THURSDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2019

PDP Senators Kick as Senate Approves N10bn Refund for Kogi Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the Senate yesterday kicked against the Senate’s approval of the refund of N10.06 billion to the Kogi State Government for road projects it executed on behalf

of the federal government.

According to the opposition lawmakers, the refund should be delayed by one week so that the money will not be diverted to fund the state governorship poll due for Saturday.

The legislative approval

followed the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, headed by Senator Clifford Ordia, seeking approval for the issuance of N10.06 billion promissory notes programme to the state government and

a bond issuance to settle inherited local debts and contractual obligations for projects executed on behalf of federal government.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in a letter a fortnight ago to the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad

in the execution of federal government projects in the state.”

According to him, key officials of the state government were invited to brief the committee during its

Lawan, requested for an approval for the refund to be made to the state government.

Presenting his committee's report, Ordia, said “the approved sum is in capital expenditure, which has to do with refund to the state government for monies spent

Continued on page 8

FG to Divest from 10 Gas-powered NIPPs... Page 6 Thursday 14 November, 2019 Vol 24. No 8984. Price: N250

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We Didn’t Open Fire on Protesters, Says DSS... Page 5

INEC Gets Court Order on Exclusion of Bayelsa APC’s Gov Running Mate Meets today Says SDP on ballot for Kogi poll PDP seeks obedience to judgment Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was last night served the enrolled order of the Federal High Court, Abuja that disqualified the All Progressives Congress (APC) running mate in the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo.

Justice Inyang Ekwo,

who had disqualified DegiEremienyo on Tuesday due to anomalies found in his form CF 001, submitted to the INEC for clearance in the poll, signed the order, a certified true copy of which was made available to THISDAY last night after service.

A lawyer in the commission’s legal department, who refused to disclose his name, received Continued on page 8

APC Constitutes Fact-finding C’ttee on Edo Crisis Accepts suspension of state chairman Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it has constituted a fact-finding and reconciliation committee of party leaders to meet with

all disputing parties to ensure that all issues affecting the Edo State chapter of the party are addressed and resolved.

The National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this in Continued on page 8

80 HEARTY CHEERS...

L-R: Celebrant’s wife, Temitope; celebrant, Chief Olufemi Adeniyi-Williams; daughter, Ayodeji; her husband, Mr. Osagie Ediale; and another daughter, Omowande; her husband, Mr. Olaleye Adebiyi; during Adeniyi-Williams' 80th birthday reception in Lagos...recently abiodun ajala

Supreme Court Gives Reasons for Dismissal of Atiku's Appeal Tomorrow... Page 5

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NEWS

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

Supreme Court Gives Reasons for Dismissal of Atiku’s Appeal Tomorrow

Alex Enumah in Abuja The Supreme Court has fixed tomorrow for delivery of reasons for its judgment that dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate in the 2019 general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, against the declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the contest.

The apex court had in a unanimous judgment delivered on October 30, dismissed the appellants suit for lacking merit.

Atiku and PDP had in their joint appeal filed in September, challenged the entire judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, which

had affirmed the election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The apex court, which dismissed the appeal less than two hours it was heard by its seven-member panel of justices, however said that reason for the dismissal of the appeal would be given at a date that would be communicated to parties in the matter.

"Having gone through the briefs for over two weeks, we have come to the conclusion that this appeal lacks merit. This appeal is hereby dismissed.

Reason will be given at a date to be communicated to parties," Chairman of the panel and Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, had held.

However, nearly two weeks

after the judgment, the apex court on Wednesday notified lawyers to parties in the appeal that it has fixed Friday November 15, 2019, to make its reason for dismissing the appeal known.

The notice to lawyers in the matter, a soft copy sighted

by THISDAY and dated November 13, 2019, was signed by Mr. Ibrahim Gold, a registrar at the Supreme Court.

It reads: “In the Supreme Court of Nigeria holden at Abuja SC 1211/2019: Atiku Abubakar & anor V. INEC & 2 Ors. "Take notice that the reasons for the judgment delivered on Wednesday the 30th day of October 2019 in the above

named Appeal will be listed before the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday the 15th day of November, 2019 at 9.00am.

"And further take notice that in accordance with the Supreme Court Rules, this Notice is deemed sufficiently served on you if it is delivered on your telephone."

The release would either put to rest various speculations by lawyers and politicians about the action of the apex court or even raise fresh ones.

He said that the decision of the court especially the reasons in dismissing the appeal would be carefully studied when released and that comprehensive reaction would be made public.

DISCUSSING NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...

L-R: Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola; Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba; and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Olalekan Adegbite, during the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja...yesterday

We Didn’t Open Fire on Protesters, Says DSS Soyinka condemns incident Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Department of State Services yesterday said it did not fire at protesters, who on Tuesday demonstrated at its headquarters in Abuja, explaining that it only professionally dispersed a crowd that was attempting to forcibly free a detainee, Mr. Omoyele Sowore from detention.

It said in a statement issued by its spokesman, Dr. Peter Afunanya, that its agents had to protect its facility from the protesters and it did so professionally. “As a normal global security practice, the operatives stood in defence of their facility when some group of persons made unruly attempts to forcefully (sic) break into the place and effect the release of Omoyele Sowore,� it said, adding: “Despite serial and unwarranted provocations, the service, as a professional and responsible organisation, did not shoot at the so-called protesters. It could not have done so.�

On Sowore, the DSS expressed its readiness to release him when “processes are concluded.�

It stated: “For emphasis, the service reiterates its avowed readiness to release Sowore once the processes are concluded. It maintains that the appropriate persons have still not turned

IG: Modern policing no longer by brute force

up to take delivery of Sowore. “While all those that have so far shown up are not directly concerned with the matter and therefore unqualified, many others have either chosen to grandstand or politicise it to achieve hidden interests. “It is only appropriate that those who stood surety for Sowore present themselves and have him released to them. It is even more disappointing that Femi Falana, who is a senior lawyer, would wrongly guide his client and supporters. “He is rather playing to the gallery and mobilising miscreants to subvert the service and other state authorities.

He has excellent relationship with the DGSS. But in the circumstance, he has refused to reach out to him over the case like he had on previously related ones.�

But Nobel Laureate, Prof.

Wole Soyinka, condemned the DSS the incident.

He said the attack portrayed administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as insecure and paranoid.

But the secret police, in a statement also yesterday, denied opening fire on protesters and journalists that covered the protest.

Soyinka and the DSS’ reactions came on the day the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Adamu Mohammed, said modern policing was no longer

driven by the application of brute force but deployment of intellect and respect for extant laws.

Soyinka, in a statement obtained by THISDAY, called on civil society organisations to strategise and coordinate their responses to attacks on human rights by state agents under Buhari. “The sporadic, uncoordinated responses as in the case of Omoyele Sowore, the absence of a solid strategy, ready to be activated against any threat — these continue to enable these agencies in their mission to enthrone a pattern of conduct that openly scoffs at the role of the judiciary in national life,� he said.

He condemned “the level of arrogance� by agents of the state, saying it “has crossed even the most permissive thresholds.� “As I remarked from the onset, this is an act of government insecurity and paranoia that merely defeats its real purpose,� he added.

THISDAY had reported how protesters demanding the release of Sowore were violently dispersed with gunshots in Abuja with some of them, including journalists covering the protest, sustaining injuries.

Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, is being detained by the DSS despite meeting

his bail conditions set by the court.

The activist and former presidential candidate is being prosecuted for calling for a revolution against bad governance. He is charged with treasonable felony and money laundering.

Soyinka called for an end to what he called a ‘charade,’ saying that it is nothing more than a display of crude, naked power.

He asked the DSS to stop further embarrassment of the country and apologise for the actions.

IG: Modern Policing No Longer by Brute Force Meanwhile, the IG has cautioned against the use of brute force by law enforcement agents, saying modern policing has gone beyond that.

Adamu, at the decoration of newly promoted Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) in Abuja, said modern policing required respect for extant laws. “In the discharge of your duties, however, you should appreciate that modern policing is no longer driven by application of brute force, but the deployment of intellect, respect for extant laws, civility to citizens, knowledge, and sound professional judgement,� he said.

Progressives Govs Forum DG Asks Oshiomhole to Resign Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is far from abating as the Director General of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Mr. Salihu Lukman, has called on the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, to immediately convene a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to resolve the lingering problems in the party or resign immediately.

In statement yesterday, Lukman, cited the ongoing political battle between Edo Sate Governor, Godwin Obaseki and Oshiomhole among many others crises facing the party.

He said in the current circumstance, nothing short of a NEC or National Caucus meeting of the party could resolve all the challenges of the party.

Lukman said: "It is either Comrade Oshiomhole respect the provision of party constitution and convene superior organ meeting to deliberate on all our challenges, or he should just accept his inability to manage the party and simply resign. “Why is it impossible to convene a NEC or even National Caucus meetings, which are supposed to hold every quarter to resolve all these issues? Why should the NWC under Comrade Oshiomhole continue to imagine that it can conduct affairs of the party without mandatory meetings of party organs? “What legacy is Comrade Oshiomhole hoping to achieve as a national chairman by running the party in a way that suggests almost zero commitment to issues of party development?�

He called on the national leaders of the party to rise to the challenge facing the party and take all necessary measures to convene superior organ meetings to begin to resolve all the challenges facing the party, adding that the current public disgrace must end.

According to him, it is painful for many of them who have had the privilege of being mentored

by Oshiomhole to see him being devalued to a local factional leader from a very high pedestal of an illustrious national leader.

Lukman added that Oshiomhole hardly appreciate that he now has a national constituency and not just a state constituency, which might have been responsible for his apparent intemperance in the handling of matters affecting Edo State.

He said he wished the party chairman had paid similar attention to handling of issues affecting Rivers and Zamfara states during the 2019 elections.

Lukman stated that information coming from Edo State indicated that

members of the State Executive Council of APC had passed vote of no confidence on Oshiomhole.

Side by side with the news of the vote of no confidence was also the discomforting report of the Federal High Court judgment in Abuja disqualifying Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo as the deputy governorship candidate for the November 16, 2019 Bayelsa election, he added.

According to him, while it is expected that every necessary step would be taken to vacate the judgment, it is depressing for every committed party member to be subjected to such ignominious reality, which only reminds the party of its reckless conducts in states like Zamfara, Rivers, Bauchi and Adamawa, which cheaply gave away electoral victories to PDP. Lukman said instead of focusing on working to win elections, the party was busy undermining itself, stressing that all these are ominous signs that the ruling party is about to re-enact the Zamfara, Rivers, Bauchi and Adamawa experiences in Bayelsa.

"It is Bayelsa today, Anambra, Edo and Ondo are being set up for similar experiences.

Somehow, unfortunately, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party, which is the organ vested with the statutory responsibility of responding to all these challenges, appears to be suspended. The last time it met was August 2018.

In its place, the National Working Committee (NWC), which is an administrative organ with the responsibility of implementing decisions of NEC and other higher organs, seems to have usurped the powers of NEC," he added.

He described the NWC, as at today, as a shadow of itself, as it has lost many members either on accounts of appointment into government or controversial suspension.

For instance, it said, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Deputy National Chairman (South) is today a minister; Senator Lawal Shuaibu, Deputy National Chairman (North), is allegedly suspended while Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, National Vice Chairman (North West) is similarly suspended.

He also recalled that in June 2019, the NWC allegedly suspended Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, while during the 2019 general election, on accounts of the roles of former Governors Rochas Okorocha and Ibikunle Amosun against the candidates of the party, they were similarly suspended.

He added that whether all these actions are permissible by provisions of the APC’s constitution is highly contestable.

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Rice Farmers Blame Hoarding

by Saboteurs for Price Hike James Emejo in Abuja As the federal government continues to sustain the closure of the country’s land borders to curb smuggling of foreign goods into the country and encourage local production, rice farmers have raised the alarm that the activities of those who are desperate to frustrate efforts of the government in driving consumption of local rice have fueled a hike in the price of the commodity.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had prevailed on the rice farmers, millers and processors not to take undue advantage of the border closure to raise prices.

The CBN governor had

argued that the border closure was meant to promote the growth of the Nigerian economy and ensure that the country attained food self-sufficiency in the rice value chain for the benefit and well-being of the citizenry.

He had further argued that imported rice was preserved with chemicals, and therefore, not good for the consumption.

Emefiele warned that hoarding rice with a view to increasing the prices of rice would bring hardship to Nigerians.

But a survey carried out

by THISDAY recently, in some markets in Lagos, showed that the price of a 50-kilogramme of local price ranges from between N16,000 and N17,000, compared with

between N13,000 and N14,000 before the closure of the borders.

On the other hand, imported rice now sells at between N26,000 and N27,000, as against N18,000 – N19,000 before the border closure.

Though some traders said the rise in the cost of the staple food was due to the recent decision of the federal government to close all its land borders, the President of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, told THISDAY that there was no reason why local rice should not be sold at between N12,000 and N14,000 maximum.

He expressed frustration that despite assurances that the farmers would not hike

the price, some saboteurs have hiked the prices of locally produced rice beyond the agreed threshold.

He, nevertheless, expressed optimism that the bumper harvest being expected in about a fortnight will help weigh down on prices.

He said: "You know there are saboteurs who will try by all means to sabotage this good effort that will help Nigeria and Nigerians.

"You know this issue of border closure; saboteurs just want to use that opportunity to sabotage the good things that is good to happen to Nigeria. We are selling paddy at N8,000 per bag and if you mill that it will give you 50 kilogrammes of milled rice and the cost of processing is

not more than N2,000.

"So, I see no reason why rice should not be sold at between N12,000 and N14,000 maximum. There are people who don't have this country at heart and who can go to any extent to put Nigerians into difficulty."

On his part, the President of Coscharis Group, one of the leading rice producers in the country, Mr. Cosmas Maduka, attributed the development to activities of fraudulent middlemen.

According to him, most of them are in the habit of purchasing locally produced rice and repackaging them as foreign produce.

He said: “We stopped two of our dealers from carrying out any transaction with us.

They would carry our rice and re-bag them into a foreign bag and sell. So, you may not be seeing our brand in the market because of things like this. The other thing we heard is that there is something they use in piercing bags of rice to remove some bowls from each bag and still sell the rice that is not up to 50 kilgrammes to a customer as 50 kilogrammes.

So, for our bags, if you pierce it, it would tear. “So, because they can’t do such with our rice, they make sure they re-bag. But I am advising our customers to insist on buying only Coscharis rice. When you insist on that, then you can be confident that when you are buying 50kg, what you get would exactly be 50kg.�

FG to Divest from 10 Gas-powered NIPPs N220.4bn privatisation proceeds to support 2019 Budget Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The federal government is to divest from the 10 newlyconstructed gas-powered National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) located across the country, the Bureau of Public Enteprises (BPE), has stated.

The medium-sized $7.1 billion gas-fired plants initiated by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration were built through the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), and funded by the three tiers of government.

The BPE Director General, Mr. Alex Okoh, who dropped the hint on the planned sale, also disclosed that the reform and privatisation programme of the federal government has impacted positively on some key sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Speaking at the Nigerian Investment Showcase at Guildhall, London, United Kingdom (UK); Okoh listed some of the sectors as telecoms, pension and seaports.

Okoh, in a statement issued by the BPE, said Nigeria's telecoms sector, for instance, had achieved almost 100 per cent teledensity with over 192 million connected lines while over 146 million lines have been active as at May 31, 2015 and over 40 telecoms licensed in the country.

He announced that the federal government would divest from the 10 newlybuilt 10 gas-fired National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) on completion, the statement said.

Reform in the sector, he stated, also brought about over a million direct and indirect jobs into the Nigerian economy while the Information, Communication

Technology (ICT) sub-sector has witnessed phenomenal growth.

On pension reforms, Okoh noted that 6.2 million contributors were registered from 180,586 employers as at October 2012 while 55,904 retirees currently receive their monthly pensions as and when due with the total value of pension industry assets under the Contributory Pension Scheme now at over N9 trillion.

He said the seaports now experience faster ship turn-round, faster cargo turn-round and faster truck turn-round times even as there is increased competition, lower port charges, lower freight rates and net financial transfers to the government (lease fees, throughput fees and taxes).

On the Bureau’s 2019 work plan, he revealed that BPE is expected to contribute N220.4 billion to the N8.91 trillion 2019 federal government budget from its privatisation/ commercialisation activities.

The funds are expected to come from some concluded transactions along with the privatisation of the Kano Free Trade and Calabar Free Trade Zones, partial commercialisation of the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) and partial commercialisation of three selected National Parks in the country.

So far, over N150 billion privatisation proceeds have gone into the funding of the 2019 Budget.

Okoh further revealed that from inception to date, the Bureau has successfully completed 234 public transactions through privatisation, commercialisation and concessions with some milestones.

BRIEFING THE MEDIA...

L-R: Minister of State Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki; Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; and Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja‌yesterday

Bayelsa Radio Staff, Four Others Killed at PDP Rally US threatens to sanction persons engaged in violence Segun James in Lagos and Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa Simon Onu, an Outside Broadcast (OB) van driver with Radio Bayelsa was yesterday in Nembe, Bayelsa East, killed at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign rally, while many others were critically injured and rushed to hospitals in Yenagoa, the state capital.

THISDAY gathered that Onu, who was close to the source of the gunfire, was trying to drive off to save the van when he was hit by the bullet, which killed him instantly.

The incident, which happened in volatile Ogbolomabiri, disrupted the rally while Governor Seriake Dickson and the candidate of the party, Senator Douye Diri, had yet to arrive the venue of the event.

This is coming as the United States has again reiterated that it will not tolerate any act of violence during the conduct of the governorship election

in Bayelsa State.

The US also warned that the international community will be watching the election closely in order to deter potential instigators of violence or those who seek to undermine the democratic process.

It was learnt that the heavy shooting by the armed men rocked the King Koko Square, venue of the campaign, as party supporters were waiting for the dignitaries to arrive Ogbolomabiri, which was also a flashpoint during the state and National Assembly elections held earlier in the year.

It was gathered that some journalists covering the rally were also caught in the crossfire as many others sustained different degrees of injuries.

However, as at yesterday evening, Dickson, who was billed to attend the rally in company with the candidate of the party, was said to have cancelled the event to prevent more loss of lives.

The governor said at least five persons were confirmed

dead and some of the injured persons were receiving treatment at the Government House Clinic.

Dickson, after being briefed about the incident, accused an All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in the state of being behind the attack.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Bustwat, had yet to respond to inquiries as at press time, but soldiers deployed in the place were said to be squaring up to the suspected hoodlums.

A source said the gang, spearheaded by persons allegedly sponsored by an opposition party in the state, allegedly attacked some party loyalists who were on transit to Brass for a campaign two weeks ago.

The gang reportedly opened fire on the protocol bus of the Bayelsa State Government House at a junction between Bassambiri and Ogbolomabiri.

Dickson, who has condemned the violence on PDP members, urged the security agencies to take full

control of the situation.

Meanwhile, the United States has again reiterated that it will not tolerate any act of violence during the conduct of the governorship election in the state.

It also warned that the international community will be watching the election closely in order to deter the potential instigators of violence or those who seek to undermine the democratic process.

The US, at a special press conference called by the Consul General in Lagos, Ms. Claire Pierangelo, made it clear that anybody who is found to engage in violence, electoral malpractice and other antidemocratic activities would be sanctioned by the American government.

She said: "I would like to reiterate the US Mission’s longstanding commitment to support free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections in Nigeria. It is our desire to see nothing less during the November 16th election in Bayelsa State."

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NNPC: Nigeria’s 1.7mbpd Oil Output Conforms with OPEC’s Agreement Ejiofor Alike with agency reports The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said the country’s daily crude oil production is in line with the production cut agreement reached between the Organisation

of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, led by Russia.

OPEC had granted Nigeria a higher oil output target under the cartel-led deal to limit oil supply to the international market.’ Nigeria’s allocation was said to have been increased

to 1.774 million barrels per day (bpd) in September, from 1.685 million bpd at the last OPEC meeting in July.

NNPC’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr. Roland Ewubare, said yesterday on the sidelines of an oil conference in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that the

country currently produces 1.6 million-1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil.

He said the country’s daily output was in line with OPEC agreement, adding that the country would continue to comply with OPEC output cuts. “The last quota put us at

1.7 million bpd and we are committed to that threshold ... our current production with the cuts is between 1.6 and 1.7 million barrels per day for November,� Ewubare said.

Ewubare added that Nigeria’s actual output of crude oil and condensate is at 2 million bpd.

Liquid condensates, which are produced alongside crude oil are not affected by OPEC’s production limit.

Nigeria started participating in the deal this year, having been granted an exemption from previous OPEC cuts due to militant attacks that reduced the country’s output.

the suspension of the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, from the party over alleged anti-party activities.

Also suspended along with the governor, were his deputy, Mr. Philip Shaibu, and Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Osarodion Ogie.

But reacting to the gale of suspensions rocking the APC in the state, the PDP state chairman, Mr. Dan Orbih said it is only in APC that a national chairman, the state chairman and the secretary would be suspended in one day.

Addressing journalists in Benin, Orbih wondered how a disorganised party like APC can rule the state and be expected to restore law and order.

Responding to the allegation that Obaseki gave

PDP, N6 billion to enable him to defect to the PDP, Orbih said: “Governor Obaseki has no business giving anybody money to join the PDP. If he has N6 billion to join PDP, I will advise him to spend that money to address the problems of the state.�

Speaking on the defection of Pastor Ize-Iyamu from the party, Orbih said as far as PDP was concerned in Edo State it remains one indivisible family. “I have with me here, party chairmen from all the 18 Local Government Areas in the state. No one has been suspended. The exit of anyone can not affect the fortune of PDP in Edo State. “A few years ago when he (Ize-Iyamu) left APC, he said he was coming home. Now, we also read that he said he was going

home when he was reported to have defected to APC. I’m saying that if he has decided to leave, he has not officially informed us that he is leaving for APC,� he said.

Addressing party members in Benin City, however, a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Patrick Ikhariale, who spoke on behalf of party leaders and members across the state, reeled out a litany of wrong-doings against the Obaseki’s administration, saying that the governor had deviated from the APC manifesto.

Among the many sins of Obaseki, Ikhariale stated is governor's hobnobbing with the opposition PDP, divisive tendencies, operating an illegally constituted house of assembly among others.

Prince Uche Secondus, has called on INEC to act quickly on the court ruling disqualifying the deputy governorship candidate of the APC by invoking the relevant sections of the constitution and the Electoral Act. Secondus said a gubernatorial candidate without a deputy was not qualified to run for an election.

A statement from his media office quoted him as saying that what the court ruling means is that APC has no validly nominated candidate for the November 16 governorship election as the law requirement on this is clear.

He urged the electoral commission to do the needful by disqualifying APC candidate in the race as he could not stand alone nor be replaced at this time.

According to him, what is happening with APC in Bayelsa State is obtained when desperadoes chase

power without any clear vision and love to serve the people.

He also faulted the attitude of the military in Kogi and Bayelsa states ahead of the Saturday election, saying the image of the country before the world is being damaged.

Secondus urged the military to stay away and not do anything that will further endanger the reputation of the nation's military.

"You are supposed to be apolitical and neutral as you are established to protect the country and its citizens all the time and not government in power at a time,� he stated.

APC CONSTITUTES FACT-FINDING C’TTEE ON EDO CRISIS a statement issued yesterday after the NWC meeting held at the party secretariat, Abuja.

He said the NWC also received a notification of the suspension of the Edo State APC Chairman, Mr. Anselem Ojezua, by eleven (11) out of the sixteen (16) members of the Edo State Working Committee (SWC).

Issa-Onilu said that the NWC reviewed the process and concluded that they have fulfilled the required conditions.

He said the NWC, therefore, upheld the suspension of Ojezua while it awaits the outcome of the fact-finding and reconciliation committee.

He stated: "The National Working Committee (NWC) of APC has watched with grave concern the political

development within the party’s ranks in Edo State and is deeply disturbed by the recent turn of events. We note that this is happening in spite of the various steps the party has taken to find an amicable resolution."

Issa-Onilu recalled that party leaders such as the Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) and Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu, and other eminent party leaders, had all tried at various times to ensure that the issues do not escalate.

He said that sadly, these interventions had not yielded the desirable results, but noted that the immediate concern of the NWC was

how to ensure that unity returned to the ranks of the party in Edo State.

Issa-Onilu stressed: "In achieving this, we have decided to constitute a high-power fact-finding and reconciliation committee of party leaders to meet with all disputing parties to ensure that all issues are addressed and resolved."

The party stated categorically that the NWC’s objective and cause of action was strictly to address the root causes of the disputations and reconcile all parties to make the party even stronger.

Faction suspends Obaseki, Others Meanwhile a faction in the state has announced

INEC GETS COURT ORDER ON EXCLUSION OF BAYELSA APC’S GOV RUNNING MATE the order from the court bailiff, who also refused to disclose his name.

INEC’s national commissioner in charge of voter education and publicity, Mr. Festus Okoye, could not be reached for confirmation yesterday even though THISDAY witnessed the service.

THISDAY gathered that the commission might meet today to decide on the fate of the APC in the contest given the obvious vitiation of the party’s ticket in the contest by the court judgment.

It was gathered that although many of the national commissioners were outside Abuja last night, its weekly Thursday meeting would have to hold today to deal with the matter.

The disqualification of Degi-Eremienyo endangered the candidacy of the party’s governorship candidate, Mr. David Lyon, who risked being delisted from the ballot as the pair is

constitutionally conjoined to run for the election.

INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Public Enlightenment, Mr. Oluwole Izzi-Iyamu, had told THISDAY earlier yesterday that the commission could not take a decision on APC’s chances yet because it was yet to be served the court order.

He, however, assured the electorate in Kogi State that the commission would obey a court order that overruled its disqualification of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the November 16 gubernatorial election in the state, adding that the party’s governorship candidate, Ms. Natasha Akpoti, and her party were on the ballot for the election.

INEC had earlier disqualified Akpoti for fielding an underage running mate, but in upturning the disqualification, the Federal High Court held that the commission had no power to disqualify candidates.

Izzi-Iyamu said the commission would meet as soon as it received the court order that disqualified Degi-Eremienyo from participation in the Saturday’s governorship election in Bayelsa State.

He, however, added that he was not aware when the commission would meet to take a decision on Bayelsa APC. But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urged the electoral commission to obey the court order and disqualify Lyon as he cannot run without a validly-nominated running mate.

"As we speak, the INEC chairman and the national commissioners are on their way from Lokoja to Abuja.

"The commission as an election management body is yet to meet to take a decision. We have not been served the court order to know what the court did and said and the prayers granted in the order. The

commission will study the order and take decision. The commission is known for that," Uzzi-Iyamu explained.

When reminded that a governorship candidate would not be qualified to stand for any election without a running mate, Uzzi said: "We are conversant with the extant laws regarding a candidate and the running mate. But as I said, please wait for the commission to meet on this."

Also reminded that Saturday is the Bayelsa State governorship election, he said, "INEC is aware of that but the commission has not been served with the court order. We will await a briefing on that from our lawyers."

On the fate of SDP in Kogi State, he said: "SDP and her candidate are on the ballot for the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State."

Meanwhile, the PDP National Chairman,

PDP SENATORS KICK AS SENATE APPROVES N10BN REFUND FOR KOGI legislative work.

Ordia added that the committee also assessed all submissions made by the Federal Ministry of Finance, alongside documents from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the state government.

He said the committee undertook an oversight visit to Kogi State to assess the projects and ascertained that they met the required standard by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

The projects inspected by the committee were: reconstruction of Shintaku-

Odugbo road, reconstruction of Ganaja-Ajaokuta road, reconstruction of Idah-Onyedega road and dualisation of Lokoja-Ganaja road.

Other executed federal projects were: reconstruction of three-span bridge along Shintaku-Odugbo road, reconstruction of four-span bridge along Shintaku-Odugbo road, and reconstruction of Iyamoje-Igagun-Ifeolu-KptunPonyan-Jegede road.

But in his objection to the approval, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, while raising a point

of order, urged the Senate to delay the approval until after the governorship election.

He said: "I have the mandate of the minority party to request that the payment be delayed till next week as we feel this is not the right time to release the money with Kogi governorship poll few days away.

"The delay will ensure that the refund is not misused so it can be delayed for only one week and after election they can get their money as it is meant for the good people of Kogi State. “States that have done

the work of the federal government should be paid.

I agree they should be paid, what I don’t want is the misuse of this fund. I have the mandate of the minority to say this can wait until next week. Let’s delay for only one week, after elections then they can be paid.�

In a counter argument, Lawan explained that the state was entitled to be paid all monies it spent on the execution of federal government projects.

According to Lawan, the state was denied an approval for refund while 24 other state

governments got theirs under the Eighth Senate. “Kogi State applied for this refund in the last Senate. All the states that applied were approved here by the last Senate. Now as the Ninth Senate, we have seen the necessity and are doing justice. We have done justice to others, and we have to do justice to Kogi State. When it is done is not the matter,� he added.

The Senate eventually approved the president's request for a refund to Kogi State government after a voice vote called by Lawan.

TOP GAINERS IKEJAHOTEL AGLEVENTIS JAIZBANK FIDELITY ACCESS TOP LOSERS TOTAL PZ CHIPLC

NGN NGN 0.08 0.96 0.02 0.30 0.04 0.60 0.07 1.90 0.30 9.55 NGN 12.30 110.90 0.55 5.00 0.03 0.39 UNILEVER 1.10 18.50 OANDO 0.13 3.20 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś1,150.00 Volume: 610.58 million shares Value: N11.1 billion Deals: 5,031 As at yesterday 13/11/19 See details on Page 41

% 9.1 7.1 7.1 3.8 3.1 % 9.9 9.9 7.1 5.6 3.9

9

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS Osinbajo Didn’t Pray for Buhari’s Death, Says Aide Segun James Senior Special Assistant to VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, has denied allegations that his principal visited a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) where he and other congregants allegedly prayed for the death of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Akande said this in an article published in reaction to columnist, Dr. Festus Adedayo’s opinion piece.

Adedayo had, in an article published last Sunday in several online platforms (titled, ‘The Trials of Brother Osinbajo,’ said he received information that Osinbajo, who is a Senior Pastor with the RCCG, had, in a gathering with members of the church, prayed for the death of the President when the latter was away on medical leave.

The columnist said a confidante

of Buhari, who was at the gathering, informed the President of Osinbajo’s “sinister plan,” hence the breakdown in the relationship between Buhari and Osinbajo.

In his reaction, however, Osinbajo’s spokesman challenged Adedayo to state where the alleged prayer session took place and the date.

Akande wrote, “He (Adedayo) claimed that the Vice President, together with some Redeemed Church ‘accomplices,’ gathered to pray at some place unstated in his home state of Ogun, at a date that was not indicated, for the purpose of interceding for the VP to become President, and by extension, hoping for, or seeking the death of the President.

“So, where exactly in Ogun State did this prayer session take place, and when? Was it in a church, in which case there would likely be an audio recording?

“Who are the prominent pastors or other persons involved that can

testify to what transpired — what are their names?

“Who is the ‘strong Buhari ally’ who made a surprise appearance at the gathering and brought the story back to Mr. President?

“If, as Adedayo claims, the VP has been hounding and haranguing this Buhari ally since then, why is it so difficult

for him to cry out and publicise his strange discovery?”

Akande also rubbished claims by Adedayo that Osinbajo, as acting President, had an ulterior motive when he sent the name of the then acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, to the Senate for confirmation.

He wondered how Osinbajo would have wanted Onnoghen to sack Buhari.

“Who primed Onnoghen to package Buhari inside a judicial casket during the 2019 elections? And to whose benefit?

“If, for any reason, the Buhari election was nullified by the

judiciary, how would that benefit his running mate, since they contested on the same ticket?” Akande asked.

The Vice-President’s spokesman said it was unfortunate that some elements were being sponsored to drive a wedge between Osinbajo and Buhari.

Bandits Kill Three Policemen in Kaduna John Shiklam in Kaduna Three policemen attached to the Operation Safer Highways have been killed in an ambush by bandits in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

The incident was said to have occurred on Tuesday while the police team was on patrol in Aboro village along Fadan Karshi -Nimbia forest.

Confirming the incident in a statement, Acting Spokesman of the Kaduna state Police Command, Mr. Suleiman Abubakar said the three deceased police officers include Inspector Bobai Bature, Inspector Daniel Dogo and Sergeant Mamman Ahmadu.

The statement said that the other team members escaped unhurt.

According to the statement: “On 12/11/19 at about 1300hrs, the Police Operatives attached to Safer Highway with code No. KDS 018, deployed to Gwantu Divisional area were ambushed by unknown gunmen while on patrol at Aboro Village along Fadan Karshi -Nimbia Forest Road

in Sanga Local Government Area in Kaduna State, who opened fire on them through a thick bush in opposite direction.

“The operatives engaged the hoodlums and in the process Insp.

Bobai Bature, Insp. Daniel Dogo and Sgt. Mamman Ahmadu, paid the supreme sacrifice while other team members escaped unhurt.

“Reinforcement has since been deployed to the area for general combing to ensure that the culprits are apprehended and brought to face justice.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ali Aji Janga, is greatly saddened by the unfortunate incident and wishes to commiserate with the families of the gallant men who lay down their lives for the common good of their country. He also calls on the general public to assist the police with relevant information on the whereabouts of suspicious persons in order to rid our communities of bad elements.

“The CP assures the public that the culprits will not escape the long arms of the law. The Command is doing everything possible to apprehend those behind this dastardly act.”

PROMOTING EDUCATION…

L-R: Executive Secretary, NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed; Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu; President Muhammadu Buhari; High Commissioner of Nigeria to UK, Justice Adesola Oguntade, and others during a meeting with Management of Persons Educational Group in London ...yesterday

Accident Claims 13 Lives along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Thirteen persons have been killed in a crash along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway with 10 others injured.

The Ogun State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed the deaths and the crash which occurred around Sapade near Ogere area of the state.

According to the Public Education Officer of the command, Florence Okpe, the crash occurred around 7 p.m. in the area where a diversion was created by a construction company currently working on the stretch of the road in the area.

“The fatal crash involved a total of 37 people comprising 20

male adults, 15 female adults, and two female children,” she said “The people injured in the crash were 10, comprising four male adults and six female adults.

Four male adults, seven female adults and two female children made up the thirteen lost their lives.

Channels TV reported that the incident involved three vehicles – truck heading towards the Lagos axis of the expressway and two buses.

Okpe said the truck (a Man diesel truck with registration number KAB 97 XA)

which was speeding suffered a tyre burst and in the process collided head-on with two other speeding commuter buses heading towards the Ibadan axis of the expressway.

The buses involved were yellow MAZDA bus with registration number KTU93XW and a white Toyota bus with registration number KEY 847 XA. The Sector Commander, FRSC Ogun State Command, Clement Oladele, has expressed deep shock over the incident and commiserated with relations of the crash victims, the statement said.

Relations of the crash victims

have been asked to contact the FRSC Command in Ogere or the Victory Hospital, Ogere, where the crashed victims were receiving medical treatment.

The corpses of the victims killed at the crash have been deposited at the Ipara Mortuary, Ogun State.

Okpe quoted the FRSC Sector Commander as saying that the incident would have been avoided if motorists who are driving along diversion areas and construction zones, observe the maximum speed limit of 50 kilometres per hour and avoid overtaking till clearly out of diversion areas to avoid a head-on collision.

Police Deny Deploying Bello’s Ex-ADC to Coordinate INEC Gbajabiamila Warns NCC over Unregistered SIM Cards Personnel Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure the registration of all SIM cards in the country.

The Speaker warned that unregistered SIM cards had high security risks, asking the commission to take it seriously.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the management of the NCC to his office yesterday in Abuja, Gbajabiamila said the House was ready to support the commission through adequate funding for effectiveness and efficiency.

The Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, quoted Gbajabiamila

as describing communication as the bedrock of any society. The Speaker said Nigeria “has to keep up with the pace; we can’t afford to be left behind.”

The Speaker also said Nigeria’s population kept growing by the day, which he said would lead to an increase in the number of mobile phone users, calling on the commission to expand its infrastructure.

He said, “The population is growing, and that will also mean that the number of users will grow. That means you have to expand your infrastructure. The National Assembly will then come in because there will be a need for funding. We will work with you to make sure you get whatever is necessary to make your job easier.”

Say ACP in charge of INEC registration centre Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigeria Police Force have denied deploying a former Aide de Camp (ADC) to the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Usman Musa, to coordinate and protect INEC personnel deployed in Registration Centre Areas (RCAs) during the Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

In a swift reaction, the Police High Command gave the name of ACP Shem Evans as the police officer in charge of the centre.

Also, a member of the board of the Police Service Commission, (PSC), who is

also part of the PSC delegation sent to monitor the election, Commissioner Rommy Mom, said the delegation would take necessary punitive measures against police officers engaging in misconduct.

This comes as the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) yesterday berated the Senate for the approval of N10billion as requested by President Mohammadu Buhari for the Kogi State government three days to the gubernatorial election.

THISDAY sighted a Police wireless message deploying CSP Usman Musa to Kogi State for the gubernatorial poll.

Usman by the directive of the

PSC to sanction erring police officers

Police wireless message dated 11/11/19 is to coordinate the protection of INEC personnel and INEC Registration Centre Areas (RACS).

But Force Public Relations Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Frank Mba, denied that the governor’s former ADC was deployed to the center.

He said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Shems Evans would be in charge of the centre.

“I can confirm authoritatively that your position above is not true. The officer in charge of the centre under reference is ACP Shems Evans and not CSP Usman Musa”, he said.

On its part, HURIWA said by delaying the release of the cash

till the final hours to the election in which the All Progressives Congress (APC) incumbent Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, is facing stiff opposition from the Peoples Democratic Party’s Musa Wada and SDP’s Natasha Akpoti, the All Progressives Congressdominated National Assembly and President Muhammadu Buhari have inevitably interfered in the Kogi governorship poll in an unlawful way.

In a statement by its National coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA said there would be no level-playing field for all the contestants because of the approval of N10 billion was suspicious ahead of such an important election.

10

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Three Persons Sentenced to Death for Kidnapping Lagos Monarch An Ikeja Special Offences Court yesterday sentenced three men to death for kidnapping the Oniba of Iba, Lagos, Oba Yishau Goriola Oseni.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo found the convicts guilty of a seven-count charge brought against them by the state.

The convicts are Duba Furejo alias General Cuba, who is now paralysed, Reuben Anthony and Yerin Fresh.

Delivering judgment in the matter for over one hour, Justice Taiwo found the defendants guilty and convicted them of all the seven-count charge against them.

The offences bordered on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and kidnapping.

“I believe the offence of conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and kidnapping as brought against them by the prosecution.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the defendants were involved in the crime.

“I also have no doubt that the defendants knew that their actions were to cause injuries by the gun shot by the defendants and also as proven by the prosecution.

“The prosecution has proved his case beyond reasonable doubt and I find the three defendants guilty as charged.

In his allocutus, defence counsel, Mr. G. O Eguaroje pleaded for mercy on behalf of the convicts.

He stated that the convicts

were first-time offenders and that the judge should consider the fact in her pronouncement and not sentence them to death by hanging.

But in her reaction, the prosecutor and Solicitor General of Lagos State, Titilayo Shitta-Bey, urged the court to give maximum sentence commensurate with the offences committed by the convicts.

“A heinous crime of kidnapping does not only terrorise the victim but terrorise the society. Nobody is safe.

“A clear statement should be made that Lagos State has zero tolerance for kidnappers, murderers and robbers and that in Lagos you will be prosecuted and given maximum sentence if found guilty.

“Lagos is not a lawless society.A clear message needs to be sent to people who think they can get away with such crimes. Families of victims are made to look for ransom just to save their loved ones’ lives and this must be stopped”, she said.

Pronouncing the judgment in the matter, Justice Taiwo noted that kidnapping has become prevalent and that it has to be stopped.

She sentenced the convicts to a total of 153 years imprisonment in addition to life imprisonment and death sentence.

“For the offence of conspiracy, the convicts are hereby sentenced to ten years each; for causing the death of Sunday Okanlawon and Joseph Okeke, the guards,

Hearing in the suit filed by the Police Service Commission (PSC) against the recruitment of 10,000 police constables was yesterday stalled following a request for a short adjournment by the commission to respond to the objection of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to the suit.

The commission had dragged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to court over the recruitment of 10,000 constables following the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Sued along the NPF are the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Adamu Mohammed and the Minister of Police Affairs.

However, counsel to the defendants, Alex Izinyon (SAN), at the sitting of October 23, informed the court of an application seeking to include the AGF as a party to the suit.

Trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, while allowing the AGF to be a party to the suit, ordered the plaintiff to amend its suit and serve on all parties, including the AGF, adding that the defendants should in turn file and serve their responses on the plaintiff within four days of receipt of the process.

Justice Ekwo in addition ordered all parties not to take any further steps as regards the recruitment exercise, until the hearing of the suit and adjourned till November 4 for hearing.

On November 4, the matter was further adjourned till

November 11, to enable service of the defendants’ response on the plaintiff, with the court reiterating that its order on status quo remains.

Hearing on the matter on November 11, did not hold owing to the declaration of that day as a public holiday by the federal government to mark the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

However, hearing on the matter was again stalled yesterday following the request of the plaintiff to reply to the counter affidavit filed by the federal government.

When the matter was called, counsel to the PSC, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), told the court that he would need a short adjournment to enable him respond to the process of the AGF. Justice Ekwo subsequently adjourned the matter till November 20 for hearing.

In the motion on notice filed on September 24 and brought pursuant to order 28 rule 1, the commission is praying the court for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants/respondents, their officers and representatives including anybody or person acting on their behalf from appointing, recruiting or attempting to appoint or recruit by any means whatsoever any person into any office by the NPF, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

conspiracy to commit kidnap; ten years each for conspiracy to commit armed robbery; life imprisonment each for armed robbery; and 21 years for kidnapping.

” This is the judgment of the court,” she said.

Reacting to the judgment of the court, Shitta-Bey said: “We appreciate this judgment and this would

send a warning to likeminded persons that this is not acceptable in Lagos State as such crime don’t only affect the victims but also the society at large”.

INVESTMENTS ON THEIR MINDS…

L-R: Chairman of Sterling Bank Plc and Edo Investment Summit, Alaghodaro 2019, Asue Ighodalo; Deputy Governor, Edo State, Hon. Philip Shaibu; Governor Godwin Obaseki; Executive Director, Institutional Banking, Sterling Bank; Emmanuel Emefienim; and Business Executive, Institutional Banking, Midwest Region, Sterling Bank; Monday Abure, at the Edo Investment Summit, Alagbodaro 2019 in Benin City... yesterday

House Kicks against Appointment of Interim Mgt Committee for NDDC Adedayo Akinwale ín Abuja

Again, AGF’s Objection Stalls Hearing of PSC Suit against IG Alex Enumah in Abuja

I sentenced each of the defendants to death; for attempted murder of Olori Abosede Goriola, life imprisonment each.

“Each of the convicts is sentenced to 10 years for

The House of Representatives has threatened to discontinue the 2020 appropriation and budget process of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs over the appointment of the three-man Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by the minister, Godswill Akpabio.

The House took the decision at the plenary yesterday following the adoption of a motion on the urgent need to stop the illegality in NDDC, which was moved by Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai.

Ossai said one of the core mandate for the establishment of the Commission is the implementation of the set rules and regulations, projects and

programmes for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta areas.

He stressed that in October 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered for a forensic audit of the operations and activities of NDDC from 2001 to 2019, which he said was in line with what the House has done.

Ossai noted that precisely, on October 29, the president, through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), announced the appointment of 15 new NDDC board members, whose names were thereafter sent to the Senate for confirmation.

According to him, “Disturbed by that, in the evening of the same October 29, 2019, and to the utter consternation of all Nigerians, the Minister of Niger

Delta Affairs, Senator Akpabio, brazenly announced on Channels Television the sacking of the acting Managing Director of NDDC, and the appointments of a three-man NDDC Interim Management Committee, which he directed to manage and run the affairs of NDDC for the next six months.”

The lawmaker noted that shortly after the appointment of the three-man interim management committee, the Senate confirmed the 15 NDDC board members sent to it by the president in fulfillment of NDDC Act. He expressed worry that the speed and curiosity with which the minister hurriedly set up a three-man interim management committee was stunning and suspicious.

Ossai acknowledged the fact that in practice, any existing vacancy in the office of the managing director of NDDC is usually filled temporary by the highest director in the order of seniority and ranking, The Delta State federal lawmaker said with the confirmation of the NDDC governing board members by the Senate, the three-man interim management committee of the NDDC recently set up by the minister becomes vitiated, null and void and of no legal effect.

Against this background, the House urged “the minister of the Niger Delta Affairs to withdraw the appointment and the activities of the three-man Interim Management Committee of the NDDC.

You’re a Disorganised Party, Edo PDP Mocks APC Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state as a disorganised party.

This is coming as a faction of the ruling APC in the state has formally announced the suspension of the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, from the party over alleged anti-party activities.

Also suspended along with the governor, were his deputy, Philip Shaibu and Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie.

But reacting to the gale of suspensions rocking the APC in the state, the PDP state chairman, Mr. Dan Orbih said it is only in

APC that a national chairman, the state chairman and the secretary would be suspended in one day.

Addressing journalists in Benin, Orbih wondered how a disorganised party like APC can rule the state and be expected to restore law and order.

Responding to the allegation that Obaseki gave PDP, N6 billion to enable him to defect to the PDP, Orbih said “Governor Obaseki has no business giving anybody money to join the PDP. If he has N6 billion to join PDP, I will advise him to spend that money to address the problems of the state.”

“We don’t need any money from anybody to join our party. Our party is open to all those who are interested in joining us as member including Governor Obaseki. I know very well that the problem facing his government is that they don’t

have a proper party structure. I see APC as a disorganised party in Edo State.

“We have heard that they have suspended the state chairman, Ojezua and another report said that the new chairman, Col. David Imoise was not properly elected.

The truth is that you cannot put the state in the hand of people who cannot manage themselves.”

Speaking on the defection of Pastor Ize-Iyamu from the party, Orbih said as far as PDP is concerned in Edo State it remains one indivisible family.

“I have with me here, party chairmen from all the 18 Local Government Areas in the state. No one has been suspended. The exit of anyone can not affect the fortune of PDP in Edo State.

“A few years ago when he (Ize-Iyamu) left APC, he said he

was coming home. Now, we also read that he said he was going home when he was reported to have defected to APC. I’m saying that if he has decided to leave, he has not officially informed us that he is leaving for APC. “PDP is intact in Edo. The departure of one man will not affect our fortune in the state. Within the party all is well. We are aware that the ruling party is in crisis. In Edo PDP, we know how to manage ourselves, no one has been suspended among us, in this gathering,” he said.

He condemned the three-year rule of Obaseki in the state.

Orbih said that Obaseki’s government has added to the hardship of the people through his various programmes.

Ruling party faction suspends Obaseki, dep gov, SSG, p

11

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Senate Summons Customs CG over Fuel Suspension Order

Pleads for understanding over hate speech bill To amend constitution for smooth transition of legislative powers Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday resolved to summon the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Alli (rtd), to explain the issues surrounding the recent ban on sale of petroleum products to communities living 20 kilometres from the land borders.

Thus is just as the upper legislative chamber has appealed for public understanding of the hate speech bill currently before it as it pledges to amend the constitution for smooth transition of legislative powers.

The Senate resolved to invite the Customs boss was sequel to the adoption of a motion titled “The need to revisit the Suspension Order placed on the Supply of petroleum products to Border Towns by the Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS),” moved at plenary

by Senator Tolu Odebiyi.

The sponsor of the motion had expressed concern that if the suspension order is not properly addressed as soon as possible, it would further compound an already bad situation created by the prolonged border closure and

APC Heads to Appeal Court over Disqualified Deputy Governorship Candidate The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it was heading to the Appeal Court to challenge the disqualification of its deputy governorship candidate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, from Saturday’s Bayelsa governorship poll.

The state APC Chairman, Amos Jonathan, in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday in Yenagoa, the state capital, described the court ruling as a miscarriage of justice.

“We are totally surprised that the court could in spite of objections by our lawyers, go ahead to determine a weighty

party chairman

thus, exerting more hardship on the people.

The Senator further noted that if necessary palliative measures are not put in place, the problems that will result from the ban will most certainly affect every aspect of businesses and transactions, “as health centres are already being grounded by the relative scarcity of petroleum products occasioned by this suspension”.

The Senate thereafter mandated its committee on customs headed

by Senator Francis Alimhikena to summon Ali with a view to working out a viable economic framework/policy that could further mitigate the sufferings

of the people, and communities across the border areas.

It also called on the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and NCS to ensure a steady supply of petroleum products through the identified suppliers and registered filling stations across all the border towns and communities as a temporary palliative measures.

The upper chamber further called on the Customs CG to urgently explore the use of modern technological devices in the tracking, management, and scheduling of petroleum trucks that undertake business along the border towns.

The DPR , according to Senate,

should initiate a comprehensive audit of all petroleum stations and suppliers across the border communities, in a bid to closely monitor their movement by mandating each moving truck to have a tracking device that is monitored by the Nigeria Customs Dervice in a wholesome manner.

Also yesterday, the Senate asked for public understanding of the controversial Hate Speech Bill which passed through first reading at Senate plenary on Tuesday.

Acting Senate spokesman, Senator Godiya Akwashiki, told reporters after plenary that “I want to urge Nigerians to exercise patience with Senate

because it is not wise for me nor legally right for me to discuss a bill that has not been mentioned for the second time on the floor of the Senate”.

According to him, it is when the bill gets to second reading that one can say specifically how far the bill will go.

“When the bill comes for second reading, then you will know where it is heading or what the Senate intends to do. I want to assure you that even if the bill scales second reading on the floor of the Senate, we are working for the progress and betterment of Nigerians.

criminal allegation of falsification and fraud solely on the basis of affidavit evidence, contrary to wellestablished judicial precedents that such must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt by calling oral evidence.

“We strongly believe that the judgment cannot withstand superior judicial scrutiny.

“Therefore, our lawyers have filed a notice of appeal and other court processes to arrest the execution of the judgment pending the outcome of the appeal.

“We call on all our members and supporters not to be distracted but continue to peacefully mobilise for the November 16, election,” he said.

ON THE SIDELINES...

L-R: South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa; Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and President, Africa Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, at the Africa Investment Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa...yesterday

Appeal Court Reaffirms Gov Emmanuel’s Election Bassey Inyang in Calabar The Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has validated the election of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as result for the 2019 governorship election held on March 9, 2019.

Delivering a unanimous judgment yesterday, the fivemember panel of the court headed

by Justice Justice M.A Mishelia, declared that the petitioners failed

to prove their case.

The judgment which was read by Justice Tunde Awotoyi, declared that the appeals filled by Nsima Ekere, the governorship candidate of the APC, and his party lacked merit, and therefore rejected their prayers which sought the invalidation of the result declared by the INEC. The judgment read in part: “The law stipulates that an election shall not be invalidated by the reason of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act if the election was conducted substantially in accordance with

provisions of the act. And that the non- compliance did not affect the result of the election, substantially.

See Section 139, sub section one of the electoral act.

“Therefore, when the return of an election is being questioned, on the grounds of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, it does not suffice to prove non-compliance without more, the petition we must be able to go further to prove that the non-compliance was substantial and affected the result of the election. The authorities in this regard are legion.

“The petitioner must not only assert but must be able to satisfy the court that the non-compliance affected the result to justify nullification.

“The evidence adduced was not substantial enough to affect the result of the election.

Any proven irregularity and non-compliance has not been shown to be broad-based,” the judge ruled.

The appeal court awarded a cost of N500,000 against the appellant, Nsima Ekere, in favour of Udom who was first respondent.

Adelabu Heads to Supreme Court over Oyo Guber Election Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Oyo State gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 9 election, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, yesterday said he’s approaching the Supreme Court to validate his victory at the poll.

Adelabu disclosed this while reacting to the Monday judgement by the Court of Appeal, which set aside the tribunal judgement which ruled in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

and its candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital had on Monday set aside the tribunal judgement which nullified the petition of Adelabu against Makinde, but the tribunal had in September dismissed Adelabu’s petition against Makinde.

However, the APC candidate while breaking his silence maintained that the pronouncement made by the Court of Appeal has further

rekindled his hope in both the electoral and judicial processes.

Adelabu, in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists, alleged that some agents of darkness perfected the plan to steal his mandate, this according to him, necessitated his resolve to approach the judiciary to reclaim his mandate.

“The pronouncement made by the Election Appeal Tribunal on our challenge of the ruling of the lower Tribunal on Monday

has further rekindled our hope in both the electoral and judicial processes in our march to keep a date with history.

“When our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presented me as her standard bearer in the 2019 gubernatorial election in Oyo State, we never wavered in our conviction that the good people of the state knew that I was best candidate among the lots that came out to seek their mandate.

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Air Transport Contributes 6.2m Jobs, $55.8bn to Africa’s GDP, Says ICAO President Kasim Sumaina in Abuja President of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council, Dr. Bernard Aliu, yesterday disclosed that African aviation industry is one of the fastest growing sector, and currently supports 6.2 million jobs and contributes $55.8 billion to Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Aliu stated this at the 50th anniversary celebration of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) in Dakar, Senegal.

The ICAO president in a statement by the Director Public Affairs, Federal Ministry of Aviation, James Odaudu, stated that in Africa today, air transport supports 6.2 million jobs and $55.8 billion in GDP, and that the African aviation market is one of the world’s most promising in terms of its overall growth potential, “due largely to your emerging industrial sectors

and steadily increasing population figures.”

According to him, “In accordance with ICAO’s long-term traffic forecasts, passenger traffic for the Africa region is expected to grow by 4.3 per cent annually up to 2045, while freight traffic should also expand faster than world average at 3.9 per cent annually over the same period.”

He noted that these increases should see aviation-related employment in Africa increase to roughly 9.8 million jobs by 2036, as well as its air transport GDP impacting almost to $159 billion over the same period.

Aliu said: “Certainly, these trends underscore the tremendous potential of well-managed and ICAO-compliant air transport growth to lift this continent into a new era of promise and prosperity.

“Air connectivity is a unique and indispensable catalyst for socio-economic growth, and one which facilitates mobility and

contributes to the development of trade, tourism, and services both within Africa and between it and the world.

“The direct route air transport which establishes between

international destinations and markets has been recognised for its critical contributions to state achievement of the United Nations Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in

addition to the implementation of the African Union Agenda 2063.”

The ICAO president, however, observed that “we must also recognise and act upon the

fact that the current status of connectivity on this continent is still sub-optimal, and therefore, hindering the realisation of the aviation benefits now awaiting African societies.”

House Directs JAMB to Suspend Use of NIN Till 2021 Adedayo Akinwale ín Abuja The House of Representatives has directed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to suspend the compulsory use of National Identification Number (NlN) to register prospective candidates for the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) examination till 2021.

The House gave the directive at the plenary yesterday following the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance on the need JAMB to extend the commencement year for the use of NIN to allow more time and better awareness for prospective candidates.

While moving the motion, Hon. Zainab Gimba, commended the JAMB on its decision to synergise with the NIMC in order to ensure a more transparent Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination process.

She noted that the compulsory

use of prospective candidates‘ data from NIMC database, which is scheduled to start next year, would help curb incidents of multiple registration and other forms of malpractices perpetrated in the UTME process.

Gimba however recalled that sometime this year, an official of the NIMC disclosed that less than 20 per cent of Nigerians are captured in NIMC’s database.

She noted that the younger Nigerians and minors constitute the larger number of those yet to be captured by NIMC considering the fact that the initial registration criteria which captured persons aged 18 and above only.

The House expressed worry that many prospective candidates from remote locations in the country might not be able to register for the UTME due to non-registration with the NIMC.

PDP Condemns Obnoxious Hate Speech Bill Chuks Okocha in Abuja Ripples over the hate speech bill before the Senate has continued to generate reactions as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday condemned the controversial bill, describing it as savagery, repressive and cruel, with murderous intents, seeking stringent punishment, including death by hanging as penalty.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said: “In as much as the PDP does not condone hate speech under any guise, our party rejects the bill as unconstitutional, undemocratic and a barbarous design targeted at official extermination of voice of dissent and perceived opponents of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.”

PDP noted that the nation already has enough constitutional provisions and extant laws to ensure a sane and healthy public expression space, saying it would

not allow any cruel law devised to victimise and persecute the citizens, ostensibly as a regime protection measure.

“Such laws can only find space in Hitler’s Germany, Mussolini’s Italy, Idi Amin’s Uganda and not in this era or in a democratic state such as Nigeria.

“The resurfacing of the cruel bill in the Senate, after Nigerians vehemently rejected it last year, only points to the incurable desperation of the APC-federal government to suppress and crush the will of the citizens at all cost,” the statement said.

The party pointed out that the provisions of the bill are deliberately hazy and nebulous with the malicious intention to victimise innocent Nigerians.

Accordingly, PDP said: “Such obnoxious laws are characteristics of known anti-democratic regimes, as prelude to their suspension or abolition of constitutional provisions to set the stage for totalitarianism.

BUDGET OF DEVELOPMENT...

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, laying copies of the 2020 Finance and Appropriation Bills after his presentation on the floor of the state House of Assembly in Damaturu ....yesterday

House PassesVAT Increment Bill for Second Reading Adedayo Akinwale ín Abuja House of Representatives has passed the Finance Act (Amendment) Bill for second reading, a component of which seeks to increase the Value Added Tax from five per cent to 7.5 per cent.

The amendments seek to provide for a review of tax provisions and make them more responsive to tax reform.

The bill, which has seven components, seeks to amend the Companies Income Tax Act, Value Added Tax Act, Customs and Excise Tariff (Consolidation) Act,

Personal Income Tax Act, Capital Gains Tax Act, Stamp Duties Act and Petroleum Profit Tax Act. At the plenary yesterday, most of the lawmakers on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who contributed during the debate on the second reading of the bill supported the VAT

increment.

President Muhammadu Buhari had, after laying the 2020 Appropriation Bill before the National Assembly, sent the executive bill to both the Senate and the House to approve the increment through the amendment.

Obi: Only Revolution of Mindset Will Change Nigeria Alex Enumah in Abuja Vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 23 election, Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday said it’s only revolution of the mindset and change of perception by the youths that would usher in a new Nigeria desired by all.

Obi said in today’s world, one did not need to carry out the kind of revolution that was done in the past, explaining that revolution is being disrupted every day by ideas and

knowledge.

He made the remarks in Abuja, while speaking during the Law Faculty week of Baze University.

Obi, who spoke on the theme: “The Role of Young Nigerians in the Development of Sub-Saharan Africa,” said: “In the case of election, it is you, young Nigerians that will elect the leaders that you want, it is you that will question the leaders.”

He added that young Nigerians must be made to

understand that nations that were doing well today went through a revolution, adding that Nigeria needs to drive development within the sub Saharan Africa in order to assume her right position.

Explaining the nature of the revolution that is required in today’s Nigeria, Obi said it was not the old type of revolution understood in terms of guns and cudgels, but the type of revolution that saw digital camera displacing manual ones; electric cars threatening

to displace fuel-driven cars; knowledge economy displacing baggage economy; industries displacing manual production, among others.

The vice presidential candidate, who advised the youths to remain committed to positive ideals, reminded them that one of the problems of Nigeria was the celebration of impunity and corruption, whereby Nigerians clap and dance with those destroying the country because of their ability to part with stolen money.

NASEMA: 60 Communities Submerged by Flood in Nasarawa Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) yesterday said about 60 communities had been submerged by the current flood ravaging some parts of the country.

NASEMA Executive Secretary, Allu Maga, disclosed this to THISDAY during an interaction in his office in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

This was even as he added that despite the devastating

nature of the flooding effect in the affected communities, no life was lost but several thousands of people were displaced, while valuables worth millions of naira were destroyed.

The NASEMA chief said affected communities were located by the river bank of Benue in Awe, Keana, Doma, Nasarawa and Toto local government areas of Nasarawa State.

According to him, “Sixty communities are all submerged.

The painful thing is that the people are not ready to leave, even as their communities are submerged. They insisted on this kind of archaic complaint that it is their ancestral land hence they are not ready to relocate.

“When we sensed that this flood would take place, we went to all the communities in August and September and met with all the traditional rulers, appointed and elected representatives of the communities so as to sensitising them to the effect of the flood.”

He explained that the idea of the sensitisation was to evacuate the communities’ inhabitants to safer places so that government could bring palliative measures to cushion their plights, thereafter to be taken back to their abodes when the situation improved.

He, however, said “government has directed the purchase of additional relief materials to support the existing ones,” adding that “Nasarawa State is a disaster-prone area; we always have one problem or the other in the state.”

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

Nigeria’s Shares in International Bank for Reconstruction and Devt Rises to $50.6m

FG Releases N650bn for capital projects Saraki cautions against death penalty for hate speech

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed has disclosed that the country’s shares in the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development had risen to $50.6million.

She made the disclosure yesterday while briefing State House Correspondents concerning some of the decisions taken at the Federal Executive Council (FEC), which was presided over by Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

This is coming as the Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemi Saraki, has kicked against the Hate Speech Bill, which passed through first reading at the Senate.

The minister said an additional allocation of 3,000 shares was allocated to country, an offer which the country had accepted since March this year.

She said the new offers will substantially improve the country’s rating before global finance institutions.

The minister, who briefed reporters alongside the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemi Saraki, similarly said the federal government had released N650 billion for capital projects this year.

According to her, the amount released had surpassed the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari when he submitted the budget to the National Assembly, in October that N600 billion be released for capital expenditure.

She stressed that the target by the federal government is to be able to additional N250 billion to bring the total release to N900 billion by December.

The minister said given the limited resources, the highest proportion of the money disbursed

INEC Decries Indiscriminate Court Orders The Independent National election, which must be obeyed, it Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern over indiscriminate court orders.

INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Voter Education and Publicity, Festus Okoye, said this while speaking at a press conference in Lokoja, ahead of Saturday’s government elections in Kogi State.

Okoye said, even though the commission had resolved to obey every court order relating to conduct of elections, it had become a source of worry as such orders often slowed down the job of the commission.

“For instance, when a court gives an order 48 hours to an

means the commission will have to put in extra efforts to meet the deadline.”

Okoye called for dialogue on the extent to which it could exercise its powers guaranteed by the constitution and electoral laws.

He said the commission would embark on presentation of robust proposals on electoral reforms to the National Assembly next year.

“We will be bold, strong and courageous in our efforts to get our electoral system reformed so that our country can enjoy full benefits of democracy,” he added.

Okoye also called for proper scrutiny of politicians to avoid recycling impunity

is released to the Ministry of Power, the Ministry of Works and Housing and Ministry of Transport.

“It gives me an opportunity to state that the Minister of Works and Housing has a proposed budget of N247 billion for the year 2020 and the greatest component of this budget is the fixing of Nigerian roads. It is true that we are not able to fund the budget 100 percent but whenever we release funds for capital projects, the Ministry of Power, the Ministry of Works and Housing is always the priority and also the Ministry of Transport.”

She also said that government had also introduced some measures for more private sector participants’ improvement in road construction.

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Samson Ayokunle, has refuted claim that he prayed for the re-election of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

Bello, who is contesting the November 16 governorship poll in the state along with other candidates, was spotted in a photograph holding hands with the CAN president in which they were said to be praying.

Ayokunle, in a statement by the Director, Legal and Public Affairs, Kwamkur Samuel Vondip, said the picture trending in the social media was taken with Bello sometimes in July when he proposed to lay the foundation of the first ever Chapel at the Government House in Lokoja.

The statement explained that CAN was not a partisan organisation and therefore could not have engaged in acts that portrayed it as taking sides.

“We therefore debunk this type of blackmail and warn the people behind it to desist from this type

of manipulation because God will hold them liable for this evil one day. This information is totally false and misleading.

“We call on all Christians and indeed well meaning Nigerians to disregard any information purported to emanate from CAN on the forthcoming elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

“The leadership of the CAN has taken notice of a picture of the CAN President Rev. Ayokunle, Kogi State CAN Chairman and Governor Bello making the rounds in the social media where it was painted as if the CAN president went to the governor at this period of electioneering campaign to pray for his re-election.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Bello sometimes in July, 2019 proposed to lay the foundation of the first ever Chapel at the Government House so that the Christians in the Government House might have a place of worship just as their Muslim counterparts. The Kogi CAN leadership invited the president of CAN to come and lay the foundation stone of the

contentious Hate Speech Bill before the Senate.The bill sponsored by Senator Sabi Abdullahi prescribes death by hanging for violators and is generating criticisms from across the country as it is viewed as attempt to curtail free speech .

But Saraki described the bill as jumping the gun and unnecessary as the existing Cybercrime Act (2015) is enough to handle the purveyors of hate speech on social media.

“It would amount to jumping the gun to make conclusions of the Hate Speech Bill because it is still a bill, not an Act. It is a bill, it is not yet law.

So the sponsor of the bill might have put the death penalty there. I think we are jumping the gun a bit, he is proposing the bill is not yet

an act. But be that as it may, I think the Cybercrime Act is a law already in Nigeria; the Cybercrime Act that has the hate speech aspect in it.

“I am not privileged to know the sponsor of the particular bill that you mentioned but there is a law, I stand to be corrected I think it was passed 2014/2015.

“I am not particularly sure but there is a law that takes care of (hate speech) because cybercrime is now a major issue and as your know internationally, the world over everybody is concerned about it being the new frontier to fight crime. So, hate speech is within that cybercrime aspect.” Saraki said.

Gani Adams Berates South-west Govs over Insecurity Kemi OlaitaninIbadan Are Ona-Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, yesterday came hard on the South-west governors over their reluctant attitude to the issue of insecurity in the zone, describing security of lives and property as germane to economic, human growth and development.

Adams, while speaking with journalists on the sideline of a security summit tagged: “Southwest Security Stakeholder’s Group” organised by the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), said before insecurity became unbearable in the region, he had written letters to all the governors and traditional rulers on the need to prepare ahead but they all kept adamant until the situation got out of hands.

He maintained that herdsmen have been living in the region for long going about their cattle rearing business without any blemishes until the recent past when some criminals intruded into their midst with some bad elements from Yoruba tribe

Kogi Poll: CAN President Denies Praying for Yahaya Bello Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

One of these measures is the Road Infrastructure Task Credit Scheme which Buhari approved

by Executive Order early this year, and of which 17 companies are carrying out 19 roads across the six geo-political zones.

She also insists that majority of the roads in the country are within the purview and responsibility of states as well as local governments, adding that explains why federal government is raising special funds to make sure that roads and such other infrastructure are being addressed.

Saraki also informed reporters that council had approved N1.7 billion for the construction of a jetty in Bonny Island, Rivers State. The project, she said, is to be completed in 15 months.

She also gave her view on the

chapel and this was done to the glory of God, and of course special prayers were held at the function for the government of Kogi State,” the statement explained.

Vondip described those behind the allegation as mischievous and desperate blackmailers out to tarnish the image of the CAN president.

“Let it be known right away that those behind this cheap propaganda are glaringly mischievous individuals who do not mean well for the church and Nigeria. They are people without the fear of God who forgot that God will hold them responsible for every idle/evil word and misleading information they spread about others.

“We wonder when it becomes a sin for the President of CAN to lay the foundation of a chapel and pray for government functionaries!

“For any person to bring up the picture at this critical period of elections and paint it as prayers for the re-election of the governor shows the extent of mischief and desperation by the individuals behind it,” he added.

working for them as informants.

Adams disclosed that the need to get rid of these criminals in the region informed his decision to commence the South-west Security Stakeholder’s Group meeting with the first one held in Lagos, second one in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while it would move to Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and Ogun states respectively at a later date.

According to him, “Prior to this time, I had foreseen that insecurity that was confronting some parts of the country would extend to South-west. I took time to write our

governors and traditional rulers but there was no response from them.

“Now that the issue has become unbearable, they are now looking for way forward. I learnt from grapevine that some of our governors are waiting for approval from the Presidency to involve private security.

“But in my own opinion, Northeast has its own private security outfit, complementing the effort of Nigeria Army and Nigeria Police, even some parts of North-west. At least, I know about Hisbah in Kano State which has been in existence for long, complementing the efforts of law

enforcement agencies on Sharia law.

“The South-west zone has had its own share of insecurity in terms of kidnapping, unwarranted killing, destruction of farms, increasing cultism among others perpetrated by unknown elements. If our governors had willingly acted and done the needful about the security of lives and property of Yorubaland, we as a group and private security outfit would have united and organised ourselves and sent warning signals to these criminals that South-west was not save for them.

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍ˛Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

COMMENT

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

YOUNG PEOPLE NEED OUR SUPPORT

Patricia Scotland writes that young people can be guided towards healthy and productive lives

O

ur world seems to be changing faster than ever – technologically, environmentally, socially – and in so many other ways. It is hard for any of us to keep up with the astonishing pace and scale of developments, and their impact for better or for worse on our own lives and the ways in which they affect the future of our planet.

Yet too often it seems that those with the greatest stake in the future, are least empowered to shape it: young people.

This is something the Commonwealth has for more than 50 years been working hard to change; and never more so than today. Population growth means that there are now more young people in the Commonwealth than ever before, and this offers choices and challenges for all involved in planning and making policy, and for young people themselves. The combined population of the Commonwealth is now 2.4 billion, of which more than 60 per cent are aged 29 or under, and one in three between the ages of 15 and 29.

Through social media, young people are more connected, informed, engaged and globally-aware than ever before. Even so, their potential to drive progress and innovation is often overlooked or remains untapped, despite pioneering Commonwealth leadership over the decades on inclusiveness and intergenerational connection.

Since the 1970s, Commonwealth cooperation has supported member states with provision of education and training for youth workers, who have a central role to play in encouraging, enabling, and empowering young people. Practitioners may be of any age, and operate in many settings: youth clubs, parks, schools, prisons, hospitals, on the streets and in rural areas.

Commonwealth approaches and engagement recognise the dynamic role youth workers can play in addressing young people’s welfare and rights, and in connecting and involving them in decision-making process at all levels. In some Commonwealth countries, youth work is a distinct profession, acknowledged in policy and legislation to deliver and certify quality of practice, including through education and training. In others it is institutionalised less formally through custom and practice. In some countries there is little or no youth work activity - formal or informal.

To advance the cause of young people, and their direct participation in nation-building and the issues affecting them, the Commonwealth Secretariat supports the governments of member countries with technical assistance relating to policy and legislation in professionalising youth work. A pioneering Commonwealth contribution is the Commonwealth Diploma in Youth Development, which has been delivered in almost 30 Commonwealth member states. The new Commonwealth Degree and Diploma in Youth Work provides countries with a resource

THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, YOUNG PEOPLE ARE MORE CONNECTED, INFORMED, ENGAGED AND GLOBALLY-AWARE THAN EVER BEFORE

for developing human capital using a consortium business model that makes the training resources accessible at low cost for persons in low income contexts.

The Commonwealth also supports the global collectivisation of youth work professionals through the emerging Commonwealth Alliance of Youth Workers’ Associations (CAYWA), an international association of professional associations dedicated to advancing youth work across the Commonwealth. CAYWA facilitates the cross-pollination of ideas and collegial support among youth work practitioners, and is developing into a unified global influence providing support to governments and all stakeholders in youth work profession.

Expertise is offered by the Commonwealth Secretariat with the design of short courses and outcomes frameworks that support just-in-time and refresher training to augment diploma and degree qualifications. Guidance is also offered on establishing youth worker associations that can help towards building and sustaining professional standards, thereby safeguarding the quality of services offered to young people.

In 2019 a conference in Malta bringing together youth workers from throughout the Commonwealth continued to build recognition and professional standards of youth work in member countries.

Among outcomes was the establishment of a week-long celebration of the extraordinary services of full-time practitioners and volunteers – recognised as youth workers - who support the personal development and empowerment of young people. Youth Work Week, with the theme ‘Youth Work in Action’, was observed 4 -10 November 2019 in the 53 member states of the Commonwealth.

Looking forward to the 2020 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda next June, Youth Work Week will bring into sharper focus the challenges young people in our member countries face, and the opportunities they are offered – including through Commonwealth connection. By recruiting and placing appropriately trained and properly supported youth workers, communities in Commonwealth countries can help young people channel their energies and talent in positive directions, especially during the transition from education into work.

Supported by positive role models and with mentors to whom they can relate, young people can be guided towards healthy and productive lives. When equipped to develop as well-rounded individuals and to contribute to the societies in which they live, young people can make immense contributions towards transforming our communities and our Commonwealth and – above all - to their own future.

Scotland is Commonwealth Secretary-General

MAGU AND THE ANTI-CORRUPTION WAR

Ibrahim Magu has displayed courage and leadership in the fight against corruption, writes Phrank Shaibu

L

ove him or hate him, one argument that cannot be contested is the fact that Ibrahim Magu, the Ag. Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken the anticorruption fight in Nigeria to hitherto uncharted levels where many people thought could never be attained.

Deconstructing corruption fight in Nigeria is a binding moral duty for common good and it requires seeing beyond political affiliations, standpoint, preference or ideology. In Nigeria, Ibrahim Mustapha Magu, is the scourge of corrupt Nigerians, no matter your status or engagement and this has become worthy of public analysis and historic documentation whether aligned to the ruling party or not.

In fact, l had taken a long break from commenting on public discourse that will conflict with my political opposition status but if truth be told, the fight against corruption is for a better Nigeria and it is a collective pursuit that deserves objective periodic review on how those charged with such responsibilities are conducting the affairs of government agencies they manage. Thus, my decision to research on the EFCC and its affairs is a call to duty as public analyst and it changes nothing about my political attachment and roles played as political campaign spokesperson.

Specifically, about four years ago, on 9th November 2015, President Buhari sacked the then EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde and promptly replaced him with Magu, the next day, 10th November.

Under Magu, the mention of EFCC became the beginning of the endgame for corrupt public and private officers including individuals who had carried on for years as though they were above the law.

Ibrahim Magu, the poster boy of the anti-corruption crusade which has become the signature policy engagement of the President Buhari administration and has attracted both continental and global commendations for tackling what has been described across international platforms, as the number one factor militating against the growth and development of African nations and economies.

Magu was one of the early recruits into the anti-graft agency in the dizzying days of its pioneer chairman Malam Nuhu Ribadu. In 2015, Magu before becoming the EFCC boss was a member of the committee set up by the Buhari administration to probe the procurement of arms in the Armed Forces from 2007 to 2015 which eventually uncovered a cesspool of corruption that shocked the nation and still continues to reverberate with new and astonishing revelations. Given Magu’s perceived incorruptible posture, he was made the head of the sensitive Economic Governance Unit (EGU), which handled investigations of senior public officials and as head of the EGU, spearheaded some sensitive investigations including the collapse of Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria. Magu also played a major role in the investigation and eventual jailing of former Managing Director of the Bank of the North, Shettima Mohammed Bulama, said to be his own brother in law.

It was widely believed that after Ribadu was removed as EFCC boss in controversial circumstances by former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Magu was also targeted for redeployment by new EFCC boss, Farida Waziri, who took over in 2008 and was said to be uncomfortable with his presence over issues surrounding loyalty.

Magu’s troubles crystalized when he was accused of illegally keeping case files of top politicians being investigated by the commission in August 2008.

His house in Abuja was searched and his property, including a laptop computer with sensitive files, was carted away by officials of the EFCC. He was then redeployed to the police after days of detention with nothing incriminating found against him and later suspended from the force, without salaries for several months. But like the cat with nine lives, Magu was brought back to EFCC, when his old colleague Ibrahim Lamorde was appointed as substantive EFCC boss in 2012. For those that understood how the mind of the new President Buhari works, the prediction that Magu would emerge as new EFCC boss could not have been tough. No doubt, President Buhari needed a no-nonsense administrator to give bite to its agenda on fight against corruption after his 2015 victory

in the presidential polls. For Buhari, there was no better man to fit the bill than Magu, who quickly replaced Lamorde.

Magu, a thoroughbred EFCC man swung into action as the new anti-graft agency boss. Already he had a 12-year career track record in the commission before the latest appointment and had worked as the head of EFCC administration and finance in 2003, was the supervising officer, head of administration at special task force organized by the Nigerian President in 2006, served as deputy head of Police department in Ekiti State in 2009 and worked in the Special Investigation Bureau of Anambra State police. Thereafter, he returned to EFCC and kept working in different departments across the country, attending seminars, gaining new knowledge in financial investigation spheres and collaborating with international police departments, including the famous Scotland Yard, amongst others.

There was never any ambuiguity that Ibrahim Magu was President Buhari’s preferred choice for the EFCC chair and his appointment, which came six months after the president’s inauguration, would have come a bit sooner, if not for the fact that there was need to clear the small matter of CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar and the Ibrahim Lamorde connection which probably meant proverbially killing two birds with one stone, by clearing the way for Magu’s appointment in an acting capacity and commencing the Senator Bukola Saraki Code of Conduct trial.

This beginning was to however shape the next four years of Magu’s tenure and ensure that he remained in an acting capacity till the end of the 8th Senate which consistently refused to confirm his appointment under the leadership of Saraki as Senate President.

Reacting to the refusal of the Senate to confirm him, Magu simply said that his confirmation was rejected by the Senate because he is doing a good job, adding however that his non-confirmation will not stop him for spearheading the fight against corruption. “I don’t think it (non-confirmation) has given the public a cause for concern. I think it is a lot of encouragement. The fact that I am not confirmed shows I am working. In the anti-

corruption environment, if they rush to confirm you, it means you are not doing your work properly. A number of the people we are investigating are also in the National Assembly. I cannot be distracted with those things. Nobody can purchase me, I cannot compromise what I am doing,� he had declared at that time.

True to his words, Magu’s acting tenure has perhaps turned out to be the most robust and achievement-filled stint since the creation of the anti-corruption agency. It is little wonder therefore that despite his non-confirmation, President Buhari, who is the ultimate authority in deciding his fate, has not only kept faith with Magu, but encouraged and supported him.

The relationship between President Buhari and Ibrahim Magu is almost kinetic. It has helped in fostering an anti-corruption agenda, which has been hailed across the continent and beyond. Therefore, in defining the next phase of the anti-corruption agency in President Buhari’s second term, the president, who has displayed a solid conservatism in retaining those he believes in to work with him, will also determine who spearheads his anti-corruption crusade, going forward.

Magu, who has already set a kind of record as the longest serving head of the EFCC since its creation in 2003, had also positioned the agency as one of the most vibrant government institutions in Nigeria by laying down stringent and oftentimes unpalatable prevention strategies as a cardinal agenda in the fight against corruption.

The fact that Magu is winning the war in his capacity as EFCC boss is clearly manifest in the groundswell of public perception and participation achieved through the various preventive initiatives designed towards public re-orientation and enlightenment.

These programmes include the Nigerian Women Against Corruption Project (NWAC) which was developed to increase women participation in the fight against corruption and the Clean Hands Campaign for Children, designed primarily to promote the values of integrity and probity among the younger generation is gaining acceptance.

Shaibu wrote from Abuja

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

EDITORIAL SOWORE AND THE GROWING IMPUNITY The authorities should work within the law

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f there is anything that the current administration is increasingly being notorious for, it is in the manner it disregards court orders.

Nothing perhaps has demonstrated this more than the continued detention of Sahara Reporters’ publisher, Mr Omoyele Sowore despite meeting the stringent bail conditions set for him by the Federal High Court. It is even more shameful that the Directorate of State Services (DSS)—whose officials last week gave a lame excuse that their non-compliance was because “nobody came to take Sowore”—is now digging in.

Whatever may be its justifications, it bodes ill for our democracy that the federal government would treat court orders with such impunity.

Sadly, this is a growing pattern under President Muhammadu Buhari. A recent decision by the Inspector- General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu to release the list of successful candidates in the controversial recruitment of 10,000 police constables is symptomatic of TODAY, POLITICAL OFFICE the contempt for HOLDERS WHO SWORE court orders by TO UPHOLD THE LAW NOW operatives of the curCHOOSE WHICH COURT rent administration.

The police ordinarily ORDER TO OBEY AND WHICH ONES TO IGNORE. are responsible for THIS BODES ILL FOR OUR maintaining public order and safety, DEMOCRACY enforcing the law, and preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal activities. These functions make it dangerous for the institution to whimsically disobey the law as their officials now do.

But they are not alone in this sordid practice.

In his statement on the conduct of the DSS regarding Sowore’s continued detention, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, lamented that there is a “mission to enthrone a pattern of conduct that openly scoffs at the role of the judiciary in national life” and “a steady entrenchment of the cult of impunity in the dealings of state with the citizenry – both individuals and organizations”. He, however, warned

Letters to the Editor

of the consequences of such action even when there is no sign that the authorities care.

What is more worrying is that, apparently taking a cue from the federal government, several state governments have also now adopted the habit of ignoring court orders. Today, there are several dozens of judicial decisions that are being disregarded by the various elected governments in the country. Indeed, political office holders who swore to uphold the law now choose which court order to obey and which ones to ignore. This bodes ill for our democracy.

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

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

ven under colonial and military regimes, the country was governed by ordinances or decrees which the rulers were compelled to obey. Whenever there was a material departure from such laws, the courts never hesitated to call public officers to order. But at no time in the history of Nigeria has any government openly justified disobedience of court orders under the pretext of defending national security.

It is therefore unfortunate that in justifying disobedience of court orders, President Buhari has insisted that national security takes precedence over the rule of law. Since that embarrassing statement was echoed by Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the country has witnessed persistent disobedience of court orders by agencies of the federal and state governments. To worsen matters, both the bar and the bench have not helped in any way. While the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has failed to sanction lawyers who defend contempt of court, judges have refused to commit contemnors to prison as was the case in the past.

By the tenets and letters of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), government, all levels in our country, shall be administered on the basis of the rule of law. In addition, all authorities and persons shall obey the valid and subsisting orders of courts. To do otherwise, as is currently the case, amounts to an invitation to anarchy.

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

SENATE, INTERNET FALSEHOOD AND HATE SPEECH Where the media are free, the market place of ideas sorts the irresponsible from the responsible and rewards the later Anonymous or media practitioners, oddities -particularly human tragedies and other forms of unfortunate occurrences often always sell the newspaper. But there is a more important consideration. In more civil times, similar happenings elicit condemnations from the media, well -meaning citizens and civil society organizations.

Ultimately, part of, or combination of the above-mentioned position(s) accounted for the ripple reactions that greeted the recent news about the senate’s reintroduction of two separate but related bills in a space of one week- Internet Falsehood and Manipulations Bill, and the Hate Speech Bill.

At the most basic level, while the Internet Falsehood and Manipulations bill, 2019, sponsored by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, (APC Niger East), among other provisions, seeks to curtail the spread of fake information. And seeks a three-year jail term for anyone involved in what it calls the abuse of social media or an option of fine of N150, 000 or both. It is also proposing a fine of N10 million for media houses involved in peddling falsehood or misleading the public.

The hate speech bill on its part, proposes that any person found guilty of any form of hate speech that results in the death of another person shall die by hanging upon conviction. This is in addition to its call for the establishment of an ‘Independent National Commission for Hate Speech’, which shall enforce hate

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speech laws across the country.

The most telling evidence about the bills, good intention is signposted in their resolve to curtail the spread of fake information and hate speech in the country. However, in connection with these bills, it is necessary to especially stress at some points which, apply generally. Specifically, when one looks at these complex provisions, it will not be an overstatement to characterize as a misguided priority the reintroduction of such bills as our failure as a nation lies not in fake news or hate speech but in the system.

Social media is not just another platform for disseminating falsehood. Rather, it is a platform for pursuing the truth, and the decentralized creation and distribution of ideas; in the same way, that government is a decentralized body for the promotion and protection of the people’s life chances. It is a platform, in other words, for development that the government must partner with instead of vilification.

As strategic insights will reveal, these bills came at a time when the dust raised by a similar move from the House of Representatives to reintroduce a similar bill seeking regulation of non-profitable organizations (NPOs), was yet to settle. A bill which has as far-reaching restrictive provisions-establishment of regulatory commissions to facilitate and coordinate the work of all national and international civil society organisations; and assist in checking any likelihood of any civil society organisation being illegally sponsored against the interest of Nigeria.

This leads to another observation that probably does more than anything else to convince Nigerians to look differently at the bills.

Precisely, a nation can make laws on the basis of its real functional strength as the case may be. But coming with such bill in a country where constructive debate is never given a chance as it’s often seen as ‘unnecessary and divisive. Deferring political ideas and strategies are perceived as destructive to the nation’s interest, open discussion is now seen as a challenge to the leader.

Under this circumstance, how can Nigerians draw a line or identify what constitutes fake news or hate speech? And who will be the judge? To further lend credence to this argument, it is a wellestablished axiom that ‘without wood, the fire goes out, charcoal keeps the ember glowing as wood keeps the fire burning’. Same is applicable to the factors propelling fake news hateful speeches. It is a barefaced truth that the dearth of leadership, the asymmetrical posturing of our political space and the refusal to have it restructured, among others, propels fake news and hate speech.

To many, no volume of excuse generated by the lawmakers to defend their position for coming up with such bill can be sustained as the whole episode in my view is misguided, ill-timed.

What is even most frightening about these proposed bills is that at a time when world leaders are standing up with sets of values that encourage listening and responding constructively to views expressed by citizens, giving others the benefits of the doubt, providing support and recognizing the interests and achievements of its citizens, such in the estimation of our lawmakers have become the time to threaten its citizens with jail terms and capital punishments.

Jerome-Mario Utomi, Lagos

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2019 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2019

POLITICS

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

‘How Can You be a Governor and There is no Road to Your Village’ Dr. Alex Otti, former banker and gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Abia State tells Vanessa Obioha that the socio-economic situation in the country and his home state, Abia have gone worse, because no one paid attention to the warning in his 2014 book, ‘Saving the Future: An Agenda For Economic Development and Prosperity.’

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someone who wants to do propaganda.

re you sometimes frustrated with the increasingly bad situation in the country; such that you want to assume a posture of unconcern, after all, you are comfortable?

I think it is an attitude issue. Once you let yourself get frustrated, then you will keep getting frustrated. I tell myself that I can never be frustrated.

I can never get tired because you will find out that everybody is not on the same level. The speed with which you understand may not be the speed at which others understand. It may require me to say things over and over again which a baby may perhaps grasp before I finish my sentence.

But I need the other person to understand and that is an attitude thing.

Once you are placed in a position where you lead people, influence them to do what you want them to do, then you must find the best way to communicate with them and even if it does not work, you may have to change tactics. Everything I wrote in my book in 2014 are still relevant till tomorrow. Some may be outdated or need to be updated, basically the truth is constant.

Aba is widely known as the commerce and trade hub of Abia state but you have argued that the place is a shadow of itself. What are you proposing to bring back the glorious days of Aba? The case of Aba is very heartbreaking. The famous Enyimba city occupies a pride of place in the heart of all Abians and many Igbos. It has deteriorated badly. It has been abandoned and betrayed. From a thriving city of old, it has become worse than an urban ghetto with mountains of refuse, broken roads marked by gullies, craters and potholes. Indeed, Aba has become a monument to the abysmal failures of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

The way forward is to do first things first. If you lived in Iyana-Ipaja and all of a sudden, money comes and you have to relocate to Ikoyi, you must get rid of virtually everything that you are used to in Iyana-Ipaja, otherwise if you carry them like that, you will carry cockroaches and mosquitoes. There is need for a change.

When somebody stays in a particular environment that is like an oven for too long, anytime you come into a regular room temperature, you will feel cold and start shivering. Our people have been defeated. They have been dampened so much that you will see someone selling food on a heap of garbage. That is Aba for you today. If you go to Ngwa road, Umuahia road or Port Harcourt road, you will see people eating in refuse.

We need to do first things first. We need to clean up that whole area.

And it is no rocket science. Ebonyi state has set up a garbage conversion plant that takes garbage from anywhere in the state and converts it, from gas to power. It is now cheap to do. Before now, people used to say that you cannot generate much waste.

It’s just about knowing what to do

But don’t you think this change of attitude should start from the federal level?

That’s diversionary. Charity they say begins at home. If you can’t fix your home, you cannot fix the centre.

You must do all there is to fix your home. The reason I’m campaigning for a better state is not about politics. I don’t need Abia. A professor friend of mine once lamented the ugly situation of my state. I really feel ashamed when my friends make such comments about my state. It is not about money. The state already has an accumulated sum of over N355 billion from allocations and IGR.

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and if you don’t know what to do, you can’t give what you don’t have.

Secondly, we also need to ensure that there is proper drainage. Again, it is not rocket science. There was a

The people have resigned to fate. In the past, people were clobbered down to such an extent that nobody could speak. If you dared to speak, you will be seriously dealt with.

It was when I came out that people realised it was possible to challenge government and people are now getting their voice back. We also have a situation where a few people in their party are under the payroll of the government so their silence have been paid for

design that was done by foreigners.

In fact, if you fly into Aba, you will find that the old Aba is in a straight line. Every street links to another so the planning was properly done but our people have abandoned that.

Where and when did that decay start?

It got worse from 1999. The last governor that worked for Abia was Sam Mbakwe. Mbakwe was the last person to have done something significant in that state. I remember those days every street, every pole had a dustbin so you could not drop anything on the road or street. Overnight, they had trucks that will come and evacuate the bins. You wake up in the morning to find everywhere sparkling. You can’t even charge money to do that. I think the most important thing is the passion to serve, the compassion to ensure that the people do not suffer, the understanding that Aba the way it is today, with all the energy and order, if you do just a little thing in Aba, all the internally generated revenue can go up by 100 percent.

Part of the problem is illiteracy. The ruling cabal in the state insist that they hand over the state to somebody who knows nothing so that when they ask him to jump, he will ask, ‘how high’? And that is why we are in this state but they didn’t expect that it will get to this level. Even his village is bad. How can you be a governor and there is no road to your village. It’s a bad situation. We are in trouble. It is not something that you deal with in a haphazard manner. It’s not something you will give monies easily to do a rushed work. That won’t solve the problem. It will require a lot of work by somebody who knows and not

Why are we not seeing much agitation from the indigenes of Abia regarding its poor state. You appear to be a lone voice and it is difficult to think this is not about politics?

The people have resigned to fate. In the past, people were clobbered down to such an extent that nobody could speak. If you dared to speak, you will be seriously dealt with. It was when I came out that people realised it was possible to challenge government and people are now getting their voice back. We also have a situation where a few people in their party are under the payroll of the government so their silence have been paid for. That is what the problem is.

You’ve contested the governorship elections twice and lost to the same man Ikpeazu, is this campaign fuelled by your defeat in the elections or are you generally saying that he has done nothing good for the state since he assumed office?

I’m still looking for those things. If I see them, I would have tabled them.

Unfortunately I can’t see anything.

All you have seen are propaganda.

He said there is Abia Rice but it not in existence. He has consistently lied to the world that there is agricultural revolution in Abia. All we have seen are mushroom products. The government faced its biggest embarrassment so far recently, when it commissioned a dirty and substandard two-room local rice mill, causing outrage and condemnation. There is nothing like Abia Rice anywhere. If you go to Ebonyi state or Cross River state, you will see what Ben Ayade did a couple of months ago as a rice mill. There is absolutely nothing to talk about.

He is a complete failure. Secondly, Ikpeazu cannot beat me in 20 wars.

He has not beaten me and will never beat me. All what he has done is to rig elections. I really don’t want to delve into politics and elections. It is not about that. Anyone could see clearly that he could not have won in the 2015 election. What happened was that they went to the Returning Officer and forced him under gunpoint to admit fake results. That was why the Court of Appeal declared that he could not have won. The last election, they didn’t allow it to hold because all they did was to write results.

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BAYELSA/KOGI DECIDE 2019

Bayelsa Radio Staff Killed, Several Injured at PDP Rally Segun James in Lagos and Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa Simon Onu, an Outside Broadcast (OB) Van driver with Radio Bayelsa was reportedly killed Wednesday in Nembe, Bayelsa East, killed at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign rally, while several others critically injured were rushed to hospitals in Yenagoa.

THISDAY gathered that Onu, who was close to the source of the gunfire, was trying to drive off to save the van when he was hit by the bullet, which killed him instantly.

The incident, which happened in volatile Ogbolomabiri, disrupted the rally while Governor Seriake Dickson and the candidate of the party, Senator Douye Diri had not arrived the venue.

This is coming as the United States has again reiterated that it will not tolerate any act of violence during the conduct of the governorship election in Bayelsa State, warning that the US and the international community will be watching the election closely in order to deter the potential instigators of violence or those who seek to undermine the democratic process.

It was learnt that the heavy shooting by the armed men rocked the King Koko Square, venue of the campaign as party supporters were waiting for the dignitaries to arrive Ogbolomabiri, which was also a flashpoint

during the state and National Assembly elections earlier in the year.

It was gathered that some journalists covering the rally were also caught in the crossfire as many others sustained different degree of injuries.

However, as at yesterday evening, Governor Dickson, who was billed to attend the rally in company with the candidate of the party, was said to have cancelled the event to prevent more loss of lives.

The Police Public Relations officer, Asinim Bustwat, had yet to respond to inquiries at the time of putting this report together, but soldiers deployed in the place were said to be holding ground against the suspected hoodlums.

A source said that the gang was spearheaded by persons allegedly sponsored by an opposition party in the state, who also allegedly attacked some party loyalists who were on transit to Brass for a campaign two weeks ago.

The gang reportedly opened fire on the Protocol bus of the Bayelsa State Government House at a junction between Bassambiri and Ogbolomabiri.

Dickson, who has condemned the violence on PDP members, urged the security agencies to take full control of the situation.

Meanwhile, United States has again reiterated that it will not tolerate any act of violence during the conduct of the governorship election in the state.

Group Condemns Use of Caskets in Bayelsa Campaigns Emmanuel Addeh An accredited election monitoring group for Saturday’s governorship poll in Bayelsa, Search for Common Ground (SCG) has condemned the deployment of hate speech during the current campaign in Bayelsa, especially the use of coffins by political parties.

Joy Baiye, Media and Communication Coordinator, Search for Common Ground, told journalists in Yenagoa, that the action was capable of heating up an already charged atmosphere as the election draws nearer.

Ms Baiye noted that as an organisation that works in the area of peace-building, the group was greatly concerned with the ‘bad development’.

She added that provocative actions of political party supporters and hate speech coming from

the two major parties constitutes serious danger to the election and beyond.

“Instances are the carrying of coffins to campaign with inscription of another party’s name on it, the numerous verbal attack by the governorship candidates ,party supporters using online platforms to post derogatory comments about their opponents.

“These remarks are highly disturbing, elections come and go, therefore, no citizen or body no matter how highly placed should be allowed to jeopardise it’s conduct if democracy is to be safeguarded and strengthened.

In particular, no election should cost the life of anyone in the state,” she said.

Baiye noted that her group expects the election to be one of the most closely contested in the state under the Fourth

Republic, stressing that the potential for violence still exists.

The group urged the youths to resist any provocation to cause chaos before, during and after the election.

“We urge traditional and religious leaders, business community and the academic community to help in making the election peaceful.

“The Bayelsa Election Peace Committee should continue to engage political actors and relevant stakeholders across the state to ensure peace reigns in the state.

“Politicians, their supporters and youths should be orderly and avoid hate speech or spreading fake news either online or offline,” the group added.

It also urged security agents to be professional and neutral in the discharge of their duties.

Meanwhile, YIAGA Africa

has highlighted the the plight of voters in some communities affected by flood and the issue of where they will vote on election day.

Samson Itodo, Executive Director of the group, who spoke in Yenagoa, stressed that there were threats that the politicians would weaponise the elections, especially along the waterways.

“In this reporting phase, there are highlights of challenge faced by voters in flooded communities that threatens their right to vote.

Some possible polling units affected are located in Kolokuma/ Opokuma, Southern Ijaw, Ekeremor, Sagbama, Yenagoa LGAs. The group submitted that the trading of PVCs and voter details, and other forms of voter inducement through distribution of money still prevails.

Oshiomhole Promises PDP Red Card on Saturday WELCOME HOME Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (middle) with the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo Emmanuel Addeh

At its grand rally in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has promised to roundly defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 16 governorship election.

National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, who led several governors, including the Osun State governor, Isiaka Oyetola; Katsina Governor, Aminu Masari; Governor of Kebbi state, Atiku Bagudu, his counterpart in Jigawa, Muhammad Badaru, among other dignitaries, said that despite the huge resources available to Bayelsa, the state had nothing to show for it.

He alleged that Governor Seriake Dickson was in a panic mode, having allegedly failed his people, insisting that David Lyon, the APC standard bearer would bring development to the state.

“Dickson is panicking. How can he not panic when the real lion has arrived. If he’s being accused of spending over N100 billon constructing a runway that’s less than 3.5 kilometres, then he should panic.

“The governor deserves our sympathy. Let him not complicate his issues by resorting to violence.

It will not save him. We believe in one man , one vote.

“To governor Dickson, nobody else matters. Even those who have held more senior national positions that helped him to where he is. He thought that the okro tree could be taller than the person

who planted it. On Saturday , he will know the truth” Oshiomhole said. Dickson however insists that he has spent N70 billion on the airport project.

The APC national chairman described Lyon as humble and noted that he is not the noisemaking type who will not walk his talk.

“He (Lyon) knows the meaning of poverty. He understands what it means to be focused. Today, I believe the people of Bayelsa should vote for one of their own, who is determined, who mixes with the communities.

When you think you are bigger than everyone, democracy is an equaliser” he added.

Oshiomhole argued that the party does not believe in violence , noting that Lyon will be voted in on Saturday.

In his remarks, leader of the party in Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva, who spoke in the same vein as Oshiomhole, accuses the incumbent of mismanaging the huge resources available to the state.

“One of the signs of failure is desperation and if you look around, desperation has set in in the camp of the outgoing government. The APC is stronger than what they can imagine.

“They try to discourage us, but the APC is more powerful than they think. They have mismanaged Bayelsa for eight years. Civil servants will attest to it. Bayelsa cannot pay salaries.

How many people are we?

(left) and leader of the delegation of returnee African-American Igbo, Ada Brown, when the governor hosted the AfricanAmericans of Igbo origin, at the Government House, Enugu

Diri ‘ll Take Over from Me, Insists Dickson Emmanuel Addeh Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has maintained that he will be succeeded by Senator Douye Diri, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate on February 14, when his tenure would have ended.

Speaking in Kolokuma/ Opokuma, Diri’s hometown, Dickson urged the voters in the area to come out in their number to confirm that the PDP is the only party for the Ijaw people.

According to the governor, of all the candidates Diri remains the most credible, competent and would consolidate on his achievements.

“Douye is your own, but he has become our own. We have voted him again and again. You

have been with him and you know him, you also know that Douye cannot be compared with other candidates” he said.

He took a swipe at former governor, Timipre Sylva, leader of the APC in Bayelsa, accusing the Petroleum minister of working against the opening of the airport facility.

“We built the airport , but Timipre Sylva and his cohorts are saying they should not give us license. They are abusing us for building an airport. Has he built any road or has the APC federal government done anything for KOLGA? Have they done anything for your people?

“All the votes, 52,000 or so PVCs collected votes in kolokuma/ opukuma on Saturday

will go to PDP. Every vote in KOLGA will go to PDP. It is my honour and privilege to present our candidate senator Diri who will take over from me as the next governor of this state” he insisted.

In his remarks, Diri said that he was aware of a plan to intimidate voters and scare them away from voting centres.

“You can attest by the crowd you are seeing, this is only a constituency campaign, constituency 2 of Kolokuma/ Opokuma . You can see the affirmation and nobody will tell you that this place is not 100 percent PDP. “As I have told them, the plot by the opposition to come in here to shoot guns ,people are plotting to come to Opokuma to scare you, to intimidate you

so that they can make people not to come out to vote, but the Kolokuma/Opokuma people are resolved.

“Out of all the struggle of Adaka Boro today, they have a first fruit by being one of the sons nominated for the post of governorship. The Kolokuma/ Opukuma people are resolved that they will bring in 100 percent for PDP” Diri said.

Tonye Isenah, erstwhile Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, urged his people to vote massively for Diri.

He said: “This crowd you are seeing here is not a borrowed crowd. The message is clear, we have to hold our own, so it’s not by chance that this constituency is going to deliver by the grace of God the entire vote to our son”

Kogi Election: PDP, Musa Wada Violating Peace Accord - Ohikere Ibrahim Oyewale One day after signing a Peace Accord moderated by INEC, political parties and representatives of the civil society, the Secretary of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC) 2019 Governorship Campaign

Council, Dr Tom Ohikere has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Dr. Musa Wada of violating the pact.

Ohikere said that the fast moving stream of events since the pact was entered into by key stakeholders is a testament that the PDP has no intention of upholding the agreement.

Ohikere made this known to journalists in Lokoja on Wednesday. He said that the sporadic vicious attacks launched by supposed supporters of the PDP on APC members in several places in the past 12 hours can be construed as such.

He said, “The APC campaign council has been alerted on the dastardly activities of the

PDP barely 24 hours after the signing of the Peace Accord by key stakeholders in the forthcoming election. We are dismayed that despite all our efforts to ensure a peaceful poll, the PDP and their allies have decided to go the other way. We consider this a breach of faith and are calling on the electoral authorities to take note”.

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FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 08038901925

Electrifying Rural Communities Chiemelie Ezeobi writesthattheongoingruralelectrificationprojectbythefederalgovernment istargeted towards providing clean and affordable power supply to unserved and underserved communities

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rom Kogi to Kebbi and Akwa Ibom States, the rural electrification project is being carried out simultaneously in communities by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), a federal government initiative, thus lighting up the communities with clean, affordable and durable energy.

The REA, which is the implementing agency under the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) is driven to power rural communities through off-grid independent power plants. Nonetheless, the REF was set up to maximise the economic, social and environmental benefits of rural electrification grants, to promote off-grid electrification, and to stimulate innovative approaches to rural electrification.

In the first phase, the REF is expected to energise 12 communities and deploy 19, 000 Solar Home Systems (SHS). REF projects are administered using a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

New Breathe of Life in Kogi In Kogi, the new power plant has breathed life into the community. This time around, the Upake Community, the ancestral home of the Ebira and one of the largest ethnic groups in the state, in Ajaokuta Local Government Area were the recipient. Switched on for the first time ever on a certain Monday in August, the REA inaugurated the 80 kilowatts solar hybrid mini grid power plant in the town, thus bringing untold joy to the people.

For the community, which has been in existence for three centuries, it was indeed a historic occasion. Some of the residents expressed their gratitude to the federal government that at last, the dividends of democracy has been felt through the rural electrification project. For some in the fishing community, the electrification project was perhaps the first time they had ever seen light.

At the inauguration, REA Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi, said the Muhammadu Buhari administration was totally committed to ensuring that electricity access was made available and accessible to Nigerians. With the unveiling of the solar hybrid power plant, she noted that more families and businesses in Upake would have access to clean, sustainable and reliable electricity from the sun.

She said: “Without doubt, the solar hybrid power project being commissioned today would enhance productivity and provide jobs in Upake.

It would benefit the 2, 976 members of Upake community, as families and businesses in Upake will have access to clean, sustainable and reliable electricity from the sun. As many as 32 jobs were created in the course of the project, among who were project managers, electricians, welders and bricklayers. We are hopeful that the jobs created will impact not just the immediate community, but Kogi State in general.�

While thanking the state government and the people of Upake community, Ogunbiyi also praised New Moon Nigeria Limited, and its CEO, Oluseyi Omotosho, the firm that partnered her agency on the project.

In his speech, the state Governor, Yahaya Bello expressed delight that the federal government was committed to providing clean and reliable power supply to even remote communities all over the country, adding that he was particularly thrilled that a community in his state was one of the early beneficiaries. “The use of clean energy technologies in the quest to provide electricity is an added advantage to rural communities, who have been accustomed to using generators, candles, kerosene lamps and other unsafe energy sources over time. With clean energy sources, such as this solar mini grid, the health and environmental wellbeing of our people will be safeguarded.�

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. (Mrs.) Folashade Ayoade, expressed joy that beyond providing clean energy, the new power plant had the potential to provide employment opportunities for the people as well as help them

Google

grow their businesses.�

Also speaking, the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, who was represented at the event, described electric power as a vehicle of necessity that drives the economy. Thus he said for any community to progress, basic amenities need to be accessible.

The Ananyiwa of Upake, Ibrahim Okenyi Eneye, who also expressed gratitude to the REA said: “I stand here representing the people of our dear community. Just as you assured us of the plans to complete this project from the first day you visited us, I want to assure you that we will work with the developer to make sure that no harm will come to this project. It is our mini grid and we will protect it as our property�.

Senator Yakubu Oseni, who represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly, said members of his constituency would remain grateful to the federal government and its implementing agency for the success of the project.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Aliyu Magaji said: “Oftentimes, the focus is on densely populated areas and on-grid electricity. We are all here today to categorically state that every corner of rural Nigeria must be energised. That is why this commissioning is of great importance. The power sector is critical to every aspect of Nigeria’s economy. With electricity in our big cities or small rural communities, Nigeria can attain its full developmental capacity.“ Executive Director of the Rural Electrification Fund, Dr. Sanusi Ohiare, praised the Federal Government and the management of the REA for ensuring the completion of the power project.

Lighting up Kebbi Community For the people of Kare-Dadin Kowa in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State, their joy was palpable. In fact, the electrification project was heralded with traditional troupes who entertained with their drums and acrobatic displays. It was a certain Tuesday in September that their lives changed for good. The inauguration of the 98.8KW solar hybrid mini grid power plant added them to the list of communities powered by federal government rural electrification project.

Known as an agrarian community, the KareDadin Kowa border town prides itself as being among communities that produce the best rice and millet in Nigeria, thus the electrification has boosted the economy of the town. The REA built under its REF powered the community through off-grid independent power plants.

According to REA, the town’s new solar hybrid mini grid plant would provide clean energy to 483 residential buildings, schools, places of worships, health centres, as well as 82 commercial buildings which would also serve thousands of the town’s inhabitants.

For the District Head of the community, Alhaji Musa Maina Jantullu, the project, which has brought his community out of perpetual darkness, would change the entire landscape for the better.

Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman praised President Muhammadu Buhari for giving the required support to the REA. “Under my

leadership, the Ministry of Power will continue to provide requisite policy interventions to ensure that transformative projects like this will have the desired impact of electrifying Nigeria,� he said.

At the event, the Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, Aminu Umar, said he was optimistic that the solar hybrid mini-grid would not only expand, but would in no time transform the economic landscape of the state. “Small businesses like welders, cold rooms, as well as processing mills can now operate more effectively with reliable and clean electricity as a result of this project. This solar installation has 380 panels that will provide electricity to over 3,000 residents of this community. We are the land of equity and this project is further ensuring the distribution of equitable power to the people of Kebbi State. “My vision is to industrialise Kebbi, making it an economic business hub. This is why we have focused on the provision of electricity within Kebbi State by partnering and supporting on-grid providers with new transformers and injection of funds to stabilise and ensure constant power supply to the state. “The impact of this power project will also be felt in other sectors, including tourism. With an available supply of clean energy, commerce and industrial activities will increase in the state. We all aspire for a fully electrified Nigeria, and we will achieve this with your continued support and dedication,� he said.

REF ED, represented by the REA MD said: “Kare-Dadin Kowa is the second of 12 communities earmarked to benefit from Rural Electrification Fund (REF) grants. The project being commissioned here is implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency, with the goal of providing equitable access to electricity across Nigeria. “Today, REA provides electricity to 82 commercial businesses, 482 residences and over 3,180 residents, including women and children. I must state that these are exciting times because history is being made in Kare-Dadin Kowa, Kebbi State and in Nigeria as a whole.�

Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammed Mera, who was represented by Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan said the community and its neighbours would benefit immensely from the project.

It was gathered that the project was done with support from the private sector. Anayo Okenwa, CEO of Nayo Tropical Technology Limited, the private firm involved in the project, said the installed solar hybrid mini grid was constructed in line with international standards and best practices. “As an indigenous firm, we are proud to have leveraged the skills and capacity of our host community, in addition to providing the enabling environment for skilled labour and job creation.,� he said.

EfďŹ cient Delivery in Akwa Ibom In the South-south region, another milestone was recorded with the inauguration of a 100KW

Solar Hybrid Mini Grid Power Plant in Akpabom Community in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on a certain Thursday.

With a population of over 2,000 people whose major economic activities are fishing, cassava and farming, Akpabom community was the third to be commissioned under the REF. In an address delivered by the REF ED, Dr Ohiare on behalf of the MD REA, she emphasised the FG’s commitment to meeting its developmental goals by providing electricity access for all.

She stated that “as an agency, we are responsible for powering unserved and underserved communities, therefore, it is fulfilling every time homes, businesses, schools and medical centres are connected to sustainable solar power. Almost immediately, we are able to witness rural communities being transformed with clean energy through the jobs that are created during construction, to their micro and small businesses scaling to larger capacity thanks to reliable electricity. “The REF is dedicated to ensuring the distribution of electricity equally to various communities using rural electrification grants. The first set of grants under REF are for twelve communities, of which Akpabom community is the third to be commissioned.“ Thus, she urged the community to use the newly installed electricity to grow their local economies; start new businesses as she is confident that they now have the reliable electricity to power shops, cold rooms, schools and much more.

Commending the developer for his commitment to duty by bringing the dream of the agency to reality, Ogunbiyi praised the GVE Projects Limited led by its CEO, Ifeanyi Orajaka for their skills and dedication to finalise this project.

She concluded by thanking the Federal Government for giving REA the task of electrifying unserved and underserved communities, supported with policy and funding assistance to accomplish our mandate.

In a brief remark by the representative of the Clan Head of Oning Clan, Eteidung Udo Akpan expressed his community’s pleasure to the federal government in providing them with this basic social amenity. “I consider it a blessing that this project, which will change the lives of people in our community, is being implemented during my tenure as clan head. “We are happy that out of the 31 LGAs in Akwa Ibom State, our community was selected for this transformative project. I assure you all that the entire community will maintain and protect the power plant from vandalism and theft�.

Commending the laudable effort, member representing Onna Constituency, Rt. Hon. Otuekong Nse Essien, who also inaugurated the plant on behalf of the governor said the newly installed solar mini grid plant will put an end to the community’s hardship. Electricity leads to economic prosperity.

Enumerating the benefits of the newly installed mini off grid, GVE Projects Limited CEO said the installed solar hybrid mini grid power plant, which has a total capacity of 100KW, has 306 high grade solar panels and 5.5KM of distribution network cable, which now serves the community with constant electricity through the 440 buildings successfully connected to the mini grid. “It is a thing of pride that GVE, an indigenous Nigerian firm, can be a part of developing Nigeria’s rural areas. Thanks to this project, Nigerian solar developers, like myself, can access these investment opportunities and participate in growing Nigeria’s evolving off-grid sector.�

In his vote of thanks, Director, REF, Bulus Maiyaki said the solar being commissioned was as a result of dedication, hard work and collaboration produces results of collaboration among the FG, state and local governments and the private sector. “It is evident that the Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to ending electricity poverty; and with the projects commissioned across communities, we are getting closer to our goal of ensuring that standards of living are improved using clean, safe and reliable sources of power.“

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FEATURES

What 72 Hours in Spain Feels Like with a Travel Assistant Travelling just got significantly easier. How? Ask Google, Ayodeji Rotinwa posits

B

eing lost in a new city, at 12am fresh off a flight that was delayed for several hours, where you were stuck, sat, in an airport with cushionless steel chairs is not the introduction you want to start a trip with. I had just landed in Madrid.

I tried ordering a taxi through one of the ride hailing services which had prompted me to go and wait somewhere. But there were no signs that I could see that would lead me there. My other option was the local taxis who only spoke Spanish. I panicked a little.

How do I describe where I was going without getting lost?

Then I remembered I had just left Mallorca and an experiential Google event where I learned of the service’s several helpful features that make travelling easier. For languages, there is the Live Conversation feature for the Google Translate app. You speak English into it. And it responds in the language you selected. I was flustered, a bit nervous. I walked slowly to the taxi man, feeling a bit silly, brought out my phone and said where I was going and asked if he could take me there. He was gracious, staring at me with a smile but perhaps a little confused. Then the app reported what I had asked in Spanish. His face lit up in recognition.

He grabbed my box and asked me to hop in.

In the car, relieved, I wondered how else I might have described my destination, in a way that understanding would be so instant. I thought about how languages are a bridge, how it connects us. How the visitor is honouring the local by learning or at least speaking to them in their language. (and how Google Translate helps you cheat a little bit by not carrying a translation dictionary around. The service now works in over 100 languages too, including a few Nigerian ones! ) It is hard to describe how the man’s eyes lit up when he ‘understood’ what I was saying through the Google Translate app, knowing fully well that I clearly don’t speak Spanish. And this experience coloured the tone for my trip.

Encouraged by the previous night’s outcome where I didn’t fall flat on my face, I set forth at dawn, to explore the city. I had learnt of Google Maps Live View feature, an augmented reality component, that made you navigate easier. All you had to do was raise your phone up and scan the surroundings (with a camera within the app) and then a huge blue and white sign - reminiscent of video games and sci-fi films - will tell you where to go. Wandering alone in a new city - especially the one where you don’t speak the language - I think requires courage. You might lay claim to be an adventurous, daring spirit but if you’re an overthinker like me, you know that several thousand things can go wrong. I set out anyway.

I decided I was adventurous, with a daring spirit. I had Google Maps in my pocket after all. I covered - by my final count - about five miles of walking.

I found the train station, navigated directions within to travel to a nearby suburb to see a contemporary art museum I had been following for two years.

I almost made several wrong turns but when I was unsure: raise phone, scan surrounding buildings, then the trusty blue, pointy arrow sign appears. Emboldened, I decided to seek out more landmarks in Madrid. Over the course of the afternoon I accurately found and experienced the Kings’ Palace, Retiro Park, Reina Sofia Museum, Sabatini Gardens.

To note, I had had some experience with this. While in Mallorca with the Google Team for the experiential event they had set us on a city challenge, discovering Mallorca via using their different products. A particularly difficult part of the challenge was finding souvenir shops. Not only finding them but creating a new list for same as well - which is a really handy way to record where you’ve been and share with other people as well! It was hard going, navigating to find the shops. So by the time I arrived in Madrid, I was prepared

Joao Nogueira

The author ďŹ nding where to go with Google Maps

to learn from my mistakes. And there was lots to find!

Being a self-confessed foodie, restaurants were one of them. I stopped for lunch at a grungy speakeasy where I seamlessly ordered with Google Translate, and translated the menu with another nifty feature called Google Lens.

All I had to do was point my camera at the menu and the words became English. This is probably the crown jewel of the Google features.

A database of over a billion images you can use it to find information about a landmark or products for some design inspiration. For someone who’s currently furnishing, I found it to be endlessly useful. I wasn’t always pleased with the prices that flashed when I pointed my camera at a gorgeous cane chair, or a vase but I was glad at the very least, I was informed.

I find that this particular tool going forward

will be great for conversation.

Say you walk into an unfamiliar place and your friends are admiring something: a car, a painting, a tastefully designed coffee table but no one quite knows what these things are, or too shy to ask, you can coyly take a picture and be the know-it-all your squad needs.

Although this means you might end up taking thousands of photos, in the app, and perhaps for your own records, but I find Google Photos, which I was already familiar with takes care of that. The best part of this app to me is how your photos can be with you via cloud anywhere across devices, all you need to do is just to log in. It saves the stress of losing photos when you change phones.

Soon, my trip would come to an end and I’d have to fly back to Nigeria. But surprisingly, the best part wasn’t the fact that I experienced

a city in Europe - completely on my own for the first time in my adult life. It was the second day of my trip when I was on a rock ledge overlooking the waves crashing into the rocks below, winds blowing in every direction, practicing mindfulness, being present. You can imagine that your phone takes up a whole lot of your time, even more so when travelling.

Google now provides a Digital Wellbeing feature that helps you track the amount of time you spend on apps, and you can set a timer on this as well. Better still, with the ‘Flip to Shhh’ feature on, all you have to do is to flip your phone face down. And for me to enjoy the stunning beauty of the Balearic Islands before me. With the wind whistling in my eyes, wrapping itself around my knees, a cup of green tea in my hand, my eyes closed.

And peace.

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S

A S

MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A T

REPO 4.43 % 5.57 %

CALL 1-MONTH

5% 8%

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

N O V E M B E R S & P INDEX INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY

8 , 2 0 1 9 S&P

435.47 % 0.03 %

1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

EXCHANGE RATE 5.61 % 21.99 %

N306.90/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Google Unveils TraďŹƒc Tab

GooglehaslaunchedanewTraffic tabinGoogleMapsinLagos.

ThesolutionwasannouncedinJulyatGoogleforNigeriaconference.

ThenewTraffictaboffersusersasnapshotoftheinformationtheycare about most: traffic, weather, bus stop busyness, and current expected farelevelsforDanfo.

Thesolutionprovidesbusriderswithinformationtohelpthemfindtheir most efficient route, both in travel time and transport costs. Until now, GoogleMapsusershaveonlybeenabletoaccessinformationforother formsoftransportationincludingcars,2-wheelers,BRTandridehailing.

The Traffic tab includes a new directions experience, which features suggested routes which may combine walking, taking a Keke or okada, Danfo or BRT. Information about the estimated fare range, expected travel time and pictures of the stops along the route are now available toaidtravellersontheirtripsaroundLagos.Clickingonthepictureswill allowuserstogeta360degreeviewonStreetViewtohelpthembetter understandtheirlocation.

Senior Product Manager, Google Maps, Jeff Albertson, said, “What we havebuiltforLagosisaglobalfirstforGoogleMaps,andasteptowards helping people in many other cities where transport can be informally organisedasitisinNigeria.�

Lagos to Leverage Digital Innovation

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

L-R: Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. Anya Anya; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Overt Energy and Member, Hallmark Advisory Board, Sir Marc Wabara; Executive Director, Shared Services and Products, Fidelity Bank Plc, Chijioke Ugochukwu, and Divisional Head, Managed SMEs, Osaigbovo Omorogbe, during the Business Hallmark People of the Year Award, where Fidelity Bank was adjudged Best Bank in SME Support, held in Lagos‌recently

Tech Experts Drum Support for Start-ups, Push for Broadband Penetration Stories by Emma Okonji Technology experts have thrown their weight behind start-ups in the country.

They have equally called for improved broadband penetration that would enhance the operation of start-ups in the country.

MainOne’s CEO, Funke Opeke, who presented a keynote speech at the Startup South Conference, which held in Uyo, in Akwa Ibom State, with the theme: “Unlocking the Next 60 Million: Making Broadband Accessible and Affordable,� spoke at the event.

Others were Imo State Commissioner of Technology

TELECOM Development, Nze Meekam Mgbenwelu; Commissioner Science and Technology Akwa Ibom State, Dr Iniobong Essien, and Regional Manager, Bank of Industry, Sunkanmi Oriyomi, among others.

They all highlighted the importance of broadband and digital solutions to economic development, stressing the significance of why states across Nigeria should pay attention to enabling broadband in their regions. The dialogue centered on the notion that the development of the

nation’s digital economy lies on extending affordable broadband and the encouragement of innovation hubs, skill development and job creation.

Opeke laid further emphasis to the dialogue by stating, “In this digital age where broadband connectivity is the bedrock of a thriving digital and national economy, we need to focus on increasing access to broadband penetration beyond Lagos and Abuja for our shared economic prosperity, job creation and digital security. We will need to take advantage of the opportunities the digital economy provides if we are

to create jobs for Nigerian Youth in the not-too distant future.�

Other speakers stressed the need for ubiquitous broadband access to boost development of startups, explaining that the best way to achieve ubiquitous broadband access is through broadband penetration across the country in the most affordable and accessible ways.

Broadband access has been an issue in the country, hence the cost of broadband in the country appears higher than other regions of the country.

The experts blamed the Continued on page 24

NIPOST Assures SMEs of Business Support, Value Creation The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has assured Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) of its support. This, it stated would be done through its digital platforms.

The Postmaster General of the Federation, Bisi Adegbuyi, gave the assurance in Lagos, recently.

According to him, “There are several ways how we can use the post to enhance and promote small business owners. We can address the challenges associated with SME business in Nigeria such as lack of access to funds, lack of access to market and

TELECOM inadequate logistics, through our innovative platforms that are now digital.�

Determined to assist the SME business, the e-Commerce department of NIPOST recently went into partnership with technology savvy Nigerians to create the NIPOST market platform that aggregates the products and services of SMEs and internationalise it by taking such products and services to online for the world to see and have access to them, using the NIPOST wide network, the Postmaster General added.

“We are aware that access to credit facilities is a major challenge to SMEs, which is linked to identity management of the small business owners.

To address this challenge which has denied SMEs the opportunity to credit facilities, NIPOST is leveraging existing technologies to deploy state-ofart hyper specific addressing system that will help SMEs have genuine identity that could give them access to loans for business expansion. “With a smartphone with internet connectivity, SMEs can go online and download NIPOST Addressing System

from the Google Play Store and they will be given digital address system free of charge, and it comes with the fully digitalised post code,� Adegbuyi said.

He explained that Under the Know Your Customer (KYC) initiative of commercial banks, SMEs with addressing system and post code, could easily be identified and have quick access to soft loans. The NIPOST Address Verification System is ready and will be launched soon. In the past, postal order were used as a Continued on page 24

Following the success of its second edition in 2018, Mustardels Media, aLagos-baseddigitalmarketingfirm,issettohostthe2019installment oftheLagosDigitalSummit(LDS),aconvergenceofdigitalcommunicationexperts,professionalsandenthusiastsforthedevelopmentoftheir businessesandtheattainmentoftheirvariousaimsandobjectives.

Themed “Leveraging Digital Innovation & Story Telling� and organised in collaboration with Expoze Nigeria, a digital marketing company, the summit would focus on the use of digital tools for storytelling and how foundersaswellasmanagerscanensuretherelevanceandprofitability inafast-evolvingdigitalworldwouldholdonNovember22ndatTheZone TechPark,GbagadaLagos.

Convenerofthesummit,andapartnerofMustardelsMedia,WaleAdetona, said:“Ouraimistocontributetothedevelopmentofentrepreneursand businessesinNigeriausingdigitalasatool,andwehaveidentifiedLDSas oneoftheavenuestohelpusachievethat.Thesupportreceivedforthe lasttwoeditionshasspurredustoorganisethisthirdedition. “We have received more than one thousand registrations so far and we look forward to welcoming everybody as we are set to make their attendanceworthwhilethroughengagingdiscussions,valuableinsights andtransformativeideasthatwouldemergefromthesummit.�Adetona added.

ThekeynotespeechatthesummitwouldbedeliveredbyCEOofAliens MediaLimited,SegunAwosanya.

Konga ‘Yakata’ Records Huge Demand

The Konga retail store located at Victoria Island, Lagos recorded huge demandfromcustomerswhowereoutforatasteofthepre-KongaYakata shoppingexperience.

The crowd which came out in their numbers were eager to be the first togettheirhandsontheamazingpriceslashesanddiscountsonawide assortmentofproductsavailableontheKongaplatform.

TheKongaYakatakickedoffonMonday,November11th,2019.ThemonthlongshoppingfiestawouldrununtilDecember12th,2019,acrossitsonline platformandretailstoresnationwide.

The commencement of the shopping extravaganza coincides with the globallycelebratedSinglesDaysalespopularizedbyChina’sretailgiant, Alibaba. “From the turnout today at SakaTinubu, you can see that Nigerians are readyforanunforgettableexperience,disclosedHeadofMarketingat Konga,ChidaluEkeh.

Accordingtoher,“KongaYakataissettofeaturelotsofamazingactivities including Flash Sales, Treasure Hunts for the fastest fingers, amazing traveldiscountsanddealstoexoticdestinationsthroughKongaTravel, walk-in discounts across all Konga retail stores nationwide and Social Mediagiveaways.

“We have said severally that the four pillars of courier business which are logistics, courier, transportation and management, govern every aspect of human lives on the earth, even though some persons don’t know that they do these things every day�

Executive Chairman, Courier and Logistics Management Institute,

Professor Simon Emeje

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

TECH EXPERTS DRUM SUPPORT FOR START-UPS, PUSH FOR BROADBAND PENETRATION

‘Courier Assets Worth over N1 Trillion in Nigeria’

situation of high cost of broadband bandwidth on lack of national backbone Infrastructure that will transmit broadband capacities from the shores of the country to the hinterlands, where demand for broadband services is equally on the high side.

The Executive Chairman, Courier and Logistics Management Institute, Professor Simon Emeje has disclosed that worth of courier services’ assets in Nigeria is over N1 trillion.

Emeje, therefore urged governments at all levels to critically look at the sector for its contribution to the development of the country.

The Chairman stated this at the Investiture Ceremony organised by the institute, which held in Lagos recently.

According to Emeje, “The assets worth of courier in Nigeria is over a trillion naira, which is a big industry for the country to tap its potential. “Logistics practice adds about 3.5 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is an industry that should not be neglected, but unfortunately, governments pay less attention to the industry. “Government should look at this sector because it is a big one, and any act of neglect could be dangerous and If the sector collapses, the entire country collapses. This is true because we are talking of communication and communication embraces courier, logistics, transportation and management. “We have said severally that these four pillars of logistics, courier, transportation and management, govern every aspect of human lives on the earth, even though some persons

NIPOST ASSURES SMES OF BUSINESS SUPPORT, VALUE CREATION means of exchange of money but all that are no more. “But with technology innovation, we have come up with a robust e-money order that will replace the old manual postal order and it will soon be launched to the public, which we believe will help to further deepen cashless economy and bring in more SMEs into the CBN financial inclusion strategy.

NIPOST, according to him, has the widest network because of its presence in all the 36 states and all the 774 local government areas of the federation, and that the Central Bank of Nigeria has granted NIPOST an international money transfer operator’s licence, that will enable NIPOST start with inbound remittances to drive SMEs businesses in the country. We have equally signed an agreement with Western Union and they will be using the post offices as payout. Remittances drives development and our plan is to use the post in sustain the country’s developmental goals, especially those geared towards SME business, Adegbuyi said.

General Manager, EMS, the courier arm of NIPOST, Mrs. Tayo Taye Ajayi, said NIPOST, through its courier arm, has made mail delivery a lot easier.

According to her, the volume of mail traffic has improved over the years, reaching above 350,000 mails for speedpost in 2018. She said delivery within West African countries now take only four days and five days for other African countries. In the area of volume of sales, Ajayi said in 2017, EMS raked N1.8 billion in revenue but that the sales volume dropped in 2018 to N1.2 billion.

Stories by Emma Okonji

don’t know that these are the things they do every day.�

Emeje, decried poor courier services in the industry, insisting the services are not enough to serve this country. He was of the view that should governments give adequate attention to courier business, it could add a lot to GDP of the country.

He stressed the need for professionalism in courier

business, which he said, would make everybody do things better.

The Former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, also urged the federal government to give the Courier and Logistics Management Institute recognition in a bid to solve its economic issues and provide employment opportunities. Shittu enjoined the countries of the world to adopt

the Institute in order to address its transportation, courier and logistics issues. “This is the one Institute I feel Nigeria should appreciate and give recognition so that it can help its economy and ensure that more jobs are created for people all over the country. “I enjoin other parts of the world to give priority to courier professionalism so that it can

assist in the issue of transportation, logistics and courier. “You need courier, transportation and logistics in your industries. This is the first institute in the whole world which combines courier, transportation and management.

There is no similar institution anywhere and for me, this is one thing Nigeria is donating to the world� Adebayo said.

BUSINESS EXPANSION

L-R: Political/economics section Chief, United States Consulate General, Lagos, Osman “OZâ€? Tat; Vice President, Power-system, Cummins Incorporated, United States, Gino Butera; Special Adviser, Lagos State Governor on Commerce, Industry, and Cooperatives, Ajayi Oladele, and Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos, State, Idris Salako, at the oďŹƒcial commissioning of Cummins West Africa Limited’s ultra-modern facility in Lagos‌recently

Firm Targets Enhanced Electricity Supply with Solar System Cloud Energy, Nigeria’s renewable energy solutions provider, has broken the jinx of poor electricity supply to Nigerians living in rural and semi urban communities with the launch of the SUNBOX Plus PAYGO Solar home system.

Determined to reach the under-served in electricity supply, Cloud Energy and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), have commissioned an entry point facility designed to increase productivity, create employment, improve teaching and learning, while bringing about self-confidence and emancipation of Nigerians from electricity poverty.

These Energy strategies were

revealed by the Managing Director of Cloud Energy, Theophilus Nweke, while discussing renewable energy with the media at the launch.

The company has also commenced the deployment of 10,000 SUNBOX PAYGO Solar Home Systems in North Central Nigeria, in a project with the Rural Electrification Agency, designed to deploy tens of thousands of Home Systems in Nigeria starting from the North Central zone.

Nweke noted that access to solar had been impaired by the inability of people living in the rural and semi-urban communities to purchase solar equipment out rightly. Therefore, Cloud Energy has created

an affordable Pay-as-you-Go Solar home system that allows people in the rural areas to pay for electricity usage on a monthly basis – breaking the electricity bondage and setting Nigerians free from lack of electricity.

People in the rural communities and semi urban communities can, with as little as N2,500, depending on the package, have access to electricity for a period of three years and subsequently own the equipment for life.

According to Nweke, “The consumer installs and possesses the equipment with the payment of the subscription of N2, 500 and ownership is finally transferred to him on

the completion of payment, after three years. The package affords every home user the opportunity to have three lighting point, a fan and a Radio the system can be upgraded to a model that can support a DC TV.�

To ensure that the product reaches every nook and cranny of the country Cloud Energy has developed a franchising model allowing entrepreneurs to join in the distribution of PayGo Solar products throughout the country. This model was received with delight in Kumbon Village in Plateau state and by hundreds of Cloud Energy SUNBOX PayGo subscribers.

Giving more details, Nweke said the challenges in the electricity sector, called for the development of new competencies and adoption of new approaches. “We cannot expect new results doing the same old things.

Patriotism must get a better hold of professionalism and indigenous companies:in the energy sector must break new grounds by building capacities for technology transfer and national development.

Cloud Energy, Nweke also announced, has re-enforced its projects department through the establishment of a highly professional help desk that can be accessed online and offline.

Local Content: NCDMB Lauds NOAC for Training 150 Contractors Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT)

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has said the training of 150 contractors in capacity building by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, (NOAC) will enhance the benefits of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Act, 2010.

The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Simbi Wabote, stated that developing local capacity and capabilities was a core mandate of the NOGICD Act, adding that by building the capacity of its contractors, NAOC was advancing the intent of the Act. The NCDMB Executive Secretary spoke in Port Harcourt at the regulatory compliance

workshop for Nigerian oil and gas contractors organised by NOAC. Wabote, who was represented by Mr. Paul Zuhulumben, urged the contractors and the public to go to the website of the board , upload, read and understand the Act to further strengthen their capacities, create more opportunities and contribute appreciably to the growth of the economy.

He described the workshop as a domiciliation of value-adding activities which according to him, is one of the key objectives of the board.

While commending the management of NAOC for their commitment and consistency in organising annual capacity development workshop for

contractors, Wabote said the NCDMB commenced the implementation of a 10-Year Strategic Roadmap in 2018. “The roadmap is hinged on five strategic pillars and four enablers for achieving the laudable goal of increasing Nigerian Content level in the oil and gas industry to 70 percent by the year 2027,� he added.

In his speech, the Vice Chairman of NAOC, Mr. Lorenzo Fiorillo, said the training was aimed at assisting the Federal Government in achieving the noble objectives of NOGICD 2010, and as well, developing the capacity of Nigerian-owned companies to actively participate, on sustainable basis in the oil and gas industry.

Represented by the General Manager, NAOC, Alessandro Tiani, Fiorillo stressed that the move would address gaps in various competencies for business growth and sustainability in the oil and gas industry.

According to him, “This year’s workshop is particularly designed to re-educate the contractors on the provisions of the NOGCD Act, 2010 in order to raise their level of compliance with its provisions as well as empower and further enhance their capacity to favorably bid and execute projects in the industry and beyond� “We have therefore invited custodians and the agency solely charged with implementation of the Act – NCDMB, to expertly and diligently

take the companies through the various key aspects of the Act and accompanying regulations and issues.�

Also addressing the contractors, the General Manager, External Relations, Oando, Mr. Adeyem Oyeagba, said the wealth of knowledge shared at the workshop on the importance of regulatory and compliance of the Act would ensure ease of running business. “The impact of this workshop if properly harnessed will position our local contractors for building capacity, as well as provide entrepreneurial development and mentoring opportunities that will position them for growth,� he stated.

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Of Data Pricing and Production Costs in Telecoms Data pricing and cost of production are two conflicting issues in telecommunications service offerings that need to be addressed through collaboration between the federal government and the telecoms regulator, writes Emma Okonji

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he dust raised as a result of the recent directive given by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami that the telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), should within a space of five days, reduce the cost of data, is yet to settle. Although NCC has begun implementation of the directive, telecoms operators, under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), are kicking against the directive.

They explaining that such directive is not only harsh and inimical to telecoms growth, but also impossible to implement, except the minister is able to address the differences between data reduction and cost of production in the telecoms industry.

Minister’s directive Pantami had on November 5, 2019, directed the NCC to resolve the issues of illegal data deduction and review downwards, the price of data in the country within five days.

The minister gave the directive during the presentation of Barrister Adeleke Morofolu Adewolu, the new Board Member/Executive Commissioner by the Chairman of the Board of Commission at NCC, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. The minister pointed out that there were numerous complaints from Nigerians regarding illegal data deduction and high price of data, adding that he had personally experienced illegal data deduction. He charged NCC to facilitate the penetration and expansion of 3G and 4G and urged the Commission to design a target on how mobile operators can expand penetration of 3G and 4G in the country.

Pantami said: “The main agenda of NCC is to protect the interest of customers and our priority is to protect Nigerians. It is our collective responsibility to make sure we give 100 per cent support to Mr. President to deliver his key mandate.�

The minister noted that the mandate of the Ministry has been expanded towards improving the economy of the country through ICT, hence, there is a need to work together for the progress of Nigeria.

Telcos kick Following the directive of the minister, telecoms operators (Telcos) have said such directive would not be feasible because of the high cost of production and service delivery in the telecoms sector. Speaking on the directive, the Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, said enforcing reduction in data cost without addressing the challenges of doing telecoms business in Nigeria, would make the directive practically unrealistic. According to him, cost of production and service offerings in the telecoms sector is on the high side and the current data price reflects current cost of production. He advised that the minister must first reduce the cost of production before enforcing implementation of reduction of cost of data. “The few remaining telecoms operators are only struggling to survive because of harsh business environment, which in my view, must be addressed first before conceiving the idea of data reduction,� Adebayo said.

He spoke about the challenges of licensed Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos), who were supposed to provide telecoms infrastructure for broadband penetration, and explained that majority of the InfraCos were to rollout their services because of the harsh business environment.

Adebayo wondered how the directive would work without a good framework that will save the huge investments made by the telecom operators. “I don’t know how the government is going to achieve data reduction in five days without putting into consideration the high cost of operating our businesses and the very harsh operating environment we are in. Why are they trying to muzzle the NCC and stampede it into doing what is unrealistic? Do they know that operators don’t just sit down and fix tariffs.

They, with NCC, rely on so many things before coming up with tariffs. We do not know under

regulator to revisit it for the benefit of operators and the subscribers. The stakeholders said the need to revisit the suspended price floor became necessary in order to maintain business continuity in the telecoms sector.

The operators were of the view that upward review of data price floor would enhance quality service delivery.

Telecoms Mast

what circumstances the directive was given, and to be honest with you, we don’t know how that is going to be achieved. We have said it several times that when policies interfere with commercial matters, the industry will be jeopardised. Government needs to be careful not to whittle down the powers of the regulator. To arrive at data prices NCC normally conducts survey and research, and after all that, it will benchmark the country’s tariffs based on what is obtained in other jurisdictions,� Adebayo said.

He insisted that NCC needed autonomy to carry out its regulatory functions perfectly, according to the telecoms Act 2003. “Compromising the autonomy of the regulator will jeopardise the efforts of the regulator as well as the gains of the telecoms industry since its inception,�

Adebayo said.

Compliance In spite of the agitation from the telecoms operators, THISDAY gathered that the NCC has commenced implementation of the minister’s directive.

According to the minister’s spokesperson, Mrs. Uwa Suleiman, “NCC has risen up to the task and efforts are in top gear to carry out the minister’s directives.�

According to Suleiman, “In a letter from the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), received by the office of the Honourable Minister on the 8th of November 2019, the telecommunications regulator, intimated the minister of the strategies been taken to stem the tide of short changing subscribers by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

In its earlier attempts to tackle the challenges, the Commission informed the Honourable Minister that it had issued a directive to all MNOs on the attendant penalties associated with automatic renewal and forceful subscription to data and value added services. The penalties include considerable financial sanctions on the erring operator.�

The letter stated that, in response to the directive of the Minister, the Commission reviewed the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003 on its rule-making powers and process. The Commission is in the process of carrying out a study on the end-of-session notification for data services and depending on the outcome, may issue a direction in accordance with the Act. Suleiman further said the Commission also notified the minister of their regulation of the initial directive to include refunds to the consumer in established cases of unauthorised subscription.

She said NCC also assured the minister that it had been working assiduously round the clock to enforce the federal government’s directives and has requested the good graces of the minister to extend the deadline for the directive, which expired 8th November 2019, to enable it properly re-strategise and fully implement long term solutions as directed, to

the challenges.

Suleiman, however, said the minister graciously granted an extension with the understanding that the commission would resolve these issues within the shortest time possible.

Data pricing NCC had on November 1, 2016, written to Mobile Network Operators on the determination of an interim price floor for data services after the stakeholders’ consultative meeting of October 19, 2016.

According to NCC, the decision to have a price floor was primarily to promote a level playing field for all operators in the industry, encourage small operators and new entrants, and not necessarily to hike price.

The data price floor is a regulatory safeguard put in place by the telecommunications regulator to check anti-competitive practices by dominant operators.

The price floor in 2014 was N3.11k/MB but was removed in 2015, and further reintroduced at N0.53k/MB. But even at that, operators were charging different rates. While Etisalat (now 9mobile) offered N0.94k/MB, Airtel offered N0.52k/MB, MTN offered N0.45k/MB and Globacom offered N0.21k/MB. The smaller operators/ new entrants also charged at different rates. Smile Communications charged N0.84k/MB, Spectranet charged N0.58k/MB and NATCOMS, which operates as ntel, charged N0.72k/MB. Based on the differentials in data price floor among telecoms service providers, NCC decided to introduce a new price floor of N0.90k/MB, but subscribers opposed to it for the fear that it would increase cost of data services.

The differentials in the cost of data by different operators, did not go down well with subscribers who protested the high cost of data as at 2016. And till date, subscribers still complain about high cost of data, hence their decision to commend the minister for the directive to reduce cost of data across all networks.

Based on several agitations and opposition that greeted the directive to introduce price floor for data segment of the telecommunications sector, the NCC, on November 30, 2016, suspended directive, which was supposed to take effect from December 1, 2016.

According to NCC, the decision to suspend the directive was taken after due consultation with industry stakeholders and the general complaints by consumers across the country. “The commission weighed all of this and consequently asked all operators to maintain the status quo until the conclusion of study to determine retail prices for broadband and data services in Nigeria,� NCC said.

But seven months after suspension of the proposed data price floor by the NCC, industry stakeholders called on the telecoms industry

Regulatory moves In all of these, the NCC, as a regulator, had long been making efforts to stabilise the telecoms industry to an appreciable level. Danbatta, in a recent presentation of the final review report of the complaints categories and service level agreement, to the telecoms industry operators, said: “The protection information, education and empowerment of consumers is one of the central elements of the 8-Point Agenda or vision strategy my leadership adopted to guide our regulatory activities when I assumed office as the EVC of the NCC in August 2015. Other elements of the vision strategy include the promotion of competition and inclusive growth; ensuring regulatory excellence and operational efficiency; the optimisation of the usage and benefits of spectrum; as well as the promotion of ICT innovation and investment opportunities. All of these elements serve one principal purpose, and that is to ensure that all elements of the service ecosystem work seamlessly to ensure that consumers get best-in-class service at the most affordable price points without being unduly taken advantage of.� “Over the years, the commission has demonstrated utmost fidelity to the principles encapsulated in that vision statement, which partly gave rise to the need for the review of the existing complaints categories and the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) which were agreed and set in 2008 and had become increasingly inadequate to serve the need of the industry,�

Danbatta said, adding that as a regulator, the commission promises not to relent in enforcing compliance to every agreement.

The Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management at NCC, Adeleke Adewolu, who also spoke at the presentation of the report of the reversed consumer complaints categories and service level agreements, said there was need as a regulator to put customer satisfaction at the very heart of service delivery by all licensees of the commission.

According to him, “whilst we know that service failures can arise despite best efforts and intentions, the Commission will not compromise its commitment to always ensure that consumer’s rights are upheld at all times. As such, customers must be promptly informed of service-impacting failures, faults must be resolved with the least possible delay, and customers should be appropriately compensated for service failures and delays where applicable.� “One of the ways by which these objectives can be achieved is to have a set of comprehensive list of complaints categories, clear fault resolution times and mandatory compensation regimes which are binding on service providers. The revised consumers complaint categories and consequent SLAs which are being presented, provide such a framework,� Adewolu said.

On her part, the Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau at NCC, Mrs. Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, said: “The Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB) of the NCC is saddled with the responsibility of managing Consumer Complaints by providing access to dissatisfied telecom consumers across the Country. This is carried out through channels like NCC 622 Toll Free Contact Centre, NCC Consumer Portal, and the NCC Online Channels.

According to her, the department also receives written complaints from telecom consumers across the country and the complaints are channeled to the respective service providers for efficient resolution. “In 2008, the commission, in a bid to strengthen its regulatory function of protecting and empowering Nigerian telecom consumers, set up the Second Level Support (SLS) to give dissatisfied consumers an avenue to seek redress; in so doing came up with Complaint Categories and SLAs, which was jointly agreed upon by both the service providers and the commission,�

Onwuegbuchulam said.

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Firm to Drive Business Automation with IT Solution Stories by Emma Okonji In order to boost productivity, reduce downtime and bring businesses up to speed with modern technology trends, Tranter IT Infrastructure Services Limited, which currently serves 74 per cent of the commercial banks in Nigeria and top companies across the manufacturing, insurance, government, oil and gas and logistics industries, has introduced the Sigfox solution that drives business automation in organisations.

Giving details of the technology solution at a press conference in Lagos recently, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman, Tranter IT, Mr. Lare Ayoola, said: “Sigfox is network for connected objects transporting data from one device to IT systems, designed to achieve one managed network with high quality service.

According to him, “The solution is highly resistant to interferences and jamming, and it comes with a comprehensive API and IoT platform, thus enabling the simplest, lowest and cost effecting operations.

It enables one central system, with pairing, no configuration, no connection, no protocol, yet offers the best way to reach the simplest and most efficient link between objects and internet.

It equally comes with lower energy consumption, enabling smart cooperation network and device.� “Modern, dynamic IT environments need to be able to scale faster than ever and IT automation is vital to making that happen. IT Automation is key to achieving business objectives, but today’s enter-

prises run on infrastructure too complex for yesterday’s job schedulers,� Ayoola added.

Sugfox is already operational in 61 countries of the world, connecting 6.6 million registered devices, with a coverage of over one billion people.

Explaining how the solution connects objects, while transporting data from device to IT systems, Ayoola said: “Data is transmitted through its radio protocol on the public spectrum, between o-140 messages per day per device, with high capacity network of over one million messages per Base station per day. The Sigfox Cloud carries out Identification identification integrity with big data analytics platforms, enabling data storage and Intelligence for all verticals.�

He said data loss or disaster could bring down the entire business operation but if there is a proper valid backup and disaster recovery plan organisations could be safe and in no time could bring up the services. “Our solutions are built in such a way to help you achieve better recovery point objective (RPO) and recovery time objective (RTO) and make sure that services and resources conform to high availability, redundancy and load balancing architecture. We have partnered and positioned ourselves with leading backup original equipped manufacturers (OEMs) that provide disaster recovery, and secure data access to consumers, small-medium businesses, and enterprises,�

Ayoola said.

Analysing some key use cases of Sigfox solution, Ayoola said it could be used for asset monitoring, smart

Infinix Unveils New Smartphone Infinix, a premium online-driven smartphone brand designed for the young generations, has announced the launch of the S5, a device with the biggest Infinity-O Display.

According to the smartphone company, S5 has the best price in this range, one of the few devices with a 32MP AI front camera, the only device with AI quad rear camera whilst offering the best memory options like 4GB RAM+64GB ROM and 6GB RAM+128GB ROM. S5 is expected to empower users with excellent smartphone experience in its price range whilst enabling them to do the most.

Speaking at the launch of the smartphones in Lagos recently, Managing Director of Infinix Mobile, Benjamin Jiang, said: “At Infinix, we are committed to bringing the latest technologies to young consumers in global emerging markets, keeping them trendy and up-to-date, whilst empowering them to be out standing in their communities. The launch ofthe S5 is a great manifesto of our brand purpose, as well as the mission of the S series for great selfies and placing consumers at the center of attention. With so many ‘bests’ in this price range, we’re confident that our customers will be able to stand

out from the crowd.�

Director for Africa and the Middle East at MediaTek, Rami Osman, said: “Infinix S5 is powered by MediaTek Helio P22 processor giving consumers the latest smartphone features and great technology at an affordable price, like support for 32MP In-Display selfie camera and 4 AI rear cameras. The power-efficient Helio P22 allows MediaTek and device makers to bring ‘New Premium’ devices to market and reshapes expectations of what an affordable selfie camera smartphone can deliver.�

One of the key highlights of S5 is its 6.6-inch HD+ Infinity-O Display, which makes it the biggest display for smartphone under 70,000 naira in the Nigerian market.

The Infinity-O Display adopts a slimmer, bezel-less design, which allows S5 to achieve a 90.5 per cent screen-to-body ratio. With a 20:9 screen aspect ratio which follows the current cinema screen trends, S5 will provide users with a brilliant viewing experience. Immerse yourself in video streaming, gaming and image capturing.

The S5 sports a 32MP In-display AI selfie camera with 1.6 Îźm larger pixels, F2.0 aperture and 4-in-1 super pixel technology.

parking, electricity and gas metering, water level, oil level, waste level, energy efficiency, smoke detection and intrusion detection among others.

Executive Director, Sales, Tranter IT, Melanie Ayoola, said: “In an organisation, downtime in the IT infrastructure can lead to a huge loss in productivity and in turn affect the revenue.

Global companies can lose

precious time and money due to inefficient management of the IT infrastructure. In a digital environment, so many factors are already outside of management control, so the more control they can create, the better off their company will be.�

According to her, Tranter IT offers a wide range of solutions for the administration and

management of operational elements to effectively, efficiently, and proactively utilise technology, information, and data. She listed the elements to include the computers, servers, networking, data, storage, physical and virtual facilities as well as software, processes, and cloud-based services that make up the IT infrastructure. “Business is fast-paced and IT

services must be delivered more quickly. Agility and stability do not seem to go hand in hand, but in order to remain dynamic and move quickly, Tranter IT is one of the most valued and experienced IT service provider in Nigeria, partnering with organisations to enhance stable backend infrastructure,� the executive director said.

TECHNOLOGY FORUM

L-R: Managing Director, Bandwidth Consortium, Dewole Ajao; Managing Director/CEO, Rack Centre, Dr. Ayotunde Coker; Director, Programmes, Nigeria ICT Forum, Rashida Umar; National Coordinator, ngNOG, Dr. Wale Adedokun, and CEO, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (iXPN), Mohammed Rudman, at ngNOG 2019 conference, held in Lagos...recently

Vivo Introduces Smartphones with Enhanced Capabilities Vivo smartphone makers has come up with the latest technology innovation in its smartphone product line by launching the first of its kind Dual Pop Up Camera and AI Quad Camera phones.

Camera has become very vital in the day to day activities of every individual in this generation and Vivo promises to enhance customer experience in camera phones by making sure everyone is satisfied with the quality of their pictures from Vivo smartphones.

To further showcase their strong consumer-centric innova-

tion approach, Vivo smartphone unveiled the new V17Pro, which brings brilliant camera systems on both the front and back of the smartphone to empower consumers to redefine their photography experience.

Speaking at the launch of the phone in Lagos, its Country Manager, Mr. Felix Lu, said: “V17 Pro is a masterpiece that we are extremely proud of, as it reinforces our position as a pioneer in bringing best-in-class mobile experiences to the Nigerian market.�

The V17 Pro comes with six high-end cameras stylishly

positioned in the front and rear of the device. The 32MP Dual Pop-Up camera and a complimentary 8MP wide-angle front cameras, ensure every detail is captured clearly. The 8MP Super Wide-Angle Selfie is able to capture wide angles up to 105-degrees, bringing more fun and possibilities to group shots.

Similarly, with the help of its 48MP main camera, 8MP wide-angle camera, 2MP Bokeh camera and an additional 2MP macro camera, the device’s rear cameras are just perfect for that spot-on picture and also capturing landscape shots even

further.

To complete the professional shot options, the V17 Prosmartphone also features 2 impressive beautifying features, namely the “Pose Master� feature that offers cool and natural poses to match a variety of photo scenes, and the “Super Night Mode� feature that enhances clarity even at night shots.

According to Lu, “V17 Pro is supported by Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 AIE processor with 8GB RAM + 128GB ROM that ensures performance for applications and system can be operated smoothly at any time.

Tizeti Set to Boost Broadband Penetration with 4G LTE In line with its focus on accelerating access to affordable broadband connectivity in Africa’s underserved populations, Tizeti, West Africa’s pioneer solar-based internet service provider, has launched its 4G LTE network in Nigeria.

Announcing the rollout of high-speed 4G services in Rivers, Ogun and Edo states in a first phase launch, Tizeti’s Chief Executive Officer, Kendall Ananyi promised that its 4G connectivity would empower more Nigerians in South-south and South-west states, stimulate

economic activities and provide unlimited access to affordable and reliable broadband services.

The launch follows the build of brand new, solar-powered, 4Gcapable towers in Port Harcourt, where Tizeti will offer its first 4G and internet services, to be followed by new towers in Ogun and Edo states.

Ananyi believes that the new solution will boost internet penetration in the states and contribute to accelerating digital transformation across Nigeria. “Access to affordable and reliable unlimited internet con-

nectivity has been an intractable problem for a lot of Nigerian businesses and residential customers, especially for people in Edo, Rivers and Ogun states.

To address this and provide a sustainable and cost-effective solution, we leverage our solarpowered, always-on towers and robust internet bandwidth from MainOne to create a low CAPEX and OPEX network of owned and operated towers. This allows us to offer customers unlimited internet at 30 to 50 per cent the cost of traditional mobile data plans,� Ananyi said.

The launch of its 4G network provides Tizeti the opportunity to drive the growth in demand for e-Commerce, music, interactive games and video consumption in Nigeria, especially from popular social media apps that have integrated video calling and video stories as well as content sites such as YouTube, Netflix, and Iroko.

Tizeti is a fast-growing Wireless Internet service provider in Lagos, Nigeria, delivering high-speed unlimited wi-fi Internet access to residential and business customers using wide-area Wi-Fi.

Softcom Supports AI Democratisation for Socio-economic Impact Softcom is supporting easy access to artificial intelligence (AI) learning in partnership with Data Science Nigeria with an AI for business leaders’ masterclass and the official release of the first AI book for Nigeria’s primary and secondary schools.

Softcom, an indigenous technology company, is a leader in deploying technological solu-

tions to solve socio-economic development challenges on the continent. The company is known for its people-centric innovations aimed at shaping inclusive growth, creating high-quality employment opportunities, and improving people and business operations in Africa.

According to the Chief Execu-

tive Officer (CEO) of Softcom, Yomi Adedeji, “We always strive to build solutions and technology that will positively impact the lives of people. We recognise that with artificial intelligence applications across all socio-economic sectors, we can catalyse a new wave of sustainable innovations, enabling all-round societal impact. At

Softcom, we understand that artificial intelligence is critical for national competitiveness and local innovation, hence our drive towards making the knowledge available to everyone, from kids in primary schools to CEOs whose decisions shape the corporate future of our national business landscape�.

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Upholding Corporate Governance in Telecoms

IDL Consolidates Market Position

Raheem Akingbolu reviews the recent call by the management of Intercontinental Distillers Limited The need for telecoms operating companies to on government to review excise duties uphold their corporate governance code is necessary ith many business owners within company’s alcopop Brand -Teezers, appealed to for the purpose of transparency, business growth and outside African continent the Federal Government to review downward, looking in the direction of the excise duties for Wines and Spirits. He also and continuity, writes Emma Okonji Nigerian market, the terrain lamented the bad infrastructure, especially roads

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MTN Board Chairman, Ernest Ndukwe

MTN CEO, Ferdi Moolman

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example of how best to appreciate local human resource. In its less than two decades of operation in Nigeria, MTN has made it a point of duty to appoint capable Nigerians to its Board. The last board was headed by Dr. Pascal Dozie as chairman with the likes of Gbenga Oyebode, a corporate czar and Tunde Folawiyo, a scion of the legendary Folawiyo dynasty and an astute entrepreneur in his own right.

The succeeding and current Board is no less stellar in its membership. Chaired by Dr. Ernest Ndukwe with membership that includes: Mrs. Omobola Johnson and Mrs Ifueko OmoiguiOkauru, these very accomplished Nigerians do enormous credit to both MTN and Nigeria. It affirms the company’s belief in the capacity of Nigerians thereby engendering faith and trust in Nigeria and its citizens. Other eminent Nigerians on the board include Mr. Andrew Alli and Mr. Muhammad Ahmad.

President, Business Renaissance Group, Chief Omife Omife, while addressing journalists in Lagos recently, said adherence to corporate governance code by telecoms operators, would continue to showcase Nigeria as a country blessed with abundant human capital and underscores the truism implicit in the patriotic refrain of brand Nigeria pay offline – “Good People Great Nation�.

It also demonstrates gender sensitivity in a most noble manner that is devoid of mere tokenism stemming from affirmative action. This is because the two Nigerian women, Omobola Johnson and Omoigui-Okauru, recently appointed to the MTN Nigeria Board, unarguably, rank among the brightest and most accomplished Nigerians alive today.

According to Omife, “undoubtedly, MTN Nigeria’s approach is a radical departure from what has plagued the Nigerian business environment over the years where foreign nationals dominate the Boards of major multinational companies operating in Nigeria to the exclusion of Nigerians. As a matter of fact, the nation’s recent corporate history is replete with some of the best-known and respected corporations that have operated within the shores of Nigeria for many years, some as long as over 50 years. “It is interesting to note that some of these companies, especially the multinationals, still operate in Nigeria with membership of their Boards skewed in favour of non-Nigerians. Indeed, most of these notable multinationals have only recently, under compulsion, deemed it expedient to enlarge their Boards of Directors to include Nigerians.

Under such a climate of extreme reluctance on the part of these notable corporations, some of whom have become synonymous with reserving for themselves a large chunk of the nation’s cake, which truth told, they helped to extract and bake, it will always be a thing of joy whenever a notable corporation opts for greater inclusion that appreciates the abundance of talents in its area of operation.�

It is as clear as crystal that the appointment of these distinguished Nigerians to the MTN Board, in no way, detracts from equity and fairness. “If anything, their appointment is indeed a masterstroke by a visionary multinational corporation to harness the best of available local talent to further the ends of its noble objectives. All things considered, this will serve the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. It is apparent that their appointment in no way ran afoul of any known law, business ethics and corporate governance rules cum guidelines, Omife said

he Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had, in 2016, revisited the telecom industry Code for Corporate Governance and allowed telecoms operators the liberty to operate it as non-mandatory code for a period of one year. In 2017, the NCC made the code mandatory and since then, the implementation has been smooth, designed to create transparency and business growth in telecoms industry. One of the key items in the Code is that the offices of Chairman and that of the CEO shall not be occupied by one person concurrently in any telecom company in Nigeria.

In addition, no one can serve as a director in any telecom company for more than 15 years.

MTN as an example The listing of MTN Nigeria on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Premium Board earlier in the year marked a turning point in the historic entry of the telecommunications sector into the Nigerian capital market. Beyond opening up the economy for massive job creation when it first commenced business in 2001, MTN Nigeria was, on May 16, 2019, listed on NS). It was the first telecoms network provider to be listed in that category.

The NSE Premium Board is a listing segment for the elite group of issuers that meet the exchange’s most stringent corporate governance and listing standards. By that feat, MTN Nigeria joined the league of seven NSE Premium Board members: These include Dangote Cement Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, Zenith International Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, Lafarge Africa Plc, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc. This stands MTN Nigeria out for compelling excellence in corporate governance.

Besides blazing a trail for telecoms companies to be quoted on the NSE, thereby transforming part-ownership of the company to Nigerians, MTN Nigeria which was listed by introduction of 20.35 billion ordinary shares at N90 per share, MTN added N1.84 trillion (about $5 billion) to NSE market capitalisation. This, ultimately makes it the second largest stock by cap on NSE. As at today, MTN Nigeria tops the 170 listed companies on the NSE – by revenue.

As a rule, Premium Board listing is a sign of commitment to strong corporate governance, excellence, professionalism, efficiency in service delivery and providing increased returns to shareholders. It is a landmark status which will single MTN Nigeria out as a public quoted telecommunications company with high ethical and professional standards . As the Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, said: The listing will promote liquidity for MTN Nigeria, enhance its value and increase transparency.�

Commitment Conscious of its commitment to the investing public and to Nigerians generally, it behoves MTN Nigeria to constitute a board of eminent personalities with impeccable pedigree in corporate governance as well as professional integrity to drive its long-term values. This will guarantee optimum returns to stakeholders as well as foster people oriented corporate social responsibilities driven by adequate ‘local content’ in indigenous capacity.

The recent reconstitution of the Board of Directors of MTN Nigeria, therefore, is a veritable

appears to have become more competitive. Consumers too seem to have become more sophisticated and selective. As a result of this, each of the players is engaging the market through different positioning approaches to gain competitive edge. Of course, some have come out with feedback of good results while some have failed.

Business owners are fond of publicity stunt and marketing strategies to push their brands in the marketing place. In Nigeria, two sectors – the fast-moving consumer goods and food and drinks, appear to be the most popular in this regard.

Meanwhile, a recent global forecast of wines and spirits market projected that the value may reach $1,122,578 million, and is expected to grow at 4.8 per cent by 2022. Nigeria’s spirit market is worth $2 billion and also to grow at six per cent on average per year, according to a published report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in their Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN).

Beside the expected growth in the coming years and the contribution of the sector to Nigeria’s GDP, the industry also employs over 25000 Nigerians with a multiplier effect of over 250,000 through the connected small businesses and retailers.

As a result of the market potential, the market has, in the last ten to 15 years, witnessed stiff competition among top players.

Clog in the business A recent report Africa’s revealed that Nigeria has improved its ranking on the latest World Bank ease of doing business index, but some analysts maintained that the report doesn’t necessarily mean an improved economy -- and that the country still has anti-business policies.

According to the report, Nigeria now ranks 131 on the World Bank’s Doing Business 2020 index, released recently. The country was said to have moved up 15 places from its 2019 spot and has been tagged as one of the most improved economies in the world for running a business.

The index is a yearly ranking that assesses the business environment in 190 countries using various indicators including paying taxes, trading across borders, starting a business and protecting minority investors.

This notwithstanding, players in the manufacturing sector are still gnashing their teeth as a result some government policies that are frustrating their efforts. But because of the alluring nature of the market and the commitment of stakeholders in the sector, they have consistently repositioned to survive against the odds.

Managing Director of IDL, Patrick Anegbe, recently made a subtle request to government on behalf of other players. Speaking at the annual distributors awards and relaunch of the

Anegbe

linking major cities. He said the current state of the roads have become a hindrance in the distribution of products and goods across the nation.

He said: “The business-operating environment in the year 2018 experienced the usual challenges which took its toll on companies.

With respect to infrastructure, the recurring issue of infrastructural delay was still evident as many businesses struggled to survive in the year. Government effort both at the Federal and State levels in this critical area was not too impactful.

Our roads are now in such a sorry state that to deliver goods to our depots and esteemed Distributors take longer days and at a very high cost. “Also, the Government through its Ministries and Agencies introduced some policy measures in the year 2018 which negated the Policy on “Ease of Doing Business�. These include the upward review of Excise Duty on Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Products and the planned ban on production of alcoholic drinks in sachets and small size PET bottles.

All these coupled with multiple taxation and high interest rates constituted serious threat to the existence of our business. We will however continue to engage the relevant Government Agencies and Ministries on these issues,� he added.

Trade partners reward, re-launch Beyond advertising and marketing, all the players have consistently invested in reward scheme to strengthen relationship with distributors and consumers. In spite of the challenges facing the industry, IDL, according to its MD has worked hard to ensure that the company’s products are always available and Customers’ complaints promptly resolved at all times.

Again, to sustain loyalty of its patrons, the company recently held her annual Distributors awards and the relaunch of its alcopop Brand Teezers.

The Head of Sales, Mr. Hope Gbagi, in an interview disclosed that a total of more than three hundred and twenty-five million naira was given out as rewards to the Distributors.

He also added that Intercontinental Distillers Limited will fly 13 of their top Distributors and their spouses to Dubai as a way showing further gratitude for the hard work, they put in the business in year 2018 Managing Director of the company, Patrick Anegbe, had earlier appealed to the Federal Government to review downward, excise duties for Wines and Spirits. He also lamented the bad infrastructure, especially roads linking major cities. He said the current state of the roads have become a hindrance in the distribution of products and goods across the nation.

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Okuhu: Government has Consistently Paid Lip Service to Nation Branding The Chief Strategist at Reliks Media Limited, publishers of BRANDish, Ikem Okuhu, in this interview speaks on how appropriate deployment of branding and marketing solutions can help Nigeria surmount challenges related to perception and global rating, as well as touching on his new book. Raheem Akingbolu brings the excerpts:

H

ow can Nigeria deploy the services of marketing communications experts to help re-brand the country?

The very first thing to be done is to show the sincerity of purpose in the quest to ‘rebrand’ the country. I’m, however, one of those that believe that Nigeria has not even been branded at all. So, the question of ‘rebranding’ should not come in now. I also discussed this in the chapter I mentioned earlier.

Nigeria has been pretending to be branding and rebranding. But what has been happening is mere national orientation and reorientation programmes, designed mainly to keep the front doors clean. Nation branding is quite intricate and involved a whole lot. In the book, I drew extensively from the 12 Pillars of Competitiveness laid down by the World Economic Forum.

Any nation that wants to strengthen its brand proposition but ignores any of these pillars is bound to fail.

What this means, therefore, is that there are a whole lot we should put in place before bringing these professionals in marketing communications to harness them into sellable propositions to the world. As challenging as the country is at the moment, even the few positive collaterals we have are being mismanaged because there are no professionals advising and harvesting these on behalf of the government and the people.

Have stakeholders in the Nigerian project appropriately tapped into the potential of what marketing communications can do for the country, especially in the area of image and brand management?

I’m one of those that believe that Nigeria has not even scratched the surface in terms of deploying professional marketers in managing the country’s image. The closest we came was during the era of the late Prof Dora Akunyili as Minister of Information. Nigeria has been paying lip-service to the country’s image management and that is why most of the time, you find a disconnect between what the country’s leaders are saying with what our overall national interests and needs should be. It was in reaction to this challenge that I devoted an entire chapter to address the issue of nation branding in my book that will be unveiled this month.

The chapter is titled, “Every Nation is not a Brand,� and there I used the examples of India, South Africa, and Rwanda to demonstrate how nation-branding works. But we cannot achieve this in a regime where political leaders make

spoke to in the agency was able to recover what in my estimation was one of the best campaigns ever produced in this country. Practitioners need to start writing. This is important, not just because we need to leave or the future generations some clear examples to learn from, but also because foreigners who wish to have anything to do with Nigeria should rely on data and research works done in Nigeria by Nigerians in order to shape their ideas on how best to navigate the market here. We all must find it unacceptable for insights and data on Nigeria to continue to come from some armchair writer abroad. We must retake our narrative and tell our own stories. That is what I believe.

Okuhu

deliberate efforts to avoid professionals. Do you know that since this government came into power in 2015, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) has not had a proper Council constituted? Do you know that the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, has not met with APCON for once? I am sure the situation is the same as the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria. This is not how others who wish to positively impact the world and its citizens with strong country-brand proposition works.

There seems to be a dearth of technical writers, who are specialists in writing books of this nature, what do you think is responsible for this lack of writers?

Again, let’s say that part of what inspired this book was the dearth of Nigerian content in marketing literature. I spent years buying and reading books authored by Al Ries, Jack Trout, Martin Lindstrom, and many others. Somebody like Al Ries has tonnes of books out there and

Jack-Rich, Belema Aid Foundation Train Rivers’ Women on Skills Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt A non-governmental organisation, the Elizabeth Jack-Rich Aid Foundation (EJAF), has commenced the training of 1,100 women drawn from the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, on various skills.

The two-week skill acquisition programme was organised in collaboration with the Belema Aid Foundation and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/ Belemaoil Producing Limited Joint Venture (JV).

The Founder of EJAF Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich Tein Jr., said at the opening ceremony in Port Harcourt, that the vocational/ entrepreneurship training and empowerment programme would cover catering, poultry, fashion

designing, make-up, and fish farming, among others.

She said the best way to eradicate poverty in the family and the society in general is to empower women.

Her words: “The best way to eradicate poverty in the family and society is to empower women. I want to tell men; the best way to run away from poverty is to empower you wives. I am doing what I am doing today because I was empowered by my husband, Engr. Jack-Rich Tein Jr. “There is going to be a prize for the best three out of every skills acquisition. I know every woman wants to be one of the best three but you can only get the prize if you are one of the best three. “In the course of the programme, every day, we will

be giving out a project and you are going to be judged by the projects to know what you have learnt so far and choose the best. I know that we are all winners and do not want to lose. “There is going to be a great prize for the best three. So, I am pleading with us that every day we should come with a mindset to win. We are not coming to pray, we are coming to learn and win.

I love you all.�

Also speaking at the event, the Head, Economic Empowerment, Skills Acquisition and Training, Belemaoil Producing Limited, Mr. Virtue Amachree, thanked the Founder and President of the firm, Engr.

Jack-Rich Tein Jr, for creating the platform for people to realize their potentials.

having read many of them, I discovered that he virtually says the same thing over and over again, in different books and using different languages.

When I read Jim Collins’s ‘Good to Great’, I was inspired, but the frustration of reading about companies and individuals I have never heard of slowed my understanding of the book a lot.

The problem in Nigeria is that most professionals; and I do not mean those who teach in our universities; are so consumed by the rat race to care about documenting what they do every day for posterity. Generations of professionals have lived and gone in Nigeria and they left with all the knowledge they gathered.

Even the current generation of practitioners are caught in the same trap. Do you know the type of knowledge hidden in PowerPoint slides inside the archives of a company like Insight Communications for instance; knowledge from many years of being Nigeria’s biggest Marketing Communications Group? I mentioned Insight because, in the course of writing this book, I needed a copy of an advert this agency did for Bank PHB in those days but not one person I

Can you please send more light on the book; Pitch: Debunking Marketing’s Strongest Myths?

What I tried to do with this effort was to examine certain strongly held views and trends in the wider marketing world in the context of their relevance and impact in the realities of everyday effort to facilitate exchange. A number of these views and trends have been with us for years. Some just became the rule as a result of practice and because they have been left unchallenged, certain levels of myths shrouded them, making people consider them ‘no-go’ areas. But I took a look at them and though there are no longer the needs to sustain these myths for the overall good of the market.

The title was chosen, therefore, in the reflection of the central goal, we set out to achieve, which was to straighten a few things and perceptions about the business of advertising, public relations and management of the sales process.

What does this book seek to address?

There are no indigenous books on the subject of marketing. The ones we have are mainly academic books put together by lecturers and sold to students, most of which are not even as original as they should be. In my journey in the industry, I have read a lot of books on brands and marketing and I always found some sort of dissonance in most of the case studies and examples used to drive home points by these authors. These case studies and examples are always about companies and individuals that are not Nigerians. I, therefore, wondered why we shouldn’t have well-written books that discuss brands and marketing with Nigerian examples and cases? This, in my view, will facilitate uptake because these brands and projects and individuals are people we see every day.

FCMB, Wakanow Seal Deal on Affordable Travel Package Customers of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) who plan to travel abroad at highly convenient and affordable arrangements now have the opportunity to do so. This followed a new partnership between the top-rated financial institution and Wakanow, Africa’s leading online travel agency, for the purpose of offering tourist visa processing, flight bookings, hotel bookings and related travel packages for prospective travelers to countries in Europe, America, Asia, Australia as well as Africa.

The development was aimed at boosting the hospitality business in Nigeria, while also delivering high quality service and satisfaction for the generality of the people.

Already, FCMB and Wakanow have established travel desks at twenty (20) select branches of the Bank across Lagos, Abuja, Rivers,

Oyo, Kano, Ogun, Anambra and Abia States to offer this valueadded travel package. It can also be seamlessly accessed on the Bank’s mobile and internet banking platforms.

Speaking at a recent event in Lagos which heralded the launch of the partnership, the Divisional Head, Corporate Banking, FCMB, Mrs. Folake Fajemisin, described the deal as another demonstration of the dynamism and commitment of the Bank to meet the needs of its array of growing customers.

According to her, ‘’we recognise that several of our customers travel all-round the year for holidays. Our partnership with Wakanow gives them an advantage. It is essentially borne out of the need to give Nigerian travelers the best offerings possible when making their travel arrangements.

“Through our partnership with Wakanow, we are optimistic the objective will be achieved and further enhance the experience of our customers, considering the company’s pedigree and contributions to the hospitality/ tourism industry in Africa. As an inclusive and customer-centric bank, we will continue to innovate ways to impact the lives of Nigerians across segments.�

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Wakanow, Mr Adebayo Adedeji, said, “we are excited to officially launch this partnership with FCMB to bring Wakanow’s travel services closer to our customer base and the public at large. At our desk within the branches of FCMB, customers can conveniently enjoy our travel products which include flights, hotels, prepaid cards and travel Sim and visas to over 50 destinations.

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Ibekaku-Nwagwu: There’s Nothing Arbitrary with New Assets Management Regulation The Special Assistant to the President on Justice Reform and International Relations, Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, fielded questions from Davidson Iriekpen on the new regulation signed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, empowering him to manage all assets recovered as proceeds of crimes

W

hat are implications of the regulation giving power to the AGF on recovered assets?

As explained by the Attorney General and Minster of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, the Asset Tracing, Recovery and Management Regulations, 2019 as contained in the Federal Government Gazette Vol. 106, No 163 was informed by the need to regulate the procedures for the tracing, recovery, management and disposal of illegally acquired assets as required under various extant legislation such as the EFCC Act, 2004, the ICPC Act, 2000, the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as amended in 2012, the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 as amended in 2013, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Agency Act, 2018 as well as the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, 2019.

In essence, it is not the regulation that is giving the Minister of Justice the power, it is the law setting up these anti-corruption agencies as well as other laws that have provisions on the recovery of assets. You are aware that a regulation is a secondary legislation and not a primary legislation.

For example, Section 31 (4) of the EFCC Act provides that “the Attorney General of the Federation may make rules or regulations for the disposal or sale of any property or assets forfeited pursuant to the Act�

Therefore, by issuing this Regulation 2019, the Attorney General is merely complying with the provisions of the law.

It is important to reiterate that Section 4 of the Regulations affirmed that the powers of the law enforcement agencies and anti-corruption agencies to recover assets are maintained under the Regulations.

Do the anti-corruption agencies think AGF is interfering in their affairs?

It is in the nature of human beings to try to protect territories. In this case, there is no territory to protect because this is not a personal business. Every agency of government is working in the best interest of the people of Nigeria and therefore is expected to work within the ambits of laws passed by the National Assembly.

The critical questions I expect people to ask are the following (a) Is HAGF acting in accordance with the law? What are the problems that a new law or a regulation will cure? How does it address existing problem?

In the press release from the AGF which THISDAY also reported, he listed the benefits of the Regulations to include the provisions set out in Sections 3 to 11, particularly the need to coordinate all agencies responsible for tracing, recovery and management of assets. Secondly, he reiterated the need to collate the data on recovered assets and the maintaining of a database of all assets recovered in Nigeria or outside Nigeria. The essence of this is to ensure that he can properly brief the President and also be able to explain to Nigerians the number of assets recovered and the value of those assets.

Were there suspicions about mismanagement of recovered assets?

There have been reports in the past about the lack of comprehensive and coherent records of records assets and properties that are littered across the country. There has also been public outcry that led to the National Assembly convening public hearings and audits in the past. However, since 2015, when President Muhammadu Buhari came into office, he directed the Attorney General of the Federation to

that will undertake the responsibilities of ensuring greater transparency and accountability in the management of recovered assets.

It is important that Nigerians understand that recovered assets are funds stolen from public treasury or that has connection with resources belonging to the people of Nigeria. The process of recovery when you go through the criminal justice system is very tedious and complex because the onus is on the prosecutors to prove that the fund/assets is linked to crime. This is why Nigeria passed the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 in compliance with global standards.

There are allegations that some assets were arbitrarily seized It is not only funds related to corruption that could be seized or forfeited to government. Proceeds of other criminal activities or unlawful activities can be seized or forfeited once the person is convicted or the person pleads guilty of forfeits the assets through a non-trial procedure.

If any person or entity feels that the law enforcement agency or anti-corruption has seized or forfeited his property or assets without a procedure recognized by law or without voluntary forfeiture, the person has a right under the law to approach the court for the variation of the previous orders given by the court. This is also why the Regulation 2019 is important, as it will enable a proper oversight and review of procedures for recovery of assets that are not in compliance with the law.

Ibekaku-Nwagwu

take steps to coordinate and brief him on the issues affecting the transparency of recovered assets.

As a matter of fact, a Presidential Committee on Asset Recovery was set up in

There have been reports in the past about the lack of comprehensive and coherent records of records assets and properties that are littered across the country. There has also been public outcry that led to the National Assembly convening public hearings and audits in the past.

However, since 2015, when President Muhammadu Buhari came into ofďŹ ce, he directed the Attorney General of the Federation to take steps to coordinate and brief him on the issues affecting the transparency of recovered assets

2017 chaired by the Vice President with a view to compelling all the agencies to submit regular reports. Subsequent to that, a sub-committee on asset tracing was also set up under the former Minister of Finance with a view to verify all the reports of assets submitted by the anti-corruption agencies. It is unfortunate that during the process of this verification, some agencies deliberately did not submit their reports to the relevant committees or just simply refused to participate in the meetings.

This led to the Presidential directive that stopped the disposal of all assets pending the audit of all the seized, confiscated or forfeited assets.

The directive also required all the agencies to stop the use of multiple accounts for recovered assets and to ensure that all funds related to recovered assets or interim forfeitures are paid into the Central Bank. Another directive was also issued in collaboration with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, which required all orders and rulings of courts to direct funds forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria to be paid into the Asset Recovery Account at the Central Bank of Nigeria. The same directive is applicable of internationally recovered assets.

As part of the compliance with this presidential directives, the AGF set up the Asset Recovery and Management Unit to assist in developing policies, monitoring of recovered assets, coordinating agencies and also providing records and reports on a periodic basis to the AGF who in turn provides this report to the president for his further directives.

Let me also add that in addition to the Regulations, the President has also directed the HAGF to finalize the review of a Proceeds of Crime Bill that will be submitted shortly to the National Assembly.

This Bill when passed into law will lead to the establishment of a central agency

Will the new regulations make disposal easier?

Absolutely! Section 6 to 10 of the Regulations provides an expedited procedure for the management and disposal of assets.

It provides that all seized assets must be recorded in a database that is already set up in the Asset Recovery and Management Unit under the Office of the Attorney General. Where such assets are subject to deterioration, the AGF in consultation with the agency and the owner of the property shall dispose of the property and the funds shall be kept in the Interim Forfeiture Account at the Central Bank.

In the same way, all confiscated assets or those under interim forfeiture shall also be entered into the database and shall be monitored by the Asset Recovery Unit.

If there is no diligent prosecution by the relevant agency, the AGF shall determine if he should take over the prosecution and recovery of those assets within 180 days in order to get the courts to take a decision in a more expeditious manner.

With regard to the final forfeiture orders obtained regarding assets, the relevant agency must file notice with the AGF within 60 days of such an order so that the disposal can commence immediately.

Section 10 provides that the AGF shall set up a structure for the disposal of the assets to include relevant agencies that are responsible for recoveries of various assets.

As you can see the timeline set out above means that all agencies will work round the clock to ensure expeditious disposal and also recovery and management in a more transparent manner.

Finally, let me add that once assets are disposed of, section 11 provides that all realised funds should be paid into the Asset Recovery Account in the Central Bank. At this point, the management of those funds becomes the responsibility of the Minister of Finance.

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Ogun Assures Investors of Improved Business Environment

NEITI Bemoans Poor Punishment for Oil Theft

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has revealed that the legally recognised fines for stealing Nigeria’s crude oil have remained abysmally poor, amounting to either N100 or N5,000, according to two separate laws in the country.

Within both laws as well, the NEITI stated that anyone found guilty of the crime of oil theft could get between six and 12 months jail terms. It made these disclosures in a recent policy paper it published on crude oil theft in Nigeria. “Since 1975 at least, the laws of Nigeria have attempted to address the problem of oil theft.

The Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti-Sabotage) Act 1975 contains provisions against pipeline sabotage and provides penalties of up to death penalty.

However, this provision applies only to pipelines conveying petroleum products, not crude oil.

The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Noimot SalakoOyedele, has stated that the cardinal economic vision of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration is to create an enhanced business environment that will make it easier for the private sector to do business and prosper in state.

The purpose is to enable the state to sustain its standing as the industrial hub of Nigeria by sustaining the existing industries and attracting new ones, he said.

Salako-Oyedele, explained that the administration’s commitment to the prosperity of the private sector informed the establishment of the Investment Promotion Council (IPC) that would guide prospective investors to Ogun State and help them to set up companies in the state.

The council, according to her, was also charged with the responsibility of enhancing the ease of doing business in the state.

She made the declaration during her recent visit to the premises of Primera Foods Limited in Agbara. “The policy of this government is to make sure that we make it easy for private sector to do business in Ogun State.

The governor placed a lot of premium with his relationship with the manufacturers in the state. This is why I am visiting tour factory to see what you do and how the government would support you to do better,� she said. “We also understand the challenges industries are facing

like the challenge of poor road networks. The Ota–Agbara Express Road is a federal government road. But the state government is talking with the federal government to allow us to rebuild the road even on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis. I know that we have proposal with Primera that has proposed to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on how to rebuild part of the road. The state government will support by pursuing the proposal and ensure that the road is reconstructed as soon as possible. “We will put in our whole effort in supporting the industries that are coming to Ogun State. The mission and vision of Abiodun’s administration is to ensure that the peoples’ personal prosperity will make appreciable improvement at the end of our tenure in office. This has made the administration to look at the private sector, especially manufacturing industries, as a tool to achieving this. “Abiodun’s adminidtration is also galvanising the Micro and Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state to grow their businesses as a vehicle of creating employment opportunities and reducing inequalities in the state through the newly created Enterprise Development Agency (EDA).�

The functions of the EDA, according to the Consultant on Commerce and Industry to the Ogun State Governor, Sola Arobieke, was to provide business advisory services to MSMEs in the state and facilitate mentorship program for entrepreneurs.

Consumer Goods Distributor Fetes Lagos Residents Peter Uzoho In demonstration of its commitment, care and love for the people of Nigeria, leading consumer goods distribution, sales and marketing company, TGI Distri Limited, has flagged off a bold initiative towards feeding 10,000 residents of various communities in Lagos. The initiative tagged Terracares4Naija was launched recently in Agege, a suburb of Lagos, in commemoration of the 2019 United Nation’s World Food Day. TGI Distri, makers of Terra Seasoning cube and other indigenous food brands targets to feed 10,000 residents of Lagos, from the day of launch till Christmas by moving to different communities, providing nutritious meals every weekend in furtherance of its corporate social responsibility and sustainable food programmes in Nigeria.

The Agege programme witnessed large turnout of residents comprising children and adults who excitedly benefitted from the mass distribution of foods.

Speaking at the event, the Marketing Manager, TGI Distri

Limited, Mr. Govind Agarwal, expressed happiness over the large turnout of the community in response to the free meals initiative and expressed optimism that more was yet to come. “I believe our best is yet to come. This is just the beginning. Select communities in Lagos State stand to benefit from this exercise beginning from next Saturday all the way down to December, as tasty and delicious meals would be served at different locations within the period,� Agarwal said.

He explained that the exercise was aimed at making a difference in the lives of many deserving Nigerians by showing them care and love especially children.

Agarwal called on families to take advantage of the programme in their respective locations to experience the unique taste and aroma of Terra Seasoning cube.

Commenting on the programme, the Baale of Pande Pen Cinema, Agege, High Chief Wakilu Abayomi Sunmonu, said his excitement knew no bounds, given that his community was the first to benefit from the laudable initiative.

Chineme Okafor in Abuja

“On the other hand, the Crude Oil (Transportation and Shipment) Regulation 1984 explicitly provides measures that sought to prevent ships, tankers and vessels from engaging in unauthorised loading of crude within Nigeria or outside any loading ports or terminals in Nigeria. “The provisions also cover prohibition against false declaration of cargo volumes and mis-invoicing. However, the law provides for penalty of just N100 or six months in prison. Outside this provision of court-imposed penalty though, the minister is empowered by law to impose sanctions including, but not limited to, seizure of ship and withdrawal of license,� said the NEITI in the document titled ‘Stemming the Increasing Cost of Oil Theft to Nigeria’.

It further stated that: “On its part, the 1978 Exclusive Economic Zone Act empowers officials to curtail access to the waters around oil wells, pipelines, terminals and other infrastructure. But the law

provides for punishment of only N5,000 or imprisonment up to 12 months or both.�

Providing instances of failures of Nigeria’s legal system to effectively tackle oil theft, NEITI noted that even the country’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been unable to appropriately legally prosecute oil thieves.

According to it: “A review of the legal provisions against crude theft and vandalism shows that there are at least six legal codes dating back to 1975 that provide punishment for these crimes. However, some of the laws were found to be outdated, for example with stipulation of prison term of 12 months or fine of N5,000 for offenders. “Provisions of sanctions in the EFCC Act are relatively less weak but manifestly inadequate.

Overall, the legal environment does not provide sufficient deterrence for oil theft.�

NEITI noted that it, “reviewed a sample of 25 crude theft convic-

tions secured by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission involving 103 individuals, six companies and one vessel,� and discovered that 35 of the accused were sentenced to two years in prison with an option of fine between N50,000 and N100,000. “Six individuals were sentenced to one year with option of fine between N100,000 and N1,000,000; 59 were simply fined N100,000; two were fined N50,000 and N500,000 respectively. Only one person was sentenced to one year in prison without option of fine. Three companies were fined N500,000 while three others were fined N1,000,000. One vessel was fined N5,000,000. “These sanctions are clearly not sufficient to produce deterrence and the cases only address a small aspect of crude theft. Firstly, out of 103 individuals convicted, only two (less than two percent) are likely to serve compulsory jail term of one year, and even this cannot be sufficient deterrence.�

ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVE

L - R: Principal Consultants, Peeshift Resources, Abiodun Folawiyo; Divisional Head, Retail/SME, Unity Bank Plc, Mr. Olufunwa Akinmade; Lagos State Coordinator, NYSC, S.R. Aroni; Assistant Director, NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, Mrs. Stella Nweke, and Head, SME, Unity Bank, Mr. Opeyemi Ojesina at the launch of the bank’s Corpreneurship challenge at the NYSC camp in Lagos‌recently

Akeredolu Receives Ondo Deep Seaport Implementation Plan Today Eromosele Abiodun A Spanish firm, Ocean Infrastructure Management (OIM) and its Nigerian partner, Franchise and Business Solutions Limited (FBS) will today hold a high level interaction with Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu in Akure over the Ondo Deep Seaport project.

The meeting with the governor would also witness the presentation and adoption of the Project Implementation Plan for the Deep Seaport spelling out milestones and timelines for the completion of the multibillion dollars project.

Consultant to Ondo State Government on the Deep Seaport Project, Amiable Consultancy and Logistics Services Limited in a statement said the project has continued to enjoy the interests of international investors from various parts of the world.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of Amiable Consultancy and Logistics Services, Ms. Aina Egharevba, said the deep seaport, being championed by Governor

Akeredolu, would open up the economy of Ondo State and create job opportunities for up to 20,000 people in the coastal areas of the state.

Egharevba, who is a former Executive Director, Marine and Operations of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), said some key milestones, including the preparation of the port feasibility study; conducting preliminary surveys such as the bathymetric/hydrographic survey and geotechnical survey; soil resistivity test, Met-Ocean studies; and topographic survey for the deep seaport have been successfully achieved.

She said the feasibility study and conceptual master plan for the new port have been approved by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Egharevba said the visiting Spanish team will also carry out a review of key project issues and establishing common understanding of the project objectives with officials of the Ondo State Development and

Investment Promotion Agency (ODIPA). “After this meeting, we will be moving to the next crucial stage, which is the development of the Outline Business Case (OBC) and Final Business Case (FBC) for this all important project.

We are committed to working with officials of the Ondo State Government to realize the full vision of the Governor for the deep seaport,� she said.

Speaking earlier this year after accompanying President Muhammadu Buhari on an investment drive trip to The Netherlands, the Ondo State Governor had said that the Ondo Deep Seaport project is an investment in the future of the state. “We are doing things for the generation to come. I have always believed that there should be a beginning. We have started; there is no going back. “I was privileged to travel with President Buhari to The Netherlands. We went on a boat and visited the ports. I told him, if anything like this must happen

in Nigeria, it must be in Ondo State. Not only that, the President has said it most of the times that he knows that Ondo is the right place for a deep-sea port. “We should not play politics with everything. It is not our making but providence has put us where we are today. Where we are today, is the best place to have a deep-sea port. “Ours, as a state, is to prepare the ground and show the feasibility and bankability. Can Ondo State do it? No, Ondo State cannot build or own a port. But there are many people who are willing to invest. “The Chinese, Dutch, and others are interested because this will be a West African port; not just for the country. It is not that we are looking for money to build a port but we are looking for investors and they will invest here,� the Governor had said in Akure during the presentation of the report of the consultants to the State Executive Council and stakeholders of the coastal communities early this year.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2019 • T H I S D AY

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Photo Editor ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ ÔËÖË Email Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜Ë›Ă‹Ă”Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

L-R:Moderator and Assistant Chief Economist, Development Bank of Nigeria, Professor Joseph Nnanna; Panelist and Founder/CEO, Epicentre Global Events Limited, Mrs Romoke Adebo; Managing Director, Development Bank of Nigeria, Mr Tony Okpanachi ; Panelist and MD/CEO, IBBA 36 Global Concept, Ibrahim Balami; Panelist and Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Scholarships and Loans Board, Rilwan Hassan and Panelist and Founder, Santi Food and Beverages Limited, Fantis Mohammed, at the maiden DBN MSME Summit in Maiduguri, Borno State...recently

L-R:Former Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Prof Anya Oko Anya; Chairman, Hallmark Newpaper Group, Chief Mark Wabara and Award recipient/ Chairman, kohinoor Hospitalities Group, Dr. Collins Chike Chikeluba; during the presentation of Entrepreneur of the Year award to Chikeluba, at the 2019 Business Hallmark People of the Year awards ceremony held in Lagos... recently

L-R; Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Richard Adeniyi; President, Dangote Industries; Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Executive Director Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo; during the Cuppy Foundation save children inaugural Gold Gala in Abuja..recently

L-R; Founder Felix King foundation, Dr Felix King; Project manager the startups Africa, Ere Akinrinmade; COO, Oracle Experience, Andrew Eiremiokhae; Project manager, The startups Africa, Millicent Akwuewanbhor; and the Managing Director, Kurioucity, Ororo Pattaya at the launch of the startups Africa by the Felix King Foundation in Lagos ‌recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L—R; Technical Lead, The Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), Amaka Onyemelukwe; Managing Director, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LAWMA), Oluwadamilare Emmanuel; representative of Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Collins Oluwayomi; Managing Dirctor (LASMA), Muyiwa Gbadegesin; and Vice Chairman, the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, Adekunle Olusuyi, at the handing over of boats and equipments bought by (FBRA),to LAWMA in Lagos,‌recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: CEO, Teach For Nigeria, Folawe Omikunle; Board Chairman, Teach For Nigeria, Gbenga Oyebode; CEO and Cofounder of Teach For All, Wendy Kopp; and Governor, Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, during a courtesy visit by the Teach for Nigeria Team to the Ogun state government House, Abeokuta...recently

R – L: Non-Executive Director, Access Bank Plc., Dr. Ajoritsedere Awosika; Group Deputy Managing Director, Roosevelt Ogbonna; Founder, Cotton Loops and winner of the 2019 Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton, Bolulope Adebiyi; Chief Financial OďŹƒcer, Access Bank Plc., Seyi Kumapayi and Head, SME Banking Specialist, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Vivian Awiti Owuor during the presentation of the grand prize of the 2019 W Initiative Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton in Lagos...recently

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L-R: Brigadier General Abdallah A. Ahmad (Rtd); Managing Partner, AT3 Resources, Tosin Adefeko; AuthorHubris, A Brief Political History of The Nigerian Army, Dr. Akintunde Akinkunmi; and Principal Partner, BA Law, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN, at the book reading and signing of Hubris held at Quintessence Ikoyi, Lagos... recently

L-R; Senator Adelere Oriolowo (son); Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola; Alhaja Samirat Oriolowo and Oluwo of Iwoland, HRM Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, at the turbanning of the 120-year old Mama as the Iya Suna of Iwoland...recently

L-R: Wife of the former Deputy National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Mrs. Roli Bode-George; her husband, Chief Olabode George and Mrs. Funmi Adeniran of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Channel 10, Lagos, when the NTA management presented Bode-George with the Station’s Personality of the Year award in Lagos ...recently

L-R: Wife of Sokoto State Governor,Mrs Maryam Aminu Tambuwal and her counterpart from Abia State, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu at the First African Congress on Sickle Cell Disease in Lagos...recently

L-R: Representative, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Wisdom Elesho; Founder, Peniel Foundation, Aisha Dirisu; Founder, Potters Gallery, Donald Unanka; Founder/Lead Visionary, Street Project Foundation, Rita Ezenwa-Okoro; Representative Voice Nigeria, Oladipo Olurise; CEO, Lapizuli, Ifeoluwa Abhulimen and CEO Capital Bureau, Ezenwa Okoro at the Street Project Foundation opening and induction ceremony for the class of November/December 2019 in Lagos..recently

L-R: Managing Director, Zedcap Partners/Director Zedcrest Capital, Oluseyi Akinbi; Group Managing Director, Zedcrest Capital, Adedayo Amzat; Fixed Income Dealer, Zedcap Partners Limited, Oluwatosin Ayanfalu and Marketing & Brand Communications OďŹƒcer, Zedvance Limited, Lukmon Oloyede during the presentation of the best Brokerage Service Firm award to Zedcap Partners’ at the 2019 FMDQ Gold Awards in Lagos...recently

L-R: ACSCD International Coordinator, Ambassador. Eddie Resphanto ; Coordinator for NCD Primary Prevention and Integrated Management WHO Africa, Prof. Jean-marie Dangou ; Chief Medical Director, Dr. SickleCell & Co-chair ACSCD Congress, Dr. David Ajaere and Chief Information OďŹƒcer, National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match, Mike McCullough at the First African Congress on Sickle Cell Disease in Lagos...recently

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Peterson: Why We Are Focused on Youth Empowerment The founder of D. Peterson Foundation, Dr. Donald Peterson, in this interview speaks about the various interventions by his foundation. Sunday Okobi and Ugo Aliogo bring the excerpts:

W

hat are the recent empowerment projects you have initiated?

We are not empowering the youths, rather what we are doing is investing in them. So what we are doing is known as youth investment programme, and not youth empowerment. We are creating lifeline for our youths. For me, youth empowerment is not an end to end initiative. For instance, when you get a young graduate who has no job after three years of graduation, and give him a motorcycle, is that empowerment? Have you really checked what he will do with that motorcycle? So what we do is beyond empowerment, so we call our programme ‘youth investment or creating lifeline for our youths’. How we have gone about that is that, first we look at the trend of things in the world.

The world is going ICT. You have heard of 5G and everybody is heralding it.

China, and South Africa have launched 5G, Europe and America are launching 5G. 5G is actually the lifeline that will run artificial intelligence. So how then can we help our youths to acquire the right set of skills that will make them fit into the scheme of things as it were today? For instance, today, banking transactions are done on the phone and online. So you can actually tell where the world is going? It is actually technology driven. So we realised that our youths are technology savvy and they sometimes use computers to do things that are not completely right or probably wrong. So we thought why don’t we channel that energy into something more productive.

We looked around and realised that the nearest place you can learn software development is in Benin. We checked with the NIIT and we discovered that the resource people they have on ground can only teach Java. Software development has gone beyond Java; we are in python stage. Python is the deepest and neatest programming language available today.

So what we did was to call our youths and met with them, enlightened them on the importance of software development.

We have kicked off the registration and it started about three weeks ago, and I am delighted to tell you that we have registered 257 candidates already. What we are trying to do is to put the centre at the College of Education, (COE) Agbor.

The programme is open to Ika indigenes.

Why the COE was chosen was because it is central, accessible and it also gives some credibility to the thing we are doing in the sense that if the diploma is awarded by the college, it gives some form of credibility to it.

The college gives the programme acceptability in the sense that the programme is done in the college. It also gives the students the understanding that they are in a school setting to learn not just putting them in an office that is why we chose COE. I am happy to announce that the Government of Delta State, through the office of the Secretary to the State Governor, (SSG) and the office of the Commission for Higher Education; are in love with the programme because it has to do with investing in the youths. Soon, we will be having the approval for the learning to be domiciled in the college.

It is free to all youths of Ika nation. I will like to state here that to learn Java, it is N350, 000 per student. Python is deeper and neater, so you should be looking at N350, 000 or N400.000. We are not just stopping at teaching our students; we also want them to take advantage of the Cife programme from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The CBN announced sometime in July that they have mandated banks to give soft loans to software developers at about nine percent per annum. One of the requirements is that you need to have your business proposals to present to the bank. So we are not just stopping

Peterson

at teaching, we are also creating cabal (groups) with a project assigned to these groups. That project will ultimately become their business case which they will submit to the bank. So you give them an app that relates to businesses as it were in Nigeria for them to develop. When they test it and develop it, based on that we can now present the proposal to the bank for them to access the loan with which they can start a business so that defines the issue of the life line we are talking about. We are not just stopping at that because that is the first phase of the initiative. We are teaching between 60-100 students per time. So if the first 100 students graduate they have two to three months to settle down and go into the second phase. The second phase is graphics technology. If you look at Nollywood, as at 2015, the CBN reported that Nollywood was worth $695 million.

Now as at December, 2018, CNN reported that Nollywood was valued at $2billion.

What this means is the financial worth has quadrupled.

Now what do you think that Nollywood will be in 2023, my guess is as good as yours, in the realms of $7-10 billion. That means we are producing more movies, there is more money to be made and there is also need to improve on the quality of our movies. In improving on the quality of your movies apart from equipment and others, you also need technology to help your movie. If you remember the movie titanic, when the ship titanic sank, a lot of persons who watched the movie cried, because it was so real, but it was shot in a studio. That was actually graphic technology and we want to prepare our youths for that before they get to that. So, what we are trying to do is to teach Ika youths all these. So what we are driving at is preparing our youths for the opportunity of the future.

After that second phase which is graphic technology which is going to take about six to eight months to learn, don’t forget that in their first phase they have already received a loan from federal government and they are either employed or employer of labour while they are still learning the graphics technology. After learning the graphics technology, they will be

ready to cash on the opportunities that Nollywood will throw at them.

The last phase is known as augmented reality. In the future, say 10 to 15years, you don’t need to go travel to have an interview or do teleconferencing. What is needed to be done is to beam the presence of the individual you want to interview or have the conversation with, all you need to do is to beam a hologram; it will look so real that you think the person is here. We will also teach them that.

From your own standpoint, what’s the level of readiness of the Ika youths for this social investment programme?

This whole thing didn’t start today, but two years; then they were not ready.

Two years ago, when we told them about this, they told us to give them laptops and money, then provide lunch for them to come and learn. That was two years ago. But the story has changed now, they are the ones disturbing us. They are now ready. I am very happy that the government of the day is fighting internet fraud because we don’t want our youths to grow up becoming fraudsters.

We want them taken off that dangerous path. Now, our youths are seeing that there is no future in that and crime does not pay. Now they are looking inward on how to develop themselves and here is the programme which says with it, you can eke out a living for yourself and live well.

What sustainability measures have you put in place to drive this initiative?

First, I want to thank the government of Delta State for graciously approving that we use the COE because the venue is free. Secondly, the resource persons are the software engineers and developers in my software company. They will be deployed here. Thirdly, that is the trend of things now; everything is about technology, so I don’t see why this programme will not succeed. Fourthly, the federal government through the CBN has woken up to say they are helping software developers through the introduction of the CIFI programme. The programme allows software developers to actually have

access to loans at a lower interest rate.

I see the programme being secured from end to end. The state government has done their path by giving us a location that is free. We have the resources, we don’t need to go and source, we already have it in-house.

What are other community development initiatives you have put in place?

When we came in, we realise that Agbor-Obi was faced with a lot of issues because it was in the height of the rainy season then. So what we did was to help clean up the drains, from a junction known as Ebuenor junction to the palace junction because the drains were totally blocked. You could see that we had a lot of sand and we packed it up and got people to assist. The Local Government Council Chairman and his team provided logistics to help pack the sand. The Agbor local vigilante also helped to sensitise the people. When people saw the sincerity of the exercise, they joined to clean their drains.

Apart from cleaning the drains, they were areas, where erosion had damaged the road such as Edike street junction where a young man died two years ago, because the road was already turning to one lane. The young man was trying to avoid the pothole, and there was an oncoming vehicle which knocked him down and he died. So we had to patch that place and made it two lanes and introduced speed bumps because a lot of people had died.

Recently, before the market in AgborObi, two young boys, died during a head on collision on motorbike; so we have introduced two speed bumps to reduce speeds. On Orikeze Avenue, two years ago, someone was kidnapped under the cover of darkness, and the person has not been found till today.

So what did was to introduce street lights on Orikeze Avenue. In doing that, we noticed that the street was not very clean, so we thought to ourselves there are a lot of women who are idle, so we had to get them engaged actively instead of giving them money. So in making them productive, we put them under a lady supervisor.

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T H I S D AY Ëž Íľ, 2019

BUSINESSWORLD

AGRIBUSINESS

Bangladesh-Nigeria to Sign Bilateral Agreement on Agriculture Stories by Oluchi Chibuzor The Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Shameen Ahsan, has disclosed that his country will soon sign an agreement with Nigeria, in the area of agriculture.

Speaking at a Nigeria-Bangladesh Business Forum, held in Lagos, recently, he said it was important to create a better link to foster commercial activities between the two countries.

According to him; “It is very important to interact with members of the civil society to further create a better understanding between the two countries and

dispel misconceptions, while I try to make the country familiar in front of the Nigerians audience. “We are currently working on signing an agreement on cooperation, in the field of agriculture and that would provide key platform to share best practices between the two countries. In addition to this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), we are sharing this even in flood control,� he noted.

In his speech, the President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), Mr. Babatunde Ruwase, said both nations have expressed mutual interest to expand bilateral relations

overtime. “The Bangladesh Tariff Commission in 2014 prepared a feasibility study for the benefits of signing preferential trade agreement with African states and recommended that Nigeria along with Mali was the most promising countries for signing such agreements. “We therefore urge Bangladeshi businessmen to invest in agriculture, ICT, food processing, garment production and industrial sectors of the economy,� he added. “However, while export-led policies has helped Bangladesh rank among the world’s fastest

growing economy with some eight per cent annual expansion rate, Nigeria is keen to boost economic growth which is stuck at some two per cent by attracting private capital into the non-oil sector.�

The President, Nigerian-Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce, Retired Capt. Usman Hamidu, represented by the Vice-President, Rtd. Commodore Jerome Jatau, advised the Nigerian business community to take advantage the huge opportunities the association offers to increase the trade volume which was at about $1.39 billion in 2018, according to United Nations.

APPRECIATING CUSTOMERS

L-R: African Marketing Team, Marketing Group II Kanekalon Division, Kenta Yamanishi; Miss Kanekalon 2015, Esther Chukwujekwu; Director, Solpia Nigeria, Mr. M.B Lee and Manager, African Marketing Team, Hair Products Group of Kanekalon, Yukiyo Oda at the annual Kanekalon Arigato event in Lagos‌recently

Global Food Prices Rise in October, Says FAO The Food Price Index of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has shown that global food prices rose for the first time in five months.

The report showed that international quotations for sugar and key cereals increased significantly.

The measure, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of commonly traded food commodities, was released

by FAO recently for the month of October.

The FAO Food Price Index, averaged 172.7 points in October, some 1.7 percent higher than the previous month and 6.0 percent higher than during October 2018.

It consisted of the average of five commodity group price indices.

The report showed that, “The FAO Cereal Price Index rose by 4.2 per cent during the month, as wheat and maize export prices moved up sharply on the back of reduced crop prospects in several major producing countries and robust trade activity. By contrast, rice prices slipped, driven by subdued demand and prospects of an abundant basmati harvest. “The FAO Sugar Price Index increased by 5.8 percent in October amid expectations of much tighter supplies in the year ahead, due mainly to the anticipated large reductions in sugar output in India

and Thailand; the world’s largest sugar producer and largest sugar exporter, respectively.�

Meanwhile, the FAO Vegetable Oil Price index also rose, increasing 0.5 percent to reach its highest level in more than a year. Palm oil quotations nudged up by new biodiesel mandates in Indonesia as well as firm import demand and expected slowdown in output growth, while those for sunflower oil fell in the wake of bumper harvests in the Black Sea region. “The FAO Meat Price Index rose 0.9 per cent, driven by higher import demand for bovine and ovine meats, especially from China. Pig meat prices rose moderately, while

those of poultry meat declined due to increased export availabilities. “The FAO Dairy Price Index declined by 0.7 percent in October, as notably lower price quotations for cheese more than offset increases in those for skim and whole milk powders,� the statement added.

Specifically, worldwide coarse grain production in 2019 is expected to increase by 1.2 percent to 1 425 million tonnes, while that of wheat is anticipated to grow by 4.5 percent to a record level of 765 million tonnes. The forecast for global rice production is pegged at 513.4 million tonnes, slightly below last year’s level.

FG Urged to Sustain Support for Local Rice Production Local rice dealers have advised the federal government to increase its support for local production of the commodity, to enable them meet rising demand.

The situation, according to them, has made several homes in the country to shift to the consumption of locally produced rice.

The rice dealers who before now had witnessed low patronage are now smiling to the bank as they struggle to meet demand from consumers.

A survey by THISDAY recently, in some markets in Lagos, showed that a 50 kg of local price ranges

from N15,000 to N16,000, as against the imported rice which was sold between N26,000 to N27,000.

According to Mrs. Chioma Olori, a wholesale rice dealer, she was considering venturing into rice farming as this would help stabilise the price if government’s aggressive drive for local production was sustained. “I believe if the production rate is sustained from now to the next five to 10 years, the prices would come down, then we would be able to export. Everybody is going into rice farming now, both the rich and the poor.

“It is tremendously good, because people now patronise local rice despite the fact it is expensive; initiatively it was very cheap but when the rush started the price went so high. My business has increased as people prefer it now to any other rice,� she stated.

Similarly, Olamide Olotu, a dealer who trades on local rice before the border closure, reiterated the significant of the move by the government, describing it as a policy in right direction.

On the way forward, he stated, “The challenge we have now is the production capacity of the

companies to meet the demand in the country. For example, if you place order today, it takes about three to five weeks before your order arrives, which is not good enough unlike the foreign ones when you place order today you get it today or tomorrow. “Let governments at all level increase the production capacity of companies and farmers whose primarily business is in production, by giving necessary loans, equipment, facilities that would make the production viable to have much rice for everybody to consume.

WorldFish Commits $1m for New Aquatic Food Research The WorldFish Centre has pledged $1 millio to expand scientific understanding of the role of aquatic foods for planetary health and human wellbeing.

This came as the organisation was responding to the global call to action for sustainable transformation of food systems amid the growing climate crisis.

The pledge was made during the 6th annual “Our Ocean Conference� hosted by the government of Norway recently in Oslo.

The commitment would support the development of a new multi-year global research program on fish and future aquatic foods.

As part of the initiative, the establishment of a Fish for Africa Innovation Hub would help accelerate national and regional efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 through cutting-edge market and policy innovations informed by scientific evidence on affordable, safe and sustainably fish and aquatic foods.

The new initiative also includes national foresight studies for India and Nigeria – as countries with large fisheries sectors that are expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

According to the statement, the WorldFish would utilise the new research program on fish and aquatic foods to build a coalition of public and private partners to help accelerate the transition to sustainable aquatic food systems and enhanced ocean governance.

Speaking on the development, the Directorgeneral, WorldFish, Dr Gareth Johnstone, said there was a great promise in fish and aquatic foods to feed billions, nourish nations, and help make the much-needed transition to healthier diets and more sustainable food systems.

According to him, “We must make fish and aquatic foods matter to as many policy makers, investors and entrepreneurs as possible and place them at the heart of the food and nutrition security agenda and the wider efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Nasarawa State Partners SMEDAN Nume Ekeghe The Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule has reiterated his government’s readiness to key into the One Local Government, One Product (OLOP) initiative of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

He made this known while receiving the Director General of SMEDAN, Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda in his office in Lafia, recently. This was revealed in a statement made available to THISDAY. He vowed to improve the lives of the people, adding with a programme like OLOP, MSMEs in the state would benefit.

Sule stated: “I am very grateful and I want to inform you that I am very much interested in the OLOP programme, am ready to key into this, and I want MSME’s in the state to benefit from it.�

On his part, the Director General of SMEDAN, Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda, told the governor that they were in the state to assist in capacity building for MSMEs in the state, adding this could only be achieved through a robust collaboration.

Radda, said based on the National Survey of MSMEs released this year, Nasarawa state has 385,489 business owners.

He also noted that the recent survey also showed that small businesses constituted about 99.8 per cent of the total MSMEs in Nigeria.

The Director further intimated the governor on the objectives of the OLOP and the Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) initiatives of the agency.

He urged the governor to facilitate the inauguration of the Nasarawa State MSME Council. He said if established, the council would be responsible for marshaling out plans for MSMEs development in the state.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

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Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE The Need to Rebrand, Refocus Nigeria’s Health Insurance Scheme

Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 08038901925

While NHIS has not lived up to expectation since the past 13 years of its establishment, Onyebuchi Ezigbo believes there is a glimmer of hope with the new approaches being made by the present management of the scheme

G

iven the level of concern on the poor state of Nigeria’s health sector and the limited access to basic healthcare by most citizens, the role of an effectively run health insurance scheme has become imperative. A well-funded health insurance scheme will not only help low income earners to pay for treatment at the hospitals, but will also serve as a financial buffer to most health institutions which are in dare need of funds to improve its facilities.

Over the years, various administrations have professed their intentions to provide healthcare for all Nigerians but such promises have remained a pipe dream. Apart from not being able to provide the needed funds to improve health facilities, the government has not been able to ensure access to quality healthcare due to high cost of medical treatment. Some patients in critical conditions are known to lose their lives because of inability to afford hospital charges.

Based on this reality, the federal government introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to assist in taking the cost of treatment off patients.

The NHIS was established under Act 35 of the 1999 constitution to improve the health of all Nigerians at an affordable cost. But this noble initiative has only served a limited purpose of providing health insurance cover for only public sector workers and few private sector concerns that have enrolled with it. Even at that, the health treatment covered by scheme has also been very minimal.

Ideally, NHIS is to provide social health insurance to Nigerians such that healthcare services of contributors are paid from the pool of funds contributed by the participants of the scheme. It has a pre-payment plan where participants pay a fixed regular amount, while the funds are pooled, thereby allowing Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) to pay for those needing medical attention.

It is primarily a risk sharing arrangement which can improve resource mobilisation and equity. It is indeed regarded as the most widely used form of healthcare financing worldwide.

NHIS also serves to regulate private health insurance scheme operated by HMOs. In Nigeria, the scheme operates as a social security system that guarantees the provision of needed health services to persons on the payment of token contributions at regular intervals. In terms of efficiency and being able to meet the expectations of Nigerians, NHIS has suffered some setbacks. Some of the problems limiting the performance of his country’s health insurance scheme are lack proper coordination, transparency, and innovation. Added to this is corruption which has crept into the health system.

At the onset, NHIS was made to provide health insurance cover for only public and few private sector workers. Even at that, the public sector entities reserved the rights to decline participation in the scheme. So, for a scheme that relies on large pool of funds and public confidence to thrive, the turbulence that hit the NHIS badly affected its activities and almost rendered the scheme impotent before the recent intervention of the federal government to change the leadership.

To further highlight the importance of the scheme, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, in a recent address at the National Health Dialogue organised by Premium Times, said one of the ways federal government hopes to ensure that targets in the health sector were met was through effective operation of NHIS. Osinbajo, who was represented at the function by his personal physician, Dr Chiedu Nwankwo said: “Our main priority is the attainment of

Sambo

Universal Health Coverage. It is a single-minded pursuit of which we are not going back on. It is obvious that the government – federal and states alone cannot adequately provide healthcare services to Nigeria. Our view is that an effective NHIS is the best option”.

Similarly, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said the prospect of achieving UHC was bright with the widening of the scope of the scheme. Speaking on the role of state and non-state actors in healthcare funding and support, Ehanire said nobody needs to suffer financial ruin in regaining his or her health when the society can pool funds to provide treatment for those who need it.

According to Ehanire, it will be tough for a country of 200 million people, with government having very highly competing priorities, to be able to cater for their health and social needs alone without assistance.

Speaking on the challenges the government faces in meeting with its responsibilities, Ehanire said: “We are looking for more funding increase, but we must realise that there are many competing priorities; so, we must be very realistic that we cannot get all we want.”

The minister said that the present health insurance scheme can be further developed and improved upon to help take care of the needs of the citizen.

“In Nigeria, our health insurance is young, growing, and developing. The health system is a work in progress, so we have the opportunity to contribute and help to mould it. It has been said that it doesn’t cover more than five per cent of the population, and also has a limit on what it can do.”

One of the key steps to widening the scope and impart of the scheme is to reform the operations of the NHIS and to create a new image of accountability, service and sacrifice for the wellbeing of Nigerians. There is a new leadership at the NHIS which is expected to drive the reform.

Following the findings of a presidential

committee, President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the sack of the former Executive Secretary who was replaced by Prof. Mohammed Nasir Sambo. An experienced technocrat, Sambo combines his experience at the classroom as a university teacher and someone who has once served in NHIS as its pioneer staff. But a lot is expected of him if he must reposition the scheme.

It is however, reassuring that the new man has started well, trying to identity the mistakes of the past and avoiding them. At a recent workshop organised by NHIS in Abuja, the ES spoke of the plan to reform and refocus the scheme to make it an effective tool for achieving the highly desired UHC. In his speech, Sambo said his team was trying to avoid the NHIS experience of recent past which was embroiled in crisis that resulted in constitution of the Presidential IFFP that comprehensively looked into the crises and made far reaching recommendations which include, among other things; termination of the appointment of the former ES and dissolution of the Governing Council.

He said: “Following this timely intervention, I want to reassure you that NHIS is now back on track. A lot of re-branding efforts are being undertaken under the three-point agenda; value re-orientation, transparency and accountability as well as accelerating the drive towards attainment of UHC.” As a practical demonstration to this, Sambo said the new management team has commenced strategic stakeholders’ engagement and that they have engaged the enrollees, providers, HMOs. He also said that the next in the series was with partners who were willing and able to support effort towards realisation of UHC. Part of the targets of this rebranding agenda was also to reach out to other stakeholders including the various state governments with a view to bringing the health insurance scheme under one roof.

Speaking at another workshop for shaping the future of health insurance expansion in

Nigeria through state health insurance scheme, Sambo said efforts were being made to align the operations of health insurance programme of the federal and state government1s in order to minimize duplicity and overlaps and work in a coordinated manner for the benefits of our teeming citizens.

One of the viable options that was identified was to develop a National Health Bill that would transform the health sector so as to be more responsive to meeting the yearnings of the citizens. A lot of effort was done in pursuing this goal and it took more than a decade to get this bill passed into law, which became the current National Health Act. One of the major features of this Act is the provision which states that not less than one per cent of the consolidated revenue shall be dedicated to the health sector. Out of which half of that fund is intended to improve financial access to healthcare services to the citizens through the NHIS. In order to fast track the implementation, the Act recommended that the states must established health insurance agencies and fulfill other criteria to access the funds. But unfortunately, however, many states have developed cold feet and do not believe in the state insurance project. The NHIS was virtually left alone targeting only federal government employees.

This trend is fast giving way as many are beginning to embrace the health insurance scheme and are making successes out of it. According to Sambo, the NHIS recently disbursed the first tranche of N6.5 billon of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to 15 states and FCT that have fulfilled the set criteria as at February 2019. He said the second tranche will soon be disbursed.

In addition, the minister also said the President Buhari has approved an initiative to rehabilitate about 10,000 primary healthcare centres across the country. This no doubt is a cheering news as it will help to greatly improve facilities at the primary healthcare centres and also facilitate the role out of the state health insurance scheme.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019

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NEWS

Ojo Urgently Needs N5.5M toTreat Spinal Cord Injury

World Diabetes Day: DICOMAG Lists Risk Factors to Avoid

Martins Ifijeh

Martins Ifijeh

A 35 years old Bright Ojo from Edo State is urgently in need of N5.5 million to treat spinal cord injury which has kept him bedridden for over five years.

The graduate of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, whose life is currently hanging in the balance, has been told by neurologists from Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) that he is on the last window of ever working again if he urgently undergoes a speicalised operation in Dubai to correct the health challenge. But the cost has been put at $15,000 (N5million); an amount he does not have. Going down memory lane, Ojo told THISDAY that the journey to his predicament started March 21, 2014 when he, along with three other friends, were overran by a vehicle with

one of them instantly losing his life, while the driver fled.

“I was lucky to get to the hospital alive where I was stabilised and then referred to the Ondo Trauma Centre which declared me incapacitated due to spinal cord injury. I have a loving daughter and wife. I want to walk again so I can earn a living and contribute to the society positively,” he said tearfully.

Ojo, who has been confined to a wheelchair, is calling on kind hearted Nigerians, philanthropists, nongovernmental organisations and Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to come to his aid. If you are touched to support Ojo, kindly donate to Account number: 1221065692; Account name: Bright Ojo; Bank name: Access Bank. He can be reached on 08058179624

Access to Finance Has Revitalised Healthcare in Delta, Says Nkechika Martins Ifijeh The Director General/Chief Executive Officer, Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), Dr. Ben Nkechika has stated that the Access to Finance programme currently embarked upon in state has revitalised defunct health facilities.

Speaking at the 25th edition of the Federal Government Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (MSME) Clinic hosted by Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in the DSCHC Pavilion, he described the fundamentals of the Access to Finance programme as an enabler for better healthcare.

He said: “This has revitalised defunct healthcare facilities in rural communities for quality healthcare services under the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) platform.”

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on his part, said MSMEs were the fastest ways of growing the economies of states and the nation, adding that the Okowa administration has done well for its commitment to growing MSMEs, as this was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s resolve to make businesses work in Nigeria.

“The Federal Government is determined to create a Nigeria where small businesses are nurtured and encouraged to

thrive and prosper.

“Nigeria is an economy driven largely by small businesses and it is clear that there can be no real national growth and development if we do not ensure that our small businesses are developed.

“If every small business in Nigeria add just one more employee, the gap that single action will fill in our unemployment figures will be much larger than if one single conglomerate were to employ 10,000 people,” he said. Okowa had in an address, said “MSMEs have been globally recognised as engines of rapid economic growth, wealth creation, employment generation and social inclusion.

“They are also known as incubators of innovation while providing opportunities for increased participation of women in the economy.

“Defined as enterprises with less than 10 employed persons and annual turnover of less than N20 million, MSMEs are more feasible and attractive to the mass of people seeking entrepreneurship, self-employment, livelihood incomes and economic participation.”

He commended the vice president for supporting things that had to do with Delta, adding that his administration would always identify with any programme or concept that focused on nurturing, supporting and promoting the growth of MSMEs.

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 2019 World Diabetes Day today, a nongovernmental organisation, Diabetes Control Media Advocacy Group (DICOMAG) has listed some risk factors every family must avoid to reduce the burden of the disease, now reported to be on the increase in Nigeria.

In a statement made available to THISDAY recently, and signed by the Director of Communication, DICOMAG, Mrs Yinka Shokunbi, the group said Nigerians should be aware that factors such as a family history of diabetes, overweight, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, increasing age, high blood pressure, poor nutrition during pregnancy, impaired glucose tolerance and history of gestational diabetes have been closely associated with type 2 diabetes, and advised families to recognise their presence so as to prevent the condition and its deadly consequences.

Shokunbi said: “It is another period of the year when the world focuses its attention on diabetes, a disease that affects about 425 million adults and 1.1 million children worldwide – including more than five million Nigerian adults.

“Every year, diabetes reportedly kills about four million people worldwide and is associated with serious consequences such as stroke, blindness, limb amputation, kidney disease and cardiovascular disease.

“The theme for diabetes awareness month and World Diabetes Day 2019, “Family and Diabetes” has been designed by the International Diabetes Federation, the WDD organisers, to raise awareness on the impact that diabetes has on the family, support network of those affected while also promoting the role of the family in the management, care, prevention and education of the condition.

“DICOMAG aligns itself with this noble objective and hereby

calls on all Nigerians to be actively involved in commemorating the event. It is important to note that diabetes is on the increase globally, and there are millions of people living with it who are not aware that they have it. Indeed, it has been estimated that one in two people currently living with diabetes is undiagnosed.”

The statement further informed that diabetes remains one of the largest global health emergencies of the 21st century, largely because of its severe and deadly consequences.

“This is a disease that affects virtually all organs of the body, resulting in loss of vision, dental problem, kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, lower limb amputation, sexual dysfunction, among others, when not properly controlled – sadly a situation faced by Nigerians living with diabetes today.

“Yet, many cases of type 2 diabetes, the commonest type, can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle. Also, a good

control by affected individuals can also prevent the deadly consequences of the condition.

“It is in the light of this that DICOMAG urges members of the public to learn more about the warning signs of diabetes and also find out if they are at risk of the disease.

“Also, people living with diabetes need the support of their family to cope with the financial and emotional pressure that accompanies a diabetes diagnosis.

“There’s a great need to embrace a healthy diet, increased physical activity and maintaining a healthy body weight, all of which can be easily achieved when every member of the family is involved.”

The organisations also observed that awareness about diabetes remains too low in the country, saying this is responsible for the detection of a large number of cases only when complications had set in.

DEMYSTIFYING DIABETES

L-R: Family Bond Nurse, Julie Mogbo; Naturopathy Doctor, Michael Adegbite; Founder, WellnessPatron, and convener, Diabetes Demystified, Daniella Akpakwu; Founder, Beautiful Naturally Platform, Matilda Ogwa Abah; Consultant Endocrinologist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Olufemi Fasanmade; and Physician, Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Chinasa Amadi, during the Diabetes Demystified Symposium held in Lagos recently

Chevron Funds Maternal Hospital in Ondo Community James Sowole in Akure The operator of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Chevron Oil Joint Venture, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) is funding the construction of a Mother and Child Healthcare Centre in Ondo State.

The centre situated at OdeUgbo in the oil rich Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State,

is being built in partnership with two organisations funded by the NNPC/Chevron Nigeria Ltd Joint Venture, the Ilaje Rural Development Advocacy Committee Initiative (ILRDC) and the Amalgamation of Ilaje Ugbo Coastal Communities Association (AMAICOMMA).

The groundbreaking ceremony was held during the 10th Coronation Anniversary of the Paramount Ruler of the

oil rich community, the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan.

When completed, the facility is expected to have surgical and admission wards, special gynecological equipment, generator house, doctors and nurses’ quarters, as well as a perimeter wall.

Speaking at the ceremony, the CNL General Manager, Policy Government and Public

Affairs (GMPGPA) Mr Esimaje Brikinn, said the building of the facility was another step in the company’s continued support for the Ilaje people in general and Ugbo land in particular.

He said the company in collaboration with Ilaje RDC and AMAICOMA had held free medical outreaches, constructed 40 footbridges and walkways in 38 communities in the area.

Medifield Intensifies Hand Washing Campaign in Lagos Sunday Okobi To prevent the spread of germs among kids as well as adults, Medifield Healthcare Limited, a school-based health management company, has doubled its efforts in the handwashing campaign in Lagos to promote healthy living among learners in schools.

As part of the activities to mark this year’s Global Hand Washing Day, over 5,000 pupils across 15 schools in Lagos were

recently educated on the need to always wash their hands with soap and water, observe hand washing and basic hygiene routine when in the school premises and even at home.

The event was also to raise the awareness of the dangers of falling ill due to germs and infections.

Managing Director of the company, Dr. Adewale Owolabi, in his remark, said: “With a little awareness and activities, learners can live a healthier and more

hygienic school life when they observe basic hand washing routine.”

During the campaign, members of the Medifield health team were on hand to demonstrate hand washing activities to pupils with soap and running water, led by the Project Manager of the School Health of the company, Mr. Kenneth Ilenre.

Ilenre said: “We undertook this project in keeping with the October 15 date set aside by the United Nations as

Global Hand Washing Day, and with this year’s theme: ‘Clean Hands For All’, which is a way to increase awareness and understanding of the benefits of hand washing with soap and running water.

“Learners, especially pupils, need to imbibe this hand washing practice as early in life as possible. The school environment provides a veritable platform to educate them on this all-important healthy living exercise.

“Besides, germ prevention and hygiene is everyone’s responsibility and the Global Hand Washing Day is another opportunity to remind all about various steps that can help keep all clean and healthy.”

He added that “parents and guardians are also encouraged to role play possible situations with learners and discuss personal hygiene and awareness tips, especially in line with the theme, which attempts to push to the fore that no one should

be left behind in sustainable hand washing development agenda and the need to be inclusive when addressing hand washing disparities.”

Ilenre declared that Medifield School Health programme has over the years continued to blaze the trail as the leading provider for school health in ensuring that schools enjoy favourable health management that would make learners experience improved health for greater academic performances.

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HEALTH

Hibiscus Seeds Export: Allegations over Use of Methyl Bromide as Fumigant An NGO, headed by a retired high court judge, has sued the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control over use of banned chemical, methyl bromide, as fumigant for hibiscus seeds before exportation. Raheem Akingbolu who has been following the development writes on the undercurrent over the dangerous moves by some hibiscus exporters

I

n July this year, a nongovernmental organisation, Virtues Unlimited Restorative Justice Initiative (VURJI), and a retired judge of the Osun State High Court, Justice Olamide Oloyede sued the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and eight others before the Federal High Court, Lagos. The grouse was that a banned chemical, methyl bromide, was allegedly being imported into the country.

Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, the presiding judge, was being asked for an order compelling the defendants to “investigate, identify and destroy in a healthy and safe manner, any methyl bromide, an odourless, colourless gas used to control pests in agriculture which has serious negative effect on humans and the environment.”

Already, a Lagos-based company (name withheld) was purportedly issued a license by the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS) without the permit of NAFDAC. On that premise, the NGO asked the court to declare this as being unlawful and illegal. Those joined in the suit were National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Justice.

The retired judge said that she knew “for a fact that the continuous use of methyl bromide constitutes a hazard to the Nigerian public and stratosphere, and will eventually foist greater hardship on Nigeria a country currently dealing with other developmental issues.”

While this was what was being seen outside, sourced told THISDAY that the health of millions of Nigerians was being put to risk due to the fact that some exporters of hibiscus seeds wanted to create a cartel in the business.

As many might be aware, Mexico consumes almost 45 per cent of the total hibiscus produced

Rilwanu

globally. It is like a staple drink in the country and that is why majority of those who produce the hibiscus extract sees Mexico as a major export target. All was going on well between Nigeria hibiscus exporters until Mexico authorities came up with the allegation that they found pests from hibiscus seeds from Sudan. Later they claimed such was found in exports from Senegal, Egypt and later Nigeria. And hence, they banned importation of hibiscus seeds from these countries. Those in the know claimed that perhaps, those wanting to create the cartel were behind this ban.

According to THISDAY checks, some Nigerians, as well as other African exporters had to travel to Mexico to meet with the local quarantine authorities in Mexico who insisted that before they could allow any shipment from Africa, such shipment had to be fumigated by a fumigant.

This, on paper, would have been a good idea to keep the business going but for the fumigant, the Mexicans insisted must be used to preserve the shipment. The fumigant is Methyl Bromide.

This, according to findings, did not go on well

with countries like Egypt, Sudan and Senegal. In fact, sources told THISDAY that Senegal called the bluff of the Mexicans and suggested that if methyl bromide would be used, it must be used in Mexico at the point of entry and not in their own country. The Mexican authorities did not agree to this and Senegal subsequently stopped shipment to Mexico and Sudan and Egypt followed suit.

However, it came as a shock to many that the National Agricultural Quarantine Service, NAQS, had allowed the importation of methyl bromide into Nigeria to fumigate hibiscus seeds. In fact, sources told THISDAY that some fumigation chambers were already being built in Lagos.

Methyl bromide is not only a banned substance in virtually all countries of the world, it poses threat to the Ozone Layer and it is dangerously injurious to humans.

According to a report by the Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension Offices of Cornell University, Michigan State University, Oregon State University, and University of California at Davis, is an extremely dangerous and poisonous substance. But this is even made worse because it is both colourless and odourless.

The report says: “Methyl bromide, labelled with a DANGER signal word, is an extremely toxic vapour. In humans, methyl bromide is readily absorbed through the lungs. Most problems occur as a result of inhalation. About 1,000 human poisoning incidents caused by methyl bromide exposure have been documented, with effects ranging from skin and eye irritation to death. Most fatalities and injuries occurred when methyl bromide was used as a fumigant. Inhalation of 1,600 ppm for 10-20 hours, or 7,900 ppm for 1.5 hours is lethal to humans. The lowest inhalation level found to cause toxicity in humans is 35 ppm in air.”

The report further stated that “methyl bromide is a dangerous cumulative poison. First symptoms often are due to damage to the nervous system, and may be delayed from 48 hours to as long as several

months after exposure. This delay, combined with methyl bromide’s lack of odour, means that the victim may not realize that exposure is occurring until much time has passed. “ Symptoms of poisoning vary widely. Soon after inhalation of large doses, symptoms may include headache, dizziness, nausea, chest and abdominal pain, and a dry throat. Three to 12 hours after vapour inhalation, symptoms include slurred speech, blurred vision, temporary blindness, mental confusion, and sweating. More severe symptoms may include lung swelling; congestion; haemorrhaging of the brain, heart, and spleen; severe kidney damage; and numbness. Death may occur within 1-30 hours, usually from respiratory failure.”

Early this year, the NAFDAC had reiterated that methyl bromide remained banned in the country. The Director-General of the agency, Prof.

Moji Christianah Adeyeye, told journalists that methyl bromide causes toxic health effects and hastens ozone layer depletion. She explained said methyl bromide was a Class I Ozone Depleting Substance (ODS).

“It depletes the ozone layer due to release of bromine atom upon the break-down of the molecule,” she explained. The NAFDAC boss added that methyl bromide was a scheduled chemical under the Montreal Protocol for Substances that Depletes the Ozone Layer and was placed on a Phase out Procedure from 2001. She said Nigeria effected the phase out of methyl bromide by January 2015 and since then the product has not been permitted for importation into the country.

Yet, some individuals are importing the chemical to the country and are even preparing chambers for its use in Lagos State unknown to the authorities.

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Okaro: Masterclass in Surgery will Reduce MedicalTourism, Obesity Having led a team of specialist surgeons from West Africa in the first Bariatric Surgery for weight loss and diabetes in Nigeria, Consultant-General and Laparoscopic Surgeon of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Dr. Abuchi Okaro, in this interview with Rebecca Ejifoma, called for more collaborations in Africa to prevent medical tourism in that field Tell us about Bariatric Surgery Bariatric, which is minimally invasive, is a surgery done to adjust mostly the stomach and primarily the small intestines to result in eating of less food and much more control of smaller diet and the ability to eat less like a baby and end up losing weight. Weight loss can be done over one or two years with the support of this kind of monitoring of experts like dietician and nutritionist and of course surgeons.

Can Bariatric Surgery curb medical tourism?

It is always impossible to predict that because at the end of the day, the choices or the reasons people go abroad in medical tourism and which is not restricted to Nigeria by the way, are multiple.

One of it is the lack of availability of relevant services and care, so yes in that regard it will.

But ultimately the only way you can begin to tackle health tourism in an healthcare system that is not well established is to plug the gaps with services and then see how the public responds.

But the primary focus of us setting up the Bariatric services is purely because people deserve to have it close to home.

What is the essence of the masterclass?

I’m excited about this because it took me about two years to organise it. This is not something you can just call people around to say make time.

These are all basic surgeons. I cannot just ask them to come to Lagos and spend time with

facing the same challenges in surgery. We try to educate the public and our colleagues – doctors and nurses – to say this procedure are available locally now.

The other thing that is nice to do is when you have a complex set of problems and you bring people of like minds together and when you share your challenges you get solutions and that’s really the main reason for the masterclass.

Okaro

me. They would want to know what it is about and they are going to make the time and it is not something I can do on my own. We needed to have the support of people who have influence like Euracare, which has really been so generous.

They supported me. Also, more importantly the company called The Matronic is a large American healthcare manufacturing company. We used their equipment for the surgery. They have actually been the ones that have made it happen.

What are the objectives of the masterclass?

The masterclass is really purposed to bring like-minded surgeons together because we are

What about the surgeons?

We have five surgeons from different parts of West Africa – from Ghana, Cameroun, Abuja and Lagos. We were also able to dial into our colleagues in London. We had a video call to London and Texas just now. We have opened up the net to bring in people’s idea and I think that’s very powerful.

What are the expectations?

Because it’s a first of its kind, you know it’s only fair for us to have a debrief before the end of the day. We have got surgery to do shortly that’s where they will have an independent opinion. Now of course I called for the meeting. I organised it. I ran it in combination with others. So, I will leave it up to them to judge whether it will be useful for them to want to have another one or not. But if you ask for my personal recommendation, I will say yes. We can have it say once a year in a large scale, but also to have slightly more smaller video conferencing meetings in smaller scales between ourselves in our different locations.

What is the big picture?

Importantly, the surgery is a very small part of it. The big picture is education of the people about wellness, healthy living and healthy eating.

Prevention is key. It is worth adding that for a patient that already has the problem, the dietician and nutritionist and mind-set of a patient is very important; it is not just the surgery. The surgery is a fixed part of a very long process. Having said that, the benefits are clear, there are obviously a lot of hurdles in terms of selection for the surgery, and obviously challenges in terms of recovery and risks which anybody will understand.

Will this be up to international standards?

The purpose of this is to be able to deliver to the standard that is considered internationally. We operate on a strict adherence to guidelines that are internationally laid down and that’s another thing we have touched in the masterclass. I am really encouraged. We have had a lot of informal discussions about how they feel. There have been some kind of benefits particularly in just opening their minds to the fact that others are doing similar things in different parts of the country and we can’t underestimate the importance of that feeling that you are not in isolation particularly in the West African region.

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NEWS

MWAN Advocates for Schools as Health Promoting Institutions Martins Ifijeh The Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Lagos State chapter, has called for primary, secondary and tertiary schools to be health promoting institutions as this would provide intersectoral synergy between education and healthcare.

Stating this during a press briefing to mark activities for the 21st Biennial Conference and

Annual General Meeting of the organisation, the outgoing President, MWAN, Dr. Omowunmi Bakare said advancing the health of Nigerians requires a collective responsibility of the various levels of government and its recipients, and that when health is promoted in schools, it would ensure diseases are prevented rather than the usual situation of health in the country.

According to her, training and

re-training of doctors and other health workforce, provision of adequate quality medications, health education and information on prevalent health conditions and monitoring and evaluation were important for the provision of quality healthcare to Nigerians. She said: “Intersectoral synergy engenders improved efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare delivery system.

No doubt the school should be

health promoting as pupils and students are provided with health information and as such are change agents for the larger society.”

While stating that these would be the cruise of the biennial conference holding November 14 and 15, 2019 in Lagos, she said speakers have been assembled to do justice to the various thrusts of the gathering.

The conference will also serve as a platform for the investiture of the incoming President of MWAN, Prof. Frances Ajose.

Ajose, on her part, noted that while government has been focusing on addressing disease burdens in the country, MWAN was focused on preventing diseases through its wellness initiative, adding that if the country prevents diseases, the poor healthcare indices coming

out of the country will drastically reduce.

On the proposed concession of teaching hospitals to private organisations to manage, she said if the way healthcare is been administered in the country was not satisfactory, the government has the right to look for other ways to make healthcare better.

“I believe that is exactly what it is doing through that initiative”, she said.

Eye Health Committee Intensifies Effort to Curtail Childhood Blindness in Osun Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Worried by the spate of tendencies of turning blind among children in Osun State, The Osun State Eye Health Committee has intensified efforts in tackling the situation to help children protect their eyes and have good sight.

As part of its efforts to achieve this, the committee, in collaboration with a community based nonprofit organisation, Community Advancement Initiative for Self-Reliance (CAI4SR), took eye health outreach to various rural communities across the state.

The committee comprises health workers including medical doctors drawn from the state ministry of health, education specialists selected from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and other stakeholders picked from different walks of life.

At the palace of Aragbiji of Aragbiji, Oba AbdulRasheed Olabomi, the committee spent a whole day attending to children from Iragbiji and its neighboring communities.

Also, some elderly persons took advantage of the eye health outreach to treat their eyes, and get medication, while those with severe cases were referred to the state hospital in Osogbo, the state capital.

The Executive Director of CAI4SR, Mrs Eni Ayeni, who is also the implementing partner of the Seeing Is Believing project in Osun State, said the eye health outreach was part of events to commemorate the 2019 World Sight Day with the theme: “Vision First”.

She said: “This is part of moves to detect eye problems among school pupils and prevent childhood blindness.

We are doing this with the support of Christoffel Blinden Mission (CBM ) UK under the flagship programme of Standard

Chartered Bank, Seeing is Believing (SiB).

“At least, we have conducted eye screening for 159,487 school pupils and distributed over 1,500 free spectacles to children in Osun State.

She added that in order to ensure prompt eye treatment in Osun State, low vision devices worth N10 million were provided for the state Specialist Hospital Asubiaro in Osogbo and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Hospital Ipetumodu, which are the two focal secondary facilities for the project in the state.

She said, “In this programme, we have trained over 551 teachers across elementary and middle schools, 110 traditional birth attendants (TBA), 55 general nurses and mid-wives and 221 Community Health Extension Workers on child eye health across the 30 local government areas. “ We also trained three optometrist and three ophthalmic nurses on Low Vision and child eye health. We also ensured the inclusion of eye health in the harmonised strategic health plan of the Ministry of Health.

“We really have serious work to do because there are many children in the hard to reach communities in the state that we are yet to reach.

Most of the serious cases are hidden in such communities.”

“I call on the state government, well-to-do members of society and donors to support us. CAI4SR has the capacity to implement more of such projects to other states.

SiB project is a project to be replicated,” Ayeni said.

Speaking on behalf of the people, the Aragbiji, commended the state Governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola for the measure to curtail blindness among children in the state.

L-R: Treasurer, Society of Occupational and Environmental Health Physicians of Nigeria (SOEHPON), Dr. Ayo Agboola; President, SOEHPON, Dr. Effiem Abbah; and Financial Secretary, SOEHPON, Dr. Babatunde Adekunle, during the 2019 SOEHPON Annual Conference held in Lagos recently

We Will Champion Campaign for One Health Approach, Says Abayomi Martins Ifijeh The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi has reiterated the commitment of the state to champion the cause of One Health Approach to improve citizens’ health and strengthen mechanisms for prevention, detection and response to outbreaks.

Abayomi who disclosed this during a stakeholders’ symposium in Lagos recently, organised by the state Ministry of Health to commemorate 2019 ‘One Health Day’ hinted that the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations and the Nigerian government have shown commitments to support Lagos in the adoption of the One Health paradigm.

He explained that One Health recognises the interconnection

between people, animals, plants and their shared environment adding that the concept of One Heath emphasised that human health was a factor of the environment.

He said, “One Health recognises that the health of the people is connected to the health of animals and the environment. It is a collaborative, multi-sectoral, trans-disciplinary approach operating at the local, state, national and global levels with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes.

“One heath is the concept that emphasises that human health is a factor of the environment and this concept is in line with the themes mandate of the state government under the second pillar which has health and environment joined together thus affirming the one health approach.”

He posited that it was therefore imperative for government to unite the sectors working to protect humans and animals and the ecosystem noting that the concept of One Health embodies this approach as it addresses public health events at the interface of human, animal and environmental health.

He revealed that the need to improve the health of Lagosians and protect the eco system necessitated the one health strategy, adding that collaborative efforts between various MDAs including the ministries of agriculture, the environment, health, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and Lagos State Waste Water Management Office as well as relevant stakeholders would go a long way in improving the health status of the people and engender a clean environment.

Answering questions on the significant of One Health Day, the commissioner observed that the global annual celebration of ‘One Health Day’ is to bring attention to the need for a One Health approach to address shared health threats at the human-animal-environment interface.

He stated that the theme of the 2019 One Health Day celebration in the State is “One health for a healthier Lagos,.

He assured that Lagos as a responsive and responsible government with vision would continue to build capacities of health workers, engage the community and support activities and programmes which are very necessary to bolster the health of the citizenry regardless of age, gender, religious, ethnic or political affiliation.

Gavi, Rwandan Govt, Girl Effect Launch Partnership for Sustained Immunisation Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Government of Rwanda and Girl Effect have launched a 13-month partnership that will use innovative behavioural change communications to address gender related barriers to vaccine uptake.

According the trio, the partnership will create widespread and sustained demand for immunisation and other health services among girls and women in Rwanda. Gavi – an international public-private partnership focused on increasing access to immunisation in the

world’s poorest countries – and Girl Effect – an international non-profit using digital media to inspire and equip girls to make positive choices – have partnered to collaborate with the Government of Rwanda to sustain and improve immunisation coverage in the country. “For the last three years, we have partnered Girl Effect to increase awareness about the benefits of HPV vaccination, enhance agency of young girls, empower communities to take the right decisions to promote good health and generate evidence on

attitudes to immunisation,” said Anuradha Gupta, Deputy CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

“This new phase of our partnership will build on these initiatives, bring more intensive focus on gendered barriers to immunisation and ensure that no child is deprived of life-saving vaccines.”

In collaboration with the Government of Rwanda, Gavi and Girl Effect will conduct research to understand persistent gender barriers to accessing health services and vaccination

uptake while developing tailored communication strategies to overcome them. This partnership will leverage Ni Nyampinga, Rwanda’s first multi-platform youth brand launched by Girl Effect in 2011 which now translates to mass engagement amongst girls, parents and communities across Rwanda. “Girl Effect is thrilled to embark on this innovative work to drive demand for vaccine uptake with Gavi and the Government of Rwanda, taking the success of our current partnership one step further,” said Jessica Posner Odede,

CEO of Girl Effect. “We will build on our experience to use behaviour change communications approaches to define a model for reducing gender barriers to immunisation that can ultimately be scaled up to change the lives of adolescent girls and young women in Rwanda and beyond.”

“Investing in youth is to invest in the future of our nation.

Vaccination is one of the most effective interventions and with the support of immunisation partners Rwanda has achieved a lot in terms of vaccination cover-

age. The Ministry of Health will continue to work with partners to ensure the sustainability of our immunisation programmes,” said Dr Patrick Ndimubanzi, Minister of State and Primary Health Care in Rwanda. The results of the vaccination programmes in Rwanda have been promising.

In 2018 alone, 350,000 children were each vaccinated with the basic vaccine protecting against diphteria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) and therefore protected from life limiting and threatening diseases.

40

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ˛Ëœ 2019

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Treasury Bills Rates Drop to Three-year Low Obinna Chima The Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) rates have dropped to single-digit at the end of yesterday’s primary market auction (PMA). Analysts said the last time NTB rates were at the current position was three years ago.

The development followed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recent decision to ban banks, non-bank financial institutions, other local firms as well as individuals from participating in its open market operations (OMO) auctions.

At the end of the PMA,

interest rate for the 91-day stood at 7.80 per cent as N4.38 billion of the debt instrument was sold, as against a strong demand N7.80 billion that was put forward by investors. On the other hand, while rates for the 182-day bills closed at nine per cent, the regulator sold N12.92 billion of the instrument. Also, the marginal rate for the long dated 364-day bill closed yesterday at 10 percent, with total amount sold by the regulator at N108 billion.

In all, whereas, the central bank offered to auction a total of N125 billion bills, it was oversubscribed as total bid

put forward by investors was N556 billion.

The CBN had last month completely prohibited individuals and local firms from investing in both its primary and secondary OMO auctions.

The central bank’s directive was contained in a circular titled: “Re: Open Market Operations Auctions,� dated October 24, 2019, and signed by its Director, Financial Markets Department, Dr. Angela Sere-Ejembi.

With this new CBN’s directive, investing in OMO bills is now be for banks and foreign investors alone.

AfDB Group Becomes AFC Shareholder Peter Uzoho The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) yesterday announced that the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has invested $50 million in the equity of the corporation.

AfDB’s investment in the AFC would enable both institutions to accelerate infrastructure development and delivery on the continent by deepening cofinancing opportunities, joint implementation, knowledge transfer and capacity development for the benefit of Africa.

A statement from the corporation which disclosed this, stated that the addition of the AfDB as a shareholder and Development Finance Institution member of the corporation complements its strategy of addressing Africa’s infrastructure deficit with the AfDB’s stated mission to

help reduce poverty, improve living conditions for Africans and mobilise resources for the continent’s economic and social development. “The equity investment in AFC further broadens AFC’s shareholder base, and follows recent equity investments in AFC from African Re-Insurance Corporation and the Republic of Ghana. “As part of the equity investment, AfDB will have representation on the AFC Board of Directors,� the statement added.

The President & CEO of AFC, Samaila Zubairu, commented on the completion of the equity investment by AfDB, saying: “AFC welcomes AfDB as a shareholder and strategic partner, with whom we would continue our collaboration journey to address Africa’s infrastructure deficit and chal-

lenging business environment. “AFC’s mandate is a strategic fit for AfDB’s objective to integrate, energise and industrialise Africa.�

Also, the President, AfBD, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said: “AfDB shares AFC’s vision of developing Africa-led responses to the continent’s socio-economic development. “To date, we have already worked jointly to deliver transformational projects with tangible impact over the years. “In becoming a shareholder, this development is therefore a natural evolution in our partnership, which in turn will result in delivering solutions to Africa’s infrastructure challenges at a faster pace. “These solutions will adopt the highest standards, generate value to stakeholders, and foster sustainable development and economic growth across the African continent.�

Cummins West Africa Opens Facility in Lagos Cummins West Africa Limited, a subsidiary of global power leader, Cummins Incorporated, has opened its corporate office in Lagos as part of the company’s effort to deepen its presence in Nigeria and West African sub-region.

The US-based Cummins Incorporated’s business portfolio cuts across designing, manufacturing, distribution and servicing of diesel and natural gas engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems; and Cummins West Africa is the company’s diesel generator distributor in Nigeria.

Speaking at the pre-facility unveiling press conference, the Managing Director, Cummins West Africa Limited, Mr. Ade

Obatoyinbo, said: ‘’Our leaders at Cummins Inc., believe that the facility which our team enjoy over there in Columbus Indiana, USA should not be better than the facility we have here in Nigeria.’’ He added that the company was at the same time celebrating the 100th anniversary of its parent company and also relaunching its marine programme.

Obatoyinbo, explained that the company started out in Nigeria through a distributorship (NCOA), entered into a Joint Venture with AG Leventis in 2007 and later in 2014 acquired 50 per cent shares of C-world which was owned by AG Leventis. ‘’So as we are today, C-world is wholly owned by Cummins Inc., the Columbus Indiana-based and New York Stock Exchange Listed Fortune 128 company.

‘’C-world is 135 strong across Nigeria and those individuals are spread across several activities including assembling and kitting of generators, sales, service supports and our support teams from our functional perspective.’’ ‘’We are also doing a relaunch of our marine programme. A lot of companies across the world and boat builders use our engines and we are really pushing to give the best customer service in that area so that Nigerians mostly oil and gas industries and other areas of marine keep moving’’.

Obatoyinbo, however, added that the company undertakes several CSR programmes in Nigeria with focus on Equal Opportunity; Education (Adopt a school and Technical Education Programme); and Environment.

Red Star to Raise Additional Capital Red Star Express Plc has announced plan to raise fresh capital by way of rights issue.

The offer, which opened on Monday 11th November 2019, is aimed issuing 336,855,291 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N4 on the basis of four new ordinary shares for every seven shares held as at August 2019.

According to a statement from the company, the purpose of the exercise was to raise additional capital to finance the expansion of the company’s current operations, the deployment of modern

technology and improvement of its working capital.

Speaking on the rights issue, the Group Managing Director of Red Star Express Plc, Dr Sola Obabori, disclosed that the additional capital was to accentuate the growth potentials already put in place by the company’s management. “This move underlines our ambition to maintain the expansion activities undertaken in the last few years. “After opening international offices in Niger Republic, Burkina Faso and Benin Republic, we have

established new business lines in the Agricultural and Technological sectors of the economy. “This right issue represents the next logical step in this regard,� he stated. “We have a promise to keep towards our shareholders; which is to continue providing superior returns on their investment in our business. “With this additional capital, we will be able to ensure considerable growth of the company; making it more profitable and in a position to continue fulfilling that promise (of providing superior returns),� he added.

L-R: Head, Corporate Communications, Oando, Alero Balogun; General Manager Commercial, Akinbambo Ibidapo-Obe; Chief Legal OďŹƒcer, Ngozi Okonkwo; Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Chief Operating OďŹƒcer, Oando, Dr. Ainojie Irune, and Elizabeth OďŹ li of Corporate Communications Department, at the Africa Oil Week, held in Cape Town, South Africa...recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

SEPTEMBER 2019 Money Supply (M3)

35,029,779.72

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

7,374,356.91

Money Supply (M2)

27,655,422.82

-- Quasi Money

116,533,891.21

-- Narrow Money (M1)

11,121,531.60

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,625,047.69

---- Demand Deposits

9,496,483.91

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

13,911,335.83

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

21,118,443.89

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

35,918,179.45

---- Credit to Government (Net)

10,452,199.38

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

11,007,422.79

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

25,465,980.07

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-14,799,735.56

--Other Assets Net

7,000,253.07

Reserve Money (Base Money

2,005,600.83

--Currency in Circulation

4,677,530.81

--Banks Reserves

317,121.43

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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 ÍŻÍ° Ͱ͎ͯ͡

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $62.82 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $62.26 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela) SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

41

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ˛Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡

MARKET NEWS

Bears Regain Control of Market Despite High Trading Volume Goddy Egene The bears returned to take control of the stock market yesterday, pulling the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) lower by 0.37 per cent to close at 26.357.61. The NSE ASI declined despite a rise in the volume and value of trading.

The market had begun the week with a growth of 0.54 per cent on Tuesday. However, the positive trend could not be

sustained yesterday as the bears returned following losses suffered by 15 stocks as against 13 stocks that depreciated.

When the market recovered last week after declining for five consecutive weeks, some analysts were skeptical about the sustainability of the recovery.

For instance, analysts at Afrinvest West Africa said they did not expect the positive trend to be sustained in subsequent weeks due to weak investor sentiment towards equities.

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R

DEALS

“However, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently restricted individuals, local corporates and non-banking financial institutions from participating in both the primary and secondary markets for Open Market Operations (OMOs). Following this directive, we expect investors’ focus to shift towards equities due to current low prices and attractive dividend yields,� they said.

Similarly, analysts at Cordros Capital Limited, said the market was a reflection of investors’

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

views about the expectations for the economy given the still uninspiring macro story. “Nonetheless, we expect the market might benefit over the short-term from recent policy directions as investors seek alpha-yielding opportunities in the face of lower yields in the fixed income market,� they said.

Meanwhile, Total Nigeria Plc and PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc led the price losers’ table with 9.9 per cent apiece, trailed by Consolidated Hallmark Insurance

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

Plc with 7.1 per cent.

Unilever Nigeria Plc and Oando Plc shed 5.6 per cent and 3.9 per cent in that order, while Continental Reinsurance Plc, GTBank Plc and Honeywell Flour Mills Plc depreciated by 2.5 per cent, 2.4 per cent and 1.9 per cent in that order.

On the positive side, Ikeja Hotel Plc led the price gainers with 9.0 per cent, followed by A.G Leventis Nigeria Plc and Jaiz Bank Plc with 7.1 per cent each.

Fidelity Bank Plc and Access

O F

Bank Plc appreciated by 3.8 per cent and 3.1 per cent respectively.

The volume trading rose by 61.3 per cent to 610.58 million shares worth N11.1 billion in 5,031 deals. The most active stocks by volume were Zenith Bank Plc (336.6 million shares), Access Bank Plc (73.8 million shares) and Nigerian Breweries Plc (63.8 million shares) while Zenith Bank Plc (N5.8 billion), Nigerian Breweries Plc (N3.0 billion) and Access Bank Plc (N714.2 million) led by value.

1 2 / 1 1 / 2 0 1 9 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

42

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Global Reporting Initiative Appoints NSE’s Orojimi to Boost Council Goddy Egene The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Amsterdam, Netherlands, has elected the Head of Corporate Communications of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) into its Stakeholder Council. GRI is an international independent standards organisation that

helps businesses, governments and other organisations understand and communicate their impacts on issues such as climate change, human rights and corruption. According to GRI, the appointment, which commences January 1, 2020 will be for three years.

The Stakeholder Council

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

draws up to 50 diverse members from all United Nations-defined regions: East Asia and Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, North America, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The Council is one of GRI’s three governance bodies that advise

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 12Nov-2019, unless otherwise stated.

the board on strategic issues.

The Stakeholder Council’s key governance functions include appointing board members and making recommendations on future policy, business planning and activity.

Orojimi has experience of 18 years as a leader in triplebottom-line (people, planet and

prosperity) business practice.

He started out his career on the advisory services side working in advertising, public relations and experiential marketing.

He was headhunted by one of his financial services client as corporate brand, events and sponsorship manager.

The switch marked a new

career in brand management, events, investor relations, public relations and sustainability.

Orojimi later joined Africa’s leading indigenous integrated energy company, Oando Plc where he managed the corporate brand as well as marketing communications for some of its subsidiaries.

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 N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 0.89 0.88 4.71% ACAP Income Funds 0.76 0.76 34.02% 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 12.10% AIICO Balanced Fund 2.40 2.44 8.38% 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 14.33 14.76 -13.63% ARM Discovery Fund 332.17 342.19 -6.86% ARM Ethical Fund 28.49 29.35 0.90% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 11.72% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.92 1.92 13.76% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.37% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 95.72 96.40 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 96.95 97.83 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 N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,236.82 1,237.66 16.03% FBN Balanced Fund 139.57 140.45 -2.25% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 12.05% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 118.54 118.84 8.95% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 119.08 119.38 9.69% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 124.19 125.78 -17.21% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.95% Legacy Debt Fund 3.61 3.61 11.12% Legacy Equity Fund 1.05 1.07 -13.71% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.07 1.07 4.40% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 2,977.25 3,006.80 -0.24% Coral Income Fund 3,054.06 3,054.06 11.43% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 12.67% 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 N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A

INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.25% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.60 2.63 20.60% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 13.58% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 140.54 140.68 12.47% 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 1.15 1.17 4.45% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,108.36 1,108.36 11.29% 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 9.30 9.39 -12.64% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 10.81% 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 1.31 1.33 6.50% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.20 12.26 9.04% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 12.30% PACAM Equity Fund 1.02 1.02 PACAM EuroBond Fund 102.22 104.20 SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 124.96 126.31 3.82% 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 1.01 1.01 12.03% 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 2,421.83 2,432.92 4.59% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 208.43 208.43 11.99% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.83 0.84 -12.11% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 270.97 271.06 11.67% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 143.95 145.41 -11.81% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 11.21% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,421.06 7,500.06 -12.64% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.15 1.15 6.32% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 101.45 101.45 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 1.15 1.16 -0.55% United Capital Bond Fund 1.70 1.70 15.79% United Capital Equity Fund 0.66 0.68 -7.42% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 12.44% United Capital Eurobond Fund 110.68 110.68 8.37% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.05 1.06 5.29% 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 9.78 9.92 -13.37% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.14 11.32 -10.94% Zenith Income Fund 22.61 22.61 11.87% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 10.79%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

5.40 118.17 53.38

-44.85% 6.32% 3.17%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

7.89 85.84 68.58

7.99 87.70 69.88

-20.38% -24.04% -20.00%

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

3.46 4.73 11.55 10.76 158.13

3.50 4.81 11.65 10.96 160.13

-13.41% -37.66% -20.87% -12.85% 19.09%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.40

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 NOVEMBER 14, 2019 • T H I S D AY

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

First Public Hearings in Impeachment Enquiry against Trump to Start The first public hearings in the impeachment inquiry, against President Donald Trump, are set to begin on Wednesday, as Democrats step up their public campaign over what they see as an abuse of power by the White House.

Lawmakers will question two career diplomats, who have expressed concern that Trump linked aid to Ukraine to a promise to investigate the president’s political rival, Joe Biden, the frontrunner in the Democratic

presidential primary for the 2020 election.

Democrats are also accusing the Republican administration of running a parallel diplomatic service through Trump’s private lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, which potentially undermined national security.

The first people to testify in public will be William Taylor, the top diplomat to Ukraine and George Kent, a career diplomat.

On Friday, Marie Yovanovitch, the former

Trouble for Macron as Hospitals Strike, Students Protest French President, Emmanuel Macron’s ambitious reform agenda is facing turbulence amid student protests and planned strikes in hospitals and public transport.

Some 70 medical directors in the Paris public health system took to the columns of newspaper Le Monde on Wednesday to warn that France’s public health system was collapsing.

Their intervention came a day before a major strike and protest by health workers, and after months of local strikes in hospital emergency rooms around the country.

The demonstrations were sparked by a case last week where a student in Lyon set himself on fire, reportedly in protest at his own poverty as well as government policies.

Junior education minister

Gabriel Attal told the Senate in Paris that student poverty was “a reality that we have chosen to get to grips with over the past two years’’.

Government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye said the health budget was being increased and new structural measures would be unveiled in the coming weeks to bring answers to the crises in the hospitals.

But the senior Paris doctors writing in Le Monde said that the planned 2.3 per cent boost to the 2020 health budget was not enough.

They also called for raises and better living conditions for health workers, especially paramedics and nurses.

Macron is also planning a pension reform that has angered unions and sparked a transport strike called for Dec 5.

Ambassador to Kiev, will testify.

She was effectively ousted this year by the White House over his apparent refusal to play ball with Giuliani.

The Democrats have been working to quickly advance the impeachment inquiry,

with speculation they might be looking to wrap up the investigations before the end of the year.

Republican lawmakers have nearly uniformly backed the president.

Trump says there was no quid pro quo and has released

a reconstructed transcript of one phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The president’s opponents say the call showed pressure on Kiev and highlights Trump’s focus on investigating Biden.

There is no evidence of

criminality by Biden, a former vice president.

The Democrat was in charge of Ukraine policy at the end of the Obama administration while his son was being paid handsomely to sit on a board of a Ukrainian energy company.

British PM Vows to Close ‘Opportunity Gap’ after Brexit Delivering Brexit would help the UK close the “opportunity gap between rich and poor”, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said yesterday.

In his first big speech of the election campaign, he promised to boost regional industry and drive a “clean energy revolution” after the UK leaves the EU. He said a future Tory government would double investment in high-tech research and development to £18bn.

But earlier former Tory David Gauke said Johnson’s plan will lead to a “bad outcome for the country.”

And Labour said Mr Johnson’s Brexit deal was flawed and another referendum was needed.

In other election developments: Speaking during a visit to an electric taxi manufacturer near Coventry, the PM set out his vision for post-Brexit Britain,

saying his goal was to unite the country and “level up” economic performance by boosting the regions.

He said the UK must be at the heart of the world’s “green revolution”, harnessing the power of science, innovation and technology to tackle climate change and create high-skilled, high wage jobs.

A Tory victory on 12 December would see the UK leave the EU in January, he said, and that would be good for the country’s “politics, economy and psychological health” after months of paralysis.

“We must get Brexit done because we are democrats,” he said, saying while Leave voters wanted the result of the 2016 referendum result to be respected, Remain voters also accepted the “wrangling had to end”.

But he departed from excerpts

of the speech briefed to the media on Tuesday, leaving out references to Brexit “groundhoggery” and claims that calls for another Brexit referendum and a further vote on Scottish independence were a form of “onanism”, or masturbation.

Asked about this at a press conference after the speech, he blamed it on a “stray draft” of the speech released to the media.

The Tory leader said the UK’s economic fundamentals were sound, but he compared the country to a “cup-winning horse trying to run on three legs” with huge untapped potential and often “vastly different” educational outcomes.

“If every child had the same start and the same encouragement, think of the all untapped talent in this country,” he said.

“Yet the solution to that

inequality is within our grasp... not just to close the opportunity gap between rich and poor but also between the regions of this country.”

He promised to make the “small improvements in life that people are craving” by addressing transport bottlenecks, improving rural bus services and broadband connections.

He also said British apprentices must be employed on all “big new public sector” contracts after Brexit.

To demonstrate his party’s support for enterprise, he said a future Tory government would double funding for research and development to £18bn in the next Parliament, which would amount to the “biggest ever increase in support for R&D”.

“We proudly back businesses across this country because they are creating the wealth that actually pays for the NHS and everything else.”

70 People Killed in Guinea ahead of 2020 Presidential Polls, Says Report At least 70 people have been killed in Guinea during protests ahead of the 2020 presidential election, Amnesty International said on

Wednesday.

The deaths have occurred since 2015, during various demonstrations against President

Alpha Conde’s plans to amend the constitution to run for a third term, the human rights organisation said in a statement.

In addition, more than 100 protesters have died in custody within the same period, according to Amnesty.

The small West African nation is witnessing mounting human rights violations, including the killing of protesters, bans on peaceful assemblies and attacks on dissenting voices as well as journalists.

“Nine protestors were killed in September alone during demonstrations against a potential revision of the constitution.

“Leaders of pro-democracy movements and scores of protestors

were arrested,’’ said Amnesty West and Central Africa Director, Marie-Evelyne Barry.

While Amnesty could not confirm the circumstances of all 70 deaths, testimonies from medical staff, witnesses and the type of ammunition used indicated that, at least, 59 of them appear to have been killed by the police and gendarmerie.

The victims include a sevenyear-old child who, according to medical sources, was hit by a stray bullet in October 2015.

Moreover, hundreds of people, including small children, have been injured by members of the security forces, using live ammunition, batons and tear gas canisters, Amnesty said.

EU Slams Turkey for Re-arresting Prominent Journalist Altan The European Union on Wednesday sharply criticised Turkey for the re-arrest of prominent journalist and author, Ahmet Altan, eight days after he was released from prison where he was held on terrorism related charges.

“The lack of credible grounds to re-arrest Altan and his renewed imprisonment, reversing the court’s initial decision to release him, further damages the credibility of Turkey’s judiciary, in particular due to the high level of political interference,’’ An EU spokesperson said in a statement.

“This interference needs to halt,’’ the statement added.

Altan and Nazli Ilicak, both well-known journalists, had

initially been sentenced to life in prison for aiding a terrorist organisation.

On Nov. 4, they were freed following a retrial, having served more than three years behind bars.

As a condition for their release, they both remained on parole and had to report regularly to police.

Altan’s lawyer Figen Calikusu said among the reasons cited for his re -arrest in the court order were that he was a flight risk and didn’t show remorse, as well as the gravity of his crimes.

After a brief court appearance on Wednesday, Altan was sent to Istanbul’s Siliviri prison.

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24 HOURS...

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Akpabio, APC Threaten to Boycott Rerun Poll Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) have threatened to boycott the rerun ordered by the Court of Appeal in Essien

Udim local government area.

The rerun is to determine the actual winner of the Akwa Ibom Northwest senatorial district between Akpabio and the incumbent, Senator Chris

APCON, AAAN, NPAN, Others Set for National Advertising Confab Preparations for the maiden National Advertising Conference, have reached top gear, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), organisers of the conference has disclosed.

APCON made the disclosure yesterday in Lagos at a press briefing it jointly addressed with representatives of the various industry sectoral groups.

The conference, billed as the biggest ever Advertising event in the country’s history, will hold at Abuja’s Transcorp Hilton Hotel between 25 and 27 November.

Speaking at the press conference, Mrs. Ijedi Iyoha, APCON’s acting Registrar, said the National Advertising Conference will have as theme “Advertising in the Postdigital age: The profession, the business and Nigeria’s socio-economic development.”

Iyoha stated that the conference aims at drawing the attention of the

government, policy makers, business community and the wider public to the importance of Advertising.

“The National Advertising Conference is an initiative of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, which identified the need for the conference as one way of raising the professional standing of Advertising practice in Nigeria and compelling the attention of the government, business leaders and policy makers as well as the general public to the impact and value of Advertising.

“You are no doubt familiar with the fact that the Advertising industry in Nigeria is structured around sectoral associations which, apart from self-regulating their member-organisations, cater to the interests of organisations which belong to their respective specialised areas of practice.

Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Akpabio and his party have insisted that they won’t participate in the rerun if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not remove the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mike Igini, from the state.

The appellate court last Saturday ruled that Ekpenyong did not win in Essien Udim, Akpabio’s

council area and therefore ordered a rerun in 90 days.

But the Director-General of Godswill Akpabio Campaign Organisation, Dr. Chris Akpan, in Uyo yesterday gave the indication that his principal may back out of the election.

Akpan said there was no guarantee that INEC in the state under Igini would be unbiased in the conduct of the rerun, insisting

that a new electoral umpire must be assigned to carry out the exercise.

“What will be the need for Akpabio to participate in the rerun with Igini as the State INEC REC? Of course he (Igini) is going to repeat the fraud he committed in the last election.

“We insist that there must be a level playing ground for everybody. With Igini the ground

will not be level so we won’t participate.

“That is the position of my party and also my position as the DG of Akpabio’s campaign organisation.

“Why shouldn’t INEC do away with him (Igini)? We had complained about this man but they allowed him work against the APC and its candidates in the last election,” he said.

Sokoto to Host Nigerian Guild of Editors’ Conference 2019 The 2019 All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC), the annual flagship conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), will hold at the international conference centre, Sokoto, from Wednesday, November 27 to Sunday, December 1.

Acting President of the Guild, Mr. Mustapha Isah, said Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has confirmed the readiness of Sokoto

State to host this year’s ANEC as a mark of his strong belief in the media as a strategic partner in nation-building and strengthening of the nation’s democratic structures.

The theme of this year’s conference is: A Distressed Media: Impact on Government, Governance and Society. The keynote speaker is Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, a multipleaward winning editor, Fellow of the Guild and currently Editor-in-Chief

of Vanguard newspapers.

This year’s ANEC, the 15th in the series, would be chaired by former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba. Osoba is a widely travelled journalist of repute and the first Nigerian journalist to win the Nieman Fellowship for Journalism at Harvard.

Other speakers include Founder/CEO of Channels

TV, Mr. John Momoh; Publisher of THISDAY Newspapers and Chairman of Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Prince Nduka Obaigbena; Publisher, Premium Times, Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, representatives of Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), etc.

ACSPN Congratulates Owen The Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) has congratulated Prof.

Nosa Owens-Ibie on his appointment as the new Vice Chancellor of Caleb University, Nigeria.

The association described the appointment as “a deserved recognition of academic and administrative excellence.”

According to the President of ACSPN, Prof. Lai Oso, the appointment of Owens-Ibie came at a time when tertiary education in Nigeria urgently needed dedicated academic capable of bringing out the best in the system.

“You are one of such and to that extent your appointment is highly deserved especially as you have

also diligently served as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of your esteemed institution,” Oso wrote.

He said that it was particularly noteworthy that Owens-Ibie, who is also the General Secretary of ACSPN, would be stepping into his new appointment with the unique advantage of scholarly and professional background in

journalism, media practise and mass communication.

He stated that Owens-Ibie “is, therefore, an ideal candidate for the exalted office of Vice-Chancellor whose occupier should be capable of effective management of academic, human, social, emotional and psychological relations and wellbeing of the staff and the students.”

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THURSDAY NOVEMBER 14, 2019 ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

AFCON 2021 QUALIFIER

Eagles Rally to Beat Benin Squirrels in Opening Game Duro Ikhazuagbe

Super Eagles came from behind to beat Benin Republic 2-1 in their opening 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo yesterday evening.

Lille of France’s Victor Osimhen scored Nigeria’s equalizing goal from the penalty spot in the 45th minute to cancel

out Stéphane Sessègnon’s third minute opener for the visitors from neighbouring Benin Republic.

It was however Samuel Kalu that secured maximum points for Eagles when he delivered the winner in the 63rd minute.

The victory moves Nigeria to the leadership of Group L on three points with Sierra Leone and Lesotho that played out a 1-1 draw in Freetown second

and third respectively.

The Super Eagles are playing away to Lesotho on Sunday while Benin Republic will host Sierra Leone in Cotonou.

Without any doubt, Eagles clumsily started the encounter in Uyo. It therefore was no surprise that Squirrels’ Captain, Sessegnon, had to jolt the mostly Europebased Nigerian professionals

from their slumber with that early minute goal.

Sloppy defending gifted the Benin captain a clear sight of goal, and he made no mistake, slotting the ball past a helpless Daniel Akpeyi.

After that goal, Gernot Rohr’s men rose to the occasion, soaking up what the visitors had in their arsenal.

In the closing stages of the

first half, Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze rattled the woodwork with 40 minutes on the clock. It didn’t take long for the equaliser to come as on the stroke of halftime. Ola Aina was upended in the box. A confident Osimhen stepped forward to rifle home from the penalty spot.

On resumption for the second half, there were equal exchanges with the Squirrels but it was Kalu

who weaved his way into the area before slotting home from close range to give the Super Eagles a deserved lead in the 63rd minute.

Eagles however navigated their way through a nervy final few minutes to secure all three points as they immediately turn their attention to Lesotho, who they will face in Maseru this weekend.

IOC President Arrives Nigeria, to Commission ANOCA Secretariat The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, Wednesday, received the President of the International Olympics Committee (IOC) Mr. Thomas Bach in Abuja.

Receiving the IOC President, the Minister listed some of the activities lined up for the twoday visit. “Nigeria welcomes the President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Thomas Bach, very warmly to Nigeria and the ANOCA, President Bartman Barif, and the entire team and we hope that the next two days will be exciting as we have lined up a number of activities.

“One of the most important is the commissioning of the ANOCA headquarters which is Olympics headquarters for Africa, the visit to the school where Olympic values are taught.

We will also be at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium to meet with Olympians and some of our athletes who are on their way to the Olympics 2020.”

The IOC President who spoke to journalists upon arrival,

expressed delight to be in Nigeria while corroborating the Minister’s position on activities lined up for his visit.

“It is a great pleasure arriving here in Nigeria, a great sporting country. I’m looking forward to a very successful meeting with the government, the International Olympic Committee and most importantly to meet the Nigerian athletes and wish them luck for their qualification and participation in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

“I will also have the opportunity to visit the school where the Olympic values are being promoted in an exemplary way, it’s a very rich program and I’m really looking forward to enjoying the Nigerian hospitality.”

The Minister had Friday last week held a press conference to intimate the media on activities lined up for the IOC President’s visit.

The IOC President was in Cape Verde, Senegal and Cameroon before arriving in Nigeria for the two-day visit.

‘D’Tigress Qualification for Tokyo 2020 Not Negotiable’ As Nigerians eagerly anticipate the commencement of the FIBA Africa pre-Olympic qualifiers, Head Coach of D’Tigress, Otis Hughley, has said that s the team is fully focused on the task ahead.

After masterminding the team to the 2019 Afrobasket title which has seen the D’Tigress climb to the number one spot in Africa according to the latest FIBA ranking, Otis said qualification for the 2020 Olympics Qualifying Tournament (OQT) is not negotiable.

Speaking from the team’s base in Maputo, Hughley confirmed that preparation is going on as planned with all invited players ready to give their best when they start their pre-qualifiers campaign.

“We are aware of the task ahead of us. The culture of

basketball is fast growing in Nigeria and the people are expecting us to win every time we file out. These expectations have continued to spur us to want to give our all and represent the country the best that we can.”

Speaking further, Hughley said, “We must continue to show the world that we deserved to be the best in Africa and also become one of the best in the world.”

According to him, the team ranked 16th in the world can get better and climb higher while achieving greater things as a group.

Nigeria will play her first match against DR Congo today at the Pavilhao do Mazaquene in Maputo before facing hostMozambique on Saturday, 16th of November at the same venue.

L-R: Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Jamilu Collins celebrating Nigeria’s bronze at the last AFCON 2019 in Egypt. Nigeria defeated Benin Republic 2-1 yesterday to start the AFCON 2021 qualifiers with maximum points

NFF Boss, Pinnick, Opens Talk on Eberechi Eze Femi Solaja

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has disclosed that he has started discussions with Queen’s Park Rangers’ player Eberechi Eze, on the need for him to play for Nigeria.

Only recently, the NFF failed in its bid to lure FC Chelsea duo of Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tamori to switch to Nigeria after featuring at age grade competitions for England and Canada respectively.

Both players have been capped at senior level by England to end Nigeria’s quest to have them play for Super eagles.

But in this case, Eze once trained with the Super Eagles before a planned friendly with Burkina Faso was cancelled in March 2017.

Despite his playing for England U20s, Eze is still eligible to represent Nigeria at the senior level.

It is believed that England’s Three Lions are also in contention for his to be capped at senior

Wenger left the Gunners in May 2018, after 22 years in charge, three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups.

“I very much look forward to taking on this extremely important challenge,” Wenger said.

His new role will help to

‘President I want to be the captain of Nigeria someday’, I was so excited about that and said, ‘Why not, you play like Jay-Jay, Jay-Jay was captain so you can be another captain’. ”He loves Nigeria, I don’t think we want to allow that talent to go,” Pinnick said on a Channels TV sports programme.

Eze’s performance has called for attention after scoring six goals and rendering four assists for QPR this season in 16 games.

Zappa Mixed, School of Commerce for Zenith / Delta Principals’ Cup Final Zappa Mixed Secondary School, Asaba and College of Commerce, Warri on Wednesday emerged as the two finalists for the 2019 Zenith Bank/Delta Principals’ Cup football competition.

In one of the semifinals matches decided at the Kwale centre, it was a crunch

encounter which saw Zappa Mixed Secondary School Asaba pip Destiny international School, Ughelli, 1-0.

The match kept the spectators at the edge of their seats as both sides displayed good skills in the match to the delight of the spectators.

Head of the organizing team,

Arsene Wenger Joins FIFA as TSG Chairman Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is returning to football after he agreed to become FIFA’s new Chief of Global Football Development.

The move ends speculation linking the Frenchman, 70, with a return to management as Bayern Munich boss.

level. He was called up for the Euro 2020 qualifier against Albania. ”I have been talking to him (Eze), I speak to him every day, I speak to his father, I speak to everybody around him. He’s an excellent player, he loves this country, that I can tell you. ”He is a young player, he wants to be given a bit of time but I talk to his dad, I talk to him, I’ll meet them soon in London, we cannot allow such a talent to go. ”And he even told me jokingly,

develop men’s and women’s football, as well as technical aspects of the sport.

He will now be a member of the technical panel of the International Football Association Board, and chairman of FIFA’s Technical Study Group.

Wenger

Hideaplux, Tony Pemu, who was in Kwale said it was an explosive match befitting of a semifinal tie.

“We saw quality display from both sides and it was indeed like a final match. Both sides deserve the match but only one will move on and that is Zappa Mixed School,” Pemu said.

In the second semifinal decided in Ughelli, College of Commerce Warri defeated Okotie -Eboh Grammar School Sapele 5-0 in a rather one sided encounter.

Over 850 teams started the competition which produced one winner in each of the 25 Local Governments in the state before the Zonal stage

where eight quarterfinalists emerged.

Meanwhile, the final match of the competition earlier billed to take place on November 21 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium has been shifted by one week.

The final between Zappa Mixed and School of Commerce will now be played on November 28.

Delta State’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary School Education, Chief Patrick, said the final was moved to enable the two teams prepare well.

“We are all set to deliver a great final because Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who is very passionate about this programme, will also be in attendance,” Ukah said.

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MISSILE Enyinnaya Abaribe to Senate “What I don’t want is a misuse of the fund because it is for the people of Kogi State. This money will be used for election; let’s delay it for one week. The speed with which this report was turned in is suspicious” – Senate Minority Leader, on the approval of N10 billion for Kogi State on the eve of an election involving the incumbent.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI Emir Sanusi’s Inconvenient Truth THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

L

ast Saturday, the emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, stirred the hornet’s nest when he advocated punishment for parents who neglect their children by allowing them to roam aimlessly on the streets. Citing as an example the children recently abducted from Kano, the emir wondered whether this could happen in other parts of the country. “Now, make attempt to abduct a child in Onitsha and see if you will find one available. Do they leave their 3 to 4-year-old children roaming in the street begging?” asked the emir.

Perhaps the emir should not have used the abducted Kano children as his example.

But the context of his intervention should also not be missed. Knowing he could be misunderstood, the emir qualified his remarks.

“If you can’t feed your family, don’t send your child to beg on your behalf. If we continue to live in self-denial, we will live to cry. I am not saying others are not guilty, I know tomorrow people will start saying I am blaming parents for abduction of their children. I know my statement is always misconstrued. I did not say they are not guilty, but the Hausa man himself observed in a proverb that ‘if the fly is stubborn, the candy is sweet’,” Sanusi said.

As expected, reactions were fast and furious with some literally leaving the ball to kick the leg. The Director-General, Media and Communications to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Mallam Salihu Yakasai, who has recently insulted just about everybody on his Twitter handle, @Dawisu, was the first to react. He wrote: “A very reckless comment to make. I wonder if any of his relatives get kidnapped or stolen, he will act the same way. The kids are not almajiris for goodness sake. SLS (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi) should have kept quiet instead of opening his filthy mouth to make such insensitive remarks. Nonsense!”

It is unfortunate that an otherwise brilliant young man like Yakasai would say that about his emir. But for those who truly care, Sanusi is speaking to a culture of irresponsible parenting that is pervasive not only in the north but indeed all over the country. That he localised it to Kano or the North may have riled some but that is because he chose to address a problem that is so prevalent within his domain. The reality of course is that there are too many parents in Nigeria today who lack any emotional connection to their children. These are parents who allow, sometimes encourage, their children to venture into unsafe spaces.

Against the background of the recent discovery of ‘torture houses’ in Kaduna, Katsina, Ilorin etc. and the fact that these inmates were taken there by parents who were evidently outsourcing their responsibility, shouldn’t we pay attention to what the emir is saying? Must we continue to live in denial about a serious social problem that threatens the future of our country? Should men with no visible means of livelihood be allowed to continue marrying many wives who give birth to children these men have neither the capacity nor willingness to take care of?

While at a rally in Calabar, Cross River state in 2015, the then First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan said, “Our people no dey born shildren wey dem no dey fit count. Our men no dey born shildren throw away for street. We no

Sanusi dey like the people for that side.” Northerners were, quite naturally, very angry by such provocative profiling. But a commentator, Yahaya Mohammed from Minna, said as offensive as the remark was, it should compel introspection. “Let’s look at the comment critically and juxtapose it on the reality of the current Almajirai system situation.

How can anyone in their right senses have a clear conscience to send a 4 to 6 year’s child away from say, Sokoto to Minna to a certain (un)Islamic school all alone by himself with no guardian? Upon arrival, he is handed a plastic plate for begging to fend for himself. This is worse than a crime against humanity, but the trend continues!”, wrote Mohammed who added: “Ten and a half million children in the northern part of Nigeria are out of school, according to statistics. Yet, ‘we’ express anger because a certain Mrs Jonathan called them ‘born

throwaways’! But if they are not, how would you call these children otherwise? This comment should be viewed as a wake-up call for all of us to stand up to our duty as parents, community, states authorities and adherents of various religions.”

This is precisely what the emir is saying.

Trying to drown his voice with abuse is unfortunate and unhelpful. As I have argued in the past, Nigeria is not in such a bad place today simply because our government is failing but rather because society is failing on all counts. Part of that failure can be glimpsed from the current fad of adults having children for whom they have little or no duty to care. Yet, poverty is not, and cannot be, the reason parents abandon their children either to the streets or to so-called clerics. Many of us were also children of indigent parents who struggled and sacrificed to ensure we went to school and have a decent life.

There are numerous studies regarding what reinforces generational poverty which reveal that it is not always adverse circumstances but the choices some parents make. Perhaps the best illustrations are the contrasting reports

by Pulitzer prize winning journalists Leon Dash of the Washington Post and Ron Suskind of the Wall Street Journal, who followed the trajectory of two single women, one with eight children (practically left to fend for themselves) and the other with three (she toiled for) and how they all turned out. The lesson is that when you leave children to their own devices, without parental guidance or care, they are potential victims of the unscrupulous in our society as we saw with the Kano children and the unscrupulous Onitsha merchants.

While we need policies that will help reduce social exclusion for the most vulnerable citizens, our experience and that of other countries in South east Asia and Latin America has shown that leaving children with begging bowls endangers society. “The more money a child makes on the street from begging”, according to a report in ‘Socialcycles’ which

dealt with a similar challenge in Cambodia, “the less likely they are ever going to give it up. Which means that there is no chance that they will (be allowed to) go to school… so by the time the street kids hit middle teens, their options are more than a little limited.” The greater problem, the report concluded, is where the money is going: “Almost all of it is for the child’s parents/ carers/pimps/mafia, or whoever is keeping the child out of school and on the street.

And if the child is making a lot of money for the adults, then the next step is for the parents to create more children for the street.”

The basic challenge of Nigeria today is that we have elected to ignore problems eating at the fabric of our society. While focusing on budgets, oversight and bread and butter issues, our parliaments hardly debate or enact social legislation, even when most of our problems are of a social nature. We politicize population or cloth it in religious garb without any sensible policy. But how can we develop economically if we do not have a hold on how many mouths we’ll be feeding down the road?

While the primary responsibility of parenting remains private, only government can create the incentives and environment for limiting family size. Traditional and religious institutions can help with advocacy on the menace of street children as the emir of Kano is doing in spite of the cost to himself. But, as it is in most countries, parental irresponsibility ought to attract penalties to save society from the dire future consequences of children raised without proximity, care or love. These are children more likely to graduate as vicious free agents of evil and recruiting grounds for all manner of criminal cartels.

Whatever may be the misgivings over the manner Sanusi presented his case—and he might have done better by not using the abducted Kano children as a peg—the fact remains that the social menace that provoked his intervention is one we must address.

Speaking as a northerner, if we don’t, there will be hell to pay one day.

Kogi, Bayelsa and Violence If you are following the campaigns leading to Saturday elections in Kogi State, you may be forgiven for thinking it is a contest not about governance and representation, but rather about who is more ‘bedmatically’ proficient in The Other Room. The challenge, however, is that beyond the theatrics, there are apprehensions that the state could, on account of the elections, descend into violence. The same fear holds for Bayelsa State where elections also hold this Saturday.

There are clear indications that many of the political actors in the two violence-prone states (Kogi and Bayelsa) are preparing for war, given the acrimonious nature of their primaries. If members of a political party have no qualms about unleashing violence on their own supporters during an internal exercise, will they have any compunction dealing with their political opponents during secondary elections? Yet, if the elections are truncated by violence,

the same political actors will put the blame on INEC rather than look at themselves in the mirror.

Meanwhile, due to the verdicts that have, at different times, come from election tribunals and the courts, gubernatorial elections in seven states (Kogi, Bayelsa, Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti and osun) are now held offseason, which means that they are conducted at different times from the general election.

But with just eight local governments, 105 wards, 1,804 polling units and 923,182 registered voters (of which 889,308 have collected their PVCs), conducting elections in Bayelsa should ordinarily not be difficult.

The challenge of course is that there is a desperation by two men who are not on the ballot and if there is violence on Saturday, they should be held to account: Outgoing Governor Seriake Dickson and his predecessor and current Minister of State, Petroleum, Mr Timiprye Silva.

In Kogi State, there are 21 local governments, 239 wards, 2,548 polling units and 1,646,350 registered voters (of which 1,485,828 have collected their PVCs).

But aside the governorship contest, re-run elections will hold in Kogi West senatorial district (seven local governments) following the tribunal nullification of the election of Senator Dino Melaye. The public vow to stop Melaye by Governor Yahaya Bello, whose first term should not merit a second if performance were a yardstick, could ignite violence. This is aside the fact that in a state where elections are fought almost as wars, both Melaye and Bello are desperate. And that makes them very dangerous.

In all, we can locate the problem in the fact that the most rewarding enterprise in Nigeria today is getting into public office. Until we deal with that attraction that has little to do with the urge to serve, our elections will continue to be a do-or-die affair!

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