ThisdayFeb201527_P

Nigeria Listed Among 20 Fastest Growing EconomiesObinna Chima the New York-based nancial and Africa, include: Malaysia They’re at the top of global which together make up respectively, said Bloomberg.with agency report newswire service, Nigeria with in seventh place, Peru, Thailand, growth projections over the about 16 per cent of global “The euro area probablyA new survey released by an expected growth rate of United Arab Emirates (UAE), next two years. gross domestic product, are allBloomberg has projected that 4.9 per cent was ranked sixth Kazakhstan, Colombia and forecast to grow more than 5 will expand just 1.2 per centNigeria, China, the Philippines, behind China (7 per cent), the Saudi Arabia. “The world is expected to per cent in 2015.” as European Central BankKenya, India and Indonesia Philippines (6.3 per cent), Kenya grow 3.2 per cent in 2015 and President Mario Draghi dealswill rank among the 20 fastest (6 per cent), India (5.5 per cent) Others are Taiwan, Turkey, 3.7 per cent next year after By comparison, the United with a fragile Greece andgrowing economies in world and Indonesia (5.4 per cent). South Korea, Poland, Mexico, expanding 3.3 per cent in each of States (US) and United Kingdom embarks on a bond-purchasethis year. Ireland and Singapore. the past two years,\" according to (UK), which combined account programme to stimulate the Other countries that made a Bloomberg survey of economists. for about a quarter of global region's growth. In an accompanying chart by the list of 20, dominated by According to Bloomberg, growth, are expected to grow emerging economies in Asia “Emerging markets in Asia “China, the Philippines, 3.1 and 2.6 per cent this year Continued on page and Africa still reign supreme: Kenya, India and Indonesia, Friday February, Vol . No . Price: Nwww.thisdaylive.com TRUTH & REASONBuhari in London, Says He’s a Reformed DemocratPDP, Fayose pillory APC candidate, remind him elections will not be decided in the UKChuks Okocha, Onyebuchi Congress (APC), Major- reformed democrat ready London, also assured the Boko Haram’s nancial and infrastructure development,Ezigbo in Abuja, Olakiitan General Muhammadu Buhari to operate under democratic international community equipment channels through job creation, agriculture andVictor in Ado Ekiti andAgha (rtd), has said no corrupt norms. that an APC-led government border controls and would industry in the affected areas.Ibiam in London politician will be appointed Buhari, who delivered would ensure economic and take measures to tackle its The APC candidate, whose into his administration if he is a speech yesterday at the political stability of the country. root causes by initiating a speech at Chatham House wasThe presidential candidate elected president, proclaiming Royal Institute of International He also said his comprehensive economicJonathan in Baga, Mubi,of the All Progressives nonetheless that he is a Affairs, Chatham House in administration would choke developmentplan,promoting Continued on pageBoosts Morale of Troops Security agencies trailing Boko Haram members Children of in uential Nigerians beingrecruited into ISIS Several killed in bomb attacks in Biu, JosJaiyeola Andrews, AdebiyiAdedapo in Abuja, MichaelOlugbodeinMaiduguri,DajiSaniin Yola and Seriki Adinoyi in JosWith the federal government RESTORING SECURITY IN THE NORTH EASTgaining the upper hand againstthe terror group Boko Haram, President Goodluck Jonathan (in green beret, centre), in a group photograph with the troops, during his visit yesterday to Mubi, Baga and Vintim recapturedPresident Goodluck Jonathan by the Nigerian military in North-eastern Nigeriayesterday made anotherunannounced visit to Baga,Mubi and Vintim in Borno andAdamawa States, respectively. The president’s whistle stoptrip to the North-east came oneday after the Chief ofArmy Staff,Lt-General Kenneth Minimah,visited troops in Baga and abouta month after he (Jonathan)visited troops in Maiduguri. The president, who arrivedYola airport at about 11 am inthe company of the NationalSecurity Adviser (NSA), Sambo Continued on page

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T H I S D AY • FRIday, FebRuaRy 27, 2015PAGE SIXAPC Senators Allege Plot to Sack Jega Next WeekOmololuOgunmadeinabuja Jega, next week. the forthcoming general be removed. terms of the head of the service or when you getThe war of attrition between The caucus, at a press election, adding that only “We have received civil service of the 11th of to 60 years of age.the main political parties dishonest politicians would August, 2010, with Referencein the country waxed conference addressed by seek his removal at such a information from a very, No: HCSF/CMO/1772/ “This provision isstronger yesterday when its chairman and Senate critical time like this. very informed and credible T1/11, it is not applicable not applicable to Jega.the All Progressives Minority Leader, George source that next week, the whatsoever to the chairman Why would the federalCongress (APC) caucus Akume, said it had The caucus said chairman of INEC will be of INEC. government controlled byin the Senate alleged that uncovered the plan by the even though President served a letter by the Of ce the PDP want to tamperthe Peoples Democratic Head of Service, Danladi Goodluck Jonathan has the of the Head of Civil Service “This circular was with an arrangementParty (PDP)-led federal Kifasi, to issue Jega a letter constitutional powers to directing him to proceed talking about clari cation that is so critical to thisgovernment has concluded ordering him to proceed remove the INEC chairman, on terminal leave. on pre-retirement leave. election.plans to sack the Chairman on terminal leave. he should follow the laid Pre-retirement leave isof the Independent National down procedure for doing “Whether the letter comes applicable to tenured of cers “Jega was ready toElectoral Commission Akume, who was anked so, adding that he must from the head of service or and career civil servants, conduct the pre-scheduled(INEC), Professor Attahiru by other members of the secure the support of the Secretary to the Federal which states that you are elections; the federal caucus, claimed that the two-thirds majority of the Government does not make bound to disengage when government controlled by planned removal of Jega Senate before Jega could sense. What we are saying you get to 35 years in the PDP was not ready,” was capable of disrupting is, even if you go by the Akume said.JONATHAN IN BAGA, MUBI, BOOSTS MORALE OF TROOPSDasuki, Chief of Defence Staff, last month, leading to its and terrorists would never impact but the bomb went after the school had been ideology,” he said.Chief Air Marshal Alex Badeh, occupation and death of again be allowed to take and off before he could get to shut down for about three Omeri also said thatother service chiefs and the hundreds of residents. hold any Nigerian territory. the target.” months, and are currentlyInspector General of Police, writing their second semester government was moreSuleiman Abba, proceeded by Satellite imagery released While in Mubi, President He added that the corpses exams. interested in arresting Bokohelicopter to Mubi where by Amnesty International Jonathan, accompanied by were evacuated to the Haram leader Abubakarhe met with troops of 155 (AI) last month showed the the Governor of Adamawa General Hospital, Biu, where Security Agencies Shekau alive, but said heSpecial Task Force battalion level of destruction in Baga State, Mr. Bala Ngilari, the injured were also taken Trailing Sect Members could be overrun throughand residents of the town after the onslaught by the and the Minister of Youth for treatment. other means, if arresting himwho had returned after Islamist group. Development, Mr. Bonnie But as bombers continue proved impossible.its recapture by Nigerian Haruna, paid a courtesy A source at the hospital to wreak havoc in townstroops. In a statement by the call on the Emir, Alhaji Isa con rmed that corpses were in northern Nigeria, the “Intelligence is on the trail president’s spokesman, Dr. Ahmadu. brought in but declined to Coordinator of the National of dispersed Boko Haram The president then paid a Reuben Abati, the presidency give further details. Information Centre (NIC) members and their leader.courtesy call on the Emir of con rmed Jonathan’s trip to He assured the emir that and Director General of the Also, the order was clear,Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Isa, Baga and Mubi where he the federal government Just as Biu was coming National Orientation Agency capture Shekau alive untilto sympathise with him and commended the troops for would do all within its to terms with yet another (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, has that proves impossible,” hethe people of Mubi over the proving their mettle once powers to ensure that attack, Jos, the Plateau said that intelligence agencies said.loss of their loved ones and again through the rapid normalcy is speedily returned State capital, was rocked by are on the trail of dispersedproperty destroyed by the recapture of territories to Mubi and other towns twin explosions outside the Boko Haram members. According to him,insurgents. formerly held by insurgents. and settlements recently ever-busy University of Jos “Remarkable success has been recaptured from Boko Haram main gate and Pharmacy gate This is just as the recorded by the Nigerian Mubi is the second largest Jonathan, Abati said, to enable displaced persons along Bauchi Road. government revealed that military in the ongoingcity in Adamawa and was conveyed his pride and return to their homes in the children of in uential war against terror in theamong those recaptured from that of all Nigerians for shortest possible time. Although the number Nigerians were being North-eastern part of theBoko Haram by the military their bravery, competence of casualties could not be recruited into ISIS. country.late last year. and patriotism in their efforts Jonathan also undertook ascertained, it was believed to expel the insurgents from an aerial inspection of other to be high. “The reports show that “There is also stiff The president was also all parts of the North-east. towns and areas recently these youths who are mostly resistance to insurgents’reported to have visited recaptured from Boko Haram A source said the rst children of the rich and incursions into the countryVintim, the hometown of “The president said with including Monguno. blast occurred adjacent to af uent are being recruited at several border points andBadeh, which was recovered their recent successes, which the university’s main gate into ISIS. We therefore call the recapture of severalfrom the Islamist group about overwhelmingly turned the Before returning to Abuja, close to the Federal College of on parents and guardians, towns and settlements whichthe same time as Mubi. tide against Boko Haram, the president met and Forestry, where the students especially those whose wards had Boko Haram presence the Nigerian military had conferred with the Borno were writing exams. The are schooling abroad, to earlier.” Speaking on the president’s proven beyond any doubt State Governor, Alhaji Kashim second blast occurred in front closely monitor the activitiesvisit, a resident of Mubi, Idris that it remains fully capable Shettima, in Maiduguri, the of the Pharmacy gate near of these students who may The settlements includeBuba, said there was heavy of defending the territorial state capital. an illegal bus park. be susceptible to the antics Gabchari, Abba Jabari,security in the town during integrity of Nigeria,” the of the promoters of the ISIS Gajigana, Gajiram, Damakar,Jonathan's visit. statement said. Multiple Blasts Kill The blasts, which Kumaliwa, Bosso, Wanti, Many happened at about 6 pm, Jeram and Karisungul, he “When the president and The military’s recent were a few minutes apart said.his entourage left the emir’s victories against Boko Haram, Yet, despite the successes on the same stretch of roadpalace, they headed to Vintim according to Jonathan, had recorded by the troops in the leading out of the city NIGERIA LISTED AMONG FASTEST GROWINGvillage, the hometown of the also proven conclusively theatre of war, the security towards Bauchi. ECONOMIESChief of Defence Staff who that all those, within and agencies still don’t seemwas also in the president's outside the country, who had to have answers for the Men of the Special Task “China still remains “US growth forecasts forentourage,” Buba said. cast aspersions on Nigerian multiple bomb attacks in Force and Nigeria Police the fastest-growing G-20 2015 are coalescing around soldiers and questioned their northern cities. Force were still at the scene nation, even though the 3 per cent even as the dollar According to him, the ability and willingness to of the bombings evacuating Asian economy is no longer soars to its highest level inpresident also held a closed- overcome the insurgents were Yesterday, a wave of bomb corpses and the injured at expanding at the pace it did more than a decade.door meeting with the service misinformed and wrong. blasts hit Jos in Plateau State, the time of ling this report. a few years ago.chiefs who had driven ahead killing 17, while a suicide “As growth picks up, theof him to Vintim. He assured the troops bomber set off a bomb in Commenting on the “China's economy grew Federal Reserve is weighing that the federal government Biu, Borno State, leading incident, the Police Public 7.3 per cent in the fourth whether to raise interest After the meeting, the would ensure that they to the death of 10 persons. Relations Of cer of the quarter of 2014 from a year rates for the rst time sincepresident, THISDAY learnt, receive all the equipment Plateau State Police earlier, and is expected to 2006. Their benchmark and logistics they require to In Biu, the largest town Command, Mr. Emmanuel slow to 7 per cent in 2015. federal funds rate has ew to the Maiduguri air complete the ongoing mission south of troubled Borno, a Abuh, and students of the remained near zero sinceforce base, from where he to reassert government’s resident of the town who university con rmed the “To counter that December 2008.”proceeded to Baga, Borno effective control over all spoke anonymously to twin blasts but could not slowdown, People's BankState. areas formerly held by Boko THISDAY, said: “A bomb give details on the casualties of China policy makers are TOP GAINERS NGN NGN Haram. blast happened just in front resulting from the explosions. boosting monetary stimulus. In Baga, the president also of one of the petrol stations The central bank cut its UACN . . .met with the troops to boost Jonathan equally promised in the town. Abuh said he was yet to benchmark interest rate .their morale and thanked the soldiers that all issues get details, but promised in November for the rst NEM . . .them for their courage and pertaining to their welfare “The suicide bomber was that they would be made time since 2012. This month .gallantry in the prosecution would be properly and a few metres from a petrol available to journalists who of cials lowered by 50 basis IKEJHOTEL .. .of the war against terror. expeditiously addressed. station when the bomb on besieged him. points the deposit reserve him detonated, killing him ratio, which is the amount of MANSARD .. . A source said he told He assured them that they and nine other persons in Also, a student of the reserves that banks need to .the troops that their efforts would be duly rewarded for the vicinity.” university, Adeolu Ajani, keep on hand,” the survey AGLEVENTIS .. .would not be in vain and their bravery and patriotic said: \"We heard two loud said. .their victories in recent service to the nation after Speaking on phone from explosions that caused TOP LOSERS NGN NGN .weeks had made Nigerians the successful conclusion of Biu, he said the suicide confusion in the campus Continuing, it added thatproud. ongoing operations against bomber was in a commercial as the students scampered Nigeria, Africa’s largest OKOMUOIL .. Boko Haram. tricycle, disembarked and for safety. economy, is projected to He was reported to have walked in the direction of expand at 4.9 per cent UBA . .told them that the federal Families of soldiers who the lling station when the “As I speak to you now, this year, while Kenyagovernment would not relent have sadly lost their lives bomb detonated and killed 10 we are still in fear. We don't will probably grow by 6 ACCESS ..in ensuring that their welfare in battles against Boko persons and caused injuries know how many persons per cent in 2015, even asis taken care of and promised Haram would also be well to several others. are involved. I pray that our unemployment and poverty DANGFLOUR ..to keep giving them all the provided for, the president students are not among the remain stubbornly high,necessary support in their also informed the troops. He said: “It is believed casualties.” with over 40 per cent of CUTIX . .push to rout the insurgents. that the suicide bomber Kenyans living below the The soldiers responded to was headed for the lling Another student said the poverty line. HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦ Prior to the town’s the president’s address with station where the explosion blast was so loud that werecapture by Nigerian chants of “never again” and would have made a bigger thought it was inside the Volume: . million sharestroops last week, Baga was assured him that insurgents campus.attacked for three successive Value: N . billiondays by the terrorists early The students of the university resumed this week Deals: , As at yesterday / / See details on Page

T H I S D AY • FRIday, FebRuaRy 27, 2015 PAGE SEVENPolice Recover Baby Sold for N300,000 by His FatherAnother sold for N140, 000 still missingEmmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia Baby Chizoba Maduabuchi the agreed amount. insisted that there was nothing but her prospective employer murderer, one ChizaramLady luck shined on him, just raised the alarm. Narrating the incident, the wrong with the baby. rejected her on the grounds that Amandu, 40.as his destiny was determined she was still nursing a baby.to overcome. This seems to be The baby was then traced to baby’s mother said her husband In his own account, According to the CP, thethe story of a 12-month-old the house of Erondu at Mbutu had taken the baby away on Maduabuchi said Erondu, On her way back after her suspect, Amandu, had onbaby boy, Chizoba Maduabuchi, Umuogwo village in Isiala the pretext that he was taking whom he described as a fruitless journey, Ogechi said February 19, 2015 stabbedwho was sold by his father Ngwa South Local Government him for treatment, claiming herbalist, had talked him she ran out of money when to death Sampson Uchennafor N300,000. Area, where the toddler was that the little boy had a cough, into selling the baby, who is she got to Okigwe and after Sunday, 32, at Ahiaba Okpuala kept awaiting collection by the even though the baby’s mother his fourth child. Police said narrating her plight to a fellow in Isiala Ngwa North Local But fate was kind to the buyer who had already paid that the herbalist was still on passenger, who happened to Government Area, and waslittle boy. He was recovered the run. be the wife of the suspect, they picked up after the sister of thefrom his buyer by the police eventually provided her shelter. deceased reported the incidentin Abia State following the But while baby Chizoba was to the police.alarm raised by the mother lucky to have been rescued But by accepting assistanceof the baby, which prompted and reunited with his mother, from the supposed Good The CP promised that thedetectives to swing into the case of a ve-month-old Samaritan, Ogechi did not know state police command wouldaction. baby boy sold for N140,000 is that the couple harbouring her continue to make sure that yet to be resolved, as police had other plans for her baby boy criminals are not given breathing The Abia State Commissioner detectives are still searching who was eventually disposed space in Abia State, attributingof Police, Joshak Habila, for the person who bought the of like a commodity. the arrests made to the collectiveparaded the suspected child baby named Chisom. efforts of the various policetraf ckers yesterday along When he was apprehended divisions and formations acrosswith other arrested criminal Chisom was taken from by the police, the suspect said the state.suspects. his mother, Ogechi Kalu, 19, that he decided to sell the baby who said that her baby was when Ogechi had said that she He said the police would He said that the father of taken from her and sold by wanted to go back to school. continue to provide adequatethe baby, Maduabuchi George one Uchenna John, who was He insisted that the baby was security to Abia residents andOkey, had on February 18, 2015, harbouring her and her baby, a still with the buyer and would “have continued to assess andconspired with one Obinna product of a teenage pregnancy. be recovered. improve on measures andErondu and sold the baby. strategies put in place by the The teenage mother, who Also paraded were members command in order to ensure a But luck ran out on the hails from Akaeze in Ebonyi of different gangs specialising in conducive environment before,conspirators when the baby’s State, said her sister staying at bank robberies and vandalising during and after the generalmother Eberechi Maduabuchi Orlu in Imo State had invited ATMs, kidnapping and stealing, election”. her to come and take a job as a well as a suspectedBUHARI IN LONDON, SAYS HE’S A REFORMED DEMOCRATpreceded by pro and anti-Buhari have now become dependent on our his speech and meeting with his country had gone abroad to sell his “in that well produced orchestra talked about lecture was a face-savingprotests, said corrupt persons neighbours to come to our rescue”. supporters in London, he decided message “in a desperate attempt at the Chatham House, London”, measure to cover the true situationwould be screened out from to take time out to get a well-deserved to curry favour with the people describing it as a well written and with Buhari, adding that most of thosehis administration. “Let me assure you that if I am rest, having campaigned non-stop for of that country”. a well acted script. attacking him (Fayose) were doing so elected president, the world will have weeks in 35 states of the federation. because he had stuck out his neck to He however allayed fears of no cause to worry about Nigeria as it In a statement by the organisation’s “It is a well written script, a expose the lies of the APC.the war against corruption being has had to recently; that Nigeria will Prior to his address at the institute, spokesman, Femi Fani-Kayode, PDP script well acted, all a truthful lie.turned into means of settling old return to its stabilising role in West supporters of APC and the ruling reminded Buhari that the decision The messenger belies the message,” The governor, who said he owedscores or a witch-hunt. Africa; and that no inch of Nigerian PDP had converged on Chatham on the presidential election would be the ruling party said. nobody any apology for exposing the territory will ever be lost tothe enemy House as early as 8.30 am GMT, decided in Nigeria, not in London. hypocrisy of APC leaders, accused “But I must emphasise that any because we will pay special attention chanting all songs aimed at dwarfing In a statement by the National them of placing personal interestswar waged on corruption should to the welfare of our soldiers in and each other. “We wonder whether General Publicity Secretary of the party, far above the national interest.not be misconstrued as settling old out of service. Buhari told his foreign audience Olisa Metuh, PDP added: “Thescores or a witch-hunt. I’m running They also brandished placards whilst he was in London how stage was targeted to secure a Fayose said theAPC had not onlyfor president to lead Nigeria to “We will give them adequate and boldly inscribed with words of much he loves Boko Haram. We desperately needed endorsement of packaged lies and tried to foist suchprosperity and not adversity. modern arms and ammunition to support and against Buhari, and wonder whether he told them that the international community but the on Nigerians, but had compromised workwith,wewillimproveintelligence despite the rain that started shortly he once said that he believes that world is hardly fooled by theatrics of the Independent National Electoral “There will be no confusion as to gathering and border controls to after the APC presidential candidate ‘an attack on Boko Haram is an desperation. APC is chasing shadows. Commission (INEC) to rig the electionwhere I stand. Corruption will have choke Boko Haram's financial and had started his speech, none of the attack on the north’ and that the if it had held on February 14.no place and corrupt persons will not equipment channels, we will be tough supporters agreed to budge. Boko Haram terrorists should be “That stage may have liftedbe appointed into my administration. on terrorism and tough on its root appeased, pampered, resettled and the badly deflated morale of the Fayose recalled that as the ad hocFirst and foremost, we will plug the causes by initiating a comprehensive The situation almost got out of paid allowances. members of APC but the vanishing chairman of PDP committee to shopholes in the budgetary process. economic development plan, control when the demonstrators who performance is incapable of redeeming for a presidential candidate to replace promoting infrastructure development, were either hired, as alleged from “We wonder if he told them that the forlorn fortunes in the bad sale former President Olusegun Obasanjo, “Revenue producing entities such job creation, agriculture and industry different quarters, blocked the road at he was once nominated by Boko the APC flag bearer is, in the Marchas NNPC and customs and excise will in the affected areas,” he said. St James Square, venue of the event. Haram to be their spokesman and 28, 2015 presidential election. “a crop of suitable, brilliant, healthyhave one set of books only,” he said. representative during proposed and competent northern politicians Answering questions from the Their protests attracted more negotiations with the federal “The bottom-line, we wish to urge in the PDP were shortlisted by me Buhari also addressed the issue inconceivablylargecrowdthatattended policemen who were deployed to government. General Buhari to quickly channel his for Obasanjo to pick from, but heof reforming the economy, saying: the event, Buhari noted that nobody keep them in check. message and energies home, meet overruled the list and asked me to“We will use savings that arise has the power to turn the country into “We wonder if he told them Nigerians who are choking up with contact the late Umaru Musa Yar'from blocking these leakages and the a Sharia state, as doing that would Some of the governors and APC that he was the one that ordered questions on his capacity to lead. Adua because he preferred him”.proceeds recovered from corruption amount to changing the constitution, leaders seen at Chatham House and organised the violent injecting,to fund our party’s social investments “which is practically impossible at this included Rochas Okorocha (Imo), crating and disgraceful kidnapping “He may realise, ultimately too, “In fairness to the late president,programmes in education, health and time”. Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Adams of a former Minister of the Federal that politics in this instance is local he objected to the offer on healthsafety nets such as free school meals Oshiomohole (Edo), Bola Tinubu Republic of Nigeria by the name of and shall be decided locally. The grounds, but Obasanjo insisted thatfor children, emergency public works Buhari said that there were other and Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Alhaji Umaru Dikko from the streets ultimate endorsement lies with the he must be the president. I am notfor unemployed youth and pensions reasons why Nigerians and the whole of London 31 years ago when he people of Nigeria. against the North, rather if Obasanjofor the elderly.” world are intensely focused on this Meanwhile, at a different forum was in power. had picked from the list of names year’s elections. organised by the party's local chapter “We wish to commend President submitted by my committee to him, He listed several aspects of the and held at the Everlasting Arms “We shall state our views about Goodluck Jonathan for boosting the certainly, a northerner, replacingparty’s manifesto, saying a good place According to him, the foremost Ministries,APC National Chairman, General Buhari's stage-managed show moral of our gallant soldiers with a Obasanjo would have ruled thisto start the repositioning of Nigeria's reason stemmed from the fact that Chief John Oyegun, accompanied by of shame at Chatham House at a visit today to Baga in Borno State country till 2015.economy is to swiftly tackle two ills the elections would be holding the party’s publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai later date, and at that time, we shall and Mubi in Adamawa State.that have ballooned under the present in the shadow of huge security, Mohammed, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai go into far more details. “So as an insider who sawadministration: waste and corruption. economic and social uncertainties and other party faithfuls, told their “His able leadership has resulted everything and who again has in Africa’s most populous country audiencethatthecountrywasyawning “For now, all we can say is that it in the huge successes recorded by seen a repeat of the episode of Buhari, who said he is now a and largest economy. for change, which had compelled three is truly pitiful that a former Head of our armed forces in the fight against 2006, I must talk.converted democrat, promised if main political parties to unite and fight State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria insurgency.”elected, to lead the way, with the “On insecurity, there is a genuine one enemy called PDP. believes that it is more important to “There is nothing bad in allowingforce of personal example. cause for worry, both within and win the hearts and minds of the British Also joining the PDP to pillory President Jonathan from the South- outside Nigeria. Apart from the civil “We knew our country is aching public than it is to win the hearts and Buhari, the Ekiti State Governor,Ayo south to complete the two terms While replying critics of his past war era, at no other time in our history for change and that is why we were minds of the Nigerian people,” he said. Fayose, who has turned out to be a he is allowed constitutionally androle as a military dictator, Buhari said has Nigeria been this insecure. compelled to form APC to fight the thorn in his flesh, yesterday declared in 2019, a real candidate from thehe had discarded the past and has existing ruling party. If we didn't come Fani-Kayode stressed that Buhari that the Chatham House lecture was a North, not one manipulated bysufficiently imbibed the democratic “BokoHaramhassadlyputNigeria together, we would have been more could run to any foreign country in face-saving decoy to rescue the former the South-west APC, will emergeculture. on the terrorism map, killing more guilty than the PDP,” Oyegun said. the world to say anything that he head of state from ridicule. to take over. than 13,000 of our nationals, displacing likes, “but at the end of the day the “I cannot change the past. But I can millions internally and externally, and The party chairman described APC decision as to who will lead Nigeria Fayose, who reiterated that he had “These APC leaders operate inchange the present and the future. So at a time holding on to portions of as a movement that has come to stay, as from May 29th this year will be nothing personal against Buhari, said deceit, and the well being of thisbefore you is a former military ruler our territory the size of Belgium. adding that nothing would stop them. determined by no one else but the he would not relent in exposing the country is secondary to them.and a converted democrat who is Nigerian people. The game is on hypocrisy of the APC and alleged That 2006 scenario is again beingready to operate under democratic “What has been consistently He also likened the party to a here and not in London”. attempt to delude Nigerians into a re-enacted with Obasanjo and APCnorms and is subjecting himself to lacking is the required leadership fighting machine, which sooner or booby trap as it happened under the leaders branding General Buharithe rigours of democratic elections in our battle against insurgency,” later would computerise the names In his Twitter handle, Fani-Kayode late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. to be the president of this country.for the fourth time,” he said. he told his audience. of all their members. also denied allegations that he had sponsored the anti-Buhari protesters Fayose, who spoke through his “I am not wishing General Buhari On insecurity, theAPC presidential Also, Buhari, in an interview with However, reacting to Buhari's in London. Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu dead, but the fact remains that hecandidate said the Peoples Democratic Channels television, on the sidelines of much-expected speech in London, Adelusi, wondered why Buhari did is too old to govern a complexParty (PDP)-led government had the event, allayed allegations that he the PDP Presidential Campaign Similarly, the PDP, in another not appear at anAPC-organised rally country like Nigeria and we don'tfailed in any effort “towards a multi- had travelled to the UK on medical Organisation yesterday expressed statement yesterday, said it had noted in London on Wednesday if indeed want a president that will governdimensional response to this problem ground, stating that in addition to shock that Buhari who refused to the theatrical appearance of Buhari he was not in a hospital bed. by proxy,” he stated.leading to a situation in which we participate in a debate in his own The governor added that the much-

NEWS FRIDAY FEBRUARY , • T H I S DAY News Editor Davidson Iriekpen Email [email protected] Begins Move to CreateParallel Budget Of ceNigeria Police lament poor funding at budget defenceOmololu Ogunmade in Abuja analysis required for economic and will enhance budget decisions. supported by senators and was recalling that of the N53 billion He also said the N5 billionThe Senate yesterday committed budget decisions. “This bill is important because referred to the committee on proposed in 2010, N37 billion was which has been proposed forto the committee stage a bill appropriation for further legislation. appropriated and only N11 billion all subheads in the budget’sseeking to establish a specialised Leading debate on the bill the office of NABRO will prepare was released in the end. In 2011, overhead cost for Police formationsbudget office with the capacity yesterday, Deputy Senate Leader, and present to the National Also yesterday, the Nigerian he said whereas N57 billion was and commands in 2015 cannotto develop budgetting and Senator Abdul Ningi, said an Assembly periodic forecasts of Police Force lamented how poor proposed, only N8 billion was be enough to provide minimaleconomic information that will independent budget office with economic trend and alternative funding by the federal government appropriated while N6.4billion fuel and maintenance for policenot be subjected to any interference the task of feeding the legislature fiscal policies. It will update the hampered its operations in 2014, was released. operations in three months.from the executive. on budget issues, had become a National Assembly on extra- disclosing that of the total N218 global phenomenon and Nigeria budgetary expenditure incurred billion it proposed, only N7.34 He also said in the 2012 “This is not to mention Tagged: ‘A Bill for an Act to could not be left behind. as well as appropriated items billion was appropriated out of capital proposal, N49 billion other critical subheads such asEstablish an Independent National which were not funded by the which N3.4 billion was eventually was proposed, N9 billion was local travels and transportationAssembly Budget Research Office According to him, the bill, government within a financial year. released. appropriated while N7 billion allowance, aircraft, marine, boats,(NABRO)’, the bill sets out to among others, seeks to provide the was released and in 2013, N218 local and international trainingprovide timely and non-partisan National Assembly with periodic “I believe most of the Making this disclosure while billion was proposed, N14 billion costs, maintenance of office and forecasts of economic trend as well difficulties we encounter and defending the 2015 budget before appropriated and N11 billion barracks, feeding of detainees as alternative fiscal policies that the disagreements experienced the Senate Committee on Police, released. nationwide and provision of among legislators in the course Deputy Inspector General of Police uniform among others.”House to Probe Rice of Medium Term and Expenditure (DIG), Ibrahim Tsafe, said the According to him, N11 billionImporters Framework and Fiscal Strategy police had proposed N24 billion has been proposed to fuel 8,698 However, the Chairman, Senate Paper (FSP) debate would be as its maintenance and fuel cost. vehicles, N932 million will be used Committee on Police Affairs,Muhammad Bello inAbuja The companies ngered are: minimised if we pass this bill to fuel motor cycles and N4.2billion Senator Paulinus Igwe, taskedThe House of Representatives Stallion Group, Popular Foods and it becomes law,” he said. According to him, since 2010 to be used for fuelling of 1,448 the police to think of ways ofyesterday resolved to investigate and Olam Nigeria Limited. funds meant for police capital vehicles. generating its own revenue.companies involved in rice The bill was unanimously budget were never fully released,importation under the federal The House regretted thatgovernment policy aimed at Stallion Group/ Popular Foods,encouraging investment in local with an unpaid outstandingrice production. import duty of over N15 billion, has imported another 85,000 The crux of the matter that metric tonnes of rice into theprecipitated the motion that led to country.the resolution was the allegationthat some companies in concert Hon. Simon Arabo (PDP,with some foreign investors have Kaduna) expressed concern “thatimported the commodity in a the actions of these companies aremanner that exceeded “their capable of scuttling the nation’sapproved quota and thus owe self-suf ciency drive in ricethe federal government about production and an act whichN28,399 billion.” deny the federal government the needed revenue on import duties.”US IssuesTravel Advisory on2015 PollsDamilola Oyedele in Abuja for six weeks due to security TAKING ‘CHANGE’ CAMPAIGN TO LONDON  concerns related to BokoThe United States has said Haram Insurgency. This travel L-R: Rivers State Governor, Hon. Chibuike Amaechi; All Progressives Congress (APC) presidendial candidate; General, Muhammadu Buhari;Nigeria’s upcoming elections, alert expires on May 25,” the former British Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown; APC leader, Senator BolaTinubu; and fomer Ekiti State Governor; Kayode Fayemi, whenwhich are closely contested advisory read. Buhari presented his lecture at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House in London...yesterdaybetween the ruling PeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP) and The advisory added that there NNPC: Rising Oil Price will Buhari Urges Supporters toAll Progressives Congress is no reason to believe that US Encourage Investment Respect Abuja Peace Accord(APC), present a possibility citizens would be speci callyof violence.  targeted in the event of election- The Nigerian National Petroleum He said the government had Onyebuchi Ezigbo inAbuja any individual, and that the related violence and called on Corporation (NNPC) has expressed promised its continuous support The All Progressives Congress country’s greatness would It therefore issued a travel the citizens to be careful during satisfaction with the recovery of and encouragement to local (APC) campaign office has outlive any election.advisory, urging its citizens the election process, particularly oli prices, even if the corporation’s fabricators in order for it to engage restated Muhammadu Buhari’sto remain cautious while in and around polling locations comment is premature. in more positive and creative commitment to the historic “Despite the series oftravelling within Nigeria in the weeks before and after initiatives towards meeting the peace accord jointly entered into provocations by the PDP,during the presidential and the elections.  The corporation hopes that local content objective and targets. Goodluck Jonathan, as a means to through hate speeches andgubernatorial elections on the changes noticed in the oil forestall violence during and after adverts being broadcast in theMarch 28 and April 11. It also urged US citizens price recently would further According to him, NNPC had the forthcoming general election. media, we call on our supporters traveling to or residing encourage investment in the oil been at the forefront of those all around the country to remain In the advisory placed on in Nigeria to enroll in the and gas sector. Oil price in the supporting and encouraging the The umbrella support group calm but resolute,” Buhari said.its website, the US Embassy Department of State’s Smart international market last week attainment of the local content of the APC candidate, thein Abuja recalled that the 2011 Traveller Enrollment Programme indicated sign of improvement target for the industry, as it has Buhari Suport Group (BSO) Buhari also asked hispolls, although they were largely (STEP) which provides latest selling above $60 per barrel. done for other sectors. had on Wednesday threatened supporters to ignore anypeaceful, recorded violence in security updates and makes to discountenance the peace accord distractions and remain focusedmany northern states following it easier for them to be contacted The NNPC also said it would “This was in line with the Vision entered into by political party on making the democraticthe announcement of results by the nearest US Mission in steadily improve on the local content 2020 focus of President Goodluck leaders  ifthe  PeoplesDemocratic process work, encouraging themin the presidential race. The event of an emergency. investment in oil and gas equipment Jonathan administration. Party (PDP) and President to ensure that they collect theirpresidential elections then fabrication in Nigeria. Goodluck Jonathan’s men fail Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs)were contested by the same   “I hope this will not be Multinational oil companies to stop making inflammatory before the  March 8, deadline.primary actors in the 2015 polls; misconstrued with the hope The Group Executive Director, should also demonstrate the remarks on Buhari.President Goodluck Jonathan to call a dog a bad name with Engineering and Technology, NNPC, capacity and workable strategies The statement signed by theand General Muhammadu the intention to hag it. Mr. Adebayo Ibirogba, who spoke for achieving and sustaining the However,inastatement  issued Director of Media and PublicityBuhari (rtd). with the News Agency of Nigeria local content target,” he said. yesterday by his campaign of the campaign, Garba Shehu, “As far as I am (NAN), said after an official visit to organisation,  Buhari urged his further emphasised that Nigeria “The elections, originally concerned,there is nothing like KAZTEC Engineering Fabrication Ibirogba said government is supporters not be provoked by is in a democracy, and that thescheduled for February 14 and war council, there will be no yard in Snake Island in Lagos, that determined to promote the rapid their opponents but to remained greatest weapon each citizen hasFebruary 28, were postponed war ,we can only ght war investing in local content would give diversification and industrialization calm and peaceful. is his or her vote.  with our PVCs,” he said. advantage to local fabricators. of the Nigerian economy adding, “this is quite an interesting He said Nigeria is bigger He called on all his supporters CORRIGENDUM Ibirogba added that government investment done by KAZTEC to than any political party or across the country to go out en In a report published on Page C in the February 25, 2015 edition would ensure total encouragement boost the transformation agenda masse on  March 28 and Aprilof THISDAY, we inadvertently carried a headline:’Supreme Court to investors who want to invest of the president as regard the oil 11 and cast their ballots.Asks Chevron, Seplat, Brittania-U Not to Stay Action on Oil locally. and gas sector.Block.’ The correct headline should have been “Supreme CourtAsks Chevron, Seplat, Brittania-U to Stay Action on Oil Block”The error is regretted. -Editor

FRIDAY FEBRUARY , • T H I S DAYNEWSYoruba Leaders: Why We are SupportingJonathan’s Re-electionAdemola Babalola in Ibadan urged their people to ensure communiqué, stated that the The communiqué also said that as a recent ancestor of the Yoruba to dialogue how they should beA good turn deserves another is Jonathan’s re-election in order to recommendation of the national the conference recommendation people, held court. Let me salute governed has come to reality.a popular saying in Yorubaland safeguard the benefits derivable conference, which said that each of of rotational presidency among President Goodluck Jonathan forand this may have informed why to the region from the draft the existing six geo-political zones the six geo-political zones and the his bold and momentous move “No doubt, Nigeria has passedYoruba leaders from across the six constitutional recommendations be equally divided into nine states, rotation of the position of governor as well as his focused leadership through various stages of nationalstates in South-west geopolitical of the National Conference. was in line with the core value among the senatorial districts of which was demonstrated through dialogues before without beingzone of the country yesterday of the Yoruba nation, in which each state were in accord with the his compliance with the agitations able to emplace a constitutionalexplained that they are supporting Yesterday’s conference which equity is ranked high. political aspiration of the Yoruba by Nigerians to debate their and political arrangement that isthe re-election bid of President was the second in the series of race.  It also noted that the race collective future. Convening the accommodating enough to sustainGoodluck Jonathan. post national conference meeting The communique read: “That was committed to the unity of 2014 National Conference was the dedication and patriotism of Yoruba elders and delegates the President be commended for the country based on principles of indeed a historic assignment of many. The constitutional and Rising from their four-hour came precisely eight days after the the successful conduct of the justice, equity and the rule of law, that we are proud of and as a governmental experiments thatmeeting yesterday in Ibadan, Akure, Ondo State capital meeting, 2014 National Conference which with ample respect for cultural, people; we must do everything we have had seem inadequate toOyo State capital, the leaders; where the president was endorsed perhaps can be described as a religious and linguistic difference. possible to ensure that the capture the essence of those thingsnotably political, religious and as the candidate of the race for very bold and in fact the most confab recommendations get that have the inherent capacity toopinion moulders doff their hats the March 28 election based on courageous step ever taken by “We resolve therefore to implemented.” unite us despite our ethnic andfor Jonathan, saying “ the president the outcome of the confab among any president since the return of fully back and work for the religious cleavages.be commended for the successful others. democracy in 1999. re-election of President Jonathan Mimiko said: “Today, theconduct of the 2014 National in the presidential elections as Yoruba people have marched “The conference report whenConference which perhaps can The theme of the Ibadan “That other profound only this could guarantees the out in their large numbers to implemented, will createbe described as a very bold and summit, held at the Premier recommendations of the confab, implementation of the Confab their political capital, Ibadan to room for each state to havein fact the most courageous step Hotel, Mokola Hill, was titled: particularly those that touch on recommendations,” it stated further. discuss and  articulate once more, its own constitution, its ownever taken by any president since ‘The National Conference, 2015 devolution of powers, creation an issue which for decades, has police force, its own prisonthe return of democracy in 1999.” elections and the Yoruba nation”. of states and community police Speaking at the summit, been considered to be the main  service, can create its own It was convened by the Governor service; making prison service Governor Mimiko said that the agenda for their race. You will local governments, can build In this direction therefore, they of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko. a concurrent matter; allowing decision to hold the meeting in recall that for several decades, the its own airports, seaports and each state to have its constitution; Ibadan and at the Premier Hotel Yorubas were at the forefront of railways and in addition; in The leaders in their decentralisation of the powers over was to reconnect with the recent the agitation for the convocation of the economic domain, solid the establishment and management history of the Yoruba people and a National Conference. I therefore minerals that had been theHonour Triumphant Soldiers, of railways, sea ports and airports; the Western Region government congratulate the Yoruba Nation exclusive preserve of the federalTUC Urges Army Chief and development of solid minerals where Ibadan was the capital. and all Nigerians that finally, government since independence, are central to the core interest of their dream of coming together have now been brought to the the Yoruba.” “Here, the sage, Chief Obafemi concurrent list.” Awolowo, whom I love to refer to Seeks pardon for condemnedsoldiersDamilola Oyedele in Abuja ful lled straight away as it will WE DON’TWANT BUHARIThe Trade Union Congress go a long way in motivating(TUC) has called on the Chief of and encouraging the soldiers,” A cross-section of anti-Buhari protesters at the Chatham House, London, venue where the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidentialArmy Staff (COAS), Lieutenant- the statement signed by the candidate presentedaspeech....yesterdayGeneral Kenneth Minimah, to President General of thekeep the promises he made to Congress, Bobboi Kaigama said. Gbajabiamila Retracts Partisan Label onsoldiers while on a recent tour Ihediohaof Baga, Borno State. “We can say that when functions are carried Minimah, according to reports, out systematically andpromised that all soldiers, dead meticulously, and to theor alive, who participated in best of ability, the resultrescuing Baga from the grip of is success and joy for all.the Boko Haram sect, would Kudos to the military,” itautomatically be promoted to read.   The congress alsothe next rank. appealed to the military authorities to temper justice The congress, in a statement with mercy on the soldiersissued yesterday, also called on that were condemned somethe leadership of other security months ago.operatives who are participatingin the ght against the Boko “Justice, they say serves aHaram sect to follow suit. better societal purpose when tempered with mercy. And “While we commend the indeed the quality of mercyCOAS for the con dence- is not strained.building trip, we wish topassionately appeal to him “It is twice blessed. It blessesto ensure that the promise is he that gives and he that takes,” the statement read. Muhammad Bello inAbuja advisory submission of an ad another,” thus withdrawing his for a private discussion and The atmosphere inside the hoc committee set up to look previous referral to Ihedioha as tactfully steered the session from chambers of the House of into the desirability of the issue, “leader of a political party other an imminent showdown as he Representatives was one of ruled that it is constitutional for than that of the Federal Republic invited Hon. Aliyu Madaki (APC, camaraderie as the Minority Leader, the  president to order soldiers to of Nigeria.” Kano), who raised a Point of Order Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, provide security during the polls. to come and confer with him. Lagos), who led his colleagues Responding, Tambuwal to heckle the Deputy Speaker, On the light side Gbajabiamila reiterated that he had always Madaki later came down from Emeka Ihedioha, withdrew his also infused a comic relief into admonished that the issue of his tete-a-tete with the Speaker characterisation of the latter as the hallowed chamber when using soldiers for elections is a smiling. being a “partisan” leader in the he stood to ask Speaker Aminu sensitive one. “I have always way he handled Wednesday’s Waziri Tambuwal which party he drawn attention to the way we Gbajabiamila again took proceedings. belongs to after the latter raised started and how we have been the floor and remarked that the hands of members, including working in assiduous manner as Tambuwal raised the hand of the The issue that precipitated the himself and Ihedioha, aspiring to an institution. deputy speaker who is vying Wednesday misunderstanding be governors; and those who want for governorship in Imo State between Ihedioha and the APC to be senators. “Nigeria needs a more united under PDP and Hon. Uche caucus in the House was as a House of Representatives and the Ekwunife, “who also belongs result of a motion proposed Acknowledging the flared NationalAssembly more than ever to the PDP. The question is: to by Gbajabiamila for non-use of tempers of the previous 24 hours, before” as the challenges before the what party do you belong?”, he soldiers during the forthcoming the minority leader said having legislators is enormous, Tambuwal asked Tambuwal, who answered: general election. considered that “the House is at noted. “Hon.  Femi, I am sure that you the tail end of its session, I feel will recall that the office of the The motion suffered a setback we should not be heightening “We should refrain from being Speaker has only one cap and after Ihedioha, guided by an political tension,” but instead partisan when considering national that is that of the Federal Republic “advocate for toleration of one issues,” he concluded. of Nigeria.” Afterwards, he called Ihedioha

FRIDAY FEBRUARY , • T H I S DAYNEWSOshodi Mayhem: Police Arraign 18,Dismiss Political Undertone Gives factional leader 24 hours to report selfGboyega Akinsanmi and 18 suspects out of about 40 popularly known as Oluomo. custody. Today alone, we have While conducting an on-the- agencies, we are going to declareChiemelie Ezeobi arrested. The state Commissioner of arraigned 18 of them and they spot assessment yesterday, the him wanted. And it is going to are in jail. And tomorrow, I am police commissioner issued the be between us and him. He willFollowing the mayhem that Also, the state police Police, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, going to arraign about 17 among Oshodi NURTW chairman an not have any hiding place inbroke out in Oshodi on command said it had issued gave the update at different those arrested. ultimatum to report to the police Lagos State. Between two andWednesday in which at least a 24-hour ultimatum to the sessions with journalists, first command within 24 hours, three persons died. About eightthree persons were killed, the Chairman of the National Union after a meeting with Governor “I am not talking about the noting that failing to report vehicles were burnt. It is not 30Lagos State Police Command of Road Transport Workers Babatunde Fashola at the Lagos foot soldiers. I am talking about would make the command or 40 as reported.yesterday said it had arraigned (NURTW), Oshodi Branch, House, Ikeja and later during the leaders of these people. These to declare him wanted. Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, the on-the-spot assessment of are the people that are causing “We appraised the situation the damage at the Mafesojo mayhem. What we need to do He explained why the in Oshodi and other areas. InEnvironmental Sanitation Holds motor park, Oshodi. is to get the arrowhead off. Once police were exercising restraint, the past two weeks, we havein Lagos Tomorrow the arrowheads are off, the foot linking it “to innocent lives and been having challenges within At the state house, the police soldiers can be tackled easily. properties that will be lost if we the union’s hierarchy there. TheLagosians were yesterday urged Adeyemi, the Information commissioner denied that the are extremely harsh on those summary is that we have allto de-silt the drainage channels Director, Bello said the Oshodi fracas “is political as “Now we are going after people. We are working on it. agreed that henceforth we arewithin their neighbourhood restriction on pedestrian and widely reported,” noting that the principals, people that At least, we have closed in on going to move forward andand dispose the backlog of vehicular movements would be it was a clash between two are encouraging youths into about 40 of them. Tomorrow, implement the Lagos Staterefuse during tomorrow’s enforced to ensure compliance, factions of the road transport violence. These are the people I have given an ultimatum to Road Traffic Law, 2012, whichenvironmental sanitation urging the transport unions union at the Mafesojo motor we want to dismantle their the leader of one of the factions. prohibited the collection of tollsbilled to hold between 7a.m. to prevail on their members park, Oshodi. command and control structures. and dues within and aroundand 10a.m. to comply with the state By the time we dismantle it, we “If he refuses to surrender motor parks and garages.” environmental laws. He added that all the principal can have people in that area.” himself to any of our security The Commissioner for the characters “are already inEnvironment, Mr. Tunji Bello, The restriction order waswho gave the charge, reminded not enforced in January toresidents of the need to have enable Lagosians collect theira ood-free Lagos during the Permanent Voters’ Cardsrainy season this year. (PVCs) at the designated centres. In a statement by Mr. FolaEx-ANA President, Gimba,Dies at 62 Mark, IBB, Abdulsalami mournOmololu Ogunmade in Abuja Permanent Secretary Planning EXPANDING BUSINESS FRONTIERSand AishaWakasoinMinna and Finance and I discovered thatA former National President he was not only an economists Managing Director, AFRINVEST, Mr. Ike Chioke; Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane;of the Association of Nigerian but a great writer.” Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu; Dean, Lagos Business School (LBS), Dr. Enase Okonedo; High Commissioner, HighAuthors (ANA),AlhajiAbubakar Commission of Canada, Mr. Perry John Calderwood; and Deputy High Commissioner, High Commission of Canada, Mr. Marcello DiFranco, atGimba, has died. He was aged 62. MarksaidheappointedGimba a dinner organised by the LBS Breakfast Club in Lagos...recently as his SpecialAdviser on Politics Gimba who died on and Economics from 2007 to 2011 Fashola: 35% Import Duty onVehicles UnjustifiableWednesday night at the Minna when he became the SenateGeneral Hospital, was yesterday President due to his commitment Rallies taxi operators for Ambodeburied according to Islamic rites. and dedication to work and his service to the country. Gboyega Akinsanmi country considering the growing are drawing closer. It will at the inception. But with The Niger State Government Lagos State Governor, depreciation of naira and the implement it if the president the devaluation of naira andplans to immortalise the Babangida on his party, said Mr. Babatunde Fashola, worsening purchasing powers is re-elected.” declined purchasing power, itliterary giant by naming its the death of Gimba was not only yesterday deplored the federal under the federal government becomes necessary to reviewnewly-established University a loss to those closed to him but government’s plan to increase led by the Peoples Democratic He decried the declining the time lime from ve years toof Education after him. to the entire nation and would be duties on imported vehicles by Parties (PDP). value of naira against dollars, 12 years due to the sharp rise remembered for his contribution 35 per cent, noting that such an which he said, was N140 to one in the cost of vehicles. This is Senate President, David Mark, to the literary community in the increase could not be justi ed. At the meeting attended by dollar when his administration the implication of worseningwho was a former military country. thousands of taxi operators initiated the public transport exchange rate.”governor of the state led top The governor urged the taxi across the state, Fashola management system, whichdignitaries including former “Gimba was a real patriot who operators to support the APC lamented that the decision would compel every operators He justi ed the new uniformmilitary president, General Ibrahim would be missed by all Nigerians presidential candidate, Maj.-Gen. of the federal government to to install metres in their licensing system for all taxBabangida, former Head of State, and I therefore prayed thatAllah Muhammadu Buhari, the APC imposed 35 per cent tariff on vehicles in line with global operators in the state, whichGeneral Abdulsalami Abubakar (SWT) grant himAljaina Fridaus governorship candidate, Mr. imported vehicles with a plan best practice. he said, “is in compliance withand the acting Governor of Niger and the family, fortitude to bear Akinwunmi Ambode and all to effect another 35 per cent international best practice. TheState and Speaker of the state the irreparable loss,” Babangida candidates of the opposition soon was unacceptable due to He said the Jonathan new license can serve collateralHouse ofAssembly, Mr.Adamu stated. in the state. what he ascribed to its impact administration “has so much security that can help operatorsUsman to the burial. on transport operators. that Nigeria is facing hard secure loans with ease from ForAbdulsalami, the death of He sought their support at a times. We must send this the banks. The vehicles can TheChiefImamofMinna,Sheik the erudite author was a great lost stakeholders’ meeting with the The governor said the decision administration away. When wear or, but the license cannotAbu Fari led the two rakat prayers to Nigeria and the literary world, state’s taxi and cab operators at of the federal government the APC takes over the depreciate.”at Habibu Shuaibu Hockey stressing that “we are certainly Lagos TV complex, Agidingbi under the administration of government at the centre,Stadium near the deceased going to miss him.” he addressed alongside the President Goodluck Jonathan things will change positively.” Fashola, therefore, askedresidence along Okada Road, governorship candidate of would hinder the transport the taxi operators to observein Minna before the interment Meanwhile the acting governor the APC, Mr. Akinwunmi operators to acquiring recent At this instance, the governor traf c regulations and obtainat the Minna Muslim cemetery. of the state and Speaker of the Ambode and Commissioner vehicles, which he said, could approved a 12-year time limit road worthiness certi cation, assembly, Adamu Usman said for Transportation, Mr. Kayode make them effective. for vehicles the taxi operators violation of which would compel The late author was eulogised Gimba was instrumental to the Opeifa. wanted to purchase for the of cials of Vehicle Inspectionby dignitaries for his commitment various educational developments He added that the federal purpose of commercial Of ce (VIO) and Lagos Stateto service through out his active in the state; from being the The governor said the 35 government had dropped transport under the new public Traf c Management Authorityyears and his dedication to the foundation Implementation per cent tariff increase would the idea “to implement the transport management system. (LASTMA) to enforce traf c lawsdevelopment of literary works Committee Chairman of the state sti e transport operations in the remaining 35 per cent. It only against them.in the country. owned IBB University, Lapai to keeps the idea because elections He said the time limit becoming the first Pro Chancellor “was pegged at ve years The senate president recalled that of the University.he was attracted by the wisdomand brilliant contributions of the He recalled that late Gimba’sGimba in the 80s when he served valuable contribution helpedas military governor of Niger State. in the passa ge of the bill for the establishment of the state He recalled: “When I came University of Education Minna.to Niger State, Gimba was sucha young and brilliant man. It The Speaker added that thedid not take me much time to Gimba would be immortalisedrecognise him. He was a very by the state governmentbrilliant economist, he was suggesting that “it will not bePermanent Secretary Planning out of place if we name theand I moved him to become University of Education after him.”

T H I S D AY FRIDAY FEBRUARY ,

T H I S D AY • FRIday, FebRuaRy 27, 2015FOR THE RECORDProspects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s TransitionMuhammadu Buhari Buhari and the whole world are intensely focussed on world. Also on the bright side, inflation hasPermit me to start by thanking Chatham House d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Mali, this year’s elections, chief of which is that the been kept at single digit for a while and ourfor the invitation to talk about this important Madagascar, Mauritania and Togo. We can elections are holding in the shadow of huge economy has grown at an average of 7% fortopic at this crucial time. When speaking about choose to look at the glass of democracy in security, economic and social uncertainties in about a decade.Nigeria overseas, I normally prefer to be my Africa as either half full or half empty. Africa’s most populous country and largestcountry’s public relations and marketing officer, economy. On insecurity, there is a genuine cause But it is more of paper growth, a growthextolling her virtues and hoping to attract While you can’t have representative for worry, both within and outside Nigeria. that, on account of mismanagement,investments and tourists. But as we all know, democracy without elections, it is equally Apart from the civil war era, at no other time in profligacy and corruption, has not translatedNigeria is now battling with many challenges, important to look at the quality of the elections our history has Nigeria been this insecure. to human development or shared prosperity.and if I refer to them, I do so only to impress and to remember that mere elections do not A development economist once said threeon our friends in the United Kingdom that we democracy make. It is globally agreed that Boko Haram has sadly put Nigeria on the questions should be asked about a country’sare quite aware of our shortcomings and are democracy is not an event, but a journey. And terrorism map, killing more than 13,000 of our development: one, what is happeningdoing our best to address them. that the destination of that journey is democratic nationals, displacing millions internally and to poverty? Two, what is happening to consolidation – that state where democracy has externally, and at a time holding on to portions unemployment? And three, what is happening The 2015 general election in Nigeria is become so rooted and so routine and widely of our territory the size of Belgium. What to inequality?generating a lot of interests within and outside accepted by all actors. has been consistently lacking is the requiredthe country. This is understandable. Nigeria, leadership in our battle against insurgency. I, The answers to these questions in NigeriaAfrica’s most populous country and largest With this important destination in mind, it is as a retired general and a former head of state, show that the current administration haseconomy, is at a defining moment, a moment clear that though many African countries now have always known about our soldiers: they created two economies in one country, a sorrythat has great implications beyond the hold regular elections, very few of them have are capable, well trained, patriotic, brave and tale of two nations: one economy for a few whodemocratic project and beyond the borders of consolidated the practice of democracy. It is always ready to do their duty in the service of have so much in their tiny island of prosperity;my dear country. important to also state at this point that just as our country. and the other economy for the many who have with elections, a consolidated democracy cannot so little in their vast ocean of misery. So let me say upfront that the global interest be an end by itself. I will argue that it is not You all can bear witness to the gallant rolein Nigeria’s landmark election is not misplaced enough to hold a series of elections or even to of our military in Burma, the Democratic Even by official figures, 33.1% of Nigeriansat all and indeed should be commended; for peacefully alternate power among parties. Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, live in extreme poverty. That’s almost 60this is an election that has serious import for the Darfur and in many other peacekeeping million, almost the population of the Unitedworld. I urge the international community to It is much more important that the promise operations in several parts of the world. But Kingdom. There is also the unemploymentcontinue to focus on Nigeria at this very critical of democracy goes beyond just allowing people in the matter of this insurgency, our soldiers crisis simmering beneath the surface, ready tomoment. Given increasing global linkages, it to freely choose their leaders. It is much more have neither received the necessary support nor explode at the slightest stress, with officiallyis in our collective interests that the postponed important that democracy should deliver the required incentives to tackle this problem. 23.9% of our adult population and almost 60%elections should hold on the rescheduled on the promise of choice, of freedoms, of The government has also failed in any effort of our youth unemployed. We also have one ofdates; that they should be free and fair; that security of lives and property, of transparency towards a multi-dimensional response to the highest rates of inequalities in the world.their outcomes should be respected by all and accountability, of rule of law, of good this problem leading to a situation in whichparties; and that any form of extension, under governance and of shared prosperity. It is very we have now become dependent on our With all these, it is not surprising thatwhichever guise, is unconstitutional and will important that the promise embedded in the neighbours to come to our rescue. our performance on most governance andnot be tolerated. concept of democracy, the promise of a better development indicators (like Mo Ibrahim Index life for the generality of the people, is not Let me assure you that if I am elected on African Governance and UNDP’s Human With the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the delivered in the breach. president, the world will have no cause to Development Index.) are unflattering. With thedissolution of the USSR in 1991, the collapse worry about Nigeria as it has had to recently; fall in the prices of oil, which accounts for moreof communism and the end of the Cold War, Now, let me quickly turn to Nigeria. As you that Nigeria will return to its stabilising role than 70% of government revenues, and lack ofdemocracy became the dominant and most all know, Nigeria’s fourth republic is in its 16th in West Africa; and that no inch of Nigerian savings from more than a decade of oil boom,preferred system of government across the year and this general election will be the fifth territory will ever be lost to the enemy because the poor will be disproportionately impacted.globe. That global transition has been aptly in a row. This is a major sign of progress for we will pay special attention to the welfarecaptured as the triumph of democracy and the us, given that our first republic lasted five years of our soldiers in and out of service, we will In the face of dwindling revenues, a good‘most pre-eminent political idea of our time’. On and three months, the second republic ended give them adequate and modern arms and place to start the repositioning of Nigeria’sa personal note, the phased end of the USSR after four years and two months and the third ammunitions to work with, we will improve economy is to swiftly tackle two ills that havewas a turning point for me. It convinced me republic was a still-birth. However, longevity intelligence gathering and border controls to ballooned under the present administration:that change can be brought about without firing is not the only reason why everyone is so choke Boko Haram’s financial and equipment waste and corruption. And in doing this, Ia single shot. interested in this election. channels, we will be tough on terrorism will, if elected, lead the way, with the force of and tough on its root causes by initiating a personal example. As you all know, I had been a military head The major difference this time around is that comprehensive economic development plan,of state in Nigeria for 20 months. We intervened for the very first time since transition to civil promoting infrastructural development, job On corruption, there will be no confusionbecause we were unhappy with the state of rule in 1999, the ruling Peoples Democratic creation, agriculture and industry in the affected as to where I stand. Corruption will have noaffairs in our country. We wanted to arrest Party (PDP) is facing its stiffest opposition so far areas. We will always act on time and not place and the corrupt will not be appointedthe drift. Driven by patriotism, influenced by from our party, the All Progressives Congress allow problems to irresponsibly fester, and I, into my administration. First and foremost, wethe prevalence and popularity of such drastic (APC). We once had about 50 political parties, Muhammadu Buhari, will always lead from the will plug the holes in the budgetary process.measures all over Africa and elsewhere, we but with no real competition. Now Nigeria is front and return Nigeria to its leadership role Revenue producing entities such as NNPC andfought our way to power. But the global transitioning from a dominant party system to in regional and international efforts to combat Customs and Excise will have one set of bookstriumph of democracy has shown that another a competitive electoral polity, which is a major terrorism. only. Their revenues will be publicly disclosedand a preferable path to change is possible. It marker on the road to democratic consolidation. and regularly audited. The institutions of stateis an important lesson I have carried with me As you know, peaceful alternation of power On the economy, the fall in prices of oil has dedicated to fighting corruption will be givensince, and a lesson that is not lost on the African through competitive elections have happened brought our economic and social stress into independence and prosecutorial authoritycontinent. in Ghana, Senegal, Malawi and Mauritius full relief. After the rebasing exercise in April without political interference. in recent times. The prospects of democratic 2014, Nigeria overtook South Africa as Africa’s In the last two decades, democracy has consolidation in Africa will be further largest economy. Our GDP is now valued at But I must emphasise that any war wagedgrown strong roots in Africa. Elections, once brightened when that eventually happens in $510 billion and our economy rated 26th in the on corruption should not be misconstrued asso rare, are now so commonplace. As at the Nigeria. settling old scores or a witch-hunt. I’m runningtime I was a military head of state between for President to lead Nigeria to prosperity and1983 and 1985, only four African countries held But there are other reasons why Nigerians not adversity.regular multi-party elections. But the numberof electoral democracies in Africa, according to In reforming the economy, we will useFreedom House, jumped to 10 in 1992/1993 savings that arise from blocking these leakagesthen to 18 in 1994/1995 and to 24 in 2005/2006. and the proceeds recovered from corruption toAccording to the New York Times, 42 of the fund our party’s social investments programmes48 countries in sub-Saharan Africa conducted in education, health, and safety nets such as freemulti-party elections between 1990 and 2002. school meals for children, emergency public works for unemployed youth and pensions for The newspaper also reported that between the elderly.2000 and 2002, ruling parties in four Africancountries (Senegal, Mauritius, Ghana and Mali) As a progressive party, we must reformpeacefully handed over power to victorious our political economy to unleash the pent-upopposition parties. In addition, the proportion ingenuity and productivity of the Nigerianof African countries categorised as not free people thus freeing them from the curseby Freedom House declined from 59% in of poverty. We will run a private sector-led1983 to 35% in 2003. Without doubt, Africa economy but maintain an active role forhas been part of the current global wave of government through strong regulatory oversightdemocratisation. and deliberate interventions and incentives to diversify the base of our economy, strengthen But the growth of democracy on the productive sectors, improve the productivecontinent has been uneven. According to capacities of our people and create jobs for ourFreedom House, the number of electoral teeming youths.democracies in Africa slipped from 24 in2007/2008 to 19 in 2011/2012; while the In short, we will run a functional economypercentage of countries categorised as ‘not driven by a worldview that sees growth not asfree’ assuming for the sake of argument that an end by itself, but as a tool to create a societywe accept their definition of “free” increased that works for all, rich and poor alike. On Marchfrom 35% in 2003 to 41% in 2013. Also, there 28, Nigeria has a decision to make. To vote forhave been some reversals at different times in the continuity of failure or to elect progressiveBurkina Faso, Central African Republic, Cote change. I believe the people will choose wisely. • Buhari, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), delivered this speech at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, London

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COMMENT T H I S D AY •FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 Editor, Editorial Page PEtER IshAkA Email [email protected] FROM MANAGERTO LEADERI Abdul-WareesSolankepaystributetoVON’sdirectorgeneral,AbubakarJijiwa,after22yearsofmeritoriousservicen a few days, the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Nigeria (BON), the umbrella of all public and private broadcastingAbubakar Bobboyi Jijiwa, will be 22 years in the service of the services in the country. Four of these eight years, he also used toVoice of Nigeria (VON) and 10 years as its director general. etch Nigeria’s name on the Commonwealth Broadcasting Associa-Statutorily therefore, he will bow out from VON, an epoch tion hall of fame as he was elected its president in 2006 in the Indiandeserving some sober re ection. capital, New Delhi for a two-year term, and securing another CBAIn December last year, he similarly relinquished the mandate in the Caribbean nation of the Bahamas in 2008.chairmanship of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria which he Since relinquishing the CBA presidency in 2010, Jijiwa has dedi-also led since 2004. His services as DG VON and Chairman BON cated himself to providing leadership in public service broadcastinghad yielded huge dividends in the Nigerian broadcasting industry globally as he is regularly invited to public service broadcastingwhere players are more united, new grounds broken and talents forum worldwide as a lead speaker, authority and resource person.nurtured due to his visionary and managerial disposition. Whenever He has used broadcasting to con rm Nigeria’s eminence in allthere is an opportunity for assessment of his predecessors, Jijiwa regions of the world: Asia and the Paci c, the Americas, Australia,always give them credit for providing the platform for his own Europe and here in Africa He is enriching broadcasting for Nigeria.achievements. All of them excelled within the circumstances they He is mentoring a lot of leaders and managers in the Nigerianfound themselves, he would always say. public service broadcasting rmament. He is contributing to theJijiwa came to VON in March 1993 from the News Agency of growth and development of the Nigerian public information sector.Nigeria where he was the Assistant General Manager (Enterprises). The greatest bene ciary of course is the Voice of Nigeria whichHis sojourn in the federal government established media actually he has provided the leverage for global network and partnership,began at the Kaduna based-New Nigerian, where although he was affording the staff of the corporation tremendous learning andemployed as a senior accountant, was drafted to the editorial board development opportunities in countries like Germany, France, theas a special correspondent because of his air for writing and had Netherlands, the United States, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa,indeed been a regular contributor in the New Nigerian since his Indonesia, Egypt, Angola, etc. Name the country and you areuniversity days at the University of Maiduguri. likely to nd a VON staff studying or working or participatingImpressed by the brilliance and lucidity of his writings, the New in international conference, workshop or seminar on broadcastingNigerian management felt it would be an under-utilisation of talent there. Jijiwa facilitated these. This writer is a bene ciary in winningconsigning him to merely poring over cold gures instead of giving a Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Scholarship to pursuehim the platform and the space on the pages to churn words and graduate studies in Public Policy and Administration at Bruneiideas to in uence opinion. Since New Nigerian in 1984, Jijiwa Darussalam’s premier university in Bandar Seri Begawawan.has not looked back in providing leadership in the mass media, From Jijiwa in VON in the past 22 years are so many lessonsreturning home brie y the invitation of then Gongola State govern- in leadership, service, comradeship, compassion and integrity. Hement to serve as Secretary to the Fufor Local Government. After readily gives credit to whom it is due, acknowledging every littlecompleting the assignment he returned to New Nigerian and shortly effort of staff, colleagues and superior. Ask his predecessors inafter in 1988, he picked an appointment with the News Agency of of ce, Mallam Yaya Abubakar and Aremo Taiwo Allimi. They areNigeria as Acting Chief Accountant, a position he held until 1989 always full of superlatives in describing Jijiwa as a team player. Ayowhen he was invited by his home government, Gongola to lead the Sulaiman, Ben Egbuna, Kabir Muhammed Ahmed, Timothy Gyang,state-owned radio station, Gongola Broadcasting Corporation. In Sola Tijani, Okey Nwachukwu, Margaret Obanya, Frank Ilogu andless than four years of heading GBC, later Adamawa Broadcasting others who worked with him on the VON Board of ManagementCorporation, Jijiwa turned around the fortunes of the local radio consider him a gift in leadership and Management of humanstation to an enviable one. ABC which had no permanent site resources. Jijiwa’s uncommon leadership qualities and humility areand transmitting station, built one under Jijiwa. Then Jijiwa as the to be traced to his humble background in rustic Fufore, via Yola,General Manager had been designated Director General and sole Adamawa State, the grace he has enjoyed in his growing up years,administrator of the corporation. But he was soon back at NAN the men of eminence he had served and the challenges imposedas AGM enterprises in 1992 and in March 1993, he joined Voice of on him by his community which nd him worthy of the title ofNigeria as Director Finance and Supplies. But in-between his service Sardaunan Ribadu, a traditional title of prime ministerial status inin VON, he had the privilege of being invited home to serve as the Ribadu District of the Adamawa Emirate. But the most eminent isAdamawa State commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and the national honour he was conferred with by President GoodluckFinance. Jonathan in 2010. He was honoured with Member, Federal Republic This rich experience Jijiwa placed at the service of VON when he JIJIWA HAS DEDICATED HIMSELF TO (MFR). Successive Ministers of Information since 2005 found Jijiwa PROVIDING LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC SERVICE an asset in the information ministry under which VON falls as areturned from his leave of absence and assumed of ce as Director, BROADCASTING GLOBALLY AS HE IS parastatal. His colleagues regard him highly just as he respects allAdministration and Finance of the Corporation under Aremo Taiwo REGULARLY INVITED TO PUBLIC SERVICE immensely.Allimi in 1999. Being the most senior director in VON when Aremo BROADCASTING FORUM WORLDWIDEAllimi completed his single term in 2004, this rich experience also As he bows out of VON, Jijiwa, established as a Gamji, would berecommended him to the post of acting director general. Again, leaving behind a worthy national heritage. Jijiwa continues in servicethis experience facilitated his con rmation as the substantive DG in AS A LEAD SPEAKER, AUTHORITY AND of Nigeria as he returns to his primary constituency, accounting.March 2005 and secured him a reappointment in 2010. RESOURCE PERSON. HE HAS USED One unique feature of Sardaunan Ribadu is his limitless patience, BROADCASTING TO CONFIRM NIGERIA’S confounding belief in destiny and unusual spirit of sacri ce. As DG VON since the past eight years, Jijiwa has used this EMINENCE IN ALL REGIONS OF THE WORLD Solanke is head, VON Training Centreexperience to pilot the affairs of the Broadcasting organisations ofWANTED: A PRESIDENT WITH‘BALLS’ Adeolu Durotoyelists therequirements expectedofanew presidentNigeria is in search of a new president. The ideal candi- governors of his home region. While in to support developmental initiatives of the to insurgency. Also like De Gaulle, he must date must possess leadership of ce, his signi cant other must not accept states irrespective of the party in control in a initiate “Politics of Grandeur” by ensuring qualities of admirable propor- any dubious civil service position in his particular state. that his country-a perceived major power tions. He must be sharp and home state. in the region, does not rely on other smaller quick-witted to know what He must be committed to electoral time- countries in the sub-region for its nationalactions to take in the midst of contradictory He must know that presidency is a serious table during his time in of ce even when he security. Like De Gaulle who was not afraidproposals, not a president that will be caged business and must give it all it takes - it is is not sure of the outcome of the electoral of life after of ce and resigned in 1969 afterby political jobbers who go by the appellate a matter of service and one that must be exercise. He must not be a fan of Laurent losing a referendum, he must be ready toof “advisers”. To be sure, his intelligence carried out with diligence, integrity and Gbagbo, who repeatedly shifted presidential call it quits in the event that he no longerquotient must be very high. He must be able seriousness. He must be driven by collective elections in his country until he was sure of commands the con dence of the electorate.to navigate through many suggestions and good rather than personal self-gain. victory. Rather, he must emulate the likes ofmake decisions without getting confused. He Nelson Mandela, who voluntarily left power. He must display the boldness and fearless-must not surround himself with sycophants He must see no alternative to diligence ness of Winston Churchill who led Britainand political manipulators. and hard-work and must know that renewal This is a unique time in the history of as Prime Minister until victory over Nazi of his tenure will be based on positive public our nation. The country in question needs a Germany was secured in the 2nd World War, He must have a clear understanding of the assessment of his performance and not courageous, bold, and fearless leader. Hence, and left of ce following the defeat of hismeaning of corruption and his body lan- predicated on primordial sentiments of preference will be given to a candidate with party soon after in 1945 but became Primeguage and statements must be intolerant of nepotism, religion or god-fatherism. He must clear understanding of military strategies. Minister again in 1951.same. He must be transparency personi ed. be conscious of the fact that for every leader He must have the political will to confrontHe must not have tendency for bellicose anywhere in the world, there is a record. insurgents and take them out just like Barack Finally, he must be committed to change.attitude to due process. This record usually contains the deeds Obama did Osama Bin Laden. His mentors He must be sold out to uninterrupted power and misdeeds of the leader which will be should be the likes of Charles De Gaulle and supply, internal security, affordable health- He must possess extraordinary memory. If brought to public scrutiny and reckoning Winston Churchill. care, free education, diversi ed economy,he promises and does not deliver, he must sooner or later. unequivocal commitment to transparency,be bold enough to admit his failures and opt It should be noted that when the Algerian ef cient air, sea, rail and land transportation,out. He must exude leadership by a display He must not be given to “gunboat war was ripping apart the French Fourth and above all, preservation of a secular state.of sterling qualities and must remain reliable, politics”-a practice whereby perceived Republic, the National Assembly broughtdependable and contented while in of ce.e political opponents are intimidated by heavy De Gaulle back to power during the May Please note that nal determination of military and police presence around their 1958 crisis. De Gaulle founded the Fifth the successful candidate will be made by all He must be able to put his signi cant abodes. Republic and managed to keep France quali ed stakeholders known as registeredother in check and must ensure that there is together and took steps to end the war. voters on March 28, 2015.no clash between her spouse and the state He must be prepared to encourage Just like De Gaulle, he must understand Durotoye is a journalist and Professor of devolution of powers to make the centre counter-insurgency strategies to bring an end Political Science less attractive. Besides, he must be prepared

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 EDITORIAL WATERAND SANITATION The authorities should invest in provision of potable water to save livesA gainst the background that the United Nations General As- to have a road map”, says Timeyin Uwejamomere, sembly has recognised drinking one time acting country representative for Water water and sanitation as human Aid,“it’s about making what is written in that rights, meaning that everyone document happen. It is about planning and action must have access to both, implementation. That is what we are lacking in WaterAid Nigeria has called Nigeria.” on the federal government toaddress water and sanitation issues in the country Perhaps even more ironical and confound-to curb deaths among children. It is a given that ing is the steady decline in budgetarywithout water, sanitation and hygiene, it is dif cult, allocations to water and sanitation in the country. In 2010, for instance, the federalif not impossible, to have sustainable development. government allocated N112 billion to the sector.According to Dr Michael Ojo, the WaterAid This was slashed by almost 50 per cent in the 2011Country Representative, the high mortality rate budget to N62 billion and slashed even further inof children under ve from water-related cases is subsequent budgets, including the current one. Yet“scandalous’’, adding that there was need to reverse water is key to life and as Ban Ki–moon, the Unitedcurrent statistics of infant deaths arising from Nations Secretary General described it, “a vital tooldiarrhoea and water-borne diseases in the country. for improving the lives of millions of the poorest“There is no bigger issue for me than the issue of the people.” Indeed, potable water and improvedcrisis of lack of water, sanitation and hygiene in our sanitation services are veri able measures forcountry today; diarrhoea is the biggest second killer ghting poverty and diseases. But in the absenceof our young children. Every year in this country, of water from piped supplies and protected wells,100,000 children under ve die directly linked millions of Nigerians living in both rural and urbanto lack of water, sanitation and hygiene; that is a T H I S DAY areas consume what is available. EDITOR IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU scandal. We forget DEPUTY EDITORS EDDY ODIvWRI, ROLAND OGBONNAYA The real worry is not that we have this challengePOTABLE WATER AND to understand that MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO but that the authorities are downplaying the gravityIMPROVED SANITATION these are mothers DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR KAYODE KOMOLAFE of the situation. In many rural communities theSERVICES ARE VERIFIABLE losing a child or CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI challenge is critical as women and children trekMEASURES FOR FIGHTING children; these are long distances to fetch water from streams andPOVERTY AND DISEASES children with names ponds, some of which are contaminated. Even in that are dying every the so-called modern cities like Lagos, and Abuja,day from water-related diseases,’’ he noted. the federal capital, a large proportion of people have We recall that when President Goodluck Jonathan T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D no access to drinking water and as the joint WHO/launched the water road map in January 2011, he EDITOR IN CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA UNICEF observed, many often resort to using anyannounced some “quick measures to accelerate GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLABELLO,KAYODEKOMOLAFE,ISRAELIWEGBU available space as convenience. For those who canwater coverage” and released some intervention afford it, boreholes are indiscriminately dug. Butfunds for some projects: drilling of motorised GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR OLUFEMIABOROWA that too constitutes its own problems as it under-borehole in each of the 109 senatorial districts of the DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI, mines the water table and threatens future supply ofcountry, rehabilitation of 1000 hand pump boreholes the commodity. ‘GBAYODE SOMUYIWA ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PETER IWEGBU, FIDELIS ELEMA GENERAL MANAGER PATRIcK EIMIUHI GROUP HEAD FEMI TOLUFASHE ART DIRECTOR OcHI OGBUAKU II TECHNICAL DIRECTOR OJOGUNvIcTORDANBOYIin 18 states and installation of some special treat- DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION cHUKS ONWUDINJO It is a shame that our country cannot providement plants, and completing all abandoned water GENERAL COUNSEL cHINWE IzEGBU (NATION’S cAPITAL) safe water for a vast majority of its citizens. Weprojects. As little as they are, many of these short therefore call on governments, at all levels, to invest DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY SUNMI SMART-cOLEterm measures have not been met. “It is not enough TO SEND EMAIL: first [email protected] more in the provision of water to save lives.Le ers to the Editor Letters in response to specific publications inTHISDATYOsOhUouRldRbEeAbDrEieRfS(150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested roepaindieornssmonaytospeincdalslouccahll,entatteiorsnaalloanngdwinittehrtnhaetiirocnoanlitsascutedseptraoilvsidtoedopthineyioanr@ewtehlil-swdraiyttleivnea.cnodmsh.Woueldaalslsoowneoltcboemloencgoemrtmheannt(9s a5n0d- 1000 words). They should be sent to [email protected] along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer. NIGERIA AT A CROSSROADSolitical desperadoes are heating up Nigeria with their The APC apparatchik erred greatly in their choice of a presidential candidate for the 2015 presidential election. The APC stalwarts acerbic political utterances and divisive actions in the should have given the presidential ticket to a politician who lead-up to the conduct of the 2015 general elections. is younger and more cerebral than General Buhari. Is Buhari Consequently, millions of Nigerians fear that Nigeria technologically and internet savvy? What is his take on the slumpPwill be engulfed in a civil war soon after the conduct the leadership of Nigeria is their birthright. Their possession of this on oil prices and our mono-economy? But Buhari’s saving grace is mindset is the reason for their continued agitation for power shift to the North. So our choice of national leader is predicated on the factors of geography, ethnicity, and religion. So, can General Buhari, who is touted to win the upcomingof the 2015 general elections given the happenings in presidential poll, garner enough majority votes to win theour political polity and the incendiary utterances of our political presidential election? Some political parties coalesced to form All his incorruptible nature as well as Spartan lifestyle. But can he ghtgladiators. But is war looming over Nigeria? Will America’s Progressives Congress (APC) on whose platform Buhari is contest- corruption to a standstill if elected our civilian president when heprediction regarding the disintegration of Nigeria come to physical ing the presidential election. The APC, no doubt, is a mega party will be surrounded a thieving political cabal? APC is peopled bymanifestation? I can hear the drum-beats of war that are beaten by with a large following. It has achieved impressive electoral results disgruntled and unscrupulous former Peoples Democratic PartyNigerian politicians. in the South-west in the recent past. And, the Northern Muslims (PDP) members. Are those political reprobates true democrats andNo general elections conducted in Nigeria in the fourth Republic are routing for the political candidature of Buhari. Unlike in the progressives? APC and PDP are Siamese twins; they are muchhad generated so much tension as the forthcoming 2015 general past, Buhari stands a chance of winning the presidential election of the same. They possess the same grotesque characteristics. Theelections. Now Nigeria is an ethnically and religiously divided in March 2015. Are such great political tacticians and strategists as members of both parties are cursed and af icted with incurablecountry that is searching for a competent and patriotic national Bola Tinubu, Odigie-Oyegun, Lai Mohammed, and some northern kleptomania and political myopia. Since the inception of the fourthleader. But this upcoming presidential election has brought our politicians not backing Buhari for the presidential race? republic, the PDP leviathan has been in our political leadershipethnic and religious division to the fore. It is a common knowledge But does General Buhari represent the change we desire in saddle. But has the PDP leadership of Nigeria transformed Nigeriathat Nigerians are deeply conscious of their ethnic backgrounds and Nigeria? He has anti-democratic credentials, which besmirched and to a paradise? Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who ruled Nigeria betweenheritage and religious af liations. This does not make for peace and sullied his reputation. It is on record that he used retroactive laws to 1999 and 2007, frittered away the opportunity given to him toprogress in a country. murder people in the past. And during his rulership of Nigeria as a transform Nigeria to a great country. He sank billions of naira intoGeneral Muhammadu Buhari and President Goodluck Jonathan military dictator he manifested ethnic and religious bias by clamping the power sector, yet energy crisis did not abate during his tenure.are the frontrunners in the Nigeria’s 2015 presidential election. Dr Alex Ekwueme, Jim Nwobodo, Ambrose Ali, and others into jail He used EFCC and ICPC, the anti-economic crime preventionMillions of Nigerians who come from diverse ethnic and religious while he treated Alhaji Shehu Shagari and his ethnic compatriots agencies to witch hunt his political foes. And his third term gambitbackgrounds have queued up behind either of the duo because their with lenience. He suspended Nigeria’s constitution and used was scuttled by the vigilant Nigerian political class. His successor,preferred presidential candidate hails from the same area as they. draconian decrees to rule Nigeria during his stay in of ce as military Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua, would have performed well as ourThe South-south people would like their son, President Jonathan, dictator. But has Buhari transformed to a democrat? And has he president had he not died in power given his personal qualities.to do another term in of ce. And the Northern people believe that lived down his un attering past? Chiedu Uche Okoye, Uruowulu-Obosi Anambra State

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY ,POLITICS Group Politics Editor Olawale Olaleye Email [email protected] SMS ONLYAnenihP Hasn’t BeenE R S O N A L I T Y F O C U S SilentShola Oyeyipo writes that though the Chairman of the Peoples Demo-cratic Party Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, doesn’t say much, hehas been working behind the scenes to ensure victory for the ruling partyDespite the fact the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been Anenih…working behind the scene through a very stormy period in recent past, the voice of one the PDP BoT chairman, a position he occupied to occupy the exalted of ce. performs well at the forthcoming election. He man, the Board of Trustees (BoT) until 2007 before he was ousted. Recently, during a rally held in Uromi, the is still making frantic-covert efforts to get somechairman of the party, Chief Tony Anenih, useful supports for the party and he is one ofwho has been working tirelessly to stabilise When he was picking the PDP BoT chairman- headquarters of Esan North-east local government the party leaders yet to give up on the possibilitythe party and ensure that it records victory ship, Anenih had re-af rmed his alias as ‘Mr. area, he implored Nigerians not to be deceived of peaceful resolution of the crisis in the PDP.in the coming election, has not been so much Fix it’ when he stated that with his ascension that President Goodluck Jonathan will not winin the public arena. to the position, “PDP is on the move again and his re-election in the next month presidential Anenih has also continued with massive cannot be stopped by any merger of political election. Also, recently, he called on the North unannounced philanthropic empowerment of The PDP BoT, which Anenih leads, could be parties.” and the South-south to strengthen their age- Nigerians and some institutions and some ofdescribed as the conscience of the party and it long political alliance by voting massively for these things come handy during elections. Incomprises elders, men and women of integrity, He later described the merger of some politi- President Jonathan. all estimations, Anenih is not an underdog. Hehonour and experience, who direct the state cal parties in the country as a pack of “weak is a dexterous political tactician who is surelyof affairs of the party as members. blocks” that cannot construct an enduring edi ce, When former president Obasanjo decided to now on a drawing board, mapping out ways stressing that the “APC is not a threat to PDP. exit from the party by tearing his membership of escape for his party. Ordinarily, Anenih is rare breed of politician We never had a strong opposition. Let us see card in a manner that was to embarrass thewho is not given to the rhetoric of cheap media how strong APC will be.” PDP, Anenih was quick to state categorically Way back, during his days as a young policepublicity about his activities. He is also known that his decision to leave is not a loss to PDP. of cer in Auchi, his colleagues regarded histo be extremely meticulous in handling issues The octogenarian has never been shaky about He stated the former president would not be reticence and in an article marking his 79 yearsand he is a problem solver and that is perhaps his conviction that when eventually conducted, missed. birthday, one of them was quoted as sayingwhy he is known with the alias, ‘Mr. Fix It.’ President Jonathan would come out victorious that “You only hear his voice when it was timeAnd he is still xing things. from the presidential election. He has always Before now, he had disagreed with those for operations.” described him as the best among those seeking castigating President Jonathan over the growing Long before now, Anenih has remained spate of insecurity because according to him, One would recall his days as nationalcommitted to the success of the PDP, especially As at today, Anenih is “no president could have performed better chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)the re-election of President Goodluck and as optimistic of victory for within the boundaries of the law than Jonathan - between 1992 and 1993, when he engineeredsuch, some few months back, the PDP stalwart President Jonathan, but had done in handling the insurgency in the the internationally acclaimed and transparenttook it on himself to contribute to the positive how much his deftness North-east,” arguing further that the president presidential victory of late Chief M.K.O Abiolamodi cation of the media and public perception will help the PDP would could not have picked up a ri e and go to in the historic elections later known as ‘Juneof President Goodluck Jonathan. only be seen after the Sambisa forest in search of the abducted girls. 12, 1993.’ most talked about 2015 Though never an event designed for public general elections are Late last year, he occupied himself in uniting Either you love him or not, Anenih is aconsumption or personal aggrandisement, at conducted the party at the state levels. He visited Kaduna political mega force you cannot shove asideregular intervals, he hosted notable journalists State with a mission to unite all interests within in strategies. He is renowned political plannerduring when he informed them about the true the party. He was also at Kebbi to settle their and the mobilisation expert that produced theposition of things in the PDP. He also used such disputes in the interest of the party and there victories for the PDP in 1999 and also in 2003occasion to update journalists about a number he addressed party leaders, members of the when former presidential Obasanjo nearly lostof the unsung achievements of the Jonathan-led National Assembly and stakeholders in Birnin out to the scheming of another PDM stalwart,administration. It was also a feedback mechanism Kebbi on ways of ensuring victory for the PDP Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.for him to update himself on public perception in the state. He has been to several other parts ofof President Jonathan. the country on peace and reconciliation mission. As at today, Anenih is optimistic of victory for President Jonathan, but how much his deftness Though he does a number of other strategic While he is not announcing his exploits, it will help the PDP would only be seen afterthings to reposition the PDP ahead of the general is germane to underscore the fact that he has the most talked about 2015 general electionselections, he talks rather sparingly but truthfully, not rested on his oars in ensuring that the PDP are conducted.irrespective of whose ox is gored. The mainthing that could be said to have been heardfrom him, before is recent interjection on thedecision of his predecessor, former presidentOlusegun Obasanjo to leave the party, was whenhe said the ve aggrieved PDP governors hadgenuine grievances and later when he expresseddisappointment at their decision to eventuallyquit the party. Anenih, being who is, must have said whathe said back then as his ‘fatherly’ contribution tonipping the crisis that later rattled the PDP at thebud, but it didn’t seem to work as the adamantPDP governors and a number of lawmakersloyal to them have remained in the oppositionAll Progressives Congress (APC) ever since. After four of the main opposition parties; theAction Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congressfor Progressives Change (CPC), All NigerianPeoples Party (ANPP) and a part of the AllProgressives Grand Alliance (APGA) coalescedtheir party structures to give birth to the APC,which is considered as the strongest oppositionever in Nigeria, Anenih has called for cautionon the part of his party and has also repeatedlysaid that the APC poses no threat to the PDP. In one of his homilies to his party, Anenih wasquoted as saying: “We must not live under theillusion that our party is invulnerable. Although,the existing opposition parties are still too small,fragile and sectional, we must not ignore thepossibility that a merger of these parties mayconstitute a threat to our current dominanceof the political terrain. We cannot afford to becomplacent. We must expect any eventualityand prepare to overcome them.” And that is exactly what the political tacticianhas been doing since when he was elected as

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY , PERSPECTIVEPOLITICSPostponement Fever Hits LagosBimbo Ajibowu writes that the All Progressives Congress governorship candi-date in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode’s reaction to the postponement ofthe elections to March, did not show concern for Lagosians who would not havevoted had the elections been held as originally scheduledT he way the ag bearers of the Ambode no PVCs and INEC said it was ready on the wrong side of reason. Is that two political parties contesting governor of the state. before the postponement. expected of a SAN and someone cam- for the governorship seat in paigning for continuity of his policy and Lagos State have reacted to the This is of course a credible next level The same Fashola went on to condemn that of his party, the APC? Certainly postponement of the elections of governorship that makes change a the postponement of an election which not! And the electorate in Lagos Statefrom February 28 to April 11 has been reality from the continuity of the dummy would have made a mockery of democ- should just tell these APC people, theirquite interesting in that it has inadver- dull governance style of Raji Fashola racy in Lagos State. The big worry is leaders and accomplices to go to blazestently shown the way and manner they who initially, rightly raised alarm over that there could have been a conspiracy on April 11 and elect Jimi Agbaje of thehave prepared for the election. the PVC issue, shouting that he did between INEC and APC to rig the PDP as their next governor of Lagos not have his PVC and would not take February elections. State. It has also betrayed the con dence it till Lagos State citizens have beenthey have in themselves and the nature fairly treated on the issue. Yet, a date Otherwise there was no reason •Ajibowu, a public commentator,of that. While the mood of the All to the INEC deadline, he sneaked in to for the APC incumbent governor to writes from LagosProgressives Congress (APC) candidate, take his PVC and later condemned the be blowing hot and cold over the APCMr. Akinwunmi Ambode re ected that postponement when almost 60 per cent registration issue, only to cool downof the APC at the centre, that of Jimi of registered voters in Lagos still haveAgbaje, the PDP candidate was that ofequanimity and concern for the unfortu-nate Lagos electorate, about two thirdsof which would not have voted hadthe election gone on, on INEC’s wordand assurance that it was ready for theFebruary 14 and 28 elections. One does not need to say show meyour friends and I will tell you whoyou are to read Akin Ambode’s bodylanguage on the postponement. He wasdevastated. Of course, his reaction wasnot original because he was picked as alackey. He was therefore expected to re ectthe wish of the centre which in thiscase is the reaction of the godfatherat Bourdillon whose ambition to seizeAbuja had been truncated on the altarof the Christian ticket that stopped hisambition of being the number two forthe APC at Aso Rock. Nevertheless, the poison for thegodfather’s ambition in Abuja was themeal ticket on which Akin Ambode hadbene tted in terms of his emergence asthe next Christian APC governorshipcandidate in the coming Lagos Stateelections. Did I hear someone say one man’sfood is another man’s poison? That wasthe way to see Akin Ambode’s reactionof disappointment on the postponementof the elections by INEC. The APC at the centre protested thepostponement mightily and yet, LagosState had been greatly cheated byINEC’s statistics, saying the ‘brilliant’electoral body was ready whereasINEC’s gures showed that 38 % ofregistered voters in Lagos had PVCswhen INEC said it was ready for theelections. The APC at the centre condemned thepostponement as its national ag bearercalled it a coup by the governmentagainst the Nigerian people. But thiswas an election which if it had heldwould have had Katsina, the home stateof the APC ag bearer having the PVCpercentage of registered voters doublethat of Lagos State. It would have hadBorno State where the Boko Haram hasdeclared caliphates and murdered Emirshaving a percentage of registered votersdouble that of Lagos, mega city andcommercial capital of Obodo Nigeria inwhich there is no war or insurgency. Yet, the APC that Akin Ambode rep-resents in the governorship contests ofApril 11 said the election of February 14and 28 should have gone on. Certainly,the APC and Akin Ambode do not havethe interest, welfare and voting rights ofthe people of Lagos at heart and shouldbe voted massively out at the April 11governorship election in the state on thataccount alone. That makes the candidacy of JimiAgbaje the unassailable alternative forLagosians in Lagos State as they troopout to vote on April 11 for their next

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY ,POLITICS OFF THE TURFPlaying Football Frees Ikpeazu from StressThe governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State, Dr. Victor OkezieIkpeazu, plays the round leather game as his perfect pastime, Anayo Okolie writesIt is well known that politics is a Sunday for play. skilled and proven executors which will University College of Basic Medical Sciences very serious business, especially in “Another thing I like doing is elevating complement the energy of our population. between 2000 and 2002. Between 2003 and Nigeria where anyone who chooses it 2004, he was a Masters’ Degree External as occupation nds it very dif cult to the quality of life of Abians but as the PDP “We will also transform the businesses of Examiner, to the Department of Biochemistry, curtail the pressure of that vocation. governorship candidate in Abia, my vision our very enterprising and skilled populace University of Nigeria. However, the Abia State Peoples Democratic is to make the state the premier destination to achieve scale and world class appeal. ThatParty (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr. in Nigeria, West and Central Africa; for way ‘Made in Aba’ will become something to In 2002, Ikpeazu served as the TransitionOkezie Chibuikem Ikpeazu, has mastered investors, shoppers, workers and tourists. be proud of and not something shoddy. Aba Committee (TC) Chairman of Obingwa lo-the secrets of smoothly playing politics over made products in shoe/ leather, garments cal government area, which was his entrythe years and relaxing himself by burning “Thanks to the efforts of the present and other such sectors will be bought in point into politics. He later served as Specialdown calories by playing the game of soccer administration, Abia State has begun its global retail chains and markets. Adviser to the Governor.in the pitch every Sunday. journey to greatness. The security problems of the past have been sustainably addressed, “We will have wealthy Abians and residents He was thereafter appointed General Ikpeazu, a renowned biochemist, teacher and commendable progress has been made out of these historical areas of strength. Manager, Abia State Passengers Integratedand a highly acknowledged public servant, in the areas of providing basic amenities Young men and women will nish school Manifest and Safety Scheme (ASPIMSS)did not shy away from telling the truth that required to make the lives of Abians safe, and come to our industrial centres to make between 2007 and 2009. During his tenureit has been nearly impossible for him to comfortable and productive.” a good living knowing they will get their in this position, he turned around the fortunesstrike a balance between his hobbies, family of ASPIMSS and made it a revenue yieldingand other engagements, he has therefore He has persistently averred that it is rst car in record time.” agency of government.designed other unique things he does as critical that over the next ve to 10 years, Unarguably, the Abia State governorshippastime when not politicking, part of which “we make the ‘leap’ to realise the potential race won’t be an easy contest but Ikpeazu and In 2010, he was appointed chairman,is to ful ll his religious obligations. of Abia State and enable it take its natural his party are very optimistic that they would Governing Council of Abia State College place as a key growth pillar for Nigeria in carry the day. They bank of the candidate’s of Health Technology, Aba. During his According to him, “I am a very religious particular, and the entire West African sub wealth of experience in the public sector. tenure, he facilitated the accreditation ofperson. I try to go to church every Saturday region in general.” Between 1994 and 1996, he served as three critical courses in the institution byand play football every Sunday morning Administrative Manager with Cash Bond the NBTE.when there is the opportunity,” but the The gubernatorial hopeful said to achieve Investments and Credits Ltd, Lagos. In 1998,truth is that he rarely gets the opportunity his goals; his administration hopes to rely on Ikpeazu joined the services of Enugu State In 2011, he was re-appointed Generalnowadays. the state’s comparative strengths in certain University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Manager, Abia State Passengers Integrated areas, especially by empowering the very as Lecturer 1 in the Department of Applied Manifest and Safety Scheme (ASPIMSS), a “But I accept it because they are transient. resourceful people of the state. Biochemistry, Faculty of Applied Natural position he held till 2013.My wife is campaigning as I am doing Sciences, and rose to Head of Departmentright now. Every member of the family is “The vibrant people of Abia State with their by 2001. He was appointed the rst Deputy Generalinvolved in it now. In future, I will return enterprising spirit, and diligence in labor He was also an Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Manager, Abia State Environmental Protectionto my schedule, Saturday for the family, will remain our core strength and pride. Department of Biochemistry, Ebonyi State Agency (ASEPA) Aba and Environs in June We shall channel this resource by putting 2013, an assignment he discharged to the in place a competent leadership team of admiration of the people.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY , BUSINESSWORLD RATES AS AT FEBRUARY ,NIBOR . MONTH . NITTY . -MONTH . EXCHANGE RATEOVERNIGHT . MONTH . -MONTH N . US DOLLAR* -MONTH . -MONTH . *AS AT LAST FRIDAY MONTH -MONTH . -MONTH . Quick TakesHONOUR WELL DESERVED ArikIntroducesNewDubaiScheduleL-R: Corporate Strategy Associate, Arik Air, Dr. Nnamdi Bolu; Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Michael Arumemi-Ikhide; and Managing Arik Air, West Africa’s largest carrier, has introduced a newDirector, Mr.ChrisNdulue atthe Air Star awards ceremony organised by ArikAir inLagos…recently schedule for its Lagos-Abuja-Dubai route as the airline moves its operations to Terminal at Dubai Airport.Commercial Activities May BreachTravellers’Safety at MMIA ThenewschedulewhichcomesintoeffectonFebruary , guaranteesbe erconnectionswithinNigeria.Furthermore,theChinedu Eze AV I AT I O N rival and departure are now documented by the agency fares to Dubai are now flexible making it possible for passengersPassengers travelling through clustered with cubicles and or other security operatives from any point in Nigeria to pay the same fare as Lagos andthe international terminal and others who work at make shift stalls that have at the airport. Abuja passengers.of the Murtala Muhammed the airside are thoroughly greatly compromised spaceAirport Lagos may be facing screened and issued on-duty and most of those cubicles The of cial said that The days of operation will continue to run as five per weeksecurity and safety challenges cards, THISDAY learnt that are crowded with attendants allowing people to indis- on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.as they now mix with shop due to numerous shops given who sell groundnuts, recharge criminately open shops behindattendants at the airside who out recently there are teeming cards and network providers the screening points of the This new schedule aims to allow passengers to effortlesslymanage the numerous shops numbers of attendants that who canvass for customers. airport exposes the facil- connect to Dubai from major Nigerian cities as it guaranteesconcessioned by the Federal obfuscate normal facilitation ity to unexpected security same day connection in each direction via Lagos and Abuja.Airports Authority of Nigeria process and infringe on “Passengers have started breaches, which is against the(FAAN). security procedures. complaining because the International Civil Aviation The company said guests in Kano, Benin, Gombe, Enugu, Ilorin, whole environment feels Organisation (ICAO) Annexe Port Harcourt and Warri are going to benefit greatly from the According to international THISDAY learnt from unsafe. Every available space 17, which relates with airport new schedule.airport security standards, airport sources that the initial has been taken over by trad- security.passengers who have passed concept behind the recent ers, so passenger comfort has According to Arik Air, all flights will operate using a new Airbusthrough immigration and expansion of the terminal was been relegated,” the source The source disclosed the A - seating passengersonboardwithaconfigurationscreening ought not to mix to enhance easy facilitation said. issue had been presented to of business and economy class seats.with people who are not billed and comfort of passengers, the management of FAANto travel in order to avoid adding that that explained Top security of cial of by the security department SouthwestGrounds PlanesforChecksany exchange of dangerous why there was multiplication FAAN told THISDAY that and expressed the hope thematerial that may nd its of Immigration counters and the agency had noticed shops at the airside would Southwest Airlines has pulled aircra out of service a erway to the aircraft. screening equipment. the security breach by the be closed or relocated. it discovered they were overdue for a required safety check. crowding of the airside Although ground staff “But these expanded ar- by shop attendants whose “This is a matter we have The checks that were missed were of the standby hydraulic pro les were not known or Continued on page 20 system that serves as a back up to the planes’ primary systems.Fitch Af rms Stanbic IBTC’s‘AAA(nga)’ “Once identified, Southwest immediately and voluntarilyRatings removed the affected aircra from service, initiated mainte- nance checks, disclosed the ma er to the FAA, and developed an action plan to complete all overdue checks,” the company said in a statement. Southwest cancelled about flights on Tuesday due to the grounding and was expecting “very minimal impact” to its operations on Wednesday. The FAA approved a proposal that would allow the Dallas- based carrier to continue operating the aircra for a maximum of five days while it completes the checks within the next few days, the airline said. LSScientificOffersTrainingOnChemicals LS Scientific have started the drive to a ain increased level of customersatisfactionandawarenessin byorganisingfree trainings on chemicals and reagent quality to their existing and potential customers in the manufacturing sector. LS Scientific is a leading laboratory solutions provider and a representatives to key international manufacturers such as – VWR, Delagua, Astell, Adam, Haver & Boecker, Euromex, Erlab and Labthink just to mention a few. They render service to customers in the: food & beverage, pharmaceutical, oil & gas, education and research sectors. The company said in a statement that the interactive, two- hour on-site classroom trainings involving key quality assurance, quality control, production and procurement personnel combines video and live demonstrations, sample documentation review, and interesting question and answer sessions. “One key point to note is that these trainings are not imposed on interested companies as they are afforded the flexibility to choose a convenient time based on their own schedule,” the company said. The trainings seek to address very important issues about chemicals, in areas like brand identification, quality awareness, documentation, improved safety, increased awareness on grades ofchemicals,chemicalhandlingand disposal,increasedoptimisa- tion of laboratory and routine analysis using specific chemicals. According to the company, quality assurance and control is essential the sustainance of every manufacturing company. Hence it is living up to its commi ment to being the complete laboratorysolutionsproviderbyorgansingthetrainingprogramme.Obinna Chima BANKING economic conditions and Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mrs. “Those that will bene tGlobal rating agency, Fitch market volatility to persist Sola David-Borha, said the from open skies in AfricaRatings has re-af rmed the nancial commitments as they in Nigeria. ratings re ected the nancial are old airlines thatAAA(nga)’ national ratings fall due. The national rating institution’s strength, strong want to make sure thatof Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc and provides a relative measure However, the rm also leadership and the continued upcoming airlines areStanbic IBTC Holdings Plc. of credit worthiness for rated recognised the continued support of its parent company, frustrated” institutions in Nigeria and strong underlying growth the Standard Bank Group. A statement on Wednesday the AAA national rating is in Nigeria, particularly in the DeputyManagingDirector,described the ratings by assigned to an institution(s) non-oil sector. In arriving at “Stanbic IBTC will continue ArikAirFitch as a testament to the with the lowest relative risk. the rating for Stanbic IBTC to leverage on the rich heritage Captain Ado Sanusi In the ratings release Fitchalso Bank and Stanbic IBTC Hold- and know-how of the Stan- nancial institutions’ strong maintained a stable outlook ings, Fitch took account of the dard Bank Group to build afundamentals and stability. for both Stanbic IBTC Bank strong parental support from strong and reliable nancial and Stanbic IBTC Holdings. Standard Bank Group, which institution that will support The two institutions has a majority 53.2% stake in the developmental goals of thewere also assigned Furthermore, the agency Stanbic IBTC Holdings. economy,” David-Borha said.‘F1+(nga)’National Short- indicated that it expectsterm rating, to re ect the increasingly challenging Commenting on the ratings, Continued on page 20their ability to meet their the Chief Executive Of cer of

BUSINESSWORLD T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 NEWSCOMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES NCS Realises N20.9b in Tin Can Island PortMAY BREACH TRAVELLERS’ in One MonthSAFETY AT MMIAidenti ed and we have told John Iwori from sugar. been traced to the uncertainty Acting CAC, Federal Opera- of the monitoring team for theirthe management. There is no Not less than N20.9 billion The command also said that in the economy arising from tion Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, exploits, just as he pointed outsecurity at that part of the was generated as revenue by the rescheduled 2015 general Mr. Usman AdamuTuraki, who overtime, the team had provenairport after the screening the Nigeria Customs Service in addition, N1, 187,218.00 was elections and reduction in the disclosed this in Lagos said their competence, capacity andarea so those attendants are (NCS) in Nigeria’s second gotten as levy on wheat our, falling value of the naira fol- the items were intercepted by ef ciency at work.not subjected to extra screen- busiest port, Tin Can Island N519, 721,906 from wheat lowing the dwindling price of team following a tip off.ing and you cannot screen Port (TCIP), Apapa, Lagos in grain. While iron fetched in crude oil in the international He stressed the synergythe passengers again before January 2015. The amount N3, 793,348, cigarette on the market. According to him, a Mer- between FOU and the Head-they board their ights. generated by the NCS in TCIP other hand rake in N988, 433. cedes Benz truck BJE 175 LG quarters Monitoring Team. is against the N21.5 billion Meanwhile, NCS Headquar- packed full with the contra- “This is against ICAO generated the corresponding Many stakeholders have ters Monitoring Team, Idiroko band items was intercepted by “FOU is working in tandemrecommendation. We have period of 2014. attributed the drop in the led by Assistant Comptroller of members of the team along with the monitoring teams ofcomplained to management revenue of the command to the Customs Yahaya Usman Biri, Sagamu/Ijebu-Ode axis of the Idiroko and Seme respectivelyand I am sure they would This was disclosed by the decline in business activities, has seized 82 bales of used Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. to ensure the enforcement oftake urgent action to correct Customs Area Controller especially imports and exports. clothes and 19 bales of usedit. They were the people (CAC), NCS, Tin Can Island bags worth N10.1 billion. Turaki, a Deputy Comptrol- scal policies of the federalthat gave the place out so Area Command, Comptroller The decline in the volume of ler (DC), hailed the leadership government regarding inter-they know how they would Zakari Jibrin in a statement business in the command has national trade,” he said.relocate them out of that issued in Lagos.place. Their presence there, CREATING AWARENESSI agree with you, breaches Giving a breakdown of the L-R: Commissioner, Legal Licensing and Enforcement, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mr Stephen Azinge; Vicesecurity,” the of cial said. revenue generated by the NAN command, the CAC said the Chairman, Mr Muhammed Bello; and Chairman, Dr Sam Amadi, at the NERC Electricity Consumer forum In Abuja...recentlyFITCH AFFIRMS STANBIC command generated N12.6 bil-IBTC’S‘AAA(NGA)’ lion from import duty, N6713,RATINGS 114 from excise duty, N486, 615,376 from common external On the industry outlook, tariff (CET) and N23,498,025Fitch forecasts the nancial from fees.services sector’s non-performing loans (NPLs) to In the same vein, anotherrise above the Central Bank of N36, 060, 000 came fromNigeria’s (CBN) informal cap negotiable duty credit cer-of ve per cent, but predicted ti cates (NDCC) otherwisethat it would stay below 10 known as promissory notesper cent by end-2015. while N3,959,448,350 was from the ve per cent value added “This re ects high credit tax (VAT).concentrations as well asemerging risks, particularly According to him, TCIPin the oil and gas and power Customs Command alsosectors. These factors, together realised a total of N6.7 billionwith a shift to Basel II and non-federation accounts. WhileCBN’s revised regulatory N892, 212,737 resulted fromcapital computation rules, are seven per cent levy, N190,likely to add more pressure 536,991 was from NAC; N1,on capital than previously 117,528,504 from the one perexpected,” the Fitch report cent CISS; N633, 348 fromadded ETLS and N101, 795,954 Speaking on the report, NB Plc Spends N18bn to EFCC, CPC Sign MOUthe Chief Executive Of cer Modernise Aba Brewery on Consumer Protectionof Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr.Yinka Sanni, assured that Emmanuel Ugwu He added that this singular “This brewery is no doubt Yemi Akinsuyi ill-gotten booty, it is a legalthe bank would continue to in Umuahia investment has generated 279, a showpiece in brewing in Abuja fact that prosecutions do notstrengthen its retail banking The Nigerian Breweries Plc has 000 direct and indirect jobs technology and it is worth The Economic and Financial translate to redress for victimsdrive and support the growth expressed faith in the economic for Nigerians, including 250 emphasizing at this point Crimes Commission, EFCC, of criminal breaches, thereforeof businesses. viability of its operations in farmers. the fact that this entire ultra- and Consumer Protection consumers who are usually Abia State as it injected N18 modern facility is managed Council, CPC have signed a the victims of most of these “With our increasing billion to upgrade and expand According to him, the project and operated 100 percent by Memorandum of Understand- scams and fraudulent businesscoverage of the country via Aba Brewery. is also a re ection of our Nigerians,” he said. ing (MoU) to bring mortgage, practices in Nigeria are usuallyphysical branches and other future as a nation. The listing on-line forex, other scammers unable to access redress underchannels, Stanbic IBTC Bank’s The 58 year old facil- of NB Plc among the top 100 He explained that the mod- of consumers to book. criminal prosecution.ability to support businesses, ity was transformed into an companies in Nigeria in 2014 ern Aba Brewery comprisesboth big and small, as well ultra-modern one following was made possible by such “a most modern brew house The MoU, which was signed Atoki said: “Over the years,as individual customers, is a two-year upgrading project investments like the one made capable of making 12 brews of by the Director General of CPC, the Council has received aenhanced,” added Sanni. which was completed in 2014. to upgrade the Aba Brewery. 500hl casting volume per hour Mrs. Modupe Atoki and the large number of complaints with energy recovery system Executive Chairman of EFCC, from consumers bordering CEnheikrgayAEmdiatonrze-Nwachuku Speaking at the inaugura- Abia State governor, Chief capable of processing 230 cubic Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde at the on fraudulent savings and JMoahrnitiImweoEriditor tion of the modern brewery, Theodore Orji, said that the meters of water per hour. EFCC’s headquarters, Abuja, loan schemes, deceptive and CAgrurisBouesiOnessasg/iIendustry Editor President Goodluck Jonathan project was a cutting edge was initiated to tighten the misleading mortgage schemes, ECommmmas/Oek-Bounsjiiness Editor noted that with this multi- partnership between his “The new membrane beer loose ends in the protection fraud scams emanating from CGaopditdayl MEagrekneet Editor billion naira investment, NB administration and private lter installed here is the latest of consumers with the might online forex trading companies, SReanhieoer CmoArrkeisnpgobnodleun(tAdvertising) Plc has indeed restated its investors made possible by the technology in beer ltration,” of the enabling Acts of the two fraudulent education admission/ CCohrirneesdpuonEdzeen(tAsviation) unshakable resolve to remain prevailing peace and security he said. agencies. scholarship opportunities, LindaEroke (Labour) a major player in the nation’s in the state. He explained that the new deceptive business practices Eromosele Abiodun (Cap Mkt) economic development. Aba brewery has the most Speaking at the event, Atoki and pyramid sales/marketing EjioforAlike (Energy) He urged the people of modern wastewater treatment said evidently, the need for joint schemes, aimed at defrauding James Emejo (Nation’s Capital) Jonathan, who was rep- Abia to continue to support plant to treat ef uents from investigation and enforcement unsusceptible and vulnerable Obinna Chima (Money Mkt) resented by the Minister of the company for investing in the brewery with a capacity cooperation between the two consumers with consumer losses NReupmoretEerkseghe (MoneyMarket) Industry, Trade and Investment, the state thereby contributing to to handle 3300 cubic meter agencies of government cannot at several million of naira. NosaAlekhuogie(AgriBusiness) Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said improving the living standard of ef uent per day with new be overemphasised, particularly that NB Plc was supportive of of the people through direct utility plants and a most on matters affecting consum- “It is the CPC law that his administration’s economic and indirect employment while modern canning line with a ers economic and nancial clearly stipulates redress and transformation agenda as the three tiers of government production capacity of 57, 000 wellbeing. compensation for consumers/ demonstrated by the huge stand to bene t from revenue cans per hour. victims of obnoxious practices investments in expanding from tax. Chairman NB Board of She added that the MoU or unscrupulous exploitations. the Aba Brewery. Directors, Chief Kola Jamodu became inevitable in order to The synergy created by this Managing Director and noted that the “impressive curtail the sharp trade practices CPC/EFCC MoU is such He said that for the brewery Chief Executive Of cer, NB transformation” that has of unscrupulous providers of that while the EFCC focuses giant to inject N18 billion Plc, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde taken place in Aba Brewery goods and services, which on the criminal prosecution of into its business operations said that the Aba Brewery represented a “renewal of faith often result in nancial losses offenders, both agencies will in Aba, was a clear sign that has been transformed not only with the good people of Aba, to consumers in the country. work together to ensure that Nigeria in general and Abia to become the most modern Abia State and Eastern Nigeria consumers/victims receive ap- State in particular was safe brewery in Nigeria but also as a whole. She explained further that propriate redress, restitution and for business. ranks among the best in the while the EFCC law punishes compensation in a competent Heineken Group worldwide. the offender with jail terms court of law.” or nes and con scates the

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 ANALYSISBUSINESSWORLDAttendant Effects of Naira DevaluationChinedu Eze writes that with devaluation of the naira, airfares have risen, andmorefundsarebeingtakenoutofthecountryascapital ght,resultinginadverseconsequences on passenger traf c and the larger economyThe airline business is mainly dollar on the importance of having a major For years, the has been this al- Certi cate (AOC). Because some there is going to be increase in fares.dominated. Besides selling tickets maintenance, repair and overhaul legation that the aviation industry of these private jets are registered Inside sources told THISDAY thatand buying aviation fuel in local (MRO) facility in the country. For is used for money laundering as overseas, they are not accountable as the value of Naira has reducedcurrency, every other expenditure example, when the government of some airline operators are accused of to us; although they must get everything henceforth will go upis done in foreign exchange; from Akwa Ibom wanted to establish using the pretext of buying aircraft approval from us before they are from aircraft acquisition to cost ofaircraft purchase and leasing to MRO facility in Uyo, there was no parts to launder money for their brought into the country. But those spare parts, training and aircraftimportation of parts and manpower indication that NCAA gave impetus friends and business partners. So at that are managed by airlines with maintenance.training. In Nigeria there is high to the project. The MRO has been every turn huge foreign exchange AOC are subjected to the stringentexpatriate quota in the technical unit there for at least eight years without is taken out of the country through safety and other conditions given by The source expressed concern thatof the aviation sector, which results completion, but encouragement from the industry. our regulations. No operator would the airlines are facing hard times andin huge resources being taken out the regulatory authority would Checkmating Illicit Operators want to have his licence withdrawn,” harsher operating environment; thatof the country as capital ight. have driven the Akwa Ibom state the NCAA source said. it is high time government came to government to complete the project. There are con icting views about their rescue. Foreign airlines that dominate why NCAA allowed illegal charter The source said that part of theairlifting of Nigerians to international NCAA has also failed to advise services with foreign registered reason why many Nigerians that “The airlines have been buyingdestinations take away almost 98 government or provide alternative to aircraft to continue to thrive. While own aircraft register them overseas is dollars from the open market andper cent of their revenue in foreign the multi entry policy of government, the regulatory body insisted that it because of insurance and the value of with the devaluation of the Nairacurrency. Privately owned aircraft which allowed foreign airlines to made efforts to stamp it out, industry the aircraft, adding that this practice they will have to spend more moneywith foreign registration also take operate from different airports in operators alleged that illegal charter increased after the Dana Air Flight to maintain their aircraft overseas.away almost the same percentage the country; whereby one foreign services thrive because NCAA top crash in June, 2012. Government should intervene nowof their revenue overseas. All major carrier can operate from three to four of cials are bene tting from it. and help the airlines. For now,maintenance work by Nigerian airports in the country. This shrinks “If the aircraft is registered with us government is not doing anythingairlines and private jets are done the market for domestic airlines and But NCAA explained that efforts we monitor its maintenance. There is to help. The economy is down, theoverseas and paid for in foreign also discourages code-share agree- were made to stamp out the practice also the mandatory occurrence report cost of aircraft parts will increase; theexchange. ment and other partnerships, which but to no avail. Inside sources told which the pilot must issue for any same with the cost of maintenance,” local carriers could have established THISDAY that the agency once used a incident or technical problems with the source said. The irony about the aviation with their foreign counterparts. Such decoy to identify private and foreign the aircraft and before you take theindustry is that while all these monies agreements would have bene ted registered aircraft involved in the aircraft out of the country you must There are fears that airlines mayearned locally are taken out of the the local operators nancially and illicit business. clear with NCAA. By registering the want to dodge some maintenancecountry, the industry does not bring in training of personnel. aircraft overseas, the owner would schedules in order to save money.in foreign exchange. Nigerian airlines “There was a time NCAA used have to meet the obligations of the Although NCAA said it has put ado not operate largely overseas do In many developing countries to send out people to negotiate country of registration,” the source rule in motion whereby the Nigeriannot have enough number of technical the Civil Aviation Authority for charter service with cockpit also said. Airspace Management Agencypersonnel that are employed overseas liaises with the private sector crew of some private jets so that (NAMA) must secure clearance fromthat remit monies back to the country. as government representative to we would know those who are But an operator who spoke to it before any aircraft is taken out ofAlmost everything is taken out in encourage manpower development engaging in illegal charter. This TTHISDAY said NCAA can stop the country, but the airlines could bethe aviation industry. in the aviation industry. If that became a Herculean task because such illicit operation if the body pressured by present circumstances has happened after the demise of it was dif cult to know the owner is determined to do that. to short-change the system if the Nigerian airlines always face the the Nigeria Airways Limited, there of the aircraft and those he claimed regulatory body is not observant.challenge of paying for overseas would have been more Nigerians are his friends, whether they are “The minister has given the kick.maintenance, which costs them huge engaged in the technical areas of actually his friends or passengers. The Federal Ministry of Aviation Nigeria through NCAA andmoney. The money that is earned the industry. Some airline operators You nd out also that the Managing has given them the rule so they can the Ministry of Aviation must putin Naira is exchanged for dollars have insisted that government ought Directors of some of these private use this new rule to stop the illegal measures in place to curtail capitalto pay for maintenance. With the to contribute in the manpower airlines are not the actual owners. operators because the Minister iscurrent devaluation of the Naira development in the sector. Also by They are owned by highly placed ready to bear the consequences,” ight from the country. In NCAAand the closure of the Retail Dutch looking the other way while illegal individuals most of are the law the industry operator said. new rules, overseas training hasAuction System (RDAS), Nigerian charter operation is taking place, makers and ministers. Naira Devaluation been limited to technical staff andairlines are going to spend more to NCAA has allowed huge funds to of cers on level 14 and above. NCAAbuy aircraft parts, engage foreign be taken away from the country “A lot of individuals who have With practically everything done could encourage the private sector toexpatriates, lease aircraft and train on the excuse that those involved private jets are on their own but in foreign exchange, more money establish MROs so that some majortheir staff. are highly placed Nigerians. some gave theirs to be managed will leave the country through the maintenance could be done by airlines by airlines that have Air Operator industry with the devaluation of in the country. By so doing, some So they will spend more while the Naira. It is also inevitable that funds that could have been takenthey earn less, unless they increase out would be saved.fares. This is the major challengefacing the industry and Nigeria’s nancial market because the hugeforeign exchange taken out of thecountry through aviation relatedexpenditure impact signi cantlyin the nancial market and in thevalue of the Naira. Laxity of NCAA The Nigerian Civil Aviation Author-ity (NCAA) has three major functions:to regulate ight operations to ensuresafety in air transport; to enforcegovernment policies as it relates toair transport in the country and toadvise the federal government andhelp it enunciate policies that willimprove the industry. As an autonomous entity, whichis backed by the 2006 Civil AviationAct, NCAA ought not kowtow tothe whims of ministers and subjectsitself to the whimsy of governmentinterferences. Rather, it ought totake full charge of regulating theindustry and guiding governmentto take decisions that will bene tthe sector. NCAA, according to industryviews, has failed in the later. Thisexplains why the industry exceedsits expatriate quota, as the major-ity of the technical personnel inthe industry today are foreigners.NCAA also encouraged the illegalcharter business by stopping it, whenit started about six years ago. NCAAhas also failed to advise government

BUSINESSWORLD T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 ANALYSISAirport Projects and the Continuity FactorThedesertionofairportremodellingprojectsoriginallyscheduledtobecompletedin December 2014, calls to question the much talked about continuity preachedby the present leadership of the Ministry of Aviation, writes Chinedu EzeIn 2011 the federal government The new GAT Terminal, Lagos Other projects over issues concerning how poor relevant sections of d NCARs on theseembarked on a very ambitious airport position of a full blown Minister to There are other safety critical aviation facilities affect the fares aircraft operators or what has madeinfrastructural renewal, to rehabilitate manage the Ministry. charged passengers by airlines. the owners or the operators of theseand remodel the 22 airport terminals projects that have been equally aban- aircraft so powerful that threats ofacross the country being managed At that time also, the Senate Com- doned at the Nigerian airports. These Ojikutu observed that the high every minister has been so dif cultby the Federal Airports Authority mittee on Aviation published a huge include perimeter fencing projects, fares being charged by airlines is to move them or even make theof Nigeria (FAAN). Prior to the debt pro le incurred by the projects the expansion of the tarmac at the an offshoot of the cost of operation, NCAA too to enforce regulationsremodelling, many of the facilities and Ortom said that there was no cargo terminal of the Lagos airport, from high insurance premium to or sanctions them?” Ojikutu asked.were in dilapidated state, because for money to continue the projects. But stoppage of work at the expansion high cost of aviation fuel and high Decaying Facilitiesover 30 years government had not industry insiders argued that such and rehabilitation of runways at the charges by aviation agencies. Heembarked on any kind of rehabilita- gigantic projects undertaken by Port Harcourt International Airport, noted that government should start Industry observers are of the viewtion of these facilities. government were expected to gulp Omagwa and other airports and the by correcting these problems, from that if the abandoned projects were huge sums of money, noting that failure of government to provide improving airport security to making not completed, what had been done Before 2011, FAAN was only able to the reason given for abandoning the air eld lighting at some of the airports. the aviation environment less harsh would degenerate and deterioraterebuild the domestic terminal at the projects were not genuine because the for operators before checking and before work could start on theseAminu Kano International Airport, remodel project revamped the airport The abandonment of work at stemming fares disparity. Recently airports. Also, when work is resumedKano; a project that took seven years facilities. Again, the remodeling, if the terminal remodelling at the during the inauguration of Aviation in future it would cost much more toto complete and not without the completed, would have changed Port Harcourt airport creates a Commit Initiative, Chidoka spoke complete the projects than it wouldassistance of the Central Bank of the face of aviation in Nigeria and sorry state. It is the fourth busiest about the high fares charged by foreign cost now if work is resumed.Nigeria (CBN), which provided the enhanced increased revenue by airport in the country but its arrival airlines on Nigerian passengers, thefurniture. FAAN. Besides, if government claimed (domestic) operates from tarpaulin illegal charter operation by private Late last year, many of the airports there was no money to continue the contraption that is torn all over and aircraft with foreign registration and in the country were rated very low So industry observers were rehabilitation programme, why didn’t at the mercy of the winds. other important issues affecting the because works in these airports werehighly sceptical that rehabilitat- it consider concession option by Consequences industry. not completed, but they would sinking 22 airport terminals could be partnering with the private sector? lower in rating if what has been doneaccomplished within the life of a The failure to complete airport Ojikutu’s letter partly read: “Permit is allowed to continue to retrograde.particular administration. In fact, Mid last year, a new Minister of remodelling has given rise to breach me to make comments on just twosome industry operatives advised Aviation, Osita Chidoka was ap- of security apparatus. For example, issues in your presentation. First, Observers opine that governmentthat government should take up pointed. Since he started work he the Port Harcourt airport could be addressing the disparity on higher should hand over the developmentabout four terminals at a time and has not taken any initiative towards in ltrated from all corners. Although it fare by foreign carrier is to address and management of airport terminalsrehabilitate them before embarking the completion of any of the proj- has the most comprehensive perimeter d de ciencies in critical safety and to the private sector and concentrateon another four. ects. The question being asked by fencing on the airside, the landside security systems at our airports which on regulation and provision of safety stakeholder is whether these facilities is very porous. The Lagos airport these carriers claim as reasons for critical airport facilities. For example, Their scepticism stemmed from would be allowed to rot away. The has broken security and perimeter higher insurance premium on ights airlines believe that the problem ofthe fact that FAAN’s ineptitude was only project ongoing is at the major fencing and people access the airport to Nigeria and therefore d higherwell known and it never upgraded airports; the ve new terminals signed every day to steal things from the fares compared to others places. ight cancellations will reduce by 75or rehabilitated airport infrastructure; under Oduah that are being built airside, especially at the cargo area. per cent if all the operative airportsas it grappled with how to pay staff by the Chinese Civil Engineering “At extra cost, these carriers carry have air eld lighting.salaries and fund the management Construction Company (CCECC) If the airport rehabilitation was out secondary screening on checkedof airport operations. Its revenue under public-private partnership completed, it would have boosted baggage, carry-on luggage and pas- This is because most ight cancel-was depleting and it lacked the (PPP). All other rehabilitation works FAAN revenue by at least 45 per sengers after the various level of lations were caused by the inabilitycreativity to explore potential rev- have been abandoned at the terminals cent. It would have exploded non- screening we have put in place at of airports to provide runway lightenue generating possibilities. This and other projects. aeronautical revenues basis as there our airports. They do not have to do for aircraft to land and take off. Ifwas partly because of government would have been more spaces for these if only they have con dence in these airports have lighting facilityinterferences as its managing directors At the Murtala Muhammed Inter- business operatives and conces- the screening process at our airports. installed in them, ights could operatelacked the free hand to operate. So national Airport, Lagos expansion sionaires. FAAN earns about N2 Secondly, the clearance and regulation for 24 hours in some airports.it was always going cap in hand work at the terminal had stopped. The billion monthly but if the airport of foreign registered aircraft are in dto government for major projects. plan to demarcate arriving passengers rehabilitation were completed the purview of the Nigerian Civil Aviation But it is cheering that recently the from departing passenger for security agency’s revenue may climb to N3 (NCAA) and are enshrined in d civil Minister of Aviation has pledged that On assumption of of ce as Minister reasons may not be realisable as the billion monthly. aviation Act 2006 and the NCARs. 16 airports in the country wouldof Aviation, Stella Oduah announced construction of boarding facility at have runway lighting before end ofshe would remodel the airport the rst oor of the airport has since Recently aviation security expert, “The question you should be this year. If this is done in additionterminal facilities in 22 airports been deserted. Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd) asking the NCAA is, why has it to completion of on-going airportunder the management of FAAN. wrote to the Minister of Aviation been dif cult for it to enforce the facility projects, air transport would be revamped. Within her two year in of ce,Odua had rebuilt two terminals atthe General Aviation Terminal (GAT)of the Murtala Muhammed Inter-national, Lagos. She also completedthe remodelling of the Benin airport,which hitherto was referred to as apoultry farm before because of thelevel of decay. The Sokoto Airportterminal; that of Yola, Ilorin, Enugu,Owerri, the international terminalin Kano with accompanying hajjterminal were completed and alsoa new GAT was built at the NnamdiAzikiwe International Airport, Abujawith a hajj terminal. The Abuja airport was rehabili-tated together with the internationalterminal of the Lagos airport whichwas expanded. Rehabilitation work atthe airport terminals in Jos, Markurdi,Ibadan, Akure, Calabar were atadvanced stages, some of them wereover 80 per cent completed beforeOduah was removed from of ce.Lack of Continuity Oduah achieved a lot within a shorttime in of ce. But unfortunately, theprojects that she started have beendeserted since her exit. FAAN wentback to its old ways. The Ministryof Aviation became strewn withunproductive bureaucracy, espe-cially as Odua’s successor, ChiefSamuel Ortom was a mere supervisingMinister. Although Ortom who wasalso Minister for State for Trade andInvestment, could have done morebut he was not given the substantive

A WEEKLY PULLOUT LIVING / P COLLAGE / P CYPRIAN THISLIFE / P ONYEJI: .. MY DAYS WITH KIDNAPPERSEDITOR ADEOLA AKINREMI / [email protected]

/COVER .. ‘My Days with Kidnappers’A professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Vice Chancellor of Enugu StateUniversity of Science and Technology (ESUT), Cyprian Ogbonna Onyeji speaks with Mary Ekah about his works and life aomeyearsagoyouwerekidnapped er he was kidnapped as you were driving into the school? working very efficiently. Let me give you some I was driving into the campus and real data. As we speak, we have up to of our staff in various Universities abroad pursuing Master just before I entered into the gate or Ph.D degree programmes and up to are in various Nigerian Universities doing their Master orSa vehicle suddenly drove across, Ph.D. programme. Close to of our staff have blocking my own car. Meanwhile, Ihad my police escort, so some young guys about been sponsored to a end national and internationalfour of them emerged from their vehicle and started conferences so as to update their knowledge in theirshooting sporadically into air. Before I knew it, I respective field. Other areas of staff developmentwas dragged out of the car and bungled into their and welfare that a reasonable measure of successvehicle and off we went. And for ten days, I was has been achieved include the fact that salaries arethere with them but they did not harm me. paid very regularly and not later than th day of the month. A reasonable measure of success has been achieved in other areas like staff promotion,Did they treat you well? accommodation, and security on campus transporta-How will they treat me well? For the first andsecond day I was blind folded until we got to a tion and general staff discipline. And I want to alsoparticular location. They were feeding me during specially acknowledge the immense contributions ofthe period and then I was released. members of the Governing Council of the university towards the on-going transformation and repositioning of the university.What lesson did you learn from this encounter?Well, what it taught me about life is the unpredict-ability about life. Like I said I was going to workinnocently when it happened. So anything can How was your childhood like? I was born in the North an area close to Jos inhappen to anybody anytime. Life is unpredictable. Plateau State. I did my primary school there andOne can never say for sure that you are going to with the Nigerian/Biafra Civil War my parentssee the next day actually. That encounter actually relocated to our hometown, Aku in Igbo-Etiti LGAchanged my life and that is why you must trust in in Enugu State. I a ended St. Theresa’s CollegeGod always pray and live your life as if today is the Nsukka where I had division I Distinction in W.A.S.Clast day. Do the best that one can do as if it is the in and between and a endedlast seconds, hour and day. University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University where I obtained B. Pharm Degree, M.Sc. and Ph.D. Degrees in Pharmaceutical Chemistry before leavingYou were honoured with a national award by for University of Connecticut U.S.A. ( – )President Goodluck Jonathan, What do you think for my Post Doctorate and Research Associatesinformed the award?Basically, the award showed some recognition Programme.of what we have done in ESUT over the years intransforming and repositioning the university so How did you meet your wife?that it will be in the league of the best universities My wife is a younger sister of my secondary schoolin Nigeria and probably one of the best institutions classmate and we are all from the same town. Andin Africa. that means I must have been seeing her all along when we were in school together. I wouldn’t have known that we would get married until faith broughtWhat are the secrets of your success as the us together.VC of ESUT? , withWhen I assumed duty on June ,a well thought-out and articulated programme What a racted you to her?designed to tapping the strength, improving on Her closeness and being together most of the time,the achievements and redressing the deficiencies her behaviour, character, the family she came from,of ESUT, I came in with the six-point agenda having the physical look/a ention but most importantlystudied the deficiencies we had in ESUT then and her character. It was a combination of all thesealso the need to make the University move along elements that a racted me to her, so I didn’twith the way other Universities were being run. even think twice about it and we had a rapportWe encapsulated some programmes in the six and here we are.point agenda, which we have been using to drivethe transformational activities of ESUT in additionto being a University that is compliant with the Is any of your children into your own area ofstatus of a st century institution. I am saying discipline? No, I don’t force them to go into the same areacategorically, that we have actualized more than what with me. One has just graduated in medicine. Andwe expected. But in terms of physical infrastructure the second one is also reading medicine, thirdI would say that we have performed much more one is reading computer science and the fourththan what we thought we would be able to perform. one says he wants to be a scientist. If any saysBasically, the element of the six-point agenda he wants to read Pharmacy I will encourage him.includes: The pursuit of academic excellence, rigor-ous drive for improved funding; development and them that people are different, and that involved into herbs and produce drugs.maintenance of infrastructure; staff development speaking to some of them one on one. So making At home do you act as the VC? At home I am a parent, a husband, a father. Nobodyand welfare; student welfare and discipline and our staff to overcome the feelings that things will You recent had a N billion infrastructural talks about VC at home.quality management of the University. So basically, never work was the major challenge. So once we development launch to augment the state ofthe pursuit of academic excellence covers academic were able to overcome that major challenge; things infrastructure in the University. What was the What advise do you have for the youthsprogrammes, teaching and learning, research and stated working in the right direction. outcome? generally?library. Also we had very competent hands that were The N billion appeal fund launching was a My general advice, which has always been placed in the various commi ees that have helped success. The intention was not to make N billion consistent, is that hard work pays. They should allIn terms of status ranking what is ESUT us to run the University. So all I did was to take immediately but the intention is systematic and it know that there is never a short cut to success in competent hands, motivated and gave the necessary is a trust fund, which is an open-ended thing. It is life. So they have to think about what they want toposition?ESUTwasrankedthesecondbeststateuniversity encouragement and collectively we were able to a success in the sense that up till now funds is be and from childhood work towards that area.Theyin Nigeria. Before now that was not the status. This turn ESUT around. coming in through various sources. And we are need to have a role model. What most of our youthsis an indication that we have actually turned around also looking for ways of ge ing some funds from don’t know is that role model is very important inthe University from almost the last to the second If you did not read pharmaceutical chemistry, non-governmental and governmental organisations. one’s life. Look at somebody you admire and thenbest. I am hoping that if the ranking comes out what other course would have been your choice? It is not just from individual but also from the public work towards that area.today based on the success we have recorded; Pharmaceutical chemistry is a specialty in and private sector.ESUT will most likely be ranked as the first and Pharmacy.A ermyO’LevelIwanttoreadmechanical Apart from the six- point agenda, what otherbest state University in Nigeria. engineering. That was what was in my mind, a er a What will consider your major achievement? strategy did you adopt to carry the people along? second thought I said why I should read engineering Since the University is a place for learning the I know that everything in life revolves aroundWhat where the challenges that came with especially when all my colleagues read engineering. major achievement will be reinvigorating the culture effective communication. So to have a harmonious So I decided to read something else. At that point of academia. Completed and ongoing physical working relationship you must avoid communicationthe six-point agenda?The major challenges encountered were the there weren’t any distinctive reasons why I went into infrastructures are some of our major achievements. gap. So I try as much as possible to relate very wellfeelings that things never worked in ESUT. We pharmacy because I was good in all sciences, so I However I will rather place more premium and with leadership of all the groups and unions. Oncecame in when the administration were at its low- said since I don’t want go into Engineering because emphasis on academic excellence, which we have you communicate effectively with people, anyest ebb. The moral was very low. People were just all of us cannot be engineers, I will read Pharmacy really reinvigorated into the University culture and problem is almost solved. In essence, we have athinking that ESUT would never work so trying to because I had a flair for chemistry and Biology. I system. People now see the need to be conscious very transparent and open door policy. At anytimeget people to develop interest again in ESUT was also wanted to be doing research and I knew that academically. any person can walk into my office and we discussthe major challenge we had. We had to convince with pharmacy you could go into research, research Our staff development programme has been and resolve issues.

. . /NEWS Meadow Hall Holds Social Media DayL-R: Actress Kate Henshaw, Managing Director, Sahara Energy Mr. Tonye Cole and Founder Val's Dance In a bid to give voice and as- the society. She believes Social also, a way of getting themStudio, Angela Aneke during the opening of the dance studio in Lekki, Lagos…recently piration to students, especially Media shouldn’t just be about to think about their own in respect of the forth-coming taking ‘sel es’ and talking to responsibilities as citizens asLagos Gets Val’s general elections in Nigeria, the friends, but should be a tool for well as their responsibilitiesDance Studio Meadow Hall Group organised learning. She called on schools as leaders. He said there is a A legacy in dance in honour surname, won several Gold, years old and the President a Social Media Day tagged “If and parents to put checks and need to enlighten the studentsof the memory of the late Silver and Bronze medals in of the Imperial Society for I Become The President…” set boundaries on the use of on types of Social Media theyValentine Humphrey Arewe Ballroom and Latin dance.” Teachers of Dancing, UK is Social Media platforms used can access rst-hand due toAneke, who passed away 20 the Founding Patron of the The Social Media Day, which by children to ensure it’s free age restrictions.years ago (February 15th, 1995 The studio, she said, has Val’s-The Dance Studio. was held at Meadow Hall, from abuse.- a day after Valentine’s day), been set up to honour her Ikoyi and at Lekki, offered He was keen to highlighthas opened in Lagos. The late father’s love, passion “As part of the opening an opportunity for students Speaking on the impact of student safety while access-studio was set up by Angela and achievements in dance. events for the studio, a ash to air their views on leadership the school’s Social Media Day, ing Internet sites “e-safety isAneke, daughter of the late mob held at The Palms. Also issues. the Head of School, Meadow paramount. It is important thatMr. Valentine Aneke. The studio will offer classes a medley dance performance Hall, Mr. Ola Opesan, said the students do not visit websites for children and adults in event for family and friends Speaking at the event, the impact could be very far reach- that may be inappropriate for Explaining why she set up Ballroom, Latin, Ballet, was held at the Studio on CEO, Meadow Hall Group ing, as a number of them may their age.the studio, Ms Aneke said that Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Dance Sunday, February 15, 2015. The Mrs. Kehinde Nwani stated eventually become captains ofher father, while in the UK Fitness and Bespoke dance dance performance included that the Social Media Day industry, governors or even the However, once they arestudying Civil Engineering Programmes. Master Classes the Rumba in a V Formation seeks to engage students on President. He stated, “This is comfortable and safe online,in the 1950s, enrolled at the will be in Ballroom, Latin, to honour the Late Valentine how to use the Social Media how you ensure that children they can start to engage withFrank and Peggy Spencer Jazz and Hip Hop and Ballet Aneke, whose favourite dance positively. According to Nwani, become aspirational.” it educationally as well as forDance School in Penge, dance genres. The first in was the Rumba. technology opens the mind entertainment. We also encour-London, where he excelled the series of Master Classes to the world. She noted that Opesan assed that the Social age them to use proper wordsin Ballroom and Latin dance. in Ballroom and Latin com- Visit www.vals.dance or our through Social Media, students Media Day is another way of and Standard English rather menced on February 16th, studio for more information are able to air their views and getting students to experience than abbreviations, which could “Nicky” as he was called 2015 and will be on for two on how to sign up for these make a positive contribution to citizenship rst-hand and impede their literacy. ”by his fellow contestants, who weeks. classes,” a statement from thehad dif culty pronouncing his studio said. Peggy Spencer, now 94RCCGYouths to Hold 73- Shakespeare’s Hamlet in Awards 2015: IkoroduHour Praise for Adeboye Lagos Community Devt Calls for NominationsThe National Youth Council worship in this dispensation. A year into the extraordinary Teatro Nacional de El Salvador,of the Redeemed Christian Marathon Messiah's Praise, theatrical ensemble, Hamlet on the banks of the St Lawrence In line with its culture of celebrat- Egwu, the ICDA awards is theChurch of God (RCCG) is set Globe to Globe hits Lagos River in Canada, in the shadow ing individuals and institutional initiative of the church throughhold a 73-hour praise concert to the organisers said also aims on 4th and 5th March, with of Mexico’s Yucatán Cathedral, community builders, who are its Nation Transformationcelebrate the General Overseer at making worship a long performances scheduled for the at a beautiful marina in Antigua contributing to the positive Department (NTD), which isof the Church, Pastor Enoch lasting spiritual experience Muson Centre and St. Saviours & Barbuda, on a mountainside developments of their immediate saddled with the implementationAdeboye on his 73th birthday. that would continue, even School, Ikoyi. The Hamlet in Guatemala, in St Kitts and environment, the Ikorodu Com- of community-based develop- after the programme itself. Globe-to-Globe tour opened at Nevis, in Poland, outdoors in munity Development Awards ment programmes on behalf of Tagged, “Marathon Messiah’s Shakespeare’s Globe, London, Chilean parks, in Argentina, (ICDA) calls for nominations into the church. Also, speaking, thePraise”, an annual event of the This year's edition would on 23 April 2014, the 450th an- and across majestic national its 3rd edition for 2015 awards. Director, National TransformationNational Youth affairs of the be featuring more than 60 niversary of Shakespeare’s birth. theatres throughout South Department of TREM Ikorodu,Redeemed Christian Church Worship leaders; Marathon This unprecedented theatrical America, Hamlet arrived in ICDA, which is a brainchild Austin Awulonu, said that theof God, which started in 2012 Messiah's Praise Team adventure is scheduled to tour Africa in January 2015. of The Redeemed Evangelical church had been overwhelmedwhen the General Overseer of (Mass Choir), about a 1,000 every single country on earth Missions (TREM) Liberty Centre, by the positive comments andthe Redeemed Christian Church volunteer’s workforce and over 2 years. The cast and crew have Ikorodu, is an annual event that feedbacks it received from theof God, clocked 70years. Then, multitude of worshippers travelled by boat, sleeper trains, aims at promoting responsible residents since the maidena 70-Hour non-stop Praise and all in one venue. Directed by the Globe’s Artis- jeeps, tall ships, buses and community citizenry. edition of the award was heldworship session was held to tic Director, Dominic Dromgoole, aeroplanes, across 7 continents on April 2013.thank God for His life, each 73Hours Marathon Mes- the UK theatre production is to perform over 2 dozen parts While shortlisted awardeeshour signifying each year of siah’s Praise, a nonstop presenting Nigerian actor, Ladi on a stripped-down booth stage. would be hosted at a colourful The organisers added thatAdeboye’s Life and since then, praise and worship event will Emeruwa, in the shared role The company of twelve actors award dinner slated for April bene ciaries of the awardsthe programme has been held commence at 2:00pm prompt on of Hamlet, together with an and four stage managers has 1th, 2015 at the ultra-modern must either be a resident ofevery year. This year’s edition is Monday, March 2 to end at 3:00pm impressive international cast used a completely portable set Ikorodu town hall, members Ikorodu division or an Ikoroducelebrating GO’s 73rd birthday, on Thursday, March 5 at theYouth and crew of seventeen. to stage a Hamlet that celebrates of public have been enjoined indigene that is doing thehence, 73hours Marathon Mes- Centre, Redemption camp. all the exuberance and invention to vote their choice candidates community proud outside thesiah’s Praise! Following rave performances of Shakespeare’s language in by SMS via the ICDA dedicated community. The 2015 categories Considering the nature of at The Globe, in Wittenberg, in a brisk two hours and forty phone number or on facebook of the awards include: sports, arts The main objectives of the programme, of ciating Tromsø within the Arctic Circle, minutes. The tour has attracted @icdaawards between February and entertainment, communityMarathon Messiah's Praise would be on a shift basis. in Moscow, through the Baltics, rave reviews internationally, 15th and March 15th this year. development, leadership andare to appreciate God for His in Kiev, at the United Nations in including from The New York education among others.mercies in the life of Adeboye Feeding, hostel accom- New York, at the oldest theatre Times. According to the senior pas-and to birth a new pattern of modation and transportation in Central America, the majestic tor of the Church, Pastor Mike would be made available for all registered volunteers during this period.

/LIVING ..Why You Need Intimacy in Your MarriageFirst prize winner , Mr. & Mrs. Chinedu Anaje being congratulated by Nduka Winning couples with ministers and facilitatorsMary Ekah in contact with were into drug addiction, cult- against the society because they are angry with specially believe that I married somebody who“There isn’t enough time”. This has been the ism and all sorts vices and as he traced their the parents at home and that is why we seize is my friend and lover and that leads to suchcommon excuse given by so many married background, he realised that their family line any opportunity that comes our way to gather openness. There is nothing hidden between us.couples that lack intimacy in their marriage. stories were very ugly and negative. families and discuss the way out. “ For example a lot of men do not allow theirWives and husbands are entreating that they wives access to their phones but for me, myare so overwhelmed with the demands of work “Some of their parents were not in agreement Nduka explained further that the major lesson wife can do whatever she likes with my phoneand children that they simply cannot create and the vices they got into was as result of of the whole affair was to educate couples on and that is the level of intimacy that we haveany space to share intimate moments with their rebelling against their homes and they expressed intimacy. “It will shock your to realise that between each other. If you don’t have that levelpartner. The result is often an increasing sense the wish to us that some of the things we talked in the city of Lagos for every proper couple of intimacy, it means that there is crack in thatof disconnection that gets expressed as problems to them about should be told to their parents. programme I do, when I ask couple to take marriage and before you know, it becomes awith communication, disagreements over nances, They told us that we needed to do things to inventory of the quality time that they share big one that would be too dif cult to amend”,parenting con icts and insuf cient sex. bring the homes to together and that once their together, it is not more than six minutes a day Chinedu noted further. parents were together, what we were saying … they are walking in different locations, they The truth is, intimacy is not what happens would be more meaningful and that informed come back home late from Lagos traf c and Mr. & Mrs. Ifeanyi Odoemena and Mr. &Mrs.between the sheets. Intimacy means fostering our beginning to call for family meetings”, when they get home, somebody is watching Austin Ihemanma won the second and thirda warm, friendly, informal atmosphere that Nduka recalled. TV while somebody is cooking. So they are place prizes respectively.makes is easy to share mutual interests, habits never together. The only time they share togetheror affections. Speaking further, the cleric who is of the view most times even within the six minutes, they Speaking with THISDAY at the event, the that the right couple create the right family and are discussing the bills, so there is no intimacy. guest speaker of the day, Dr. (Mrs.) Nkem Okoro Intimacy with your spouse should be the the right family is the right society said, “We So this whole game is just to let couples learn said, “I am always excited any time family isbreath of your relationship. Yes, intimacy should began with couples, healing marriages and in to increase the intimacy time. We want couple given prominence and every opportunity peopleinclude physical touch and carnal pleasure, but the process bringing young people together to get to understand each other because we have to encourage couples to remain in theirit must also be a core value that leads you to a and over time we began to celebrate family believe too that for you to formulate a healthy marriages and have very happy marriage; and thatdeeper understanding of your partner. meetings like today. We try to create in them home, you need to start with understanding, is exactly what has been done today - enhancing the right foundation, believing that the right sharing expectations as you discuss your interests love between husbands and wives. By improving the sense of connection, feelings family is the right society.” and by so doing, intimacy builds. For today’sof trust and mutual respect typically increase. Once winner, they are very close couples and they Okoro who spoke on Enriching Marital Sex,those cornerstones are in place, it is remarkable He said the yearly competition, which is totally spend quality time together so that was why focused on how couple can have exciting sexualhow much easier it becomes to resolve con icts free for all couples, is open to any body and not most of the questions that were asked, they life in their marriage, taking them through theof any nature. necessarily members of the Breach Repairers knew them quite well.” foundation of sex, which she said is ordained Assembly, adding, “for us, it is just a game to by God. It was in recognition of this fact that Founder, spice up the love in a home.“ Over all winner of the couples’ game wasBreach Repairers Assembly, Pastor Chuks Nduka Chinedu and Grace Anaje, a lawyer and business- “It is God’s idea right from the beginning incame up with a yearly event tagged, “Couples’ Nduka strongly believes that as a couple, woman respectively who had been married for the Garden of Eden at creation. The creation ofDay Out”, couples are encouraged to develop when you nurture your intimacy, you will have abut ve years with two kids. reproduction is also sexual activity because theyintimacy in their marriages. a union that is happier, healthier, and lled have to meet sexually to have children. So you with surprises while you get to know your “We worship here at Breach Repair Assemble can see that sex is God’s idea and God ordained This year’s education held penultimate Sunday best half a little better gather insight into each and this a commission that God has instructed it, so sex is God’s gift of God for mankindin Surulere Lagos featured raf e draws, renewal other’s interests outside of the bedroom and the head pastor, Chuks to carry out. Primarily but He wants it to be within the concept ofof vows, couples' game and lots more. Overall “then you might be surprised at what happens what God has called him to do is to repair homes marriage. Anything outside marriage in relationwinner of the couples' game won a king sized once the door is closed.” and this is one of the programmes he does to sex is sin. So we teach couples to have it infamily bed donated by Gaziba Furniture while yearly to ensure that broken homes are mended the best way because we noticed that beforeothers also won other mouth watering consolation He said, “For us we just fell that a healthy in line with the word of God”, Chinedu noted. marriage, a lot of people feel the appeal forprizes and gift items were made available for society begins with a health family, that has sex but immediately they are married the devilall participants. been our discovery for the past seven years. The competition, which had over 17 contestants sets in and they don’t even have time for sex We have found out that a lot of youths do not contending for three star prizes, saw Mr. and again”, she explained. Explaining what informed his decision to have the right foundation from the home front Mrs. Anaje emerging as the top winner of aventure into such, the initiator of the Couples’ and that is why they go out there rebelling complete bed set donated by Gaziba Furniture. She said therefore that her message aimed atDay Out, Pastor Chuks Nduka said he got the rekindling sexual interest between couples andmandate seven years ago to talk to people in As a couple, when you Speaking on what stood them out of all the improve on the frequency of their sex life. “Wethe secondary schools and undergraduates in nurture your intimacy, other contenders, Chinedu said, “The essence have noticed that sex is linked to so many issuesthe universities with the main objective to drive you will have a union that of the competition is to measure the level of like insomnia but is quality sex, orgasm willpurpose as well as to raise a new generation of is happier, healthier, and intimacy between husbands and wives and to result and there is a hormone called oxytocinNigerian youths that are purpose driven and filled with surprises while let them know that marriage is ministry that that is released during the process which is tenknow their mandates in God as well as to build you get to know your best God has ordained and that there was a purpose times powerful than Velum 5 to stimulate goodthe right leadership - positive leadership believing half a little better gather for which God instituted marriage. For me, this sleep, relaxation and the rest of it,” she added.that tomorrow’s leaders are today’s youths. insight into each other’s is about why this programme was organised. interests outside of the In a nutshell, she educated the congregation “We believe that if we must impact the bedroom The Anajes, whose absolute knowledge of on recreation, sex techniques and actions to takeleadership at the top, we must start grooming each other won them the ultimate prize, said to make it glorious in bed and during relaxationa new generation of Nigerian youths that are they have been opened to each other since they time; as well as how to enjoy after and muchpurpose driven “, he noted. were married. more, she asked couples to be thankful to each other and be grateful to God who ordained However, in process of doing this, Nduka “If you are married to your friend, you sexual life in marriage.realised that a few of those youths he had come would be opened to each other, so for me, I

/ XTRA ..UNILAG Students Get LG's ScholarshipIn line with its drive to im- Students and staff of LG during the event whole there is a great push for Mechanical Engineering.mensely contribute to raising more of our young people to Others are Obiji Chibuikemthe standard of education in Mr. Seonghak Kim said: “As selection by both the university that offers visually exciting be involved in engineering andNigeria, LG Electronics, a global a socially responsible and authority and LG Electronics ambience and convenience, it is good to see a company Samuel, 500-Level Mechanicalleader in consumer electronics purpose driven organization, LG based on their Grade Points of and adheres to global safety of this magnitude investing in Engineering; Okoro Chinyereand Air Conditioning and Electronics believes that in order 4.0 to 5.0, which made them standards. It is expected that the development of Nigerian Harry, 500-Level MechanicalEnergy Solutions has opened a to get the best out of students, stand out from their colleagues.” the facility will open up a Youths, giving them the enabling Engineering; Awe OluwadaraCommercial Air Conditioning the right learning environment vista of opportunities for the platform to live their dreams”. Oluwatobiloba, 500-LevelAcademy as well as awarding ought to be created, which is In a great way, the opening development of quality engi- Mechanical Engineering andscholarships to another set of what informed the establish- of this training Academy, which neers and technicians ensuring Speaking further, Professor Olabiyi Samuel Olabode,meritorious students of the ment of the LG Commercial has been designed to meet the development of safer and Bello said that the annual LG 500-Level Systems Engineering.faculty of Engineering of the Air Conditioning Academy in international standards, marks healthier living and working scholarship grants to deservingUniversity of Lagos. the University of Lagos. Indeed, the beginning of a new epoch in spaces. Also speaking at the UNILAG Engineering students LG Electronics’ partnership we believe this will go a long Commercial Air conditioning in occasion, the Vice Chancellor, which is in its third year is re- with the University of Lagos has Aimed at enabling students way to boost the intellectual Nigeria. It is apparent that this University of Lagos, Professor ally empowering its students been longstanding as the com-to gain the most up-to-date and technical capabilities of will bring about the emergence Rahamon Bello said: “on behalf enabling them focus on the pany has continually contributedskills and training in CAC the students. of a new breed of engineers of the University of Lagos, we things that matter. to the growth of the university(Commercial Air Condition- that will put Nigeria on the are highly appreciative of this with its donation of the LGing) - an evolving aspect of “This scholarship is being global map. gesture from the people at LG One of the recipients, Mr. Design Lab and its rst andair conditioning, the training awarded to 10 students of 400 Electronics- for counting us Obiji Chibuikem Samuel said: continuous initiative of scholar-Academy is positioned to and 500 levels from the Faculty Aesthetically designed with worthy to be the site for this “I feel so excited to be receiving ship awards program; and it isprovide Engineering students of Engineering who emerged state of the art technology, the iconic academy. All over the this award for the second time an avenue to collaborate withof the University of Lagos with as best students after a careful UNILAG LG Commercial Air from LG Electronics, a global institutions of higher learning innecessary skills and training in Conditioning Academy is such organization, for recognizing my the country in order to upgradeCommercial Air Conditioning. efforts; I enjoin other corporate the educational standard as bodies to take a cue from LG well as create employment The scholarship scheme in order to raise the level of opportunities.which is in its third year is education in Nigeria and asconducted annually by LG well as those students coming Over time, LG Electronicsas part of its Corporate Social behind to also work hard so through its various CSRResponsibility (CSR) activities as to bene t in the next award activities has con rmed itswith the sole aim of empower- program from LG”. devotion and dedication toing young people as well as the Nigerian people. Amongdeveloping the educational The bene ciaries included them are the annual partnershipsector, ensuring that youths Akin-Adeniji Tolulope James, with the Lagos State Govern-who are the future leaders are 400-Level Electrical Engineering, ment in planting trees to helpadequately empowered with the Anih John Tochukwu, 400-Level protect the environment againstrequired funds and assistance Electrical Engineering; Olagunju environmental degradation andto enable them achieve their Abdul Hamid O., 400-Level global warming; donation ofdreams and aspirations. Systems Engineering; Kadiri LG Mosquito Away Air Con- Damilola Tiamiyu, 400-Level ditioners, malaria drugs and Speaking at the opening Mechanical Engineering; Ayeni mosquito nets to communityceremony of the Academy, Moses, 400-Level Mechanical health centres amongst otherManaging Director, LG Elec- Engineering and Adetitoyo bene cial programs to thetronics West Africa operations, Oluwatobi Olaoluwa, 400-Level society.AIG Launches Office InYabaAfrica Internet Group (AIG), the leading real estate classi eds, taxi hailing, online the most popular restaurants in the city; commerce hub attracting a nest of technologyInternet group in Africa, has moved its travel agency and P2P lending marketplace. Lamudi, an online real estate marketplace; and start-up companies, earning it the name,of ce to Yaba, housing six of its ventures Carmudi, an online vehicle marketplace; Nigeria’s Silicon Valley.in Nigeria - Easytaxi, Lamudi, Carmudi, In Nigeria, AIG’s network of companies Jovago an online hotel booking service andHellofood, Kaymu and Jovago. include leading brands - Kaymu, an online Jumia an online retail store. The move is one of AIG's efforts to con- marketplace where buyers and sellers meet to tribute to making Yaba the next technological Since inception in 2012, AIG has expanded to obtain the best deals for products; Easytaxi Yaba, a popular area in the Lagos hub in Africa by building tight links to26 countries and has created 71 companies in a mobile app that connects drivers and pas- metropolis, houses a cluster of banking, boost the entrepreneurship drive in the areadifferent verticals namely online retail, online sengers; Hellofood, an online and mobile educational and technology institutions. and securing strategic partnerships to growmarketplace, food ordering, car classi eds, platform where people can order food from the ecosystem. Yaba has grown to become Nigeria’s e-Loving Gaze, Arthur Mbanefo Holds Seminar onTB Solomon Ogbonna Plans ExhibitionOne-day workshop, whichfocused on the current trends in Participants at the event practitioners in the State who which has strengthened referral Rebecca Ejifoma appreciation and understandingthe management of Tuberculosis of tuberculosis in the world. are at the forefront of making or of very ill patients including He has been known for his of their own history as recordedwith focus on Multi Drug Resis- This is further complicated breaking the global and national those with TB. Also, community prominence in art works, by their own people in theirtant TB (MDRTB), was recently with the growing public health efforts to curb Tuberculosis, participation is imperative which he collected from his own language,” Ogbonna noted.held in Lagos. The workshop problem of Multi Drug-Resistant participated in the workshop. in strengthening the health father and many other greathosted by The Arthur Mbanefo Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) with system framework, which artists across Nigeria over the According to him, if he hasDigital Research Centre and over 7000 cases were reported Dr. Alda Gemmani, St Kizito will positively impact on years. With great arrays of art his way, one of the biggest andorganised by Loving Gaze was to have MDRTB in Nigeria. Clinic Director who opened the existing TB programs. More pieces, Mr. Solomon Ogbonna best museums in the worldtargeted at medical community Although strides have been workshop said, “We set up a education, funding, technical has disclosed plans to hold the would be in Nigeria; adding thatin Lagos, public health care and made nationally and globally TB/DOTS center in 2005, 9 support and research on TB the country is so blessed withGovernment welfare of cers, over TB/MDRTB control, a years ago. Since its inception management at all levels of rst exhibition of most modern rich arts and cultural heritagethe pharmaceutical community, substantial gap still exist be- we have made over 8,000 visits health care is crucial. These works he has collected for over that are not being given duecorporate social responsibility tween the effective management aimed to screen, diagnose and will contribute greatly in two years. attention. “Indeed, one of themanagers and the health of cers of Tuberculosis at the health monitor Tuberculosis. More reducing the burden of TB things that have continued toof major private organisations. facility level where medical than 1,200 patients have been and HIV as expressed in the Slated for April this year surprise me is why government, practitioners take the lead. This successfully treated. Corporate millennium development goals. at his Ajah resident, he said especially the governors are The general objective of has contributed to the alarming donors such as Chevron, which This workshop aims to share that the works would be for paying lip service to Nigeria’sthe workshop according to trend of MDRTB. Lagos state donated us the X-Ray machine, and deepened our knowledge art connoisseurs and enthusiast art and culture?organisers was to educate has been reported to contribute and helped us building the of TB management among the to feed their eyes with a blendmedical doctors in Lagos State the up to 10% of the national TB Dots Centre, have been health care community in Lagos. of his works. Although artists He enthused: “It is a shameon their crucial role in TB and burden of Tb making t the state crucial in sustaining our efforts. Loving Gaze intends to Educate are contributors to economic that most of the states in Ni-MDRTB control. with the highest incidence of FGNNNPC/ Shell donated a while Teaching.” growth and development of the geria, despite the rich cultural TB. Up to forty- ve medical fully equipped ambulance, nation, works of art are more heritage and artifacts in them, Among the resource persons than objects and commodity. the country cannot boast ofwere: Dr. Alda Gemmani, St any standard museum thatKizito Clinic Medical Director, Ogbonna, a chieftaincy holder, can showcase their ancientDr. Eltayeb Osman, who is a decried lack of support from or modern arts or competeWorld health Organization government and poor art ap- favourably with museums in(WHO) Consultant on MDRTB preciation in Nigeria. He also other parts of the world.and Country Representative of calls for the building of standardDamien Foundation Belgium museums in the country. It is a known fact that Ni-(DFB) in Nigeria as well as gerian art works do not serveTuberculosis Program expert; “I believe that art is a form decorative purposes alone, apartDr. Hussein Abdur- Razzaq, the of culture and an extension from being priceless, they alsoLagos State Co-coordinator for of the mind and reasoning of convey important messages toTuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and the spirit. I am an advocate for the people, especially bronze,Leprosy Control programme the customs and traditions of copper and wood works, which(NTBLCP). Africans, and I am convinced have been rated in the world that nothing will strengthen a as the best and most valuable Nigeria is among the top people as much as a proper African art.”22 countries with high burden

/ENTERTAINMENTRAVE .. ENTERTAINMENT RAVE“I WAS AN EXAMPLEOF A WACK RAPPERONLINE” ICEPRINCEICE PRINCE or Panshak Zamani had always shown signs of greatness sincehis starting days in Nigeria’s music industry. It didn’t come as a surprise whenhe blew the landscape with his debut single, “Oleku” in June 2010. He spokewith JAMES SILAS recently It’s been a while since you released your started Afrobeat. I know that the argument me, because I had never ever met that guy. was birth a year or two ago; it has been insecond album; what have you been up to? is that, the genre of music called Afrobeat In all honesty, I was a little bit disappointed existence since forever. He’s always had that that he created is not exactly the same sound because it came from eLDee’s camp and he dream since our days in Jos and I knew it I’ve been around and everywhere; I’ve been as what is being produced right now, but in released that diss record by himself. eLDee was only a matter of time before he actuallypromoting the album and performing around terms of the content, accent or the language is not just a mentor to me or a leader in the started doing it. As an artiste, he felt like hethe world, shooting videos off the album… it’s not far different, from what Fela created. game, he is like a big brother to me. When I was grown enough to a point that he couldlet’s just say I’ve been living the life of an artist So I think it should be okay that they call actually do it by himself and he did it. I ampretty much. I’m not recording my third album our music Afrobeat too. Afrobeat is just a rst came to Lagos we will always be in his not Chocolate City, I don’t own Chocolateyet, but in terms of new music, I am working name of a genre and it about the fact that house; he grew up in the North, he used to City, I am just an artiste that is signed onwith a lot of artists, and producers. Sarkodie they recognize our music. speak Hausa with me all the time. He put Chocolate City, so the most I can do for himand I are working on a new project together, out that diss record and I wasn’t happy about is of cause, support him. I am so proud ofso we’ve been in the studio working on the How does it feel to be Ice Prince? it. I don’t know that (Rukus) guy, but I wish him, because as soon as he launched ‘Jagzsongs; I’ve also been recording with artists It doesn’t feel different from being Panshak, him luck though. Nation’, his music and the entire soundin South Africa, America, UK and Nigeria. I to be honest with you, because I take life deeper changed to some level of greatness. It’scan’t mention the songs till the artists’ con rm than music or from fame or entertainment. How do you feel when you are nominated good and I am proud of him.a release date, but that’s what it is. It’s cool to be hot, to sign autographs, take for an award and don’t win at the end pictures and all that, but I see life deeper of the day? Looking back at the way things have Do you think young rap artists in Nigeria than that. I am a musician, I know how to played out so far, do you miss the ‘Chocare putting in enough work to actually make music and I have many friends that I For me, it doesn’t really matter if I win or Boys’?make sense with their music? share ideas with; we argue about random, not. It just makes me want to work harder. It stupid stuffs and we are able to turn them makes me want to go back and shoot better Yeah I miss all of that. I wish it happened De nitely. In Nigeria we are making progress into songs. That’s what makes us who we videos or record better songs, so that next a little bit differently, but we don’t writeand we’re making sense, especially with rap are. I can’t feel like Ice Prince; I have never time, I can get it. I don’t take awards shows life, you see - man proposes, but Godmusic. To be honest, rap music was more felt like Ice Prince, but being Ice Prince is a personal, especially for an awards show that disposes. I miss that family, and I pray itcommercial like four years ago, because we dream come true. I have actually tried a few has awarded you the previous year, and when works someday to be honest with you, buthad more Hip-hop artists that were reppin’, times to front like Ice Prince, but it just never they don’t give you this year, then you want it’s not that bad; it’s not as if we don’t seebut now, it’s a handful, that I can call off works. I am just an artiste that makes music to take it personal. I mean, it’s not right. You each other anymore – we see almost everythe top of my head. I feel like the world just and become Ice Prince. can’t forget when they praise you and forget day. The family and brotherhood is stillwants to dance these days, nobody wants to What’s the most remarkable thing anyone when they don’t praise you. I just don’t take there, it’s just that with music everybodyrap and it’s not just in Nigeria alone, this is has said to you on social media? awards shows personal. has their own dream. Jagz is pushing Jagza global problem, if it’s a problem. It’s the On social media, I don’t think I can’t get Nation, and M.I got Loopy and I have mysame thing in the UK and America. People anything so bad that can piss me off right now. Tell us more about your relationship own thing going on as well.just want to dance; rappers are getting fewer The only time I was a little bit sad was when with the Grip Boys.these days. My opinion might be wrong, but somebody tried to diss me with my mom. Where do you think we are when itthat’s the way I feel about it. Anytime my mom is the matter, it touches I don’t do anything for the Grip Boyz, comes to music distribution? me deeply. I am saying this because I want they are an independent clique. I don’t pay A lot of people wonder why featured people to stop doing it. If you want to abuse for their videos or for their ight or studio I think we need to take online more seriously.international artists never get to promote me, you can, but don’t abuse me with my sessions. They do everything by themselves. Online is the future, not only in Nigeria, butthe collaborated songs in their countries. parents, because they are no longer alive. I The af liation started from Jos; they are my around the world – people are starting to goWould you know why? was an example of a wack rapper online, and digital these days. Nigerian artistes are releasing I wasn’t even moved, so there’s no shot that rst friends from Jos. When grip Music started, albums on iTunes these days. Before it was It depends on who you are collaborating can come way now that I will feel bad about. I was there - I was in the rst meeting ever. Alaba and NotJustOk, but now albums dropwith and the kind of deal you sign. If you Let’s take you back to 2013 when Trybe That was before I moved to Abuja and thenget an international collaboration, they should Record’s artiste, Rukus called you out Chocolate City, before I moved to Lagos. If I rst on iTunes and that’s growth. I think it’s atalk about it and spread it out, even in their over a list that was put on NotJustOk wasn’t with Chocolate City, I would have been cliché thing to say that our distributions willplaces, but most times there’s always a limit Oh yeah, that guy’s own really bothered a Grip Boy, because that was my early group. get better or Alaba will get better, but by God’sto where you can release the music. They grace in due time, it will get better, becausemake you release in Africa, but you don’t Let me also take you back to Jesse Jagz’s our music is on the right path and structuresget an international release. So there’s very exit from Chocolate City are coming into place and the telecoms andlittle they can do. Like when I did “I Swear” others are coming in, so it will de nitely get(with French Montana), for example, I had I didn’t see his exit coming, but I have better.permission for an international release, so I always known Jagz was going to do greaterhad the whole Revolt TV talking about it; I stuff, because ‘Jagz Nation’ is not an idea thatalso had the whole Coke Boys and Bad Boystalking about it from their side. Generally, wEntertainment Quick Review Entertainment QuickReview miss out on notAfrobeat and African music is not there yet,where we expect to get radio and TV slots in Pearl Look 2015To Be Hosted By Yaw And Lolo 1America. Even Jamaican music that is somewhatbig all over the world - Movado, Vybz Kartel Organizers of the fresh model To be hosted by Actor, OAP, Producerand their likes are not on radio all the time competition have announced two and Business Man, Steve Onu fondlyin America; Maybe Sean Paul, Shaggy, Beenie indigenous radio personalities Yaw and called Yaw and Comedienne/Radio DivaMan because they’ve crossed over. Lolo as hosts for its 3rd edition tagged Lolo 1, the show includes each contestant “Pearl Look 2015” The show, which saw battling it out in styles, attitudes and Apparently, the media abroad categorize thousands of hopeful auditions in 5 cities catwalk for a shot at the grand prizeall African, especially Nigerian music as in Nigeria, for a chance to be the next of a six month salary and a modeling‘Afrobeat’; what’s your take on that? model and the best runway model, is contract with Ice Model Management now ready for its 3rd edition with all 15 in South Africa. I feel like calling it Afrobeat is not bad; matter contestants going to South Africa on tour.of fact, I think that it should be in honour of Yaw is a versatile, seasoned hostthe great Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who actually

.. /ENTERTAINMENTRAVE Oscar 2015Winners List Close Up Unveils 2015 Winner OfThe Cupid SPECIAL REPORT Games It was a weekend of razzmatazz WINNERS BELOW Best Foreign Language Film Feast — Patrick Osborne and As promised, Close-Up gave out a and glamour as the world Best Picture Ida – Pawel Pawlikowski Kristina Reed brand new MV Agusta Brutale cc witnessed the 87th edition Birdman — Alejandro G. Inar- Best Live Action Short Film Power Bike to Samuel, the winner of the Oscars also called, the The Phone Call — Matt Kirkby Best Animated Movie of the Valentine's Cupid Games last Academy Awards. The ceremony ritu, John Lesher and James W. and James Lucas Big Hero Six — Don Hall, Chris weekend, (February , ). was hosted by Neil Patrick Skotchdopole Best Documentary Short Subject Williams and Roy Conli The glamorous red themed event took Harris on Sunday, February 22, Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press Achievement in Production Design place at the Grand Ball, Eko Hotel 2015. In its usual tradition, the Best Director 1 — Ellen Goosenberg Kent and The Grand Budapest Hotel — & Suites and was hosted by Toke show, which took place at the Alejandro González Iñárritu — Dana Perry Adam Stockhausen and Anna Pinnock Makinwa and Ebuka Obi Uchendu. Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Birdman Original Screenplay Achievement in Cinematography Performers at the event were Los Angeles honoured and Best Actor Birdman – Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Birdman — Emannuel Lubezki Adekunle Gold, Bez, Yemi Alade and celebrated the best of movies Eddie Redmayne — The Theory Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dine- Achievement in Film Editing Davido. It was huge party with loads from 2014. of Everything laris, Jr. and Armando Bo Whipalsh — Tom Cross of fun and gifts for the guests. Best Actress Achievement in Sound Mixing Best Documentary Feature Some weeks ago, Close-Up Nigeria The most awarded lms of Julianne Moore — Still Alice Whiplash — Craig Mann, Ben Citizen Four — Laura Poitras, opened entries for lovers to enter the night were ‘Birdman’ (4 Best Supporting Actor Wilkins, Thomas Curley Mathilde Bonnefoy and Dirk Wilutzky for its Valentine's Cupid Games Awards) and ‘Grand Budapest J.K. Simmons — Whiplash Achievement in Sound Editing Best Original Song competition which was promoted with Hotel’ (4 Awards). They were Best Supporting Actress American Sniper — Alan Robert Glory — John Stephens and Lonnie superstars, Yemi Alade and Davido. closely followed by ‘Whiplash’ (3 Patricia Arquette — Boyhood Murray Bub Asman Lynn The requirement of the game was for Awards). Amongst other great Achievement in Costume Design Achievement in Visual Effects Best Original Score contestants to get the attention of performances, John Legend Milena Canonero — The Grand Interstellar — Ian Hunter, Scott The Grand Budapest Hotel — anyone they admire. The task does and Common thrilled guests Budapest Hotel Fisher, Andrew Lockley and Paul Alexandre Desplat not just end there, as they are also with their Oscar-winning song, Achievement in Makeup and Franklin Best Adapted Screenplay expected to display their admiration “Glory” from Selma. Hairstyling Best Animated Short The Imitation Game – Graham moves in public. Frances Hannon and Mark Coulier Moore Apart from Samuel, the star prize SEE THE FULL LIST OF — The Grand Budapest Hotel winner, Deborah Jesunani won two iPads and a Close-Up goody bag, while others got a Beats by Dre Headphone each. Lemuel Iyalla Storms Unilag with Clas- Ayakoroma, Onukaba, Sefi A a Set for sic Concert in Mars Jos Festival ofTheatre The main auditorium of the University of Lagos, music at the age of eight, happily listed some The 9th edition of the annual Jos Festival young men who live their lives duping Akoka, will be agog on Sunday, March 15, when of the gains and bene ts of the high-end music, of Theatre set to open in Jos, Plateau State people. They extend this by getting a lot the debut edition of the long awaited The Lemuel which he has helped to spread round the country from March 10 to 14, will feature ve plays of services on credit. They then plan the Iyalla Classic Concert in Mars, storms the revered as a proud ambassador. alongside a pre-festival play a few days to ultimate scheme – one of them is to marry institution of higher learning. the opening of the festival. the daughter of the wealthiest man in the “Classical music lowers your blood pressure city in the hope that when he dies they will The founder of the forthcoming evening event, according to a British study. The plays outlined for the 2015 edition of inherit his wealth, pay off their debts and Lemuel Iyalla, disclosed that the concert would feature the festival include Barclays Ayakoroma’s live happily as respected men of the society. comedy performances and other side attractions It relieves your stress levels according to a Castles In The Air, Adinoyi Ojo Onukaba’s The plan back res as the one pretending to for all lovers and patrons of classical music. Taiwanese study. Body Parts, Se Atta’s Last Stand, Jacinto fall in love actually falls in love. Benaventure’s The Bonds of Interest and Iyalla, a proud graduate of Industrial Relations and Also, it helps ght depression and manage pain August Wilson’s King Hedley II. King Hedley II depicts life in Pittsburgh Personnel Management from the same university, according to a Glasgow University Study. in 1985. King Hedley II is out of jail. He who equally has a distinction in the Association Castles in the Air exposes traditional preju- comes back home, gets married and tries to Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) Again, a Dutch study reveals that it improves dices on mixed marriages between diverse live making his own rules. He lives with his London Grade 5 Examination, further maintained your sleep quality. ethnic groups in Nigeria. Body Parts is the mother and his wife whom he would very that the concert would de nitely change the face story of a group of young men who out of much love to see get pregnant. She eventually and concept of classical music in Nigeria. Classical music makes you more at ease and being unemployed create jobs for themselves gets pregnant but decides to have an abortion, open with yourself according to Edinburgh by hawking their vital organs to the highest as she would not want to have a child who Interestingly, as one of the best tenor singers in University Study. bidder. There is a strong demand for kidneys would not know his father. Nigeria, Iyalla who has performed in various high and they have very healthy ones to sell. But pro le events both within and outside Nigeria Finally, it enhances mental alertness and memory there is a snag as they sell to someone who The 2015 festival, which has the theme added that tickets for his talk of the town concert according to a Northumbria University study. has a history with their family dating back ‘Telling Untold Stories... Making a Differ- were already sold out. thirty years. Last Stand, is the story of a family ence through the Arts”, will include arts “I am therefore inviting you to The Lemuel Iyalla torn apart by the will of their dying patriarch, management workshops that will focus on Iyalla, who was rst introduced to classical Classic Concert in Mars slated for March 15, 2015 a retired military General. proposal writing this year alongside directing at the University of Lagos Main Auditorium, from and acting classes. 6pm. our tickets are very affordable,” Iyalla noted. The Bonds of Interest is the story of twothing and we are thrilled to be working with him,\" said Doyin Haastrup Olatokunbo, Producer, Pearl Look Nigeria. \"With Lolo also as a co-host introducing surprising and competitive twists, guests are sure to be immersed and entertained’’, adds Doyin Haastrup. “The past ones have been amazing; this year promises to be more electrifying! Guests are assured to have a pleasant evening,” says Yaw.

/ETIQUETTE .. THE ETIQUETTE FORUMADEKANMI OTEDOLA-OLUSANYA email mretique [email protected] tel. ,Dating: Mistakes Women MakeI continue the series on dating with mistakes ship. Does this by any way speak to you across is very simple -She would not be partner admits his wrongs and is willingwomen make. Relationship skills are very or anyone you may know? The way out is able to keep a home. to change and is taking convincing stepscrucial. I heard a billionaire once say “I can simple. Look for qualities that are sacrosanct Being Selfish in that direction, ne. Otherwise, move on.lose money but I can’t lose relationships.” like honesty, focus and high moral values If you don’t, chances are things would get toHow poignant this is. I am met every day and then look over those qualities that are Make sure you are not receiving all the the extreme and eventually burst. I know of awith people who take poor relationship not too essential. You’ll even nd out that time without giving. Even though the man woman who was in a relationship with a guychoices and the resultant consequences. We some of the non-essentials can be built in should do the chasing especially early on in the who was very promiscuous. Rather that walkall are guilty in one aspect or another. I still your partner overtime. By stooping, you’ll relationship, you should call him also, when you out, she kept on with the relationship untilmake relationship mistakes. Even the best eventually conquer. go out on dates offer to pay on some occasions. the man eventually slept with about three ofof the lot still make mistake as they strive Pass The Etiquette Test It would only increase the respect he has for you. her other friends.to get better but it is my sincere hope that If he surprises you, surprise him too. If he goes Hurting Yourselfwe all would inculcate the right habits in A woman who does not know how to say out of his way to care for you, do the same too.relationships that would bring out the best thank you or speak to people in a shabby Don’t make him feel like a slave but rather a lover. Some women come into a relationship ap-in us all. manner would only make a man feel like Trying To Change Him pearing pitiful rather than graceful. This dimsWaiting For Mr. Perfect getting her is getting one more problem! what can be an otherwise sparkly union and Exactly what every rational man is trying to Sometimes with people, you have to move on. If quenches his morale. It permeates through I know many women who had over avoid. I know a man who decided never to a partner has traits you cannot cohabit, rather than their language, body language, hobbies,bloated opinions of who they wanted in a consider a lady for marriage after he once waste your time and your life move on. Certain friends, actions and idiosyncrasies. They arerelationship. What I saw in their lives was saw her lose her temper in public! Add to people do not desire to change. A lot of women the women who grope and bore a partnerthat as years passed, they either remained this if she lacks proper skills on a dinner stay in the wrong relationship hoping the with stories about their exes on a date andsingle or never settled in a ful lled relation- table or proper hygiene. The message sent change the wrong of the partner. If the refuse to move on.I know many women who had over bloated opinions of who they wanted in a relationship. What I saw in their A woman who does not know how to say thank you or speak to people in a shabby manner would only make alives was that as years passed, they either remained single or never se led in a fulfilled relationship man feel like ge ing her is ge ing one more problem!A woman who does not know how to say thank you or speak to people in a shabby manner would only make a Some women come into a relationship appearing pitiful rather than graceful. They are the women who gropeman feel like ge ing her is ge ing one more problem! and bore a partner with stories about their exes on a date and refuse to move on.

. . /YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR‘WorkinginVariousCapacitiesHasProvidedMeOpportunities’Dr. Ladi Hamalai, Director General of National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS), Abuja,profile is laden with administrative and coordinated project research experience spanningoveradecadehavingimpactedknowledgepositivelyonthelegislativearmofgovernment.Inthis interview with Mary Ekah, she spoke about her achievement so farTell us about your school days? Hamalai assume office as the Director General of held in November 2012. The roundtable afforded School was fun and a lot of hard work. I has provided opportunities to brainstorm of NILs, and already the results are evident. national leaders, political party chieftains civil matters of interest, networking with people Tell us what is responsible for the success society organisations, government functionar-have fond memories of my school days. In with a view of adding value to our nation. story so far? ies and legislators the opportunity of learningschool, I received Best Student Commenda- On women development, I got more deeply valuable lessons about party politics, electoraltion at graduation and was nominated for the involved in the academic study of women As a capacity builder, my rst most important reform challenges, party nancing, legislativeFederal Ministry of Education Merit Award (gender studies) after I attended the United role is to build the capacity. We started off by practice and lobbying by interacting and sharingin 1980. I attended University of Wisconsin, Nations Conference on Women in Beijing, 1995 organizing seminars with the relevant bodies and experience with the experts and practitioners.Madison, USA, one of the top ten universities as a resource person of the Federal Ministry a retreat held with the staff and managementin the USA between 1984 and 1985, where I of Women Affairs. Since then I have written of NILS in addition to a weeklong orientation Looking at the present Assembly, how bestobtained a Masters Degree in Political Science, several academic and journalistic papers on the programme which held in May 2012 with a would you describe it? How best would youwith a focus on Policy Studies. And the Institute subject. Some were published also participated view to throwing more light on the vision and describe the 1999 and the 2014 Assembly?of Development Studies (IDS), University of in several women NGOs. mission of the institute as well as on its coreSussex, Brighton, U.K. from 1989 and 1993. values. What we have done in the last two The present Assembly is a robust assembly. ItIDS is one of the most referred to Institutes I was a member of the Executive Council of years is to ensure that we work together as a has gone through a lot of transformation. Thisof Development Studies in the World. The the National Council of Women Societies up team; we have tireless worked to deliver on transformation is a deliberate and purposefulAssociation of Commonwealth Universities to year 2000 and I served as the Secretary of the promised to ensure optimum performance capacity building that is responsible for the cropsponsored me. I obtained a Doctor of Philosophy the Board of Trustees of Rural Empowerment of the legislature in order to meet up with the of lawmakers that country now has. There isin Development Studies. I worked on economic Acceleration Programme founded by the wife challenge of nurturing our democracy. no two Assemblies that are the same, rather,policy making in Nigeria with a special focus of the Adamawa State Governor. Serving as a each Legislative Assembly is better than theon Government-Business Relations within the member of the Vision 201 0 Committee, enabled We needed to bequeath con dence to the previous ones most especially when you look atcontext of Economic Reform from 1986 - 1990. me to interact with people from all over the citizens in order to restore democratic con dence the membership they are more educated, moreThe DPhil Thesis was developed into a book country at both formal and informal levels. I to our people in more ef cient and effective senior members with higher quali cations. Today,'Government-Business Relations and Economic was part of the Committee of nine that drafted ways. And that is what we have done so far there are more senior persons in the Senate thanLiberalization in Nigeria, 1999. It was reprinted the Final Report. I also chaired the Poverty and what we will yet do. By laying this founda- in the House of Representatives than before. We2000, and is widely referred to by academics Alleviation Committee, which also exposed tion we have naturally provided a platform now have several Ph.D. holders as members.and students in Nigeria and abroad. On the me to the intensive study of the subject. We for capacity building in order to ensure the About 20% of Senate now has Masters degree.honours and recognition given to me while in also worked closely with the UN System and effective performance of the legislators and their There is a steep decline in members who haveschool, what can I say? Well, I was Best Student the World Bank in the process of producing aides. We have been able to do this through secondary school certi cate as their highestPrize in Literature and Biology. In 1976, I was an over 60 pages Report. Since then, I have detailed and comprehensive training, research, academic quali cation. Those who have beennominated for the Federal Ministry of Educa- published and presented papers on the subject. provision of committee support services and in public service even those who have servedtion Award while I was at Bayero University, documentation services. as governors, ministers are now coming intoKano (BUK). In 1980, I got the Department of I also served as a Member of the Transport the National assembly. So de nitely, you cannotPolitical Science Best Student Commendation Sector Steering Committee of the National As an assiduous Administrator and capacity compare the rst Assembly with the currentand in 1981 the Association of Commonwealth Council on Privatization, where I chaired the builder, tell us about your capacity training ones. In fact, each assembly is better than theUniversity Scholarship Award as well as the Railway Sector Subcommittee. This enabled me programmes and how they help in building previous one. So no two Assemblies are the21st Century Trust Fellowship, 1990. to undertake a microscopic study of railway the nation’s democratic institutions? same. And the facts are there for people to see. in Nigeria. My subcommittee visited and Tell us how you moved on after gradu- inspected all the major rail installations in the We organized an international conference Apart from capacity building, what elseation? country. I interviewed junior and senior staff at on Law Reform and law making process in has changed? Lagos, Enugu and Zaria before presenting the collaboration with National Judicial Institute, I started work as NYSC Graduate Assistant subcommittee report. This experience opened the Nigerian Law Reform Commission and There has been an upward climb by theat Bayero University Kano on the special my eyes so many things going. I was amazed at the International Law Institute which sought legislature in terms of effectiveness, performance.request of the Department of political science the level of waste, misapplication of funds, and to examine the challenges of law making in A lot of the members are a lot of more con dentwhere I graduated. I proceeded to University nonchalant attitudes in the process of governance democratic societies with the aim of broadening in carrying out their responsibilities and inter-of Maiduguri as a Graduate Assistant in the in the country. I also served as a member of the the knowledge and skills which members of the relations with other harms of Government andDepartment of political science on completion Policy and Monitoring Committee (chaired by legislature require in order to respond creatively with the international community. Under the 6thin 1982 and rose to the rank of Lecturer 1 in the SGF of the National Council on Privatization. and effectively to the challenges of law making. and 7th assemblies, major investigative hearings1996. I assumed duty on transfer of service The Committee is a clearinghouse on policy were carried out. This was not done before. Soat the Nigerian Defense Academy in 1998 as matters for the NCP. On electoral reform, we hosted the Roundtable there is a deepening of democratic governance inSenior Lecturer. I was favourably assessed for Conferences on Party Politics in Nigeria and the governance in Nigeria, the higher the capacitythe rank of Associate Professor with effect from It’s been barely two years since you Lobbying, the Lobbyist and the Legislature, which and the con dence and that exposure, the deeperOctober200 1 before I left to assume duty as the democratic system of governance. This is whata Director in SMEDAN. I started work as the we have witnessed that in the country today. TheDirector, Planning, Coordination and Monitoring Senate President and the Speaker of the Housein SMEDAN, The Presidency from January 2004 of Representatives have demonstrated that withthough I assumed responsibilities at the Agency good governance comes with responsible leader-since November 2003. I was appointed as Project ship, and responsibility comes with maturity.Coordinator, Policy Analysis and Research Project Nigerians are witnessing stability as a result(PARP), National Assembly 2004-2011. After of good governance.which I was appointed Director General, NationalInstitute for Legislative Studies from 2011 till Tell us the similarities or differences in yourdate. I was a visiting Associate Professor at responsibilities as the Project Coordinatorthe Jubilee University Taraba State in 2009 and of PARP and Director General of NILS?currently a Visiting Associate Professor at the What has changed?Nigerian Defense Academy Kaduna. You cannot compare PARP with NILS; neither Tell us about PARP and about your can you compare my roles expectation in each.responsibilities as the Project Coordinator? PARP was an intervention project that had a limited scope to build the capacity of the National As Project Coordinator of PARP, I was oversee- Assembly in certain areas especially in the areaing a team of experts (Ph.D.’s) with at least of knowledge management functions. On the10 years post quali cation experience. PARP's other hand, while the NILS is a permanentFunctions include research, policy analysis, bill institution set up by an act of the Nationaldrafting, bill scrutiny, bill analysis, training of Assembly. The scope of NILS is broad. It coverslegislators and parliamentary staff within and the state Assemblies particularly the ECOWASoutside the country, and ITC and Documentation sub region. So, the NILs is much more robust.functions. PARP is basically a capacity buildingagency of the National Assembly. PARP boasts How has Nigeria fared on womenof over 30 in-house publication mostly reporting representation?research and analytical activities in the areas ofbudget, oversight functions, activities of State Nigeria has made some improvementsAssemblies, statistical information and reports when it comes to appointments but is theof conferences and workshops. percentage has not really changed when it comes to the ratio of women to men. There Having gained a lot of experience serving is no doubt that Nigeria has greatly improvedin academic and administrative capacities. and is making giant strides when it comes toWhat are some lessons learnt in the course appointive positions especially under the presentof serving? government. But a lot is yet to be achieved when it comes to elective positions for women. Working and serving in various capacities Different Presidents have different benchmarkhas been a wonderful experience for me. It when it comes to female representation.

/COLLAGE .. L-R: President, Nigerian Council Registered Insurance Brokers, Mr. Ayodapo Shoderu; President/CEO Stan- dard Insurance Group / celebrant, Dr. Ahmed Salawudeen; and Mr. Feyitayo Soyewo at a luncheon organised by the council to mark . Salawudeen's 70th birthday in Lagos...recently.Mr Olalekan Ogunyomi and his wife former, Miss Moradeke Bosede Agbeniyi cu ing their cake during thier L-R: Former President/Founding Member, Rotary Club of Oregun, Rotn. Chief Tunde Aluko, President of thewedding ceremony in ilesha Osun State.....recently Club, .Rotn. Henry Ibhade and Past President/Chairman Anniversary Commi ee, Rotn. Arinze Okamelu, dur- ing the Media Luncheon for the 30th anniversary of Rotary Club of Oregun held in Ikeja, Lagos…recently…Emmanuel Ojobo and wife, former Miss Paule e Oghenero flanked by brides parents, Mr. and Mrs Peter Ishaka dur- Aliyu Olorunshola Sheidu and his wife, Sherifah Omolola Balogun at their wedding reception in Lagos...recentlying the couple's wedding in Abuja...recentlyL-R; Rev. Fr. Alex Okonkwo; Rev. Fr. Anthony Chukwuma; Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji and his wife Mercy during a condolence visit to Christ the King Catholic family over the death of their Bishop,V.V.Ezeonyia atCKC Aba...recently

. . /THISLIFEHonour for a ‘Meticulous’ ClergymanFunke Olaode L-R: Barr. Dele Ayeni of RCCG Holiness Assembly presenting a gi to Pastor Femi Adebiyi and wife, Rachel, gure. “He will always want the best for you.The show of love for Pastor Olufemi Adebiyi, the during a send-forth programme organized by Zone for the Adebiyis…recently I remember when I wanted to change my job, Inewly promoted Assistant Provincial Pastor of went to him and he asked me to think deeply.the newly created Province 49 of the Redeemed pitched his tent with The Redeemed Christian Unit. It was therefore a glorious moment for His advised sank into my system and today; IChristian Church of God (RCCG) was rst Church of God where he currently worships with this man when he was celebrated penultimate have a business of my own and stopped being ademonstrated when he announced his exist from his family, his commitment, steadfastness and Sunday at a send-forth programme organized salary earner.” Agbaje prayed that the Adebiyisthe Holiness Zone where he was Zonal Pastors dedication has seen him climbing the ladder. by the Holiness zone. For a man who has often offspring will nd favour in the sight of Godfor a few years last November. All the pastors described as a disciplinarian and Meticulous. and men.under his watch did not only converge to shower A very accommodating, quiet, gentle and wise Not only that who encourages people and allowencomiums on this gentle and unassuming man man, Adebiyi was posted from the RCCG Peace them to perform, he was overwhelmed by the According to Deaconess Olasupo Ojo whoof God whom many see as a spiritual father House to the Holiness Zone in November 2009 demonstration of love by various groups and has had an encounter with this man of God alsoand father gure, the parishioners from all the as its Zonal Pastor. Though a new terrain, his associations in the church as various gift items described him as a father hen. “Pastor Adebiyi iszones trooped out in their thousands to wish unbiased attitude to all and sundry later endeared kept pouring in throughout the programme. a man who you can run to in the time of trouble.him well in his endeavours. him to the parishioners who adore him and his He is an extraordinary man of God.” Describing wife of over three decades, Rachel. Under him, Extolling the virtues of Adebiyi, Barr. Dele him as a team player with an unusual candour, So on February 15, 2015, RCCG Holiness he encouraged and mentored many people. His Ayeni described his love to all and sundry as Ojo said Adebiyi is a very knowledgeable manZone again rolled out the drum to celebrate tenure no doubt breed many pastors who have unusual. “Adebiyi is a Pastor of pastors. He is not who you gain one thing by just spending onethis man of God, pastor Adebiyi and his wife, seen spread their tentacles in propagating the only a teacher but a coach, mentor, entrepreneur minute with him. Celebrating him today is aRachel and the then Parish Pastor who has gospel. The Adebiyis are still in the fold in the and initiator.” reward of consistency and dedication to thebeen promoted as Area Pastor of Zion Area, RCCG family but has been promoted as Assistant work of God. “RCCG Lagos Province 14, Pastor Adesanya Pastor-in-charge of newly established RCCG Another Parishioner, Deaconess Bunmi AgbajeOlagboye and wife Kehinde. Though it was a Province 49 in the Corporate Social Responsibility in an emotional voice showered praises on Another parishioner also testi ed that Adebiyi issend-forth programme it was like a carnival of Pastor Adebiyi whom he described as a father a man that will always use his personal experiencesorts as all the roads that led to the Holiness to encourage you. “He is humble despite hisAssembly on White Disu Road in Ijegun area age and will always bring out that quality inwas jamp-packed. The women well all decked you that you don’t even know that you have.in orange and wine aso-ebi, the pastors were He will always say ‘it is in you’in their usual suits while the massive choir intheir uniform were doing what they know how Responding to the accolades poured on him,to do best. It was a great moment and indeed, the man of the moment Pastor Adebiyi thankedit is good to serve God. everyone who had come out to celebrate with him. Describing Holiness Zone as a prosperous Pastor Adebiyi’s life trajectory is a lesson in and progressive Zone, Adebiyi said he has goodhumility and dedication to service. For several tales to say about the church and its parishioner.decades, he plied his trade in the banking industry “Whatever I achieve today, it was a collective effortand despite his high ying job he still found of all of you because if you hadn’t cooperatedpassion in the vineyard of God. Pastor Olufemi with me I would not have achieved. Again, myAdebiyi, native of Ifaki Ekiti in Ekiti State’s sojourn family and I have enough to thank God forin Christ wasn’t accidental having been born since we joined this church. I recorded increase.into the family pastor. Four of my children got married and two of them gave birth to boys the same day. It was For decades his late father was a Pastor in in your midst that I became a grand-father,Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) where he was got promoted and God has been moving meraised with fear of God. That in a way must have up.” “What shall I say? Is to say thank youdirected his path as his formative year actually for your show of love.”played a key role in his adult life. Adebiyi mayno longer belong to the ‘church of old’ having Encomium over, there was thanksgiving service after which parishioners were feted with sumptuous meals while there was enough drinks.As Madam Maria Areogun is Laid to RestFunke Olaode pays tribute to Madam Maria Ajike Areogun as she is laid to restMadam Ajike Maria Areogun nee Bankole’s life Areogun education classes at St. Paul’s Church Odo-Ona, late mother as a great disciplinarian.trajectory is like the popular saying that ‘if God with her guardian-aunt in trading. Her versatility, Ibadan. Thereafter, did a year course in cake “It was a very remarkable and memorablehas an interest in your life, things would work commitment and dedication to duty became baking. She then started trading on her ownout in your favour’. She became an orphan at 18 useful after marriage to her husband in 1951. business under the business name ‘Ajike’ Catering experience growing under the tutelage of amonths and widowed at age 38. But against all Rather than being the common housewife, Services.’ She was supplying cakes and chinchin disciplinarian mother. She was a loving, pleasant,odds, she trumphied. Today, her offsprings have she joined her husband in husbandry. She ran mostly to staff of the secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan very hard working and caring woman, but aall made her proud as a mother. And until she her husband’s poultry and piggery business, and schools in Apata Area. With her ourishing disciplinarian, who never spared the rod onbreathed her last on February 1, 2015 at a ripe supplying eggs to Government College, Ibadan business, Madam Areogun was able to put her any of her children when we were growingage of 86, what Madam Areogun lacked in her and African Church Grammar School, Apata, children through school. Today, many have not up. She had a cane called 'Pankere' that shechildhood she had it in abundance and enjoyed also in Ibadan. only done well in their career, they have continually used to threaten us and made us to conform.life to the fullest. Above all, she loved God andserved Him faithfully till the end, ful lling the The business was ourishing but the man died ourished in their endeavours: Among them Speaking further, she said her mother was ascripture ‘Precious in the sight of the Lord is just after 16 years of marriage placing the then are Mrs. Biodun Soyombo who is currently a great asset in shaping her life in many ways.”the death of His saints’ 38 year old to assume the role of father and a manager with the Nigerian National Petroleum She was not privileged to have formal education mother over all her brilliant young children. Corporation (NNPC), another of her children, yet her determination, focus and hardworking Born on October 1, 1929, in Ilaro, Yewa. Her Engr. Adekunle Areogun is the managing spirit made her to achieve a lot for herself and herlate father was a prominent cocoa farmer. Both Having been eluded by the western education, director of Bourbon Interoil Nigeria Limited, children. She was a woman who saw possibilityparents died within months of each other, leaving Madam Areogun was so desirous of learning. Revd. Olusola Areogun is the general overseer in any seemingly impossible situation.”just Maria, an 18 months old baby. Her older After her husband died, she enrolled for adult of a thriving Life Oasis International Churchesbrother she was told lost his life during a business based in Osun State. And if there were to be another world,trip to Cotonou. Therefore, her late maternal Soyombo says she would choose her motheraunt, Iya Amoke took care of her into adulthood In 1989, she travelled with her daughter, Mrs. over again. “I will choose her as a mother again Abiodun Soyombo whose husband, Prof. Omololu and again. She is a mother in a million who She did not get married timely because of her Soyombo was on study abroad. She lived with loved her children and grandchildren sincerelypetite stature, which earned her the nickname the family for three years in Colchester, United and dearly. Mama was what the Yorubas call‘Orente.’ Her natural beauty earned her many Kingdom. On her return, she lived brie y with 'abiyamo '. She sacri ced everything she had forsuitors but they used to tell her aunt, ‘keep her two of her children, Mrs. Olayinka Soyode and the comfort of her children. Despite her limitationfor me till she is older’ unknown to them she was Pastor Kunle Areogun. Later, she moved to in formal education, she struggled and wentactually due according to the marriageable age. Ilesha, where her son, Revd. Olusola Areogun to adult school, worked hard to save money led her to Christ and properly discipled her. to ensure that all her children were educated, Madam Areogun was a paragon of passion, Thereafter, she relocated to Lagos. especially when we lost our father in 1967 ( 48modesty and beauty, the attributes that endured yrs ago ). She was a great giver and a prayerher to her prospective husband. A cousin of late Madam Areogun was neat and generous to warrior who prayed daily for all her childrenEmmanuel Idowu Areogun, Iya Ilaro was so a fault. A lover of children. She is blessed with and grandchildren.keen by her beauty, she took her photograph nine grandsons and nine grand-daughters.to late Emmanuel, who was working in Lagos To keep her memory and that of our lateat that time. The young man was swept by She was an active member of The Re- husband alive, Madam Areogun’s children led byher beauty. She nally married late Emmanuel deemed Christian Church of Christ (RCCG) the eldest Olayinka, Abiodun, Olusola, Ajibola,Idowu Areogun in 1951. The marriage was blessed Resurrection Power Centre, Liberation Area and Olukayode have instituted an endowmentwith ve children: Abiola (deceased), Olayinka, Headquarters, Lagos Province 2, Medium fund of a million Naira is to be launched onAbiodun, Olusola and Ajibola. Olukayode was Housing Estate, Agege, Lagos being the 27th Feb. (burial day) to support and ensureborn later. She was widowed in 1967. treasurer of the Elder’s in the church. For the education of indigent students in her church. several years, every Wednesday, her home The name of the fund is The Emmanuel Idowu Having been orphaned at 18 months, western was venue for house fellowship. And Maria Ajike Areogun Scholarship Fund.education eluded the brilliant Madam Areogun. The rst set of awardees would be announcedRather than wallowed in self-pity, she teamed up In her tributes to her late mother, one of the on that day. children, Mrs. Abiodun Soyombo described her

/OPINION ..SOLOMON ELUSOJISTORY TIME www.ekus.com.ng Tel (sms only) The Dean of EkehuanAliogo Ugo woke up with a feeling that the abby wings of a turkey. Just in front of the “Me I don’t understand why they are treating her fellow students. something was wrong. The previous gate were two mountains of sands, positioned, us like this,” Gladys said. She was sitting on She closed her eyes. And she could see clearly night, he had drifted off to sleep like a as if to block any entrance into the hostel. But the edge of her bunk, her shower cap on her what was happening. It was like she was watchingdrugged patient. His dreams had been foggy between these mountains, was a tenuous path, head, and the string of her spaghetti night-gown a 3D cinema screen. She could see. She couldand muddled with oating objects. It was like open for two pairs of feet at a time. falling off her shoulders. “The girls have paid see that . . .he had been in space, but he couldn’t quite put Ugo scratched his head. Where did the sand for their accommodation, we have cleared. Why The dead were rising.the pieces together. As he opened the door of his come from? Last night, when he had walked are they not letting us inside?” The Dean was a man who didn’t take bullshithostel room, the morning sunlight hit his face through the gate, nothing like that had been “Don’t mind that idiot bigot that calls himself for breakfast. When his rst son, Cosmos couldn’tlike a police ‘surrender your weapon’ beam. there. Then like a suicide bomber, his imagination a Dean,” Betterlife said. The pain in her words get admission into the University of Ekehuan,And again, he had this unsettling feeling that took him by surprise. Snippets of his dreams was re ected on her dark, beautiful face. Each he had dipped the boy’s smallest nger intosomething was going to go wrong. came to him. The dead will rise again. syllable formed a different line on her visage. This a bowl of acid. “I passed every of my examsVery soon. A hand touched his back. made her face look like the uctuating screen of a despite that my father never paid my fees,” he He retreated into the room and opened his His heart stopped. stereo beat, as she spoke. “The normal thing that had spat into his son’s crying face as the ngerwardrobe, which he shared with his bunkmate – Betterlife hated the Dean. Her hate for him burnt he should have done was to allocate spaces for lingered in the acid solution. “And you, youFrancis – picked a starched shirt and slipped into like Nebuchadnezzar’s re. The storm of her those who have paid, and enforce the punishment have an air-conditioner inside your room, youit. As he walked to the door again, he noticed hate for him had the potential to end the world. on those who have not.” have a laptop, you have a father that sends youthat none of his roommates were in the room. And even if some genius scientists had built a “I think they said the boys that have registered to the best secondary school in Ekehuan, andUsually, at this time of the day, they would all replica of Noah’s ark to weather the storm, their are very little. That’s what is delaying the whole you still cannot gain admission into Medcine.still be on their respective bunks, snoring away efforts would have come to nought. Mankind thing,” Gladys said. How can they give you Fishery and you cometheir future. But Ugo was not like them. He was would become a relic of history. Her hate for “Why should that be a problem? The few that home and tell me that? Idiot!” The next year,a believer in little sleep. He believed that the less him was visceral, real, raw, unadulterated, pure, have paid, give them hostel. Lock up the remaining sixteen year old Cosmos re-sat for JAMB, andyou slept, the happier you would be. Ordinarily, even righteous. Yes, righteous. You know that rooms, then nd a way to deal with the bad scored 312. He got admitted.he was always the one to wake them up. But kind of hate, don’t you? guys. This thing is not quantum physics na!” The Dean was the kind of man who believednot this morning. There was no need to bother. “The guy is a baboon,” she said that morning “Betterlife just calm down,” Gladys said. She that human beings should not be treated withNo one was inside. He felt something terrible to her friend, Gladys. “If he confronts me for laid her back to the bed, craving for more sleep, the medicine of humanity. “We are all animals,”was coming. Something he couldn’t understand. whatever reason, I would insult him to pieces despite the effervescence of the morning sun. he once told a friend of his over ten bottlesHe exited the room. and damn the consequences.” Betterlife, who had been pacing the room, of beer. “We don’t deserve mercy, compassion. The morning was frosty; harsh like a wicked The reason for her hate was not far-fetched. The slumped on her own bed, just opposite that of What really works for us, I tell you, is discipline,step-mother, as inconsiderate as buzzing mos- Dean had ordered the girls at the University of Gladys. She imagined strangling the thick neck brutality. People don’t just do the right things,quitoes. Ugo walked down the Hostel corridor, Ekehuan to move into Boys hostel, while the of the Dean, punching his fucking spectacles and they do the right things because they are forcedhis hands wrapped around his shoulders, trying boys had moved the other way. crashing them into his eyes. She would kick his to do them.”to shield himself from the ferocity of the climate. pot-belly until he spat out every of his intestines. That morning, before stepping out of his house,The hostel was still quiet. That bothered Ugo. Betterlife hated the Dean. Then, she would roast him on a rolling stick, he looked at himself in the mirror. His face was asWhy the hell was it quiet? Normally, the boys Her hate for him burnt like turning his sides regularly to ensure everything rough as sand-paper. His grey suit and Methuselahshould have been out, loud music blaring from Nebuchadnezzar’s fire.The was well cooked. Lastly, she would put a fork tie gave him the look of a tired professor. Butsome rooms and footsteps shuf ing across the storm of her hate for him into the bastard and eat him. the Dean was not deterred by his tired look. Hecorridors. had the potential to end the Yes, she would eat him up, bones and blood and had to visit the Hostels this morning, as wasBut all was quiet, dead, like a corpse. world. And even if some all. She would ensure nothing was left of him. his custom. He yanked down the lapels of his Ugo stepped sideways, out of the shelter of genius scientists had built As she lay on her bed, her eyes only able to jacket, and stormed out of his house.the corridor, and onto red earth, anked at the a replica of Noah’s ark to see the underside of the bed above her bunk, When he drove into the University of Ekehuanside by short grasses and wired with lines for weather the storm, their something began to happen. She knew it was in his Navigator Jeep, it was barely six thirty.spreading clothes. He turned left after walking for efforts would have come to happening. She knew why it was happening. Daylight appeared like a torch in the middlea while, and he was now facing the Hostel Gate. nought But she couldn’t explain how. But did the how of a dark storm. He was barely able to see the Still, he couldn’t catch a sight of anybody. All really matter? Shit! That never mattered. What road ahead of him. He could have stoppedwas quiet, cold, like the top of an icy mountain. mattered was that she was getting an opportunity the car and let the morning haze pass, but the He studied the gate, which was still ahead by a to deal with the Dean. An opportunity to take Dean didn’t believe in waiting for anybody orcouple of yards. It had been ung wide open, like revenge for all the bad things he had done to anything, not even time. her. For all the injustices he had meted out to ITECH Email: [email protected], www.itechthisday.blogspot.com Tel (sms only) GEORGE OGUNLEYE Web Browsers: The Hidden RiskWWeb browsing application such as In most cases, the pre-installed web browser that attacks that takes advantage of vulnerable web increases the number of vulnerabilities that may Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and comes with an operating system is not set up browsers; especially new software vulnerabilities be attacked. Apple Safari are installed on almost in a secure default con guration. Not securing that originate from unstable update versions •Third-party software may not have a mechanismall computing devices and used as the default your web browser can lead quickly to a variety of the web browser. These could be exploited for receiving security updates.internet browser application. These web browsers of computer problems caused by anything from and directed at web browsers through use of •Many websites require that users enable certainare statistically the most utilized application on spyware being installed without your knowledge compromised or malicious websites. features or install more software, putting themost Internet enabled devices, as they serve to intruders taking control of your computer. Other things that could arise from these computer at additional risk.as the gateway to the global society. However, Ideally, it’s always advisable to evaluate the risks vulnerabilities include pilfering, viral attacked, • Many users do not know how toin as much as it serves as the door to access from the software one uses, as most computers malware problems that could lead to the death con gure their web browsers securely.the word online, it also serves as means to come to end-users with pre-installed software of the computing device. This problem is made • Many users are unwilling to enable orexpose users to the world’s good and bad applications. Whether installed by the computer worse by a number of factors as af rmed by disable functionality as required to secure theirodds of online presence. As a result, exploiting manufacturer, operating system maker, Internet United States Computer Emergency Readiness web browser.vulnerabilities in web browsers has become Service Provider, or by the retail store, the rst step Team (US-CERT), which includes the following: It is important to understand the functionalitya popular way for attackers to compromise in assessing the vulnerability of your computer •Many users have a tendency to click on links and features of the web browser you use. Enablingcomputer systems. is to nd out what software is installed and without considering the risks of their actions. some web browser features may lower security. The rst key thing hackers do is to identify the how one program will interact with another. •Web page addresses can be disguised or take Often, vendors will enable features by defaultbrowsing application of their targeted victim Unfortunately, it is not practical for most people you to an unexpected site. to improve the computing experience, but theseand use the aws of these browsers to loop into to perform this level of analysis. •Many web browsers are configured to provide features may end up increasing the risk to thethe user’s system. These loops could come in There is an increasing threat from software increased functionality at the cost of decreased computer.as an unknown and even known tiny browser security.extensions, the users harmlessly click ‘’Yes or •Computer systems and software packages To be continued...Accept” in a hurry without knowing they just may be bundled with additional software, whichopened an entrance door for the hacker-vendorof the extension. It thus becomes vital to securelycon gure the web browser.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY ,  AVIATIONBUSINESSWORLDAviation Stakeholders Tasked On NAHCO Plans NigeriaCustomer Services Air Cargo SummitIbrahim Shuaibu The FAAN boss who spoke in the airports. performance measurement Chinedu Eze statement by nahco aviance asin Kano through the Regional Manager, Also speaking at the systems by adopting a quality The Nigerian Aviation Handling saying, “this Summit wouldManaging Director of Federal Alhaji Zakari Mamuda added benchmarking approach and Company plc (nahco aviance) allow government to seeAirport Authority of Nigeria that in continuation of his show workshop, MAKIA manager, strengthening our feedback has concluded plans to hold the areas of opportunities, ensure(FAAN), Mr. Saleh Dunoma of concern to the welfare of Alhaji Gambo Abubakar Aboki mechanism. Constant quality better engagements amongsthas challenged stakeholders in customers, Chidoka launched said in its bid to improve the assessment is also required in rst – ever Air Cargo Summit stakeholders, highlight areasthe Aviation industry to ensure the Aviation Passengers Service customer experience, the federal this industry, considering the in Lagos, Nigeria. of concern within the air cargoexcellent service delivery to (APS) portal and the Aviation government and management nature of the typical airport business and lastly, discuss lairport users in line with the Helpline so as the provide a of FAAN embarked on various user as a global citizen who The Company announced way forward for better safety‘Aviation Commits’ initiative platform where the ying facility upgrades in the airport is constantly in touch with that the event would be a and air cargo security.”aimed at re-packaging, re- public can access real time across the country. the latest service standards gathering of who is who inbranding and re-directing information about airlines around the world and therefore the Nigerian aviation industry According to him, air cargo isthe aviation industry. operations and services at He reminded aviation stake- demands to be served with as key stakeholders are set to a major driver of the Nigeria’s any of the airports in Nigeria. holders that good customer same dedication and ef ciency brainstorm on the way forward economy and is in fact, also a Dunoma who stated on service is about making sure in the course of his travel for the industry. potential high earner of foreignWednesday during awareness According to him, FAAN that the customer comes back, experience.” income for the nation as oilworkshop held at Malam has in recent past improved “but is also about ensuring that Chief Commercial Of cer export earnings have beenAminu Kano International its facilities and infrastructure they go away happy. For our General Manager, Customer of the Company, Mr. Seyi downward.Airport (MAKIA), noted that in all the airports across the kind of business in aviation, it Services, Mrs. Ebele Okoye also Adewale, said although somethe Minister of Aviation, Chief country, adding that the may be that we do not have to urged aviation stakeholders to progress had been made in the He said further, “Safety isOsita Chidoka has been Minister of Aviation has also do much to make customers cultivate an attitude geared development of the sector in a primary issue within thepromoting customer service approved the performance come back since they must towards lifting services to recent years, what operators industry and we have toat a key factor in the federal management system (PMS), pass throughout airports if world best practices, urging in the sector had been doing keep reinforcing ourselvesgovernment transformation which he said was aimed at they have to y.” them to imbibe communication basically was to scratch the for potential challenges aheadin the aviation sector. measuring, monitoring and skills that can create positive surface. He stated that the and get the buy-in of Cargo improving service delivery He further stated : “We impression on airport users. Summit would explore ways to Agents too! They will be well are committed to develop expand and grow the industry represented at the Summit.” and constantly modify our beyond what operators had ever imagined. Adewale however warned that there are sacri ces to be He disclosed that the indus- made for the industry to get try regulator, the Nigerian Civil to the desired destination. Aviation Authority (NCAA), had been requested to chair “There are sacri ces to be the occasion so as to make made in the days ahead from regulatory pronouncements, our estimation and we could which the Summit would use all agree to the sacri ces that as a guide in in its discourse. must be made to assure safety, security, ef ciency etc.,” he Adewale was quoted in the said. African Airlines Market Shrinks by 36%A NEW DEAL Chinedu Eze rail infrastructure, which will African airlines have lost 36 per take time to develop.L-R: Director, Web Technologies WSI Axon, Ikechukwu Rowland; Assistant Manager, International Business, netCORE Solutions, Bikram cent of their operations in theKishorMukhi;ManagingDirector,WSIAxon,EdirinAbamwa;EmailMarketingExecutive,WSIAxon,DeborahOgbonna;andHeadBusiness continent to European and US It is in the promotion of& Franchise Development, WSI Axon, Henry Ikwuemesi; during partnership signing between WSI axon and leading Indian email marketing airlines due to low capacity and the campaign that Africanprovider,netCore Solutions inLagos...recenly. lope-sided Bilateral Air Service destinations should be Agreement (BASA) skewed in dominated by African carriersIreland Demands More Concessions favour of these foreign airlines that Ethiopian Airlines hason Aer Lingus Sale by African states. repeatedly expressed strong interest in participating in theIreland has presented IAG forward, I communicated ecutive Wille Walsh explicitly becomes more risky because This has prompted some establishment of a nationalwith a list of new demands it to cabinet that there is not ruled it out, adding “when I we are the smallest competi- airlines in the region and the carrier in Nigeria.said must be ful lled before the certainty or length that I make an opening offer, my tor on the North Atlantic,” International Air Transportit would consider the sale of need to be able to recommend second offer is actually worse Mueller told journalists. “We Association (IATA) to revive The CEO of Africa’s mostits 25 per cent stake in Aer an irrevocable disposal,” than the rst one.” cannot leave out chances of the campaign for the full imple- pro table airline, TewoldeLingus, including one that Transport Minister Paschal growth.” mentation of Yamoussoukro Gebremariam said Nigeria isIAG has explicitly ruled out. Donohoe told journalists after The demands come after Declaration (YD), which is the the biggest economy with the a cabinet meeting. IAG gave the government ad- Opposition to the deal open sky for Africa, whereby biggest population in Africa, The demands appeared to ditional information on Friday has been led by members of African airlines will be free so it deserves a strong nationalharden a stand-off over the Reuters reported that in and follow the release of Aer the Labour Party, the junior to airlift passengers from one carrier airline in line with its€1.36 billion ($1.5 billion) offer addition to a request for Lingus’s full-year results that partner in Ireland’s govern- country to another freely in important size and role in thefrom British Airways owner more clarity on possible job showed growing pro tability. ment, with Labour deputies the continent. continent.IAG, which the Aer Lingus cuts and planned expansion indicating they may submitboard has recommended but in transatlantic services, Operating pro t rose a motion for their national THISDAY gathered that He said that his airlinea number of politicians have Donohoe said IAG’s offer 18 per cent to €72 million party conference later this currently, in some African wanted to build a sub-regionalopposed. to guarantee connections before exceptional items in week to block the stake sale. destinations, non-African hub for West Africa in Nigeria between Irish airports and 2014. However, outgoing airlines are enjoying better but things did not work as The government did not, London’s Heathrow for ve chief executive Christoph A spokesman for the party market access than African planned initially, which madehowever, give IAG a deadline years was not long enough. Mueller said the airline said no motion had yet been airlines. the airline to establish a hubto respond to the demands could not afford to give up received by the party’s leader- in Lome but assured that theand IAG issued a statement to Asked to give a longer the potential boost an IAG ship and that a motion would IATA noted that enabling airline still plans to establishsay it would consider them. commitment by politicians tie-up might bring. not be binding on either unhindered access to African a sub-regional hub in Nigeria. at a parliamentary committee deputies or government airlines ights within Africa “While I acknowledge that two weeks ago, IAG chief ex- “We are a growing com- ministers. would create a favourable According to him, theproposals have been put pany... but every step further environment for the growth establishment of ASKY and of air travel in the continent Malawian Airlines are good with more choices and more examples of what Ethiopian affordable prices for the travel- Airlines can bring in support of ling public. Nigeria’s endeavour to establish a national carrier. This will also support the growth of ef ciently run airlines Ethiopian has been serving and spur the establishment Nigeria since 1960 for over 55 of new airlines with sound years, both in good and bad business strategies as was the times. When other foreign car- case with Rynair in Europe riers were not even interested after the liberalisation of the at Nigerian market, European market. Today, Ethiopian is serving The world body said this four destinations in Nigeria would also go a long way in with the latest aircraft such supporting the continent’s as the Boeing, B787, B777 and integration agenda as aviation B737 New Generation eet. It is the only infrastructure that considers Nigeria not only as a can play a continent-wide market it is interested to invest integrator role given the size of in both through its own opera- the African landmass and the tion and by participating in lack of continental road and the establishment of a national carrier but also as its second home.

BUSINESSWORLD T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY ,  AVIATIONSAHCOL Boss Canvasses Expansion NAMABoosts Capacityof Cargo Apron at MMIA with Rating of 40 ControllersFor a rapid movement of as there would be no space as a result of the inability of televisions within and around Chinedu Eze justifying the huge resourcescargo from the ramp and to for that thus the need for the the government to construct the airport to monitor every The Nigerian Airspace Man- invested in the exercise byavoid congestion anytime apron expansion. a bigger apron for the airport. on-going activity in the area. agement Agency (NAMA) coming out with an impres-more than one aircraft arrive has increased its manpower sive result. In a statement,at the Murtala Muhammed Nwokoma who is also He urged the government “If we are going to achieve capacity with the training Abdulsalam said, “as part ofAirport, Managing Director involved in cargo operations to address the situation to anything positive, manpower and rating of 40 Air Traf c management’s strategy to buildof Skyway Aviation Handling at the airport said federal avoid embarrassment from and equipment has to be at Controllers by the Nigerian a robust safety infrastructureCompany Limited, SAHCOL, government, as a matter of the international community, its peak. The airport must be Civil Aviation Authority across the Nigerian airspace,Olu Owolabi and a stakeholder, urgency needs to commence the adding that all eyes were illuminated” (NCAA). training and re-trainingPresident of Association of expansion of the cargo apron focused on Nigeria. of critical manpower hasForeign airlines Representatives of the Murtala Mohammed He decried the inability of The Air Traf c Controllers remained the focal point ofin Nigeria (AFRAN), Kingsley International Airport Lagos to “We have an airline that the government to bring down who cut across different cadres his administration.’’Nwokoma have asked to the decongest to allow the landing brings in goods and is made to the price of aviation fuel in got their ratings after success- While congratulating thefederal government to complete of more wide bodied aircraft. park at international. The apron spite of the fallen oil prices fully passing the oral, practical Air Traf c Controllers onthe expansion work on the is so small and we have had in the world market. and written examinations their brilliant performance,second half of the apron. He frowned on the way the issues and incidents involving conducted in Lagos, Abuja, Abdulsalam expressed Cargo apron was abandoned by planes. The Cargo apron is an According to Nwokoma Kano, Port Harcourt as well as con dence that this latest Owolabi told journalist that a contractor that was awarded eye sore; that apron has been prices have fallen from one Benin airports and supervised ratings would further boostif government does not expand the contract for its expansion there since the airport was built, dollar to 50 or 55 cents and by the regulatory authority. the critical manpower needthe apron, there would be much without prosecution. we have been crying, calling in Nigeria it has remained the of NAMA especially in Areamelee anytime more than two for this expansion because same in the aviation sector. A total of 43 Air Traf c Radar Control service.aircraft want to of oad at the “We should have govern- safety is the key here.” Controllers took part in the In its determination to buildtarmac especially after the new ment that will make people “This fallen oil prices will rigorous rating examinations critical manpower capacity interminal is complete. work; you can’t just collect On the need for sanity at bring down tickets fares and held between November and the area of operations, over 124 money and disappear especially the NAHCO shed, Nwokoma more people will y” December, 2014 on Aerodrome, Air Traf c Controllers were He said currently when there for a facility that will bene t the called for the introduction of Approach, Approach Radar, rated in 2014, just as a batchis more than one aircraft at the whole country. It’s something access control of people into “It’s very unfortunate. We Area/Airways and Area of 40 ATCs were recentlycargo terminal, the aircraft can that government must look the Cargo area especially with are dealing with world stan- Control Surveillance. Out of trained on Performance Basedtaxi to the international wing into.” the security challenges that the dard and it should be world this number, 40 were successful Navigation Flight Proceduresof the apron and work from country was passing through. standard, Jet A1 remains high while three were not. in Cairo, Egypt while anotherthere but it would be dif cult Nwokoma explained that in Nigeria as oil prices have batch of ve were trainedonce the new terminal is ready it was becoming worrisome The AFRAN president fallen drastically and all over Meanwhile, the Managing and dif cult for wide bodied stressed the need for the the world prices have been Director of the agency, Ibrahim planes to come to the airport installation of close circuit reduced. It must be applicable Abdulsalam has commended here.” the Air Traf c Controllers for on Wind Shear Equipment handling in Germany. Etihad Airways Predicts Surge in eet-wide In- ight Connectivity UsageCOURTESY VISIT Etihad Airways, which next and services, the latest com- month becomes one of the munication technology andAbia state Governor, Theodore Orji receiving a souvenir from Corps Marshall and Chief Executive FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, when he led few airlines in the world entertainment systems thatsome othertop officials of the corps on a courtesy visittothegovernor inUmuahia...recently to offer eet-wide in ight best t their needs. connectivity services, hasHeathrow Passenger Numbers Edge Up witnessed a dramatic surge “When people travel, they in Internet and mobile phone want to stay connected withThe operator of London’s about 0.5 per cent a year, expand Gatwick Airport, south to the airport, the issue had usage in 2014. their work, their friends andHeathrow Airport is hopeful Heathrow chief executive of the capital. It is set to make also fallen off the agenda their family. They also wantplans to build a new runway John Holland-Kaye said in a recommendation after the somewhat, Holland-Kaye Re ecting the broader to be kept up-to-date with 24could receive long-awaited an interview. election in May. said, with the latest expan- trend for people to use their hour world news services.backing from a government- sion proposal positioning the personal devices for work This is now possible for theappointed commission this Expansion of Heathrow has Holland-Kaye said he was runway to reduce noise and and entertainment when entire journey on an Etihadyear, helping bolster traf c long been a political issue. con dent of progress on offering more compensation. travelling, the growth was Airways ight.”at Britain’s busiest airport. airport expansion, an issue largely driven by people Britain’s Conservative- which has been around since “We never had anything logging onto Etihad Airways’ The services comprising According to Reuters, Liberal Democrat coalition the 1970s, as the political close to that on the table ve Wi-Fi network, with usage Wi-Fi, mobile connectivityHeathrow reported a 1.4 which won the 2010 election climate had shifted both years ago. We now have a rising by 80 per cent last year. and live television, combineper cent increase in 2014 scrapped the previous Labour nationally and locally. good plan because we’ve the “Etihad Wi-Fly” solution,passengers helped by bigger, government’s plans to build listened to local communities,” Increased demand for powered by the Panasonicfuller planes. There is little an additional runway at “I think we’ve got a good he said. on-board mobile services Avionics Global Communi-room for additional ights, Heathrow, west of London. chance. If you speak to the two also contributed to the surge cations Suite, and OnAir’sas the airport is essentially largest parties, they both say The airport, whose biggest in usage, with 2.6 million in ight connectivity solution.full, operating at 98 per cent Now a government- the same thing, that this is an shareholder is Spanish rm devices connecting to theof its capacity. appointed commission is issue of national importance, Ferrovial, reported a 10.3 per airline’s on-board mobile The high-speed broadband weighing three options - two it’s urgent,” he said. cent rise in 2014 core earnings network in 2014. In ight services enable guests to ac- Future growth would be different plans to build a (EBITDA) to GBP£1.57 billion. texts and mobile phone cess the Internet from laptops, runway at Heathrow, or to In residential areas close calls increased by 62 per cent tablets and smartphones and 61 per cent respectively, over Wi-Fi, allowing them compared to the same period to send emails, log onto their in 2013. favourite social media sites, upgrade seats, change travel iOS was the most popular plans and much more, all operating system on-board, from the comfort of their with 55 per cent of the air- seats at 35,000 feet. line’s guests connecting to the Internet with their iPads The mobile connectivity and iPhones, while 30 per service allows guests to cent used devices running on use their mobile phones Android’s operating system. and smartphones to make and receive phone calls, send Etihad Airways’ Live TV and read SMS text messages service is attracting strong or email, use mobile data interest and receiving great services to browse the web, feedback from travellers, and much more. with an average of 50,000 hours of live news and major Now available on 43 wide- sporting events being viewed body aircraft, the Live TV each month. service brings quality content from seven television chan- Etihad Airways’ Chief nels including BBC World Commercial Of cer, Peter News, Sport 24 and CNN, the Baumgartner, said, “We top three most viewed chan- continue to rede ne our nels, and CNBC, euronews, guests’ air travel experience Japan’s NHK World Premium, with innovative products and Sky News Arabia.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 ANALYSISBUSINESSWORLDRising Clamour for 5% Commission ofCustoms RevenueLicensedcustomsagentshavebeenclamouringfora vepercentcommissiononrevenues accruing to the treasury from Nigerian Customs Service. John Iworiwrites that this will serve as incentive and morale booster for these agents whoare revenue generators for governmentAs a result of the signi cant drop Nigeria’s shipping policy framework Shi u money generated into the coffers remitted to non-federation account.in the income of the federal govern- is out dated and incoherent. The last indulging in these ills to make more of the Nigerian Customs Service A breakdown of the reportment due to the dwindling price of major review was 28 years ago. That money from consignees and their because that will serve as a moralecrude oil in the international market is the NSP Act number 10 of 1987. representatives. These allegations booster for us. That will also help showed that N511.55 billion wassince last year, the demand for the As a result, Nigeria’s ports have and counter allegations of sharp government generate a lot of revenue. collect from import; N8.59 billiondiversi cation of the economy has become uncompetitive; Shippers practices have often led to mutual Then, we will not allow importers from import duty while N39.76 wasbecome strident. The demand for have been pushed outside the shores suspicion between the agents and who may want to cut corners do collected from fees. It also showedthe diversi cation of the economy of Nigeria. Nigeria was designated of cials of NCS. that. We will encourage them to do that N203.37 billion was collecteddid not start today. It has been on to be a maritime hub for West and genuine declaration knowing fully from levies; N186.80 billion fromfor decades. However, it is becom- Central Africa, with the potential to National President, Association of well that we are statutorily entitled Value Added Tax (VAT) while theing louder and louder as Nigeria’s be a maritime international centre Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents to ve per cent of the revenue.’’ Common External Tariff (CET) levyeconomy continue to suffer from (MIC)”. (ANLCA), Olayiwola Shittu, who Last line accounted for N24.61 billion.the continuous drop in the income reiterated the agents demand inderived from crude oil. This is He expressed regret that Nigeria Lagos asked the federal govern- The demand of the ANLCA A quarterly breakdown of theunderstandable. Nigeria has over ports are being abandoned for those ment to approve payment of ve chieftains is worth considering by the gures within the period underthe years depends on the revenue in the Republic of Benin and Togo per cent commission on revenues federal government. There is a need review showed that N197.82 billionaccruing from crude oil for the due to lack of regulation in the sector, accruing into the national treasury to take a cursory look at the proposal. was collected in the rst quarter;sustenance of her economy. Analysts which, has led to a plethora of un- through NCS. This is not unconnected with the fact N265.81billion in second quarter,said over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s coordinated activities and exorbitant that NCS did not meet its revenue while N249.29 billion and N264.05income is from crude oil. In fact, it port charges, which make Nigeria Giving an insight into the demand, target of N1.2 trillion in 2014. billion were collected in third andis the mainstay of the economy. This very unattractive for business. Shittu who is also the Managing fourth quarters respectively.is why virtually everyone is worried Director and Chief Executive Of cer From its monthly summary report, The comparison of the quarterlyover the dwindling price of crude Agbakoba, who played a signi cant of Skellas Limited, said the demand not less than N977.09 billion was collection revealed that the secondoil in the international market. There role in the enactment of the Cabotage from government was to enable generated as revenue into the federa- quarter accounted for highest, whileare fears in some quarters that if the Act 2003, noted that the federal agents perform better as revenue tion account by NCS in 2014. The the rst quarter recorded the lowestprice of crude oil does not improve government hardly implements its generators into the central till. amount generated by the Customs collection for the year.signi cantly in the months ahead, own policies thereby creating leakages High Command was short of the Explaining the rationale on itsthe country may go bankrupt. That in the system. He said, invariably, “We are the revenue generators N1.2 trillion revenue target given revenue generation in 2014 comparedis one of the reasons why not a few Nigeria due to paucity of its shipping for government. Last year, we made to the service for last year. to 2013, NCS Deputy ComptrollerNigerians have called on the federal regulations was violating international about N800 billion for Customs General (DCG), Trade and Tariff, Mr.government to step up efforts in trade facilitation laws. but if government gives customs The monthly summary of its Adewuyi Akinade explained that thethe drive to diversify the economy. brokers not less than ve per cent of revenue generation in 2014 prepared service ensured that all avenues for According to him, Nigeria as revenue generated as an incentives, by the NCS and obtained by THIS- revenue leakages were blocked. He Hence, the call is blossoming a coastal state is to provide port we can get up to N2 trillion annu- DAY showed that the revenue was also stated that the system audit putinto a robust campaign with the importation support and access to ally. Government uses contractors, generated from sundry sources. These in place by the service had helpedinvolvement of several stakeholders landlocked countries such as Niger consultants and they pay them so include import and excise duties, to enhance compliance by traders.within and outside the maritime sec- and Burkina Faso. Cameroun and much but we are not asking for so levies and other fees charged by According to the DCG, the servicetor of the economy. One person Ghana are now providing those much but for just ve per cent of the service in line with its statutory also blocked all the potential areaswhose voice has remained clear on services in spite of long distances money generated by each customs roles and responsibilities. of revenue leakages last year.the need to diversify the economy between the countries. Nigeria has licensed company,” he said. Akinade also explained thatand seek other alternative sources of also lost out on tonnage that would According to the monthly summary NCS carried out capacity buildingrevenue is the former President of have accrued from its international Shittu is not alone. Other stakehold- reports for 2014, the revenue gure of its men and of cers, even as hethe Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), carrier status. No vessel carries that ers have also added their voice to showed an increase of N143.79 billion pointed out that if its personnel areMr. Olisa Agbakoba. The erudite the clamour. Erstwhile Chairman, over the N833.4 billion NCS collected adequately trained, they will notlawyer speci cally called on the ag in Nigeria currently. Forecast ANLCA, Tin Can Island Port chapter, in 2013. The gure represents about only understand classi cation andfederal government to look at the also states that over two million cars Mr. Kayode Farinto also said that 15 per cent increase in the amount evaluation of goods but also be in adirection of the maritime industry are brought into Nigeria daily from the ve per cent, which will serve collected by NCS. position to collect appropriate dutyas a veritable alternative source of neighbouring countries of Benin and as an incentive for agents, would from importers, exporters and freightrevenue. He stated that not less than Togo due to regulation and ef ciency. motivate them to generate more Within the period under the review, forwarders across the country.N17 trillion can be generated annually At an estimate of N450, 000 per car, money into the coffers of the federal N586.91 billion out of the amount It is on record that this was notfrom the maritime industry if the this translates to N90 billion lose in government annually. collected by NCS was remitted to the rst time Shittu and other agentsfederal government put the right revenue each day. federation account while N390.18 was would be making the demand for vepolicies and programmes in place Agents’ recipe According to Farinto, “we should per cent commission of the revenueand implement them rigorously. also be given ve per cent of the generated by NCS. It, however, Another group that has added remains to be seen whether the Agbakoba stated in his position their voice to the call for the boosting federal government will considerpaper which he sent to the govern- the revenue of the country is licensed the demand this time around as thement the Co-ordinating Minister customs agents. The group has not dwindling price of crude oil in thefor the Economy and Minister of relented in its call for a change in international market since last yearFinance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. the way and manner customs duty has forced the government to start is collected. In fact, licensed customs seeking for alternative avenues of While lauding the minister for agents in the country reiterated their getting income to run the economyadmitting that Nigeria should be demand for a ve per cent commis- in the months ahead. Will the Federalviewed, henceforth, as a non-oil sion on the revenue generated by Government look into the demandsproducing nation and need to explore the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). of the licensed customs agents? Will itnew revenue resources as a result explore veritable avenues to addressof the decline in the price of oil, he The demand followed arguments the root cause of under declarationsargued that the maritime industry in some quarters that the involve- and concealments once and for all?could surpass the crude oil in ment of licensed customs agents If government acceded into therevenue earnings if fully harnessed. in revenue generated by NCS will demand of Shittu and his colleagues eliminate the tap root of most of will change the way and manner He maintained that the need for the sharp practices in cargo import they are presently carrying out theiralternative source of income for and export chain. job in the nation’s seaports, airportsNigeria should be given a priority and international borders? Will thesince he did not see any signi cant These sharp practices, which are approval of ve per cent commissionchange in the price of crude oil in prevalent in many airports, seaports on NCS revenue to agents improvethe international market soon. and international land borders include ef ciency in the clearing goods in under declaration and concealments. the ports? Will it make the agents Giving an insight into how a lot A lot of money running into billions the whistle blowers in the systemof money can be generated from the of naira if not trillions were lost since any loss in revenue will affectmaritime industry, he said: “There through these sharp practices. the commission accruing to them?is massive untapped revenue in our Will this proposal make the 48 hoursmaritime sector estimated at N7 trillion Though the degree of these sharp cargo clearance regime a reality?per annum. In order to tap revenue practices, which are often perpetrated Only time will tell.from this sector there will need to be by some unscrupulous importersan overhaul of policy, institutional, and licensed customs agents inregulatory and legal framework. collaboration with some NCS of- cials vary from port to another, the agents are often accused of

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CITYSTRINGS T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 Features Editor Adeola Akinremi Email [email protected] Republic’sInventive ProwessWithAnkara Press, another book publisher that is focused on changing thenon-fictional and fictional narrative of contemporary literature inAfrica,Cassava Republic’s penchant for creativity continues to make it a hub for theAfrican story. Solomon Elusoji writesBibi Bakare- Yusuf In December 2014, the imprint released six handling is off), the number of Nigerians to be a genre imprint that sells a lot of books, brand new titles from six different authors. who pay to download books online is very has to perform certain ideological functions.Cassava Republic is one of Africa’s They were not printed on paper books. low. And digital reading, admittedly already nest independent publishing houses. Instead, they were delivered to the reader a phenomenon in countries with developed Read her: “Yes, we don’t want to alienate Set up in 2006 to “change the way electronically via the publisher’s website for book industries, is still elitist around here. And people’s expectations about romance, so we we all think about African writing”, a charge of 500 naira. But why? with millions of potential romance readers wanted our messaging to be subtle. Peopleit is associated with innovation. From driving out there, Ankara Press will barely scratch don’t even notice the indoctrination processdown the cost of books to using digital media “Because of the ease of distribution,” she told the surface, in terms of penetration, with that takes place in a romance novel. Throughto drive sales, Cassava has consistently strived Shercliff. “It’s an African imprint so we wanted digital books. the novels, you are being socialised into howto rede ne the African narrative. to ensure we could reach African readers you come into adulthood, how you enter across the continent and in the Diaspora, as However, the rationale for digital is and negotiate relationships. In 2014, it made another trailblazing move well as in Nigeria. There is immediacy about almost acceptable. In a country with poorby launching Ankara Press, an imprint which publishing digitally – readers all over the book distribution networks, indiscriminate “We are acutely aware of the socialisinghas been described as “a new voice publishing globe can have access to the stories on the piracy, and high cost of local printing, paper job of romance, but what we wanted to doromantic ction for the African market.” day of launch. And a digital imprint solves books may never have been feasible for an differently was to show women that it is many of the distribution bottlenecks we have experimental, risk-laden project. okay to be focused on their career as well “We chose the name Ankara, because, like experienced with Cassava Republic.” as to desire and be desirable, to be lustfulthe cloth, we believe it re ects Africa’s long But again, this brings up a pertinent ques- without fear. It is about giving women theconversation with the other continents in order But this is a short-sighted approach to selling tion: who is Ankara Press targeted at? Are its permission to create the contours of theirto develop a new aesthetics of tradition,” books to a Nigerian (or African) audience. readers internet-ready, smart-phone wielders, own sexual universe by providing them withCassava Republic’s founder, Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, While it is true that a digital imprint solves a comfortable online shoppers? Or young girls in representations of other women who havehas said. “This has now become a feature of lot of distribution bottlenecks and downloads secondary school whose parents are struggling done it. That way, they can say to themselves,African cosmopolitan style and modernity.” may rake in a sizeable pro t for the publish- to pay their way through school? These are ‘I am okay to be me’. And for the woman ers and authors (cost of paper printing and dif cult questions. But Bakare-Yusuf, and her who is waiting for some man to save her, In an interview with Emma Shercliff, admirable team at Cassava Republic, should this will show her that you don’t need toBakare-Yusuf gave three reasons for launching We chose the name be ready to confront them. wait to be served.”a romance imprint. “Firstly, I felt that our Ankara, because, like the An Ideological Genre Imprint?ideas about African literature needed to be cloth, we believe it reflects In a way, Ankara Press is about remixing themore diverse. Every time we think about Africa’s long conversation Bakare-Yusuf is a feminist. Or at least, in her contents of a formulaic genre. Bakrare-YusufAfrican literature, we think about literary with the other continents own words, she has a “feminist inclination”. is xated on representing the black woman in order to develop a new And she believes that, to a considerable extent, (and man) in romance novels, and play up ction. We don’t think of African literature aesthetics of tradition due to the dangerous stereotypes created by strong, feminist values. Will it work?in terms of genre ction. Yet, genre ction foreign romance like the Mills and Boonsis the mainstay of many publishing houses series, women in this part of the world, “have That will depend on the quality of theall over the world.” these unrealistic expectations of men. Our writings published under the imprint. And ideas of romance seem to be very fairytale ‘quality’ means having the fundamentals of Secondly, she noted that it has to do with her and not in tune with the reality of our lives.” mass market ction: language accessibility,own “feminist inclination and work on gender suspense, and the perpetuation of popularissues in Nigeria.” Apparently, Bakare-Yusuf So, for her, Ankara Press, which is supposed stereotypes.wants to use the imprint to promote certainideological values. Of course, the irony is glaring. There are The third reason was because “romancesells.”

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 CITYSTRINGSvaluable exceptions, but mass market ction There has been some promoted presence on established literary writers like Abubakar not just about pushing well-edited booksis not about changing stereotypes. It is about social media. The imprint has been featured Adam Ibrahim, Chuma Nwokolo, Eghosa on the world-wide-web (which is a fantasticperpetuating them. The American mass-market on the Guardian UK. It has also partnered Imasuen, Victor Ehikhamenor, Elnathan John, platform by the way), readers must be ablepaperbacks of the 1940s didn’t set out to with online newspaper, Sabinews.com, to Binyavanga Wainaina, and a host of others. to discover and engage with it. It’s a lot ofchange the world. feature story snippets from the published work, but it can be done. books on its site. But the buzz has not materialised. Not a Again, a question must be asked. Are the lot of people are talking about these books. However, this brings us full circle to wherevalues Bakare-Yusuf hopes to promote part On Valentine Day, a collection of 14 love It is not trending on Twitter or Instagram. we started from: the choice for going digital.of popular culture in this part of the world? short-stories was published and made available Admittedly, we do not have records of how On the surface, it looks like a sound decision.If not, Ankara Press may end up becoming for free on its website. The anthology featured many copies have been sold, but in the digital But it is not.a glori ed literary imprint: to make a pro t, world, success is not exactly measured bysell few books at a high price. On the surface, it looks sales; it is measured by engagement. Even Even if Ankara Press gets its marketing like a sound decision. But in mainstream marketing, a lot of experts right and one of its books becomes an in- But, remember, no one knows tomorrow. it is not. Even if Ankara believe that the big question is: how do we ternet phenomenon, pirates will come intoThe imprint may as well become very popular Press gets its marketing get people to start talking about what we the picture instantly. Forget DRM (Digitalamong young and old readers, gain traction right and one of its books have to offer? (See the Share-a-coke campaign) Rights Management), people will nd a wayand alter a very pivotal narrative of social becomes an internet to share the books, and the publisher, whodiscourse. After all, the book industry is a phenomenon, pirates The engagement rule applies more in book has incurred a lot of marketing expenses,crazy world. Unpredictable things happen. will come into the picture publishing. Throughout history, the word- will be left licking ve ngers.(See Fifty Shades of Grey) instantly of-mouth phenomenon has been responsibleThe Marketing Conundrum for the success of most best-selling books Ankara Press’ is a fantastic project, but – someone reads a book, and tells his friends its fortunes will not lie with digital, at least Print or digital, it is very important for and family about it; and like a chain reaction, until a large percentage of Nigerians starta book to be marketed adequately if it is word spreads. shopping online. And there will still be thegoing to sell a healthy number of copies. problem of getting enough people to readThat’s a xed law of publishing. So, how Bakare-Yusuf may not have found the magic books through screens. A radical print strategyis Ankara Press going about the marketing potion, but she needs to continue looking should be the way forward. That way, theseof its new six books? for it. She has to nd it or else Ankara Press remixed loves stories will be able to nd the may never reach the Promised Land. It is audience they deserve.Ankara: promoting a new kind of romance

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