You Are Appointment Seekers, Osinbajo Tells Protesters of Marginalisation Paul Obi in Abuja Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday took a swipe at those complaining about the marginalisation of their ethnic groups, saying they were opportunists seeking political appointments.
The acting president who spoke at a seminar on Unity and National Security, organised by the Institute of Security Studies, Abuja said most of the agitators were fighting for personal interest rather than the good of their ethnic groups.
“It is also not true that those who make marginalisation charges are altruistic. Often what they are saying is: I am marginalised, appoint me," Osinbajo said. He spoke against the background of the prevailing groundswell of agitations for
the restructuring of the country, which many people and groups claimed was caused by the marginalisation of their ethnic groups. The agitations had led to hate speeches from separatists groups that had sprung up all over the country.
But the acting president cautioned against the trend, saying those complaining about marginalisation were insincere and were only using it as a bargaining chip to feather their self-serving interests. He berated the agitators for resorting to hate speeches,
saying that it was inimical to the unity and development of the country. While insisting that hate speech was not an exercise of freedom of speech, he warned: “Hate speech precedes tragedies Continued on page 8
High Profits Boost Foreign Refineries’ Scramble for Nigerian Crude… Page 8 Thursday 3 August, 2017 Vol 22. No 8141. Price: N250
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IMF: Nigeria’s Economy Remains Challenging Despite Signs of Relief Calls for coherent policies to enhance recovery Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja and Jonathan Eze in Lagos The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has declared that Nigeria's economic backdrop remains challenging, despite some signs of relief in the first half of 2017. It also noted that near-term
vulnerabilities and risks to economic recovery and macroeconomic and financial stability remained elevated. These were part of the preliminary findings following the visit of an IMF staff team to Nigeria. Continued on page 10
Energy-starved Nigeria Plans to Extend Gas Supply to Cote d’Ivoire As electricity to grid drops to 2,901MW Manufacturers spent N66.99bn on generators Jonathan Eze in Lagos and Chineme Okafor in Abuja Nigeria will extend gas supplies from its Escravos region in the Niger Delta all the way to Cote d’Ivoire through the West African
Gas Pipeline (WAGP), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has disclosed. NNPC disclosed the fresh plan to extend gas supplies to Continued on page 8
CBN Moves Closer to Single Exchange Rate... Page 46
CONDOLENCES... L-R: National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu; Governor of Osun State, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola; and former National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande; during a condolence visit to Aregbesola over the death of his mother, at the Government House, Osogbo... yesterday
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High Profits Boost Foreign Refineries’ Scramble for Nigerian Crude Ejiofor Alike with agency reports Shortage of certain grades of crude oil in the international market following production cuts by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC, coupled with booming refinery profits, have forced foreign refineries in the United States and Asia to scramble for cargoes of Nigerian crude. This latest development is in contrast to recent months when the loading of cargoes of Nigerian crude had lingered after the programmes were issued by the producing
companies. At the peak of the militant attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta in 2016, which led to the declaration of force majeure by the international oil companies (IOCs) on four Nigerian grades of crude oil, supply disruptions had created delivery uncertainties that forced crude buyers in India and the United States to shun Nigerian crude. For instance, India’s Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited had cancelled a vessel it chartered to carry two million barrels of Nigeria’s Qua Iboe following
the force majeure declared by ExxonMobil on the exports of this grade of crude oil. ExxonMobil had declared the force majeure on Qua Iboe after a drilling rig working for another oil company damaged its pipelines. The development had prompted the state-run Indian Oil Corporation Limited, which is a major buyer of Nigerian grades to cancel the tender for Qua Iboe. Also, Indonesia’s Pertamina, which is also a buyer of Nigerian crude, shunned the Nigerian grades and opted for Congolese Coco, Angolan Girasol and Saharan Blend
from Algeria. Pertamina had said it shifted its preferences as a result of the violence in the Niger Delta, which made the delivery of Nigerian cargoes uncertain. The Senior Vice-President of ISC Pertamina, Daniel Purba, had told Reuters that the firm was “monitoring” Nigeria, but “currently it’s still not affecting crude purchasing.” However, Reuters has reported that the booming refinery profits are helping Nigerian oil producers sell cargoes quickly, aided by the crisis in Venezuela, and the shortage of certain types of crude amid OPEC production
cuts. Competition among buyers has boosted offers for Nigeria's Forcados grade to as much as $1.70 above dated Brent, while offer levels climbed for nearly all other Nigerian grades. Crude buyers are said to be keen on buying Nigerian crude partly due to strong profits for sulphur-rich fuel oil, which is boosting demand for Nigerian oil. Nigerian crude has lower sulphur content and produces more fuels such as gasoline. Though light crudes suffered because most production additions this year, from US shale, Libya and Nigeria, were
light crude, the shortage of certain grades as a result of OPEC cuts led some buyers to shift to light oil. According to reports, the long-suffering Nigerian grades are finding keen buyers in the United States and Asia as refineries run full steam on strong margins. While the United States refinery margins were said to have rallied to a two-year high on Tuesday, Europe's refinery runs were also said to be on track for a six-year high for August before Europe's largest oil refinery went into an unplanned shutdown over the weekend.
2016, especially in the first half was highly volatile for general economic activities, especially for the manufacturing sector to make meaningful headways. “Deepened macroeconomic quagmires at this half of the year were the acute shortage of FX, high lending rate and exclusion of some vital manufacturing raw-materials from the official forex market. The situation was worsened by familiar challenges such as poor power supply, the high cost of electricity generation and declining household consumption due to the inflationary effect on real income. “However, very credible evidence-based advocacy orchestrated by MAN in the course of the year produced desired results as manufacturers were given preferential FX allocation by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) so as to sustain production”, it noted. In May 2016, it acknowledged the fact that government responded with a 60% preferential FX allocation to manufacturers for the importation of raw-materials and machinery that are not locally available. It said: “This directive was the turning point in the second half of 2016 as the preferential FX allocation was able to support the various investments already made locally for the development of raw-materials and resurged manufacturing production to a large extent. “This, in fact, was responsible for the production momentum gained in the economy in the second half of the year. However, notwithstanding the leeway gained in the second half of the year, it is very important for the Government to continue to address the multifarious economic challenges facing the economy especially the manufacturing sector by taking cognizance of the following measures”, it pointed out. Meanwhile, the capacity utilisation increased to 59.18 percent in the second half of 2016 from 49.64 per cent
recorded in the corresponding period of 2015; thereby indicating 9.54 percentage point increase over the period. It also increased by 14.88 percentage point when compared with the 44.3 percent of the preceding half. Capacity utilisation averaged 51.74 percent in 2016 as against 50.17 per cent of 2015; thereby indicating 1.57 percentage point increase over the period. The increase in capacity utilisation in the second half of 2016 is attributable to the 60 per cent preferential FX allocation to the manufacturing sector for the importation of rawmaterials and machinery that are not locally available. The guideline made FX more available to the sector or their imports needs. The report added that analysis of capacity utilisation based on sectoral groups shows that capacity utilisation increased in the entire sectoral groups in the period under review. Capacity utilisation in Food, Beverage and Tobacco group increased to 60.3 per cent in the second half 2016 from 53.7 per cent recorded in the corresponding half of 2015; thereby indicating 6.6 percentage point increase of the period. It also increased by 10.5 percentage point when compared with 49.8 per cent recorded in the preceding half.
ENERGY-STARVED NIGERIA PLANS TO EXTEND GAS SUPPLY TO COTE D’IVOIRE Cote d’Ivoire on the WAGP yesterday when it hosted a delegation of the country at its corporate headquarters in Abuja. The development comes against the background of revelations that Nigerian manufacturers spent N66.99 billion on generators and alternative energy sources to power their factories in the second half of last year due to the poor power supply from electricity companies. Shortage of gas to fire Nigeria’s thermal power station had been identified as one of the keys factors militating against the generation of power in the country. But a statement by its Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, said Nigeria’s gas export plan was disclosed to the delegation led by the Deputy Director, Production, Ministry of Petroleum of Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Patrick Marshal. NNPC’s disclosure of the trans-border gas supply to Ivory Coast also came at a time electricity generation to Nigeria’s national grid dropped to 2901 megawatts (MW), from 2910MW as of Monday. The power generation drop was linked to sundry issues, which include gas supply; line and frequency management constraints. Yet, the corporation said gas supply would be extended from Ghana to Cote d’Ivoire in line with the federal government’s commitment to its West African energy integration policy. The WAGP is a natural gas pipeline that supplies gas from Nigeria to Benin, Togo, and Ghana. It is reputed to be the first regional natural gas transmission system in subSaharan Africa and managed by WAGP Company Ltd (WAGPCo), which sells gas to its customers at competitive prices in comparison with other fuel alternatives. WAGPCo is equally owned by Chevron West African Gas Pipeline Ltd (36.9 per cent); NNPC (24.9 per cent); Shell Overseas Holdings Limited
(17.9 per cent); as well as Takoradi Power Company Limited (16.3 per cent); Societe Togolaise de Gaz (2 per cent); and Societe BenGaz S.A. (2 per cent). The NNPC statement quoted its Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, who was represented at the meeting with the Cote d’Ivoire delegation by its Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power, Mr. Saidu Mohammed, to have said that the extension of WAGP to Cote d’Ivoire would facilitate easy transmission of gas within the West African sub-region. He noted that the visit would afford the NNPC and Cote d’Ivoire the opportunity to open a new vista for further bilateral discussions which would lead to the growth and development of both countries' oil and gas sector. Baru explained that Nigeria and indeed the NNPC have been into the business of oil and gas exploration and production for over 50 years, stressing that the interface would enable the NNPC to share its vast experiences in the sector with Cote d’Ivoire. “Petroleum exploration and production date back to over 50 years in Nigeria and a lot of experiences in technology and personnel management have been acquired. We are ready to share our experiences with you so as to help you to avoid the mistakes we made in the past,” Baru said. He expressed the readiness of the NNPC to develop the capacity of the delegation, adding that it was aware of the long history of refining in Cote d’Ivoire. The statement equally said that Marshal, who led the Ivoiriens, intimated the corporation that they were at the NNPC to learn some of its best practices in personnel management; exploration; and production of oil and gas. It noted that a technical session on the mode of operations of the NNPC in the petroleum sector was also held. Meanwhile, data from
the country’s power sector have indicated that between Monday and Tuesday of this week, power generation had fluctuated between 2910MW and 2901MW on account of poor gas supplies; line; and frequency management constraints. The data, which came from the National Control Centre (NCC) Osogbo, explained that on July 31, 2017, just about 2,910MW was sent out to the grid, adding that the reported gas constraint was 983MW; line constraint was 424MW, and frequency management constraint due to distribution challenges was 2036.4MW. It noted that five plants: Omotosho I and II; Olorunsogo I; Alaoji NIPP; and Geregu NIPP were shut due to gas constraints while a unit in Egbin (ST5) could only generate 102MW due to circulating water pump problem; as well as Okpai which was limited to 305MW due to unavailability of one boiler and a fault on its generation turbine (GT11). On August 1, 2017, the NCC data noted that average generation figure was 2,901MW, adding that 543MW could not be generated because of gas constraints. The reported line constraint for the day was 302MW, while frequency management constraint was 1778.3MW. Omotosho I and II, Olorunsogo I, Alaoji NIPP and Geregu NIPP were still down from gas constraints. The report also noted that the power sector deferred incomes of N1, 259 billion and N1, 653 billion respectively within both days.
Manufacturers Spent N66.99 billion on Generators, other Alternative Energy In a related development, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) spent a whopping N66.99 billion on generators and other alternative energy sources in the second half of 2016 due to poor power supply, a review available to THISDAY
has shown. In the review, MAN noted that during the period under review, daily supply averaged 8 hours and outage 4 times, hence, its expenditure on alternative energy source in the period increased to N66.99 billion from N29.48 billion expended in the corresponding period of 2015; thus indicating N37.51 billion increases over the period. It also increased by N4.03 billion when compared with the N62.96 billion recorded in the preceding half. Expenditure on alternative energy sourcing in the sector increased to N129.95 billion in 2016 from N58.82 billion recorded in 2015; thereby indicating N71.13 billion increase over the period. The increasing expenditure on alternative energy source and arbitrary escalations in Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) tariff order were said to be responsible for the high cost of production in the sector with the share of energy standing at 36 per cent. “This trend also explains why the prices of made in Nigeria products are less competitive when compared with imported goods.” On the cost of funds to manufacturers, it noted that limited availability of borrowable funds and the attendant high-interest rate were major challenges to manufacturing in the period under review. The result of the survey conducted by MAN in the period shows that the average cost of borrowing from the Commercial Banks increased to 23.3 per cent from 21.9 per cent recorded in the corresponding half of 2015; thereby indicating 1.4 percentage point decline over the period. It also declined by 1.9 percentage point when compared with 21.4 per cent recorded in the preceding half. This high cost of borrowing was consistent across sectoral groups and industrial zones. Meanwhile, the association recognised the fact that the macroeconomic terrain in
YOU ARE APPOINTMENT SEEKERS, OSINBAJO TELLS PROTESTERS OF MARGINALISATION in human history.” Osinbajo said the evidence that the agitators were selfserving could be found in the endemic nature of corruption, arguing that its perpetrators were from every ethnic group in the country. “It is a false narrative that
one group is more corrupt than the other. Not so. If you look at a corruption charge sheet, there is unity; you find all ethnic and religious groups equally represented in corruption. There’s complete unity in the business of corruption,” he said.
The acting president pleaded for restraints, saying Nigeria would be better and stronger as one united nation. “It is a false narrative that we are better off when ethnic groups are on their own,” he said, contending that: "while different groups have strength,
we are better united." Osinbajo said it was untrue that nations that were formed the way Nigeria was formed were bound to fail, explaining that the term “mere geographic expression” was not original to Nigeria. The country had been in
the grip of agitations from separatists agitating and clamouring for restructuring. This has also been worsened by the National Assembly’s rejection of the constitution amendment bill seeking to devolve more powers to the states.
TOP GAINERS C & I LEASING LAFARGE GUINNESS SKYEBANK CAVERTON TOP LOSERS OKOMUOIL CONTINENTAL MOBILOIL
NGN NGN % 0.08 0.88 10.0 2.75 57.75 5.0 3.32 69.87 7.2 0.03 0.68 4.6 0.05 1.20 4.3 NGN NGN % 3.80 72.23 5.0 0.07 1.35 4.9 12.35 240.65 4.8 NAHCO 0.14 2.77 4.8 REDSTAR 0.22 4.38 4.7 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦ 1,026.42 Volume: 849.603 million shares Value: N3.777 billion Deals: 4,047 As at yesterday 2/8/17 See details on Page 42
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STARTERS
Boko Haram Kills Six in Adamawa
Daji Sani Y
The bloodletting in the North-east persisted on Tuesday night as gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram terror group killed six persons and injured several others in Mildu Village, Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The incident occurred hours after military service chiefs, in compliance with the marching orders of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, relocated to the Command and Control Center of the operations against Boko Haram, situated in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. The incident, which was confirmed by the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ahmed Sajoh, and the Police Public Relation Officer of the state command, Mr. Abubakar Othman, also left the village in shambles as many houses and shops were burnt down by the terrorists. According to Othman, the terrorists attacked the village about 10 pm on Tuesday, adding, however, that security personnel manning the area swiftly
intervened and repelled the attackers, some of who he said escaped with gun wounds and ran into the bush. Although he said the police were still compiling the casualty figures, he confirmed that some people were killed, stating that the military and other security forces had stabilised the area. Sajoh in his own account said six persons, including one member of the Boko Haram insurgency, lost their lives. He said the government had dispatched a rescue team from Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency to the area to assess the level of damage and provide relief to the victims of the attack. An eyewitness told THISDAY yesterday that the terrorists stormed the village in their hundreds on Tuesday night between 10 pm to 11 pm while the locals were still sleeping and killed six persons. He said that the military and hunters manning the areas immediately engaged the insurgents in a fierce battle and killed one of the terrorists. The eyewitness said but for the quick
shortfalls in agricultural and oil production, additional fiscal pressures, continued market segmentation in a foreign exchange market that remains dependent on central bank interventions, and banking system fragilities represent the main risks to the outlook," the IMF said. It pointed out that acting on an appropriate and coherent set of policies to enhance an economic recovery remains urgent. According to the IMF: "This includes implementing immediately, specific priorities that will help achieve the goals of the ERGP. In the near term, a stronger push for front-loaded fiscal consolidation through a sustainable increase in non-oil revenues would be needed to create space for infrastructure spending, social protection, and private sector credit. "This should be simultaneously accompanied by a monetary policy that avoids direct financing of the government and is kept sufficiently tight, a unified and market-based exchange rate, and rapid implementation of structural reforms. "Pursuing these policies would help reduce macroeconomic vulnerabilities and create an environment for a diversified private-sector led economy," it said. The statement said while in Nigeria, the IMF team held productive discussions with senior government and CBN officials. It also met with members of the National Assembly, representatives of the banking system, private sector, civil society and international development partners. According to the statement, the views expressed by the IMF staff do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF s Execut ve Board add ng that the IMF m ss on team w not resu t n a board d scuss on
EPA Vital for Nigeria's Economic DiversiďŹ cation The European Un on (EU) and ECOWAS Comm ss on have urged the managers of the N ger an economy to s gn the Econom c Partnersh p Agreement (EPA) to fast-track ts quest for econom c d vers ficat on and reg ona ntegrat on The Head of Trade and Econom c Sect on EU De egat on to N ger a and ECOWAS F ppo Amato gave the charge to the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry LCCI Stakeho ders forum on EU-ECOWAS Econom c Partnersh p Agreement n Lagos yesterday Accord ng to h m s gn ng the EPAwou d acce erate N ger a s ndustr a deve opment d scard EU tar ffs on N ger an exports and protect domest c ndustr es agr cu tura and consumer products “A the goods that N ger a can produce are exc uded from the st to protect your ndustr es and the goods to be mported are cap ta goods mach nery and nputs that are usefu for the ndustr a sector A West Afr can exports w gradua y reduce dut es on 75 per cent of EU mports over a ong trans t on per od of 20 years â€? he sa d He sa d manufacturers wou d a so
NEWS Ahead of Osinbajo, PANDEF’s Meeting,
NEWS
THURSDAY AUGUST
3, 2017 Ëž T H
I S D AY
News Editor Ahead of Os Davidson Iriekpe n inbajo, PAND EF’s Meetin Militants Wi g, thdraw Supp Amnesty offic ort for Clark e optimistic of favourable reso Email davidso
Militants Withdraw Support for Clark A ’ P Y O P N D F PANDEF N D M E N D MEND Page 46
Ndubuisi Francis and Sylvester in Abuja Idowu in Warri
for six wasted
n.iriekpen@thi
sdaylive.com,
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years.
“Instead of listening engagement with the to the socalled Niger Delta activists and the government, but we federal them. However, Ahead of today’s compromised equally dissociate ourselves we Ijaw Youth Council acting President meeting between (IYC), from the antics revalidate our mandate may negotiations with who have miraculous of the federal Yemi Osinbajo in the governmen near future the federal and leaders regained the if the need ly peace process government in the evidence to law of Pan Niger t would be taken arises. of by voices Delta when enforcement agents Forum (PANDEF), and calls for outright We are aware that care the meeting Jonathan was they lost destruction Clark and scheduled to like the police and the Economic his cohorts noticeable discord there was a and of the oil economy president, hold today and Financial instead of issuing our territories between Osinbajo in a meeting are billed to attend in the Niger Crimes Commission Delta yesterday (EFCC). as the Movement through fake internet-base threats to teach the and communities on Augustin the Presidential Villa and PANDEF leaders. for the Emancipati federal governmen d militant He groups, “As far as PAP t represent 3, 2017. They do not the expressed optimism Delta (MEND) on of the Niger used PANDEF ought to have a hard lesson. is concerned, that there us.� outcome would the and are no ghost “By this resolution, be positive. Meanwhile, Egbesu Assembly the Reformed commendforum and opportunity to beneficiaries, On the claim we have the Presidentia “ withdrawn from (REF) withdrew the federal governmen by MEND that he said, adding that the their mandate the for peace process Amnesty Programme (PAP) l “the amnesty Amnesty t exposing Office does not from and warn that the monument has still operating programme is generate the names Clark-led forum. the Chief Edwin looting the Niger Delta expressed optimism of our commonw al ethnic nationalitie on the corrupt of beneficiaries in the programme meeting between that today’s template MEND in a s were by some ealth that still pays According . spokesperson, statement by the the soil, sons and daughters of conquered and that we never (PANDEF) wouldOsinbajo and militants to him, ghost beneficiarie would after foster good it hoodwinke s are people the relationship said the Clark Jomo Gbomo, president,starting from the former match fire with fire with d between PANDEF the government who the and the into believing accepted the offer of Diete-Spiff groupand King Alfred relatives his wife, Patience, cousins, Hausa-Fulani military in the fraud,� federal governmen amnesty – Lakemfa dismissed under the regime of t in justification to lacked the moral other and cronies and so many have always spared their we a bid to develop late President Umaru Musa the Niger Delta the allegation. traitors; down even when their lives to the federal issue ultimatum boggling to the excesses were region. He challenged former PresidentYar’Adua and government, theft by Diezani mind glaring but in MEND to Osinbajo is reported while the General Officer Jonathan. come Allison- confrontati the next ground “This administra Commanding Madueke, who empowered of invited to have that forth if they have evidence on they would REF, Tony Alagbakere PANDEF leaders tion has not others in a while her people some people given learn amnesty bitter owei, for a beneficiarie meeting in lived in squalor to are ghost way.� the group has said and abject Abuja today we inherited anyone. Therefore, lost its relevance s in the scheme. poverty. According after from the previous the scheme of in to the group, the latter issued an To buttress “PANDEF is things. ultimatum his position, administration,� he noted. threatening to also pretending ‘Following the Dissociating statements pull out of further, Lakemfa said beneficiarie Responding emanating MEND from not to notice that the discussions PANDEF, to a question s of the from our Amnesty with the federal programme are not Gbomo asserted: Programme is still on sister organisatio paid directly why the annual budget “In view of but through the corrupt template operating on nonchalant ns arising from the government by November of the PAP has been our the Treasury the governmen 1 if Account increasing instead differences, MEND irreconcilable ghost attitude of the that still pays Single of dwindling t fails militants after (TSA) federal the government hereby recalls with the presupposed its representati 16-item demandto implement Central Bank window via the exit and the issue the governmen it hoodwinked lack ves of many beneficiarie submitted of Nigeria (CBN). of of unity of t into believing consultation with in PANDEF for the fraud. The purpose and to President Muhammadu in acrimony immediate effect.� A Buhari have beneficiaries, he added, the programme, Lakemfa s from last November between the leadership The group noted: has neglected programme that of PANDEF, individual accounts said in . the past, the the children of beneficiaries In a telephone led by elder statesmens“PANDEF, dead we, the REF, tied to left the Bank Verification the totally were freedom fighters Clark, and lost confidence have with THISDAY, chat King Diette-Spiff Number theywith only training after which and in the Communic , lack the moral prison, for those that neverthose in Clark-led PANDEF.� the Head, (BVN) mechanism. were not empowered justification in made “If they have ations, Presidentia to start something. giving an ultimatum any sacrifice is cursed.� REF added: any evidence Amnesty to the federal l some that “We Programm Also attacking beneficiaries are He stated that e, Mr. ghost, they PANDEF, the withdrew the mandate hereby Owei Lakemfa, making demandsgovernment and Reformed this had been changed, said the threat have two options--either given by PANDEF from President they never made “At age Egbesu Fraternity said: to bring increase noting that the slight them to the Amnesty to pull out of Goodluck Jonathan 90, Papa Clark in the budget further investigated Office to be when he was should step was aside for younger aimed at at the helm of empowering or they take people affairs there the beneficiaries such the exit is the likelihood if at all point of the programmeat of further .
Exit of Foreig n Partners Won’t Affect 9Mob ile, Reassures CustoOlusanya mers
Emma Okonji
led the company’s success The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) past nine years were still in the of 9mobile, Mr. with the company. has reassured Boye Olusanya, He said: “The its departure of any key stakeholder customers and partner has absolutely s that the exit its foreign partners no bearing of will not affect on the quality of service the quality of that you will continue to its get. The people ability to deliver network or its exist that within and services. excellent products the ones the business today are that offer that service, the Emerging same Markets and ones who have been resilient Telecommunication Services for dynamic to cope with the need (EMTS), which this as Etisalat Nigeria,formerly traded the oneschange, who will also be who will continue is now 9Mobile following the to offer you the unveiling of a brand identity new the same service.And, if they show last dynamism that The change of month. they have shown over was as a result name and logo the service the last few days, then of the exit f will onl i b
CAPACITY BUILD
Chief of Army Sta, Major General Tukur Buratai intervention of the military and the hunters, could have overrun more villages, adding that the military personnel were able to stop them from going further as the attackers could not withstand the fire power of the military. He said those injured were taken to hospitals in Michika town, a few kilometres from Madagali.
IMF: NIGERIA’S ECONOMY REMAINS CHALLENGING DESPITE SIGNS OF RELIEF According to a statement by the IMF Press Officer, Mr. Andrew Kanyegirire, the staff team led by Amine Mati visited Nigeria between July 20 and 31, 2017 to discuss recent economic and financial developments, update macroeconomic projections, and review reform implementation. He stated that at the end of the visit, Mati, who is the Senior Resident Representative and Mission Chief for Nigeria at the IMF, issued the statement. The team, according to the statement, noted that economic activity contracted in the first quarter of the year by 0.6 per cent, mainly as maintenance stoppages reduced oil production. It said: "However, following four quarters of negative growth, the non-oil economy grew by 0.6 per cent (year-on-year), on the back of a rebound in manufacturing and continued strong performance in agriculture. Various indicators suggest an uptick in activity in the second quarter of the year. "Helped by favourable base effects, headline inflation decreased to 16.1 per cent in June 2017 but remains high despite tight liquidity conditions. “Preliminary data for the first half of the year indicate significant revenue shortfalls, with the interest-payments to revenue ratio remaining high (40 percent at end-June) and projected to increase further under current policies. High domestic bond yields and tight liquidity continue to crowd out private sector credit. "Given Nigeria’s low growth environment and the banking system’s exposure to the oil and gas sector, non-performing loans increased from 6 percent in 2015 to 15 percent in March 2017 (8 per cent after excluding the four undercapitalised banks)." The IMF team noted that faced with these challenges, the federal government started implementing a number of important measures, adding that the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) was driving the diversification strategy, and security in the Niger Delta improved through strengthened engagement. It said: "The new Investor and Exporter FX window has provided impetus to portfolio inflows, helped increase reserves above $30 billion, and contributed to reducing the parallel market premium. Important steps have also been taken in implementing the power sector recovery plan, introducing a voluntary income and asset declaration program and moving forward the 60-day national action plan to improve the business environment. "Progress is also ongoing within the oil and energy sector through the implementation of a new funding mechanism for cash calls," it stated. It, however, pointed out that near-term vulnerabilities and risks to economic recovery and macroeconomic and financial stability remain elevated, adding that at 0.8 per cent, growth in 2017 would not be sufficient to make a dent in reducing unemployment and poverty. "Concerns about delays in policy implementation, a reversal of favourable external market conditions, possible
Two-Minute BrieďŹ ng
benefit from ower nput pr ces under the agreement add ng that EPA wou d enhance cooperat on on ssues such as standards trad ng agr cu ture nvestment and customs cooperat on A so speak ng at the event the ECOWAS Comm ss oner Trade Customs and Free Movement Laoua Cha bou sa d the overa ob ect ve of the stakeho ders forum was to sens t se key stakeho ders on the content of the EPA n order to better understand and d ssem nate factua nformat on He sa d the advantages offered by the EPA tend to make the West Afr ca reg on the product on centre for export to Europe po nt ng out that the ntegrat on of ECOWAS and N ger a n the g oba va ue cha ns nvo ves the ab ty for N ger a to attract nvestments from a wa ks of fe e ther to transform oca raw mater a s or to transform sem -fin shed products say ng that the EPA s one of the nstruments to ach eve th s “The ECOWAS comm ss on rema ns comm tted to bu d ng West Afr ca s capac ty on the EPA We be eve that the d fferent stakeho ders gathered here have a cr t ca ro e to p ay n th s process � he sa d The pres dent LCCI Ch ef N ke Akande sa d the chamber had fo owed the debate on the EPA ma nta n ng that as members of the Organ sed Pr vate Sector (OPS) t deemed t fit to prov de a p atform where a stakeho ders cou d meet and d scuss the ssues “There are arguments for and aga nst N ger a s endorsement of the EPA but we be eve we can find a m dd e ground In nternat ona trade compet t veness s paramount for any country to get a fa r dea We wou d therefore cont nue to stress the mperat ve of an enab ng env ronment to deepen the compet t veness of firms n N ger a � she sa d Meanwh e the Nat ona Pres dent NACCIMA Ch ef A aba Lawson sa d as a country n the process of d vers fy ng ts economy protect on sm m ght hamper N ger a s quest to ach eve a susta nab e economy stress ng that at the same t me w thout adequate room to grow certa n sectors of the economy m ght be scutt ed by g oba compet t on before they even got a chance to deve op She sa d the European Un on Partnersh p Agreement (EPA) offers a means of ach ev ng N ger a s goa of d vers ficat on by sh ft ng Afr ca Car bbean and Pac fic (ACP) groups of states wh ch N ger a cou d benefit from but however stated that the cha enges fac ng the rea sector such as poor nfrastructure h gh- nterest rates and a deva ued currency make t d fficu t for the rea sector to take fu advantage of the EPA “The N ger an economy stands a chance of tru y benefit ng from the agreement f the r ght measures are put n p ace first as output from many sectors w be ab e to compete w th mports from the EU Consequent y we advocate that the EPA be put on ho d unt the nfrastructure defic t cha enge s proper y addressed " she sa d
EDITORIAL Governors and State Police
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ÍąËœ 2017
EDITORIAL
15
GOVERNO
RS AND S TATE POLI is in dire CE
The police force
T
he Nigeria need of reorgan Governors isation Forum rose from a recent meeting (NGF) to constitut in Abuja e of its membera six-man committee options for s to explore funding manner of policing the characters with a mandate country, now go about men who carry to also examine the prospect their spouses bags and umbrella with police. for them and police. The s for introducing state coming at a It is notewor decision the NGF wouldthy that this is not resentatives, time the Speaker of the by the NGF was the ďŹ rst Hon. Yakubu House toy with the After one of about the increasin Dogara, raised of Repidea of state time police. g deployment the Ekiti State its meetings four years over civil and governor, Dr. of soldiers toalarm ago, the then Minister of ally reserved security duties that were take Mines and Kayode Fayemi, now for constitutionthe same case Steel Develop the The United the Nigeria Police Force. Nations estimati units (which on its behalf. “Each ment, made age police on force of the are the states) over their own for every one should have three is that the avershould have federating security apparatu control “That is not Nigeria falls thousand citizens. police persons s,â€? This police whichto say that we still won’tsaid Fayemi. that the total far short of this requiremmeans that responds to have a federal terms of wider than 400,000.strength of our police ent given federal issues knowledge but in locality, the members of But the real challeng force is still less of what the force serve e is that that locality best person to use is obtains in my or less as guardsm just a few peoplemany somebody who has a en. When understanding from much with inadequ more you juxtapos ate remuner and will be better, much richer e this immediate ations faster needs of that in response and low morale THE CURREN to the environment.â€? WHERE OUR T SITUATION which pervade the police force owever, whateve HAVE BECOMPOLICEMEN and r may other agencies the idea of GAME FOR E AN EASY state police, be the merit in that A MORE are saddled statement released even from the SOPHISTICATED TH by the EDITOR I S D AY keeping the with clear that it DEPUTY EDITORS is not a silver NGF, it is very the same subversio nation OF CRIME CALLS WORLD safe and secure, bullet given MANAGING
˜ n that has rendered police ineffectu that DEPUTY MANAGINGDIRECTOR ENIOLA RADICAL SOLUTI FOR A easy to understa it is BELLO the federal DIRECTOR CHAIRMAN ON states. But we al could easily be replicate KAYODE KOMOLAFE EDITORIAL why the nation nd BOARD EDITOR NATION’S d by the our policeme agree that the current security bind. CAPITAL
is currently n have become situation in a more sophistic Statutorily, an easy game where ated world only the for a solution. governors, of crime calls local councilpresident, vice-president, for a radical principal ofďŹ cers As we reiterate chairmen, legislative d in a recent in the states T H I S D AY be a need for magistrates N E W S PA editorial and EDITOR-IN-C some clarity PE beneďŹ t of historica GROUP EXECUTIVE HIEF/CHAIRMAN R S L I M I T E D protection. and judges are entitledat federal level, of thought , there may DIRECTORS But to police and the
l hindsight. ENIOLA BELLO, of the post privilege has for some curious
KAYODE The war era in reasons, this GROUP FINANCE Ëœ KOMOLAFE, a national Nigeria is thegreatest legacy senior ofďŹ cersover the years been DIRECTOR DIVISIONAL military and DIRECTORS these federal and formatio in charge of police abused by police. The emergence of Ëœ DEPUTY DIVISIONAL Ëœ side colleagu institutions live and personnel of undeser ving ns, who assign most commands DIRECTOR operate along of their men SNR. ASSOCIATE ASSOCIATE barracks and es from across the nation
ever fewer politicians and business DIRECTOR to DIRECTORS CONTROLLE numbers of in mixed men, leaving RS ˜ that dangero operational formatio work. The personnel ˜ level of degener ns. The lines usly divided for real GENERAL national cohesion MANAGER the polity and ˜ ation is such police GROUP HEAD
are thus threaten
that all DIRECTOR, command PRINTING takes preceden blurred as the central ed PRODUCTION nudging. Therefor TO SEND EMAIL: ce over regional ďŹ rst name.surnam e, we hope lished by the e@thisdayliv the committ or ethnic e.com ee estabbefore cominggovernors will explore all the issues up with its recommendation Letters in response s. to speciďŹ c readers
H
Letters to the Editor
i
he poor quality of public education consistently in Nigeria cited by Nigerians impedimen across board is t to For this, there both economic and political as a major is developmen that a governmenno performance in any t. long term devel t is working and capablsector that shows f
POLITICS Orbih: Obaseki Not Qualified to be
may publications TO opinions on send such letters along in THISDAY OUR READERS topical local, should 1000 words). national and with their contact details be brief (150-200 They should internatio words) and to opinion@ be sent to opinion@nal issues provided straight to thisdayliv the point. Intereste thisdaylive.com they are well-writt e.com. We also welcome en and should along with the comments d also not be longer and email address and phone numbers than (950of the writer.
EXAMINING
T
In
THE LAGOS
EDUCATION
education system that encourages entrepreneu critical thinking, rial skill problem solving, The administrat and innovation among ion clearly the stude t S d
La
SECTOR
Amb d
PO
LITICS Governor Orbih: Obase ki Not Quali T22S22222 2C222222222222222 fied to be Go vernor G22222O2222222222222222222 222222222222222222222222’22222 T 2 2222I22 2222222222222222222 2222222222222 22222222222222 222S22222 2C2222222222222 222 222222222222222222222222222 222222222222222222222G22222 O2222222Page 18 T H I S D AY
PERSON
ALITY I NTERV
Ëž THURSDAY,
AUGUST 3,
2017
Group Politic s Editor Tobi Soniyi Email tobi.so niyi@thisday live.com 0803314613 9 SMS ONLY
IEW
Chairman of the Godwin Obas Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, Chief eki there is yet a pre-elnot to celebrate, despite the Supreme Cour Dan Orbih has asked the ection suit challe state governor, t’s judgment upho who presents nging his qualif the excerpts: lding his electio ication for the n, job. He spoke he Supreme to Iyobosa Uwu saying Court Godwin Obaseki had declared giaren governor, what as duly elected is
your party’s next move? It may interest you to know that the judgemen by the Supreme t just given Court is a judgemen in respect of t given have against one out of the two cases Godwin Obaseki. we process itself--duri ng the election,One was the as conducted the election by Independe Commission nt National Electoral (INEC). The his qualificati other one was position is thaton to contest the election.about Our to contest that ab initio, he was not qualified are there. Thatelection, and all the document case is still High Court, on at the Federals it not want to is a pre-election matter. go into the details I would matter is already of that since the before the court; being heard. it’s already vacation. I It was adjourned till after would not go into details, the can tell you that we have against that is one leg of the but I issues Obaseki. our stakehold ers that we I have informed a logical conclusion would . We need to pursue it to and see exactly test our not qualified what the position is. If laws he was being in that to contest, he has no business office.
A governmen has not been t that able to provide the basic needs of the has no busin people governmen ess in t
in the past 16 years..... That cannot be came together correct. The reason why Was your as an assemblag they party disappoin political parties, outcome of e of different ted about the all in an effort the power from Well, naturally, judgement? to wrestle at that time, the ruling PDP governme celebrating the you do not expect us nt Nigerians a was that they wanted like I said, thatoutcome of that judgementto be to give different form is not the end ; but and they took of governme Ours is a political of the struggle. their time before nt, party and decision to ing election, taking that contest elections. we also have outside contestand they were They contested sustaining democrac our role to play in election. I am declared as the winner y, and that you we would I can assure of that continue to be complaini shocked if anybody would a change in ng about their now the governme do until we effect because the nt of Edo State. PDP was in non-performance America, Obama government. The judgemen In came into time of great your supportert appears to have demoralis power ed headlong; he recession, he took the at the Not at all; In s in Edo State? issues fact met at the did not lament the situation because, come our membership is time swelling he came into he to think of it, He confronte Orbih...people states, the people government. just are tired of in Edo State like in other him, and by d the issues that were APC governmen see the failure have come before t second time, the time he was running promises, and in APC, in their electionee to have to wait for it the appropriat they have ring a change changes were was a different ball game; for to the fact e time to effect visible that among been able to come waiting in government, the the last Americans compensato everybody. and Nigerians the political PDP stands anxiously out parties, can are put in NEC meeting, we took ted but as a party not just as a national show these for that moment when place reconcilia decision to term. A situation where him with a second they disciplinar people the party, that has been people took concrete evidence way out. y committee tion committee and time to study the situation able to their . These two are very vital in the country to achieve when of what it had beenshow Is true that some committees before coming to power, towards realising able in the it was the members start blaming you just mentioned they cannot people now the goals their failure have a basis ruling party. The defect National Assembly of your party the in office. on those who now was -- when party is more . That shows clearly are preparing to the APC? were PDP was in to compare what it I than ever determine that to ensure The reason for government, am not aware; it is now. In that we and what their coming d to a difference fact, now people I am give Nigerians do what we need we now have are saying that good number of APC only aware that quite ; now that they in, was to make to do to the a needed governme a members are blaming a change in Assembly, who have failed platform to driving it is nt where the in the Nation their fail the gov they effect on t vehi l left PDP l h
FEATURES End of the Road for Lagos Gangsters
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FEATURES
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3,
End of the Ro ad
N
2017 Ëž T H
I S D AY
Acting Featur es Editor Charle Email charle s Ajunwa s.ajunwa@this daylive.com
for Lagos Ga ngsters
Femi Ogbo hideouts at nnikan writes on the arrest of mem Igando, Iba and LASU emesis has areas of Lago bers of a notorious gang finally with a 27-year-ol caught up s who have d dreaded cultist
their various
who has been terrorising residents of Igando, and LASU times. The environs in Iba suspect, Nurudee recent (aka Onyabo), a tailor cum n Kazeem by professio Okada rider an intelligenn, was picked up recently ce network armed policeme (decoy) team by n attached of Response to the Rapid Squad Police Comman (RRS) of the Lagos d at a hideout State in Ojo Local in Igando, Government of Lagos. Area, an outskirt Nuru, as ous memberhe is fondly referred, been on the of the Eiye Confrater a notoriwanted list nity, Police Comman of the Lagos had d, for allegedly State a police Sergeant shooting attached to the right leg, the operatives about a month ago RRS in the arrest ofof the squad wanted when the gang who members of an armed to effect attacked and robbery rider attached robbed a dispatch who was on to Samsung Nigeria to the person an errand to deliver Limited a With the who ordered for it, at handset Igando. gathered, aid of tracking devices, the it was the notorious mobile phone number of suspect culminating in his arrest. was tracked, thus, about a month It would be recalled ago, the Ehis (a.k.a California), quartet of Wilfred Elohor and Kamilu Olanrewa ju, decoy teamEmeka, were arrested connection at their hideouts in by the RRS with the attack Igando in Nigeria Limited on the Samsung dispatch subsequent transfer to the rider, before their to the Federal operatives attached Special Anti-Robb (FSARS) of ery Squad the Lagos State Police Comman L-R: Yusuf Bello, Nurudeen d, on the Commissioner Kazeem and orders of Sunday Hassan, of Police, Mr. the Following “At that point Fatai suspects arrested there, I was Okada rider, the manhunt for Owoseni. task of by the RRS a hit man. team assigned the of Sunday it was learnt, that the Nuru, the made gun. I was given Confraternity, confessions Hassan (a But before to launch an another person co-Okada I was given a locally Two leaders rider) and they threatened to attack the gun, who ACCOMO kill me and down for of the rival group wereon them. during RAN in theis a member of the I missed the targets. my a hot argument marked the detective Igando area was asked The following wife if in three elimination. We went motorcycles. to aided to as a squad An inside police source," confessed Nuru. day, I had leading to s in their investiga members go to a hideout belonging I led the squad who is a kingpin informati tion, the hinted that of a rival and I According arrest of the suspect. thus, "Cali", of drinking beer on that they were group, Black to the 27-year-o at a joint, Nuru, as the hit man the gang, mentione Axe there, confessed and ld suspect, d whom he to be working I opened firehot drinks. On getting to carry out several he was using popularly for Wilfred on them whom referred to Ehis, I believed them. It hit one of of the four attacks heattacks. He said out yahoo boy. as 'Cali', a another sustained died instantly three were had engaged notorious "Before I Nuru, bullet wounds. while unsucces successful, while a jiffy, they the fourth sful. years ago, was engaged by was disembarkedall took to their heels Within "Cali" two "Cali is a big from the motorcyc while I online was workingCali already had a yahoo boy went to guy certify if truly who would and place that le and I Hassan. He for him. His name him and he go the bullet sets from online orders for powerful is Sunday is also an Okada really had died. is a big yahoo mobile and I brought operator. Cali I didn't waste hit Konga, Jumia dealers, like Samsung, of SIM cards boy. He has a large time for and Jiji, several cuts out a machete and mobile sets others. He would on inflicted some of the and he would place number him order and in would not order to survive theorder to ensure he Cali would introduce to pay on delivery. Jiji, Samsungonline mobile sets dealers, singular attack with integrity, himself as attack. And like Nuru, as he is a Barrister, others. Cali , Konga, Jumia and made me bold that hardened. fondly who was ready a host of referre and I became People in had placed would call us wheneve to were the do with d, legitimate neighbou fearful an online a notorious them. r he of these dispatch business order another attackwhenever they sight rhood where to He would direct dispatch riders whoand get one member of the meet him to come and riders killed another with the rival cult me. At would have at has Eiye group I person, thus, placed his Igando, while he Ours is to deliver the handsets. agreed Confraternity the number where the boys ambush, beat making dispossess But others of persons I had killed two Once they delivery man wouldon alert and to a on the wante , had been the be coming. at gunpoint dispatch rider of thepulp and or machetewhom I inflicted either so far. him at gun sight him, they would d list of cuts are there. point, beat bullets initiated into," said Nuru. On howhandsets the Lagos waylay "Initially, him him of the the Eiye he got State Police an okada mobile sets. and dispossess gave out oneI owned two motorcyc number of operator. I Confraternity, "I am Comm Sim cards and Cali has a large and, for allege children. About am a tion and he to a friend for Okada les. I each when two years father of two shooti was deliverin our "tarmac" it was used he would destroy opera- crime dly weekly b ago I w ng a poli in I to g t i i d
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Ă’Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? BUK Inaugur Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ— al Lecture Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ ĚšËœ Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ù× Ă—Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹ Ă™Ă?Ë› Ă—Ă‹Ăœ Ă‹ĂœĂŒĂ‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŒ Ă‹ĘľĂ‹Ëœ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŽ Ă– Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ĂŁĂ?ĂœĂ™ Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ÓÞã Ă‹ Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă‹ ËŤ Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă?ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ÍŻÍśËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ Ă˜Ă™ Ě™ ̚˛ Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœË›ËŹ Ă“Ă? ÞÓÞÖĂ?ĂŽË? Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜
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ĂŁĂ?Ă‹Ăœ ĂŒĂŁ Ă?Ă–Ă– Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x; ÞÓà Ă? ĘŠĂ?Ă? Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă? ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă¤Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă™ Ăœ Ě™ Ěš Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă’Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă˜ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ăž Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă?ÞËÑĂ?Ë› Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ’ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? L-R: Group Head, ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù× ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ ĂŒĂ™ĂŽĂ—Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ–Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă™Ă? Acting Managing Construction and Cement, ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ËŞĂ? ĂŒĂ“Ă‘Ă‘ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă‹ĘľĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă™ ĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ăž Corporate Bank, Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Lagos and West, Director/CEO, HaďŹ z Ă˜ åÓÞÒ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ăœ Keystone Bank ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Simpson Eimiakhen Bakare; Divisional Ltd, Abubakar Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ë› Head, Ondo Holds a, during the Jose; Chief Complianc launch of the Bankwide Operations, Uchenna ICT Training e OďŹƒcer, Joyce Ă˜Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă?ÒÙÙÖ Ă‘ bank’s *533# for Girls Code in Lagos‌reOkwodu and acting Directorat Obi; Ă•Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă˜ĂŽĂ™ ÞËÞĂ?Ëœ Ă’Ă‹ Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă? ĂŽĂœĂ‹ĂĄĂ˜ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Í°Íł Ă?Ă?Ă? cently> e Head, Ă™Ă˜ Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ùà Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĚ‹ĂĄĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă?ÒÙÙÖĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ăž ÞÒĂ?Ă— ĂĄĂ“Ăž Ă—Ă—Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™ Ă• Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă?Ăœ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÖÙÑã Ě™ Ěš Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ ĂŒĂ“ĂŽ Ă’Ă? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă’ ÎÓÑÓÞËÖ ÞÙÙÖĂ?Ë› Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœËœ ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Stories by Emma Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? Ë› Ă?ʾã Ă˜ĂŁĂ‹Ă˜ĂĄĂ&#x;Ě‹ Ă•Ă? ĘŠĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă?Ă? Okonji Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ăœ ĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă–Ă‹ ĂœĂ?ÎÙÖĂ&#x; Ă?Ù××Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ In order ĂœĂ‹ Ă™Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ™ĂœĂ? ECONO MY Ă?Ă‹ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă— to address concern within the Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ mirage of challenges the the Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă”Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜ regulator ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÞËÞĂ? that are of day and that the number and the industry stakeholde industry stakehold threatening ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘Ăœ Ę¨ĂœĂ—Ëœ ËÚÓÞËÖ Ă“Ă— active ISPs that the Ă“Ă˜ “NCC rs. feel ers, NCC Internet Service survivability of their are ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă‘Ă“ĂœĂ– Ă‹Ă—Ă—Ă? Ă˜ĂŁĂ‹Ă˜ĂĄĂ&#x;Ě‹ Ă•Ă?Ăœ Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽË› licences is also renewing tremendouhas witnessed a to moved to advise the ISPs in the country,Providers (ISPs) situation, s decline declining, a develop a Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂŒĂ‹Ăœ Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽËœ Ă?Ă‹ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‘Ă“ĂœĂ?ÎÙÖĂ&#x; Ă?×ÚÒËĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ in the model new business Communicationsthe Nigerian to affect it said, would continue number of applicatio that will help ËŤ ×ÚËĂ?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ĂœĂ“Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÒËÞ åÙ×Ă?Ă˜ ÙʰĂ?Ă˜ Ă–Ă? Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ?Ù×Ă? ns for broadband penetration the ISP licence. Commissi (NCC), has The renewal their business and sustain Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ“ Ă˜ĂŽĂ™ ÞËÞĂ? åÓÞÒ Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă?Þã˛ challenged ISPs on and growth in rate of the remain the country, competitive develop new Ă’Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă¤Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ Ă™ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? ÎÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŽĂ‘Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? if dropped licence category also in business model to not addressed. Akiode said. the market,â€? drastically. In line with current in ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ Ă?Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË› Ă‘ åÙ×Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÚÖËĂ?Ă? ÞÒ Ëœ Ă“Ăž ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? The Director, the past her, According five years, market trends that would to Ă?Ă— Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ as a responsive Ă’Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? help them remain and Authorisation Licensing licensed the Commission has regulator, the sustainabil a total in business. at NCC, Ă‘Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă? ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂšĂ? Ms. Funlola Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ–Ă?ĂŽĂ‘Ă? ISPs nationwide number of 103 telecommu ity of ISPs in the Ă‹Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— NCC said , but only about presentation Akiode, in her 10 per nication business ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ăœ Ă&#x;ÞÓÖÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? at the cent have applied Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă™ Nigeria velop a new the need to de- that in Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă— Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? between 1996forum, said renewal business model, for interest remained the primary Ă™ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ of the licence. became necessary, and ĂŁËœ Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăœ of 2001, the NCC. Ă? ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ NCC licensed Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ×ËÞÒĂ?×ËÞÓĂ?Ă? following the “That is one challenges confrontin over 170 ISPs Apart from of the reasons to provide internet Airtel Bags ËœËŹ Ă?Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ guiding us why we decided g ISPs, enumerated Service Excelle in services to to hold a making appropriate regulatory
Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă&#x; by the ISPs as Nigerians, but expressed stakeholders’ nce interventions stakeholders’ at forum to her ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ ĂŒĂ‹Ă‘Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“ Award for forum organiseda worries that from by NCC on 2002 to date, out why about 90 per find investment in the enormous the number ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ Ă™ Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁËœ Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Monday the sector, the of licensed cent stakehold NCC is worried in Lagos. has droppedISPs issued licences ISPs are out ers’ forum ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ă—Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ business, of drastically and that would number of the have not and why some ISPs also offer NCC the opportunit Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă— Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ licensed ISPs the number of renewal to ensure rolled out services the country y of licences Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÚÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂŁËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă— ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ě™ ̚˛ is decreasing in also dropped heavily, accordance in Nigerians that Internet for all Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? with by ation, ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ? is achievable, Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ she said, raised a situ- of their licences. the condition said. Akiode ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? serious Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă? “After listening to ISPs and ÞÒËÞ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŽĂ“ĘĽĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ× Continued Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“ Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă?Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă“Ă?Ë› on page 24 Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜ Ù××Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ ÞÒ Ă’ Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă“
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HEALTH & LIF ESTYLE M
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Acting Featur es Editor Charle Email: charle s Ajunwa s.ajunwa@this daylive.com
anaging Sic kle Cell Disea se
With improved quality of live normal lives and achielife and good mana gement, ve their aspir unde and his ations. Mart persons with the sickle wife Kemi the AS genotype. both have ins IďŹ jeh write They knew cell disease before they this got can s optimistic they married, but were would
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not give birth to children with assumed worst SS genotype. They rather have still, they would AS children, Their love along with AA was strong. result few Not even a children. days genotype them. In their to their wedding could break it will this time minds, since love conquers conquer the all, they start SS genotype having when Truly, it looked babies. that way when child arrived. their first He had all ness. He is AS, meaning, shades of healthihe has the like their sickle with the disease, cell trait. He wasn’tparents, living only with the least the the traits. It was the alternativeparents prayed for. AA or on AS. But their love couldn’t genotype in conquer the SS it took the their second child. He parents over is SS, and reality. They a year to notice noticing he had celebrated his delivery this after brother. But was just as healthy as his elder as months began to change. went by, everything “In the very first few months, notice he was we didn’t different from saw was a his brother. healthy baby. All we must either have the AA So we concluded he Either way, or an AS genotype. we were planning babies just to stop having after “But as months two kids,� says Tunde. he was different. went by, we started to notice His hands always warmer and feet were than usual, swollen, he his feet and loss of was experiencing lackunusually of sleep he would appetite, and most significan often cry for no just reason.� tly, It was at this point the Tunde’s him to the decided to hospital where take with the sickle he cell disease, was diagnosed affects about 150,000 newborns a condition that “I and my wife immediat in Nigeria yearly. we feared most has come ely realised what know what else to do than upon us. We didn’t possible questions to ask on managem the doctor all or even cure. ent, through the We didn’t want our treatment condition go pain we know personsson to go through. We with the life, as persons also feared for his with the said to die young,� he condition are often added. But the doctor with the highest level of sickle the days when assured them that gone were in the world. cell disorder children especially Despite the in every four because of die from the disease, high incidence of “We left the proper managem little is of the disease, genotype which their children having ent. those still known by Nigerians the SS the knowing that hospital fully armed is the sickle diseases in rural and sub- urban , especially his or such a person will live cell disorder; a low disease grow into adulthood son will live with proper managemthat day, cause, manageme her entire with throughou awareness ent, our nt, prevention areas, on the because of into old age. a normal life and as and managem t the country. He explained life. and a possible well grow stem cell and bone ent culture marrow treatment that a child “I was told Experts are genotype has in She said gone born of of the opinion . the sickle stem cell or he could be cured were the days cell trait and the AS a death sentence. that the high well give birth through a death rate of the disease when SCD can as is a tall orderbone marrow transplant if there is proper “With proper is highly was someone who to someone with because of the trait or the disease can be managed informatio management preventable tion and significant the financial , which specificall n, He believed has the sickle cell disorder. the victim culture. They y advocate implicalive a normal successfully, while risk involved, that someone alternative for increased by stakehold poses no threat She said contrary , we with AS genotype life.� but awareness ers, Ministry an approach should properly manageon the institution someone who until he or she to of Health, s, non-gover that will make mates with that the disease was beliefs in some areas him, and health worse also has the as his brother,� nmental him caused by public ogbanje, as healthy AS genotype still, someone spirited individua organisations he said. The Tunde’s or through that it was of genetic witchcraft or According to with According ls. decided to origin, which counselling to him, there SS genotype. since the transplant take the second Africa, Lagos, the Research Director, may be prevented are other situations the genotype Fair Needs where the sickle cell Dr. Reuben for the condition, , which is a definitiveoption proper managem , as trait is combined other hemoglob Ogala, there on whether of both parents play cure is ent plans, exist the expensive their child “Our son living with such that for will have the the role hemoglobin inopathies; abnormali with or not. it ties of living very is nine years old now them. in the blood, disease into old age. can lead normal lives persons poses a She called fine. We make and he is which in itself threat. takes drugs sure he eats cell disease “Gone are the days and grow He said the with newbornon the government when sickle is a death to come up major issues involve in when necessary, and healthily, person screening sentence. sickle be detected policy should work unnecessary emanating cell disorder A does not early in children. where SCD can that will sap from the closely with sickle cell their tolerance strenuous doctor, eat affect children United Kingdom “This is done more, level was his teachers his energy. We also activities stress that good food and reduce his or her that in and the United low compared as and it has greatly of adults, make sure unnecessary could predispos making the him in ch understand this and States helped i to of i “In th U the di e th h l ki
INTERNATIONAL Trump Approves New ‘Flawed’ Russia Sanctions P22222222D22222T222 2222222222 22222222 222222222222 22222222 22222222222R22222222222222222222 2 2222222222222016 222222222 T222222222222222222222222222222 22222W2222H2222222Page 44
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Shiites Chan t Anti-IS Sloga ns, Protest Lates Deadly Afgh an Attack t
Thousands of chanted slogans Shiite protesters minority community. State group against the Islamic “Death Wednesday as they “Down to Daesh (IS)!� and revenge� if it did not. carried the coffins with fundament of victims of Jilani Farhad, mosque attack a spokesman alism�, that killed 33 peoplea the demonstrators for in the western chanted, as the governor of Herat province, the coffins were Afghan city of said the death brought one Herat. Up to 5,000 toll from the attack, by in which angry mourners, one and placed in a including relatives two suicide refrigerated bombers throwing grenades of the dead, lorry near the Jawadya congregated mosque. stormed The mourners, near who were set packed mosque, had risen the Tuesday’s suicide the site of to march to 33. Another 66 were to the bomb attack as IS claimed wounded. their dead, also cemetery to bury responsiblity It came demanded that the latest atrocity for the deadly a day after IS claimed a targeting the government bring the perpetrators assault on the to justice and Iraqi pledged to “take in Kabul as it extends embassy its footprint in the war-torn country.
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President Donald into a law a bill Trump has signed Sanctions which Act, Mr Trump sanctions on Russia imposes new a statement attached dollars. for their alleged calling meddling in “deeply flawed�. the sanctions reason That is a big part of the the 2016 election. I was elected,� The bill, which He accused was signed in “As president, he continued. Congress, which private at the last week overwhelm White better deals with I can make far imposes sanctions House, also the foreign countries measure and ingly passed than Congress,� on Iran and North Korea. sent it to the White House, that they “could he said, adding The legislation not even negotiate its constitution of overstepping a healthcare al authority. president from “handcuffs� the bill after seven “Yet despite easing penalties years of talking�. its problems, on Russia without I congressional am signing this bill for Russia had approval. already retaliated the sake by of national unity,� ordering 755 Mr Trump’s Russia denies people expelled statement interfering in US election, the represents says, adding that “it from the country’s US embassy and denied colluding Mr Trump has people the will of the American and consulates. to with see Russia The sanctions, Russia. In signing which are also the Countering to improve relations take steps in response America’s Adversarie to Russia’s annexation with the United States�. of Crimea, s Through “I company worth built a truly great President come months after many billions Barack Obama of 35 Russian expelled diplomats.
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SPORTS Neymar Agrees Five-year
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Brazil and Barcelona Neymar, has agreedstar, father and super-age five-year deal a Zahavi, nt Pini who has brokered Saint-Germain with Paris the deal. in Paris within and is due Zahavi has known hours to finalisethe next 24 since the age of 17 Neymar expensive transfer the most become and has football history, in world advisors.one of his closest to Sky sources. according A source in Spain close Sky Sports Neymar to that Neymar News learnt News: has told Sky Sports decided to leave “Since he decided Barcelona following leave, talks on deal Neymar has had to holiday near to with huge in early July, Rio de Janeiro to pressure stay at Barcelona the club’s before he joined teammate . His pre-season s wanted him of the United tour stay to but his decision States. He is expected was to arrive in made.â€? the French The at the latestcapital by Friday Neymarsource added that to complete move. his to joining had been “closeâ€? Manchester It is understoo United d the total in last summer’s transfer value of the market nearly ÂŁ450m deal is worth further but chose PSG after (â‚Ź500m), which season at Barcelonaa includes wages, Neymar is expected . a buyout clausebonuses and five to join Brazilian internatio (â‚Ź222m). Neymar of ÂŁ198m teammate nal s at PSG, including has offered a basic salarybeen Dani Alves and ÂŁ26.8m-a-year of The source Thiago Silva. (â‚Ź30m) tax, around said: “People ÂŁ515,000-a after will say this has Barcelona confirme-week. by money, been driven but he wants buyout clause d the to be “deposited will have to the become the leader at club. He wants for the deal in its entiretyâ€? independ to be to Sky Sports pull through. to win ent, and wants Brazil the Ballon international told that a keyNews has been believes d’Or. Neymar arrived place in Brazilmeeting took Paris.â€? he can do that He wanted to leave. He was Barcelona in then given permissiontraining yesterday understood month involving earlier last to be ready La Liga to pay the 25-year-ol by Barca Manager with his father and representa Neymar, his Ernesto Valverde Tebas has President Javier block d’s release clause tive, and told the threatened not to train of 222million to understoodtransfer but it’s remain and to “sort the Spanish club he Euros out his futureâ€?. PSG officials “very confident PSG is there will be no issues withâ€? the buyout clause. PSG has yet to confirm whether an agreemen F I FA W O been reached. t has RLD CUP Duro Ikhazuag be my vision is to spread rugby Newly elected President in the North, especially of Nigeria the in Federation Rugby Football like North Eastern states Borno and (NFRR), Kenechukwu others which will help spread opened new Mbagwu, has of peace the gospel Duro Ikhazuag be in the region. based rugby vista for home- board “My wife is My players in the would work country. Hencefor Super Russian Eagles Captain, closely many and th, there with state governme will be no John friends of our relatives and must win double-he nts to Mikel Obi has introduce achieve this.â€? more preferenc are from Russia. clashes in Uyo ader for foreign-ba a new dimensio d e He however They on and Yaounde He n to why are all expecting Nigeria warned his September in the selectionsed players ensurealso revealed plans Nigeria must colleagues qualify to 1 to in qualify for the for the next World and 4 and that the Northern the Super Eagles respectively. of players to represent Nigerian football Russia is South West Cup and 2018 World Cup the country Mikel believes major tourname at to grow, leagues continued stressing that he in Russia, will kill hosting. I think they Eagles will to take the Lions for fans not cannot afford nts. triumphed me if I fail adding that granted. Speaking “As everyone over the current them,â€? South-eas joked the 30-year the to fail his Russian wife by knows, in Lagos on at a media parley would t and South-sou leading the three-time not who returned (Cameroon) old Mikel African champion, Cameroon Tuesday morning, th champion are a very they be given adequate “We African Mbagwu said s to the Mundial. after recuperat to the game positionare in a very good. team. They are stronggood that under the support to improve new administr The they play with in our group. and standards. surgery he had ing from the have their former We We must confidence. Chelsea foreign and ation both midfielder who two several weeks Mbagwu get ourselves switched to ago. games, and wins from two prepared players are goinghome-based developin harped on Tianjin Teda in our last game Nigeria with for this game well in the we to be called g to camp to and try grassroots the game at the Super League last Chinese points from six maximum havebeat Algeria at home We our best to get on fight for hi sta ti Jan top t i th t ld F th i
TIME TO SAY
2017
Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ik hazuagbe@th isdaylive.com
Neymar Agr ee ÂŁ450m World-r s Five-year ecord PSG Dea l
GOOD BYE.. .
Mbagwu Open s Home-based New Vista for Rugby Playe rs Mike l: My Russian Wife Will Kill Me if Eagle Hopeful Niger s Fail ia will win doub le-header again to Qualify st Cameroon
T H I S D AY THURSDAY AUGUST 3, 2017
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COMMENT
Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com
DEVELOPING NIGERIAN NATIONAL DNA Nigeria is still a country, but not a nation, contends Ndi Onuekwusi
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he Professor Eni Njoku’s Biennial Lecture series is a remarkable event in honour of a pioneer academic and university administrator in the history of Nigeria. Prof. Eni Njoku was the first Nigerian Vice- Chancellor of a university in the history of this country; even more so, he was the first vice-chancellor of University of Lagos. In a country often associated with few laudable events and traditions and even fewer noteworthy recognitions for individual excellence sustained posthumously, it is a privilege for me to be part of the honour to this great scientist, great academician, great university administrator and great Nigerian. The topic for this year’s lecture ‘Quality Education: the bedrock of the nation’s growth and sustainable development’ is long overdue to occupy the centre stage of Nigeria’s political, social and economic focus, discussions, preoccupations and sustained front burner considerations. Education, without any iota of doubt, is a stimulator, catalyst, driver and sustainer of development. The abuse of education or the mismanagement of education in any way as unfortunately is the case in Nigeria inevitably leads to the punishment of the people and the degradation of the society. The keynote speaker, Prof L.O.C Chukwu, Director of Quality Assurance Unit of the University of Lagos, is most eminently qualified to enlighten the distinguished audience on this burning issue which I believe rises to the level of national emergency in Nigeria. It will be a disservice to speak to Nigerians at a time such as now and ignore the current burning question of restructuring of our beloved country Nigeria. Restructuring has emerged from the ongoing conversation in Nigeria as the pathway to building a functional and progressive Nigerian nation. Time and our focus today, do not allow me to dwell extensively on the topic of restructuring; however, I wish to just highlight few key issues that are important in the ongoing national conversation. Nigeria is a nation worth having because Nigeria is bigger than the sum total of the component parts; so Nigeria will be a great country to have, provided we do the right things rightly. No Nigerian has emerged in the conversation. This is not surprising to the trained observer because there is no Nigerian nation. From the beginning in 1914 till date, there
EVERY NATION HAS UNIQUE DNA. THIS DISTINGUISHES NATIONS AND PEOPLES. IN NIGERIA, WE HAVE/HAD SUBNATIONAL DNAS (NORTH, SOUTH, EAST/ETC.) WHICH MODULATE AND CONTROL OUR DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS VIEWS AND ACTIONS
has been a country but no nation; we have never had a Nigeria strategic vision which I wish to call a Nigerian DNA. Every nation has unique DNA. This distinguishes nations and peoples. In Nigeria, we have/had subnational DNAs (North, South, East/etc) which modulate and control our different characteristics views and actions. In the absence of a supranational vision (DNA) we have always come to the centre to quarrel or bargain based on our subnational DNAs. To survive, Nigeria must evolve a Nigerian national DNA which is owned by all Nigerians irrespective of ethnicity, religion or sex. Development must be the core goal to be distilled from the Nigerian national DNA. Governance and politics must be aligned to the national DNA that will emerge and must be development driven supported by appropriate knowledge. A major symptom of the failure to thrive which Nigeria suffers is the obvious lack of governance at community level which has manifested in the total dysfunction of all our primary services - education, health, security and government. In other to progress, Nigeria must develop the DNA, adopt the DNA, internalise the DNA and live the DNA. Anything that distorts, diminishes or negates in anyway the DNA is anathema or abomination. Education is the basic building block for all aspects of development. Luckily, any country that gets all the ingredients right, will move irreversibly towards becoming a developed nation, within 10 years. It is our option to keep sliding backwards or transit to honest, knowledge-based leadership and governance to become the great country Almighty God has endowed Nigeria to be. The great Nigerian musician of blessed memory, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, had said that Nigeria was going in the wrong direction and when it was alerted to that fact, Nigeria turned to face the right direction but continue to work backwards in the wrong direction. It is time for Nigeria to stop, take a deep breath and decide to move in the right direction, applying all the necessary factors to achieve growth, development and progress. The core value for building a great nation is love. We must reject hate and live love. Excerpts from remarks at the 2017 Prof. Eni Njoku’s Biennial Lecture by Dr. Onuekwusi, Development / Management Consultant
THE NORTH, SENATE AND BIAFRA AGITATION Charles Ogbu argues that those who are making restructuring of the federation impossible are the sworn enemies of Nigeria
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his is certainly not the best of time for Nigeria. And most certainly not for the advocates of #OneNigeria as the recent “No Devolution Of Power” vote at the floor of the Senate appears to have finally given a very serious form of institutional credence to the assertion by the Nnamdi kanu-led Biafran movement that the Nigeria state is unsalvageable. But beyond the rhetoric and verbal gymnastics, there are some wildly held opinions which the Senate vote has simply elevated to the status of fact. Here are some of them: One, it is not the Senate as an institution that doesn’t want a restructured Nigeria. It is the North as a region, seeing as it was the Northern senate caucus that voted ‘No’ to devolution of power which is a very vital component of restructuring. Sadly, long years of military rule and the apartheid manual masquerading as the 1999 Constitution championed by mostly northern military officers have succeeded in skewing the political equation of Nigeria in favour of the North. As it stands now, the North is in a default position to hold the rest of the country to ransom and that is exactly what is happening. She gets whatever she wants no matter how scandalous such a want might seem and she ensures that what the other region wants doesn’t see the light of day no matter how fair and just such a want might be. Even with the combination of the numerical strength of southern lawmakers, the North still has the veto power. North East Development Commission bill was passed into law almost before it was even presented on the floor of the parlia-
ment. But, a bill to “gift” Lagos State with special status was killed. A bill to set up a development commission for the Southeast was equally shut down. Before the adulterated version of Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) was allowed to pass second reading, northern lawmakers made sure that Kano and Kaduna were included as beneficiaries of the host community fund even when those two northern states do not produce even one litre of oil. Two, no form of re-organisation of the political and economic structure of the Nigerian state aka restructuring, can be effected through the existing constitutional structure. The status quo is terribly skewed in favour of the only region (North) currently benefiting from it. The Yorubas want true federalism. The South-South wants to be in charge of their resources. Igbo elders want a well restructured Nigeria where every region will be able to harness her full potential and develop at her own pace. Igbo youths, under Nnamdi kanu, is agitating for a total separation from Nigeria because they believe the North which holds the numerical advantage in every facets of state institution here would never allow for restructuring. Under close examination, the aspirations by the aforementioned peoples/groups are not mutually exclusive but the bitter truth is that no amount of sophistry and beautiful poetry robed in flawless grammar will give us restructuring. It was the height of naivity in the first place to assume that our Northern neighbours will willingly relinquish the undue advantage their military heads of state gifted them with, via the fraudulent
apartheid manual that is the 1999 Constitution, without a fight. The North will never allow for a restructured Nigeria UNLESS she is confronted with an alternative such as a determined quest for a referendum by the other component units. It is at this point that we must all admit that the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has been right all along. The action of the Northern Senate caucus has further legitimised the Biafra struggle. Above all, it has buried the argument that the Biafra strong man, Kanu, should use institutionalised politics to push his quest for a referendum. Contrary to a very popular Igbo saying, what the young man, Nnamdi Kanu, saw while lying down, the elders have failed to see even while comfortably perched ontop of iroko tree. Our biggest mistake was antagonising the IPOB leader rather than seizing the momentous occasion his Biafra agitation gifted us with to demand in practical terms, an end to the grave injustices and institutionalised daylight roguery in the Nigerian system. How can it be that an “Emeka” from Akpugo-Nkanu in Enugu State must score not less than 120 to get admitted into federal government unity college while an “Ibrahim” from Daura in Katsina State only needs to score 10 to be admitted into the same unity college in the same country? And paradoxically funny enough, this same Ibrahim will most likely end up as the president of Nigeria even if he decides not to finish his secondary school education while the more intellectually endowed Emeka has less than one per cent chance of
even getting a job at the end of his academic sojourn? Why should a state like Kano have the right to operate a parallel system of government with sharia court (judiciary), sharia police known as the Hisbah working under the office of the governor (executive) plus another very powerful body known as the Sharia commission (legislature) in the same country where Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, was almost crucified for setting up a security outfit to confront the marauding Fulani herdsmen? Institutionalised injustices such as these should be unacceptable even by the lowest moral standard of natural justice. The enemies of Nigeria are not those pushing for her balkanisation due to entrenched injustices in the system. The real enemies are the beneficiaries of the unjust system who have sworn to allow neither restructuring nor a referendum for us to determine our future. It is very important that we always remember this fact. The fact that the advocates of restructuring are yet to hit the street in protest over the Senate action is a grave indictment on their seriousness and collective resolve as a group. One thing is certain: the maintainability of the status quo IS NOT an option. Eventually, something must give. The position of not just the Igbos but every southerner today Does Not call for political correctness. By making a comprehensive restructuring of the system impossible, the North is only making the complete balkanisation of the country inevitable.
Charlessunday46@gmail.com
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EDITORIAL GOVERNORS AND STATE POLICE The police force is in dire need of reorganisation
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he Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) rose from a recent meeting in Abuja to constitute a six-man committee of its members to explore funding options for policing the country, with a mandate to also examine the prospects for introducing state police. The decision by the NGF was coming at a time the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, raised the alarm about the increasing deployment of soldiers to take over civil and security duties that were constitutionally reserved for the Nigeria Police Force. The United Nations estimation is that the average police force should have three police persons for every one thousand citizens. This means that Nigeria falls far short of this requirement given that the total strength of our police force is still less than 400,000. But the real challenge is that many members of the force serve just a few people more or less as guardsmen. When you juxtapose this with inadequate remunerations and low morale which pervade the THE CURRENT SITUATION police force and WHERE OUR POLICEMEN other agencies that HAVE BECOME AN EASY are saddled with GAME FOR A MORE keeping the nation SOPHISTICATED WORLD safe and secure, it is OF CRIME CALLS FOR A easy to understand why the nation RADICAL SOLUTION is currently in a security bind. Statutorily, only the president, vice-president, governors, local council chairmen, legislative principal ofďŹ cers in the states and at federal level, magistrates and judges are entitled to police protection. But for some curious reasons, this privilege has over the years been abused by senior ofďŹ cers in charge of police commands and formations, who assign most of their men to undeserving politicians and businessmen, leaving ever fewer numbers of personnel for real police work. The level of degeneration is such that all
Letters to the Editor
manner of characters now go about with policemen who carry bags and umbrella for them and their spouses. It is noteworthy that this is not the ďŹ rst time the NGF would toy with the idea of state police. After one of its meetings four years ago, the then Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, now the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, made the same case on its behalf. “Each of the federating units (which are the states) should have control over their own security apparatus,â€? said Fayemi. “That is not to say that we still won’t have a federal police which responds to federal issues but in terms of wider knowledge of what obtains in my locality, the best person to use is somebody from that locality who has a much better, much richer understanding and will be faster in response to the immediate needs of that environment.â€?
T H I S DAY EDITOR DEPUTY EDITORS ˜ MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD
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owever, whatever may be the merit in the idea of state police, even from the statement released by the NGF, it is very clear that it is not a silver bullet given that the same subversion that has rendered the federal police ineffectual could easily be replicated by the states. But we agree that the current situation where our policemen have become an easy game for a more sophisticated world of crime calls for a radical solution. As we reiterated in a recent editorial, there may be a need for some clarity of thought and the beneďŹ t of historical hindsight. The greatest legacy of the post war era in Nigeria is the emergence of a national military and police. The personnel of these federal institutions live and operate alongside colleagues from across the nation in mixed barracks and operational formations. The lines that dangerously divided the polity and threatened national cohesion are thus blurred as the central command takes precedence over regional or ethnic nudging. Therefore, we hope the committee established by the governors will explore all the issues before coming up with its recommendations.
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EXAMINING THE LAGOS EDUCATION SECTOR
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he poor quality of public education in Nigeria is consistently cited by Nigerians across board as a major impediment to both economic and political development. For this, there is no performance in any sector that shows that a government is working and capable of igniting long term development better than the education sector. Investing in both formal and informal education is seen as the most critical instrument and most potent weapon in the battle against every form of impediment to progress in the society. Lagos is arguably the state with the highest number of public schools, students and teachers in the country. It has consistently been churning out the highest number of candidates for public examinations in Nigeria since 1967. As a melting point with a bourgeoning population in excess of 20 million, provision of qualitative education in Lagos State has been a daunting task. But to the praise of successive administrations, especially from the period of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who first introduced and successfully implemented free education policy, the state has been able to stand tall as a true model for other state. Since taking office in 2015, the more usual line about Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode administration in Lagos State in conversation and speeches may have been on improved service delivery in the areas of road construction and rehabilitation, transportation, health and social services, the silent revolution in education sector has been remarkable. From the investment of the state on code Lagos to digital library, ‘Lagos is Learning’ project to huge structural development of schools across the state and continuation of the state’s free education programme, the state has come up with different programmes in its
education system that encourages critical thinking, problem solving, entrepreneurial skill and innovation among the students. The administration clearly understands that the task of making Lagos State “the model of excellence in the provision of education in Africa� requires meticulous attention. To this end, the government has made allocation of sufficient budgetary allocation to education a compulsory ritual. This year budgetary allocation for education alone is N92.4 billion, representing 11.37 per cent. So, within the half-time of the administration’s tenure, the wheels of what is mutating to be a historic education revolution in Lagos were rolled off with aggressive rehabilitation of public schools throughout the length and breadth of the state. Several hundreds of classroom blocks have been built and renovated while thousands of students and teachers furniture supplied to various primary and secondary schools. The state has also directed her policy toward ensuring equal educational opportunity in the state, encourage parents who might otherwise neglect their children’s education to send their children to school and making education affordable for everyone. In line with the commitment of the present administration to expand access to knowledge for Lagosians, the state’ science laboratories are now better equipped and the enthusiasm of students to be science-inclined has become very high with a lot of success recorded. In many of the state’s public secondary schools, there are now more science than arts and commercial classes. Equally, the state government has completed the renovation and upgrade of public libraries in 18 secondary schools across the state with top class facilities. Lagos Digital Library, an online repository of education content, is another achievement in the report card of the
Ambode’s government. The Lagos state government appreciates that as much as physical infrastructure is important, adequate and quality teachers in schools are as important. Thus, as part of measure to bridge the gap in the teacher/pupil ratio in the state, the government recruited 1,300 teachers for primary schools while another 1000 teachers were recruited for public secondary schools in 2016. Similarly, government has been paying close attention to teachers’ welfare. Currently, Nigeria is short of topnotch coders/developers. Geared towards meeting the ever increasing demand for technical skills, Lagos has begun launching of Code Lagos centre which is expected in 500 primary, secondary and tertiary institutions (private and public) across the state, as well as in all public libraries and ICT spaces. The ultimate goal is for one million students in the state to have access to the coding system by the year 2019. Infrastructural facilities in all tertiary institutions have also received attention in the last two years. All the roads in LASU (Ojo), LASUCOM (Ikeja) and LASPOTECH (Ikorodu) have been renovated with proper drainage and street lights installed. In LASU, more than 15 buildings, including the Senate Building, the Students’ Arcade, School of Communication, Ojo; and a lecture theatre at the Epe campus have been completed and the construction of 6000-bed LASU hostel at the Ojo, campus will commence this year. No doubt, investment in education is a reflection of and better explanation of the kind of development and prosperity the government intended for the state. Rasak Musbau, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos
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T H I S D AY THURSDAY AUGUST 3, 2017
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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017
POLITICS
Group Politics Editor Tobi Soniyi Email tobi.soniyi@thisdaylive.com 08033146139 SMS ONLY
PERSONALITY INTERVIEW
Orbih: Obaseki Not Qualified to be Governor Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, Chief Dan Orbih has asked the state governor, Godwin Obaseki not to celebrate, despite the Supreme Court’s judgment upholding his election, saying there is yet a pre-election suit challenging his qualification for the job. He spoke to Iyobosa Uwugiaren who presents the excerpts:
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A government that has not been able to provide the basic needs of the people has no business in government
he Supreme Court had declared Godwin Obaseki as duly elected governor, what is your party’s next move? It may interest you to know that the judgement just given by the Supreme Court is a judgement given in respect of one out of the two cases we have against Godwin Obaseki. One was the process itself--during the election, the election as conducted by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The other one was about his qualification to contest the election. Our position is that ab initio, he was not qualified to contest that election, and all the documents are there. That case is still on at the Federal High Court, it is a pre-election matter. I would not want to go into the details of that since the matter is already before the court; it’s already being heard. It was adjourned till after the vacation. I would not go into details, but I can tell you that that is one leg of the issues we have against Obaseki. I have informed our stakeholders that we would pursue it to a logical conclusion. We need to test our laws and see exactly what the position is. If he was not qualified to contest, he has no business being in that office. Was your party disappointed about the outcome of the judgement? Well, naturally, you do not expect us to be celebrating the outcome of that judgement; but like I said, that is not the end of the struggle. Ours is a political party and outside contesting election, we also have our role to play in sustaining democracy, and that I can assure you we would continue to do until we effect a change in the government of Edo State. The judgement appears to have demoralised your supporters in Edo State? Not at all; In fact our membership is swelling because, come to think of it, just like in other states, the people in Edo State have come to see the failure in APC, in their electioneering promises, and they have been able to come to the fact that among the political parties, PDP stands out not just as a national party, but as a party that has been able to show concrete evidence of what it had been able to achieve when it was the ruling party. The people now have a basis to compare what it was -- when PDP was in government, and what it is now. In fact, now people are saying that we now have a government where the vehicle driving it, is on autopilot. There is no person directly in charge of the affairs of the nation, and Nigerians are clamouring for the return of PDP, to bring its wealth of experience to bear in the governance of this country What role will PDP play in Edo State along that line? Well, don’t forget that Edo is truly a PDP state. The National Chairman of APC, Chief John Oyegun, is from Edo state, a prominent son of our state. It may interest you to know that during the presidential elections, PDP won Edo State. It may also interest you to know that out of the three senators in Edo, we have two elected senators; we also have majority of the members in the House of Representatives. So, nobody can wish away the strength of PDP in Edo State. Like I said, the failure of APC government has turned out to be an advantage, not just to Edo PDP, but to PDP in Nigeria. Let’s wait and see what would happen in 2019. Nigerians are totally disappointed by what we are experiencing now. All that was promised by the APC, they have failed to deliver. It is just that in a democracy, you
Orbih...people are tired of APC government
have to wait for the appropriate time to effect a change in government, and Nigerians are waiting anxiously for that moment when they can show these people the way out. Is true that some members of your party in the National Assembly are preparing to defect to the APC? I am not aware; I am only aware that quite a good number of APC members in the National Assembly, who left PDP at one time, having seen the situation in the country, and also in appreciation of the restoration of the party by the verdict of the Supreme Court, are on their way back to the PDP. How will the recent judgement of the Supreme Court which restored power to the Ahmed Makarfi-led leadership affect the political calculations in 2019? In the past few days, not just PDP members, Nigerians are jubilating that PDP has been able to put its house in order. In a democracy, you need a very strong and viable opposition. Where that is lacking, you have opened the gates to dictatorship. That judgement has rightly placed the leadership of the party in the hands of those who are prepared and are willing to play that role effectively; so that we can sustain democracy and remove these evil agents. Will the party capitalise on the judgement to bring everybody on board and ensure there are no crises in the party again? One thing you must give to PDP is that we have our own way of resolving issues inter alia. That we have already started doing. At
the last NEC meeting, we took decision to put in place reconciliation committee and disciplinary committee. These two committees are very vital towards realising the goals you just mentioned. That shows clearly that the party is more than ever determined to ensure that we do what we need to do to give Nigerians the needed platform to effect a change in the government of this nation. You said the APC led government has disappointed Nigerians, can you be specific? They said they were bringing change, unfortunately we have witnessed negative changes; look at the exchange rate, what it was before they came to power and what it is today. For the ordinary man in the street, they are experiencing biting economic hardship. People used to buy a bag of rice very cheap; but now, they must have three times that amount to buy a bag of rice. A government that has not been able to provide the basic needs of the people has no business in government. I can tell you that all over, the people are tired of the APC. What happened in Osun State that led to the election of Senator Adeleke, is a sign of greater things to come. Don’t forget Osun is at the height of APC in the South-west, and the APC has a sitting governor, who has been in office close to eight years, a man who even threatened that he would resign if he loses the seat. They were beaten silly at the election; that shows clearly the level of resentment against the failed promises of the APC. But the ruling party blamed its failures on the rot left behind by the PDP government
in the past 16 years..... That cannot be correct. The reason why they came together as an assemblage of different political parties, all in an effort to wrestle power from the ruling PDP government at that time, was that they wanted to give Nigerians a different form of government, and they took their time before taking that decision to contest elections. They contested and they were declared as the winner of that election. I am shocked if anybody would now be complaining about their non-performance because the PDP was in government. In America, Obama came into power at the time of great recession, he took the issues headlong; he did not lament the situation he met at the time he came into government. He confronted the issues that were before him, and by the time he was running for second time, it was a different ball game; the changes were visible to everybody. Americans compensated him with a second term. A situation where people took their time to study the situation in the country before coming to power, they cannot now start blaming their failure on those who were in office. The reason for their coming in, was to make a difference; now that they have failed, they are blaming their failure on others. It is like the case of a bad worker who is blaming his tools for a poor job. Let them accept that they have failed. Good enough we still have some courageous members of the APC like Senator Bello Kanti, who has come out to tell the world that his greatest regret in politics today is contributing to the election of an APC federal government that has failed completely to deliver on promises made to Nigerians. I think that sums up the situation. Did you see him apportioning blames? He knew exactly what the situation is, there is no doubt they have failed; they have failed woefully. They should start from now packing their bags and luggage out of the villa because Nigerians cannot wait to see their exit. Is PDP losing hope in Edo State? I don’t think anybody is losing any hope; all I can tell you is that to the average Edo person, the state has been robbed of giving an opportunity to Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu to do it differently from what they have witnessed in the past eight years under Adams Oshiohmole, who incidentally handed over power to his business partner, Obaseki. To that extent, I would tell you that the people are more than determined to ensure that whatever they did to rob them of this victory, they are prepared to resist it headlong in subsequent elections.
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POLITICS
Muoghalu: Anambra Gubernatorial Poll Will Hold DespitethethreatbytheIndigenousPeopleofBiafrathatgovernorshipelectionwillnotholdinAnambra, the All Progressives Congress’ National Auditor and aspirant for the state’s governorship post, George Muoghalu is confident that the election will hold as scheduled. He spoke to a few journalists in Abuja. Onyebuchi Ezigbo was there and presents the excerpts:
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hy do you want to join the race for the Awka Government House? I am seeking to be governor because I am confident that I have something to offer. I have been into this terrain once. I ran for the governorship position in 2003 under ANPP. I am one of those who believe strongly that power belongs to God and he gives it as he pleases at his own time. For me, it is not a matter of do or die nor life and death. I made a strong attempt, I had a good show despite all the challenges I came out stronger. I hope all of you know what happened in Anambra state in 2003, for me, I allow the history of the past but have learnt more lessons, I have gathered the experience of the past and I have made myself available again to serve my people. I am confident that I have something to offer and with all conviction by the grace of God if I have the opportunity, I will justify the confidence reposed in me by my people. In specific terms, can you tell us what you want to fix in Anambra if elected governor. I try to use an analogy to explain the situation in Anambra state. When you come into a vacuum very dark, if you come in with a candle, there will be light if you bring in a bulb, there will be an improvement on the candle light; if you bring in flood light, you have created a brighter atmosphere that looks like the day light, that is exactly the situation in Anambra. From what some people see, it is a candle light because I believe that Anambra has far more potentials. We need to create an enable environment for our sectors, build on our potentials and try to change the narratives. For me there is quite a lot to be done in Anambra state in terms of governance, infrastructural development, expanding our agricultural base to address our basement issues. There are issues that have to do with the power sector, industrial base, development of our infrastructure and our agriculture even education. We must have to look at education very critically because of much emphasis on certificates today; people obtain certificates which they cannot defend. We must change the narratives; we must change the education curricular, we must target a situation where people will have the capacity to employ people that are not employable. Our infrastructure is totally decayed, never mind what you see on the television, there are quite a lot to be done. Anambra, in a very short while, should be the point where every state will look unto because of our capacity, our untapped potentials. From what happened in Osun state, for every election, apart from the party, each candidate presented has a role to play in every election. For APC as a party, we are acceptable in the state. When you are looking at APC as a political party, you look at the individuals that represents
We can not be talking of producing an Igbo president and secession at the same time. I don’t think it makes any political sense. The two are two straight lines that can never meet
Muoghalu... promises to unleash Anambra’s potentials
the party. For me, I know I have a credible record that Anambra people can trust. They see me as a credible politician. One who is consistent, who will say something and stand by it, and whenever I enter into anything, I do everything humanly possible to keep to those things which I stand for. It is about the person and not the party. When you join the credibility of the person and that of the party, then you have a candidate that can be liked by the people but if you choose the wrong candidate, you will have yourself to blame but when you pick the right candidate, you stand a better chance. On Agriculture, there is no way we can continue depending on the federal allocation, it does not make political sense and not even economic sense. Nigeria today depends on one commodity controlled by external forces. We do not determine the price of oil. If the external forces force down the price of oil, it affects our economy and if everyone is dependent on oil as its source of revenue for the state, this idea of rushing to Abuja at every month end does not make sense. Take the case of rice, a stable food: Anambra has the potential to grow rice to feed, I will not say the whole nation, but to make a reasonable impact. We need to expand that base. We need to talk not only about production but how we can export our rice. To do this, we must try to industrialize. We must introduce a commodity market so that we can encourage local market production. We need to get the private sector involved. We must create an enabling environment for the private sector to come in. To do this, we must address some basic issues; infrastructure and the cost of capital. These are the areas that the government has a strong role to play in order to generate foreign exchange from rice production. We must create an environment that will employ our young graduates. I think that agriculture is the way to go. The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra is calling for secession and that the election will not hold, are you not worried by this development? I think the issue has been addressed by the position taken by Ohaneze N’digbo. What message are we sending by this agitation? For me there will be election and Ohaneze N’digbo and other stake holders have come out to say election must hold in the south-east and we are going to implement that. I am sure the federal government has the capacity to organise the election and will protect lives
and properties in the state. The APC has set up a committee on the Anambra state election, can you tell us more about that and the issue of zoning in the state? The APC South-east leadership set up that committee to look at how to run the Anambra State election and to interface with all the aspirants with a view to making sure that we have a common position and understanding and that it is not a do or die affair and to maintain a relationship that is beyond election. So far, so good, we have met with them and others have been invited; we also met together and I think they are sincere and are committed. They all wish that we will win the Anambra election and they took the assignment given to them as a serious one. I wish them well and I want to assure everyone that with every support required, the committee will succeed in its assignment. The issue of zoning, we have tried to address this issue many years. First Anambra State leadership has never liked zoning in the state. I have been around the political scene for a while and I understand the nuances in the state. Somebody asked me this question, does the north have to do two terms? I said why? Did the south do two terms? Mbadinuju did one term and he is from the south. After four years, he was not allowed to do second term and the position was given to our brother and leader in the state, Senator Chris Ngige. Thereafter from Ngige to Peter Obi; between Ngige and Peter Obi, they did almost twelve years and it left the central now to the north. By November 18th, the north must have done four years. If you must talk about equity, justices and fairness, it should return back to the south for them to complete their term after which it can go back to the north. You know you cannot shift the goal post at the middle of the game. If we must talk about zoning we should have started from day one and the south should have been compensated by allowing them to finish their eight years. Since the south was not allowed to finish its eight years and it comes to the north, by November 18th, it will come to the same level with the south and if that is the case, it is either the south or the north and if it has to be taken in terms of first come, first serve, it should go to the south before the north. That brings it to the fact that we never had any zonal agreement in Anambra state but I have no problem with it. That we start
it, we have to start it, and we have to do it with equity, fairness and justices. By the time we finish this election, I am sure this issue of zoning will be finally resolved and at that point, we will now hold a meeting to agree to adopt zoning as a principle, to me I see nothing wrong in that. On the issue of other aspirants, I am not aware that senator Chris Ngige is contesting the position because he has not told us; I am not aware. Elections are not about you and I, it is about the people of Anambra State. It is also about the individual and his capacity, his credibility and character and his ability to serve. These are the things that should concern us. If you talk about war- chest, I don’t know which one. One thing I know is that, if I am not ready for this election, I will not come to run. That is the truth; I cannot start what I cannot complete. I value my name and integrity so much and I do not gamble with it. It is the Anambra people who will decide who will rule them at the appropriate time. They will speak at the primary and the general election. What is your position on Igbo Presidency? On the issue of Igbo presidency, Why not? By the time the presidency leaves the north after eight years, it will be clear that every zone in this country has produced the president of Nigeria except the South-east. That is what we leaders from the South-east should be working towards. For us to achieve that, we need to talk to the northerners, southerners and every Nigerian to see it from our perspective, then it will be easy for us. We can not be talking of producing an Igbo president and secession at the same time. I don’t think it makes any political sense. The two are two straight lines that can never meet. Aren’t you worry about the power of incumbency in Anambra? Incumbency has been demystified; I don’t think we should be talking about incumbency anymore because it was sufficiently demystified in Ekiti, in Ondo, and the country where an incumbent president lost election. Why do you think the incumbent in Anambra will be an exception? It’s about the candidate, it’s about the message. We are through with incumbency. We are going to the field, come to the field and set your report card, if Anambra people think that you have done well they will continue with you, if they are dissatisfied with you, they will stop you.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY
FEATURES
Acting Features Editor Charles Ajunwa Email charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com
End of the Road for Lagos Gangsters Femi Ogbonnikan writes on the arrest of members of a notorious gang who have their various hideouts at Igando, Iba and LASU areas of Lagos
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emesis has finally caught up with a 27-year-old dreaded cultist who has been terrorising residents of Igando, Iba and LASU environs in recent times. The suspect, Nurudeen Kazeem (aka Onyabo), a tailor cum Okada rider by profession, was picked up recently by an intelligence network (decoy) team of armed policemen attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command at a hideout in Igando, in Ojo Local Government Area, an outskirt of Lagos. Nuru, as he is fondly referred, a notorious member of the Eiye Confraternity, had been on the wanted list of the Lagos State Police Command, for allegedly shooting a police Sergeant attached to the RRS in the right leg, about a month ago when the operatives of the squad wanted to effect the arrest of members of an armed robbery gang who attacked and robbed a dispatch rider attached to Samsung Nigeria Limited who was on an errand to deliver a handset to the person who ordered for it, at Igando. With the aid of tracking devices, it was gathered, the mobile phone number of the notorious suspect was tracked, thus, culminating in his arrest. It would be recalled about a month ago, the quartet of Wilfred Ehis (a.k.a California), Kamilu Olanrewaju, Elohor and Emeka, were arrested by the RRS decoy team at their hideouts in Igando in connection with the attack on the Samsung Nigeria Limited dispatch rider, before their subsequent transfer to the operatives attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) of the Lagos State Police Command, on the orders of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni. Following the manhunt for Nuru, the Okada rider, it was learnt, that the confessions of Sunday Hassan (a co-Okada rider) and another person who is a member of the ACCOMORAN in the Igando area aided the detectives in their investigation, thus, leading to the arrest of the suspect. According to the 27-year-old suspect, he confessed to be working for Wilfred Ehis, popularly referred to as 'Cali', a notorious yahoo boy. "Before I was engaged by "Cali" two years ago, Cali already had a guy that was working for him. His name is Sunday Hassan. He is also an Okada operator. Cali is a big yahoo boy. He has a large number of SIM cards and he would place order to some of the online mobile sets dealers, like Jiji, Samsung, Konga, Jumia and a host of others. Cali would call us whenever he had placed an online order and get one of these dispatch riders who has agreed to come and deliver the handsets. Ours is to ambush, beat to a pulp and dispossess the dispatch rider of the handsets at gunpoint," said Nuru. On how he got initiated into the Eiye Confraternity, "I am an okada operator. I am a father of two children. About two years ago, I was at our "tarmac" in Igando when one Saheed, a notorious Eiye Confraternity member walked up to me and five other co-riders. Saheed told us, that he and his friends were going to a new developing site within Igando, for a new christening. That we would convey them there. “We embarked on the journey but when we got mid-way where it was bushy, Saheed commandeered us to stop at gunpoint. He pulled out a gun and ordered us to go through a bushy path. We obliged and went straight therein where we met some people there. Some who were waiting to be initiated were on one side, while on the other side, they were Saheed's men, who were to initiate us. We were inside the bush for a night. We were beaten thoroughly and taught how to handle guns and in shooting.
L-R: Yusuf Bello, Nurudeen Kazeem and Sunday Hassan, suspects arrested by the RRS team
“At that point there, I was assigned the task of a hit man. I was given a locally made gun. But before I was given the gun, they threatened to kill me and my wife if I missed the targets. The following day, I was asked to go to a hideout belonging to members of a rival group, Black Axe
Nuru, as he is fondly referred, a notorious member of the Eiye Confraternity, had been on the wanted list of the Lagos State Police Command, for allegedly shooting a police Sergeant attached to the RRS in the right leg about a month ago when the operatives of the squad wanted to effect the arrest of members of an armed robbery gang who attacked and robbed a dispatch rider attached to Samsung Nigeria Limited who was on an errand to deliver a handset to the person who ordered for it at Igando
Confraternity, to launch an attack on them. Two leaders of the rival group were marked down for elimination. We went as a squad in three motorcycles. I led the squad and I had information that they were at a joint, drinking beer and hot drinks. On getting there, I opened fire on them. It hit one of them whom I believed died instantly while another sustained bullet wounds. Within a jiffy, they all took to their heels while I disembarked from the motorcycle and I went to certify if truly the bullet really hit him and he had died. I didn't waste time and I brought out a machete and inflicted several cuts on him in order to ensure he would not survive the attack. And that singular attack made me bold and I became hardened. People in the neighbourhood were fearful whenever they sight me. At another attack with the rival cult group I killed another person, thus, making two the number of persons I had killed so far. But others whom I inflicted either bullets or machete cuts are there. "Initially, I owned two motorcycles. I gave out one to a friend for Okada operation and he was delivering to me on a weekly basis, while I operated the other bike, before I was involved in an accident with it. I had disposed that of, in scrap. I had built a house of mine. And when I was not realising much from the other Okada machine I gave it out, I took to the streets, collecting tolls from Okada operators. And nobody dared looked at my face or challenge my action because I have become dreaded. I owned a gun. It was the armourer of our group (Eiye) who sold it to me. The armourer is now on self-exile because his father wanted to kill him when he found out that his son is a member of Eiye Confraternity. He shot him in the leg and his son absconded to Ghana. His father is a member of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in Igando. Subsequently, I had given the gun to Saheed who is a son of a High Chief in Igando. "Saheed too is a dreaded cultist who belongs to our group, Eiye Confraternity. With the gun, he once shot his elder brother
during a hot argument," confessed Nuru. An inside police source hinted that "Cali", who is a kingpin of the gang, mentioned Nuru, as the hit man whom he was using to carry out several attacks. He said out of the four attacks he had engaged Nuru, three were successful, while the fourth was unsuccessful. "Cali is a big yahoo boy who would go online and place orders for powerful mobile sets from online dealers, like Samsung, Jiji, Konga, Jumia and others. He would order for mobile sets and to pay on delivery. Cali would introduce himself as a Barrister, with integrity, who was ready to do legitimate business with them. He would direct dispatch riders where to meet him at Igando, while he would have placed his boys on alert and where the delivery man would be coming. Once they sight him, they would waylay him at gun point, beat him and dispossess him of the mobile sets. Cali has a large number of Sim cards and he would destroy each when it was used to perpetrate the crime, in order to cover his tracks," added the police source. The last straw that broke the camel's back, it was gathered, was the attack on the delivery man attached to the Samsung Nigeria Limited about a month ago. The matter, it was said, was reported at the headquarters of Rapid Response Squad, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, following which the Commander of the Squad, ACP Olatunji Disu, swiftly deployed a decoy team to go after the assailants. Following a manhunt, it was said, the quartet of Wilfred Ehis (a.k.a Calis), Kamilu Olanrewaju, Elohor, Emeka were nabbed. In his confession to the police, Elohor denied his involvement in the attack and claimed to be a Chemical Engineering graduate of the University of Benin (UniBen), while Emeka also claimed to be a dropout from the North - American University, Republic of Benin, as a result of lack of funds to continue with his educational pursuit. But in the process, a member of the RRS operatives, a Sergeant, was shot in the leg
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˾ T H I S D AY THURSDAY˜ ͱ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵
FEATURES
Recovered weapons from the suspects
Lagos CP, Fatai Owoseni...smoking out criminals from their hideouts
Some of the security vehicles procured by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to secure Lagos
by Nuru, while trying to evade arrest, and he narrowly escaped. The attack on the RRS Sergeant, it was learnt, prodded the Commander of the Squad, ACP Olatunji Disu, who directed his officers and men to go after and launch a massive manhunt for the assailant, Saheed. Thus, the arrest of Sunday Hassan, it was said, led to the apprehension of the wanted suspect at a hideout in Igando. The
arrest of Nuru, it was said, had opened a can of worm. Saheed was said to be singing like a canary and he had confessed the complicity of the trio earlier arrested. According to another police source, Nuru had fingered Wilfred (a.k.a Cali), as the arrowhead of the gang which specialises in fraudulently placing orders online for mobile handsets and attacking dispatch riders who are often sent to deliver them.
On hisq own part, Nuru pointed at Elohor, to be a notorious number one Eiye cult member in Festac town. "Even before I was engaged by Cali, one Pedro was initially working for him," said the 27-year-old suspect. On his gun, Nuru told his interrogators that he had sold out the gun to a land grabber at "Rounder", in Abeokuta. The gun, it was said, had been received from
the land grabber at 'Rounder', in Abeokuta. However, the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, confirmed the arrests and said that Nurudeen Kazeem and others had been transferred to the operatives attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbeey Squad (FSARS) of the Lagos State Police Command, for further probe into the matter.
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IMAGES
L-R: General Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Ola Ijimakin; School Programme Coordinator, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mrs. Yetunde Adetola; Representative of the Lagos State Deputy Governor/ Director of Special Duties, Mrs Feyisoya Obadofin ; Sales and Marketing Director, Mr Olugbenga Olayeye, and Divisional Manager, East, Mr. Olugbenga Olayemi both of Fidson Heathcare Plc, with students(standing behind),during the Fidson’s 7th edition of Astymin School Brilliance award in Lagos....recently
L-R; Vice Chairman MAN, Ikeja brach, Princess Funmilayo Okeowo; Chairman MAN, Ogun State Branch, Mr Wale Adegbite and Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce And Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru during the 32nd Annual General meeting of the Ogun state branch of the association in Ota...recently
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Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×
L-R: Head, Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mrs. Temitayo Ade-Peters; Executive Secretary, Youth Empowerment Foundation, Mrs. Iwalola Akin-Jimoh; some of the beneficiaries of the FCMB sponsored Empowered For The Future (E4F) project for youths, Oluwadamilola Salako and Blessing Patrick; and Creative Director, Serakovers Limited, Mrs. Uduak Archibong, during the graduation and presentation of certificate ceremony to the beneficiaries in
National Chairman lndependent Democrats, Hon Edozie Madu(left) and Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello at a meeting in Lokoja...recently
L-R: Head, Clinical Services, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Oluwagbemiga Owoeye; President, Rotary Club of Iponri, Rotarian Shina Badaru; presenting Rotary Four Way Test Symbol to Medical Director, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Oluwayemisi Cecilia Ogun and District Secretary, Rotary International, District 9110, Nigeria, Rotarian Segun Adewakun and Head of Administration, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Mr. Adeyinka Antwi, during a visit of the club on Mental Health Intervention Programme, at the hospital,
L-R: Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc. Franco Maria-Maggi; Grand Prize winner of ?1 Million and a recording deal in the Fuji Tío Bam category, Onimama Fausiya; Senior Brand Manager, Regional Mainstream Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Funso Ayeni; and Regional Business Manager, Ibadan, Olubukola Dare, at the grand finale of Ariya Repete, the Yoruba music talent hunt show in Ibadan...recently
L-R;MD, SWM Solutions, Mrs Tolagbe Martins; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Abiodun Bamigboye; Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Lagos State, Dr. Adejare Babatunde Samuel and Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Environment, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe at the Cleaner Lagos initiative/Visionscape media workshop in Lagos today, 1 August, 2017. ABIODUN AJALA
L-R: Anambra state commissioner for Information, Mr. Tony Nnachetam; President, Nigerian-American Chamber o Commerce, Chief Olabintan Famutimi; Deputy Governor of Anambra state, Dr. Nkem Okeke; and Managing Director, Anambra State Investment Protection and Promotion Agency, Hon. Joe-Billy Ekwunife, at breakfast meeting in Lagos...recently
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Quick Takes Danbatta to Deliver BUK Inaugural Lecture Ă’Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ ĚšËœ ĂœĂ™Ă?Ë› Ă—Ă‹Ăœ Ă‹ĂœĂŒĂ‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŒĂ‹ĘľĂ‹Ëœ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă‹ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă‹ĂŁĂ?ĂœĂ™ Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ÓÞã Ă‹Ă˜Ă™ Ě™ ̚˛ Ă’Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ÍŻÍśËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ Ă“Ă? ÞÓÞÖĂ?ĂŽË? ËŤ Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă?ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœË›ËŹ
Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă?âÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă‹ĘľĂœĂ‹Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœÄ Ă—Ă? ĂŽĂ? Ă–Ă‹ Ă?ĂœÄ Ă—Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ÓÞã Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ?ĂŁĂ™Ă˜ĂŽË› Ă‹ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă?Ăœ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŒĂ‹ĘľĂ‹ Ă”Ă™Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ÓÞã Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă•Ă•Ă‹Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă? Ă?ÚÙÕĂ? Ă™Ă˜ ËŤ Ă’Ă? ÙÖĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ă‹ĂœĂŁ ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë? Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?ËŹË› Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă—Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ͹͜ÞÒ Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ăœ âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě™ Ěš Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă? ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă? Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœË› Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? ĘŠĂ?Ă?Ăœ Ě™ Ěš Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹Ăœ ĂŒĂŁ Ă?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă¤Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă? ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă’Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ’ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă?ÞËÑĂ?Ë› Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ–Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ËŞĂ? ĂŒĂ“Ă‘Ă‘Ă?Ă?Ăž ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù× ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ ĂŒĂ™ĂŽĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă‹ĘľĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ë›
Ondo Holds ICT Training for Girls
A NEW OFFERING
L-R: Group Head, Construction and Cement, Corporate Bank, Keystone Bank Ltd, Abubakar Jose; Chief Compliance OďŹƒcer, Joyce Obi; Acting Managing Director/CEO, HaďŹ z Bakare; Divisional Head, Bankwide Operations, Uchenna Okwodu and acting Directorate Head, Lagos and West, Simpson Eimiakhena, during the launch of the bank’s *533# Code in Lagos‌recently>
Develop New Business Model for Survivability, NCC Urges ISPs Stories by Emma Okonji In order to address the mirage of challenges that are threatening the survivability of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has challenged ISPs to develop new business model in line with current market trends that would help them remain in business. NCC said the need to develop a new business model, became necessary, following the challenges confronting ISPs, as enumerated by the ISPs at a stakeholders’ forum organised by NCC on Monday in Lagos. NCC is worried that the number of licensed ISPs in the country is decreasing by
ECONOMY the day and that the number of active ISPs that are renewing their licences is also declining, a situation, it said, would continue to affect broadband penetration and growth in the country, if not addressed. The Director, Licensing and Authorisation at NCC, Ms. Funlola Akiode, in her presentation at the forum, said that between 1996 and 2001, the NCC licensed over 170 ISPs to provide internet services to Nigerians, but expressed her worries that from 2002 to date, the number ISPs issued licences has dropped drastically and the number of renewal of licences also dropped heavily, a situation, she said, raised serious
‘Nigerian Businesses Technologies’ Drivers of indigenous businesses operating in Nigeria have been called upon to accept modern technology trends, in order to structure their business model in line with the needs of their local environment, and become major players in a fast-paced digital economy. Founder, Chams Group Plc and Chairman, SmartCity Resorts Plc, Demola Aladekomo, who made the call in Lagos recently while delivering a keynote address at the Information Communication, Technology and Telecommunications Exhibition and Conference (ICTEL EXPO 2017), organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said
concern within the regulator and the industry stakeholders. “NCC has witnessed a tremendous decline in the number of applications for the ISP licence. The renewal rate of the licence category also dropped drastically. In the past five years, the Commission has licensed a total number of 103 ISPs nationwide, but only about 10 per cent have applied for renewal of the licence. “That is one of the reasons why we decided to hold a stakeholders’ forum to find out why about 90 per cent of licensed ISPs are out of business, and why some ISPs have not rolled out services in accordance with the condition of their licences. “After listening to ISPs and
Must
ICT technology would serve as a foundation for all activities in the digital economy and would also create a lot of inventions and opportunities, which will liberate resources, create new markets and eventually disrupt the current supply chain system. He therefore advised businesses to brace up for the new technology development before they get caught by the tide of technological revolution, noting that change could come in a disruptive manner. Considering the theme of this year’s exhibition: “The Digital Economy: Strategies for Growth in A Connected
industry stakeholders, NCC feel moved to advise the ISPs to develop a new business model that will help sustain their business and remain competitive in the market,� Akiode said. According to her, as a responsive regulator, the sustainability of ISPs in the telecommunication business in Nigeria remained the primary interest of NCC. Apart from guiding us in making appropriate regulatory interventions for the enormous investment in the sector, the stakeholders’ forum would also offer NCC the opportunity to ensure that Internet for all Nigerians is achievable, Akiode said. Continued on page 24
Embrace,
World�, Aladekomo stated that numerous potentials abound to be exploited with technology, especially with the changing demography of Nigeria being populated with lots of young persons as well as the availability of data, which now connects the country’s market to the global market. According to him, “The possible effects of this new economy that we are looking at includes that the core structure of your business is going to be different completely. If you can remember the VHS days, when we used to go and rent cassettes. Now, you find everything streaming online. This means that the business
Localise
landscape therefore has completely changed. Your value proposition will also change as a result of the presence of data available. There is going to be massive explosion in new businesses, new organisations and new markets as a result of technology. “Therefore, the first thing you need to do is to accept the inevitable, that your market has changed, the supply chain has changed, technology is going to disrupt every single thing that you are doing. If you do not change, change is going to come to you and it will be disastrous if you do not accept it. There Continued on page 24
Ă˜Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă?ÒÙÙÖ Ă‘Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă? ĂŽĂœĂ‹ĂĄĂ˜ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Í°Íł Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă?ÒÙÙÖĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă•Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă˜ĂŽĂ™ ÞËÞĂ?Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĚ‹ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă• Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă?Ăœ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ě™ Ěš Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ ĂŒĂ“ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ăž ÞÒĂ?Ă— åÓÞÒ ÎÓÑÓÞËÖ ÞÙÙÖĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă—Ă? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? ĘŠĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœËœ ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă?ʾã Ă˜ĂŁĂ‹Ă˜ĂĄĂ&#x;Ě‹ Ă•Ă?ĂœĂ?ÎÙÖĂ&#x; Ă?Ù××Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ‹ Ă™Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă‹ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă—Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÞËÞĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă”Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜ Ę¨ĂœĂ—Ëœ ËÚÓÞËÖ Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽË› ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă—Ă? Ă˜ĂŁĂ‹Ă˜ĂĄĂ&#x;Ě‹ Ă•Ă?ĂœĂ?ÎÙÖĂ&#x; Ă?×ÚÒËĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă‘Ă“ĂœĂ– Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽËœ Ă?Ă‹ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‘Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă? Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ?Ù×Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂŒĂ‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÒËÞ åÙ×Ă?Ă˜ ÙʰĂ?Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă?Þã˛ ËŤ ×ÚËĂ?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă˜ĂŽĂ™ ÞËÞĂ? åÓÞÒ Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ–Ă?ĂŽĂ‘Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ“Ă™ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? ÎÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ăž ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă¤Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘ åÙ×Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÚÖËĂ?Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă— Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ Ă?Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË› Ă’Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă? ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă&#x;ÞÓÖÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ–Ă?ĂŽĂ‘Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă— ÞÙ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁËœ Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ×ËÞÒĂ?×ËÞÓĂ?Ă?ËœËŹ Ă?Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ
Airtel Bags Service Excellence Award
Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁËœ Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ ĂŒĂ‹Ă‘Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ě™ ̚˛ Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÚÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă?Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŽĂ“ĘĽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă“Ă?Ë› Ù××Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĘŠĂ?Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ăž Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ ĂœË› Ă’Ă—Ă‹ĂŽ ÙÒÕÖĂ?Ă?Ëœ ĂŽĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă— Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÒËÞ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂžĂ’ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁË› Ă’Ă? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă• Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă–ËŞĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù×Ă? ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ăœ ĂŒĂŁ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ‘Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă™ĂŒĂ”Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽËœ Ă“Ă? ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? ĂšĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ăž ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂžĂ’ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÚÙĂ?ÓÞÓà Ă? Ó×ÚËĂ?Ăž Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă?Þã Ă‹Ăž Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ë›
“Nigeria needs digital skills training for its youths and Google is focusing on digital training to empower Africans to write software codes for their local economies� Chief Executive of Google, Mr Sundar Pichal
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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ
DEVELOP NEW BUSINESS MODEL FOR SURVIVABILITY, NCC URGES ISPS Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management at NCC, Mr. Sunday Dare, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta at the forum, said: “The larger telecoms industry, of which ISPs are integral part, is beset with numerous challenges. The issues with power, accessibility of foreign exchange, multiple taxation/regulation, infrastructure vandalisation, as well as high cost and long delays in obtaining rights of way and permits, not only degrade the quality of services provided by our licensees, they also negatively affect the attainment of critical national objectives on the speedy rollout of broadband networks to power socio-economic growth and the enhancement of our industry’s contribution to national GDP.� ‘NIGERIAN BUSINESSES MUST EMBRACE, LOCALISE TECHNOLOGIES’ will be lots of opportunities created. There will be challenges also created, but will both be for you or for your competition? If you are the one disrupting the market, then you are creating challenges for your competition, but if you allow your competition to create challenges for you, then you are in trouble,� he said. Speaking on the importance of business analysis, Aladekomo urged businesses not to overanalyse issues as the future is now. The technology expert also stated that businesses should have a fundamental understanding of the local market rather than structuring their business models solely on technology. Aladekomo said; “We do know that everything is not about software, no; it’s about the business model. You need to think out of the box. In coming up with a business model, we need to look at the technologies that are available. For us to know about the technologies available, we must understand them, we must learn about them a lot, but learning about them is not even as good enough as understanding the local environment.
Group Business Editor
Ă’Ă“Ă•Ă‹ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă¤Ă?Ě‹ ĂĄĂ‹Ă?Ă’Ă&#x;Ă•Ă&#x; AgriBusiness/Industry Editor
Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ äĂ? Comms/e-Business Editor
Ă—Ă—Ă‹ Ă•Ă™Ă˜Ă”Ă“ Capital Market Editor
ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă? Senior Correspondent
Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă— Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents
Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ ĂœĂ™Ă•Ă? (Labour) ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ (Maritime) ÔÓÙĂ?Ă™Ăœ Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? (Energy) Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă?ÔÙ (Nation’s Capital) ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă‹ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ă‹ (Money Mkt) Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ăœ (Energy) Reporters
Ă&#x;Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă?Ă‘Ă’Ă? (Money Market) Ă™Ă?Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă•Ă’Ă&#x;ÙÑÓĂ? (Cap Mkt)
2015 Budget Tracking: N2bn Approved Capital Projects Unidentified in Six States Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE) has revealed that a total of 182 federal capital projects approved in the 2015 appropriation Act to the tune of N2,021,548,008 billion could not be identified in the six states of Benue, Imo, Ekiti, Jigawa, Cross River, and Gombe. Acting General Secretary of the group, Ms. Mma Odi , disclosed this in Abuja while presenting a-152 page report on budget tracking of the 2015 Appropriation Act. She also stated that the report would also be made available to the leadership of the National Assembly, stressing that the aim was not to name and shame but to ensure the implementation of the projects through oversight function by respective MDAs. Odi noted that ACE-Nigeria Project was aimed at promoting citizens’ participation in the fight against corruption and good governance in Nigeria through mobilisation and building capacity of citizens and groups, as well as tracking capital projects in the six states, adding that each state was selected from the geo-political zone. She noted that 899 citizens were mobilised, while a total of 1,232 stakeholders were trained for the project. Furthermore, she said that ACE discovered that whereas some projects have been completed, some of the ones completed are not being used by the communities while some are on-going. She also noted
that some of the projects were abandoned, while some were not executed at all. According to her, in Benue State, 37 capital projects were identified and tracked, while seven could not be fully identified amounting to N247,750,000. The breakdown of some of the projects that are yet to be properly or fully identified
include Sentisation of Human Rights Abuses for 10,000 persons in conflict areas of Gboko/ Tarka LGAs with a sum of N85,000,000; Skill Acquisition Training & Empowerment, at Oju/Obi Fed Constituency a tN12,250,000; HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign/Free Medicine Outreach at Apa and Agatu LGA, N50,000,000 among others.
The situation was the same in Cross River State, as ACE identified and tracked 18 capital projects, while 14 capital projects were not identified amounting to N435,000,000. Some of the projects that the group could not identify included Provision of water projects in selected communities of Obubra LGA at N187,500,000; Grants to
Purpose Cooperative Societies in Obanliku/ Obudu/ Bekwarra LGA, at the sum of N20,000,000; and Supply of tricycles to selected youth in Ikom LG CRS at N50,000,000. Odi explained that in Ekiti State, 12 capital projects were identified and tracked, while 10 capital projects could not be identified amounting to N391,834,008.
CLOSED DEAL ON CYBERSECURITY
L-R: Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, with Country Manager, ESET Nigeria, Mr. Olufemi Ake, during the signing of cybersecurity partnership between the agency and ESET, in Abuja...recently
Zinox Unveils Future Visions Roadmap, Partners Foreign Firms Emma Okonji Zinox Technologies Ltd., has unveiled its future visions roadmap under which the company is set to roll out the first set of new products designed in partnership with foreign tech firms – Intel Corp., Ashour Corporation, Tecsync Technology Co. Ltd. and Microsoft. Chairman, Zinox Group, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, said at the even in Lagos recently that the vision is an ambitious project underpinned by research and development that will see the various companies in the Zinox Group diversify into new business areas with products in critical emerging sectors including Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Healthy Living, Core ICT, Internet of Things, Medicine, FMCG, Entertainment and Education, among others. According to Ekeh “As the world is shrinking at an unprecedented pace as a result of the impacts of new technologies, new audiences are emerging with a demand to consume new products. The Zinox Future Visions mandate, therefore, is to anticipate where the world is headed and be ready with the right products and solutions. “With a strong, young research and development team with an average age of 28 except me, the Group has the requisite human capital/ resources, financial muscle, carrying capacity, industryknowledge, street-smartness
with credible global partnerships to further diversify into hitherto-uncharted territories and take dominance of these areas.� Among the first set of exciting products to be launched under the Zinox Future Visions is the GTX laptop: the world’s smallest laptop and the Kids Legacy Tab, a device targeted at kids between the ages of 3 to 13 who would have the critical foundation to lead in their chosen fields in future. Built to meet the computing needs of a dynamic audience, the ultra-slim GTX laptop is a powerful tool. The device runs on Intel Cherry Trail OS with 1.9GHz computing power and a durable 10,000mAh battery which offers users up to 10 hours’ average use. Boasting a 2GB RAM and 32GB internal storage expandable to 120GB, the 14-inch GTX weighs a paltry 1.5kg thus making it a lightweight companion for work, travel and leisure. For the Kids Legacy Tab, parents and care-givers will find a fitting device with which to introduce their children to technology and new vistas of learning, Ekeh said. In addition to a device manager to enable parents monitor content, the tablet is pre-loaded with over 50 educational and fun games and rated as knowledge luxury platform for kids. Available in red, blue and fuchsia colours, the Wi-Fi enabled Kids Legacy Tab assures 1.2GHz computing power and extended use with
a 2500mAh battery. Both products will complement the new 8-inch Zpad and will see an expansion of the
scope of offerings in Zinox’s mobile devices products suite. The Zpad which offers high speed voice and data services
has been widely accepted in the market, a factor that is expected to weigh in favour of the new devices being rolled out.
ESET, NITDA Collaborate on Cyberspace Security Emma Okonji Determined to put an end to cyber attacks and reduce online insecurity across organisations and tertiary institutions, ESET, a technology security company, has partnered the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to address security challenges. The partnership, according to the technology company, would provide standards and guidelines in the protection of Nigeria cyberspace and ensure that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government, secure their information technology infrastructure. The partnership will enable NITDA, government’s institutions, and IT administrators to have access to periodic cyber security training by ESET experts on emerging threats. Pleased with the collaboration, the Director-General at NITDA, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, said: “We are at a defining moment in the evolution and growth of the internet in running day to day activities and deliverables of government
and schools. Large-scale data breaches, ransomware attack, cybercrime, surveillance and other online threats are eroding Nigerians’ trust on government e-platforms/websites and affecting how they use the internet as a whole.� He said such security threats would make the partnership highly necessary to provide awareness and education on cybersecurity and also ensure that all government and private institutions are protected by a tested and trusted Information Technology (IT) security solution provider. “ESET, an IT Security company will support and drive NITDA’s role in providing and jointly developing frameworks for data protection and safe cyberspace in Nigeria,� ESET Country Manager, Mr. Olufemi Ake, stated. According to him, the partnership is also part of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of ESET, disclosing that the company would provide schools in Nigeria with free internet security on their connected devices through a scheme tagged ESET Secure
School Initiative. Ake said the scheme is designed to sensitise over 70 per cent of the academia in cyber security and the need for proactive protection of research data. The Project Coordinator and Marketing Manager at ESET, Mr. Olabanji Soledayo confirmed that the ESET Secure School Initiative would provide platform which delivers endto-end protection for the school environment and private users such as students in campuses. “The scheme will offer one of its award-winning products named ESET Internet Security to the students and staff of participating schools with amazing features such as Data Protection, Web Control, Ransomware Protection, Antivirus, Anti-phishing, Anti-theft, Private Wi-Fi Protection, and Internet Banking and Online Shopping Protection,� Soledayo said. “The product will be available to students for free and it is compatible with all operating systems such as Windows, Mac and Android, as well as any internet connected devices,� he added.
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Samsung: Empowering Nigerian Youths Samsung Electronics Engineering Academy, in collaboration with the Lagos State government, is developing a pool of technicians to bridge the technical skills gap in the country, writes Emma Okonji
Some students of class 2016 from Samsung Electronics Engineering Academy, during their graduation ceremony in Lagos...recently
For five years running, the Samsung Electronics Engineering Academy, which is managed by Samsung Electronics West Africa (SEWA), has been involved in training students from technical colleges on technical skills acquisition designed around home appliances and mobile phones. Each year, students undergo 21 months intensive hands-on-training and at the end of every training session, they graduate from the academy to begin small scale business on home appliances electronics devices. Some further their education to study engineering related courses at various tertiary institutions. But those who graduate with exceptional skills are either employed directly by SEWA or sent out to other organisations that need their services. This year, the academy graduated 72 students, fully trained and equipped with technical skills on home appliances. Aside training, the 72 students were also awarded certificates and equipped with tool boxes that will enable them begin small scale business on repairs and maintenance of home appliances. Addressing dearth in ICT skills At this year’s graduation, 72 technicians, comprising young boys and girls, graduated from Samsung Electronics West Africa class of 2016, thus bridging the technical skills gap in the country. They joined the 257 graduates, who have passed through the institution over the last four years, and who are expected to deepen the pool of well-trained technicians in the country. With over 170 million people and a high rate of population growth, the World Bank estimates that Nigeria needs to create an additional 40 to 50 million jobs between now and 2030 – a compelling reason for both the public and private sectors within the country to sit up and amends. It was with this challenge in mind that Samsung Electronics established the West Africa Engineering Academy in 2012, to create a pool of technically-skilled graduates who are
either eligible for employment or are able to start their own businesses. Skills empowerment The Training Manager, Samsung Engineering Academy, Mr. Dickinson Odikayo, said the students were trained for a period 21 months (18 months in school and three months intensive training at Samsung Engineering Academy). “The training is grouped into categories; basic class, intermediary class and advanced class. We train them on how to repair and install consumer electronics that ranges from refrigerator, fridge, washing mashing, air conditioners, deep fryer, microwave oven, mobile phones, among others,” Odikayo said. “The new graduates were trained to either become employees in repair centres and assembly lines, or to become independent entrepreneurs. Some of Samsung’s service partners also help employ these graduates,” Odikayo said. The focus Head of Customer Service, SEWA, Mr. Raymond Olatokun, said the training was borne out of the need to fill the technical skills gap in the country. “We train people who have some skills in technical courses and we train them to be more equipped with advanced technical skills that will help them find jobs or even set up their our business, offering technical services to customers. At the end if the training programme, Samsung employs some of them directly,” Olatokun said. Managing Director of Samsung West Africa, Mr. Changwook Lee, said: “Samsung’s aim is to build successful partnerships in Nigeria to equip the country’s youth with the technical skills they need to transform their lives and contribute to the development of the country.” According to him, academy revolutionises traditional education by providing technical and vocational training for school leavers, tertiary students and unemployed youth.
Appreciating SEWA Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, Mrs. Omolara Erogbogbo, said the Samsung Engineering Academy remained a great initiative which has given hope to youths with technical skills and equipped them to become technicians in electronics engineering. Since its inception, the SEWA Lagos has trained over 800 students across the three trade areas (Household Appliances, Information and Mobile, and Audio Visual) under Basic, Intermediate and Advance training. She said the collaboration between the state and SEWA to train students on technical skills is already yielding results as more youths are trained and equipped with technical tools to begin their own business. The impact Pleased with the impact of the training programme on the society, Kareem Jaiyeola, a 22 years old student, who graduated from the academy, said he has become an electrical installation and maintenance technician, based on the technical knowledge imparted in him during the training. “I graduated in 2015 as a home appliance technician. I saw the training as an opportunity for me to improve on my skills, acquire knowledge and get exposed to become a better person,” he said. According to him, “My experience in the Academy is a very insightful one. It impacted on me in so many areas of my life. It exposed me to so many good things that life entails. It helped me relate better with people. The Academy also trained on latest home appliance products and also equipped me the necessary tools, which have helped stand me out from other regular technicians.” Speaking on the importance of the training to the Nigerian economy, some of the graduating students, who spoke in affirmative, said the training has helped them in gaining practical knowledge, combined with the theoretical
work they learnt in their technical colleges to make them real professionals with mastery in home appliance repairs and maintenance. Some of the other graduating students who spoke with THISDAY about their experiences during training, were full of praises for Samsung, and thanked the company for the positive impact the training has had on them, making them skillful in technical knowledge. They prayed that the company would continue to grow stronger in its business, having thought it wise to empower Nigerian youths. Extending training initiative Olatokun, who spoke extensively on collaboration and need to extend the training programme to other states, said the training has to do more with collaboration, adding that aside Lagos State, the Ekiti State government is also in partnership with Samsung and that the training also runs in the state. He, however, said that most states have approached Samsung to extend the training to them. He explained that Samsung was still in the process of considering extending the training to more states. based on available logistics and support from the state government. He advised Nigerians who have interests in acquiring technical to give all of their time to attend the training and catch-in on the opportunity therein. Commitment According to SEWA, it would continue to be committed to the development of communities where it operates. “Samsung Electronics Engineering Academy provides an opportunity for youth empowerment and wealth creation in Nigeria. We are dedicated to building a workforce of technicians and service experts, in line with the government’s drive of empowering its citizens, especially the youth segment. SEWA is dedicated to manufacturing innovative technologies and efficient processes that enrich the lives of its customers,” Lee said.
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Oloruntimehin: Digital Transformation, Key to Business Growth The General Country Manager, Cisco Nigeria, Mr. Olakunle Oloruntimehin, spoke with Emma Okonji on the importance of data centres to organisations and the need to embrace digital transformation for faster business growth. Excerpts: Cisco has been operating in Nigerian for several years. How has its service offering impacted businesses in the country? Cisco is focused on helping customers modernise their data centre and legacy information technology (IT) infrastructure with a hybrid-IT solution that maximises application performance, mitigates risk, and increases operational agility in order to guide their digital transformation journeys. Cisco empowers customers with the choice and flexibility to run any of their traditional and cloud-native applications using converged and hyper-converged infrastructure solutions that can be deployed across on-premise, managed, and public clouds. This architectural approach ties analytics, simplicity, automation, and protection, with a consistent policy across a hybrid-cloud built with industry-leading data centre networking, security, converged infrastructure, and software-defined solutions. To what extent will the current digital transformation drive impact businesses in the country? Digital transformation is forcing enterprises to adapt to the accelerated pace and the increased diversity in the types of users, apps, and locations that their IT organisations have to manage to support their business. Digital transformation will result in the creation of thousands of new enterprise applications that will increase the primary interface between the customer and the enterprise, especially for digital transactions. Hundreds of thousands of private and public-sector enterprises are well underway with digital transformation projects in order to revamp their customer experience, create new revenue streams, and modernise their business processes. This is a do-or-die proposition for IT organisations as more than half of all IT budgets will be Oloruntimehin
invested in digital transformation by 2020. What enterprise packages are accessible to startups? Cisco DC architecture offers tailor made packages for companies at all sizes and business focus within their locations and in the cloud.
Digital transformation is forcing enterprises to adapt to the accelerated pace and the increased diversity in the types of users, apps, and locations that their IT organisations have to manage to support their business. Digital transformation will result in the creation of thousands of new enterprise applications that will increase the primary interface between the customer and the enterprise, especially for digital transactions
How important are these enterprises packages to businesses? Very much, it allows businesses to choose what works and suite there needs with pay as you grow options. Are the services affordable? Cisco offers DC solutions that allow enterprises of all sizes make the best of technology while offering the best total cost of ownership marketwide. So the services are quite affordable. What security measure lies for customers that use Cisco data centre? Cisco pays lot of attention to security, the portfolio is rich and give answers to modern threats. Security is embedded in the DNA of every product and solution we offer, on-prem and in the cloud. How do you manage the enterprise solutions you provide, is it done remotely or do you have hands on technical support? Both, because Cisco offers on premise support and deployment services through business partners or Cisco advance services. Customers have also the option to choose variety of services packages on site service. What is the impact of datacentres to already established brands as opposed to emerging brands? Cisco is the only true vendor with E2E DC offering. Cisco has its own flavour for service plan regardless of the type of organiation.
Do you offer any training on Cisco datacentre and what does it entails? Yes we do. We also offer industry-leading cerfications that help enterprises invest in its people. What type of innovations have you brought to your datacentre in the past three to five years? It’s such a long answer. If it’s for specific case I can come up with a long list. But just to mention Hyperconverge solution, the first to combine storage, compute and networking in an easy to scale platform ready for business critical applications. Our hybrid cloud management platform allows companies manage application lifecycles across multiple cloud. Our Tetration platform as another example, helps customers analyse every packet and every flow in their DC and cloud and has multiple use cases around application dependency mapping, application segmentation, application forensics, among others. How popular are cloud datacentre services in the Africa market? Datacentre and cloud service proliferation is growing in the African market at a very fast pace. We will see adoption at an even higher pace as more enterprises embrace digital-first strategies. What will you say are the value proposition and return on investment when data are stored in the cloud? The value proposition and return on investment (ROI) of running certain applications in the cloud is well understood today as it provides higher agility, lowered operational costs and meets unpredictable demand. However, each single-vendor cloud offering has pros and cons
such as challenges related to data sovereignty, compliance and the inability of moving core intellectual property or sensitive data outside the confines of the enterprise. Are there business risks in managing apps on-premise? Until now, IT organisations have had to make binary decisions between managing their apps on-premise or ceding control of the apps to end-users who are choosing cloud-native deployments. This can result in increased security risks and management/operational challenges such as “Shadow IT�. What should organisations do to support their data applications with less risk? To support modern applications and the explosion in end points and data, enterprises will require modernisation of their IT infrastructure and operations that leverage the best aspects of on-premise and cloud deployment models to support both traditional and cloud-native applications. Hybrid IT is no longer a theory, it will be the de facto operational model for private and public sector enterprises globally. What are the benefits of cloud to businesses and IT transformation? The cloud journey and infrastructure modernisation will be an integral part of IT transformation. The solution is to openly embrace the benefits of the cloud as part of the overarching goal to enable IT to deploy modern apps in the most efficient ways possible with the performance, reliability, and security requirements of traditional, business-critical data centre apps. Internal IT end-users who are customers, such as lines of business and application developers are constantly seeking alternative ways to procure the necessary infrastructure to support their digital projects.
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Freetel, TD Mobile Seal Deal on Smartphones Stories by Emma Okonji Freetel, Japan selling smartphone mobile brand, recently announced its partnership with TD Mobile, mobile devices distributor in sub-Saharan Africa, to establish its presence in the Nigerian mobile market space. Founded by in 2012 in the city of Toyko, Japan Freetel said it has launched its smartphone in 20 countries, with additional plan to launch in Nigeria. Freetel started its expansion programme since November 2015 in Asia, North America, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. The Freetel devices are currently available in 20 countries including two African markets of Egypt and Ghana respectively. According to the company, plan to launch four different models of its Andriod smartphones into the Nigerian
market with prices ranging from N13, 000 to N38, 000. Freetel smartphones are designed in the state of the art design centre in Tokyo, and the manufacturing is supervised by Japanese engineers with over 40 years experience and all of them are Google GMS certified. The GMS Certification is the confirmation that a specific device meets Googles’ performance requirements and properly runs the Google Apps. Speaking at the media launch, Vice President, International Sales, Freetel, Mr. Eugene Yoshioka, said: “Nigeria is the market for Freetel and we are looking forward to reaching out to Nigerian consumers with our latest smartphones. We plan to invest in the country with a full- fledged subsidiary to support sales, marketing and after sales
support. We are glad that
we are partnering the most
powerful and trusted partner
of the region TD Africa.�
LAUNCH OF UBER GREENLIGHT HUB
L-R: Greenlight Operations Manager, O’Yoma Ukueku; Head of Greenlight sub-Saharan Africa, Taryn Morris; General Manager subSaharan Africa, Alon Lits; and Communications Lead, West Africa,Uber, Francesca Uriri, at the launch of the new Uber Greenlight Hub in Lagos...recently ETOP UKUTT
21st Century Technologies to Tackle Challenges with ICT Solutions 21st Century Technologies Limited, Nigeria’s information technology powerhouse has repositioned its operations to solve some of Nigeria’s toughest challenges. The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Wale Ajisebutu, who made the disclosure in Lagos recently,
said: “Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges includes: power and energy infrastructure, food security and agriculture, wealth creation and employment, mass transportation, land reforms, security, and education, and that each of these challenges has significant negative impact on Nigeria’s economy.�
He, however, said the company has developed sets of solutions to address and shape the present and future of Nigeria and Nigerians. “Central to all these are tailor-made solutions to address these challenges. They are indigenous solutions with global standards. We believe that
Nigerians deserve the very best. That is why the solutions are local to address local challenges� Ajisebutu said. According to him, “Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions remain the vital instrument that can be used by Nigerians to enhance service delivery strategy and
bring about innovations for the development of the economy. “That is why the solutions have been developed by some of the world’s best brains taking into consideration the Nigerian environments, because we cannot copy what work in other climates and expect them to work perfectly here.�
21st Century Technologies is building infrastructure, platform including applications that will revolutionise ICT in Nigeria. He said the technology company has been in the vanguard of Information Technology (IT) development with the introduction of various portals and applications.
THE ENTREPRENEUR’S BEST FRIEND You Have Just 5 Months Left To Make It Work How is it that we are already half way through the year? How did everyone forget to warn us about those mighty goals we set for ourselves entering the year 2017? I guess if we knew that the year would run so quickly we would’ve put less pressure of our selves to be called achievers of 2017. So if you’re like me who wrote a whole book on goal setting and filled out every page but is yet to achieve all set goals, don’t panic. We still have 5 months or so, to make you feel better. Or, let’s say about 150 days to achieve our goals. Here are steps you need to take to ensure you achieve the reaming goals set for 2017. REVIEW YOUR GOALS I remember in an article I wrote around December 2016 for my column on THISDAY Newspaper, I discussed the importance of setting SMART goals. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Based goals. We used different techniques to ensure that those goals were achievable. It is time for you not to review the past 6 months, have you been investing your time in activities that will help achieve your goals, or are
you spending more energy complaining about those goals. Are your goals still relevant or perhaps its time to set new goals? Are the time frames you set still realistic? If a goal you set no longer works or is no longer valid, do not be afraid to strike it off your list. CREATE A MIND MAP This should be a clear picture of the steps needed to achieve your new goals as perhaps what you need is a good old reminder. A mind map can help you make better connections between facts and ideas. You can also use them as solution boards.
today or a journal that’s can help track your daily progress. HANDLE ONE TASK AT A TIME As written in my goal setting workbook, the best approach in achieving those big goals is achieving the small and. medium goals in between. So deal for example instead of dealing with the whole 24 hours ahead of you why don’t you handle your day hour by hour. That way you are not overwhelmed or anxious about the future.
DISCUSS WITH A TRUSTED FRIEND/ MENTOR If that goal seems impossible to achieve or is properly way out of your league then you should talk to your mentor. Your mentors have probably had such goals in the past and can advice on the do’s and don’ts on achieving them.
BREAK BAD HABITS This could be sleeping when you are supposed to be working. Taking money out of your savings, being too hard on yourself. Spend a day writing down all your actions, thoughts and words. At the end of the day read through your list and start working on those things you think might be affecting your goals negatively.
DOWNLOAD A PRODUCTIVITY APP Can I be the first to remind you that for almost all issues pertaining humans, there is a technological procedure to make life easier and better. So download a productivity app
JUST DO IT You have just 5 months left! This isn’t the time to let fear or regrets hold you back. Go after every dream or person on your goal-setting list. The worst that will happen
Debbie D ebbi eb bie La L Larry-Izamoje arry y--Iz Izaam mo ojje
is a simple “NO�. Train yourself to see the good in everything, be relentless, be brave and ensure you conduct periodic check-ins. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Debbie Larry-Izamoje AKA The Entrepreneur’s Best-Friend, holds a BSc in Information management from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. And Msc in management from University College London (UCL). She has also secured certificates in user innovation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Innovation and strategy from Harvard University. She is on a mission to raise a generation of young established or soon to be established professionals who are more vocal about business difficulties while providing solutions through public speaking, article writing, training, workshops and coaching. She is the founder of Image Boosters a Communications and strategy agency aimed at assisting SME’s, with core services in social media management and business strategy consultation. Website: www.imageboosters.com.ng Instagram: @dee_larry @imageboosters_ Email: contactus@ imageboosters.com.ng or debbie@imageboosters. com.ng, 08050464111 (text only)
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Spot the Difference Raheem Akingbolu seeks experts’ interpretations of the similarity between the campaigns of Wema and Providus Banks currently running in the newspapers and other platforms Brand analysts have gotten fresh issue to feed on. To a layman, it is nothing but a mere clash of ideas but to those sharp minds who understand the chemistry of creativity, the similarity goes beyond that. A quick look at the campaigns currently being run by Wema and Providus Banks bare it all. Though the messages of their campaigns are different, their layouts are the same. Perhaps what makes the issue exciting is the fact that both concepts come from players in the same sector of the economy –Banking. In an advertising material placed by Providus Bank, one of the most promising financial brands, in some national newspapers recently, with the message; ‘welcome to future forward banking,’ a mimic of its pay-off line –Future Forward Banking, the bank emphasises its determination to use innovative product advancements to create better banking experience. It went on by stating that; “This, along with personalised service and a tailored delivery, allows us to put our customers and their businesses at the heart of everything we do.� For Wema Bank that appears to be currently doing away with its regional toga, the last few weeks can be said to be season of campaigns. Though the messages in various ad placed by Wema Bank are different, it maintains the same layout in all the campaigns. Among other products, the campaign touches on issues like WEMA USD Travel card and its various online and mobile banking products. The concepts A close look at the layouts which are now in the press and out-of- homes platform reveals two similar creative concepts. Though, Wema’s colour of pupple and Providus’ deep blue are maintained respectively in the two ideas and the messages are different, the layouts are the same. Since it was discovered that the two organisations are using the same layout, a lot of questions have been asked by analysts and creative minds. While some people are curious to know which of the organisation first used the layout, another set of people are keen to know if it is wrong for two companies (especially when they are competitors) to use similar layouts. Whether they are competing brands or not, some have maintained that only few organisations in Nigeria stick to a particular layout as their brand characters. Few years ago, Glo and First bank got enmeshed in a similar controversy. Glo had developed its own creative through its in-house creative department, while FirstBank’s was handled by a South African firm, Brand Union (then known as Enterprise IG) in conjunction with Lolu Akinwumi’s Prima Garnet in Nigeria. Experts’ views Reacting to the issue, the publisher of Marketing Edge Magazine, Mr. John Ajayi, described the similarity as unethical. According to him, there should not be stereotype in creativity, adding that a situation where an agency verbatim copies another brand’s creative concept deliberately is unethical and it runs against convention. He said: “Coming up with the same creative design and layout in creative effort is something that cannot be explained away. While it cannot be impossible for convergence in terms of creative thinking operating in the same creative environment, it cannot be said to be defensible. Agreed, the brand that first did it may not patent it but still it is bad for another creative agency to copy it verbatim. What this simply means is that there is dearth of creativity in the industry.’’ One of the experts, who hold the belief that no organisation has exclusive right to a particular layout, Mr. Mike Obiajulu Meze, said it would be difficult for anybody to castigate any of the parties involved because there is nothing unusual about what they have done.
“When you have ad practitioners that belong to the same school of thought, chances are that they think alike. In advertising, we have two schools of thought -The Unilever and the P&G school of thought. For instance, I belong to Unilever school of thought and if another person from the same school is working on similar campaign as mine, our background could influence our thought. What I’m saying in essence is that when the people from any of these agencies are working on different things, there are possibilities of coming up with similar ideas. Another thing is if two guys passed through Insight or DDB, they might have taken with them their agencies approach to layout and this will influence their thoughts. To Meze, who was a former staff of UAC and later an Account Director with Insight Communications, it happens occasionally on both local and on the international scene to see organisations adopting the same layout. “There is nothing wrong about it, since the campaign and the message are different. Again in an evolving market like Nigeria, we cannot entirely run away from things like this when we are all looking for an idea that would sell�. The practitioner, who is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Winning Concepts Public Relations Limited, however, appealed to ad practitioners to adhere strictly to the rule of the game. “There is no word, phrase, or a combination of words that can be said to be new, except if you are talking of slangs or jargons that come and go out of fashion every now and then. Creativity, in the main, is about finding new idea combinations. Ordinarily, there is nothing wrong with two distinct organisations or non-competing brands using similar layouts to pass their messages across. One thing I will emphasise is that agencies must give necessary advice to their clients and adhere strictly to the rule of the game�, he said. Another analyst, Mr. Samuel Ajayi, who corroborated the position of Meze, said the fact that all creative minds are out to make
sure their ads are read, it pushes them to go extra miles to come out with layouts that will bring out the visual, caption, headline and other elements in the best way. “Since it has not been disputed anywhere that great minds think alike, it will be difficult to say two creative directors cannot come out with the same idea. Take for instance, Rio de Janeiro’s logo in Brazil that was developed in anticipation for the Olympic few years ago was discovered to resemble a logo of an NGO in South America. After investigation, it was discovered that the NGO has been using it for long. It was also found out that despite the colour and logo similarity, none of them plagiarised. The two were simply products of two independent creative minds�, he said. But to Olamide Bakare, a media analyst with Indigo Public Relations, ‘’The question to ask is; which of the organisations first came out with it? If it was Providus, then Wema must have copied or adapted it carelessly and if Wema was the first to come out with it, it simply means that Providus and its creative agency also copied�. This is also the position of Mr. Aniete Udor, the Chief Operating Officer of Media Edge, a PR firm. According to Udor, the similarities simply confirmed that there is decline in the nation’s creative industry. ‘’One wonders which regulator approved the two concepts. To me, it is unethical, especially when we consider the fact that the two brands involved are operating in the same sector,’’ Responses To clarify which of the brands copy from the other, THISDAY sent questionnaire to the corporate affairs department of the two banks. Wema bank responded by stating that the concept was conceptualised by Wonderbrand for the bank when it was rebranded in 2015, an indication that it adopted it before Providus which was established few months ago. A senior staff in the Corporate Affairs Department of the bank, who spoke to THISDAY on the condition of anonymity, insisted that the bank
was the first to use the layout but declined further comment, arguing that Wema Bank was not willing to be part of any controversy. In his response, the Head, Brand & Corporate Communications at ProvidusBank, Mr. Dafe Ivwurie, stated that the bank’s brand visual language, indeed, the entire DNA of the Providus Bank brand, is built on the graphic device referred to. He said: “Our clients and customers are quite familiar with the device because it has been deployed on relevant brand materials including, but not limited to, adverts, debit cards, cheque books, stationery, PowerPoint template and staff ID cards. We have used it extensively across many touchpoints since 2015,’’ he said He added that in good corporate identity design, the visual language and graphic devices for a brand should always be inspired by some aspects of the corporate identity. ‘The graphic device for Providus Bank is directly related to the shape of the Providus Bank icon. The movement upwards of the graphic device, mirrors exactly the movement upwards of the Providus Bank icon. In addition, the graphic device for Providus Bank was developed in October 2015, presented to us and approved by the management team and Managing Director/CEO on the 5th November 2015.’’ He further stated in the statement that the style guide was presented to Providus Bank on the 29th March 2016, clearly showing grids and the representation of the graphic device, in relation to the identity icon. ‘’November 2016, the brand launched, and all collateral was made available to customers, containing this graphic device. Following on from this, another advert appeared in THISDAY and Businessday on March 15, 2017 when we published the Central Bank of Nigeria mandatory FX Utilisation.’’ With the two varying positions, the question of whether it is ethical or not for two organisations to use the same layout, thus, remains hanging.
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Repositioning Africa With the soaring profile and wide acceptability of the All Africa Music Awards, Raheem Akingbolu reckons that the continental awards are fast becoming a major tool for Africa destination branding To create top of mind awareness, leaders of thoughts in many countries of the world have consistently mobilised support for local and continental awards. Besides, when it involves music, award also helps in marketing and by extension boosting the economy. Perhaps this explains the followership enjoyed by The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and Grammy Awards. The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity was formerly the International Advertising Festival, which has remained a global event for those working in the creative communications, advertising and related fields. It is considered the largest gathering of worldwide advertising professionals, designers, digital innovators and marketers. The Lion awards are also the most coveted and well respected in the entire advertising and creative communications industry. Beyond its contribution to creativity, the annual event has become a positioning tool for the host country and her economy. This also goes for Grammy Award, (originally called Gramophone Award), which is also an honor awarded by The Recording Academy to recognise outstanding achievement in the mainly English-language music industry. For decades, the award has remained a destination branding tool for the United States of America. Though, stars and Hollywood insiders attend these festivals to promote their films and creative works, most of which are making their world premiere at the events, findings have revealed that people don’t just come to go to the beach, or to watch the films or creative works. They come to work. Buyers, sellers, distributors, producers, directors, all sorts of people come for Grammy or Cannes because they believe they are where they should be. AFRIMA to the rescue For years, Africans have yearned for a social platform that will not only unite them but that can also draw global attention to their people and businesses. Few years ago, AFRIMA was berthed on the soil of Africa by some young entertainment inclined young men and women, who saw music as a unifying tool that can as well be used to position the continent. Speaking on the relevance of the awards to the continent’s effort to make a global statement, the President and Executive Producer of AFRIMA, Mike Dada, said it was conceived to bridge the gap and attract global attention to Africa. He pointed out that the endorsement of African Union was an indication that the award would not only be a unifying tool but also a destination brand platform for Africa. He also said he was not surprised that the event has grown into a global brand pointing out that that was the idea from the onset. “For us, we know we are still building the brand and plan to take it to a level where people will be glued to their TV sets to watch the award globally. Building it from the scratch has not been easy and in reality, nothing comes easy. We understand what differentiates an ordinary man from an extraordinary one is the capacity to overcome challenges. There are a lot of challenges putting together an award for the African race but we have to do something. We are committed within ourselves as regards where we intend to take AFRIMA to and I must say we are currently on the right track. AFRIMA as an Activation platform In what looked like a subtle way to point out how brands that have in the past leveraged on the award fared in the market, Dada urged corporate organisations to join the train and explore the advantage of the brands activation opportunities that AFRIMA could bring to the table. He also stated that the continental award platform would offer opportunities to brand owners and sponsors to interact with the targeted audience. “Corporate Organisations especially those that have pan-African vision and targeting youths should partner with us to take over the whole of Africa. Music and entertainment sector generally has become big business in
AU Chairman, Alpha Conde
Africa and major contributor to GDP. AFRIMA has the appeal and reach with over hundred 4,816 entries from African music artists and professionals for the 2017 edition of the awards at the close of the two-month entry submission process recently. It simply indicates that the future looks bright,� he said. African Union Endorsement Speaking on how easy was it conveying an award conceived in Nigeria to the continental stage, Dada said it is difficult to conclude that the award was conceived in Nigeria. ‘’Was AFRIMA an idea thought in Nigeria? My answer is Yes and No. Yes because the root of the idea is from Nigeria and no because the other members of the team that have contributed to its growth are also from different parts of
AFRIMA is an all year round event and we have been to different countries across the continent attending conferences and other capacity development programmes which are part of the build up for the proper event. The aim is to ensure everyone involved is given good hospitality and that we put out a world class show that is representative of Africa
Dada
Africa. We have professionals in the media industry, music and entertainment, production industry, public relations and advertising who are members of our international committee. These people are CEOs of various organisations but are part of the team who put in ideas, policies and strategies to ensure the sustainability of the idea. What differentiates AFRIMA from other awards is that it’s not a one man show. We just have to put a face to it and I am only lucky to be the producer and President for a while. Building it across Africa and the continent has not been easy. There are immigration, finance, transportation, sponsorship and other issues that have affected one way or the other. But for us, we are committed to do it and build a brand for our people to understand the vision and its mission. The media budget alone is on the high side and there are plans to take the AFRIMA campaign across Europe and America because the idea is to communicate the strength of Africa to the rest of the world using the platform of entertainment, culture, arts, and tourism,� he added. He also pointed out that its spread informed why he was invited as a distinguished speaker to address the 4th Pan Africa Cultural Congress (PACC4) held at Sandton International Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa in May. The congress was organised by the African Union Commission under the theme: “Unity in Cultural Diversity for Africa’s Development, where the AFRIMA producer presented a paper on the “AFRIMA Project� under the topic: Creative Economy: From Policy to Practice. In a statement issued by the African Union Commission prior to the event, it was stated that; “The purpose of the 4th Pan-African Cultural Congress (PACC4) is to provide a platform for cultural experts, policy makers, private sector, civil society organisations working in the art, tourism and culture sector to take stock of the challenges and record good practices on harnessing cultural diversity to enhance policy development on the theme. Heads of State and Ministers of Culture, Youth and Tourism as well as cultural enthusiasts are expected. Speaking on how AFRIMA played around the African culture and its splendor last year, he emphasised the efforts being made to promote the African culture and her indigenous music. ‘’I think Africa will continue to evolve and considering that culture is dynamic, the essence of our culture should not be allowed to be
degraded or eroded. The onus lies on us as Africans to ensure that our culture, philosophies, and ideologies are not affected in anyway. We must be aware that the essence of our culture in terms of mindedness and identity as Africans must not be affected in anyway. We might dress or act like Westerners, we must always remember where we are from. That is why AFRIMA is bringing professionals from different sectors together to ensure we provide a face for Africans and what we can point at that is ours. We want to commercialise our culture to have a direct impact on the GDP and lives of every African so that we can all beat our chests that, ‘I did this for Africa’. On what to expect this year, he stated that plans are fundamental principles of planning, adding that the organisers started immediately preparing for this year immediately they finished the awards last year. ‘’AFRIMA is an all year round event and we have been to different countries across the continent attending conferences and other capacity development programmes which are part of the build up for the proper event. The aim is to ensure everyone involved is given good hospitality and that we put out a world class show that is representative of Africa. In 2017, we are trying our best to have a story to tell. Last year, we told a story that everyone present was able to connect with and we want to continue in that stead. We have decided to give people what they can’t see at the Grammy Award at AFRIMA because it is our culture and we must communicate with ourselves through it. The production team alongside the band, choreographers and the artistes involved are all ready to deliver a night to remember. We will like to tell a story that will be left to the audience to determine if we have been able to wow them or not because it will be arrogant of me to say we are doing X,Y,Z to delight people present,’’ he said. Looking back at last year’s edition, Dada said it was a phenomenal year for AFRIMA. ‘’The awards ceremony hosted by Lagos State of Nigeria between November 4 to 6 was a cultural fiesta with nominees and invited guests turning up in thousands for the three-day of events in Lagos. About 40 well-known Africa artistes performed at the AFRIMA Music Village to a live audience of over 25,000 and thousands more watching live from different locations in Africa� the producer stated.
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Strengthening Agency’s Innovation and CSR
Equity
with
Five years after the establishment of X3M Ideas, with the brand promise to redefine the creatives industry, its promoters have leveraged on innovation and corporate social responsibility to make a mark, Raheem Akingbolu reports “A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business�. This classic quote of all times by the foremost engineer and inventor, Henry Ford is true and applies to businesses in the country and Africa in general today as it has always been. It implies that a business that benefits so much from the society and clients who transact business with it and refuses to impact lives in the society and the society itself, has failed in its responsibilities. The Chief Marketing Officer, Dangote Group, Oare Ojeikere, while making a presentation recently at the Civic Centre, Lagos with focus on Creating meaningful experiences to bring the brand to life, discarded the norm and generally accepted belief that businesses are set up to make profit. According to him, quoting Harvard Professor, Theodore Levitt, said profit is actually the reward an organisation gets from serving the customers (and other stakeholders) right. He goes further to confirm to his audience, “our future depends on how we can work together�. You create the most meaningful experiences when your actions consistently impact lives. The government and the civil society have often come out to say the government cannot do it alone. This alludes to providing services pro-bono, sponsoring infrastructure for common use and lending a helping hand to the indigent students, youth, schools and the community in general among others. This is certainly beyond profits and far better according to Henry Ford and whatsoever company manages to touch lives and impacts on the fortune of people build equity for its brand that will last beyond financial gains or profits. No wonder, the American oil magnate and wealthy businessman of all times, John D Rockefeller 1839 -1937, is mostly talked about today not in connection with his enormous wealth but his good deeds and unmatched philanthropic gestures. Similarly, coming back home, the UACN Plc Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) theme campaign, “Doing good is good Business� resonates with companies which have stood the test of time in consistently putting their money where their mouths belong, notwithstanding harsh economic realities and the global recession which has taken hostage of most companies. X3M Ideas example For X3M Ideas, a creative agency established by Mr. Steve Babaeko, a former Creative Director, at 141 Worldwide, the story has been about innovation and giving back to the society. While creating good material at one hand, the agency has contributed more than any of its pairs to social development in the last five years through various interventions. “Consistency is the name of the game, when you are convinced and you pursue a “good cause� said Steve Babaeko in a recent interview with THISDAY. ‘’As long as we are X3M Ideas we have chosen the path to affect the society especially the youth in the area of education and we will consistently contribute our widow’s mite as our intervention to affect the lives of young children in schools. According to Babaeko, offering a major intervention on an annual basis is the agency’s self imposed way of life. X3M Ideas CSR ingrained in its DNA from the birth. “We have never failed to carry out this “obligation� on our anniversary and we do not hope to stop it. It beats me to see Nigeria future leaders being wasted away due to no fault of theirs. This is what fires us and also determines where next we go and what intervention we offer. However, we are always guided by the desire to see young people educated
Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District V1, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Alhaja Amidat Anifowoshe (left); Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, X3M Ideas, Steve Babaeko; Director/Principal, Ikeja Senior High School, Ibidun Olawuyi; Director, District V1, Olukoya Ayokunle and Representing of the oďŹƒce of Education Quality Assurance Zone 18 Ikeja, Oluyemisi Odiete at the commissioning of the Ikeja High School Library donated by X3M Ideas to mark the agency’s 4th year anniversary as its 2016 CSR intervention project in Ikeja, Lagos
in the proper sense of it and rekindle their hope for a brighter tomorrow as leaders of the country�, he said.
For X3M Ideas, a creative agency established by Mr. Steve Babaeko, a former Creative Director, at 141 Worldwide, the story has been about innovation and giving back to the society. While creating good material at one hand, the agency has contributed more than any of its pairs to social development in the last ďŹ ve years through various interventions.
Fifth anniversary project For five years we have been running the project as one of the company’s top priorities not because we have excess cash but because it has become expedient for us to affect lives and God has been helping us, Steve explained revealing that X3M Ideas’ CSR project for 2017 marking the agency’s 5th anniversary has been challenging, inspiring and fulfilling. Delving into the project, he explained that every Nigerian knows what has happened in GGSS Chibok and how difficult the terrain is but beyond that Nigerians need to give the students (girls) hope and rebuild their confidence to face life and this can only be through proper education. Leading that crusade, the government relocated the school to another school to share facilities. We understand that the Chibok School got the shorter end of the stick in the arrangement as its students were placed on afternoon/evening school because seats could not go round in the morning session. From the agency’s analysis of the situation, it was discovered that the students were facing waning confidence and likely to lose self esteem and focus because of the second best treatment. Hence, as part of its impactful annual CSR intervention, X3M Ideas chose to go to the extreme, difficult terrain as it were to deliever hope to the Chibok girls to mark the 5th anniversary of the Lagos based advertising agency. According to Sunkanmi Atolagbe, Head, HR, X3M Ideas, who midwife the project, the agency funded and built 317 units of desks and chairs for the students and as well as table and chairs for the teachers. “With this
intervention, difficult as it was, to secure the necessary clearances from the government and security agencies, we are happy that the Chibok school students now attend classes in the morning as normal students should with bolster confidence and renewed hope for a better tomorrow�, said Steve. This is the first time X3M Ideas will be moving out of Lagos for its annual social intervention projects. “Chibok is not only national but a global issue that affects all. We are extremely delighted to have been able to impact on this crop of future leaders� Steve said urging other like-minded Nigerians and corporate organisations to lend a helping hand by supporting the government efforts. “There is nowhere in the world where the government alone can do everything�. Five years back-to-back, X3M Ideas has consistently delievered impactful social intervention projects. On its first year anniversary in 2013, it renovated a block of 5 classrooms at Opebi Senior High School, Opebi where the agency’s office is based while the following year (2014), it donated some Computers, UPSes, air-conditioners for use in the Tech Labs in two schools within Ikeja. In 2015 X3M Ideas touched lives at the Lagos State Boys Reform home where it donated brand new toilets and bath facilities with complete lighting system while in last year, Ikeja Senior High School got a brand new library courtesy X3M Ideas’ CSR project 2016. It’s been impactful and inspiring all the way wish we could do more, the X3M Ideas’ CEO disclosed, claiming that the joy is that everyone can be a part of it by making a conscious decision to positively impact the environment and people around you.
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Experts Advocate Intelligent Finance Operations in Nigeria Raheem Akingbolu Finance professionals must evolve alongside with the finance function, acquire the right skills and embrace the dynamics of technology in order to remain relevant in a rapidly changing economic landscape. These were the views expressed by speakers at the second edition of the CGMA Speaks Series, organised by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) on Thursday in Lagos under the theme; “Future of Finance.� Moderated by the Executive Vice President, Academics, The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA), Dr. Noel Tagoe, speakers at the event also emphasised the need for finance professionals to understand and translate data into insight for right decision making by chief executive officers. In his remarks, Executive Chairman, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, Dotun Sulaiman, who was the Chairman of the event, said finance functions would be altered by certain forces of change from the global economy, including demography, urbanisation, scarcity of resources and technology. He, however, stated that as a broad response to the changing role of finance, “it would be
important for finance to take a keen interest in technology innovation and keep abreast of the developments and for finance executives to strive for a level of familiarity with technology innovations�, warning that “organisations that are blindsided by these technology innovations will lose out.� Delivering a Keynote Address, the National Senior Partner, KPMG Nigeria, Kunle Elebute, who was represented by the Head, Risk Consulting, KPMG Nigeria, Olumide Olayinka, said organisations must operate intelligent finance functions. He also added that Chief Financial Officers should utilise business intelligence tools such as the enterprise resource planning software and decision support tools to mitigate future financial risk. “Essentially, your finance function has to be intelligent. In fact, finance is not separate from risk because people try to put them into different buckets, but finance functions are the same as risk. This is because the things that will have financial implications are multifaceted. So, the finance function of tomorrow has to be extremely intelligent. It must have business intelligence tools, both financial and non-financial, and all of these have impact on the future of finance�, he said. Noting that the finance
function of the future would be “significantly changed� by the use of technological innovations such as bloc-chains, cloud tech, robotics and big data analysis, Elebute stated that finance function should be reviewed and standardised, and that finance professionals must have the right skills to ensure proper implementation of finance tasks. Also speaking, Managing Director, Chapel Hill Denham Management, Onouju Irukwu,
said finance professionals must operate beyond numbers by turning the data available into insights in order to earn the respect of their superiors and clients. She also said accountants must evolve and change their orientation from being a pure accountant to a business oriented accountant. According to Irukwu, “None of us can survive in this business if we don’t have information, can’t analyse our data with that information and make the
right decisions that will take us forward. Finance has got to be a business partner. Finance professionals must understand the business perspective. Everyone should understand that sanitising the data you get and then interpreting it accurately is important so that the CEO can rely on it.� The Head of Finance, SAP West Africa, Gbemisola Adelowore, emphasised the need for finance professionals to work with data specialists
in order to know where and how to acquire the relevant information. “Before you work with the data, I think it is important that finance professionals actually work with the number crunchers in directing them on where to get the data and what kind of data to get because you know, garbage in is garbage out. If you don’t have the right data or right source of information, then the output will not be helpful at all�, she said.
Diamond Bank Rewards ICONCEPTS’ INNOVATION Customers with Cash, Car SHOWCASING L-R: General Manager, Marketing and Strategy, Bunmi Fasae; MD/CEO, Ugo Okoye; General Manager, VAS and Business Operations, Jane Enajite Ivhurie and Innovation and Business Partnerships Lead, Bolaji Akerele, all of iConcepts Limited, at the media launch of Gifts mGen platform in Lagos...recently
Sheri Balogun in Abeokuta
Diamond Bank Plc has rewarded ten esteemed customers who won cash prizes ranging from N500,000 to N1million while a brand new Hyundai Accent car was won as the star prize. The customers include Mrs. Adegbite Grace Oluwatoyin who won the star prize, a brand new Hyundai Accent car, Ayodele Oluwafemi Fakeye won N1million, Kareem Sulaimon Toyin (N1million), Shugang Wang (N500,000), Ogundele Michael (N500,000) and Nwanko Esther (N500,000). Speaking at the event held in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital tagged ‘SouthWest Region Draw of season nine of the DiamondXtra’, head of Consumer Banking of Diamond Bank Plc., Mrs. Aishah Ahmad said the bank in the last nine years has spent N5.4billion as rewards for consumers. She said the aim of the programme was to encourage the customers to cultivate the habit of saving, urging government at all levels to always cultivate the habit of saving, not only for the rainy days but to also enable them execute their various projects. She said “to be part of the promo, you have to open a Diamondxtra account, put a minimum of N5,000 and every month, put in additional N5,000 which gives a better chance of winning after all these all you need to do is just sit back and you might just a winner.� While speaking on the promo, Ahmad noted that the goal was not just about
rewarding people with money but about encouraging them to imbibe the habit of saving. “It is more than just a bonanza, what we are trying to do is that we are encouraging people to save. We are encouraging individuals, households, businesses that saving inherently has its own value. Saving helps people to achieve their goals, it enables them to be organised with their lives and to help them to achieve that dream that they are looking at�, she said. She continued: “It is not about rewarding people with money, it is about encouraging them to save. If they save little out of what they have, one day they will be encouraged to win.� “We must continue to save and encourage people to cultivate the habit of saving, no matter the state of the economy, we must live well and this can be done through saving, that is why we must encourage ourselves to continue to save.� “Even in the Nigeria economy, a pool of savings is what is available for investment, so if you are a country that is not use to saving, there is no way we can invest in infrastructure that we are all talking about. We want good roads, we want electricity and the rest, there has to be a stock of investment money to do that and that comes from savings.� “On average we give out around N600million every year. It is a purely independent system because it is electronic, what we normally do is that we run the system and it comes out with ten random winners�.
Luminous Inverters Offers Flexible Payment Plan
Nokia Re-launches Smartphones into Nigerian Market
Raheem Akingbolu
Emma Okonji
In a bid to make constant power supply available through alternative power solutions, Wandel International Nigeria Limited, one of the country’s leading suppliers of Alternate Energy power solutions including inverters and solar powered systems and member of the Simba Group of Companies has introduced a new flexible and affordable payment plan for its esteemed and prospective customers. The new flexible payment plan tagged “Simba SimplePay� is a consumer-financing scheme that empowers customers to procure Luminous inverters, the country’s leading brand of inverters, through convenient payment terms without the burden of bulk payments. According to, Rajneesh Gupta, a representative of Wandel International, the company entered into strategic partnerships with leading banks in Nigeria including, Diamond Bank to enable willing customers to acquire its Luminous inverters and batteries and pay in installments. “To enjoy this offer, willing customer are expected to pay initial 30% deposit of the value of the product and spread the balance in monthly installments. What’s great about
the plan we’ve arranged, in partnership with leading banks, is that our customers save more money from not running their generators than they spend on the monthly installments. Simba Simple-Pay is all about making the payments simple and affordable� Gupta said. Gupta explained further that the flexible payment plan is available for six, nine or twelve months depending on the customer’s choice with a low financing cost at a pre-negotiated rate directly from the top-tier banks. “With this initiative by Luminous Inverters, every desiring customer can now afford to enjoy uninterrupted power supply with our world class quality alternate power solutions�, he said. He noted that the new payment offer covers any of the company’s Luminous inverters ranging from 0.8KVA to 100KVA depending on the energy needs for the customers. Speaking on how the customers can access the flexible payment plan, Gupta disclosed that the customers could approach the partner banks directly or contact Wandel International Nigeria Limited through a dedicated phone number, email or visit any of the company’s offices nationwide.
HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, has said that its first Nokia smartphone range, comprising the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6, are available at selected operator and retail stores. Launched in Lagos, the devices combine superior craftsmanship, distinctive design and powerful entertainment features with apure Android experience, giving customers the ability to use the phone in styles. Vice President, sub-Sahara Africa, HMD Global, Mr. Justin Maier, said: “I believe that HMD Global will be able to offer something for everyone. From the new Nokia 3310 feature phone to our premium Nokia 6 smartphone, we are bringing phones to Nigeria that will entice and delight, while offering simplicity, reliability, quality and importantly, the human touch. I am looking forward to this new chapter in Africa for Nokia Phones.� General Manager, West, East and Central Africa, HMD Global, Joseph Umunakwe, said: “Phones have become an extension of ourselves and are integral to so many aspects of our lives. “From capturing memories and keeping us entertained, to keeping in touch and remembering important dates and anniversaries, our smartphones are often at the
heart of everything we do.� Speaking on the features, he said the Nokia 6 combines superior craftsmanship and distinctive design with an immersive audio experience and a 5.5� full HD screen, and delivers a truly premium smartphone experience. The unibody of the Nokia 6 is crafted from a single block of 6000 series aluminum and is perfect for those who want a robust phone with outstanding entertainment credentials. The Nokia 5 is a seamless, premium and durable design with precision engineered out of a single block of 6000 series aluminium to create a perfect pillowed body that flows seamlessly into the laminated 5.2� IPS HD display with sculpted Corning Gorilla Glass. With additional features including an 8MP, 84-degree wide-angle front facing camera – to squeeze even more scene into your selfie, the Nokia 5 is available in four distinct colours – MatteBlack, Silver, Tempered Blue and Copper– and is estimated to retail at N65,000. With all Nokia smartphones, customers will always have the latest pure Android experience for their device. With monthly security updates, the Nokia smartphone is safe, up-to-date as well as clutter-free – putting choice at the heart of the consumer experience, Nokia said in a statement.
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BUSINESSWORLD
DEVELOPMENT
Ogoni Cleanup: Still on Rhetoric without Action The current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the environmental cleanup of Ogoni-land in June 2016. More than one year after, it looks like another white elephant project with plenty of rhetoric and no actions. Adedayo Akinwale writes
F
ollowing the inauguration of the cleanup of Ogoniland on June 2, 2016 by the federal government, more than one year after, the actual cleanup is yet to kick-start due to little or lack of activities being carried out on the polluted area. The slow pace of work has seemingly forced the federal government to rely on one type of rhetoric or the other in spite of the fanfare that greeted the inauguration. Sedate Response The federal government’s response to the cleanup of Ogoniland was in response to the assessment survey carried out by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to help the country determine the exact quantum of damage that was done to the environment, and subsequently to the health of the people. The assessment report, which took about four or five years to compile, was submitted to the federal government in 2007. Nevertheless, after the report was received by the immediate previous administration, it decided to request the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to implement the report, and subsequently the Hydro-carbon Pollution Restoration Project was set up under the purview of the ministry. It was based on this move that a coordinator was appointed for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) to stop further pollution of Ogoniland as the cleanup of the already impacted land takes off. Ministerial Intervention The Minister of Environment, Usman Jibril said when the present administration came into office in 2015, it had to look at what was on ground and it was discovered that there was a bill of about N6 billion incurred by way of salaries and wages alone. He said the problem has remained unresolved till date because the ministry had to involve the Ministry of Labour and Employment to jointly look at the viability of this debt. He said though he was not unaware that people complain that the federal government is too slow about the cleanup of Ogoniland, but then asserted that government was not in a hurry to fail, saying he hoped that at the end of the day, it would be a success story. Recently, Jibril stated that, “Ogoni is not the only place that was polluted in the Niger Delta. There are some parts that are heavily or more seriously polluted in some parts of the Niger Delta, like Delta, Bayelsa and many other places. But Ogoni happened to be the only place that there is a comprehensive report detailing all the problems associated with oil pollution that took place in the last 20-30 years. “Because there is a blueprint already in place, we had to pick it, dust it and look at the HYPREB gazette. There were many areas of friction and we had to do a wild consultation with all the stakeholders; the pressure groups, Civil Society Organisations, States and local governments among others, along with the Ministry of Petroleum. “At the end, the files were handed over to the Ministry of Environment where it originally ought to be. And after taking over, we consulted further and did a launch in August at which the president was represented by the vice president (now Acting President). Thereafter, we got the president to approve the list of the governing council and a Board of Trustees (BoT) was formed. “After the HYPREB Gazette was approved, we did a vacancy advert and about 300 persons applied. We selected 30 of them. At the end, we were able to take one who incidentally turned out to be an Ogoni man. So, we had no friction getting the governing council to approve his appointment. He resumed office in March this year�, he added. The minister stressed that it is expected that when the cleanup of Ogoniland is successful, it would be a template that would be replicated with some modifications if the need arises to other parts of the Niger Delta that are
Scene of environmental pollution in Ogoniland equally or even worse polluted. The minister, in a recent interview with a newspaper, said a lot of activities have been going on with regards to the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the deployment of staff members to the HYPREB office have started. He said some people are already on site in the area doing demonstration. The idea, according to him, is to know the type of technology that could be used to do the work effectively. “Don’t forget that the pollution in Ogoni is alarming. The creek waters are seriously polluted; the mangroves are destroyed along with the marine lives that inhabit them. Boreholes cannot yield good water and so on and so forth. All these have serious consequences�, he said. Action Plan The initial plan for the cleanup was a five-year project, with the federal government applying the pollute-paying method in line with international practice for the multinational companies, which notes that those who pollute the environment must be made to pay for the cleanup. This is because it has been established that
the pollution there took place as a result of mechanical failure and based on that, the UN Environmental Programme decided to recommend an initial amount of $1bn to be spread across the five-year period, which is $200 million a year, to be funded by the oil companies including the NNPC. According to the minister, “We picked 12 locations, three from each of the local governments in Ogoni where demonstration, like I said, is being carried out now. We are almost done with that stage. At the same time, the project coordinating office is running a parallel base study because the report submitted in 2011 cannot be said to be currently adequately again. “Following the outcome of these two exercises, we will be able to know what is to be done and the companies to be involved. It is going to be an international activity because it is highly technical. You need to free the soil from the harmful hydro-carbons that are embedded in it and look at the creeks the same way. This is how far we have gone. “We are done with the planning stage. Another aspect is the angle of livelihood for the people.
We have a training programme in collaboration with the UN trading organisation. We are looking at training 1,200 women of the area in different endeavours of their choice, including fishery, snail farming, oil palm production, hairdressing, among others. “I am not unaware that people complain that we are too slow. But we are not in a hurry to fail. We hope that at the end of the day, it will be a success story,� Jibril noted. Yawnng Gaps While the federal government claimed to be working out plans to make the oil companies release money as soon as possible, the multinational companies involved are yet to be determined. The actual date the cleanup would commence in Ogoni and when the companies would start is still unknown, while the payment has not been decided yet. There is no gainsaying that more than a year after the inauguration of the cleanup of Ogoni land, the rhetoric continue while the actual cleanup by the federal government is still being awaited. Whether the cleanup will commence this year or not still remains to be seen.
RANDOM THOTS Selected Representatives It is a classic irony. Many Nigerians decline to get involved in the electoral process to represent the majority on good governance. But the same citizens want quality and sincere representation in the mode of servant leadership at all levels of government. It’s a similar scenario to not paying taxes and then haranguing government to fulďŹ l the social obligations due to tax-payers.
Ă˜ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă—Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă™Ă?ÞÖã determine the kind of representatives they want.
Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă˜Ă™ĂŒĂ™ĂŽĂŁ Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™ ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ the mother lode in political represenĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ó×ÚÖã ÒÓÔËĂ?Ă• ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă›Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă–-
iďŹ cations notwithstanding. On the night before the recent local council Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ëœ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă™ĂŒserved a meeting of some ‘committed’ Ă?ÓÞÓäĂ?Ă˜Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Í•ËœÍ”Í‘Ă‹Ă— Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă–ĂŽËœ ÙÚĂ?Ă˜ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă— ĂœĂ™Ă Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? the future of the council was being decided while other seemingly lessinterested citizens slept in their warm beds. Some would argue that the average citizen’s vote hardly counts during elections because ďŹ nal victory only goes to who the governor or political godfather selects; thus no need to come out and cast a ‘valueless’ vote. But nature doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The student who makes the most
noise in a classroom is more likely to become the class captain faster than the cerebral student who studies quietly in a corner. ÖÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă?ÓÞÓäĂ?Ă˜Ă? Ă‘Ă‹Ă?Ăš Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? amount of allowances an average naĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă‘Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă“Ă?Ëœ they (citizens) also forget that they hold the power to recall any errant ĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ë› Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă? Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă? ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? who should ideally be in power shy from taking charge for whatever reaĂ?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ with no obligation to deliver on any promise...bitter truth -Abimbola Akosile
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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ
Ëš
The Police is your friend!!
Will State Police Improve Overall Security? State governors recently set up a committee to explore the option of actualising state police units, in addition to the existing federal Police Force; after a closed-door meeting with the Inspector-General of Police in Abuja. This, according to the governors, is to enable the Police ensure better security for the citizens all over the country. However, some analysts argue that some state police formations may be mis-used and turned into private armies by the governors. To you, will state police improve overall security in Nigeria? THE FEEDBACK
Abimbola Akosile * I am afraid if State Police will improve overall security as after all the governors would use them to witch-hunt their supposed enemies. Corruption has become part of the system and I can see it escalating unless another system of policing is adopted. With the current of people, it is nepotism all the way. - Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna
Yes, it will:
6
No, it won’t:
4
Others:
3
Radical tip:
Long overdue!
No of respondents:
13
* Yes, it will. Governors’ body language, the police e.t.c. all positively aim for true security for Nigerians. It is like division of labour in Economics and a win-win situation. State police will reinforce the law genuinely, investigate vital crimes, enforce traffic laws on state high and expressways, overseeing state security, protecting the governor and his aides, training new officers for local policing (if too small to operate an academy), coordinate complex, multi-jurisdictional tasks e.t.c. It is overdue in Nigeria anyway. This is a chance we must grab. - Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State
Male:
11
Female:
2
Highest location:
Lagos (6)
* Well, State Police is okay if the state governors would finance them well and work under the ambit of the law; rather than governors using them to fight against their enemies and political opponents during election time. State Police will reduce crime in rural areas and also create jobs for jobless youths in the society. When there is security, development will set in every area. But only states that have the financial muscle should be allowed to have their own state police. - Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State * The Nigeria I know is not yet ripe for state police. The regional/state leaders will just turn them to their tools of vengeance. God forbid for these regional warlords to get hold of our security apparatus! - Mr. Sonny Okobi, Lagos State * The Nigerian Police (Force) as presently constituted is not able to police the country effectively! The NPF is understaffed, under trained and equipped, and they are not also well motivated. So States that can afford a ‘local’ police force should be allowed to do so. The extent of their powers and the synergy
with the NPF should be clearly defined and gazetted. We cannot downplay the importance of state police because of the fear of abuse; even the NPF can be abused sometimes. We have heard of several cases of abuse. While we are tinkering with the creation of state police, the NPF should be properly staffed, better trained and equipped and well-motivated. The option of ‘community policing’ should also be considered, posting personnel to their localities and states of origin. We need better and more effective policing without any doubt. - Mr. Biodun Aiyegbusi, Engineer, Lagos State * I completely agree with the submission that it is dangerous to embrace state police right now because it may be prone to abuse by state and regional leaders. - Mr. Otsemaye Newton, Abuja * State Police will not and cannot improve any overall security alone; they will be used to suppress the minorities due to their selfish desires as can be seen in election into local governments across the country. Let us look at the recruitment into the police force in recent past, are there outcries of non-representation from other areas of the country or nor? Let us restructure the country using 1963 Constitution alongside the 2014 national conference resolution for our development, which will be submitted to the people via a referendum. Huge resources were spent on this and should not be wasted in this period of recession. - Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna
* No, not at all. State Police is known for persistent patterns of political instability, pervasive insecurity, corruption, class status gap between the rich and the poor, weak civil society organisations e.t.c. It is such hostile, selfish interlopers at the whims of the fraudulently ambivalent governors. This is an avoidable ill wind. - Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State * Yes it can, at some time in the future. For now however, the police under the federal government is important for the corporate existence of this country. Imagine if someone defrauds you and you take him to the police station and before you know it everyone including the fraudster in the station starts speaking in their native tongue. When you consider how nepotistic we can be in Nigeria, you are bound to lose confidence in getting justice. This is probably the worst time for state police in Nigeria. - Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * The introduction of State Police would definitely be abused by the State. Much more, these states are struggling with payment of staff salaries, how much more setting up a police force, training and equipping them effectively. - Ms Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos * The Police Force is the principal law enforcement agency in Nigeria with exclusive jurisdictions by section 194 of the 1979 constitution to function across the country. I agree on the establishment of State Police which may comprise of the Administration, Anti-Fraud Section, the Central Criminal Registry (CCR) Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) X-Squad, Special Fraud Unit (SFU) Legal Section. Forensic Science Laboratory, Anti-Human Trafficking Bureau, and Counter Terrorism etc. They will help in the adequate protection of lives and properties, harbours, waterways, railways and airfields. The citizens will be able to relate well with them, speak the same language, ensure justice, public safety, and improved logistics e.t.c. - Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Abuja
* State Policing is a welcome development to individual states because it will strengthen security, but Nigeria is not ripe for State Police. - Mr. M.B. Omotayo Yusuf, Nda Aliu, Kwara State * I believe State Police will complement the federal force already in place, as long as the governors do not abuse the power therefrom. The formation of state police is not new in advanced countries like the United States of America and United Kingdom, but they have more organised structures and institutions which make their police forces functional at both state and federal levels. The trick here is to ensure that the state police, when formed, stick to their terms of reference, without intruding into areas of politics or personal errands by selfish governors or political overlords. - Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State
Next Week: Your Top Constitutional Amendment Tips? ÖÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ–ĂŁ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă Ă“Ă?ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ͯ͡͡͡ Ă™Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă–ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ? Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂŽĂ™ Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ™ĂŽĂ? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă?˛Ñ˛ Ă“Ă—Ă—Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™Ă˜Ě‹Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂšĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂ?à ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÚÙåĂ?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă?Ë› ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă Ă“Ă?ĂĄĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜ĂžËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă™Ăœ ĂœĂ?×Ùà Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă‹ ĂŒĂ?ÞÞĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÑÙÙÎ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžËŁ Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžËœ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ó×ÚÖĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÞËÞĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă– Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ëœ ÞÓÞÖĂ?Ëœ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÙÎËã Ě™ Ă&#x;Ă‘ Íą Ęś Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă&#x;Ă‘ ;̚ ÞÙ abimbolayi@yahoo.comËœ greatbimbo@gmail.comËœ Ă‹bimbola. akosile@thisdaylive.comË› Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž ĂžĂ?âÞ Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÙ 08023117639 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËšĂ™Ăœ 08188361766 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËš Ă™Ăœ 08114495306Ë› ÙÖÖËÞĂ?ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ÍŻÍŽ
34
T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͱ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵
BUSINESSWORLD
DEVELOPMENT
Keeping Lagos clean; top officials of the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), during the recent poster-free environment campaign
ETOP UKUTT
NBM Seeks Concrete Policies for Sustainable Devt in Africa Marches against neo-colonialism, nepotism, others in Ghana
Sunday Okobi African leaders have been enjoined to put in place workable policies and programmes that would stimulate sustainable development on the continent. This was the agreement of experts during the fifth quarterly summit Neo-Black Movement (NBM) of Africa Western Regional that took place recently in Accra, Ghana. At the opening of the discourse with the theme: ‘Advocacy and Action, the Urgency of Now’, the Executive Chairperson, African Youth Union Commission (AYUC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dr. Carl Oshodi, urged the political
class to promote meaningful economic development through financial assistance to the deprived populations to commensurate with their needs. In a statement made available to THISDAY, Oshodi, in a lecture titled: ‘Youth Development in Africa: Historical Perspective and Contemporary Challenges to Sustainable Development’, warned that failure to heed the appeal in the past had resulted in political upheavals as well as the collapse of both the private sectors, among other unpleasant developments. He noted that over 500 million African youths struggle daily for survival while their
commonwealth is being pillaged by the political elite. According to him, “Government, private sectors and citizens’ joint partnership can create outstanding results and hopes in community and organisational setting, where the stem of sustainable development hangs. “The only factor that attempts to eliminate ethnic, religious economic and cultural barriers is the fundamental change in policies of government and private sectors; a veritable instrument that fertilises social justice, economic advancement and security of people”, he added. Also speaking at the sum-
mit in Accra, an expert, Tom Imafidon, noted that poverty as a global phenomenon emanates partly from skewed international capitalist maneuverings which many policies of governments in the developing world help to further nurture through under-development. He submitted that self-sufficiency and independence were crucial to poverty reduction and sustainable development in Africa and around the world. On his part, Dr. Anthony Orunkoya said in consonance with its vision to enthrone an egalitarian society, NBM was willing to partner other advocacy groups to end human trafficking, prostitution, among
other social ills through mass campaign, enlightenment and other non-violent means. To underscore its seriousness, the movement birthed the non-violent March for Justice and Peace. In his remark, according to the statement, the Regional Head, NBM West, Gerald Azonobo, said the peaceful protest was against mental slavery, neo-colonialism, nepotism, terrorism and societal ills as well as to reawaken Africans to black consciousness, civilisation, freedom and justice. He said, “Members assembled with the company of the Ghanaian police who
provided their security vans and escort motorcycles with banners carrying different inscriptions to champion the cause.” Highlights of the summit in Ghana included delegates of the NBM of Africa’s visitation to the Cape Coast (a story of the Atlantic Slave Trade) during the event under the leadership of the National Head and President of the movement, Felix Edore Kupa. According to Kupa, the sad history of Ghana’s slave castles as well as the shocking stories of her Cape Coast, slave fortresses, and their significance to her transformation was well told, written and documented.
Corruption: ICPC, UNDP, NGO Train Stakeholders on Budget Monitoring Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu Incensed by what they described as the high rate of corruption in the local government areas around the country, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC), and the United Nation Development Programmes, (UNDP) recently organised a four-day training workshop on budget monitoring at the grassroots level. The workshop, which was coordinated by a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) Africa Centre for Rural
Development and Environment (ACERDEN), had in attendance more than 450 “key influencers” from the 17 local government areas of Enugu state. The training was intended to equip the stakeholders with the skills required in monitoring the planning and execution of budgets at the grassroots by council chairmen. Those trained include among others town union executives, traditional rulers, retired permanent secretaries/other public officers, head teachers and community based organisations (CBOs). The NGO, supported by the
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and funded by the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) said trainees would take the campaign against corruption to the grassroots level in the state. Addressing participants at the workshop, Chief Executive Officer of ACERDEN, Prof. Daniel Ugwu, assured listeners, participants and other stakeholders that at the end of the training, participants would become more aware of their roles in their different communities in terms of budget preparation,
presentation, and execution. According to Ugwu, “there is a link between budget, service delivery, and corruption. Budget padding is evil, be it corrective accounting or others.” The don highlighted common problems in the budget processes to include poor planning, weak financial management system, corruption, inadequate funding, diversion of funds, weak budget oversight, and the role of the grassroots people in the budget processes. He said, “You must demand to know how much is received from the federation account,
how much revenue was generated, what projects or activities are contained in the local government budgets, where they could be located and at what cost”. Prof. Ugwu said the involvement of CBOs and NGOs in the monitoring activities is very fundamental because it creates or gives room for local council development while also recognising their leadership role and responsibility in the partnership arrangement with government. The ICPC Chief Superintendent, Enugu zonal office, Mr. Eze Ansell said the agency had a forum where NGOs
participate with them in the campaign against corruption and corrupt practices, which is a national anti-corruption coalition. He added that the training became necessary because, “It will also aid in eradicating corrupt practices among the contractors and some government officials because the communities will hold the government responsible for any project coming through not confrontational means but through monitoring to ensure that the funds that are being released are properly used in any government contract in the communities.”
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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͱ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵
BUSINESSWORLD
DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“WeallknowthatthecontemporarychallengesNigeria is trapped with include insurgency,kidnapping,herdsmencrisis,pipelinevandalism which have made itimperative forallagenciesto synergiseandfind solutions” - CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF (COAS), LT. GENERAL TUKUR BURATAI, SPEAKING IN YOLA, ADAMAWA STATE
IPC Urges Communities to Engage Govt for Devt Oluwafunke Lasisi
Representative Empowers Women in Epe Constituency Funmi Ogundare No fewer than 200 women in Epe constituency were empowered with a loan scheme under the Raji Women Economic Empowerment Scheme (WEES)’, designed to engender mainstreaming in the development policies. They were assisted with funding of N100,000 each, at no interest rate and under very amenable repayment terms, considering the invaluable contributions and role of women in societal development.. The loan scheme, undertaken to the tune of N20 million, is being implemented in partnership with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF). Speaking at the official launching of the programme held at the Centenary Hall, Popo-Oba, Epe-Lagos, a member representing Epe Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Wale Raji, said women empowerment remains a key component of his development agenda for the people of his constituency. According to him, “there is a saying that behind every successful man there is a woman. It validates the support role naturally imposed on the woman which in no small way helps to propel the wheel of societal development for the benefit of humanity. “Taking a look at the support role of women within the family unit alone, one cannot but appreciate the multi-dimensionality of the impact this has on the overall well-being of the family members. “If one considers the fact that a great percentage of the woman’s income is spent on the home, then one is undoubtedly confronted with the realisation of the need to empower more women in view of the implicit positive multiplier effect of such an action.” He added that the initiative was conceived to increase women’s access to economic opportunities, adding, “It is a twenty million naira zero interest revolving loan scheme designed to enhance the access of those women involved in micro businesses within the constituency to non-collateralised capital with which they can boost the growth of their businesses and achieve some measure of financial independence.” The empowerment of women, Raji said,
Hon. Raji was crucial and key to the attainment of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adding that it would increase women access to economic opportunities, healthcare and better nutrition, which ultimately can help abate significantly, the incidence of child mortality. “Women access to financial resources will also further help to strengthen the discharge of their support role in the family particularly in the education of their wards. This is the reason Wale Raji WEES is designed to give the much-needed financial leverage to our women involved in the management of micro businesses under this revolving loan scheme,” he said He noted that under the scheme, he would dutifully and diligently discharge his obligations so as to create the avenue for greater number of beneficiaries in the nearest future. To also address the problem of lack of electricity in Epe and its environs, Raji disclosed that
a provision of N2.7billion has been made in the 2017 budget for the continuation of the abandoned electricity project. The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mr. Akin Oyebode said: “Hon. Wale Raji raised N10 million and LSETF also raised N10 million both in collaboration to assist the women empowerment. The interest on each loan collected by each woman will be paid by Hon. Raji.” Present at the programme were representative of the first lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Ambode, former Commissioner for Education Mrs. Yinka Oladunjoye; Mrs. Funsho Raji’ Oluepe of Epe represented by Chief Seriki Odibo, Oyebode, Yeye Asiwaju of Epeland, Mrs. Modupe Omotade, Chief Kehinde Eleja, Chief Wasiu Odeyemi, Mr. T. J. Abass, Pastor Segun Oluade, Chief Yemi Agbayo, and Alhaja Kuburat Hassan, among others.
The International Press Centre (IPC) has educated communities on the needs and practical steps to engage government in their development aspirations to enjoy necessary social amenities deserved in an ideal environment. At a programme organised by the Centre in Lagos with the support of ActionAid Nigeria/ UKAID titled ‘State-Level Community Development Charter (CDC) learning workshop and advancing youth participation in elections’, the organisers aimed to impact best knowledge in the people’s mindset on the usefulness of government in the society. Speaking at the workshop, the Executive Director, Community Life Project (CLP), Mrs. Ngozi Iwere said communities should engage their elected representatives by inviting them to town hall meetings and presenting charter book of identified needs or writing letters containing the charter items to their offices. She said elected representatives are the communities’ voice in the house and should be able to negotiate the identified needs being captured in the budget because their power is being derived from citizens during elections. She stressed that communities should not only be based on engaging the government but also in monitoring assigned projects to help ensure they are properly executed to the right standards. Iwere further defined community development as a process of effort of the people united with government authorities to improve the economic, social and cultural conditions of communities to integrate them into the life of the nation and enable them contribute fully to the national progress. She stressed that communities should maintain integrity while engaging with government in order not to allow being compromised with gifts, but rather insisting on the requests to be given. She mentioned that communities should engage and partner the media to get issues on the front-burner because the governments are not mostly comfortable with the involvement of media. While enlightening the youths on their usefulness in participating in elections and political parties, the Right Activists/Youth Advocates, Mr. Hassan Soweto said political parties are the system of ideas where youths are supposed to involve themselves aiming at achieving and working out better good system like in other countries. He said participating in an election gives the rights to demand for the dividend of democracy, necessary needs from government, elect the rights person in office and boastful of citizenship to contest for position during an election. He lamented that the generation which fought for independence are still the ruling bodies depriving the youths of taking positions, stressed that if the youths involved themselves by participating in elections and belonging to parties, they would get the ruling ideas and ways to eradicate the old generation rather than being use for political thuggery. Soweto said communities, parents and relations should encourage their youths in participating in parties which will enable a developed environment and sustain accountability. The communities presented at the event are Shomolu, Lagos Mainland, Surulere, Ifako Ijaiye, Ikorodu and Amuwo Odofin who shared their success stories, saying they have acquired ideas, knowledge and experience on how to challenge government and demand for their rights if they are not forthcoming to their aid as promised during elections with the help of the IPC supported by ActionAid /UKAID, who organised seminars and workshops on ways to demand for development in communities from government.
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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017
HEALTH & LIFESTYLE
Acting Features Editor Charles Ajunwa Email: charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com
Managing Sickle Cell Disease With improved quality of life and good management, persons with the sickle cell disease can live normal lives and achieve their aspirations. Martins Ifijeh writes
T
unde and his wife Kemi both have the AS genotype. They knew this before they got married, but were optimistic they would not give birth to children with SS genotype. They assumed worst still, they would rather have AS children, along with AA children. Their love was strong. Not even a genotype result few days to their wedding could break them. In their minds, since love conquers all, it will this time conquer the SS genotype when they start having babies. Truly, it looked that way when their first child arrived. He had all shades of healthiness. He is AS, meaning, like their parents, he has the sickle cell trait. He wasn’t living with the disease, only with the traits. It was the least the parents prayed for. AA or on the alternative AS. But their love couldn’t conquer the SS genotype in their second child. He is SS, and it took the parents over a year to notice this reality. They had celebrated his delivery after noticing he was just as healthy as his elder brother. But as months went by, everything began to change. “In the very first few months, we didn’t notice he was different from his brother. All we saw was a healthy baby. So we concluded he must either have the AA or an AS genotype. Either way, we were planning to stop having babies just after two kids,” says Tunde. “But as months went by, we started to notice he was different. His hands and feet were always warmer than usual, his feet unusually swollen, he was experiencing lack of sleep and loss of appetite, and most significantly, he would often cry for no just reason.” It was at this point the Tunde’s decided to take him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with the sickle cell disease, a condition that affects about 150,000 newborns in Nigeria yearly. “I and my wife immediately realised what we feared most has come upon us. We didn’t know what else to do than to ask the doctor all possible questions on management, treatment or even cure. We didn’t want our son to go through the pain we know persons with the condition go through. We also feared for his life, as persons with the condition are often said to die young,” he added. But the doctor assured them that gone were the days when children die from the disease, especially because of proper management. “We left the hospital fully armed that day, knowing that with proper management, our son will live a normal life and as well grow into old age. “I was told he could be cured through a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, which is a tall order because of the financial implication and significant risk involved, but on the alternative, we should properly manage him, an approach that will make him as healthy as his brother,” he said. The Tunde’s decided to take the second option since the transplant, which is a definitive cure for the condition, is expensive for them. “Our son is nine years old now and he is living very fine. We make sure he eats healthily, takes drugs when necessary, and does not involve in unnecessary strenuous activities that will sap his energy. We also make sure his teachers understand this, and help us put him in check in school. By making his health a priority, he is living well,” he added. Tunde’s family is not the only ones with a child living with sickle cell disease. Millions of families across the country are grappling with the disease, with majority knowing just little about the disease and its management. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria accounts for about 75 per cent of infant sickle cell cases in the continent with over 100,000 children dying from the disease every year in the country, while 40 million Nigerians are carriers and an estimated one million persons living with sickle cell disorder, making it a prevalence rate that has resulted in Nigeria commonly referred to as the country
with the highest level of sickle cell disorder in the world. Despite the high incidence of the disease, little is still known by Nigerians, especially those in rural and sub- urban areas, on the cause, management, prevention and a possible stem cell and bone marrow treatment. Experts are of the opinion that the high death rate of the disease is highly preventable if there is proper management culture. They specifically advocate for increased awareness by stakeholders, Ministry of Health, health institutions, non-governmental organisations and public spirited individuals. According to the Research Director, Fair Needs Africa, Lagos, Dr. Reuben Ogala, there exist proper management plans, such that persons living with it can lead normal lives and grow into old age. “Gone are the days when sickle cell disease is a death sentence. A sickle cell person should work closely with his or her doctor, eat good food and reduce unnecessary stress that could predispose them to crisis. “In the United States, the life expectancy rate of a sickle cell person is 63 years, whereas the life expectancy of a person even without te disease in Nigeria is less about 50 years. This, therefore tells you that with proper management, a sufferer can live even longer and healthier than someone without the disease,” he added. He also explained that the disease can be prevented through genetic counselling, adding that when intending couples are educated on the disease, genotypes, risks, among others, it will help them in making informed decisions on whether or not to marry someone with sickle cell disease, the trait or someone with AA genotype. Ogala, said that when both parents have the AS genotype, there was possibility of one
in every four of their children having the SS genotype which is the sickle cell disorder; a diseases such a person will live with throughout his or her entire life. He explained that a child born of the AS genotype has the sickle cell trait and can as well give birth to someone with the trait or someone who has the sickle cell disorder. He believed that someone with AS genotype poses no threat until he or she mates with someone who also has the AS genotype or worse still, someone with SS genotype. According to him, there are other situations where the sickle cell trait is combined with other hemoglobinopathies; abnormalities of the hemoglobin in the blood, which in itself poses a threat. He said the major issues emanating from sickle cell disorder affect children more, as their tolerance level was low compared to that of adults, making them more at risk of the disease. According to experts, sickle cell anemia is a disorder of the blood that causes the red blood cells to blow into a sickle shape. These cells however do not carry oxygen efficiently to areas of the body where it is needed. Normal red blood cells have a 120day life span, but people born with sickle cell disease have sickle-shaped blood cells that usually live not more than 20 days. These sickle cells can get stuck in blood vessels, blocking blood flow and less blood flow can damage the body’s organs, muscles, and bones, sometimes leading to life-threatening conditions. Also lending her voice, the National Director of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria, Dr. Annette Akinsetein, in an interview with THISDAY during one of their programmes, noted that in Nigeria, not many children with
the disease grow into adulthood because of low awareness and management culture in the country. She said gone were the days when SCD was a death sentence. “With proper information, the disease can be managed successfully, while the victim live a normal life.” She said contrary to beliefs in some areas that the disease was caused by witchcraft or ogbanje, that it was of genetic origin, which through counselling may be prevented, as the genotype of both parents play the role on whether their child will have the disease or not. She called on the government to come up with newborn screening policy where SCD can be detected early in children. “This is done in the United Kingdom and the United States, and it has greatly helped in reducing number of crisis or deaths arising from it. Shedding more light on how to tackle the disease, the former permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Lagos State, and pioneer Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr. Olufemi Olugbile, had earlier explained to THISDAY that due to the medical care available now, people hardly die young as it used to be because majority are living into full adults and even growing old. According to him, people should be aware of their own genotype and that of their prospective partners. “Knowing the risks involved hopefully reduces the prevalence of it. Inasmuch as counselling has a major role to play, one cannot make a law that, if the partners’ genotype is not compatible, then they cannot get married. It should only be advisory. People should either take it or reject it. But generally, awareness is the key to reducing the disease,” he added.
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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, AUGUST 3 , 2017
NEWS
Nigeria will Eradicate Fistula in 10 Years, Says Adewole ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱę ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢
Martins Ifijeh The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has said that the federal government, along with concerned stakeholders will eradicate obstetric fistula in Nigeria within the next 10 years. Stating this during the flag off of fistula intervention repair programme at Wesley Guild Hospital Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Osun State, and facilitated by the Federal
Ministry of Health in partnership with Engender Health, implementing partners of USAID Fistula Care Plusproject, and Osun State government, the minister said part of the measures to be adopted in clearing backlogs of fistula cases will be the establishment of more fistula centres across the country. He said: “We still have a large backlog of women living with fistula in the country, and there is need to close the tap and clear the backlog, which
is why we intend to open up more centres across the country. ”We will make Wesley Guild a Federal Medical Centre and a centre of excellence for fistula intervention, to show equity in the distribution of healthcare in the country. We will make fistula repair one of our cardinal issues this year. We also need a crop of seasoned people ready to operate on these cases,” he added. The surgical repair programme in Osun, which is the first of its kind in the state,
had about 33 women scheduled for repair during a weeklong fistula intervention exercise with the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, as part of the surgical team. In his speech, governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, expressed appreciation to the USAID fistula care Plusproject for the initiative. The governor, who was represented by the deputy governor of the state, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, said the programme underscores
the importance APC government and Osun State have put on health.“We have made poverty eradication and women empowerment to be of utmost importance,” she said. In his remark, the Country Project Manager, Engender Health, Chief Iyeme Efem, said; “Part of the mandate we have from USAID, and the government of Nigeria is to ensure that bring services closer to the people as it relates to fistula repairs. “Presently we have backlog
cases in Nigeria of about 200,000 cases, with about 12,000 new cases occurring yearly. This is why we initiated the ‘unlocking potential programme strategies’, where we have expert surgeons come and repair fistula cases through a pooled effort. We decided that we will select certain areas and do a massive mobilisation and a pool effort which will bring these women out. This will serve as some form of criteria that will enable us to open new centres in these areas.
PCN Moves to Ensure Integrity of Medicines in Abia, Seals 397 Premises Emmanuel Ugwu, in Umuahia The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has taken steps to ensure drugs distributed in Abia State conform to the integrity specified by manufacturers in order to safeguard the health of the people. To this end, the enforcement team of the council has shut down 397 premises comprising 37 pharmacies and 360 patent medicine stores over various offences including operating without registration with PCN, failure to renew license. Deputy Director Enforcement, PCN, Stephen Esumobi made this known recently at a press conference in Umuahia, after the end of enforcement exercise which took the team to 441 premises across Abia State. He said that the PCN got “added impetus” to move against illegal premises following a marching order issued by the National Assembly enjoining the PCN to close down all illegal premises across the country. Aside from the NASS directive, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole had
recently directed the PCN to ensure that all warehouses and locations where drugs are stored, sold, distributed or dispensed are registered with the PCN. “The facility inspection is carried out to ensure that the right storage environment is maintained to preserve the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic integrity of the medicines,” he said. Esumobi further stated that other areas of compliance include that pharmacies were also expected to have qualified pharmacists to supervise the dispensing of ethical products to members of the public. He said that after visiting many premises in the urban and rural areas the enforcement team observed that “so many premises commenced operations without fulfilling minimum requirements for registration while others failed to renew their licenses to operate such premises or shops,” he said. He warned the public to desist from patronising pharmacies or patent medicine stores that fail to comply with the required regulations a stipulated by the PCN.
Budget Tracking: Nigeria is Doing Poorly for Immunisation, Says Usman Kuni Tyessi, Abuja The Deputy Chairman, Healthcare Services in the House of Representatives, Hon. Mohammed Usman has stated that Nigeria is doing poorly in the monitoring and tracking of budget as it concerns immunisation. He said as a result of the inadequacy, immunisation system in the country is in a lot of negative surprises and sadly enough, Nigeria has taken over from India which used to be the country enmeshed in budget tracking inadequacies. He said in order to forestall the continuity of such, it was important to liaise with Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in order to assist state governments in a successful tracking of where funds that were budgeted for and released have been channelled to, bearing in mind that what works in a state might not
be the case in another, hence the meeting on “Policy dialogue on budget tracking for sustainable immunisation financing.” In the same vein, the Chairman, Health Sector Reform Coalition, Dr. Ben Anyene said for Nigeria to make head way in budget tracking, some salient questions must be asked and understood. “We shall continue to discuss the issues and challenges. Tracking is key in the budgeting cycle and if you are not a person of integrity or someone to be trusted, you wouldn’t want budget tracking to be done. “The volume of waste we are having in this country is because we are not matching the tracking with the budget. If you are voting an amount for a specific project, if you are doing an appropriate tracking, simple questions to begin with is to know if the project is relevant for national aspiration, because we have national health priorities.
REMEMBERING EBOLA HERO, DR. ADADEVOH
L-R: CEO, Merit Healthcare, Lolu Ojo; Senior Health Specialist, IFC/World Bank, Olumide Okunola; Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris; Staff, DRASA, Niniola Soleye; Executive Director, Partnerships Public Health and Scientific Affairs, Merck, Joan Benson; Deputy Chairman, DRASA, Dr. Ama Adadevoh; Vice Dean/Director, Centre for Global Health, Glen Gaulton; Professor of Public Health and Consultant Community Physician, Lagos State University College and Medicine, Prof. Muyiwa Odusanya at the Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh Health Trust’s panel discussion, in partnership with Quramo Conferences in Lagos ...recently
HMCAN Boss: NHIS Needs Technocrats, not Politicians Martins Ifijeh The National Chairman, Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN), Dr. Tunde Ladele, has called on the federal government to henceforth appoint technocrats to manage the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) rather than use politicians. He said the scheme has so far not lived up to expectations because those managing it were not familiar with the system and how it operates. Stating this during a live programme on TVC in Lagos recently, he said the scheme involves a lot of actuaries, statistics, finances, insurance and medicine, hence putting just a doctor or professor to man it was not sufficient. “There are people that have been practicing health insurance for 15 years, and NHIS is about 10 years old. These categories of people are highly experience in areas of health insurance. They have attended several trainings and conferences, and are technocrats. They are the ones who should man that place for effective operation. I can mention at least 18 people who are very qualified to help run the scheme.” Noting that the scheme still has a long way to go, Ladele said the association’s recent visit to the House of Representatives, where it was alleged that N351 billion has been misappropri-
ated by Health Management Organisations (HMOs) in 12 years, showed that the needed amount annually for a population of about 170 million people was at least two trillion naira. He also called on the government to establish a governing council in the National Health Insurance scheme, as well as an ICT platform, if it must curb corruption in the system. He said corruption is thriving in NHIS because there was no governing council in place to checkmate excesses of those managing the scheme, adding that the establishment of the council, as provided by the Law establishing NHIS, would make it possible for the Executive Secretary of the scheme to be checkmated. “NHIS Act 35 of 1999 was obsolete and needed reviewing as indicated by the 2004 NHIS amendment Bill which made provision for a Council which is expected to oversee the day-to-day running of the scheme, function as registering HMOs and Healthcare Providers, provide policy guidelines and administration for the scheme, determine after negotiation, capitation and other payments due to healthcare providers by HMOs, among other functions in order to check the excesses of the ES as the sole administrator and sole signatory to the accounts of the scheme.
Presidency: Manual System of Managing Data, Records Having Adverse Effect on Healthcare Delivery Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The presidency has lamented that the manual and paper system of managing data and records are limited, thus, having adverse effect to the healthcare delivery in the country. Towards this end, it said efforts were being put in place to ensure that tertiary and secondary healthcare delivery facilities migrate from manual to electronic Health Management Information System (HMIS). The Acting Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr. Habiba Lawal, made this known in Abuja at the 4th International Workshop on the Application of ICT in Education, Healthcare and Agriculture, organised by the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development (COMSATs), the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO) and Inter-Islamic Network on Information Technology (INIT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology. Lawal who was represented by Dr. Amina Shamaki, said the application of Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) in all spheres of human endeavour is now a reality and this phenomenon has come to be part and parcel of civilisation development. She said the workshop was aimed at strengthening the capacity of software developers and researchers involved in designing practical applications to address developmental problems in the areas of agriculture, health and education. The acting SGF noted that unlike the education sector where most examination bodies and tertiary institutions in the country conduct enrollment, applications, registrations, payments and even assessments for selection are done through the help of ICT, health sector was yet to be fully impacted. She revealed that other areas such as tele-medicine- the delivery of clinical presence in remote health services; mobile health-using mobile communications for providing remote health services and information, were being explored with a number of public-private partnerships to assuage the cost of implementation and sustainability.
T H I S D AY THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017
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HEALTH
HEALTH MATTERS
goketakinrogunde@gmail.com
By Goke T. Akinrogunde 07036777348; 07029126776
Measles: A Rash that Can Get Complicated
O
rdinarily, measles is one disease condition which commonly affects young children, it runs a natural self-limiting course in which the child gets well soon after the attack with minimum treatment requirement. However, it can sometimes get complicated, going worse away from the anticipated and sometimes with a fatal outcome. Measles is one of the highly infectious childhood illnesses caused by the measles virus. Viruses are very small microorganisms that are much smaller than bacteria and not affected by antibiotics. Other examples are hepatitis viruses, HIV, Lassa fever virus and of course Ebola virus. The measles infection is spread by droplets from upper respiratory tract of infected child two to four days before and two to five days after the rash first appears. The infection has a one to two weeks incubation period, the period between the time of infection and the manifestation of the disease in an infected child. Measles usually begins like a bad cold with runny nose, the child then develops fever and a rash. The child always feels miserable and may be unwell for a week or so with a bad cough and a high temperature. Complications occur in some cases. Measles is much more serious than many people think. In fact, of all childhood infections, it is the one most likely to cause a serious complication called encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain, sometimes resulting in brain damage. Symptoms of Measles The outcome of the disease varies from mild (usually the case in the well-fed child and vaccinated) to severe (usually in the malnourished or immunosuppressed patient). However, severe measles can occasionally present in a previously healthy child and particularly in young adults who have not been vaccinated or exposed to the virus naturally. Prodrome phase This is the disease course before the appearance
in the lifetime of an individual.
A child with measles
of the rash, it last two to four days with persistent fever, runny nose, redness of the eyes (mild conjunctivitis), diarrhea and Koplik’s spots. Koplik’s spots appear on the inner cheeks and tongue as small, red spots each with a white speck in the centre. The summary of how the disease evolve and the symptoms of the illness is as follows: Unremitting fever (high body temperature), sore eyes (conjunctivitis), and runny nose usually occur first. Small white spots usually develop inside the mouth a day or so later. A harsh dry cough is usual.; Poor appetite - going off food, tiredness, and aches and pains are usual; Diarrhoea is common; Vomiting is not unusual; A red blotchy rash normally develops about three to four days after the first symptoms. The rash has the characteristic of both flattened – skin decolorising and small pimples-like, what is medically referred to as maculopapulary rash. It usually starts on the head and neck,
and spreads down the body. It takes 2-3 days to cover most of the body. The rash often turns a brownish colour and gradually fades over a few days. The rash may be accompanied with itching. Affected children are usually unwell and miserable for three to five days. After this, the fever tends to ease, and then the rash fades. The other symptoms gradually ease and go. Most children are better within 7-10 days. An irritating cough may persist for several days after other symptoms have gone. Some people mistake rashes caused by other viruses for measles. Measles is not just a mild red rash that soon goes. It is important to note that the measles virus causes an unpleasant, and sometimes serious, illness. The rash is just one part of this illness. The child’s immune system makes antibodies during the infection. These fight off the virus and then provide lifelong immunity. It is therefore very rare to have more than one attack of measles
Complications Of measles The ‘usual’ and expected course of a measles attack enumerated above in terms of symptoms and signs may not be resolved after the estimated 7-10 days in a smaller percentage of children. Other super-imposed infections like bacteria and fungi sometimes complicate the viral infection. This can results in much more serious and lifethreatening illness. Some of these complications are mentioned below. Otitis media – this is ear infection (of the socalled middle ear) that causes severe earache, it can come as a complication in measles. If Otitis media is poorly treated, it can become a focus of infection for tetanus, which is a potential killer disease. Febrile convulsion (fit) occurs in about 1 in 200 cases of measles, this can be alarming but full recovery is usual. Infections of the airways such as bronchitis and croup are common. These are distressing but are not usually serious. Pneumonia (lung infection) is a serious complication that sometimes develops. Typical symptoms include fast or difficult breathing, chest pains, and generally becoming more ill. Brain inflammation (encephalitis) is a rare but very serious complication of measles. It occurs in about 1 in 5000 cases. It is believed to be a neuro allergic process, which is saying that it is a kind of allergic reaction in the brain. It carries a 10-15 per cent mortality rate with 25 per cent children having permanent brain damage. It typically causes drowsiness, headache, and vomiting which starts about 7-10 days after the onset of the rash. Encephalitis may cause brain damage. Some children die from this complication. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis – occurs in 0.1-1.4/million children infected. It occurs 5-10 years after apparently normal measles, although it can occur at an early age, with disturbance in intellect and personality, behavioural disorders and worsening school work. This is followed by seizures, signs of Parkinson-like disease and finally decerebrate rigidity and death. This condition is untreatable.
Inside the Hospital No Incubator at Adeoyo Hospital, and the Twins Died! A former schoolmate of mine way back at Government College Victoria Island, Lagos, Feyisetan Ijimakinwa, posted a moving narration (reproduced below) on the decadence of the Nigerian health system, in our old boys social media group page - “GOCOVIANS 678”. The narration is about the case of newly delivered twins, born earlier in the week, who died on the same day they were born solely because they were unable to access incubator, first in the private hospital where they were delivered and later at the Oyo Sate Government-owned Adeoyo Specialist Hospital, Ibadan, a “foremost” public hospital in Oyo State, where they were referred. Feyisetan’s take: “Earlier today I heard a story that left me shattered, and seething with anger. “I heard of a woman who was delivered
of twins in a private hospital in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. However, they were born premature. Because of their peculiar condition, they needed to be put in an incubator immediately after they were born. Sadly, this important and basic medical equipment was unavailable in this particular private hospital where the twins were delivered, and this necessitated their being referred to Adeoyo State Hospital, the number one state-owned medical facility in Ibadan. “This medical emergency was to take an awful turn when the new mother and the twins, battling for life, arrived the sprawling Adeoyo State Hospital at Yemetu, Ibadan only to be told that the hospital too does not have an incubator. They were once again onwardly referred to the University College Hospital (UCH) also
in Ibadan. “What a relief it was when they got to UCH and it was confirmed that incubators were available but the joy that should have come never did as the two premature babies with undeveloped organs had been without vital supports for too long, and before they could be put into the incubators, they returned to where they came from. They died. “Whilst this is another mishap that could have been avoided, a death that needed not have happened if only the simple and basic medical equipments like an incubator had been in place. “Though inexcusable on all fronts, one may explain away the non availability at the private hospital but what reason can explain the number one state government owned public hospital not having an incubator? In 21st century Nigeria, it is unthinkable that a
hospital, private or public, in a capital city, and not in one remote village, would be without an incubator. Haba! incubator fa! “Though unconfirmed, a source said an incubator unit goes for as low as N50,000. Even, if it is not that ridiculously low priced, no argument is strong enough to explain why a hospital like Adeoyo would be without one. How many deaths like these could have been averted if only some people empowered to lead would do the right thing? “I am gutted by this very sad news but like pop star, Wande Coal, asked, “shey na like this we go dey look? Now, more than ever, we need help. Or, don’t you think so?” My take: Yes we need help but heaven helps those who help themselves. Collectively we can say enough is enough!
NAFDAC Nabs Producers of Fake Cough Syrups, Others Ayodele Ake As part of efforts to reduce fake and counterfeit drugs in the Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has arrested one Mr. Udoka Offor, Mrs. Chika Nwaemeka Nwoye and Ebuka Ojeani for illegal
production and counterfeiting of Codeine syrups, Archillin, among others. Offor was said to have been arrested in Abia State where he was in possession of COF and COLD with Codeine syrup, 28 cartons of 50 bottles x 100ml. He was said to have confessed to producing the syrup in his
one room rented apartment at Asaba, Delta state and markets same at No. E/254, Linkap Line, Head Bridge Market, Onitsha, Anambra State. He said: “I always buy the original product from the market, reduce the fill volume and mix it with borehole water to produce the exact volume
per bottle thereby making more quantity of the syrup, which is sold to unsuspecting members of the public. According to NAFDAC’s Acting Director General, Nwoye, who was the South East Area Sales Manager of Archy Pharmeceutical Limited, was arrested at her residence
in Delta State on the 29th June, 2017. Adding that the suspect led NAFDAC team to Ebuka. “Several cartons of the fake product were found at the premises of Mr. Ebuka aka Ebu-Young. The two suspects who were obviously taking advantage of the market opportunities provided by the
original products have been arraigned in court” NAFDAC said. Mrs Oni said the Agency had recently issued a public notice in some newspapers warning importers, distributors and marketers of some NAFDAC regulated products contained in the import prohibition list.
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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017
HEALTH
Alabi: Alcohol, Tight Underwear, Spending too Much Time in a Car are Risk Factors for Infertility in Men Dr. Olajuwon Alabi is the Medical Director, Southshore Women and Children’s Hospital, Lagos. In this interview with Nume Ekeghe, he talked about risk factors associated with infertility, the myths, and available solutions to the condition Can you speak more on your specialties in Southshore? In Southshore, our services covers obstetrics, pregnancy related gynecology issue, and then we look after pediatrics as well. One of the reasons Southshore was set up was because of the standard. We want to be able to offer services that would reduce the number of Nigerians that travel abroad for specialised procedures and surgeries and unfortunately, there is still a skill issue in Nigeria. So that was idea in starting up this place. From gynecology which is one of the major part of our work load is fibroid. We are one of the leading players in terms of managing fibroid because we can offer almost all options in safe environment. We have done thousands of surgeries in the last five to six years and I’m happy to say that there has been no mortality. What that means is that you don’t necessarily have to open people to have surgeries. We do minimal invasive surgeries which is also called keyhole surgeries allowing people go home almost the same day or the next day with minimum bleeding. Unfortunately for us in Nigeria, we don’t have many centres capable of this, unlike if you go to the advanced countries where a lot of people are offering it. Is minimal invasive surgery common in Nigeria? The skill is currently developing in Nigeria and we hope to be able to in a few years train a lot of Nigerians to be able to do. I am part of the society of gynecology endoscopy where we are hoping to increase awareness and training for Nigerian gynecologist to be able to offer this kind of procedures and we are having our first conference in September this year. What are your success rates for minimal invasive surgeries? Success rates can be defined in different levels. The first level is how successful was the surgery, that is if the person survived. In terms of that, we have a 100 per cent success rate. Now the other success rate is if the surgery worked. However, that is quite difficult to measure because a lot of our patients come from different part of the country and some cases out of the country. Recently, we had people come in from the United Kingdom to do surgeries here because of their long waiting list. In terms of how many people get pregnant after they have surgeries here it is difficult to do. But I can tell you that we are happy that when a lot of centres refer patients to us, the comments we get back is that it seems as if there is something we do that makes the IVF to work. I remember when we started Southshore most patients were referred to South Africa to do surgeries that is retiringly available now. When should couples access IVF? I think sometimes when couples are experienc-
Alabi
ing infertility, they run to Invitro Fertilisation (IVF) centres. However fertility is divided into three main parts, namely primary, secondary and tertiary. Tertiary means you have tried everything else and it hasn’t worked then you are now going for IVF because there are a lot of other things you can do to get people pregnant before getting to IVF. That still takes me back to the minimally invasive surgery that can be used to correct tube abnormalities. Also, some people who have scar tissue inside their wombs, something called Asherman syndrome where what we need to do is use a camera to go in and clean up the inside of the womb particularly in women who have not had their periods in a long time or have reduced which is based on an injury that has happened previously. We also have gynecology cancer specialist that deal with gynecologic cancer. Is there a specific time frame before a couple can seek help? A couple that have no medical history and is newly married we would say should try conceiving one to two years. As long as they have regular intercourse and by that I mean two or three times a week. So also when investigation is delayed, sometimes can also be a challenge because in some cases the woman may have fibroid or a condition called endometriosis or a pregnancy termination and that increases the risk of a person to have fertility issue. So the first thing is that there must be an assessment in the beginning. I think unfortunately there is a lot of pressure on the women in our country. So everything is streamlined and once you finish university, you are expected to get married, then your mother in-law would start to ask questions.
So there is a lot of pressure on women. People should enjoy their marriage and acknowledge that God gives children and at the right time, God would give children rather than putting so much pressure on oneself. There are people who have been married for 10 years without children and on the tenth year, it seems like a tap was opened and then pregnancies start happening. For them, that is their timeline but unfortunately, the society puts too much pressure here. However, fertility treatments are not cheap, they are expensive but if a couple plans well it gives them the opportunity to start embarking on fertility treatments. In my view, the best thing is to ensure that couples have tried enough. There is a stigma that goes with infertility and women usually take the blame. How can this perception change? The first thing is to create awareness that fertility is not a woman’s issue. Fifty per cent of the cause is from men. Unfortunately, a lot of men are still egoistic about it and tend to not believe they can be at fault. Infertility is not for a single person, it is something that happens in a couple. However, some people come in and they immediately say ‘my husband is fine’ and I don’t think that is the right attitude. I usually like speaking to couples and then letting them understand the issue which comes from information really. We need to investigate without being aggressive and we start off with knowing you are fine but let us just confirm it. Sometimes as men, we want to believe we are right all the time so somebody needs to let them know that there is a small possibility that there might be a problem. However once there is problem, we always let people know that there is a solution.
What are the major causes of infertility in men? One of the major issues particularly in this part of the world, is that men drink a lot of alcohol. So alcohol is a risk factor and also spending a lot of time in the car because what happens especially if you are driving a car that generates heat. This goes towards the scrotum area and that can reduce sperm count. Also we live in a warm environment and a lot of people wear tight clothes surrounding their organs and that also reduces the sperm count. The take home message is live safe, drink a lot of water, no smoking, and no drinking. Also, when you are at home, and you aren’t obligated to cover yourself, maybe take your underwear off so air can circulate. Watch what you eat as well, obesity is a contributory factor both for men and for female as well. There is a research where what they did was ensure sperm was exposed to cigarette and they can see the sperm die off. So it is natural that when we see couples, we inquire if any of them smokes and advise they don’t. So lifestyle modification is very important. Do a lot of exercise, eat healthy, drink a lot of water and be careful of what you wear, as well particularly men. What advice do you have for married couples who have been trying for years and don’t know where to start from? The first thing is that they should enjoy their marriage and don’t let the pressure of the society weigh them down. Seek help as well. Look for good hospitals and ask a lot of questions. When you go to a hospital and they want to plan a procedure and you are not happy with it, seek a second or a third opinion and if everyone is singing the same tune it is likely that the information given is correct. But if there are different tunes then just get more experienced opinion before you make a decision. Also, there are so many IVF centres and some are good but I would also advise people not to rush into IVF. They should make sure they have a good gynecologist that can explore the reason why there is a problem and if there is no problem. Also there are other options like adoption. There are so many children out there and it has also been proven that sometimes, stress has a significant effect on people when it comes to fertility. So in adopting a child, that reduces stress and your focus a bit and I have seen people conceive after they had adopted a child or children. Also, things like surrogacy should be explored for people that have damaged wombs and cannot get pregnant themselves other people can help them carry their pregnancies. Genetically it’s their baby. But they are just using someone else to carry the baby. So there are so many options opened to Nigerians at the moment.
Trinity Foundation Creates Awareness on Boska Provides Free Healthcare for Ibadan Residents Viral Hepatitis As part of activities to commemorate World Hepatitis Day 2017, Trinity Healthcare Foundation, Nigeria in collaboration with the World Hepatitis Alliance organised a two-day community awareness programme on viral hepatitis, an acute or chronic inflammation or injury which can result to partial or complete damage to the liver. The hepatitis awareness programme which was held at the Lawanson Ultramodern Shopping Complex, attracted
a large number of people, following a sensitisation rally a day before the event around Lawanson, Obele Itire and Ijesha axis within Surulere Local Government Area. During the symposium, participants and people across all levels of the society, were offered free hepatitis screening, free hepatitis B vaccination, and health talk on symptoms of hepatitis vaccination, transmission modes and ways of preventing the hepatitis virus. World Hepatitis Day,
observed on July 28 every year, aims to raise global awareness of hepatitis – a group of infectious diseases known as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E – and encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment. According to the Founder/ CEO, Trinity Healthcare Foundation, Dr. Nseabasi Ekanem, hepatitis B, which unarguably is the most common type of viral hepatitis in Nigeria, is the most deadly type of hepatitis virus responsible for majority of liver cancer reported worldwide.
Ayodele Ake Major Pain killer Company, Dexa Medica makers of Boska recently, conducted another wave of its Pain Free Day initiative at the Omi Market of Ibadan to help consumers stay fit. The Pain Free Day event was attended by hundreds of market users and residents from communities of Omi Market as attendees were equipped with health tips to
stay strong during the rainy season. Speaking during the event, Brand Executive, Dexa Medica, Kafayat Moradeyo said about 70 per cent of Nigerians often catch flu during rainy season resulting in body breakdown if not attended to. “This Pain Free Day edition is specially designed to keep consumers fit given the rainy season. I am confident that Dexa Medica will continue to im-
prove the delivery of quality healthcare for consumers in the months ahead.” Boska team provided the opportunity for consumers to see health experts who gave free eye glasses for those in need and prescribed drugs to treat eye, ear and nose defects. The team also leveraged the opportunity to educate consumers on how to live stress-free while at their various duties.
T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍąËœ 2017
40
BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE
Otunuga: Nigeria Urgently Needs Infrastruture Facelift Obinna Chima Research Analyst at FXTM, Lukman Otunuga, has stressed the need for governments at all levels in Nigeria to focus on infrastructural development. Otunuga, in a report titled: “Is Nigeria poised for an economic rebound?� pointed out that while major roads in the country are in poor condition; the power sector remains a cause for concern, health and education also needed to be revamped. According to the analyst, rectifying these issues has the ability to not only create jobs but also support economic growth and boost investor confidence. He said: “Focusing on the fiscal side, this still remains a gray are with the nation’s longrunning infrastructure problems compounding to its woes. With the overall projected fiscal deficit tagged at N2.36 trillion one can only hope that the approved budget offers a helping hand
to the nation. “As we head deeper into the third quarter of 2017, market players may closely observe hard domestic data at home to gauge the nation’s health and verify if an economic recovery really is on the cards for 2017. “Nigeria’s mission to diversify away from oil reliance while recovering from an economic deceleration remains an ongoing quest and it will be interesting to see how far the nation has progressed by year end.� According Otunuga, the current speed of Nigeria’s recovery could be described as slow and steady, with the macro-fundamentals gradually stabilising. Inflation in Nigeria cooled for the fifth consecutive month in June at 16.1 per cent, illustrating further signs of price stability while manufacturing and non-manufacturing activities have both moved in a positive trajectory. Also, the naira has continued to display
resilience against the US dollar this year, with prices currently trading around N363 on the black market. Although the repeated intervention by the Central Bank of Nigeria has supported the naira’s recovery and stability and confidence over Nigeria’s economic recovery continues to play a leading role. “Although I remain optimistic over Nigeria resurging from an economic meltdown and eventually breaking away from its dependence on oil as an engine for growth, there are still external risks which could present headwinds on the road to recovery. “The greatest threat to Nigeria’s current recovery in the medium to longer term is depressed oil prices. Falling oil has the ability to directly impact the nation’s government revenues, external reserves, and stability of the nation’s foreign exchange market,� he said.
Sterling Bank Renews Commitment to Environmental Sustainability Sterling Bank Plc has restated its commitment to environmental sustainability as it has listed 11 states in the country as well as the Federal Capital Territory that would get makeover on August 12. The bank would be embarking on this programme under its Sterling Bank Environmental Makeover (STEM).Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos yesterday, the Chief Marketing Officer of Sterling Bank, Henry Bassey, stressed the need to create a cleaner environment for a sustainable nation, saying the STEM project was expected to have a lasting impact on the country particularly in respect to the environment. The states to benefit from the programme are Lagos, Oyo,
Rivers, Abia, Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, Plateau, Enugu, Delta and Imo, as well as the Federal Capital Territory. The bank, which is partnering a host of others including Lagos state government, Daar Communications, as well as environment oriented companies said it has also taken its environmental initiatives which it started with the Lagos Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) to 14 other states in the country. “As a bank, we are big on the environment and are clearly going to sustain that. One of the ways to sustain this initiative is to build on the success of the STEM Programme which covers provision of uniforms to street cleaners in 14 states,
national cleaning exercise by Sterling Bank employees, and tree planting in Bauchi, Gombe and Plateau states to address the challenge of desertification. “We cannot live a healthy life, conduct business and create wealth amidst waste or in a toxic environment. Without clean air, water, land and energy, our collective humanity is endangered. This makes it necessary for us to keep our environment orderly and functional through sustainable living actions and regular cleaning. Our goal is to lead the movement promoting environmental sustainability in Nigeria�, Bassey explained. He said STEM had evolved to become a movement which now touches lives.
MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS Broad Money (M2)
23,840,392.42
-- Narrow Money (M1)
11,520,166.67
---- Currency Outside Banks
1,820,415.90
---- Demand Deposits
9,699,750.76
-- Quasi Money
12,320,225.75
Net Foreign Assets (NFA)
9,353,504.03
Net Domestic Assets(NDA)
14,486,888.39
-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)
26,774,684.47
---- Credit to Government (Net)
4,595,579.89
---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA
7,436,917.79
---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)
Ecobank Unveils Savings Promo Ecobank Nigeria has unveiled a savings promo which is aimed at giving its customers the opportunity to double their savings in the bank within a specified period. The promo tagged: ‘Double Your Target Savings Promo’ is intended for customers who want to build up savings with the bank to meet their future financial goals or execute specific desired projects. The promo, according to a statement from the bank, was designed to reward both new and existing customers of within the six months period it is expected to run from August through January 31, 2018. Head, Consumer Banking of
the bank, Ayotunde Kuponiyi, said the promo was in line with the bank’s policy of rewarding customers who participate by making steady monthly contributions into their target savings account. According to him, “The Target Savings product was designed to incentivise and reward new and existing customers who intend to build up savings to meet future financial goals or execute specific desired projects.� He explained that the target project could be saving for school fees, holidays, pilgrimage, weddings, purchasing personal assets, among others. He reiterated that apart from its very competitive interest
rate, the product offers the much needed opportunity for customers to achieve their dreams. Kuponiyi advised the banking public to take advantage of the promo to open accounts with Ecobank to enjoy the enormous benefits the promo and other services that the pan African bank offers. He also enjoined the existing customers to increase their savings to qualify and win in any of the numerous draws. On the dynamics of the promo and draws, he said customers were expected to save a fixed amount of money from N10, 000 monthly to qualify for entries into monthly draws starting this August.
Afrinvest Asset Management Pays Coupon to Investors Afrinvest Asset Management Limited (AAML), Fund Managers of the Nigerian International Debt Fund (NIDF) is set to pay investors the interim coupon for the 2017 financial year in August 2017. This marks the 39th coupon since the creation of the fund, in line with its consistent dividend history since 1997. NIDF is a Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) listed mutual fund that invests in fixed income securities of Federal and State
Governments, characterized by minimum risk, steady returns and high investment liquidity. It was designed to pay coupons twice a year. According to a statement from the Managing Director of AAML, Ola Belgore: “NIDF is declaring the sum of N17,302,395.17 as interim coupon to be distributed amongst subscribers in the register of the Fund as at August 11, 2017. Investors who are yet to invest in the fund, therefore, have a
window of opportunity to invest between now and August 11, 2017 to enjoy the full benefits of the coupon. “The fund closed at N231.79 per note as at July 31, 2017, and continues to offer investors safety, capital preservation, steady returns, diversification and value. We are, therefore, confident that the NIDF will remain profitable for both individual and institutional investors such as Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).
(MILLION NAIRA)
DECEMBER 2016
-2,841,337.90
---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)
22,374,718.08
--Other Assets Net
-12,483,409.58
Reserve Money (Base Money)
5,837,322.41
--Currency in Circulation
2,179,174.28
--Banks Reserves
3,318,344.71 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹
MONEY MARKET INDICATORS (%) December 2016 Inter-Bank Call Rate
10.39
Monetary Policy Rate (MPR
14.00
Treasury Bill Rate
13.96
Savings Deposit Rate
4.18
1 Month Deposit Rate
8.53
3 Months Deposit Rate
8.80
6 Months Deposit Rate
10.23
12 Months Deposit Rate
10.76
Prime Lending rate
17.09
Maximum Lending Rate
28.55
Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯͲϹ
OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT TUESDAY, 1 AUGUST 2017
The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $49.61 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $49.97 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), 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), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).
41
˾ THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017
Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals
1-Aug-17
31-July-17
% Change
Capitalisation
EPS
P/E
P/S
Div. Yld
Price/ Book Value
Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators
Open 31-July-1
Close 1-Aug-17
Change %
NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion)
35,844.00 12.35
36,720.62 12.66
2.45 2.45
151.70 11.81
151.67 11.81
-0.02 -0.02
01 Dangote Cement Plc
222.22
223.75
-0.68%
3,786,741,555,539.10
10.95
22.37
6.79
3.27%
5.24
02 Nigerian Breweries Plc
167.01
167.00
0.01%
1,324,239,139,304.88
3.58
46.29
4.19
2.17%
7.93
03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc
38.99
39.05
-0.15%
1,147,521,677,943.76
4.49
8.81
2.81
4.47%
2.31
1,025.00
1,003.70
2.12%
812,472,658,300.00
10.00
91.02
3.97
3.19%
23.36
05 Zenith Bank Plc
24.65
24.61
0.16%
773,923,571,824.90
4.13
6.20
1.58
7.03%
1.14
06 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc
36.99
35.90
3.04%
369,900,000,000.00
2.85
12.95
2.36
0.27%
2.62
07 United Bank for Africa Plc
9.88
9.70
1.86%
358,441,720,061.36
1.99
5.06
0.95
5.95%
0.82
08 Presco Plc
76.95
76.86
0.12%
305,528,208,612.75
0.03 2,342.70
3.81
1.90%
6.50
09 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated
16.51
16.50
0.06%
302,951,090,559.65
0.68
23.28
0.49
3.94%
0.46
9.99
10.05
-0.60%
288,990,436,593.69
13.18
0.80
0.80
5.21%
0.67
488.00
488.00
0.00%
270,015,432,744.00 -82.02
-5.91
4.23
3.28%
0.71
12 Lafarge Africa Plc
55.00
57.72
-4.71%
250,519,599,550.00
3.71
16.44
1.26
4.92%
1.12
13 FBN Holdings Plc
6.01
6.00
0.17%
215,730,709,679.92
0.21
28.34
0.40
2.55%
0.34
14 Unilever Nigeria Plc
40.00
39.66
0.86%
151,331,850,000.00
0.81
47.19
2.08
0.13%
12.40
15 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc
12.59
11.97
5.18%
151,080,000,000.00
1.20
7.84
0.67
5.31%
1.71
16 International Breweries Plc
34.00
33.13
2.63%
112,004,475,520.00
0.02 1,331.44
3.71
0.83%
9.01
17 Guinness Nig Plc
66.55
65.05
2.31%
100,216,858,911.40
-3.06
-20.60
0.92
5.08%
2.41
7.80
7.98
-2.26%
93,870,027,373.20
0.29
28.93
0.22
8.93%
0.53
NSE Index gains 2.45%
19 Total Nigeria Plc
270.00
270.00
0.00%
91,670,895,990.00
43.58
6.15
0.31
5.22%
3.86
20 Mobil Oil Nig Plc
253.00
253.00
0.00%
91,230,601,286.00
22.61
11.19
0.97
2.85%
4.25
21 Forte Oil Plc.
57.00
61.70
-7.62%
74,241,422,871.00
2.22
28.34
0.55
5.48%
1.89
22 Flour Mills Nig. Plc
28.00
29.00
-3.45%
73,478,641,236.00
-1.19
-24.67
0.18
6.80%
0.78
23 Okomu Oil Palm Plc
76.03
80.03
-5.00%
72,525,777,300.00
5.15
13.77
4.71
0.14%
3.97
24 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc
90.30
91.89
-1.73%
57,845,309,778.90
-0.05
0.62
2.44%
2.60
1.41
1.44
-2.08%
54,596,606,369.25
-0.03
-53.25
1.01
0.00%
0.69
34.20
36.00
-5.00%
45,144,000,000.00
-2.89
-12.45
0.34
4.17%
0.68
1.29
1.25
3.20%
37,361,735,542.68
0.39
3.33
0.25
12.40%
0.20
17.20
16.60
3.61%
33,038,867,456.40
3.37
5.04
0.43
5.88%
0.43
1.30
1.29
0.78%
30,108,505,658.40
-0.29
-4.29
0.14
0.00%
0.13
11.25
10.42
7.97%
29,806,181,752.50
0.91
10.20
1.35
5.91%
3.06
31 Sterling Bank Plc
1.02
1.02
0.00%
29,366,226,488.52
0.18
5.58
0.26
9.00%
0.34
32 FCMB Group Plc
1.25
1.25
0.00%
24,753,388,476.25
0.72
1.80
0.15
7.69%
0.14
33 Cap Plc
34.99
34.99
0.00%
24,493,000,000.00
2.29
15.47
3.64
3.24%
10.86
34 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc
24.15
23.00
5.00%
24,150,000,000.00
5.69
4.06
1.61
0.43%
0.62
35 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc
20.00
20.00
0.00%
23,917,529,760.00
3.51
5.69
1.66
1.50%
1.40
2.20
2.10
4.76%
23,100,000,000.00
0.25
8.37
1.06
2.38%
1.09
11.51
10.97
4.92%
21,618,105,480.40
-0.16
-80.79
0.80
10.20%
2.17
38 Wema Bank Plc
0.54
0.53
1.89%
20,830,211,683.74
0.07
8.19
0.39
0.00%
0.44
39 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc
3.50
3.50
0.00%
20,586,524,682.50
0.91
3.75
0.52
4.12%
0.66
40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc
2.28
2.20
3.64%
18,080,850,660.24
-0.40
-4.95
0.33
8.00%
0.48
41 Continental Reinsurance Plc
1.42
1.43
-0.70%
14,729,296,923.04
0.42
3.12
0.61
9.16%
0.73
42 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc
8.34
8.33
0.12%
10,480,692,568.44
0.22
44.31
1.10
1.03%
1.13
43 Skye Bank Plc
0.65
0.68
-4.41%
9,022,195,916.50
-2.93
-0.26
0.06
40.00%
0.10
44 Unity Bank Plc
0.58
0.61
-4.92%
6,779,816,006.36
0.19
3.16
0.08
0.00%
0.08
45 Wapic Insurance Plc
0.50
0.50
0.00%
6,691,369,126.00
0.18
2.78
0.85
6.00%
0.41
46 Resort Savings & Loans Plc
0.50
0.50
0.00%
5,664,866,202.00
0.03
17.71
3.72
0.00%
1.94
47 UACN Property Development Co. Limited
2.88
2.75
4.73%
4,949,999,985.60
-0.90
-3.25
0.79
23.89%
0.15
48 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc
2.91
2.78
4.68%
4,726,476,562.50
0.36
8.36
0.61
6.69%
0.75
49 Fidson Healthcare Plc
3.07
3.22
-4.66%
4,605,000,000.00
0.21
16.05
0.66
1.47%
0.77
50 AIICO Insurance Plc
0.59
0.57
3.51%
4,088,820,643.20
1.48
0.37
0.14
9.26%
0.43
Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today- Tuesday, August 1st, 2017 ended bullish as the market record positive changes. The equity market closed green due to positive performances from the NSE Subsectors: Banking, Insurance and Consumer Goods (Save Oil & Gas). Correspondingly, trading activities increased in volume as 849.60 million shares worth N94.05 billion in 5,602 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 470.16 million shares worth N5.27 billion in 5,558 trades carried out on Monday. Topping in volume terms are: FBN Holdings Plc, Access Bank Plc and United Bank For Africa Plc; while Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and International Breweries Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms. Brent crude oil price today shows downward signal as it dips to US$51.79 per barrel while it rose to $52.72 per barrel at its previous closing. The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with 2.45% (+876.62) increase to close at 36,720.62 from 35,844.00 the previous trading day. Market capitalization appreciated in tandem to N12.66 trillion from N12.35 trillion of prior trading day. However, the Thisday BGL 50 Index closes with a borderline decrease of 0.02% to 151.67 from 151.70 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N11.81 trillion from N11.81 trillion of the previous trading day. A total number of 32 stocks gained on the bourse today while 20 stocks declined, leaving 53 stocks unchanged. National Salt Co. Nig. Plc emerged the toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 7.97% to close at N11.25 per share. It was followed by Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc with a gain of 5.18% to close at N12.59 per share. Others on the gainers chart include: PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Cadbury Nigeria Plc and Mansard Insurance Plc. On the decliners’ list, Forte Oil Plc led with a loss of 7.65% to close at N57.00 per share. It was followed by Julius Berger Nig. Plc with a loss of 5.00% to close at N34.20 per share. Others on the decliners’ list are: Okomu Oil Palm Plc, Unity Bank Plc and Lafarge Africa Plc.
04 Nestle Nigeria Plc
10 Access Bank Plc 11 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd
18 Oando Plc
25 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc 26 Julius Berger Nig. Plc 27 Fidelity Bank Plc 28 U A C N Plc 29 Diamond Bank Plc 30 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc
36 Mansard Insurance Plc 37 Cadbury Nigeria Plc
TOTAL
11,809,161,928,925.00
TOTAL MARKET CAP
12,655,787,936,961.20
% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average
93.31%
Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)
Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock
Open 31-July-1
National Salt Co. Nig. Plc Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc Cadbury Nigeria Plc Mansard Insurance Plc
10.42 11.97 23.00 10.97 2.10
Close Change % 1-Aug-17 11.25 12.59 24.15 11.51 2.20
7.97 5.18 5.00 4.92 4.76
Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock
Open 31-July-1
Forte Oil Plc. Julius Berger Nig. Plc Okomu Oil Palm Plc Unity Bank Plc Lafarge Africa Plc
61.70 36.00 80.03 0.61 57.72
Close Change % 1-Aug-17 57.00 34.20 76.03 0.58 55.00
-7.62 -5.00 -5.00 -4.92 -4.71
REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.
For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com
42
T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͱ˜ 2017
MARKET NEWS
Equities Market Maintains Positive Momentum on Bargain Hunting Goddy Egene The equities market recorded its second positive performance for the month of August as the bulls remained in control. This followed bargain hunting by investors in value stocks, a development that made the Nigerian Stock Exchange All-Share Index to close 0.50 per cent higher at 36,905.06. Market capitalisation added
N64.3 billion to close at N12.7 trillion. This implies that the market has gained 2.96 per cent in August and 37.32 per cent from January to yesterday. A total of 31 stocks appreciated yesterday, while 18 depreciated. C & I Leasing Plc led the price gainers, chalking up 10 per cent as investors continued to react to the positive results reported by the company for the half year
T H E
ended June 30, 2017. The company grew its profit after tax by 298 per cent to N580 million in 2017, from N145.4 million in 2016. The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Andrew Otike-Odibi attributed the improved financial performance to the strength in the diversity of its business. “Our three business lines namely, Marine, Fleet management and Outsourcing
N I G E R I A N
are gaining strength in their different markets with each contributing positively to the overall performance of the business. This is not without the difficulties faced in the operating environment with rising financing and operating costs coupled with continuous pressure on turnover. We remain focused on sustaining delivery of superior customer service and continued diversification
STO C K
of earnings, to take advantage of growth opportunities in the markets and business segments we operate in,” Otike-Odibi said. Lafarge Africa Plc trailed as the second highest price gainer, rising by 5.0 per cent, just as Guinness Nigeria Plc went up by 4.9 per cent. Skye Bank Plc and Caverton Offshore Services Group Plc appreciated by 4.6 per cent and 4.3 per cent respectively.
E XC H A N G E
Other top price gainers were Jaiz Bank Plc (4.3 per cent); Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (4.2 per cent) and United Capital Plc(3.9 per cent). Conversely, Okomu Oil Palm Plc led the price losers with 5.0 per cent, trailed by Continental Reinsurance Plc that depreciated by 4.9 per cent. Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc and Nigerian Aviation Company Plc shed 4.8 per cent apiece among others.
43
˾ THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017
MARKET NEWS
Daar Communications Remains in the Woods, Records N692m Loss Goddy Egene Daar Communications Plc has reported a loss of N691.975 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017, indicating that the company would end the current financial year in another loss. The company, which owns African Independent Television (AIT), Ray Power FM and Faji FM, had last year posted a loss of N2.139 billion, compared with a loss of N1.515 billion in 2015.
While shareholders and other market stakeholders expected an improvement in its performance, the company has reported a loss of N691.975 million in 2017, compared with a loss of N691.168 million for the corresponding period of 2016. An analysis of the unaudited results showed that Daar Communications posted a revenue of N904 million, up from N794 million in 2016. Cost of sale increased to N1.172 billion, from N1.052 billion, making
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
the company to end the period with a gross profit of N267 million in 2017, as against N258 million in 2016. Distribution cost increased from N15.2 million to N21.7 million, while administrative expenses was reduced to N374.899 million from N386.446 million. Similarly, finance cost fell from N28.369 million to N19.774 million. However, taxation rose N3.259 million to N10.125 million. Consequently, Daar Communications ended the Q1of 2017 with a loss
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 1-Aug-2017, unless otherwise stated.
of N691.975 million. Chairman of the company, Chief Raymond Dokpesi (Jnr.) had recently attributed the poor performance of the company to the economic recession, which he said pushed the company’s operating loss from N1.515 billion in 2015 to N 2.139 billion in 2016. He stated this while addressing shareholders in Abuja at a combined 2015/2016 annual general meeting(AGM) that the economic recession in the
country. “The adverse business environment together with the biting economic recession caused the 2016 turnover of the company to plummet to an all time low of N 3.733 billion representing 47 per cent decline over 2015 earnings. The loss after taxation in 2016 was N2.139 while in 2015, loss after taxation was N1.515 billion. As encapsulated earlier, the losses were as a result of the astronomical increase in cost of operations occasioned by the economic
recession and the severe devaluation of the naira which could not be matched with corresponding growth in earnings as the advert budget in the industry declined in the ensuing period,” he said He, however, assured shareholders that there was a hope of the company returning to profitability in the nearest future following a conscious business restructuring and operations digitalisation and expansion project already at its final implementation stage.
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 Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Afrinvest Equity Fund 174.34 Nigeria International Debt Fund 231.82 ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.80 AIICO CAPITAL LTD Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price AIICO Money Market Fund
aaml@afrinvest.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 174.66 37.13% 232.15 FALSE info@acapng.com Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 0.81 14.38% ammf@aiicocapital.com
Yield / T-Rtn "18.51% " enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com
100.00
Offer Price 100.00
ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 17.09 17.61 38.43% ARM Discovery Fund 362.33 373.26 26.17% ARM Ethical Fund 25.66 26.43 14.83% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.79% 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 140.93 141.92 33.99% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.23% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.81% Paramount Equity Fund 11.34 11.63 21.15% Women's Investment Fund 93.53 95.92 10.56% 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 18.61% FBN CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,103.77 1,104.86 9.00% FBN Heritage Fund 139.22 140.44 24.89% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.10% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $109.22 $110.17 6.20% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $108.49 $109.49 6.25% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 155.40 157.58 37.99% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.33 1.35 42.55% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.81 2.81 9.37% 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 2,757.63 2,805.80 25.18% Coral Income Fund 2,305.53 2,305.53 9.56% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.41% 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 1.00 1.00 18.33% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.08 2.11 24.14% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 18.37%
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 1.11 1.13 12.04% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,028.01 1,028.01 6.98% 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 12.97 13.07 34.21% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 19.10% 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 1.14 1.16 14.89% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.67 10.73 2.65% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 15.30% 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 123.65 125.97 22.09% 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 1.34 1.34 7.60% 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 2,156.66 2,169.12 17.78% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 161.25 161.25 4.73% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.98 1.00 28.57% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 204.76 204.76 9.56% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 174.73 177.15 34.64% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.48% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,489.16 9,597.99 25.12% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.28 1.30 14.83% United Capital Bond Fund 1.37 1.37 12.26% United Capital Equity Fund 0.81 0.83 20.94% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.14 1.14 3.51% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 12.33 12.54 27.08% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.04 13.20 19.17% Zenith Income Fund 18.41 18.41 11.35%
REITS NAV Per Share
Yield / T-Rtn
11.41 128.78
1.01% 3.88%
Bid Price
Offer Price
Yield / T-Rtn
10.88 104.56
10.98 106.54
26.05% 37.99%
Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund 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
4.37 8.32 16.78 21.25 131.59
4.41 8.40 16.88 21.45 133.59
57.86% 18.25% 40.41% 33.02% 2.07%
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 AUGUST 3, 2017 Ëž T H I S D AY
44
INTERNATIONAL
email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com
Trump Approves New ‘Flawed’ Russia Sanctions President Donald Trump has signed into a law a bill which imposes new sanctions on Russia for their alleged meddling in the 2016 election. The bill, which was signed in private at the White House, also imposes sanctions on Iran and North Korea. The legislation “handcuffs� the president from easing penalties on Russia without congressional approval. Russia denies interfering in the US election, and Mr Trump has denied colluding with Russia. In signing the Countering America’s Adversaries Through
Sanctions Act, Mr Trump attached a statement calling the sanctions “deeply flawed�. He accused Congress, which last week overwhelmingly passed the measure and sent it to the White House, of overstepping its constitutional authority. “Yet despite its problems, I am signing this bill for the sake of national unity,� Mr Trump’s statement says, adding that “it represents the will of the American people to see Russia take steps to improve relations with the United States�. “I built a truly great company worth many billions of
dollars. That is a big part of the reason I was elected,� he continued. “As president, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress,� he said, adding that they “could not even negotiate a healthcare bill after seven years of talking�. Russia had already retaliated by ordering 755 people expelled from the country’s US embassy and consulates. The sanctions, which are also in response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea, come months after President Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats.
Shiites Chant Anti-IS Slogans, Protest Latest Deadly Afghan Attack Thousands of Shiite protesters chanted slogans against the Islamic State group Wednesday as they carried the coffins of victims of a mosque attack that killed 33 people in the western Afghan city of Herat. Up to 5,000 angry mourners, including relatives of the dead, congregated near the site of Tuesday’s suicide bomb attack as IS claimed responsiblity for the latest atrocity targeting the
minority community. “Death to Daesh (IS)!� and “Down with fundamentalism�, the demonstrators chanted, as the coffins were brought one by one and placed in a refrigerated lorry near the Jawadya mosque. The mourners, who were set to march to the cemetery to bury their dead, also demanded that the government bring the perpetrators to justice and pledged to “take
revenge� if it did not. Jilani Farhad, a spokesman for the governor of Herat province, said the death toll from the attack, in which two suicide bombers throwing grenades stormed the packed mosque, had risen to 33. Another 66 were wounded. It came a day after IS claimed a deadly assault on the Iraqi embassy in Kabul as it extends its footprint in the war-torn country.
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For further information please visit www.greenclimate.fund/500m or contact petertarfa@hotmail.com Signed Dr. Shehu M. U. Ahmed, MCIT, FIPAN The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Environment Mabushi, Abuja
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THURSDAY AUGUST 3, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY
NEWS
News Editor Davidson Iriekpen Email davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081
Ahead of Osinbajo, PANDEF’s Meeting, Militants Withdraw Support for Clark Amnesty office optimistic of favourable resolutions
Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja and Sylvester Idowu in Warri Ahead of today’s meeting between acting President Yemi Osinbajo and leaders of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), there was a noticeable discord in the Niger Delta yesterday as the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and the Reformed Egbesu Assembly (REF) withdrew their mandate from the Chief Edwin Clark-led forum. MEND in a statement by the spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, said the Clark and King Alfred Diete-Spiff group lacked the moral justification to issue ultimatum to the federal government, while the General Officer Commanding REF, Tony Alagbakereowei, said the group has lost its relevance in the scheme of things. Dissociating MEND from PANDEF, Gbomo asserted: “In view of our irreconcilable differences, MEND hereby recalls its representatives in PANDEF for consultation with immediate effect.” The group noted: “PANDEF, led by elder statesmens Clark, and King Diette-Spiff, lack the moral justification in giving an ultimatum to the federal government and making demands they never made from President Goodluck Jonathan when he was at the helm of affairs
for six wasted years. “Instead of listening to the socalled Niger Delta activists and the compromised Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), who have miraculously regained the voices they lost when Jonathan was president, and instead of issuing threats through fake internet-based militant groups, PANDEF ought to have used the forum and opportunity to commend the federal government for exposing the monumental looting of our commonwealth by some sons and daughters of the soil, starting from the former president, his wife, Patience, cousins, relatives and cronies and so many other traitors; down to the mind boggling theft by Diezani AllisonMadueke, who empowered others while her people lived in squalor and abject poverty. “PANDEF is also pretending not to notice that the Amnesty Programme is still operating on the corrupt template that still pays ghost militants after it hoodwinked the government into believing in the fraud. A programme that has neglected the children of the dead freedom fighters and those in prison, for those that never made any sacrifice is cursed.” Also attacking PANDEF, the Reformed Egbesu Fraternity said: “At age 90, Papa Clark should step aside for younger people if at all there is the likelihood of further
engagement with the federal government, but we equally dissociate ourselves from the antics of the federal government in the peace process and calls for outright destruction of the oil economy in our territories and communities to teach the federal government a hard lesson. “By this resolution, we have withdrawn from the peace process and warn that the Niger Delta ethnic nationalities were never conquered and that we would match fire with fire with the Hausa-Fulani military – we have always spared their lives even when their excesses were glaring but in the next ground of confrontation they would learn in a bitter way.” According to the group, ‘Following the statements emanating from our sister organisations arising from the nonchalant attitude of the federal government and the issue of lack of unity of purpose and acrimony between the leadership of PANDEF, we, the REF, have totally lost confidence in the Clark-led PANDEF.” REF added: “We hereby withdrew the mandate given
them. However, we may revalidate our mandate in the near future if the need arises. We are aware that Clark and his cohorts are billed to attend a meeting in the Presidential Villa on August 3, 2017. They do not represent us.” Meanwhile, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has expressed optimism that today’s meeting between Osinbajo and (PANDEF) would foster good relationship between PANDEF and the federal government in a bid to develop the Niger Delta region. Osinbajo is reported to have invited PANDEF leaders for a meeting in Abuja today after the latter issued an ultimatum, threatening to pull out of further discussions with the federal government by November 1 if the government fails to implement the 16-item demand submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari last November. In a telephone chat with THISDAY, the Head, Communications, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Owei Lakemfa, said the threat by PANDEF to pull out of further
negotiations with the federal government would be taken care of by the meeting scheduled to hold today between Osinbajo and PANDEF leaders. He expressed optimism that the outcome would be positive. On the claim by MEND that “the amnesty programme is still operating on the corrupt template that still pays ghost militants after it hoodwinked the government into believing in the fraud,” Lakemfa dismissed the allegation. He challenged MEND to come forth if they have evidence that some people are ghost beneficiaries in the scheme. To buttress his position, Lakemfa said beneficiaries of the programme are not paid directly but through the Treasury Single Account (TSA) window via the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The beneficiaries, he added, have individual accounts tied to the Bank Verification Number (BVN) mechanism. “If they have any evidence that some beneficiaries are ghost, they have two options--either to bring them to the Amnesty Office to be investigated or they take such
evidence to law enforcement agents like the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). “As far as PAP is concerned, there are no ghost beneficiaries, “ he said, adding that the Amnesty Office does not generate the names of beneficiaries in the programme. According to him, the beneficiaries are people who accepted the offer of amnesty under the regime of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and former President Jonathan. “This administration has not given amnesty to anyone. Therefore, we inherited from the previous administration,” he noted. Responding to a question on why the annual budget of the PAP has been increasing instead of dwindling with the presupposed exit of many beneficiaries from the programme, Lakemfa said in the past, the beneficiaries were left with only training after which they were not empowered to start something. He stated that this had been changed, noting that the slight increase in the budget was aimed at empowering the beneficiaries at the exit point of the programme.
Exit of Foreign Partners Won’t Affect 9Mobile, Olusanya Reassures Customers Emma Okonji The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 9mobile, Mr. Boye Olusanya, has reassured its customers and key stakeholders that the exit of its foreign partners will not affect the quality of its network or its ability to deliver excellent products and services. Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services (EMTS), which formerly traded as Etisalat Nigeria, is now 9Mobile following the unveiling of a new brand identity last month. The change of name and logo was as a result of the exit of its erstwhile partners, the Emirate Telecommunications Corporation and Mubadala Development Company, both of the United Arab Emirates, Olusanya said. The CEO in a statement reassured the over 20 million subscribers on the network, industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other stakeholders of the company’s continued commitment to the delivery of innovative and qualitative services. He added that the ongoing brand migration signified strong business continuity with the company’s vision, values and traditions of innovativeness and passion for excellence, still intact. Olusanya stated that the exit of the foreign partners and consequently, the change of its brand identity, have not in any way changed the company, noting that the Nigerian employees who
led the company’s success in the past nine years were still with the company. He said: “The departure of any partner has absolutely no bearing on the quality of service that you will continue to get. The people that exist within the business today are the ones that offer that service, the same ones who have been resilient and dynamic to cope with the need for this change, who will also be the ones who will continue to offer you the service.And, if they show the same dynamism that they have shown over the last few days, then the service will only get better. “There has been no loss of perspective in the business or loss in opportunity for the business, so there wasn’t a process that meant that we will be dependent on any of our partners. There is this idea that the departure of one of the partners will lead to problems within the business. No. As an operating entity, we are totally dependent on ourselves.” Olusanya assured subscribers further that the quality of voice and data service on the network has not been affected by the exit of the former partners and the name change as the company has continued to offer the services it offered in the past, only with different names. He added that data services would continue be at the forefront of 9mobile’s business, as the company continues to expand its 4G LTE network with the objective of delivering the best quality of service across all platforms pan-Nigeria.
CAPACITY-BUILDING WORKSHOP
L-R: National Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Anthonia Okoosi-Simbine; Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; and National Commissioner, South-South, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, at the official opening of capacity-building workshop for national officers of political parties in Abuja....yesterday Julius Atoi
CBN Moves Closer to Single Exchange Rate Obinna Chima with agency report The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has taken a step to unify its multiple exchange rates by allowing banks to use the Investors and Exporters’ (I &E) window when quoting the naira rather than the official rate. To this end, the naira weakened on the interbank market. FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, the Lagos-based platform that oversees interbank trading, asked lenders this week to publish quotes reflecting trades in the Investors’ & Exporters’ FX Window, according to Ecobank Transnational Incorporated andAccess Bank Plc. The window was opened in late April in a bid to attract inflows to the
dollar-starved nation. As a result of the development, the interbank forex rate weakened 14 percent to N366.04/$ and also closed at N367.08/$ on the I & E window, the daily fixing published by FMDQ. According to Bloomberg, the naira three-month forward contracts based on the official rate rose as much as 1.3 percent to 342 against the greenback, the highest level on a closing basis since June 6. “FMDQ and traders reached agreement to try to move toward a single exchange rate,” an analyst at Ecobank, Kunle Ezun said. The idea is “to show the true reflection of the naira in the market. The I&E window in terms of transparency and price discovery seems to reflect where the naira
should trade. All banks are now putting quotes at that rate.” Nigeria had faced dollar shortages since the price of oil, its main export, crashed in 2014 and the central bank responded by tightening capital controls. As the squeeze worsened, Nigeria opted for a system of multiple exchange rates rather than floating its currency like other crude producers such as Russia and Kazakhstan. The change this week was made because banks have been trading with each other mainly via the I & E window since its introduction, according to FMDQ’s chief executive, Bola Onadele. Banks “should quote where naira is trading with integrity and transparency,” he said.
While the move will be welcomed by investors, who have long criticised the existence of several exchange rates, a full unification may still be some way off, according to Standard Chartered Plc. The central bank maintains an official rate as strong as 305 per dollar, which is uses to ensure fuel importers get cheap dollars. “It is probably a positive step toward greater transparency in the FX market,” Head of Africa strategy at Standard Chartered in London, Samir Gadio said. But “exchange rate unification across the board could imply higher fuel prices, or larger implicit subsidies, which will require national consensus. So it is not a straightforward step,” he said.
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NEWSEXTRA
Fayose: US, TI Reports Confirm Boko Haram Not Defeated Accuses FG, military of corruption Buratai charges troops to intensify effort Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Following reports by the federal government that the Boko Haram insurgency has been technically defeated, the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has described the United States’ ‘Country Report on Terrorism 2016’ and the Transparency International (TI) report revealing corruption in the military as a confirmation of his stern position that the federal government lied to Nigerians that the sect had been routed. “With over 120 Nigerians killed by the Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State last month alone, it is necessary for the federal government to face the reality that it has a very long walk to victory in the fight against the insurgents,” Fayose said In a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday by the governor’s Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, the governor alleged a possible ‘arranged’ release of some Chibok girls by the federal government to divert attention of Nigerians and give the impression that it was making progress in the fight against the insurgents. The US Department of State’s Bureau for Counterterrorism and
Countering Violent Extremism had said in the report that the inability of security agencies in Nigeria to share intelligence report because of animosity is affecting the success in the fight against Boko Haram. It went further to accuse the State Security Services (SSS) of failure to share intelligence report with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), thus making it harder to investigate Boko Haram financing. “This report by the US Government has further lent credence to earlier revelation by the Transparency International (TI) that despite President Muhammadu Buhari government’s anti-corruption fight, corruption in the military is weakening Nigeria’s efforts to battle Boko Haram. “The report is also a confirmation that the SSS has abandoned its core responsibility of intelligence gathering and turned itself into an instrument of political oppression, invading judges residences in the night,” the governor said. On how the insurgents can be defeated, the governor said: “The first step will be for the federal government to stop lying to Nigerians. The government must let the people know the situation on ground so that genuine assistance
can be offered. “There should also be a periodic change in military personnel so that officers don’t become institutions to themselves. “As revealed by the TI, fight against Boko Haram has become a cash cow for some top military officers and corrupt politicians in the Buhari’s government, with the creation of fake defence contracts and laundering the proceeds often labroad-UK, U.S. and elsewhere. “The TI went further to state that the military is left without vital equipment, insufficiently trained, low in morale and under-resourced. “The federal government must therefore address the widespread corruption in the fight against Boko Haram as revealed by the TI and also see to the welfare of the military personnel involved in the fight.”
While reiterating the need for the government to say the truth always, Fayose said: “The government cannot keep telling the public that Boko Haram had been decimated and the same Boko Haram was able to kill over 120 people in just one state in one month. “Few hours ago, the insurgents invaded a community in Madagali Local GovernmentArea inAdamawa State, killing more than 10 people and sacking the entire community. “The truth like I said, two days ago is that the battle is not over yet. In fact, it is raging fiercer than ever before. The gory killing of the oil workers confirms this. The wanton destruction of lives andproperty all over the place by Boko Haram also testifies to this fact.” Meanwhile, contrary to earlier claim by the military and federal
government that the Boko Haram terrorists had been technically defeated, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Tukur Buratai, yesterday charged Nigerian troops in the North-east to always be alert as there was no time to rest yet. According to him, there are more tasks to be done in the effort to clear the remnants of the terrorists. Buratai gave the charge while addressing troops of the 3 Division Tactical Command in Damaturu. He advised the troops to work closely with other security agencies to ensure that the remnants of Boko Haram were flushed out of the region. Earlier, at the palace of the emir of Damaturu, Shehu Ashimi Ibn Umar El-Kanemi II, the army chief said the terrorists had become desperate to remain relevant, hence
they had resorted to attacking isolated locations and kidnapping for ransom. Buratai, according to The Cable, solicited the support of the emir and other traditional rulers in the state through provision of relevant information. He said although the terrorists had been flushed out of the state, some remnants were still attempting to use the state as a transit point, adding that the cooperation of everyone was required to check their activities. Responding, the emir said that the state had passed through trying period and assured the army of continued support. The traditional ruler said that what remained now was the ongoing effort to relocate the internally displaced persons from their camps to their various communities.
APC State Chairmen Meet Osinbajo, Anxious about Buhari’s Health Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday met with the state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) behind closed doors in the State House, Abuja. Answering questions from newsmen at the end of the meeting, the leader of the delegation and Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of APC, Mr. Henry Ajomale, said the visit was spurred by their anxiety on the state of health of President Muhammadu Buhari who left Nigeria for treatment in London since May 7, for an undisclosed ailment. Healsosaidthe meeting discussed the state of events in the country, saying the delegation was happy with the briefing it had from the acting president. He also said they
were convinced that the government had good intentions. “We feel that we should come and pay a courtesy call on the acting president, a member of our party. So, we discussed at length the situation in the country and our anxiety on the health of the president. And we are grateful that God in his infinite mercy who has made him whole which is very critical and important for the vision that we have for this country as APC government.. “We are very impressed with the situation. We will go back to our states and let the people know that the government has very good intentions and we should be part and parcel of the government in order to ensure that the poor people of this country are getting better deal,” Ajomale said.
Barclays Bank asks Nigerians with Less than £100,000 to Close their Accounts Barclays Bank has asked expatriates, including Nigerians, with less than £100,000 deposit to close their accounts. In a letter dated June 12, 2017, the bank informed the customers that would be affected by the policy of its decision to raise the minimum client balance requirement for international banking service. “The new minimum level will now be £100,000. Top up your savings and investments to £100,000 or more before 1 August 2017, to continue with the service, or close your account and transfer your monies to another provider without charge,” the letter read. “We understand that you may be disappointed by this and we
will aim to offer you as much assistance as possible during this transition period.” As far back as 2013, according to The Cable, the bank announced that it would focus on 70 countries globally and customers in those that are not considered as core as others. In recent times, highsecurity measures have made it more difficult for foreigners to open accounts with high street banks in the UK. Revelations made in the Panama Papers leak, which showed how Panamanian law firm, Mossack Fonseca, helped clients evade tax through the use of offshore accounts and various cases of money laundering have also contributed to this.
PRESENTING SCORECARD
L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; and Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I, during the third quarter 2017 town hall meeting to render account of stewardship of governor’s administration at the Badore Ferry Terminal, Lagos....yesterday
Ladoja, Akala to Return to PDP as Makarfi Cautions against Impunity Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Indications emerged yesterday that two former Governors of Oyo State, Alhaji Rasheed Ladoja and Chief Alao Akala, might be on their way back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as their loyalists stormed the party’s national secretariat in Abuja yesterday to attend a stakeholders’ meeting. THISDAY gathered from some of the supporters that although the two influential politicians did not want to make their intention open yet, they have decided to send them as foot-soldiers. While Ladoja had defected to the Accord Party, Akala joined the Labour Party temporarily before moving over to the All Progressives Congress (APC). At the stakeholders’ meeting, Senator Femi Lanlehin represented Ladoja while Tajudeen Kareem stood in for Akala. Addressing a delegation of former PDP presiding officers in the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the PDP National Caretaker Committee (NCC), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, said
the rebranding PDP cannot afford cutting of corners or acts that may lead to another round of litigations. He said the mode of the party now is to do all it can to attract more members to its folds and to strengthen its structures nationwide. “We’ve gotten judiciary victory, we need to consolidate and translate it into political victory. Political victory means expanding the scope of the party, reconciling all reconcilable and attracting members into the party that will enable us regain political power at the centre by overwhelming majority.” he said. Makarfi who also spoke at a meeting with party stakeholders from Oyo State, enjoined the party men to embrace the re-building efforts. He, however, warned that everyone in the PDP must be ready to abide by the guidelines and do away with the idea of cutting corners so as to avoid disruptive litigations. “I will stick to the party guideline and constitution in doing whatever we do. We must stop cutting corners. We live in a high litigious society. When we cut corners thinking that nobody will see you, a lot of people has seen you at a time you least
expect, somebody will drag you to court again. “Therefore, what is worth doing is worth doing well. We must consult on fundamental issues, use consensus as much as possible and move forward.” he said. In his remarks, the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, said they are proud of the progress made by the caretaker committee to rebuild and reposition the affairs of PDP after the Supreme Court judgment. Speaking at another meeting with PDP stakeholders from Osun State, Makarfi appealed to the leaders of the party to imbibe the spirit of cooperation and openness. He advised all those whose only preoccupation is seeking power and position to moderate such ambition as it was capable of derailing the recovering party. “What I don’t want is for one party to dominate. We want a healthy competitive democracy where people will freely choose their leaders.
“We must have a large heart, but having a large heart doesn’t mean that we will not be conscious of the role played by each of us. “Some of us that have been occupied by power acqusition, whether they are in the party or they are contemplating to come to the party, they are more glued to the acquisition of political power. That can derail the party... let’s build a strong and virile political party,” he stated. The party chairman assured members of objectivity and transparency in the running the affairs of the party so that nobody, whether old or new member would feel excluded. “Let there be a level playing field for people to freely to chose who they want to present as party’s candidates. That is the surest way to get to power come 2019. That is what internal democracy is all about. “While opening our doors wide to all and sundry, the party must be conscious that the structure must not be compromise in such as way and manner that it diminishes the enthusiasm,” he said.
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FEC Grants 27 Industries Tax Holidays, Okays N20.6bn for Roads Approves policy to develop Nigeria’s technological model Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved the admission of 27 new industries and products into pioneer status with the intention of offering them tax holidays for five years. Briefing journalists at the end
of the weekly FEC meeting, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Okechkwu Enelamah, who said the list of pioneer industries was last approved in 2006, added that the approval was aimed at bringing Nigeria’s industrial policy in line with global best practices. According to him, while a different range of industries is
Obasanjo: Poverty and Wealth is a Choice Africa Must Make Shola Oyeyipo Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said the choice between poverty and wealth in Africa is a choice to be made by the people of the continent. Obasanjo who spoke yesterday at the launch of a book titled: ‘Making Africa Work’ and authored by the Director, Brenthurst Foundation, Greg Mills; President CEO/ Newseum, Jeffery Herbst, Major General Dickie Davis (rtd) and himself, described Africa as a rich continent that is poorly managed. He also advocated an urgent need for jobs and need to create wealth for younger Africans. The authors, in their book, called for tougher decisions on the part of leaders in Africa if they are truly committed to moving the continent away from backwardness. According to him, “Africa is not poor but poorly managed and if it would be corrected, it has to be correctly managed.” Brenthurst, on his part, noted: “In the Arab springs, when youths perceived that they had no future, they overthrew their leaders and destabilised countries in a matter of weeks. Highlight how quickly such tensions can spill over; even into political collapse. The threat is particularly severe now that
power is increasingly in the hands of individual citizens enabled by the rapid spread of mobile communications. “We are hopeful about the prospects of African countries, but only if tough decisions are made now. The old ‘business as usual’ approach of governments and leaders must change if they are to cope with Africa’s pending population boom. “Reform necessitates fundamentally changing the way in which African economies work. It means being open to international trade and capital rather than aid, being reliant on enterprise rather than personalized and patronage-ridden systems, while the aim of government should be private- sector growth rather than public sector redistribution.” Herbst on his past said : “Africa’s challenges should be understood in the context of universal norms and practices and not as isolated or unique problems. Not so long ago, after all, many Asian and Latin American countries found themselves under circumstances that were very similar to much of Africa today. Whether devising industrial policy or trying to achieve equity through growth, Africa does not have to reinvent the wheel: a lot can be learnt from others.”
accommodated on the list, the tax relief will be in force for three to five years, explaining that the policy was part and parcel of the recently launched Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). Enelamah who also said the list of approved industries would be made public soon, stated that stakeholders in both the public and private sectors were engaged during the selection process. He said in line with the dynamism of the global community, the policy would be reviewed every two years. “The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday approved FEC approved a memorandum that was presented to amend the list of pioneer industries and products that will enjoy pioneer status going forward. “As many of you know the pioneer incentive scheme is governed by the Industrial Development Income Tax Relief Act and the whole purpose is to give tax holidays to industries we consider pioneer. “Pioneer doesn’t mean that they are new. It only means that they are not yet mature, we want those industries to grow. We want to attract investment in them and you will find that this covers a wide range of industries and those tax holidays range from three to five years. The
pioneer list was last reviewed by the FCT in 2006, so you could see that this was long overdue. “In doing the review, special attention was paid to the ERGP to capture the current realities that will help to implement the plan to make sure we attract the kind of investment, industries and players that will help to implement and realise our objectives in the ERGP. “I should also point out that there was multi-stakeholder engagement, private and public sector in arriving at the industries that will be included in the pioneer incentive scheme. “In terms of the recommendations approved by FEC today, we have tried to remove all ambiguities in the definition of industries by reclassifying industries according to the international standard in industrial classification which is the global standard which is also the standard that is used by the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics. “The other thing we also did is to agree that the pioneer list will be reviewed regularly every two years, biennially so that just that if things come up, we live in a fast changing world and we are being responsive to our world. “In the case of additions to the list, they will be effected immediately for deletion of
industries that we consider mature. There will be a three-year window that will be allowed for those that are already investing in that industry that were enjoying pioneer status to carry on till the end of that three-year period. Against this backdrop, we then approved 27 industries that were recommended for addition to the pioneer list today. We also recommended and it was accepted by the council that mineral oil prospecting which is governed by the Petroleum Profit Tax should not be part of the pioneer industries’ list which is really governed by the Companies Income Tax Act. “It was also accepted that given the success we have achieved in cement which are now net exporters, maybe that is an industry which we could say that we are now where we want to be in terms of maturity even though there is still a lot of scope for the application and the use of cement and you know that will continue. We already have critical mass in cement. “The scheme will ensure that will not deprive us of revenue. It is an incentive to make people enter your market, enter industries, invest more for people who are already here. It will increase our
tax base over time,” he stated. Also yesterday, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said the council approved N20.6 billion for the re-construction of two roads in Plateau and Kwara States. According to him, N10.4 billion was approved for the re-construction of Pankshin-YalenSala-Gindiri Road in Plateau State while another N10.2 billion was approved for the re-construction of Share-Patigi Road in Kwara State. In his own briefing, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonaya Onu, who said there was the need to declare a state of emergency in the nation’s science and technology sector, also disclosed that FEC approved a policy meant to foster technological advancement in Nigeria. According to him, the policy would help Nigerian firms to produce the needs of the country with a view to boosting foreign investment in science, technology and engineering in the country. Onu who further said the policy was geared towards acquiring Nigeria’s model of technology, added that the policy would also enable Nigeria to develop its own local content.
INEC Advises Parties against Prolonged Litigation Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked politicians and political parties to try and embrace alternative dispute resolution mechanism and avoid frivolous litigations. The commission also frowned at the increasing disrespect for superior court judgments by politicians, adding that a situation where politicians would return cases already judged by the Appeal and Supreme Courts to the lower courts has continued to affect the commissions determination to ensure a true democratic principles in the country. INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmud Yakubu, who spoke while declaring open a two-day capacity building workshop organised by the commission for leaders of political parties yesterday in Abuja regretted that such protracted litigations have stalled the conduct of scheduled elections there making nonsense of INEC’s election time table. “We must try very hard to reduce the level of litigations among the politicians and political parties, even those cases that have been decided by superior courts are sometimes
subjected to further litigations by political parties. Political party leaders must respect judgment of superior courts,” he said. Yakubu also expressed concern over the disregard for superior court judgments by politicians and political parties, noting that this has denied some people their desire representation at the different levels of government “It is these unnecessary litigations that have led to the non conduct of the Anambra Central election till date because parties went back to challenge the judgment of superior courts at the lower courts. “It is also necessary that parties must embrace the alternative dispute resolution process rather than approaching the courts at all times,” Yakubu tasked the political party leaders. Eariier in her opening remarks, the Commissioner in charge of Political Party Monitoring Committee of INEC, Professor Antonia Okoosi-Simbine, noted that the aim of the two-day workshop was to enhance the capacity of political parties to play their roles in providing the vehicle for presenting competent and credible candidates for elective offices.
PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF THRIVE
L-R: Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board, Mr. Simbi Wabote; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu; Author of the book, Ms. Catherine Enaohwo, at the presentation of a book titled: THRIVE in Abuja....recently
$175m of Foreign Airlines’ Funds Still Trapped in Nigeria, Says IATA Chinedu Eze The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced yesterday that over $175 million accruing from ticket sales by foreign airlines is still trapped in Nigeria due to inadequate foreign exchange. This is down from $575 million by May last year because the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) started offloading the trapped funds to the airlines at the beginning of this year when revenues from oil sales received a boost due to increase in crude oil prices. However, IATA said nonremittance of such funds was having negative impact on the operations of the affected carriers, as the blocked funds constitute
operating costs for the airlines. It was the inability to repatriate their earnings that forced Iberia and United Airlines to stop their operations to Nigeria and forced other international operations to cut down their capacity in their service to Nigerian destinations. Speaking at a briefing in Lagos, IATA Area Manager, South West Africa, Samson Fatokun, urged CBN to accelerate the process that could enable the affected airlines access the blocked funds to ease their business. Fatokun said though the CBN has tried to bring the blocked funds from $ 600 million last June to about $175 million as at June 2017, a lot could still be done to clean out the entire sum.
He said Nigeria could accelerate the release of the funds as done by some African countries, including Egypt where the entire blocked funds have been released, noting that the negative impact of withholding airlines funds could have ripple effects on the entire aviation value chain. He said Iberia and United Airlines pulled out of Nigeria last year because of issues bordering on blocked funds. He said IATA was worried over rising airport and air navigational charges, taxes and levies which are affecting the capacity of airlines in Nigeria, but said IATA would continue to engage aviation authorities, governments and regulators on how to achieve a win-win situation to enable air travel serve as a catalyst for
economic growth in Nigeria and other states in Africa. Also, speaking at the conference, IATA Regional Vice President, Africa and Middle East, Muhammad Ali Albakri, said more jobs could be created and economic growth achieved in Nigeria and West Africa if governments utilise aviation as a pillar of economic recovery and national development. Albakri said he was in Nigeria to have series of meetings with stakeholders on modalities to move the sector forward, remarking that although Nigerian government is doing enough to accelerate aviation growth, it needs to strengthen the framework for regulation, safety and airports infrastructure upgrade.
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Court Sacks Transition Committee Members in A’Ibom Says constitution has no provision for caretaker committee
Okon Bassey in Uyo An Akwa Ibom High Court has sacked members of the recently appointed Transition Committee to run the affairs of the 29 out of the 31 local government areas of the state pending the election of democratically-elected council helmsmen. Since the removal from office members of the transition committees for Ukanafun and Itu Local Government Areas, the state Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel,
has not appointed replacement rather the two councils are being managed by their Heads of Local Government Service. Again, since coming on board 2015, the governor had strongly relied on the services of caretaker committee members appointed by him to run the administration of the third tier governments in his state until about two months when he announced plans to conduct election into the councils comes November 11, 201 But on Tuesday, the state
Declare State of Emergency in Kogi Now, Melaye Urges Osinbajo Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja Senator Dino Melaye who represents Kogi West in the National Assembly has called on acting President Yemi Osinbajo to declare a state of emergency in Kogi State before anarchy becomes the order of the day. This was coming on the heels of the mayhem meted on the state lawmakers last Tuesday by some suspected thugs who invaded the state House of Assembly and disrupted its sitting. Melaye, in a social media platforms, ‘Chat with the Speaker,’ condemned in strong terms the attack on the assembly, most especially on the member representing Igalamela-Odolu constituency, Friday Sanni Makama, who resumed sitting after his victory at the High Court in Lokoja challenging his six months suspension from the assembly for alleged anti-legislative activities. He called on stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to challenge the anti-democratic
activities allegedly orchestrated by the state Governor, Yahaya Bello, noting that the governor should not be allowed to destroy the labour of genuine APC members in the state. According to him, “The draconian Idi Amin approach to governance by Bello today as displayed by his criminally-minded hooligans and hired killers in usurping the legislative powers and privileges of the state parliament is a clear manifestation of Satanism. “The unwarranted attack on Hon. Makama will not be swept under the carpet. We are not in a banana republic. It is manifestly clear now that the acting president must declare a state of emergency in the state before anarchy becomes total. “Bello must be tamed before he finishes spending the little political capital left for APC in the state. We must not all keep quiet and allow this stranger destroy the labour of genuine APC members in the state. We will not allow him take us back to Egypt. We must rescue Kogi State now!”
Rule of Law Core to Our Growth Strategy, Says Obaseki The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration’s growth strategy designed to deliver institutional reform and economic revolution, rests squarely on the rule of law. Obaseki stated this when he received the executive members of the National Industrial Court led by the President, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, who paid a courtesy visit to the Government House, Benin City, yesterday. The governor told his guests that it was impossible to have real democracy or industrial/economic growth without the rule of law and hinted that apart from working to becoming an economic hub of the nation, his administration was committed to becoming a judicial hub also. “As part of our strategy to make this state a judicial hub, it is in our interest to have the full complement of the judiciary structure in Edo State,” Obaseki said, and explained that to attract investment and investors into the state, there must be peace and harmony. “The rule of law is core to our strategy. We want to be a major economy in the country and we must do all within our power to attract investments and investors to
the state, grow the economy and make it a major hub. We must make the state attractive both in financial and social terms, ensure the court system works and give a general sense that things work and are orderly in the state,” he said. Earlier, the President of the court, Justice Adejumo, said the struggle to establish an industrial court in the state was nine years old and commended the Godwin Obasekiled administration for seeing the wisdom in establishing the court in the state. Adejumo said the court was in 28 states of the country and was ready to partner the state and requested for a building that would house the court in the state. “As soon as the state government gives us a building for the court and residence, we will hit the ground running to make our presence felt in the state,” he said. “Our aim is to ensure harmonious industrial relations between the government and the employees. If the work place is not peaceful, the governor will not be able to perform. What determines the success of a state is the harmonious and peaceful industrial relations with the employees,” he added.
High Court sitting in Abak Local Government Area of the state declared as illegal, the continue administration of various local government councils in the state by the caretaker committee members. In his judgment, Justice Ezekiel Enang maintained that the setting up of the caretaker committees was unlawful as there were no provisions for such positions within the Nigerian Constitution for the administration of councils. The court equally reasoned that any law or resolution purportedly made by the House of Assembly empowering the governor to appoint persons through undemocratic means to occupy local government offices was null and void for being inconsistent with the constitution. The court, after listening to the submission of a lawyer from the
chamber of the Nsikak Akai and Associate, Nsikak Akai, accordingly ordered the state governor to dissolve the local caretaker committees of the council with immediate effect. Akai had submitted that the Nigerian constitution has no provision that empowers the governor to set up caretaker committees to run the local governments in the state. Fielding questions from journalists shortly after the ruling, Akai said he was happy for the judgment, describing it as a victory for democracy and the people of the state. He said: “For once, Akwa Ibom people can hold their governor to account subsequently whenever a governor intends to or even contemplate appointing caretaker committees in the state.
“The grievance we had was that the persons that were being appointed as caretakers were only answerable to their benefactors who see them as stooges, while the people bear the brunt. “Once we have elected representatives at the grassroots level, then we can hold them to account.” Meanwhile, the state government has expressed shock over the judicial pronouncement on the appointment of caretaker committee members to run councils in the state. The state Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Uwemedimo Nwoko, said the state government objected to the ruling indicating readiness to go for appeal; explaining that there were certain circumstances that make the setting up of transition committees applicable in the matter.
He posited that the appointment of caretaker committees for the administration of councils in the state was often supported by law duly passed by members of the state assembly. According to Nwoko who stood in for the state government during the trial, the inability of the state government to conduct the local council election was because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had failed to make available to the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) the voters’ registers in the state. He had equally argued that it would have been improper and thousands of people in the state could have been disenfranchised “if we had gone back to use the 2012 voters’ registers which INEC itself has discarded.”
BRIEFING THE PRESS
L-R: Executive Director, Corporate Communication, Daar Communications Plc, Johnson Onime; Chief Marketing Officer, Sterling Bank Plc, Henry Bassey; General Manager, Megalectrics, Deji Awokoya; and General Manager, LAWMA, Segun Adeniyi, during Sterling Bank’s STEM press conference in Lagos…yesterday
NBC Threatens to Shut down 89 FM Stations Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and Emma Okonji and Raheem Akingbolu in Lagos The National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) has threatened to sanction 89 erring city-based FM Radio stations in the country for illegally transmitting beyond their approved limits. The Director General of NBC, Is’haq Modibo Kawu, yesterday issued the threats in form of sanctions or revocation of licences to the defaulting radio stations at a stakeholders’ meeting on transmitter power in Nigerian broadcasting, it organised. The NBC regulates and controls the broadcasting industry in Nigeria. The mandate empowers it to establish the national broadcasting code to which all licenced broadcast stations are bound. It was gathered that the FM stations threatened by the NBC were broadcasting beyond the limit of their signals leading to interference with other service providers. “We learnt that NBC felt the FM stations acted in breach of broadcast code and were rendering service not in the interest of the public,”
he said. Kawu said the industry was faced with very difficult challenges resulting from unauthorised transmission that is causing frequency interference and clashes. According to him, “There is illegal and rampant use of transmission power by stations all over Nigeria. “Stations procure transmitters without respecting the stipulated and recommended transmitter power in city-based FM stations. The consequence of this is that we have frequency clashes occurring all over Nigeria. “As at February 22, 2017, the NBC had compiled a total of 69 stations around the country, where transmitters had been installed beyond the transmitter power stipulated in the conditions of their licenses, but as at today, we have a list of 89 such stations, and the list is not exhaustive. “High-power transmitters installed all over the country today, are responsible for the frequency jamming taking place all over Nigeria. We are dealing with an anarchic situation in the Nigerian broadcasting airwaves, to be honest, and there is no
responsible regulatory institution that can allow the problem to persist.” He explain that the electromagnetic spectrum is a finite resource that all nations of the world deploy for various uses, from broadcasting through to space science and telecommunications. Kawu added that nations understand the importance of this finite resource and take the steps to ensure the judicious use of the radio spectrum to derive maximum benefit for their development purposes. In his presentation, the Director, Engineering and Technology and NBC, Friday Ojone Ukwela, explained that Electromagnetic (EM) spectrum, a valuable and limited natural resource, is the medium for broadcasting, telecommunications, aviation, navigation, and data services in the areas of earth science, space science, human space exploration, aeronautical research, and disaster management. He therefore, warned that radio stations must use the spectrum effectively or risk sanction. “The use of the radio spectrum needs to be planned, managed, and regulated to make the radio
spectrum available for all uses. “The 88MHz –108MHz frequency band is allocated for the FM Radio service by the International Telecoms Union (ITU) and the bandwidth for FM radio is 200KHz. In Nigeria, the guard band between adjacent FM radio stations is a minimum of 200KHz,” he said. Ukwela however said in 2008 NBC suspended sales and processing of broadcast application forms for FM radio service for these saturated areas that reached their saturation limit. He further said in 2010 Nigerian Broadcasting Code was review in Uyo, where it was agreed that the coverage area for FM Radio service in Nigeria should be per city as from 2010. “All existing FM radio stations at the expiration of their licences should revert to the city-based coverage area for FM radio service. Given that the life of a licence is five years, all FM radio licences were expected to be city based in 2015. It was equally agreed that all new FM radio licensees, beginning from 2010 should adhere to this new FM radio service city base coverage area agreement,” Ukwela said.
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Ambode: Reconstruction of Oshodi-Airport Road Begins Next Month Says new modern bus terminals coming in Marina, Ajah, Iyana Ipaja, others To fix all potholes after rainy season The governor, who spoke at the third quarter town hall meeting, the eighth in the series, held at the Badore Ferry Terminal, Lagos also disclosed that plans are already underway to commence the construction of 181 local government roads next month. On the Oshodi-International Airport Road, the governor said the construction, which has already been awarded, would see the transformation of the road from four lanes to 10 lanes from Oshodi to the international airport with interchange and flyover that would drop commuters to the local airport. Last May, the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, had approved that the road be handed over to the Lagos State Government for total reconstruction. Ambode, who had described the current state of the road as a national disgrace, said that work would begin in earnest come September. On the delay in the commencement of rehabilitation of 181 inner roads, the governor said the development was due to the fluctuation in dollar rate at the time the bid was last opened, but that a new bid would be opened in the next two weeks, while work
would commence in September. “By the next two to three weeks, I will reopen the advert to get a new cost and all things being equal the job would start on the roads by end of September,” he said. Ambode also assured residents that the State Public Works would seize the period of the break of the rainy season to fix all potholes across the state in order to improve drive time for motorists. Speaking on the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) billed to commence next month, he urged the people to be patient with his administration as the plan which is a holistic and comprehensive waste management policy was currently in its gestation period. He said once fully operational, waste would be collected in line with international best practices, while all parts of the state would be kept clean always. The governor however urged residents to adopt new attitude to disposing waste and desist from dumping in drainages and canals, assuring that the government would provide adequate bins to discourage indiscriminate dumping. “The question to ask is why are people putting their waste in the drains and canals hoping that
somehow the water will flush it away? The answer comes back to government because we have not been able to provide the people with enough bins or places where they can put the dirt. “They cannot leave the dirt in the house so they must have a channel to get it out. As government been able to provide enough locations, bins, bags and so on where they can put that refuse and then we can collect it and when we collect it efficiently, as part of their attitude, they will not go back to the canals and the drains. They will only go back to where we have provided for them. “Now, so we have enough equipment to clean Lagos? Are we having enough dino bins, plastic bags, compactors that can go round the population of 22million people? The answer before now is no. We are the largest waste producer in the world more than New York. New York produces 10,000 tonnes of waste every day, the waste accounted for in Lagos is 13,000 tonnes per day not to talk of areas that are not documented. “Do we have enough equipment and compactors? We don’t have, but how do we have it? We
KnowYour Limits, NUC TellsVarsity Governing Councils Kuni Tyessi in Abuja Governing councils of federal universities have been reminded to know their operational limits, and must not make laws that are in conflict with presidential orders, while also ensuring strict adherence to federal circulars as it is the basis of audit of universities’ accounts. The charge was given by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, in Abuja yesterday at a meeting with bursars of federal universities. Speaking further, he said the commission has greater interest in the operations of the federal universities and inter university centres, especially in the areas of resource management and reporting. According to the executive secretary, the NUC/federal universities bursars’ meeting is critical at a time when the present government is facing serious issues concerning revenue generation and
management. He also emphasised the need for bursars to adopt a common accounting and reporting platform that would address the benefit of the universities and the nation while emphasising that the synergy with the bursars would produce a robust outcome that would enhance resource management, promote transparency, accountability and efficiency in the operations of the Nigerian federal university system. On the issue of furniture allowance, the executive secretary advised the bursars to be transparent and diligent in allocating the fund, and should not encourage the vice chancellor to take undue advantage of the system by receiving huge sums of money not allocated for. He said: “ Governing councils of universities are there to make university laws and regulations, and they need to know their limits in order to forestall conflicts with the management of the universities. They are not to make laws that are
in conflict with presidential orders. “NUC as the regulator, is meant to foster collaboration with the Nigerian university system in areas of implementing government accounting policies, application of extant federal circulars and also intervening in several challenges facing the Nigerian university system. Similarly, Mallam Yahaya Nasiru, who represented the Association of Bursars of Nigerian Universities, charged the executive secretary to assist the Nigerian educational system by establishing a desk to collate circulars and also interpret data in each university. He also urged his members to collaborate with NUC in improving the audit standard of the federal universities According to him, “Bursars need to address the issue of accounting standard, rules and regulations in the university system. The profession is based on accountability and transparency, hence a high level of diligence should be practiced.”
Mbaise Group Holds Colloquium August 14 Mbaise Colloquium 2017, the annual intellectual gathering and discussion by Mbaise intelligentsia, has been scheduled to take place on August 14, 2017. This flagship programme of Mbaise People’s Congress (MPC) will hold at the prestigious Chris VI Hotels and Resorts, Eke Ahiara Junction, Mbaise, Imo State at 11a.m. A statement from the Director of Publicity and Mobilisation, MPC, Chuks O. Enwerem, said the 2017 colloquium which is the 22nd edition has as its theme, “The role of the youth in the development of Mbaise.”
Eminent scholar, Professor Val Ekechukwu of University of Nigeria, Nsukka and formerly of National Universities Commission (NUC), will deliver the lead paper with the topic: ‘The Case for establishment of Mbaise University,’ while Prof. J. U. J. Onwumere, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, will preside over the occasion. According to Enwerem, former Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, will give
the keynote remarks, while Eze Benjamin A. Nwachukwu (Ihie 11 of Ife Ezinihitte) and a former Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, (FUTO) will be the Royal Father of the Day. Distinguished and erudite discussants of the paper include: Professor Okwuoma Abanobi, Dr. Eddy Agulanna and Chief John Kemakolam (promoter of Lumina University Mbaise), among others, while the Chief Host is Barrister Cyril Anyanwu, President General, Ezuruezu Mbaise.
have not increased the taxes you are paying. The population is increasing and by that fact the waste is increasing and we have not increased revenue. But we need new equipment. Some people were doing it for us before but we all saw the equipment they have been using to clean up the state and the truth is it can never do it right. “If we say we want to be a smart city and globally competitive, we must use the approach that allows you to collect waste in a globally competitive way and that is what we have done with the CLI without me punishing tax payers. We have a partnership that provides 500 brand new compactors without me paying one naira yet and with the partnership, we will provide 27,500 sanitation workers in all our wards across the State who will be uniformed and clean Ikorodu, Ayobo the same way they clean Victoria Island and then they will provide bins where our people can now have the culture and attitude to put their dirt in the bins instead of putting it in the canals and drains,” the governor said. In the meantime, he said all the 20 local government and 37 local council development
chairmen have been mandated to ensure 24/7 cleaning of the environment, while officials of the state government would be moving round to evacuate waste. As part of the initiatives to enhance commuting within the state, the governor said new modern bus terminals would be constructed commencing from this quarter in Marina, Ajah, Ojota, Agege, Iju Ishaga and Iyana Ipaja, while as part of the integrated transport system, a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) would be constructed to connect Badore Jetty to Ajah. Ambode also said that his administration has earned the trust of Lagosians in the last 26 months, adding that taxes paid have been judiciously utilised to make life more comfortable for residents in the state. He therefore thanked Lagosians for cooperating and helping his administration to translate its visions and plans for the state to reality, noting that without their taxes, it would have been impossible. “I urge all other taxable individuals yet to join the tax net to go to the nearest Lagos State Inland Revenue office to register. Feel free
to honour your civic obligations. We believe we have earned your trust. Every kobo paid as tax will be judiciously used for the good of Lagosians. “Our government feels emboldened by the tremendous support and cooperation you have continued to give us. This was also evident in your action of July 22 when you voted massively for the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the just concluded local government elections,” Ambode said. He added that the Badore Road would be expanded at its entrance from Ajah Roundabout, while plans are afoot to construct Oke-Ira Nla Road as an alternative to totally eliminate traffic along the axis. Responding to complaints by a resident of the axis, Mrs. Abiodun Dina, on the activities of dredgers who are fond of spoiling the road and parking indiscriminately on the road thereby subjecting people to avoidable traffic snarl, the governor said in as much as government was not interested in shutting down businesses but he would have to wield the big stick if the dredgers fail to comply with rules of engagement.
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Agbaso: APGA’s Governorship Primaries Remain Aug 14, Insists Oye Not Part of NWC Obiano wants to gamble with his position, says lawyer Amby Uneze in Owerri The acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Martin Agbaso, has stated that the party’s governorship primaries for the Anambra State elections will hold on August 14, 2017, and not August 15 as stated by the former party Chairman, Dr. Victor Oye. Agbaso, who told THISDAY in Owerri yesterday in an interview, maintained that as long as the Order of Mandamus issued by the Enugu High Court affirming him as the acting national chairman of the party remains supreme as at present, and the order was also affirmed by the Appeal Court, no other court order supersedes that order. Also, a legal luminary, Enyinna Onuegbu, while reviewing the matter, urged the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, to respect the Enugu high court order of mandamus and recognise Agbaso as the acting national chairman of APGA and participate in the August 14 primaries, adding that it could amount to gambling with his position if he eventually wins the election. According to Agbaso, a high court in Enugu gave an order of mandamus; “it is expressive, it is mandatory, compelling Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise me as the chairman because they have gone through the processes that the party went through to arrive at the decision to nominate me as the acting national chairman and found that due process was followed, everything was done according to the party’s guidelines and constitution. “That was why they issued the order of mandamus. Now the other concerned party went on appeal, asking for two things-for Oye to be allowed to be joined in the matter as an interested party, the court granted that; the second prayer was for the court to grant stay of execution of that judgement, and the court flatly turned them down and affirmed the order of mandamus given by the lower court. “Having done that, an inferior (lower) court to the Appeal court in Nnewi or Awka is not in a position to give a contrary view especially when they didn’t even follow due process. “However, my lawyers have filed notice of appeal which means the judge should have taken note of that and stop at that point. They had also written a petition against the judge given the fact that they are strongly convinced that the judge
was biased; his son also works for the party in contest (governor of the state who stands to benefit from the judgment as it were). “There is an existing order in Anambra State that any political matter that is petitioned to the Chief Judge must be given 21 days before the Chief Judge can
take decision on it and assign it. All those processes were not followed and the judge went ahead to give that defective order. It is a nullity. Same goes to the abuse of process in Awka. On one hand, the parties that you were using to challenge Oye in one court are the same party supporting Oye in the other court.
“Again, due process was not followed and similar case was being handled at the appellate court in Abuja which had been adjourned to December 14 and the papers were made available to the court to stop her further proceedings but the court did not look towards that angle. The bottom line is that
the order of mandamus subsists.” He defined an ‘order of mandamus’ as an order that a public officer must do a public duty and therefore, said: “INEC must recognise the decision of the authorities of APGA in adopting Agbaso as the national chairman of the party.”
FG to Launch National Roadmap for Cocoa Production Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government will draw the cocoa industry roadmap in order to attract investments to the sector by holding the firar International Cocoa Summit from August 28 to 31 in Abuja. The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar, who announced this yesterday, said the summit would target raising the national cocoa production output to 500,000 metric tonnes per year from 2021. Abubakar said the summit is intended to open up global opportunities to local and foreign investors to invest in the country’s cocoa industry. “Government is determined to
invest in agriculture by resuscitating the cocoa sector. It is also hoped that the summit will demonstrate clearly to the international community Nigeria’s desire to assume leadership position in the cocoa sector. The target is to ensure processing of at least 50 percent and the consumption of about 20 per cent of the annual production by 2012,” Abubakar said. The summit is organised by the trade ministry in association with Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO), African Ex-Im Bank and governments of the cocoa producing states. The cocoa sector used to sustain Nigeria’s economy before the advent of oil in the 70s and 80s. The industry has suffered
unfortunate vicissitudes resulting in sharp drop of annual production from 420,000mts in the 60s to 300,000 mts and further to 192,000mts in 2015. Nigeria has nosedived to the seventh position in the world in cocoa production as against the fourth position it maintained some years ago. The minister said the summit would be to revitalise and reposition the cocoa subsector as part of government’s commitment to industrialisation and diversification of the nation’s economy from the oil sector to the non-oil sector, particularly agriculture and solid minerals. The Vice President of ICCO, Sayina Riman, said Nigeria’s potential in the cocoa value chain
is huge, adding that cocoa is a strategic commodity for national development if harnessed. Riman said though two million Nigerian families are engaged in the cocoa cultivating sector and the local consumption market is high, productivity in the sector is unfortunately low and undeveloped. Meanwhile, the government will also organise the African SMEs Expo to provide access to market and enable over 1,000 small scale entrepreneurs build their capacity in production and job creation. Over 20 countries, according to the chairman of the organising committee, Abdulkadir Musa, have indicated interest in the African SMEs Expo slated for Lagos from August 15 to18.
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Police Parade Four for Allegedly Shooting Jonathan’s Son-in-Law Arrest man for selling two-year-old baby Bassey Inyang in Calabar The Cross River State Police Command yesterday announced that it had arrested four persons suspected to have been involved in the shooting of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s son in-law, Prince Godswill Edward, in Calabar. Edward was shot on July 7, 2017 at 17B Kasuk Street, 3rd Avenue Road, State Housing Estate, Calabar while he was driving into his residence. However, Edward who was shot on his head, survived as he was rushed to the hospital for prompt medical treatment. Parading the suspects at the state police headquarters in Calabar yesterday, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafi Inuwa, said the arrested persons are Aniah Godwin Ungwugwaje, 18; Akwagiobo Boniface, 22; Adamade John Ereshie, 23; and Ekuma Ifeanyichukwu, 26. Briefing journalists on their arrest, Inuwa said the suspects were arrested at different locations in Obudu town, Obudu Local Government Area on July 26. “They have all made useful statements in connection with the shooting, aimed at facilitating the arrest of other fleeing associates for interrogation and prosecution,� the commissioner said.
Inuwa also announced that it has arrested a man, Mr Abraham Moses Udoh, for allegedly selling his two-year-old son, Elisha, for N150, 000 in Calabar. Inuwa said Udoh’s wife reported the matter to the police when it became apparent to her that her husband had sold their son. “On July 24, at about 0200hrs, a case of child trafficking was reported at Uwanse divisional police headquarters, Calabar by one Mrs. Esther Abraham of No 2 Amika Utuk Street, Calabar, against her husband, Mr. Abraham Moses Udoh of the same address, who stole away her two year old boy, Elisha Abraham without her consent. “Upon investigation, the father of Elisha, was interrogated and he revealed that his child, Elisha was sold by him to an unknown woman residing in Uyo in Akwa Ibom State at the sum of N150,000. “The sum of N100,300 was recovered from him and registered as exhibit. Investigation is in progress to arrest the alleged buyer and recover the child before they would be charged to court,� the commissioner said. Answering questions from journalists, Udoh who admitted selling his son, said he took the action because he did not have
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any money. On a general note, the commissioner disclosed that over 500 people have been arrested for allegedly committing various offences since he resumed office in February this year. He said over 300 of the arrested suspects within the stated period have been charged to court. Inuwa also paraded five armed robbery suspects who were arrested
on July 20, 2017 after invading the house of one Angela Obo in Calabar South. The commissioner also paraded 26 other suspects arrested by the command for allegedly committing various offences in the state between June and July. “In conclusion, the total number of suspects arrested is 27. We recovered five locally made pistols, one locally made revolver pistol,
three rounds of .9mm ammunition, three live cartridges among others,� he said. Inuwa said given the tough nature of the task before the police, it was necessary for members of the public to give necessary information to its men and officer for effective crime prevention, and arrest of criminal elements in the society. “The herculean nature of our job is not, and can never be an excuse
in carrying out our constitutional mandate of protection of law and order as required. It is also crystal clear that police personnel alone cannot accomplish the set goals without the collaborative efforts of members of the public. To this end, I which to solicit for more collaborative efforts of Cross Riverians in our efforts to safeguard the lives and property of every citizen,� the commissioner said.
Lagos to Promote Environmental Sustainability with Passage of Law Ugo Aliogo The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has expressed the desire of his administration to achieve full environmental sustainability with passage of the environmental management and protection law as the enabling legal instrument. Ambode who disclosed this yesterday in Lagos at a media workshop organised by the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) of the state Ministry of Environment and Visionscape, noted that the environment sector is one of the three
focal sectors critical to the actualisation of the policy thrust of the administration. He also stated that the best way to sustain the environment is through the CLI waste management reform which is focused at seeking private investment from national and international players in the waste management sector, infuse more efficiency, improve living standard and secure a cleaner state. Ambode who represented at the event by the Commissioner of Environment, Dr.Samuel Adejare, explained that the media is a
critical stakeholder in fulfilling the inclusive governance stance of the administration, noting that this was driven through the provision of information to the citizenry and sharing of ideas on how to sustainably relate with the environment in a way that would be beneficial to the public. In her remarks, the Environmental Product and Services Development Manager Visionscape, Maimuna Maibe, said the group in partnership with the state government would be involved in waste containment, provision of bins to residents, transportation, collection and
waste disposal, adding that they are focusing on the entire waste collection management value chain. She also stated that they are also committed in creating value out of the waste they collected instead of focusing on disposal at landfill sight. Maibe further stated that there are three concession facilities which they have taken over and they are based in Agege, Oshodi and Takpa in Lagos Island, stressing that the three locations provide a stop gap for their operations, which would allow all trucks, tricycles and loading containers to dump at the transfer stations.
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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017
THURSDAYSPORTS
Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com
Neymar Agrees Five-year £450m World-record PSG Deal
Brazil and Barcelona star, Neymar, has agreed a five-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain and is due in Paris within the next 24 hours to finalise the most expensive transfer in world football history, according to Sky sources. Sky Sports News learnt that Neymar decided to leave Barcelona following talks on holiday near Rio de Janeiro in early July, before he joined the club’s pre-season tour of the United States. He is expected to arrive in the French capital by Friday at the latest to complete his move. It is understood the total value of the deal is worth nearly £450m (€500m), which includes wages, bonuses and a buyout clause of £198m (€222m). Neymar has been offered a basic salary of £26.8m-a-year (€30m) after tax, around £515,000-a-week. Barcelona confirmed the buyout clause will have to be “deposited in its entirety” for the deal to pull through. Sky Sports News has been told that a key meeting took place in Brazil earlier last month involving Neymar, his
father and super-agent Pini Zahavi, who has brokered the deal. Zahavi has known Neymar since the age of 17 and has become one of his closest advisors. A source in Spain close to Neymar has told Sky Sports News: “Since he decided to leave, Neymar has had to deal with huge pressure to stay at Barcelona. His teammates wanted him to stay but his decision was made.” The source added that Neymar had been “close” to joining Manchester United in last summer’s transfer market but chose PSG after a further season at Barcelona. Neymar is expected to join five Brazilian international teammates at PSG, including Dani Alves and Thiago Silva. The source said: “People will say this has been driven by money, but he wants to become the leader at the club. He wants to be independent, and wants to win the Ballon d’Or. He believes he can do that in Paris.” La Liga President Javier Tebas has threatened to
TIME TO SAY GOOD BYE...
Brazil international Neymar arrived Barcelona training yesterday with his father and representative, and told the Spanish club he wanted to leave. He was then given permission by Barca Manager Ernesto Valverde not to train and to “sort out his future”. PSG is understood to be ready to pay the 25-year-old’s release clause of 222million Euros
block the transfer but it’s understood PSG officials
remain “very confident” there will be no issues with
the buyout clause. PSG has yet to confirm
whether an agreement has been reached.
Mbagwu Opens New Vista for F I F A W O R L D C U P Home-based Rugby Players Mikel: My Russian Wife Will Kill Me if Eagles Fail to Qualify my vision is to spread rugby Duro Ikhazuagbe in the North, especially in Hopeful Nigeria will win double-header against Cameroon Newly elected President the North Eastern states of Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NFRR), Kenechukwu Mbagwu, has opened new vista for homebased rugby players in the country. Henceforth, there will be no more preference for foreign-based players in the selection of players to represent the country at major tournaments. Speaking at a media parley in Lagos on Tuesday morning, Mbagwu said that under the new administration both foreign and home-based players are going to be called to camp to fight for shirts in the senior national rugby team. “I don’t believe that foreignbase players are better than their colleagues based here at home. We will henceforth invite players to camp and select the best among them to wear the national colours,” stressed Mbagwu who is also the MD/CEO of CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Co Limited. While alluding to what happened in soccer during the Clemens Westerhof era, the NRFF president insisted that with good rugby league spread out across the country, “Many talented players are going to be discovered. Opening up the country to rugby leagues in the North East for instance will show what players from that region are capable of doing. Part of
like Borno and others which will help spread the gospel of peace in the region. My board would work closely with state governments to achieve this.” He also revealed plans to ensure that the Northern and South West leagues continued to grow, adding that the South-east and South-south would be given adequate support to improve their standards. Mbagwu harped on developing the game at the grassroots, starting with the schools. “If we can introduce the sport to four schools in Borno for instance, we would have set up a system that will grow the game in the state. “The school rugby programme is a very important aspect of the development of the game and we will work closely with I-Try, if they agree to work with us, to develop a more encompassing model. “We want to see students taking to rugby as the game of choice while in JSS so that when they get to SSS they would have been in the game so much that they will be in the school team. That culture will be sustained when they leave school. It is better that way than introducing them to the sport after leaving college,” revealed the NRFF boss who has been the major financier of the sport in the country in the last decade.
Duro Ikhazuagbe Super Eagles Captain, John Mikel Obi has introduced a new dimension to why Nigeria must qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, stressing that he cannot afford to fail his Russian wife by not leading the three-time African champions to the Mundial. The former Chelsea midfielder who switched to Tianjin Teda in the Chinese Super League last January, told FIFA.com yesterday that qualifying the Super Eagles for Russia 2018 is a task that must be accomplished for personal fulfillment.
“My wife is Russian and many of our relatives and friends are from Russia. They are all expecting Nigeria to qualify for the next World Cup Russia is hosting. I think they will kill me if I fail them,” joked the 30-year old Mikel who returned to the game after recuperating from the surgery he had several weeks ago. Nigeria with six maximum points from two games is already four points clear of second-placed Cameroon and five ahead of Zambia and Algeria. The Super Eagles are billed to take on the Indomitable Lions in a
must win double-header clashes in Uyo and Yaounde on September 1 and 4 respectively. Mikel believes Eagles will triumphed over the current African champion, Cameroon. “We are in a very good position in our group. We have two wins from two games, and in our last game we beat Algeria at home. We have a very good young team and the players play good football. If we can win our next match (at home to Cameroon September 1) it will edge us closer to qualification. I think we can go through,” observed the Eagles captain.
He however warned his colleagues in the Super Eagles and Nigerian football fans not to take the Lions for granted. “As everyone knows, they (Cameroon) are a very good team. They are strong and they play with confidence. We must get ourselves well prepared for this game and try our best to get on top against them. It won’t be easy but these are important matches. If we win both, we will be almost there,” reasoned Mikel. The former Blues midfielder is upbeat about their prospects of topping the table and claiming the section’s sole spot to Russia 2018.
Lagos Country Club Hosts 13th Cargolux SquashTournament The 13th edition of the Cargolux Merchant Express Squash Tournament is to serve off today at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja with about 134 players expected to slug it out for individual and club prizes. The annual competition which is being sponsored by foremost Nigerian cargo company will feature three major categories. While members of Lagos Country Club will compete in a closed Tournament, the open competition will have three categories including men, veteran and under-19 male and female.
16 clubs, including seven from outside Lagos, have been invited to participate in the open Tournament and will be represented by four player each in the men’s and two each in the veterans’ categories. Leading the pack of invited clubs this year are men’s defending champions and host club, Lagos Country Club, last year men’s finalists Ikoyi Club 1938, Apapa Club, Lagos State Civil Service Club, University of Lagos Senior Staff Club, Eagle Club, Police College, Ikeja, 81 Division Nigerian Army and OTrafford Squash Club, Ikoyi while Shell Club, Port Harcourt, Ibadan
Recreational Club, Obafemi Awolowo University Squash Club, Abeokuta Sports Club, NLNG Bonny Club, Yenagoa Club and Benin Club are all from outside Lagos. The tournament which is the biggest squash event in the Nigerian recreational club’s squash calendar will run from today till Tuesday, August 8 for LCC squash Section members while from Wednesday August 9 through Saturday August 12 is designated for invited clubs, with all finals taking place on Saturday. For 13 unbroken years, Shina Akinfenwa’s Cargolux Merchant Express has
bankrolled the squash tournament and six years ago expanded its scope to include under aged male and female categories to deepen interest in the sport among younger Nigerians. As has become characteristic of Cargolux over the years, the company has once again lined up exciting prizes for winners in all categories both in the open and closed tournaments. These include washing machines, hometheatres, standing fans as well as mouth watering take-homes in the form of cash for the under-19 male and female categories.
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Price: N250
MISSILE Justice Nyordee to Security Agencies “The killing of the four victims is a combination of several societal ignorance and shameful failure of security institutions to protect lives as shown in the statement of the defence” – Rivers High Court Judge, Letam Nyordee, carpeting men of the JTF and the Aluu Police station for their refusal to rescue the ‘Aluu Four’ while being subjected to jungle justice by a mob that eventually set them ablaze for a crime they didn’t commit.
OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT
olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com
An Epidemic of Rape T
here is hardly any member of my generation who did not watch the controversial rape revenge movie of the eighties titled, ‘I Spit on Your Grave’. The first time I watched the movie, which in 2010 made TIME magazine’s list of ten ‘most ridiculously violent’ movies of all times, I shed tears. But I also enjoyed the victim’s revenge mission, even with all the brutality, because I believed that the men who so cruelly raped the female character deserved their gruesome end. Unfortunately, after exacting her revenge by violently eliminating the four men she believed raped her, the movie ended on a tragic note with the woman learning from the police that the real culprits had been caught! I could not but remember that movie last weekend after watching a WhatsApp video clip of a man whose hands and legs were tied and suspended on a wood with a big stone strapped to his back dangling on a rope in a most gruesome act of torture one can ever imagine. I hope the man is guilty of rape as charged by a mob before the jungle justice was meted to him. That is because we live in a society where innocent people can easily be framed, as we saw with the four innocent University of Port Harcourt undergraduates whose murderers were sentenced to death on Monday. However, it is also difficult to call for restraint when dealing with sexual violence in a society where rape is not only prevalent but has indeed become a metaphor for what ails us; a society where those in positions of power forcefully take what does not does belong to them. But lest I get ahead of myself, what we are dealing with today is the growing menace of sexual violence. In her piece, “Rape and the scars it leaves you with”, Pia Kahol argues that rape is more than an isolated event where a victim has been violated sexually by another person. Rape, according to her, “is a seed of trauma that shall unfold in the victim’s mind for the rest of her life. Rape permanently alters a person’s existence. Rape is much more than physical injuries left on the body. Rape leaves an indelible mental scar on the victim.” The real challenge in Nigeria is that even public institutions that should help fight the scourge are themselves culpable. In 2014, an Amnesty International report listed rape as one of the methods being used by the Nigerian Police to extract confession from female suspects. Even though the claim was disputed, some policemen have also been caught in rape cases, including those involving minors. Sadly, the military is no better. In February this year, an Abuja High Court sentenced to death a soldier, Lance Corporal Oge Etudo, after being convicted of raping to death a married woman identified as Binta Usman Kadede. With the public reaction over the death in Lagos of a14-yr-old girl, victim of a gang-rape, Nigerians may finally be coming to terms with the menace of rape. The Junior Secondary School 3 student on holiday was said to be alone at
Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris home when some neighbourhood miscreants gained entry into her parent’s apartment by jumping the fence at the back of the house. They then took turns to violently rape her. “When I asked her what happened, she said it was those boys she had told me about. We rushed her to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead,” explained her grieving mother. While the police must apprehend those depraved men and bring them to justice, both the authorities and the society must work to curb this violation of the most demeaning kind that scars many of our women and girls for life. Meanwhile, reproduced below are excerpts from a piece earlier published on 22nd September 2011 on this same issue of rape in our country. =================================== It was about two weeks to her wedding when tragedy struck. A gang of armed robbers invaded their expansive home in the highbrow area of Lagos and after dispossessing the family of cash and valuables, they also decided to rape their victims. Done with their despicable act, the robbers left as the violated bride-to-be began to wail. But the mother, who was equally raped, told her to keep quiet: ‘Why are you crying? You want to draw attention to yourself? Nothing happened! What did I say? I said nothing happened because your wedding must go on.’ The sad experience of this Lagos family is one of the several stories I have been regaled with in the last week as it would appear we actually have an epidemic of rape on our hands. But because the society has chosen to criminalise the victims, people are keeping quiet and so
2017 Teens Conference As announced last week, the 2017 edition of the Teens Conference will hold on 26th August. All the details, including about registration as well as the video clips for last year’s edition, are on the website, rccgteapteens.org.
we can all take it that nothing is happening! Last week, I wrote on the video clip circulating on the internet of a rape case involving a girl and five boys said to be undergraduates of the Abia State University. From the Abia state government to the federal government, the concern of all the top people I have spoken with in the last one week has been about the ‘image of the country’. But what the officials don’t realise is that our image will NOT be sullied because some irresponsible boys gang-raped a girl (since rape happens all over the world) but rather because of the impunity associated with the fact that they could do so and get away with it in our country. The Kano State Police Command is, however, showing a worthy example in dealing with this crime. On Monday, they paraded two of the four men who allegedly gang-raped a youth corps member two weeks ago. The act was carried out in a classroom in a college (name withheld) where the lady is doing her primary assignment. The ‘spokesman’ for the rapists named Garba said they ran into the building for shelter when it started raining on the fateful day when the lady in her 20s approached them to enquire why there were no activities in the school oblivious to the fact of workers’ strike in the state. Now, let’s take the story from the suspect’s mouth: ‘’I relocated to the premises of the college with my friends when it started raining on that fateful day. While we were having fun, a lady suddenly approached us and was speaking a language none of us understood. I was moved by her beauty, and immediately drew out a sharp knife and in concert with others commandeered her into one of the
classrooms, where we forced her to undress and gang-raped her before policemen on patrol apprehended two of us while two escaped.’’ The State Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Idris, (the current Inspector General of Police) declined to disclose the identity of the victim ‘’to avoid stigmatisation,’’ pointing out that two other suspects were also apprehended by the police in connection with raping minors in the city. PC Idris and his men in Kano deserve commendation for their sense of responsibility and they have a lesson to teach their counterparts in Abia state where there have been several twists and turns in an unfortunate saga that will not go away. Yet what seems to have been established are that some Abia undergraduates indeed gang-raped a girl (who is said to be a food seller on their campus), recorded the sordid act and made it viral. However, the parents are not willing to pursue the matter because, given the nature of our society, they will end up as losers. So the message coming from that end is: Nothing happened! ENDNOTE: Apparently because of that disposition, it has become very easy for culprits to get away with one of the most heinous crimes that can be committed against an individual. Yet the casual expectation of zero retribution by rapists, according to Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UndersecretaryGeneral and Executive Director, UN Women, “illustrates not just an environment where violence against women and girls is treated as normal, but it also demonstrates a failure of the justice system.” We must find a way to deal with the problem.
My Picks of 2011 Verdicts
W
ith no plan to compile my columns into a book in future, I have since last year been uploading ‘The Verdicts’ between year 1999 and 2007 on the web portal. Even though that task is not yet completed, today I am uploading eight picks from the 2011 series that speak to contemporary issues. The first is “The Atiku Abubakar Formula…1” where I did a disquisition of the former Vice President’s very first intervention on the idea of restructuring. In “The Atiku Abubakar Formula…2”, I based my intervention on a paper presented by former CBN Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, who expanded on Atiku’s 2010 campaign thesis: “A governor of a state can afford to squeeze the industries owned by his political opponents. He does not need the tax revenue from the company. As for jobs, he could literally create any number he wanted in so far as the rents flowed. In a sense, there is no incentive to be productive or to actively promote production.” In “Where I Disagree With You”, former Information Minister, Prof Sam Oyoivbaire, responded to my May 2011 Harvard paper, “Divided Opposition as Boon to African Incumbents”. He argued that “The dilemma
of the power incumbents and the dialectics of the process in growing and developing the opposition should constitute the kernel of intellectual research and practical concerns.” The next offering, “Lend Me One from Tomorrow’s” is a humourous reminder of what the American-based Nigeria writer and teacher, Dr Okey Ndibe said at his book reading last Friday in Abuja of the power of stories. And then, there is “Issues in Baba Suwe’s Travails” which X-rays how the comedian was detained for 21 days to watch his bowel movement for drug. “Because He Was Involved” was a tribute to the late Dim Emeka Odumegwu-ojukwu, following his death; “A Slice of Jonathan’s Bread” speaks to leadership and “But Where Shall We Occupy” is about the state of our nation and the response from the streets. My conclusion: “…no one should be under any illusion about the state of our nation today: With many Nigerians at their tethers’ end, when the masses of our people are frustrated enough to really ‘Occupy’, I hope someone is clever enough to understand that they are not likely to do so with Twitter and Facebook.” The eight recollections are on my web portal, olusegunadeniyi.com
Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja . All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com