to a situation where dairy

We believe that milk is one of those products that can be produced in Nigeria. Milk importation has been going on in Nigeria for over 60 years. If you Google West African Milk or Friesland Campina today, they say that they have been importing milk and that they have been in Nigeria for over 60 years

companies would start regressing with their value chain. He, however, noted in his presentation that the forex ban would lead to improvement in the market access for herdsmen, reduction in the farmer/herdsmen clashes, creation of more jobs locally, and savings on forex.

Divergent Views Speaking on the planned policy, Aigbogun said there was need for the CBN to consult more with stakeholders and ensure that whatever comes out of the consultation reflect the wishes of the masses and the players. “There should be a consensus that this policy is indeed the right one for Nigeria at this particular time. People should be given time to make the investment, because we are talking about private sector investment here,� he said.

He added: “People will need to do feasibility studies; they need to look at the entire value chain so that they will position themselves; they will need to look at things around packaging; they will need to then raise capital. “Surely, they haven’t been given time to do that. Even if the goal of the objective can be understood, we are going about it in a very wrong way,� he added.

According to the newspaper publisher, “We have an issue here and the issue is one where the government or at least the central bank believes that we should be producing more milk locally. “And I think that is just good. But you will then ask yourself: Before you get to the point of seeking to produce milk locally, are you able to produce more milk locally? Are you able to do it cost-effectively? Is that the best way to move the nation forward? Perhaps, yes. “Where I have problem is in the communication. Has it been honest?

Was there any consultation? Is the policy flexible enough? We are talking about a very vulnerable part of society.�

In his contribution, Yusuf said: “We have a situation whereby the CBN has taken over matters of trade market. It is a major problem and it is causing a great disruption.�

He noted that rather than address fundamental challenges in the nation’s business environment to make the nation globally competitive, regulators were busy doing otherwise. “The regulatory environment is one of the biggest challenges we face currently in business. Surely, I have a feeling that the regulators mean well, because all these come under the ambit of the new wave of economic nationalism – you want to grow what you will eat, wear what you sew, do all sorts of things. “It is a good intention and a noble objective. But the difference is in the strategy. How do you achieve it? But another issue is that there are too many regulations. “We are talking about milk, but actually the bigger issue is the quality of regulatory environment. To do business with integrity in Nigeria today is a tall order. “And unfortunately, we don’t seem to even learn from the failure of this kind of model or poor economic management. We have gone through this in the textile industry. “We banned, we increased the tariff, we gave them intervention funds, our federal executive council members were wearing Made-in-Nigeria clothes, all of that. But did that revive the textile industries? The answer is no. We have not addressed the fundamentals,� the LCCI boss insisted.

For Utomi, he argued that the forex restriction on milk imports would not benefit the masses.

According to him, “We must try to understand the principles of trade. It just seems that the problem is that fiscal authorities have abdicated their duties and the CBN has taken over. “What drives prosperity is production and not revenue. Revenues don’t create wealth, production does.�

Speaking further, Utomi said part of the problem was the lack of a national strategy. “I have argued for a long time that the biggest risk of doing business in Nigeria is the regulatory risk. “The regulator is more likely to kill a company than any market risk is likely to do in Nigeria. “Seriously, we must try and understand the principles of trade. It just seems the problem is that the fiscal authorities have abdicated their duties and CBN has taken over. “What drives prosperity is production and not revenue. Revenues don’t create wealth, production does. What are we going to be celebrating as a country? Is it this ban on FX for milk importation? If the logic of the ban on milk importation FX is right, let us ban also ban the importation of fuel,� Utomi added.

On his part, Awoyemi said: “With respect to policy on restriction, it should be about incentives, not restrictions. We should run an incentive-based economy, not one that is based on command.�

To Oshindipe, before a regulator would come up a policy, it should engage stakeholders in the sector. “Milk production requires large capital outlay, specie of cow (about eight of them), we don’t have good species here yet. “So from the MAN’s perspective, the policy may look good, they are achievable but our position is that the CBN should set up a structure where stakeholders can sit and iron things out,� he added.

Onwuka, however, noted that in the short term, there might be pain, “but if the industry players can take it up, there might be change.�

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱ, 2019

33

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Plateau to Tackle Water, Sanitation Challenges with N27bn, Says Lalong Seriki Adinoyi in Jos As part of efforts to tackle water and sanitation challenges in Plateau State as well as end open defecation by 2023, the Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, has pledged to devote over N27 billion for the implementation of various projects and programmes that would enable the state to attain the objectives in the next four years.

Lalong made the commitment at the 2019 Global Citizens Festival event held on the sidelines of the 74th United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, recently.

According to the Director of Media, Dr. Simon Makut Macham, the governor addressed attendees at the festival and told them that

the issue of water and sanitation were very paramount to his administration, hence the adoption of various initiatives to deal with the challenge since assuming office in 2015.

Lalong said: “About 75 per cent of Nigerians today live without access to basic clean drinking water and sanitation. Children and women are hit the hardest by this devastating reality. When I assumed office four years ago, I saw to it that six-hundred thousand people in my state gained access to clean water, and twenty-thousand people gained access to improved sanitation within a short time.

More is being done and we will drastically reduce the figures in our second term.”

The Governor disclosed that out of the N27 billion needed, the state government would provide about N15 billion,

while the private sectors and other stakeholders would come up with the remaining balance of about N12 billion.

He told his audience that his administration was very concerned about the issue of open defecation and would do everything possible to achieve the target of ending open defecation in Plateau State by 2023.

“The challenge of open defecation led me to declare a state of emergency for the Water, Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH) sector, in December of last year. That is why I am happy to partner with the global citizens movement who has taken over one-hundred and fifty thousand actions in support of Nigerian States in addressing this menace.

“I ask you to help us in Plateau State to secure additional funds from donor agencies

and other partners and also work with us to adopt the best practices and capacity needed to make this happen”, the Governor appealed.

Senior Manager Global Policy and Government Affairs, Talia Fried assured the Governor that global citizens would work closely with Plateau state to attract funds and also ensure that there is effective and constant monitoring and evaluation of the programmes being implemented to tackle water, sanitation and open defecation in the state.

The Global Festival event was broadcast via livestream to over 25 million people, 11.5 million via social media platforms worldwide with live performances by artistes like Pharrel Williams, Alecia Keys, One Republic, H.E.R, Carole King among others.

DigitalTechnologies Revolutionising Global Devt, Says UNDP Chief The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Achim Steiner, has stated that new digital technologies are emerging and offering quicker, smarter solutions to tackle the world’s toughest challenges.

Steiner, explained that from artificial intelligence to drones, mobile money, and blockchain, digital innovations were already helping us address poverty, hunger, climate change, conflict, and disease.

He added that the world needs nothing less than to reinvent and reimagine what development looks like in the context of this technological revolution.

He said: “But 49 percent of the world still lacks Internet access, mostly in developing countries, mostly women, and often in countries emerging from conflict. One of our biggest challenges is getting these game-changing technologies into the hands of those who have been left farthest behind.”

The statement further noted that UNDP’s new digital strategy which was the first of its kind in the UN system charts a course to leverage digital innovation both inside the organisation and in service lines to countries around the world.

According to the statement: “UNDP with a presence in 170 countries globally, also launched a public online consultation to help identify development challenges and breakthrough digital solutions, some 360 people from 59 countries have responded so far.

“Top challenges they have identified include the pervasive digital divide, carbon emissions, electronic waste, privacy, and security. Top solutions include awareness-raising, access to quality content, citizen engagement, digital literacy, tree-planting drones, and artificial intelligence for agriculture. The online consultation will continue through 2 October 2019.

WFP, China Seal Deal on Food Assistance for African Countries

WHO Launches Digital App to Improve Care for Aged Stories by Ugo Aliogo with agency report

On the International Day of Older Persons marked yesterday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched a package of tools, including a digital application to help health and social workers provide better care for older people.

According to a statement, the innovative interactive digital application known as WHO ICOPE Handbook App provides practical guidance to address priority conditions including mobility limitations, malnutrition, vision and hearing loss, cognitive decline, depressive symptoms and social care and support.

It explained that the app

was used in conjunction with a package of tools including a new handbook, adding that it would accelerate training of health and social workers to better address the diverse needs of older people.

The Director of the Department of Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, WHO, Dr. Anshu Banerjee, said: “It is essential that services for older people are included in universal health care packages.

“At the same time there needs to be good coordination between the health and social services to provide optimal care when needed.

The new package of tools supports healthy ageing with a person-centred and

coordinated model of care.”

The statement further stated that the world’s population was ageing at a fast pace.

It added: “By 2050 one in five people will be over 60, noting that the number of aged over 80 is projected to triple from 143 million in 2019 to 426 million in 2050.

“While every older person is different physical and mental capacity tend to decline with increasing age.”

The Group lead on Ageing and Integrated Care, WHO, Dr. Islene Araujo de Carvalho, said such innovation would enable older people to continue doing the things they value and prevent them from social isolation and care dependency, adding

that “intervening close to where older people live, with active participation of the community and older persons themselves, is essential for a personalized care plan.”

“The Integrated Care for Older People package of tools is the result of two years of extensive consultations with leading experts and stakeholders including civil society representatives.

“The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals recognize that development will only be achievable if it is inclusive of people of all ages. Empowering older persons and enabling their full participation and social inclusion in good health are ways to reduce inequalities.”

The World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of China recently signed agreements to provide emergency food assistance to Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe to respond to food insecurity.

According to a statement on the WFP website, the agreements were signed by high-level management of WFP and China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA).

The statement explained that under the framework of the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund, China’s support would enable WFP to procure food including rice, maize, pulses, fortified cereals, vegetable oil for more than 477,000 of the most vulnerable people in these three countries, mainly women and children.

The statement added that Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe face serious food insecurity challenges especially due to climate-related disasters such as droughts and floods.

The Country Director of WFP China Office, Qu Sixi, said: “I appreciate China’s support to WFP’s humanitarian efforts in those African countries. We will make sure the resources will be distributed to the people in need.”

The statement added that China has provided continual and concrete support to WFP’s humanitarian operations in various countries and regions in recent years, contributing significantly to WFP’s mission of saving lives and changing lives.

Meanwhile, as part of efforts to support Tajik Government in fighting earthquakes and other disasters, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) recently handed over Information and Communication Technology (IT) equipment to the Tajik Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence (CoES) to strengthen the country’s emergency preparedness capacity.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

36

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

2 0 1 9 I N D E P E N D E N C E D AY E D I T I O N

59Years After, Qualitative Healthcare Remains Elusive On October 1, Nigeria commemorated 59 years of independence and it was received with mixed emotions. Martins Ifijehx-rays the country’s health sector since inception, as well as sampled opinions of healthcare professionals on what must be done to improve the sector

Adewole

Lambo

Chukwu

Ehanire

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Historians said the implementation for the ‘Health-for-All’ policy was being pushed for over two decades in a bid to ensuring Nigerians in rural and hard to reach areas get access to quality and affordable healthcare. They believed even though the policy was not achieved in full, other policies by the then federal government not only made a positive impact on the healthcare system, but attracted patients from across the world to access healthcare in Nigeria.

The Medical Director, Joekem Clinic, Lagos, Dr. Emmanuel Enabulele told THISDAY that around 1960 or so, dignitaries from other countries were coming to government established hospitals in Nigeria for treatment, and that the sector had the right tools and resources to accept foreign patients.

Nigeria was one of the healthcare destinations of the world. Dignitaries from the United Kingdom, United States and other developed countries came to the country to access treatment.

But as the country began to edge closer to democracy, its healthcare system continued to deteriorate. Healthcare establishments began to have obsolete equipment, and by extension, the country’s health indices started to wane.

A Radiologist with Graceville Hospital, Lagos, Mr. Kingsley Oragwa told THISDAY that the return to democratic rule in 1999 has not addressed the deterioration of the country’s health sector, adding that various national policies on health put in place since 1954 till date has not yielded results.

rior to the introduction of colonisation by the British into what is now known as Nigeria, traditional medicine and healing was part of the culture of the people. It was the only way to deliver a child, cure diseases, restore mental illnesses, as well as fix broken bones. There were specialised healthcare practices at the time which included herbalists, divine healers, soothsayers, midwives, spiritualists, bone-setters, mental health therapists and surgeons. Solutions to healthcare issues were not just a standalone, but a mix of the culture, tradition, and a spiritual connection with ancestors.

It was the only way the people knew. Science, at the time was millions of miles afar. Women who could not give birth normally only wished they never existed. Same with those who had severe malaria, sickle cell or certain forms of challenges. For those lucky enough to get successful treatments, they considered their herbalists and spiritualists as powerful or close to the deities.

Historians said when the British, Portuguese and other western explorers at the time began to find home in the region, the mode of healthcare provision started to diversify. Missionary clinics were being established. There was the introduction of quinine in 1854 which greatly reduced high mortality from malaria and other diseases. The introduction of several other treatment regimen, as well as establishment of hospitals continued until the healthcare system of the protectorate began to take shape.

By 1954, the leaders of the protectorate proposed Health-for-All; named the Medical and Health Service Policy, which in today’s global health language could be termed Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a target the World Health Organisation (WHO) believed all member countries can achieve by the year 2030.

The leaders at the time, perhaps saw the future; that without UHC there is no future for health whether in developed or underdeveloped ones.

UHC is the single most talked about healthcare intervention being pushed by the WHO to all member countries globally, and Nigeria as at today is still miles away from achieving it.

Poor Funding since Democratic Rule He said: “Right from the time of Eyitayo Lambo, to late Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, Onyebuchi Chukwu, to the immediate past Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, the country has still not gotten it right on health. We have so far not been able to attract adequate government funding to this sector. Until that is done, it will be difficult for us to address the myriads of healthcare issues bedeviling our country. No matter what our ministers do, if funding is not available, there will be little they can do.

“An Abuja Declaration, signed in 2001 by all member countries of the African Union, including Nigeria, who in fact was the host of the high

Osotimehin

powered meeting, recommended that for the continent to be at par with other nations of the world in terms of healthcare, 15 per cent of their annual budget, at the least, should be allocated to the health sector. But till date the Nigerian government’s allocation to health has continued to fall short of the recommended percentage.”

Maternal, Child Mortality On how the nation has fared on maternal and child mortality, Oragwa said this remains an anomaly. Adding that Nigeria cannot confidently say it was celebrating 59 years when the lifespan of the average Nigerian male is 50 years, while that of the female is 53 years. This, according to him means any Nigerian male living above 50 years of age was living on a borrowed time; same with the women.

He said: “Comparing these indices with that of other countries, especially many African countries poorer and weaker than ours show that we shouldn’t be happy with the state we are. These are indices we should be ashamed of because it depicts how much our healthcare system has fared.”

Oragwa said most countries that got independence alongside Nigeria met the last Millennium Development Goal on maternal and child mortality.

“Our women are still dying in high number daily due to pregnancy and childbearing related complications. We must reduce all these indices to the barest minimum before we can say our healthcare system has grown”, he lamented.

According to him, most Nigerians living in rural and hard to reach areas of the country are still grappling with having to survive without basic healthcare, which are the rights every country must provide for its citizens, adding that, until the country give priority to primary healthcare, the issues would continue to halt the country’s progress.

Also, a food security expert in Lagos, Mr. Azeke Usigozu, told THISDAY that the health sector needs to do more in the area of child mortality. “A country’s infant mortality rate is a reflection of the quality of health delivery available to its citizens, and to a large extent, a reflection of the quality of life enjoyed by the citizens of that country. The government should

pay more attention to our local clinics where the low class go to anytime they have health challenges - this is where majority of our women go to during pregnancy as well as child birth.

“If Nigeria at 59 is channeled to improving the healthcare system, I can assure you that it will be noticed by all and sundry, from the tiniest treatments like relieving headache, up to the big treatments like bone marrow transplants and the cure of other diseases”, he said.

Medical Tourism, Brain Drain A Public Health expert, Dr. Jude Areogbu said the high rate of medical tourism abroad was a pointer to how the country’s health sector was doing, adding that yearly, over $1 billion is lost to medical tourism abroad.

“What this means is that our health system is failing. We need to fix our it. About 20 years ago, Turkey’s health sector was as bad as ours, but money was injected, and today, they can compete with the likes of the United States and Germany. We should do same; inject money into the system. We need a strong primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare,” he added.

Another medical doctor, Adebayo Tunde-Vincent, the exodus of doctors and other health workers to other countries where they are appreciated was an evidence of how degraded the country’s health sector has reached.

He explained: “If we continue to undermine medical doctors in this country, I can tell you authoritatively that in the next 10 years, we won’t have up to 10,000 doctors around because there will be brain drain, while the younger ones who intend to study medicine would rather not bother themselves over it.

“Do you know that Nigeria presently has less than 40,000 doctors practicing in the country, while over 31,000 are currently practicing in the United Kingdom, with 12 doctors getting employment in the UK weekly. This statistic shows that we have more Nigerian doctors abroad than in our own country,” he stressed.

With the deteriorating level of the health sector till date, should the country go back to the precolonial era where the people banked only on traditional medicine and spiritual healers for health interventions?

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

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NEWS

UNICEF, EU Support Healthcare in Bauchi with $1.8M Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The Bauchi Field Office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the European Union, has distributed motorcycles worth $1.856 million to 323 PHCs. They also provided mobile storage unit worth $14,000, built capacity of 3500 health workers on different primary healthcare services, as well as provided medical supplies, equipment to boost healthcare in Bauchi State.

UNICEF has also supported the delivery of healthcare to 144 hard-to-reach settlements in nine local government areas using 9mobile outreach teams and provided outreach services through 600 Community Resource Persons (CORPs).

Disclosing this during the handover of renovated PHCs in Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency

DFID Commits N18.5B to Tackle Acute Malnutrition in Borno,Yobe States Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

recently, the UNICEF Chief of Bauchi Field Office, Bhanu Pathak said the 600 CORPS were trained and kitted to provide appropriate treatment to 523,607 under five children with symptoms of malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia.

While handing over the PHCs, Pathak said UNICEF will continue to fulfill its obligations in the partnership with Bauchi State, as well as implement interventions that will help in achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In his speech, the Executive Chairman of the SPHCDA, Dr Rilwanu Muhammad commended UNICEF and the EU for the intervention, adding that the state government has declared a state of emergency on the health sector in order to ensure that people get the required health coverage and attention.

The Department for International Development (DFID) has committed a total of N18.5 billion to address the deteriorating nutrition-related crisis in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states from April 2019 to March 2020.

The fund is expected to succeed in eight areas notably community-based management of acute malnutrition, infant and young child feeding practices, micro nutrient supplementation, health, child protection, water and sanitation hygiene, early childhood development and surveillance.

A Nutrition Specialist,

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Aminu Usman, who made this known at a two-day media dialogue on Integrated and Timely Response to Nutrition-Related Humanitarian Needs, held in Borno State recently, said the money was needed to enhance the purchase of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

While noting that a lot has been achieved in addressing the challenges of malnutrition in the region, he raised concern over new cases of severe acute malnutrition due to influx of new arrivals of internally

displaced persons, lack of access to hard to reach areas and late presentation of malnourished children whose parents were ashamed to seek treatment.

Usman who noted that there was a funding gap of N4.4 billion, called on government at all levels to come to the rescue of children in the Northeast to avert a further exacerbation of an already poor nutrition situation.

In his words: “DFID has committed a total of £41 million (N18.5 billion) to address the deteriorating nutrition related crisis in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states from April 2019 to

March 2020.

“Nutrition sector estimates there will be 258,950 boys and girls suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), in 2020 in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. N5 billion is needed to necessitate procurement of 258,950 cartons of RUTF for SAM. “Funding has been secured for 29, 314 cartons of RUTF, there is a funding gap of N4.4 billion for procurement of 229, 636 cartoons.” He said the affected community coping mechanisms was still low and that any shock will result in further deterioration of nutrition status in the region.

NISATasks FG on Improved Healthcare Delivery Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance (NISA) has tasked the federal government on policy implementation towards improved healthcare delivery in the country.

The Chairman, NISA Board of Trustees, Prof. Echezona Ezeanolue stated this at the fifth NISA Conference with the theme “Achieving impact through Implementation Research’ in Abuja recently.

He said health organisations and government agencies need to share information on research and bridge the gap between research and practice.

The chairman, who is also the Vice President, Healthy Sunrise Foundation, said the conference was aimed at solving problems including those concerning healthcare in the country.

He said “We are looking for a solution through implementation research. We can implement the things we already know can work.

“The NISA conference brings together policymakers,

implementing partners, health organisations and government agencies to share research and bridge the gap between research and practice.”

He added that the overall goal of the conference is health for all Nigerians, quality policy and health decisions based on evidence from researches.

“It is an opportunity for researchers to share research work done, to rub minds, to mentor and be mentored, to discuss public health issues and possible solutions to them,” he added.

Also speaking to newsmen, NISA board member, Professor of Community Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsuka (UNN), Prof.

Chima Onoka, blamed the country’s poor health status on lack of policy implementation and poor finding for research.

He urged government to invest in research, saying “the health polices we have are percentage of the government budget that should go for research but that does not translate to real action because government budgets are usually not enough in terms of release.”

L-R:AssistantDirector,HIVDesk,LagosStateMinistryofYouthandSocialDevelopment,Mrs.FibisolaTaiwo;Director,DevelopmentPartnership,Lagos StateMinistryofEconomicPlanningandBudgeting,Mr.OduntanBankole;aguest;andOfficer-in-Charge,UNFPA,Lagos,Dr.AuduAlayande,duringthe HIVAWAREMediaLaunchinLagosrecently

Bauchi Celebrates World Contraception Day, Appeals for Awareness on CBS, FP Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The Bauchi State government, through the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHCDA) has marked this year’s World Contraception Day with a call on media practitioners to keep creating awareness on the need for mothers and caregivers to imbibe the culture of Child Birth Spacing (CBS).

Briefing newsmen as part of activities marking the day,

Mamador Demystifies Myth around Healthy Meals As part of activities marking this year’s World Fried Rice Day, PZ Wilmar, makers of Mamador, hosted its consumers to a master class session in Lagos recently where they amongst other things, demystified the myth around healthy meals.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Managing Director, PZ Wilmar Ltd, Ipsit Chakrabarti the idea around the commemoration was to encourage tasty healthy nutrition amongst Nigerians, as well as demystify the myth around healthy meals.

He said; “Many people think

that they cannot enjoy both, but the truth is that with Mamador they can.

“This event provided us opportunity to demonstrate this possibility and we are quite pleased that our guests enjoyed the meals by our chefs and also learned healthier options of cooking. Which for us is the ultimate goal.”

The Master Class sessions featured two celebrity chefs and food bloggers, Ifeyinwa Mogekwu – Ify’s Kitchen, and Winifred Emmanuel – Zeelicious who both engaged the

audience on unique, tasty yet healthy ways of preparing their favourite variants of fried rice dishes.

“Guests at the event were educated on the important role the Mamador seasoning cubes play in the preparation of the various fried rice dishes, as it provided a perfect substitute for key spices such as turmeric or curry with even better results especially the chicken cube variant which was specially formulated to give best Fried Rice and Curry appeal,” Chakrabarti said.

the Chairman of the SPHCDA Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed said the day was set aside to focus on areas where there are gaps in the Family Planning (FP) or CBS services in the state with a view to finding avenues to addressing such gaps.

Mohammed said gone were the days when people viewed FP or CBS as sensitive subjects anchored on religious beliefs, pointing out that “we now even have clergies from both faiths as

champions in the propagation of FP/CBS to the society.

“Although there is a positive departure from how society viewed FP, there is still the need to keep creating awareness and sensitising the general public on the need to adopt child birth spacing and to also seek medical services from health facilities, especially for pregnant women and nursing mothers.”

Also Speaking, the state Family Planning Coordinator, Hajara

Yahaya said Bauchi’s indices in the area of FP, according to the National Demographic Health Survey, was still not encouraging.

She said “Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) according to the NDHS 2018 has improved to 6.2 as against the 2.1 recorded in 2013. We are moving, but at a snail speed. I am very optimistic that with the support we are getting from the state government, we would eventually reach an appreciable level of CPR.”

Delta State, PharmAccess, Others Distribute $1M to Revamp Healthcare Martins Ifijeh As part of plans to revamp and hand over defunct healthcare facilities to private sector players, the Delta State government, PharmAccess Foundation, Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Medical Credit Fund have disbursed over $1 million for the project.

The intervention, called Access to Finance Scheme is being championed by the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC) and currently facilitating access to health services for over 30, 000 enrollees in the state health

insurance scheme.

Speaking with journalists at the recently concluded 62nd National Council on Health held in Asaba, the Director General, DSCHC, Dr. Ben Nkechika, said the Access to Finance Scheme was one of the innovations of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa which has been used to increase the penetration of health services delivery in Delta State.

He said: “The government recognises the role of the private sector in this regard, understanding that they cannot do it alone.

This is why we are considering expanding the number of facilities

under this scheme.”

The health insurance scheme under Nkechika has since January, crossed the half a million mark, with the aim of reaching one million enrollees by 2020.

On her part, the Country Director, PharmAccess Foundation, Ms Njide Ndili said, “We are very proud to be partners with Delta State and the Bank of Industry on this laudable scheme which would see many people in the rural areas who have been otherwise undeserved, begin to have access to the same quality of care as seen in the urban areas.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

HEALTH

Kanu Heart Foundation and 19Years of Charity Kanu Heart Foundation has over the past 19 years supported Nigerians with heart issues. Its founder, Mr. Christian Nwankwo Kanu, believes with healthy diets and exercise, heart related issues can be prevented. Chinazor Megbolu writes

Kanu and other participants during the walk

Nwankwo Kanu, a former Captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria and an award-winning African Footballer of the Year has dedicated the past 19 years of his life giving succour to those with heart related problems.

During a walk to mark this year’s World Heart Day, tagged: ‘My Heart, Your Heart, Our Hearts’ organised by the Kanu Heart Foundation (KHF), held in Lagos recently, Kanu said Nigerians need to know what to do in other to prevent heart issues, adding that one of the ways is a healthy walk.

He said: “So, this World Heart Day, it is Nigerians’ opportunity to make promises for their hearts. These promises should include cooking and eating healthy meals, exercising, encourage children to be more active, as well as say no to smoking. For us to live longer and better lives, one has to make little changes.

By making these changes we can live better

and more heart-healthy lives.”

On why he chose to help people with heart issues, Kanu said it was a passion he developed since he went under the knife two decades ago when he was diagnosed of a heart problem while playing active football.

Kanu called on Nigerians to cut down on sugary beverages and fruit juices, adding that they should take water as well as unsweetened juices instead.

He said: “Swap sweet, sugary juice for fresh fruits as a healthy alternative. It is advised we eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. They can be fresh, frozen, tinned or dried. Keep the amount of alcohol you drink within recommended guidelines. Try to limit processed and prepackaged foods that are often high in salt, sugar and fat and make your own healthy school or work lunches at home.”

He however, urged participants to aim

for at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activities five times weekly or 75 minutes vigorous intensity activity spread over a week.

“Be more active everyday - take the stairs, walk or cycle instead of driving, exercise with friends and family. When you do it with family and friends, you will be more motivated and,” he said.

Kanu enjoined Nigerians to shun to any form of smoking, as it could cause heart issues, adding that within two years of quitting smoking, the risk of coronary heart disease can be substantially reduced.

He also said second hand smoking was also risky, noting that s nonsmoker was more likely to have healthy people around him than those who smoke since second hand smoking can also damage the heart.

He said: “If you are having trouble stop-

ping, ask for professional advice and ask your employer if they provide smoking cessation services.”

Meanwhile, the Coordinator, KHF, Mr. Onyebuchi Abia said so far, over 560 heart disease patients have successfully undergone open heart surgeries in India and Nigeria fully sponsored by the foundation.

He said: “Cases with heart problems are increasing every day. That is why the foundation needs more funding from well-meaning individuals, corporate organisations and government at all levels. We have over 250 people on waiting list for surgeries hence the cry for help.”

The Chief Executive Officer, Titans Empire Building International, Mr. Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe said his organisation was working hand in hand with KHF for his vision of giving to less privileged people in the society.

30 Million Nigerians are Infected with HepatitisVirus, Says Commission Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Hepatitis Zero Commission Nigeria has raised alarm over the looming health danger posed by the uncontrolled spread of hepatitis in the country, noting that between 20 to 30 million Nigerians are infected by the virus President of the commission, Dr. Mike Omotosho said out of the 20 million Nigerians estimated to be chronically infected with the deadly Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), children were most infected.

According to him, hepatitis BV

was 50-100 times more infectious than HIV with several modes of transmission.

He also said globally, Nigeria has the highest cases of infection accounting for 20 to 30 million persons affected by the hepatitis virus. Omotosho, who made this known while briefing newsmen in Abuja recently, lamented that although hepatitis B which presently has no cure was vaccine preventable, it was not getting the needed attention as a public health concern especially among the citizenry.

He said: “Studies have shown that hepatitis B is common

among children in Nigeria while A and C are common among young people.

“Not many civil society organisations and government agencies make conscious effort to create awareness about hepatitis as a standalone ailment and the awareness creation activities conducted during the celebration of World. Hepatitis Day is not enough to bring about the desired result.”

According to him, hepatitis C, a blood borne virus which was 10 times more infectious than HIV with no preventable vaccine or cure and hepatitis A,

were more common in young adults.

In his words: “Globally, it is estimated that two billion people have been infected with HBV of which approximately 240 million are chronically infected with HBV. Among those with chronic HBV, up to 30 per cent go on to develop liver disease.

“The average prevalence rate for HBV in Nigeria ranges between 11- 13.7 per cent with an estimated 20 million Nigerians chronically infected.

“There is no known virologic cure for HBV infection, however antiviral treatment has been

shown to reduce the transmission risk, decrease the likelihood of developing liver complications resulting in death and improve prognosis.

“Nigeria is estimated to have one of the highest cases of hepatitis B in the world at 12.2 percent which translates to about 20 -30 million persons affected by the hepatitis virus.

“The country is also bedeviled by the other forms of hepatitis virus such as hepatitis A and C and more recently hepatitis E especially in the Northeastern region as reported by WHO in 2017.”

He said that in Nigeria, hepatitis was treated as an opportunistic infection common among HIV/AIDS patients and as such, it was not given the needed attention as a public health concern.

Omotosho, who called for deliberate efforts by relevant stakeholders to eradicate hepatitis, stressed on the need for an effective advocacy, awareness, provision of counselling, viral screening, vaccination, referrals and treatment in an equitable manner, in order to ensure zero transmission of hepatitis cases in the country by 2030.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019

NEWS

Infertility Now on the Increase in Nigeria, Expert Says Martins Ifijeh The Clinical Director, Androcare Fertility Centre and Invitro Fertility Academy, Dr. Daramola Adeleke has disclosed that infertility is now on the increase in Nigeria, with only few fertility experts available to tackle the health concern.

Briefing journalists during a

two-week training for medical practitioners interested in fertility treatment, held in Lagos recently, Adeleke said the only way to curb the high demand for fertility treatment was by empowering and training medical experts, which he said Androcare has been doing through its Invitro Fertility (IVF) Academy.

He said: “The IVF Academy

is setup by Androcare. The idea is to empower doctors who are interested in reproductive medicine. It includes invitro fertilisation.

“In Nigeria, doctors usually travel to India and other countries for training on how to address infertility, and often times they don’t get the entire grasp. But here we provide

the opportunity to get the entire knowledge.

“Most doctors do not have the skill to manage infertility, they just prescribe. But this training provides the needed advantage.”

While explaining that the training was aimed at stop medical tourism abroad by bringing infertility treatment proximally to the Nigerians,

he said we have few doctors attending to infertility problems in Nigeria.

“Presently we don’t have a center in the university where they train doctors on the area. The highest we can do is seeing a gynecologist and today this academy is bridging such gap,” he said.

Adeleke urged the government to create a college for the

training of doctors on infertility The Program Director, Androcare, Dr. Bukunmi Kolade said the training will not only end medical tourism but will address early detection of fertility treatment.

“We have encouraged the doctors to bring their patients into our laboratories which will be part of the practicals,” he said.

ExxonMobil Reiterates Commitment to Malaria Elimination Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Exxon Mobil has vowed to sustain the fight against malaria in Nigeria.

The company’s General Manager, Public and Government Affairs, Nigel Cookey-Gam made the commitment during the 2019 Power Forward Basketball Initiative in Abuja recently.

Cookey-Gam noted that since 2000, more than 14 million bed nets, nearly three million antimalarial treatments- reaching more than 125 million people worldwide had been distributed at Exxon Mobil supported programmes.

He added that in addition, the Power Forward pilot project supports the federal government’s National Malaria Control Programme’s advocacy on youth development and public health, and that it builds on efforts by the ExxonMobil malaria

initiative to combat the scourge.

“The community investment programmes we support focus on capacity-building training, education and health, especially among youths and women.

Our philosophy is that a productive, healthy and educated society is a better place to do business,” Cookey-Gam said.

He thanked their partners – the National Basketball Association (NBA), Women National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Africare for the contributions toward sustaining the Power Forward programme in Nigeria.

Power Forward is a youth development initiative that teaches health literacy and life skills such as leadership, respect and personal responsibility through basketball and other programming to positively impact Nigerian secondary school students in Abuja.

Kwara Has Recorded 35% Rise in Public Hospital Patronage, Says Deputy Gov Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Kwara State government said it has recorded at least 35 per cent rise in hospital patronage since the beginning of the new administration.

The Deputy Governor, Kwara State, Mr. Lekan Alabi who spoke at the closing ceremony of the free medical and surgical interventions for 500 patients at the General Hospital Ilorin recently, said the rise was due to the ongoing focus of government on basic healthcare delivery to the people of the state.

The surgical interventions, in which some 500 persons benefitted, was sponsored by the state government in partnership with the Kwara State Association of Nigeria, North America (KSANG) and Sakinah Medical Outreach.

According to him, “we will make sure that all our primary health centres are properly run and functioning very well and the government will also equip hospitals to meet the medical needs of the people.

“What you have seen here is a direction of where we are going and we will work harder to bring good healthcare delivery to the people of the grassroots.”

Alabi, who represented Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the event, said the government was determined to secure the services of qualified health personnel to provide quality healthcare services in the state.

Special Adviser on Health Matters to the Governor, Prof.

Wale Sulaiman in his remarks, explained that the just concluded surgical mission was a followup to the medical mission held across the three senatorial districts where about 2500 patients were attended to by volunteer doctors from Sakinah Medical Outreach.

“The combined medical and surgical mission is one of those key emergency strategies that will bring immediate relief to people with common ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, infectious and noninfectious diseases.”

Sulaiman, who facilitated the surgical interventions, noted that the it had brought immediate relief to patients who would have been waiting for years due to lack of funds to access medical care.

The Director General of the State Hospital Management Bureau, Dr. Oladimeji Aluko, commended the government for addressing the immediate healthcare of the people, saying that 70 per cent of the beneficiaries were indigent Kwarans.

Aluko said the last four months of AbdulRazaq’s administration has seen between 30 and 35 per cent rise in patients who patronise state-owned hospitals as a result of rising public trust in the government and its interventions like payment of counterpart funds, free malaria treatment and anti-polio vaccination.

Governor,OsunState,Mr.GboyegaOyetola(m);Chairman,APC,OsunState,PrinceGboyegaFamodun(l);ExecutiveSecretary,OsunState,Primary HealthCareDevelopmentBoard,Dr.OlatundeFabiyi(r);andothersduringthecommissioningofthenewlyrenovatedPrimaryHealthcareCentreinSabo, Osogbo...recently

Abia Moves to Factor Special Needs into Healthcare System Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia A change rooted in the grassroots has commenced in the healthcare system of Abia State focusing on the provision of special medical care and support for people with special needs.

To this end, the existing healthcare personnel at the primary healthcare centres are receiving skills that would transform them to social care providers in order to implement the project in all the 17 local government areas of the state.

Stating this at a workshop for social care managers held at Umuahia recently, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health Matters, Felix Chinwendu said Governor Okezie Okpeazu was desirous of introducing positive changes in the health sector.

He explained the choice of

using the primary healthcare personnel to drive the change, saying, “If you get it right at the primary health care level, it will reduce pressure on the secondary and tertiary levels of healthcare services”.

According to him, the Abia chief executive decided to implement novel ways of delivering healthcare services as his intention is to leave a legacy that would outlive his administration.

Chinwendu noted that the ultimate goal of Ikpeazu’s health policy was to make Abians attain life expectancy above the national average by engendering holistic healthcare service delivery that is accessible, affordable, and of international standard. Wife of Abia Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu said that the paradigm shift in the state healthcare services to give the less privileged a befitting sense of belonging was a good

development. Mrs Ikpeazu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Ugoeze Ifeyinwa Uwasomba, noted that by raising an army of social care managers, Abia would be better for it.

The CEO, Kiara Care, Mr. Ndubuisi Ezengwa, said his organisation was partnering the Ikpeazu administration to strengthen the healthcare sector of Abia to take adequate care of every segment of the society, including the vulnerable ones.

He said that Kiara Active Support and Care would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the healthcare system of Abia was transformed to meet international standard.

“We’re going to make sure there is visible change in healthcare in Abia State,” he assured, adding that the training of health managers would be carried out in four stages.

Ezengwa, who is an expert in health management and social care, explained that the objective of the innovation in Abia health system, “Is to improve and deliver support and care to the less privileged members in the rural communities of Abia.

“Our strategy is to use technology to provide effective early medical intervention, deliver expert healthcare and minimize the inconvenience caused to patients and health workers from poor logistics,” he said. Already Kiara Active Support and Care has developed a system christened Abia Care Management System(ABCMS), which is a mobile data collection tool to be deployed for effective implementation of the programme.

Ezengwa, who developed the App, stated that it was designed to collect information on the less privileged across Abia’s 17 local governments.

300 Level Student in Urgent Need of KidneyTransplant Chiamaka Ozulumba The family of Miss Peace Unique Ikechi Ezebuiro, a 300 level Food and Technology Department, Abia State University (ABSU) are calling on well meaning Nigerians, corporate bodies, government to come to the aid of their child who suffers from renal failure and urgently requires a kidney transplant.

Ezebuiro who hails from Emede Ibeku in Umuahia Abia State is currently battling for her life at the Lagos University

Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, where she undergoes consistent dialysis procedures twice in a week without fail.

But the continuous expensive medical treatment is putting heavy constraints on her family’s finances as they can no longer bear the brunt of covering all her medical expenses, hence this humanitarian plea for help in order not to lose their beloved daughter to the cold hands of death while she still has a fighting chance to life.

Ezebuiro, a once bubbling young Nigerian girl is now

confined to a bed as mobility is a thing of the past as her condition deteriorates daily hence the need for a kidney transplant. But the cost alone is currently overwhelming her family.

Thus, the family is desperately calling for help and financial support to ensure their child has the fighting chance to live and pursue her dreams of being a renowned Food Technologist.

They said: “We call on all kind-hearted individuals, Corporate, Humanitarian and Religious Organisations; The

Christian Pentecostal Mission (ICPM) Nigerian Family, Great ABSU Family and alumni, and well-meaning Nigerians to kindly and urgently come to our aid.”

The public can also make donations and tokens into the bank account of Mrs Caroline Ezebuiro Peace’s mother, First Bank Account number 3021080699, while the Ezebuiro’s can be reached on +2348100830066 or +2348087813909 and further enquires and verification can be made at the LASUTH, Ikeja Lagos.

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍąËœ 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Emefiele, Obiano, Others Unveil Coscharis’N12bn Rice Mill Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; Governor of Anambra, Mr. Willie Obiano; his Kebbi State counterpart, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu and the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mustapha Shehuri, were among the dignitaries that unveiled Coscharis Farms’ N12 billion ultra-modern rice processing mill.

In an address he delivered at the rice processing mill located in Igbariam, Anambra State yesterday, Emefiele reiterated the bank’s commitment to partner with the private sector to facilitate the development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

According to Emefiele, the fact that Coscharis Farms Limited was able to commission the rice mill, was an attestation to the fact that the objectives of the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari towards diversifying the Nigerian economy and creating jobs through focused intervention in critical areas was yielding results. “We must also commend the determination and doggedness of Coscharis Farms to establish not only its Rice Farms but also the Processing Mill which will

process not only its paddy rice, but also those paddies produced by local small holder farmers under our Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP).

Emefiele pointed out that despite the challenge of flooding faced by Coscharis Farms last year, the company has kept to its repayment plan, saying a total of about N800 million had been paid so far. “This was notwithstanding the challenging flooding incidents suffered by the project that led to the CBN granting moratorium and tenor extension to the project twice, we thank Coscharis Farms Limited,� he added.

Earlier in his speech, the President of Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmas Maduka, said even though the vision to establish the farm was conceived about three decades ago, it was five years ago that he decided to pursue the vision of going into actual farming and keyed into the federal government agenda of de-emphasising importation and ensuring food sufficiency in the country. “We started with a land in Anaku that was abandoned for so many years because of the peculiar terrain which is prone to flooding. Despite challenges in mechanised farm development,

I can tell you today that we will soon cover the entire about 3000 hectares of land that Coscharis Farms Limited currently own in Anaku. “We also have plans for smallholder farmers in our surrounding communities to provide training, inputs under the out-grower scheme in cooperation with NIRSAL and other agencies. “The plan to build a rice processing mill is motivated by our desire to fix a problem. We want to create more jobs and also want to build skills in the region. “We want to process paddy harvested from our farm in Anaku into best quality rice. We want to contribute significantly to the government’s efforts to ensure food sufficiency through local production of rice. In addition, we want to set the pace for production of best quality local rice that will cause our people to change their preference from imported rice to locally milled rice which is known to be rich with important nutrients. “Rice is the most popular staple food consumed by every household in Nigeria and the country is the highest consumer of rice in the West African sub region and the second largest importer in the world, buying at least 2 million Metric tons per annum.

Heritage Bank’s ‘NextTitan’ Empowers Entrepreneurs Peter Uzoho The ‘Next Titan’ entrepreneurial reality TV show sponsored annually by the Heritage Bank Plc has unveiled the top 16 contenders for the season six of the competition.

The 16 lucky candidates were selected from among 50 contestants who made it to the Bootcamp after the auditions that saw thousands of Nigerian young entrepreneurs jostle for selection at the audition centres in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Abuja.

The contest is over the N7 million cash prize staked for grab by the chief sponsor, Heritage Bank, and a brand new Ford car donated by Coscharis Motors.

The cash prize was N5million in the last five seasons.

Having emerged top 16 contenders, the entrepreneurs would proceed to the Next Titan House where they would be involved in a-10 week entrepreneurial and social service tasks including training and mentorship under the guidance and supervision

of astute business leaders who serve as judges.

Speaking at the Premiere Night in Lagos, where the top 16 were unveiled, the Regional Executive, Lagos and South West, Heritage Bank, Mr. Dimiri Dike, said the programme was one of the ways the bank drives social and economic change as a responsible corporate citizen.

Dike said: “On the economic level, you know that entrepreneurship drives employment, it drives social change, so we are really doing it for both social and economic change. “And also, time it was in the past when a lot of people entered entrepreneurship without proper training. This platform, the Next Titan, offerers you a very good beginning. “Some of the advantages and benefits that entrepreneurs in the past never had are what these ones are enjoying. So this is an opportunity for them to be schooled and at least stand the fighting chance from the perspective of knowledge and experience of those that had gone before them to succeed.�

Advising the top 16 contenders, Dike said: “First, be yourself, you have to be humble. The fact that you made it to the top 16 doesn’t mean you are better than those who didn’t get here. It could have been just one thing or another. “So, if you now go and be thinking that you have now arrived, that lack of humility could be your undoing. “And more importantly, enjoy the experience because even after you have won, it is the memories of your journey to victory that will keep you going, long after you have become a successful entrepreneur.�

Giving insights into some changes in the programme, the Executive Producer, Next Titan, Mr. Mide Kunle Akinlaja, said: “One, the prize has changed from N5 million to N7 million. Then two, we are improving in all areas, contentwise, trying to make the show more entertaining and at the same time not allowing the entertainment to water down the essence of the show, which is entrepreneurship.�

DBN Advocates for More Women Entrepreneurs With Nigeria’s 43.3 per cent unemployment rate, the Development Bank of Nigeria has urged Nigerian women to further sharpen their entrepreneurial skills in order to reduce the rate of unemployment and poverty in the country.

Speaking at the third edition of the ‘Women in Leadership and Career Empowerment Programme (WILCEP) Africa, the Managing Director of Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Mr. Tony Okpanachi, who was represented by the Business Development and Relationship Manager, Maryesther

Ezeadi, emphasised that with Nigeria’s rapid population growth and the current rate of unemployment, over 90 million Nigerians will be unemployed by 2050. “Nigeria women should see the numerous challenges in the country as opportunities to become entrepreneurs by providing solutions. According to the latest SMEDAN survey, there are 41 million MSMEs in Nigeria. “If each of these businesses employs four people, it would totally wipe out unemployment in Nigeria. Our population as

at the last count was put at 198.5 million by World Bank.

So, it is the most simplistic way of showing the power of entrepreneurship in generating employment,� he said.

Women were also advised to persevere during challenging times in business, as the challenges faced in business provide an experience which should serve as a guide to subsequently help sustain the business.

While building their business, women were also counseled to prioritise their health and wellbeing.

L-R: Governor, Anambra State, Willie Obiano; Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu; President / CEO, Coscharis Group, Cosmas Maduka,and Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin EmeďŹ ele, at the inauguration of the Ultra modern Coscharis Rice Mill in Igbariam, Anambra State... yesterday

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

NOVEMBER 2018 Money Supply (M3)

31,794,803.44

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

6,333,064.28

Money Supply (M2)

25,461,739.17

-- Quasi Money

14,773,076.98

-- Narrow Money (M1)

10,688,662.18

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,711,763.59

---- Demand Deposits

8,976,898.59

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

18,990,400.78

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

12,804,402.66

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,062,986.22

---- Credit to Government (Net)

2,980,229.66

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

7,093,619.43

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

-4,144,571.43

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

23,082,756.56

--Other Assets Net

13,258,583.57

Reserve Money (Base Money

6,811,192.37

--Currency in Circulation

2,100,129.91

--Banks Reserves

4,366,259.05

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Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

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OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ ÍŻ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $59.65 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $61.09 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

41

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱ˜ 2019

MARKET NEWS

InfinityTrust Mortgage Bank Grows Profit by 33% in Nine Months Goddy Egene Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank (ITMB) Plc yesterday announced an increase of 33 per cent in its profit after tax (PAT) for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The PAT rose from N221.262 million in the corresponding period of 2018 to N293.456 million in 2019.

The profit was recorded from a gross earnings of N993.856 million, up from N717.360 million in 2018, while interest and similar

income stood at N763.611 million as against N531.832 million.

Net fees and commission income was N88.392 million compared with N47,740 million, just as credit loss charges rose from N2.825 million to N4.238 million. Total operating expenses increase from N409 million to N540 million. Profit before tax increased to N308.902 million from N233.769 million, while PAT increased from N293.456 million to N221.262 million.

The Managing Director/CEO

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

of ITMB Plc, Dr. Olabanjo Obaleye last month said the company continued to maintain profitability since its listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) despite the harsh business environment in the country.

He said the bank had increased its number of shareholders, attained national primary mortgage bank status, and opened its Lagos regional office.

“We have received strong industry and regulatory ratings,

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

and many industry and international awards. The bank also added two independent directors and became shareholders with Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company and Mortgage Warehouse Funding Limited.

The bank has held its annual general meetings consistently,” he said.

Obaleye explained that ITMB Plc was constantly exploring areas that could advance its core values, part of which was the adoption of digital

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

initiatives like development of mobile application which will increase convenience and payment options available to customers.

He said: “We believe that we need to be technologydriven and that is why we are exploring available options by joining the NIBSS platform to improve customer service, drive revenue and promote corporate goodwill. We have also implemented end-to-end monitoring in a bid to Increase

O F

the number and quality of risk assets which will translate to higher earnings for the bank.”

Meanwhile, the stock market opened for the week on a bearish note as the NSE All-Share Index fell 1.14 per cent to close at 27,314.87, while market shed N153.7 billion to close at N13.3 trillion. Also, activity level weakened as volume and value traded fell 9.8 per cent and 16.2 per cent to 175.8 million shares and N2.6 billion respectively.

2 6 / 0 9 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

42

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

UACN Property Development Company Plans N16bn Rights Issue Goddy Egene UACN Property Development Company (UPDC) Plc is to raise N15.962 billion fresh equity capital from existing shareholders as part of its recapitalization and restructuring efforts. The capital would be raised through the issuance of 15,961,563,260 ordinary

shares of 50 kobo each at N1.00 per share on the basis of 43 new shares for every seven shares held. The company disclosed the plan of fresh capital injection in a notification to the NSE. Before now, UAC of Nigeria (UACN)Plc, which is the parent firm of UPDC had announced a collective consideration of

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

strategic initiatives involving a recapitalisation and restructuring of UPDC. UACN had explained that it was in the process of a strategic review, evaluating its performance and its subsidiaries. The objective is to achieve sustainable positive financial performance from its existing operations and enable

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 30Sep-2019, unless otherwise stated.

management focus on businesses that align with its strategy.

“In reviewing UPDC, the board weighed the long-term opportunities in the Nigerian real estate sector against the fundamental differences between the cashflow profile and capital needs of UPDC versus other entities in UAC’s portfolio.

Following its review, the board concluded that it would be in the best interest of respective stakeholders of UACN and UPDC if UACN’s equity interest in UPDC is ‘unbundled’ such that UACN no longer holds any shares in UPDC and UPDC operates as a standalone legal entity, free to source appropriately structured

capital,” the company said.

On the other hand, the board and management at UPDC have focused on developing strategies to stabilise UPDC’s capital structure and unlock value for shareholders.

Hence, two significant strategic initiatives, recapitalisation and a concurrent restructuring, are being proposed.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 143.78 145.76 -8.60% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 12.92% Nigeria International Debt Fund 272.95 272.95 1.30% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.88 0.89 5.00% ACAP Income Funds 0.77 0.77 35.30% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.51% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.38 2.41 7.18% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 14.71 15.15 -11.34% ARM Discovery Fund 336.14 346.27 -5.75% ARM Ethical Fund 28.23 29.08 -0.04% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.46% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 94.41 95.07 -6.70% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.25% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.86 1.86 10.97% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 0.13 0.12 13.28% Paramount Equity Fund 12.21 12.32 3.41% Women's Investment Fund 108.89 109.54 5.14% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.12% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 96.40 97.11 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 97.47 98.35 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.69% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.85 0.86 -0.31% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.23 1.23 10.13% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 12.18% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 12.07% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,114.03 1,120.70 12.09% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,247.56 1,248.34 11.45% FBN BALANCED FUND 141.41 142.35 -0.96% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.44% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 119.69 120.03 8.27% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 120.24 120.58 9.02% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 124.45 126.07 -17.03% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.76% Legacy Debt Fund 3.55 3.55 9.32% Legacy Equity Fund 1.06 1.08 -12.72% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.07 1.07 3.85% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,030.03 3,061.96 1.55% Coral Income Fund 3,014.27 3,014.27 9.99% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 11.79% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.34% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 111.31 112.37 3.54% GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.02%

INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.56% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.17 2.19 0.44% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 15.84% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 128.53 128.30 2.71% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.17 1.19 5.90% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,123.52 1,123.52 10.08% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 10.03 10.11 -6.36% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 11.00% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.30 1.31 5.17% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.01 12.05 7.41% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.16% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 122.70 123.42 1.69% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.04 1.04 10.74% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,379.44 2,390.94 2.77% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 205.56 205.56 10.48% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.85 0.86 -10.00% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 267.26 267.37 10.17% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 148.25 149.90 -9.13% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.05% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,653.64 7,737.32 -9.89% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.15 1.15 5.68% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 100.71 100.71 0.00% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Wealth for Women Fund N/A N/A N/A QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.12 10.29 -4.54% Zenith Ethical Fund 22.34 22.34 -5.17% Zenith Income Fund 11.33 11.51 10.51% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.83%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.40 117.19 53.38

-44.85% 5.49% 3.17%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

8.47 88.30 71.83

8.57 90.21 73.20

-14.86% -21.94% -16.33%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.42 5.63 12.17 10.73 148.86

3.46 5.71 12.27 10.93 150.86

-14.43% -25.93% -16.73% -13.06% 12.68%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.34

17.40%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 3, 2019 • T H I S D AY

43

44

THURSDAY OCTOBER 3, 2019 • T H I S D AY

THURSDAY OCTOBER 3, 2019 • T H I S D AY

45 ADVERTORIAL

46

THURSDAY OCTOBER 3, 2019 • T H I S D AY

47

THURSDAY OCTOBER 3, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

Johnson Urges EU to Accept Compromise on Brexit Border Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to the European Commission, President Jean-

Claude Juncker, offering what he called a “reasonable compromise” for amending

Israeli Attorney-General Opens Hearing in Netanyahu’s Alleged Corruption Cases Israeli Attorney-General, Avichai Mandelblit, on Wednesday opened a series of pre-indictment hearings to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ahead of possible criminal indictments over corruptions, according to Department of Justice.

Netanyahu will not attend the hearings and will be represented by a team of about ten of Israel’s top lawyers.

Upon arriving at the Justice Ministry, where the hearings are being held, Ram Caspi, one of Netanyahu’s lawyers, told newsmen that he has absolute confidence in the legal system.

He added that he believes there is a strong base for changing the allegations against his client.

NAN reports that in the case, police alleged that Netanyahu, as communication minister, granted

is increasing, opinion on whether Trump should be removed from office as a result of the impeachment remain divided.

According to a Monmouth University Poll released Tuesday, 44 per cent said Trump should be compelled to leave the White House, while 52 per cent disagree.

The U.S. House of Representatives announced earlier to launch impeachment investigations after a whistleblower’s complaint alerted lawmakers about a telephone call between Trump and Ukraine’s president.

According to a description of the phone call released by the White House, Trump said he would like the Ukrainian government to investigate a corruption allegation against Hunter Biden.

Biden is the son of former U.S. Vice President and current Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.

Namibia Experiencing Worst Drought in 90 Years, Says Official Namibia is currently experiencing the worst drought in 90 years and is finding ways to deal with climate change and stimulate agriculture in the future, Speaker of Parliament Peter Katjavivi on Wednesday said.

He said this while addressing parliamentarians and Non Governmental organisations on the current state of sustainable natural resource management in Namibia meant to find ways of unlocking a bioeconomy potential.

to compromise” to secure a deal by October 31, when Johnson has insisted Britain will leave the bloc with or without a deal.

Britain’s proposals deal “pragmatically” with the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland, which will leave the EU with the rest of the UK, and EU member state Ireland, Johnson says.

“I hope that these proposals can now provide the basis for rapid negotiations towards a solution,” he tells Juncker.

Johnson told Conservative party delegates earlier on Wednesday that Britain had made “constructive and reasonable proposals” for an agreement to withdraw from the EU on Oct. 31

but would leave on that date “come what may”.

“If we fail to get an agreement… then let us be in no doubt, the alternative is no deal.

“It is an outcome for which we are ready.

“Are we ready for it? Yes, we are,” Johnson told the delegates

regulatory favours to Israel’s leading telecommunications company, Bezeq, in return for more positive coverage on Walla, a news website belonging to the firm’s owner.

Read more Netanyahu is also accuse of negotiating a deal with the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper for better coverage in return for promises to limit the circulation of a rival.

The prime minister is also battling to form a unity government in a bid to stay in office.

He had sought a clear victory to secure immunity from the expected corruption trials.

In the September elections, neither Netanyahu’s right-wing allies nor Benny Gantz’s centre-left bloc was able to secure the 61-seat majority of the 120-seat Knesset needed to rule.

New Poll Shows Strong Support for Trump’s Impeachment A new poll released on Wednesday

by Politico/Morning Consult showed a 46 per cent support rate for impeaching US President Donald Trump, and 43 per cent opposition.

The result is a new high for support to impeach Trump, with the Democratic Party pressing ahead with an impeachment inquiry.

This is the first time for the poll to show that support for impeachment had surpassed opposition.

The same poll earlier had the two sides even, while in the recent week 36 per cent showed support while 49 per cent were against.

Tyler Sinclair, Morning Consult’s vice president said “support for impeachment proceedings remains high among voters, but Democrats could face limited support from Republicans through the process.

Sinclair, said while the result showed that appetite for impeachment among the public

Britain’s Brexit deal.

Johnson’s letter to Juncker says he wants to replace the agreed “backstop,” which is designed to guarantee an open Irish border, with alternative customs arrangements.

He says both sides “now need to consider whether there is sufficient willingness

Katjavivi said for more than two years, the Namibia economy is also severely affected by an economic downturn.

Katjavivi added that there was a need to find ways to deal with natural calamities as more than 60 per cent of the population in Namibia depend directly or indirectly on agriculture, forestry as well as freshwater fishery to maintain their livelihoods.

WITH LOVE FROM ECOWAS...

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (right), presenting a plaque to Justice Dupe Atoki, a representative of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice President during a courtesy visit by a delegation of ECOWAS Community Court of Justice at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja...yesterday

Israeli Researchers Develop Treatment to Stop Bone Cancer Spread Israeli researchers have discovered molecular interactions underlying Ewing sarcoma bone cancer and developed a new treatment to stop its spread.

The discovery was reported by the Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS) in Central Israel on Wednesday.

Ewing’s sarcoma disease is caused by a single genetic defect and mainly affects teenagers.

The WIS research, published in

the journal Cell Reports, focused on receptors for steroid hormones called glucocorticoids.

These receptors are present in almost all human cells, conveying hormonal messages related to stress, wakefulness and other important functions.

However, sometimes these receptors stimulate malignant growth by moving to the cell nucleus, where they interact and bind with

transcription factors — molecules that turn genes on or off.

The WIS team first performed a high-resolution analysis of proteins in living cells and discovered new interactions.

One of these factors is known to drive the development of Ewing sarcoma, as its gene unites abnormally with another gene, creating an oncogene, a cancer-causing gene.

Then, laboratory and mouse

experiments found that the binding of the protein made by this oncogene increased the growth and migration of sarcoma cells.

The scientists also identified seven genes regulated by the glucocorticoid receptors that were expressed in high levels in patients with lethal tumors.

These genes may serve as a genetic signature enabling a selection of patients for treatment and also help predict the course of the disease.

Australian Researchers Develop Computer Game to Diagnose Mental Illness Researchers from Australia’s peak scientific body developed a computer game capable of helping diagnose mental health disorders.

The game, developed by the Data61 team at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) presents users with two choices and tracks their behaviour as they respond.

That data was then analysed by

artificial neural networks that are able to distinguish the nuanced differences between healthy players and those with bipolar disorder or depression.

It was tested on 101 participants, 34 with depression, 33 with bipolar disorder and 34 without either.

Amir Dezfouli, the neuroscientist who led the study, said it represented a possible step-

change in the emerging field of computational psychiatry.

“Currently, 69 per cent of bipolar patients are initially misdiagnosed and around onethird of these patients might remain misdiagnosed for 10 years or more,’’ he said in a media release on Wednesday.

“If we can understand how the brain works, we can develop more

accurate processes for diagnosis and more effective treatments for people with mental health disorders.

“Characterising mental health disorders in granular detail could allow clinicians to develop more personalised treatment plans based on an individual’s unique diagnosis.’’

Hong Kong Says 269 Protesters Arrested During National Day Clashes Hong Kong Police on Wednesday said they made 269 arrests at huge anti-government demonstrations a day earlier, as the force defended the conduct of anti-riot officers in their clashes with protesters.

Police fired 900 rubber bullets,

230 foam rounds and 1,400 cans of tear gas, as well as six live rounds of ammunition during the demonstrations in the semiautonomous Chinese territory on Tuesday.

On the same day in Beijing, the Chinese Government

marked the 70th National Day with a massive military parade.

The holiday celebrates the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Hong Kong’s Deputy Commissioner of Police, Tang Ping-Keung, pushed

back against criticism of the officers’ actions, saying they were “undoubtedly lawful and reasonable’’.

This included the shooting of an 18-year-old protester at close range with a live round.

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Customs Rakes in over N5bn Daily Since Border Closure, Says Ali The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Hameed Ali, yesterday, told the National Assembly members that the agency has been raking in between N4.7bn and N5.8 bn since the federal government closed the nation’s borders.

Ali stated this when he appeared before the Senate and House of Representatives joint committees on Finance and National Planning, working on the 2020-2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper.

The development came just as the joint panel summoned the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele and the Controller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede, to appear before it on Thursday.

The heads of the two agencies are expected to brief the joint panel on the MTEF / FSP documents.

The NCS boss, had while addressing the lawmakers said the land border closure was a blessing to the nation.

He said, “When we closed the border, my fear was that our revenue was going to drop. To be honest, our revenue kept increasing.

“There was a day in September that we collected N9.2 billion in one day. It has never happened before.

“This is after the closure of the border and since then, we have maintained an average of about N4.7 billion to N5.8 billion on a daily basis which is far more than we used to collect.

“What we have discovered is that most of those cargoes that used to go to Benin (Republic) and are then smuggled into Nigeria (now come to us).

“Now that we have closed the border they are forced to bring their goods to either Apapa or Tin Can Island and we have to collect duty on them.

Metuh Closes Defence in N400m Money Laundering Trial Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, yesterday closed argument in his ongoing trial before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

He had called 15 witnesses to prove his innocence of the money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC is prosecuting Metuh alongside his company, Destra Investment Limited, on seven-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N400 million, which he received from the Office of the National Security Adviser in the lead up to the 2015 general election.

It could be recalled that the court in 2018 issued an order for Metu to close his case, but had to vacate it to enable him call more witnesses.

At the court session on Friday, September 27, 2019, Metuh, who is the 15th witness in his matter, told the court under cross-examination by the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, that there was never an instance where former President Goodluck Jonathan directly gave any money to him, saying that his collection of N400 million (from Col. Sambo Dasuki, former NSA) was for a national assignment as directed by the then president.

At today’s trial, the prosecution counsel presented a Diamond Bank document which captured the details of the transactions carried out by Metuh and his

company, Destra Investment Limited.

The defence counsel indicated a desire to crossexamine Metuh on the tendered documents but the prosecution objected on the grounds that the matter was not a fresh charge.

Destra Investment’s counsel, Mr Tochukwu Onwugbufor argued that the prosecution had turned Metuh into its witness by introducing new evidence, that he was entitled to crossexamine Metuh on the bank documents.

But Tahir opposed the application, arguing that it was misconceived and not supported by provisions of the Evidence Act. Justice Abang, relying on sections 215(3), 216 and 217 of the Evidence Act, upheld the argument of the prosecution and refused the application of the defence counsel to cross-examine Metuh.

According to the judge, Section 216 of the Evidence Act was of no assistance to the defence, while Section 217 was of no relevance, noting that the defence cannot argue that the document contained fresh issues to alter provisions of the Evidence Act. He further stated that it was not mandatory for counsel of the second defendant (Destra Investment) to crossexamine Metuh on the bank documents, saying such can only happen at the discretion of the court.

Justice Abang adjourned the matter to October 7, 2019, for continuation of trial and for other pending applications to be heard.

“If that (border closure) would continue, to us, it is a welcome situation. Our

revenue has not reduced.

As a matter of fact, it is increasing as a result of

the closure of the border.

“About 10.2million litres of fuel have now been

cut down from what we assume, we have been consuming.”

NEC MEETING....

L-R: National President, Association of Government General Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Dr. Abubakar Ayinla; former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and Secretary to the Ogun State Government , Mr. Olatokunbo Talabi, at the association’s National Executive Council meeting in Abeokuta...recently

NUT Demands 65-year Retirement Age The Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to sign into law the bill seeking to increase the retirement age of teachers/education officers from 60 to 65.

NUT’s National President, Muhammed Idris, stated this during a briefing in Abuja to mark the International World Teachers Day. He said that the union would not rest on its demand to see that the bill is assented to by the president.

According to him: “I wish to also acknowledge the collaborative efforts of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Nigeria Union of

Teachers and other stakeholders to see that our age-long demand for review of the retirement age of teachers/education officers from 60 to 65 is addressed.

“We urge all of us not to rest on our oars until the bill is signed into law.”

He commended Buhari for sustaining the sponsorship of the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award to honour and reward outstanding teachers in the country.

Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, said the ministry has put in place mechanisms to strengthen the implementation of

teacher education in the country.

The minister listed the mechanisms to include: reviewing the quality assurance/monitoring instruments in line with global best practice, engagement of independent quality assurance teams and stakeholders in monitoring of all academic activities.

Others are: conducting nationwide capacity building workshops for 100, 000 teachers at basic and post basic levels through the support of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Adamu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, added

that teacher development and motivation were central to efforts the ministry is making to reposition the education sector to meet national aspirations.

“The ministry is systematically and fully committed to constant upgrading of the teaching standards and contents to boost teacher quality in Nigeria.

“We are leaving no stone unturned in our quest to ensure that teachers are professionally qualified, empowered and adequately remunerated, motivated and supported for efficiency and effectiveness,” the minister said.

SENATE: NIGERIA LOSES N7TN FOR FAILING TO AMEND PSC ACT their investments, adding that he is supporting the motion so as to ensure that more money comes to government.

On his part, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), stated that those who enacted the PSC Act were conscious of the fact that it must be dynamic, “but no review has been done after 15 years as stipulated.” “ It even said subject to crude oil price but we have refused to review it for whatever reason and everybody watches Nigeria bleed. We must do something to save this country. There must be cost recovery ceiling, it is 50% in Angola and you can’t go beyond it. We must stop Nigeria from bleeding. Whatever needed to be done must be done,” he added.

Senator Rochas Okorocha (Imo North) attributed the inability to review the PSC Act to those in charge, saying some of these agencies have failed the people and have failed the Nigerian nation.

He said: “We must call these oil companies to order. I think there is need in assigning responsibility to the committee to recover the

lost funds, and the oil companies need to sit up and clear the mess they have created.”

On his part, Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), said: “We must rise up to the occasion and block the leakages by referring this matter to the Committee on Finance and Committee on Human Rights to make sure that the revenue accruing to us from the PSC are brought to us.”

Also yesterday, the Senate resolved to make urgent budgetary allocation to security agencies to fight the rising wave of insecurity across the nation.

It also pledged to ensure that the National Assembly passed an anti-kidnapping bill to address recurring incidents of kidnapping nationwide.

The decision was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved at the plenary by the Chairman of the Senate committee on Aviation, Senator Dino Melaye, who expressed concern over the activities of kidnappers along Lokoja-Abuja Expressway, which resulted in the kidnapping of 36 people in September alone.

Melaye, who came under Orders 42 and 52 of the Senate Rules, also said a total of nine lives were lost during the incident last month.

The Senate after taking contributions from the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnanya Abaribe and Chairman of the Senate committee on Marine Transport, Senator Danjuma Goje, condemned the incessant kidnapping and vowed to ensure the formulation of an anti-kidnapping legislation to address the anomaly.

It also agreed to provide more funds to security agencies to allow them tackle the rising wave of insecurity across the country.

Earlier in his motion of urgent national importance, Melaye had drawn the attention of the Senate to the activities of kidnappers on Lokoja-Abuja Expressway, the gateway to about nine states.

According to him, it is the responsibility of the Senate to uphold the tenets of the constitution, “as we should display citizen diplomacy where the lives and property of Nigerians are sacred as kidnapping is now

becoming ritualistic, not only on Abuja-Lokoja road, but on every other road across the country”.

He therefore asked the Senate to call on the security agencies to secure the Lokoja-Abuja highway and all other roads in the country as well as asking the Inspector General of Police to intensify efforts to protect lives and property.

Lawan, in his contribution, stressed the need to review the security apparatus of the nation, saying Nigeria is not getting the best from its security agencies.

“Recall that the Senate had mooted for a public hearing to review the security architecture because the way they are we aren’t getting the best from them and we can’t go on like this.

“Our Committee on Communication needs to hear from the Minister of Communication to know how far they have gone with unregistered lines. We need to do something radical: the military and other security agencies must not use the train, they must secure the roads. We need to increase their funding but we must know what they do with it.

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Auto Dealers Decry Clampdown by Customs Officers in Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina Major car dealers in Katsina State have condemned the

shutting down of their auto shops by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in search of cars smuggled through the land

Rape Cases in Africa Alarming, Says FIDA Alex Enumah in Abuja The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has expressed concern over the increasing cases of rape and other violence against women and girls in Africa, describing it as alarming.

Regional Vice President (West & North Africa) FIDA, Mrs. Victoria Awomolo (SAN), who raised the alarm, however, called on the Nigeria Police and other law enforcement agencies to apply relevant laws in curtailing the menace.

She gave the warning yesterday during a press briefing with judiciary correspondents in Abuja.

The media parley, according to Mrs. Awolomo, was part of activities preparatory to Nigeria’s hosting of FIDA Africa Regional Congress 2019, from October 11 to 15, 2019.

While speaking on gender and sexual violence; particularly the rape of minors, rising wave of incest as well as the need to create a level-playing field in politics for women, Awomolo lamented that the status of women and children in Africa has not changed.

“The status of women and children has not changed much in Africa. We still have many cases of discrimination against

women in the homes, cultural practices don’t favour us, in workplaces, we are also discriminated upon,” she said.

According to her, one issue that is currently in the front burner is gender violence.

“Gender violence is becoming rampant now, particularly the case of rape.

Minors are being defiled on a daily basis, and we have to create awareness to put an end to this dastardly act.

“You now see fathers raping their daughters, and uncles raping infants; a child as young as 6 months is now being raped and one wonders why,” she said.

The Regional Vice President, who was elected in 2017 at the FIDA Convention in Bahamas, said the theme of the Africa regional congress is, “The Growth of Women and Children in Africa Beyond Rhetorics.”

She said what informed the theme was the many discussions on the status of women and children in Africa, particularly Nigeria.

She said the FIDA Africa Regional Congress “will equally lend voice to the fact that African women have grown beyond just being in the kitchen to much more.”

Akeredolu: How We are Tackling Security Challenges in South -west Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has said governors in the South-west geopolitical zone are responding comprehensively to various security challenges as they surface.

Akeredolu, who is the Chairman of the South-west Governors’ Forum, said this yesterday in Akure at a church service to mark this year’s Covenant Renewal Day in the state.

He said the state was working in collaboration with sister states to rejig the security architecture of the zone to respond adequately to new challenges.

“It is no longer news that our country is going through security challenges. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to salvage it together.

“We are doing our best to respond comprehensively to the new challenges.

“Ondo State is working in collaboration with sister states in Southwestern Zone to re-jig the security architecture of the zone to make it respond adequately to the new challenges.

“Government has never relented on its efforts to curb crime and criminalities within

our boundaries.

“We will continue this until our people can sleep with their two eyes closed.

“Nigeria must survive its challenges and it is possible if we all agree and pray together in unison,” he said.

Akeredolu said the church service was an opportunity to renew strength and pray to God for the future of the state.

“There is, therefore, a compelling need for collaboration of all stakeholders in the task of building a virile and egalitarian society.

“It is indeed heartening to be in the presence of several eminent spiritual leaders of Christian body for the 2019 edition of this special programme.

“It will be recalled that I gladly participated in the last edition because we know that our dear state and indeed Nigeria needs continuous prayers.

“Our administration since inception has partnered the Ondo State chapters of PFN,CAN and other groups in almost all their programmes and events,” he said.

borders, as harassment and an attempt to label them as car smugglers.

THISDAY reliably gathered that over 20 car marts were sealed off by NCS in Katsina, the state capital.

The dealers, who lamented over what they described as huge business loss, told our correspondent yesterday in Katsina that the action

of the NCS would run counterproductive to the federal government’s foreign investment drive.

One of the car dealers who spoke to THISDAY on the condition of anonymity, said: “We don’t understand what is happening. We cooperate with all agencies of government and if the NCS needs any information about

our business, they ought to ask instead of sealing off our auto shops.

“The NCS should be aware that Nigeria is not under a military regime where businesses are shut down without notice. We are not smugglers. We bring in our cars through the ports and pay a huge amount of money.”

Another car dealer who

also pleaded anonymity condemned the clampdown by the NCS and denied selling smuggled cars in the state.

He said: “I can tell you that none of us know what the problem is. They just came and locked all the shops up and walked away.

We are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the NCS to order.”

STRATEGIC MEETINGSS

Minsiter of Mine and Steel, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite (right), and the Country Director of World Bank, Rachid Benmessaoud, during a meeting with World Bank representative on improving the mine and steel sector in Abuja...yesterday Kingsley Adeboye

Court Grants SERAP’s Application to Compel CCB to Publish Assets of Public Officials A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the application filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) seeking to compel the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to disclose details of assets declared by public officials since 1999.

SERAP had filed a suit against the CCB over its claim that it could not disclose details of asset declarations submitted to it by public officials.

Through a Freedom of Information (FoI) request, SERAP had asked the CCB to urgently provide information on asset declaration submitted to the bureau by public officials from 1999 to 2019.

But the bureau had said the information requested could

not be provided on the grounds of “invasion of privacy”.

In an application filed by Adelanke Aremo, SERAP’s counsel, the organisation sought an order of mandamus directing and compelling the CCB to disclose details of asset declarations submitted to it.

The civil society organisation had argued that the assets declaration form is a public document and not private information as claimed by CCB. “Public interest in disclosure of the details of asset declarations sought by SERAP clearly outweighs any claim of protection of the privacy of presidents and state governors, as they are public officers entrusted with the duty to manage public funds, among other public

functions,” the suit read in part.

“The CCB does not have reasonable grounds on which to deny SERAP’s FOI request, as it is in the interest of justice, the Nigerian public, transparency and accountability to publish details of asset declarations by presidents and state governors since the return of democracy in 1999.

“The right to information and truth allows Nigerians to gain access to information essential to the fight against corruption, institutionalise good governance and improve citizens’ confidence in public institutions.”

Delivering judgment yesterday, Justice Muslim Hassan, granted the order for leave following the hearing of

the argument on exparte motion filed by SERAP. “Going through the application filed by SERAP, supported by a 14-paragraph affidavit, with supporting exhibits, statements setting out the facts, verifying affidavits and written address in support, I am satisfied that leave ought to be granted in this case, and I hereby grant the motion for leave,” the judge ruled.

SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the order by the court has cleared the way for the organisation to advance its case against the CBB and challenge the grounds for its refusal to publish the information requested.

The suit was adjourned to October 16 for motion on notice.

Unknown Gunmen Kill Two in Adamawa Daji Sani in Yola Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has confirmed the killing of the Chairman of a Fulani socio-cultural group, Tabital Pulaaku, in the state, Alhaji Abdu Balli.

The governor confirmed the incident in a statement issued by his DirectorGeneral Media and Communications, Solomon

Kumangar, last Tuesday Fintiri, who condemned the killings in strong terms, added that Balli was killed last Tuesday night by unknown gunmen at his residence in Yola, the state capital.

The governor also condemned the killing of the Muchalla Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ward Chairman of in Mubi North Local Government Area, Ishaya Dauda.

Fintiri has consequently ordered the security operatives to fish out the culprits and bring them to book.

He sympathised with the families of the deceased and wish those injured during the attack by the gunmen quick recovery.

Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Suleiman Nguroje, who confirmed the incident, said unknown gunmen last

Tuesday night killed a Fulani leader with one of his visitors who was a ward chairman of PDP in Mubi North Local Government Area.

Nguroje said the police have swung into action to uncover the mysteries behind the killings, and that the police were on top of the situation.

He called on the public to support the police with useful information to track down the killers.

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You’re a Fighter for Democracy, Rule of Law, Tinubu Eulogises Akinrinade at 80 Idowu Sowunmi National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday paid a special tribute to the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alani Akinrinade (rtd), as he clocks 80 today, describing him as a fighter for democracy, rule of law and social justice with whom he was in the trenches during the military era.

He said Akinrinade as a true democrat, an unrelenting fighter for rule of law and social justice and a statesman extraordinary served and continues to serve his country with all that he has: “his intellect, energy, power, doggedness and commitment.”

Tinubu, in an emotional tribute, said: “Whether in the army or in retirement, General Akinrinade deployed all he is endowed with to accomplish whatever tasks he is given or to the goals he sets for himself. He served and continues to serve his country with all that he has: his intellect, energy, power, doggedness and commitment.

“He served the military meritoriously and faithfully. Given his brilliance and tenacity, he rose to the pinnacle of the military profession as Chief of Army Staff

and later Chief of Defence Staff, appointed to help in stabilising the new civilian government then in 1979 during the Second Republic.

He, however, quit barely a year after, retiring from the military, as it were, at just 38.”

According to him, “The circumstance of General Akinrinade’s retirement is a testament to his impeccable character and good qualities.

Sensing that some in the then President Shehu Shagari government he was left behind by the military to assist feared there could be issues of trust in his position, General Akinrinade put in his resignation letter in order not to compromise himself and the principles he stood for.

This was to the discomfiture of President Shagari and some top Yoruba functionaries in that NPN government who tried to prevail on him to change his mind. That is not in his character. Once he is convinced in a course of action and makes his decision, General Akinrinade I know does not look back.

“For close to 30 years that our paths have crossed in the field of struggle for the termination of military rule in Nigeria and political emancipation of

Middle Belt Holds Praise Festival for Emancipation of Region Panam Percy Paul, 22 others to feature at festival Alex Enumah in Abuja The Middle Belt region is to hold a praise festival aimed at liberating the people of the region from ethnic divisions and other crises in the region said to be responsible for the loss of thousands of lives and property worth billions of naira in the last few years.

The festival, which will feature renowned gospel artiste, Panam Percy Paul and 22 others, would serve as a platform for people of the region to come together irrespective of political, cultural, ethnic and economic differences.

Other gospel singers to feature include Solomon Lange, Prospa Ochimana, Chris Morgan, David G, Steve Crown, Ruben Okala, Helen Kokoruwe, among others.

The festival slated for October 18 to 20, will hold in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

According to the convener of the festival, Panam Percy Paul, the Almighty God has planned to use the festival as an incubator through which God will birth other visions and ideas for the region.

“For years, so many people saw the Middle Melt as a tribe, but the Middle Belt alone is made up of over 600 different tribes so when you try to unite such a people, it becomes very difficult because so many parameters divides us.

“I think the Lord just raised us right from the very beginning to emancipate this region.

“The main vision is bringing the people together because nothing works unless the people are one, and so the middle belt praise festival happens to be the most reasonable platform that brings the people together.

“We are Christians, we can’t deny that and we can never

downplay our faith and I discovered that it is not possible for the Middle Belt region to come together under politics, tradition or economy but under one single denominator that binds us together.

“We therefore want to use this medium to invoke the power of God to unite us as one,” he said.

He disclosed that over 300 Christian traditional rulers had been reached to get to the over 600 tribes in the region on the need to bring them under one umbrella to promote unity in the region.

He added that the festival which would henceforth be an annual programme, would also be taken to other states within the region.

Also, Rev. John Ornguze of the Christian Centre Ministries said the enemies were bent on destroying the call of God in the Middle Belt, urging Christians in the region to rise up and ensure unity of purpose to move forward.

“The enemy is trying to kill the call of the gospel in the middle belt. End time gospels have come upon the middle belt and God is trying to bring out Elijah out from the region.

“It is now left for us to come together to see to it that the dream of God upon the region did not go unfulfilled.

“The festival will therefore be a forum where Christians can come together and propagate the ideas that will hold us stronger and united,” he stated.

On his part, Mr. Jonathan Tsaku, Liaison Officer, Middle Belt Forum, said there was the need for the people of the region to go back to God for reconciliation so that He could eliminate the problems that divides the region.

Nigerians, General Akinrinade has not changed a bit. He is a true democrat, an unrelenting fighter for rule of law and social justice and a statesman extraordinary.

He is very political, though not a politician. After the annulment

of the June 12 election, General Akinrinade was among the few of us who formed NADECO to demand the de-annulment of that election.

“From the Egbe Ilosiwaju Yoruba which he belonged to and

where he first espoused robust engagement with the military forces over the annulment, he later agreed that a bit of force was needed to actualise June 12 and correct the ills in the system.

We were in the trenches together

with General Akinrinade. Together, we were forced on exile from where we continued the struggle. A combatant soldier who is no stranger to battles, he provided direction and leadership for us in the push back against the annulment.”

SWEET VICTORY...

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, addressing his aides and supporters after the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal affirmed his election in Sokoto…yesterday

Amnesty Office Not Involved in ‘Miss Amnesty Nigeria Pageant’ Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja Amnesty Office, managers of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has denied involvement in the purported second edition of ‘Miss Amnesty Nigeria 2019’ pageant being promoted by one Tracy McWary Foundation.

PAP, in a statement by Murphy Ganagana, said its

attention had been drawn to a publication by McWary Foundation, soliciting participation by interested females at an audition “for the 2nd Edition, Miss Amnesty Nigeria 2019, which she claimed to be an ‘empowerment initiative’ scheduled to hold on October 19, 2019 in Aba, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Asaba, Lagos and

Abuja.”

“This is to notify the public that the Presidential Amnesty Programme is not involved and has no business with the Tracy Mcwary Foundation. We also wish to state that we have no connection with the project being advertised.

“This disclaimer has become necessary as Miss Tracy McWary is currently

under investigation by the Nigeria Police for defrauding the Presidential Amnesty Programme,” said the statement.

The statement cautioned that “anyone who does business with her or her so-called foundation in the name of the Presidential Amnesty Programme does so at his or her own risk.”

CJN Swears in Kanyip as Acting President of Industrial Court Alex Enumah in Abuja The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad, yesterday swore in Justice Benedict Kanyip as the acting President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN).

Kanyip succeeded Justice Babatunde Adejumo, who retired two days ago after attaining the retirement age of 65 years on October 1.

His swearing-in was in line with the constitutional provision that the next most senior Justice be appointed as the acting president of NICN pending the appointment of a substantive president of the court.

President Muhammadu Buhari, following the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), had on September 27 announced the appointment of Kanyip as acting president of the NICN pending the

appointment of a substantive president.

Speaking at the inauguration, the CJN urged the acting president to provide quality leadership and take the court to an enviable height.

Muhammad said: “Take time to constantly look at the Act that established NICN and be a practical man; check all the reports being sent to the Supreme Court of Nigeria and be sure they followed due process.

“Go round the divisions under the court and see things for yourself, and also, work well with your brothers.”

He also appealed to staff of the industrial court to cooperate with the acting president and the management to find solutions to problems of the court.

Justice Kanyip hails from Anturung-Attakar in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

He was appointed a judge

of the National Industrial Court in 2000 for an initial period of four years with eligibility for a renewal for a further term of four years.

In June 2004, having completed the first term, his appointment for another term of four years was renewed as a judge of the court.

Kanyip attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for his LLB degree and the Nigerian Law School in Lagos for his BL degree.

He took up a teaching appointment as a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria in 1987 and rose to the position of Lecturer II before leaving in 1992 for the National Commission for Colleges of Education as Legal Adviser in the rank of Principal Legal Officer.

In 1995, he was appointed Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and rose through this appointment to

the rank of Associate Research Professor of Law in 2000 when he joined the court.

Kanyip is the author of numerous scholarly articles in the areas of consumer law, labour law, tax law and commercial law.

He is the author of the book ‘Consumer Protection in Nigeria: Law, Theory and Policy’ (2005), and a joint author of the text ‘Elements of Commercial Law’ (1994).

Also, Kanyip was the Presiding Judge of the Abuja Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria also known as NIC is a court empowered to adjudicate trade disputes, labour practices, matters related to the Factories Act, Trade Disputes Act, Trade Unions Act, Workmen’s Compensations Act and appeals from the Industrial Arbitration Panel.

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Xenophobia: Oyo Receives 32 State Returnees, Gives N30,000 Each Oyo State Government yesterday received 32 indigenes of the state who were part of the nationals recently returned back to the country following series of xenophobic attack on foreigners in South African.

The figure includes 30 adults and two minors.

This is as the returnees were given N30,000 monetary gift by the state government with a promise of conducting a profiling on them to ascertain their areas of need.

The returnees who were led by the Director of Media, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mr Abdulrahman Balogun were received by the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Rauf Olaniyan, at the state government secretariat,

Agodi, Ibadan.

While receiving the Oyo State born indigenes, Olaniyan reiterated the states commitment to ensure that the returnees find their footings on time by carrying out a proper and comprehensive profiling to confirm their particular areas of needs and ensure how to attend to them.

Announcing the monetary gift of N30,000 to each of the state’s returnee, the deputy governor advised them to be creative by identifying and tapping into the various investment and job opportunities in the state.

He also pointed to the various funding opportunities by the Bank of Industry (BOI), urging them to come up with

business proposals to further their areas of specialisation.

In their separate remarks,

some of the returnees including, Olakojo Sotunde, Okeleye Oluwaseun, Lawal Bolatito

said they are looking up to the government for startup capital and jobs, narrating

their ordeals that led them to decide to return to the country unprepared.

Sickle Cell Project: Okowa Denies Receiving N3.5bn Grant from US Group Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Wife of the Delta State Governor, Dame Edith Okowa, has denied receiving a N3.5 billion (US $10 million) donation in support of her efforts to ameliorate the suffering of persons living with sickle cell anaemia and to promote children welfare through her organisation, The 05 Initiative.

The wife of the governor made the clarification while briefing journalists on activities of The 05 Initiative in her office at the Government House in Asaba, the state capital, yesterday.

In apparent reaction to international media reports that her non-governmental organisation has been offered a grant of N3.5billion in appreciation of its programme and projects, particularly in the area of sickle cell management in Nigeria, Okowa stated that she had not received any such donation nor even signed an agreement on such financial commitment.

Nonetheless, she acknowledged the promise by a United States of America-based and United Nations-recognised NGO to assist in the digitisation of sickle cell clinics in Delta State.

Mrs. Okowa said: “A major outcome of our UN presentation is the expressed desire of The Initiative for Global Development to partner The 05 Initiative. Their interest is centred on digitising our sickle cell clinics across the

state. This will generate critical data that will aid the management of sickle cell patients.

“I would like to state categorically that no memorandum of understanding has been signed and no financial commitment has been made.”

The wife of the state governor, however, expressed gratitude to various individuals and corporate bodies for their financial, material and moral supports especially for the sustenance of her pet project, The 05 Initiative.

“They helped us to succeed and shine,” she said, adding: ‘’I promise you all that we will strive to do more to change our world; one person at a time.’’

The Delta State first lady and founder of The 05 Initiative had during the side event of the recent 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA, advocated for increased support for persons living with sickle cell, even as she presented a depiction with the theme: ‘Sickle Cell Disorder, the Forgotten and Neglected: Any Hope for the Children’.

Earlier, she highlighted the people-oriented mission and activities of her organisation, including a Prison Welfare Programme, empowerment scheme for women, provision of decent housing for orphans, clothing of indigent school children as well as regular free medical outreaches for the people.

Grace High School Celebrates 25th Anniversary Grace High School, founded by the late Deaconess Grace Bisola Osinowo in 1994 clocks 25 this month.

The Executive Director, Grace Schools, Mrs. Tokunbo Edun, said a thanksgiving service and anniversary reception holds on Sunday, October 6 2019 at Havilah Events centre, Oniru, Victoria Island.

A dinner with the schools’ Exceutive Director at Sheraton Hotel, Founders’ day programme on October 3 are part of the activities lined up for the

anniversary.

In line with the vision of the founder, Grace High School has produced several prominent Nigerians who have excelled in their field of study.

One of the major landmarks of the school is the annual indigent scholarship award for the less privileged students.

The school has committed more than N100 million to this. It has also provided equipments and infrastructural facilities for some schools within its locality.

AWARD FOR COMMITMENT...

L-R: Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu; Vice Chairman, State Chapter, Association of Mass Communication Students, Class 93, Auchi Polytechnic, Mr. Emeke Ikemefune, and Public Relations Officer of the group, Nkem Nwaeke, during the presentation of an award to the commissioner in appreciation of his commitment to the growth of the group in Asaba…recently

Obaseki Sacks All Special Assistants, Senior Special Assistants To announce fresh appointments in 30 days Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the termination of the appointments of all his Special Assistants (SAs) and Senior Special Assistants (SSAs).

Obaseki, in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq, said the sack was with immediate effect.

According to him, “This development is in line with efforts to re-organise the governance structure to enhance efficiency in service delivery to Edo people. Fresh appointments will be announced within the next 30 days.”

Ogie added that the state government offered its immense gratitude to the outgoing appointees for their service and assured of

continued cordial relations in the years ahead.

He said: “They are hereby directed to hand over all government property and documents in their possession to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.”

Katsina Rescued 23 Nigerians from Slave Camp in Burkina Faso Francis Sardauna in Katsina Katsina State Government has rescued 23 victims of human trafficking, who were forced into slavery in Burkina Faso by one Mr. Usman Hassan Wagini.

The victims were among the 31 people from Katsina and Zamfara states sold to yet to be identified woman in Burkina Faso by Wagini.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari, who received the victims Tuesday night in Katsina after state

government officials evacuated them back home from Burkina Faso, said the state government was making effort to arrest the kingpin.

He said: “The victims were lured by an agent who promised them lucrative jobs abroad but ended up selling them as slaves to a woman in Burkina Faso.”

According to him, the attention of the state government was drawn to the plight of the victims through a letter by the Nigerian Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Mrs. Ramatu Mohammed, about their presence in that country.

He added: “Immediately we received the letter, we dispatched our officials to Burkina Faso to rescue the victims. And with the assistance of the Nigeria Immigration Service

and other security agencies, they were rescued successfully.”

On his part, the Special Adviser to the governor on Drugs, Narcotics and trafficking, Mr. Hamza Borodo, who led state officials to Burkina Faso, said 23 persons were brought back, while two others refused to come back “because they are agents of one Usman Hassan Wagini.”

Speaking to journalists, one of the victims, Nasiru Hudu, said they were taken by Wagini to Burkina Faso with a promise of a lucrative job in that country.

“Usman Wagini first took us to Lagos and later Cotonou and Togo where he sold us to a business woman. We thanked Katsina State Government for rescuing us,” Borodo said.

Auchi Poly Mass Comm Students Class 93 Holds Reunion, Honours Delta Commissioner The Delta State Chapter of the Auchi Polytechnic Mass Communication Students, Class 93, has honored their classmate and state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu with an award in appreciation of his commitment to the growth of the alumni body.

The award was presented to Aniagwu in his office in Asaba by a delegation led by the Vice Chairman of the group, Mr. Emeke Ikemefune.

Ikemefune who stood in for the Chairman of the Delta State Chapter of body, Mr. Boniface Onyedi, said the award was in recognition of Aniagwu’s contributions to the programmes of the Auchi Polytechnic Mass Communication Students, Class 93 both in the state and national levels.

He disclosed that the award was to be presented to him at the

reunion party held on Saturday 28 September 2019 and attended by members and their spouses, but for his absence.

Ikemefune assured Aniagwu of their unflinching support and commended his dedication to duty as Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and now Commissioner for Information.

Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the body, Nkem Nwaeke, while felicitating with Aniagwu, informed the Information Commissioner of the election of a seven member executive to run the affairs of the Delta State chapter of the association.

Nwaeke told Aniagwu that he was elected an ex-officio one of the body which has Boniface Onyedi as Chairman, Emeke Ikemefune, Vice Chairman, Bertrand Ojeh, Secretary, Comfort Folunsho, Treasurer, Nkem Nwaeke, PRO

and Joseph Ikupa as ex-officio two.

Addressing the delegation, Aniagwu regretted his inability to make it to the reunion party despite efforts made to be there, but promised to be present at future gathering of the group, stressing that he had looked forward to the gathering of classmates after 26 years.

The Information Commissioner expressed gratitude to have been so honoured by his peers and solicited their continued support in building a stronger Delta as envisioned by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

He further enjoined his colleagues to intensify the campaign against societal ills, and pledged to give his maximum support towards the advancement of society through the activities of the group, even as he urged the members to move in one direction to achieve greater goals.

The Public Relations Officer of the alumni body, Nwaeke, had in a

statement, said the then representative of the class, Joseph Ikupa and the Delta State Chairman of the group, Onyedi, had during the reunion party, expressed gratitude to God for the grace of meeting again after 26 years and for the life attainments of most members.

They congratulated two classmates, Aniagwu who is the Commissioner for Information, Delta State and Mr. Sunday Aghaeze, Personal Assistant to President Mohammed Buhari on Photography for their appointments, even as they urged the duo to remain good ambassador of Auchi Polytechnic Mass Comm Students Class 93.

Ikupa and Onyedi stressed the need to embark on programmes that would impact positively to the society, particularly the alma mata.

The high point of the event was exchange of gifts.

54

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

C H A M P I O N S L E AG U E FA L LO U T

Bonaventure to Commemorate Goals at Bernabeu with Two Tattoos Super Eagles, forward Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis was ecstatic after scoring twice in Club Brugge’s surprise 2-2 draw at Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Now, the Belgium-based forward who was capped

by Nigeria in the international friendly with Ukraine in Dnipro last month faces a painful double session in a tattoo parlour after coming good on a pre-match pledge.

Bonaventure was caught on camera looking awestruck as he walked around the Santiago Bernabeu before Tuesday’s clash and said if he was able to score at Real’s temple he would honour the occasion by getting himself inked up.

‘Santiago Bernabeu, this is a dream. A lot of people didn’t even think they would come here to play. If I score then I will get a tattoo on my skin,” he said in a video posted on the club’s Youtube channel.

The 21-year-old did not take long to fulfil his promise, giving

the Belgian side a shock lead in the ninth minute by beating Real keeper Thibaut Courtois with an unorthodox finish.

He struck again later in the first half to make his side believe in an unlikely victory at the home of the 13-times European champions, although Real salvaged a draw with second-half headed goals from Sergio Ramos and Casemiro.

Bonaventure is unlikely to forget the occasion, however, especially after being reminded of his pledge to mark the goals with ink.

“I guess I will now have to get two tattoos,” he said jokingly to Belgian television channel RTL after the game.

“I’m happy to have scored two goals, but we really wanted to win the game and we were not far away from doing it. We have to be content with the point, which is not a bad result.”

Brugge coach Philippe

Clement did not make any pledges like Bonaventure’s but underlined his side’s feat in coming so close to

toppling the most successful team in European football.

“This is a historic point, the way we played is

historic and for me this night would be historic whether we got three points or one,” he said.

“We came here with an ambitious plan, not just to defend, and we delivered it almost perfectly.”

TOKYO 2020

Falcons Eye Outright Win against Cote d’Ivoire Today in Abidjan Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Acting Head Coach of the Super Falcons, Chris Danjuma wants the African champions to go for an outright win against Cote d’Ivoire in their Tokyo 2020 Olympics women’s football tournament, African qualifying second round first leg clash in Abidjan this evening.

Danjuma said on phone from the Ivorian capital on Wednesday that a win is non-negotiable as the Super Falcons want to make the return leg in Nigeria on Monday an easier session for themselves.

“We know the Ivorians are a strong team; we could only beat them on penalties during the WAFU Cup of Nations.

However, it is a new day and an altogether new contest on Thursday and we will go for an outright win.

“The Super Falcons have the capacity to dominate and score goals that will make the second leg in Lagos a formality.”

Thursday’s encounter will take place at the Stade Parc des Sports de Treichville, as from 3.30pm Ivorian time (4.30pm Nigeria).

The Falcons, who are staying

at the Grand Hotel in Abidjan will have a feel of the match venue during the official training scheduled for 3:30pm Ivorian time on Wednesday.

World football –governing body, FIFA has appointed Togolese Vincentia Amedome as referee, with her compatriots Kossiwa Kpadenou, Abra Sitsofe Agbedanou and Edoh Kindedji as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.

Tempa Ndah from Benin Republic will serve as referee assessor while Fatoumata Guindo from Mali will be match commissioner.

18 FALCONS IN ABIDJAN Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie; Tochukwu Oluehi Defenders: Ugochi Emenayo; Glory Ogbonna; Osinachi Ohale; Chidinma Okeke; Maryam Ibrahim; Ihuoma Onyebuchi Midfielders: Amarachi Okoronkwo; Ngozi OkobiOkeoghene; Regina Otu; Cecilia Nku; Chinaza Uchendu Forwards: Asisat Oshoala; Francisca Ordega; Gift Monday; Rafiat Sule; Rasheedat Ajibade

Singaporean Ref for Brazil, Nigeria Friendly Singaporean Jansen Foo has been appointed as referee for the prestige international friendly match between Nigeria and Brazil taking place in Singapore on Sunday, 13th October 2019.

Foo will be assisted by compatriots Abdul Hannan (assistant referee 1), Ong Chai Lee (assistant referee 2) and G. Letchman (fourth

official) at the game billed for the Singapore National Stadium, Kallang starting from 8pm Singapore time.

It is the first clash between the A teams of both countries since five-time world champions Brazil hit the Super Eagles 3-0 in a friendly game at the National Stadium, Abuja in June 2003.

Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis in Cloud Nine after scoring a brace against Real Madrid in the 2-2- draw game on Tuesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu

NFF Mourns Death of Two Police Machine FC Players The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said yesterday that it is deeply saddened by the death on Tuesday night of two players of Nigeria Women Professional League club, Police Machine Female FC, who were killed by a hit-and-run Jeep driver that ran into about five persons in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

“It is with deep shock and sense of immense loss that we received the tragic news of the death of the players. It is a very, very sad situation for such young ladies to be cut down in their prime in such manner.

“This is a tragedy of immense proportions. We are much grieved. Our hearts go out to the families of the players, Police Machine FC,

the Nigeria Women Football League and the entire Nigerian football family. We pray that Almighty God will grant the departed players eternal rest and also comfort those they have left behind,” NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said on Wednesday morning.

Reports said the ladies, Aniebet Ekong and Glory Saturday were crushed by

the vehicle as they left their team’s evening training session, with the team due to travel to Lokoja to participate in the Nigeria Women Premier League play-off competition.

Another player who was hit by the trailer driver is said to be receiving treatment at a hospital in the Akwa Ibom State capital.

N1m up for Grabs as Motorsport Debuts Oct. 6 in Lagos The winner of the maiden Motorsport Auto Fiesta Championship will get N1million, organisers of the event have announced.

Motorsport Auto Fiesta Championship will take place on October 6 at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos.

The event aimed at diversifying sports in the country and will also put Nigeria on the global map, the Chief Executive officer of

FAME, Charles Farimoyo stated.

Farimoyo told a media conference ahead of Sunday’s event that they hope to make the event which the Federation International Automobile are partners, a national event that will be staged annually across the country.

“There is just another element of sport which is the richest.

The Formula 1 is just part of it,” Farimoyo said.

“However, we want to make Nigeria a prominent country in Motorsport and entertainment.

“This year’s event features the Goal card championship, Motor bikes championship and cars.”

“One of the aims of introducing Motorsport auto fiesta to the country is for development and to boost economic and tourism potentials.

“The benefits of a Motorsport auto fiesta in Lagos outweigh

what we are expected to spend on the staging of that motor racing competition. It is expected that at least jobs, both skilled and unskilled, would be created.”

Farimoyo also added that winners in various categories will take home between N250,000 and N1million respectively.

The event starts from 12noon on Sunday while registration and enquiries will be this Friday at the TBS Arcade.

Wushu Kung-fu Federation Sets up Training Centre in Lagos The Nigerian Wushu Kung-fu Federation has taken giant steps aimed at developing Kung-fu sport in the country by establishing a training centre at Fun Factory on Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

Launched on Nigeria Independence day, Tuesday October 1, 2019, the centre will among others serve as a training centre and viable place for Kungfu entertainment throughout the week especially now that the Federation has a lot of loudable programmes lined up.

Present at the launch were a good number of stakeholders including the President of the federation, Adekunle

Adewunmi and his wife, the technical Director, Bolaji Sidiq, the chairperson of the Lagos State Kung-fu Association, Bolanle Olanrewaju, former Chairman of Lagos Kung-fu Association, Lemmy Akerele and the National Coach, Ojo Adelusi among others.

Speaking at the official launching of the centre, President of the Nigeria Wushu Kung-fu Federation, Adewunmi commended the management of Fun Factory for agreeing to join hands with other stakeholders in developing Kung-fu sport in the country.

He reasoned that the partnership won’t have come at a better time than now that the sport is hitting

it big in the continent.

For instance in 2018, Nigeria won three gold one silver and eight bronze medals at the African Wushu Kung-fu championship in Cotonou, Benin Republic and just two weeks ago in Dakar Senegal, Nigeria repeated the feat by winning one gold, one silver and two bronze medals at the same continental championship despite featuring only four athletes who were sponsored by the president.

With 39 gold 39 silver and 72 bronze medals available for grabs at any national Kung-fu competition, Adewunmi is optimistic of better future for Nigerian Kung-fu practitioners

with the involvement of Fun Factory.

Adewunmi also hinted that the Fun Factory is the pilot scheme of the project as his Federation has mapped out plans to establish more training centres in all the six geo-political zones across the country to aid Kung-fu development.

Meanwhile, Manager of Fun Factory, Miss Ruth Nathaniel, said they decided to partner the Nigerian Kung-fu Federation because of the need to develop and popularize the sport beyond it’s present level in the country having realised that Kungfu is an entertaining sport that is loved by children.

55

˜ ͻ˜ ͺ͸͹΁ ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

Europa: Pogba Out of Man United’s Clash with AZ Alkmaar Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba will miss tonight’s Europa League tie at AZ Alkmaar because of a foot injury.

Pogba, 26, played the full game against Rochdale in the Carabao Cup and Premier League game against Arsenal, but is troubled with an ongoing foot issue.

Winger Anthony Martial and defenders Luke Shaw, Phil Jones and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also miss the trip, but teenager Brandon Williams is included.

United opened their Group L campaign with a 1-0 victory over Astana.

Diogo Dalot and Angel Gomes are available but France World Cup winner Pogba is the big miss for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, although no timeframe was given for his return.

The club said: “Following a specialist’s opinion, Paul Pogba requires a period of further rest and conservative treatment for the foot injury he

sustained during the game against Southampton in August. Updates will follow in due course.”

Meanwhile, Romanian champions, Cluj will face a much-improved Celtic in their Europa Group E clash tonight than the one they defeated 4-3 in Champions League qualifying in August, according to manager Neil Lennon.

Cluj’s victory over their Scottish counterparts in Glasgow ensured they progressed on aggregate, only to lose in the play-off round.

“It is a new back four more or less and a new goalkeeper - we’ve been on a very good run since then,” Lennon said.

“I’ve been delighted with the reaction and the style of play, and the motivation the players bring.”

Lennon thinks the opportunity “to right a wrong” will be good “extra motivation - as long the players don’t get over-emotional”.

He admits “some of the players just weren’t ready” for that Champions League qualifier but

believes that his sum m e r signings now have a greater “cohesion and understanding”

of Celtic’s style of p l a y.

He promised his side would play “on

the front foot” as they look to build on their opening 1-1 draw in Rennes.

Pogba is out of the clash with AZ Alkmaar with toe injury

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Carabao Cup: Liverpool Fined Abraham, Osimhen on Target as Chelsea Pick Three for Fielding Ineligible Player points at Lille Liverpool have been fined £200,000 - half of which has been suspended - by the EFL for fielding an ineligible player in their third-round Carabao Cup win against MK Dons.

Spaniard Pedro Chirivella, who came on as a substitute in the 2-0 victory, did not have international clearance.

The midfielder, 22, needed the paperwork from the Football Association after a loan spell at Spanish side Extremadura last season.

Liverpool host Arsenal in the fourth round on 29 October.

The EFL said £100,000 of the fine will be suspended until the end of next season.

UNDER-23 AFCON

Olympic Eagles Draw South Africa, Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire Cup holders Nigeria will battle South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire and Zambia at the group stage of the 3rd Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt next month, following the draw held in Alexandria last night.

All Group B matches will hold at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo – one of the venues for last summer’s 32nd Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Host nation Egypt will be up against Ghana, Cameroon and Mali in a hard-as-nails Group A with matches at the Cairo International Stadium.

The Olympic Eagles will play their first game against Cote d’Ivoire, before further matches against Zambia and South Africa in the group stage. Only the top three teams at the tournament will qualify to represent Africa at the men’s football tournament of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Coach of South Africa, David Notone, said after the draw: “The truth is that whatever group you fall into would always be tough. We have eight very strong teams here and any team could have fallen anywhere, except Egypt and

Nigeria that headed the groups.

“I call Group B a pool of derbies, with two West African teams and two Southern African teams. Group A is the pool of death, no doubt about it. It is going to be fight-to-finish in both groups.

Former Ghanaian international midfielder Ibrahim Tanko, who is coach of Ghana and whose team shocked bookmakers by defeating Algeria away after both teams drew 1-1 in Ghana in the final qualifying round, said: “Everyone is saying it is tough, but I think it is impressive. This simply means that you have to prepare very hard, play each match like the final and take your chances.

“Any team having illusions of recovering after a false start will be sorely disappointed. I think we are going to have tough, spectacular games all the way in the tournament.”

The draw was conducted

by CAF’s Director of Competitions, Samson Adamu, who kept it simple yet sophisticated, and former Egyptian international Emad Meteab.

Willian’s excellent secondhalf volley gave Chelsea victory over Lille in their second Champions League group stage match in France.

The Brazilian put away substitute Callum HudsonOdoi’s cross in the 77th minute after Victor Osimhen had cancelled out Tammy Abraham’s opener.

Chelsea sit third in Group H following Ajax’s 3-0 win over Valencia.

However, they have kept just one clean sheet in 11 games under manager Frank Lampard, and none away from home.

The Blues lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation as Lampard handed starts to

19-year-old Reece James and Fikayo Tomori, 21.

Both impressed but Lille were a threat throughout, and came close on several occasions in the second half.

Goalscorer Osimhen, bought as a summer replacement for Arsenalbound Nicolas Pepe, caused problems in the air and it was his header which brought Lille level only 11 minutes after Abraham had given Chelsea the lead.

Benjamin Andre’s header was tipped past the post

by Kepa Arrizabalaga, and the Chelsea keeper had a couple of nervous moments when he was forced to come out to the

FRIENDS OF SPORTS TOURISM...

edge of the box to stop quick counter-attacks.

But Chelsea were the better side and deserved victory Jorginho smacked the outside

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Genk 0-0 Napoli S’ Prague 0-2 Dortmund Liverpool 4-3 Salzburg Barcelona 2-1 Inter RB Leipzig 0-2 Lyon Zenit 3- 1 Benfica Lille 1- 2 Chelsea Valencia 0- 3Ajax

of the right post with a curling effort in the first half and M a s o n Mount was denied from close range after the break.

EUROPA FIXTURES Besiktas v Wolves AZ Alkmaar v Man Utd Young Boys v Rangers Celtic v CFR Cluj Arsenal v S’Liege Astana v Partizan Belg.

Basaksehir v B M’gladbach RZ Pellets v Roma S’Braga v Slovan Bratis’ Feyenoord v FC Porto CSKA M’ v Espanyol Ferencvarosi v Ludogorets

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, African Sports Tourism Week, Deji Ajomale-McWord; Deputy General Manager, Southern Sun Ikoyi, Cliff Shiridzinodya and General Manager, Southern Sun Ikoyi, Mark Loxley during the presentation of the honorary Award to Southern Sun Ikoyi for being one of the ‘Friends of Sports Tourism in Nigeria’…recently

Thursday, October 3, 2019

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& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE President Buhari to Nigerians “There are no circumstances – nor set of circumstances – under which President Buhari may seek to amend the constitution regarding the two-term limit…there was a past attempt to change the constitution to allow for the-then incumbent president to stand for a third term. That attempt was wrong, unconstitutional and rightly rebuffed. No such attempt will happen under this president” – State House statement, dismissing insinuations of a third term attempt by President.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

It’s all About Tacha!

S

o much has happened in our country in the past one week that speak to the challenges confronting us after 59 years of independence. Last Thursday, following a police raid, as many as 300 boys were rescued from an Islamic Centre in Kaduna State. Many of the victims said they had been sexually molested and almost all were starved. Some, with fresh injuries on their bodies, had metal chains around their ankles. While that tragedy was still playing out, police in Lagos uncovered a ‘baby factory’ with 19 pregnant girls in the Ikotun area of the state. We have heard heart-rending stories from these girls as to how they were impregnated and weaned of their babies who were then sold like merchandise by unscrupulous Nigerians.

From politics to the economy to the notso-subtle attempt to muscle dissent with ‘treason’ trials and disobedience of court orders, there has been no dull moment in Nigeria in the last seven days. Tuesday’s 59th independence anniversary also came with the usual recriminations and lamentations about what might have been. But no issue has generated as much national conversation as the disqualification from the current edition of ‘Big Brother Naija’ of a young woman, Tacha.

The boisterous overreaction of her fans has been countered by the desperation of those who, because they follow other housemates, endorsed her controversial ejection. There is even an interesting aside to the drama: a famous musician named Peter had promised to give the lady N60 million in the event she did not win the grand prize but began to ‘edit’ his pledge the moment she lost out, leading to a reminder by commentators that even an apostle called Peter thrice denied Jesus!

I don’t watch ‘Big Brother’ but it is difficult to escape what is going on there, even for those of us whose social media exposure is limited to Twitter. In any case, whether or not you watch ‘Big Brother’, given how hooked many Nigerians are to the reality show, ‘Big Brother’ is watching you! At salons, in hotel lobbies, inside the markets, in MDA offices, there is no way you would not come across people glued to their television sets, arguing about how Khafi allegedly ‘slept’ with Gedoni, almost as if they were under their bedsheet taking notes! By the way, the moment of madness that sent Tacha out of the ‘BB Naija’ house is not enough to justify the social media hysteria and the body shaming is most disgraceful. Besides, if the clip I watched was indeed responsible for her disqualification, I see no reason why the female housemate with whom she had an altercation should remain in the house.

Big Brother, football (and I plead guilty here) etc. have become means of escape for many Nigerians. But if we are ever to develop as a society, we must confront our demons.

Yes, these pastimes are for entertainment and they are good business for a lot of people (my brother, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu will soon buy his Private Jet). But they do not shield us from the reality of our existence. That is why we can easily connect both the tragedy of Kaduna’s shackled boys to the enslaved girls in Lagos who were hired to produce babies for sale.

Tacha I watched Channels Television news last Sunday night and was shocked by the rationalisation of a man who had three children inside the Kaduna horror house.

He claimed having more than 40 children and said a bag of rice lasts no more than five days in his house. For that reason, he needed to ‘offload’ some of these children to wherever he could, not only for survival but also for correctional duties. Sadly, we have thousands of such irresponsible fathers across the country today.

That we should have a conversation on this issue is more urgent than ever before.

We need voices like that of the Emir of Anka in Zamfara, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmed, who recently cautioned low income earners against marrying more than one wife. “Civil servants on a salary of N15,000 a month marry more than one wife and end up raising families they cannot cater for. It is this attitude that is responsible for increasing out-of-school children because the parents cannot shoulder the responsibility. People should marry in accordance with their earnings to ensure that their children have sound education and good moral background,” the emir counselled.

Incidentally, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, had in 2017 advocated the same

Big Brother, football (and I plead guilty here) etc. have become means of escape for many Nigerians.

But if we are ever to develop as a society, we must confront our demons

thing before his voice was drowned out.

Men who are not capable of maintaining one wife, yet marrying four, according to Sanusi, most often end up with many children that become a nuisance to themselves and the larger society. While no scientific study has been conducted on the issue, most of us are aware that it is the poor and largely illiterate segments of our population that account for the majority of children who have been left to roam the streets without much prospect in life.

In the interventions I did on the immigration policies of western countries in the past, I used the 1974 controversial book, “Life Boat Ethics: The Case Against Helping The Poor” by Garrett Hardin to explain the current situation. The central argument in his thesis is population control. If we divide the world crudely into rich nations and poor nations, Hardin argued, two thirds of them are desperately poor, and only one third comparatively rich. “In the ocean outside each lifeboat swim the poor of the world, who would like to get in, or at least to share some of the wealth. What should the lifeboat passengers do?” he asked.

This was the way Hardin answered his own question: “So here we sit, say 50 people in our lifeboat. To be generous, let us assume it has room for 10 more, making a total capacity of 60. Suppose the 50 of us in the lifeboat see 100 others swimming in the water outside, begging for admission to our boat or for handouts. We have several options: we may be tempted to try to live by the Christian ideal of being ‘our brother’s keeper,’ or by the Marxist ideal of ‘to each according to his needs.’ Since the needs of all in the water are the same, and since they can all be seen as ‘our brothers,’ we could take them all into our boat, making a total of 150 in a boat designed for 60. The boat swamps, everyone drowns. Complete justice, complete catastrophe.”

After examining different scenarios, Hardin now hit at the problem: “The harsh ethics of the lifeboat become harsher when we consider the reproductive differences between rich and poor. A wise and competent government saves out of the production of the good years in anticipation of bad years to come. Joseph taught this policy to Pharaoh in Egypt more than 2,000 years ago. Yet the great majority of the governments in the world today do not follow such a policy. They lack either the wisdom or the competence, or both. On the average poor countries undergo a 2.5 percent increase in population each year; rich countries, about 0.8 percent. Because of the higher rate of population growth in the poor countries of the world, 88 percent of today’s children are born poor, and only 12 percent rich. Year by year the ratio becomes worse, as the fast-reproducing poor outnumber the slow-reproducing rich...”

It is instructive that our 59th independence anniversary coincided with the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Looking at the trajectory of the two countries, it is important for us to understand some of the things that make a difference.

According to the United Nations projections, Nigeria is among the countries with the highest yearly change in population. With an annual

growth rate of 2.6 percent, we are in the same league as countries like Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Mali, Congo, Chad, Cameroon, Western Sahara etc. Yet we want to compete with countries like China that have an annual population growth rate of 0.6 percent and Singapore with 0.1 percent rate despite their levels of development.

Even in the world of make-believe, there are forces that nudge fate in the right direction and we can learn that from ‘Big Brother Naija’. From what I have read about the opinion polls conducted in the days preceding her disqualification, Tacha was by far the most popular housemate among watchers of the programme which then put her in a pole position to win the grand prize.

However, while her popularity and huge following demonstrated how fickle our society is—despite what was generally regarded as toxic behaviour in the house—the real promoters of Big Brother (in Johannesburg) may have decided that allowing Tacha to win could degrade their brand. So, she may just have played into the hands of some smart gods with the fight that provided a ready excuse for what appears a strategic decision to eliminate her from the contest.

As a nation we need to borrow from rule books that leave no room for sentiment in crucial matters. Our demographic time bomb is one that deserves serious consideration by critical stakeholders in the country. Not only is our population growing at a rate that far outstrips our resources and productivity, we are not making any plans for tomorrow.

On Tuesday, the 2019 edition of Pastor Poju Oyemade-inspired ‘Platform Nigeria’ held in Lagos with respected economists, including former CBN Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo and Financial Derivatives Limited CEO, Mr Bismarck Rewane, as speakers. While they dissected our mismanaged opportunities and proffered several solutions, nobody spoke to the over-bloated population that is at the heart of the current challenge.

At independence in 1960, the population of Nigeria was 45.14 million people while that of the United Kingdom was 52.37 million. On Monday, the population of UK was estimated at 67.6 million and that of Nigeria, 200.9 million. Since we like to delude ourselves, the usual claim is that we are a rich country where once we ‘fight corruption’, all our problems will be solved. The reality of course is that no matter what structural or constitutional changes we make, if the low income earners of our society continue to produce babies they have neither the willingness of capacity to take care of, nothing will change.

Having allowed the majority of our people to remain chained to cultural values and belief systems that promote irresponsible procreation, we now have a huge but largely unproductive population on our hands. If we are to develop as a society, we need an enforceable population policy that is tied to incentives as it is done in several countries.

But we cannot continue to pretend that the current trend is sustainable.

As the World Bank said recently, we are simply living on borrowed time!

NOTE: Please see page 14 for ‘The AIG Idea for Public Sector’.

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